There are personal problems that we have all had, that are absolutely unacceptable to God, and it can cause success or failure, make our lives miserable or happy and we must be willing to make change.  Otherwise, it can control us and make our life unsatisfactory.  If everyone could control two primary emotional problems it could change the world.

Having worked with thousands of people, many struggle with numerous problems, failing to find the rich and satisfying life that Christ promised in (John 10:10).  No doubt, we have all known Christians who strove toward being spiritual but failed so miserably and completely that after a time they simply gave up and told God they couldn’t go on.  Maybe this is your story.  If so, be encouraged by knowing the Apostle Paul experienced tremendous struggles and failures—probably more than any of us could complain about.  After a time, he too gave up the struggle: “I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (Rom. 7:15 – 18).

What Paul did and what all Christians must do is to stop struggling. After Paul described the agony of his internal conflict between his sin nature and spiritual nature, he expressed total despair:  “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7:24). Paul surrendered, turning the matter over to the Holy Spirit, and gave up his self-serving nature. He won.

When we do this, we have the ultimate victory; however, we will still have some skirmishes to fight. Christians will face a daily onslaught of events that tempt them to take matters into their own hands and “do battle” with their antagonists. Christians need to be aware that no matter how successful they might be at turning the matter over to the Holy Spirit, thereby putting to death whatever belongs to their worldly natures (see Col. 3:5), they will be tempted to do one of two things: give in to it, or fight it. Either way they lose. But time and experience will teach us that we can indeed win the internal war, not by continuous struggle, but by a continuous surrendering to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to win the war for us: “The Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2).

Over the years, I have seen people struggle with one problem that seems to cause more difficulties than most.  That is the sin of an unforgiving spirit.  “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  (Matt. 6:14 – 15)

Let’s use marriage as an example.  If one person does something that hurts their spouse, how does that person handle it?  Do they have a forgiving heart or an unforgiving one?  If they are unwilling to forgive a battle could ensue.  Regardless what they may have done, God says we must forgive.  To do that requires a spirit that knows how to love.  However, that does not mean we are to allow a husband or a wife to take advantage of us.  But if both husband and wife have loving spirits and forgiving hearts they can have a beautiful relationship.  Perfect love never keeps score.  Marriage has never been a struggle for my wife and me.  It is because of our love for each other and both having spirits that never tried to get even and never kept score.

If in traffic someone cuts you off, what is your reaction?  You are not pleased but a forgiving spirit will not demand retaliation, which so often happens.  Fights, wars are results of having unforgiving spirits.  Presidents have enemy lists.  I have been told that it isn’t unusual for attorneys to have: “I’ll get even lists”. What about you, do you have a list? Do you realize how much trouble is caused by this one spirit, the spirit of unforgiveness?   This is why God said: If you don’t forgive others I will not forgive you.  If you are struggling spiritually or mentally it could be a result of your inability to forgive.  How can you have a personal relationship with Christ if God is not forgiving you for not being forgiving?

I suppose having been a store manager and having had to deal with some very rude customers has given me the experience to develop a forgiving spirit.  I was determined not to let anyone ruin my day.  It wasn’t my fault their dryer didn’t dry, their washer didn’t wash, their freezer didn’t freeze, their blouse shrunk or the white paint didn’t cover the black wall.  Yet, having a forgiving spirit and a heart of love does not mean you cannot be stern and you do not let people walk all over you.  Again, picture what Christ would do in any given situation.  He drove out the money changers yet, on the cross He said: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

So how do you overcome life’s struggles?  What two things has God, the Creator, commanded us to do?  We must love and we must forgive.  If everyone in the world could accomplish these two commands, what would society be like?  There would be no hate and Heaven would eventually be over flowing!

Christ promised a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10) I want it! How do I get it? It normally is the result of making correct choices. However, if you think life is always going to be easy you are mistaken. But it doesn’t have to be as bad as some of us make it. If we make decisions without God’s help the consequence may not turn out with the best results. So if we want the life that Christ promised shouldn’t we ask God for help?

The first thing we must understand is that God created us with a purpose. Through His Word He promises that He will guide us throughout life to fulfill that purpose. But we have a real problem. We have been given a self-centered, sinful nature that wants to make decisions; we have a devil wanting to influence the choices we make and we are offered God’s Spirit to show us the path that God has prepared for us. If we accept Christ and receive the Holy Spirit we then have one positive and two negatives that want to guide us through life. Our life will depend upon who we listen to: the two negatives or hone in on the positive One? We must determine what we want the consequences to be. Do we allow one of the negatives to choose or the positive One?

An example would be in choosing a spouse. The two negative spirits look at the outer extremities or lust and the positive Spirit looks at the inner person. The Holy Spirit sees the person’s temperament, their morals, their heart and most everything we cannot see. What are your chances for a satisfying life if we allow the spirit of lust choose rather than the Holy Spirit? Won’t your life be the consequence of the choice you make? Do you see the advantage of asking God to help you make decisions? Or do you believe God will pick out the most unattractive person who will be no fun to live with? Would that give you the rich and satisfying life Christ promised?

Let’s give it a try. How do I get the Holy Spirit to help me make decisions? We must start each day asking God to allow the Holy Spirit to give us direction. We pray that we will be given energy to exercise. We ask for guidance in determining what we should be eating for health reasons. We must pray for wisdom and as we read our Bibles each day, we must ask for understanding. We need to pray that the Holy Spirit will block out all of the negative influences that will be given throughout the day. Ask God to help us select the correct relationships and meet the right people that will enhance and better our lives. Help us to be a proper witness for Christ in attracting the right friends. The Bible says we will always have an open line to God, for He never hangs up, and we are to pray without ceasing.

The amount of help we may expect from the Holy Spirit will depend on how seriously we spend time in Bible study and prayer. We must not throughout the day, continually ignore God’s Spirit if we want His help, because the two negative spirits will try to help us make every decision. The friends they pick out may not give us the life for which we are looking.

There will be times when God will allow you to make the wrong decision. There are some things we can learn only through experience. We should never ask: “God, why did you allow this to happen to me?” The correct response is: “God, what did you want me to learn from this negative experience?” When we make the wrong decisions we always know that if we repent God will forgive us. If we love ourselves more than we love God, we will be disobedient to God’s will. Selfishness finds it hard to repent but easy to ask for forgiveness.

When bad things happen that we have no control over, such as parents losing a child in death, there may be a tendency to blame God. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) When we were created God knew everything that would happen in our lives and you were chosen to be the parents of the one who died at an early age. We will only know the reason when we get to heaven. But there will be a reason. There may even be occasions when God uses sickness or other means to draw us closer to Him. We then have time to read our Bible and certainly we increase our prayer time.

There will be times when we pray and God will not answer our prayer. Yet, we know that God wants what is best for us. Most times I have found if a prayer does not get answered God has something different and better that He wants to give me. Then there may be times He does not answer because He is testing us. What will our reaction be to an unanswered prayer? We must trust God in all things, regardless. God’s ways are not always our ways.

I only wish I had learned all of this information fifty years ago. It would have made life’s valleys easier to navigate through. I too have made a number of bad decisions, mostly financial, but have had a rich (having enough) and satisfying life, thanks to God. The best decision was allowing the Holy Spirit to select my wife.   She didn’t!  Oh well!

Most people struggle with negative spirits: Have you heard of the spirit of unforgiveness?  Is it possible that our unforgiveness comes from a negative spirit?  The Bible tells us that God says if we will not forgive others, He will not forgive us.  Do you realize how many people may have a spirit that will not allow them to forgive someone who has done them wrong?  Watch TV news or read the newspaper.  Much crime is a result of someone getting even.  “They stole $50 dollars from me so I shot them.”  What about other negative spirits such as: the spirit of selfishness, jealousy, anger, anxiety, guilt, depression, a spirit of hopelessness, unworthiness and others.   It only takes one or two emotional problems to cause a life that is far from being satisfying.   What if these problems really are negative spirits caused by influences from a spirit world?  We realize that from birth these problems can exist.  Just how much influence does Satan and his millions of emissaries have over individuals?

During high school we had a neighbor that could foresee the future.  She stated that I was going to be asked to go to a skating party out of town.  She advised me not to go as something bad was going to happen.  When three of my friends asked, I said no.  They had a serious wreck and all three were injured.  It was weird the things she was able to foresee.  When I was seventeen she told me what my life would be like.  It seems like most of what I can remember came true. I do not believe her gift was from God but from the spirit world.   Since becoming a Christian the Bible says that is not something we should ever become involved in and I haven’t.

I read where one priest in the Catholic Church had participated in over 70,000 exorcisms.  There are more than a thousand priests who do exorcisms.  How many people are possessed to some degree?

This may sound far-fetched, but when I read the New Testament and the time Christ and the Apostles spent healing and driving out evil spirits, I wondered if it was possible that we could be possessed by negative spirits.  John 8:31b & 32 – ““If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

What was Christ going to free us from?  He says the bondage of sin so that we might have a rich and satisfying life.  How much of our problems are caused by negative spirits or spirits that influence how we live?  John 10:10 – “Jesus said: ‘The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.’”

Because of my neighbor, I have been well aware of the paranormal.  I believe in haunted houses and demonic presence.  I had heard stories of people being visited by dead relatives.   So I started wondering, just how much are we affected by the spirit world?  You know millions are demon possessed.  Go to certain posts online and there is anger boiling over.  Some people are overwhelmed with hate.  They are vicious and lash out at others. However, we know demons can influence a Christian without possessing them.   The Holy Spirit would not allow possession.

So what happens when a person becomes a believer in Christ and receives the Holy Spirit?  Do all of one’s emotional problems immediately disappear?  Or, is the Holy Spirit given to help us, one-by-one, rid ourselves of these negative spirits?  We are told to work out our salvation.  That means spiritual maturity is a continuous process.  Is entire sanctification the point when we overcome these negative spirits?  We can get to the point that negative spirits or emotional problems no longer have control over us. It may take time but I know it can happen!

I have known people who always seemed that their anger controlled them. That does not mean a time comes when you will never be angry again.  But you can get to a point that anger no longer controls you and rarely would you ever become angry and your anger does not have to last.

So what must I do to have a satisfying life guaranteed? Do you believe that Christ’s promise can give you a rich and satisfying life?  May I suggest you make a list of every problem or negative spirit that you are dealing with.  You may start with four or five, unless there are more.  Then each day pray that God will allow the Holy Spirit, within you, to help you overcome the control they have on you.  Then pick the one you are having the least problem with and throughout the day pray that the Holy Spirit will help you eliminate that particular problem from your life.  It may take days or weeks.  Do not stop praying daily until you feel it no longer controls you.  Then go to the next one on your list and do the same until you have become rid of each negative spirit that has had control over your life.

You can control the quality of life you want to live.  Or, you can let your problems control you.  You are totally responsible for your reaction regardless what occurs in your life.  You can be the victor or the victim.  God tells many, many times that He wants what is best for us and that is a rich and satisfying life.  So allow the Holy Spirit to make it happen.  Christ wants you to be free.  Are you?

Recent research suggests one’s attitude and disposition tremendously affects one’s health.  Studies indicate there is a relationship between depression and Alzheimer or memory loss.  Published journals conclude that depressive symptoms can raise the risk of dementia by 50%.  It is fairly factual that stress and depression alter the brain.  Therefore, we must find ways to alleviate stress and depression.  

Our bodies respond to what we put into them.  What we eat, drink, the amount of exercise and what we think can determine our health.  You talk to a person that lives to be 100 and you normally find they have an attitude that is different from most people you meet.  They don’t take life or themselves too seriously and they have a fairly positive attitude.  They are not usually angry, bitter or are they frustrated continually.    They don’t allow the normal worries of life to upset them. 

Would you like to improve your chances of living a more healthy life and adding a few years to your life?  The best way to do that is be a “doer” of Biblical teaching.  If you believe in God and that He created you, are you willing to live as He directs through His Word? 

John 8:31 – 32 – “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The question is: Have you been set free?  If not it could affect your health.  Let me give you an example.  Our carnal nature tells us when we have been wronged we must get even.  Read the newspaper or listen to the news on radio or TV.  People react to others who they believe have done them wrong.  You can’t count the number of people killed as a result of revenge and retaliation.  I often read: “They done me wrong and I took care of it.”  Their reaction was a result of anger, revengefulness and a person out-of-control.    They had an unforgiving spirit that controlled them. 

Ephesians 4:26 & 32 – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. (32) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Luke 23:24a While on the cross Christ said: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” We are told to forgive 70 times 7. 

Matthew 6:14 – 15 – “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Do you think an unforgiving spirit can affect your health?  Wouldn’t you want a God that is willing to forgive you?  Do you realize that if you do not forgive others you will not be forgiven?  Excessive guilt can cause depression and depression may cause Alzheimer or dementia.  Do you want God to set you free?  Do what His Word tells you to do!  Don’t allow an unforgiving spirit to control your life and affect your health. 

James 1:22 – “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  NLT James 1:32, Matthew 7:21 – 23, Luke 6:46, John 14:21 -23 Scripture tells us to have a rich and satisfying life requires that we do the God’s will. 

John 10:10 – “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”  NLT

God promises a satisfying life or an abundant life.  If you have a rich and satisfying life you should not have stress or depression.  So what is wrong if you do?  You are focusing on your problems and not onto God to helping you solve.  Are you obeying God’s commands?  Are you living according to His ways?

Malachi 3:8 – 10 – “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!  “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’  “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.  You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”  Are you doing what He asks?  Have you tested God? 

Galatians 5:22 – 23 – “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”  It takes the gifts of the Holy Spirit to give us that rich and satisfying life.  Are we a “doer” of God’s Word?  What other Scriptural commands may you be ignoring? 

How serious do you consider having Alzheimer?  If you knew what caused it, how willing would you be to do whatever necessary to prevent it?  Is there any need to have negative stress or continuous frustration in your life?  Do you think God has adequately given, in His Word, what we should do to stop it?  Is it worth doing God’s will and being a “doer” of His Word?

It appears we elect many who have never run a business and they make laws for businesses.  There are those elected who have never read the constitution or they ignore it.  We elect people who work for their own good and not for the good of those who elected them.  The direction our country is headed, is not the country that our founding fathers envisioned.  Our elected politicians, in general, are more concerned about their political party and their own re-election than what is best for America.  What I believe is best for America is free market capitalism.  Rather than taking from the rich and sharing with others, give each of us the opportunity to become rich if we are willing to risk and work for it.  For years we had been registered as independents until moving to Nevada. Independents don’t get to vote in primaries, except for independent politicians, which are rare or a wasted vote.

Philippians 2:3 – 5 – “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” NLT

What kind of changes would we see if every individual elected were to legislate using this Scripture as their guide?  They would realize that selfish ambition can ruin a city, state or a nation.  Being humble gives a person a better perspective about who we are.  They would treat others with respect and common courtesy.  They would work to prevent gridlock.  From our city and many other governments we have had some self-serving politicians that end up in jail.  Do you think they had our best interest at heart?

We have so many politicians coming from different life styles and backgrounds that they find it almost impossible to reach simple agreements.  As a result they are unwilling to consider another’s views and beliefs.  The Bible teaches us to refuse to be selfish, prejudice, jealous or anything that would cause dissension.

Christ gave up His divine rights to serve God and man.  We and politicians should strive to have a servant’s heart.  What I see are a lot of politicians who want to be served but who are unwilling to serve.

Having been on a number of church boards, I see the same problem existing there too.  Church members often find it difficult to be on the same page and be unified in Christ.  There are many different disagreements on non-essential Scripture.  Sometimes it becomes so heated that there is a church split.  We have spent many hours in board meetings discussing how to get unity in the church.  There were as many leaving via the back door of the church over disagreements as were coming in the front door.

It seems there are always some who seem conceited about their own opinions, without reason or basis.  They looked down on everyone else who disagreed with them.  There is an absence of any encouragement, comfort, fellowship in the Spirit, or tenderness and compassion.  Humility is a concern for the advancement of others.  True humility is having the proper perspective of ourselves.  A humble person is always seeking the good of other people.  How would you rate the humility of most politicians?

It is hard for many to understand but business today is much different than it was a number of years ago.  When I came to Las Vegas in 1974 as a store manager we had 52 department managers.  Most were sales managers and others non-sales.  Each month we had huge binders and we had to count and order every item listed.  A few years later we went to computerize cash registers and they would keep track of what was sold and reordering was automatic.  When I left in 1987 we were able to run the store with just 14 department managers.  Yet, we had hired many more to provide better sales and customer service.  Things are changing every year yet; politicians do little about out-of-date regulations, policies and laws.

When I started my business most everything was done by phone.  By 1995 most was done by computers.  Previously, it would take me all day to provide statements for 25 people.  Now it can be done in two hours for more than a hundred.  To get where we are today, some 38 years later, it took individuals willing to take risks and develop new ways of doing business. Americans must stay creative and competitive.  And individuals must be encouraged to continue taking risks if we want to further develop ways of doing business or in improving, for example, health practices, pharmaceuticals and equipment.

I believe we were created by God with a desire to help others.  Some become so evil thinking that they are not concerned about anyone but themselves.  I grew up when help came from neighbors and the church.  Many no longer want to accept the responsibility for others yet, they have that desire within that they want the needs of the less fortunate taken care of but they want the government to do it not themselves.  Some older parents had to move in with their children.  How would that work today?  This is not only America, it is globally.   Have we gotten to where we no longer want to share what we have earned?  That internal need to help others within us is there, most just don’t want to share what is theirs.  However, the Bible says we are to treat others as we would want to be treated.  That means we must be willing to give to others.

What were those described in the Bible willing to give up for their beliefs?

What are our armed forces willing to give up for the protection of our country?

What are you willing to give up for the benefit of our city, state or nation and to others?

The attitude of many Americans is that there is nothing they are willing to give up freely.  The government owes me!  Is our nation headed in the right direction? Some will vote based on facts and others on emotions.   Depending on your background, beliefs and whether you are receiving government aid that is who you will probably vote for.  But when you vote take into consideration the government can only do so much.  Don’t expect from them what you can provide for yourself.   Christians, we must stop being self-serving and become Christ-serving.

There was a man who had a dream.  God asked him: “What should I give you”?  The man answered and God made him one of the richest men in the world.  If that happened to you and God asked you that question, would you be prepared to give an answer?  If you are a student of the Bible you know what to ask for.  If not, what would your request to God be?  Do you believe He will answer that prayer?

Why do you suppose God was willing to ask that man what he wanted?  First, God knew what he would ask for and He knew the man’s heart.  The man was very humble.  If God answered your prayer and it changed your whole life would you use it to benefit yourself or to help others?  If God asked you to do a certain thing with what He gave you, would you have the courage and boldness to execute what you were asked to do?

Let’s assume God answered your prayer and you became a well-known person as a result.  Would you want everyone to know what God did?  Would there be a raging battle within you between your self-centered nature and your spirit-filled nature?  Would one nature want to boast while the other nature would be humbly thanking and praising God for His blessing and for having chosen you?  Are you prepared for the attacks that Satan will throw at you if your prayer was answered?  Should you not think about the consequences before you ask God?

I Kings 3:5 & 9 – “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Solomon answered: “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  Solomon asked for wisdom!  God gave him wisdom and everything a person would ever want.

It is possible one of the reasons God does not lavish us with prosperity is because most of us would not be able to handle it.  God made Solomon extremely wealthy.  Solomon lived life to the fullest with every pleasure that one could imagine.  There was nothing denied him.  He ended up a wasted man until his wisdom allowed him to realize that this uncontrolled living was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.  None of the pleasures that the world offered ever satisfied him.  His wisdom was used on the wrong things.  It was about himself rather than what God had given him.  His wealth and wisdom turned him from a humble man to a self-centered individual.  God’s blessing was being used for the wrong reason.  It was not about others, it was all about self.

Ecclesiastes 2:18 – 20 – “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.  And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.  So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.”

What is our legacy, what are we leaving for those who follow?  Is it the material amounts we have accumulated so their lives will be easier?  Or, is it life’s values and Christian principles?  What may we learn from the richest person, of his time, about worldly pleasures?

I learned to ask for Godly wisdom.  The wisdom I received is found in John 8:31b – 32- “Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  My wisdom came from learning the truth.

The truth is that Christ came to set us free from our bondages.   We need not fear or worry, realize we have been forgiven and should no longer feel guilty.  We are not to be angry or bitter, have anxiety, negative stress or jealousy.  We must have a forgiving spirit.  There is no need to feel inadequate or not belonging. There is never a need to lie, steal or cheat.  We are not judged by our works but by our heart.  The greatest thing we can have is love of God and others.  The testimony that I want to leave to those who follow is the truth does set us free and I know from experience it is a promise from God that we can have.  Praise to God I have been set free!

John 10:10 – “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” NLT

Matthew 7:18 – 23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’” NIV

There are many in the church who are very religious but have no personal relationship with Christ.  They have never been freed and do not live a rich and satisfying life.  They hear the Word, they know the Word but they are not “doers” of the Word.  They may lack wisdom.  May I suggest you pray for wisdom and when you obtain it, you will learn how to receive what all men seek, freedom and a satisfying life while on this earth and an eternal life to “doers” of the Word which is available regardless of your circumstances.

James 1:5 – 6a – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.”

Most of the world does not believe there is life after death or that Christ died and was resurrected.   Yet He met with hundreds of people as witnesses. In fact the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Corinth and told them.  If you doubt it, there are over 500 people, many still alive, who will testify to His death and resurrection.  How easy it is for so many to deny history.  Why?

I Corinthians 15:5 – 8 – “He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.  After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.  Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.  Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.”  NLT

Everyone knew that Christ was crucified and that the tomb in which they buried Him was empty.  History tells us that they paid money to those guarding the tomb to say that His disciples came and stole the body.  That time in history if a guard let a prisoner escape it was his life.  The guards were told that they would be protected only if they lied about how the tomb became empty.  Matthew 28:6 – “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.” There will always be people who do not believe Jesus was resurrected.  Even Jesus’ own brother James and family did not believe.  This is why Jesus went to His brother James after the resurrection.  James then became a follower and headed the Christian Church in Jerusalem.  He told His disciples that He would be resurrected after three days and three nights.   This was further proof that He was the Son of God.

Paul, in his letter to the Corinth church, pointed out how essential the resurrection of Jesus was. If we did not believe there was life after death, then the world would have no need for any morality.  Imagine what the world would be like.

To emphasize the importance of the resurrection, ten of the remaining eleven Apostles and Paul we believe died violet deaths. John the author of the book of John, the three epistles of John and Revelations was exiled to the mines on a small prison island called Patmos and lived in a cave. John was boiled in oil and lived. Later he was release and died a peaceful death in today’s Turkey.  One of the Apostles, Judas Iscariot, did not believe Jesus was the Son of God, committed suicide and ended up in hell according to history and Scripture.

As for the others the Bible records only the death of James found in Acts 12.2.  He was put to death by the sword.  We believe Peter was crucified upside down on an “X” shaped cross according to Jesus’ prophecy in John 21:18 & 19.  Matthew suffered martyrdom and was killed by a sword in Ethiopia.  Nathanael was beaten to death by whipping.  The apostle Thomas was stabbed to death.  James, not the brother of Jesus but John’s brother, was thrown from the upper part of the temple because he refused to deny his belief that Christ was who He said He was.  Matthew was stoned to death. Andrew was crucified.  Philip was martyred in Turkey. Bartholomew was skinned alive. Jude was martyred.  The apostle Paul was beheaded by Nero.  When we take what we believe are facts that those closest to Jesus were willing to die a martyr’s death it leads us to believe there was no doubt in their mind that Jesus was the Son of God. Would these apostles be willing to die for a lie?

Dr. Raymond Moody who has interviewed many who have had a near death experience stated the following:  “They say they become aware of what’s described as a tunnel, a passageway, a portal, and they go into this tunnel, and when they come out, they come out into a very brilliant, warm, loving and accepting light. People at this point describe such amazing feelings of peace and comfort. In this light they say that relatives or friends of theirs who have already died seem to be there to meet them and to greet them and to help them through this transition. Another thing they’ll often tell us is that at this point they are met by some religious figure — Christians say Christ, Jews say God or an angel. They say in this setting that this being, in effect, asks them a question, and they all say that words can’t convey it — that communication in this position does not take place through words as you and I are now using, but rather in the form of an immediate awareness. The way they summarize this question, or try to put it into words, is they say that he asks, in effect, “What have you done with your life? How have you learned to love?” At this point, they say, they undergo a detailed review of everything they have ever done in their lives. This is displayed around them, they tell us, in the form of a full-color, three-dimensional panorama, and it involves every detail of their life, they say, from the point of their birth right up to the point of this close call with death”.  Eight million Americans have had this experience.

So what do we know happens after death?  Prior to the resurrection of Christ, when a person died under the Old Covenant, both believers and non-believers went to Sheol (Hell or Hades).  It was a temporary dwelling place for the soul.  Luke describes a story that Jesus told in Luke 16:19 -26.  The story concerned a rich man and Lazarus a beggar.  They both died and went to Sheol.  However, one went to Abraham’s bosom or Paradise and the other went to a “place of torment”.  The rich man who was in agony saw Lazarus standing beside Abraham.  He called out to Abraham and asked that he have pity on him and have Lazarus dip the tip of his finger in water and cool the rich man’s tongue.  Abraham stated there was a great chasm between them and that he could not get to the place of torment from Paradise.  Meaning once you are in the place of torment you could not cross over.  Many believe the chasm between them was the Abyss or the Bottomless Pit where the most evil spirits are housed until the end of the thousand year reign Christ has upon this earth.

You have a choice.  Either there is life after death or there is not.  How willing are you to gamble on there not being another life after death?  Or, would you bet there is no hell or place of torment?  There are some so arrogant that they just don’t care.  Instant gratification for them is more beneficial than what happens later.  They feel they can deal with anything that happens in the future.  There are others that Satan has made their hearts harder than shoe leather through constant deception and they are unwilling to accept the truth that there is life after death.

Because the world is full of doubters, I suppose God knew that it would take at least 500 witnesses seeing a person dieing and then three days later coming back to life and then telling others that there is life after death.  How else could you ever convince these many unbelievers?  A miracle of this magnitude could only be accomplished by God to prove that Jesus was the Son of God and He did authenticate, to those with faith, that there is life after death.

After death and when you are shown every detail that happened from your birth until death, will you be pleased or disappointed?  Wouldn’t you want to know that all of your sins have been forgiven as you watch your life pass by?

We live in a world that wants to take care of you.  Young people need not be concerned about getting a job. The government wants to give you free health care via Medicaid, free education through college, free job training should you want it, help pay for a mortgage if you did get a job, potential unemployment checks available and if not working give a housing allowance in a winterized house with solar panels, a welfare check when needed and provide food stamps. Everyone is saying we are leaving a tremendous debt burden for our grandchildren.  Not if none of them ever have to work.  What more could they ask for?  Therefore kids, you don’t need my help, I will just keep paying my taxes and the government will take care of you.

For those who decide to work will have to provide for those unwilling to take any personal responsibility.  If congress does not pass something prior to yearend, those working will have to help pay for the largest tax increase in American history.  It is projected that taxes in 2013 could increase by as much as $650 billion if nothing is done.  For those older, the estate taxes in death could apply to anyone having accumulated over $3.5 million and anything over that the government would get 45%.  The Alternative Minimum Tax could hit millions of tax payers, another added tax.  Then cities, counties and states need their taxes.

Many may not remember when about 40% of those living in America were farmers and they prayed that God would help them have a good crop that would hold them over to the next year.  The only ones they could rely upon were God and their neighbors. My father had a job but we also had a cow, chickens and a large garden.  My mother canned enough to last until next year. The government’s job was to provide defense of our country and a judicial system that provided law and order.   We expected nothing more.

Shouldn’t you ask yourself: What would Christ do if living today?  Don’t you think He would tell us that we need to work hard, take care of our family, have faith in God and help our neighbors?  Don’t you think our government has disregarded Christian principles and values that the Bible teaches?  Is the government trying to take the place of God in our lives?  Can the government financially afford to borrow enough to finance the needs of 50% of our population needing entitlements?  What will happen when they run out of money as they will?  Will we be having rioting and looting in the streets as we are seeing in foreign countries?

Scripture tells Christians to become separated from the world?  What does that mean?  One thing it means is personal responsibility and accountability.  Our allegiance must be to God first and to the Judeo/Christian principles this country was founded upon.  For those who have studied history, tell us what makes a nation great is its culture.  It is what they believe and what they value.  Our country always promoted the need to work hard, to be personally responsible, obtain a good education, be a service to one’s community and be selfless.  This was a nation that put their trust in God and its citizens whole heartedly supported that belief.

I, for one, am concerned that there have been too many changes and too many hateful of America’s purpose in the world.  Americans were missionary minded and tried, unsuccessfully, to spread its principle, beliefs and values around the world.  But the world did not accept it.  They preferred to worship other gods.  The god that they idolized most was a “big government”.  They wanted a government that would accept the responsibility for everyone that was not successful or would not be responsible for their own welfare.

Can a nation sell its soul for safety and prosperity?  I sometimes wonder if there aren’t politicians who would sell their souls to become elected.  The reason I wonder is because that question was asked on TV of politicians running for the first time for congress.  The question: “Do you think you can stand up to party leaders who want you to sell your soul for the good of the party”?  What politician would say:  “No I would have to cave in”?  Then why is it they seem to make decisions based on getting re-elected rather than what seemingly is best for America?

Why are so many people unwilling to ask what God expects from each of us?  Why were we placed on this earth and what is our purpose?   Why are we unwilling to serve and would rather be served?  Why can we be so self-centered instead of being Christ centered?  How often are we grateful for the opportunities that are available?

Are we going to think as the world does or are we go to think as the Bible teaches?  We are told to be courageous and have a positive attitude.  Attitudes are not something we can teach. They must be something we get from something or somebody.  One’s attitude is a personal thing.  It is how we see ourselves.

We need to dwell on the positive, rely on God’s help to reject what we are hearing on TV or reading in the paper.  Others need to see us as examples for what is right and not what others are doing.  Don’t consider what our country can do for us but what we can do for our country.  Remember JFK’s statement?  It applies more than ever today!

By Abraham Lincoln

“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.  You cannot keep out of financial trouble by spending more than you earn.  You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.  You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.  You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred.  You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.  You cannot build character and courage by taking away initiative and independence.”

Deep debt, lavish lifestyles, ill-advised relationships, unwise decisions, foolish talk: These are just a few outgrowths of spiritual heart trouble. And the subject of spiritual health is one that many of my Christian friends don’t want to discuss. But when I am allowed to deal with the true problem, I must undertake the task with some delicacy.

Spiritual heart trouble is every bit as debilitating as physical heart trouble, because it determines the kinds of decisions one makes. One’s true nature—heart—affects all business, career, family, and personal decisions. A healthy spiritual heart usually makes wise decisions, while an unhealthy spiritual heart will often make unwise ones.

First, a healthy spiritual heart, what the Bible calls the “new man,” allows the Holy Spirit free access (see 2 Cor. 5:17). Conversely, an unhealthy spiritual heart follows the worldly nature, or what the Bible calls the “old man,” the sin nature. These two natures are locked in conflict—the worldly nature is self-serving and yielding to temptations; the believers’ redeemed nature is God-serving and capable of overcoming temptations. The spiritual nature desires to bloom and fulfill its need to serve God (see Rom. 7:22). The worldly nature wars against the Spirit to keep it from blooming and instead strives to fulfill its need to serve self (see Rom. 7:23; 1 Peter 2:11). The apostle Paul describes the conflict in his letter to the Romans: “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom.8:5–6).

Spiritual health is a prerequisite to securing a Christian’s advantage in how one lives their life and it can be achieved only when one “puts to death” the worldly (self-centered, sin) nature and yields to the spiritual nature. The first step is to make an all-out commitment to serve Christ and yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit. That does not mean you shall never yield to temptations but you stand a much better chance of not yielding.

We are born with a worldly nature, which flourishes according to background and influences. Our spiritual natures are alive from birth, but they have little influence beyond quietly yearning for spiritual fulfillment, which only grows and develops when we give our lives to Christ and are subsequently filled with the Holy Spirit.

A good spiritual health is a direct outgrowth of our spiritual natures winning the conflict within us. The apostle Paul wrote, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature” (Col. 3:5), “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want” (Gal. 5:17), and “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (Rom. 7:18). At least on my own without the Holy Spirit’s help.

These two natures within me battle for control of our hearts and minds. The sin nature does not want to “die” and, therefore, will fight (and sometimes fight dirty) to survive. But the spiritual man longs to be led by the Spirit, to obey God’s Word, to fulfill His life’s purpose, for he knows that true happiness and success comes from walking on God’s path and doing God’s “will”. Even knowing this, it can be difficult to give up control to the Spirit.

Making a commitment to serve Christ is often easier than yielding to the Holy Spirit and giving Him control of our lives.  An implication of this conflict between our two natures is evidenced in every facet and level of life.  I am convinced of this, but many of my Christian friends are not. My challenge is to show them that if they appropriate the advantage that is theirs in the workplace and in everyday life, they will have practical, tangible results—wise decisions, insight and understanding beyond normal ability, knowing where the right place is and when the right time is, just to name a few. On the other hand, I must also caution them on the inherent disadvantages for those who are influenced by their worldly natures.

Self-serving people have an inherent disadvantage in life. But a quick rundown of the richest people inAmericaseems to contradict that statement. On the surface it appears as if the arrogant, ruthless, and egotistical prosper, while their compassionate, honest, hardworking counterparts do not. However, on closer inspection, a different picture is visible, but it is one that is often overlooked.

To understand why some self-serving people appear to prosper more than those who serve others, we must, once again, consider the word itself: disadvantage. Like advantage, it must not be confused with the word guarantee. Self-serving people may be less likely to succeed, but this does not mean they don’t succeed. The hard fact is some self-serving people do prosper, at least for a time, in spite of their disadvantages.

When we see self-serving people seem to be extremely successful in life we must realize that most are not at peace with themselves or others.  What price is one willing to sell their souls?  Most of the world will do so for practically nothing.  This is why it is so vital one’s spiritual health is strong and secure enough to refuse  being tempted to do things they know are not acceptable to God.  Living a Christian life isn’t easy and don’t expect the battles will stop, they won’t.  However, we must be spiritually prepared to deal with temptation as we will always be faced with them.    That does not mean we cannot have the pleasures of the world but it does make a difference in why and how we get them.  What is more important: eighty plus years on earth or eternity?

There are a number of things I hope my children and grandchildren have learned but, listening to God has to be one of the most important.

Our life is an example and how we live it can affect others in many ways.  I hope they don’t see a self-centered person, I hope they see Christ in me.  I hope they see a person who constantly relies on the help of the Holy Spirit.  I want them to see a person who expects to see supernatural events from time to time.  Do they see a person who is forgiving, non-judgmental, obedient to the Word, never jealous and living a disciplined life.

I Peter 1:15 – 16 – “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”  Have they seen me living this kind of a life?  Did they see me being totally devoted and dedicated to God and set apart from the world?  Did I make sure they saw that it was not something that I did on my own but it was the Holy Spirit who kept guiding and checking my decisions and actions?  Did they understand, through my life, that the Holy Spirit can give us tremendous power to live a holy life?  Hopefully, they saw a person living a disciplined life for Christ.  Did I just talk about being a Christian or did I walk-the-walk?  Did they see a father with a servant’s heart who was generous to others and financially supporting God’s ministry?

I am sure that they learned that God speaks through the Bible, through situations, from other Christians, in nature, by seeing pictures, hearing sermons and songs.  But I want them to know that they can hear God speaking directly to them.  So this is what I will tell them:

You must first ask yourself: “Why would you want God to speak to you”?  What is your motive?  God is not a “Genie” or Santa Claus.  God doesn’t talk to just anyone audibly.  Normally, it is a person that has a very personal relationship with Jesus.  In fact it may be Jesus that would be the one you would hear.  I have heard a number of stories when Jesus would tell someone to do something.  I suppose if you are a shy person Christ would not audibly ask a person to do something knowing they were not brave enough to be obedient to His direction.  But here are some examples:

From a young lady (Jesus said, “Just go to the club and sit down.” I sat down and a man came and sat down next to us with a beautiful little two-year-old girl. Jesus said, “You need to start witnessing to him.” So we were just talking a bit and I was helping to take care of the little girl. She was eating ice cream and getting it all over her face. As I was taking care of her he started asking questions, “What do you do? What makes it so easy for you to reach out and talk to people? You don’t even know who I am. I’m a complete stranger and you’re here with my daughter. How do you do it?”  I said, “Well, I’m a missionary, but more important than that, I spend time with Jesus every day and He gives me that connection. And as I get filled up with love, then I’m able to pour it out to others.” He said, “Well, I understand that. I have love for my kids, but how do you love a complete stranger?”) 

Another young lady (I’d asked Jesus who I was meant to talk to and Jesus pointed him out. I went and sat next to him. At first he was cussing at me, and then I just sat there and asked him about his life. He said, “Why do you care? Why are you even sitting next to me?” I said, “Because I know that Jesus loves you so much.” He started crying and said that his mom had passed away a month before and that he had nothing left to live for and that he was going to commit suicide. He said, “Before I ended my note to my relatives I said, ‘Look, God, if you’re real, send me someone to tell me that You love me’.”  I said, “I don’t have the answers. I don’t know what will touch someone’s heart and what will give someone the hope and strength to go on, but I know that Jesus does and I know that His love can turn around and touch any heart.”)

There are hundreds of missionaries that will tell you that they hear the voice of Jesus.  It seems if you want to audibly hear the voice of Jesus or God it must be in order to help others or assisting in His ministry.  Those are the stories I hear mostly.  However, God through the Holy Spirit will speak to you daily through our thoughts.  I suppose one thing that has helped me is I have witnessed so many times supernatural events.  Involved in church leadership and helping build four different church structures it is easy to see impossible things become possible and know that it could only happen with God’s intervention.  Every blog I write I sense the inspiration coming from the Holy Spirit.

I hope my children and grandchildren learn that if they want to be inspired by the Holy Spirit it is important to live a holy life.  Then expect that the Holy Spirit wants to work with you and guide you into a better life, an abundant life.  My hope is that their lives will be as spiritually fulfilling as Christ has made mine.  I hope that when I am gone they will remember me for my faith and the spiritual wisdom that I prayed for and God has given me.

John 14:16 – 17 – “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

John 14:26 – “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:7 – “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”