Lately, if you pick up the local paper you read about the number of people who have been convicted or indicted for fraud in the Las Vegas housing market.  Realtors, attorneys, prominent citizens, mortgage companies, HOA members and the list go on.  Have you wondered why prices skyrocketed up to 2008?  People were being encouraged to buy houses they couldn’t possibly afford. If you could breath and sign your name you could get a loan.  Plus, you have people buying multiple homes for the sole purpose to hold for a few months and then flip them.  The credit flood gates were wide-open and unscrupulous individuals took advantage and made, sometimes millions of dollars.  Society became so self-centered, greedy and immoral that it seemed anything goes.  What kind of a world are we leaving for the next few generations?

Isn’t it about time people start to change their previous behavior?  How do we start to change things?  If everyone in the world were like you, what kind of a world would we have?  Christ came to give us the example that would change the world’s attitude, principles and values and He did.  Now, it seems to be changing.  Christians should have a positive spiritual attitude which comes from knowledge and faith.  With Biblical knowledge comes spiritual wisdom.  The wiser and more informed a believer becomes, by understanding the Trinity, the more dependent we are on God, resulting in being more spiritual.  Christ asked that each Christian share the Gospel throughout the world.  Are we, as Christians, living as examples that can change the world?

Romans 8:5 – “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”  Isn’t this part of the problem?  People’s minds are focused on what the flesh desires and not on the Spirit?  If you were to check, what is it that you focus on?

Those without Christ are unable to subject themselves to God as God intended.  I Corinthians 2:14 – “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

Our mind-set and how we live not only determines eternity, but our quality of life on earth.  Those accepting the Holy Spirit can receive a life of peace and joy.  The Holy Spirit brings freedom and if we don’t have peace, joy or freedom then we are relying on ourselves and not trusting God for our needs.  The lack of peace, joy and freedom are missing in too many Christians.  You may have the Holy Spirit but may be allowing your self-centered nature to control you rather than the Holy Spirit.

How does the world really see us as Christians?  Do they see a Christian living a worldly life having little if any influence on others?  Or are we living as the Bible instructs?  Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our behavior and influence others at home or on the job?  Did you play, maybe an insignificant role in the Las Vegas housing problem and now find yourself tremendously underwater?   Now your dilemma is: “What is the moral thing to do”?

The Bible repeatedly tells us to take on a new role, in a new direction, with a new way of thinking, led by the Holy Spirit.  Just think—what if every new convert and every Christian had done as commanded and spread the Gospel. Could it not have changed the world?  This is why Christ formed the church, in order for God’s message to be shared with the world and the world could be filled with freedom, joy, peace, love and morality.  Christians and the church failed to complete their mission as Christ planned and instructed.  Satan and his churches may have done a greater job of rejecting Christianity and therefore, influencing the world against Christ and Christians.

Is it too late?  Is the world lost and without hope for God to intervene?  Or has Satan deceived and hardened the hearts of just too many? Have you recently felt unworthy because of some of the actions you have had to make when it comes to a credit problem?  Regardless, we must discipline ourselves and give up self-control, the likely thing that got us into trouble, and now start trusting in God.  We then must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.  There will always be a struggle between our self-centered desires and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  To some degree our failures and an unwillingness to give up control have stopped us from witnessing.  The result may have allowed guilt to keep us from testifying and sharing the Gospel with others.

While on this earth, as Christians, we have been commanded to share Christ with the purpose of changing the thinking and behavior of the world.  For years, our church’s mission was to evangelize Las Vegas and beyond.  No matter where you live, that is what we have been commanded to do as Christians.  We must change the world, one person at a time.  If you haven’t already started, it isn’t too late to start.  Always keep in mind that the world watches a Christians every move and we are to live to please God.  Otherwise the world will only get worse.

Christmas is a reminder of the birth and life of Jesus Christ.  But it is more than that.  Through Christ we become more knowledgeable of Who God really is.  It appeared to many that we have two Gods; one we learn about in the Old Testament and another God in the New Testament.  However, He has always been the same God. We just received a better picture and a clearer understanding through the life of Christ to the characteristics of God.

Many people fear God but Christ told us to revere or regard Him with reverence and not fear.  We then may ask why did God require the Israelites to wander forty years in the desert until those older than 20 could die before entering the promise land.  Why did God allow the Holocaust and six million Jews to die?  Why did God allow the hurricanes, the typhoons, the devastating earthquakes, the tornadoes, wars, starvation, etc.?  Why did God allow His Son to be rejected, denied, tortured and crucified?  Why did the Apostle Paul who wrote much of the New Testament become ship wrecked, stoned and beaten, driven out of cities, continually rejected and imprisoned?  Why do Christians have devastating health problems?  Could it be that a God who loves everyone yet, wants to make it very clear, when He says those who reject and deny Him and live in sin will be cast into the Lake of Fire on the Day of Judgment? He is very serious and does not want anyone to disregard or discredit His sternness.

Proverbs 8:17 – “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.”  Continually, throughout the Bible, God talks about His love for His people.  Throughout the Old Testament through the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah God shared His love.  But there was always the people’s fear factor.  The only way we could truly know God was for His Son to live among us.  Christ’s birth and life answers many of our question about God.

Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, was given teenage parents who had little wealth.  God chose Jesus’ birth to be in the small town of Bethlehem.  He was born and placed in a manger in a stable.  God chose shepherds, they ranked very low in that society, that were tending flocks in nearby fields to be His witness and share the news.  God wanted us to see the importance of humility.

John 1:18 – “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”

Prior to Christ no one had seen or had truly known God.  Now that we have seen Jesus He has revealed God to us.  Exodus 33:20 – “’But,’ he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’” Greeks and Jews did not believe it was possible to see God and live.  The Apostle John reveals what God is like.  He tells us: if you want to know what God is like look at Jesus.  To this day, many cannot accept the fact that God could come in the form of man.  Therefore, most want to deny the deity of Christ.  By denying that Jesus is God, they can make the excuse that they are not sure what God requires to obtain eternal salvation.  They believe there are many paths to heaven and if you are zealous enough and moral enough God must accept you.

We know that God is omnipresent (everywhere), omniscient (knows everything), and omnipotent (all powerful) and Jesus, as a human, did not have these powers.  Yet, He was God in the sense that He had the mind and character of God and He is one with God.  Jesus was divine and to see Him you are able to see what God is. John, the writer, intends to demonstrate that Jesus is the Mind, the Reason and the Word of God Who came into this world in the form of a human person.  Without the life of Christ we could still see God as revengeful, angry, causing devastation and jealous as described in the Old Testament.  Had Christ not come as divine in human form, it is possible that the world would have become as corrupt as it was prior to Noah and the flood.  However, we read in Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Additionally, we read in Isaiah 65:17 – 19 – “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.”  Without Christ there would be no Christmas and we would not know the true God.

Denver wins another game in overtime this past Sunday.  Since Tebow became their quarterback they have won six straight games.   Some call their three overtime victories magical or miraculous.  Have you read a number of sports articles concerning the display of faith Tebow shows after touchdowns or winning games by kneeling for prayer or pointing heavenward?  Some call him, “The Mile High Messiah”.  Others call him names we won’t repeat.  Only Tiger Woods and Tim Tebow have polarized sports fans across the nation as loyal supporters or hecklers as these two have.  There are Tebow skeptics, doubters and those who do not believe he has the fundamental mechanics to be a NFL quarterback. They question his ability as a passer.   Yet, Denver just keeps winning.

Some believe winning is not about his ability but about his faith.  When interviewed he begins by praising God and Jesus Christ.  He may say: “Do you think God really cares about who wins a football game?”  It is just a game!  He proceeds to praise his team mates and that one person doesn’t win games.  He then may say: “If you believe, unbelievable things can be possible.”

I was a football, basketball and baseball coach in a Christian High School.  I used to tell our basketball team we always had an advantage.  There are six on our side and they only have five.  The sixth was the Holy Spirit as we all were followers of Christ.  Twice we won the state parochial championship in basketball.

I am a firm believer in having a positive mental mind-set and a strong faith ethic.  I believe God has given each and every one of us certain strengthens, talents and He expects us to use those gifts to the best of our abilities.  I believe the Holy Spirit, Who is in us, is there to help us do our best whether it is in sports, medicine, finance or any other areas of work.  However, I don’t think God takes sides, necessarily, to determine which team wins.  He may help us do our best but it is usually determined by who was most prepared and had the better game plan.  It also helps to have capable athletes at that time.  Yet, winning takes faith, persistency and believing.  Much of anything we do depends on how positive our attitude is.

Having a managerial background I’ve seen many different types of behaviors from everyone who has worked for me.  I am convinced that faith (confidence) and one’s attitude plays a huge role in people’s lives.  So much that I am a co-author of a book: “God and the Bottom Line”.  God did not create failures regardless of one’s abilities or talents.  It takes what we do as to how prosperous or how well we do in life.  For those who believe God is their Santa Claus usually end up never really reaching their full potential.  Preparation, hard work, persistency and a positive attitude gives the best chance for success.  One thing I have learned.  DO NOT IGNORE THE HOLY SPIRIT!  God gave His Spirit to help us have a better life.  Listen with spiritual ears as He guides and checks us throughout life.  You may be surprised what God has in store for you as long as you do your part.  When something really good happens in our life shouldn’t we thank and praise the Lord?  I support the testimony of Tim Tebow!

If you want to start a controversy, write about hell and who will be there and people will come out of the wood-work to make opposing remarks.  There is probably little else that will stimulate philosophical debate than this subject.

A recent survey stated that 10% of Americans did not believe there was life after death and 9% were not sure.  It shouldn’t surprise us to know that there are thousands of false teachers who are continually trying to persuade those who have never studied the Bible that they are teaching the truth when they say there is no Hell.  But are they correct?  The Bible states that when a person dies they will either go to Heaven or Hell.  But if you don’t believe the Bible you may believe anything.  For unbelievers, wouldn’t it be great if there was no punishment after death?  You could then be justified for living with no moral compass to guide you.  But if there is—then what?

We are told in I John 3:10 – “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”  Scripture says that to go to heaven we must be a child of God.  It also teaches the children of the devil, unbelievers in Christ, will go to Hell.  One of my favorite verses!  I John 3:24 – “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

When Christ was crucified He went from the cross to Sheol or Hell.  Matthew 12:40 – “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”  Those who died under the Old Covenant could not enter Heaven because the sacrificed blood of animals could not forgive their sins.  Sinners, not having been forgiven, could not enter the presence of God.

Christ, taking the thief on the cross beside Him went to Paradise where God’s people were being held.  All those who had been waiting temporarily in Paradise were forgiven of their sins by Christ and then ascended to Heaven.  Acts 2:34 – “For David did not ascend to heaven” John 3:13 – “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.”  Ephesians 4:8 & 9 – “This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?”

Paradise is no longer nor is there a Purgatory.  The Old Testament saints were sent to Heaven by Christ.  We believe Scripture says that Jesus descended into Paradise to release those saints who were waiting to enter God’s presence.  He then gave the gift of salvation to those still alive by grace through faith.  After Pentecost those having received the Holy Spirit, at death, goes to join those Old Testament saints in Heaven where Christ remains until His second coming.

We believe Hell will be filled with people who were never actively opposed to Jesus but who simply neglected the gospel.  They know the truth, they believe the truth and they acknowledge it and righteousness.  They understand the purpose of salvation but are not willing to commit their lives to Christ.  Most people are unaware and not intentionally do they realize they are headed for Hell.

John 5:39 & 40 _ “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” To reject Christ is to reject God.  Rejecting God is to reject the reason for our existence.  Life is to be lived as a test.  Those who accept God’s salvation will live with Him forever.  Those who reject receive God’s punishment.

In the Old Testament, angels brought to Moses laws that were binding and had to be obeyed.  Under these Old Testament laws a man who picked up wood on the Sabbath and deliberately defied the law of God could be punished with death.  (Numbers 15:30 – 36)  The more knowledgeable we are of the gospel the greater will be our punishment at the Day of Judgment if we deliberately defy our God and not commit our lives to Christ.  (Matthew 11:20 – 24)

Everyone who has been given much shall much be required and to those who have been entrusted with much, all the more will be required.  The person who knows and understands and believes the gospel, but drifts away from it, will experience greater punishment.  (Luke 12:46 – 48)

Those who will not go to Hell are those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior and live in obedience to His teachings.  The Scripture makes it very clear: If you do not meet this requirement you will miss Heaven.

Is your life under control?  So many people lack contentment in their lives.  They feel unworthy, they fear failing, lack purpose, have many unfulfilled needs, don’t get any breaks, feel inferior, lack knowledge and the list goes on.  As our world seems to be going through one crisis after another, so many are just financially holding on and many people are really struggling.  As a result they find little to be content about as they appear to have little control over what’s going on in their lives.

What do you need in life to make you content?  Could it be you really don’t know who you are?  Many times we become who our parents or others tell us we are!  Who do you depend upon to take care of you?  Is it the government when you retire?  Or, is it your employer’s pension, family or your personal investments?  Do you ever put God first on your list or does He come in last?  Here is what the Bible tells us: Philippians 4:11 – 13 – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength”

Contentment is an attitude! What is it we feel we must have, must be or what needs must be fulfilled before we can become content?  Is it our financial situation that will make us content?  Years ago I read Charles Wesley write: make all you can, save all you can and give all you can.  I have tried to do that and I believe the contentment came through giving.  You may think I am talking about giving big bucks.  Returning to God what He commands is not necessarily giving.  Giving can also be sharing with others.  It is having a servant’s heart.  As I previously stated, contentment is a result of having the right attitude. If that attitude comes from God and Scripture it makes a big difference.  How do you work with people?  Do you follow the “Golden Rule” and do unto to others as you would like to be treated?  Contentment can come from helping others become more successful.  It could be advising them how to correctly invest and save or many other ways.

We run into so many Christians who seem to have a very grumpy, negative disposition.  You just know they are not into their Bible. They still have their original worldly attitude.  When they received conversion they just kept the same old self-centered nature and never allowed the Holy Spirit to make them a new person.  When the Holy Spirit checks them, they just ignore Him.  They then wonder why God is not blessing them.  Why isn’t life giving them any breaks?  How come others are treated so much better?

I know of no one that from time to time hasn’t had problems.  Probably no one had more problems than the Apostle Paul as he wrote from maybe a prison dungeon.   He tells us he had to learn to be content.  He wrote in Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”  God knows every need you have and He is able to meet every one.  Don’t waste your blessing by having a worldly attitude and living as the world lives.  Begin believing that you can do all things through Christ who will give you the strength.  Then be content with what you have and make the best of it knowing the Holy Spirit was given to you to give you joy, peace and contentment.  Then if you still do not have it, maybe more time in Bible study will make a difference.  Every Christian can have contentment in their lives!  It certainly makes life easier to live when you are not frustrated and fussing, but content.

The world continues to push and mold us into their way of living.  For most, it is difficult to resist the pleasures that we see in the media and as we watch the worldly lives of others.  The more we know God and understand Him, the easier it is to resist the world’s temptations.  But that requires knowledge and that comes through study.  The more we study the Bible and the more we know about God the easier it is to live a Christian life.  Living a Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit and knowledge of what God expects, is almost impossible.  God said in Hosea 4:6a – “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge.”  Are you at risk because of a lack of knowledge?

God does not give us a step by step plan as to what we are to do in life.  However, He is in complete control of what happens in our lives and we know that He wants our total dependence on Him.  Many times we learn more from our failures than we do when everything is going well.  We can assume from Scripture that when bad things happen, God allowed it for a reason.  Take the Life of Joseph, 13 years before his troubles were over and he received the 2^nd highest political office in Egypt.  It took the Israelites 40 years to go eleven miles.  Then there was Job.  It was all for learning lessons, controlled and allowed by God.

Romans 8:5 – 7 – “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”  We can allow our sinful natures to control who we are or we can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  A person unaware of this fact and has not accepted Christ as their Savior and allows the Holy Spirit to guide them, die both a physical and spiritual death.

We are living in the end times and they are trying.  Matthew 24:7 – “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”  God, through Noah, warned those that they had better change their way.  They refused and the end came.  Many believers and non-believers live as if things will always exist as they are now.   All we have to do is look at the world going through financial crises and governments who have promised entitlements they can no longer keep.  The Bible teaches that we are to rely and trust God—not man or governments.   Without Biblical knowledge as to how we are to live, the world’s ways can corrupt and bankrupt us.

Scripture that has been very helpful to me is Romans 7:17 – 20 – “As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

Are there times when it seems nothing good lives within you and being a Christian is too restrictive?  Why is it that we still continue to do things we know are wrong? Without the help of the Holy Spirit, sin can be stronger than we are.  Do you find times when you feel unable to defend yourself against temptations even though the Holy Spirit is checking you? We may have good intentions but our self-centered, carnal nature can still control us at times.  God knows what is happening and He can either stop or allow it.

Scripture teaches in I Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  It tells me when bad things happen I am not to complain to God but give thanks for Him being with me through all my troubles.   No matter what we face we are to give thanks, remain joyful and pray continually. These are commands and may be against our natural inclinations, but they are to be followed.  Prayers should not fluctuate with our circumstances.  The more Biblical knowledge we have, the more we understand God and the easier it is to live a spirit-filled life.  And just maybe—fewer problems to face!

Let me define the meaning of a God thing.  A non-believer would call it a coincidence.  When you can’t explain something very unusual happening a believer might call it supernatural or divine intervention.

Our senior minister, his assistant and I were at a Christian leader’s retreat about 14 years ago.  A person asked: “How do you explain what is happening in Las Vegas building a 150,000 sq. ft. church”?  The senior minister said: “Don, why don’t you answer it”?  I said: “I can’t describe it; it is just a God thing.”  From then on, anytime I felt or sensed divine intervention, I would tell my family, a God thing happened today.  One example, every time I went to a meeting I went through eight-stop lights.  I was lucky if four were green.  I was running late for a meeting and all eight were green and I was on time.  Our whole family would begin telling situations that they believed were: “It’s a God thing”.  We then began looking each day to see if any “It’s a God thing” happened that day.  It is amazing how many things we began noticing and praising God.  Want to build you faith?  Try it!

Let me start at the beginning and tell you about the latest “God thing”.  Saturday evening after church services I felt pressure on my chest.  My family took me to the hospital and that evening an angiogram procedure was performed.  They insert in your body so they can take a picture of our heart and its blood vessels to see if there is any blockage.  There was but it was thought it could be cleared with a new drug.  I was in bed for six hours and told not to move, given the new drug and sent home.  Last Monday it became more severe and an ambulance took me to the emergency room.  This time they did an angioplasty.  It is a technique where a very small inflatable shaped balloon is used to clear an artery.  They did that and left stents to keep the arteries open.  You may ask: “What makes that a God thing?”  Let me start at the beginning.

We lived in a rural area on about three acres.  We had a small barn with a cow, goat, chickens and ducks.  We had no electricity or running water.  I had a very close relationship with my father as I followed him everywhere he went.  He worked in a mill a few miles from home.  He got sick, went to the hospital and died when I was six years old.  From that point on just looking at a hospital scared me to death.  Two things I refused to do for many years were to enter a hospital or go to a funeral.  It wasn’t until my wife started having babies that I could walk in without fear.  For some reason I just couldn’t shake the unpleasantness of entering a hospital.

In 1984, as I was leaving the store I had to walk up a set stairs to get to my car.  I felt this heavy pressure on my chest.  The next day I went to work and it had gotten worse.  I went to the doctor and then immediately to the hospital.  That evening I had four-bypasses done and without any fear whatsoever.  I had had a major heart attack.

Years later I had another angiogram, then an angioplasty.  A few years later I had another angiogram and then an angioplasty.  Each time there was absolutely no fear.  As an elder in our church there were times I was asked to go to a hospital to pray for a sick person.  That uneasiness as I entered the hospital wouldn’t go away.

In 2005 I had a massive heart attack and was not expected to live according to what my cardiologist told my family.  They operated and within two weeks I was back working part-time.  They told me my heart was working at about 10% capacity now it 35%, a God thing.  While I was in ICU there were as many as twelve elders and friends surrounding my bed praying for me. They too knew my chances of living were slim.  At no time did I ever doubt that God was with me and there was absolutely no fear at anytime.  Practically every day since I have walked and do exercises to stay in good health.

Between the times I have been in the hospital I have had almost perfect health except for a rare cold. There have been no physical limitations I have had to endure.  Hopefully, you can see why I believe this was another “It’s a God thing”. Two days after the angioplasty I feel I am almost back to normal as I write.

You will read this and say this is all about Don.  But hopefully you can see divine intervention and it is intended to give God all of the glory.  You have no idea how much closer I have come to Him when I go through these medical things.  My faith is sky high and I doubt if it would have been except for the times in the hospital.  I used to wonder why so many Christians had so many medical problems.  If He wants to draw us closer to Him, He may be allowing these situations to take place.  I can assure you; you come out a better person having relied on God for better health than when you were going in.

This is my 276^th blog.  To read more go to www.agodthing.wordpress.com

January 2001 President Bush established, by executive order, compassionate conservatism to provide funding to faith-based and community organizations. Its purpose was to provide federal funding for social services to areas of need.  President Obama renamed it the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  U. S pastors have been called to become a part of a “Clergy Response Teams” to placate and control citizens of the U. S. in the event of local and national emergencies.  They are also being asked to push global warming, climate change and green initiatives on America’s churches.  We are being told the faith-based organization is being used more to spread his environmental warnings rather than helping churches and others feed the hungry and clothe the poor.

Romans 13:1 – 5 – “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”

I have always believed the above Scripture that stated “The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  Whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.  It has been brought to my attention some of the religious changes administrations hve made and I question if these verses above were correctly interpreted. It seems there are theologians that do not believe this is what Paul truly meant.

For example,   Acts 5:20 – “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”

I Samuel 8:4 – 9 – “So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, ‘You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.’ But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.  And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.  As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.  Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

My question is: Does God allow someone to be president knowing that it would not be best for that country?  Under Hitler, Stalin and others is it true: “The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  We know that God has established marriages as well as government hierarchy.  We know he does not necessarily pick out who we shall marry or who would be the best dictator.  If a nation chooses a bad ruler we realize God may have just allowed it.  Reading God’s reply to Samuel, if a nation has rejected and forsaken God, will He not let them do whatever they want?

If we believe the Faith-Based Organization is not being used for its intended purpose should ministers feel obligated to participate?  Just what is our obligation to any administration that we feel is not seeking God’s guidance and is rejecting Him?  I happen to believe we have had more that have rejected God than have submitted to His guidance.

Have we misinterpreted Scripture in regard to our obedience to Government?  Keep in mind God established governments to institute rules and regulations for the good and security of its people.  Biblically he gave the guidelines for all governments to follow, but most often they are ignored.

A CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Rick Warren in his book,”The Purpose Driven Life” gave five basic principles to follow as Christians.  Following is my interpretation:

1. To worship god and develop a relationship with Him.
2. To love and fellowship with other believers in our community.
3. To know Christ and become like Him.
4. To serve God through the church.
5. To become a minister for Christ and share the Gospel.

Our carnal nature is to be selfish and self-centered.  We are told by God that He will meet our every need if we have a right relationship with Him.  That means we are to focus upon Christ and develop the mind of Christ.  If we are obedient and living according to God’s will we can become spiritual to a point. We can trust God to answer our prayers and meet our needs.  It is possible that in many cases God may not answer a prayer that we can obtain for ourselves.  Don’t expect something from God if you can get it yourself and are just too lazy to work for it. God does not operate like the government! He is not after your vote just you, your love and a growing relationship.

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Over the years I have learned so much from the experiences and faith of others.  It makes a difference who our friends are.  Others tend to influence what we think and who we become.  Be spiritual and positive and fellowship with others who have the same values and believe spiritually as you do.

II Corinthians 4:4 – indicates Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

We were created in the image of God and He wants us to become like Him.  Christ came to show us what God expected.  If we are not developing the mind of Christ we are not growing spiritually.

There is something about serving in the church that fulfills a person spiritually.  I have always felt it was like playing in the game not just sitting on the bench.  The excitement comes from being a participant.  To become like Christ I believe it means to take an active part in His church.  We need to be more than a fan.  We must become a player.  However, there are limitations on some that will not permit them to be too active.  However, they can become vital by being an encourager and showing up to support those who are volunteering and participating.

This weekend’s sermon, by Mike Foster, was entitled, “Rescued to be a Rescuer”.   Made me think: We have been saved for a purpose and how important is it, as a Christian, to share the Gospel? That does not mean we must be a preacher or an evangelist.  Spreading the gospel means talking to our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  Better yet, it means living the example set by Christ.  Being overly religious can turn many people off.  I have found that the Holy Spirit always opened the door when I was to witness.  Don’t become preachy, just tell them the difference after having accepted Christ as your Savior and what it meant in your life.  When you accepted Christ you accepted responsibilities.  Mark 13:10 – “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.”  Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”