How do you see yourself?

Do we allow our past sins or baggage to determine who we are today?  Do we dwell on our past or live for the future?  Over the years I have met with a number of Christians and find that many really struggle with the feeling of being unworthy and lack confidence.  To some degree I think most of us have at times felt rather unworthy.  But why did we fear failure or being unworthy?  Was it when we sensed we were not living up to our expectations?  Was it a belief of not fitting in with the in-crowd?  Were you raised in a dysfunctional home and continue to believe you are dysfunctional? Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Were you raised in a non-Christian, negative environment and can’t break its hold?

Over fifth-five years ago my life changed.  I accepted Christ as my Savior and received the Holy Spirit into my life.  It made a tremendous difference.  Scripture that has always encouraged me was Acts 9:15 & 16 – “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man (Paul) is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’”

The Apostle Paul had Christians murdered, thrown in jail and persecuted because of their beliefs and their rejection of Jewish teaching.  On the road to Damascus He was struck by a light and Jesus told him to go and wait for further communications.  Blinded for three days, Ananias came and healed his sight and told Paul he had been chosen as an instrument of God and to proclaim the gospel.  From that point on Paul sees himself as God’s chosen instrument.  Think about the baggage that Paul could have carried with him as he evangelized the Gentles.  Did his past keep him from living up to his potential and fulfilling his God given mission?

I believe Paul was an example of how a person’s past can be overcome when the Holy Spirit enters the life of a person and we become born again.  Does it sound like Paul dwelt on the past or lived for the future?  God’s power to forgive sins and start us with a clean slate should make us think like a new person eliminating our old self.  But does it?  It depends on our knowledge of the Bible, our faith and the ability to trust God’s promises.  Do you struggle with: “How could God possibly forget my past sins?”  That might be like asking how God created the universe.  Do you think He is unable to erase your past sins and forget about your need to be punished?

Ephesians 1:3 – 6 – “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” NLT

So, how do we repent and surrender our will? Repent means to be remorseful for our past sins and seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Surrender requires that we give up control of our lives to our spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to change who we are inside. I believe this frustrates many Christians. If we have been addicted and have lived a negative lifestyle as many have, it is because we have allowed our bodies and our minds to control who we are, and if we continue in this manner, we may never get ourselves under control.

Most are uncomfortable giving the Lord complete control. Repentance at salvation is a singular event while true surrender is an ongoing process. Many have never willingly surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and so they find this to be very challenging. As a result, there is little change in their lives and behavior. If there is little change, is it hard to believe God has adopted you and truly loves you?  So if you do not see yourself as God says He sees you, whose fault is it?

In order to grasp the idea of a surrendered life, we must first realize as Christians that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Second, we must accept that God has always loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. (Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could love ourselves as God loves us or see ourselves as God sees us?) Third, God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. How does it feel to be one of God’s children?

I went to a Christian college.  In our chapel was this Scripture: Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  I believe the biggest mistake Christians make is their lack of continually, meaning daily, that we seek God.  We are called to make a difference in this world.  Most of us are concerned about making a difference in our lives.  If we seek God and His righteousness first, before everything else, He promises that we shall receive His blessings.  One of those blessings will be to see ourselves as God sees us. Accept Scripture that says: “God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”  Wouldn’t you like to see yourself as God’s chosen instrument for a particular task?  When we do and we see ourselves as God sees us there comes a peace, a joy and a sense of achievement that never leaves.

Progressives and socialists do not want you to believe the constitution was inspired by God.  If most Americans believed it was God inspired, the Progressives would not have a chance in changing it.  If it is inspired by God, should we be changing our form of government and our capitalistic free-market economic system?  Would Americans want to change what God inspired thinking the Progressives know better than God.  Therefore, don’t be deceived.

For those of us who believe our constitution was inspired by God, we have a number of Christians who do not agree. No matter how much evidence is presented they will not accept it as being factual.  Their minds are made up.  Yet, we must understand why we believe that what God established for America is what was best.  Therefore, by changing our form of government, are they not saying to us: “God made a mistake and they can do it better”?  If socialism and redistribution of wealth is better than a free-market capitalistic economic system as we have had for over 200 years, wouldn’t God have set that system up in the beginning?

We are the first country that established a constitution and a number of nations have since copied it.  So why are our progressive, socialistic Christian friends convinced that the best society for America is socialism, social justice, “giving to each what he or she is due” or the redistribution of wealth?

The 56 founding fathers of America met in Philadelphia.  There were 29 who had seminary degrees.  Many were graduates of Princeton University whose president, Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, its first president, declared, “cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”

If you were to read our founding fathers mail and historic documents they believed, as George Washington stated, the constitution was a miracle from God.  It was in 1782 that the first English Bible printed in the United States was printed by congress to be used in our schools.  There is plenty of evidence to support that most in the first congress were Christians.

The founding fathers tried for six weeks to agree on a constitution and there was such disagreement that nothing could be established.  It was suggested that they pray about it and so a day-long prayer meeting was held.  They started again, each day with prayer, and in five weeks they agreed on the constitution.  There were 39 men who signed the constitution according to historic documents and they were primarily Christians.

I have stated in my previous writings that I believe it was God’s plan to establish a Christian nation with Christian principles for the benefit of all humans that would practice living moral and Christ-like lives.  Scripture says we are to be held accountable for our actions in relation to government laws.  If we did so God would bless our nation as He promised the Israelites.

It is also my belief that we were given a free-market economic system to take advantage of people’s skills and ingenuity.   The Apostle Paul was very critical of Christians who refused to work and expected the church to take care of them.  He stated they should go hungry and have little to do with them.  It doesn’t sound to me like he believed in socialism.

II Thessalonians 3:10 – “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’”

Matthew 25:14 – 28 – Jesus gave the parable of the talents.  God was pleased with the two who became prosperous and angry with the man who did nothing.

Had it not been for the U. S. it is very possible that we would have had a one-world government by now that is described in Revelation.  Revelation 13:7 – 8 – “It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.  All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.”

Is there any nation, but the U. S., that could have kept the world from being governed by a person such as a Hitler or Stalin?  There will never be a one religion worldwide as long as we continue to be a super power.  However, there will be a time when the Antichrist’s goal will be to eliminate every Christian living on this planet.  God’s initial purpose for America was to stabilize the world to keep countries from destroying each other and to provide an economic system that would allow others to enjoy prosperity.  Countries who have copied; to some degree our constitution and our free-market economic system, have become prosperous.   Most others have failed as we look around the world.

Revelation 13:9 – 10 – “Whoever has ears, let them hear. ‘If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.’  This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.”

America, I believe was established for a purpose and for only a time.  Once America loses its power and can no longer be a force in the world, the Antichrist will take over.  When that happens we are required to stand up for our faith rather than to take up arms in an attempt to fight.  We are to show endurance and faith.  If we are to die a martyr’s death then that will happen.  Whatever we do we must never fall into Satan’s trap and turn from God when times get tough.

When our progressive, socialistic believing Christian friends tell you they do not believe our constitution was God inspired, at least you will know why you can accept it was.  If we really believe God is in control and did nothing to inspire early Americans, we have not really studied our Bible.  That is against Bible teaching.

When we were non-believers we were very selfish and disobedient to God.  Our sins made us as dead men as we lived as the world lives.  We were controlled by Satan as everyone who is not a believer in Christ and were under the control of the evil one.  Scripture says the result would mean we would not only die physically but spiritually as well.  We were not aware that our sins made us spiritually dead and separated from God.

In our weekly Bible group we take Scripture and try to make it fit what it means to us today.  The above came from Ephesians, chapter 2:1 – 6 – “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,”

We believe the air is filled with demons and evil spirits and they are at work in those who are disobedient to God.  Isn’t Scripture saying all unbelievers are influenced by Satan?  We had his similar nature and his similar character and that prompted us to initially reject and disobey God.  We were born with a prideful and disobedient spirit.  Being disobedient we had to be taught how to become obedient.  As Satan deceived Eve he continues to deceive us into believing his way is best and that all God wants is to take all of the fun out of life.

Prior to our accepting Christ we were also controlled by our natural desires.  We were born with this sinful nature into a world that is cursed by sin.  Our sins are what kept us from knowing God and understanding Him.  Being without God, Christ and the Holy Spirit we did not even realize we were separated from the Trinity and without hope for eternal life.

We can only thank God for His mercy and grace.  As God raised Christ from death, He raised us also and brings us into His Heavenly realm.  We were told that God’s love was able to forgive us of our sins and accepted us into His family.

Ephesians 2:8 & 9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

When someone gives me a gift I feel obligated to do something in return.  Many religions and some churches teach that you are obligated to work your way to Heaven.  They write books and manuals clarifying what you are expected to do to warrant your redemption and salvation.  Without their supervision and control chances are you will lose your salvation along the way.

A typical example was the Judaizers trying to convince the early church of their need for circumcision and living under the 613 Jewish laws.  Today we have legalists who believe that you must live under a number of non-essential rules that they believe must be performed to be qualified as a Christian.   Some teach that if you are not baptized you will never enter Heaven.  As important as Jesus indicated it was, and it’s essential, that means the thief on the cross only went to Paradise and never to Heaven.  What about death-bed conversions?  Should we not pray for someone who is dying that they accept Christ before they pass on, since there is no chance of being baptized?  As important as Christ said communion was and it’s essential, I cannot find how often we were to partake.  Some believe adamantly you are being disobedient and sinful if not taken at least weekly.  We had a number angrily leave our church when we stopped doing communion as a part of every Sunday service.

It takes faith to be saved and I believe that faith is given to us by God and His Word.  It has nothing to do with earning salvation.  Otherwise, we could boast by saying: “Look what I have done”.  Finally, this is why I believe Christ will judge us by our heart and our spirit.  Our judgment will not be based on what we do, as important as doing deeds are.  However, if our heart and spirit is right, we are going to do everything we can to please God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Every deed we do will be done out of love of serving and not because we had to.

A Christian that does nothing but gripes and judges others I would suppose their heart is not where it should be.  But, I leave that up to Christ as to whether they are dead or alive spiritually.   That’s above my pay-grade.

American’s place in history

On December 21, 2012 Paramount Pictures plans on releasing a movie, “The Day the World Ends” announcing World War Z.  It will be starring Brad Pitt.  It is based on the Mayan prophecy that the world ends on that particular date.  That is if the world doesn’t end on October 21, 2011 as predicted by Harold Camping for the third time.  Mr. Camping previously stated May 21, 2011 the world would end and as we all know; he missed again.

Let me start with a disclaimer:  I am a Christian conservative who has studied the Bible for over fifty years.  My wisdom and knowledge is average with no special supernatural ability other than Holy Spirit inspired as most Christians are.  I have written two blogs a week since March 2009.  For those of us who believe in the Bible know the end will not happen on any of the days predicted.  There are just too many Scriptures that tell us otherwise.  For example:

II Thessalonians 2:3 – 5 – “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.  He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

Here is what I believe happens before the world ends for your consideration:

• America will become bankrupt so it is no longer a superpower.  It will be unable to protect the world from wars and rumors of wars.  The world is headed for a financial crisis due to entitlements and there will be rioting throughout the world as presently seen in Europe.  I have never in my lifetime seen the world in such a financial mess where people are scared of the future and unwilling to take financial risks.
• Israel will be attacked and they will win.  Otherwise, how can they build their temple that Scripture predicts will happen?
• Prior to the world ending, the Bible tells us there will be a one-world government and a one-world religion.  The man of lawlessness, who heads the one-world government, has not been revealed as described in Scripture nor is He in God’s temple, which as yet, as not been built.
• A 200 million army will come from the east to destroy Israel. It is called the battle of Armageddon.   It doesn’t appear the world is ending in the near future.  Why haven’t those predicting the day the world ends have taken Scripture into consideration?

Let’s look at history. In the past 200 years it has not been possible for a one-world government.  Beginning in the 1600 we believe God’s plan was to develop a superpower nation, based on Christian principles that would stop any person or country from ruling the world.  We have had men such as Hitler, Lenin, Stalin or Mao Tse-tung who would like to have been a world leader.    They were stopped by the power of the United States and its allies as God foreknew and had planned.  As long as America has the military power and the financial ability no one is capable of establishing a one-world government.  Without the military power of the U. S., Russia, China or the Muslim world could become a one-world leader.

I have often wondered why the United States is not mentioned in Revelation during the end times.  When the end time nears no one comes to the defense of Israel as they are attacked.  Previously, the U. S. has kept Russia from intervening in their assisting surrounding nations in their attacks on Israel.  We also have promoted peace with its neighbors and have been a strong ally and a deterrent for anyone taking action against them.  This no longer seems to be the case.  Israel, as of now, is on their own and their enemies know it.

In order for God’s foreknowledge to evolve and the world to end, as we know it, America cannot stand in the way.  Aware of this, it is easy to understand the politics that are occurring in Washington, D. C. at this time.  None of us knows if this is the prelude to America’s demise, but we believe it must come sometime in the future.

Can we delay all of this from happening until later rather than sooner?

II Chronicles 7:14 – “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This is a promise God has given to His people.  Is Satan’s grip on America so powerful that its people are unwilling to turn to God and humbling themselves and turn from their wicked ways?  Depending on the willingness of America’s people to change, they will determine the length of time until the end. Even though God is in control of all things, He implies the end is in our hands and we determine the time of the eventual outcome.

What are we leaving for future children and grandchildren?  Are Americans too selfish to sacrifice and worship God for our future and the benefit of generations that follow?

You must believe in the authenticity of the Bible.

There is no greater hope for a believer than knowing where you will be spending eternity.  God did not want anyone to wonder but to know without a doubt.  He made it perfectly clear.  Of course, you must believe what Scripture says to be 100% assured of your final destiny.

Romans 8:9 – “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

We have a choice to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.  When we do, the Holy Spirit gives us a new sense of life.  According to this verse, and a number of others, anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit in his or her life is not a Christian.  That would mean they have not sincerely trusted Christ in their salvation and acknowledged Him as Lord, even though they may have spoken the words.  Accepting Christ requires a repentant heart and a desire to go a completely different direction in life.  There can be no relationship with Christ if the Holy Spirit is not in your life.

Salvation is not necessarily a feeling.  It is God’s promise that if we accept Christ, we commit and surrender to Him; He will allow the Holy Spirit to enter into our lives.  Once we receive the Holy Spirit we may experience an immediate or a gradual change to become more like Christ in our disposition, kindness, gentleness and love.  Everyone may not recognize having acquired the Holy Spirit the same way.  My personal experience was that I wanted to change so that I could please God.  Tremendous changes took place in my life almost immediately.  Changes I had tried to do on my own and did not have the will power to do so.  For example, I smoked for four years while I was in the navy.  After about three years in the service, I planned to go to college on the G.I. Bill and participate in sports.  I tried for a year to stop smoking and couldn’t.  The day I was saved I never had another urge to smoke.  To me that was Christ’s way of telling me I had received the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:12 – 13 – “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

Just because we have the Holy Spirit in our lives does not mean we will automatically follow God’s will.  Yet, we must discipline ourselves and give up selfish control, trust God and allow the Holy Spirit to give us guidance.  In most cases God will block or check us, open or close doors, whenever we are tempted. We must be careful not to think that God is going to make every decision for us.  He has given us free moral agency to make decisions based on Scripture.  There is not a specific spouse He has picked out for you.  However, in His Word He gives us directions in what we should be looking for.  He does not determine our careers or how prosperous we will be, even though He can.  Again, He provides the information that if we follow Scripture it will help determine our direction.  I do believe in praying for my grandchildren that God gives them a purpose and direction in life and I believe He will.  They have the free moral agency to reject whatever direction He may lead them.  That does not mean they will become failures if they go a different direction.   God can use us regardless what way we decide to go.

It is difficult for many not to live as the world lives.  Our desires come from our sinful, self-centered nature.  Salvation requires that we develop a new attitude, create a new identity and live a new life.  If you are focused on what the world offers it is hard to change.  This is why it is so important to focus on Christ and love God with our total being so we can live as believers are told to live.  It is not going to be easy.  There will always be a struggle between our self-centered desires and the guidance from the Holy Spirit.  If we allow the Spirit to control, we will have the power to say no when tempted to sin.

Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Any earthly problems or displeasures we may encounter are nothing compared to the rewards we will receive in heaven.  Christians should be able to handle our sufferings better than a non-Christian.  Not because we have a high tolerance to pain or because we enjoy being hurt, but because we have the ability to see the big picture.

How should a spirit-filled, mature Christian deal with pain and suffering?  We must realize it is the result of the curse placed on the human race for man’s disobedience to God.  It is not a personal consequence to anything we may have done, except we may receive what has been sown.  Sickness, misery and continuing problems are not a punishment; they are part of the curse.

Always keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is a down payment given with a seal and a guarantee that we are heirs, with Christ, waiting to receive a glorified body so we can live in eternity with God, the Father, Christ, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  God provides all of the evidence we need to know as to where we will spend eternity.  If you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit you will be heaven bound.

Ephesians 1:13 – “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,”

Ephesians 4:30 – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

II Corinthians 1:22 – “set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

In April 2009 I wrote a blog: “Heaven or Hell”.  Writing about Hell is one of the most controversial blogs I have written.  You may want to check out the comments.  About 19% of Americans do not think there is a Hell or are not sure.  I suppose the same amount do not think there is a Heaven or are not sure.

There are over 200 instances in Scripture describing angels.  In doing my research I was amazed at how few believe that angels can actually talk to people.  Over the years I have heard stories concerning supernatural events being told that only an angel could have done what happened.

I read that an angel would only talk to you through telepathy.  They have no lips, lungs or means of communicating.  Scripture time and again talks about an angel appeared and talked to a person.  Then there are people who worship angels and saints.  The Bible indicates this is wrong to do.

Hebrews 13:2 – “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”

Acts 12:7 – “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”  It doesn’t sound like it was something Peter imagined.

Acts 8:26 – 28 – “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’  So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.”

Peter was struck indicating that it was a person.  In the case of Philip it is possible that he imagined hearing a voice, for those who do not believe angels can talk or be seen.  Yet there are too many Scriptures describing that they talked to an angel for me not to believe angels can talk and can be seen.  In Hebrews it is very clear angels appeared as people and may have not been recognized.

We have a couple that we meet with regularly and all kinds of supernatural things happen to them.  The most recent was a trip into northern Arizona.  They had traveled a number of miles off the main highway when they hit a large rock that was covered by dirt.  It jammed their muffler and drive-line rendering the motor home incapable of moving.  They used their cell phone and called their business’ secretary in Las Vegas.  They asked her to locate someone in Williams, AZ that could send them a taxi to the main road to pick up the husband. Also he needed to know where to go to get what was needed to fix the motor home.  A few minutes later they were given a phone number to call.

They called and a man answered. The husband told him the situation and what he needed.  The man responded by telling him a taxi would be at the main road within an hour.  He told him where to get the muffler and to get the drive-line fixed.  He said he would make an appointment and when he got there just tell them that I referred you.  They travel with an ATV vehicle that he rode to the main road and waited for the taxi to pick him up.  Within 45 minutes the taxi arrived and he was off to his first appointment.  When he arrived to pick up the muffler he said he had an appointment.  No one had made an appointment but they had the muffler.  That seemed rather odd because he was told they would be expecting him.

He went to the next appointment to get the drive-line fixed.  There was no appointment but they were able to take care of the problem.  He went back to the main road and his wife is there to meet him.  The husband, who is mechanically knowledgeable, fixed the motor home and it is ready to go.  They are marveling at how helpful the gentleman that they contacted had been and proceeded to call him and thank him for his help.   They called and the phone was out of service.  They had been given the man’s address in case they needed his help when arriving in Williams.  They decided to get a gift certificate to a restaurant in Williams.  They mailed it with a thank you note to the address they were given in Williams. It was returned stating there was no such address.   How would you explain what happened?

Relatives, friends and acquaintances have told me similar stories over the years.  Mostly when they were in dire need without any means of having a problem solved and no help was available.  It was a cold freezing night with icy roads and they had slipped into the ditch and were unable to get out.  Out of nowhere a wrecker pulls up and pulls them out of the ditch.  The driver refused to take any money.  They get in town and find that there was no such towing company anywhere in the city that showed on the side of the truck.  How would you explain it?  There are many stories that I have heard that cannot be explained.  Do you believe in angels that can be seen and can talk?  Have you talked to an angel?

More than likely many of us have done things we thought were charitable only to later find out that what we had done was wrong and had to pay the consequences.  Have you ever done something and then later find that it was wrong?  I suppose if you drive a car, J-walked, etc. you have broken some law.  What about telling a white-lie, spreading a rumor, taking more from a cashier’s mistake than you should have or something minor, wasn’t that a sin?

I suppose many Christians are never tempted and yield to breaking the Ten Commandments but what about the little things?  Have you ever unintentionally said something or done something that was hurtful?  Every day I suppose we make decisions that had we been more conscious of what we were doing or saying we wouldn’t have.  How much are people influenced and tempted by evil spirits?  The great deceiver is always there to take us down.  However, just because we make a bad decision we can’t blame it on the devil or ask God why He allowed us to do so.  We have been given free moral agency, meaning that we have the right to make good or bad decisions.  We have no one to blame, in most cases, but ourselves.

I believe we are bombarded by evil thoughts continually. But how do we know when we are yielding to temptation and when we have just made the wrong decision? I have addressed the financial situation many find themselves in. You cannot drive anywhere in Las Vegas that you do not see homes foreclosed, strip malls shuttered or businesses closed. If this has happened to you it can be devastating and can physically impair one’s health.  The thing you cannot do is to blame it on someone else, whether it is the devil, God or the banker. How foolish it is to hear that because a daughter was injured, her dad gets mad at God.  Doesn’t he realize we live in a sin filled world? We must be careful not to blame it on God when it was really not His fault.  The same is true when we say: “The devil made me do it”.

We are going through a very political time in the history of America.  What is one thing you hear most everyone say: “It is the fault of that other guy”.  We would rather lay blame on someone else than fix the problem or admit our failure.

There is nothing wrong in trying to determine if we were deceived or the problem was self-inflicted.  Regardless what caused the mistake, it is wrong to allow self-pity to keep us from correcting the situation and moving on.

It didn’t take me long to learn that God does not create failures. God has a plan for us and wants us to be successful. That doesn’t mean we won’t experience failures in life, because failing sometimes provides the experiences necessary to go on to greater things. I have read of many Christian business people who failed, went into bankruptcy, and came out as some of our country’s most successful citizens. But they have what it seems so few have: a positive mind-set and a can-do attitude.

Too many fail to live according to Christ’s principles and as a result give up.  It is hard for many to overcome defeat.  Defeat or failure can be long lasting or temporary.  Satan’s goal is to help us become defeated and then keep us down.  But failure can be a blessing, a teaching experience.  Think of the hundreds of times Edison tried to invent the light bulb?  How easily it would have been for him to listen to the great deceiver and given up.  But Christians have a Spirit within that is there to put positive thoughts into our thinking.  So we must be careful to whom we are listening and realize life can be a struggle.  When those trials and struggles come we must be careful not to place the blame on the “not me monster” who we would like to accuse rather than accept our own mistakes.

Regardless of whether we yield to temptation stimulated by Satan or our sins are self-inflicted, we must always keep in mind; God does not necessarily judge us by what we do as much as He judges the condition of our heart and our spirit.  Thank the Lord for forgiveness and grace!  Don’t ever let evil thoughts keep you down.

Is there any normal individual who does not deal with stress, maybe continually?  There are numerous books written about dealing with pressure caused by families, relationships, work, health, financial problems, feeling inferior, social pressures of not fitting in, making decisions, taking risks, moral issues and the list seems never ending.  How a person deals with stress depends on their degree of commitment, accountability, expectations, their confidence or one’s depth of faith.  What does the Bible teach us about handling stress and pressure?  It seems from Genesis to Revelation it tells us to expect it, confront it, and accept it as an opportunity to build character and consider it pure joy because it develops perseverance.  WOW! It sounds easy but it isn’t.  Who looks forward to pressure and stress because the Bible says it may be good for you?

We are told to consider it pure joy when we face trials because the experience tests our faith and develops perseverance.  If that is true, then the more trials we have and the greater our stress the more faithful we can become and the more persistence we develop. We must also accept that God uses problems and stress to direct us on the path that He has planned for us. God created us with a purpose and He often uses stress to guide us toward achieving its completion.

James 1:2 – 4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

My experience has been that the older we get and the more spiritually mature we become the less stress we face daily.  But there is always a time when an emotion hits the stomach and the blood pressure rises and one’s pulse starts beating a few beats faster.  Some react with anger, some look for someone or something to blame, others become physically ill, a few want to run from it but, we are told to confront it.  The Bible tells us to consider it a time of joy and an opportunity to test our faith.  Would you pay a psychologist to tell you that?

Many of us do not realize there are two kinds of joy: worldly joy and spiritual joy.  It is unreasonable to think we will always be confronted with pleasant circumstances.  It is not unreasonable to expect and to have joy.  The joy I am talking about comes only from the Holy Spirit.  The joy we receive from God is continuous and is experienced at all times regardless of how difficult times may seem.

The Apostle Paul says it was this inner joy that encouraged him during his times of imprisonment and the many trials that he encountered.  He relates about an inner joy that caused him to press on toward the goals of his ministry.  We can develop the same joy the Bible says is available that keeps us positive going through unhappy situations.

The quality of that joy is dependent upon on relationship with Christ. We can’t fake it because it comes from our heart and it is spiritual.  It requires that we must continually die out to our self-centered nature and pray that the Holy Spirit helps us to totally surrender and live according to the teaching of Christ.   This does not happen overnight and depends on one’s faith to believe and willingness to make a commitment to become devoted to God and obedient to His ways.

God wants us to be patient and we must learn to wait on God.  When we face a serious problem we want God to deal with the situation immediately.  If every problem was solved instantly what would we have learned?  This is why the Bible tells us that God allows trials and testing to develop our patience and character.  It is extremely important that we go through these difficult times and learn to trust God and obey Him.  God asks that we trust and depend on Him to strengthen our love and faith.  Our reaction to problems tells much about our character.  Do we become angry and bitter?  Or, do we accept our struggles with joy knowing that God is aware and is allowing it to happen for a reason?

Life is not about how long we live or how well we live.  It is more about how we live and who do we live for.  No matter how life treats us, God can use us regardless of where we are or what we are doing.  Never fear, God knows every detail that occurs in our lives before it ever happens.  What we go through today may be God’s way of preparing us for His kingdom in eternity.  Shouldn’t we want to be as prepared as possible?

James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

I don’t know about you but when I go through times of testing I develop a closer relationship with Christ.  At the same time I am reminded that there will be rewards in heaven that have been promised to us.  It appears how we live here in this world and our relationship with Christ will make a difference once we leave this earth.  The future should be more important than instance gratification that is offered today.   But if our relationship with God is right we can have rewards both places.

Scripture says if we have the faith we can move mountains.  Let’s work on our faith as we go through these tests and do so with joy.

P.S. For those few Christians who live miserable lives without joy, read Galatians, specifically the 2^nd chapter.  Those who still believe they must work their way to heaven and refuse to accept God’s grace are no different from the Judaizers in the early church.  Those Jews believed men had to be circumcised and once converted they had to live by the 613 Jewish laws to become a Christian.  Today we call them legalists because they are enslaved by works and have not received the freedom that comes through grace.  Grace provides the freedom to have joy and an attitude of love which Scripture promises we will receive as a new person in Christ.

Philippians 4:6 – 7 – “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“

Have things been happening that make it difficult to have a positive attitude?  Does the future look fairly bleak with little hope of improving?  Are you being perplexed by a financial problem, poor health, relationship concerns or problems at work?  Or, it could be the mess that is developing in Washington, D.C. with the political chaos.  Take away one’s hope and the future becomes a struggle and unhappiness takes over.

Ephesians 6:12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

How we live and the decisions we make can be influenced by: “The powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Who would ever have considered that Satan may have deceived you or caused your problem?  Could it have been dating the wrong person, buying a home you could not eventually afford, selecting the wrong occupation or a physical accident leaving you disabled?  If something horrible may have happened to you could you have been duped by unseen spiritual forces of evil?  Living in America, who would ever consider being led astray to make bad decisions or having an accident possibly caused by evil forces?  Doesn’t the Bible teach this is possible?

Most of us have never witnessed real misery. Many of our complaints are minor but at the time they feel like they are major undertakings.  Any time I encounter a problem I think of what the Apostle Paul went through or the Book of Job.

Job 7:17 – 21 – “What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?  Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who sees everything we do? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?  Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

Job was living a blameless life and was beginning to doubt if it was worth it.  He was suggesting that God was not being fair.  Satan is always trying to get us to give up on God.  No matter how great our suffering seems it is never an excuse to reject God.  Have there ever been times that you may have felt that God was your enemy and He was punishing you?  Why is it that some blame God for their troubles when in reality it was coming from the devil? Satan has continually deceived the world and all who live in it.  Any troubles you may encounter and he is there to blame it on God.  Christians realize that thoughts and inspiration come from the Holy Spirit.  Can thoughts not also come the same way from evil spirits even though we cannot explain it?  We must be able to detect the difference and it comes with spiritual maturity.

I believe the Book of Job was to teach us that our advisory was not God but Satan.  It was Satan who was causing all of Job’s problems.  Like most of us, rarely do we blame our troubles on the devil.  We keep wondering why God would allow this tragedy to happen to us.  But the following Scripture tell us.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose.”

A friend of ours lost a son through suicide and detested this verse.  She often asked: “How could anything good come out of that situation?”  That has been a tough question for me to answer.  Our attitude and our relationship with God leave us either in despair or hope that God has something good planned for us in the future.   Remember the blessings and prosperity that Job later received?

Romans 8:26 & 27 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

When the devil is messing with our lives, it helps to know that the Holy Spirit within us is there to help solve any and every situation that occurs.  God says He will never let us have more difficulties than we can take.  Just remember: no matter how bad things get, God knows your limitations.  The worse things get, the more confidence God has in you.

Do not try solving problems on our own as so many of us do.  The Holy Spirit is within to comfort, guide and help through any situation.  But you will not get as much help if you continually ignore Him.  Got a problem?  Ask for help!  You have God, Christ and the Holy Spirit Who love you.  Do you think your problem is too big for them?

Does it seem unusual to you that many famous Rock Stars would all die at the age of 27?  July 23, 2011 Amy Winehouse, the singer, dies at age 27.    Is this a coincidence or is something sinister happening?

On July 11, 2011 I wrote on my site: agodthing.wordpress.com “Are some people evil”?  I told a story that was read to our class when I was in grade school many, many years ago.  This is what was written:

When I was in grade school and you could still pray and read the Bible, our teacher read us a short-story called “The Devil and Daniel Webster”.  The story took place in New England and a farmer was having some very bad luck with his crops and farming in general.  He said it was so bad that he was willing to sell his soul to the devil for better times.  The next day, farmer Stone was visited by a stranger who identified himself as Mr. Scratch.  Mr. Scratch said if you are serious about selling your soul I will give you seven very prosperous years.  They made a binding contract and farmer Stone had seven of the very best years ever.

After seven years he begged Mr. Scratch to give him just three more years.  Again they made a contract and farmer Stone had another three prosperous years.  However, farmer Stone no longer wanted to be controlled every minute by the devil and wanted out of his contract.  He hired an attorney, Mr. Daniel Webster to take Mr. Scratch to court and force the contract to be broken.

The trial is really suspenseful and Daniel Webster won and the devil had to give farmer Stone back his soul.  Ever since I was left believing that some politicians, business people, movie stars and others in general, have sold their souls to the devil for prosperity, power, fame, etc.  If this is true, I wonder how many people would be willing to sell their souls.

When I heard that Amy Winehouse, at age 27 was one of many Rock Stars who died at that same age it alerted me to the article I had just written.    Apparently, she died of drug and alcohol abuse and other self-destructive behaviors as so many others had.

Amy was a well-known British singer who had been nominated for six Grammy Awards, best new artist, the record of the year and song of the year.  She was also best female artist and the awards go on and on.  Do you get the picture?  She wasn’t just your average singer, but a Rock Star.

In no way am I insinuating that Amy Winehouse or any of the others who died at 27 were evil but is it possible they could have sold their soul for stardom?  This is probably a real stretch, but if it is possible for a person to sell their soul to the devil, shouldn’t people looking for fame and recognition be alerted to the eventual negative outcomes?

I previously wrote that it is very rare for a person who had sold their soul to break the contract.  It is possible they allowed themselves to become possessed to gain the lime-light and did so unknowingly.  What would cause a superstar, receiving everything they could have ever dreamed of accomplishing, begin this very self-destructive behavior leading to eventual death?   Could they have been offered a seven year contract at age 20 when they were too young to realize the consequences?

Ephesians 6:12 – “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”   NLT

I realize that the majority of people reading this article would not believe anything written to be authentic.  Most would not even believe there are evil powers seeking to control people.  But if there is the slightest chance what happened to Amy Winehouse was a result of making a contract to become famous and resulted in death, would you make the same contract for fame?  The Bible was written that we might have true joy, happiness and love in our hearts.  Satan is the world’s greatest deceiver, so do not allow yourself to be sold a bill of goods for a few years of power and notoriety.

Instead, the opposite is accepting Christ and the Holy Spirit into your life.  That contract is different.  It is not for just seven years of fame but a contract that is valid for eternity.   During eternity the awards far out weigh anything this world can offer.  Everyone is given a choice.  Are you looking for instant gratification or planning for the future?  I chose the future and hope to see you there!