Recently I wrote a blog: “Teach us to pray”. I cited Dr. Charles Stanley’s information that parents who pray for their children’s purpose and direction in life and teach their children to pray the same, almost unanimously the children knew their purpose and direction in life. This was especially true of those going to college. They knew what they wanted to do from the very beginning. Whereas, most college students have no idea what direction they want to go when they enroll.

Normally as children we just grow up. We go through grade school and enter high school. We get a driver’s license, finish school and possibly get married. We then start the cycle over again for our children. How often do we stop and think: what is my purpose in life and what direction should I be taking? Why have I been put on this earth? I am told that many older people close to death often wonder what their purpose on earth was and did they fulfill it? Wouldn’t it be better to know why God put us on this earth and then live for years accomplishing that purpose? When our final day comes we can say we did our best to fulfill our purpose and helped others succeed while we were here. I know some parents whose greatest achievement in life was raising their family. Because of them, their children made the world a much better place.

Romans 8:28 – “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.”

What does it mean: we have been called according to God’s purpose? Rick Warren in his book: “The purpose driven life” shared what he believed God’s purpose for each of us was and I paraphrase:

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.

God’s purpose for each one of us is to become a part of His family. As a member of His family He has shared how His children are to live and behave. Everything we do is to prepare us for the family reunion that will take place when we get together in heaven.

How are we going to live? At birth I have been given certain rights. I can choose any path I wish to travel. Do I travel alone or do I follow God’s guidance? As Christians, saved by grace, we can take with us the Holy Spirit. It is kind of like, do I want to go to sea with or without a compass? Am I so self-centered that I am unwilling to accept any help?

Our purpose on earth is to develop an unconditional love for God and others and have a servant’s heart. As we head down life’s path our carnal nature, our self-centeredness, the storms we encounter and the devil’s seducing spirits will try to guide us too often onto the wrong paths. That’s when we check our compass, the Holy Spirit, and make sure we stay directed to the path that leads to the ultimate goal, which is living with God and Christ forever. When we take that last breath, what is the most important thing we can take with us? Is it all of our material things that we have accumulated? Or, is it eternal security? Since there are so many death-bed conversions we must believe it is eternal security with Christ.

Matthew 6:20 – “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Do you want to pass on with nothing stored up in heaven? Pray that God will help you live for the purpose you were created.

Luke 11:1 – “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

From Colossians 1:7 – 14 – “since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, “

If the disciples asked how to pray probably many Christians do not know how to pray. I have heard a number of ministers teach on prayer and most recently Dr. Charles Stanley. Over the years, from personal experience and from other Christians, I have learned that prayer can transform one’s life. The more we pray the greater that transformation will be. The following is from notes I have compiled.

Stop saying, “God if it is your will.” If we believe that God may not answer our prayer it is not necessary to make excuses for Him. We need to know what His “will” is and if we pray in His “will” we must have faith to believe He will keep His promises. Following is what I have learned:

1. We must continually pray and ask God to fill us with the knowledge of His will. God will give us direction and a purpose for life if we continually ask Him. We will never know His “will” if we don’t study the Bible.

2. Every Christian parent should consistently pray that God will give their children direction and a purpose for life. It has been proven that those parents who began praying daily for their children’s purpose and direction had children who grew up being Christ followers. They also taught their children, early in life, to pray to God for His direction. When they went to college they knew exactly what they wanted to do. The majority of college students have no idea their direction.

3. We must pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding in order to walk in a manner worthy of Christ’s name. We must pray that others can see the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We must live a life patterned after Jesus and pleasing to Him. Thus, others will see that our character and our conduct are such that they can recognize Christ in us.

4. We are to pray that our lives will bear fruit and good works in every aspect whether at work or at home. We must demonstrate His power that is in us. We are to pray that our lives make an impact and a difference in the lives of others.

5. We are told to grow in the knowledge of God. Once we become knowledgeable we will have more patience and greater endurance. Pray that God will give you the spirit to not give up. Too many believe that if they attend church and listen to the sermon they will become knowledgeable of God’s “will”. Just listening and not studying, usually will not make us godly people.

6. Pray that we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God wants to bless us. For everything we say or every act we commit there are consequences. If we are obeying God’s will, we will be blessed. If we are disobedient we may receive consequences that are not favorable.

7. Pray that we will be joyful and positive people. It is important that we have the right attitude. We can be any kind of a person we want to be. However, to be kind, joyful, trustworthy, caring, gentle, loving and sensitive requires a lot of prayer and help from the Holy Spirit. Remember: Scripture teaches constant prayer promises to transform lives, ours and others.

Recap:
a. Pray that we may know God’s “will”.
b. Pray for God’s purpose and direction.
c. Pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding in order to walk as a representative of Christ.
d. Pray that our lives will bear fruit and good works.
e. Pray that we will become more knowledgeable of God and will grow in patience and endurance.
f. Pray that we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
g. Pray that we will be joyful and positive people.

When you read all of the things I read in Monday’s IBD 9/21 you realize we are living in some very “scary” times. One Scud missile with a nuclear warhead could be fired from a ship off of our coast and blown up over America. Senator John Kyl, R. Arizona says if detonated at the right altitude, it would interact with the Earth’s atmosphere producing an electromagnetic pulse radiating to the surface at the speed of light. It would cause all technology to shut down. It would close all air and rail transportation. Farmers would not have fuel to produce and harvest products. Hospitals could not operate. Lack of producing electricity and gas would put us back at least 100 years. This would cause teenagers to panic; there would be no cell phones or telephones that would work. However, they may be pleased to know that schools would be closed for lack of electricity.

Put this information in the proper perspective. An Iranian mullah said their hope was to see a world without America and Zionism. Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a “World without Zionism” conference in 2005, that goal was attainable and could be achieved. He also said they had a strategic “war preparation plan” for the destruction of Anglo-Saxon civilization.

On July 2nd I wrote a blog on “Are we living in the end times?” I related where Iran and Russia, bitter enemies for centuries, have become allies for the first time in history. It has made me concerned. If you study Ezekiel chapters 36 through 39 it sounds like a war against Israel could breakout anytime. Should that happen, Scripture reads, no one will come to Israel’s rescue. Could that be a result of Iran having exploded a nuclear bomb on America before their attempted invasion of Israel? Or, a U.S. president who refuses to assist Israel?

The Review Journal paper stated that on Friday, the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah tens of thousands of protesters swarmed the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities turning out at their annual rally in support of the Palestinian cause and to denounce Israel. This year it was different. At the government sponsored annual anti-Israel day, thousands more Iranian Muslims, who have converted to Christianity and with tens of thousands of other Iranians, came to demonstrate against the government of President Mahmound Ahmadinejad. The protesters shouted, “Not Gaza, not Lebanon, I’ll sacrifice my life for Iran.”

Why do I sense this news is important? Is God intervening into Iran to slow down the potential threat of developing nuclear weapons? Will all of the anti-protesting coming from Iranians against their government have any influence on the “war preparation plans”? Are the last days that Scripture describes in Ezekiel being extended? If so, why? My hunch is that God will never let Israel or America be destroyed or the war to begin until He gives every human one last chance to accept Christ as their personal Savior. This would give reason to a spiritual revival that could happen universally at any time. I am persuaded that revival could very easily come out of Las Vegas, the last place on earth anyone would ever expect. God has most often done the unexpected. Wherever it starts is unimportant. That it happens is important and that we become a part of it. What really matters is that we recognize what is about to happen around us and drop to our knees in support of Christ’s command to witness to the world. While we are praying ask God to put a revival spirit in the heart of every Christian.

What if you were selected to participate in a reality show and could receive millions of dollars if you were the winner? What would you be willing to do? I have never watched a reality show but I have seen parts on TV that indicate some people would do almost anything for much less.

Let’s assume Bill Gates of Microsoft and Warren Buffett, the investor, Americas two richest men were to sponsor a reality show and you were selected. Here is what the winner will receive. At age 60 you will be able to retire to the most beautiful place on earth. You will be provided with a mansion and will receive one million dollars annually for the rest of your life. In addition, there will be servants provided to meet your every need 24/7. According to normal life expectancy you will live in retirement 25 years. You could have anyone you want live with you. In most cases you could provide for your entire family’s needs.

Most would jump at the chance. First, you would have to know the rules to determine whether you would want to participate. You must ask yourself; do you have a chance of winning? However, if the rules were reasonable you may want to at least try.

Here are the rules. You must love others as yourself. You must have patience with everyone with whom you come into contact. You must develop a personality that will generate kindness and goodness and be willing to serve others. You shall not lie, steal, murder, commit adultery and you shall not covet your neighbor’s possessions. You must honor your father and your mother.

There will be someone with you daily to monitor your progress, encourage you and check you anytime you decide to break a rule. Those are really tough rules. But look at the goal; isn’t it worth trying? Since you are 49 you only have to do it for the next eleven years. Imagine what it would be like to live 25 years and have every need met. At least you say you are going to give it your best shot.

The first few days you are really excited. You know you can do it. You can meet every requirement and there is someone who will help you meet the test. However, there are some things you must be willing to give up. You must stop getting angry when driving to work and those idiots cut you off. Oops! You mean those other drivers who were not paying attention. Maybe you had better stop meeting after work with your co-workers who drink a little bit more than they should. You should probably stop being jealous of your friend Ned who drives a BMW. Are you watching the person assigned to you continually taking notes? Are you hoping what is being written isn’t too negative? Maybe you haven’t fouled up too badly, yet. Are you wondering how the other contestants are doing?

You may find these rules are harder to keep than you thought. Is the prize really worth the effort by having to give up many of the things you used to do? This monitor guy keeps trying to help you or maybe “nag” is a better description. But you only have to live this way for another eleven years. Do you believe it is possible? You must ask again: Is the prize really worth it? Can’t you do most anything for eleven years you tell yourself? Just think how fantastic life will be when you reach 60. It is almost too good to be true that you were even selected.

If you haven’t gotten the gist of the story by now you may not have read your Bible. Why would so many be willing to work so hard for an earthly prize that will last for only 25 years and yet refuse to live for a heavenly prize that will last forever? One is tangible and you can see it and legally believe it can happen. The other takes faith because it is not tangible and you may not be sure what that prize will be. The heavenly prize is just a promise and can you really trust it to be true? However, the prize for the one you cannot see is told to be a far greater prize than the earthly one. With the earthly prize you have to compete. With the heavenly prize there is no one competing against you. It is available to everyone. Let us compare the two prizes. Which one would you rather have? If you select the heavenly prize, are you as willing to abide by the same rules as you were for the earthly prize? Who do you trust the most to deliver on their promise: God or Bill and Warren?

Since you are a believer the Spirit who has been assigned to you still keeps trying to help you. Probably you should accept His assistance. With His help you may want to meet the heavenly requirements because you realize how fantastic the prize is going to be. Isn’t the prize worth the effort? You believe it is, so you must be willing to repent and meet the rules.

Does this mean we are required to work our way to heaven? Romans 14:12 – “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” We are held accountable every minute to God as to how we live. He also tells us that if we allow sin into our lives expect turmoil to result. Is God asking us to work our way to heaven? No! He is telling us how to keep turmoil out of our lives.

There are as many Christians getting divorces as non-Christians. What do they not understand?

My wife does not want me to share how long we have been married because that would make her older than most people believe she is. However, we have three grandchildren over 20. Many think she is ten years younger than me. I point out she graduated from college two years before me. She quickly replies that I was in the service.

During these many years together we have never had a major disagreement. In fact, we are probably more in love today than we were the day we were married. So let me give you a brief history because that didn’t happen by accident.

I met my wife just after starting college. She was a junior and I was a lowly freshman. She was first violinist in the orchestra and in my mind the best vocal soloist in school. She was one of the more attractive young ladies majoring in music education. She was dating a senior math genius. So what were my chances? During my sophomore year they broke up and I asked her for a date. When she said yes I was in “Awe”. When I asked her to marry me and she said yes, I knew that only God could have made that happen. Therefore, I had better learn what God teaches about keeping a wife happy. Guess what—it works!

Our marriage started with Ephesians 5:21 – “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” I read where it said husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church. (Be willing to die for her.) She needed to feel my love and feel secure that she was always going to be the only one. She always supported me and gave me respect. The point I want to make is the Bible told us how to treat each other.

It didn’t take being married very long until we realized that we think differently. How long does it take to realize that you have a choice: you can either argue to be right or you understand that being right does not always bring togetherness? In most things how important is it to be right in marriage if you have totally surrendered your life to Christ. Isn’t it better to communicate and work things out and compromise? I believe that our self-centered nature causes more problems in marriage than anything. Scripture continually stresses we must die out to self. How many couples are willing to do this? Those getting divorces aren’t. Granted both must surrender. It probably is very difficult being married to someone addicted and is driven by their self-centered nature. This is why the Bible says we are not to be yoked together with a non-believer. A person who has not died out to self can make a marriage struggle.

It was hard learning the importance of unconditional love. During our pre-Christian lives we loved expecting something in return. We learned if God was first in our lives His ways taught us to respect each other and never intentionally do something that would harm or offend the other.

We are told to become more like Christ. Are we married to be served or to serve the other? Did the Son of God expect to be first in line or sit at the head of the table? How important do we think we are? The more humble couples are, the greater chance they will have of their marriage succeeding.

Everyone will have disagreements. How do we handle them? If you love someone enough you will negotiate with respect. Anger has no place in an argument with a spouse. Most anger is a response to a threat to our self-centeredness. If we are totally surrendered and committed to Christ our humility can overcome our anger.

Every day the last thing I do before leaving home is hug my wife and tell her how much I love her. The first thing I do when I come home is hug my wife and tell her I love her. While I am home there is never a doubt in my wife’s mind that I love her. As a result, I could not ask for a more supportive and respectful wife. The things the Bible says I need as a husband. Scripture says my wife needs to know she is loved. If you want a happy marriage do what the Bible says to do. If you are in a bad relationship one or both of you are ignoring what the Bible teaches.

The more we discover the less likely the universe could have just evolved. We are in the process of developing a revolutionary new technology called nanotechnology. It is manipulating properties and structures as small as a human hair. Many areas are being researched such as equipment and medicine.

To describe the future benefits in medicine would seem to be something that would come out of a science-fiction novel. The opportunities in medicine today are so significant that it is hardly believable. Scientists believe they are likely to be able to detect, diagnose and treat various forms of cancer using nanotechnology. This new technology could potentially save a huge number of lives.

To give you an example of how nanotechnology is changing medicine we see it’s affects on drugs. New drugs can be made to cause fewer side effects and be made more effective in treatment than present prescribed drugs. These drugs can better improve the treatment of infection, accident or disease.

Nanotechnology is just another break-through in the changing world in which we live. How could a universe, animals, birds, fish and humans evolve with all of the scientific proof of a creator that is being discovered almost daily? Those who believe in evolution believe that science proves their belief. Whereas, those who believe in creation base their beliefs totally on religion. It is becoming more apparent that the opposite is true. The uncovering of the intricacies of everything that exists, through science, is easier for many to accept creation than evolution.

The first five books of the Bible provide evidence of the need for public health and sanitary practices. The Israelites were told about quarantining those who were sick. They were taught personal hygiene by washing their hands and keeping clean. They were told of certain precautions to keep from becoming infected. They were told what to eat and what not to eat. They were taught not to engage in any sexual relationships outside of marriage. Sexually transmitted disease would not occur if sexual activity were confined to marriage. If you are interested read Leviticus chapter fifteen.

The Bible is full of signs that there is a creator. Now God gives us signs through science and supernatural events. But we are told that evil will veil the eyes of many and they will be blinded as to who God is and to His ways and will.

I heard recently that much of the information that we are now receiving is coming from aliens; those flying around in UFOs. Nonsense! God is making us aware that we can have bodies that are imperishable that can live for a 1000 years on earth when Jesus comes back to reign. Seventy years ago the average age at death for an American was 61. Today it is 78. It won’t be long before it is 100 according to life insurance company’s predictions because of the improvement of health and medicine.

I hope you take from this that God is in the process of giving a sign that what we read in Revelations can happen. It tells us that earth will no longer be cursed and we will be able to live as He had intended Adam and Eve to have lived in a paradise without dying. After Christ’s reign on earth we will then be transported to a new heaven and a new earth. That is where we will spend eternity! The old earth will be destroyed by fire. (II Peter 3:7)

Recently I was asked a question: “Who is our neighbor and who are we to help.” What about a religious denomination that doesn’t believe Christ is the Son of God? There is a difference between helping a denomination and helping a person who may not believe Christ is who He says He is. If you have a particular skill and a charity wants you to donate your time to helping them with a particular project, should you feel obligated from a Scriptural standpoint to perform? Whether you help them or not may be a personal choice. Whether you are obligated to help them or not I believe the answer would be no.

Let’s pursue the question further. First, I may not be qualified to answer who our neighbors are according to Scripture. I have been a store manager for 23 years. I have dealt with shoplifters, liars, scam artists and those who would change price tags to get a lower price. I have had customers demand free repairs on washers that were sold four years previously. My staff included five security personnel to watch both customers and employees. I don’t always believe statistics but have been told over the years that at least 25% of employees were stealing.

I am sure my heart is not as tender as I would like. It has left me a little skeptical as to who my neighbor may be. But should we give God’s money to a charity that practices anti-Christian principles? The following Scripture gives me guidance:

I John 4:1 – 6 – “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”

The apostle John states that there are many who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. He says they have the spirit of the antichrist. He also tells us it is our responsibility to test whoever we meet or whatever we read or hear; and does it correspond with Scripture?

So what does Scripture tells us about those in need? What about the person standing on the island as cars are stopped at a red light with a sign asking for money, what is our responsibility? Or, maybe the person that meets you in the parking lot asking for a few dollars? Just what is our obligation as a Christian? There are many charities that help these people yet; they are unwilling to get that help. For years the “Mission” down town has fed and helped people. However, they must listen to Christian music and a sermon prior to getting help. Many, being of the world, are opposed to God and will not take the time or make the effort. They are more inclined to make us feel guilty if we don’t meet their need.

Our church has a ministry to feed the homeless which I support 100 percent. Over the years we have seen a few obtain salvation and every soul is worth our effort. I believe there is a difference between a group from the church helping than an individual Christian enabling those that are able to obtain help from qualified agencies that know how to handle these situations.

By now you may have guessed I do not see them as my neighbor. Before you think my heart is black and as hard as shoe leather, there have been times I have felt led to give. But yesterday when I was confronted by a man I was led to just say no!

My neighbor is any Holy Spirit filled believer that believes Christ is who He says He is. But there are people who are of this world that I want to become my neighbor by accepting Christ into their heart.

However, each person must make their own decisions when it comes to who we are to help. If we hear an inner voice from the Holy Spirit we had better obey!

Matthew 5:44 – “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” An entirely different subject!

It seems a number have found my previous two blogs on Jesus speaking to believers an interesting topic enough to do a follow up. So I thought I would provide more information to those who are skeptics, those people who do not believe a Christian can hear an inner voice. I have heard some think it is no more than their conscience talking to them and they really don’t audibly hear anything.

I was asked, what about when Oral Roberts stated that He heard Jesus telling him if he didn’t build a hospital he would be taken to heaven? When the money was coming in too slowly, a little later he said that Jesus gave him a little longer to live to get the money raised to begin construction. What about Bennie Hinn stating that God told him to do a number of things and then later confessed that God really hadn’t talked to him? We have all heard stories that Jesus told someone to do a particular thing. But did they really hear an inner voice talking to them?

The Bible is filled with instances where God or Jesus talked to people. For example: Acts 10:13 – 15 – “Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’  ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’  The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’” There must be at least 50 instances in Scripture where a voice from heaven spoke to an individual. Was it audible or was it someone’s conscience speaking to them? Most of us do not hear our conscience and then talk back.

The book “The Blessed Life” by Robert Morris tells of a time when he was a traveling evangelist and all of his income came from churches where he preached. One month he had only one scheduled meeting and finances were very low. After the service a love offering was taken and it was a check for exactly one month’s expenses. As he stood holding the check he happened to see a missionary who had taken part earlier in the service. He heard an unmistakable voice of the Lord tell him to give the check to the missionary. He went from excitement knowing he could pay his bills to panic. He said, “Lord that can’t be your voice.” He said he wanted to stick his fingers in his ears and say, “I can’t hear you”. He heard the voice again, “Give him the whole offering, trust me”. He walked over to the missionary and said he appreciated his testimony earlier and said, “Don’t tell anyone but I would like you to have this offering. The check is made out to me but I have signed it over to you.”

An hour later he was seated with about 20 members of the church at a pizza place. Across from him was a well-dressed man who asked, “How much was your offering tonight?” So he told him. The man asked, “Where is the check?” He said his wife had it and the man said to go get it, he wanted to see it. He got up and went to his wife and came back and said it was in the car. The man said, “Robert, the check is not in the car.” “How do you know that?” He responded. The man said, “Because God told me and He told me something else.” The man said, “God is about to teach you about giving so that you can teach the body of Christ.” The man handed him a check. It was ten times the amount he had given away.

There are thousands of stories just like this where people actually heard a voice talking to them. When Scripture also states that the Lord talked to people can’t we accept the fact that they actually heard an inner voice. When a light struck Paul on his way to Damascus he heard Jesus speaking. Acts 9:4 – 6 – “He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’  ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” The Bible says the others may not have heard Jesus.

Why is it so difficult for some to unwillingly believe that people hear an inner voice? Some of these same people will agree that they have heard of people hearing the voice of demons. If they can believe demons speak why can’t believers audibly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit or Jesus? Granted! Most believers are led by their conscience and do not hear an inner voice. However, there are believers who actually hear an inner voice. And when we get to heaven the apostles Peter and Paul will confirm it!

Let’s not confuse folks! If we feel led by the Holy Spirit as many of us have and have a deep feeling it is from Jesus and it does not work out people can understand. If we say Jesus told me to do a certain thing and it doesn’t work out that causes skepticism. Many times I have sensed the Holy Spirit telling me to do something to realize it wasn’t the Holy Spirit; otherwise, as an investment advisor I would be a multi-millionaire many times over.

Can you image what my clients would think if I said, “Jesus told me to invest your money into this particular investment?” They would expect to receive huge returns and would be absolutely beside themselves if they didn’t. This is why we must be careful in how we define what we hear.

Two young men came to my home three or four years ago and said they had been called into a specific ministry. They were waiting for God to open doors for them to get started. They have done some things but I believe there are things they can do to open those doors. This is a letter to them with a copy to all of you.

Mark 11:23 – “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.” Believing that we have faith is one thing but acting on faith is another.

As I was outlining the Gospel of Mark for my men’s Bible group I read in the second chapter where four friends brought a paralytic to Jesus to be healed. The room was so packed that they couldn’t get in so they went on the roof, made an opening in the roof and lowered the man down in front of Jesus. Jesus said: Mark 2:5 – “When Jesus saw their faith; he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” He saw their faith which I believe is a very important part of this story.

Do you have enough faith to take action? It seems like we need more than faith, we need to be bold in getting started. Matthew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” It seems like Christ is saying we must ask, we must seek and we must knock in order for the door to open. What about those dreams or visions that are in your mind hoping that God will open the door and you will walk right on through? What happens if God requires that we must put action to our faith before He opens those doors? As I have been studying, praying and meditating I have been wanting to know how to tell others the importance of having the faith to do what you feel God is leading you to do. I know of no other way than to tell you my own experiences.

It began in high school. Someday I wanted to own my own business. However, the doors never seemed to open. For many years I always worked for someone else. Once my children’s college bills were paid and I had enough savings to last about one year I believed God would help me start my own business. After about eighteen months all of our savings were gone and we were just barely making a living. But with God’s help the business grew and I began hiring my family to assist me. I always believed I could do it but never took the action to make it happen.

In 1988 and 1989 we decide to add on to the church property on Mojave Road. We decided to add 42,000 sq. ft. but had no money to do so. I was chairman of the board both years and kind of oversaw the construction. When the building was completed the money was there to pay for it. I don’t know how long it would have taken if we had waited for the money to start construction.

In 1991 I was asked to head up the relocation to a new campus. It was decided that we needed to buy 80 acres. As usual we did not have the money to buy hardly an acre. After months of prayer and searching we found our present location and had the money plus a loan to buy it. More time went by and we figured if God was really good we might be able to build a 100,000 sq. ft. building costing $15 million. Of course we didn’t have the money but we believed we could borrow it. As the attendance kept growing we decided that to meet the needs it would require a 150,000 sq. ft. building costing approximately $23 million. It seemed like God kept saying that all you have to do is to “knock” and I will open the door. I often wonder where we would be today if we hadn’t kept knocking on God’s door. I hope you are getting the point. How many dreams or visions have we missed because we just believed we could walk up to the door and God would automatically open it and say, it’s there for you?

There are a number of people who are waiting for God to get them a job, to find them a spouse or to take care of their financial needs. When Jesus saw their faith He healed the paralytic man. Would he have been healed if he sat at home praying that Jesus would heal him? We know faith is important but I believe God expects us to show our faith by taking some action.

To the two young men waiting for doors to open may I suggest you really start knocking and knocking loudly. Once God sees you putting action into your faith He may just start opening all kinds of doors.

Scripture tells Christians to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature and yield to the Holy Spirit. Some Christians will put to death their spiritual nature and yield to their sinful nature.

Unfortunately, some young Christians are more focused on the short-term and the short-term consequences of allowing one’s sinful nature to reign than they are in realizing what the long-term consequences might be. I have lived long enough to have witnessed the short-term and long-term consequences of Christians who have yielded to their earthly natures and those who have yielded to the Holy Spirit. Of course no two situations are ever exactly the same. But I believe the two I am going to describe are fairly typical and they illustrate the differences in choices.

One young man was very outgoing, quick to laugh and easy to get to know. He had an engaging personality and most couldn’t help but like him. He attended church with some regularity but on the few occasions when he was offered an opportunity to serve, he declined claiming he didn’t have time for it. Nevertheless, he had confessed a belief in Christ and seemed to have made a token effort to serve Him. At work he was a different person. He was both ruthless and aggressive and made no effort to conceal his willingness to make decisions regardless of how it would affect anyone else. Words like loyalty, compassion and civic responsibility were not in his vocabulary.

Years later the consequences of his behavior became more evident. His church attendance had dwindled from occasional, to every now and then, to holidays. He was still outgoing, but not as much. He still laughed but it was shallow and he was no longer easy to get to know. In later years I would describe him as being withdrawn. He had become somewhat paranoid, somewhat mean-spirited and hard. He was very successful yet he demonstrated little joy in his success. Only God and the man himself know what personal price he paid for his success.

The second young man made an all-out commitment to serve Christ. His personality and temperament were similar to his counterpart and in the early years there was little noticeable difference between them. Yet he did his best to yield his life to the leading of the Holy Spirit and over the years he too changed. I would describe him in later years as a man turned outward. People were comfortable with him. They felt a kinship with him even when he made unpopular decisions, though admittedly this is only my impression. He did not appear to be as successful as his counterpart, yet he demonstrated a certain joy in his career and personal life. Again, only God and the man himself know the spiritual rewards he received by serving God rather than being self-serving. But from outward appearances, the rewards were beyond calculation.

I believe the moral to this story is that those whom I have witnessed and have seen make an all-out commitment to serve Christ can understand the joy and the advantages that accompanies doing things God’s way. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”