The Antichrist cannot rule the world if Americans have guns to protect themselves. Satan must destroy capitalism in America in order to take world-wide control. Do you believe refugees are coming for any other reason than preparing the world to get ready for the Antichrist? Study Bible prophecy and you could reach these beliefs.

How long do you have to listen to political leaders worldwide, until you realize they deny the existence of the Biblical God as our Creator? How many universities teach evolution rather than creation? What about the media, do they stress American patriotism? We are lead to believe there is no reason to respect immigration laws and customs enforcement. We cannot trust our government to run the IRS, GSA, (General Services Admin.), EPA, the VA or the Secret Service. We deny God by promoting man-made global warming or climate change. The real goal is to eliminate prosperous economies that became wealthy through free markets. They want to reward poorer nations that are impoverished by policies that don’t work and basically they want to reshape the world with socialistic ideas. We are using political correctness as Satan’s tool in preparation for a one-world-government. What don’t we understand?

Both Democrat and Republican leaders have recommended preparing for a one-world-government. President Bush 41 was in favor of it and was requiring Israel to make peace with Palestine and give up portions of their land. Why do so many want to see Trump become president? They believe he will protect them and he will make America safe. This is what the Bible says the Antichrist will do for the world. Doesn’t it seem unusual that America would select our current president with a Shiite Muslim background, whose assistant, Valerie Jarrett, was born in Iran, and possibly has a Shiite Muslim background also? Both supposedly, were taught a hatred for capitalism and the American way of life? Regardless of their beliefs, America is no longer a major player in the Middle East. There is a question, to some understanding prophecy, if America will be involved in the end times. Is God now allowing Satan to begin taking control, at this time, as the Bible says will happen in the end time?

It is very possible that World War III takes place. At that time 1/3 of the population will be killed. Those remaining will look for a person who can guarantee peace forever. This is how the Antichrist may be accepted.

Read the 13th chapter of Revelation as it describes the Antichrist. We believe he will come from the Old Roman Empire or the Middle East. Satan will give him the power and control to draw the world to him. There will be a satanic evil world system that will manifest itself during the end times. This world leader will have a magnetic personality and will have a devastating effect on believers who will be mislead. We must be careful in trying to identify a specific person. His nature is that of Satan. He will have passions, unusual instincts and the intellect of a genius. He will be able to do whatever he desires and be so powerful that opposing him will be futile. All nations on earth will serve him. Only those who have his mark or possibly a RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip on their bodies will be able to buy or sell.

Can we not see what is occurring, as Americans are allowing this to happen? These leaders believe that everyone on earth can become equal. There would be a redistribution of wealth. There would no longer be wars. Everyone would have to live by the same laws and rules. The Antichrist will not only be the head of government, he will be the government, speak for it, think for it and decide for it.

Christians who believe in Replacement Theology believe that the Bible’s promises, given to Israel by God, no longer apply and the promises are now for the Christian church. They are anti-Semitic and anti-Israel. In addition, the separation of church and state group would allow the Antichrist to establish a world religion with the Antichrist the one to be worshiped. That would be a religion not believing in our God, Christ or the Holy Spirit but the Antichrist as god. The religion would be dictated by the False Prophet and everyone would be required to worship the Antichrist.

The Antichrist and the False Prophet will persuade the world to accept their false teachings. The Antichrist will imitate Christ’s resurrection. Many will accept him to be the messiah who Israel has been waiting to receive. They expected the Messiah to rule the world and allow them everlasting peace. This is the reason we believe they will be willing to sign a peace treaty. The Antichrist will be given the ability to duplicate miracles that Christ performed. He will tell the world everything the Jews believed Christ should have done but didn’t. Satan has the ability for signs and wonders that they will believe he is the greatest leader the world has ever known. The temptation to believe in this leader will be overwhelming. Many believe that while this is going on, much of America will be destroyed.

Revelation 13:5–6 “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.”

For 3½ years he will be able to do anything he wants so he blasphemed God and the church in heaven. He will have united all nations and all religions under his authority. To merge Moslems, Hindus, Catholics, Protestants, etc., will take a tremendous personality that only the Antichrist and the False Prophet have. This authority will be allowed by God for those 3½ years.

Revelation 13:8 “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.”

Do you understand the need for gun control, destruction of a capitalistic economy, man-made global warming, preparation for a one-world government and nations without borders? This is what the Bible says will happen in the end times. Do you recognize that it appears that some of this is now taking place? We are in the beginning and no one knows exactly when all this takes place, just that we can see it coming. Are you able to believe? If not, you may be one who accepts and believes the Antichrist!!!

If you want verification, read chapter 24 of Matthew and the Book of Revelation, particularly chapter 13. To learn about the next war in the Middle East, read Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39. It tells how Russia or Turkey will lead a number of Muslim nations to attack Israel. Remember, Israel just discovered a huge oil resource in the Golan Heights, previously Syria’s territory. Will Israel get to keep it or will they be attacked?

Scripture teaches us throughout the Bible how to pray and what to pray. How often have you wondered how to pray for ourselves, family and others? If you struggle with how to pray or what to pray for, you can always pray the prayers the Bible teaches us.

Matthew 6:5-13 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

Psalm 23:4–6 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The prayers of I Chronicles 4:9, Ephesians 1:17-21 and Galatians 5:22-23
God bless me with your Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Bless my “being” by enlightening my heart with the hope of eternal life with you. Please continue to change the disposition of my heart to that of a servant. Please give me your resurrection power, your ascension power and your dominion power that you used to take Christ to heaven. God bless me with the fullness of the Holy Spirit that will give me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as well as my family, my church family and my small group. Please increase my spiritual responsibilities and widen my area of influence. Please expand my potential that I might impact more lives spiritually. Allow your supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to protect me from Satan in all areas of my life. God help me to be totally dependent on you. God bless my business that I might increase my tithes and offerings to the church and beyond.

When we pray, most realize the importance of asking to be shown their purpose in life and the direction God wants to take them. But as we are directed by the Holy Spirit we need to request to be filled with knowledge and wisdom that we might fulfill God’s will. We should ask to be guided in our walk so we might be consistent with Christ’s teaching.

Shouldn’t we seek help in living in such a way as to please God? We need direction from the Holy Spirit to help us listen for His guidance and convictions. As Christians we must request help in knowing how to live to please others that has eternal values. We should ask to help us live a life with joy and happiness because of your redemptive power, your forgiveness of sin and releasing us from all guilt.

As I write two blogs weekly, I pray that God will provide the topic. As I listen to daily news or read my three newspapers, I feel inspired to select a topic. I will go to prayer and meditate on that particular subject. It amazes me what I learn in meditation. I hope the above helps.

Have you heard a person having physical problems, then praying and being healed and then finding it hard to believe that God really heals? Yet, we read numerous times where Christ and the Apostles healed continually during their ministry. Having been a church Elder in a number of churches, it wasn’t unusual for us to lay hands on a person, with a health problem and see a miraculous healing. Why is it so difficult for so many to not be willing to trust that God still heals today?

There will be a time when Jesus returns to rule for the 1000 years that there will be no sickness. Why do we have so much sickness today? Revelation 20:1–2 “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished.”

How much sickness is caused by demonic influence? How much mental sickness is really demon possession? How many people die because of their constant fear of death? I believe our attitudes affect our health. I have had heart attacks and bypass surgery twice. Since 1997 I have had prostate cancer. Prior to one operation, my family was told I had a 10 percent chance of living. I believe I have been healed because of the prayers of many and the faith that the Holy Spirit provided to me. At no time did I ever think of dying, thanks to the Holy Spirit’s assurance. Let me give you some Scriptures to consider:

1 John 4:18 “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

If we have unconditional love in our hearts and we have hearts without hate, we will know positively that Jesus, on the Day of Judgment will accept us. There is nothing more important in a believer’s heart than having the confidence to know that they will go to heaven.

Hebrews 2:14–15 “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”

Scripture tells us that Satan’s power over humans had to be broken in order for us to be brought to God. Satan’s power over man was the fear of death. Christ had to take on our nature before He could die in our place. To destroy Satan, Christ had to take his weapon: spiritual and eternal death. Satan knew that humans, who were sinners, would die and go out of God’s presence into hell forever. Because once a person dies, the opportunity for salvation is gone forever. The Bible teaches that Christ died in order to conquer death. Christians have been instructed to realize that death no longer holds any fear, for it simply releases us into the presence of our Lord.

John 14:1–4 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Our purpose in life is to love. When we have love the unbearable becomes bearable and in the darkness there is a glimmer of light. For Jesus is proof that God is willing to meet our needs. If we believe in Jesus we can accept things that we cannot understand and the storms of life can become calm. Jesus is saying that in His Father’s house there are many rooms. There are enough rooms for everyone. Many believe we will be assigned to a room dependent upon our deeds and our holiness. At least some of the early Christians believed this. Revelation talks about rewards for one’s deeds and service. Some believe that in Heaven we will have an opportunity to develop and advance. If God can make the universe in seven days, just think what our new home on earth and a new heaven will be like.

Jesus completes the passage by saying I am going to prepare a place for you and then come back and get you. I believe He is saying: I am going so when I come for you there will be a safe place to which you can come. We don’t need to speculate what Heaven is like. Since Jesus and God are there it will be perfect. God doesn’t make anything that is not perfect.

My father-in-law was a minister and he had a massive heart attack and then two years later another. When he was in the hospital dying, Mom was standing by his bedside; he reached over and took her hand, looked into her eyes and said: “You know honey, I have preached it all of my life and now that I am here, it’s real.” With that, he went to be with the Lord.

I could write stories of healing and the peace that Christians have when passing away. But I will end with: It is my belief: WE ARE IMMORTAL UNTIL GOD IS THROUGH WITH US. Why should we fear and why should we not expect to live a healthy life. However, sometimes God allows sickness to change the direction of our lives. Our attitude and faith determine how serious it will be and what we can learn from it. It has caused me to exercise and walk every day since 1984. That is probably why I am still able to work as a financial advisor these past 28 years.

Doctors say many people die because they have no hope that they will recover from a severe illness or surgery. People who live without hope, goals, dreams or a vision are missing one of the most important experiences in life. When I hear Christian having times of depression, negative fears, living without hope, I have to believe they are not living and believing the promises of Christ.

If you read Scripture that tells us we are born with a purpose for life and God has a plan for us, how could we not have hope? Hope is based on expectations and God says He will meet our needs and give us peace and prosperity. It is sad to realize that people without hope do not believe there can be hope.

Have you talked to a person having serious problems and explain that Christ can change their life? Most will change the subject, because many times they don’t expect anything can change their circumstances. If you really talk seriously with them, their past and their conscience keeps them from thinking of succeeding in life. Many of us, in our younger years, have failed or have a past that takes away any hope we may have had for a successful future.

If you have no hope because of your past life, you know that God forgives and erases all of our sins if we accept Christ as our Savior and receive the Holy Spirit. Many cannot forgive themselves and they have little or no hope that they can become a success. The Bible is full of leaders for God who have done worse sins than many of us. Moses murdered an Egyptian. King David committed adultery and conspired to have her husband killed. Abraham lied saying his wife was really his sister. Jacob took his brother’s birthright and his mother helped pull it off. Why do you think the Bible gave us these many examples? God wanted us to know that He would forgive and change who we were and give us another chance. Christians must believe there is hope to become a new person with the past erased.

Paul writes to the Romans 8:5–11 “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” NLT

Accepting Christ requires a repentant heart and a desire to go a completely different direction. There can be no relationship with Christ unless the Holy Spirit is within you. Salvation is not necessarily a feeling. It is God’s promise that if we accept Christ, we commit and surrender to Him and He will allow the Holy Spirit to come into our lives. Once we receive the Holy Spirit our spirit and our attitudes turns from possible despair to hope.
Romans 8:14–18 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

As we receive the Holy Spirit, God adopts us. We are given a new identity being sons and daughters of God. In Roman culture we would have been given full rights of our new family and became a full heir to our father’s estate with a tremendous hope for our future. God’s children learn to face major problems and obstacles in their lives with joy and a peaceful heart. Why: Because as God’s children, we gain all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family. Therefore, we are no longer a slave of sin and the world’s ways, but the Master’s children and a new hope for the future. As children we are asked to live as Christ lived. We are to serve others, resist pressure to act as the world acts and be willing to give up some rights.

Our earthly problems and displeasures 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 and hope for the future will be better.

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

Having had heart surgery in 1984 and continuous problems since and prostate cancer since 1997, I always had hope that I would recover. That has been 31 years. Would I be alive today if I had no hope as the doctors say causes death? If you pray daily and read your Bible also, you must have hope that God will meet your spirit, physical and financial needs. That is not just a hope that is a promise from God.

Many Christians do not deliberately sin, but we do sin. How do we know that we sin? The Bible tells us we do. Have you ever done or said something that you then wondered: “Why did I do that?” It could be a lie, spreading rumors, alcohol or prescription drug abuse and many others such as hate, unforgiveness, selfishness, anger, etc.

Romans 7:15–25 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”

Most sin committed by a sanctified Christian does not necessarily come from demonic influence but from man’s original nature. Part of that nature is rebellious and the desire of independence. The above Scripture is describing a Christian who loves the law of God and wants to please God, but is trying to do so by his own strength.

It is not uncommon for our old nature, from time to time, to seek to rebel and be independent of God. Too often, when we try to rely on our own strength, we slip into the grasp of sin’s power. Scripture teaches us that when we become a Christian it does not remove every temptation or the possibility of sinning. Conversion takes a moment of faith, but becoming a Christian is a lifelong process. We learn in Romans 7:9 that knowledge is not the answer. “At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life,”

This is why we want to emphasis that Christian growth is like a race. Winners do not give up and they are continually training and preparing. That is why Scripture is saying: “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” This can apply to a person who is desperately struggling against sin or trying to keep the rules and commandments in order to please God without the Holy Spirit’s help. We must never underestimate the power of sin and never try to fight it without realizing our chances of doing it on our own, mostly doesn’t work. Once we are tempted, it is easy to make excuses and rationalize.

God knowing mans carnal nature and provided to Christians His Spirit to live in us and provide us with power to overcome temptations. Yet, it is amazing when we fall or fail and then repent; He lovingly reaches out and helps us back up. Is our faith sufficient to trust God and believe this? Paul writes that we have two natures. One desires in keeping God’s laws and one wages war against God’s laws. We must not allow other Christians trying to live up to God’s standards in their own strength, become frustrated, disillusioned and depressed and close to completely giving up influence us. We learn that having a desire to live to please God indicates His laws and commandments are good.

Scripture goes on to say that it seems nothing good lives in me. Can it possibly be that all of my sinful mistakes that I commit are caused by demonic influence? No, but we like to blame someone besides ourselves because it is hard to accept responsibility. We may have good intentions, but our self-centered nature can still control us if we have not surrendered our lives to the Holy Spirit. If we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and help us, sin can be stronger than we are.

Paul tells us he is an awful man, but Christ had rescued him. We too must realize that our self-centered natures are most often what cause us to sin. Our comfort zone may be to trust in ourselves rather than trusting in Christ or the Holy Spirit. Most of the time, we just do things without praying and asking for Spiritual guidance. Do you find yourself thinking: should I do it my way or God’s way? Chances are we do not take the time or think to ask God. Old habits are hard to break and many Christian are not willing to repent and change. These are the ones who are continually struggling with sin. It is only when real problems confront us; the ones we got ourselves into, that we realize: we need God’s help and pray and hope for an instant intervention by God. Don’t you think God is thinking: they will not learn to trust me unless He makes us wait for His answer or intervention?

The positive is: we know that God promises there will be no eternal punishment to those who have committed themselves to Christ and do not allow their self-centered natures to control their lives, but follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. God recognizes that a Christian’s self-centered nature will rise up from time to time. God does not expect perfection but He asks that we strive toward it and our example is Christ.

Being a member of a church of 470 meeting on weekends to a church responsible for having 70,000 attend at special events, is quite an experience. Continual expanding is just another experience. For those 26 who have been a member since the initial church was founded in 1962, it is not a surprise we have outgrown our present facilities. Our expansion has included Canyon Ridge Christian Church, The Crossing Church plus satellite churches in the Las Vegas area, God Behind Bars and elsewhere.

Having spent 20 years as a board member, beginning in 1983, I would like to explain what caused a small church to become one of the 10 largest churches in America. If you live in Sin City, as we are often referred to, you realize that there are a number of people who live with different morals than those living in the Bible Belt. The board had a vision that God wanted us to evangelize Las Vegas and beyond.

Romans 5:20 – “The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,”

One of my best friends and fellow board member, the late Dick Shine, wrote a book on the history of Central. He is the one who encouraged me to write a book and later the blogs written these past five years. He writes that I was selected chairman of the Relocation/Construction Task Force. But I will let him tell the story.

From here on I am quoting from his book. “One of the first acts of the RSTV committee was to appoint Mary and Roger Felgar to organize a prayer group. The group’s task was to bathe the church in prayer for: the congregation, the leadership, the community at large and especially the relocation project. Mary was (and still is at this writing) one of those people who would find something optimistic to say if she was traveling on an airliner whose wings had just fallen off and what was left of the plane was careening toward a mountain of solid rock! So the fact that the church had no money, no land and no prospects bothered her not at all.”

“Undoubtedly, the first thing she did was pray about the matter. The first visible thing she did was organize a team of people, most of whom, were of the same optimistic mindset as herself, though few were as outgoing and demonstrative as she was. The team itself met regularly for the next ten years and over those same years greater numbers of people were drawn into the ministry of prayer through periodic twenty-four hour prayer vigils. In time the ministry expanded to include several hundred people, each agreeing to pray for one hour a month. The goal was to have someone praying every hour of every day, every day of the year. They would pray for the church, its staff, its members, lost people in general, the community at large and an appropriate item that came up along the way.”

“There is no way to know with certainty how the prayers of this team of hundreds of people impacted what took place over the years between 1993 and 2003. But as uncanny number of fortuitous things took place during those years that were, in human terms, inexplicable. The fact was that Central would never have been able to make the move from Mojave Road in Las Vegas to Henderson on its own resources. Figuratively speaking there were just too many mountains to climb and too many rivers to swim for the church to make this move on its own. Central was either the luckiest church on planet earth; or, there were an incredible number of fortunate coincidences…or, God was active through the prayers of His people.” (End of Quotes)

As we were looking for land or erecting our facilities many problems occurred. We had problems with the city and problems with contractors. When we reached an impossible problem, I would meet with Dick Shine and tell him our problem and have him get in touch with Mary Felgar. Every time, within a short period, the problem would get solved. It didn’t take long for me to believe God gave us the vision and He was answering our prayers. Can you believe the faith our leaders received? There was no doubt that we were doing what God had led us to do. It seemed like growth kept pushing us to expand. I know of no leader who said: let’s build bigger buildings so we can have a bigger congregation. I believe God wanted a mega church in Las Vegas as an example to encourage others that they can do the same no matter where they live.

Many of you may know that more than 50,000 conversions have occurred since 1999. Few cities have as many churches of more than 1000 as Las Vegas. The reason I write this blog is many Christians do not realize the importance of prayer. My experience in what I have witnessed has caused me to pray, the first thing each morning, 15 to 30 minutes to start my day. Hardly do I ever miss a day that I do not read the Bible. I HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY TIMES GOD INTERVENE AS A RESULT OF PRAYER. I wish everyone could have had the opportunity that many had, seeing God answering prayers and intervening.

Much prayer is needed anytime God gives a church a vision. We need Central Christians praying for our current expansion.

As I watch the actions of President Obama and Senator Harry Reid, who have claimed to be Christians, would we know it by their actions? When we see the President’s compassion for Syrian refugee children, why do we not see the same passion for Kurd or Coptic Christian children? We know the Presidents early childhood was connected to Islam. He spent 20 years under Jeremiah Wright who, if you remember, dammed America. Obama called the sound of Islamic prayer being the most beautiful sound in the world. How can a Christian praise Islam who deny Christ? It seems our president supports Muslim extremists more than Christian refugees. In fact, according to Investment Business Daily paper, the deal John Kerry and President Obama made on the nuclear program has never been signed by Iran. The Iranian president said: “Why should we place an unnecessary legal restriction on the Iranian people?” This means we have no deal. ARE THESE THE DEEDS AND BELIEFS OF A TRUE CHRIST BELIEVING CHRISTIAN WHO CONTINUES TO MISLEAD US? Acts 26:20b “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” May we judge one’s deeds to determine if a person is living a Christian life?

President Ronald Reagan said: “If we ever forget that we are one Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” “The Constitution was never meant to prevent people from praying; its declared purpose was to protect the freedom to pray.” “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all problems men face, if we’d only look there.” Do you see a difference today and what America was like in the 1980s? Then was a time of great prosperity. Do leaders make a difference to God?

2 Peter 2:1–3 “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”

Each of us as Christians must ask: “Do others see Christ in us?” If not, we are not true witnesses of Christianity. Our deeds and our character are the most important sign of who we live for. Are we living as Scripture has taught us: For Christ or ourselves?

Romans 12:1–2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

We are urged to do three things: Offer our bodies as living sacrifices, we are not to conform to the patterns of this world and we are to be transformed with a new mind. We are called to totally be surrendered and committed, striving to live a Christ-like life. Do most Christians understand this and if they do, why do they continue to live as the world lives? Do these Christians understand what God has done for us? We should know that the greater our commitment, the more spiritual rewards and blessing we will receive?

We should realize that once we have committed our lives to Christ, we are not to revert back to our former selves. We must be careful what we read and watch. We must not be afraid to challenge the ways of the world. To be transformed by the renewing of our minds means we are to be set apart from the ways of the world. We can avoid most worldly customs and still be sinfully proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn arrogant or self-righteous. These are things, those influenced by demons, do. I think Satan is preparing the world for the Antichrist to take over. I often wonder if some of our politicians are actually allowing demons to make their decisions. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is given to us that our minds are renewed to re-educate and redirect our thinking. Are we listening to the Holy Spirit or demonic influence?

The Bible implies that if we surrender, make a commitment and stop living a sinful life, the Holy Spirit will transform us and give us a new mind in a way similar to Christ. Keep in mind it is a gradual process. We are not to become impatient and frustrated because it doesn’t happen instantly.

We are told in 1 Peter 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.” I Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” I Thessalonians 2:10–12 “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

We must be careful in what we say. It is easy to create the wrong impression. Our life-style must be consistent with the gospel at all times. It is important that others see our love through being concerned, caring and being fair to all in our decisions. People must see our faith and confidence by our motives, deeds and actions. They must see us as moral, being truthful, having integrity and being consistent. We are told to help those who have gone astray and to provide an example for all the believers of what is meant to live a Christian life.

Any person ought to be able to tell if A Christian has the Holy Spirit and is allowing Him to guide them. It hurts Christianity to see people who are Christians in name only. There are too many divisive people in the overall churches. The devil does everything to disrupt the body of believers and he uses some, so-called Christians, to do his work.

What is coming is found in 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.” “It” stands for the Antichrist.

If you have ever been given a vision, God will do everything to make it happen. King David was just a shepherd boy until he faced Goliath. What if he received a vision but was too fearful to take the risk? Have you ever been given a vision and were afraid to trust that God would help you fulfill it?

Acts 2:17–21 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Romans 12:6–8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

We are living at a time when many are receiving all types of visions. Our forefathers had a vision for a new nation. God selected leaders during war times with visions to defeat the enemy. Look at all of the people who have created our technology because of a vision or dream they had.

A lot of hopes, dreams and visions are determined by our attitudes. If you are not where you should be spiritually, it may affect any vision that God would give you. You must trust what God says, in the end times, He will give visions, dreams and some the ability to prophesize, serve, teach, encourage, etc. Too many Christians do not feel worthy that God would give them a specific task to accomplish. What if the Holy Spirit gave you a vision or a dream, would you accept and pursue it?

You have heard it said: God will take an ordinary person and help them do extraordinary things. I have done things I never believed I could do. A very good friend that served with me on our church board was having a discussion. I told him how I believed the Holy Spirit had given me a real advantage in my Career. He asked me to explain. I related my story that in my freshman year in college, during the summer I worked for Birds Eye Frozen Foods. I had read Matthew 5:41 “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” The Bible tells us to work to please God. I was given the most physical job in the plant, dumping 20 pound boxes of lima beans, into a hopper. I worked harder than all of the seven others doing the same thing. After one month, I was promoted to one of the most responsible jobs in the plant. I did the same thing. I made sure that everything was done above what was expected. The next year they asked me to be the assistant foreman of the plant. I did everything I could to please God. The next year I was asked to be the plant foreman of the night shift over more than 200 people.

My wife had graduated and it was the end of my college junior year and a Christian high school asked me to be the coach for all three sports my senior year. The college asked my wife to be head of a girl’s dormitory housing freshmen women. We were very young and there were many more qualified to do those jobs than we were. We had free room and board, free college tuition my senior year plus, the government paid us because of my GI service. My income at Birds Eye was more than what I received coaching.

After two years, I took a job with Montgomery Ward on their management program. After six years, I became one of the youngest store managers in our region. My eighth transfer, I was promoted to Las Vegas which became one of the largest and most profitable stores in the nine western states. After 29 years with Wards, I started my own business and God made it successful.

My friend said I should write a book about how God will give advantages to Christians who live by His principles. I laughed! I have absolutely no talent to write even a paragraph. He said, “If you give me notes, I will help you write it.” This is what I did. I would give him notes on different subjects and he would write it for a book. When it was completed, it was submitted to a number of publishers. None would accept it.

A member of my men’s Bible class said I should rewrite it and he would give his input. He had been a professional basketball player for the Nets and the Sacramento Kings. It was like God was given me a vision to rewrite the book with his input. I felt the Holy Spirit was encouraging me to start. After completely rewriting, I sent it to my friend’s daughter, the one who help me write the first book. She edited and improved it. It was then sent to a publisher and it was accepted. One condition, I was to write a Christian blog as it would help sell the book.

My grandson set up the blog’s format. My son reviews, edits and puts them on the Internet. My brother-in-law and my oldest son read them prior to posting and say whether they are acceptable or not. They have been read in over 100 nations and viewed by approximately 75,000. Who would have thought that a person with no original talent for writing would write approximately 700 blogs over the past five years?

This blog is written to encourage you that Christ can use you and don’t be surprised if you are given a vision or an unusual dream. These blogs are Holy Spirit inspired and it seems like it is not me writing them. Remember, had King David not approached Goliath, he would have continued as a shepherd herding sheep. Do you want to herd sheep or become a king? Trust God! Look for hope, a dream or a vision as God promises He may give.

The Bible is a practical book that can be applied to our present lives. It is much more than a holy book. We realize that many Christians find it difficult to interpret, but if thoroughly studied, you will find that it tells you how to live an abundant life with your needs being met.

Many do not understand that the Bible tells us God expects us to communicate with Him. In order to continually communicate with Him, you must have His Spirit in your life. That does not mean God does not hear all prayers, regardless of who is praying, but without His Spirit you may not be able to get an answer.

When you accept Christ into your heart the Bible tells us we will become reconciled with God. 2 Corinthians 5:17–20 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

God brings us back to Himself by erasing our sins and reconciling us. The Holy Spirit gives us a new life and makes us righteous. We are no longer God’s enemies but His adopted children. We cannot come to God without having repented and having a pure heart. Once God makes us a new person, His Holy Spirit protects us from Satan’s influence. That does not mean Satan isn’t going to mess with us and cause all kinds of problems, but he can no longer influence us. All sin is the result of us, our flesh and one’s carnal or original nature. Scripture says we must surrender our flesh to the Holy Spirit and allow His Spirit to guide and council us. A reconciled Christian saying: “The devil made me do it” is no longer an excuse. It is you, your flesh, who caused the sin.

If you are married and you are not considerate of your wife you will find communicating with God will be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 “ Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

The Bible has described the woman’s role in marriage as being submissive. Scripture defines how a husband is to treat his wife. Biblical authors have said that husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church. That may require putting her needs above the husbands. She is to be honored, protected, given security, treated as a partner and is to be respected. He is to relate to her with courtesy, consideration, insight and tact. Scripture says if you don’t, your communication with God will be hindered.

We are told that to communicate with God we must make restitution and reconcile with anyone who we have wronged. Matthew 5:22–24 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and then remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

Broken relationship can hinder our communications with God. If we have a problem it is our duty to resolve it as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God yet, hate others. Our attitude toward others is a reflection of our relationship with God.

Another thing that will block our communication with God is an unforgiving spirit. Matthew 18:21–22 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” How difficult this is for many people. Yet, it is one of God’s requirements if you want an open line of communication.

You cannot rob God and have an open line of communication. Malachi 3:7–10 “Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (It has worked for our family.)

We must not live a life of continual disobedience if you want open communication with God. 1 John 3:21-24 “ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” Psalm 66:18–19 “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.”

Sadly there are Christians who feel guilt-ridden, unsure of their standing with God. Their hearts are not at rest and they may not want to draw near to God. Instead, they may wish to flee from His presence. John is saying believers will have this assurance; they can approach God if their conscience is clear and the Holy Spirit will provide a sign of His presence. I find that something supernatural will take place from time to time. Once we know that we belong to God’s family, we will know that He will receive all of our communications. Remember, God wants to communicate with us every single day! Jesus set for us an example of how often and the length of His communications.