Have you seen the wicked doing well and those living a holy life struggling? How often have you been frustrated with life not being fair? Discouragement can become a problem and cause one to make bad decisions.

Christianity is a process and it takes time to have the faith to change one’s life and perspective. A Christian must learn that the promises that God guaranteed works and will help one to overcome life’s struggles and frustrations.

Who controls the world in which we live? You can tell it is too messed up to be God. The Bible tells us it is Satan. Yet, many Christians live the ways of the world rather than God’s way. Our flesh is weak and easy to be tempted. I recently read that a poll of Christians was taken and the question asked was: “Why do you not witness more?” The number one answer was: Because I don’t live any different from others. There are many reasons a number of Christians do not live a holy life. They struggle with all kinds of problems. One is the inability to forgive another.
Matthew 6:14 – 15 – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This is a greater problem than many realize. Someone may have done something terribly bad and you cannot make yourself forgive them. Have you ever done anything so bad that Christ could never forgive you? Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” We have been sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption and it should be enough incentive to live righteously and speak godly communication. To live like a Christian we must not be bitter, raging, angry, brawling and slandering or all forms of malice. Our behavior should be kind, compassionate and forgiving just as Christ forgave each of us.

Do you have a problem continually sinning? Romans 6:6 – 7 – “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” All of us have self-centered natures capable of sinning. It is so much easier to trust in ourselves, which is our comfort zone, than trusting Christ. This is why we too often do things without asking for the Holy Spirit’s help. If this is a problem, your life can be a struggle. Yet, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will give us a new nature and we will no longer be a slave to sin. If you sin and are not convicted, you are not where you should be spiritually.

Do you really know that you have been saved? I John 3:10 – “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”

Romans 1:17 – “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Martin Luther used “The righteous shall live by faith”, Scripture as the chief foundation of all of his doctrine. Righteousness means we are right in the sight of God. If we are not living to please God we are probably not living a righteous life. The end result is a cause for a Christian to struggle with life.

Are we truly a disciple of Christ’s? Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Luke 13:26 – 28 – “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers! “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

We often do not understand why Christ did not know them if they professed to be a born again Christian. The Bible tells us we must have a personal relationship with Christ. The reason He never knew you is your lack of developing that relationship. If you are a Christian and have not developed a relationship with Christ, you will struggle with life. You never want to be told by Christ that He did not know you.

BLOOD MOON APPEARS ON APRIL 4TH EASTER AND PASSOVER

Many of you have told me that you believed President Obama was Muslin and not a Christian. Once I heard his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast I must admit, he sounds more pro Muslim than he does pro Christian or Israel. As you read this, keep in mind the following Scripture:

Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” God must keep His promise. If He says He will curse a nation that curses Israel, it will be done. Up until recently, God has been blessing America to be the most prosperous nation ever. If God has cause to curse America, what could actually happen?

Joel 2:30 – 31 – “I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, 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 dreadful day of the Lord.”
Acts 2:20 – “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”

On April 15, 2014 there was a blood moon or a lunar eclipse at midnight PDT. This occurred on Passover. Another blood moon appeared on October 8, 2014 on Feast of the Tabernacles. Then again a blood moon will happen on April 4, 2015 on Passover and again on September 28, 2015 on Feast of the Tabernacles. Anytime there have been four lunar eclipses in a row, where the moon turns blood red, each appearing on a Jewish holiday, a major event has occurred.

In 1492 during four blood moons the Spanish inquisition of Jews occurred. All Jews were told to convert to Catholicism or leave the country. Many of those who stayed were killed. That same year an Italian Jew, Columbus, who was mostly financially supported by Jewish investors set sail and discovered the American continent at San Salvador. Some believe many Jews from the lost tribes of Israel migrated to England. From England they came to help settle America. America may have been created partly to protect Jewish citizens, from the lost tribes, as well as militarily protection for Israel.

In 1948, the next time that there were four blood red moons falling on Jewish religious holidays, Israel on May 14, 1948 became a homeland to the Israelites and an official country. God began calling Jews from all over the world to return to their God-given covenant land as previously prophesized.

The next time this lunar eclipse phenomenon occurred was in 1967. Israel was attacked by Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon and they repelled their enemies. The war lasted six days and Israel captured Sinai, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They were able to unify control over Jerusalem their covenant land. The Soviet Union supplied most of their enemies’ military equipment and economic assistance. President Lyndon Johnson rallied to assist Israel. During this war there were a number of supernatural events that happened and the Jews believed it was because God was on their side.

Some believe by September, this year, when we again have the forth blood moon and a lunar eclipse falling on a Jewish holiday, some major event will likely occur. It will be 100 years before we have another time when they fall on Jewish holidays. Since Christ’s birth there have been seven times these red blood eclipse have happened and only three times in the last 500 years.

When the House of Representatives invited Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to congress, President Obama refused to meet with Netanyahu. It is another indication that our president is more pro-Muslim than pro-Israel. With the forth blood moon coming this September and if God decides to punish America as He said He would to any nation that cursed Israel as in Gen. 12:3 what could happen in the near future?

Many Christians believe America was founded and prospered in order to protect Israel from her enemies. This is the first president whose actions cause one to believe he would never protect Israel. Are his actions a form of cursing Israel?

I am surprised at the number of Jewish politicians and wealthy Jews who are anti-Israel as is our president. The Democratic house members indicate they do not plan to attend Netanyahu’s speech. A recent poll worldwide of over four million showed that 26% of those polled were anti-Jews. This is why we are seeing an unusual amount of Jews returning from all over the world to Israel to live as predicted by the Bible.

In the past, four blood moons were a sign to Israel. However, this time America can witness the blood moons and they will not be seen in Israel except for the September 28,2015 one. Are these blood moons a sign for America only? If so, what message could God be sending if it is not to wake up Christians to be prepared and ready for whatever may happen this year. For those of you who may be risk takers and believe that you have time to develop a relationship with God later and be ready for eternity, may want to reconsider how you have been living. There is nothing in this world that will ever compare to what God has planned for those who will live with Him in eternity.

Jesus stated that there would be a time, prior to His return that certain things would occur. He stressed: you must be able to interpret the signs and be prepared for there will be many who will try to deceive you. (Luke 12:54- 56)

Revelation 13:7 & 8 – “And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered.”

It appears the Antichrist’s goal is to eliminate every Jew and Christian from the world. I have often believed those whose names are in the Book of Life will be given a power that will enable them such courage and a lack of fear that will allow them to face the Antichrist to do whatever, without losing faith or being forced to worship him.

There will be two divisions of people: those who worship God and those who worship the Anti-Christ. Those refusing to accept Christ will have hearts as hard as the Egyptians and refuse God and continue to sin. A promise Christ made was that anyone who aligns himself with the father and accepts what I am saying will have ever-lasting life and will no longer be condemned an outsider. Those who have accepted Christ as their Savior will have a resurrected life and those who rejected Christ will face judgment.

If you have studied your Bible, you can see signs that the Bible predicts will happen prior to the second return of Jesus Christ. What is happening in America, the Middle-East, Russia, Iran and China give clear signs that what is happening is shared repeatedly in Scripture. Just because the end-times have been predicted for the past 2000 years, never have we seen so many signs that can be contributed to what the Bible describes in preparation for Christ’s return.

After the attack in the newspaper offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris an attack by Muslim extremists also occurred killing four French Jews. You may have noticed there was not the rage about the Jews as there was the killing of the paper’s employees. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told French Jews: “To all the Jews of France, all the Jews of Europe, I would like to say that Israel is not just the place in whose direction you pray, the state of Israel is your home. All Jews who want to immigrate to Israel will be welcomed here warmly and with open arms.” Jews coming from Western Europe to live in Israel have increased 88% over the previous year. God has often use different means to encourage His people to return to Israel whether it was Egypt, Babylonia or elsewhere.

It is estimated that in a recent poll of over four million adults, 26% were anti-Semitic. The Bible says that in the end times, God will gather His people from all over the world to return to Israel. Matthew 24:9 – “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”

Mark 13:28 – 31 – “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Scripture says that all believers will be gathered up and brought together. We know that Christ will rule for 1000 years from Jerusalem. God will continue bringing back the Jews so that they will have His protection going through the period when the entire universe will be changed. The sun will go dark, the moon will not be seen, stars will be falling, heavenly bodies will be shaken and planets will go out of their normal orbits. Thus we are seeing the signs by the establishing of the state of Israel and the return of Jews from all over the world is an indication of the coming end times.

Jesus explains that believers must be on guard and ready for Him to come at any moment. He will come suddenly and swiftly. There will be no last chance for repentance or bargaining. The choice each person has previously made will determine their eternal destiny. Christ’s followers are not to let their minds and spirits be dulled by careless living or the foolish pursuit of pleasure. No human knows the date He will come but we are told to be ready at any time.

Deuteronomy 30:1 – 5 – “When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come on you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors.”

Many believe our present administration and millions of followers do not believe there is evil in this world. If this is true, you would have to surmise that they do not believe in God or the Bible. The Bible tells us the world is full of evil and repeatedly tells us to prepare to protect ourselves or we can be deceived.

I Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

We are in a spiritual war and Satan is attacking our various institutions as well as Americans, particularly our leaders. There has always been evil in the world and the Bible and history confirms it. But to be politically correct we are not to bring it up. We must realize that the god of this age, Satan is trying to deceive us and destroy our witness for Christ and the Bible. He wants to separate us from God now and from all eternity.

Jesus taught those religious leaders and society’s elite, of His time, could easily be deceived. The Bible tells us to guard against what we read and hear and if it isn’t confirmed by Scripture teachings, do not believe it. Is it possible that our political leaders would intentionally lie to us? Are we being told, indirectly, that we don’t need God because our government will meet our needs? Therefore, has our pride also caused us to believe we don’t need God?

The United States has stood in the way of Satan controlling the world through the Antichrist. America will fail, but it will be done from within. America has the potential, through our natural resources of natural gas and oil to have the most powerful military that could keep the world at peace, the most prosperous nation ever and the financial ability to assist every third world nation with food, medical supplies and education.

The Bible continually describes evil people that were possessed by evil spirits. Some rulers and nations became so evil and inhumane that God used other nations to destroy them. Every nation has those types of people existing in every form of life. There are three types of people: those filled with the Holy Spirit, those who are not possessed and those that are possessed by an evil spirit. The one’s we must recognize as being potentially possessed by evil can be our neighbors, movie stars, athletes, teachers, doctors, ministers, business owners and politicians to name a few.

Most of us would not want to consider anyone evil but they exist today as they did in Bible times.

Those possessed with evil can be very likeable and pleasant, they often lie or exaggerate, they have no feelings of guilt, can be very manipulative, they need to continually be stimulated, they have little empathy for others, often depend on others for their lifestyle, irresponsible, sexually promiscuous and commit adultery, will admit to no wrong and will blame others, their overall behavior is usually unacceptable.

Lucifer, Satan, and the fallen angels need to possess individuals and often innocently, people open themselves up to being possessed through Ouija boards, dungeons and dragons, spiritual séances plus selling their souls to the devil for fame, power or money as many celebrates have admitted of doing.

Can you name me any area of our society that these people do not participate? We may call them psychopaths and mentally disturbed. However they can be teaching our children evolution and America is a terrible nation. Others could be politicians in it for the money, power and fame. They could also be doings the devil’s work in preparing for the eventual takeover of the Antichrist that ends with Armageddon.

Let’s use the ruler of North Korea as an example. It does not appear he is filled with the Holy Spirit. Would you say he is just a good, moral person making wrong decisions? Or, is he likely to be psychopathic and possessed? There are many good, moral people that have love in their hearts for others and are community active. They just are not possessed by the Holy Spirit or an evil spirit. You can detect them by their actions and behavior. Probably most are in this category. We must be careful that we don’t become another Salem where many were condemned of witchcraft and were killed. There is a difference between being judgmental and recognizing a corrupt person.

Matthew 12:34 – “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Job 18:21 – “Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man; such is the place of one who does not know God.”

Luke 6:45 – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

II Thessalonians 3:2 – “And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.
Titus 1:12 – “One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.’”

II Samuel 23:6 – “But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.”

Psalm 139:23 – 24 – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

According to one survey of Christians throughout the U. S., 40% believe they will get to heaven through good works. We can understand non-believers having difficulty with God’s Word but isn’t it hard to realize that many Christians do not understand God’s grace or how the Holy Spirit works in one’s life?

Many today mock the supernatural and believe only in what they can touch or see. They neither believe in Satan or evil spirits. They do not believe in life after death, a final judgment or a hell. They are not afraid to take the Lord’s name in vain.

Our nation has rejected God’s Word and peace is not likely to continue. But that does not mean we, as Christians, cannot have peace, individually in our lives. What we study and make our priority, the more it determines who we become and what we do. The right input, brought into our minds, determines the quality of our output. God wants to bless and give us a supernatural power. However, He will not give those powers and blessings to those who are unable to spiritually handle His blessings. I have learned that the more time I have spent studying the Bible and praying, the more success and blessings I have received. What would be my chances of being blessed if I spent much of my time watching pornography? As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

God will not give us more than we can handle. Where are you spiritually? Is it possible you are not spiritually mature enough to handle a special blessing? Sometimes God has to prepare us for a specific blessing He is planning to give us. It is possible if God gave a blessing to some, it could cause them to stumble. This is why we must continually be growing in preparation for what God has for us.

The more spiritually I grew, the less concerned I had about increasing my material possessions. Yet, the more my material assets increased. My faith and trust in God’s promises continued to increase and a peace and security resulted.

I began expecting blessings that God said I could have and learned to distinguish God’s intervention into my life. They could be small things happening and occasionally a miracle. I called them: It’s A God Thing! When you see God blessing you in a number of ways, it changes your perspective on life and what life is all about. Fear can take away one’s peace but if you believe God is protecting you, there will be no fear. Christ repeatedly tells us not to worry or fear.

Luke 24:45 – 48 – “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’”

To obtain the peace the Bible describes comes from repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The renouncing of sin and a commitment to change how you have been living gives you the opportunity to become a new person headed in a different direction. There is a difference in believing about Jesus and believing in Him. We must accept Him as the Lord of our lives and surrender our self-centeredness. Christ and the Holy Spirit must be the ones who guide our lives. Once we learn to do this and accept that we are adopted into God’s family, a peace comes into our lives knowing that we will be given the correct guidance as God’s child.

I Corinthians 3:1 – 3 – “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?”

Many professing Christians find it difficult to accept this new life and do not want to live a holy life. They spend little time reading Scripture and only occasionally praying. The input that goes into their minds have little difference from what was going in during their past. As a result, there is little change in who they are and what they produce.

Romans 7:15 – 20 – “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. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.”

I personally had to learn how to handle problems? As a store manager, angry customers would call me every name because their freezer wouldn’t freeze, their washer wouldn’t wash or their battery died and their car would not run and it was my fault that we sold them defective merchandise. Scripture informed me that I was to calmly and peacefully handle each problem as I believed Christ would have handled it. We should not allow people to affect our day. When I handled the most severe complaints, I still felt at peace because I believed the Holy Spirit gave me the words to say and the guidance in handling the problem and satisfying the customer. I was not to make them my enemy but I was to show a loving spirit as a Christian for Christ.

Don’t you believe God wants to give you a peaceful life? Parents want their children to be happy and not suffer. God uses the same illustration to help us believe He wants what is best for us and would like to provide us with even more blessings.

I Peter 2:16 – 17 – “You are free from the law, but that doesn’t mean you are free to do wrong. Live as those who are free to do only God’s will at all times. Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government.”

The greatest peace one can have, is knowing that your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life. It is knowing that if you live long enough you will be raptured. Peace is the assurance that you will be with God forever.

Many came to America because of religious freedom and personal opportunities. Those early Americans worshipped God and placed Him as their number one priority. They were willing to die for their country, because they believed it was God’s will to establish a Christian nation and their desire was to make it happen at all costs. They were patriotic and placed the nation above self.

They believed that if they would seek God first; He would bless and prosper them. They did their best to live a holy life according to God’s ways. As a result, we became an exceptional nation because of their devotion to God and His blessings. My mother’s family arrived in 1709 and my father’s family in the 1800s. Many throughout those years were ministers and farmers and a number, both.

God inspired individuals to become free in thought and in vision. They became creative and instead of riding horses they developed a new transportation system. They invented steam engines with rail transportation, steam boats and finally cars.

The early Christians, having received the Holy Spirit, were blessed by God like no other nation. The Holy Spirit inspired them to develop health improvements, communications and technology. What made America exceptional? Other nations, many years older than America never were as creative and innovative. What made America different if it was not God blessing our people and our country?

Study American history and you will realize that God had a plan that we would become a super power nation that would be militarily strong enough to give peace to the world and especially to protect Israel.

Americans were unique people with unlimited dreams. We were a nation that gave people an opportunity to be whatever they wanted to be and was able to allow them to achieve anything they could conceive. Americans were free and not limited by government or others to do whatever they wanted. Jesus said that He came to make us free and our constitution gave us that privilege.

Christians read Scripture that said they could do all things through Christ who would give them the strength. They were taught the Golden Rule to serve others as they would want to be served. With the fruits of the Spirit and God-given talents they were able to do what people in others countries had not done. Their God-given talents, powers, creativity or uniqueness and they became these exceptional people. They also became political leaders with visions of grandeur. They led putting the people and our nation ahead of their personal power and wealth.

Why is it so hard for people to understand that we would not be the nation we are if it were not for God’s blessings? The reason God gave us His blessings is because we were following His ways, living a holy life. Too many would say it was our educational system that made us different. Or, it was just a coincident or we were hard working people. But we know better.

Every one of us have a choice: do we want God directing our lives or do we believe we can become exceptional because of our family background, our education or our talents? God promised for those who would accept Jesus Christ as their Savior He would give them HIS SPIRIT to help us become a new and different person that would be directed by our God. Are you a child of God and are you exceptional? You can and should be. It was people who had God’s Spirit that made America the nation we are. They learned that prosperity was a byproduct of giving service. Anytime you put others first you will be rewarded. Above all, many knew the Bible extremely well, accepted the promises from God and lived their lives expecting to be blessed.

Deuteronomy 8:18 – “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Proverbs 3:9 & 10 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Malachi 3:10 – “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.”

Many early American farmers depended on God to produce their products annually. It was their religious belief that their crops were provided by God’s blessings. It wasn’t unusual to know that they prayed daily that God would provide for them and their families. This is what I learned from my grandparents and their grandparents. One of those was a general in the Civil War and my wife’s heritage came from a general on the other side of that war.

Satan is attacking our families, our government, marriage and human freedom. Most do not believe it and if it’s true, they will not do anything about it. The Bible in Genesis chapters one thru three tells us that when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, they died spiritually. We are told when we are born; we are born spiritually dead and have to be born again to become spiritual. Many Americans do not want to become spiritual; they are under the control of Satan and choose his ways over God’s.

As a result of sin, Adam and Eve became guilty and blamed their problem on the serpent. When God approached them, they ran and hid. Their first act after sin was to blame someone else for their problem. They would not accept responsibility. Unwilling to accept responsibility and accountability is a result of one’s lack of morality.

God created Eve so Adam would have a mate and they would reproduce. Families were told to train and develop in their children with respect, obedience, honesty, responsibility and accountability. Proverbs 22:6 & 15 – “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.”

Proverbs 22:13 – 14 – “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death.” Proverbs 29:15 – “A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.” Ephesians 6:1 – 3 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise— so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Children need to be taught how to be good. Too many families are dysfunctional and are not teaching their children in a Godly way because they themselves do not live a Godly life. As a result there are negative consequences that not only affect the child but others. This is what the Bible tells us happens when we fail to teach our children:

II Timothy 3:1 – 3 – “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,”

The Bible’s warning deserves our attention. We are living in the last days and we see morality declining rapidly. We should not be surprised at the moral degeneration of society that surrounds us. Man’s depravity is what Christians are called to minister to. We find in the church there are many who have a form of godliness but deny its power. These people are practicing a form of godliness, using it as a cloak of respectability while denying God’s power in their lives. The Bible warns us not to be deceived by people who only appear to be Christians. We can tell by their daily behavior. Are you surprised at the morality breakdown that you see in America today?

Read the Old Testament and study history and a nation that failed to keep a high standard of morality did not survive. Americans are being deceived by Satan and families are living for themselves rather than as a family with holy principles. When we see a nation that does not believe in God or care about others, their morality is no different than the pagans we read about in the Bible who God destroyed. When we accept bad behavior it is almost as bad as committing bad behavior. In the Old Testament God punished Israel for accepting the evil that others did. Will He not do the same to Americans?

We can’t blame our political leaders because we have permitted them to lead us down the path to losing our leadership role in the world.

Generations have failed to discipline their children and teach them there is a God who has set moral standards for each of us to live by. What is the answer? Christians are commission to spread the gospel throughout the world. We are allowing those who deny God to set our standards and it is time that Christians take a stand to change that. The church needs to be more vocal as to what is right and what is wrong.

God created each one of us uniquely for a specific purpose. What if God gave you the talents and abilities to become rich, famous and wise or a special leader? Yet, you have allowed Satan and others to influence you that you have little talents whatsoever. As a result, you never fulfilled the purpose God meant for you to have.

Experience is a great teacher. I have learned that most of us focus on our problems rather than our opportunities. It is easy to focus on the negatives rather than the positives. Often times, we learn more from our problems than we do from our successes. We need to look at our habits, how disciplined we are and do we have a stick-to-it attitude? We miss many opportunities because we lack being organized and do not prepare adequately. Many fail to take advantage of their God-given purpose because they fear failing. Psalms 11:6 – “The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?

Ephesians 1:11 – 14 – “because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.”

God’s purpose is to offer salvation to the world. We being believers are God’s chosen people and claimed by Him. We have an inheritance waiting for us in Heaven. It is not possible to imagine what God has prepared for us. The Apostle Paul is writing to mostly Gentile converts and is assuring them that they have the same heritage as their Jewish brothers and sisters when you heard the message of truth from the gospel.
Their proof was being sealed by the Holy Spirit. It is our guarantee that we have been forgiven, redeemed and have become adopted into the family of God. When we receive the Holy Spirit, His purpose is to make us a new person with assistance to fulfill our God-given purpose. Receiving the Holy Spirit also brings the promise of glory to come. The Spirit is the guarantee of coming immortality, a guarantee of our inheritance and the pledge given to believers by God to assure them that the glory of the life to come, promised in the gospel, will actually happen.

Think what talents and abilities you were created with and then you are given the Holy Spirit to give you the faith to accomplish what you were put on earth to do. Have you increased your knowledge, prepared for a career, have you sought first the kingdom of God and all of His righteousness? Or, do you allow negative thoughts to control your thinking?

I Peter 5:7 – 9b – “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.”

Christians fail to meet their purpose because they allow Satan’s influence to defeat them. Peter warns us to be in control and watch out for danger. The devil attacks when we are discouraged, suffering or being persecuted. There may be times when we feel alone, weak or helpless. These are times that Christians are most often tempted. When did Satan tempt Christ? He had fasted for 40 days and was probably hungry. Peter tells us the Holy Spirit wants to help us and the devil wants to devour us. We are told to resist the devil and he will flee. Victory is promised if we submit to the Lord. Scripture and the Holy Spirit want us to have heavenly faith to accomplish what God wants for us. We must realize that the devil and the world’s ways are very persuasive.

There may be times when we are suffering and believing it may never end. Our hope may not be in this world. But we know if we stay steadfast in Christ there is eternal peace where there will be no suffering and no pain. Don’t believe that you are the only one having problems. But live believing you are a son or daughter of God and have been given unusual talents and there is no one just like you. Don’t believe you are just another average person without extraordinary gifts. You will become what you think. “As you think, so are you!” Let people know that you have been adopted by our heavenly Father and He has made you a new, more confident person and is continually promoting you. Think and act out what you want to become.

If you believe the Bible, it tells us that in eternity God will be the light for the city and the city the light for the nation. Revelation 21:22 – 24 – “I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory.” Have you ever considered what it would be like when God and Christ are living among the believers?

Can you even imagine what life would be like? Revelation 21:2 – 3 – “And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.” It is estimated, according to the Bible, there would be room for over 15 billion believers. Christ, over 2000 years ago, said He would be in heaven preparing room for each of His followers. Can you imagine what a new heaven and a new earth would look like? We are also told that God will maintain a fellowship with us much like He did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” There will be no need for doctors or hospitals.

For God to leave heaven and dwell with His people, it will be the most amazing place ever. Scripture tells us there will be no oceans and it will be an entirely newly created earth. There will be no day or night. All of our needs will be met.

Before the new earth and new heaven, there will be 1000 years when Christ will rule this earth. Infants will not die at birth, anyone who dies before 100 would die in their youth. We believe people will live long lives as they did during the time of Adam and Eve and generations later. Everyone will have a glorified body. There will be no Satan and no tempter until the end of the millennial. There will be no death from sickness. During the millennium people will have children and populate the earth with new generations of people. Women will still be able to have babies in their old age. If you have a large family, we are told all of our needs will be met.

If you do not accept Christ as your Savior and your name is not found in Lamb’s book of life, unbelievers will end up in the lake of fire for eternity. Revelation 20:15 – “And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” God’s righteous judgment will be given to every person who ever lived.

On the Day of Judgment there will be no second chances for those who have rejected Jesus Christ. As a Christian, why would you not want to tell others what is possible in their future if they are a Christian? Also let them know that if they reject Jesus what the result would be. I suppose for those who will never believe there is a God or the Bible wasn’t inspired by Him, there isn’t much hope. But only God knows who those might be and it is not for us to judge. We are required to witness and share what the future will be like. I am looking forward to the paradise that awaits the followers of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:8 – “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”