The Holy Spirit inspired me to write a blog using the above title. Having written more than 450 Christian blogs over the past 4½ years I am usually given an indication as to what I am to write. For two days I kept wondering and praying, what should I write? Is it about people who are incapable of accepting blame? I know business people and politicians that blame everything on someone else or they may say: “The Devil made me do it”. It is never them.

A person who read one of my blogs on 45 celebrities, who died at the age of 27, told me he heard about number 46 but couldn’t remember the name.

Since grade school when my teacher read the story to us on “The Devil and Daniel Webster” about a farmer who sold his soul to the Devil for ten prosperous years, I wondered: Do people sell their souls? So I began researching to determine if people actually sell their souls to the Devil and then on saying: “The Devil made me do it”?

The first thing I read is the following quote: “Former Pussycat Dolls singer and Dancing with the Stars performer Nicole Scherzinger says that to be successful in the music industry you have to sell your soul to the Devil.” I read that a number of Hollywood and music industry stars have claimed to have sold their souls. Melyssa Ford, in a video, suggests that a number of celebrities sell their souls to the Devil with contracts signed in blood. In fact, they indicate there is a number who are members of an exclusive occult. This should not surprise Christians if all I have read is factual.

As I continued my research I read, but can’t personally confirm, that Kanye West, Katy Perry, Eminem, Bob Dylan, Tupac and others have openly admitted to selling their souls. You may have noticed many references to Satanism in song lyrics and videos from some of our biggest artists. These songs are being pushed on our children who watch Nickelodeon and Disney channels. The Hip Hop industry is being exposed for its association with the occult. Some studies indicate that those being heavy into porn open themselves up to demons.

On the 700 Club, as I remember, a young man tells of a time at 13 when he was having severe medical problems. It was possible that he might have to have his leg amputated. As he was in a hospital bed, a boy in a bed next to him said you won’t have to have surgery if you join the Devil’s Club. But once you join, you cannot tell anyone. Not wanting an operation he agreed and joined. At once his leg began healing and his medical problems were corrected.

Those next few years were terrifying. His life was miserable. In desperation, he having had a Christian background had a minster help break his contract with the Devil, similar to the book about Daniel Webster. He accepted Christ as his Savior, which most cannot do, and Jesus set him free because of Jesus’ love. You have to hear all that he went through to realize the miracle that occurred and the difficulty in breaking what seems to be an unbreakable contract.

After reading the number of celebrities, having little talent, yet becoming rich and famous selling their souls to the Devil it made me wonder. If you watched the MTV video music awards you may have wondered what happened to Miley Cyrus? I hope this young star did not get caught up in the belief in what Nicole Scherzinger shared. “To be successful in the music industry you have to sell your soul to the Devil.” Let’s just hope she was misled by adults who were morally out-of-touch.

As a Christian, when you point out about selling one’s soul to the Devil, you are condemned as being paranoid and out of touch. Parents, do you realize what the Devil is trying to do to our children? Is it any wonder that America is becoming morally bankrupt? We must restrict what our children are watching and the games they are playing. I know of young men who a number of years ago got caught up in the game Dungeon and Dragons. It is essentially an invitation into occultism and witchcraft. For Christians, Dungeons and Dragons and many other games, violates the commandment of I Thessalonians 5:22 – “Stay away from every kind of evil.” NLT

You may think that fame, power or wealth is worth giving away your soul. You have a choice as to how much you want out of life and what kind of life you may want. Billions of people will tell you there is no Hell and you will not be in misery throughout all eternity as the Bible says you will. But everything the Devil offers is only temporary. What Christ offers is forever. My experience over the past fifty years is that God has met every one of my needs and then some. I have had a life of love and peace. My children and grandchildren are active in the church and some day we will have a reunion in Heaven. No matter what the Devil has offered it has never compared to what God promised. Besides, I have never had to go to rehab or been arrested as many celebrities have. Do not listen to the world’s greatest deceiver. He is anti-God.

In the gospels, especially Mark, we are told about the number of people who were demon possessed. We may wonder what percent of people are demon possessed today. We hear of murders, torture and extreme abuse and wonder if these abusers could be possessed, yet in many ways they seem normal. You may have seen the movie Poltergeist where objects flew around. Many may not believe in inanimate objects being possessed but we believe they can be. We hear of homes and buildings being haunted. Some go to séances and hear strange voices. The Bible tells us these are off limits to every Christian! Ephesians 6:12 & 16 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Verse 16 – “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
My NIV study Bible states: Watch out for Satan when we are suffering or weak, when we are feeling alone, helpless or focused on our troubles that we forget to watch for danger. We are then especially vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus and resist the devil.

Peter tells us the Holy Spirit wants to help us and that another spirit, the devil, wants to destroy us. How many of us are aware that thoughts come to us from two differing spirits? How easily can we be deceived when we cannot distinguish between the Holy Spirit and a worldly spirit putting thoughts into our minds?

Do you seriously realize what is happening in our world today? Can you honestly say: The Devil never made me do it? It was my carnal, self-centered nature or was it? Or are you willing to sell your soul for instant gratification and fame, and then face the unintended consequences? Only you will know! But first, consider the price you must pay for eternity if you make a contract with the Devil. Can you not see how the Devil has deceived so many? What are you willing to do or give up to win the lottery? The answer may help you determine where you are spiritually and morally.

Coming soon there will be a peace that we have not had since the beginning of Adam and Eve.  The Bible tells us that the Lord Himself will come down from heaven to rule the earth for 1000 years.  For those of us who are believers we will be with Him forever.  After our lives on earth, we will be transported to a new heaven and a new earth forever as this earth will no longer exist.

I Corinthians 15:52 – 54 – “It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.  For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.  Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”  NLT

We are told that we will be given new bodies that will be without any disabilities.  We shall never be sick or die again.  We are then told in I John 3:2 – “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”  When we are all like Christ we will live in a different world.  It will be a world filled with love and peace.  At that time we believe the curse that has been on this earth will be removed.  It will be an environment similar to what it was like prior to Adam and Eve’s sin.

Revelation 21:1 – 4 – “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Then I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” NIV

Matthew 24:4 – 25 tells us to watch out and let no one deceive you.  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  Nation will rise against nation.  There will be famines and earthquakes.  You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death and you will be hated by all nations because of me. There will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now and will never be equaled again. There will be false prophets. They will perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect. There will be seven years that the Antichrist will rule called the time of Tribulation.

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.” NLT – If a person’s name is in the Book of Life, because he has trusted in Christ for his salvation, apparently they will be given a power, so great, that enables them to withstand the powers of Satan and allows the Antichrist to do whatever without a Christian losing faith or accepting the mark of the beast.

Not one promise has God made that He has never kept.  Our faith is based on His promises and we are told that God will never leave us or forsake us.  However, what the saints go through during the end times will be remembered forever.  As a result, when Christ is with us, during His reign on earth, we will be completely obedient and live according to His ways, a holy life.

Coming soon will be times more horrible than anything that has ever happened on this earth before.  During this time there will be millions converted to Christianity.  God promised the following:  John 3:16  “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Before the end times I believe there will be a great spiritual revival.  God is going to give everyone an opportunity to repent and live a holy life.  Times will be so disastrous that many will accept Christ as their Savior.

One of the most dramatic stories unfolding in the Middle East that you won’t read in the mainstream press is the explosion of Christianity inside Iran.  In 1979 a survey of Christian Demographic Trends reported about 500 Muslims who have converted to Christ.  Today they estimate approximately 220,000.  It is believed after the destruction of the Russian and Iranian armies as prophesized in Ezekiel, Christian churches will be overflowing around the world as masses turn to Jesus Christ and the church for wisdom and comfort amid such cataclysmic events.  Will the church and Christians be able to handle the overflow?

“The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” Numbers 14:18

How we live and what we teach our children affects them and their children to the third and fourth generation. So what kind of an example are you setting and what type of family are you or will you produce? What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Have Americans become very selfish people with little concern for their children and grandchildren? It is estimated that those 45 and younger spend very little time planning on what they wish to leave for future generations. Decisions we make today not only affect us but influence the lives of our family. We are seeing it today. Many unwed teenagers having children with little chance of them growing up with a spiritual upbringing. Unwise choices destroy families and affect our society. Our country is becoming morally out-of-control.

The Apostle Paul started a church in Corinth. The people came from a pagan background. They had committed probably every sin possible. They were converted, received the Holy Spirit and received a number of spiritual gifts. However, the gifts may have made them overly self-righteous. They thought the gifts made them special. So Paul wrote the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians addressing that problem.

I Corinthians 13:1 – 3 – “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

We are told no matter how many spiritual gifts we have been given, if we do not have love our gifts are worthless. We may have the gifts of tongues, prophecy or preaching. It is possible to understand all mysteries and have all knowledge and not have love, we will develop a spirit of being judgmental. We may have the gift of giving but if we give out of duty and lack love our treasures in heaven may be less than we expect.

I Corinthians 13:4 – 7 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Love is having patience with people but not necessarily with normal events of life. Love is being kind in dealing with people. An unkind Christian lacks love. If we want positive responses from other, they normally come when we are kind and thoughtful in dealing with people. A person with love will not boast. We realize how unworthy we can be were it not for Christ’s death and resurrection. Love keeps us humble and it never offends. Love forgives and holds no grudges. Love is trusting and takes God at His word. The worst thing a Christian can have is a negative attitude.

I Corinthians 13:8 – 13 – “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

There may be a time when all the things we take pride in, pass away. However, we can still have love. Satan can never take away God’s love for man and man’s love for God. We must remember that without love and holiness we will never know the mysteries of God or live with Him in eternity.

Great as hope and faith are, love is greater. Faith without love can be cold. Hope without love is the potential to miss opportunities. Love is the passion that gives us faith and hope.
I believe people today are confused about love. One of the greatest human qualities is love. True love or unconditional love comes from God. Love instigates unselfish service and kindness to others. Faith is the acceptance of God’s message. Hope is looking forward to God’s arrival of His permanent kingdom. It is so important to realize that we will never become a part of that kingdom without love. God is love and only those who love will be accepted. Love provides faith and love makes hope possible.

Let us look at the importance of love. The ultimate gift of love was given by Christ on the cross. Love keeps us from yielding to temptation. You may have heard some people sing very well. But some sing from a heart of love and you can tell the difference. Love gives us power, charisma and a different attitude. Christ says they will know my people by their love. The love we have been given by God needs to be given to others. This is our main mission and purpose, to love God and others and this is he reason we were created.

You have millions of Christians who believe that all you need to make heaven is repeat these words: You give the sinners prayer and you are saved forever.  There are millions of Christian who believe that you must do more than that.  They believe Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”  John Wesley taught without holiness they will not see the Lord. How one lived determined their eternal future.  John Calvin believed once saved always saved.  This is a non-essential belief that has been argued for years.  Can you lose your salvation?

As you study the Bible you will discover that most every prophet, judge and leader had a personal relationship with God from the very beginning.  They were called “a man of God” and a friend of God.  They had faith and they trusted God’s promises.  Whoever you believe, Calvin or Wesley, I believe you must live as God commands.  That is to live a holy life.

II Peter 3:9b – “Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God created every one of us with a purpose.  It is our requirement that we seek God’s purpose and direction for our lives.  We know the two most important commandments and they are found in Luke 10:27 – “He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  If every person kept these two laws there would be no need for any other laws or a law enforcement agency.   In addition, we are to have a personal relationship and be a friend of God.

We are told not to sin.  James 2:10 – “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”  Any time we break these laws we are guilty of sin and are a lawbreaker.  Romans 3:23 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” We are all born with a carnal nature but we are not considered sinners until we reach the age of accountability. The Bible is very clear; we cannot enter the presence of God as sinners, that is why we must be forgiven.  Yet, we know that young children who die go to be with our Heavenly Father.  Therefore, at the point of accountability everyone becomes a sinner and lacks a relationship with God.  Eve, after sinning, asked the serpent, “Why have you done this to me, that I am separated from the glory given to me by God?”

Isaiah 29:13 – “The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”  Matthew 7:22 – 23 – “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”  Matthew 7:13 – 14 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.”

It has always been God’s plan to make a way for man to be set free from the slavery of sin and guilt if man was willing to repent and change how he/she lives. Christ’s resurrection gave God a way to forgive us and yet maintain a moral integrity.  God will forgive our sins without condoning our sins.  Is it not possible to believe we are saved and yet how we live disqualifies us from heaven?

I John 1:8 – “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”  If we believe we can live without sinning, we do not understand God’s Word.  Sinning and deliberately sinning are very different.  None of us can live without ‘missing the mark’.  Living a perfect life is not possible even though we are to strive to do so, Christ realized this.  However, to ignore the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is to deliberately sin.  This is unacceptable and we must be careful in making those choices.  Yet, at the same time we must be careful not to set standards so high that they are impossible to meet or we would continually become discouraged.  A Christian must live a life that shows love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness and self-control.  These fruits may not be possible if we are continually walking in darkness and living an immoral life.  If a believer consistently disregards God’s ways and lives as the world lives life, is heaven questionable for them?

Many believers have a problem believing that God will do everything He promises.  They lack faith and the ability to trust Him.  They find it difficult to believe God wants to be involved in their life through the Holy Spirit.  Do they realize how much God loves them?  This is why God wants what is best for us.  Yet, we can believe our way is better than His too often.

If you don’t believe how you live makes a difference to God and you will automatically go to heaven, then you need not worry.  If it makes sense that God requires that you live a holy life to get there, then things may need to change.

I do not want to take any chances.  My interpretation tells me how I live will make a difference.  If I am wrong, what have I lost?  If you believe you can continue to live, forgiven, yet living as the world lives you could be wrong.  I know one thing!  God never lies and He says if you live a holy life you will be with Him in eternity.

A sixteen year old boy was walking home from school. Suddenly a light from heaven surrounded him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him: “If you will live a holy life from now until you are 60 years old you shall receive $25 million dollars. From 60 to when you are 90 you will have perfect health and all of your needs will be met.”

A friend from school stopped to help him up. When he opened his eyes he could not see. His friend took him to his home. He did not eat or drink for three days wondering what this was all about. He heard a knock at his door. He opened it and a man said Christ sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The stranger placed his hand on his head and the young man was able to see again. Something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see as before. He had an Acts 9:3 – 17 experience.

He knew that if he could live a holy life until 60 he would receive $25 million. The first thing he did was to begin researching: What is required to live a holy life. Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:7 – “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

His research told him holiness is love! Holiness is everything love is. He was told to press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed in me. The evidence of love and holiness is found in fellowship. Love was described in Greek as being an AGAPE love. It is a love that is unconditional requiring nothing in return. It is not automatic, it cannot be described but it can be demonstrated.

To live a holy life requires a servant’s heart and to substitute his own ego for God. God is a person’s only master. We are in his service. Holiness is a wholesome life in God. The holiness that he must have was to be given into the lives of those around him. This requires that his hearts be right with God. He had to ask: “Does God’s love for me, give me a passion to serve Him? I must know that my heart is right toward others. Do I realize that God created me to glorify Him? My love must show in my time at school or in my work. Holiness can only be perfected through love. Holiness is the image of God duplicated in the heart of a person resulting in living as the example set by Christ.

Matthew 16:26 – “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

Holiness will not exist until we have a repentant heart, a renewing of our mind, a self-love that requires self-acceptance, self-esteem and respect for one’s self. Man was made in the image of God before the fall. As God is love; man is to love. As God is pure, man was created to be pure. He is required to strive for perfect obedience. To recap holiness is love, pure love, personal and mutual love between God and man and between man and man in God’s love. Holiness is a life that must not be distracted. We can easily lose focus by the electronic inventions of the past 50 years.

Once the teenager had done his research as to how to live a holy life, it came to him that the $25 million dollars was nothing in comparison to what heaven will be like. The difference is: I know what it would be like to have all that money and perfect health.

However, there will be far more than that in heaven. He had been really excited realizing how he could become a multi-millionaire and had an immediate passion to learn how to live a holy life in order to get it. Then he realized. I have been offered something far greater than that in heaven. I can have an eternal life and be with God and Christ forever. Both take faith and trust but one is much more rewarding. He decided that if the $25 million were to happen and he could live 30 years in retirement with perfect health it is not comparable to the future in heaven. In fact, he thought if my ultimate goal was the money then would it really be possible to live a holy life? Would the money take the place of God? Would I be so concentrated on the money that I could be distracted and lose focus on God and Christ? Maybe it would be harder to live morally for the money than it would be to live to enter heaven. So he decided that his goal would be a relationship with God and live according to His ways. What happened concerning the money and a perfect retirement had to be secondary and a by-product.

STRESS CAN BE A KILLER.  These past few years we have seen an unusual amount of stress caused by job losses, home foreclosures, bankruptcy and an uncertain future.  Most Americans do not know how to deal with stressful situations.  As a result, because of too many demands, stress drains one’s energy and can cause depression or sickness.

Stress comes from a lack of control of a situation, thoughts, fears, work related, time scheduling, health, financial problems, relationships and many other reasons.  Stress comes when situations control us rather than us controlling it.  Sometimes we have stress and are not sure what is causing it.  Knowing the cause provides a better chance of controlling it.  Many times changing habits or our attitude corrects the problems causing stress.  However, if we are unwilling to accept responsibility for our actions it makes it difficult to release built up tension.   The best way I have found dealing with stress is to pray about it and trust God to handle it.  For me, it has always worked.

Let’s look at the meaning of faith and confidence.  If we define confidence as believing in our ability to do certain acts in which we depend on ourselves for completion and then define faith as requiring us to believe something that doesn’t seem reasonable to the human mind.  Faith trusts in the God Who promises and performs things that may seem supernatural.  May we further define that confidence comes from the mind and is intellectual and faith comes from the heart and is spiritual.  I had to learn the importance of faith and trusting what the Bible teaches.

What we have learned is that most people do not know how to deal with stress.  Many times we are never aware that we are under stress, pressure or tension.  My experience was being a store manager of a large department store.  At peak times we had 485 employees.  There were too many things to be done and not having enough time to do them all.  In 1984 I had a heart attack and by-pass surgery.  In 1987 I resigned and started my own business.  In 1993 I developed prostate cancer and had radiation.  It was in remission for a few years and then returned.  September 2005 another massive heart attack and by-pass surgery with about a ten percent chance of surviving.  From these experiences I started researching and trying to determine how to live a tension and stress free life.

The Bible tells me that faith and trusting God’s promises will free me from stress and bring peace and calmness in life.  I read stories how God had blessed people.  It said that Caleb had the strength of a 40 year old when he was 85.  At that age he led his group into the promise land and captured it.  Is that possible today for an 85 year old to have the strength of a 40 year old?

Romans 8:5 – 6 – “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

The mind governed by the flesh probably means stress and confusion; the chaos could result in physical problems.  But a mind governed by the Spirit gives life and peace and possibly a longer life.  What made many in the Bible different from most Christians today?  Their minds were governed by the Spirit that was on them or in them.

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   Worldly peace usually means a lack of conflict.  Christ’s peace is confidence that the Holy Spirit will comfort and guide us through any circumstance.  There is no reason for our hearts to be troubled or should we be afraid if we are trusting in God.

If we want this peace and be free of stress there are other things the Bible tells us to do.  We are to love God with all of heart, mind and strength and others as ourselves.  We are to live according to His Commandments.  Thou shall have no other god’s before me?  Thou shall not lie.  Thou shall not steal.  Thou shall not covet.  Plus the others Commandments we are given.

It seems living a holy and stress-free life is no more than living to please God and it must be every believer’s priority.  God requires each Christian to turn their lives over to Him.  We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.  We are told to become sanctified and holy.  Sanctified means to separate ourselves from the world and give ourselves to God.  We are told to prepare ourselves for heaven in the way we live.  The Bible teaches us to let the Holy Spirit take our sinful, self-centered nature, our old habits and behaviors and let them be transformed to emulate the life of Christ.

I have learned that to continue working everyday as an investment advisor requires a healthy body and an alert mind.  I believe what the Bible teaches, if applied, allows a Christian to live a longer, healthier and more peaceful life.   In addition I have learned to spend ten minutes daily exercising, walking for 20 minutes and spending at least ten minutes reading my Bible and another ten minutes praying. I have done this for more than 25 years. My cardiologist says it is a miracle that I am as healthy as I am.  God says living by “My Ways” will help you live longer and healthier.  Think you are too busy?  You may not like the alternative.

When the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us, He gives us faith to believe God’s promises and to depend on Him for everything we need. When we use faith, like muscles that are exercised, it grows, allowing us to believe and trust God ever more fully.

My friend, Doug travels by air a lot for his business. On nearly every flight, God places someone in the seat next to him who is either a Christian or has a desire to know about Christ. One particular trip gives us insight into the power of the Holy Spirit and how it helped Doug’s faith grow.

On his way back from Germany, Doug was tired and prayed that God would not put anyone next to him. However, God, if You do, please help them to see You and not my impatient self. He sat in business class, and he watched the plane fill up. No one sat next to him. Doug is six five, so he was ready to celebrate at having the whole seat to himself. As the doors closed the seat next to him was still empty. Just as he was about to thank God for answered prayer, a young lady from the back approached. Oh no.

She sat beside him and pleasantly asked, “How are you?” After some small talk, he asked what she did. “I’m a missionary, and since the coach was full, the airline gave me a business-class seat.” With that opening, the girl, Sharon, proceeded to tell him that her group of youthful believers, with basically no financial support, traveled the world and preached in the streets. Intrigued, he asked, “If you have no money, then how are you able to fly?” “We pray about where we are to go, and God provides a way.”

On one of their most recent trips, some were given money to fly to Europe, but she remained behind. She sensed the Holy Spirit telling her to pack and go to the airport anyway. When she arrived at the airport, she sat down and waited. Then the Holy Spirit instructed her to get in line. She did so, and as she advanced closer to the ticket counter, a woman in front of her turned around and asked where she was going. Sharon explained that she was a missionary and was to meet the others in her group, but since she did not have a ticket, she was waiting to see how God was going to work it out. (Can you image packing your bags and going to the airport with practically no money and not knowing how you will get to where you are going? How many of us have sensed this kind of guidance from the Holy Spirit but were too afraid to “get in line”?)

When the young missionary got up to the ticket counter, the agent asked for her ID. “I just want to inquire about a price. I’m not going to buy a ticket.” The agent stretched out her hand. “Well, the lady before you in line bought your ticket. ID, please.”

Sharon went on to explain how often these things happened to her group because of their trust in God. Doug thought he had a lot of faith, but at that moment he felt like an infant in Christ, that he was sitting next to another Mother Teresa.

During the flight she shared more stories about what Christ had done and how He always “showed up”—never early but always at the right time. Prior to that trip, Doug had prayed for God to help him grow in faith and trust Him more. How could he have known God would answer his prayer through the testimony of a young missionary lady? We never know how God is going to answer our prayers; more times than not, He answers in a totally different way from what we expect.

Doug and his wife, Becky, have kept in touch with Sharon. Recently she and her team traveled through Las Vegas. They met for dinner at Doug and Becky’s home. The team was being led to go to France in a few days, so they asked for prayer. Two nights before they were to leave, Sharon spent the night with Doug and Becky. Interested in how things were going, he asked, “So, Sharon, how are you all doing with your airfare to France?” “Fine, but we’re one ticket short.” She grinned. “Maybe you could help us pray about that.”

The Holy Spirit prompted Doug to text specific people about Sharon’s situation. Within twenty-four hours God had provided $2,450 for the ticket. Doug wasn’t the only one who got excited about this answer to prayer. When he told me his story, I prayed that I, too, would trust, as Doug says, “To fly on faith.”

The Holy Spirit brings to us a supernatural life, including our workplace dealings. He brings truth to light so as to guard against deception and provides heavenly wisdom to discern right from wrong. He empowers and counsels us so we may not become discouraged. He gives us grace that we might live a happy life and holiness so that we may overcome our self-centered natures. He gives us love so that we can be content.
Unfortunately, not everyone who accepts the Holy Spirit accepts Him without reservations and conditions. Many believers are not willing to stop living as the world lives. And this includes the workplace. We receive the Holy Spirit but are unwilling to allow Him control over our lives. When the Holy Spirit checks us, too often we ignore Him, for what He’s bringing to our attention that needs changing interferes with our lifestyles. When we want something, we deliberately do not pray about it because we don’t want to be told no. Then, when crises come, we wonder why God allowed them to happen. The Bible says we must develop the mind of Jesus and live as He instructed. That is not possible if we refuse to accept the Holy Spirit’s checks and guidance.

Not everyone claiming to be a Christian has the advantage. Many believers desire to live as the world does and reject the work of the Holy Spirit in every facet of their lives. As a result, they deny the advantage they could have. Living a Holy Spirit–led life does not mean we can’t enjoy nice things, have nice homes, drive good cars, and treat our families to luxuries. It does mean allowing the Holy Spirit free rein to check our decisions, and we are to pray continually for guidance. Our self-centered natures and pride will always fight for control of our lives; therefore, we must decide: How much control are we willing to give the Holy Spirit? And it is fitting for our discussion, especially where we work. This was taken from our book: God And The Bottom Line. Available through Amazon!

Some people want to be spiritually connected with God but come with too much past baggage.  So much baggage that they feel too unworthy that God will ever forgive them.  Their sense of unworthiness and possibly a mental block causes their lack of faith and trust in what God promises about eternal salvation.  Could some of this be a result of Satan’s influence?

Mark 10:15 – “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  Often children have a greater trust and faith belief than adults.  Children also have a tendency to feel more secure in their acceptance of others and what they are told.  As adults many times we have a trust problem because of past experiences.    To become a believer we must have the same kind of faith as a little child.

Mark 10:17 – “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  If you understand that there will be a heaven for those who accept Christ and live by God’s ways and a hell for those who reject Christ.  Which of the two consequences are you willing to choose?  Would you not prefer to live in peace forever being provided for by a loving God or destroyed eternally by fire?  Has Satan convinced you that there is no hell?  If not, isn’t heaven an easy choice?  Then why wouldn’t a person seek salvation?

Mark 10:23 – “Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”  It is very difficult for most to give up their self-sufficiency and security and turn it over to God if they lack faith and don’t really trust what God promises them.  Therefore, problem number one is: You must determine the barrier that keeps you from entering God’s kingdom.  Is it past sins and guilt that you believe is unforgiveable?  Is it material assets or things you are presently doing that you are unwilling to stop?  Does knowing you will have to repent and live according to God’s Commandments that is your barrier?  Reorganizing one’s life is most difficult for many.

Christ gives a parable using four types of soils to represent different ways that people respond to the gospel.  You may be open to God about your future but you may not be willing to live as Christ lived.

Mark 4:12 – “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”  Is it possible you just do not understand how simple it is to become a Christian?  Have you forgotten that God knows we cannot do life on our own and provided us with the Holy Spirit?  Do you realize that God’s Spirit is with you every second and He will not leave you or stop giving guidance in how you should live and worship God?

Mark 4:14 – 15 – “The farmer sows the word.  Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”  Satan convinces them the gospel is not for them because of their sinful past.  There is just too much that they need to give up.  They feel no need to prepare for a future life and their only concern is what will make their life better today.

Mark 4:16 – 17 – “Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”  There are those who hear the Word but do not allow it to go deep into their hearts.  They do not let the Word take roots for spiritual growth.  They may not be willing to give up their present way of life and believe that the devils way is more fun and exciting.  When lusts or friends shame you, you easily give up.

Mark 4:18 – 19 – “Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”  Some hear the word and accept until distractions, conflicts; the worries of life, desire for other things or wealth and material things cause them to give up.

Mark 4:20 – “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”  Finally others accept the Word, take repentance and a change in how they live extremely seriously.  They are able to completely reject Satan’s influence.  They have a passion to learn about Christ and God’s ways by studying the Bible and praying daily for knowledge and heavenly wisdom.

Some disciples contribute more to ministry than others.  We produce according to our calling.  Is your heart ready to accept salvation and is willing to share the message with others?  Not everyone will accept the message equally.  These are people who are willing to follow Jesus regardless of the cost.  It is a shame that most are not willing to deny themselves and trust Christ to make their lives different.  Are you willing to just barely squeak into heaven or do you want to enter and receive a crown of glory?

Here is what Christ tells us about heaven and eternity:

John 14:1 – 3 – “‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.'”

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 earth and new heaven will be like with 2000 plus years of preparation.  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.  If Jesus and God are there it will be perfect.  God doesn’t make anything that is imperfect!

Could we be misleading people when we state that if they will say this prayer: I accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God and my Lord, I ask for forgiveness, state I repent of my sins, ask and invite the Holy Spirit into my life they are saved forever? It doesn’t take much more than this but is everyone who says these words saved? Let us look at the following parable.

Mark 4:15 – 20 – “Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”

Mark 10: 17 – 31 – “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.‘ Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’… Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’… But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

It is apparent that Jesus had great compassion for the young man. Mark paints a picture of a very sincere young man who was willing to do most anything to obtain it. However, when Jesus said to sell everything he owned and give it to the poor it exposed the one thing that will keep many out of heaven. It was his love for money and material things over God. His many assets had become his idol. Too often wealth determines who we are, what we have accomplished and the many successes we have had. He had broken the commandment that says we shall have no other God before me.

Did what Jesus was teaching, apply to a rich person only? What about anyone who is unwilling to give up whatever is the most important thing in their life also apply?

Salvation comes only when we have a change of heart and it also requires a passion to please God. Otherwise, we have said the words in our head and do little to live according to God’s ways. God expects believers to change from being self-centered to being Christ-centered. Just how does one make all of the changes the Bible requires once we are saved? The Bible makes very clear the importance of faith, hope and love in our lives. The greatest of these three is love. Let’s look at what God says we are to do to live as a Christian.

I Corinthian 13:4 – 7 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres.”

Let’s start with the greatest change we need to make and that is to learn to love. Scripture tells us we must love unconditionally without expecting anything in return. It is easy to love when we expect our love to be beneficial to us. However, that is not what God expects. So what does Scripture say about love? We are told love is being patient with people but not necessarily with the normal events in our lives. We know that we must be kind in dealing with others. If we are unkind we lack love. Positive responses normally come when we are kind and thoughtful toward others.

Love does not envy. Envy can be wanting what others have badly enough to do most anything to get it. Envy can be that if we can’t have it we do not want another to have it either. Most everyone would like to be wealthy, well known, loved and accepted. How we accept the good fortune of others is indicative of our love. Being envious can take away the opportunities that come with being a Christian.

Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 7:21 tells me it isn’t so much about what I believe but how I live. I have mentioned previously that one of the greatest gifts I have received is contentment. Christ has given to me everything I need. Philippians 4:13 – “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” We must learn to be pleased with what God has allowed us to have. We must not allow what we do not have to be something that we must have. We must not envy what others have that we don’t. We must be careful to give God thanks for everything we have. This does not preclude us from having nice things, a good job, home, cars and other items. However, contentment means these material things are not must haves! I always remember the man given the five talents who made ten and his master said, good and faithful servant. To the man given one talent and buried it made the master angry. He took talent and gave it to the man who had made ten. Contentment does not mean laziness! We must do our very best in every endeavor and material things are only byproducts of our labor.

A number believe the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh, two tribes from Israel, settled in Great Britain.  Some, coming from Great Britain, were among the forefathers and founders of America.  When Israel refused to spread God’s Word to others, Christ gave that mission to Christians and the church.  Thus, the blessings and promises given to the 13 tribes of Israel were also promises to Christians and America.  When Scripture said:  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.”  History bears this out!

The Prophet Daniel tells of two world powers.  He describes them as a lion with eagle wings.  The lion was Great Britain that at one time was a world power ruling over nations in Africa and Asia.  The eagle wings, separated from the lion, stands for the United States and its break from Great Britain.  In both nations, God at one time was pre-eminent in each nation. When God was first, their quality of life was at its highest.   As the worshipping of God waned in Great Britain many Christians came to the U.S. for religious freedom and a better quality of life.

The greatest changes in America came from times of spiritual revivals.  The results were blessings from God, as promised, and the quality of life improved drastically.  We came from an era of horse and buggies, kerosene lanterns and outside lavatories to a new quality of life.  Our form of government, based on Christian principles, inspired individuals to become creative and innovative.  No other nation has been so blessed with the development of so many improvements to life.  It was the development of electricity, transportation, technology, the telephone, television, the Internet, health improvements, etc. that made America different from any other nation.

God and our form of government gave man a purpose.  We were provided unlimited opportunities.  They saw a positive future that came from preparation and hard work.  They learned the importance of getting a good education that equipped them with the ability to be productive and improve society.  They learned that the more they produced the more would be their reward.

The Capitalistic, free market system gave them the freedom to be able to achieve whatever they could dream.  With each achievement they felt blessed and loved.  Many who believed in God lived knowing there was life after death and each would be rewarded for their deeds while on earth.  They knew the importance of putting God first and of loving others as well as loving themselves.  They were assured of the future with God through eternity and lived by His ways of being moral and honest in dealing with others.

Our founding fathers were aware that God’s ways were the best for America.  They practiced the Ten Commandments and set up a judicial system based on “Thou shall not lie.”  Most nations’ rulers and their judicial systems were corruptive and functioned by bribes and by who you knew.   We became the most prosperous nation ever.  Our stock markets with rules and regulations have been financial havens for foreign investments.  Many foreign banks and investments cannot be trusted.

Our forefathers had learned that pagan nations promoted immorality and evil.  Those living in those countries lacked freedom and had little incentive to be productive.  There was intense cruelty and murders.  Instead of confidence, they lived in fear of losing their life and property.  Often there were little to no family values.  There was little peace in their lives.  Those who ruled had control and the people were treated as being unimportant.

If you had a choice, which type of a nation would you prefer to live in?  Is it any wonder that people from pagan nations have even broken laws to come to America?

Is America drifting from a nation, under God, living by His principles to becoming a pagan nation?  Is this what a number of atheists want?  Are some leaders willing to take us toward that direction?  Why is there such a division in the U.S. today?  Why are there so many unwed mothers?  Why is our population becoming so self-centered?  Why is envy so great between those who are the have not’s verses those who have made it?  Is it possible that we are no longer a Christian nation but a nation of mostly non-believers and others who no longer trust in our God?  Are we getting to a world similar to Noah’s time and the building of the Ark when God’s wrath made Him regret His creation of man?  How much longer will it be before we become just as corruptible and evil as they were?  Is history repeating itself?

There is still hope in a better nation. We need not be discouraged and desperate if: We are willing to do what is required that we, as a nation, develop repentant hearts and begin worshipping God.  That is the only way we shall get back to receiving God’s blessings.  If we don’t, study history and you will see our eventual end.  Otherwise we may be headed toward the same results that happened to Sodom and Gomorrah or the demise of other nations.