I recently wrote a blog: The fulfillment of Bible prophecy will prove the accuracy of the Bible and that God is for real.  Prophecy tells us that as we get closer to the end times, the earth, as we know it, will continue to decay.

Romans 8:18 – 21 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.  We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”

The end times are drawing nearer according to what Scripture foretells.  This means we should be expecting the earth to deteriorate with earthquakes, famine and disease.  We might expect tremendous changes in weather.  However, Satan, the great deceiver, will try to convince the world it is all caused by man.  He will have them call it global warming or climate change.  Do not accept this propaganda.  The earth will change just as the Bible predicts.  Creation will be subjected to frustration by God who created it.  All of this will happen prior to Christ’s second return to earth to take up His role as our leader for 1,000 years.

The years ahead are going to be something so bad that man will realize that what God predicts can and will happen. Governments will blame all the problems on its people.  They will tax everything that can be taxed.  Powerful leaders will try to replace God with government rules and regulations.  Individuals will slowly give up their freedom and cede it to government.

Satan’s desire has always been to be in control and control humanity.  It has been God who has kept him under control.  There is a time when he will be given more freedom to do his damage.  Christians must be aware and knowledgeable of what is to come.  Otherwise, they may not have enough faith to withstand what is about to happen. Such as accepting the mark of the beast to buy and sell.

Christians should not be pessimistic.  When it is all over and Christ begins His reign, the earth will be changed into a garden, very similar to Eden. This earth will go through a complete rehab.   For 1,000 years we will live in a paradise so fantastic it is difficult to imagine.  Then a new heaven and new earth.

The believers who remained true to Christ through the end will be given these new bodies that are immortal like the body of Christ. The world will be free of sickness, sin and evil.   How we worship and live will be completely different as directed by the one Who created us.   Can you picture what God will dream up for this new earth?  Can you understand what a world will be like without sin and evil?  Is this something you would like to experience?

For those unbelievers and those who rebelled against God will no longer be a part of society.  Imagine what this world would be like without these people.  Put Christ in charge and everyone living according to His instructions; wouldn’t you want to be one of those who survived?  To top it off, you will have no worries, no pain or suffering and people will be positive and God-minded.

Once a person becomes a Christian the problem exists once the initial wave of enthusiasm passes, and it will, there is an inclination to settle into a kind of treadmill mentality. Once that excitement passes, life returns to dealing with the day to day pressures that surround us. So before any more steps are taken, we need to learn how to maintain momentum and stay charged. We must allow Christ to hold us accountable to staying true to living as Christ taught us to live. It is not easy to completely change from living as a sinner to living a “saintly” life. Old habits are difficult to break. Otherwise, we would have our weight under control and living much healthier lives. Our self-centered nature continues to want complete control. If we live to please Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to direct us, our chance of living a Christian life improves greatly.

Every morning read the Bible for daily instructions. Then, as if you were making a telephone call, ask God to guide you through His Spirit throughout the day. There are times you may sense there was no connection and will not call again until possibly meal time. Learn that it is you who breaks the connection because God never hangs up.

You may think: what advantage may I have if I continue to stay connected. I don’t need God to make decisions as I have been doing it all my life. May I suggest that before every decision you make, ask God: “God, what will the unintended consequence be if I make this decision”? Read what Scripture says.

John 15:5 & 7 – “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.” “ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

You may think: God’s Spirit is with you every second and you are never disconnected. How much do you ignore the advantage of having Him with you at all times. It may be that you think of God being in Heaven, when in reality He is with you right now. Therefore, your problem may be one of not being perceptive. If Jesus were standing next to you every minute of the day, would you be talking to Him? Though God’s Spirit is invisible He is within you and you can neither see nor hear Him; you may block out that the Spirit of Christ is watching and hearing everything that happens. Do you wonder if He would forewarn you if you were about to make a mistake? If you never ask, you know He would never interfere, but allow you to decide whatever you want.

Here is what I have learned. Scripture says if I stay connected to Christ I will bear much fruit. However if I stay disconnected I cannot do God’s Will on my own. If I do God’s will I am promised tremendous blessings. It is a conditional promise requiring that I must live according to the guidance God has laid out. This means I must have a continual discourse with Christ through the Holy Spirit to have God’s promises fulfilled. I then must ask: is it worth living a holy life? It depends on what kind of a life I want to deal with. It does not mean I will never encounter any problems, just that I will have someone to talk me through them.

I have learned that many Christians are not willing to surrender, deny themselves and follow the principles that Christ taught. The world and what it offers is just too appealing to them. Yet, it seems that being a Christian they find little difference from the life they had prior to their conversion. That doesn’t mean they are not saved, just missing the blessings and possibly the fruits of the Spirit. Then again, it may be that I have not interpreted Scripture correctly as follows.
So if I “remain in me (Christ)” means if I believe Jesus is the Son of God, He is Lord and Savior and He is doing what God says, I will bear much fruit. The much fruit is found in Galatians 5:22 – 23 – “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Jesus tells us the only way to live a holy life is to stay next to Him as if you were a branch connected to a tree. If you don’t you may not receive the gifts of the Spirit. Once you have received the gifts of the Spirit, you can ask for anything and it will be given to you. Realize once you have the fruits of the Spirit you will be careful what you ask for. But rest assured, when tragedy strikes, as it sometimes will, the Holy Spirit is there to bring you through it as a learning experience to help you prepare for life’s circumstance. Always remember—God never hangs up and the Holy Spirit, through Christ, is our Connector!

Sometimes God gives us gifts that come wrapped in trials and serious problems. We never know the consequence until the gift is unwrapped. It can be His way of building our faith and trust in Him. However, no matter what life brings I want to know the Holy Spirit will bring me through it. I have had a few of those problem gifts. As long as I have Christ as my accountability partner all things will work out for the good.

The more I study my Bible, especially the Old Testament, God was often punishing nations who were either disobedient or grossly sinful. He had Babylon attack Israel and took many captive. The Babylonians treated the Israelites so badly He sent other nations to attack and destroy them. He used Israel to punish and destroy other nations. The reason I point this out is I am a firm believer that God is in control and He either allows or causes things to happen to people and nations. It’s called tough love. Under the New Covenant He many times allows deferred punishment, if necessary, because He is a loving and forgiving God. He also allows people and nations to have free moral agency to chose right or wrong. God is not pleased when a nation worships Satan and his ways.

We have very contentious politics going on that could cause a fiscal crisis. We are so divided as a nation it is hard for agreements to be reached. Come January 2013 we could have higher taxes, spending cuts, mostly in defense and a huge budget deficit. The deficit is the difference between the amount the government receives from taxes and the amount it spends. The result could be a recession with jobs lost and further costly regulations.

I cannot remember in my lifetime when there were so much disagreements and a lack of leadership in Washington, D.C. Even under President Jimmy Carter, his administration tried to get along with the opposing party.

How do we solve the problem? Christ came as an example to show us how we are to live and treat each other as described by God. Christ, the Son of God, was able to know everything, be everyplace and have the power to control whatever He and God had created. He came as a baby, which limited Him as all humans are. He still had the power to control the weather, the sea, heal the sick, raise the dead or make wine out of water. Yet, He came as a servant to serve others rather than to be served. He set the example and instructed His disciples to also be servants. He emphasized love, forgiving, slow to anger and living joyful, peaceful lives. This is the major problem the world faces. Too many want to be takers and be served and too few desire to serve. The takers become angry and confrontational when they don’t get their way or receive what they think is owed them.

Philippians 2:3 & 4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Galatians 5:26 – “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Does this sound like the ways of the world? How many of our politicians appear to practice this?

Regardless of one’s position or occupation we are to serve each other. A doctor can serve and we can serve the doctor by repairing his car. We must treat each other with respect and common courtesy. The world just doesn’t have a servant’s heart. We are often just selfish, self-centered human beings. It appears the main thing that concerns our politicians is that they do whatever necessary to get re-elected. I have seen both sides jockeying for political position rather than doing what is best for our country. Instead of class warfare we need to be a nation promoting unity.

Read the history concerning the unity during World War II. Everyone was willing to do whatever was best for our country. Now we have people actually hating our economic system and wanting to destroy it. We have groups of people who are anti Christian. They are trying to stop the gospel of Jesus Christ from being taught anywhere. They no longer want to be part of a Christian nation. There are all kinds of lobbyists. Some people think more highly of tiny fish than allowing water to be used for irrigation of farm land.

Read the Old Testament and then try to decide what you think God may be doing. Based on past performance should He stop protecting us or should He continue to prosper and bless America regarding the way we as a nation are living and treating each other? Don’t you think it is time for the U.S. to repent and a national spiritual revival take place? What would be the response if this were to happen? Do you think God would then protect us from going over the fiscal cliff? Do you think our politicians would let it happen?

Here is what I believe. For centuries Americans were taught the Bible. No law could be enacted that contradicted the Bible. Many of our leaders were guided by God and the Holy Spirit. Once we stopped teaching the Bible and outlawing prayer in public places our leaders became influenced by Satan and his emissaries. Satan has taken control and many of our leaders have accepted his recommendations for living their lives and enacting laws that support his position. When a crisis comes who are they going to listen to God or Satan? Too many Americans are following the path laid out by Satan and reject the teachings of Christ and ignoring God and His Commandments. This is more evident in Washington, D.C. every day. Unless Americans change from being takers to becoming givers and servants, chances are little will change.

On the news or in the paper, many are asking for congress to do something about the control of guns and do it now.  The progressives never want a serious crisis go to waste.  The death of 27 at Newtown and other recent violence has to stop.  There are those who want all guns banished.  Every American wants this mayhem to cease.  How many really believe taking away guns will stop crime?  The way to stop what is happening is to return to the days when God was worshipped by the country as a whole.  We have allowed those promoting evolution to completely change the nation from what we have known in the past.

I believe America has lost some of God’s protection.  Too many who do not believe in God are forcing their beliefs on those who do believe and our leadership has allowed it.  They have changed how we teach our children, the news media, in general, support their belief and Hollywood plus, violent video games has done its part in promoting killing and immorality.

Those who have studied the Bible and particularly the Old Testament, realize what happens when a nation ignores God and worships material things instead.  Old Testament prophets, selected by God, would predict what God would do if they did not live by His commandments.  When they would not listen and refused to obey or repent He would discipline them through various hardships.  History proves that what was predicted occurred as God said it would.  You would think the Israelites, in particular, would learn to trust God in what He says, but they didn’t.

Jeremiah 22:8 & 9 – “People from many nations will pass by this city and will ask one another, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city?’  And the answer will be: ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God and have worshiped and served other gods.’”

Jeremiah 32:23 – “They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey you or follow your law; they did not do what you commanded them to do. So you brought all this disaster on them.

Those in favor of banishing guns, fail to remember the 69 youths killed in a heavily gun controlled Norway.  We have a form of gun control in Chicago and it is a city where the most murders are committed.  Guns are not the problem as much as crazy people inspired by today’s evil influences.

Our culture needs to return to teaching the Bible in school.  Prayers in public institutions should be allowed.  Leaders need to witness their belief in a God and make no laws that conflict with the Bible.  We need to return to being a Christian nation in action and not in name only.  We need to promote love and forgiveness.  Stop this class warfare and hatred.  Start living as God requires and bring back the protection and prosperity that God had provided for so many years to our nation.

You may have watched the carnage Friday 12/13/12 and your heart was probably broken. You then may have asked: “Why would God allow something like this to happen”? News broadcasters were reporting all this young man had done and wondered how a human could do such a thing, killing 20 children and six adults. You may have thought how evil does someone have to be to commit such a heinous crime.

Is he a product of his community or our country? Has television, movies and war games influenced our younger generation? Has leaving the Bible out of classrooms developed a generation of youth that do not know the difference between right and wrong or what’s moral or immoral?

The news said he was well prepared, equipped and well-organized to do what he did. Then you may have thought: how about the abortion clinics around our country? They kill helpless children every 18 second in a 24 hour day and have for years. These abortion clinics kill as many in eight minutes as he did and then wonder what is wrong with him, the Connecticut killer.

Study our country’s history. The Bible was once taught in every classroom in America and some Scripture was required to be memorized. They prayed, pledged the alliance to the flag and the Ten Commandments were hanging on the walls. Today we are told that saying Christmas is not politically correct. What about the nativity scenes that used to be in most every city? In the front of law books it stated that no law was to be enacted that was contrary to the Bible. This is what they taught at Harvard Law School many years ago.

No one has the right to take another’s life. Why is so much of this random shooting of innocent people becoming an often occurrence? The only way to stop this, according to some progressives is to get rid of hand guns, knives, screwdrivers, ice picks, antifreeze and everything else that people use to kill others. That would leave them only with their hands or rope. But is that really the answer?

We have a God problem! The problem is we started in the early 1960’s leaving God out of the lives of young adults and children through our educational system. We have had political leaders that were anti christ and anti God. They are not only unhappy with our political system they had uncontrollable lusts that morality was making them feel guilty.

So why didn’t God intervene this past week and stop this carnage from occurring? Read the Old Testament. The prophets repeatedly stated that if the people turned from God He would not protect them.

Jeremiah 16:10 – 12 – “When you tell the people all these things, they will ask, ‘Why has the Lord decreed such terrible things against us? What have we done to deserve such treatment? What is our sin against the Lord our God?’ ‘Then you will give them the Lord’s reply: ‘It is because your ancestors were unfaithful to me. They worshiped other gods and served them. They abandoned me and did not obey my word. And you are even worse than your ancestors! You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me.” NLT

Jeremiah 17:10 – “But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” NLT

Why did God allow Sodom and Gomorrah to be destroyed? Why did God allow the Israelites to be killed, plundered and taken into captivity?

I John 5:18 – 19 – We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

As we come closer to the end-times it will only get worse. We are told there will be a time worse than anytime that has ever occurred before. With all of the sin in the world, people have allowed the evil one to influence their decisions and look what has happened. This is the kind of life the world has chosen. Read and study the Old Testament and see what happened when people started worshipping other Gods or demons. Christ said that He would be the gate that would protect His people. Scripture also indicates that gate could swing open and all sorts of problems would result. There would be no protection for a sinful world.

The world is getting exactly what prophecy foretells. You live a sinful life and consequences will happen. You will cry out: “Why God did you allow this to happen”? If you want to know the answer, read your Bible. When we are God’s people He takes care of us, He protects and makes us prosper. When we deny Him, He allows the demons to have more and more control over people’s lives, their behavior and their actions. We should be prepared for more disasters to come. Because there is no indication the world is turning back to God and living by His Ways.

Are you still wondering why God allowed this to happen or other disasters to occur? The answer is found in the Bible. Unless you have the Holy Spirit you may not be inspired to find the answer. But it is there! Stop denying that Christ is the Son of God and accept Him as your Savior and you will see the world from a completely different perspective. Sin is all around us and we are allowing the evil one to take over more control. God may be opening the curtain so we can see what Hell is really like.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families who have lost their precious loved ones.

You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before. Rahm Emanuel

We had Y2K when everyone believed computers would not work in 2000.  Harold Camping told us the end would happen on May 21 and then October 21, 2011.  America, as we know it, will not be the same if we go over the fiscal cliff at the end of this month.  We are now approaching December 21, 2012 when the Mayan and the Hopi Elders predicted the end would come.  The East and West Coast will be flooded because of global warming.

You may have read where a number are taking this prediction very serious.  Thousands of people in the Netherlands are preparing for that day by accumulating emergency supplies.  It has been circulating on the Internet, in books and in the past a motion picture.  Rumor has it that the government is actually preparing secret underground bunkers.

What we think about the end and eternity will determine how we live our lives today.  Are we preparing for Jesus’ return or are we living as if there will never be an end?  Prophets in the Old Testament told us about Christ’s first coming and it turned out exactly as predicted.  Are the predictions in the New Testament something we can believe in?

II Peter 3:10 – 12 – “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.  That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”

Revelation 6:12 – 14 – “There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.”

When I see what is going on in Washington, D.C. it reminds me of what God said to Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 9:4 – 6 – “Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend. They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth.  With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.  They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,” says the Lord.”  Verse 9 – “’Should I not punish them for this?’ says the Lord. ‘Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?’”  NLT

II Timothy 3:1 – 5 – “You should know this, Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

It sure looks like we are living in the end times.  For those of us who have lived as long as I have certainly seen the U.S., in particular and the world in general, fit the description described in Scripture.

Be aware that people are using the world ending and the fiscal crisis as a means of deceiving and manipulating people.  I am amazed at those being interviewed on the street how little they know about our government and the world in general.  They are so easily led astray.  Read and study your Bible and place your trust in what it says rather than what some leader might try to get you to believe.

Is there any place in the Bible that warns us against climate change caused by man?  It takes a crisis to get our attention and when we have a storm like Sandy in New York and New Jersey they want us to accept passing laws against carbon omission so they can tax us more.

Most of us know the difference between knowledge and wisdom but let me briefly give somewhat of a definition: Knowledge is obtaining information from education or studying data that provides answers to many questions.  It is used in making decisions and judgments.  Wisdom is sort of a sixth sense or special insight that comes from one’s previous experiences or from God.  I like to think that what wisdom I have is a result of Biblical study and is God-given.  That doesn’t mean all of my decisions and judgments are correct but they are made with the right attitude and moral motives.

I have had Christians tell me that they have accumulated a lot of knowledge through college and education but they feel lacking in wisdom.  I believe wisdom is realizing that God has given us a tremendous advantage as follows:

• Hebrews 4:5 – The Holy Spirit was given to testify that Christ came to give us a New Covenant and told us God would put His laws in our hearts and write them on our minds and our sins and lawless acts would be remembered no more.
• Luke 11:13 – God will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.
• Hebrews 2:4 – The Holy Spirit will give us signs, wonders, various miracles and gifts.  If we have seriously surrendered our lives to Christ the Holy Spirit will make us aware that He is with us.
• II Timothy 1:13 & 14 – The Holy Spirit will help you live a holy life by giving you faith and love in Christ Jesus.
• Luke 12:12 – The Holy Spirit will tell us what to say.
• Acts 1:8 – We shall receive power from the Holy Spirit.
• John 14:26 – The counselor, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and will remind us of what Jesus taught.
• Acts 13:12 – The Holy Spirit will speak to our spirit and give us directions and where to go.
• Acts 20:23 – The Holy Spirit will warn us of potential problems.
• Galatians 5:22 & 23 – The Holy Spirit will give us joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If a believer in Christ, who has received the Holy Spirit, wouldn’t one have the wisdom to make better decisions and judgments?  What if a Christian knows they have received the Holy Spirit yet fail to feel they have received the gifts of the Spirit or the wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives us?

Often two problems exist: they feel unworthy that God loves them and the Holy Spirit is there to help or they have a problem overcoming their carnal, worldly nature who wants to do things the world’s way rather than God’s way.  Thus, blocking the gifts of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22 which is a basis for obtaining true wisdom.

When a person lives the life of the Spirit, an individual is truly different.  The fruit as described above is an outward expression of Christ living inside that person. God can be everywhere.  Yes, He can be in your life with you every day as the Holy Spirit.  Everyone having the Holy Spirit can and should receive these fruits that God can give to us.  The fruits of the Spirit don’t seem to grow adequately unless we are willing to die out to our self-centered worldly nature. That means surrendering our negative pride.  The pride that says I don’t need any help I can do it on my own. This is difficult for many people as repenting or changing life’s direction can be a struggle also.  Old habits are often difficult to break.  Changing one’s previous worldly comfort zone is like dieting to an obese person.  Dying out to our negative pride and our old nature is not easy and requires surrendering that people with strong, controlling personality find difficult to give up and give in to living by Christ’s ways.

It may start with a trust factor in not believing God really has a purpose or plan for them.  To fulfill that purpose usually requires a change in thinking, a renewing of one’s mind that is open to new Christian concepts.  A person unwilling to give up their pride and change direction may block the working of the Holy Spirit.  Christ will allow a believer moral agency to make their own choices and usually will not overrule that decision. Choices we make without the Holy Spirit’s guidance may not come from heavenly wisdom but from one’s knowledge.

I believe learning to love God and others is fundamental to obtaining heavenly wisdom.  Unconditional love only comes from God’s example and the Holy Spirit.  The Bible says we must have no hate in our heart or an unwillingness to forgive others.  Otherwise, a believer blocks the Holy Spirit from working in their life.  You may have more knowledge than most genius but if there is hate and unforgiveness in your heart you will lack heavenly wisdom according to Scripture.

Joy occurs when we have confidence in our relationship with Christ and we are living to please Him as difficult as that might be.  We can’t make continual joy happen. It comes from our obedience to Christ and is brought by the Holy Spirit.  Joy emphasizes our witness as Christians making us stronger and joy produces energy.

Continual peace comes only from God’s assurances and promises.  Otherwise peace usually is temporarily.  Once we learn to love God and others and have the right heart, (no hate or unforgiveness) peace results.  Peace knows nothing can separate us from the love of God.  (Romans 8:38 & 39)

We must have patience with others, which means we don’t have to get over a lack of patience waiting in line.  Love is patient and kind.  Selfishness normally causes confrontations.  Ask if we want God to be patient with us?

It is hard for many to give up their negative pride and self-control.  We must be willing to submit all aspects of life to God daily.  That may mean prior to making any decision or judgment one might ask the Holy Spirit:  “Is this what I must say or do?”  That doesn’t mean we fall to our knees and pray.  It may simply be taking time to question the consequence of what we decide to do.  It is recognizing the Holy Spirit and asking for wisdom and direction.

As the fruits of the Spirit increase, you will be able to acknowledge a heavenly wisdom that will make life joyful and peaceful. Once you have joy and peace in your heart, you will find being kind, gentle and faithful resulting.   That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue getting as much knowledge as we can.  Success is a result, most times, from proper preparation.   We need both!

The fulfillment of Bible prophecy will prove the accuracy of the Bible and that God is for real. Read the newspaper or listen to the current news.  It is happening with the United Nations voting 138 to 9 with 41 abstentions to recognize Palestine as a state. The U.N General Assembly recognized the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip as Palestinian’s.   Immediately Israel announced it would build more houses In West Bank settlements on land Palestine wants for a state.  The U.S. denounced Israel’s planned expansion and states a peace agreement would become almost impossible.

For years our nation has tried to establish a peace treaty between Israel and Palestine.  However, once that takes place it indicates the end-times are near.  One day that will take place.  Israel will give up the land Palestine desires and Israel will be able to share the Temple Mount with the Muslims adjacent to the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim Mosque.  There they will build the Jewish Temple and begin the sacrificing of animals.  PETA will go ballistic!

Presently, Hamas denies Israel’s right to exist and refuses to negotiate with Israel for any kind of an agreement.  The longer the delay in peace the longer it will be before the world ends as we know it.  Let’s hope President Obama and the United Nations stop trying for these two to reach a peaceful agreement.

There will be a day when the Antichrist will reach a peace treaty.  A time is coming when a leader will come on the scene who is arrogant, egotistical, powerful and ruthless.  He will have a magnetic personality capable of deceiving the world into accepting a satanic judicial system, with a new economy, international policies to fit all nations and a religious belief suited for all who accept him.  This Antichrist will have tremendous control and power to run his evil world system.  He will do whatever he chooses to do and no one will be able to oppose him.  That is when everyone will be required to take the “mark” on the hand or forehead.  He will use miracles to persuade the world to accept his false teaching.  Unless a person truly understands prophecy and has a tremendous faith they could easily be deceived.

Revelation 14:1 – 6 – “ Then I saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.  And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of mighty ocean waves or the rolling of loud thunder. It was like the sound of many harpists playing together.   This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God and before the four living beings and the twenty-four elders. No one could learn this song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.  They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb.  They have told no lies; they are without blame.   And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.”

It is believed that once people see prophecy being fulfilled it is only then they will accept that there is a God and the Bible is accurate.  God will have 144,000 Jews prepared who will be spreading the Christian gospel in addition to other Christians spreading His Word.  I believe this is prior to the rapture or the Christians rising to meet Christ in the air. It is before the “mark of the beast” will be required by all in order to buy or sell.  It is estimated that millions upon millions will be converted.  Scripture says God is giving everyone a last chance to repent and become a Christian prior to the Day of Judgment.  I suppose there are many who profess to be a Christian but have done so in their head but never made the commitment in their heart or truly repented.  They will get serious after what they have seen happening.  There then will be wars and troubled times, worse than ever before.  When it is all over approximately two billion will be killed.  All that happens is predicted by Scripture leaving little doubt of the Bible’s accuracy.

My suggestion to churches and Christians, when you see an agreement between Israel and Palestine and the Jews being allowed to build the Temple, get ready.  Be prepared to see a spiritual revival like you have never seen before.

Recently, I was told of a young man who was about to graduate with a degree in medicine who stated he had zero confidence. He was scared he would make mistakes and was also concerned of being successful. He, like so many young people, is struggling with self-confidence. They don’t believe in themselves and are afraid of what success might bring.
I grew up in a generation that had just ended World War II and the Korean War. There were hundreds of thousands of G.I.s returning from the battle fields and war zones. Many had been shot at, some injured and some had to kill the enemy. They learned to be brave, independent, become team players and many became leaders. A few skirmishes and they learned to overcome fear. Like King David, after a battle or two, they were ready to fight a bear or a lion with their bare hands. Many took advantage of the G.I. Bill that provided a college education.
When many of these veterans graduated they were ready to take on the world. They may have had a temporary uneasiness in a new position but it didn’t take long to overcome any question as whether they were up to the job. In fact, many went into business for themselves and became very capable and prosperous entrepreneurs.

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Joshua 1:7 – “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.” NLT

Many Christians think that they must use the world’s standards, be overly ambitious, know the right people, get a break and they will be successful. God tells us that becoming successful and prosperous isn’t easy. But we must be strong and courageous, obey God’s laws and His Spirit will be with us to help us along the way.

Philippians 4:13 – “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” NLT
Much of success comes from one’s attitude. If you question every decision, you may be afraid to take risks. Whether it be sports or a career, the more preparation and the more confident one becomes the easier it is to take risks. We learn from geniuses that you must be willing to fail if you ever want to become a success. They won’t throw you in jail or beat you for failing.

Young people today have had life fairly easy. They did not grow up on farms or learn how to work. They have depended on parents, teachers or bosses to make decisions for them. Many really are unable to differentiate between right and wrong. They have not been confronted with tough decisions. They probably have not had the opportunity to become independent or really ever challenged. It seems to take longer for many young people to mature and take life seriously. They have never had to struggle or been truly tested. Too often they have become what they were programmed to become by parents and others. It is difficult for them to do as Paul taught that we are to be transformed or renew our minds to the ways of Christ. Christians must be re-programmed and willing to do so.

Have you ever wondered why God allowed bad things to happen or punished people that He later planned to use in His ministry? If you have never faced defeat, have never failed, didn’t have to struggle to receive your education you may not be prepared to achieve success or prosperity. This is why I believe so many young adults lack confidence. However, those who have studied God’s Word and have a personal relationship with Christ and the Holy Spirit have a real advantage. Here is your advantage:

If you will allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, He will help you to make right decisions, improve your productivity and improve your relationships with others. For those who are inclined to ask: “What good is an advantage that the Holy Spirit gives to Christians if it doesn’t translate into success every time?” I offer the following rather homespun explanation. The Christian who depends upon the Holy Spirit is sensitive to His leading and is like the athlete who listens to an experienced coach. The coach can’t guarantee an athlete’s induction into the Hall of Fame, nor can he guarantee a gold medal for the athlete, but he can train him and teach him everything he knows, giving him every advantage, allowing him to consistently do his best. The Christian advantage does not guarantee presidencies, chairmanships, wealth, achievement awards, fame or recognition, but it will lead the Christian into the direction that fulfills his God-given purpose.

Those who will trust the promises God makes to each believer and have a close personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, will get further ahead than those who are just saved and have not pursued God’s help.

However, if you do, don’t expect everything at first is going to be easy. Because He will test you, confront you and when He is done you will believe you have the experience of having been on the battle field. As you look back you will realize that everything you encountered was to help you be the success God had planned for you.