Pat Robertson, TV evangelist and broadcaster, says Tim Tebow was treated “shabbily” by the Denver Broncos when they traded him to the New York Jets for Peyton Manning.  Robertson also said that if Manning suffered a recurrence of the neck injury that sidelined him for a full season, Denver would be without a quarterback and “it would serve them right.”  Robertson had high praise for Tebow, saying Denver was a “nothing team” until Tebow led them into the playoffs last season.

I respect Pat Robertson but I believe he had no business condemning the Denver Broncos for acquiring Peyton Manning and trading Tim Tebow.  Anytime a Christian says something, seemingly negative, the world jumps on it.  It results in a condemnation of Christianity.

My first reaction was: this was possibly “A God Thing”.  When I heard that Tebow was traded to the New York Jets, I thought God wanted another role model in New York along with Jeremy Lin.

I know very little about people from New York City but as a store manager they were the most difficult customers to deal with here in Las Vegas when they had a complaint.  It made no difference whether it was in automotive, appliances, electronics and repair service or elsewhere, it was almost impossible to satisfy them and make reasonable refunds or adjustments and still keep them happy.  So when I heard of the trade, my thought was God hadn’t given up on New Yorkers and wanted them to know how people should treat other people.  No better example would be Jeremy Lin and now Tim Tebow.

I am one of those far out, conservative, nutty Christians that believe God is still in control and continues to divinely intervene in the lives of people.  It may seem like He doesn’t care what happens anymore but I think He is still concerned about everyone of us.  One writer said that New York City would change Tim Tebow and another said that Tebow would change New York.  If he helps change New York as he did Bronco fans, it will give me sufficient evidence that it was God’s intervention in making the trade to the Jets.

I Corinthians 2:14 – “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”  Few may change until people hear and accept the gospel and now more will hear, coming out of New York City.

How does the world really see us as Christians?  Do they see a Christian living a worldly life having little if any influence on others?  Or, are we living as the Bible instructs?  Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our behavior and influence others at home or on the job?  Do we play, maybe an insignificant role as a Christian or are we sharing the gospel with others in hopes of changing their attitude and behavior by sharing how God wants us to treat each other?

I remember America as she was sixty years ago.  Integrity was the highest of priorities.  A hand shake sealed a deal.  Specifics could be written on a paper napkin.  If someone gave you his word you could count on it.  A person now needs a law degree to stay out of trouble and be extra careful in what they say or do, or you may be sued.  So let’s say a prayer for Tim and Jeremy that they help change New Yorkers and Americans and that New York City and the world does not change them.

Is there a difference between being lucky and being blessed and how do you tell the difference?  When does a situation happen and you know it is supernatural?  We may never know for sure and most would believe in a coincidence, luck and not a blessing.  When something unusual happens I always treat it as a blessing or a learning experience.   Let me give you some background to tell my recent story:

I have had some heart problems a few years ago and the doctor told my family I had about a 10% chance of surviving.  Approximately 15 years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  I feel blessed to still be healthy and able to work every day since.  I regularly have medical checkups,  exercise and eat right.  For some reason, I believe God has blessed me by extending my life

From 1991 to 1999 I assisted in overseeing the building of a church.  Our attorney and I met with the city council to get zoning and permission to build.  What we were told was impossible to do, yet we were allowed to do.  As we began construction, building roads and preparing the land there were more problems that seemed supernaturally solved than you could ever imagine.  You would have to be blind and a non-believer to realize things were happening that appear to come from Divine intervention.    This may be why I am more aware when something out of the ordinary happens.

Now with the story!  Every since I have been a Christian, having spent many years in retailing, if someone does not give me the correct change I always make sure I am given what I should be and give back when they give me too much.  That is what the Bible teaches and I have no problem giving money I don’t deserve back.

My wife and I went to the bank’s ATM to deposit a check and withdraw some money.  When the cash came out, there were two wadded up twenty dollars that came out in addition to what I had requested.  In my hands was forty dollars more than I had asked for.  The ATM machine had made a mistake.  My first thought was, this must be my day.  The bank can afford it and I used to get more interest in the past than I am now getting and they really owe me.   A minute later, I felt convicted that it was not mine and I needed to go into the bank and give it to them.

I entered the lobby of the bank and at the information booth was a customer on the phone and next to her was a bank employee. I went to the employee and said I just received forty dollars too much out of the ATM. She thanked me and proceeded to hand the money to the customer on the phone and said, “Here is your forty dollars”. Apparently, the
customer was trying to prove to the bank that the ATM shorted her forty dollars… She was right.

As my wife and I got into the car, I asked her if God was testing me.  She said we may never know.  The next day a lady came to our office and said she would like to invest some money.  Our office manager said sure but who referred you?  Our name is outside our office and she thought that we were part of The Boyd Gaming Group, the casino company.  We asked if we could share with her what we do.  After about two hours, we invested a sizeable amount of money.  The benefits of the long-term client/relationship will more than outweigh the forty dollars.  So we ask you—was it a spiritual test?  If I had kept the forty dollars would the woman have come in by mistake?  Was it “A God Thing” or just a coincidence?

These past three years as I have written two blogs per week I have tried to make Christians aware that if they have the Holy Spirit in them, do not ignore the power that He provides.  Be aware and alert to everything that happens each day and you may be surprised at what God wants to show you and do through you.  Seeing unusual, perhaps supernatural situations, should give confidence, peace and a new attitude knowing you are not alone.  Don’t miss out on some of life’s greatest experiences knowing you are being guided by a Divine power within.

I was recently reminded that we went thousands of years believing no one could run a mile in under four minutes.  An athlete from England, Roger Bannister, on May 6, 1954 ran a mile in 3.59 minutes breaking the impossible barrier.  It wasn’t long until 16 runners ran in less than four minutes.  The record is now 3:43.13 minutes.  What made the differences?  Someone believed it could be done. Believing and having faith is very hard for most people.

What made Steve Jobs at Apple or Bill Gates at Microsoft successful?  I believe there may be millions smarter and just as capable.  Attitudes and confidences are not something we can teach.  They must be something we get from something or somebody.  One’s attitude is a personal thing.  It is how we see ourselves.   Do we believe in the impossible? Do we see ourselves as becoming successful? How often do we think outside-the-box?  Are Christians aware of an inner power that is willing and capable of helping them succeed?  You may think that you have the Holy Spirit but He has never helped you.  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’s advantage, having the Holy Spirit, does not guarantee presidencies, chairmanships, wealth, achievement awards, fame or recognition, but He will lead the Christian into the direction that fulfills his God-given purpose and with it, success and prosperity.

We are all made differently.  Some were created with certain abilities, some handicapped and most of us average. God didn’t say let’s create another human today and watch them fail.  He had the knowledge and ability to put the universe together; and He knew everyone of us prior to our birth. Then can’t He give each one of us a plan for our lives with the abilities to be successful?   However, Satan is not pleased when Christians do things out of the ordinary.  Have you been told you will not amount to much?   Have you been convinced?

I found the American dream was available to those who realized that it won’t be given to them; it had to be earned. I received a degree in business management. I read many books on the power of positive thinking.  I studied management principles and went to numerous seminars to improve my skills.  The one book that has helped me the most is studying the Bible.  One thing I learned was preparation.  It was one key to success.  I also learned the importance of trusting in God’s promises.  I became aware that the Holy Spirit was given to us that we might have comfort, guidance and a purpose in life.  The Bible taught me to become free from the ways of society and our worldly, self-centered nature and become more Christ minded.

How many people are willing to prepare for success?  It seems there are many that want to dumb-down Americans, give them entitlements and convince them the government will meet their needs.  You may not need an education but you must become knowledgeable.  The same is true if you want to run a mile under four minutes.  It takes more than just thinking you can.  Suppose you would like to be a millionaire.  Is that something you pray for and expect God to give you?  Becoming a millionaire should not be one’s goal.  The goal is doing something that will make society a better place and there is a good chance your byproduct would be wealth.

Did Edison intend to make millions?  Do you suppose Gates and Jobs goal was to make billions?  Probably, they had an idea to change how people do things and do them differently.  Creating and achieving is possibly the most satisfying feeling that one could ever have.

As Christians we are expected to be different from those who live by the world’s rules.  We are told by Scripture to be conscientious and loyal and we are to be positive and encouraging servants.  We are to do our best by being dependable and considerate of others.

Most of us living in America would be considered in the top 8% of the world’s wealthiest people.  Prosperity is having a home, clothing, food and savings in comparison to the world.  Success is setting a goal and achieving it.  Our goals are to be debt free and have sufficient savings to last a life time when I retire. From the world’s view we are successful and prosperous.  I know of a number of people with average incomes just as successful.

I was raised, for a short time, on a small acreage where we raised our own meat and vegetables.  We had no electricity or running water, just a well.  Prosperity to me may be much different from those living in a mansion on a hill.   The Bible promises that if we live by God’s commandments we can become prosperous. That does not mean we will all be millionaires.

No matter what our job is or how much we make; the Apostle Paul says we are not to do our best only when we are being watched but remember God is watching every second through the Holy Spirit that is within us.  As God is watching and the Holy Spirit guiding, why not begin believing and practicing what it takes to be a success in whatever task you have chosen?  Work hard, set obtainable goals and adequately prepare.  Then see where the Holy Spirit leads you.  Never allow the Devil or others to discourage you as they are likely to do.  God promises that we can become successful and prosperous by complying with His teachings, which is available to all believers.

IS THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS?

 Rep.  Pelosi was right when she said: let’s pass Obama Care so we can find out what is in it. I read about the death panel for people over 70.  Being in that age group I wondered if I would be covered the next time I go to the hospital.  Chances are I will not, once it takes affect.  Even if I were covered by the panel, it’s possible I would have to have a radio frequency transponder chip implanted for identification to obtain the required treatment.  I would refuse to allow an implant.

I began doing research.    “The Obama Health care bill under Class II (Paragraph 1, Section B) specifically includes ‘‘(ii) a class II device that is implantable.” Then on page 1004 it describes what the term “data” means in paragraph 1, section B:”  It goes on to give the information requiring the following:

“Approved by the FDA, a class II implantable device is an ‘implantable radiofrequency transponder system for patient identification and health information.’ The purpose of a class II device is to collect data in medical patients such as claims data, patient survey data, standardized analytic files that allow for the pooling and analysis of data from disparate data environments, electronic health records, and any other data deemed appropriate by the Secretary.”

“This sort of device would be implanted in the majority of people who opt to become covered by the public health care option. With the reform of the private insurance companies, who charge outrageous rates, many people will switch their coverage to a more affordable insurance plan. This means the number of people who choose the public option will increase. This also means the number of people chipped will be plentiful as well. The adults who choose to have a chip implanted are the lucky (yes, lucky) ones in this case. Children who are ‘born in the United States who at the time of birth is not otherwise covered under acceptable coverage’ will be qualified and placed into the CHIP or Children’s Health Insurance Program (what a convenient name). With a name like CHIP it would seem consistent to have the chip implanted into a child. Children conceived by parents who are already covered under the public option will more than likely be implanted with a chip by the consent of the parent. Eventually everyone will be implanted with a chip. And with the price and coverage of the public option being so competitive with the private companies, the private company may not survive.”

Revelation 13:16 – 17 – “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,  so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.”

Revelation 14:9 – 11 – “A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

In a recent discussion some young people asked, would God forgive a Christian if they took the “mark of the beast”?  As we get closer to the end-time I am sure this is a question many are asking themselves.  Who among us would be willing to accept death rather than have the mark placed on our forehead or right hand?  What about our children?  What would happen to them if we were killed?  Maybe I should take the mark so that I could feed my family and supply them with their needs.  No mark, no food!  We are told that refusing to take the mark or worshipping the idol one would starve to death or be beheaded.  Refusing will require a Christian truly committed and faithful to God.

At that time in history who would have believed that it was possible to have a radio frequency chip implanted in ones right hand or forehead?  Is this the mark they were talking about?  A person who is seriously ill and needing an operation would have to accept death if unwilling to have the chip implanted.  Once the chip was used for medical reasons, could it not be a requirement to buy and sell also? Finally, everyone would be required to have a chip.  Wouldn’t a loving God forgive us if we accepted?

Revelation 20:4 – 6 – “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

If we didn’t know better it almost sounds like the “beast” could be the government.  Could it be a government that wants to control their entire population?  Their intention would be to limit one’s freedom and make decisions for them; such as who to worship and what to believe?  Have you made up your mind yet to whether you will accept the implant or not?

We know the progressive leaders of the world want a one-world government.  However, that would never be acceptable to a Christian nation. Therefore, we must change American into a non-religious nation.  We will take the Ten Commandments out of the schools.  We will promote the separation of church and state.  There can no longer be prayers at school functions.  We will teach evolution.  We will bankrupt the world and provide a monetary system for every nation to use.  We will start with the old Roman Empire and call it the European Union.  We will develop a monetary system and use Euro dollars.

Americans must be given entitlements in order to develop a nanny state where the population depends on the government rather than on God.  Once God’s teaching is diminished and people are reprogrammed; when they can no longer buy or sell, because only a few refused the chip, we can unite worldwide.   They then will have complete control and freedom will be for the elite only.  You will worship who you are told to worship.  You will do as commanded and Satan will finally be in complete control. His ultimate goal! The great deceiver wins—up to a point.  For those who can see through the dense fog and are martyred will be greatly rewarded.  Is it possible for America to turn to God and see a change and a repentant nation?  Or, is the end near?  Does the “end” depend upon how we live and who we live for?  Will it be God or government?  Let’s hope it is not too late to choose.

If you go to http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/microchip.asp   This site will tell you it is absolutely not true.  However, it is possible that there was intent from some in congress that a chip was considered for humans just as they have chips for pets.  It is something to think about.  I hope you will be aware that there will be a day when the mark will be a requirement and you may be just as easily deceived by a government.  Is there anything wrong with an implant for health reasons?

This may not happen now, but it will.  We must be aware that any implant or mark mandated must be unacceptable.  What about people who are unbelievers.  It is not too late to accept Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to forewarn you.

Christians should be able to answer this question because it is one asked by many unbelievers.  If you are unable to answer they will try to convince you that there were people on earth prior to Adam and Eve.  If you answer sisters, they will tell you that God forbid marrying close relatives.

Genesis 2:20 – “So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.”  This tells us there were no humans but Adam at that time.  God, taking a rib from Adam, made Eve, the woman.  If there were other women He would not have had to create Eve.  He could have put His Spirit into her if another existed to make a suitable helper.

Genesis 1:28 – “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” God told them to fill the earth with children.  Jewish historians say they had over 30 sons and over 30 daughters.

Genesis 5:3 – “When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.”  We are told that Adam lived to be 930 years old (Gen 5:5).  God made Adam and Eve with perfect genes.  They were able to live long lives and have children with different genes than humans have today. Abraham married Sarah, who was his half-sister, (Gen. 20:12).  Close relatives could marry without children being born deformed.  It wasn’t until Moses generation did God forbid the marrying of close relatives.  This can be found in Leviticus chapters 18 thru 20.  The human genes had deteriorated from Adam’s time and no longer could people live hundreds of years and marry close relatives.  Usually they had deformed and unhealthy children.

Those first brothers and sisters did not practice birth control.  It would not be unusual to have ten or fifteen children each or as Adam and Eve, 60.  Over a period of 900 years you could have thousands of people living.  By the time Moses lived, there were millions on earth.  There were all kinds of races and religions.  Pagan religions practiced sexual relations with closes relatives, they committed adultery, children were sacrificed and some had sexual relations with animals.  God taught that these were unacceptable abominations or wicked actions and were banned and God dealt with them harshly.    These practices led to disease, deformity, death plus social issues.  Therefore, God instituted laws forbidding the Israelites to participate in this behavior.

Over the past 6,000 years, living under God’s curse and the evil practices of pagan religions, we probably are less intelligent, less healthy and see the world much differently than the early families.  However, we are told that Christ will come to rule for 1,000 years on this earth.  Christians will be given immortal bodies and be able to live as Adam lived, close to a thousand years.  During that time there will be children born and people will have a choice to follow Jesus and some will be deceived by Satan when he is released from the abyss according to the Book of Revelation.

So if anyone asks who were Cain and Abel’s wives you can answer them.  Studying Genesis will give you a picture of how it all started and you can use it to defend the Gospel and those who are unbelievers and question the Bible’s authenticity.

As humans, we have a tendency to focus on ourselves and the world.  Shouldn’t we be concerned if our focus is not on Christ?  If you went to a doctor and discovered that you had cancer and six months to live would your focus change?  Yet too many Christians live as if they were immortal and would live forever. They believe that it will be possible to make the change when they get older.  But for now, they focus on self and their present wants and needs.

The most difficult time to focus on God is when we are extremely healthy and financially prosperous.  The important things in life become career, family and others.  When a person has health issues and/or are struggling financially they have more of a tendency to depend on God.  Study Jewish history and whenever they were prosperous and at peace they would begin turning from God.  When they were at war and struggling to stay alive they became very dependent upon God and worshipped as commanded.

God wants our focus on Him regardless of the situation we are in.  When we do, He promises peace and stability in our lives.  Without focusing on Christ we often do not have the confidence, security and a chance to reach our full potential to achieve and succeed.  The Holy Spirit will give us a purpose and direction in life.  Yet, many Christians have no idea who they are or what this life is all about.

We live in an electronic world.  The world has done everything to distract us from focusing on God.  Today there are cell phones, e-mail, Facebook, TV and numerous other things. Going to work we are listening to the radio or music and forget about praying silently or thinking about God.  We come home and too many turn on the TV.  We are more self-driven than most anytime in history.  Material things, keeping up with others and achieving success push us daily.  We must not be deceived by the Devil and the world.

It took many years before I learned to listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  As I pray and write many thoughts and ideas that I feel God wants me to learn come to mind.  Ask a number of ministers who preach hundreds of sermons and they will confirm that God leads them in preparation.  There are times when we may feel unworthy knowing that we do not have the insight or ability to prepare certain sermons or write Christian blogs.  Thoughts seem to appear all of a sudden.  I believe this guidance is something every Christian, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power, has available to them.

Revelation 12:9 tells us that Satan will deceive and lead the whole world astray.  We realize that Satan continually tries to interrupt God’s ministry but is limited by God as to what he can do.  I Peter 5:8 & 9 tells us that He is actively looking for people to accuse and attack.  He has deceived a lot of people into thinking self comes before everything else.

We are told that satanic forces look for Christians who are weak in faith and lack spiritual knowledge to reject Christ’s teachings.  Satan cannot be everywhere.  It is through his demons that his mission is to hinder in every way what God would like to see happen in the world.  We are told that in the end times we will be confronted by a beast, (Satan) who wants to be God, (the Antichrist) who wants to be Christ and, (a false prophet) who wants the power of the Holy Spirit to spread his religion.  We are warned in the New Testament that there is a powerful, evil spiritual army whose goal is to destroy the Jews and Christians.  We must also be very careful we are listening to the correct Spirit.  There are times when Satan tries to influence us.  It is important we recognize the difference.

Two often asked questions are: Must you talk in “tongues” to receive the Holy Spirit and do I believe that a person “Slain in the Spirit” is from the Holy Spirit?  When asked such questions I try to do as much research as possible before providing an answer.

In the early church and some churches today speaking in “tongues” was a very sought after gift.  Many times those speaking in “tongues” developed a certain spiritual pride.  Paul does not deny speaking in “tongues”.  However, he asks: “If I come to you and speak in “tongues” what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge?”  Paul uses the argument of “tongues” was meant for a hard-hearted and unbelieving people.  I Corinthians 14:20 – 22a – “Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.  It is written in the Scriptures: ‘I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners.  But even then, they will not listen to me,’ says the LORD.  So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers.”

I believe I Corinthians 14:18 – 28 – Is very clear that speaking in “tongues” is not a necessity.  In fact, Paul says that no one should ever speak in “tongues” in public unless there is someone who can interpret what the “tongues” is saying.  Paul says if an unbeliever were to enter a church where people are speaking in “tongues” they will think the congregation is out of its mind (or demonized).

For those not familiar with being “Slain in the Spirit” it is when a church holds an altar call and a minister puts their hands on a person’s forehead and the person falls over and they either become unconscious or remain conscious.  This is a much debated movement whether it is from the Spirit or of the Devil.  I believe it can be an emotional response or a demonic manifestation.

In my study of the Bible for more than 50 years I find no place that it talks or illustrates about being “Slain in the Spirit”.   Luke 10:17 – “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” Luke 10:20 – “But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” I am more inclined to believe what Scripture says in II Thessalonians 2:9 – “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,” The Bible gives many examples of false teaching to deceive people concerning demonstrations of spiritual power.

I Corinthians 12:8 – 10 – “To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” The Bible is very clear what gifts of the Spirit are given to Christians.  Just because you see or hear something seeming supernatural doesn’t necessarily affirm that it is from the Holy Spirit.  The Bible points out that the Devil, with his magic and supernatural powers, is the great deceiver.

Paul says that special gifts come from God and they were to be used in the ministry of the gospel.  Any believer could receive a gift.  In the early church healing occurred often as Paul wrote.  A Jew would go to a Rabbi rather than a doctor.  Greeks would go to their temple to be healed and sometimes were.  There is not the slightest doubt that people were healed through faith.  It could be of God or it could come from the Devil.  Possibly, faith to believe and a confident attitude could heal one’s body.  All healing, according to Scripture and history, was not always a result of the Holy Spirit in the early churches, synagogues and temples.  I believe that a person who was “Slain in the Spirit” and healed does not confirm that it was necessarily from the Holy Spirit.

My personal opinion is that I do not have the gift of speaking in tongues and I would not accept being “Slain in the Spirit”.  There is no doubt in my mind that I have been healed by the Holy Spirit, having had two times heart-bypass operations and having cancer.

Why I have been interested in the last days, as depicted in Scripture, is because I see things occurring that have been prophesized and are happening.  As I read that Iran and Russia have become allies for the first time in history I have become concerned.  As I studied Ezekiel chapters 36 through 39 it sounds like a war against Israel could breakout anytime.  Should that happen, Scripture says that God will destroy the armies and everyone will know that it was a “God Thing”.

Ezekiel 28:21 – 23 – “I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother.  I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.  And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

I recently read about the war in 1967 when Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Iraq attacked Israel. They had 2,000 tanks, 700 combat aircraft and had 1500 artillery pieces.  They had approximately 550,000 troops at that time.  Today Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon have 942,000 troops, 10,300 tanks, 1,150 combat planes and 5,600 artillery pieces. This does not include surface to air missile sites.   It does not account for the other Persian Gulf nations who are anti-semantic having weapon buildup.

If you are interested in God’s promises to the Jews to give them the land they now possess and how He plans to protect them it is very clear in the O. T. Book of Ezekiel chapters 36 thru 39.  Therefore, Israel’s war with the surrounding nations and Russia is just a matter of time.  Read these chapters, study the history of the 1967 war, see what is transpiring today and then wonder why anyone would doubt there is a God who foretold all of what would take place.

However, Scripture describes how blind people can be.  We are told of the time when God chose Moses to confront Pharaoh to free the Egyptian slaves.  The people were so hardhearted that no supernatural sign caused them to believe in a God or a need to repent.  When people allow evil to take over their hearts and lives, there is little chance they can understand or be changed. At the Day of Judgment everyone will have been given a chance to accept God and God’s ways but the majority will have refused to do so.  The devil is the great deceiver and most just could never grasp, accept prophecy or see the signs of God.  Satan and his emissaries have blinded the world.

If you follow current events you may be aware that Moscow has aggressively pursued political, economic and military ties to Iran in defiance of U.S. and European protests.  They have authorized the sale of nuclear technology to Iran.  They are in the process of training approximately 1,000 Iranian nuclear scientists and approved a billion-dollar arms deal with the latest high-tech arms and air defense systems.   Until March 21, 1935 Iran was called Persia.  The Russians had always hated the Iranians and the Iranians hated the Russians.  In the past, many believed the Bible was full of errors, as the two would never form an alliance against Israel or anyone else.

We read in Ezekiel 39:2 & 4 – “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him…..I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.”

Russia leads Iran, Turkey, Libya, Ethiopia and parts of Eastern Europe.  Magog is identified as Russia and Meshech is Moscow and Tubal is Tubalsk.  Consider Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia, seems to be in trouble politically and elections are coming up.  In the past, when heads of state are in trouble they start wars to defer the criticism.  Normally, countries do not vote people out with a war going on.  Could Russia and allies attack Israel prior to Israel bombing Iran to prevent that from happening?  Or, if Israel does bomb, maybe it happens afterwards?  This is the kind of world we are living in.  Anything is possible even though it doesn’t seem likely.

Also remember that Palestine was never a nation.  They last resided in Lebanon and they were forced out in 1920 and came to Israel’s covenant land.  One claim the Palestinians has is that they got there 28 years before Israel was mandated as a legitimate country.  The Palestine people were descendants of Abraham’s son Ishmael and Jacob’s brother Esau.  From Jacob came the twelve tribes of Israel.  To some degree Ishmael and Esau, descendents of Abraham, are fighting against their relatives that came from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.   This makes Jerusalem and the covenant land a vital part of each family’s heritage as both Ishmael and Esau were first born sons entitled to but lost their birthrights and the covenant land.  But other nations having a large population of Muslims want to destroy Israel to prove that Mohammed and the Quran are correct and Jesus and the Judeo/Christian Bible are not.  Muslims believe destroying Israel will allow the twelfth Imam, Mahdi to come back and rule the earth.   Whereas, we believe Jesus will come back to rule the world for a 1000 years.  Then there will be a new heaven and the new earth.  Our present earth will be destroyed by fire according to II Peter 3:7 – “By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

Before the war led by Russia and Iran against Israel begins, there must be a time of calm and the Jews must accumulate significant wealth.  Drilling deep below the seas off Israel’s coast, foreign energy companies are discovering gas estimated at five trillion cubic feet of proven reserves.  They also believe to have found, just recently, upward of a billion barrels of oil.  Is Israel like Iraq sitting on enormous oil reserves?  As we get into the war, Scripture will tell us the world’s armies would meet to fight for the spoils.  Isaiah 45:3 – “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”  Some believe the Bible indicates Israel will find one of the world’s largest oil and gas fields before the Messiah returns.

Based on information from Ezekiel, Russia’s influence will continue to increase among the Islamic world as the war against Israel nears.  Putin has been co-operating and supporting almost every middle-eastern Islamic nation to the detriment of the United Nations and the U.S.’s resolve to boycott Iran and force the closing of its nuclear facilities.  Despite international efforts to isolate Palestine’s Hamas party Putin is supporting them.  Putin has aggressively and systematically built alliances with the countries specifically cited in Ezekiel 38 & 39.  We need to watch as efforts intensify as to the time when Ezekiel’s vision comes to fulfillment.

Ezekiel’s war is not the end; it is only the beginning.  This will lead to the rise of the Antichrist and a period described in the Book of Revelation and the worst is yet to come.  The Antichrist will want to take over all of the oil-rich countries of the Middle East.  However, the nations of Asia will desire these countries just as much.  Out of all of this there is a one-world government and a one-world religion.  The Antichrist will promise peace to Israel and they will have it—for three and one-half years only.

Students of history who have studied the Civil War know that it was fought over whether to maintain or free the slaves.  Once the war was over, congress adopted the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.  On December 18, 1865 slavery was officially abolished.  All slaves were released from slavery.  What was unexpected, most slaves continued to work as if nothing had happened.  Their lives remained unchanged.  Why had freed slaves stayed as slaves to cruel owners?  In most cases they had no place to go.  There were few alternatives. How would they have supported themselves? Or, was it because of having a poor self-imagine and afraid of taking risks?  Self-worth can be developed at an early age and then most difficult to change as one grows older.

Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us that all were born into bondage and are slaves to sin.   (Romans 6:6 – “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”) Some Christians, once saved, continue to allow past sins to be their master.  There could be a number of reasons.  They feel unworthy, they continue to be negative, pessimistic and they live with little hope.  They have allowed Satan to steal their independence and remain as slaves to sin and negative self-imagines.

If we are not careful we could lose the next generations.  The world that grandparents were growing up in is quite different from what children are confronting today.  We are living in an electronic world.  Our young people are playing electronic games, twittering or watching TV.  What they watch on TV is often dramas that indicate that almost anything is acceptable and enjoyable.  It is indicated there are no consequences to sin, just don’t get caught.  Then I read polls indicating that those 13 thru 21 have little desire to become a Christian and want to live lives with few restrictions.  How do we get them to see the advantages of being Christians?  We certainly do not want them to grow up having a negative self-worth problem as most adults do today because of teenage addictions or having been permissive.

The majority of the world’s older population suffers from guilt and unhappiness.  The way we were raised, the teachers who taught us and the people we associated with have a tendency to develop who we are.  The things we heard, the way we were treated and the things we did all became a part of us.  How much baggage do we carry?  Did we feel accepted, were we praised or were we encouraged?   Words are powerful!  What we did, the things we said or what is said to us can make an impression and may affect who we are and how we behave as adults.

Some of us will say, it’s not my fault, if you knew what I went through you would understand why I am this way.  If you think you cannot change you are only fooling yourself.  As a child we may have felt rejected, unloved or even inadequate.  If not one or more of these occurred in your life, you may be one of a very few.  If we suffer from a sense of not belonging or we have a problem with feeling unworthy; we may suffer from a negative attitude or are hesitant to take risks.  We may need to start life all over again.  And that is a major reason God sent His Son that we might begin again as a new person.  Have we accepted His promises and have we gotten rid of the baggage that as Christians are holding us back from becoming a new person free from guilt?  We need to teach young people what we have learned and the importance of developing Christian principles at an early age.

II Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”  How many Christians do you know who have failed to become totally new?  Most believers have read Scripture, John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  To me this means if you believe in God’s promises, you can be set free from all of the baggage that anyone has   been carrying around.

From their own experiences and what they know, parents must share that the Holy Spirit can completely change a person’s life and their future can become more rewarding.  Look how many high school dropouts there are mainly because of having a poor self-worth.  We live in a world that requires skills to obtain better paying jobs.  Something must be done to change young people’s attitudes, behaviors or confidence or they will never improve and in the future they will not obtain their full potential. I believe God is selecting role models such as Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin as examples for young people to follow.  These are who kids should be watching and not those groupies from New Jersey.  The following is what God promises that will assure a positive adult life:

• 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.
• Ephesians 1:13 – The Holy Spirit will mark you with a seal to guarantee your redemption and salvation.
• 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 5:23 & 24 – The Holy Spirit will give us joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Instant gratification is not the answer.  Our future is not here on earth but heaven.  We are here for only a short time but eternity is forever.

We are told America is no longer a Christian nation.  However, the Gallup Poll tells us that out of a poll of 800,000, 78% claim to be a Christian.  However, only 43% say they attend regularly or weekly.  We realize that many are not honest when they are polled but we still believe more than 50% of Americans believe they are Christians.

The poll reported that 43% of Americans attend weekly.  Those living in Mississippi, 63% attend church weekly whereas; only 23% attend in Vermont.  Nevada’s attendance is 46^th in the nation at 30%.    The three west coast states and Nevada plus the northeastern states attendance is the worst.  Those who do attend 55% are conservatives and 27% are liberals. Ten percent more females attend church than males.     Those who are 65 and older, 53% attend and those 18 to 29 only 35% are church goers. It is believed that the closer one gets to death makes a person think a life change may be necessary.

Our churches, on an average weekend, have more than 1.5% of Las Vegas’ areas total population attend. On special occasions almost 2.5% are in attendance at one of our six related churches or satellites.  As the city grew so did our attendance.

Approximately 80% of Americans believe in heaven and 70% believe there is a hell.  The more educated and the wealthier, the less they feel a need to be church goers or believers in either God or life after death.  The 70% who believe in hell also believe in a devil.  Some believe hell is fire and brimstone and others believe hell is being without God and heaven.  Of those believing in a heaven 77% believe they are going there.  Why would 23% of those believing in a heaven and also believing in a hell not want to make preparations to be assured of going to heaven?  It would be like believing possibly many of those attending church, at least sometimes, need to make a commitment.  In case you may be wondering this may be why preachers offer prayers of acceptance to those having never asked for forgiveness and repented.

A number of years ago at a retreat a Ph.D in Theology shared with us that in most churches only about 20% of those in attendance make up the core of the church.  They tithe, play an active role in the church and they can be counted on when needed.  Then there are many who attend but are not truly committed as Christ teaches and it appears many do not live holy lives. If God or His Spirit commands them to do something they will ignore Him. They continue to do things they know God would not approve. They do not realize that sin causes negative consequences and if they do, they do not care.  If this is true, what does that mean?  It is like polls may say, more than 80% of Americans believe in God but how many have a personal relationship with Him and live holy lives?

What about the many, if we can believe statistics, who attend church who never get serious about living a holy life?  Do we take Scripture seriously that says: “Anyone who refuses to live by these rules (living a holy life) is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you”?  My concern is: are we allowing Christians to assume they are saved because they accept Christ but never followed through in allowing their lives to be spiritually changed?  We then have to ask, are we talking about working our way to heaven or are we saved by grace?  James tells us faith without works is dead. By our deeds we will be judged.  Therefore, is it not necessary to live holy lives?

How do we interpret 1 John 2:15? – “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Doesn’t that put a limit on how we are to live? Will the Holy Spirit be in the life of a person who does not have the love of the Father in them to live by His will?

I believe most Christians will agree we will be judged by our heart, our attitude, our relationship with God and our love for others.  It is my belief that we will see many in heaven that we do not expect and maybe more who we would expect, but will not be there.  There is only one judge and that is Jesus Christ.  But shouldn’t every Christian be taught what the rules are that we must live by or is that called meddling? Many new Christians have absolutely no idea what living a holy life means.  But, if the Holy Spirit is truly in them, their lives will progressively change because they will be sensitive to His leading.  If not, chances are there will be little or no change and they will continue to live as the world lives ignoring 1 John 2:15.