If you want to start a controversy, write about hell and who will be there and people will come out of the wood-work to make opposing remarks.  There is probably little else that will stimulate philosophical debate than this subject.

A recent survey stated that 10% of Americans did not believe there was life after death and 9% were not sure.  It shouldn’t surprise us to know that there are thousands of false teachers who are continually trying to persuade those who have never studied the Bible that they are teaching the truth when they say there is no Hell.  But are they correct?  The Bible states that when a person dies they will either go to Heaven or Hell.  But if you don’t believe the Bible you may believe anything.  For unbelievers, wouldn’t it be great if there was no punishment after death?  You could then be justified for living with no moral compass to guide you.  But if there is—then what?

We are told in I John 3:10 – “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”  Scripture says that to go to heaven we must be a child of God.  It also teaches the children of the devil, unbelievers in Christ, will go to Hell.  One of my favorite verses!  I John 3:24 – “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

When Christ was crucified He went from the cross to Sheol or Hell.  Matthew 12:40 – “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”  Those who died under the Old Covenant could not enter Heaven because the sacrificed blood of animals could not forgive their sins.  Sinners, not having been forgiven, could not enter the presence of God.

Christ, taking the thief on the cross beside Him went to Paradise where God’s people were being held.  All those who had been waiting temporarily in Paradise were forgiven of their sins by Christ and then ascended to Heaven.  Acts 2:34 – “For David did not ascend to heaven” John 3:13 – “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.”  Ephesians 4:8 & 9 – “This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?”

Paradise is no longer nor is there a Purgatory.  The Old Testament saints were sent to Heaven by Christ.  We believe Scripture says that Jesus descended into Paradise to release those saints who were waiting to enter God’s presence.  He then gave the gift of salvation to those still alive by grace through faith.  After Pentecost those having received the Holy Spirit, at death, goes to join those Old Testament saints in Heaven where Christ remains until His second coming.

We believe Hell will be filled with people who were never actively opposed to Jesus but who simply neglected the gospel.  They know the truth, they believe the truth and they acknowledge it and righteousness.  They understand the purpose of salvation but are not willing to commit their lives to Christ.  Most people are unaware and not intentionally do they realize they are headed for Hell.

John 5:39 & 40 _ “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” To reject Christ is to reject God.  Rejecting God is to reject the reason for our existence.  Life is to be lived as a test.  Those who accept God’s salvation will live with Him forever.  Those who reject receive God’s punishment.

In the Old Testament, angels brought to Moses laws that were binding and had to be obeyed.  Under these Old Testament laws a man who picked up wood on the Sabbath and deliberately defied the law of God could be punished with death.  (Numbers 15:30 – 36)  The more knowledgeable we are of the gospel the greater will be our punishment at the Day of Judgment if we deliberately defy our God and not commit our lives to Christ.  (Matthew 11:20 – 24)

Everyone who has been given much shall much be required and to those who have been entrusted with much, all the more will be required.  The person who knows and understands and believes the gospel, but drifts away from it, will experience greater punishment.  (Luke 12:46 – 48)

Those who will not go to Hell are those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior and live in obedience to His teachings.  The Scripture makes it very clear: If you do not meet this requirement you will miss Heaven.

Is your life under control?  So many people lack contentment in their lives.  They feel unworthy, they fear failing, lack purpose, have many unfulfilled needs, don’t get any breaks, feel inferior, lack knowledge and the list goes on.  As our world seems to be going through one crisis after another, so many are just financially holding on and many people are really struggling.  As a result they find little to be content about as they appear to have little control over what’s going on in their lives.

What do you need in life to make you content?  Could it be you really don’t know who you are?  Many times we become who our parents or others tell us we are!  Who do you depend upon to take care of you?  Is it the government when you retire?  Or, is it your employer’s pension, family or your personal investments?  Do you ever put God first on your list or does He come in last?  Here is what the Bible tells us: Philippians 4:11 – 13 – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength”

Contentment is an attitude! What is it we feel we must have, must be or what needs must be fulfilled before we can become content?  Is it our financial situation that will make us content?  Years ago I read Charles Wesley write: make all you can, save all you can and give all you can.  I have tried to do that and I believe the contentment came through giving.  You may think I am talking about giving big bucks.  Returning to God what He commands is not necessarily giving.  Giving can also be sharing with others.  It is having a servant’s heart.  As I previously stated, contentment is a result of having the right attitude. If that attitude comes from God and Scripture it makes a big difference.  How do you work with people?  Do you follow the “Golden Rule” and do unto to others as you would like to be treated?  Contentment can come from helping others become more successful.  It could be advising them how to correctly invest and save or many other ways.

We run into so many Christians who seem to have a very grumpy, negative disposition.  You just know they are not into their Bible. They still have their original worldly attitude.  When they received conversion they just kept the same old self-centered nature and never allowed the Holy Spirit to make them a new person.  When the Holy Spirit checks them, they just ignore Him.  They then wonder why God is not blessing them.  Why isn’t life giving them any breaks?  How come others are treated so much better?

I know of no one that from time to time hasn’t had problems.  Probably no one had more problems than the Apostle Paul as he wrote from maybe a prison dungeon.   He tells us he had to learn to be content.  He wrote in Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”  God knows every need you have and He is able to meet every one.  Don’t waste your blessing by having a worldly attitude and living as the world lives.  Begin believing that you can do all things through Christ who will give you the strength.  Then be content with what you have and make the best of it knowing the Holy Spirit was given to you to give you joy, peace and contentment.  Then if you still do not have it, maybe more time in Bible study will make a difference.  Every Christian can have contentment in their lives!  It certainly makes life easier to live when you are not frustrated and fussing, but content.

The world continues to push and mold us into their way of living.  For most, it is difficult to resist the pleasures that we see in the media and as we watch the worldly lives of others.  The more we know God and understand Him, the easier it is to resist the world’s temptations.  But that requires knowledge and that comes through study.  The more we study the Bible and the more we know about God the easier it is to live a Christian life.  Living a Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit and knowledge of what God expects, is almost impossible.  God said in Hosea 4:6a – “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge.”  Are you at risk because of a lack of knowledge?

God does not give us a step by step plan as to what we are to do in life.  However, He is in complete control of what happens in our lives and we know that He wants our total dependence on Him.  Many times we learn more from our failures than we do when everything is going well.  We can assume from Scripture that when bad things happen, God allowed it for a reason.  Take the Life of Joseph, 13 years before his troubles were over and he received the 2^nd highest political office in Egypt.  It took the Israelites 40 years to go eleven miles.  Then there was Job.  It was all for learning lessons, controlled and allowed by God.

Romans 8:5 – 7 – “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”  We can allow our sinful natures to control who we are or we can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  A person unaware of this fact and has not accepted Christ as their Savior and allows the Holy Spirit to guide them, die both a physical and spiritual death.

We are living in the end times and they are trying.  Matthew 24:7 – “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”  God, through Noah, warned those that they had better change their way.  They refused and the end came.  Many believers and non-believers live as if things will always exist as they are now.   All we have to do is look at the world going through financial crises and governments who have promised entitlements they can no longer keep.  The Bible teaches that we are to rely and trust God—not man or governments.   Without Biblical knowledge as to how we are to live, the world’s ways can corrupt and bankrupt us.

Scripture that has been very helpful to me is Romans 7:17 – 20 – “As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

Are there times when it seems nothing good lives within you and being a Christian is too restrictive?  Why is it that we still continue to do things we know are wrong? Without the help of the Holy Spirit, sin can be stronger than we are.  Do you find times when you feel unable to defend yourself against temptations even though the Holy Spirit is checking you? We may have good intentions but our self-centered, carnal nature can still control us at times.  God knows what is happening and He can either stop or allow it.

Scripture teaches in I Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  It tells me when bad things happen I am not to complain to God but give thanks for Him being with me through all my troubles.   No matter what we face we are to give thanks, remain joyful and pray continually. These are commands and may be against our natural inclinations, but they are to be followed.  Prayers should not fluctuate with our circumstances.  The more Biblical knowledge we have, the more we understand God and the easier it is to live a spirit-filled life.  And just maybe—fewer problems to face!

Let me define the meaning of a God thing.  A non-believer would call it a coincidence.  When you can’t explain something very unusual happening a believer might call it supernatural or divine intervention.

Our senior minister, his assistant and I were at a Christian leader’s retreat about 14 years ago.  A person asked: “How do you explain what is happening in Las Vegas building a 150,000 sq. ft. church”?  The senior minister said: “Don, why don’t you answer it”?  I said: “I can’t describe it; it is just a God thing.”  From then on, anytime I felt or sensed divine intervention, I would tell my family, a God thing happened today.  One example, every time I went to a meeting I went through eight-stop lights.  I was lucky if four were green.  I was running late for a meeting and all eight were green and I was on time.  Our whole family would begin telling situations that they believed were: “It’s a God thing”.  We then began looking each day to see if any “It’s a God thing” happened that day.  It is amazing how many things we began noticing and praising God.  Want to build you faith?  Try it!

Let me start at the beginning and tell you about the latest “God thing”.  Saturday evening after church services I felt pressure on my chest.  My family took me to the hospital and that evening an angiogram procedure was performed.  They insert in your body so they can take a picture of our heart and its blood vessels to see if there is any blockage.  There was but it was thought it could be cleared with a new drug.  I was in bed for six hours and told not to move, given the new drug and sent home.  Last Monday it became more severe and an ambulance took me to the emergency room.  This time they did an angioplasty.  It is a technique where a very small inflatable shaped balloon is used to clear an artery.  They did that and left stents to keep the arteries open.  You may ask: “What makes that a God thing?”  Let me start at the beginning.

We lived in a rural area on about three acres.  We had a small barn with a cow, goat, chickens and ducks.  We had no electricity or running water.  I had a very close relationship with my father as I followed him everywhere he went.  He worked in a mill a few miles from home.  He got sick, went to the hospital and died when I was six years old.  From that point on just looking at a hospital scared me to death.  Two things I refused to do for many years were to enter a hospital or go to a funeral.  It wasn’t until my wife started having babies that I could walk in without fear.  For some reason I just couldn’t shake the unpleasantness of entering a hospital.

In 1984, as I was leaving the store I had to walk up a set stairs to get to my car.  I felt this heavy pressure on my chest.  The next day I went to work and it had gotten worse.  I went to the doctor and then immediately to the hospital.  That evening I had four-bypasses done and without any fear whatsoever.  I had had a major heart attack.

Years later I had another angiogram, then an angioplasty.  A few years later I had another angiogram and then an angioplasty.  Each time there was absolutely no fear.  As an elder in our church there were times I was asked to go to a hospital to pray for a sick person.  That uneasiness as I entered the hospital wouldn’t go away.

In 2005 I had a massive heart attack and was not expected to live according to what my cardiologist told my family.  They operated and within two weeks I was back working part-time.  They told me my heart was working at about 10% capacity now it 35%, a God thing.  While I was in ICU there were as many as twelve elders and friends surrounding my bed praying for me. They too knew my chances of living were slim.  At no time did I ever doubt that God was with me and there was absolutely no fear at anytime.  Practically every day since I have walked and do exercises to stay in good health.

Between the times I have been in the hospital I have had almost perfect health except for a rare cold. There have been no physical limitations I have had to endure.  Hopefully, you can see why I believe this was another “It’s a God thing”. Two days after the angioplasty I feel I am almost back to normal as I write.

You will read this and say this is all about Don.  But hopefully you can see divine intervention and it is intended to give God all of the glory.  You have no idea how much closer I have come to Him when I go through these medical things.  My faith is sky high and I doubt if it would have been except for the times in the hospital.  I used to wonder why so many Christians had so many medical problems.  If He wants to draw us closer to Him, He may be allowing these situations to take place.  I can assure you; you come out a better person having relied on God for better health than when you were going in.

This is my 276^th blog.  To read more go to www.agodthing.wordpress.com

January 2001 President Bush established, by executive order, compassionate conservatism to provide funding to faith-based and community organizations. Its purpose was to provide federal funding for social services to areas of need.  President Obama renamed it the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  U. S pastors have been called to become a part of a “Clergy Response Teams” to placate and control citizens of the U. S. in the event of local and national emergencies.  They are also being asked to push global warming, climate change and green initiatives on America’s churches.  We are being told the faith-based organization is being used more to spread his environmental warnings rather than helping churches and others feed the hungry and clothe the poor.

Romans 13:1 – 5 – “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”

I have always believed the above Scripture that stated “The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  Whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.  It has been brought to my attention some of the religious changes administrations hve made and I question if these verses above were correctly interpreted. It seems there are theologians that do not believe this is what Paul truly meant.

For example,   Acts 5:20 – “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”

I Samuel 8:4 – 9 – “So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, ‘You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.’ But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.  And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.  As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.  Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

My question is: Does God allow someone to be president knowing that it would not be best for that country?  Under Hitler, Stalin and others is it true: “The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  We know that God has established marriages as well as government hierarchy.  We know he does not necessarily pick out who we shall marry or who would be the best dictator.  If a nation chooses a bad ruler we realize God may have just allowed it.  Reading God’s reply to Samuel, if a nation has rejected and forsaken God, will He not let them do whatever they want?

If we believe the Faith-Based Organization is not being used for its intended purpose should ministers feel obligated to participate?  Just what is our obligation to any administration that we feel is not seeking God’s guidance and is rejecting Him?  I happen to believe we have had more that have rejected God than have submitted to His guidance.

Have we misinterpreted Scripture in regard to our obedience to Government?  Keep in mind God established governments to institute rules and regulations for the good and security of its people.  Biblically he gave the guidelines for all governments to follow, but most often they are ignored.

A CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Rick Warren in his book,”The Purpose Driven Life” gave five basic principles to follow as Christians.  Following is my interpretation:

1. To worship god and develop a relationship with Him.
2. To love and fellowship with other believers in our community.
3. To know Christ and become like Him.
4. To serve God through the church.
5. To become a minister for Christ and share the Gospel.

Our carnal nature is to be selfish and self-centered.  We are told by God that He will meet our every need if we have a right relationship with Him.  That means we are to focus upon Christ and develop the mind of Christ.  If we are obedient and living according to God’s will we can become spiritual to a point. We can trust God to answer our prayers and meet our needs.  It is possible that in many cases God may not answer a prayer that we can obtain for ourselves.  Don’t expect something from God if you can get it yourself and are just too lazy to work for it. God does not operate like the government! He is not after your vote just you, your love and a growing relationship.

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Over the years I have learned so much from the experiences and faith of others.  It makes a difference who our friends are.  Others tend to influence what we think and who we become.  Be spiritual and positive and fellowship with others who have the same values and believe spiritually as you do.

II Corinthians 4:4 – indicates Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

We were created in the image of God and He wants us to become like Him.  Christ came to show us what God expected.  If we are not developing the mind of Christ we are not growing spiritually.

There is something about serving in the church that fulfills a person spiritually.  I have always felt it was like playing in the game not just sitting on the bench.  The excitement comes from being a participant.  To become like Christ I believe it means to take an active part in His church.  We need to be more than a fan.  We must become a player.  However, there are limitations on some that will not permit them to be too active.  However, they can become vital by being an encourager and showing up to support those who are volunteering and participating.

This weekend’s sermon, by Mike Foster, was entitled, “Rescued to be a Rescuer”.   Made me think: We have been saved for a purpose and how important is it, as a Christian, to share the Gospel? That does not mean we must be a preacher or an evangelist.  Spreading the gospel means talking to our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  Better yet, it means living the example set by Christ.  Being overly religious can turn many people off.  I have found that the Holy Spirit always opened the door when I was to witness.  Don’t become preachy, just tell them the difference after having accepted Christ as your Savior and what it meant in your life.  When you accepted Christ you accepted responsibilities.  Mark 13:10 – “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.”  Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

No one has evidence as to the reason God decided to destroy all of earth’s population with the exception of Noah and his family other than the world was full of evil.  However, things are happening today that gives a possible motive. What I will be covering I imagine most of you have never heard about.  In fact the more secretive the better as some Satan inspired scientists aren’t ready to share what they propose.  What they plan to do is different from cloning.

It is believed that falling angels, “the sons of God”, from heaven came and changed the genes of humans and animals.  God had told Adam and Eve that if they ate of the tree they would die.  Possibly meaning if they had not eaten the fruit they could live forever.  We have scientists who believe they can change humans through genetic engineering by the applications of nanotechnology, biotechnology, cognitive science and eliminate aging.  We have people studying the potential benefits and dangers that could overcome human limitations and how to overcome ethical concerns.

It is called “transhumanism” and it supports people and their children in having their minds, memories, physical appearance and stature’s modified.  If you want your son to play football a few changes in redoing his genes and he can become a giant.  Or would you like an eight foot plus agile basketball player?  The Old Testament says that divine men from heaven came and mated with earthly women and giants were produced.  Did they cause the world, under Satan’s direction, to become transhumanized, corrupt and changed the souls God intended men and women to have?

We also are led by mythology to believe that in some cases there were half men and half horse or half men and half goat.  Today we have sheep that have been cloned, food that has had its DNA changed.  It appears we have a number who believe neurotechnologies will become acceptable to society.  Won’t most want to change their appearance to that of a movie star, their memory and their bodies? Wouldn’t this create fear that some enhancements could create unfair physical or mental advantages to those who can afford the process against those who would refuse?

We realize that humans have continually tried to change their appearance and bodies through physical fitness programs.  Most try to change their minds through schooling and constant studying. Can we become transformed to the point we are no longer human by changing our DNA?  Would we as a society become more violent and have aggressive behaviors as possibly happened during Noah’s time?  Or is it possible that we could have complete control over our emotions, particularly jealousy and anger, which I doubt?

When I read that one scientist believed they could change one’s soul, I thought; this is something Christians would want to object, because it sounds more satanic than God’s recent gift for humans.  Do they believe they can make a person into their own god?  Would you have a world of arrogant people with little fear and complete confidence?  Do we just ignore what God has created and believe we can do a better job?  I vote no against transhumanism!

If it is possible to make human enhancements today, could this be what happened during Noah’s time and people had become so violent, without a God-given soul, that they had to be destroyed?  Does this sound like something God would have approved men of doing?  Then came the rainbow to assure us we would never have another flood. God knew in the future, the world ends before we need to be destroyed as a result of transhumanism.  Just in case, let’s make sure it’s progress is stopped. At least now you know about it.

Matthew 24:37 – ” As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”