8-11-07 CRITICAL DATETHE STATE AND NATIONAL GAMBLING/GAMING COMPANIES WILL SEE IF THE BIBLE BELT(including WV) IS GETTING SOFTER ON GAMBLING. MANY POLITICIANS HAVE JUMPED ON THE GAMBLING/GAMING BAND WAGON WITH THE PROMISE OF JOBS, TOURISTS, AND TAXES. POLITICIANS ARE SAYING ITS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. NOTE CHARLESTON, WV, MAYOR, DANNY JONES: "This is a chance for the people of Kanawha County to bring 1,000 new, good-paying jobs to our community." The wealthy Mr. Jones has shown himself to be a gambling supporter.
The idea is more gamblers (men to play gambling tables, besides the women addicted to the slots and shops), more money into the hands of the operators/casinoes and more taxes for county and state. The secondary gains promised/expected are funds for more public services, for pensions, for old/senior programs, etc. To hear the mayor, casino operator, and other politicians it's a win/win opportunity for the improvement of the community.
They are spending money sending forth this propaganda in the mail, with signs on the highway, large regular newspaper ads with more to come. This is a Madison Ave., NY, ads type promotion. They want to win badly because other people's money can be gotten through THE SIN OF COVETEOUSNESS. See Exodus 20.
THE BODY OF CHRIST AND FRIENDS IN KANAWHA COUNTY HAVE NEVER BEEN OFFERED A MORE CRITICAL TIME TO SEND THE DEVIL WALKING WITH A SIMPLE NO VOTE. WE MUST VOTE THIS TIME FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH.
Let's bring Jehovah/Lord/God back into the proposition/picture. VOTE AND VOTE NO. hlw
RIGHT OR WRONG
Is gambling right or wrong? Is gaming with money to be lost or won, gambling disguised under a playful term?
How many compulsive gamblers play games/gamble with their money at Tri-State
Gaming " Store"? Is it 5,000 from around Kanawha County who play/gamble 3 or 4 times a week? So, someone may say 17,000 people play/gamble out there each week. And then some politicians tell everybody, who'll listen, that setting up tables by the dozens and hundreds and building hundreds of rooms, more money and business will flow into the area.
You see, many politicians think/say, more people are interested in lying around in rooms and standing or sitting at gaming/gambling tables than touring wild wonderful WV.
Do these politicans really believe the People of America are more interested in winning/getting the money of their gaming/gambling opponents than touring West Virginia or any place else?
Their model for this reasoning: see how people gather in the desert of Nevada to gamble/ play games with money and to be with sensuous show girls.
. These politicians need to wake up, "GET RIGHT" and resign, very quickly. Or, they may have us all throwing our hard earned money into the gambling/gaming pit. . Some deceivers have secret plans for our money and souls. HLW
INSPIRE, INFORM, INFLUENCE
If it's worth saying or writing, it needs to do one or all of these. Inspiration helps us to keep our thoughts and goals of life clearly in view as attainable. Information helps us and others understand the problems, obstacles, and challenges of reaching our goals. Influence gets our accomplishments and clear aspirations into the understanding and interests of other people who will join us if we invite them.
Jesus Christ provides my basic inspiration by His life and Word. The written Word is my daily source of primary information for living. The Holy Spirit comforts and influences me with unction and confirmation of the true purpose of God the Father for my life.
This is not merely for me or a few people, it is for everyone who trusts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. We are a socially involved people. We have family, church, friends, and others close or far who become part of our world. So, I believe that the internet is a great tool to inspire, inform, and to influence
MORE IN DEBT (gambling public)
Tennesse Ernie Ford had a hit song about coal miners with the words: "I Owe My Soul to the Company Store." It went: "sixteen ton, another day older and deeper in debt." Now, a new song is waiting to be written: "I just cast my last dollar and maxed my credit card at the gambling store." Crooks, a long time ago, learned that their best way to get into the pockets of both men and women was to open a gambling store whether legal or illegal. The FBI spent time and funds in the past century chasing these crooks from one side of the nation to the other.
I like the song: "All that thrills my soul is Jesus." He is always real to me. Nobody needs the fleeting thrill of gambling wins or the frequent loser's cry.
Politicans often do fall into the same frame of mind as gambling store owners. "Give them (the public) a little thrill of winning/getting (so called pork monies) someone else's money and they'll come again and again (vote for you) to support their lustful cravings."
"Riches gotten from fools make you a fool. You'll laugh your way to the bank, and then maybe cry in hell." You have made money/mammon your god.
One last thought: is not the general public (you and I) implicated in current governmental gambling schemes to get more monies through the lottery system's office of gambling operations and oversight? Think about it.
SOUL, SPIRIT, BODY
These three parts make up each human being. Put together they make each person unique. There is no one else just like you. Whenever a person is conceived, by the union of his/her parents, God's plan for growing the human race is again repeated. By this we see the sanctity of marriage and the home of a father and a mother.
Whenever people fail to respect this plan of Jehovah/God, our creator, chaos and dishonor of human life results, marriages fail or are avoided, and the killing of an unborn child may happen, which defiles the lives of those persons involved.
See Gen. 2-5, Ex. 21, Mt. 19, Mk. 9, Eph. 5.
NEW RELIGION
A certain new zealous but small group of promise making evangelists is winning important converts: mayors, county commissioners, police and fire chiefs, newspaper editorial writers and more who are coming/going out in support of gambling/gaming expansions. Many of our political leaders, including the governor, got this new religion earlier and promised to make more student scholars with lottery funds, while increasing the number of students entering WV colleges and universities. This move won many new converts. Now the same method/idea is being focused upon getting into the pocket monies of pleasure seekers from across the country/nation to come and empty their pockets here in WV counties at our new casinos, while staying at our new hotels, eating at our many restaurants, and shopping in our towns and stores, maybe even visit our capitol, parks, theaters, and who knows what? Possibly they'll stay a week and go to a church or synagogue. But not any Mosque, because Muslims are more into their own religion and don't gamble.
It had been the "old time" religion which reigned all around WV; a religion of hard work, love and spend on your family, go to church faithfully and love the Lord. Now it's the new religion of finding an easy way to empty the money pockets of those who have money or credit to support an easier life of comfort for a sick and drugged people.
Yes, and those people who might want to really work for a living can find work, building and maintaining the new casinos, hotels, restaurants and shops. But then, forget about the many counseling jobs to aid the addicted and poorer people who lost their way-home money. They can't afford a counselor or to buy a meal or ticket back home.
In time, homeless shelters will boom. And just maybe, WV will join the greatest pleasure finding destinations in the eastern part of good Ole USA, the whole country, and the world.
Heavenly Father, help!
DEATH OF JERRY FALWELL
Although, I cannot remember having personally met or spoke to brother Falwell, I believe he was every preacher's friend. I marvel at the great work the Lord Jesus Christ has done through him. Through many, the vision of brother Falwell will continue. Several preachers have made strong and consistent witness to millions of people in the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my lifetime. Brother Falwell stands with a special few who have served in an exceedingly significant way. HLW
AS IT IS!
Satan continues to fail; what he offers doesn't satisfy or bring blessings of the Lord. What he does hinders and deceives. Where he leads is not where you should want to go. Currently in his world system everything is in chaos; with murder, hatred and corruption abounding. Note the communistic governments, the Moslim/dictator governments/societies, and the democratic governments.
Wherever you look there is division and strife. Homosexuals, Moslims, criminals of all kinds want to gain control of towns, states and nations. They will enslave, corrupt, and loot the people.
The major need is obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every home and nation.
Christians must pray for one another and for our leaders, Christian or not Christian; and for those in dangerous protective work activities including our military personnel. Editorial by HLW
DISCOVERY CHANNEL REMAINS OF JESUS SHOW 3/2007
The evidence presented in this show is faulty to the extreme and spiritually vain. The historical record of eye witnesses is clear on the empty tomb and the absence of Jesus Christ of Israel's remains; His being alive, not dead, via the promised resurrection as the Christ of Israel, is without any dispute, for He lives today in heaven with the Father, and on earth in His visible body the Church.
Of course every other man named Jesus who lived before and after Jesus Christ of Israel lived and arose/ascended, has died and was buried. Their remains may be found in archaeological diggings.
WORD AND WORLD
God's word is pure, faithful, without defeat or becoming empty. It shall never fail or be made void. But, where the world's word claims validity and profitableness, it is weak and phony. Yet, people choose to accept the world's false claims rather than follow Jesus Christ and our Father Jehovah.
Consider politics and government rule. In the USA, national and state/local, those chosen as leaders, try to offer services and support for the perceived public well being and comfort. Governments always need more funds to carry out these services including protective, educational, recreational/pleasure and restful healthful services.
Governments promise more than they can deliver. Yet, the government has become godlike to the public. People look to the government for almost everything. This is an idolatry of ignorance.
Finding funds is a main concern to socialistic political leaders. Where do they find funds? They raise taxes, fees, and turn to gambling schemes. So, they sap the public into providing the funds for failing services. For example, public education always needs more funds for salaries, supplies or supervision. Far more is promised than is achieved.
Senior citizens are dubbed into supporting more and more gambling programs, run or supervised by the state, for tax proceeds and more jobs. Where is God consulted or followed? We give Him lip services but go the world's way.
Without self control, and responsible lawful living by individuals the government becomes confused and ineffective. Public clamorings/riotings, racial/clanist gang fightings and culture war flare. There is more changing of leaders and finally civil government breaks up.
Only true revival and a repentant return to God and His Word among the people will relieve the governmental quagmire.
THE POPULAR CHURCH
In the USA belonging to a church is considered a mark of standing. This is because most people claim to believe in God and a church is associated with belief in God. But many people caught up in lawlessness or perversion don't think of themselves as godless.
Women and men caught up in aborting unborn babies may not consider themselves outside the church. Many times they have attended a church or belong to some church.
Why is church membership or giving to church sponsored activities and causes not resulting in righteous dedicated Christian living and awesome honoring of life, whether in the womb or out?
Homosexuals become members and church workers, including becoming a pastor, while openly unashamedly practice same-sex relations. Church members ignore and approve.
This fact is spoken of in the Bible as the falling away from the purity and holiness required of God into apostasy and spiritual revolt.
See Romans chapter one, I Cor. chapter 6:9-10. Effeminate in verse 9 is the Greek word "malakos" meaning soft as in homosexual males. This meaning is given further emphasis with the Greek word for abusers with themselves "arsenokoitai", men bedding down men. This would be the same sin with women bedding down for sex with women.
Pray that these practicing sinners will understand the vanity and folly of their lives even as others who practice fornications and condemned unholy sin.
Consider this, the most morally stained positions of life in the USA are thought by many to be political positions. Every area of basic morality and law keeping has been stained repeatedly by politicians, many of whom are lawyers. The professional politician is particularly susceptible and vulnerable to corruption.
EASY SIN! HARD RESULTS!
We should not be surprised about how easy it is to sin (miss-a-mark, error, proneness to sin) "harmartia" Gk. as individuals in this world of sinful disregard of Jehovah/God, who is holy and pure in being. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God in spite of knowing God's commandment. They received just penalty for their sin: death, in loss of open fellowship with God in pure joyful bliss and love. They became fearful of meeting God in their shame. This day, people continue to avoid God and His full presence in their hearts and lives. The reason is: their sins stand between them and God. We people, without the Holy Spirit of God in our lives, are spiritually dead, and, physical death becomes a dark hole of fearfulness.
We need to confess our sin and faults before God and man, while asking Jesus Christ to cleanse us from our sins -- while granting to us His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be our comforter, teacher and guide into the loving pure service of our Heavenly Father and to each other.
We ask eveyone to join us in sharing God's gifts of full and final salvation, now and forever, as found in Jesus the only true Christ.
TODAY AND TIME
For me time moves fast. I think life is passing by so rapidly that it won't be long before I'm finished with living in this world. Where does that bring me? Very soberly I want to live longer and fulfill God's plan for my time here in the best way possible. That way means that Christ Jesus has my life in His hands by my faith in Him as my Lord who is bringing to pass the full completion of Father God's will for all time and eternity.
WAR NEWS
We continue to get reports of savage killings in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere including Africa, fermenting around hatred and false religious teachings from murderous leaders. Islamic imams claim to be following the mandate of Mohammed as they read the Koran. Unless these men repent, their eternal world will be turned upside down; no paradise or blissful rest. Pray for these enemies of God/Jehovah that they will awake to call of Jesus Christ before their destruction falls upon them. Pray that the greatest pressure of mind and spirit will crash down upon them like the collapsing walls of Jericho. Every Christian must enter into this battle with fervent pray and participation with the full armor of God. I believe we can save masses of Moslems and others from the grave OF hell's end.
We must separate ourselves from foolishness and mockery by those who lack Holy Spirit directed Christian understanding and stable character.
COMMUNITY AND POLITICS
Politics: governments can't do and should not do what you can do for yourself (socialism is as bad as good); politicians should not be in the same office more than three or four terms; taxes should be limited so that people can have more spending power; our homes should not be taxed; schools should be chosen by the parents not by the government, non-government schools should be supported by tax exemptions to the parents; there should be basic requirements of subjects for all schools, and taught by certified teachers who have proven command of the subject material. Schools should be allowed to join together for extra curricular activities; i,e. sports, music, religious programs, etc. People should deal with their own basic needs and support themselves and families. The handicapped, widows and homeless children should be the concern of the churches as a first social welfare priority.
Today's local newspaper had a two page ad sponsored by the county school system. Everything looked appealing from all the pictures of happy faces in classrooms, school functions, and numerous school events. But absent was the most important of all activities: Christians in a group picture of devotion and prayer together at a school in a government run school system. Want to fight the ACLU? THEN LET'S GET OPEN STUDENT SCHOOL GROUP PRAYER AND DEVOTION MEETINGS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY DURING SCHOOL HOURS WITH STUDENTS FREE TO ATTEND AND TO INVITE OTHERS.
My impression of President Bush, the Republicians and the Democrats is: he has tried his best, with and without their help. We are still safe, we have good credit as a country, we have a sometimes open and sometimes hidden enemy who wants us down and out by terrorism and death. We are not helping ourselves, as much as everyone should, both individually and cooperatively, by living godly clean lives. WAY TOO MUCH CREEPY ACTIVITY IS GOING ON and is unexposed or overlooked and tolerated. We need to do the truthful and right thing, even when it is risky, unpopular and perilous. Cowards and the fearful lose and go to Hell according to the Bible.
HOMOSEXUAL INTRIGUE
Ted Haggard has been accused of involvement with a homosexual body builder male masseur. A homosexual, Mr. Jones, says Haggard used the name "Art" in calling for his services and involvement including the selling of meth to Haggard. Haggard admits to the receiving/buying of meth which he alleges he received/purchased but did not use. Haggard also vehemently denies any homosexual activity, but has resigned as the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and has stepped down from pastoring the 14,000 member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., until the Church does a complete investigation.
According to news releases, Jones has failed a polygraph on the issue of homosexual involvement with Pastor Haggard. Behind all this is the issue of a homosexual marriage admendment to state law in Colorado, which is on the ballot in Colorado, for vote on Tuesday Nov. 7, 2006..
I'm pursuaded that a homosexual is an infected person from contact with another homosexual in time past. Maybe in very early life. This perversion is pervasive and men and women can get hooked on it as a convenient way for sensually pleasurable sex.
Generally, homosexuals have shown little ability to regulate the number and ages of their victims or companions. They find victims at any and many social gatherings or places where people of their own sex are present, such as toilets, park benches, shopping malls, bars and restaurants. It is now estimated that 3% of the population is fully homosexual. That has grown in recent times. The factors behind this include the aggressive campaign by organized homosexuals to get full acceptance of this perversion by society. Look at the effort and its success: gay bars, college homosexual clubs, public school clubs, textbooks and classes on sexual identity promoting public acceptance of homosexuals as god created or natural homosexuals who are male and female organed persons with a psychic/mental drive for same-sex relationships.
Where will this national state of the Union lead when even the vice president of the USA has a daughter who is an open lesbian? Although I've never accepted any advances by a homosexual, as a male before marriage and after my marriage I've seen their creepy ways and methods of seeking victims. They work churches, choirs, schools, toilets etc. The latest thing is same-sex marriage which gives a public and lawful approval of their relationships. Many, if not most, homosexuals, male or female, support the marriage idea for legal reasons. They can't be prosecuted by law or it would be harder to prosecute them. plus they legally can demand benefits: employment, medical, retirement, etc. Therefore, I think that it is imperative to pass laws which make homosexuals register as homosexual offenders whenever they are arrested in toilets, or any public place for seeking homosexual victims, while making it unlawful to advertise for homosexual victims, either male or female.
People, wake up before it's too late. This creepy lifestyle is like the serpent in the garden of Eden enticing anyone and everyone.
The ban on homosexual marriage passed in Colorado. Pastor Haggard has admitted to lying and immorality. Now, what? Pastor Haggard is on the right path of repentance and renewal. His church will learn the deeper things of Christ and His will for His Church/Body. Christ's true Church is not easily found in some of our church groups. We can have great music, dramatics, skilled teachers, moving emotional display and pleasing messages but still be easy prey for Satan to deceive. Note the names of morally failing preachers/ministers in the past twenty years.
Most of these failing ministers admit to pride as being at the core of their failures. It is the same in combination with various lusts with other failing Christians. We need to put on and keep on the total armor of God.
When we do this we will never fall ("ptaio" Gk. to fall, stumble). See Eph. 5,6; 2 Peter 1:3-11.
REAL ISSUES
Today there continues to be discussion and position taking on Bible translating and the reliability of translations. Some strongly view the 1611 Authorized King James English Version as the only true and fully faithful translation worthy to be called the authoritative Word of God. These Christians appear to reject preaching/ministering from any other English translations.
While the 1611 translation and the last revised edition of 1769, is beautifully written in "high" English, it does not rest upon all of the more recent sources for accurate, literal translation, with many words failing to convey the complete understandable meaning of ancient texts in today's American/English; i.e, the words "conversation", "flesh", "world", "Ghost", need clarification from the 1611 into today's definitions. Obviously, trying to hold off any more updating/revisions after 1769, is indefensible. Among the recent English translations of the Greek and Hebrew I like the NIV, and NKJV.
Every minister/teacher ought to consult and study the Greek and Hebrew texts in preparing their teachings, and not blank out such a serious study, along with a thorough study of other English translations of the Bible.
Again, there is no need for divisiveness over the KJV AND THE SOURCES USED IN ITS TRANSLATION as opposed to MORE UP-TO-DATE TRANSLATIONS; with the addition of newer sources from the archeological findings of more recent times, plus newer current words/wording instead of old English wording, there is just cause and clear need for up-to-date translations such as the NIV. And this, not only into the English language, but also into other languages of the people of the world. The orginal Hebrew and Greek must be our main sources of translation into any and all languages.
A true student/scholar does not change text/words in order to satisfy denominational or theological stances. Finally, the Holy Spirit is the One who is given the inspirational work of the Godhead to both give the Scripture and to interpret the Scripture. The Holy Spirit always gives to the believer the correct understanding and guidance from God the Father and Christ Jesus the Son, and this never contradicts but confirms the written Word.
CREEPS
The dictionary defines creep as a slang expression for an unpleasant person. An unwholesome behaving person, male or female, impresses as a creep. Creepish behavior is being tolerated as acceptable for all people. male and female. Yet, it is outlandish behavior, both on the surface, in public, or behind the door, whether practiced by a school teacher, public official, politician, preacher, priest, religious worker, police, other kinds of government workers, and by the general public. More and more people in the USA are being found out as creeps by their deeds of deceitful, perverse behavior. Perverse behavior cannot be dressed up as wholesome and normal under any disguise.
ISRAEL AND TODAY'S WARS, A LOOK TO JOEL'S PROPHECY
Jehoshaphat means the Lord/Jehovah judges or will judge. The valley of Jehoshaphat (Kidron valley?), speaks of God's judgment upon all nations with great wrathful justice. This would include unbelieving, Jesus rejecting Jews who are referred to as the synagogues of Satan, note Rev. 3:9.
The nation of Israel today includes such synagogues, mixed with others;i.e. Christian churches and Muslim Mosques. There are Jews and non-Jews who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord living in Israel today. The majority of Jews in Israel and around the world strongly rejects Jesus as THE Christ of Israel. Note, the comedian Jackie Mason's recent suit against "Jews for Jesus". I have known Jews who have accepted Jesus. But, many are very difficult to talk with about Jesus as Messiah.
While today's Israel is a pain of controversy and struggle with much hatred against it, God is in charge and the Body of Christ marches on towards the victory of Christ Jesus and His return for His Body the Church, Mt. Sion, the Holy New Jerusalem, the Bride. As an outcome of the present struggle of the nation of Israel, while mainly unbelieving, there will be more pain and war. I believe God's hand is working to reveal to misguided Islamic people their poverty of false beliefs and that their fears of Jews and Christians are baseless. Jews and Moslems need Jesus Christ.
I believe O. T. prophecies point to Jesus as our all in all regardless of our race, family, etc. We are united; the wall of separation between us and God is down through Christ. Unrepentant sinners who reject Christ Jesus will be judged in the valley of Jeshosaphat, the valley of decision/judgment.
No nation or people can escape. Only those on whom the Holy Spirit is come with cleansing power will stand the fire of judgment, Joel 2. Today's events reflect God's continued dealings with all nations and Israel. Unbelieving Israel continues to burden the world. Israel, as Jewish people, continues to be shown before the whole world as the only race of people of all races which Jehovah raised up from Abraham's trusting faith in God's word, (sometimes weak faith).
Da Vinci Code (Dodo=flightless extinct bird )
Mr. Dan Brown, the writer/author of this piece of fallacious fiction, is far away out of bounds. And the soon to be released movie promises to follow the same line without allowing any sound refutation from Biblical scholars on the factual issues of the life of Jesus Christ. Unbelievers are without wont to see Jesus as the One promised who was sent into the world by the power of the Holy Spirit through the virgin birth, as recorded in the Scripture, alone with His power revealing life, death and resurrection.
We're catching Satan again in his wiles and lies, and again Satan will fail, as more people, who know very little about Jesus Christ, because of curiosity, seek information from real believers, who know Christ Jesus through personal experience.
I'm getting into the line to tell the truth which I've come to know of Christ Jesus. Also, read my topics on this website for my work on the life of Jesus Christ. Jehovah God has plainly confirmed who Jesus is, and I want everyone to know.
RESOLVE
Resolving to set a goal of value, virtue and goodness is the heart of character. Men and women of character make good leaders, whether it be the President of the nation or the mayor of a town.
The Lord Jesus proved His resolve by dying on the cruel cross for our sins. This resolve was indicated in Isaiah 50:7... "For the Lord Jehovah will help me...so I have set my face like a flint ("haelamish" Heb. a hard rock or stone). Every true Christian who follows Jesus Christ must keep the aim of life, lived for the will of Jehovah God, to not seek to please man or people at the expense of serving God.
Doing the publicly popular and easy things are not the main criteria for good godly and necessary decisions and actions. Jesus Christ was not, necessarily, doing the publicly popular and easy thing when He died on the cross at Calvary.
We must continue to pray for all our leaders that they continue to serve with godly resolve to carry out goals and programs of right and necessary need.
PURITY
When I was a youngster, I had a friend whose father worked for Pure Oil in a small refinery on Cabin Creek in Kanawha County, WV. I believe the goal of the refinery was to clean up and separate the oil from the oilwells into a condition of being pure oil; to make the oil useful for industry. So Christ is separating Christians into His pure likeness.
The world of human beings is prone to sin and consequent defilement and impurities. Those impurities, envy, hate, jealousy, sexual immorality, covetousness, are not acceptable to God. The individual who practices sin is not a true, pure Christian.
The righteous and unrighteous now inhabit the earth together but will be finally separated, with the righteous going to God's pure holy kingdom and the unrighteous will be turned into hell, 2 Tim. 19-21, I Jn. 3, I Cor. 6:9,10, Eph. 2, Rev. 20.
STAND
We Christians are often ridiculed and criticized for some of our positions/stances. We've become unpopular to some who disagree with us. Some of our opponents even accuse us of doing unchristian acts or taking unkind and hurtful positions. Many who accept homosexuality as a proper way of life for some, view us Christians, who criticize homosexuality as unnatural and harmful to the individual and society, as bigots and untolerant Bible thumpers.
It is obvious that the cost of taking an open stand on issues such as homosexuality may be heavy and burdensome. Yet, the cost of letting error and misinformation go unchallenged is much greater.
The final outcome of our "stand" will prove the correctness
of our struggle in the preservation of holy matrimony and a clearly moral society.
REAL POWER
We need power as human beings because of our failures and weaknesses. A foolish person thinks that he can accomplish things of lasting value and endurance within himself, through his own knowledge and strength. Failure is the graveyard of human effort.
Power comes from God, Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit. God is almighty (El Shaddai). The Word of God is powerful (Heb. 4:12). The Greek word here is "energies" from which we get the English word energy. Then Jesus said to His disciples they would receive power "dunamin" from which we get our English word dynamite (Acts 1:8). In the previous verse (7) the word power is used also. There, it is "exusias" meaning authority.
Altogether power means almighty, authority, dynamite/hard/overcoming, and energetic/strengthening. We are stabilized and strengthened by almighty God through Jesus Christ and His indwelling Holy Spirit in us. We can do all things through Christ, as we read in Philippians 4:13.
ISRAEL
When the Bible speaks of Israel, what does it mean? First, we know it means Jacob, father of the twelve sons (grandsons) who became the twelve tribes of Israel. In Genesis 35 Elohim/El-Shaddai appeared to Jacob [grabber]/Israel [one who prevails with God] at Bethel [house of God] and promised: a nation, a company of nations, and the land which God gave to Abraham. God also promised that kings would be among the descendants of Jacob. This may be in reference to all the kings including Saul, David and Jesus Christ who is the spiritual King of Israel. Notice in this passage that God [Elohim] protected Jacob and his family after Jacob destroyed the idols of his family. They were not attacked on their journey back to Canaan.
Second, we find that the name Israel is used in reference to the northern ten tribes who broke off from Solomon's son Rehoboam and then went after Jeroboam (see II Chron. 10). Finally in the New Testament Israel means the true believers {the elect of God by grace} in the Messiah Jesus Christ both Jew and Gentile (see Romans Chapters 2 3,10,11).
The question today then is: do unbelieving persons who identify with the Jewish people in the present day Israel and around the world constitute in total or in part Jacob/Israel's descendants of promise? If so then why are the Palestinians and other Arab people of the Muslim religion so fighting to destroy the Jewish nation and peoples with some degree of success? They don't appear to be fearful of Israel today as they were of Jacob in his Bethel days.
IMMORALITY ON TV
Human sexuality is and has been treated with unspiritual contempt on many TV programs. I have often objected through "One Million Dads". Open homosexual relationships are found acceptable when in reality men and women who practice homosexual acts face possible evil/unclean spirit enslavement. I believe mature Christians can perceive the dominion/diminishing of those under the rule of unclean spirits. These people are not godly and clean living/spoken. They often misuse or avoid the use of Christ Jesus' name.
We must understand that the world is watching the U.S. via its TV programming.
Are many people of the world upset with the U.S. for such immorality on TV?
GOOD NEWS
Why do people listen closely to bad news, or read intently stories of bad happenings? Our newscasts run through the stories of killings, robberies, adulteries, molesting of children and all sorts crazy things going on or being said in politics by attention seeking persons.
People are fascinated by the words, acts and fleshy pictures of entertainers.
Any good news is left out or given little space compared to the bad news. The Goods News of the resurrection and Lordship of Jesus Christ is good for everybody for time and eternity.
Homosexuality and the Church
The church is the body of Christ in the world. Christ Jesus loves the church which He has purchased with His life blood. He is cleansing it by the washing of the water of His Word as ministerd by the Holy Spirit. This cleansing is of love and purity and holiness. No unclean thing is allowed.
Since homosexuality and its practice is scripturally declared as unclean and a rejection of God's order and command for men and women, the practice of homosexuality must be rejected and repented of. Those who refuse to repent with the counsel of the Holy Spirit are rejectors of God's thorough plan for the individual Christian to walk in the likeness of Christ Jesus.
The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ must fully represent Him in character and word. Those who refuse to fully meet our Lord's command for purity of love both in spirit and body must be reproved until they confess their sin of rebellion and show a full commitment to live holy lives.
Satan is trying to both disgrace and divide the professed followers of Christ Jesus as Lord. He has already succeeded in disgracing some churches and wants division to follow for the world to see. Yet, division must follow according to scriptural discipline for the willful rejectors of the Lord's commandments. Jesus told His disciples that He would cause divisions of believers from unbelievers and unbelievers from believers. Satan therefore ends up with those he has deceived and blinded for time and eternity.
KEEPING WATCH
Jesus emphasized the need for the watchfulness and readiness of His disciples. In the parable of the ten virgins, in which five were wise and five were foolish (Matt. 25: 1-13), the wise were fully prepared while the foolish were only partially prepared. The partial preparation could be church membership while not having enough oil could be the lack of the Holy Spirit's full control.
We need the Holy Spirit's full control at all times, not just part of the time. This is very important in the daily living of each believer. We should never burnout when we direct ourselves to the Holy Spirit's full control. This means putting everything in our daily life under the direction of Christ Jesus our Lord as revealed to us in the Word and the unction of the Holy Spirit to our spirit.
There is no subsitute for constant holy living in the present kingdom of Christ/Jesus, because there is no substitute for the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Prayer in the Spirit will keep us watching and ready for kingdom building in Christ.
REVIVAL
Do Christians need their experience with and in Christ revived? Many Christians believe if they follow the Lord constantly, they will never fall into the need for revival. The Scripture does say: "He is able to keep you from falling" Jude verse 24. A look at the original Greek here has the word for guard {phulaxzai} meaning to protect with guards, to give safety and protection, and the word for falling is {aptaistous} meaning without stumbling, not falling. So a guarded Christian does not experience moral/sinful lapses into degrading sins at the hands of the enemy, Satan.
Certainly the mindful pastor does not believe Satan has such a hold upon his people that they are nearly ready to collapse and fall into the bondage of unbelief and sin again and must be revived or they'll die a spiritual death.
Yet, there is often a need for Christians to renew their first love for soul winning and a positive outlook for the success of the work of the Lord's kingdom in a dark and sinful world.
WORLD OF TROUBLE
The daily report of terrorist killings by blind religious Muslim murderers reminds us that religion can cover a multitude of crimes against people. Christians distinguish themselves by not being takers of life but being preservers of life through Jesus Christ.
Prayer in Christ's name is the way to God for the benefit of people. He is the healer and savior of all who believe upon Him. Almighty God does not need the help of those who murder others. They need the light of God in Christ.
WARNINGS of COMPLACENCY
"Danger ahead" is an advisor to be alert and ready. Take no risks! Let me ask why people ignore the danger signs along life's highway. They ignore the danger of immorality, drunkenness, and general godless living. "Out of your mind" experiences from alcohol and drugs may bring a vague sense of euphoria and release. But the reality is just the opposite: headaches and enslavement to habits of drinking alcohol, taking drugs, diseases and physical/mental afflictions.
Peddlers of cheap pleasures don't tell you about the dangers or really care about your true well-being.
Our youth are being lead into hellish experiences and enslaved habits of immorality, drugs, alcohol
and godlessness. All true caring Christians need a revival of vigilance against the general softness and complacency shown today by society in general.
SUNDAY AND OTHER DAYS
Most Christians really enjoy and look forward to Sunday. On Sunday we meet with our Church and share the special fellowship of Christ. We enjoy the teaching, preaching and music which lifts us up in the blessings of God. We also share in a special way with our families in worship. Sunday has a special tradition of "getting cleaned up and dressed up" with it. Other days of the week just can't match Sunday. But without the other days of work, study, and general stress, Sundays would not be such a greatly appreciated time of blessing and rest.
BAD POLITICS
I often scan over the syndicated editorials in the local Sunday paper, the Charleston Gazette/Mail, which runs many editorials/commentaries of humanistic/unChristian writers. They do not write from a Christian perspective; consequently, they are unfriendly to Christian causes and views.
They advocate abortions for those who for one reason or another don't want to be mothers. They ignore the unborn life/child. On the other hand, they criticize defense systems against world terrorism in/from Islamic countries who don't like Christians and don't want people to believe upon Jesus Christ by threatening death if they chose to convert to Him.
Let's see, now women should be allowed to choose to abort their unborn child. Yet, in a country dominated by Islam a Muslim who wants/chooses to convert to Jesus Christ can be murdered for changing to Christianity in spite of their expressed desire to accept Jesus Christ. Are these writers concerned about these kinds of outrageous actions in the world. They appear to be advocating a surrender to the enslavement of the little people(including the murdering of the unborn children) in the world.
These so-called liberal writers can't seem to get anything straight. The really disappointing thing is the way some political party leaders express the same views and get elected to office over and over again.
STEADFAST AND CONSISTENT
Our great challenge as believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord is to be strongly consistent in our talk and our lives. Scripture calls for us to be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:58). Yet, we are pliable to all the needs of others, whatever their needs may be. We are not strictly robots but living members of the body of Christ, fully energized and taught of the Holy Spirit to be spiritual achievers in every situation (Phil. 2:12-16).
CHRIST NEEDED IN IRAQ
The question is how do we Christians get listeners to the Gospel in Muslim countries like Iraq? The Islamic leadership appears to be strong holders of power over the people and won't allow open presentation of the Gospel of Christ to their followers; consequently, the wonderful light of Christ is blocked out. Our God is able and will bring an opening for the Gospel of His Son to be heard not just in Iraq but everywhere in the world.
CONSISTENT
A consistency of message and position makes one believable. We vote in confidence for a person who tells us the truth and is known to be trustworthy. Soundness and honesty need to be the keynote of our policy and plan to help and improve the condition of our community and nation. Who better than a committed Christian shows these qualities?
THE BIG VIEW
People often view their lives from a very earthly and extremely narrow and uncertain position. But the heavenly view is both sound and growing clearer day by day as a person lives with his eyes on God through faith, which pleases God.
God, our Heavenly Father, has present and eternal purpose for our lives in Christ Jesus. The wars and news of killings call and remind us of Christ as the Messiah and Savior of all who will call upon His name. See Romans 10.
GOALS
A Christian's goals are set before hand by God the heavenly Father. Our purpose in daily life is not to be worldly minded and centered but to be heavenly minded and centered in Christ. A daily purpose for every Christian is to honor Christ Jesus in everything: our thoughts, our words, our actions. Daily our goal is both short term as well as long term, in an ongoing union and unity. It is all summed up in a full reflection of Christ Jesus through and through in us.
VALUED TIME
The Apostle Paul tells us to redeem (buy back) time in Eph. 5:16. We must not let our precious moments of opportunity to stand with God, in the evil hour, pass us by. If we fail to stand with God and Christ, we shall fall under the spell of the world and its ruler Satan. We will see no hope in reaching out to others in Christian kindness and relief.
We must take every opportunity to meet the need for witnessing to God's grace in Christ to the beaten, fallen and poor lost people all around. If we lift up Jesus Christ in our lives and words, our lives will then draw others from defeat and sin's bondage into liberty and life.
So, spend your time pleasing God, while blessing others.
2004 AND FUTURE YEARS
By the will, power and work of our God, the coming year of 2004 will be the next great year of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christians will be empowered of God through the dedication of their physical bodies as living sacrifices to the work and ministries of Jesus Christ, not as dead sacrifices, but as living sacrifices in touching the world with the good news of Christ without fear and timidity.
We shall let this world know that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is here and moving on in the name of Jesus Christ. We shall bear His name everywhere: in the home, in the workplace, in the school, in the market-place, in the prison, in the hospital, in the public square. We will use all means possible: the newspaper, the magazine and book, the radio, the movie, the internet, on the ground and in the air, in everyone's understanding and language.
2004 will be the next great year of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE TIME FACTOR
Time is a gift of God given to everyone; even to those who do not reverence Him or Jesus Christ. We need to remember that all people are responsible for their use of time.
I believe that time really belongs to God, although we think of time as being our time. So, our time on earth is linked to our physical bodies. When our bodies fail and die we will have no more time for earthly things. We all lose the need for the things which we have thought so important to continue living life on this earth.
In the new heaven and earth, Christians will find food and drink which they first tasted while living on earth in their physical bodies. It is the body and blood of Jesus Christ which He gave for us to find; so free to enjoy here and continuing forever. This is the new living bread of life.
FRIENDS AND FRIENDSHIP
Christian friendship is the greatest friendship on earth. We love each other and our friendship is based on much more than race, wealth, natural environment, residence, sex or age. We see each other as equal in Christ. We support each other with our prayers, money/possessions, knowledge, and communion.
Christians are friends because our Christ has made us one in Him. Around the world we Christians are always friends and friendly. We advise others, who are not Christians, that Christ is their Friend who wants to bring new life and new hope to them.
ALWAYS SEEKING
People continue to seek and dig around for more stuff; call it knowledge, peace, power, or goods. Yet, when something more is found there comes greater questions, ideas of wider views, and a sense of not being finished and able to write a conclusion. Solomon saw men seeking and always finding vanity. The problem lies within ourselves. We are empty without Christ and God. Until we repent of our egotistical selfishness/godlessness we will continue to be empty and never satisfied, just like death's grave and hell.
THE ISLAMIC TRAGEDY
A Muslim (secular type) has agreed to write a series of articles on the currently bad state of the Muslim world, in relation to the western world, in view of jihad and terrorism, in a local Sunday newspaper. The first thing I noticed about the current article is the name of the professional man who is writing this defense/apology: it begins with Mohammad. My question is why do so many Muslim males choose the first name of Mohammad? We Christians do not call ourselves Christ or Jesus so and so. My second question is why do the Muslims in Muslim dominated countries restrain all dissension and allow no freedom of choice and self determination? My third question is why have the Muslims tried to force their religion and beliefs upon the unbeliever by the threat of loss of some kind of status, including life? My fourth question is why do Muslim apologists blame others for their failures and crimes, if not directly, then indirectly? My fifth question is why do Muslims think they are just a reflection of Christian orthodoxy in their own beliefs and practices? They equate Hitler as a Christian inspired man who went a little astray and killed thousands of Jews, maybe justifiably, even though not done with Mohammed or Islam in thought. My sixth question is why do Muslims reject Jesus Christ as the Messiah of Jehovah/Lord/Elohim who is a direct descendent not of Ishmael but of Isaac the son of Abraham and Sarah's faith in Jehovah God's promise?
And, finally, does not the dress of the men in the world of Islam remind you of the dress of the Klu Klux Klan? You can hardly tell them apart or one from another. They could hold a copy of the Koran or a sword underneath the garment/cover. Over the past twelve hundred years Muslims have used their swords and have stained them with the blood of untold thousands and multitudes of innocent and peaceful human beings, including Americans, both citizens and peace making military service personnel. Only Jehovah God knows the number.
USA TRAGEDY
Truth and love compel each Christian to tell his/her neighbor the message of life in Christ and how it relates to the total nation and each community. We must warn of moral failures which go on without repentance and reformation or restoration. Those moral failures will lead to more loss, misery and death. More babies will be aborted, more men and women will fall into homosexuality and perversion, more people, young and old, will become addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling, all kinds of cheating and sexual waste along with sexually transmitted diseases. The strength of the nation and people will be lost and the nation will fall into confusion and division.
This indefensible, immoral, false union of homosexuals, is one the most un-Biblical transgressions and anti-society actions, yet, in our time. These are pseudo marriages taken by men with men and women with women.
USA AT WAR ON TWO FRONTS-M & M
The USA IS FIGHTING WAR ON TWO FRONTS: MORAL AND MILITARY. And, I don't believe most professional politicians understand it. These wars are not about jobs and food for the body's feeding. It's more major and maybe the final battles for the hearts and souls of the American people and the freedom of the world for self-government and democratic determination. There is Materialism on the home front along with sexual degradation and immorality on the right and left. Human sexuality is so cheapened by the media, the entertainment sector, and many people in general. Sex is not seen as a gift of God for the bringing of new human beings into the world, but some kind of gadget to be used for fun. Can these conflicts be won? We must look at our corrupted selves and ask for God's intervention afresh in Christ.
WHO REALLY KNOWS?
It's Sunday and I just read some of our local morning paper's editorial page. This paper is not a Christian oriented paper nor does it support a sound Biblical view. When it features a supposedly Christian writer, this individual is quoted as a member of some large Christian church, but whose writing is not scripturally sound and who misapplies the scriptural message out of its context.
Today such an individual writes that Jesus taught people to love everyone but most notably the poor. This love is for the poor as a class not as individuals. And, this love is expressed by and through the government. This man writes as a well informed educational leader.
Everyone should know by now that government social programs are marked by high cost, waste, mismanagement and many failures. Remember President Johnson's war on poverty. Many people come to make the government their provider and social savior/protector. Jesus taught us to give government their due taxes but not control of our lives. This is idolatry.
Our government can and should provide security from lawlessness, common essentials for traveling including roads, oversight of common industrial and vocational interests and all other services essential to the general welfare of our people. Elected officers should sit and oversee government for the people. They are fully accountable to the people. We must judge them by their lives and philosophy plus their plans for serving in the government's rule of the people.
DISAPPOINTED
I've repeatedly found the actions, speeches, and lives of our political leaders less than good. Here in WV politicians play the system to get votes from unperceiving voters who do not listen carefully or judge the final outcomes of what the politician's positions and efforts will be or lead. An example of this is the increasing spread of legalized gambling. The gambling industry talks about jobs, not destroyed lives,and politicians listen and have been giving the go ahead. The state-run lottery is constantly advertising the possibility of great gambling wins. As a result, the moral fiber of the state is dying.
OUR PEOPLE ARE BEING KILLED
Religious people are killing our people and others. How can a people who claim to worship the one true god, in their god's name, and with total disdain, murder their neighbors and other friendly people of the world? It's happening every day in much of the world. Any of us may be next.
Somehow we must come to grips with this madness and bring peace and security to people of goodwill. And, I don't think people have to be annihilated for peace to be found. Jehovah our Lord God is a God of saving grace and abundant life.
ON THE HOME FRONT>
The political season is one in which Christians need to focus on vital issues which are long range as well as current. The issues of Biblical morality, including homosexuality, abortion, drunkedness and alcohol traffiking, drugs traffiking, gambling, cheating at every level, slandering others with lies, and money grabbing, need to be seriously considered with every person desiring election to public office.
TV NETWORK MORALITY
Television can be a great instrument to inform and to influence people. sadly, immoral and evil habits are often shown to be acceptable and even desirable in TV shows/programs and in news highlights. However, Christians can influence TV by becoming activists with letters, telephone calls and emails.
And, we know that through internet websites, Christians can make their views public. Forwarding informative emails and website pages to all our internet friends is an inexpensive method to spread the word of truth and need.
THE END OF AIDS/HIV
I believe AIDS/HIV would disappear within a generation. Thousands/millions of lives, and millions/billions of dollars would be saved if people everywhere would cease their immoral sexual practices, including the practices
of fornication, which are homosexuality, bisexuality, premarital sex, adultery and sex with beasts.
BREAKDOWN OF MARRIAGE
Can we altogether blame homosexuals for the breakdown of marriage when we have seen the divorce rate soar over the past generation? Yes, I'm disturbed with same-sex marriage efforts. Homosexuality cannot be legitimized and spiritualized by some ceremony or signing of documents of commitment. God has a plan for men and women and it can't be changed without destroying individuals, marriage and society. Then, this change in the socially acceptability of homosexuality as a lifestyle, advocated by homosexuals themselves, can't succeed. Homosexuals who are addicted to homosexual practices need to hear the truth of turning to Christ as Lord of their sex life and real wholeness with holiness in Him.
ELECTION
With the increasing pressure being brought to the public's eyes and minds, Christians need to be alert to the false and the true. There is much false, with false claims, promises, "phonies" calling themselves leaders, who think people are puppets who jump to their repeated tunes: jobs, health and wealth all free with little to do on your part, except make your foolish vote. Too many times in the past Americans have jumped and danced to these same dazzling tunes and the dance ended when the orchestra asked to be paid and everyone said: "We thought it was free."
DEMOCRACY
Many religions don't allow for democracy among its people. Those religions ultimately demand sole control under their religious systems among all its people. This is a major problem in the Moslem countries ruled by Moslem law. Herein lies our problem in Iraq. It would follow that Moslem leaders in the clergy would oppose true democracy, if they thought they would have a controlling majority. Of course, it follows they will destroy anyone who opposes their control.
HOME ATTACK
The line offered now to allow official marriage recognition for homosexuals is: these citizens have children in their homes whom they have in their care for raising. For the sake of these children homosexuals must be covered as equally, legally recognized married parents.
Two real questions must be asked. How did practicing homosexuals come to have children in their care? Is this not serious negligence on the part of the state governments?
One of the arguments given by homosexuals is: we didn't choose to be homosexuals. Why would we elect to be homosexual if we had a choice? If homosexuals agree that they're in an undesirable or bad condition of life, why would they want to promote it to children, or the public?
Why should practicing homosexuals be allowed to have children in their homes for care or to adopt children? This quite likely amounts to child abuse in a poor social and family developmental environment for these small and developing children.
WORLD TODAY
The world today is chaotic and troubled by the evil trouble making of those with designs upon the other people of the world. These evil doers are making known to the world the false teachings of their leaders. God and Christ Jesus are rejected by those who want to force their will upon the rest of the people of the world. God will bring truth and justice upon the deeds of these evil doers. Christ will be seen as the One who will deliver sinners and evil doers from the hell and misery of their works. Christians need only to lift up before men and women the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our peace in the world and in heaven.
BUSH
Many of us feel good about President Bush's service as President of the USA, as a professed Christian who supports fundamental Christian values. We say "Amen" to his stances on abortion,the homosexual agenda, including same-sex marriage, faith based social services, etc.
But, his stance on homosexual issues, including marriage of same-sex persons, is not the same as Vice President Cheney's, whose daughter is a Lesbian and serves on his campaign for re-election. Should President Bush die then Cheney would be our President. Can you vote for both of them as a team to run the country four more years?
Remember, though, the Democrat team is bound to the support of homosexual agenda issues in most cases, as well as pro-abortion issues. The agendas of these two voting blocks are not in agreement with most Evangelical Christian views on homosexual acceptance and encouragement, or on abortion acceptance. Other issues, including health care costs, economic development, taxes and the spending of tax dollars, balanced budget and Social Security Fund use, are important as well as public safety (crime: white collar and organized)and defense issues. Think about it and pray about it; then make your voices/votes heard.
Republican & Democrat
I'm registered as Republican and my wife as Democrat. We have been so all our thirty-nine years of marriage. Yet, I'm sure she has voted for whomever she felt the best candidate for each office. Usually we vote the same in general elections. But, not much has changed in our adult lives together from a state and national standpoint. I'm ready to consider joining a new party which would be in line with Christian views up and down the line. Both parties, Democrats and Republicans now disappoint in their double-ambiguous stances. Democrats are more dominated by agnostics and secularists, while Republicans are dominated by religious people.We cannot expect politicians to fight our battles over this moral issue for us. We must do what Scripture teaches. We must in love personally confront homosexuals and their families about the spiritual wrong of homosexuality and how it can and must be renounced in practice with the help of our prayers and counsel.CRITICS
It's easy to be a critic. You just speak your mind about other people and their person or lives/activities. People love to criticize and argue but don't want to commit to anything which costs them. Talk is cheap. I listen to criticism from many well meaning people and find their ideas and suggestions about our leaders are lacking real concreteness and practicality. We need to set a course of support of our leaders, not half-hearted thin backing.
RELIGIOUS AWAKENINGS
Some religious awakenings are fatally evil; others are good and totally blessed of Jehovah/God. We are experiencing a Muslim religious awakening with some peoples of other religious backgrounds converting to the Muslim religion, particularly here in the USA with considerable numbers of colored and black people becoming Muslims. Yet, in the Muslim world we are experiencing the death-rumblings of a religious madness with significant numbers of women and men killing themselves in-order to kill non-Muslims as well as other Muslims who may be bystanders near those whom they are targeting. I see nothing but evil in this. Satan must be in control of this kind of religious awakening.
On the other hand, a totally Christian awakening, among professed Christians around the world, is needed to complete faithfulness to Jesus Christ and His Gospel. This is a positive and persuasive awakening to the good of all mankind, for Jesus Christ came and gave His life that we might not die but live forever in HIM.
SECULAR SOCIALISM
Joining with people in world-based organizations is something we Christians must examine carefully, remembering that we are not to be unequal partners in schemes and projects with those who are against Christ Jesus in purpose and life. Governmental social projects which require our involvement must be rejected if they compromise our commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives.
Christians must not allow their witness for Christ to be blanked out by becoming partners in worldly organizations, which do not bear the name of Jesus and hinder or deny His Gospel message.
FOES
"Foes of GOD, CHRIST JESUS and all Mankind"
1. Those who want and work to destroy the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.
2. Those who want to destroy our freedoms including the freedom of religion and its public expression.
3. Those who would destroy innocent/undefended human life, born or unborn.
3. Those who want to tax the wages/earnings of the public excessfully and waste it in governmental programs which are not helpful but resented and harmful.
4. Those who agitate and seek to divide employees from employers and breakdown the peaceful cooperation in the workplace where there is progress and rewarding production.
5. Those who love money and wealth and are lustfully self-centered and uncharitable.
6. Those who disobey Jehovah God and hate Jesus Christ/Messiah, the head of the Church His body.
THE UNHOLY CLASH
War on two fronts continues; the moral front and the military front. Both have spiritual dimensions. Christianity is being challenged as never before.
We still have the modernists who reject basic teachings about God, Jesus Christ and the Bible. They want to design their own scriptures and teach contrary to the written Scriptures given of the Holy Spirit. They say Jesus was not born of a virgin, was not bodily resurrected, did not ascend into heaven with a promise to return. They offer no real basis for their theory of a good God who is not personally, daily, directly involved in the affairs of man, the world and the universe. They like to think that somehow every person is a child of God from birth, although they allow for the murder of those children before their birth. They think of themselves as compromisers and peacemakers. Thusly they draw many people into their camp.
Besides the modernists, we have the non-Christian religious fanatics and the unbelievers. I believe these, combined together, comprise the majority in the U. S. A. Sexually deviant hedonists, religious fanatics fall in each of these groups: the modernist, the homosexual activist, the non-Christian religionist and the unbeliever. All of them in the name of a new direction may be getting together against President Bush and the hot military war against terrorism as led by fanatical Islamic clergy and their followers.
The Bible teaches us to watch and pray for each other, to love our enemies and to do them good as we are seeking to do in the U.S.A., Iraq, and around the world.
WISDOM
The young king Solomon asked Jehovah God for wisdom before anything else for his role as king of the people of Israel. God heard and answered that prayer. We today benefit from Solomon's wisdom from God as we read his inspired writings.
God is pleased to grant our prayers for wisdom in our daily lives, as our lives are filled with choices, and we need wisdom in making each choice of action.
Wisdom from God always directs us in the right and righteous direction. Therefore wisdom does not direct us to sinning and disgraceful living.
Let us pray for one another that as Christians, who love the Lord and each other, we would show wisdom from God in our daily lives.
Nov. 30, 2004
THE THREE GREAT PLAGUES
The three great plagues in the USA AND THE WORLD today are: the false church plague, the false religion plague, and the romance/sex plague.
Blinded, self and Satan deluded, people are turning the state/national governments into the false church. This happens when the state takes over the work given by the Lord Jesus Christ to His true Church (the ecclesia, the called out ones). These blinded people and their leaders want and have appointed government to run your life, including your education needs, your health needs, your pension needs, your employment needs, your basic welfare needs and your dying needs.
They want to tax away the wages of all people and use it to meet perceived needs and thusly to control the lives of all the people. Communist Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam, and China, are examples of countries around the world run under this system. They do not want the true Church of Jesus Christ to have any controlling part in the government's actions of control of the people of the nation. They falsely call it "The Separation of Church and State." They are helped by false and blinded Baptist and other denominational leaders who think that Christians cannot be a politically involved people/church. They falsely equate the Holy Roman Empire of the Roman Catholic Church as the same as Christian/Church involvement today in a democracy.
FALSE RELIGION
The Bible tells us that pure religion is shown by the true life of service in the name of the Lord in obedience to HIM. See James 1:27. False religion does not seek to bless all other people with one's life service. False religion is self-serving and self-directed. It seeks an advantage for the individual over others, even wishing innocent people's death in the name of religion's god or gods. False religion ignores personal sin's need for redeeming atonement and forgiveness. False religion promotes personal meritious works/deeds in hope of rewards and heaven.
False religion promises false hope based upon false teachings. Sadly, the world is suffering as a result.
THE ROMANCE/SEX PLAGUE
This plague is more than a pestilence, a nuisance, or even an infectious disease; it is a plague of both the human spirit and body. A brief perusal of the supermarket, news-stand/magazines, or bookstore "Romance Book" shelves will give evidence of the Satanic attack upon the spirit and bodies of women and men. The same goes for a check on the internet and TV porn offerings. Businesses are built to offer men and women the opportunity to play with their natural God given physical/sexual desires/drives. Remember the last time you drove down the highway, you passed businesses and billboards advertising girlie or same-sex shows, bars and restaurants. There women are paid to display themselves at the request of men. Not to be outdone, in some places men are paid to display themselves to women. In more and more of these businesses homosexuality is encouraged and possibly even offered. They call these shows, or stories and pictures, "horny" but innocently harmless and safe.
It has been said: "sex sells." Millions of dollars are spent on soft and hard porn each year in the USA and around the world.
Many world famous and powerful leaders have been infected by this demonic plague: movie and stage stars, politicans and government leaders, household names, teachers/professors, even religious leaders. This plague is no respector of persons.
It is a demonic plague of great destructive force which plays upon human frailnesses and weaknesses.
In the Bible human sexual intercourse is a blessed occasion which God has ordered and placed His almighty hand upon, in the pureness and morality of human sexuality, by/in the loving involvement of a man/husband and his woman/wife. Human beings must understand that the male/female marriage bed is wondrously good and honorable, but its violation is a vast graveyard of misery.
MEAN OR KIND
Much of what is said or written today in the USA is mean spirited, rude and scoffingly critical. I've read and listened to the daily news stories and comments about the good being done by Christian leaders and have become disgusted with much of the news coverage. I know that public news outlets are selective and often indifferent to the good things being done in the name of Jesus Christ in the USA and elsewhere.
Many people do not understand what God is working out in our time. Truly God is working out Salvation's history right now as I write this commentary. Things are continuing toward the final breaking of the Satanic powers in the world and the full coming of Christ in His glory and power, when every eye shall see Him and bow before Him.
While Satan controls some people who will dishonor Christ Jesus with a mean spirit, those who love Him will show the power of His presence with love and kindness.
GAMBLING=LOSS
People who gamble either have possessions in excess of what they can use or need or think they need, and/or want something which belongs to someone else and by gambling they can obtain it. These motives are poor and outside of God's plan for people.
God's plan calls for those who have riches to give to those who are in need, such as widows and orphans. God's plan for everyone, rich or less than rich and maybe poor, is to work to earn, that they might be blessed with the experience of earning their own livelihood. Gambling, generally, is an outcome of covetousness and violates the tenth commandment: thou shalt not covet, Ex. 20:1-17.
Therefore, local, state or national governments are wrong in running lotteries for money from its people, regardless of what use is made of the money, such as education, health care, training, or anything else. The proof is that gaming/gambling businesses are in it for money for their pockets; and it may be an avenue for great profits to the owners, gotten from the setup and often upset losers at the gaming machines and tables.
The only kind of lottery in the Bible is for the purpose of giving the decision of the lot to God in His wisdom and will, for the decisions and direction of the people and leaders, in their times of crises. Jehovah does not play games with His people nor does He guide us to misuse the lottery method to gain the money of our people through offering to them the chance for more money or possessions.
The bright shining lights, silly inappropriate or lewd entertainment, offering frivolously quick money/pleasure by casinos, wherever they are located, city and state, are not a true blessing from God even though they hire people for their staff and pay taxes. God will judge sin and reveal its corruption quickly and there will be no avoiding it.
Note the resulting addicted gamblers, their families, employers and their own lives. See the outcomes: thiefs, alcoholism, and various tragedies.
SOCIAL SECURITY QUESTIONS
The first question of importance to Christians is: is it Biblically sound? Pro: it makes you save for old age, while helping people who are old and retired from employment. Con: it is compulsory and involves both Christians and unbelievers of all sorts. This is the question of being yoked together with unbelievers who may defraud/misuse the monies in the program. A problem with the first question is: what is the age when we should stop working and begin to draw out our savings with interest and what is the interest? Should the government be involved in this for each of us? Will Satan be able to "hijack" this program and enslave/abuse us?
I've been in the program from the age of sixteen like everyone else and now I am drawing out retirement pay. I like the check and use it; however, I'm not at all sure that I would have joined if I were not compelled to do so. This is a needed review and debate.
Our Lord must be the one whom we trust with our total lives and no one else, including the government.
THE GOOD SHOW "filth"
MUCH OF PUBLIC MORALITY HAS FALLEN APART IN OUR LIFETIME. COMEDIANS ARE MAKING A LIVING WITH RISQUE IMMORAL JOKES. TV PROGRAMS, INTERNET SITES, BOOKS, MAGAZINES ARE COMMUNICATION MODES WHICH OFTEN DWELL ON UNCLEAN SPEECH, AND SEXUALLY SUGGESTIVE STUFF WITH IMAGES OF FORNICATION (PORNEIA). "GOOD" SEX HAS TO BE BAD TO BE GOOD. SEX MUST BE CHEATINGLY IMMORAL AND "WILDLY" PRACTICED TO BE GREAT SEX. GROUP SEX, SAME GENDER SEX, SEX TOYS, SEX WITH ANIMALS, ETC. ARE suggested as the INGREDIENTS OF GREAT SEX.
God in the Bible tells us to flee from fornication "porneia"; for it is a sin against our own bodies. Read these scriptures: Mark 7:19ff, I Cor. 5:1ff; 6:18ff; 7:2; Eph. 5:3ff.
While sex is basically a bodily-mental involvement for everyone, its greatest moral value is in the total physical-spiritual sense of real love and affection. Anything else outside of heterosexual marriage is fornication.
Many people, apparently, have become addicted to bad sex and pornography; many are, without doubt, Howard Stern's fans.
While AMERICANS are correctly appalled at the Muslim suicidal killings of innocent people, many people, including some Muslims, are appalled by the abortions and sexual immorality of many in the USA.
We must not forget that sexual intercourse is basic to the conception of a human-baby.
GOD STANDING AT THE DOOR
I think the Bible teaches that God and people are as far apart as possible without Jesus Christ mediating between. People's ideas and theories about spiritual issues are often faulty, misdirected and mostly wrong. While their consciences of right and wrong may be correct, they usually give way to worldly relativism and justify the ends, even though the means are wicked.
Churches often become so popularity and situational driven, and/or divided, that they are dismissed by the people of the world as failures and incompetents who appear to be play-acting.
Unless our churches repent of worldliness with spiritual corruption and become the holy people whom God intends for us to be, He will spew us out of His mouth and raise up others who really mean business with Him through Christ Jesus. And they will worry less about property and building buildings, called churches.
Right now He's most likely standing at the door and knocking to find entrance to many churches.
GOING TO CHURCH
Most, but apparently not all, Christians find going to church services to be greatly inspirational times of being uplifted and exercised in the fellowship of the spiritual body of Christ. Yet, many Christians experience times of disappointment with their Christian fellowship and drop out of regular attendance or quit altogether. Where does the problem lie?
I have visited many homes in every community and area where I have pastored and ministered and have found numerous people who have quit going to their Church's services and are staying home. I have listened to stories about the failures and experiences of Christians who have quit their church activities. Thusly, they discourage others from going to church services. Something is working to cause this breakdown of the desire for spiritual fellowship among Christians in some Churches. What is it?
I would appreciate your thoughts and experiences. My email address is: howard.watson@att.net
RELIGIOUS LEADERS
Men and some women are projecting themselves as speakers and Christian religious leaders. They are making their faces and names known through the media. I've noticed their manner of dress, speaking subjects, and style of deportment. They project themselves, in subtle and artful ways, while preaching/teaching about a more prosperous healthier life, here on earth.
I don't get a picture of John the Baptist preaching, but a picture of some individual who loves the limelight and attention of others. I don't get the words of John the Baptist who said of Jesus of Nazareth: "He must increase but I must decrease."
These religious leaders/teachers present and project themselves more, while projecting less the person of Jesus Christ, and therefore fail to spiritually build up the Church, the body of Christ. Their veiled self -exaltations will face judgment by Jesus Christ.
All of us will stand in judgment before the head of the Church. Therefore all of us who preach and teach about our Lord Jesus Christ must be extremely careful and prayerful that we not fall into Satan's ways of self-exaltation and spiritual conceit.
PRESSING ON
What every Christian needs is to press on with all diligence and faith in the plan of God for him/her as members of the Body of Christ. We need to wait on the Lord while He updates us with renewal and strength for the spiritual battle against Satan and his wiles. We need to lock our arms together in support of our leaders whom the Lord has set before us; teaching, admonishing and leading us by the powerful direction of God's Holy Spirit. We need to test and examine the message and the messengers who seek to influence us with doctrine and prophecy/preaching.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Public servants, all those paid from public taxes, need to be held accountable by the public for their stewardship/work. Many judges, politicians and others who work for the public make decisions and take actions which affect us. Don't they owe us their faithfulness in their work for us? Take judges, are they not supposed to act in accordance to the law set by and for all people and not in reality set/change laws? We should take aggressive respectful action to see that they follow the law rather than their wishes for change.
Passive aggressive action, such as sit-ins, carrying signs, shouting and crying tears is too weak and indirect. Proper confrontation is what is needed. That is what the ACLU is doing according to their agenda for change. They have been working our laws to help their clients.
VALUE OF LIFE AND LIFE'S VALUES
If we don't value human life, with the highest regard, then it can't help but show in our moral values. Some people have mixed values. They stand against capital punishment for killers, but they stand for the abortion of innocent unborn human beings. I opine this is what's wrong with the USA from a cultural standpoint. People in many cases talk as if they really believe in certain things: the rights of people to do this or that, the duty/right for protection of the earth from man-made pollutants, the right-to-work at a job, the right for health care, the right for union bargaining, the right to vote, etc. The same people oppose the full religious rights of people who believe God alone will and does plainly show all people what is basically right with His holy commandments. He shows us what is right for the earth and human beings on the earth. Yet, unbelievers, with mixed and confused values, talk about peace, justice and freedom. I think, they are not only confused but lost.
SATAN'S WORKS, SATAN'S WILES, SATAN'S POWER
Satan works as the adversary of man. "Satan" in the Hebrew means adversary. He works in and through the world, both earth and air. He is helped by spirit-demons in guiding and deceiving people. He has the power of death as the god of this world/age.
People can find safety from the power of Satan's wiles and schemes only in Christ Jesus because Jesus Christ has defeated Satan at the cross where He suffered and died in His flesh and then endured and suffered in death's hell for the sins of the people of the world. Satan knows with certainty that Jehovah-Elohim, the Lord creator, is God, and that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, who has taken the penalty-sting of sin and death in His own body on the cross. Satan knows he is lost in his pride and rebellion against God and Christ. He is angry with God and God's creatures-mankind; and wages battle for the souls and bodies of mankind under his control upon the earth/world.
It is an evident fact in the world, of chaos, war, poverty, hatred, murder and total evil, that Satan's evil presence always shows his face in the resulting misery, suffering and turmoil. Satan has blinded and deceived people in many ways. And we see evidence of Satan's deceptive work in the minds, words and works of people under his control; some are very religious, some are admittedly unreligious and want nothing to do with established religion. In this confusion Satan has sway and leads people, clans, groups into confused disorder and ultimate fighting and destruction. Look at the destruction of war, both declared and undeclared, in our present day as well as in the past. Nations are against other nations. Religious people are attacking and fighting against other religious or unreligious people. They don't want to reason, discuss or listen to the thoughts and words of other people not given to or under their controlling doctrines and teachings.
By this opposition and fighting Satan is winning in his war against God and people, and is keeping people from the Savior's gospel and real salvation of God the Father, Jehovah Elohim.
Like no other time in the history of the world, Christians have the commission and opportunity to go everywhere in the world and tell/give the message of peace with God and with each other through Jesus Christ. Real people of God don't kill one another or others not like them with an aim to gain control and to force their religion and ideas upon everyone else, but work in compassion, kindness and love to establish freedom of speech and to give the message of the truth in the face of lies from Satan.
Real and true people of God, Jehovah-Elohim, pray for their enemies, help and bless them and each other in the joy of Christ.
HOMOSEXUALITY
How anyone could feel comfortable in accepting or supporting the practice of homosexuality is a senseless state of moral abandonment. They are not really concerned about these individuals or society in general. If we are concerned about the well-being of people, men, women, boys and girls we would openly and positively voice our rejection of perversion, evil lascivious living and unlawful sin. We Christians must first do this within the Christian fellowship of the Churches and church organizations including associations , conventions and religious affiliates. Then we must carry this message to all society including, governmental agencies, educational agencies, and social organizations. We must not stop until homosexual practices are no longer justified by homosexuals and they cease to promote its perversion and pervasiveness in any way. The Word of God is our offensive instrument and weapon in all of our actions against darkness and sinful perversion.
ISLAMIC SUICIDE BOMBERS
It is likely that suicide bombers are directed by Islamic IMAMS. According the the "Catholic ENCYCLOPEDIA" IMAMS ARE TO RECEIVE ABSOLUTE SUBMISSION FROM MOSLEMS. Imams are not to be killed by the sword, according to Mohammed in Islamic law. Bin Laden, according to the press, has been directed by and is in submission to an IMAM.
Since or if Imams are behind the suicide bombers, then the Imams should be brought to justice and tried for ordering the murdering of innocent people: men, women, boys and girls. Christians have been murdered by Islamic suicide bombers and are among those being murdered now, and this in the name of Allah as directed by Islamic Imams.
How can these Imams be charged and then brought to justice? All churches and their denominational affiliates should take actions to demand that these IMAMS individually be charged in world court, found and brought to justice, as has been done in the case of the Serbians who murdered Moslems. The USA should use the UN to charge the nations where these Imams live to deliver them to the world court for trial. When an Islamic nation refuses, they should also be charged in aiding in the murder of innocent persons. Even the ACLU, the National Council and World Council of churches could get involved in this action on behalf of those MURDERED/killed on 9/11.
All people around the world are subject to being a bystander in a suicide bomber's horrific deeds, and or being beheaded for not accepting the teachings of the Koran or in some way violating its teachings and the Koran's untouchableness. It appears to me that Moslems could be considered as making their Korans worshipful unworldly sacred books, from which the Imams preach and teach their doctrines , goals and methods. We are seeing this reality daily reported by news stations/sources around the world by both Islamic/Arabic and non-Islamic news sources.
I have no sure idea how the average Moslem, in the USA, or around the world, views these reports of suicide bombings, beheadings etc.
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Everywhere in magazines, TV programs, newspapers, billboards, businesses making and selling alcoholic drinks are advertising their product as good for your pleasurable activities. They are trying to attract young adults, young women along with young men, to get together and share in drinking their dangerous product. They like to show laughing, happy, youthful, beautiful people, who have their product in their hands. Everyone in clear view is drinking their particular product. They want people as young as possible to drink alcoholic beverages as the thing to do for pleasure. They want customers for life.
My opinion is that this kind of beverage should be regulated more in order to combat this dangerous advertising. Since alcohol is a drug which has both short and long term effects upon the drinker, it should be classified as a drug under the FDA and a physician's prescription required for purchase and use, and to be sold at pharmacies
At first, intoxication is the probable outcome. Bad things happen when people become intoxicated: bad sex, with veneral diseases are contacted, fightings and physical abuses occur, accidents and deaths occur. Major body organs including the heart, brain, stomach and liver are in the long run traumatized.
Finally, should not the advertisers be required to state the possible kinds of side effects along with their advertising. The Bible says to not be drunk with wine from its excess of bad/evil results. See Ephesians 5:18. Also, see 1 Cor. 6:9,10. Here it says that no drunkard among others,including homosexuals, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Satan might give some temporary pleasure upon the earth, but also, he will take you to hell. I think that hell will really start here upon the earth.
JULY 24, 2005
The Body of Christ is made up of all people who have received Jesus Christ into their hearts as Savior and Lord. This is first and foremost among all Christian people. They heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in repentance ("metanoia" Gk., a change of mind/thought, feeling and practice) openly testified that Jesus is their Savior and Lord. No one can declare that Jesus is Lord except through the calling of the Holy Spirit upon his/her heart. The Holy Spirit does this work through the ministry of preaching, which is foolishness to worldly -minded people and other religions. We are seeing how the Islamic religion is out of touch with the world around them and thusly is trying to make the world adjust to its middle-age (700 A.D. ' till 1800) ways of living. They are afraid of living without controlling everything about them. But, Christians work to change mankind through Christ and then the world will naturally become better, safer and lovingly kind.
Christians need each other in the unity of the one faith of Jesus Christ and His baptism of His Holy Spirit upon the whole Church. Our common moral stance against the works of the flesh, pride and worldliness keeps us from being overcome by the pitfalls of practicing personal carnal sins. We admonish each other, while praying for each other in the unity of Christ's holiness.
Now, more than ever I see the need for Christians to make every effort to major on the major things of Christ and not the minor things of personal ideas and doctrines which are not fully clear to the whole body of Christ. Our Lord and God is much bigger than we can understand in this limited world. This is why I'm now making a greater effort to reach out to all those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior regardless of their church attendance or membership. I have, until this time in my life, spent most of my time working and ministering to Baptist Churches, either American Baptist, Independent or Southern Baptist. With our Lord's direction I hope to minister to those other churches who love the Lord Jesus Christ through this internet ministry and directly in those churches. May our Lord bless each congregation of believers by opening doors of fellowship in His Word.
LOOKING BACK AND NOW
From around 650 A.D. until about 1800 A. D. the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ had strong and developing competition from Muhammed's religious movement in middle Asia and the near East. Elements of that movement continue today but not as a great over powering force in the world. They have become a movement, at least to a degree, that is based upon force and hate with fear/terror as opposed to agape/love and intelligent persuasion of faith. Around one- fourth of the world's population lives under its force and fear.
The Lord had given the Church around 600 years to preach and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then He allowed the adversary to show great force of religious power not based upon the Cross of Christ but on strong militant religious law. Here the adversary used a mixture of religious teachings, customs and ethics under the guidance of leaders who were given absolute authority over their people, most of whom were born under its power with a central idea of monotheism, ruling out a spiritual Trinity of one personal God.
The question is: is this in part or totally the Islamic movement of today? How does this movement fit into God's permissive will ? Can/will there be a full opening up to the Gospel of Jesus Christ of/among these people from top to bottom in a measurable degree? I don't know the answers, but I am sure the Lord wants them to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly preached and demonstrated. We must seek to give the Gospel to them in the love of Christ.
Finally, is the world over or soon over? How soon? Is Christ Jesus about to return in person from heaven in this decade, three and one- half years, seven years, one thousand years, or some unknown number of years?
I think that there are more than 144,000 preachers from the Israel of God, who are totally committed to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These preachers have been called and sent of Jesus Christ to fearlessly, with compassionate love, minister the Lord's Word, in every place. If you are a preacher of God and His Christ's Gospel, keep going until He comes.
Sheehan's Hypocrisy
Ms. Sheehan's misguided army of exhibitionists, yellow-bellied troublemakers are out in their clamoring guises of hypocritical slander, looking for television cameras, hoping to embarrass the President of the United States. Without shame, she is making a public example of idiotic foolishness, along with her supporters and associates. Tens of thousands now dead, at the bloodied hands of cowardly Islamic rulers and terrorists, cry out for justice and vengeance from their graves. She and her helpers are deaf to their cries.
Sheehan Two
The first comment brought two strong vehement disagreements from readers, both women. ( I was disappointed that no one wrote to say they agreed in any way. The silence was strange.) Their main points: loss of American and others' lives, alleged lies behind the war on the President's part, cost of the war, our oil resources, and the killing of Ms. Sheehan's son. I personally get angry, and grieve when our solders are killed or injured. I pray for their protection and care. And, I'm thankful that we have a standing army to deal with those who take actions against our country and citizens. In this case we must not become our own unnatural enemy and enter into angry disagreements with ourselves, our president, congress and our allies.
The only good, which I see, that may come from Ms. Sheehan's protest is the debate which is resulting; I'm satisfied the truth shouldn't hurt us in the long run. I can't say the President has never misled or lied about any aspect of this war. Possibly Saddam was not guilty of seeking or having weapons of mass destruction. But, given his record as Moslem ruler/dictator of Iraq, he probably would do anything to get his way and to continue to increase his power and control. He apparently hates the Jews and Americans. When you start from the premise of hate, then murderings result. He is not the only Moslem seeking/making a religious war of hate with the Jews, Americans or the rest of the world.
This enemy is not one who will take the field of battle against opposing forces, but works mainly in the dark, in disguise, seeking to create havoc, mayhem, and fear. This enemy is close knit and marches under the name of his deity, to the dismay of the civilized world; yet, I hope most Moslems do not fall into their control. I believe they will use any weapon available to kill hundreds, thousands, or millions of people, in order to force the world into their own image. Is there anything resembling love or compassion in their eyes or actions? What I have seen are masked men killing their captives with knives or other weapons for TV viewers. These men deserve just judgement, if not in this world, in the next.
THE TROUBLED WORLD
The world has plenty of trouble makers, liars, thieves, and murderers. These all need Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Then, they will become peacemakers, truth lovers and tellers, givers instead of stealers, and respecters of life instead of takers of life.
The great hurricane in our south is making life harder in many ways for the people there. Many of us want to help in a needed way, maybe go and help physically clean up the mess or just be there to offer money, food and other things which we have in our possession, as well as prayer and comfort. Wherever we are, we need to pray for direction and wisdom for everyone to do the right and wise things.
Two things which need to be considered are what to build back and where to build back. One thing which is not needed is to blindly start finding fault and blame.
LOOKING AHEAD
What lies ahead for America and the world? There will be wars, natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, famine; there will be fears and rumors of fearful troubles.
Christians must always do the positive thing towards others to help or warn in the name of Jesus Christ. The USA IS TRYING TO SHOULDER THE GREAT BURDEN OF leading the world towards freedom and goodness. Yet, our own nation is deeply troubled with unbelief and sin of every kind. Within the USA more major natural disasters will occur, including earthquakes. Major cities on the West Coast could be completely leveled by earthquakes at any time. Hurricanes and tornadoes can come with great rain and hail storms upon regions or anywhere in the nation from coast to coast. Our personal and maybe our national resources could be depleted in a few hours or days. The government could be totally impotent to help relieve the calamity. Only God is totally able to see us through such disasters, ultimately, in Christ. Like Job, Christians must lead in the words: "though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him..." Job 13:15 ASV There is truth and hope in Christ Jesus for every situation. Paul said: "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain..." Phil. 1:21 The Christian duty is to pray, and to give our all in the name of Jesus Christ, daily. Christ died and gave His life for us. He wills that we now live in/for Him. He told His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him. See Mt. 16:24f and Mk. 8:34f.
The whole world/earth will see disasters both natural and man-made. How will the people of the world handle or react to them? We must give the truth of Christ Jesus to them.
OCTOBER 30, 2005
Man-made disasters and natural disasters are now a daily happening. ^There are killings, maimings, deaths in the aftermath of people's recklessness or hate; hatred for those with whom they disagree or fear. ^People are knowingly living in the shadow of natural disaster.
There are harmful drugs on the streets and in the abodes of silly folks who think that they can live on pleasure's edge and not get hurt or harmed. ^Given time these folks become sick and otherwise impaired.
The political status in the U. S. A. is being heavily troubled with crises of a man-made sort. ^Accusations and insinuations of lying and wrong doings or shortcomings are running rampant against office holders and their aides, as political minds work for advantage at the expense of their opponents and other people of the nation. ^We must turn away from political professionals who want mainly to control the people through empty programs and false hopes, at the national and state levels. ^Maybe all political professionals should spend some time working in prisons/jails to learn what is going on in much of our country, on our streets, in our businesses and in our schools.
Before we try so hard to straighten out the bad/evil people and corrupt countries of the world, we need to set our own house/country in order. ^We must respect the Law of Jehovah God and practice keeping it for our nation to be seen as right and noble. ^When our people and nation go against the Law of God as found in the Bible, and our own conscience or natural law, we as individuals and as a nation will reap just results. Consequently, there are the present divisions, conflicts and madness.
Christians must be honorable citizens of any country or nation in which they reside. Scripture teaches us to honor our government and to give lawful obedience to the government's civil rule over matters of right and wrong for all ordinary citizens.
We are not killers and overthrowers of our leaders/rulers. We do not secretly kill and maim others for terroristic effect in order to get our way or our Lord's will/way over others who do not agree with us.
We always strive to be faithful witnesses of Christ Jesus our Lord, even in a case where the rulers don't approve of our witness of our resurrected Savior.
They (rulers/government leaders) must be grateful for our good works of family life, neighbor and community welfare service to the poor, maimed and widowed.
I feel secure in Christ Jesus even though many people continue to reject Him for who He is and what He has done for the world in dying for our sin debt and our eternal abundant life, now and forever. One by one each person needs to hear the salvation message of redemption through Christ Jesus and the new life found only in Him.
THE GOOD NEWS
As the world ends 2005 and enters 2006, it needs not to be a place of murdering and other evil by the hands of darkened people and their evil leaders. Good things must be done by the hand of the Church the Body of Christ. The main good which is to come to this evil warring dark world is the declaring of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace.
I pray that our Lord God will intervene in His great power to defeat Satan's wiles and open wide the door everywhere for the Gospel of Christ Jesus the deliverer/redeemer for all people who will receive Him into their hearts as Savior and Lord. Will you join with me in this prayer?
CHRIST CENTERED VS SELF CENTERED
Sinful people in the world are basically self-centered in relationships to other people and the world around them. Their concerns are those of material earthly, carnal needs. Even their prayers are about survival and earthly gain/needs.
Consequently many preachers spend their ministry in preaching earthly well being, including health and wealth. Preachers are leaving the central message of Jesus Christ, Him crucified and Christians in Christ suffering in this world to fill up the sufferings of Christ Jesus. I ask: are not more and more Christian preachers leaving the heavenly kingdom message of not loving the world but loving Jesus Christ and His soon coming?
Preachers must not fall into the easy chair of encouraging and admonishing their hearers to be happy, forget your troubles and live for self-esteeming worldly interests and concerns.
Sin is sin because it rejects God and Jesus Christ at/in the center of our earthly lives and work, while, on the other hand, exalting self and earthly pleasure/contentment.
