Atheists Are Becoming Extinct!

Fear.

It's something we all have to face at some point in our lives.

When we were kids it might have been fear of the dark, fear of the monster that we truly believed lived in our closets or beneath our bed. It might have been from strangers or thunderstorms or even death.

Now that we are older, our fears have matured a bit. We know that monsters don't live under our beds or closets. We may still fear the dark, thunderstorms or other phobias. But now we fear things like will we get married, fear that we won't be able to protect our family and children, fear of death becomes more prevalent the older we get, especially when it begins to claim our friends and family unexpectedly one by one.

Death is perhaps the biggest fear and that is when in all likelihood that atheists will cry out to God or some other gods to save them. When the diagnosis from the doctor comes back with a death sentence that informs them they are living on their last days.

Just yesterday, my 21-year-old daughter entered her first day as an extern for cardio sonographer, meaning she takes ultra sound pictures of the heart. When she called on her way home, I asked how it went. She said she would talk to me about it when she got home.

When she walked in the door, sat down and explained how her day went, her first words were, "I watched someone die today."

Apparently this 18-year-old teen died when his heart became so enlarged that it was only providing his body with 10% of the blood it needed. The heart was the result of heroine use since he was 12. Both the mother and grandmother were there, when the cardiologist told the young man he was going to die and there wasn't anything he could do to help. Both the mother and grandmother were also heroine users and it was something they participated in together. They were confused that they were still alive but that their teen was going to die?

As they took more scans of his heart, his heart rate began to fail and within minutes, they all attempted to do what they could to bring him back, but in the end, he died.

A preventable death.

A life wasted because he made the wrong choices in his life. That is the tragic thing, because we don't know when our time is up. God does. But it's how we live through the dash in between our birth and death that matters.

Trust me, atheists are the first to argue against a belief in God. Why argue against anything if nothing exists. Isn't that point mute? Why do you care what others do, what they chose to believe in?

The funny thing I don't understand is how people can say Christians, are trying to force their beliefs on everyone?  Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

Christians are only sharing what they believe, that the Bible is 100% God inspired, and that Jesus Christ is the only one who has managed to accurately predict his death and resurrection defined by the life of love he lived and the power to cure the sick, heal the blind, deaf and lame and cure the demon possessed men. Christians can't force you to accept Jesus. It has to be a personal choice.

No one is holding a gun to your head making you make that choice. It is a free will to accept or deny what we are sharing is truth.

When Christians share it, it is because it changes lives for the better. It gives hope to the hopeless, power to the weak, strength to the weary and eternal life at the end of this life.

How again are Christians forcing anyone to do anything?

When you find God, you find His blessings, because He blesses obedience, you will find peace, hope, joy and love. When faced with fear or worry, we make a conscience choice to focus on the world, or what is ailing us, or we can choose to focus on Jesus, and the promises He provides. We need to consider that the next time we are facing something that is causing us to worry or to fear? Where are we focused?

There comes a certain point in all of our lives, when we think about eternity. In disasters, terrorist attacks, or like this young man yesterday, who suddenly faced death. Wonder who he cried out to in his final moments. I hope it was God and that God answered his prayers to usher him into a eternity with Him. The only other option is an eternity without God and that is a choice when you are in your final moments of breathing your last breath, that you don't want to be without God.

What will your choice be? Either you choose God and eternal life, or reject Him and face a possible eternity in hell. Remember God doesn't choose for you, You Choose for Yourself.

Jesus reminds us in John 6:37-40 ~ "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (NIV).

John 6:47 ~ "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life." (NIV).

John 3:36 ~ "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (NIV).

John 10:27-30 ~"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (NIV).

John 11"25-26 ~ "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"(NIV).

John 14:6 ~ "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one come to the Father except through me." (NIV).

If you want to choose Jesus today, simply pray this prayer from your heart. You have to remember that in life there are no coincidences, only divine appointments. So if you found yourself here today, please consider the life with Jesus as Your Lord and Savior. I can promise you this, it will be life-changing.

Father, I come to You, confessing my sin and asking for Your forgiveness. I thank you, Lord, for You have promised that if I will confess my sins, You will be faithful to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I want to turn from my sins and live in Your will. I ask that You give me the power through Your Holy Spirit to live the right way.

I thank You that Jesus Christ died on the cross, paying the price for my sins, and then rose from the dead. I accept Him now as my Savior, my Lord, and my Friend. Thank You for giving me new life in Christ. I surrender myself to You; make me what You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen!

If you have prayed this prayer, you might not feel any different, but you will begin to see and feel a difference in how you live your life from this point on. I would encourage you to do 4 things.

1. Get a Bible and begin reading in the Book of John. From there continue to the end and then start at the beginning. 

2. Find a church that preaches the Word of God straight from the Bible. In these days there are unfortunately some churches that are more focused on gaining popularity and have compromised on what they teach. 

3. Tell others about your commitment. You will need the encouragement and support of other Christians to help you move forward in your new life. Be prepared however that those that aren't Christians will likely make fun of you and your new commitment. Welcome to the world of living for Jesus now and not the world. 

4. Pray. God loves nothing more than to hear from you about everything in your life. It is also the greatest weapon we possess as believers in Jesus. It causes definite things to happen in the spiritual world and you will now have God's protection over your life, and you will know with certainty that when this life is over, your new eternal life in heaven awaits! It's going to be great!

Is the World Looking for a Personal Jesus?

If you were born in the 80's you might remember an 80's band known as Depeche Mode, who had the song Personal Jesus. Let me share some of the lyrics from that song and see if it might apply to the world culture we seem playing out before our eyes.

Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there

Sounds a lot like what the world is screaming for right now, and that falls in line with what the Bible said would happen in the last days. There would be an increase in violence, more lawlessness, more laws to combat all the violence and lawlessness in hopes of trying to fix the problem, mob mentality to overrule authority, acting on feelings instead fo what is right. 

It seems that our liberty and military are now more just perceptions, not being utilized for the very purposes that they were created and one day our enemies will wake up and see it for what it is. But in the midst of all the chaos that is unfolding in our world, they are crying out for a God, but a god of their own way. 

We will see the presidency in the United States weaken, our economy, the British Pound and their ruling authorities, overturned in a build up for a one world power and unified world currency. 

It is setting the stage for the antiChrist to come upon the world in an effort to appease what the people want, give them what they want, let them do what they want, as long as God and everything He stands for is outlawed, rebellion against and those who stand along with the Bible shall be the terrorists. 

2 Thessalonians 2:4 "He will oppose everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (NIV).

It will become a world without values. A world without God. 

The world will become a perilous place. More than it is right now. 

But believers in Jesus Christ won't have to worry because we will be removed at the rapture of the church. But people nowadays are living with their heads in the sand. We aren't there yet, but we are beginning to see it in it's beginning stages. 

A temple will be built on the Temple Mount. Whether that happens before the Tribulation or after, the Bible isn't clear, but it will happen. 

You can define the 6th chapter in the Book of Revelation, two ways. 

Revelation 6:1-2 defines the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation where deception, peace and prosperity is brought about by the anti-Christ. 

Revelation 6:3-17 defines the last 3 1/2 years where all hell is unleashed upon the world and the anti-Christ true colors begin to surface. 

We live in a Godless age now, where we find everyone is against God. They hate anything and everything that pertains to God. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ~ "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. " (NIV). 

Isn't it interesting what some people will do for money? You see all kinds of reality television shows that will award people money for doing anything, even eating things man wasn't supposed to ever eat. 

These are the Christians who on the outside, look, dress and act the part on Sundays, but you couldn't tell them apart once they walk outside of church and live their lives as they see fit the rest of the week. They are fake Christians, the ones who refuse to let the Holy Spirit govern their lives. 

We will see an increase in anarchy. Before when people used to rob you, they would hold out a gun and ask for your money, now they simply shoot you and then take what they want. Human life has no value anymore. It will mean murder excessively, where murder will almost become a sport. They begin to lose their values and instead seek a humanistic view of the world. Life isn't worth anything to them. 

Judges 17:6 ~ "In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." (NIV). 

Sound familiar? 

A world without God! Even the theory of evolution has been mocking God's creation. You've even heard the humanistic motto: See if you can fill in the following blanks:

Survival of the _________

If it feels good, _________

Look out for ___________

More than likely you got every single one of these right like I did. This is what is being taught in our schools, colleges and universities! This is the very manifesto of the humanism movement and people are buying it because it is what they want. 

In there eyes, there is no black or white. I mean we are all just animals on the food chain. There is no morality, no sense of right and wrong, it is what one person thinks right and wrong is to them. 

Get from life, all that you can. Experience it all, while you're still alive. We can create our own reality. The world now, wants God on their terms not His. 

In every life, there is a void, a space inside ourselves that needs to be filled. But few will fill it with God. Instead, they will fill it with money, drugs, alcohol, partying, compromising lifestyle choices, anything and everything their heart desires, their own personal Jesus if you will, but in reality, there is only ONE real and true Jesus. 

He remains consistent, unwavering and only in Him can you truly fill what the world thinks will satisfy. Look around at all the Hollywood celebrities and sports figures, those that are searching in all the wrong places and end up like King Solomon, in Eccleasiastes 12:8 "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher, "Everything is meaningless!" (NIV).

Without Jesus, it is all meaningless, and trust me King Solomon has more wealth than any other man and he set out to find out the true meaning of happiness from the world's perspective and found it lacking. He was the wisest man of our time and still we try to out search his wisdom. Without Jesus, it is all meaningless. 

Trust Jesus for 30 days! Give it a shot! I guarantee if you put your heart on the line with Him, and ask Him to reveal Himself to You, willing to give it all you have, you will NOT be disappointed.It's super easy, simply pray this prayer and invite Him in. He won't come unless You ask, because God never forces Himself on you, He waits for you to invite Him into your life, into your heart to change you from the inside out. Simply pray it from your heart and see what will happen in the next 30 days. 

Father, I come to You, confessing my sin and asking for Your forgiveness. I thank you, Lord, for You have promised that if I will confess my sins, You will be faithful to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I want to turn from my sins and live in Your will. I ask that You give me the power through Your Holy Spirit to live the right way.

I thank You that Jesus Christ died on the cross, paying the price for my sins, and then rose from the dead. I accept Him now as my Savior, my Lord, and my Friend. Thank You for giving me new life in Christ. I surrender myself to You; make me what You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen

The Jesus you find now, will be your own personal Jesus because You have given Him rule and reign over your life, and He will never disappoint you, leave you or forsake you in anything you have to do. Try Jesus!

Signs in The Sky? Are We Missing Something?

I'm not sure if you have been out stargazing these last few nights hoping to catch a glimpse of what some have been calling the Star of Bethlehem. I know we have tried but have had an abundant cloud cover up here in the High Desert and haven't been able to catch anything. Whether or not this phenomena is similar to what really happened the night of Jesus' birth, I don't think that it is, since this is merely an alignment of Venus and Jupiter that appear in the sky as a brighter than normal star. We know in actuality that these plants are not in perfect alignment since they remain quite a distance apart.

I believe in the Biblical account of the star that lead the wise men and shepherds to be something extraordinary and divinely created. But you can't help but wonder in light of the things happening quite literally almost weekly if not daily that God is trying to get our attention. What will have to happen to get us to take notice?

This year has had quite a lot of things for people to sit up and take notice, and then again, quite a few people are oblivious to what I believe is setting the stage for something big about to happen. Now understand something first, I am NOT date setting but merely piecing what I believe are clues from the Bible and what I see happening around us worldwide that can not be simply ignored.

First let us understand what the Bible said we should be aware of and looking for as we near the end times.

Matthew 24:1-14  ~ "Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us, " they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. 

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (NIV).

Luke 21:25-28 ~ "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be anguish and perplexity at the roaring and the tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heards, because your redemption is drawing near." (NIV).

For those of us that understand the Bible, and know it is not like a bag of trail mix, where you simply take out the parts that you like and toss out the rest, we know that from the Old Testament, there were 7 year period of time in which were referred to as Shemitah years or the years of cleansing. Crops were given rest periods so that the land could heal from harvests and debts were resolved from those who owed money. It was a resetting of things from God's standards. The Jewish people still understand this.

2015 is the Shemitah year and with is, a time of what I believe is a cleansing period. You have to also understand that in the Jewish calendar our years don't run from January 1st to December 31st. The Shemitah years begins from September 25, 2014 to September 13, 2015. So what does that have to do with anything?

Let's look at what has happened to the signs in the sky since that time frame and what the significance that has to anything.

The last of the Four Blood Moons of 2014-2015 has already begun, known as Tetrads. Three of these Tetrads have occurred in the last 500 years that are significant to Israel and also fall on the Jewish Feasts. We also know that these are the only Tetrads that have had a total solar eclipse somewhere within the series. The coming Tetrads in 2014-2015 will also contain a total solar eclipse within its series. But what is so different about the previous three Tetrads significant to Israel and the coming Tetrad?

Unlike the others, this series of Four Blood Moons contains a Shemittah year which runs from September 25, 2014 to September 13, 2015. This Shemittah year will begin on the first day of the Jewish New Year (Feast of Trumpets) of 2014 and conclude on the following celebration of the Jewish New Year (Feast of Trumpets) of 2015. Follow this phenomenon:

The occurrence of a lunar eclipse is common.

The occurrence of a total lunar eclipse is less common.

The occurrence of a Tetrad or four consecutive Blood Moons (total lunar eclipses) is rare.

The occurrence of a Tetrad with a total solar eclipse within its series is very rare.

A Tetrad with a total solar eclipse that is significant to Israel's history and the Jewish Feasts is very, very rare.

The occurrence of a Tetrad with a total solar eclipse historically significant to Israel and Jewish Feasts that includes a Shemittah year within its series is very, very, very rare.

But a Tetrad with a total solar eclipse, historically significant to Israel and falling on the Jewish Feast with a Shemittah year that corresponds with the Feasts of Trumpets (the Jewish New Year) within its series is astronomically rare!

Taken in its context, is God trying to tell us something is coming?

I believe He is and most don't think anything about it. Especially in light of what occurred last Friday with the Supreme Court and the willingness of our current president willing to turn it's back on Israel for the first time since Israel began a nation in 1948, I believe in my opinion the end of days is literally coming much sooner than we expect with the rapture of the church imminent to happen at any time.

We already see believers in Jesus Christ being persecuted and killed for their faith, while the world, does nothing to stop it. Same sex marriage is now ruled by the courts in the United States as legal and even more recently the Episcopal church is coming out in favor and acceptance that they will perform same sex marriages. If any Christian speaks out in opposition, they find themselves at the conjuncture of having to make a decision to decide to keep their job or walk away. Much to the acceptance and joy of same sex supporters.

Churches now face opposition and are accused of being bigots, haters, and arrogant to the new normal way of life that is being tolerated by the world. Jesus predicted exactly all this would happen and told us that read the Bible that in the last days it would look like Sodom and Gomorrah and I believe that is already happening.

He told us to watch for these signs to happen before He returned for His church in the rapture, for which I am a firm believer in the Pre-Tribulation. That the church will not have to endure the wrath coming in the 7 year period known as the Tribulation Period.

If this is a year of cleansing, the Shemittah year, it is interesting it corresponds to the Feast of the Trumpets, because Jesus proclaimed that He would return for His church at the last trumpet blast. Is it possible that it has no reference to the Tribulation wraths of the Trumpets and instead corresponds to the Feast of Trumpets in the last of the Four Blood Moon Tetrads that also happens in a Shemittah year of cleansing?

What if this is the final year, before the ultimate 7 year period to follow, the Tribulation Period that will be the result of God's judgment and the cleansing of the earth of sin and the evil that permeates before Jesus returns in His Second Coming? What if this is our final warning before His returns for His purified church?

It is interesting to note that this is the last time in future history that all these events line up so perfectly you can't  help but wonder if God is trying to tell us something by all of this especially in light of all that is happening in the world today.

What if this is God telling us that we are to be ready and be busy doing God's business right now? For those of you that don't know where your eternal status is, where you will be spending an eternity right now, heaven or hell, you'd better make a decision, because I believe that time is running out and something big is about to happen, when the last trumpet sounds. That Feast of Trumpets is scheduled for September 13th, but God can take us home at any time. The last Blood Moon is scheduled for September 28, 2015 by the way.

If you want to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, the only way to get into heaven by the way, simply say the following prayer from your heart:

Father, I come to You, confessing my sin and asking for Your forgiveness. I thank you, Lord, for You have promised that if I will confess my sins, You will be faithful to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I want to turn from my sins and live in Your will. I ask that You give me the power through Your Holy Spirit to live the right way.

I thank You that Jesus Christ died on the cross, paying the price for my sins, and then rose from the dead. I accept Him now as my Savior, my Lord, and my Friend. Thank You for giving me new life in Christ. I surrender myself to You; make me what You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen!

If you have prayed that prayer from your heart, I would encourage you to pick up a Bible and read about the Jesus Christ, who saved you from your sins and your eternal destiny because a day is coming in the very near future where you won't be able to make that choice, when your heart becomes so hardened from all your rejection of His truth that you will fall victim like Pharoah did and will be deceived by the great deception that will come to the world, and you won't be able to change your mind.

Think these things don't really matter?

Consider what has happened in just the last 6, Shemittah years:

In 1973: The Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade occurred, which resulted in the deaths of more than 60 million unborn babies.

In 1980: Saddam Hussein invaded Iran to signal the beginning of the Gulf War years.

In 1987: A supernova that could be seen by the naked eye for the first time since 1604 occurred. A supernova is the explosion of a star that has reached the end of its life; this brilliant point of light can briefly outshine entire galaxies and radiate more energy than our sun will in its entire lifetime. That same year the U.S. stock market crashed.

In 1994: Yassar Arafat returns to the Middle East. A rare earthquake occurred in North America on the New Madrid fault line; it spanned the Midwest of the United States up to Canada.

In 2001: America was attacked by radical Islamic terrorists killing three thousand Americans on 9/11. This day became America's new day of infamy.

In 2008: America experienced a stock market crash on September 29th when the market fell 777 points in one day. It was the greatest one-day decline in the history of Wall Street.

In 2015: The Supreme Court has redefined marriage to include same sex marriage.

What else awaits? It is interesting that a military exercise is being staged to last from July 15 to September  15th, known as Jade Helm. Is this really a sign or simply something being staged for the outbreak of another terrorist attack or a possible civil disobedience outbreak set to occur or is it all simply just nothing at all? Merely coincidences? Conspiracy Theories?

I believe God is sending us so many signs, we can't help but wonder if something isn't about to happen very soon. Let's get busy, as believers in Jesus, praying for revival and repentance of this great nation and spread the Gospel News that Jesus is the Only Way, The Truth and The Life to this fallen world before it's too late.

Independence Day - A Religious Holiday?

I had to share this article by David Barton, because it pertains to our nations history more than 239 years ago and no matter how much secular scholars are attempting to erase American History from our schools and textbooks, we need to understand that despite what others tell us, our great nation WAS founded upon Christian principles and a strong faith and belief in God. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Please feel free to share this article and let us remember as we celebrate this weekend, let's not forget God!

Independence Day - A Religious Holiday?  By David Barton

"On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from Great Britain. Two days afterwards – July 4th – the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed, albeit by only two individuals at that time: John Hancock, President of Congress, and Charles Thompson, Secretary of Congress. Four days later, on July 8, members of Congress took that document and read it aloud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, after which the Liberty Bell was rung. The inscription around the top of that bell, Leviticus 25:10, was most appropriate for the occasion: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.”

To see the turmoil in other nations, their struggles and multiple revolutions, and yet to see the stability and blessings that we have here in America, we may ask how has this been achieved? What was the basis of American Independence? John Adams said “The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” Perhaps the clearest identification of the spirit of the American Revolution was given by John Adams in a letter to Abigail the day after Congress approved the Declaration. He wrote her two letters on that day; the first was short and concise, jubilant that the Declaration had been approved. The second was much longer and more pensive, giving serious consideration to what had been done that day. Adams cautiously noted: “This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.”

It is amazing that on the very day they approved the Declaration, Adams was already foreseeing that their actions would be celebrated by future generations. Adams contemplated whether it would be proper to hold such celebrations, but then concluded that the day should be commemorated – but in a particular manner and with a specific spirit. As he told Abigail: “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

John Adams believed that the Fourth of July should become a religious holiday – a day when we remembered God’s hand in deliverance and a day of religious activities when we committed ourselves to Him in “solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” Such was the spirit of the American Revolution as seen through the eyes of those who led it, evidenced even further in the words of John Quincy Adams, one who was deeply involved in the activities of the Revolution.

According to John Quincy Adams, Christmas and the Fourth of July were intrinsically connected. On the Fourth of July, the Founders simply took the precepts of Christ, who came into the world through His birth (Christmas) and incorporated those principles into civil government.

Have you ever considered what it meant for those 56 men – an eclectic group of ministers, businessmen, teachers, university professors, sailors, captains, farmers – to sign the Declaration of Independence? This was a contract that began with the reasons for the separation from Great Britain and closed in the final paragraph stating “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” These men took this pledge seriously and it cost them greatly. When Samuel Adams signed the Declaration, he said, “We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come.”

The spiritual emphasis manifested so often by the Americans during the Revolution caused one Crown-appointed British governor to write to Great Britain complaining that: “If you ask an American who is his master, he’ll tell you he has none. And he has no governor but Jesus Christ.” This was boldly declared with not one but sixteen Congressional proclamations for national days of prayer and fasting throughout the Revolution.

Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding the foundations on which this great country was built and then preserving the principles on which it was founded. Let’s not let the purpose for which we were established be forgotten. The Founding Fathers have passed us a torch; let’s not let it go out."

Upholding "Emphatic Notions" of Right and Wrong

Interesting how on June 29th, this was my morning devotional and found it came at just the perfect opportunity I had to share it. I hope it speaks to the heart of the issue we are having to face in light of the Supreme Court's decision not only on same sex marriage but recent rulings from them in the past.

"Through the law we become conscious of sin." ~ Romans 3:20.

"In Georgia a controversy raged over whether the August National Golf Club should be forced to accept women members; editorials denounced the club's insistence on the right of free association.

In Colorado the wife of a shop owner handed a brochure to an employee describing religious programs that help homosexuals leave the gay lifestyle. For this expression of her religious beliefs, the woman was forced, under local gay-rights laws, to undergo "counseling."

It seems that when it comes to sexual privacy, no one is allowed to pass judgment on others. It's a different story when it comes to other kinds of privacy rights - like the right of freedom of association or religious expression.

Moral philosopher Hadley Arkes says this state of affairs came about through the loss of understanding of natural law and thus, of natural rights.

In Natural Rights and the Right to Choose, Arkes notes that natural rights are the rights that are the same in all places and at all times. America's founders referred to natural rights as "self-evident truths." They knew that laws that ignored natural rights were unjust.

Today, secular scholars are hostile toward any notion of moral truths that are binding on all people. Instead, they suggest that we have nothing more than opinions about right and wrong. Humans have no fixed nature, they claim, and thus settled rights cannot arise from that nature.

The founders argued that the purpose of government is to secure the rights we already possess by nature and that God has give to us. Today, writes Arkes, secular scholars insist that we would be better off if politicians abandoned "fables about our natures, and such emphatic notions of right and wrong."

But if the Constitution really is based on truth, then we can't some how "advance" beyond it. Attempts to do so will inevitably lead to tyranny. For example, in 1973, the Supreme Court discovered a Constitutional "right to privacy." This "right" has enabled judges to overturn laws in the name of a whole new array of rights - including the right to partial-birth abortion.

But without a transcendent standard, there is no consistency. Private corporations and clubs are attacked for daring to define their own character. But in the name of an alleged right to sexual privacy, the law is used as a sledghammer to punish people who criticize the sexual behavior of others.

Christians must understand how the denial of logic of natural rights threatens not only our rights to free speech and religious practice but the right to life itself.

We must ask ourselves, as well, if we are ever tempted to ignore God's law when we disagree with it - as many judges do - or worse, privately exchange God's commands for our own." (Charles Colson, pg 360, One Year Devotional).

Lord, open my eyes to the arguments of many - including some who write or interpret our laws - that have already begun to lead us down the path to tyranny. Put in my heart a love of your laws and a fervent willingness to obey every one of them. ~ In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

Soul Suvivors!

I remember the day that the television show Survivor first aired! I so loved the concept from trying to survive on what you had with a bunch of other people, tossed over the side of a boat with only what you brought with you, not knowing what you will be faced with. For the longest time, as the series continued I wanted and wished more than ever to be a part of that series, to see if I had what it took, not just to survive from a survival perspective but as a social one as well. It takes a lot to make some quick decisions with people you don't know and often times, think way differently about things than you do. So how do you find a way to make it work under the guise of team work?

In fact, in my days as a corporate trainer for a large wireless communications company for customer service representatives, one of my first themes was the Survivor idea. To outwit, to outplay and outlast, was key to making it through the brutal 6 week training class. But it was a great idea to keep the competitive spirit alive and something fun to work on harnessing the team building aspect that has to come when you are willing to step outside of yourself and think about others as part of success. This goes against everything ingrained in us from birth, that it isn't about self survival but as a team, a family, a neighborhood, a community, and a nation.

Right now, in light of the judicial blunder that has taken place on Friday, it has caused a great division among the people in the US. Rightly so. There are those that are celebrating the Supreme Courts decision to go against everything our judicial system represents, against the Constitution of the United States of America in an effort to basically tell God, that for 5000 years, He has had it all wrong from the beginning.

This is the most catastrophic self-inflicted wound to America. The Supreme Court has violated the Constituion and the judicial system. They have by passed Congress and the President and between 5 justices, made a decision that will now have long reaching consequences. What they did by bypassing all the processes put in place to prevent such a breach of judicial powers in the branches of government is untie the definition of marriage to include equality for all. Did you get that?

Equality for all when it comes to marriage.

I'm sure the same sex marriage community will be rejoicing for days because to them, it was a win, but it really wasn't. They cheated, the Supreme Court, to make this ruling without going through the proper channels, but does that matter? Most would say Heck No!

But it does. You see I believe we have watched America as a nation, slide further into the state of culture collapse than ever before. You don't have to be a history major to understand the implications on a culture, when lawlessness happens. And three of the chief justices on the Supreme Court have said just that. But is anyone listening? Does anyone care?

Chief Justice John Roberts said, "Constitution had “nothing to do with” the majority’s vindication of marriage equality."

Chief Justice Thomas said, "Had the majority allowed the definition of marriage to be left to the political process—as the Constitution requires—the People could have considered the religious liberty implications of deviating from the traditional definition as part of their deliberative process. Instead, the majority’s decision short-circuits that process, with potentially ruinous consequences for religious liberty."

Chief Justice Alito said, "I assume that those who cling to old beliefs will be able to whisper their thoughts in the recesses of their homes, but if they repeat those views in public, they will risk being labeled as bigots and treated as such by governments, employers, and schools… By imposing its own views on the entire country, the majority facilitates the marginalization of the many Americans who have traditional ideas. Recalling the harsh treatment of gays and lesbians in the past, some may think that turnabout is fair play. But if that sentiment prevails, the Nation will experience bitter and lasting wounds."

Chief Justice Scalia said, "“A system of government that makes the people subordinate to a committee of nine unelected lawyers does not deserve to be called a democracy.”

Interesting how they have voiced their concerns by voting against this decision, because they violated all those people who have placed them in their position as Chief Justices to begin with. 5 justices on the Supreme Court, took it upon themselves on Friday, to make a universal decision for 320 million American's that basically said to the world, "this is what we think and believe is wrong."

This wasn't a win!

I guess people are simply too busy celebrating what it means to them, and even some well meaning Christians have joined in as well, but do you really see what has happened in the midst of your celebrations? That marriage is now undefined as deemed by the courts that everyone is allowed to marry those that they love, with no limits on that degree.

Do you understand what that means? I'm sure most could care a less as long as they get what they want and it doesn't impact them. Oh how far the world has fallen if they truly believe that lie.

Now it means that anyone can marry. There are no limits on the number of people who can marry, no age limits, no mental capacity can be challenged, nothing! It's equality for all!!! Let's celebrate that right?

Oh how my heart breaks for those who remain in complete ignorance if that is what they truly believe. The Supreme Court has now made it clear to the American citizens that the Constitution is invalid or open for reinterpretation as they see fit. The branches of government has been tossed out the window because the balances of power has been throw out. Now all kinds of laws no longer require the process that has been in place since the creation of the nation. Now it seems the line has been drawn in the sand and the persecutions will begin for everyone.

It will begin first with those who hold true to the traditions and foundations of the Bible. We will be now labeled as bigots, ignorant, intolerant, haters and even worse. Really where is all that so called "Love" you speak of now. So when anyone disagrees with you, we can be labeled, mocked, hated, by those that claim they are so full of love now?

Matthew 5:3-12 ~ " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (NIV).

I mean I get it, I've seen the signs for some time, I mean seriously who hasn't. The church has been sleeping for far too long and now I believe it is the time to decide where you will take your stand! As a Christian, a believer of Jesus Christ, whatever your denomination, you can NO longer be a spectator in the world. We will have to make a choice as some are already doing.

But we should not be disappointed in what has happened to our nation because we had faith in a man made system. We wanted them to think like God does. But the God we serve and love, is constant, He never wavers, His promises are as true today as they were thousands of years ago in the Bible. The Bible isn't a bag of trail mix, where you get to pick and choose what you like, and leave the rest.

It is the infallible Word of God, absolute truth, non contradicting,in every way to those who read it and understand what it says. We have a choice to make today, who will you serve, man or God?

Acts 5:29 ~ " Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" (NIV).

The results are clear, if you love Jesus, you will be hated by the world. Right now the Holy Spirit is calling you out! You have to decide for yourself, to stand with God or to stand with the world. Don't compromise, no matter how you feel!

Matthew 13, we are the seed, about to be tested to see where our roots truly lie, but take joy, there is still hope to be found in the Bible.

We need right now to take up a different kind of Survivor motto: One of the Christian perspective, where by choosing to follow Jesus, you will be guaranteed free airfare and 7 star accommodations for eternity. Cause in the end, it will all be about who you know and only those who call upon the name of the LORD will be saved. Only in Jesus Christ.

We now as believers in Jesus Christ, as soul survivors be the ones to OUT LOVE, OUT PRAY and OUT SERVE the evil that permeates the world right now, usher in a new age that will test the Christian and refine those who last into a pure believer ready to stand for Christ.

Who will you serve today?

Joshua 24:15 "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!" (NIV).

If you want to make a change in your life today and choose Jesus over the world, pray this simple prayer from your heart:

Father, I come to You, confessing my sin and asking for Your forgiveness. I thank you, Lord, for You have promised that if I will confess my sins, You will be faithful to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I want to turn from my sins and live in Your will. I ask that You give me the power through Your Holy Spirit to live the right way.

I thank You that Jesus Christ died on the cross, paying the price for my sins, and then rose from the dead. I accept Him now as my Savior, my Lord, and my Friend. Thank You for giving me new life in Christ. I surrender myself to You; make me what You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Point of No Return

This is a personal post on my feelings and what I believe and in no way shape of form is my forcing or requiring any one to accept my beliefs or opinions. Those choices are for an individual to make but I hope I make some consider what has happened, and what I believe will happen in the days ahead.

After the ruling from the Supreme Court was handed down on Friday, it didn't come as a surprise to me. After so many states had already caved in on their positions to recognize same sex marriages in their states, and the recent programming changes like The New Normal and other television shows and networks, and a more aggressive campaign to accept a same sex lifestyle into our society like a slow bleed, I was not caught off guard. For quite some time, we have watched as our rights and freedoms have been changed, called into question, but those of a more liberal persuasion, calling those who have a different opinion over theirs, arrogant, bigots, intolerant and haters.

That hurts because it is not true. I don't hate anyone, and I am educated enough to know right from wrong despite what the mainstream seems to be doing. But that is changing in the world. Right is now seen as wrong and wrong is now being embraced as right. It doesn't make it right but the Bible has predicted this so that is why it comes as no shock.

Friday, was a day that I felt two things, first an overwhelming sadness that persisted well into even today, but it is getting better as God speaks to my heart. I felt on Friday that sadness was the result of the Holy Spirit inside the lives and hearts of believers as it broke for this once blessed nation. It broke as the world even more turned its back on the foundations this country was created on. It has utterly turned away from God and now has turned to beyond shaking a fist at God, but laughing, mocking Him, and turning everything we as believers in God respect, into fire and ash.

The second thing I felt was anger, not at homosexuals but at the Supreme Court, that took it upon itself to interrupt the law of God and twist it, without a law being introduced from Congress for them to vote on and act upon. They simply bypassed the judicial system of how laws are created in this nation and went against everything. It my eyes, they cheated. It doesn't make it right that people felt the decision was justified in some eyes, they cheated. Plain and simple.

It changed the America we knew to the America we now have. There is no going back.

One thing is certain, we have moved the hands of God's coming judgment on the world, just that much closer to coming. When that will happen no one knows, but it will come.

As believers in Jesus, I believe that we have seen and heard God's final warning before the collapse of our culture and our nation. Don't know what comes next, read Deuteronomy 28, it's quite clear and it will happen.

Just because unrighteous laws have been passed does not mean we have to obey them. We are seeing states and churches halting not just same sex marriages, but all marriages for now. In this case, no discrimination cases can come upon them for not performing a marriage. Now we await some defining and clarification to what does the Constitution hold for religious freedoms for churches and pastors. Since the Supreme Court now feels in control, it wouldn't surprise me to see them reinterpret that Constitutional right.

So what can we do as Christians, or as I like to refer to myself as a believer in Jesus Christ?

1. Pray. Now is the time to get serious about our prayer life. We have taken it for granted that prayer can't change anything but it can. It has worked in the past when God's people have repented, turned away from their sinful life, and seek His forgiveness. God is a God of forgiveness, grace and mercy but He will not allow us to continue to claim we belong to Him and continue to live in a defiant attitude of sin. As if we are begging God to do something about it. Make no mistake, God's justice will come, but He is restraining this judgment wishing that NO ONE will perish but all will come to repentance and turn to Him.

I am asking ALL believers in Christ to join with me in 31 non stop days of prayer, beginning July 1st for the entire month based on Ephesians 3:20 ~"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us."

Please make a solid commitment to set your alarms to pray for our nation, our leaders, the world and for a great revival and an awakening to occur at 3:20 every day. It's a simple request and one that I believe will begin to move in such a way, the world can't miss. We failed before in this great nation by believing this would never happen, but let us be faithful in this. Wherever we are at 3:20 am or pm or even both, stop and pray. Will you commit?

2. Don't panic, God is still on the throne! History has shown us that the church often thrives when it is in sharp contract to the culture. Consider the implications and struggles of the first century churches. They stayed with God despite what they faced. We, believers in Jesus Christ, can outlive, outlove and out pray this world only with the help of Jesus Christ. We can survive what has happened and come out of this stronger than ever before if we learn from our mistakes.

3. We need to Keep Calm and Carry On! Did you realize that this slogan came from WWII at a time when Britain was under attack and it was issued by Sir Winston Churchill? That is precisely what we need to do when the world is hoping we all cower and go back into our holes quietly or as some have suggested leave, go someplace else where you will be accepted.

4. We need to show this changing culture what true traditional marriage really looks like! What a biblical marriage looks like, not perfect but perfectly forgiven! We all make mistakes, and it will be those in this culture that will seek to magnify those mistakes, but our mistakes don't define us, as long as we repent and move forward in the forgiveness that can only come from God. Our marriages should be a testimony to non-believers and we need to live it the way God intended. We need to remember that all marriages have irreconcilable differences but that is not a reason for divorce. Those differences are what make our marriages strong and what initially attracted us to our husbands and wives in the first place.

5. We need to show the love of Christ to everyone!!! People are struggling with those same sex attractions and feelings, but they don't need to act on them. Just like all of us have struggles with some area of sin in our life, we need to understand separating our feelings from our actions. Just because it feels right, doesn't mean it is right. Everything needs to be held up to the biblical standard of what is absolute right from what is absolute wrong. Without it, we would have no law and everyone would see fit to do what feels right or wrong to them. But it doesn't make it right.

The one thing I have found tossed in my face has been the scripture, "Judge not, lest you be judged.: by most non believers and even some well meaning Christians. So how do you deal with that? Easy if you look at it in context that is conveniently removed.

Matthew 7: 1-2, "Judge not, that you not be judged. For with judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (NKJV). 

Matthew 7:1-2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV).

Matthew: 7:1-2 "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging, is the standard by which you will be judged." (NLT).

It simply states that we can judge if the standards we are using are biblical because those same standards are the ones God will use when judging us all. We are however, not to confuse judging others with condemnation. That is often where the line is crossed. But most times, people toss that convenient scripture at Christians but not applied to themselves either. Aren't those who are content with this recent ruling, judging those who stand on biblical standards to speak the truth whether they want to hear it or not. Most thing it means to be accepting of everyone and everything, but it doesn't.

So what does love really look like?

It doesn't mean accepting all things, but we must care about others, often times enough to be honest with them. Just as a parent disciplines a child when they do things that are wrong, in love to correct them and keep them from making those same mistakes, we don't simply accept everything our child does in hopes that they will one day realize that truth but in the meantime, will love us more in spite of our willingness to let them do whatever they want. That is NOT love.

Proverbs 27:5-6 ~ " Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (NIV). 

6. Lastly let us engage people with the Gospel. Everyone is searching for God and no one is beyond the reach of God, look at Saul of Tarsus who would later become Paul, one of the greatest disciples of Jesus. Anyone on the side of Jesus will face severe opposition. But we need to learn how to defend ourselves, to become either a victor or a victim. The devil will intensify his attacks on someone who is making a difference for Christ. Look at Job's example!

Remember as followers of Jesus Christ, we can't be snatched out of His hand, but for non believers, you are a sitting duck for Satan. He can blind their eyes so they don't believe and see the truth. So we must arm ourselves not just daily, but put on God's armor once and for all! We can't lower our guard for one minute because when we do, that's when we get hit! We have to stand against the wiles of the devil. He comes at us when we least expect it. It can come at the most inappropriate times like in the middle of church. Remember it is not a sin to be tempted, reject it immediately, we don't need to act on it, entertain it or give in to it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ~ "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV).

There is always a way out when you are tempted. Sometimes the solution is the easiest like using the door. The spiritual battle doesn't let up until we get to heaven. Remember what Satan doesn't want you to know, that he was defeated at the cross.

1 John 3:8 ~ "He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." (NIV).

God's powers are unlimited, Satan's are limited.

Colossians 2:13-16 ~ "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of the, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you but what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." (NIV). 

We are not fighting for victory, but from victory. We are now under the power of Jesus Christ. It's time to Stand Our Ground!! I believe what we will see now, is a thinning of churches, those who were not true Christians, will walk away and those false prophets in the church will now be revealed and what is left will be the One True Church of Jesus Christ, a pure and unblemished Bride awaiting her Groom! When things look like they're coming apart, they are actually coming together!