Wishing the President Well and Good Success Won’t Do It!

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. --- Psalm 127:1

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” --- Jesus speaking in John 15:4-6

Much commenting has taken place on the subject of wishing President Obama well and great success since he has assumed his position on January 20, 2009. But amid these expressions of good will have been some very negative statements to the contrary coming from those considered to be conservatives or worse, “right wing fanatics.” One expression was clear and to the point – a hope expressed that the president would fail – that hope, however, was a bit conditional – if the president seeks to so change this country from what the original founders intended it to be – if he attempts to turn the nation into a socialistic country with the government controlling nearly every aspect of our lives, then may he know nothing but failure!

But indeed there are many voices declaring that we need to lay aside our differences, come together and work in agreement for the common good of the nation. Even the president is at times portrayed as one who wants to “reach across the aisle” and work with those who sharply disagree with him. Recently he is on public record as saying to Republicans that they will have to stop listening to Rush Limbaugh if “we are to get things done!”

There is a ton of noble sounding rhetoric in all those sentiments expressed in “wishing the president well” and seeking to cooperate with him in pursuing an agenda that will be for the well being of our republic. However, it all means nothing unless a primary condition is met. That condition must start with the president and his staff people.

They absolutely must seek the will of God and be willing in humility to seek that the implementation of all policies will be conformed to God’s purposes for us as a nation.

Of course, before any of that can be done there has to be the honest facing of our massive failures as a nation in relation to the God we claim to be under as noted in our Pledge of Allegiance! Even on this matter there is a major problem – most citizens, including a sizable number of elected officials, do not want to admit that we as a nation are a moral disaster in the sight of a holy God.

At this stage there is no evidence the president, his staff, the U. S. Congress, the members of the U. S. Supreme Court (that is, those who make up the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the federal government), and the majority of the citizens are the least but concerned about what Almighty God wants or what His will for us individually and collectively involves.

According to some things that Jesus said, it is an extremely critical issue – at least to a few persons who have cultivated a degree of sensitivity to the eternal issues of life and death!

So, success or failure, Mr. President – which will it be? God has arranged for the ball to be in your court and the next move is yours!

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." --- Jesus speaking in Matthew 7:21-27

Cancer Isn’t Healed With a Band-Aid and An Aspirin Tablet!

A new “stimulus” package of over ¾ of a trillion dollars is being pushed by the Obama Dynasty with the mistaken belief that it will heal the nation’s ills! --- a wide variety of news sources release detailed information on the legislation that will be passed by the U. S. Congress soon.

And the LORD said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!'" And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!” --- Exodus 32:7-9

Here’s the situation – you have been diagnosed with a fast spreading deadly cancer – your doctor slaps a band-aid on your arm, gives you a bottle of aspirin tablets, tells you to take 4 tablets a day and come back for a check up in a month!

Crazy? Unreal? Something that was conceived in the Twilight Zone? Sure it is! Anyone with at least 2 ounces of brain knows that.

But that is precisely what is going on in our republic at the present time as the Obama Dynasty seeks to come up with a “prescription” to heal the nation’s ills. This newly installed dynasty mistakenly believes it is the economy that needs the “fix” just as soon as possible.


The root problem, however, is moral, ethical and spiritual in nature. Until that is seriously addressed the economic calamity will abound, as will a host of others besides. It simply hasn’t dawned on elected officials (and church leaders too!) that we just may be in a period when Almighty God is beginning to reckon with the false gods we have devised out of perverted imaginations and established throughout this nation over time, including the prominent and dominant “god” of money! We are a 21st Century version of what is described in the Scripture above as God observed that those who claimed to be His people had corrupted themselves.

But heading the list of our offenses for which we are reaping a most unpleasant harvest is the “shedding of innocent blood” – you know, the intentional murders of thousands of unborn children every week of the year! President Barack Hussein Obama vigorously supports this policy, is determined to preserve and continue it and recently signed an executive order which directs that millions of our tax dollars will go to family planning groups in foreign countries that do abortions and encourage this option in the “family planning” experience!

There is a heap of repenting needed at the present time due to our massive accumulation of offenses committed against the God Who in mercy raised this republic up over 232 years ago.

Tossing out phrases such as “God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.” are totally meaningless. Elected officials and church leaders are in the strategic position to issue a most urgent clarion call to repent of all sin and call upon God for mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ, Who alone makes forgiveness, healing and reconciliation possible!

Will it really happen? A few of us would hope so but it is not likely in light of many past lessons from history, especially as we learn details of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah which existed centuries ago and how these related to God.

The Obama Dynasty will blindly and ignorantly insist on applying the band-aid and aspirin treatment to a terminally ill patient.

Note below how it was for a nation that found itself in the same quandary as we at the present time. Maybe the question isn’t seriously being asked yet, but it will be somewhere down the road!

"And it will be when you say, 'Why does the LORD our God do all these things to us?' then you shall answer them, 'Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve aliens in a land that is not yours.' "Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah, saying, 'Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding, who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not: do you not fear Me?' says the LORD. 'Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it. But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; they have revolted and departed. They do not say in their heart, "Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest." Your iniquities have turned these things away, and your sins have withheld good things from you. 'For among My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich. They have grown fat, they are sleek; yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; they do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless; yet they prosper, and the right of the needy they do not defend. Shall I not punish them for these things?' says the LORD. 'Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?' "An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” --- Jeremiah 5:19-31

Forked Tongue One More Time!

"...and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you." --- President Barack Hussein Obama in his Inauguration speech, January 20, 2009

He said it – for all the world to hear and it’s been recorded – he can’t deny it, but only do some fancy foot shuffling in reference to the term.

What is “slaughtering innocents?” In context of his speech the president was attempting to speak to those who engage in terrorist activities and killing innocent persons in the process. His vow is that “we,” the United States, “will defeat you.”

But wait just a minute – let’s seriously pursue this a bit further. Why not cover all the bases when you address the issue of “slaughtering innocents?” Does that not also apply to the mutilation and murder of unborn children in the United States as well as a number of other countries -- you know, ours and others that make the outrageous claim of being “civilized?”

And can not the parties to whom President Obama is pointing the finger in that statement instantly point their finger back at us and say without hesitation, “You people are doing better than we at slaughtering the innocents – in fact, you have chalked up a much higher number than we – so much so that we are mere amateurs compared to you professionals in the United States. Our victims do not begin to approach 50 million as is the case with you. And further, your own president vigorously supports slaughtering the innocents, so who is he to point the finger at us?”

Help me at this point -- isn't there a word in our English language about this kind of thing which the president is blatantly demonstrating -- doesn't it start with hypo or something like that? Doesn't it have to do with condemning someone else for doing something perceived to be wrong, but then turning around and doing the same kind of thing yourself?

Slaughtering innocents? Hhmmmmmmmmmmm!

They do not direct their deeds toward turning to their God, for the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, and they do not know the LORD. The pride of Israel testifies to his face; therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. --- Hosea 5:4-6

Sometimes Imagination, Common Sense and Reason Help Greatly in Sorting Out An Issue!

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. --- Colossians 2:8

Here’s the scene with you and your family very much involved:

You have for years planned your dream home – much time and money have been spent in this project. It is finally coming together and for some time the home of your dreams over the years is finally put together just the way you wanted it.

A few days before moving in you and family take a walk through to make sure everything is as it should be. Then the night before you actually move in something most unexpected happens. You arrive on the scene the next morning to find nothing but rubble where that new home once stood.


Upon investigating you discover that I, your next door neighbor, had taken a Caterpillar bulldozer the night before and totally tore that dream home to pieces!

Now why would I do a horrible thing such as that? It certainly is not being very neighborly is it? But I have my reasons for such an act and I make certain claims as to why I feel justified in such an action as this!

Full details along with pictures about the incident are at You Are Building Your Dream Home – I Tear It Down – Now What? The reverse feature of your web browser will bring you back to this place.

Something to think about in light of the view of human life taken by President Barack Hussein Obama and the members of his administration.

A parting question which is most troubling to those with some sensitivity to that special revelation the Creator of this vast universe has made available to us – What does God think about this?

My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! --- Psalm 139:15-17

Paving the Way to Destruction by Strokes of a Pen!

President Barack Hussein Obama by a series of strokes of his pen will do more to bring about the collapse and downfall of our republic than any president yet in the history of a republic known as the United States of America!

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the infamous Supreme Court decision in the case of Roe v. Wade in which it was ruled that a female has the "right" to destroy the child that God is forming in her womb!

This anniversary will be observed as it has each year since 1973 with a massive March for Life held in Washington DC. Efforts have been made to see further restrictions on this policy of destroying thousands of unborn children each week with the hope that ultimately Roe v. Wade would be overturned.

President Obama by both his past voting record as well as stated intent will do everything to insure that unborn children will continue to be mutilated and murdered in their mothers' (term used very loosely) wombs.

The White House web site (www.whitehouse.gov) provides this bit of information about the issue:

Supports a Woman's Right to Choose: President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Administration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.

While it has been said that the president has a higher than average IQ and has eloquent abilities in speaking and communicating, he ranks among the most foolish and unwise of leaders as he uses his pen in signing executive orders and legislation (FOCA for example) which will result in the widening and deepening of the trail of innocent blood in our nation as well as many foreign ones!

It is the primary issue, ranking above every other domestic concern, including the economy. The reason? God's clear revelation about His view of human life, His foreknowledge of humans, His involvement in forming them in the womb and His plan and purpose for them after birth.

When anyone makes a very stupid move to hinder what God wants to do with a human being, especially in the early stages of the development of that person, then there will be a high price to be paid -- more than our feeble minds can begin to comprehend. We have but to look back in history to see what past cultures experienced by way of disaster when human life became cheap and considered disposable, as easy as throwing a used Kleenex into the waste basket!

The president is already giving evidence that he will duplicate the blunders of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of long ago who was confronted with a demand from God, but refused to listen and led his nation on the path to unprecedented disaster. History does have a way being repetitive, does it not? Especially when it comes to the actions of the Creator of this mighty universe!

"The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it." --- Jeremiah 18:7-10

A Simple Guide to Major "Isms" of the World for Mental Strugglers!

Remember, if you don't laugh or at least smile once in a while, you'll find yourself crying all the time!

Socialism: If you have two cows, give one to your neigbor.

Communism: If you have two cows, you give them to the government and the government gives you some milk.

Fascism: If you have two cows, you keep the cows and give the milk to the government; then the government sells you the milk.

New Dealism: If you have two cows, you shoot one and milk the other; then you pour the milk down the drain.

Nazism: If you have two cows, the government shoots you and keeps the cows.

Capitalism: If you have two cows, you sell one and buy a bull.

The above gem on world "isms" is one of many found at Circuit Rider's Humor Hut!

...a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance...--- Ecclesiastes 3:4

Letter to President Barack Hussein Obama

And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says the LORD God of your father David..... --- 2 Chronicles 21:12

For years I have been sending letters to presidents and other world leaders. On a regular basis letters were sent to President Bush and President Clinton.

My first to Mr. Obama took place in November shortly after he won the election earlier in the month. My first of many is going out to him today in his capacity as the 44th president to be inaugurated in the history of our republic.

A copy of this letter is found at Letter to President Barack Hussein Obama -- use reverse of your web browser to return here.

The letter to President Bush is found at Mr. President, We Need to Get Our Own House in Order First! -- again, use reverse on web browser to return here.

A number of persons, friends and family, have said, "Why waste your time doing this -- they won't read them anyway, etc." The reasons for doing this are for another time and place!

"For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house." --- Ezekiel 3:5-9

He Took An Oath He Has No Intention of Keeping and Placed His Hand on a Bible He Does Not Believe!

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. --- Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." --- oath of office as taken by a newly elected president of the United States of America

Note: The above spelling of words and capitalization is the same as they appeared in the original documents.

Just hold on a bit before you grind your teeth down to the gums because of the title given above which is in reference to B. Hussein Obama earlier today at an activity called “Inauguration of the President.”

The oath taken by the president is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Who are the people that come under the scope of that constitution? Notice the statement in the Preamble –‘…and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,” Who would be the “Posterity?” Those are the unborn – the descendants of the generation which put together the Constitution – even down to January 2009 and in years to follow that. In the words of another of our historical documents it is said that all persons should have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

If President Obama does not make sure that ALL of the posterity as mentioned in the opening words of the Constitution are protected and assured of the right to life in this republic, then he has miserably failed in his presidential oath of office. He is on record publicly as supporting the practice of abortion and has vowed to sign legislation (FOCA) which will virtually wipe out what few restrictions states have established in an attempt to protect some of the unborn. So far as President Obama is concerned “constitutional rights” never apply to unborn persons, only to females and the “right” to destroy the unborn.

Do you see why he took an oath that he has no intention of fulfilling?

As far as his hand on the same Bible which was used by Abe Lincoln back in 1861 for the oath of office – that doesn’t mean a thing either!

And why is this? Very simple – that Bible reveals that God is involved in the formation of humans in the womb (Jeremiah 1:4 ,5) and that fact has been made plain. Further, God indicates that He knows us humans even before we are conceived and that He has a plan (days marked out for us – Psalm 139). In fact this identity of humans is mind staggering as God reveals our being chosen in Jesus Christ even before the world was created! (see Ephesians 1 on this one).

Now then, an application of common sense – if a person really believes the Bible and what God has revealed to us, especially His view of human life, how then can a person jeopardize his relationship with God by supporting the systematic destruction of unborn persons? The only conclusion one can come to is the fact that it is very possible to lay a hand on the Bible, take an oath, but not really believe what that Bible says!

That’s not such a strange thing after all, in a time when rejection of Bible truth is very common so far as the secular minded are concerned, but rejection of Bible truth also takes place within professing Christian circles as well, ranging from theologians, seminary professors, church leaders and pastors all the way to lay persons who sit in a church pew Sunday after Sunday!

We would have about 50 million more citizens than we presently have in this republic if the Constitution would actually have been preserved, protected and defended as vowed over past decades by past presidents. Do we really believe this president will be any different? Some would say, “I think not!”

"When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you. --- Deuteronomy 23:21

Only One Type of Inaugural Prayer Is Appropriate and Urgently Needed Now!

Prayers at the Inauguration and related activities has stirred up intense controversy for weeks in part due to the persons chosen to participate and in part due to the possible content of those prayers when they are uttered.

Names such as Rick Warren and Gene Robinson have come to the forefront since the announcement was made that President-Elect Obama had chosen them to offer prayers during inauguration events. With the announcement came reactions of a varied kind, much of which was controversial.

Warren is considered an "evangelical" and the nature of his prayer and whether it would be prayed "in the Name of Jesus Christ" was part of the issue. Warren came under fire for his support of marriage being limited to male and female which was an issue in the November election in California -- same-sex supporters fired salvo after salvo on this issue.

Then came the choice of Bishop Gene Robinson to do a prayer during the Sunday outing at the Lincoln Memorial. Bishop Robinson of the Episcopal Church is a practicing homosexual and has had a "partner" for some time. Robinson was on record as saying that he did not want his public prayer on this occasion to be particularly "Christian" and that he would not be making references to the Bible.

But really, what these persons pray and say is not really important. It will likely involve some appeal for some kind of blessing in times to come. With all the tossing around of phrases such as "God bless you." and "God bless the United States of America." it is a distinct possibility that the favor of some divine something will be sought.

What is needed is a prayer which was prayed in the distant past and which goes straight to the heart of the issue as to our republic's greatest problems and how to correct them. It was originally prayed by the prophet Daniel a long time ago and doesn't need a bit of revision to fit our situation -- here it is as recorded in Daniel 9:3-19:

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day; to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You. O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such never has been done as what has been done to Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth. Therefore the LORD has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name, as it is this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly! O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all who are around us. Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

As you probably realize, such a prayer would never be prayed on the occasion of an Inauguration nor will it be prayed in other places or other occasions in our republic.

The reasons are simple -- first, many would say it has no relevance to our time and place -- just forget it and treat it as though it doesn't even exist!

Second, the vast majority have no desire to pray unless we get into some crisis out of which we cannot extricate ourselves -- then maybe we'll call out for some assistance.

Third, that may be one of those passages in the Bible that really never happened to begin with and certainly doesn't have anything to do with us in the 21st Century.

Fourth, what have we done that is so wrong anyway? We're all pretty good people and God is a good God (if He should happen to exist) -- besides, we have to respect one another's views as to what is right and wrong -- we can't use an all inclusive term which implies that we are all sinners and we are all guilty!

So we will pray our prayers asking for blessings, special favors and whatever and then wonder later on down the road when God really begins to make His response to our entrenched ungodly ways as to why such calamities (read "judgments") are hitting our country!

And here and there among a very small minority the thought might arise, "Maybe that Daniel fellow really knew something significant after all!"

"The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it. --- Jeremiah 18:7-10

Hiding Behind What Jesus Allegedly Did Not Say!

"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" --- Matthew 25:37-40

Ah, the intense discussion continues on the issue over a “social” gospel of numerous good deeds done and what some seem to consider a “do-nothing” gospel that consists only in the preaching of words and pounding a Bible behind a pulpit somewhere!

Some recent comments posted on one of a multitude of blogs got into the issue of what Jesus said we should be doing such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, etc. In addition it was stated that Jesus never mentioned issues such as homosexuality and abortion. It seems that the conclusion drawn is that we should not be bothered with such things and just do the things that result in the social well being of people as previously mentioned.

However, should we not also give a fair hearing to what Jesus said beyond the favored statements about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc?

Should those radical demands He placed upon us not seriously be considered? Such statements as He made regarding the absolute necessity of being born again, repenting, being converted and becoming as a little child and an experience of partaking of His very life? (See John 3:3, Luke 13:3, Matthew 18:3, and John 6:53). Some at least would agree these are quite serious statements calling for certain conditions to be met in order to be a part of and participate in issues which have to do with the Kingdom of God!

The parting command of Jesus seems to be one much avoided also, but since He said it, is it not to be taken seriously and literally, or is there some kind of twisted reasoning in place as to why this does not have much ranking when it comes to what we should be doing? What does it mean that we confront the nations with the message of Jesus Christ – that we baptize people in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – that we teach all those things which He taught and commanded?

Now here’s a winner – a prominent United Methodist bishop is on record as saying we should forget about that command given by Jesus at the end of Matthew 28 – we should not disrupt people in other cultures or try to convert them to Christianity – they have their religious ways and we should not attempt to change that in any way! It appears this apostate thinking is picking up speed with more and more saying that the other religious expressions in the world have a legitimate claim on addressing the issues of life, its purpose and its eventual destiny in the hereafter!

True, Jesus never used the word “abortion” in His many statements. And He never spoke directly about the issue of homosexuality. But such matters are covered in a rather sweeping statement made by Him when He said,

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” --- Matthew 5:17, 18

The moral law has much to do with human sexuality and a number of other issues such as murder. Since God does identify us and place us in the category of persons even before our conception and birth, then to intentionally terminate the life of a human still in the womb is to be guilty of the criminal act of murder -- what else can you call it? What would you call an act of going in to a hospital nursery, taking a knife and cutting a one day-old infant to shreds? The prevailing thinking that goes on in secular society and which has penetrated the church these days would likely say it is simply a delayed scheduled abortion! Because of weather conditions the "doctor" (term used very loosely) was unable to get on site two days earlier!

At the present time confusion rules outside and inside the church because we prefer to use impersonal terms such as embryo or fetus when referring to the unborn. That way it’s so much easier to dispose of them without so much as blinking an eye! But that will change one of these days when God makes His undiluted response to what is referred to in the Scriptures as the “shedding of innocent blood.”

The homosexual issue is plainly addressed in the moral code as given at the time of Moses. But we aren’t allowed to touch that are we? All we are to do is just feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, and visit those imprisoned – and all the while keep our mouth shut about sexual issues or life issues or the need to be born again – these do not apply to our Christian responsibility.

Addressing those issues that destroy a culture is never easy or pleasant. The most unpopular breed in any generation are those persons whom God raises up for the express purpose of confronting a nation, its religious and political leaders, and its citizens of the need to repent of personal and collective sins. They are called prophets and mention is made of such even in the New Testament Scriptures. In fact it is one group that God says is gifted to function within the church as are others. Classic examples are given in both the Old Testament and New Testament with one of the most well known in the 1st Century being John the Baptist! Talk about a Bible-thumper! He did lose his head due to being a bit radical on moral issues, did he not?

So what will it be? Take seriously ALL that Jesus said about what we are to be doing or place some self-imposed limitations on our activity and just pass out the food and the clothing with a smile?

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace" '; and to everyone who walks according to the imagination of his own heart, 'No evil shall come upon you.'" For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, and has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury; a violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly. "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings." --- Jeremiah 23:16-22

Forked Tongue Call to Sacrifice!

Mention has been made on a repetitious basis of the need for U. S. citizens to be willing to sacrifice because the days ahead will be even more difficult than they are now -- so it has been declared by B. Hussein Obama who will be the new president of the United States as of noon on January 20, 2009.

Reminding us citizens that things will be more difficult in the future Mr. Obama has stated more than once that it will be necessary for us to sacrifice in order to get through the ordeal of a collapsing economy.

Now that causes a very appropriate response in the form of a question -- "Mr. Obama, since you will be at the helm of our republic, just how are you going to demonstrate your willingness to sacrifice -- you know, lead by example?"

So far there is no evidence that there is going to be any real sacrificing on the part of the next president, his family, his staff and his cabinet plus the many department people over which the secretaries rule! If anything, the hard reality is that the costs connected with this president will be greater than for any preceding president in the history of this republic!

First, an inauguration and all the parties associated with it -- millions and millions of dollars in what some describe as the big "bash" unlike any ever taking place in DC with more people, more security and a declared "state of emergency" issued by the outgoing president so that even more millions become available. There could have been some drastic cutting back and limitations imposed in the name of "sacrifice" with an example of such set by a very high profile person who says we citizens will have to sacrifice! Ooops! I almost forgot -- we're dealing with a forked tongue situation here!

Second, there are a lot of "perks" that would make any CEO envious. There is a brand new armor-plated limo being used for the first time, which really isn't necessary. There are a number of special built limos in the Executive Branch fleet which can adequately take care of those who need to ride down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Oh yes, there's that rather costly aircraft known as Air Force One. Don't you know that Mr. Obama will be chomping at the bit to do some nation-hopping and globe-trotting somewhere in that winged symbol of majesty of the highest rank! Again, there are less costly aircraft that could do the job just as well, if you just feel the need to get your feet off the ground for a while -- on the other hand, why not just hop on Marine One and skip over to Camp David for a day or two -- it will really save the bucks! But then, sacrificing a bit and getting rid of Camp David would help somewhat in the credibility department when a president talks about sacrifice.

Third, the expansion of government and exorbitant costs of the same has been going on for generations. The president does have influence in such a matter. He can cease adding and adding and adding (insert a whole page of addings if you want) more people in his little self-made "kingdom" and he can sharpen his red pencil and use dozens of the same to eliminate the massive waste found in every federal budget each year! It has to do with something called sacrifice. He does have a power called the veto when it comes to lavish and often very selfish use of the citizens' tax dollars.

But, as noted in other postings -- very, very few people can handle power and wealth responsibly, especially those who are younger in years and still very wet behind the ears! This will become quite evident as we move through the next 4 years -- that is, if the nation holds together that long.

The sacrifice as mentioned from time to time by leaders at the top levels of government with a president attempting to lead the way is one that always applies to the governed ones not to those who are trying to govern. Don't forget, it's a classic case of a forked tongue call to sacrifice!

A Necessary PS on this! Perhaps it has been a bit unfair to accuse the new president, his staff and cohorts as not being willing to do any sacrificing. So in order to correct that misconception, let's remember that Mr. Obama and the members of his administration are willing to do a lot of sacrificing in one area -- in fact, they are among the most militant and determined group to do such sacrificing. And what is it? Why, you should know already -- it is the unrestricted sacrificing of thousands of unborn future citizens of this republic every week of the year! Don't object to me -- B. O. is on public record about this and his past voting record bears clear witness that this kind of sacrificing is most desirable. It's also significant in this respect -- this sacrificing is done in the name of a much perverted interpretation of something called "constitutional rights" and at the altar of a "god" clearly identified as Convenience! More details available at A Quick Look At the United States' Massacre Tally!

For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed. Therefore the LORD will have no joy in their young men, nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. --- Isaiah 9:16, 17

Obama Is Another Lincoln Out of Illinois? Surely You Jest!

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal….." --- opening statement of the Gettysburg Address by President Abraham Lincoln

“Well the first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.” --– statement by presidential candidate Barack Obama in a speech to a Planned Parenthood group.

It was said recently on a cable news network that Barack Obama is to be compared to Abraham Lincoln. Earlier statements indicated that even Obama wants to be viewed as a kind of 2nd Lincoln to come out of the state of Illinois. It has been noted that both practiced law and that both came from the state of Illinois, although B. O. is not native born to the state – in fact there are questions as to where this guy really was born.

To compare Barack Obama to Abraham Lincoln and attempt to practically make them identical twins in their political philosophy is to take a plunge deep into a fantasy land of fairy tales, make believe and where Puff the Magic Dragon rules on a throne!

If you can make

• A toadstool the same as a Portobello mushroom….
  
  
• A bowl of sewage from a citizen’s septic tank the same as a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup….
  
  
• A teaspoon of Pennzoil the same as a teaspoon of Robitussin Cough Syrup….
  
  
• A fifth of Jack Daniels the same as a liter of Coca Cola……
  
  
• A bottle full of d-CON pellets the same as a bottle full of Vitamin C tablets…
  
  
• A room full of carbon monoxide the same as a room full of oxygen …..
  
  
• Pitch black midnight the same as bright daylight on a cloudless day at high noon...
  

then, miracle of miracles, Obama and Lincoln are of the same mold – 2 peas out of the same pod – indeed, they are twins!

However, being the kind of man he was, it is safe to assume that Abraham Lincoln would never have put his imprimatur on a national policy which destroys about 25,000 unborn future citizens a week throughout the year. But Barack Obama does and will see that this continues to take place unhindered by placing his signature on the Freedom of Choice Act.

It is also clear that Lincoln would not have approved a hedonistic view of life adopted by not a few U.S. citizens which says I can have a sexual romp in bed or somewhere else and if I make a baby in the process then I can choose to kill and dispose of it because my president says its OK to do so – it’s my “constitutional right" and he has gone on record that my right to murder my unborn child will remain unchanged!

The sharp contrast between Obama and Lincoln is seen in Lincoln's opening statement of his Gettysburg Address -- "...that all men are created equal." God does the creating of individuals in the womb -- He said so in Jeremiah 1:4,5. Our historic documents stress at one point that all should have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

But Obama draws a line on this -- according to him there are thousands that are not created equal and they DO NOT have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! His past actions on the issue of human life and planned future action indicate indeed that he is as different from Abraham Lincoln as night is from day, or any of the other contrasts previously mentioned above.

It is a slap to the face and a knee in the groin to Abraham Lincoln to say that B. Hussein Obama is another Lincoln from the state of Illinois.

Finally, just remember that Illinois politics in Lincoln's day did not smell the same as it does today either!

Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin with which he made Judah sin, in doing evil in the sight of the LORD. --- 2 Kings 21:16

Can Ricky Really Invoke the Blessing of God Upon the B.O. Administration on January 20, 2009?

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword"; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. --- Isaiah 1:15-20

"Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.” --- Jeremiah 7:16

Controversy has swirled around the forthcoming inauguration of President-Elect B. Hussein Obama on January 20, 2009 for a number of reasons.

One, it will not be a cheap party with millions of dollars needed to pay all expenses at a time when the U. S. economy is in what could be accurately described as a “grave yard spiral.”. His new Cadillac limousine from bailed out General Motors has underscored how extravagant the trappings of the U. S. presidency have become. What is wrong with continuing to use the 2006 model which can’t have all that many miles on it? By the way, that new Cadillac is about as attractive as a warthog with a bunch of festering sores covering its body!

Second, since Mr. Obama announced that Rick Warren, pastor of the Saddleback mega-church, will give the invocation, many shots have been fired from just about every quarter. Part of it is due to the fact that Warren attempts to be identified as “evangelical.” The same-sex crowd is also upset with Ricky because of the Proposition 8 war in California’s November election and his stated position on such at the time.

He did acquire an even higher level of fame when he hosted a political forum at Saddleback and asked Barack Obama and John McCain questions which were supposed to deal with faith related issues of some kind or other. Time Magazine later had his picture on the cover of one of its issues noting that he was the “most powerful pastor” in the United States. That of course is open to question, especially when such an assessment comes from those who are a part of today’s mainstream media.

It will be interesting to see what will be contained within that petition as God is urged to bless the new administration as those who are a part of it take on their constitutionally sworn responsibilities. Further, just how will this petition be concluded – Franklin Graham was one who really took hits when he concluded the invocation at an earlier inauguration by mentioning Jesus Christ.

It is really quite stupid to entertain the idea that Jesus Christ should not be mentioned on such an occasion since He is the One Who created this mighty universe, He is the One Who sacrificed His life to redeem every single human being (including presidents and kings) from sin, He is the One Who is scheduled to return to this world and take absolute control of it, He is the One before Whom every single one of us (including presidents and kings) will stand to be judged and He is the One Who will determine our eternal destiny, which will either be Heaven or a devil’s Hell!

It is futile to pray for the blessing of God to be upon an administration which is as pro-death as the one about to govern beginning January 20, 2009. Since the incoming leadership sanctions the deaths of thousands of unborn children every week, there is no way God will grant blessings and favor. The reason is simple – He identifies those unborn victims before their conception in the womb and has a purpose for them -- when you intentionally short-circuit the purposes of Almighty God you cannot expect special blessings and favor from Him until some drastic changes are made.

Stop and think for a moment – suppose a violent criminal is about to kill a small child, but before he does so, he pauses for a moment and prays that God will bless him in the act he is about to do – does the Almighty smile and say, “That’s fine my son – go ahead – you have my blessing!” How about connecting the incoming administration with a “doctor” who before destroying an unborn child says, “God, please bless me in the act I am about to perform.” – will the blessing of God be granted, and since the administration is on record as supporting this abomination along with wanting to remove any restrictions that would hinder such actions in the future, will God also bless the administration abundantly? What say you?

Ricky certainly has a big challenge as he stands on a platform in Washington DC on January 20, 2009 during the noon hour!

And now, a word of caution -- try to avoid falling into the trap as many within church circles have been doing these days, adopting the attitude that writings of the Old Testament prophets have absolutely nothing to do with what is going on in the United States or throughout the world at the present time. Read carefully the statements from the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah at the beginning and the closing of these comments. We may not like it, but they are actually more up to date than today’s newspaper! It is simply a matter of time until that is confirmed!

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity. No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. they trust in empty words and speak lies; they conceive evil and bring forth iniquity. They hatch vipers' eggs and weave the spider's web; he who eats of their eggs dies, and from that which is crushed a viper breaks out. Their webs will not become garments, nor will they cover themselves with their works; their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. --- Isaiah 59:1-8

"Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble. --- Jeremiah 11:14

When Wealth Isn't!

BERLIN - German billionaire Adolf Merckle has committed suicide after his business empire, which included interests ranging from pharmaceuticals to cement, ran into trouble in the global financial crisis, his family said Tuesday. --- reported by Associated Press on Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Adolph Merckle had worked hard to build a business empire which over time made him a billionaire worth an estimated 9.2 billion dollars according to Forbes. He had a number of business interests which begin to experience trouble as the world economy went into a financial tail spin. He obviously came to a point where he no longer saw any purpose in living and threw himself in front of a train.

God has gone out of his way to warn us of the danger of wealth and allowing ourselves to become dominated by the desire to accumulate material goods. Money is a very prominent "god" in nations around the world. It is wise to remember also that God has specifically pointed out that there are times when He chooses to bring judgment on false "gods." One of the more dramatic displays of such action is seen when God chose to bring the Israelites out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses. So it stands to reason that in time the money "god" may also be slated for judgment at the hands of God.

The Scriptures repeatedly provide information about the subject of money and human experiences related to the accumulation and use of it. Many experiences reported are quite negative, further reinforcing the basic truth as given in Scripture about the love for money:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. --- 2 Timothy 6:10

Problems with money are not confined to billionaires or millionaires. It can happen to just about anybody. Attention is diverted away from God and the issue of what it is that He wants from us to all those things in the world that we feel we just have to have -- so in order to get them, we have to get money, and preferably, tons of the stuff. And once we do that we can settle back and take it easy or will we?

It has happened more than just a few times that once people begin to get some big money in their possession the desire for more and more begins to kick in. Money has shown again and again that it is a merciless taskmaster!

Take a lesson from one man as revealed by Jesus:

And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." --- Luke 12:15-21

It is possible to be in line to inherit wealth that far exceeds the empires which the wealthiest of billionaires have accumulated for themselves in this world. A Christian can say, "I've got it -- I just can't lay my hands on it right now or come up with a numbers value on paper, but it's real and it's promised to me!"

Before you leave try these on for size and then sleep on them tonight -- and then remember, in comparison to this Adolph Merckle was a pauper of the first magnitude!

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. --- John 14:1-3; Romans 8:16, 17; 1 Peter 1:3-5

Claw Marks on the Ark!

One artist's view of Noah's ark

Source of image: download-free-pictures.com

And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.".... But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.... The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.... And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch." --- Genesis 6:3, 8, 11, 13, 14

The attempts of artists to portray Noah's ark can be rather interesting, since there are a huge number who have painted/drawn scenes of what is probably the most famous floating vessel in the history of the human race. Titanic is another name which would maybe come in second, but it stands in a class by itself with someone making the wise distinction that "Amateurs built the ark - professionals built the Titanic!"

The artist of the image posted above took rather great liberty in picturing the ark -- sort of looks like a giant hotel from a time long, long ago, does it not? On the positive side, it seems to be rather roomy, so there would not be a crowding problem.

Debate has fiercely raged as to whether there really was an ark built by a man named Noah with assistance by his three sons. Resources abound on the subject both in defense of the Biblical account of the flood event as well as denial that it happened. The Barna research group did release some shocking information not so long ago to the effect that only about 51 per cent of Protestant pastors hold to a Biblical world view in their preaching and teaching ministry! So it figures that among the 49 per cent bunch would be those who would deny and teach that no such thing as judgment by means of a universal flood by God ever happened.

The position of the guy writing this blog is that the flood at the time of Noah did happen. If you have a problem with that then that's your problem, not mine -- further, you'll have to take that issue up with God because He's the One Who reported it and was directly involved in it! Go ahead -- have a little conversation with Him about it.

Now on to the issue of those claw marks on the ark. I have preached on that title a few times. I submit that if we had been able to do a check of the ark once it settled back on solid ground, we would have seen vertical marks all over the outside surface of the vessel. Each would be a few inches long and there would have been quite a number of them. What caused them? Didn't you know? They were made by human fingernails! People in the area where Noah's "project" had been going on for quite a few years and who had heard him giving the warning (he was described by Peter as a "preacher of righteousness) of impending judgment, finally concluded, "Maybe that old coot, Noah, was right after all -- we better hustle down there and get on board before it's too late!"

But it was too late because God had shut Noah and his family inside, which meant that everybody else was shut out. One can say "No!" one too many times and after that the door is permanently closed!

Why those marks as people scraped the sides of the ark with their fingernails in a desperate effort to get inside? It was due to a number of things including:

• Deception -- we are good people -- in fact we are just as good as anyone else and better than some, such as that drunk who lives down the street and better than that hypocrite across the street who goes to church every Sunday!
  
  
• Defiance -- we will determine for ourselves what is right or wrong -- we make our own rules and we don't need some religious fanatic such as that Noah preaching to us all the time about our sins and the need to repent!
  
  
• Delay -- so what if judgment is coming as Noah says -- it won't be for a long time and I'll be long gone from this earth before anything like that happens!
  
  
• Denial -- God is good and He loves all of us -- God would never do anything nasty such as bring judgment -- that would be very cruel and it's not in His nature to act in such a way -- He just doesn't do those horrible things to anybody!
  

Lots more could be added under each point with illustrations as well, but this gives us a picture of what might have been at a very tragic moment in the history of the human race.

The sobering thing is this -- Jesus stated that the conditions which were prevalent at the time of Noah would again take place as human history flows. Such conditions will dominate minds and hearts of the vast majority of human beings prior to Jesus' personal and visible return to this world. They will be preoccupied and so busy about "living" that they give no serious thought about dying and ultimately standing before God to give an accounting as to what they did with their lives on earth!

Among a minority is the recognition that Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, is our "ark of refuge" in times such as these. By repenting of all sin, receiving Him as Savior and Lord into one's personal life, and resolving by choice to be obedient to Him each day, assurance is given and hope for a place in His coming eternal Kingdom.

Have you gotten on board? Or will you do as did a gigantic mass of people a long time ago for reasons cited above and find yourself desperately clawing as you try to enter a place of refuge only to discover too late that the entrance is permanently shut. Remember, the time came when God shut Noah and his family inside and everyone else was shut out!

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, 'The days are prolonged, and every vision fails'? "Tell them therefore, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel." But say to them, "The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision. For no more shall there be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it," says the Lord GOD.'" Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.' Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done," says the Lord GOD.'" --- Ezekiel 12:21-28

Faithfulness in 2009 Will Guarantee More Hostility and Division!

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” --- Jesus in John 15:18-21

If those of us who claim to trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are faithful in obeying Him in the every day experiences of life, then we can anticipate more hostility and hatred to be directed toward us during the year of 2009.

The primary problem about this is two-fold. First, for some reason there are professing Christians who seem to want to side step the statements Jesus made which guaranteed that we would be the targets of persecution throughout the world as time marches on before He personally returns to this world.

Secondly, the pressure has never been greater for Christians to compromise to a level where they cease insisting on the exclusiveness of the Christian message of salvation and hope, and that Jesus Christ is the only way by which we can be forgiven, have peace with God and eventually be a citizen in His eternal Kingdom after we have finished our life’s journey here on earth.

Faithfulness to Jesus demands that we be involved in His parting command to confront the entire world with His claim and call upon every human being. That most clearly involves in part a call to repent of all sin (including the following of any false religion outside of Christianity) and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It takes a long, long stretch to try to interpret Jesus’ parting command to mean something other than what He literally said we are to do – slowly look at those words:

Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." --- Matthew 28:18-20

Now, tell me – what else can this command mean other than the fact that we are to do as He said and let all people in the world know about Who He is, what He did while here on earth (which includes His sacrificial death for the sins of the entire human race and literal resurrection from the dead after that), what He plans to do in the future and what He wants us to be about while we are still here on earth?

Plus, if we are faithful to Him it means also that in identifying Him throughout the world we will be certain to refer to His “I am…” statements that clearly exclude other “big name” religious personalities from offering anything that doesn’t even come remotely close to what He offers the members of the human race. And then there are those four absolute demands He places on each member of the human family such as “Except you are born again…” etc.

An honest assessment of these things helps us to see why our faithfulness to Him Who is labeled King of kings and Lord of lords will intensify the hostility and hatred that will come forth from those who have chosen to walk in spiritual darkness rather than light.

Always remember – at a certain point God’s revelation uses the terms “few” and “many” in describing the way the human race is separated – the “many” have chosen to reject God’s revelation and consequently in so doing, have rejected His Son, Jesus, as the only possible way to be forgiven and restored to a favorable relationship with the Creator. The “few” are the small number who have learned about Jesus Christ, have repented of their sins, have received Him by faith into their lives as Savior and Lord, and are resolved to faithfully serve Him the remaining time they have on earth. These ought not to think it strange when they are scorned, ridiculed and in some locations violently persecuted because of being identified with Him in the year 2009.

The United States is no exception to such hostility against true expressions and witness regarding the Christian faith!

“Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! for indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” --- Jesus in Luke 6:22, 23

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” --- Jesus in Matthew 24:9-13