Who is Jesus?

WHO IS JESUS?

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Matthew 16:13

Jesus asked this question for a very important reason. Jesus was not uncertain of His identity or His purpose. In fact Jesus was before anything else came to be. He wanted to make certain that those following Him knew His true identity. Many rumors were rampant during the time of Christ’s earthly ministry, and much confusion was the result.

Mark 13: 5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,” and will deceive many.

Make no mistake; Jesus wants you to know Him. He doesn't want you confused about who He is, and why a relationship with Him is critical.  In response to Jesus’ question;

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

Assurance of who Jesus is does not come as a result of scholarly readings or theology classes at an accredited university. In order to know Jesus, there has to be a personal relationship. There must be a connection that transcends head knowledge and dives into

the heart.

Matthew 15:8 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

 I would pose the question; how can we get to know anyone without investing time with them on a consistent, personal basis? Don’t allow anyone else to define Jesus for you. Don’t allow the television or Sunday service to define Jesus for you. Get to know Him for yourself. Dive into the word of God and pray.

Many know Jesus as their savior, but few know Him as Lord. A great emphasis has been placed on Jesus as savior. This is understandable in relation to human nature, as it is a natural desire to want to be rescued. It is completely human to want to feel secure and safe. However, Jesus makes it very clear that in order to follow Him, one must totally surrender their life. This means that salvation alone is not the point. It is a selfish standpoint that proclaims, “Rescue me, save me, but I don’t have to give anything in return!” 

Looking at things in that manner makes it about us, when it should be about Christ. Living a life totally surrendered in Christ is not about what you can get from Him, but rather what you’re willing to give for Him.

Matthew 16:24 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Matthew 19:20-21 The young man said to him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

This is where many of us miss the point. Salvation is easy, comfortable, and requires little. A life of surrender is difficult, demanding, full of persecution, and trials all for His glory. It is easy to see why most would rather have Jesus as savior, and not as Lord.

Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Lordship implies ownership and complete rule. This is not what you will hear at your typical Sunday morning service. It is not what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.

You are probably shocked and maybe a bit confused because this is not what you have been taught. When we really dive into the word of God for ourselves instead of sitting down and hearing someone else share with us their idea of the bible, we can really have a shot at the powerful and trans-formative truth that is God’s word.

Have you ever wondered why the world is so harsh towards Christians? Have you ever heard some one saying, “well so and so said they are a Christian, but they do things that a Christian shouldn't do.” This is because it so much easier to hear the word than to actually do. Jesus warned us about that. Likely, these are people who have “accepted” Christ as their Savior but have never made Him their Lord.Perhaps they were not actually saved but thought that they were. Maybe this is why some Christians are seen as hypocrites and not to be trusted. Much of our plight as Christians is due to bad teaching, though we are responsible for the good or bad decisions we make. It reflects back on our Lord because until He returns, the world sees Jesus through His followers on earth. If we represent Him in a way that is false, then we cant expect the world to take Christianity seriously. Instead, if we live out and do the word daily, Christ will be so visible that the world will not even see us. Salvation is also not about acceptance, but rather a declaration as shown in Romans 10:9. So they are not living a life of surrender at all. Salvation should be the beginning, not the end; the result, not the goal.

Look into your own heart and ask yourself do you really know who Jesus is? Is he simply a great moral character from fable, some man who did good deeds long ago, a savior who helped you avoid a fiery hell, or is He alive, present and active in your life each day as your Lord? Jesus may have died, but He rose again and is alive today! We serve the living God!

As Always, Truth is Freedom, Knowledge is Power!

THE POWER OF PRAYER

It has been a long while since I have ventured to write though there has been no shortage of topics to discuss. More than any other subject, the Lord has placed on my heart to speak about the power of prayer.

Prayer is very powerful. Prayer is life-changing and most of all prayer is real. If  you don't pray hopefully you will learn how after reading this. If you already pray, I hope that this will strengthen your desire to grow in your walk with the Lord through prayer. You will also understand how prayer can change your life for the better and strengthen your bond with God.

What is prayer? Prayer is simply the act of communicating with God. It really is that simple. You can pray anytime, anywhere, about anything. Prayer exposes our inner heart. Prayer is all about what is hidden beneath the surface. You may have something bothering you to the point you feel that it is eating away at you. When others ask how you are doing you make no mention of what is truly troubling you. Then you find your quiet place and let it all out before God. Though you can pray anywhere, it is best if you can find a private, quite place to pour out your heart to the Lord.

When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

 Prayer reveals to God the things that are hidden from others. It also may reveal to you things about yourself that you didn't know.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know," says the Lord. Jeremiah 33:3

Why should you pray? Ultimately there are many reasons to pray, and people pray for all different reasons. Sometimes we pray because we have a need or have family in need. Still, we may pray when we are heavily burdened by many troubles. Other times we pray because we are afraid, worried, or alone. I pray for all of these reasons, but the main reason I pray is to build my relationship with Christ. I desire to grow closer to Him each day.

God's word shares insight on prayer during a time of trouble.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:13-16
  Prayer is the answer to the stresses that have burdened you. Matthew chapter 6 outlines the model prayer. It is not only a great example of how to pray, but also a prayer that even seasoned Christians pray. Jesus used the model prayer as an example of how to pray. He also prayed to the Father very often. When you pray and receive the answer to your prayers it will build your faith tremendously. I could tell you many testimonies about how prayer changed my life, but I would need weeks on end for them all. God the father takes pleasure in hearing and answering your prayers. Remember to always pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. We need the covering of our fellow saints. As always, Truth is Freedom, knowledge is power!

True or False

1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' 3 and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away. Matthew 16:1-5

As I sat and viewed a powerful testimony about Christians living in the final days, a shocking revelation was revealed to me. During that revelation, I came to understand how selfish I have been throughout my life, and even during my Christian walk. God broke down the wall of pride that I had constructed over the years, and pulled down the veil of blindness that covered my eyes. God exposed me for what I was, a broken down individual hoping to get by with just enough to edge my way into heaven. Wrong! There is no way to sneak into heaven. There is no way to half-way serve God. When you live for Christ it is all or nothing.

 

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:24

My Lord began to reveal to me that If I did not live my life as he commanded that none of my works would mean anything. The works I had done would be worthless and my life a waste on the day of judgement. This scared me greatly. God showed me that though my intentions have been good, my motives were not pure. Immediately, I fell on my face to repent to God for my actions. I repented for everything I had done that was outside the will of God, but most importantly I repented for hurting my heavenly Father. I repented for selfishly asking God to take me from this life so that I might be with Him, when I still had much work to do and lives to impact. After the rebuke of the Holy Spirit, the shame left me and Jesus reassured me that through Him all things were possible. I prayed that He would give me the ability to overcome my shortcomings, live righteously, and that my life would not be in vain. 

God reminded me that we are beings of free will and that He could not force anything upon us. Though I had disappointed the Lord greatly and He had strongly chastised me, He again reminded me that It was not too late to do what was right.  He expects me to do right.

For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. Hebrews 12:6

God reminded me that I did not realize just how much I was caught up in this life, though I was certain that I had given up on this world. He showed me that I still had a great desire for material things, a yearning to fulfill my own purposes and agendas, and lived a double life. This was deeply unsettling to my spirit and very frightening. Still, I am glad that God has dealt with me on this matter while I am still in this life, rather than casting me into hell. He made it clear to me that all those who claimed to be Christians would not enter into his Kingdom.

 Enter through the narrow gate, For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:7-8

 I was also afraid that I too would not enter into God's kingdom if I did not change.

We serve and worship the Lord with our actions, not with our words. Real worship comes from within your heart Anyone can profess anything but that does not make it true. It does not mean that person truly stands behind the assertion either. On multiple occasions Jesus reinforces the importance of being doers of the word and not hearers only. Ultimately, this is the only true way to discern real Christians from the false ones. 

 

Those who actually do God's word and obey his laws are the only ones who will inherit his kingdom. Do not be fooled by Satan and his new age philosophy of "live how ever you want because you are god." Your enemy wants you to believe that you do not have to be held accountable for your lifestyle because you have said a prayer of salvation since Jesus died for you. Wrong again! God clearly warns us that to continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the gospel is refute the powerful purpose of salvation. Sadly this is the false doctrine that has been spread through many of today's churches. It is a doctrine that has created a false sense of security and stirred up the wrath of God who shall return with a vengeance. We as followers of God are completely accountable for our lives, and even more so than non-believers because we have been made aware. We are comfortable living in any manner and thinking that this is OK with God.

We must all examine ourselves to be certain that we are living as true followers of Christ. Could you imagine the horror of standing before God as He says, "depart from me I never knew you!" 

 

Many will say to Me on
that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in
Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME,
YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'" Matthew 7:21

 

It would have to be the most horrible thing imaginable. As believers we should rest assured in our salvation, though that does not mean becoming Luke-warm as stated in the book of Revelations. If you know that you have been living half way as a Christian, there is still time to make things right with God. First, examine yourself and your motives pertaining to your walk. Then go before the throne of God humbly and repent if you have lived a life that would dishonor God. He is just to forgive you if you are sincere. When you repent God will wipe the slate clean and you can start over, but you have to live as a true Christian to the best of your ability each day. 

 Christianity is not a lifestyle, it is actually a state of being. The holy spirit lives with you and you should always reflect Christ. A lifestyle can change and be altered but a state of being is constant. Just as you are "alive" right now, that is a state of being. As a Christian you should be a living, breathing, reflection of Christ, meaning that you do not turn this off and on at will. If you act one way around certain people, and totally different around others, then you have not fully made Christianity your state of being. We have all been guilty of this at some point or another. The point is to move beyond that old false way of living. When we stand before God we want to be able to approach His throne without spot or blemish. Most reading this message have accepted the gift of salvation, but have not learned to exist as a true Christian should. The good news is that God intended this message for you. You still have the time to make things right and become a doer of God's word and not just remain as a hearer. 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25

Take up your cross daily and walk with Jesus. One thing that may help is to ask yourself, if Jesus was right here in the room with me, would I do this certain action? If the answer is no, then turn away from whatever that behavior is that is causing you to sin. Live your life as if Jesus is physically right beside you every where you go. He lives within us, but sometimes we find it easier to allow ourselves to make poor decisions because we do not physically see Him all the time. Just like you would not do certain things if a police officer were with you, who could arrest you and take away your freedom, you should also honor the Lord and live righteously. The best way to honor God is to obey His word because it shows that you truly love and follow Him. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is lie it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:37-40

I don't know about you but I want to enter God's kingdom and dwell with Him for eternity. I surely do not want Him to turn me away on that day stating that He never knew me. I do not want Him to disapprove of my works either! That would be terrible. It is a bad feeling to let God down after He has done so much for me. Be sure you are living truly as a Christian, and not a Luke-warm one.

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write : The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this : 15 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot ; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17 'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Revelation 3:14-17

 I am making a commitment to God to do just that. Saints, let us lift up one another in prayer that we may be able to stand in the day of judgement and be accepted into God's kingdom. Will your works be found out as true or false?

 As always, Truth is Freedom, Knowledge is Power!

 

 

Stand Your Ground

As a Christian in modern society, you face a daunting number of obstacles, distractions, and opposition like never before. It is imperative that you, "stand your ground." The enemy wants nothing more than to get you to compromise and become slack concerning your walk with Christ. Think about that for a moment. The easiest way for your enemy (the devil) to attack you is to catch you when your guard is down. When your guard is down, you are exposed, weak, and vulnerable. My friend, I encourage you to stand your ground always and resist the urge to compromise.

How does the enemy get us to compromise?

He will exploit your weaknesses and place temptation in front of you so that you might open the door. Once the door is opened and sin enters in, it will be difficult to shake the stronghold. Again, I urge you to resist, and stand your ground! Temptation rarely comes in a broken-down, unappealing package. Instead it will come in the form of something beautiful, desirable, enticing. God tells us in His word that if we resist the devil he will flee from us.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

The world belongs to Satan, and has ever since Adam and Eve passed over their ruling dominion to him after sinning in the garden. The world also wants you to compromise in your walk with Christ. Resist the desire to fit in with others around you by placing your Christian values on the back burner. I understand that this is not always an easy thing to do. Remember that your approval and worth comes from God, not men. God will exalt you for your good works in due time, but the world would love nothing more than to see you living in sin. Any time you have to bend your values to fit in, something is definitely wrong. 

 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4

 When adversities come your way and you want to give up, stand your ground. There is a blessing waiting for you. If you are facing a difficult challenge or crisis situation right now, you may have many thoughts about giving up. You may get discouraged and start to question your faith. Trust me, there was a point when I was there. Even though it was tough, I continued to stand my ground and God brought me victory through all of my trials. I am now more blessed as a result of going through my fiery trials because it strengthened my faith, increased my love for the Lord, and provided me with solid testimonies to share with others. If you compromise and give up when times get tough, how will you reach the place of maturity and advancement God is ultimately bringing you to? Many times our trials are a result of our own sin, but God uses these times to test our hearts and our faith. Stand your ground! 

 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19 KJV

 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12 KJV

Others may not understand when you stand your ground and remain faithful to God. It might mean that you're making a choice which will cause you to be unpopular, or abandoned by the "in crowd." Don't worry, because any friend that causes you to dishonor the Lord, your family, your church, or yourself, is not a true friend at all. These are not the kinds of friends you need. You need friends who will encourage you to do what is right, to stand strong in trials and tribulations, and pray with you when you feel like giving in to temptation.

 Do not be unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and lawlessness have in common? What fellowship has light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

Remember to meditate on God's word and what is good. Avoid fellowship with those who will cause you to stumble for sake of fitting in. Also avoid conversations that tear down rather than build others up. Remember to resist temptation and your enemy will flee from you. Are there people or things in your life that are causing you to forsake your Christian values? You don't need them so get rid of them! Also remember that God rewards the faithful abundantly when they do not compromise to be like the world. You can do it, and the bible tells you so!

 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

As always, Truth is Freedom, Knowledge is Power!

 

 

The Power of Influence

Have you ever considered the power of influence? Most of us probably do not consider the great degree to which we are influenced each day, and how different influences affect the many decisions we make. The Lord ushered my spirit to write about this topic since there is much possibility with influence. For those who have a television and watch it at least semi-regularly, you will notice that between "programs" there are commercial breaks. During this 3-5 minute break from your program, you are bombarded with advertisements. Some may be about food, others about clothing or shoes, and still others could be regarding cars, entertainment, or many other topics. The intent of these advertisements is to influence you to react, think, or feel a certain way regarding the information presented to you. If it is an advertisement for a product, you are being influenced to possibly make a buying decision.

How many times have you been hungry when a commercial flashed a delicious looking meal that sent your taste buds scrambling? It is very likely that you either purchased that meal which was shown, a very similar meal, or something different altogether. The point is, you were influenced to eat based on what was shown. The program you were watching on the television is called a "program" for a reason. It is intended to do just that; program. When you finish watching a program you may have a completely different perception of a topic, or you may react differently in certain situations based off of what you were shown. You may start to buy certain shoes or clothing and dress differently. You may start to shop at a store you never thought of shopping at before. You may even begin to take risks that you previously would have avoided. Someone or something influences nearly every decision you make each day, often without you realizing why you are doing things a certain way. It is called preconditioned thinking. Subliminally your mind is constantly absorbing information. The subconscious mind(without you being aware) receives and processes information, stores it and then uses it later when you are faced with decision making. This is why infomercials are very effective and so often used in sales and other areas when presenting information to people.

You may feel that I am spending a great deal of time introducing the topic of influence, and I am. I want you to be equipped with knowledge that can change your life for the better. The word of God says, "My people perish from a lack of knowledge," Hosea 4:6. 

What good does the Bible do for Christians if they never read it and apply God's living word to their lives? What good do you do for the kingdom of God if you don't use your influence? In the same sense, I want you to take the information I present to you and use it to change your life and impact the world around you positively. You may feel unimportant, and that no one cares about you or your actions. Wrong! Even when you feel unimportant there are always eyes watching what you do. To God you are very important. You are also very important to me. As a believer in Christ you are filled with power, but don't allow that power to go to waste! God wants you to use YOUR influence to change the lives of others. That is what this topic is truly about. Influence is a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil. Have you ever heard of a bad influence? Sure you have, they're all around. A bad influence does not force someone else to behave badly, but through persuasion they can cause others to do the wrong thing. That is why it is so important to surround yourself with those who intend to do good and want what is best for others. That doesn't mean you're going to have or find perfect friends or family because you won't. They are human after all. No one is perfect, but there are definitely people who have bad intentions, and there are those who are genuinely concerned with the good of others.

So you are wondering how you can impact the world for God. A good friend once shared a powerful quote with me. He said, "To the world you are just one person, but to one person you might mean the world." Even if you're a babe in Christ there are ways that you can immediately influence the world. One thing you can do is pray. Prayer is simply communication with God. It is a powerful and effective way of influencing your personal situation and occurrences going on in the world around you.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

"Therefore I say unto you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24

they profited the most, with little regard for what happened to the average citizen?  A worldly leader is going to make decisions based on worldly influence, often with negative consequences. A Christian leader will make choices based on Godly principles. Those who control the money control just about everything else. As Christians we need to stand up and take back the world for God.

Take a look at the arts and entertainment industry, aka Hollywood. Look at all the demonic "programming" (aka brainwashing) that comes out of Hollywood. The industry is saturated with satanic messages, violent imagery, drug and alcohol abuse, idol worship, false gods, sexual immorality, and abundant amounts of witchcraft. These are the images, ideals, and messages constantly being absorbed by the masses (including children) on a regular basis. Now imagine if Christians took back the entertainment industry and decided it would no longer be the devil's play ground. Then it would be used for the Lord. There would be shows that uplifted, taught positive messages, and influenced lives through righteousness. Instead, due to lack of Christian influence we continue to get slammed with evil. I am not saying that all movies are bad and that every person is out to harm; I'm simply asking you to carefully consider how film is being used and whether its impact is positive or negative. Film, just like music, is a tool. It can be used to build and uplift, or to tear down and destroy. If there was more Christian influence over the music industry, imagine how what we listened to would change. Right now I am almost certain that God is disgusted by today's music industry and the filthy content being used to influence people. God loves music. He created music and has an amazing heavenly choir that would blow the minds of even the most acclaimed conductors. Still, do you think God is pleased with lyrics constantly boasting about drug use, killing, selfishness, sexual immorality, degrading of women, self righteousness, and other demonic messages that do great harm spiritually and mentally? Come on that's a big, obvious NO. The devil has plenty of helpers willing to use their influence in the world for evil purposes to lead others astray to hell.

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Luke 4:5-6

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1Peter 5:8

Those who take Satan's offer (Jesus clearly refused) and bow down in worship of him in exchange for worldly wealth and possessions use their great influence to do evil. Don't be fooled by these people when they do a "good" deed occasionally, or donate something to charity. They tend to be evil with wicked hearts. You only see them when the camera is on them in the spotlight. Of course they are going to portray themselves in the best light. Satan himself wants to look as appealing and pleasant as possible so he can deceive people.

God is searching for those who are willing to step out in faith and use their influence to advance his kingdom, not the worldly kingdom of darkness. You don't have to have tons of money. You don't have to have a lot of free time to positively influence others for God. You simply need to make the best use of the time and resources you have. Politics is overrun with corruption and scandal because it is full of worldly leaders. If there were more Christian leaders, consider how the laws would be different. Imagine how the government would be used for the people instead of against the people. Think about how the nation would stand on the principles of God instead of giving heed to false doctrines, rituals and ideals. People would prosper instead of drown in debt. Everyone wants God to bless America, but how can He when our political leaders openly support abortion, abuse, homosexuality, slavery, murder, scandals, and numerous other forms of evil. If Christian leaders would step into these positions of power and wield their influence the impact would be great. Maybe the number of innocent babies aborted would be significantly reduced. Perhaps we would not be involved in frivolous wars, and drowning in debts with a deficit that seems to increase exponentially. Surely, there would be a much greater distribution of wealth where poverty was reduced or eliminated, and the control was not in the hands of a small few while the majority suffered. Isn't it possible that our corrupt justice system would actually offer people a fair chance if Godly leaders were in place? Instead, today's Christian leaders would rather sit watching on the sidelines while the worldly leaders continue to destroy not only this nation, but others throughout the world with dark, satanic influence.

 I could go on but there is no need. I know you understand why influence is so powerful and important. As a Christian you have the Holy Spirit, the very power of God flowing through you. You have access to the Almighty and therefore unlimited resources. You can change things for the better and make a difference. You ARE important! You are so important that God created you in His own image.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

God carefully crafted you.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalms 149: 13-14

You may not have an interest in politics, but you may have other talents that can be used to influence others for Christ. If you can sing, do it for God in a way that uplifts others, and spreads positive messages (while pleasing Him at the same time) instead of becoming like any number of other worldly artists who put out lyrical poison to make a quick buck. If you are interested in politics, run for office in your local government so that you can change things and help people who are being oppressed by the system. You might have a passion for arts and entertainment. You can put together productions that spread the message of Christ and impact people in a positive way. God has given each of gifts which can be used to influence others.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying then prophecy according to your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy; do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

We all have gifts or talents. The question is whether we will use them for God to do good, or for the world to do evil. I encourage you to use your influence to do good and change the world for the better. Many are suffering and hurting today. They are looking for someone to shine the light of Christ that they may know there is hope. They have enough evil and darkness around them, so imagine their relief when you come along shining your light, blessing them with hope. Many have gone down the wrong path and are lost. You may have just the right message that they need to hear in order to get their lives on track with Christ. Your gift may be just what someone needed to see or hear, in order to muster the strength to overcome a difficult challenge they're facing. You can stay where you are, content with doing little or nothing as those around you continue to suffer, or you can exercise your faith, use your great influence and start helping others in need.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

I encourage you to use the power of influence. You have great power. God needs warriors like you who can turn the tides in this great spiritual war being fought. Get up, get out there and make a difference. You will not only bless the lives of others and help make this world a better place, but also set yourself in a position to receive abundant blessings from God.

But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

The blessings of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Genesis 22:17-18

 How awesome is that? Its a situation where you CAN'T lose. You can only win with God on your side! Remember to use your influence for good. Also, be careful to make sure you are being influenced by what is good. You may not realize it but something or someone is always influencing you. You will be a representation of what you absorb, so fill your heart and mind with good things, especially the word of God so that you can be effective in your works!

As always, Truth is Freedom, Knowledge is Power



Complete In Christ ( Salvation part 2 )

During the first post about salvation we defined the meaning of it, the definite need for a savior, and how salvation changes lives. In salvation part 2 we will take a more in depth look into the rewards, changes, and responsibilities that occur once a person receives the gift of salvation. After all, the gift is free but there are instructions that come with it, just as there are with any new product you purchase at a store. In order to fully understand and use your gift, you need to read and comprehend the instructions right? Salvation is the most amazing gift that God has given us, yet no amount of money or charitable deeds could buy it. It is priceless.

Firstly, we must understand that without Jesus there is no salvation. There is no other way to God. Jesus confirms this in the book of John chapter 14.

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 

In verse 7 Jesus confirms again that one must know Him in order to know God. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. John 14:7 

Clearly, the correlation between Jesus and the Father is confirmed several times throughout the book of John and in other books. One can't accept Christ without God, and God without Christ. That is the basis for understanding and receiving salvation. 

Once a person has made the decision to receive salvation and become "born again," the bible speaks of being baptized. This is a part of salvation that all believers should take part in. Baptism is a part of the "new birth," and that is what salvation is about. It is about being born again, dying to sin and the old way of life, and becoming a brand new creature in Christ. 

Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. John 3:3-5

 Due to confusion regarding natural birth, Jesus has to clarify to Nicodemus that he was referring to something spiritual. When you are baptized and go under the water, it is symbolic of Jesus' death. You are dying to your sins, and old way of life when you "go under." You are allowing God to cleanse you. When you emerge, the old you is gone. The former you has died. You are born again as a new creature in Christ and your sins have been washed away. I am in no way condemning those who have not been baptized. I am simply stating information about baptism according to what scripture says. There is much confusion among Christians regarding whether or not baptism is required for salvation. According to the scriptures we are saved through our "faith" in Jesus, not by being baptized. We should view at baptism as the next step in our christian walk after one has received the gift of salvation. As I mentioned earlier, I would encourage all who have been born again to be baptized, because in doing so you honor God and further your commitment to your new life in Christ.

 Salvation is valuable beyond our ability to measure. When one is saved, they are set free from sin and death.

They have now been transferred from the kingdom of darkness (Satan's kingdom) into the kingdom of light (God's Kingdom).  You can now embark on a wonderful personal relationship with your savior, and commune with God the Father. You are entitled to the rights of the children of God which includes but is not limited to abundant blessings, help in times of trouble, peace regardless of circumstances, joy, healing power, freedom from sin (eternal life), and a place in heaven. Lets take a look at what some scriptures say about the benefits of salvation. 

Many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14 When you are saved, you become aligned with God's eternal plan. Isn't it better to be on track with God rather than in the midst of the world? You are called by God. You are also now free from condemnation. 

John 3:18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God. 

You no longer dwell in darkness but light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:13 

You will receive the Holy Spirit.  Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

Jesus has gone away to prepare a place for those who love him. 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. John 14:3 

 There are blessings waiting for you that you can't comprehend. God is going to bless you beyond imagination.

The former things will have passed away and be made new. That means that there will be no more sickness, sufferings, pride, jealousy, envy, death, or anything negative/evil. Can you imagine how great it will be to walk down the streets of gold, or to dwell in a newly created earth as it were before sin ever came into the picture? Imagine how amazing the earth was before the fall. I'm certain the air was so much cleaner, the plants so much greener and so forth. All things will be made new!

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Revelations 21:1

Can you imagine what it will be like to dwell with God in the New Jerusalem? The book of Revelations describes the absolute splendor and beauty of this new home for God and His people.

The city is laid out as a square; its length as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall:one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Wow! That alone makes me eager to live a life pleasing to God, that I may enjoy the fruits of salvation. I have only highlighted a few for sake of time, though there are many more. Certainly, those who love the Lord have so much to look forward to. Our sufferings for Christ here in this short life, are more than worth it. Look how great the rewards are!

We have reviewed some of the many benefits that come along with salvation, but we must keep in mind the yolk of Christ. We have responsibilities as well. God says that those who love Him follow His commandments. If you want to please God, you must learn to obey Him. You have to be willing to submit yourself to the Lord and forsake worldly (sinful) pleasures to live righteously. 

 If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12 

As a new creature in Christ it is also important to continue to build your spirit man, and strengthen your relationship with the Lord. You should pray daily to the Lord. Prayer is simply communication (talking) to the Lord. You can pray alone privately, or with other believers. The point is to pray. You should also spend time each day in God's word. Reading without understanding is useless, so do not lean on your own understanding. Instead ask the Lord to let the Holy Spirit guide you in revelation so that you comprehend what you are reading. These are key things to do in order to truly live a fulfilling life in Christ once you have been born again. For a great example of how to live as a Christian read Romans 12:9-21

There is still another very important thing to do once you are born again. That is to spread the good news of Christ to others! You have been blessed and set free, but there are still others who are lost and in need of salvation. The Great Commission is the duty of ALL Christians, not just a select few. 

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. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20

Now it is your job to help reach others with the message. They need to be saved. Many are searching for answers in the wrong places. They want to be saved and set free, but may not know how. You could be just what they need in order to hear the message of Christ and receive salvation. God says that believers are the light of the world, the salt of the earth. 

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned. It is the good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:13-14

We have covered a great deal in salvation part 2, from the meaning of salvation, the benefits and responsibilities as well. These are all important, but none it matters if you are not saved (born again). You can have all the knowledge in the world, all the degrees from elite universities, hoards of cash, and great material wealth, but none of it will mean a thing if you leave this world without receiving salvation. That, my friend, is the most important thing I can tell you this day. If you are reading this, it is according to God's plan for you. He could be speaking to your spirit, and you know what to do. If you're born again He may be giving this message to you so that you reach others who are lost. Why wait? What is so important in this temporal life that it is worth missing out on eternity with God in endless abundant blessing and joy? If you are hesitating about giving your heart to Christ, I urge you to make today the day. What better day than today to be set free and secure your place in eternity? Everyday people are snatched from this life suddenly and totally unprepared to stand before a perfect, holy God in judgement. Don't be one of those. Suppose you don't pass away before Christ returns. You could still be caught off guard. 

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:36-37

But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and care of this life, and that Day come upon you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:34-36

Make today the day good friend, because we don't know the day or the hour. Waiting around and procrastinating are definitely bad habits, especially when it could affect your eternity and standings with God. I pray that this message has received you well. I pray that the seed of this message has landed in fertile soil and will take root in your heart. 

As always, Truth is Freedom, Knowledge is Power!

 

Sickness and Disease Defeated

Greetings to one and all! I pray that all is well with you, however, I want to approach the topic of wellness from a biblical standpoint. Sickness and disease entered the world at the fall of mankind. You know the all too famous account of Adam and Eve, the fruit, and the crafty serpent. Well as a result of their sin Adam and eve caused death to enter our world, but it is much more complicated than just death. They brought suffering in the form of sickness, disease, violence, famine, and much more. Today in our world millions suffer from debilitating diseases, illnesses and sicknesses. According to WHO (World Health Organization) more than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes. That is just one disease yet the statistics are of mind blowing proportions. To put that in perspective, the current population of the United States is around 310 Million. Aids kills more than 3 million people each year. Here are some facts about heart disease which can be found on the CDC website.

• In 2006, 631,636 people died of heart disease. Heart disease caused 26% of deaths—more than one in every four—in the United States.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2006 were women.
• Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease. In 2005, 445,687 people died from coronary heart disease.
• Every year about 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack. Another 470,000 who have already had one or more heart attacks have another attack.
• In 2010, heart disease will cost the United States $316.4 billion. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

  Can you imagine how many are suffering from various diseases or illnesses worldwide? Surely the figures are too staggering to comprehend. The numbers don't lie and the facts are pretty bad. Still, I did not write this message in order to discourage, but rather to encourage you. There is hope in Jesus Christ. He defeated sickness and disease over 2000 years ago when he died upon the cross.

Some might wonder how Jesus can understand the suffering they are going through now. Others may wonder how He could have defeated sickness and disease if so many are sick right now. Hang in there because I am going to answer these questions so help me God. First, please understand the great compassion and love that God has for us, His people. Lets look at scriptural evidence which shows this.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

This verse clearly illustrates that Jesus was indeed human. He was God in fleshly form. His sole purpose was to bring mankind redemption through His death and sacrifice on the cross. Jesus dwelt among men as a man himself, experiencing the pain and suffering, the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations that we face each day. How could He relate to us if He had not been through what we have been through? How could He relate to pain if He never felt pain? How could He relate to suffering if He never suffered? He understands temptation because He was tempted. How could he relate to disease if He never encountered it? Yet we know that He did on a regular basis. The book of Mark gives a great account of this.

Mark 1:29 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. 32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-posessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

 How could He relate to death if he never died? Think about it folks. Our God is alive and full of power and might, but He loves us so much that He gave His only Son so that we could be free.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

God is just and upright in every way so He would have to have become human in order to live as one and relate to what it was like right? I couldn't see it any other way!

Matthew 8:17 He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.

Jesus is the source of our healing. He already paid for our sin so we should not have to fight with sickness or disease in our bodies.

Isaiah 53:4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Understand that Jesus has indeed lived through a fleshly existence and faced many difficulties that go along with this human life including sickness. The big difference is that Jesus lived through this human life without a single sin or flaw (despite what He suffered), and then gave his life for the sin of all others, that there might be a way out of death. When Jesus died on the cross He not only defeated death, but sickness and disease as well.

Jesus has not changed good friend. He is still the same. This means that the healing power is still there and has always been. As a born again believer you have the authority to use the name of Jesus and take control over your body! This does not excuse us from sin, however. God commands us to be holy and to walk upright. Just because Jesus defeated sickness and disease, we don't just get lazy and stop taking care of ourselves. I work out several times per week and try my best to eat healthy foods. I know it is not easy to do this. Still, we don't just get a free pass to do anything we want because Jesus has paid the price. This mentality is as far from God or Christianity as one can concievably get.

Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temply of the Holy Spirit who is in you,whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Exercising and eating right are always good for your physical body. It is good for your spiritual body as well. Many (not all) of our health issues can be avoided with the proper eating and exercise habits. Staying away from sin and other bad habits (nicotine, alcohol etc.) will help as well. When we neglect our bodies (our temples) we give sickness an opportunity to enter in and wreak havoc. Think about your body in this analogy. A home well fortified and guarded by a strong man is a much more difficult target to overthrow than a home where the man is weak and the security is lax. Keep your body healthy and strong to the best of your ability as this alone will benefit you greatly while on this earth. I even noticed that if I happen to catch a common cold my body is able to fight it off rather quickly (48-72 hours) when I have been exercising regularly and eating right. Yet the "average" length of a common cold untreated is around a week to 10 days.

Sickness and disease are a very bad part of our world, and many are suffering. Sickness and disease are here as a result of sin. Sin is the reason there is suffering at all in our world. Some of you may be wondering if Jesus died for our sins, how can there be sickness and diesease? Jesus did not wipe out sickness and disease in the earth. He defeated it upon the cross at his death! As long as sin exists, so will illnesses until God does away with all these things. Until then you must understand that your healing is in Jesus' name. If you will in faith call upon the name which is above all other names, you will be healed. Miracles happen every day that baffle the scientific community regarding healing. There are too many accounts for me to name them all, but make no mistake about it. Healing is happening every day. People with terminal illnesses are being set free and healed. Many who are often told that they have little or no time to live beat the odds, and are still alive today because Jesus healed them. When medical experts review the results they are often astounded and have no explanation as to the miraculous healings. It is none other than the healing power of Almighty God flowing in their bodies.

 God can't force you to believe in Him. Man was given a free will as a part of God's love because he didn't want drones or slaves forced into loving Him. He wanted an intelligent being capable of free thought and choice whom would desire of his own will to love God. So with that said, you can take your victory over the disease or illness you're fighting, and chose to let Jesus heal you, or chose not to believe in His healing power, and hope that medical science can provide you a way out of your suffering. Good friend, the choice is entirely up to you. Perhaps you are tired of relying on pills and medication for your healing. I know many who are suffering daily with ridiculous amounts of medications/prescriptions pills. Some take as many as 10 or more different medications daily. Ask yourself, is this really God's will for me? Didn't Jesus die on the cross that I could be healed? Then why am I taking all these pills? Have thoughts like this ever crossed your mind? If so it is time to take action. You may have thought nothing could be done, but that is not so. Don't become a slave to constant pills and medications. Not to put down doctors, but please realize that it is their job to prescribe you medicine! They get paid lots of money people. The more pills and prescriptions are dished out, the more revenue is made, so think about that the next time you get ready to take a pill. It is big business, but is it healing people and setting them free, or simply perpetuating the cycle by keeping people in bondage? Just a thought.

If you are suffering from illness, I dare you get bold and kick the devil's butt by declaring with a shout, " In Jesus name I am healed! Sickness and disease you have no place in my body because by His stripes I am healed, and He bore my sickness already. Now GO in Jesus name!" You can literally speak to the illness and command for it to go! I have done so myself many times when I felt an attack of illness on my body and I was healed. You can take control over your body and be set free by placing 100% of your trust in the Lord. Go through God's word and read the scriptures aloud pertaining to healing, and declare your body be made whole in Jesus name. There is all power in His name and the sickness has no choice except to leave your body. You may be fighting a battle that seems impossible, or know someone (friend, associate, relative) dealing with sickness, but remember that with God nothing is impossible, even things that men are unable to do. If you need prayer don't hesitate to ask for it. I would be more than happy to pray for you/with you regarding your healing or any other matter you are dealing with.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

As always, Truth is Freedom, Knowledge is Power!

Honoring our Fallen Troops

The Holy Spirit has placed on my heart to speak compassionately regarding a very tender subject; those of us who have lost a loved one to war or service in the military. Firstly, I want you to know that I understand loss and suffering. This is why I am so humble and value life so much. I am all too aware that this life can easily be taken away. 

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for  a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

Our fallen soldiers have often left too soon, but their sacrifices will never be forgotten. I can't begin to imagine their courage and strength as they set foot on perilous foreign soils, and laid down their lives in service to their country. I do not intend to make less of the bravery of those soldiers still living and serving, because they too have face unfathomable dangers on behalf of their country. Thank you to all of the soldiers who have fought bravely, putting others ahead of themselves that we might enjoy the freedom to live safely.

For a long time I was tormented on the idea of war and military service. However, God recently brought me understanding through His revelation about military service and war. I didn't understand why our soldiers went off to fight wars and didn't return home. I couldn't comprehend the bloodshed or justify the idea of serving with the chance of never seeing ones family again. Then it occurred to me that there are evil people out there with malicious intentions. There are many who hate you and I simply because we are American. There are many still who will hate us because our faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us that we are blessed because of this, but He is telling us that we will face persecutions.

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. Matthew 5:11-12

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world , it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  John 15:18-20

We have never known or even met these people, yet if they could they would kill us. Then there are those who just want to kill because they enjoy it. Someone has to take a stand and oppose, subdue, and defeat these evil people. Our world is not safe, but because of our military men and women, we can enjoy the freedoms that we do. I know that our soldiers are not perfect. I know that they have their flaws as any of us do. Still, they are out in the world battling with forces of darkness in order to ensure that we keep those freedoms. Physical war is very symbolic of the great spiritual war being waged constantly. It reminds me that just as wicked men wage war for money, power, and other reasons, spiritual wars are implemented for souls.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

How noble of our servicemen to sacrifice all that they have for their country. When I say their country I mean the millions of men, women, and children who live across this nation. 

With memorial day having recently passed, I thought of just how blessed we are by the actions of our servicemen. I have never personally served in the military, but that does not mean I am disconnected from the reality of it. I grew up as a military child moving from state to state, city to city, making and losing friends along the way. As a young child I never understood why I had to give up friends so soon after getting to know them. I'd get settled into one location, develop connections with students at school, and then have to pack up and leave. This was so frustrating as a child and spawned resentment in my heart. I didn't realize that my father was serving and doing a great thing for his family. Now as a man I appreciate more than ever the sacrifices that my dad made. 

I would never lie and say that living in a military family is easy. Living in any family can have its challenges, but it is extremely difficult for a family to grasp the idea of having the head of the house gone for months or years while in service to their country. There is a degree of uncertainty while life hangs in a fragile balance. Children are often hurt and confused by the absence of the missing family member. The husband or wife is left to handle all the burdens of family life without their partner and at times stress and loneliness take over. It can be a tremendous adjustment for any family to undergo having a key member pulled away, especially when there is a chance that they could be killed while away. My father has served in the military for nearly as long as I have been alive. He lived and fought through desert storm in Saudi Arabia (1991) and has served for over a year in both Iraq (2008) and Afghanistan (2003). Each time my heart secretly flooded with questions about whether he would return. I had witnessed too many horror stories and seen too many news stories about soldiers being killed in combat. I missed him greatly while he was away. I thought of his jokes, our secret chats about man stuff, our basketball games, motorcycle rides, family dinners he prepared and so many other special moments. I hated the idea that my dad could be killed, yet neglected to realize that he was serving for the freedom of our family as well as others. I developed a crooked eye towards the military. I had to pray and learn to trust in the Lord because my dad's life was in His hands. Thankfully, the Lord allowed for my father to live and return home each time. I can't imagine the horrors he has seen, or the psychological effect multiple wars have had on his mind. I do know that he is firmly rooted in Christ and would gladly lay down his life if it meant keeping his family safe. I appreciate him very much. My dad may have come home but I realize that so many soldiers, often too young, will not be returning home. 

I truly believe that God will honor these brave warriors for their acts of selflessness when the time comes. I do not believe that their deaths were in vain. Many things concern me about war so I often find myself questioning those overseeing these military operations. I am tired of the caskets being flown home and seeing pictures of the young men and women who left their families behind. Many of you are tired of the seemingly endless wars also. I wonder sometimes if these men are being sent to fight for just causes and at times I do not think so. I sometimes think that they died because of the greed of evil men like George W. Bush. I know that war is inevitable on this earth. Men of God fought many battles and God allowed them to be victorious when they obeyed the Lord. Our God is a God of war and He wages war with his enemies (the wicked).

And there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. Revelations 12:7

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; Hebrews 11:32

This life will not be without bloodshed, but I don't want a single drop of our troops blood to have been shed in vain. If they are going to fight, I pray that they are fighting real threats; not threats fabricated so that wicked men can gain the resources of other nations (such as oil reserves and profits). I pray that those men responsible for ordering our troops here or there, would understand that these are real human lives involved, not just numbers on a statistics chart. I can only hope that they would never command our armies into deadly battles for selfish gain or hidden agendas. Our troops are real men and women with families, friends, and lives outside of the brutality of war. Still I would be naive to believe that our troops have always fought in wars that were of righteous origin. This is to no fault of their own, for they simply carry out the orders they are given. It is often wicked ones in high places who determine why the wars are fought. I know that the wars are out of my control and the men making the decisions out of my reach. However, I can pray for our troops in order that I might have a say so in the outcome of their lives. That is the least I can do.

You might say that no one forced our servicemen to join the military. True enough, yet without their service, sacrifice, and loyalty to their country, many of us would experience the horrors of life that others face daily in various countries. Our country has been built on the blood of our fallen who gave everything for freedom. I don't always understand why they fight, or why they die. I just know that because of them we can enjoy many liberties and freedoms that would otherwise be non-existent. Thank God for those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and face evil courageously on behalf of their country.

 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

If you know someone who has been affected with a loss, or if you have lost a family member or friend due to war, I am truly sorry for your loss. Lets continue to honor our men and women in service and those who are fallen because they are giving their all for you and I. If you are in the military currently, I want to say thank you for your service. I pray that God will shield you from harm and bless you for serving your country. My country is far from perfect (what country is without flaws?) but when I look at the conditions in which others live in some places, I can truly say that I am proud to live in my country. Please stay encouraged and continue to trust in God as you are dealing with the difficulty of loved ones away in the military. As always, Truth is freedom, Knowledge is power.