“Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:7
We are quickly approaching what may be the most important election year ever. It does matter who is elected because it is not just the person elected, but also the platform of the party they represent that is elected too!
In light of all that is going on right now in our country, I think the following quote is not only prophetic, but a wake-up call to all responsible voters.
Please read and understand what the writer says...
“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.
The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependence back again into bondage.”
- Penned by Professor Alexander Tytler over 200 years ago while we were still a British Colony.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
A Perfect Example of Why California Needs Prop 8
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25
According to a WorldNetDaily article, “brides” and “grooms” are no longer allowed to marry in the State of California. That privilege is only extended to themselves to be called “Party A” and “Party B” on marriage licenses.
Pastor Doug Bird or Abundant Life Fellowship in Roseville, Calif., was alarmed to find the state now rejects the traditional terms after he officiated his first marriage ceremony last week following the California Supreme Court decision to overturn Proposition 22.
The couple has written the words “bride” and “groom” next to “Party A” and “Party B” because they wanted to be legally recognized as husband and wife.
However, the Placer County marriage license was denied.
“I received back the license and a letter from the Placer County Clerk/Recorder stating that the license ‘does not comply with California State registration laws,;” Bird said in a statement from the Pacific Justice Institute.
It was an “unacceptable alteration,” the County Recorder’s Office claimed the State Office of Vital Records determined.
“What’s next?” Bird wrote in a September 4th letter. “Will the State of California force [ministers] to use the terms ‘Party A’ and ‘Party B’ in the ceremony itself?”
In a 4-3 decision, California’s high court declared that legal definitions of marriage as a union between a man and a woman were unconstitutional. Since the ruling, the generic designations have been added to legal documents.
Pacific Justice Institute President Brad Dacus said that voters must change the state constitution by voting on the marriage amendment in November, if they wish to preserve the traditional meaning of marriage.
“Unless Proposition 8 is passed, heterosexual couples will be forced to wed out of state if they wish to be officially identified as bride and groom or husband and wife,” he said in a statement. “This is a major slap in the face for traditional marriage.”
According to a WorldNetDaily article, “brides” and “grooms” are no longer allowed to marry in the State of California. That privilege is only extended to themselves to be called “Party A” and “Party B” on marriage licenses.
Pastor Doug Bird or Abundant Life Fellowship in Roseville, Calif., was alarmed to find the state now rejects the traditional terms after he officiated his first marriage ceremony last week following the California Supreme Court decision to overturn Proposition 22.
The couple has written the words “bride” and “groom” next to “Party A” and “Party B” because they wanted to be legally recognized as husband and wife.
However, the Placer County marriage license was denied.
“I received back the license and a letter from the Placer County Clerk/Recorder stating that the license ‘does not comply with California State registration laws,;” Bird said in a statement from the Pacific Justice Institute.
It was an “unacceptable alteration,” the County Recorder’s Office claimed the State Office of Vital Records determined.
“What’s next?” Bird wrote in a September 4th letter. “Will the State of California force [ministers] to use the terms ‘Party A’ and ‘Party B’ in the ceremony itself?”
In a 4-3 decision, California’s high court declared that legal definitions of marriage as a union between a man and a woman were unconstitutional. Since the ruling, the generic designations have been added to legal documents.
Pacific Justice Institute President Brad Dacus said that voters must change the state constitution by voting on the marriage amendment in November, if they wish to preserve the traditional meaning of marriage.
“Unless Proposition 8 is passed, heterosexual couples will be forced to wed out of state if they wish to be officially identified as bride and groom or husband and wife,” he said in a statement. “This is a major slap in the face for traditional marriage.”
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Anger Management
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” Proverbs 16:32
“Do you want to explain why there is a hole in your bedroom door?” Bill asked his 15-year-old son, Charles.
“I lost my temper,” Charles mumbled.”
“Hmm. Can you show me what that’s like?” asked Bill.
“What?”
“I want you to show me what happens why you lose your temper.”
“I can’t do that,” Charles said.
“Why not?
“Because I’m not angry right now.”
“Pretend that you are and show me what happens when you become upset.”
Charles stood to his feet and looked at the closet door. Then he looked back at his father.
“I don’t know. I was really upset and I snapped.”
“Remember how your grandpa always told jokes that weren’t funny, but you laughed anyway?”
“Yeah.”
“And just a few months ago, you canceled your spring break plans and stayed home to help your mom because the twins had chicken pox,” Bill continued. “Did I tell you how proud I was of you for doing something so selfless and mature?”
Charles blushed.
“The point I’m trying to make, Charles, is that your anger isn’t something that’s natural to your personality.” Bill placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “If it was, you could act that way any time you wanted to. Keep that in mind the next time something’s getting the better of you - or else your allowance could become the ‘broken door’ fund!”
“Do you want to explain why there is a hole in your bedroom door?” Bill asked his 15-year-old son, Charles.
“I lost my temper,” Charles mumbled.”
“Hmm. Can you show me what that’s like?” asked Bill.
“What?”
“I want you to show me what happens why you lose your temper.”
“I can’t do that,” Charles said.
“Why not?
“Because I’m not angry right now.”
“Pretend that you are and show me what happens when you become upset.”
Charles stood to his feet and looked at the closet door. Then he looked back at his father.
“I don’t know. I was really upset and I snapped.”
“Remember how your grandpa always told jokes that weren’t funny, but you laughed anyway?”
“Yeah.”
“And just a few months ago, you canceled your spring break plans and stayed home to help your mom because the twins had chicken pox,” Bill continued. “Did I tell you how proud I was of you for doing something so selfless and mature?”
Charles blushed.
“The point I’m trying to make, Charles, is that your anger isn’t something that’s natural to your personality.” Bill placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “If it was, you could act that way any time you wanted to. Keep that in mind the next time something’s getting the better of you - or else your allowance could become the ‘broken door’ fund!”
Friday, September 26, 2008
Be an Overcomer
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.” I John 5:4
How to be an overcomer. This is the theme of numerous volumes available at your local bookstore.
How to overcome bad eating habits, financial problems, smoking...
Much is spent each year by consumers for hospital care, psychoanalysis, seminars, cults, and paperback books - just to learn how to be an overcomer.
What a waste - when you consider they could listen freely to any evangelist, read a Gideon Bible at no charge, or at least, find a Christian analyst, and through the power of God become an overcomer.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.” I John 5:4
Faith is what exists in the heart of the one who knows Jesus as Lord and Savior. The faith you exercised when you yielded yourself to God and asked for forgiveness of sins based on what Jesus had done, is the faith you exercise daily as you yield yourself to His Spirit.
How do you live like who you are - someone who is free from bondage?
By considering yourself to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus - Rom 6:11. You can literally do this through the power of the Holy Spirit Who lives in you.
“But if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13
What area of your life are you ready to yield to the Spirit of God so that you can be an overcomer?
How to be an overcomer. This is the theme of numerous volumes available at your local bookstore.
How to overcome bad eating habits, financial problems, smoking...
Much is spent each year by consumers for hospital care, psychoanalysis, seminars, cults, and paperback books - just to learn how to be an overcomer.
What a waste - when you consider they could listen freely to any evangelist, read a Gideon Bible at no charge, or at least, find a Christian analyst, and through the power of God become an overcomer.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.” I John 5:4
Faith is what exists in the heart of the one who knows Jesus as Lord and Savior. The faith you exercised when you yielded yourself to God and asked for forgiveness of sins based on what Jesus had done, is the faith you exercise daily as you yield yourself to His Spirit.
How do you live like who you are - someone who is free from bondage?
By considering yourself to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus - Rom 6:11. You can literally do this through the power of the Holy Spirit Who lives in you.
“But if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13
What area of your life are you ready to yield to the Spirit of God so that you can be an overcomer?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Love is a Fruit
“But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Cor 13:13
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love...” Galatians 5:22
For a time the biblical expression “born again” was popularized and worn by everyone from politicians to college professors.
The expression was meant to identify those who truly had been born into God’s family by the Spirit of God.
“No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” I John 3:9
A truly born again or regenerate person cannot continually practice sin. Neither can he/she please God or be fruitful apart from the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:8
Love is a fruit of the Spirit. Unconditional love exclusively belongs to God. For this reason John wrote: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” I John 4:7
Maybe you are a Christian but recognize a lack of love in your life, even for other believers. What to do? “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
Continually yield yourself to the Spirit of God and He will produce God’s love in your life. That’s a promise.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love...” Galatians 5:22
For a time the biblical expression “born again” was popularized and worn by everyone from politicians to college professors.
The expression was meant to identify those who truly had been born into God’s family by the Spirit of God.
“No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” I John 3:9
A truly born again or regenerate person cannot continually practice sin. Neither can he/she please God or be fruitful apart from the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:8
Love is a fruit of the Spirit. Unconditional love exclusively belongs to God. For this reason John wrote: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” I John 4:7
Maybe you are a Christian but recognize a lack of love in your life, even for other believers. What to do? “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
Continually yield yourself to the Spirit of God and He will produce God’s love in your life. That’s a promise.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A New Creation
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” II Cor 5:17
That is a precious truth. To be made new. To be endowed with the very nature of God.
“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” II Peter 1:4
This divine nature in you, provides the capacity to please God and to reflect the very person of Christ. Previously this was impossible. The Bible describes those who have not been born again as - slaves to sin.
But in Christ the bondage to sin is broken. Now you are free to choose obedience to God. The power to be obedient is available only to those who walk in the Spirit’s control.
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4
Believers who do not yield control of their lives to the Holy Spirit are no more able to please God than non-believers.
This is why Paul says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
Whether or not his is a new concept to you, be sure that today you give control of your life to the Spirit of God so that you can please the Father.
That is a precious truth. To be made new. To be endowed with the very nature of God.
“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” II Peter 1:4
This divine nature in you, provides the capacity to please God and to reflect the very person of Christ. Previously this was impossible. The Bible describes those who have not been born again as - slaves to sin.
But in Christ the bondage to sin is broken. Now you are free to choose obedience to God. The power to be obedient is available only to those who walk in the Spirit’s control.
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4
Believers who do not yield control of their lives to the Holy Spirit are no more able to please God than non-believers.
This is why Paul says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
Whether or not his is a new concept to you, be sure that today you give control of your life to the Spirit of God so that you can please the Father.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
New Life in Christ
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.” Acts 10:44
Most testimonies your will hear about how someone came to believe in Jesus Christ will include a series of events and people whom God used to draw that person to Himself.
Usually a new Christian can look back over a period of time (particularly adults) and recognize God at work in their lives. Think of your own salvation and see if this was not your experience.
Though God may use people, circumstances, and His written Word to draw you, it is the Holy Spirit, Who at a specific point in time, gave you new life in Christ.
It is important for people, especially “church people” to realize that becoming a Christ is not a process.
Though your decision may have followed months, even years, of deliberation there is a time when faith is exercised and instantaneously the Holy Spirit applies the work of Jesus Christ to your heart.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13
To receive Christ is not a process, but a single act through which you were adopted into God’s family.
Now! to live like who you are - a child of the heavenly King.
Most testimonies your will hear about how someone came to believe in Jesus Christ will include a series of events and people whom God used to draw that person to Himself.
Usually a new Christian can look back over a period of time (particularly adults) and recognize God at work in their lives. Think of your own salvation and see if this was not your experience.
Though God may use people, circumstances, and His written Word to draw you, it is the Holy Spirit, Who at a specific point in time, gave you new life in Christ.
It is important for people, especially “church people” to realize that becoming a Christ is not a process.
Though your decision may have followed months, even years, of deliberation there is a time when faith is exercised and instantaneously the Holy Spirit applies the work of Jesus Christ to your heart.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13
To receive Christ is not a process, but a single act through which you were adopted into God’s family.
Now! to live like who you are - a child of the heavenly King.
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