Tea Party Protest, Washington D.C. September 12, 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Our elected officials refuse to stop spending money that we don’t have. They refuse to stop borrowing money from China that our grandchildren have to pay back. They refuse to stop raising our taxes; but we have the power to vote them out of office. All we have to do is vote.

The Tea Party movement woke up a sleeping giant, the Christians of America. There are millions of us working together to take America back and restore her to her former glory. All we have to do is vote.

We have paid a heavy price for ignoring our duty to God and country by failing to vote. It nearly cost us our freedom; but it’s not to late to do what is right. All we have to do is vote.

Make it your mission to vote in every election, and persuade everyone you know to do the same: your neighbors, your co-workers, your relatives, your children, your grandchildren, and everyone who is eligible to vote.

Get them to register to vote online at this website:  http://www.canIvote.com . They can download the forms that they need to register; and they can find out where to file them, and where to vote.

                          

"Noah Webster, The Schoolmaster of the Republic," print by Root & Tinker. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Division of Prints and Photographs Online. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003680822/?sid=ed9af5f8c1822c65772ea1b4185054d0 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I love reading quotes from the writings of godly people, because they are nuggets of wisdom and truth. I want to introduce you to Noah Webster, and to some of the things he said about the Bible and about selecting candidates for public office.

Noah Webster practically invented public education in America. His American Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1828, was our first dictionary. His “Blue-Backed Speller” was the most widely used textbook in America for a hundred years. He said “Education is useless without the Bible.” And he explained why this is true.

“The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all of our civil constitutions and laws. …All of the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.

Mr. Webster included this advice on voting to the young readers of his American History textbook. He told them who to vote for.

“In selecting men for public office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate—look to his character. It is alleged by men of loose principles, or defective views of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications for political stations. But the scriptures teach a different doctrine. They direct that rulers should be men who rule in the fear of God, men of truth, hating covetousness.

It is to the neglect of this rule that we must ascribe the multiplied frauds, breaches of trust, speculations and embezzlements of public property which astound even ourselves; which tarnish the character of our country and which disgrace our government.

When a citizen gives his vote to a man of known immorality, he abuses his civic responsibility; he not only sacrifices his own responsibility; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but those of his neighbor; he betrays the interest of his country.”

Mr. Webster’s advise makes perfect sense, but we have done just the opposite of what he said. We have been led to believe that religion has no place in politics, or in government; but that’s not true. Our Constitution and our government are based on principles of the Bible, and that’s why they work so well.

                          

Charles Grandison Finney (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

George Whitfield‘s preaching inspired the First Great Awakening, and that led us to the American Revolution.

Charles G. Finney‘s preaching inspired the Second Great Awakening, and that caused us to put an end to slavery in America. Reverend Finney was a lawyer who became an Evangelist. He was the forerunner of all of the great Revivalists,  such as Dwight L. Moody and Billy Graham.

Reverend Finney was also an educator and a college president. He was the Billy Graham of his day, and he gave us these words of warning.

“The Church must take the right ground in regard to politics. The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics.

God cannot sustain this free and blessed country which we love and pray for unless the Church will take right ground. Politics are a part of religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as part of their duty to God.

God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”

James A. Garfield was the 20th President of the United States, and a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He pointed out that it’s up to us to elect people of honesty and integrity. We are responsible for the morals and ethics of Congress, or the absence of them.

“Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.”

                          

The Pharisees and the Saduccees Come to Tempt Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were divided into two sects, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Both groups were experts in the Book of the Law. Now, the Pharasees believed in the resurrection of the dead, but the Sadducees didn’t. The Sadducess were sad, you see, because they didn’t believe in life after death. Members of both sects were constantly trying to catch Jesus in an error regarding the scriptures.

The Sadducees tried to outwit Jesus by asking him a hypothetical question; but they got their head handed to them, figuratively speaking.  If a man died and left a widow, the Law of Moses required his brother to take her as his wife, so that the first man would not be without descendents.  This is the question that the  Sadducees asked Jesus:  What if there were seven brothers and six of them died one by one. In heaven, which of the brothers would be her husband?

They thought they were leading Jesus into a swamp from which there was no escapt ; but he didn’t fall for it. This is what Jesus said to the Sadducees:

You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

But as touching the resurrction of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Jesus pointed out that, based on the scriptures, God was saying that Abraham, Issac, and Jacob are still alive and they are with him. The word of God is truth. When you know the truth, you can build on that foundation to know more things that are true. This is the example that Jesus set for us, so that we can increase our knowledge, building truth upon truth, precept upon precept. When we need the answer to a question, all we have to do is to find out what God says about it in the Bible.

That should have been the end of the matter, but it wasn’t.  The Sadducees should have just disbanded then, but they didn’t. They didn’t care about God’s own truth.  They loved their religion more than they loved God ir the truth. They wanted to keep on basing their lives on what they think is true. They have since learned that they were wrong.

There are millions of people today who are just like the Sadducees. They have taken the ideas they like which are lies, such as reincarnation, and cobble them together into their own private religion. These same people are going to hell because they have rejected the truth of the word of God.

                          

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When Adam joined Satan’s rebellion, he sold all of his descendants into slavery to sin. That’s why all of us are spiritually dead and separated from God, when we are born physically. We are born into Satan’s Kingdom.

All of us, that is, except for Jesus. Since God is his Father, Jesus is the Second Adam. He’s not subject to the law of sin and death like we are. Because he never sinned, his death on the cross has paid the penalty for your sins.

He died (physically) so that you can live (spiritually.) His obedience to God has reversed the effect of Adam’s disobedience.

You are born again when you put your faith in Jesus Christ. That’s when Jesus becomes your Redeemer and your Savior; and you’re no longer a slave to sin. You are translated from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God.

Redemption and Salvation can only be obtained by grace (the unmerited favor of God;) and, they can only be received through faith in Jesus Christ. (Faith is belief in action.)

Salvation is a free gift from God. He had to give it to us because we can not earn it for ourselves. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

If you have never made Jesus the Lord of your life, I urge you to do it now. This is the most important decision you will ever make, because your answer determines your eternal destiny.

Will you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, or will you continue to reject him? Do you choose life, or death?Heaven, or Hell?

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). You cannot have the Father without the Son, because Jesus and God are inseparable.

There is one true Living God. His name is the Lord of Hosts. He is also called Jehovah and Yahweh. He created the earth and all living things. He’s the God of the Bible. He’s the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. He’s the God of Moses, and he’s the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. All other “gods” are nothing but idols.

God consists of three persons: The Father, who is God in Heaven—Jesus, who is God in human form—and the Holy Spirit, who is God in you.

The Holy Spirit gives you life. He baptizes you into the Body of Believers, and he seals you until the Day of Redemption. When he comes to live in you, he will give you a new heart—a heart full of love. He will change your desires, and give you peace, and joy, and self-control.

The Holy Spirit will give you the desire to please God, and then he will empower you to fulfill that desire. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

If you want to be born again, pray this prayer: “Heavenly Father, I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God, and that you raised him from the dead. I repent of all my sins, and I make Jesus Lord of my life right now. Please send your Holy Spirit to live in me forever. Thank you for saving me and for adopting me into your family. In Jesus name, Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer and meant it, you are now a child of God. All of your sins are forgiven and you have Eternal Life. You’re in right-standing with God. You’re a citizen of Heaven and a joint-heir with Jesus. You’re a new creation in Jesus Christ.

These blessings are yours because Jesus did you a favor (grace), and you received it through faith. Grace is God’s part of the deal and faith is yours. “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed …” (Romans 4:16)

Now that you’re a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit will come to live in you. He is a very powerful ally. He will change you from the inside out. He will empower you to do things that seem impossible, like overcoming addictions. He is the same Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead, and nothing is impossible for him.

You are never alone, because the Spirit of Christ is always with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. As long as you’re walking with God, you don’t have to be afraid of anybody or anything. You don’t have to be afraid of dying, because for you, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

                          

Image by Chineka via Flickr

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. –Author unknown

The Bible says, As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) Whatever you think about the most is what you will become. Here’s how to make this principle work for you instead of against you.

When your mind is focused on carnal, or “fleshy,” things, you’re going to do those things. The Bible is righteousness. When you focus your attention on it, you’re going to do what it says. When you’re doing what the Bible says, you’re doing righteousness. The Bible is the written word of God, and it’s all about Jesus, the living Word of God.

If you want to change your life, you have to change your mind. You have to abandon your old carnal thoughts, and replace them with God’s thoughts. That means you have to study the Bible for yourself, and apply it to your life. That’s renewing your mind. It’s replacing your old carnal thoughts with God’s thoughts. The Apostle Paul described it like this:

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:17-24 NIV)

                          

The Bible is the best selling book of all time. At least a hundred million copies are sold each year; and more than six billion copies  have been distributed throughout the world. Why is it so popular? Because people believe it. They know that it is true. Sixty-three percent of American adults believe that the Bible is the word of God. (Rasmussen Reports)

The Bible was written by men, but God told them what to say. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:2) When Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, he wrote what God told him to write. He recorded ideas that originated in the mind of God, such as the Ten Commandments.

People who think they’re smart usually know nothing about life. God is smarter than all of us put together, and he actually does know everything. All of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found in him. Since he’s God and we’re not, he gets to make the rules. He gets to say what’s right and wrong, not us. The Ten Commandments are God’s rules for living a happy and successful life.

The Bible is God’s testimony, and it is truth. Satan keeps telling the same old lie. He insists that the truth is not true. He says, the Bible’s not true; there is no God; there’s no such thing as right or wrong; and there is no such thing as truth. He tries to keep everyone in the dark and keep them from hearing the truth of God’s word.

Truth is the most power weapon we have. When you know what the Bible says, you’ll be armed with the truth; and you won’t believe the lies of the Devil. He will have no power over you, and you will be free from his influence.

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) When you believe the Bible, you will know that God is our Creator. You will know Jesus, the Son of God, and you will be part of the Kingdom of God.

Abraham knew God, and he “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Romans 4:20-21)

He acted like he believed what God said. In fact, he based his whole life on it. That’s the same kind of faith you have. That’s how you became a Christian. You believed that Jesus died for you, that your sins would be forgiven, and that God raised him from the dead. You believed that the Bible is true.

It is your job as a Christian to believe the Bible to such an extent that you base your life on it. That is the kind of faith that pleases God, the faith he accounts as righteousness.

                          

Today is my sixty-fourth birthday, and I’m rejoicing today with Marie, the wife of my youth. We’ve been married for forty-four years, and God has really blessed us. He gave us three lovely daughters to know and to love; and we think of their husbands as being our sons. The Lord has further blessed us with thirteen amazing grandchildren.

Autumn has always been my favorite season; and I’m enjoying the autumn of my life. Marie and I are reaping the rewards of a lifetime of working together.

We know that we are going to Heaven when we die. Not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did for us. “For by grace are ye saved by faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

So, I’ve been thinking a lot about heaven lately. I’m looking forward to seeing my Dad again, and my grandparents. Marie is looking forward to seeing her Mother and Dad again, along with three of her brothers and her sister, who have all gone to heaven before us.

Marie and I both read Heaven Is For Real, and we highly recommend it. Colton Burpo was three years old when he died and went to heaven. Jesus answered his daddy’s prayer, and sent him back to earth. In this book, he tells us what heaven is like. I don’t want to spoil it for you, so I’ll only tell you two things that Colton says about heaven. He says when you die, that Jesus is the first person you see; and, he says that nobody is old in heaven. We believe that his story is true.

We already knew that heaven is for real. But it’s comforting and reassuring to read the testimony of someone who’s actually been there.

                          

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Eric Liddell went to the 1924 Olympics in Paris, and won the gold medal for the 400 meter race, setting a new world’s record. There was an Oscar winning movie about him called “Chariots of Fire.” When they asked him how he did it, he said, “I ran the first 200 as fast as I could, and then with God’s help, I ran the second 200 even faster.”

In other words, he exerted himself to the point of exhaustion, and when he could do no more, the Holy Spirit, who is Jesus, kicked in and finished the race.That must be what the Apostle Paul was talking about when he said, “When I am weak, them am I strong.”

Maybe that’s the point of the story in the Old Testament about the widow who used the last of her resources serving God. He provided her with an abundance of oil. It was enough to fill every vessel she had. In fact, it was more than enough. She had to send to the neighbors for more vessels to hold it all.

I’m sure you’re familiar with the footprints poster, and its message. There are two sets of footprints on the beach, and then there’s only one set. So the guy asked Jesus, “Why did you leave me?” And Jesus said, “That’s when I carried you.”

Most of us try to hop onto the Lord’s back right away, and expect him to carry us the whole way. But, there’s where we’ve been going wrong. It’s after you have exerted yourself to the extent that you’ve given it all you’ve got that Jesus supplies what you need to finish the job. For example, when you use up all the patience you have, he will give you more. When you use  up all the love you have, he will give you more. When you use up all the faith you have, he will give you more. When you run out of hope, he will give you more.

The Apostle Paul compared living the Christian life to running in a race. It is strenuous, and it takes a lot a stamina to get through it. Salvation means more than just going to heaven when you die. It’s an ongoing process. Jesus is saving you from sin, the world, the flesh and the devil on a daily basis. This is what Paul says about it:

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, (Philippians 3:13 NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

And at the end of his life, the Apostle Paul wrote these words:  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7)

                          

People used to be a lot wiser than they are today. They were familiar with God’s word and they knew how life works. I used to work with men who were a generation older than me. Whenever something good happened to one of them, the others would tell him, “You must be living right.” They knew that God rewards those who do what is right, and he punishes those who don’t. Most people today have never read this verse, “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy.” (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

The Lord knows our hearts, and he wants us to be motivated by love. We know that sin is showing a lack of love for others. Sins are the stupid mistakes we make that prevent God from rewarding us. “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins (motives), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 23:24)

The word “Righteousness” is used two ways in the Bible:

(1) Your salvation is not based on the righteousness you do. It’s based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God counts your faith in Jesus as righteousness, and righteousness is right-standing with God.

(2) Righteousness is the opposite of sin. It’s doing what’s right. When you’re doing what the Bible says, you’re doing righteousness. “And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.” (Deuteronomy 6:25)

God has promised to reward you for your righteousness. “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.” (Proverbs 11:31)

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Your flesh, or your old sin nature, is your enemy. It is driven by lusts, and it wants what it wants when it wants it. It never stops trying to get its own way. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like . . . (Galatians 5:19-21)

First Corinthians 13 describes what God’s love is like. Your flesh is the exact opposite of that. Your flesh is: impatient, unkind, envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, and easily angered. It keeps a record of wrongs, delights in evil, rejoices with lies, never protects, never trusts, never hopes, never perseveres. And it always fails.

If your flesh is running your life, you cannot possibly succeed. You’re closing the door to God’s blessing and his favor.

The only way to overcome your flesh is to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit minute by minute. That is what the Bible calls, walking in the Spirit. “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

All of God’s promises are like contracts. Put your faith to work by doing what God says; and, then you will receive what he’s promised. When you do your part, God will do his part. When you’re keeping the Love commandment, your faith is working because “faith works by love.” The master key to all of the promises of God is loving your neighbor as yourself.

THE PROBLEM IS SIN

Sin is violating the Love Commandment, and it prevents God from blessing you. “Your sins have withholden good things from you.”(Jeremiah 5:25) Love is fulfilling the law. When you’re loving your neighbor, you’re loving God too, because you’re obeying him. You’re expressing your faith in God and his word.

SIN IS BASED ON PRIDE

In my life, I had to face reality. I found out that I was not as smart as I thought. I thought that I could get everything I needed on my own, but I was wrong. I tried running my own life and failed miserably at it. The best decision I ever made was to surrender control of my life to God.

RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BASED ON LOVE

Righteousness is the opposite of sin. It is loving God. Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to those who love God.” You know when you’re keeping the Love Commandment, and when you’re not keeping it. If you want this promise of God fulfilled in your life, you have to love your neighbor as yourself.

GOD SHOWS FAVOR TO THE RIGHTEOUS

“For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor you will surround him as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12 NKJV)