Live Life

Before you read on, take a few minutes to listen to this song. Sorry you will have to withstand a 30 second commercial before you hear it.

http://www.cmt.com/videos/darryl-worley/376067/sounds-like-life-to-me.jhtml

For it is written: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Matthew 7:25 NIV

It is also written: "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV

Life throws many things at us and there is a lot of unpredictability. With Jesus in your life these problems are not just your anymore. For the Lord tells us: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 NIV

In conclusion LIVE LIFE, for you don't know what tomorrow will bring. I am not saying that it is wise to not be prepared, savings is always a good thing, but, understand that the Lord will not give you more than you can handle. Try to find the most of every opportunity. "Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 2:16 NIV

The other posts came to me fast

I dont know what to really right about please leave some comments. I have some issues I am just not feeling the drive I had a week ago.

Days of Preparation

Days of Preparation.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36 NIV and again, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 32:32 NIV.
For it is written: “Be on guard! Be Alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Mark 32:33 NIV.

1. Increase of false prophets and religious compromise in the church.
For it is written: “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” 2 Peter 2:3 NIV.
Here is a good site talking about false prophets http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/fprophets.html
Now to look at an article on compromises of the church http://www.melbourne.anglican.com.au/main.php?pg=news&news_id=21948&s=157

2. Increase of crime and disregard of God’s law.
For it is written: “Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12 NIV.
Look for yourself, crime has been on a steady incline http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm
When you do the math back in 1960 crime was .02% per the population of the United States alone. Now, as of 2007 it was .04% per the population of the United States. That has doubled in the last 47 years.
I can spend more time on this topic, but I feel its time to move on. Keep in mind things like the divorce rate, homosexuality, and as generations pass, look at your children, what they do and the music they listen too. You will see the disregards to Gods law.

3. Increase of wars, famines and earthquakes.
For it is written: “When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Luke 21:9 NIV.
Wars and roomers of wars are not hard to see. Just turn on CNN and you can see for yourself we are not lacking wars and conflicts in this day in age.
Famines take a look at this list, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_famines,
Then think that we just started the 21st Century.
Earthquakes have also been on a study incline. Looking at this http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eqlists/eqstats.html you will see earthquakes are on the rise. The website does offer a man made explanation for this. Like always I ask that you let the Holy Spirit make up your mind not man.

4. More severe persecution of God’s people.
For it is written: “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Mark 13:13 NIV
You can also check out my other blog entry ,Iraq Persecution, on an example of this. http://www.christianpersecution.info/ offers more insight into this topic. I feel that it is on the rise. It is also written: “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trail, do not worry before hand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11 NIV

5. Gospel will be preached to the whole world.
For it is written: “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” Mark 13:10 NIV
I don’t really feel I have to make a point on this topic. In my eyes it’s already been done AMEN.

6. The Holy Spirit will be poured out on God’s people.
For it is written: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17 NIV
This hits me pretty strong the definition of prophesy is, “in religion, this is thought to be a divinely inspired revelation or interpretation”. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophesy. I have not written a lot about me. So I will some up some of it for you.
I was brought up in a strong Christian family. When I hit my teen years I started to rebel like most teens. Then in my 20’s my love and faith in Jesus hit an all time low. I really was indifferent to the whole thing. After September 11th 2001 I signed up for the Air Force. I spent a little over a year and a half in the Iraq and Afghanistan areas. I got out of the military and started up my own business. I soon started having really bad social problems and started to develop compulsive behaviors. I soon found myself afraid of everything with anxiety attacks all the time. I got diagnosed with PTSD among other war related issues. I am currently 70% disabled and the chance of me holding a job in the future looks grim. The VA is considering making me 100% unemployable. I tell you this only as a personal sign. I currently cannot sit and watch TV for more than 30 minutes without having signs of panic. I sit here writing this blog with no pain no worries. Again I have to say Amen. Like my mom always tells me, “the Lord works in mysterious ways.” You can look at this blog but I think the signs are there at least for me.

In closing just be ready. The Lord asks us to stand firm and you will be saved. My brothers and sisters in Christ I ask that you do just that.

Gambling a Sin?

Gambling a Sin

Gambling is not a sin. With that said it has many moral issues associated with it. Let’s look at some of these issues. This is an interesting topic in the body of Christ and if you will take the time to Google it you will see there are many different views. I am going to follow where the Holy Spirit leads me in this topic. I ask that you do the same.

Money management is clearly shown in the Bible and this will be a topic I will take the time to explore later.

Now let’s look at the greed of the problem. I have personally dealt with this issue living in a state that has a lot of casinos. The topic is a hard one in the Bible it is said: “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV. “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” 1 Corinthians 16:2 NIV. Tanking a look at the passages above you need to understand that you cannot spend every dollar you have to hit a so called jackpot. This will only lead you down a path that will end with a bunch of collection calls. Its funny I’ve been there and done that. Now as we look further in the scriptures we see that we have to make a choice, for it is written: “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Luke 16:13 NIV.

Is it a sin to gamble? I feel the answer to that is no, in the same token if it takes control of your life it is. Gambling by its very nature is designed to induce people into spending every dollar they have to hit the big one per say. This can lead to destruction of family, not to mention, the hit your finances will take. It should be done in a matter that you can afford. If you just got $19 dollars in gas and buy a lotto ticket for example, have you sinned? No, I feel that if you have control of it then it is not a sin. If your pay check is $1000 for the week and you spent $980 playing slot machines and then went and got your gas now you have an issue.

I enjoy playing online poker. Many would call that a sin. I started to play it for all the wrong reasons. In my heart all I wanted to do was strike it rich. I feel in that way I was sinning. I still enjoy the game, now I look at it in a different way. I play it for the challenge. Now, I look at the educational value of poker. I have started a blog on this very issue. "Christian Poker Player"

In closing if you allow the love of money control your gambling you are doomed from the start. You need to take a look at it in this example given to me by my father. “Pornography is a sin but, if you where a detective trying to get rid of child porn on the internet, you are looking at porn, not for a sinful reason but for a just cause.”

So, next time you look at a slot machine or go to a home poker game ask yourself? What are my reasons for playing this game? Is it social, spending time with friends? Is it because I am down to my last $20 from my paycheck and I need to make more money? I think you know in your heart why you do it. Let the Holy Spirit tell you whether it is wrong or right.

Medication

Medication and the Bible

“On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”” Matthew 7:28 NIV

Well you get the chance to know a little more about me. I currently am being treated for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), due to my service in the United States Military. I am currently taking Clonazepam 1 mg a day, Sertraline 50mg a day, Vitamin D3 and I just got Divalproex 250mg a day in the mail. Needless to say I will be getting a liver test before I start on the Divalproex, due to the problems it can cause.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 NIV. Other than this verse I see nothing about medications in the Bible.

Let us take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:28 “And to the church God has appointed …, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others.”

For it is written: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There is different kind of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” 1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV.

I pray for healing, but maybe the healing that is meant for me might just be medication. Who am I to question the Holy Spirit? If God created man and through mans actions diseases where founded. Why couldn’t the Holy Spirit also, give man the ability to create medications as part of “gifts of healing”? Again, I say who am I to question the Holy Spirit?

In conclusion I feel lead to believe that medication may be a form of the gift of healing. I feel a whole lot better since I let Christ back into my life, but I am not all fixed to say. Who am I to question what the lord as in store for me?

Many cultures have used plants to cure problems in the past. Those plants didn’t get created by chance.

In closing on this matter I feel you should let the Holy Spirit guide you. As for me I feel this is part of the Lords why of waking me up and to be honest with you, I would not be able to do this blog without the help of the medications and the driving force of the Holy Spirit.

U.S. Unemployment 9.5%

US Unemployment is there a connection with faith?

All information for this section was gathered from the following web site :http://www.usatoday.com/graphics/news/gra/gnoreligion/flash.htm;

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm.

I was not able to include my Excel document into this blog, but I will touch on the facts.

Also, Alaska and Hawaii where not included due to lack of information.

States with a Average >=12% of unemployed.

The percentage of population that believes in Jesus 84%

States with a Average >=5.99% of unemployed.
The percentage of population that believes in Jesus 89%

With that stated the states with more faith seem to have a better economy and employment rate.

Now lets go into detail on some of the states of intrestest.

Topping the list with the worst unemployment rate, with a rate of 15.20% is Michigan. I also see that 20% of the state does not believe in Jesus as their lord and savor. Remember “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.” Titus 3:14 NIV.
I know with the car companies falling apart this is a big blow to the economy of Michigan but, 20% of you do not look to Jesus for answers. “He will respond to the prayer of the destitute: he will not despise their plea.” Psalms 102:17 NIV. Final thought maybe you should just repent and seek the one and only true GOD. As you read on you will see why.

Washington you have the highest percentage of non Christians. Your unemployment rate is 9.3%. Even though you are under the national average of 9.5% you still need to see the errors of your ways. For it is written “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:19 NIV. Take to heart those words. I feel that you will find that the only thing that awaits you is poverty. If you do not trust in Jesus you are doomed from the start. “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” Proverbs 19:20 NIV.

Mississippi and Alabama your unemployment rates are 9% and 10.1% respectively. You seem to have a very strong Belief in Christ. 91% of you population believes in Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. I ask you why do you falter? Have you not heeded the word of God? Take time to look at the ants. Sometimes opportunities come, dont let them fall through the cracks. For it is written “Be wise in the way you act to outsiders; make the most of every opportunity” Colossians 3:21 NIV.

Finally, North Dakota God has seen your favor in him and has blessed you. Your unemployment rate is only 4.2% and to no surprise to me you also have the most believers in Christ at 93% of your population. “Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.” Proverbs 13:21 NIV. God Bless my brothers and sisters in Christ.

In conclusion writing this article I did not stumble on words and everything flowed very freely. Coming back to Christ recently myself. I can’t really explain why I picked the verses I did or the statements I made. I just trust God it is what someone needs to hear to turn to him. Amen.

The Bible and Dinosaurs

The Bible and Dinosaurs

It is time to take a look at this situation from the Bible looking out instead of man looking in. I will start off with this verse. “AND GOD SAID, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” AND IT WAS SO.” Genesis 1:26 NIV. A funny thing happened on that very same day God also created man.

Then you might ask where in the Bible is the word dinosaurs mentioned. Well, it is not. The word dinosaur was created by man in 1841. The King James Version of the Bible was created in 1611. So, we are going to have to take a deeper look to find where it is in the Bible.

The first verse with any reference to dinosaurs is, “…the great creatures of the sea…” Genesis 1:21 NIV. These great creatures also had another name “…Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea” Isaiah 27:1 NIV. Leviathan is also mentioned two other times in the Bible, Job 41:1 and Psalms 74:14.

Now let’s look at an example of a land dinosaur. “Look at the behemoth which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. What strength he has in his loins, what power in the muscles of his belly! His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are close-knit. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like rods of iron.” Job 40:15–18. In the notes of my Bible its says that this must be a hippopotamus. Well if you can find me a hippo with a tail like a cedar you show me it. The word of God says a tail of a cedar. So, where does man come up with a hippopotamus. AMEN.

Now time to show you some proof. The picture below was drawn by North American Anasazi Indians that lived in the area that has now become Utah approximately 150 B.C. - 1200 A.D. (Pictures from http://www.genesispark.com/genpark/ancient/ancient.htm)

How did these Indians put all the bones together to come up with this creature. I think they must have lived with it.

So, are dinosaurs in the Bible? The Answer to that question is YES. I only used a few examples feel free to take a chance to do more research on your own. A great web site on the topic is http://www.answersingenesis.org/. Also Google the topic for some excellent videos.

Iraq Persecution

4 killed, 32 wounded as 6 Baghdad churches bombed
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/07/12/iraq.violence/index.html - for complete story.

Lets look at some of the Details.

- 6 Bagdad Churches bombed in a 24 hour period.

What does the Bible say about Persecution...

"All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause. They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. Psalms 119:86-87

In this instance, I feel that the attacks where with cause. As, a Veteran of the current conflict in Iraq I get a feeling of a religious battle from the locals there.

"Blessed are you when people insult you. persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil agianst you because of me" Matthew 5:11

Amen, This hits the nail right on the head. God Bless all the Iraqi People. May the lord strike vengance on those who intend to harm my brothers and sisters in christ.

I will end this topic with this verse: "Who Shall Seperate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or presecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.""

To Iraqi Christians; Stay strong in Christ. My prayers are with you. The lord will handle these foolish men in his time. Agian I say to you stay strong. Do not become a fool seek the wisdom that only the most high can give you.

Ants

You may be asking why ants?

…From Solomon son of King David…
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise.” Proverbs 6:2 NIV

…And from the Sayings of Agur…
“Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;”
Proverbs 30:25 NIV

Well let us take a look at ants. Scientists believe that there can be as many as 20,000 different kinds of Species in the world. They range in size from 1/25 of an inch to an inch. Ants are also found on every continent except Antarctica.

The ants’ life consists of four life cycles. The first being the eggs, then they move to the larva stage. The final two are the pupa, and the adult. Males have short life span mainly appearing during the mating system.

All Ants live in colonies. The colony consists of male and female members, with females being more prominent. Some colonies only have a few queens others have hundreds. Most of the colony consists of workers.

In Southern China more than 2000 years ago, ants where used as biological pest control the farmers gathered them and used them to their orange groves. The ants helped in attacking the insects that attacked the groves.

Ok let us take a look at the verses and feelings on them. First up is, Proverbs 6:2.
“Go to the ant” Well, I take this literally. In other words go look at an ant.
“You Sluggard” Sluggard in other words means procrastinator. So, to me that means do it ASAP. Don’t be a sluggard.
“Consider its ways and be wise” Another literal statement. You might just be amazed at what you learn by watching these amazing creatures.

The next verse in question is Proverbs 30:25.
“Ants are creatures of little strength” Well, for there size they have great physical strength. Mentally they are lacking with only 250,000 brain cells, as a human has an average of 10,000,000,000. Therefore a colony of 40,000 ants has the combined brain power of a human. “Yet they store up their food in the summer” So, back to the term sluggard. Store up your reserves when the harvest is right. When times get hard you will have security in your past labor.

In closing, do not be a sluggard. When you are able to gather things do so. When there is work work. When there is no work find work. When there is no hope rest assured that you have done all you can do and that what you have saved can be used to sustain you and your family. Take the time to watch the ants, you might just be amazed at what God shows you.

Start of The Blog

I am A US Veteran that has nothing but time on my hands. I have recently found the Lord again. I have decided to study the bible and situations in my life. I like to do research on a varity of topics. Mainly I am going to touch on the Bible as it relates to topics in the news. Everything will be questioned. This can get very interesting. I will write an article as often as I can. By the way you may not feel like you concur with my views and that is fine. You can leave a comment about whatever you want.