Back In The Late 60s, There Was Great Strife In Our Country, And Today The Level Of Degree Of Division

Back in the late ’60s, there was great strife in our country, and today the level of degree of division and disagreement is even greater that - and that to an even higher and disturbing degree.

With such a high and agitated degree of discord and division in our country, it is very disheartening to see how far we have all fallen from what our founding fathers conceived as a UNION of thirteen separate states to become “The UNITED States.” Their declaration and intention was for a people of all races and religions to live united together under ONE banner and ONE national identity.

Today that national identity is being challenged and threatened to be divided against itself. So what is the answer to this division? It is called faith, BOLD FAITH that despite what forces are working against our national unity that God is with us, and that through fervent prayer for our country we can come together again and rise above whatever corruption and evils that have been hidden by our leaders and for these evils to be revealed.

It isn’t enough to say “I have faith,” because faith is a CHOICE you make, and it takes hard work and perseverance to work it out and live and walk in it every moment of the day. Noah and his family persevered for 120 years when building the ark, Moses did before the Red Sea, Job persevered through his affliction, and Jesus did on the cross.

In this time of trial LET US PRAY with all our hearts for our country, our president, congress, and courts that God’s truth and justice prevail and we will once again be ONE Nation Under God.

Only through the Lamb of God can this be possible!

Hold on, walk and live in FAITH in GOD and PERSEVERE!

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You NotesOnLife.org

In the Bible the phrase (or a variation) of “FEAR GOD” appears close to a hundred times, but what exactly does that mean?

Well, an earthly example of that was in Navy bootcamp. As a scared 17-year-old there were always big men with stripes on their sleeves constantly yelling at us. We knew that we had better 'toe the line' and shape up because if not there would be consequences, and it was important for us to strictly obey every order we were given — as uncomfortable and often difficult as they were.

Life on earth is a lot like 'bootcamp.' The goal is to navigate this world and successfully graduate and not 'wash out,' and to do that means to LISTEN and OBEY all the commands and warnings given, because they ultimately are for our own good. Just as in bootcamp, then and only then could we graduate with honor as good sailors and become “Men in the United States Navy.”

Likewise, the “Fear of God ” means that we are to not only respect and listen to what God says, but to do all He says for OUR ULTIMATE BENEFIT. To rebel against this is the earthly equivalent of getting a 'Dishonorable Discharge' and being kicked out of the place to where you ultimately belong.

Friend, as today’s verse reminds us, it is a wise thing to Fear God, but foolish to go your own way. In the Navy, we had NAVPERS (Navy Personnel Regulations) but in this life We have BIBLE (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.) If you follow that manual carefully and fear the one who wrote it, you can never go wrong!

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You NotesOnLife.org

In addition to ministry I’m also a professional trumpet player. Over the years I have played and contracted with many musicians, and one thing equal if not greater than someone’s ability to play is that when they say that they will be at a gig on a specific date and time. When they do so we can Trust Them because we can TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD.

However when it comes to Taking God At HIS Word from the Bible, most people scoff, saying:

'Isn’t the bible just a collection of ancient stories, fables and myths? Who is gullible enough to believe that old book in this modern intelligent age?

If that’s what you ’ve been told or believe, consider this…

Not only was the Bible the first book ever printed, but it is the most printed, studied, and authenticated book in the world. More than that, the Bible has documented detailed geographical, historical and scientific facts that confirm that its authorship could not come from men alone. For example, the dimensions of Noah’s ark are the same exact ratio of ideal ship design used today! (Look it up!!) If the Bible were not true, how would some ancient untrained ancient man (who had never seen rain or a boat on water!) know this unless it was Divinely Revealed?!?

So if you can trust another person at THEIR word, isn’t it reasonable to TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD? When you do, He will always reliably show up to your 'gig' at the right day and time.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You NotesOnLife.org

In our latest tv program, Pastor Wayne continues with the study and comparisons of how words are used and perceived, especially as it relates to the progression from CONDUCT to ETHICS to MORALS to VIRTUE and RIGHTEOUSNESS. For both fun and education, Pastor Pastor Wayne also teaches on how many Bible verses are often misused out of context, sometimes in hilarious ways! You won’t want to miss this!

See all programs at NotesOnLife.org/tv

CENSORSHIP is not only ALIVE & WELL, but growing in an age of 'political correctness.' Many things on a variety of topics are restricted or banned because they are deemed offensive, hurtful, bigoted - or best yet - FAKE NEWS.

Given that, if the Bible was published for the first time on social media today, no doubt it would get slapped with a warning of 'Inappropriate Content,' -or- 'Contains Offensive Material.' Television Cable commentators most likely would describe it as violent, misogynist, and racist. School libraries would exclude it as harmful and scholars would mock it for its many so-called 'contradictions & inaccuracies.' Religious leaders and philosophers would also point out that there are many ways to the divine…and not just ONE.

Oh! Excuse me! That’s happening NOW and calls to ban or limit the Bible or even it’s most benign and helpful quotations often get a 'thumbs down' rating by social media editors. Even more sadly, the majority of people see a Bible verse quotation like the ever ubiquitous 'John 3:16' and meet it with an endless parade of rolling eyes and snarky gaffes.

On the contrary, The 'Word of God' - THE BIBLE - tells us that it is LIFE & LIGHT, and that Jesus himself is that “WORD.” Instead of being Banned and criticized, it should instead be BORN and celebrated as TRUE NEWS.

So what’s your Conclusion? Censor or Celebrate?

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You NotesOnLife.org

Judas Iscariot walked with Jesus for three years, heard his teaching, saw his miracles, yet despite this came to NOT BELIEVE that Jesus was the mighty messiah that would free the Jews from the tyranny of the Romans. Based on what he believed, he changed his values to not only betray the Jesus that he once followed — and also took money to do so.

At times, we all practice a little bit of 'Judas-think' because we compromise our values in certain situations based on what we (choose to) believe or think.

For example, today having sex along with using strong language by many 'born-again' Christians is not uncommon, yet in both these and other situations when values are NOT based on the foundation of God’s Word but personal beliefs, then thinking and values will always be affected.

2 Corinthians 13:5 puts it this way:

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test? And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test.”

Let’s all carefully EXAMINE OURSELVES that our VALUES are truly based on BELIEF based on the Bible, and not on ourselves.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You NotesOnLife.org