"Thanksgiving" meant thanking God for His blessings, but now -

"Thanksgiving" meant thanking God for His blessings, but now -

Which "God"do we thank? And why?

by Berit Kjos - November 26, 2003


Redefining terms. Revising history. Re-imagining God.... Where does do the changes lead? Whom will Americans thank for this land?

The post-modern world has no love for our Biblical God. Those who resist today's spiritual transformation are demeaned as fundamentalist foes -- enemies to the evolving vision of peace and unit. In fact, UNESCO's Declaration on Tolerance shows only intolerance for Biblical faith and evangelism:

* Tolerance... involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism [confidence in God's Word]....
* Tolerance... means that one's views are not to be imposed on others.
* Intolerance is a global threat....
* Scientific studies and networking should be undertaken to coordinate the international community's response to this global challenge, including... effective countermeasures, as well as research and monitoring...."[1] UNESCO's Declaration on Tolerance

UN Declarations are considered "soft" international laws, but they set standards for all nations. And since a growing global "collective" already embrace this ideology, "Christians" around the world are pressured to adapt. Some -- like "emerging church" leader Leonard Sweet -- claim it's the only option: "Reinvent yourself for the 21st century or die."[2]

Like the false shepherds of Old Testament days, pastors and leaders are doing just that! In the list below, notice the spiritual progression (or rather regression) from thanking our Biblical God to seeking a universal deity -- and from faith in God's unchanging Word to belief in an "evolving consciousness:"

"...giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ....” (Ephesians 5:18-20)

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits..."[3] George Washington, 1789

"I used to believe that pagans in far countries were lost if they did not have the gospel of Christ preached to them.... I no longer believe that."[4] Billy Graham

"The first Reformation was about belief; this one's going to be about behavior.... The first one was about creeds; this one's going to be about our deeds. The first one divided the church; this time it will unify the church."[5] Rick Warren

”We all belong to the same family. Hindus, Muslims and all peoples are our brothers and sisters. They too are the children of God."[6] Mother Teresa

"I believe in an almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe."[7] President George W. Bush
"…what I believe is that Jesus came to show us Christ consciousness.... to show us the higher consciousness that we’re all talking about here...”[8] Oprah Winfrey

“...the religious elites of Western Christendom have given up on the belief that there is no salvation outside the church."[9] The Globalization Reader

"Have 'the elites of Western Christendom' grown so disillusioned," asked Mike Miller in an email to our website, "that they would trade the inner peace of God for the 'worldly peace' envisioned by U.N. leaders and loyalists?"

Yes, they have! The world's "elite" don't rise to such heights without compromise. Unlike the firm faith of the persecuted pilgrims who sought freedom to follow God in America, today's popular Christianity embraces the wants and ways -- along with the feelings and failures -- of this postmodern world.

All around us we see the poisoned fruit of seeds planted in universities, seminaries, schools and churches long ago. (This gradual shift from Biblical truth to a "social gospel" is outlined in these two articles: Treason and Subverting the Church.) When our church leaders began to trade God's unchanging Word for a humanist social agenda, pluralism filled the spiritual vacuum.

Resisters were seen as obstacles to the process. "[B]ecause you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you," warned Jesus long ago. "If they persecuted Me they will persecute you... for they do not know the One who sent Me." (John 15:19-21)

With the gradual quenching of Truth, discernment fades. That's one reason why a growing list of "Christian" elites are now guiding the world toward a man-shaped vision of collective "salvation." But don't thank God for the change! This is humanity's futile work, a sign that "the whole world is under the sway of the evil one!" (1 John 5:19)

The pastors and world leaders listed below are only a small representation of all the participants in this transformation:

Millennium Development Goals: "The Tony Blair Faith Foundation will organise a global campaign to mobilise young people, across religious divides.... The foundation... will promote understanding between the major faiths, and increase understanding of the role of faith in the modern world. The foundation will work with Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists."[10]

Tony Blair: "...religious faith is a good thing in itself, that so far from being a reactionary force, it... should be a force for progress. But it has to be rescued... from the extremist and exclusionary tendency within religion today."[11]

Rick Warren joins Tony Blair’s interfaith movement: "The Tony Blair Faith Foundation will fight extremism.... 'There is a new reality.... And it implies... peaceful coexistence or catastrophe,' said Blair.... The group’s advisory council includes evangelical megapastor Rick Warren... Ismail Khudr Al-Shatti, an adviser to the prime minister of Kuwait; and world Baptist and Jewish leaders."[12]

Rick Warren, the Interfaith Activist: (Interview at the Clinton Global Initiative) "Warren consistently used the language of a religious pluralist. He spoke of 'mosques, temples and churches' as central to the life of villages in the developing world.... Those people of faith can be trained to be the arms and legs of any development plan.... This is a big deal, because it signals an important turn in the American Evangelical tradition - from viewing people of other faiths primarily as lost souls requiring conversion to viewing them as partners in the plan to make earth more humane...."[13]



Obama: “I’m rooted in the Christian tradition.... I believe there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people."[14]

Trinity United Church of Christ -- YOGA: [Obama's church until recently] "Within each us is the seed of Divinity. Each Soul is divine. I bow to the divinity in us all!"[15]

In Our Own Words: "In Our Own Words (IOOW) provides a meaningful heart-centered bridge between diverse groups of Americans.... Thus, this project is intended to accelerate healing on a large social scale and to facilitate a more conscious evolution of Humanity.... Our energy is the combined will of all people with the spirit of the natural world, to be of one body, one heart, and one mind.'"[16]

Faith Without Borders: "Prof. Stackhouse believes that a public theology must offer a 'compelling view of transcendence' to 'fuel the spiritual capital' of a civilization and thereby sustain its moral fiber. He argues that Christianity is particularly adaptable as the basic component of a public philosophy that would serve the world-wide civil society that is coming into being.... "[17]

United Religions Initiative (URI): "California's [Episcopal] Bishop William Swing... founded the United Religions Initiative (URI), a global organization designed to bring all religions together to dialogue and seek common ground. 'You can work in terms of the model of the UN,' he explained.... While Christians around the world lament the election of a homosexual Bishop... few realize that this denomination has condoned outright paganism for years....

"I sat down in the back of the Presidio's small interfaith chapel to watch. The leader began. 'We are all branches of the one tree.... Lift us to the level of the universal…. Chant the names of the gods. Start with om….' 'Visualize whatever form shows your understanding of the divine,' urged a woman in a soft, hypnotic voice….”[18]

Interfaith Conference: "An international interfaith conference taking place in Madrid next week is being hosted by a Saudi charity that is affiliated with organizations blacklisted by the U.S. government.... Among those invited to attend the gathering organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) are former Vice President Al Gore and senior figures from the world’s leading religions.”[19]

The "New Spirituality" promoted by Oprah through occult books (written in an enticing form of Christianese) may be the most seductive of all. For example, The Secret and A Course in Miracles are based on messages channeled by demons masquerading as Biblical messengers who call themselves by Biblical names such as "Abraham" and "Jesus." The Shack and other "Christian" fiction blend "positive" truths with captivating plots that re-imagine a "God" more compatible with today's world. Readers learn to love fictional gods that blind their eyes to Biblical reality.

Neale Donald Walsch wrote Conversations with God back in the 90s. He has seduced seekers both inside and outside the church to trust his spirit guide who calls himself "God." His website, "New Spirituality," promotes the worldwide "Humanity's Team." Ponder this description:

"Humanity’s Team... proposes a New Spirituality that enlarges and enhances humanity’s current beliefs about God... bringing peace and harmony to our planet at last. The New Spirituality... is an expansion of all our present theologies; an updating of them; a refreshing of them, rendering all of our current sacred teachings even more relevant to our present day.... God is not separate from anyone or anything...."[20]

Our true God still reigns!

No global agenda can thwart His eternal plan! No pluralistic vision can cloud His bright promises to those who are His! No earthly obstacle can diminish the wonders of His unchanging Word in the hearts of those who love Him. It guides us, comforts us, and gives us hope. It also warns us:

"Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you...
They speak a vision of their own heart,

not from the mouth of the Lord.
They continually say to those who despise Me,
‘The Lord has said, 'You shall have peace’;
And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart,

they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.’ ” Jeremiah 23:16-17

In the midst of change, we who trust Him have every reason to give Him our thanks! For His Word assures us that--

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed....
'Be still, and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:1-2, 10

“Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.'"
1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Persecution

"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.... If they persecuted Me they will persecute you... for they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15:19-21

"...the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me." John 16:2-3

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10

"Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Mark 13:10-12

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake." Matthew 24:9

"You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:18-22

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

"...the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." 1 John 5:19

"Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother." Luke 12:51-53



"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are

• hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed...

• perplexed, but not in despair

• persecuted, but not forsaken;

• struck down, but not destroyed

— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." 2 Corinthians 2:7-10

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever." 1 Peter 5:8

"Just as they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations,

So will I choose their delusions and bring their fears on them;

Because when I called, no one answered,

When I spoke they did not hear;

But they did evil before My eyes and chose that in which I do not delight."

Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His Word;

Your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name's sake, said,

'Let the Lord be glorified that we may see your joy,'

But they shall be ashamed." Isaiah 66:4-5



"O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded;
You are stronger than I, and have prevailed.
I am in derision daily; everyone mocks me.
For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, 'Violence and plunder!'
Because the word of the Lord was made to me a reproach and a derision daily.
Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.'
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.
For I heard many mocking: 'Fear on every side!'
'Report,' they say, 'and we will report it!'
All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying,
“Perhaps he can be induced; then we will prevail against him,
And we will take our revenge on him.”
But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail." Jeremiah 20:7-11


"And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
"But the angel said to me, 'Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." Revelation 17:5-8

"And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.

"So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?' And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Revelation 13:1-8

"After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, 'Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.'" Revelation 7:1-4

To prepare His people for future events, Jesus told His disciples,

"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near... Watch therefore...." Matthew 24:32-33, 42

As reminders to "watch" and be ready, Scripture references to prophesied events and current trends are added to corresponding news items.

Home - Topical Index of Scriptures - Bible Studies

My Keeper

“The Lord is your Keeper....” Psalm 121:5

"Prone to wander, Lord, I know it; Prone to leave the God I love.

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above...."



Can you identify with the words in this song? I can. Some days my mind wanders to all kinds of distracting thoughts. I just can't keep it focused on my King. I long to "be still" with my Lord and delight in His Word, but the world's ways and wants disturb my peace and shut out His voice.

In the midst of the distractions, He reminds me to turn my heart back to Him. And, once again, I choose to remember that God, the mighty Yahweh, is my Keeper as well as my Lord. In His hands I am safe. Earthly circumstances and spiritual foes may divert my attention, but He sees my heart and will not let me stray far from His path. He is the Keeper of my soul and the guardian of my life. The Bible tells me so:

"My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper....
He shall preserve your soul." Psalm 121:2-6

"Fear not, for I am with you," He whispers to my heart. "Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’" Isaiah 41:10

I may sleep (physically or spiritually), but my Keeper remains awake and alert. In His perfect time, He awakens my heart to love and serve Him more; for He knows the deepest longings of my heart.

He watches over me every moment. No thief can break in and steal the treasures He gives me. Nothing -- not even my own failures -- can separate me from my wonderful Lord, for His grace covers all my weakness. And He has promised, "I will not fail you or forsake you."

Before He went to cross, Jesus prayed to His Father for His precious friends -- including you and me. His words show not only deep concern for my welfare and sanctification, but also His longing to have me near Him always. Listen to what He said,

"While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition.... I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.... Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.... " John 17:12-23

Are you, too, part of His family? Then nothing can separate you from His love! Therefore, you and I can delight in Psalm 73 together: "My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." He will surely "guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever." Psalm 121:8

Precious Keeper, what comfort there is in knowing that no matter how weak and unsteady my walk,You draw me close to yourself and keep me hidden in You. There, in that precious nearness, You teach, train and transform me into Your likeness. I cannot understand such amazing love; but I thank You, my Beloved.

References: Psalm 73:26, Isaiah 53; Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:19; Luke 1:31, 23:34; Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:5-11.

What Jesus taught us to pray

Jesus Christ was and is God! For a moment in time, He left His unseen eternal home to enter into human history as a man. His life, suffering, death, and resurrection were documented historical events -- facts, not fables told by creative storytellers. What He taught us about humility, death and resurrection is not open to our re-interpretation.

"If we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed," wrote the apostle Paul. (Galatians 1:1-24)

If we will come to Him in our need, repent of our sins, trust in His saving death on the cross, and let His Word, like a beacon of light, guide us through each day -- and through the storms ahead, He will prove His grace and faithfulness over and over again. One simple way to come close to Him, is simply to follow this prayer outline Jesus taught His disciples long ago.

The Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

In New Testament times, rabbis often provided index-prayers or patterns for prayer. Each short part focused on one essential part of our relationship with Him. The Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) can do that and far more, if we will use it as a pathway to intimacy with God. When we do, He opens our eyes to see from His perspective, enables us to share His heart, and keeps us close to Himself as we continue our earthly journey:

1. Our Father in heaven, holy is Your Name. Worship Him! Whether by inner acknowledgment or outward motion, bow before the King, your Father and Shepherd, in faith, love, humility and surrender, the attitude of worship. Whisper or speak His names (some are listed in the appendix), letting them remind you of all that He is, all that He has, and all that He wants to share with you, His precious bride.

2. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Surrender to Him! Our King reigns -- He always has and He always will. Today, the goodness of His kingdom is demonstrated wherever His will is known and followed. Pray that the King will reign in your heart and do His will through your life this day. (Mark 14:36, John 4:34, 5:30; Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

3. Give us this day our daily bread. Trust Him for daily provision! Jesus, Himself the Bread of life, longs to equip you with the riches and resources of His life. When you give yourself to Him, He gives Himself to you. You become one with Him -- not in the New Age sense where the human personality is absorbed into a pantheistic force -- but in the privilege of sharing in His life. All that He is and has becomes available to you so that He can fulfill His purpose in you. This is covenant relationship, and it's far more wonderful than human thoughts can conceive. (Matthew 6:33; John 6:35-63; Psalm 62:5-6; Ephesians 3:14-19)

4. Forgive us as we forgive. Thank Him for His Grace -- and share it with others! God calls us to "be holy" as He is holy; nothing less can qualify us for the heavenly throne room of our King. That means there must be no hindrance to the biblical oneness between Him and you, nor between you and His other friends. (Matthew 6:14-15; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 5:16a; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:9, 3:2-3)

5. Deliver us from the evil one. Battle in prayer! Stand firm in the spiritual victories Christ won for you at the cross. They are living realities for those who belong to Him. So trust His Word and authority, then stand immovable against the enemies of the Kingdom. (Exodus 14:13; 2 Chronicles 20:6-15; Psalm 18; Matthew 16:19; Ephesians 6:10; 1 John 4:4; Revelation 12:10-11)

6. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever! Praise Him! trust Him! The Kingdom belongs to God, but He shares its riches now and forever with His children who trust and follow Him. Unbounded grace is lavished (though we may not always recognize it) on those who love Him enough to hear His heart, share His concerns, and walk in His purpose. (Mark 11:22-24; John 15:7, 14:12-14; Philippians 4:4-7, 19; James 1:5-6, 4:3)

If you pray -- with all your heart -- through this outline and surrender your life into His loving hands, He will surely answer you, for you have asked according to His will. (1 John 5:14-15) You are safe in Him, whether you live or die, for He surrounds you as an Armor and fills you with His very own life. Then you can stand with confidence on the wonderful promise He gives you in Romans 8:

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? . . . Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:31-39

A Christian business ?

A Christian business is one where the decisions that govern the day to day actions are made on the basis of the word of God, whether this proves popular or not and regardless of circumstances, feelings or its social acceptability. It will have at its core a commitment to do things according to biblical principles, in much the same way that some of the old laws governing the company were made on a biblical basis.


The purpose of a Christian business is to glorify God. The list below, provides food for thought about our roles and responsibilities as Christians in the marketplace. We are called to live as the people of God in a secular world.

a) We are to be salt and light. As our lives reflect our personal relationship with God the Father, we "fertilise" others, stimulating their spiritual growth, enabling them to taste and see the goodness of our God. Without saltiness, what remains has little value to anyone. As children of God, we should let our light shine so that non-Christians may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). The business arena provides an excellent context for this.

b) We are His distinctive people. When God called the children of Israel out of Egypt into the promised land, He made it clear that they were to live as His people and be different from the nations surrounding them. "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth" (Deut. 7:6).

Our businesses are representatives of the Lord whose name we carry. A successful Christian business reflects the goodness of God towards His chosen people - those who have been called out of darkness into His marvellous light to which unbelievers will be drawn.

c) We demonstrate His presence among us. Our continual dependence on Him, together with a flow of supernatural gifts and abilities demonstrates God's presence among us. God will continue to give us creative skills to run our business. He asks us to call on Him and He will show us great and mighty things. These things will set us apart as the children of God.

d) We establish His kingdom. The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God among us. It is the ushering in of His rule and authority on the earth and the fullness of God bursting into everything that we do. When the Lord reigns in our businesses, we bring His rule and authority into the business arena.

e) We are a source of blessing. God's charge to Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 12:1-3, is to go to the land that He will show him and he will be made into a great nation and be a blessing and all the peoples of the earth shall be blessed through him. In the New Testament, we are reminded that we are the children of Abraham and that the promise is also for us. God wants us to be a channel of blessing. As we honour Him with our wealth and the firstfruits of our businesses, He promises to bless us in return. From these profits, we can be a source of blessing to our families, employees and those belonging to the household of faith.

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God or Reign of God (Greek: Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ - Basileia tou Theou,[1]) translates to the "reign of the God" [2] is a foundational concept in the three Abrahamic faiths, and most notably within Christianity, where it constitutes the central theme of Jesus of Nazareth's message in the synoptic Gospels. The phrase occurs in the New Testament more than 100 times,[3] and is defined almost entirely by parable. According to Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God is within (or among) people[4], is approached through understanding,[5] and entered through acceptance like a child,[6] spiritual rebirth,[7] and doing the will of God.[8] It is a kingdom peopled by the righteous[9] and is not the only kingdom[10].
Contents
[hide]

* 1 English translation
* 2 Abrahamic faiths
o 2.1 Islam
o 2.2 Judaism
o 2.3 Christianity
+ 2.3.1 Historical Jesus scholars
+ 2.3.2 Evangelical scholars
# 2.3.2.1 Further reading
+ 2.3.3 Roman Catholic interpretations
+ 2.3.4 Eastern Orthodoxy
+ 2.3.5 Pre-millennial approaches
+ 2.3.6 Other viewpoints
* 3 See also
* 4 References and notes
* 5 External links

[edit] English translation

In the synoptic Gospels (which most scholars believe were all written in Greek), Mark and Luke use the Greek term "Basileia tou Theou," commonly translated in English as "Kingdom of God," while Matthew prefers the Greek term "Basileia tōn Ouranōn" (Βασιλεία τῶν Ουρανῶν) which has been translated as "Kingdom of Heaven." Biblical scholars speculate that the Matthean text adopted the Greek word for "heaven" instead of the Greek word for "God" because, unlike Mark and Luke, it was written by a Jew for a Jewish audience so, in keeping with their custom, avoided using God's name as an act of piety. In Matthew, "heaven" stands for "God."[11] The basis for these terms being equivalent is found in the apocalyptic literature of Daniel 2:44 where "the 'God of heaven' will set up a 'kingdom' which will never be destroyed."

The word “kingdom” is a translation of the Greek word “basileia” which in turn is a translation of the words "malkuth" (Hebrew) and "malkutha" (Aramaic). These words do not define kingdom by territory but by dominion. Jesus said of the Kingdom of God that one cannot say, “Look here it is!” or “There it is!” Luke 17:21. According to C. H. Dodd, the common translation of “malkuth” with “basileia” in Greek and hence “kingdom” in English is therefore problematic; a translation with “kingship,” "kingly rule," “reign” or “sovereignty” should be preferred.[12].

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that the word basileia can be translated as "kingship," "kingdom" or "reign" (CCC 2816).

From a purely etymological viewpoint, the word "basileia" is believed to have derived from the Greek word for base or foundation.[13] Some writers prefer this root definition because it eliminates the confusion with monarchy.

Scholars during the current third quest for the historical Jesus have translated the phrase "Kingdom of God" as "God's imperial rule", or sometimes "God's domain", to better grasp its sense in today's language.

The Jesus Seminar has chosen to translate basileia as ‘empire.’ John B. Cobb points out that this has the disadvantage of implying a hierarchical nature to the realm of God, a concept clearly lacking from Jesus thought, in Cobb’s view.[14]

Fr. Richard Chilson, C.S.P., suggests the term "Love's Domain," "Love's Dominion," or "Love's Rule" because the Kingdom of God is where the God who is Love rules.[15]

Even with the debate over the translation of the term, modern scholars see the concept of the kingdom of God as the main message of Jesus.

[edit] Abrahamic faiths

See also: Abrahamic religion#The coming

Certain writers assert that the Kingdom of God is a concept detailed in all the three Abrahamic religions— Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

[edit] Islam

For Muslims, belief in the Kingdom of God may refer to the belief in Allah's absolute dominion over all things. Thus in Islam every place -all creation- may be considered God's Kingdom if those that live there "hold onto good qualities and good actions". [16]

The notion of God's kingdom on Earth, however, constitutes the establishment of and adherence to Allah's laws within human society, in order to maintain a lasting peace and unity within the lives of the devout, at all levels. These include personal, criminal, state and international levels. As such, some Muslim groups hold the view that the Kingdom of God constitutes a caliphate/Imamate -a geographical region unified under the faith of Islam- and even Matthew 13:31-33 has been suggested by Islamic scholars to be in fact referring to a caliphate which will be spread across 3 continents.[citation needed]According to mainstream Islamic beliefs, the Second Coming of Jesus and the arrival of the Mahdi will usher in this ideal caliphate/Imamate, which will put an end to the "tyranny of the Antichrist", and this reign will ensure tranquility and peace for the world.

A third perspective among Muslims is that the Kingdom of God is a spiritual concept entirely, rather than a possibly material one. After the Day of Judgment, when Allah judges all mankind based on their deeds, one either goes to hell or to heaven; the latter being the Eternal Kingdom.[citation needed]

[edit] Judaism

The Kingdom of God is referred to frequently in the Tanakh (see 1 Chronicles 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 and Daniel 4:3 for example). It is tied to Jewish understanding that God will restore the nation of Israel to the land. The Kingdom of God was expressly promised to the patriarch and prophet, King David, because he was a man "after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14).

[edit] Christianity

Discussion of the basileia dates back for centuries. Eusebius identified basileia with monarchy while Augustine foresaw a merger of the church and basileia. Aquinas, however, ignores the concept and, considering its prominence in Jesus' dialectic, it was relatively little discussed by Christian theologians until Johannes Cocceius (1660) and Hermann Samuel Reimarus in the 18th century, during what has become known as the "first quest" for the historical Jesus.[17][18]

The premise of a Kingdom is integral to both Jewish and Christian Scriptures. The Hebrew Bible (the same biblical books as the Protestant Old Testament) contains a set of laws, known as The Law, which governed the nation of Israel as a Theocracy. Prophecies throughout the Old Testament refer to this kingdom as eternal, later revealed to be fulfilled through King David's lineage. The Christian view of Jesus as the Messiah (or Anointed One) is more than organized religion, but rather stems from the original Hebrew theocratic belief in a Kingdom of God.

Jesus assumes his audience understands the Kingdom foundation that was laid in the Hebrew Scriptures. When Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God he speaks of the time of the fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. A time of a restored earth where the faithful will worship and serve their God forever under the rulership of a righteous leader of the Davidic line. This was the Messianic hope of the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures and was carried over and echoed in the words of John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, Paul and others in the Greek Scriptures.

Jesus would attach the theme of the gospel message itself with this Kingdom idea. Luke 4:43 tells the reader that Jesus' very purpose for being sent was to "preach the gospel about the Kingdom." He then would send out his disciples to speak this message even before they understood anything about his death and resurrection. Compare Luke 9:1-6, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 10:7, etc. The initial seed that must be sown in the hearts of men was also identified as the word of the Kingdom by Jesus in Matthew 13:19. Shorthand for the word of the kingdom was given in Mark and Luke's version of the parable of the sower as "the word" (Mark 4:14) and "the word of God" (Luke 8:11).

Jesus often spoke of the Kingdom of God as the theme of his gospel as well as the destination for the righteous in the end of days [19]. Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount shows that those who follow the "beatitudes" are rewarded with the Kingdom of God/inheriting the earth/comfort etc. Matthew 19 gives an account of Jesus equating popular terms such as "eternal life" and "saved" as the same thing as entering the Kingdom of God when it is established upon the earth. Jesus even taught his disciples to pray: "Let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Some believe this defines the Kingdom as the time when God's will is done on the earth as it is done in heaven. Others contend that the two petitions are separate in the prayer, leaving the Kingdom of God to be more than simply a perfect execution of God's will on earth.

The Kingdom of God as spoken of by Jesus carried with it more than a picture of the wolf and the lamb dwelling together and the end of war (see Isaiah 11:1-9). In fact Jesus used the Kingdom as the reason why men should repent (see Mark 1:14-15). There was a good side as well as a judgment side of this Kingdom that was communicated in many of the parables (ex: tares and wheat of Matthew 13 and the sheep and goats of Matthew 25, etc). Paul and others would continue this theme in their preaching of the same gospel (Acts 17:30-31 - Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to the world that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all people by raising Him from the dead). When they spoke of Jesus coming to judge the living and the dead they were saying the same thing as the Kingdom coming because he was in fact appointed to be the King of the Kingdom.

The coming of God's Kingdom, described as Judgement, is also described in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation, as a military conquest over the opponents of the Kingdom. (See Rev. 20:7-10) Revelations 21 speaks of the Kingdom of God in the new heaven after the establishment of His eternal reign. [20]

[edit] Historical Jesus scholars

The method of historical Jesus scholars essentially aims at investigating the social, religious, political and cultural climate of the early first century in order to place the human figure of Jesus within and around these structures. One of the major areas of conflict among Jesus scholars is the proximity of Jesus’ “Kingdom”. Some believe it is wholly manifested in the presence of Jesus’ words and deeds, others believe that it is completely in the future, and some acknowledge the arguments of both these camps and place Jesus’ “Kingdom” somewhere in between being manifested in the present and also more completely manifested in the future.

C. H. Dodd and John Dominic Crossan argued that the “Kingdom” was fully manifest in the present teaching and actions of Jesus. Through his words and deeds the “Kingdom” was brought into the present reality of Palestine. Dodd coined the term “realized eschatology” [21] and largely based his argument on Luke 11:20, and Luke 17:21 claiming that “the kingdom of God has come to you” and “the kingdom of God is within you”. Crossan imagined Jesus as a cynic-like peasant who focused on the sapiential aspects of the “Kingdom” and not on any apocalyptic conceptions [22].

Albert Schweitzer, Rudolf Bultmann, Norman Perrin and Johannes Weiss argued that Jesus’ “Kingdom” was intended to be a wholly futuristic kingdom. These scholars looked to the apocalyptic traditions of various Jewish groups existing at the time of Jesus as the basis of their study. [23] [24] [25] [26] In this view, Jesus was an apocalyptic preacher who would bring about the end times and when he did not see the end of the cosmic order coming Jesus embraced death as a tool in which to provoke God into action.

The most common view of the “Kingdom” in recent scholarship is to embrace the truths of both these parties – present reality and future manifestation. Some scholars who take this view are N.T. Wright and G.R. Beasley-Murray. In their views, the “Kingdom” that Jesus spoke of will be fully realized in the future but it is also in a process of “in-breaking” into the present. This means that Jesus’ deeds and words have an immediate effect on the “Kingdom” even though it was not fully manifested during his life. Even greater attention has been paid to the concept of the “Kingdom of God” by scholars during the current third quest for the historical Jesus (of which N.T. Wright is associated). Another important recent observation on the meaning of the “Kingdom” was made by Rudolph Otto who took a feminist approach to the study of Jesus. He claimed that “it is not Jesus who brings the kingdom; on the contrary; the kingdom brings him with it…”[27]. This approach attempts to take Jesus out of the Jesus movement that followed after his death and resurrection; by doing this the communal aspects of the “Kingdom” become emphasized and not just the focus on Jesus as a man.

[edit] Evangelical scholars

The Gospels describe Jesus as proclaiming the Kingdom as something that was both "at hand" and a future reality (see Mark 1:15). The phrase "inaugurated eschatology" has achieved near consensus among evangelical interpreters as expressing the essence of the present/future tension inherent in the teaching of Jesus regarding the kingdom of God. "Inaugurated eschatology" posits that Jesus Christ, through his incarnation, death, resurrection, and exaltation, has ushered in the messianic age so that the kingdom of God may be understood to be present in an incipient fashion, while at the same time awaiting consummation in the future age following the second coming

The present aspect of the Kingdom refers to the changed state of heart or mind (metanoia) within Christians (see Luke 17:20-21), emphasizing the spiritual nature of His Kingdom by saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is within (or among) you." The reported activity of Jesus in healing diseases, driving out demons, teaching a new ethic for living, and offering a new hope in God to the poor, is understood to be a demonstration of that Kingdom in action.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church accepts the doctrine of the Kingdom of God dividing it into two phases. These are, the Kingdom of Grace which was established immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, and the Kingdom of Glory which will be fully established when Christ returns to earth for the second time.

[edit] Further reading

* John Bright, "The Kingdom of God" (ISBN 0687209080)
* George Eldon Ladd, "The Gospel of the Kingdom" (ISBN 9780802812803)
* Arthur Glasser, "Announcing the Kingdom" (ISBN 0801026261)
* H.R. Ridderbos "Coming of the Kingdom" (ISBN 0875524087)
* Bruce Thomas "The Kingdom of God: How it began and How it will end" (ISBN 1419661698)
* Charles Van Engen "The Good News of the Kingdom" (ISBN 1579102786)
* Christopher Wright "The Mission of God" (ISBN 9780830825714)

[edit] Roman Catholic interpretations

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that the coming Reign of God will be a kingdom of love, peace, and justice (CCC 2046). Justice is defined as a virtue whereby one respects the rights of all persons, living in harmony and equity with all (CCC 1807). The Kingdom of God began with Christ's death and Resurrection and must be further extended by Christians until it has been brought into perfection by Christ at the end of time (CCC 782, 2816). The Christian does this by living the way Christ lived, by thinking the way Christ thought (CCC 2046) and by promoting peace and justice (CCC 2820). This can be accomplished by discerning how the Holy Spirit (God) is calling one to act in the concrete circumstances of one's life (CCC 2820). Christians must also pray, asking God for what is necessary to cooperate with the coming of His Kingdom (CCC 2632). Jesus gathered disciples to be the seed and the beginning of God's Reign on earth, and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide them (CCC 541, 764). Jesus continues to call all people to come together around him (CCC 542) and to spread His Kingdom across the entire world (CCC 863). However, the ultimate triumph of Christ's Kingdom will not come about until Christ's return to earth at the end of time (CCC 671). During Christ's second coming, he will judge the living and the dead. Only those who are judged to be righteous and just will reign with Christ forever (CCC 1042, 1060). Christ's second coming will also mark the absolute defeat of all evil powers, including Satan (CCC 550, 671). Until then, the coming of the Kingdom will continue to be attacked by evil powers as Christians wait with hope for the second coming of their Savior (CCC 671, 680). This is why Christians pray to hasten Christ's return by saying to him "Marana tha!" which means "Come, Lord Jesus!" (CCC 671, 2817).

According to Fr. William Barry, S.J., we can understand the Kingdom of God as God's intention for the universe. God has revealed that His intention for our world is that all humans live as brothers and sisters, as sons and daughters of God (Is 2:2-5, Is 11:6-9, Is 40:4-5, Eph 1:3, 9-10). Our thoughts and actions can either be in tune with God's intention or not. Only by being in tune with God's intention will we ever know true fulfillment or happiness in this life. Prayer, discernment and knowledge of God's revealed Word are needed to discover how one can be in tune with God's intention.[28]

According to Fr. Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., the Kingdom of God primarily refers to the era when Christ comes again to bring the final establishment of God’s rule over all creation, which will include a final judgment where the righteous are rewarded and the wicked are punished. The concept of the Kingdom of God offers the goal for Christian life: those who follow the example and teachings of Jesus will be vindicated when the Kingdom of God comes and will reign with Christ forever.[29]

In Biblical scholar John P. Meier's Mentor, Message, and Miracles (A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus, v. 2, 1994, pp. 235-506), the 'Message' is the kingdom of God. The book examines that the subject as found in:

* the Old Testament and Pseudepigrapha and at Qumran
* Jesus' proclamation of a future kingdom
* the kingdom proclaimed by Jesus' words and deeds as already present in his ministry (pp. 451-53).

Pope Benedict XVI in his book Jesus of Nazareth, says there are "three dimensions" to the Church Fathers' interpretation of term Kingdom of God. The first, which comes from Origen, is that Jesus is himself the Kingdom in person[30]. The second "sees man's interioriry as the essential location of the Kingdom"[30]. This second dimension also comes from Origen. "The third dimension of the interpretation of the Kingdom of God we could call the ecclesiastical: the Kingdom of God and the Church are related in different ways and brought into more or less close proximity"[30]. That is to say that the Church is the Kingdom of God.

[edit] Eastern Orthodoxy

See also: Theosis, Theoria, and Theophilos

Within the theological tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church the Kingdom of God is the future of all mankind and the created world, in that God will be in direct communion with the cosmos. This communion is that all mankind will experience their existence in the presence of God. God as being the Kingdom of God. God as paradise and punishment.

[edit] Pre-millennial approaches

A number of groups take a political/eschatological approach to the Kingdom of God emphasizing a physical reign of Jesus Christ on earth after the parousia. These groups often place special emphasis on the role of a restored kingdom of Israel.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints considers the church itself as the Kingdom of God on the earth. However, this is limited to a spiritual or ecclesiastical kingdom until the Millennium when Christ will also establish a political Kingdom of God. This will have worldwide political jurisdiction when the Lord has made "a full end of all nations" (Doctrine & Covenants 87: 6). However, Latter-day Saints believe that this theocratic "kingdom" will in fact be quasi-republican in organization, and will be freely chosen by the survivors of the millennial judgments rather than being imposed upon an unwilling populace. See Council of Fifty; Theodemocracy.

Jehovah's Witnesses extend the idea of the Kingdom of God to more than just a state of mind or heart. The belief is that the Kingdom is a government headed by Jesus Christ as King, ruling in heaven since 1914. Jehovah's Witnesses come to the year 1914 by two lines of reasoning: Bible chronology dealing with the end of the Times of the Gentiles[31] and observed world conditions[32]. The miracles and preaching of the Kingdom that Jesus carried out while on earth is a work that gave hope, illustrated the benefits the Kingdom would bring, and urged efforts to gain God's favor. Jehovah's Witnesses try to imitate that preaching work in their door-to-door work by highlighting the Kingdom of God[33]. In fact, the full name of the Watchtower is "The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom." In short, the Kingdom is the means through which God sanctifies His name and vindicates His sovereignty [34] and accomplishes His will through Christ, and restores conditions on earth to those similar in the Garden of Eden. Additional information on the Kingdom in relation to the Last Days and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Christadelphians believe in an end time political kingdom. This viewpoint says that in the last days Christ will return to rescue Israel (the nation), judge all who are responsible to God's judgment, and make an immortal administration for the Kingdom of God re-established on earth. It will be based in Jerusalem, and will provide the faithful of all generations with the land promised to them because they are heirs of the land of the middle East, with Abraham. The Kingdom will grow to rule over all other nations, with Jesus as the King and with his administration (immortal saints) ruling over the nations with him. Those ruled over will firstly be the Jews who are alive then (although mortal) and the survivors of all other nations (also mortal). During that time, lifespans of mortals will be greatly increased, and justice will be carefully maintained. Thus the world will be filled with peace and the knowledge of God.

[edit] Other viewpoints

Leading feminist theologians, especially Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza emphasize the feminine gender of the word basileia and the feminist nature of the early teachings of Jesus and the important and counter-cultural role and contributions of women in the Jesus sect.[35]

Jesus' use of the phrase "Kingdom of God" is believed by the liberation theologists to have been a deliberate but indirect criticism of the Roman system of domination.

Some scholars (most notably P.D. Ouspensky, in his book A New Model of the Universe, chapter 4) propose that "The Kingdom of Heaven" could actually be an esoteric group, that one should 'seek' within our own society.

Some universalists believe that God will use the Kingdom to bring about the salvation of all mankind. [4]

[

WHAT is The Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God

Contrary to popular "Dominion Theology" and "Christian" visions of an earthly kingdom, God's word points to His holy, unworldly -- and far less popular -- heavenly Kingdom.

His Kingdom is not of this world

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36

"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world..." John 17:6-9



"Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." John 17:11-18



"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13


"Friendship with the world is enmity to God." James 4:4

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body...." Philippians 3:20

The heavenly King reigns in His people on earth

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"For indeed, the kingdom of God is 'within you." Luke 17:20



"...you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." John 14:20-21


"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words." John 14:23-24



"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered...." John 15:4-6



"...I say to you, 'unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.... Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:3-6


Calling His people to the Kingdom

"John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!'" Matthew 3:1-2

"Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:14-15

"...seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. " Luke 12:31-32

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14

Yet most people reject His Kingdom

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

"...woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in." Matthew 23:13

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." John 5:39

"The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, 'See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.' But they made light of it and went their ways..." Matthew 22:2-5

"Jesus said to His disciples, 'Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:23-24

Who will -- or will not -- enter His kingdom



"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" Matthew 7:21-23



"For many are called, but few chosen." Matthew 20:16

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"...no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them." Ephesians 5:5-7

"...the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

"I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19-20

Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. And those who heard it said, 'Who then can be saved?' But He said, 'The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.'" Luke 18:24-26

"‘Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding,
Who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not:
Do you not fear Me?’ says the Lord. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence?" Jeremiah 5:21-22

"No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62

Repentant Sinners welcomed by the king

"I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him." Matthew 21:31

"I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him." Matthew 21:31

"He turned to the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.'
Then He said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'
And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, 'Who is this who even forgives sins?'
Then He said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.'" Luke 7:44-50

"Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." Matthew 18:1-5

Diverse responses to that Gospel

"...hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received [1] seed by the wayside. But he who received [2] the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately the stumbles. [3] Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

"But he who received [4] seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Matthew 13:18-23



His Spirit-led Citizens do His will



"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." Matthew 6:9-13

"Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:16

"... 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

Peter and John answered, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20

Peter and the other apostles said, "We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." Acts 5:29-32

Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.'
"Pilate therefore said to Him, 'Are You a king then?'
"Jesus answered, 'You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, 'that I should bear 'witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 18:36-37

Called to Unity within His Kingdom



Jesus prayed: "Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are." John 17:11



"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:19-20



Called to separation from the world system

"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God." Romans 1:1-2

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.'

Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

"...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

The world hates the citizens of the Kingdom

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." John 17:12-18

Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... because they do not know Him who sent Me." John 15:18-21

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:9-14

Called to suffer for His Kingdom


"Blessed care the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.... Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:3, 10-12


"...they returned to Lystra... strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:21-22


"We are bound to thank God always for you... for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer." 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12:10-11



"Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?" James 2:5-7


"We are bound to thank God always for you... for your patience and faith din all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer." 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5



War against the Kingdom



"...the whole world is under the sway of the evil one." 1 John 5:19



"Do not be discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s." 2 Chronicles 20:15


"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...." Revelation 12:11

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." 2 Corinthians 10:2-6

"...after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears." Acts 20:29-31

"Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things..." 2 Timothy 4:2-5

"And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever!" 2 Timothy 4:18

Final judgment & ultimate separation



"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. ...

"The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’

"But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" Matthew 13:24-30



"...the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:45-50



"All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world...." Matthew 25:32-34





Your choice for Eternity



"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
"And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

"And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

"But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’

"But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." Matthew 25:1-12



"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent 'to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10-11



"...since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28


Into the heavenly Kingdom



"He spoke to them a parable: 'Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place." Luke 21:29-32


"...flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,' in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. " 1 Corinthians 15:50-53


"Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. ... Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." 1 Corinthians 15:23-28


"Then the seventh angel sounded [the trumpet]: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, 'and He shall reign forever and ever!'" Revelation 11:15

Barack Obama: The 50 facts you might not know

• He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics

• He was known as "O'Bomber" at high school for his skill at basketball

• His name means "one who is blessed" in Swahili

• His favourite meal is wife Michelle's shrimp linguini

• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father

• He is left-handed – the sixth post-war president to be left-handed

• He has read every Harry Potter book

• He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali

• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream

• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars

• He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia

• He can speak Spanish

• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead

• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea

• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't

• He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia

• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs

• He was known as Barry until university when he asked to be addressed by his full name

• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister's fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived

• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy

• He and Michelle made $4.2 million (£2.7 million) last year, with much coming from sales of his books

• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

• He carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck

• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.

• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees

• He took Michelle to see the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing on their first date

• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker

• He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol

• He would have liked to have been an architect if he were not a politician

• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine

• His daughters' ambitions are to go to Yale before becoming an actress (Malia, 10) and to sing and dance (Sasha, 7)

• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside

• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal

• His house in Chicago has four fire places

• Daughter Malia's godmother is Jesse Jackson's daughter Santita

• He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry

• He uses an Apple Mac laptop

• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300

• He wears $1,500 (£952) Hart Schaffner Marx suits

• He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes

• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13)

• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire

• He was given the code name "Renegade" by his Secret Service handlers

• He was nicknamed "Bar" by his late grandmother

• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds

• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso

• His speciality as a cook is chilli

• He has said many of his friends in Indonesia were "street urchins"

• He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life

• His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government

50 Fakta Yang Mungkin Anda Tidak Ketahui Tentang Barack Obama

Barack Obama di panggil O-bomber oleh teman-temannya saat SMA di Honolulu (tcu)

Dia mengoleksi sejumlah komik antara lain Spiderman, Conan dan Barbarian
Dia dijuluki ” O’Bomber” di sekolahnya saat SMA
Dalam bahasa Swahili, namanya berarti “orang yang diberkati”
Makanan favoritnya adalah shrimp linguini masakan isterinya, Michelle
Dia memenangkan penghargaan Grammy pada tahun 2006 untuk kategori versi audio dari bukunya, Dreams From My Father
Dia adalah seorang yang bertangan kidal ( Orang ke -enam dalam sejarah Presiden Amerika yang bertangan kidal)
Dia membaca semua buku Harry Potter
Dia mempunyai sarung tinju berwarna merah ditandatangani oleh Muhammad Ali
Dia pernah bekerja di sebuah toko es krim Baskin - Robbin saat remaja
Snack favoritnya adalah potongan coklat kacang
Dia memakan daging anjing, daging ular dan belalang panggang saat hidup di Indonesia
Dia dapat berbahasa Spanyol
Saat kampanya dia tidak menonton CNN dan lebih memilih channel olahraga
Minuman favoritnya teh es black forest berry
Pernah berjanji pada isterinya Michelle akan berhenti merokok sebelum mencalonkan diri jadi presiden - ternyata tidak
Pernah memlihara se-ekor monyet bernama Tata saat tinggal di Indonesia
Dia dapat mengangkat barbel seberat 200 pound
Dia dikenal dengan nama Barry hingga kuliah dan ketika ditanya untuk mengisi nama lengkapnya
Buku favoritnya adalah Moby-Dick karangan Herman Malville
Dia mengunjungi Wokingham, Berks pada tahun 1996 untuk menghadiri sebuah pesta khusus laki-laki dalam pesta tunangan adik tirinya, tetapi meninggalkan pesta tersebut saat stripper datang
Mejanya di kantor Senat , pada masa lalu pernah di pakai oleh mendiang Robert Kennedy
Pendapatannya dan isterinya (Michelle) tahun lalu sebesar $ 4,2 Juta , kebanyakan berasal dari penjualan buku karangannya
Film favoritnya adalah Casablanca dan One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Dia membawa sebuah Madonna dan patung kecil serta sebuah kalung milik seorang tentara di Irak demi keberuntungan
Pernah mengajukan diri supaya tampil di sebuah kalender pin-up saat kuliah di Harvard , tetapi di ditolak oleh semua komite wanita
Musik favoritnya termasuk Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach dan The Fugess
Kencan pertamanya dengan Michelle dimulai dengan menonton film -nya Spike Lee “Do The Right Thing”
Dia menikmati permainan Scrabble dan Poker
Dia tidak meminum kopi, juga jarang meminum minuman beralkohol
Jika tidak menjadi seorang politisi, dia akan memilih menjadi seorang arsitektur
Saat remaja dia memakai obat-obatan terlarang termasuk marijuana dan kokain
Putri-nya Malia (10 Tahun) bercita-cita kuliah di Yale atau menjadi seorang artis dan Sasha (7 Tahun) ingin menyanyi dan menari
Dia membenci gaya anak muda dengan celana melorot dibagian belakang
Dia melunasi cicilan kuliahnya empat tahun yang lalu, setelah menandatangani penjualan bukunya
Rumahnya di Chicago mempunyai empat buah penghangat ruangan dari api (fire place)
Wali perempuan putrinya Malia, adalah Santita, anak perempuan dari Jesse Jackson
Dia mengakui kebiasaan buruknya, terlalu sering memeriksa Black Berry-nya
Dia menggunakan sebuah laptop Macintosh buatan Apple
Dia mengendarai mobil Ford Escape Hybrid, dan menyingkirkan mobil boros sebelumnya Chrysler 300 SUV
Dia mengenakan stelan seharga $ 1,500 buatan Hart Scaffner Marx
Dia mempunyai empat buah pasang sepatu hitam yang sama persis, berukuran 11
Dia pergi ke tukang pangkas langganannya, Zariff di Chicago. Seminggu sekali, dan dikenakanan biaya $ 21
Tokoh fiksi acara televisi yang jadi favoritnya adalah Mash and The Wire
Dia diberi kode nama ” Renegade ” oleh unit Secret Service (pengawalnya)
Dia dijuluki “Bear” (beruang) oleh neneknya
Dia mempunyai rencana untuk membangun lapangan basket di lahan Gedung Putih
Seniman favoritnya adalah Pablo Picaso
Tugas utamanya saat memasak adalah mengurus cabai
Dia pernah berujar, banyak teman-temannya saat di Indonesia adalah anak jalanan
Dia senantiasa menempatkan sebuah ukiran kayu berbentuk tangan yang memegang sebuah telur, dimeja kerjanya. Sebuah simbol dari Kenya yang melambangkan rapuhnya hidup ini
Almarhum ayahnya adalah seorang ahli ekonomi senior di pemerintahan Kenya

America's future depends on a holy people

November 16, 2008


By Marie Jon

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

I believe that America will not survive the political and social trials that are to come if we are not engaged in the fight to protect our Christian beliefs. The Ten Commandments, written by the hand of God, are our moral compass. Liberalism has slowly worked its way into mainstream Christian denominations. If it were not so we would have been a wiser people and elected a president who shares the same principles found in the teachings of the Great I Am.

Many evangelicals and Catholics voted in to the office of the presidency America's most liberal senator on social issues that concern our children's sexual identity, marriage and the sanctity of human life. All of these extremely important topics appear to be above Barack Hussein Obama's pay grade. What were these Christians thinking?

I heard of a man who made a pact with The Almighty. The man promised God that he was not going to do His will, even though it meant finding his own eternal destiny in a place prepared for the devil. This story reminded me of the biblical parable found in Matthew 21.

Jesus, in a parable, said: "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not'; but later during the same day the man changed his mind. The father went to the second son and asked the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go" (Matthew 21:28-30).

May I ask you: How do you respond to God's call in your life? Have you ever felt the Lord's call for a very special kind of ministry? Maybe God was asking you to surrender your life to Him through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Because of fallen human nature of all mankind since the beginning, many people do not respond to God. They rather resist and are unwilling to concede the need of a loving Savior who lived and died and rose again so they could have eternal life in the world to come. Many are called, but refuse to answer.

Amos 5:1-2: The Lord judges a nation just as He does individual people. America, how is your walk with the Savior doing? Are you yielding to His gentle voice? Many of God's anointed answered the call once in their lives, but then found themselves backsliding and off course.

The drive-by media of the New Testament gave the priests and Pharisees some pretty bad press. Although there were many uncomfortable conflicts between them and Jesus, don't ever assume that they were all in open rebellion against Christ. In fact, the book of Acts reveals that many who verbally fought against Jesus eventually became Christians.

You'll find their story in the parable. They are represented by the second son. The one son who agreed to go to work in his father's vineyard represents many Christians who had very good intentions and started out to serve the Lord faithfully, but allowed themselves to become sidetracked along the way. For them there had come a time for epiphany. Let's just say that they experienced a watershed in their lives when they had chosen the wrong path.

In the parable, Jesus points to a specific time and place where they had failed to grow and continue their walk with God. What He said to them is still important to Christians living today. "For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome." (1 John: 5-3)

Excerpts From Religious Right R.I.P.:

"When Barack Obama takes the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2009, he will do so in the 30th anniversary year of the founding of the so-called Religious Right. Born in 1979 and midwifed by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, the Religious Right was a reincarnation of previous religious-social movements that sought moral improvement through legislation and court rulings. Those earlier movements — from abolition (successful) to Prohibition (unsuccessful) — had mixed results.

"Social movements that relied mainly on political power to enforce a conservative moral code weren't anywhere near as successful as those that focused on changing hearts. The four religious revivals, from the First Great Awakening in the 1730s and 1740s to the Fourth Great Awakening in the late 1960s and early '70s, which touched America and instantly transformed millions of Americans (and American culture as a result), are testimony to that.

"Thirty years of trying to use government to stop abortion, preserve opposite-sex marriage, improve television and movie content and transform culture into the conservative Evangelical image has failed. The question now becomes: should conservative Christians redouble their efforts, contributing more millions to radio and TV preachers and activists, or would they be wise to try something else?"

Full Article

We all need to take into consideration the progress of our own walk with the Savior and Creator of the universe. My sisters and brothers, let us repent and move forward. We are not saved by the Ten Commandments but "by grace, least any man should boast." However, the Lord gave His commandments in love to guide our lives upright before Him and others. We are the Lord's witnesses.

We're to be seen as a light as Christ was unto this world, so others will be drawn to Him. May we do so with humility toward God and a willingness to respond to Him by doing His will through love.

If we lose our salt and our image appears to be a mirror of the worldliness that we proclaim to reject, we will not be able to win one soul for Christ. Our country needs a righteous religiosity, lead by those who have regenerated hearts and who are on fire for their Lord and Savior. We must not be viewed as mere hypocrites who talk the talk but do not walk the walk.

The headlines announce that the whole world is waiting for President Obama. Sorry Jesus Christ, you'll have to postpone your long awaited Second Coming, because Obama, with his huge government programs, has everything covered. Soon we will be living in the land of plenty and honey.

We were called out to be fishers of men and to conduct ourselves befitting the stature of sons and daughters to the most Holy God. America's future depends on a holy people who are willing to let their light shine and not hide their Christianity under a bushel. Ill-informed people of faith went into the voting booths and decided to vote their pocketbooks and bring socialism to America's doorstep. Unless Christ cuts the time in half, Christians will be wandering through the desert of a socialistic progressive malaise for a long, long time.



In the parable, Jesus points to a specific time and place where they had failed to grow and continue their walk with God. What He said to them is still important to Christians living today. "For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome." (1 John: 5-3)