The Seventh Day

The book of Genesis records that God created everything in six days and then on the seventh day He rested. Why did it take God six days to create everything and why did He need to rest on the seventh? After all, He is God. I’m sure He could have spun the universe into existence in the blink of an eye without needing any rest afterwards. Being a believer of the Bible as being the infallible truthful Word of God, I do believe that He did it as it is written but I also believe that God does things for a reason.



In 2 Peter 3:8 it says, “But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” And in Psalm 90:4 it also says, “For a thousand years in Your sight, are like yesterday when it is past”. These statements are in the Bible for a reason, but for what and why? Could it be that God’s procedure of creation is also a foreshadow of His plan and timetable for man’s destiny?



While there exists much scientific evidence of the earth being much older than 6,000 years this can still be true in light of the scriptures. There is what is called the gap theory. Meaning that scripture does not tell us how much time may have existed between verses 1 and 2 in Genesis. Verse 1 being, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Verse 2 being, “the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep”. The theory suggests there could be thousands of years between those two verses. Then starting in verse 3 God begins to count the days and what He creates within those days. Of course this does suggest that man has only roamed this earth for 6,000 years and leads us to the debate of evolution, which is a topic for another time. For this study lets just stick to scripture and what God is telling us.



So the question remains, why does God tell us in His Word that He created the earth and the life within, as we know it, in six days and rested on the seventh? Could the beginning be a harbinger of the end? After all, the Lord does declare in Isaiah 46:9-10, “remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done.” The book of Isaiah is a fantastic resource for hearing the words of the Lord directly as many chapters reveal the Lord speaking in the first person. Here He is telling us that He declares the end from the beginning. We are given another hint that the end is determined from the beginning in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” Jesus also tells us in Revelation that He is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end.



To understand this concept it requires circular thinking and an understanding of “prophetic time”. Prophetic time moves in a circle and in cycles. When you come to the end of a circular cycle you are back at the beginning. When 60 seconds is up you start over and begin counting the next 60 seconds. You don’t come to the end of 60 seconds and say “Ok, now what?” Rather, you get a minute out of it and then start counting minutes while the 60 second cycle is still rotating within the minute and then so on with an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, a decade, a century, a millennia and so on. Cycles within cycles that never stop moving. If you were to remove or add 1 single second from within those cycles all of time would be thrown off and the divine order of things would be disrupted. Interesting how the last few words in the Bible are of Jesus warning us not to add or take away from the words which are written in this book. If the Bible is a prophetic book declaring the destiny of our existence from beginning to end, (which I firmly believe it is), then surely every word in it must be there for a reason and like the divine cycles of time, cannot be tampered with.



Based on Isaiah 46:9-10 we can conclude that God reveals the end of things by encoding them in the beginning of things and that the future is hidden in the past. But why the big secret, why not tell us things straight up so that we can be warned clearly without doubt. First of all, God loves us and would not leave us unwarned, nor would he deceive us with riddles. Just take a look at what He is saying in Isaiah 48:16, “Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was I was there.” This is a clear indication that He is not hiding anything from us. Its all in His Word. All we have to do it is pick it up and read it and not try to rely on our own understandings.



So if a thousand years with the Lord is as one day perhaps the Lord is telling us that the six days of creation are representative of the 6,000 years of man’s existence in a sin cursed world and the seventh day of rest is the 1000 year millennium of Christ’s reign on earth after He returns, spoken of in Revelation 20. (Ironically the 1000 years of Jesus’ earthly kingdom are mentioned six times in Revelation 20). The last 1000 years being the “day of rest” as sin will have been wiped off the face of the earth and Jesus will reside as King of Kings and show the earth what it will be like to live in true peace and harmony, …hence, a day (or thousand years) of rest!



If this theory is true then that would mean from Adam to the birth of Jesus would have been the first 4,000 years and from Christ’s first advent to His second coming is the remaining 2,000 years which is the time that we are currently living in which is referred to as “the Church Age” or the “Age of Grace”. That being the case that would also mean that the remaining 2,000 years are almost up! There are even several references from scripture telling us of this 2,000 year period and its closure. These references are almost always in regards to the re-birth of Israel and the Jewish people. The land and the people that God has remarkably preserved throughout the ages specifically for His return! Lets examine them keeping in mind that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years.



In Exodus 19:11 the Lord tells Moses to consecrate the people for 2 days and on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. This is very representative of the 2,000 year, (or 2 days), “age of grace” that we currently live in before the Lord returns to be “in our sight”.



In Hosea 6:2 it says, “after two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight”. This is in regards to Israel. We have seen with our very eyes the beginning of Israel’s revival with Israel becoming a nation again in 1948. No other nation in history has ever been eliminated out of existence and come back into existence but miraculously Israel has done it twice! (The first being in the Book of Ezra after King Cyrus allowed them to return to their land after 70 years of captivity in Babylon). Jesus also gave us a prophetical sign of this coming to pass when He cursed the fig tree after entering Jerusalem saying “Let no fruit grow on you ever again”, (Matthew 21:19). Immediately the fig tree withered away. The fig tree of course is representative of Israel, (see Hosea 9:10). Then in Mark 13:28-31, Jesus tells us to learn the parable of the Fig Tree to understand when we are close to the end of the age. He says, “when its branch has become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also when you see these things happening, know that it is right at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Now when a fruit tree begins to bear leaves in the spring that means that the fruit is soon to blossom on it in the summer. Israel becoming a nation again in 1948 was the Fig tree bearing its leaves but Jesus said it would never again bear fruit! Furthermore, the generation that sees this happen will not pass away. A generation according to Psalm 90:10 is 70 years or 80 if by strength. Lets do the math here. 1948 plus 70 brings us to 2018. If by strength we are graced with an extra 10 years then we are looking at 2028 at the latest for the return of the Lord. Either way, it will be in our lifetime! Even though Jesus said we will not know the day or the hour, He did say that we will know when it is right at the door!



Now even though Israel is a nation again the Jews for the most part still reject Jesus as the Messiah and live under the Old Law. However, in recent years many Jews in Israel are converting and becoming what is known as Messianic Jews, or “completed Jews” and are accepting and realizing Christ as the Messiah and as their Savior. This conversion of the Jews cannot fully take place until Jesus returns and is in their presence. So the fact that so many are now starting to convert is a stark sign that He is coming very soon. Preparations for the coming third temple that He will reside in are also well underway as well. This can be observed at http://www.templeinstitute.org/main.htm



Another symbolic sign of the 2,000 year age of grace that we live in is in John 11 where Jesus waits 2 days before going to raise Lazarus from the dead. This is symbolic of the 2,000 years before Jesus returns and raises His faithful from the dead at the Rapture.



In Matthew 17 we see the account of the Transfiguration. Where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up to a mountain and is transfigured in front of them in their presence. His face shined like the sun and His clothes became white as the light and Moses and Elijah appeared with Him speaking to Him and the Father spoke from the clouds announcing Jesus as His Son. This was no doubt a preview to the three apostles of the glory of what His appearance will be like at His second coming. But what is most noteworthy about this account is that in verse 1 it says, “after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain...”. If this was a preview of His glory at His second coming than it happened after 6 days! Just like the creation theory.



The Transfiguration event also parallels the description of the rapture in Thessalonians 4:16-17:



“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”



Similarly, at the Transfiguration, Moses represents the dead in Christ because he experienced death. Elijah represents those who are alive at the time of the Rapture because he never experienced death, (see 2 Kings 2:11). They, the dead and the alive, join Jesus and are transformed. Also the Old Testament saints and the New Testament saints are together during this event as represented by Moses, Elijah and the three apostles. Although they are not in the air, they are on a “high mountain”. A cloud envelopes them and they are “with the Lord in the clouds”. Lastly the voice of God is heard and we know from other scriptures that the voice of God is like the sound of a trumpet. (See Exodus 19:19, Revelation 1:10 and Revelation 4:1). So the Transfiguration appears to be a rehearsal for the Rapture!



Now getting back to the creation theory and the 7th Day. Not only does God rest on 7th day but the Bible also shows us that God measures time in sevens with rest for His people always being on the 7th day. In the Old Testament the Jews were commanded to work 6 days and always rest on the 7th, that being the Sabbath. Passover lasts for seven days with the last day, (the 7th) being a day of rest. Then the 7th week after Passover comes another day of rest known as the Feast of Weeks (a.k.a. Pentecost). In the 7th month on the Hebrew calendar there are 3 feasts of rest. They are Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kipper and the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles). Every 7th year was a year of rest for the land where in Exodus 23:11 the Lord says to leave the land unplowed and unused. Then every 49th year, (7 x 7), comes a year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:8-17), which is a year of rest for the land and also liberty for all people including the servants and workers.



So in conclusion we can see that the Lord has provided us with several clear, prime examples of the timing of His coming. All we have to do is examine how it all began. There is something to be revealed from the beginning. Even Genesis and Revelation parallel each other. In Genesis the world began with man dwelling with God in paradise until sin cursed the world. In Revelation Jesus will return and bring the world back to a land of perfection and rid the curse of sin from the land providing a glorious day of rest for us all!



Come Lord Jesus!


By: Matt Leasher

The Reason the United States Has Been a Great Nation

Key Scriptures:

“And this is the writing that was written. Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom…”

– Daniel 5.25-26



“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed thou shalt be…”

– Deuteronomy 28.1-3



“And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.”

– Deuteronomy 28.10



“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee…”

– Genesis 12.3



In the year 1775, thirteen colonies of the British Crown in North America revolted in rebellion against the United Kingdom of Great Britain, declaring themselves Free and Independent on July 4th, 1776. Despite the impossible odds against these thirteen colonies, they, as a united front, defeated the then-greatest power on the face of the Earth to win their independence. Through eight long years of war, bloodshed, and trial, the nation known as The United States of America came into being, and, by 1789, had drafted and ratified a Constitution. This Grand Republic was the first of its kind: a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people, with no state church, no king, and freedom and equality available to all who dared venture there. For the first one hundred and eighty years, this nation, the United States of America, grew from a fledgling, backwater nation to the greatest power in the world and in history.



“Nothing in Particular or Important Happening Today”

King George III is alleged to have written the sentence in his diary on July 4th, 1776, and really, with good reason. At this time in history, Great Britain was the world power. Her navy sailed in every part of the globe, and was unmatched in its power. Her red-coated army was respected – if not feared – throughout the known world. Just the mention of British Soldiers coming to fight was enough to cause even the most stouthearted tremble with fear. This Army and Navy had won the Seven Years’ War in Europe, and the French and Indian War in the Americas, bringing vast swaths of land and territory under the control of the British Crown. British trade and her maritime economic might were the envy of the world, with merchant vessels sailing as far to the East as India and China, South to Argentina and Africa, North to Russia, and West to the Americas. Her colonial might was unequalled, with the Union Jack flying in nearly every part of the globe, even at this time before the great expansion in the Victorian Age. British Explorers, such as Captain James Cook, had charted and mapped hundreds of Islands in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Indian, Pacific, and even Artic and Antarctic waters. Further, Christian Missionaries were also already shipping far and wide throughout the globe, bringing to Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who’d never heard. Because of this, Great Britain was at this time (and would continue to be for the next century-and-a-half) the greatest power on the face of the earth. As such, it seemed not only foolhardy, but totally unthinkable that any British Colony in the world would even dream of rebellion or revolt. Yet, Revolution is exactly what happened. In 1775 – after years of enduring “taxation without proper representation” in parliament – in response to the news and announcement that British Soldiers from Boston were setting out to destroy a munitions dump in Concord, Massachusetts, colonial Minutemen banded together to resist. Despite a tactical defeat at Lexington, and the British destroying the munitions, the Minutemen fought back, harrying the British Soldiers in their eventual withdrawal from Concord back to Boston. By the end of the first week of hostilities, the British found themselves bottled up by land in Boston, and under effectual siege by the Colonists. Within a year, the thirteen American Colonies had declared their Independence (July 4th, 1776), and, despite coming within a hair’s breadth of final defeat on numerous occasions, won their independence in 1783 with not a little help from other European powers.



One Nation, Under God

How was such a thing possible? How was it even thinkable that the men who led the Revolution were even able to raise arms against Great Britain, let alone defeat her Army and overcome her Navy? The truth may be found in who these men were. All of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence were members of their respective local churches. Each of the Founding Fathers – including the oft-accused “Deist” Thomas Jefferson – not only recognized God’s aid in helping found the United States of America, but also were believers that without him, the US of A could not and would not last for long. From the Declaration of Independence, to the Federalist Papers, to the Constitution of the United States of America, the Hand of God can be seen throughout the founding documents for the United States. The leaders themselves spoke of not only the need for God to be included in the daily lives and plans of the nation, but to be the Central Focal Point to which all things were to be determined. For the first one hundred and eighty five years of the existence of the United States of America, God was welcomed into each and every facet of US Life. Prayer, Biblical and Moral Truth, and the preeminence of God were taught in the earliest of public schools, the Bible often being the only book in many a school house through out the early period of United States’ History. Schools of High Learning such as Harvard University, Yale, Columbia, William and Mary, and many, many others not only taught on the central authority of the Word of God, on the omnipotence of God Himself, and on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, they also produced many and fine leaders, scholars, teachers, missionaries, pastors, evangelists, government representatives and leaders, and many more noteworthy areas of public life in the US. For the first one hundred and eighty years of the US of A, Godly men and women worked and strove for what was good and right in the country. For one hundred and eighty years, we, the United States of America, truly were one nation under God.



“Blessed Thou Shalt Be…”

Is it merely coincidence, or something far, far greater, that in the first one hundred and eighty years of its existence, the United States of America grew, expanded, and gained international prestige? No other nation in the history of the world; no other national venture before or since has risen to the heights that the United States’ has since her founding in 1776. It is interesting to note than in the intervening years between the end of the American Revolution in 1783 and the turn of the 20th century that the USA was involved in only one international war which lasted longer than a couple of years, that being the Anglo-American War of 1812. In fact, every conflict that followed lasted a combined four years (The Mexican War of 1847, and the Spanish-American War of 1898). In fact, the only war in the US in the entirety of the 19th century that lasted longer than three years, and was of any significance, was the US War Between the States (also known as the U.S. Civil War) from April 12th, 1861, to April 9th, 1865. Further, US Trade literally exploded in the 19th century, making the United States a very rich and prosperous nation, producing millionaires such as John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and John Pierpont Morgan. Inventors and innovators, such as Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver, and many others helped to enlighten and expand American thinking and way of life, enriching the nation and its people with conveniences which would last for decades. US Agriculture became such that not only were American Farms feeding the entirety of the US population, but also the populations of other nations through humanitarian aid. Further, the Church expanded and grew, with the Gospel being preached in every corner of the USA, from the wild, wild Western frontier towns to the high society upper crust districts in the east, and from the warm, near-tropical states of the South to the cities and towns of the frigid Northwest. Missionaries were also being sent out in droves, with American Christian Missionary organizations sending workers out into far reach places as South America, Africa, and Asia. In the 19th Century, the United States was the second-most active Missionary sending nation after Great Britain. Again, because of this, the USA was blessed.



“The Lord Thy God Will Set Thee on High Above All Nations of the Earth”

By the end of the 19th century, the United States of America was the second-most powerful nation on the face of the Earth – second only to Great Britain. Militarily, only Great Britain could dare challenge the United States. Economically, the United States was rising fast, and though Great Britain was initially the most powerful economically, that would soon change. As such, no nation on the face of the Earth wanted a fight with the USA. Spain had fought a war with America in 1898, and such was the might of the American Military – especially the United States’ Navy – that the war was over within nine months, the Spanish Atlantic and Pacific Fleets resting at the bottoms of both Oceans respectively, the Spanish economy in a shambles, and much of her International Power and Prestige diminished. Though not the colonial strength of France and Britain, the United States did – by the beginning of the 20th century – possess of protectorates and territories far-flung from her shores. Even at this early date, the Lord God was blessing the United States with prestige and power. Why? Precisely because the United States – unlike most of the nations of Europe and Asia – possessed deep-rooted faith in Jesus Christ and in God. We elected Presidents and Government officials who – though may not having great or deep faith – respected God and his laws, and his written word. By the opening of World War One in June, 1914, the US Military was second only to that of Great Britain in size and strength. President Theodore Roosevelt’s Naval Expansion programs had made the US Navy as strong as any other that roamed the seas. It is interesting to note that both sides in World War One – the Central Powers and the Allies – actively sought the participation of the United States. When a German U-boat sank the Lusitania, German Diplomats bent over backwards to keep the US from entering the war on the side of the Allies, and Great Britain did the same to try and get the US to enter. When Germany planned to return to unrestricted submarine warfare, both Hindenburg and Ludendorff, the Commanding Generals of the German Army, advised the German Government against it as it would bring in the United States in against them. The same effect was true of World War Two, as well. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, the German High Command, Diplomatic Corps, and Foreign Ministry all urged Hitler not to declare against the United States. In Japan prior to the attack on Pearl, most of the highest ranking military leaders opined to the Emperor and Government that fighting a war against the United States would be dangerous and a mistake. These fears were rightly felt and expressed as the entrance of the United States into both World Wars spelt defeat for the Central Powers and Axis Powers respectively (catastrophically so in the latter war). The US Economy by the end of the Second World War was greater than all other world economies combined, and this economy – horribly depressed up to 1938 and `39 – by the end of the Second World War had supplied all the other Allied powers with not only weapons and munitions, but also basic supplies such as vehicles, food, water, fuel, and material for clothing and shoes. The Soviet Union alone received more than fifteen million pairs of boots, thousands of miles of railroad track, hundreds of thousands of cars and trucks, and necessary material for the building of highways, all with which the Soviets were able to drive back the German invader. By the end of World War Two, the United States was a superpower: her military was the largest in the world, her economy the greatest and most prosperous in history, her might the strongest, her influence growing and expanding.



The Kernel of That Strength

Though many people may point to this or that reason for America’s growth; in the face of many experts that claim time, place, or situation; and despite the allegations of agnostics to deny his rightful place, the reason for the success and astronomical growth of the United States – from fledgling, foundering thirteen colonies of the British Crown to Superpower Super giant sitting atop the world – is precisely because of the place that people placed God: First and Number One. As The United States was faithful to God, so God was faithful to us. By the end of World War Two, such names as D. L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Charles Finney, Cotton Mather, Jonathan Edwards, and others had been ingrained into the American psyche because of what these men preached and taught during their times of ministry. We as a nation went to church on Sunday, attended Bible Studies, gathered for prayer meetings, held drives for Sunday School, sent out and supported foreign missionaries and missions, welcomed God, his son Jesus Christ, his written Word, and prayer time into the public school system. We as a society tithed to the church, sent offerings to help the poor, destitute, and hurting, even to those nations that plotted against us for our destruction and meant us harm. Our early forms of home entertainment, such as radio and early television broadcasts, were rife with family-values, traditional ideals, and – at the very least – respect for God. Movies and television programs of this era in US History forwent using God’s name in vain and actually positively portrayed people going to church for worship. Businesses and enterprises were closed on Sunday out of respect for the Sabbath and Sabbath rest. Music and literature cast God and his followers in a positive light, revealing them to be good, honest people. It is because we as a society respected and upheld God, offering anyone who came to our shores the freedom to worship and pursue his or her own faith freely that God upheld the United States of America. Because we trusted in God, trusted in him to carry us through the hard times, and placed men and women who believed in his goodness and respected him and his name that God elevated the United States of America to the position that she has held for decades: that of Superpower.



(Re) Enter Israel

From its earliest conception and founding in and prior to 1948, the United States of America was, and has continued to be, a friend, supporter, and ally of the Nation of Israel. When Israel declared her independence in 1948, the United states was the first to recognize her government. When her Arab neighbors launched an all-out assault to wipe her off of the face of the earth immediately following this announcement, the USA sent arms, munitions, supplies, and aid to the Israelis. When she was denounced time and time again in the United Nations, the United states stood by her side. When her Arab neighbors assaulted her again in and again 1956, 1967, 1972, 1981, and in recent years, the United States time and time again rendered aid, abetted her defense, and stood up against those who called down Israel in the United Nations. Because of this aid, help, and alliance, the United States has been blessed by God since Israel’s re-foundation and reformation. Not only have we given the Israelis food, weapons, aid, technical advice, and supplies, we have also prayed for her prosperity, and allied ourselves with their through treaty after treaty. Though this has often drawn the ire and the hate of the Arab world and the condemnation of the rest of International Society, God has blessed the United States because of our proximity in relations and our blessing the children of Abraham. It is in great part because of this friendship with Israel that the United States of America was able to overcome the old Soviet Union, and triumph gloriously over communism, by winning the Cold War.



Killing The Goose the Laid the Golden Egg

Just as the old story goes, where a family decides to eat the goose that had been laying golden eggs, giving them aid and prosperity, the United states, as well, made the decision to　show God the door with regards to his place in society. In 1962, a landmark case allowed an atheist mother to begin to have God excluded and excused from Public School across the nation. Because of this one woman and her desire to be an atheist, and keep her son as an atheist, the Supreme Court of the United States of America edicted a landmark decision that would have repercussions that continue to this day.



The Bottom Line – The United States Has Had a Glorious Status Because of God

We, the United States of America, have been the greatest society, nation, and people that has ever existed in history. Through our people and their innovations, the United States has brought comfort and convenience to the world. Because and through American Generosity, the destitute, poor, wretched, and even entire nations have benefited wonderfully. The sole reason for this international influence is because for the first one hundred and eighty years of our history, the United States of America gave God his rightful place. In recent days, the US has declined, most glaringly in our military presence and economic strength. However, if we as a society will hearken back to the reason for our explosive growth, massive expansion, and towering influence, we can, and will, again, have such power and strength as we have ever known. As the Bible declares time and time again, we, as a society, must repent and turn back to God in whole hearted faith. The United States has been great because the United States’ people have been good, and we have been good because we have kept our focus on God.



Conclusion – It’s NEVER Too Late

Even in the face of mounting problems, massive economic trials, military challenges, and un-Godly initiatives, we as a society can still repent and turn back to God. If we will, collectively and individually, return to God, he will return to us. His word promises in 2nd Chronicles that if his people will call on his name, he will turn and save us. God has blessed the USA. If we want to continue to experience his blessings, we must return to him. It’s not too late.



Prayer – Father, you have blessed the USA because in our history, we trusted in you, revered you, and, at the very least, gave you grudging respect. Help us, Father, to return to you, so that you will heal our land. We bless thee, we praise thee, and we pray thee all these things in the Precious Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.



Verse of the Day:

“And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God,　which I command thee this day, to observe and do them…”

– Deuteronomy 28.13

Seven Things to be Thankful For This Day

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate at Thanksgiving, let us remember how fortunate we Americans are to live in a free nation.

America was founded upon sound conservative principles grounded firmly in human nature and not in radical idealism. Today, we see that these principles, though under attack from the Left, are very much alive. Thanksgiving maintains the tradition of the American Founding and affirms that "while we are committed to upholding religious liberty, we remain one nation under God."

In spite of the current state of our economy and political insubordination from the "left", conservatives and Americans have much to be thankful for:

1. The United States Constitution. The most important and timeless document of our nation's Founding, the U.S. Constitution lays the framework for a government that protects the natural and unalienable rights of every American. The Constitution, the key to our greatness and our liberties, offers an antidote to the Left's radicalism.

2. America's Armed Forces. The brave men and women of the armed forces have dedicated their lives to preserve and protect our liberties and defend the principles that inspired our Constitution.

3. A Conservative America. Recent Gallup polls prove that a majority of Americans; 40 percent identify themselves as conservative, in contrast to liberal or moderate. Conservatives remain a force to be reckoned with. Barack Obama campaigned last year on promises of lower taxes, spending cuts and a stronger national security because he knew what principles appeal to the American people.

4. Conservative Momentum. The Left's big-government plans; ALL of them have ignited a firestorm from conservatives around the country. The Tea Parties, Town Hall meetings and September protests in Washington, should have made it clear to politicians that we remain firmly grounded in founding principles even if they have abandoned them.

5. The Dying Liberal Agenda. While they continue to pose a threat to the nation, radical ideas like socialized medicine, new taxes on energy and handouts to Big Labor have been slowed or stalled in Washington. The Left has so far accomplished nothing, but we should remember that they still hold the reins.

6. Conservative Victories. The landslide victories of gubernatorial candidates Bob McDonnell in Virginia and Chris Christie in New Jersey; states that had been Democrat, show a public demand for conservative solutions. The referendum protecting traditional marriage in Maine is a victory as well.

7. Christians all over the U.S. have realized that our freedom to worship, share and practice our Christianity is under fire. The radical agenda of the promotion of homosexuality, attack on Marriage, using our children as pawns, and other items on the agenda have rallied Christians to the point that we acknowledge our debt to the government; however, our first FIRST priority is to our God and His law. With God leading us, as we are told in Matthew 16, the "gates of hell shall not prevail against it [the church - the Body of Christ - Christians]. Thank God for our salvation through His son, Christ Jesus.

PSALM 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is my strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, They face, Lord, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

The Month Before Christmas

The Month Before Christmas

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter..*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is ?The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!
If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete.

Doctor Sends Letter to Sen. Bayh About Government Healthcare NOTE PLEASE READ

Everyone should read this and pay close attention.

An Indianapolis doctor's letter to Sen. Bayh about the Bill (Note: Dr. Stephen E. Frazer, MD practices as an anesthesiologist in Indianapolis , IN )

Here is a letter I sent to Senator Bayh. Feel free to copy it and send it around to all other representatives. -- Stephen Fraser


Senator Bayh,

As a practicing physician I have major concerns with the health care bill before Congress. I actually have read the bill and am shocked by the brazenness of the government's proposed involvement in the patient-physician relationship. The very idea that the government will dictate and ration patient care is dangerous and certainly not helpful in designing a health care system that works for all. Every physician I work with agrees that we need to fix our health care system, but the proposed bills currently making their way through congress will be a disaster if passed.

I ask you respectfully and as a patriotic American to look at the following troubling lines that I have read in the bill. You cannot possibly believe that these proposals are in the best interests of the country and our fellow citizens.

Page 22 of the HC Bill: Mandates that the Govt will audit books of all employers that self-insure!!

Page 30 Sec 123 of HC bill: THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.

Page 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill: YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!

Page 42 of HC Bill: The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC benefits for you. You have no choice!

Page 50 Section 152 in HC bill: HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.

Page 58 HC Bill: Govt will have real-time access to individuals' finances & a 'National ID Health card' will be issued!

Page 59 HC Bill lines 21-24: Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for elective funds transfer.

Page 65 Sec 164: Is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions & community organizations: (ACORN).

Page 84 Sec 203 HC bill: Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the 'Exchange.'

Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans --The Govt will ration your health care!

Page 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill: Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services. (Translation: illegal aliens.)

Page 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18: The Govt will use groups (i.e. ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan.

Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans. (AARP members - your health care WILL be rationed!)
Page 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill: Medicaid eligible individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. (No choice.)

Page 12 4 lines 24-25 HC: No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt monopoly.

Page 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill: Doctors/ American Medical Association - The Govt will tell YOU what salary you can make.

Page 145 Line 15-17: An Employer MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. (NO choice!)

Page 126 Lines 22-25: Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees AND their families. (Employees shouldn't get excited about this as employers will be forced to reduce its work force, benefits, and wages/salaries to cover such a huge expense.)

Page 149 Lines 16-24: ANY Employer with payroll 401k & above who does not provide public option will pay 8% tax on all payroll! (See the last comment in parenthesis.)
Page 150 Lines 9-13: A business with payroll between $251K & $401K who doesn't provide public option will pay 2-6% tax on all payroll.

Page 167 Lines 18-23: ANY individual who doesn't have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay.)

Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the GOVT HC Admin.. will have access to ALL Americans' finances and personal records.

Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." (Yes, it really says that!)
Page 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid Seniors. (Low-income and the poor are affected.)

Page 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn't matter what specialty you have trained yourself in -- you will all be paid the same! (Just TRY to tell me that's not Socialism!)

Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a doctor's time, profession, judgment, etc. (Literally-- the value of humans.)

Page 265 Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for "private" HC industries.

Page 268 Sec 1141: The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs.

Page 272 SEC. 1145: TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable (i.e...re-admissions).

Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors: If you treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission -- the Govt will penalize you.

Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt tells doctors what and how much they can own!)

Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals cannot expand.)
Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)

Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC the way they want -- rationing.)
Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into the Govt plan)

Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of 'special needs people!' Unbelievable!

Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a "Tele-Health Advisory Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)

Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates "Advance-Care Planning Consult." (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)

Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. (And it'smandatory!)
Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an "approved" list of end-of-life resources; & nbsp;guiding you in death. (Also called 'assisted suicide.')

Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for orders on "end-of-life." (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)

Page 429 Lines 1-9: An "advanced-care planning consultant" will be used frequently as a patient's health deteriorates.

Page 429 Lines 10-12: An "advanced care consultation" may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?!?)

Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order. (I wouldn't want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)

Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end-of-life! (Again -- no choice!)

Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)

Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)

Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.


Senator, I guarantee that I personally will do everything possible to inform patients and my fellow physicians about the dangers of the proposed bills you and your colleagues are debating.

Furthermore, if you vote for a bill that enforces socialized medicine on the country and destroys the doctor-patient relationship, I will do everything in my power to make sure you lose your job in the next election.

Respectfully,

Stephen E. Fraser, MD

The Case of Eligibility Continues

Judge Carter: “The writ of quo warranto must be brought within the District of Columbia because President Obama holds office within that district.”
Posted in Uncategorized on October 29, 2009 by naturalborncitizen

I was impressed with the integrity of Judge Carter’s ruling today. It gives me hope that the POTUS eligibility issue will eventually have its day in court on the merits.

POLITICAL QUESTION DOCTRINE.

Congress is the branch the Constitution empowers to remove a sitting President. The power to judicially enforce any review of POTUS eligibility is a pre-requisite to judicial involvement as the federal courts do not have the power to issue simple advisory opinions. A declaratory judgment is more than an advisory opinion. This is because a declaratory judgment must have the power of enforcement attached whereas an advisory opinion does not.

The declaratory judgment requests of plaintiffs in the Barnett case had to be dismissed because the court does not have subject matter jurisdiction to grant the requested relief. It’s really that simple. Judge Carter’s analysis of this issue was perfect.

QUO WARRANTO

Because a quo warranto is the only proper action to review the eligibility of a sitting President – and because such an action requires a trial of facts - Congress empowered the DC District Court to hold such a trial (by jury if requested by either party) when the eligibility of the President (or any US national office holder) is called into question.

There is no political question doctrine defense available to a sitting President for a quo warranto brought in the DC District Court. This is because Congress properly exercised its Constitutional authority to review a President’s eligibility via the quo warranto statute which also provides for the removal of an ineligible person from that office if necessary.

The US Attorney General and the US attorney have been empowered by Congress to institute a quo warranto on their own volition. Furthermore, any person may request that these officers do the same. If consent is not given by the DOJ, section 3503 of the quo warranto statute allows an “interested person” to petition the DC District Court on its own. The Barnett plaintiffs failed to avail themselves of this option.

Additionally, the Department of Justice has created a genuine conflict of interest as to 3502 requests by any “third person” (meaning any citizen). By defending the President in this eligibility litigation involving quo warranto, it isn’t possible for the Department of Justice to remain impartial.

Therefore, either a special prosecutor must be named for purposes of allowing the Congressional intent of the quo warranto statute to be realized, or the DC District Court may waive the requirement and examine any verified petition on its own consent.

The conflict will eventually be tested in the DC District Court.

Meanwhile, it’s important for me to point out that everything I have told readers of this blog about quo warranto was confirmed by Judge Carter today.

JUDGE CARTER DID NOT HOLD THAT QUO WARRANTO WAS IMPROPER TO CHALLENGE THE ELIGIBILITY OF A SITTING PRESIDENT.

This was the most extraordinary part of today’s ruling. It opens the door wide for a proper eligibility challenge in the DC District Court where the hurdle for standing is different from ordinary federal cases.

Please take note that the Department of Justice attorneys argued before Judge Carter that quo warranto – even if brought properly in the DC District Court – could not be used to challenge the eligibility of a sitting President. Judge Carter’s ruling did not support the Department of Justice position.

The ruling today affirms that the proper venue for challenging the eligibility of a sitting President is the DC District Court.

This is a very encouraging ruling for those contemplating a quo warranto challenge to President Obama’s eligibility in the DC District Court.

THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT ERROR

The only part of today’s ruling I take issue with is footnote 3 on page 22 where Judge Carter assumes that since Congress has the Constitutional authority to enact legislation regarding naturalization and citizenship by statute that they also have the power to define the meaning of “natural born citizen”.

But Congress has not defined “natural born citizen” while they have defined “naturalized citizen” and “citizen by statute”. Since neither the Congress nor the courts have defined “natural born citizen”, we are left without a legal working definition.

Faced with a sitting President who admits to having been a British citizen at birth, the need for a quo warranto to be instituted is of the utmost importance to the future of this nation.

Here is Judge Carter’s correct ruling on the quo warranto issue:

C. Quo Warranto Claims…

The writ of quo warranto must be brought within the District of Columbia because President Obama holds office within that district. The quo warranto provision codified in the District of Columbia Code provides, “A quo warranto may be issued from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in the name of the United States against a person who within the District of Columbia usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises, a franchise conferred by the United States or a public office of the United States, civil or military.” D.C. Code §§ 16-3501 – 16-3503. Should a person other than the Attorney General of the United States or the United States Attorney wish to bring a quo warranto claim, that person must receive leave of court to do so. Id. at § 16-3502. This leave of court must be granted, according to the text of the statute, by the District Court for the District of Columbia.

Nothing in today’s ruling appears to question the power of the DC District Court to issue a writ of quo warranto to President Obama which would require him to prove his eligibility to hold the office of President. I must commend Judge Carter for his exercise of judicial restraint on this issue.


The blog post above is taken from the writing of an attorney who is fighting for the truth on behalf of all Americans. I obviously am not the author of this, however; I refrain from citing the name of the source. I am hereby citing "outside sources" for this post and an anonymous author.

One World Religion - Recent Developments

Vatican to Receive Converted Anglicans

At a conference on Tuesday, the Vatican issued a press release announcing the “Apostolic Constitution,” a new set of church laws that will make it easier for Anglicans dissatisfied with their current faith to convert to Catholicism, Stacy Meichtry and Amy Merrick report for The Wall Street Journal.

As the Journal explains, this move, considered to be “one of Rome's most sweeping gestures to a Protestant church since the Reformation,” could prove to be a “serious threat” for Anglican churches, which have approximately 77 million followers worldwide. Many members of the Anglican Church have expressed their discontent over recent developments such as “the church's growing acceptance of gay and women clergy and same-sex marriage.” Read Article Catholic Church Welcomes Anglicans

This recent development within the Roman Catholic Church is unprecedented. The "melding" of a church with a Protestant Doctrine into the Roman Catholic Doctrine; which is very different from every protestant doctrine is extremely disturbing to many people. However, it is a step toward the "one world religion" spoken of in the Bible and particularly in relation to the church during the last days and a "religion" that will assist in the work of the anti-christ. Our churches today are assisting in this movement by forsaking the teachings of the Bible, which is the Word of the Almighty God. Many Christians today don't know the "truth" because they don't take the time to read their Bibles. Their downfall will be their fault. They cannot keep from being deceived because they do not know the Word of God and without that, how can they have a true relationship with God? There are many "popular" pastors today who are false prophets. People are flocking to them, one in particular is Rick Warren. His message is filled with "new age" teachings and with unscriptural basis. Yet, his churches are packed full. Because we are told over and over to study and even to "hide" the word in our hearts, we should know this; yet look at those who do not. I am sure many who read this would try to argue with me over my comment, perhaps using the "judge not lest yet be judged" argument. However, God tells us to "judge the spirits, whether they be true or false" and that is exactly what Christians are to do. We are not only to do that, we are to inform others.

MATTHEW 7:1-5:

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Clearly, it is hypocritical judgment that this Scripture condemns. (Look at verse 6, and 13-15 to see that Christ actually instructs them to make judgments!) A hypocritical judgment is judging something for something of which you are also guilty - LIKE TELLING ME NOT TO JUDGE WHEN YOU ARE JUDGING ME! This passage means the opposite of what hypocrites often interpret it to mean! Jesus' point is for hypocrites to pluck the beam of sin out of their own eye so that they can see clearly to cast the mote out of their neighbor's eye.

Let's look at some other Scriptures...

JOHN 7:14: "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

LUKE 12:57: "Yea, and why not even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"

PSALM 37:30: "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment."

PROVERBS 31:9: "Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."

LUKE 17:3: "Take heed... If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."

LEVITICUS 19:15-17: "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the Lord. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him."

EZEKIEL 22:2 & 23:36: "Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? Yea, thou shalt show her all her abominations... The Lord said moreover unto me, Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? Yea, declare unto them their abominations."

I CORINTHIANS 2:15; 6:2-3: "He that is spiritual judgeth all things... Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?"

WE ARE TO KNOW THE WORD OF GOD, DELIGHT IN IT, LIVE BY IT:

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. 17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. 23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. 25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. 26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. 28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. 30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. 38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. 41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. 42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. 44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. 46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. 49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. 51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. 52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. 53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. 54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. 56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts. 57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. 58 I entreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. 59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. 61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. 64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. 65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. 73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. 74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. 75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. 79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. 80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. 81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. 82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? 83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. 84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. 86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. 87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. 88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. 89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. 92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. 93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. 94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. 96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. 97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. 108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. 109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. 111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. 113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. 114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. 119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. 120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. 121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. 122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. 123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. 124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. 125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. 126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. 127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. 132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. 133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. 136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. 137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. 138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. 139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. 140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. 141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. 142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. 144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. 145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. 146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. 147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. 148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. 149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. 150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. 151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. 152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. 153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. 154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. 156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. 157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. 158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. 159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. 160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. 161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. 162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. 164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. 168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee. 169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. 170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. 171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. 173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments." Psalm 119

In just this one Psalm, the psalmist, over and over, speaks of the wonderous things of the Word of the Lord; knowing the Words and Laws of God, speaking of constantly having it on his lips night and day, keeping God's commandments, delighting in the law, etc.

How is it, then, that we can make excuses NOT to know the Word of the Almighty God? We cannot.

There is great emphasis in the church today on uniting professing Christians of all denominations and beliefs. The message is that we're not so different after all... we can work together. Setting aside theological differences, we can help each other in the things we all agree upon. That effort is commonly referred to as "ecumenism," which is defined as "the organized attempt to bring about the cooperation and unity of all believers in Christ."

The foundation for this ecumenical trend has been laid and built upon over many years. We saw the beginning of institutional ecumenism in the 1960's, with The World Council of Churches, mostly liberal mainline Protestant denominations who denied such essential doctrines as the inerrancy of Scripture and a literal, bodily resurrection of Christ. For years, Evangelicals distanced themselves from this institutional ecumenism because of the unsound theology of the groups involved.

Today, however, that spirit of compromise has invaded Evangelicalism. The more recent Catholic-Evangelical accord is an example of such compromise. In this accord, Evangelicals compromised essential doctrines such as justification by faith alone and the sufficiency of Scripture in order to unite with Roman Catholics on issues such as abortion and school prayer.

Compromising the Truth

The undiluted preaching from God's Word and an authoritative stand on truth seem to be on the decline. What we're seeing instead is a broadening of the gospel, a redefining of what it means to be a Christian, and a growing emphasis on inclusion and tolerance. Ecumenism has come to mean "reducing all elements of faith to the lowest common denominator. God's Word is neglected, experience is valued above truth, a false and selfish "faith" is promoted, and sound doctrine and correction are despised as "divisive" and "unloving."

Ignoring the Scriptures, numerous evangelical leaders today claim that a concern for doctrine causes division and therefore should be avoided for the sake of love and unity among the brethren. The Scriptures, however, couldn't be more specific in its opposition to such a teaching.

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [Romans 16:17]

Divisions are created by teachings that are contrary to sound doctrine.

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" [2 John 1:9].

Unity in the faith is impossible without the doctrine of Christ. Without such a foundation we have no basis for the faith, for the gospel, for knowing Jesus, or for knowing anything pertinent to the Truth.

The glittering terminology of ecumenical is seen, on close examination, to be as hollow as a soap bubble and just as slippery and hard to hold onto. Where is the "common ground" between belief and unbelief? A believer cannot ignore the "major theological differences" between him and an unbeliever. Instead, he should be cutting through those differences with the Sword of the Word to win the unbeliever to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I cannot agree to ignore an unbeliever's condition without, by that very act, compromising my beliefs. For my beliefs include the Great Commission, which requires me to tell the world of the gospel of Jesus.

Modern Christian Ecumenical Movements

Even a cursory review of what has taken place in the Church during the last 25 years will reveal a fierce undermining of the faith. Precisely as the Bible warns (Mt. 7:21-23; 24:4,11,24; 2 Thes 2:3; etc.), today's most effective enemies of Christ are those who claim to be Christians and call mankind not just to any old false religion but to a counterfeit Christianity. Consider some of the following:

PROMISEKEEPERS

Those who get involved with Promise Keepers are trained in a mixture of humanistic psychology and corrupt Christianity. Men attending a massive 1993 Promise Keepers conference were given complimentary copies of The Masculine Journey: Understanding the Six Stages of Manhood by psychotherapist Robert Hicks. In a review of this book, T.A. McMahon notes:

"The book, written to help 'provide directions for a man's life so that he doesn't get lost along the way,' is mainly psychologically biased conjecture centering around six Hebrew words. In chapter after chapter, subjective insights into manhood are offered through quotes by a host of secular authors with a psychological bent, including Carl Jung, inner-healing therapist Leanne Payne, transpersonal psychiatrist/spiritualist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and Sam Keen, former theologian in residence at Esalen, the New Age/Eastern mystical therapeutic center south of San Francisco.

The Promise Keepers' movement is part of an ecumenical trend of down-playing doctrine for unity that puts aside essential theological issues in order to promote a unity which is not biblical unity. Are false doctrines being addressed? Are the people in these churches challenged to flee their false religious systems? The answer is "No." Key foundational issues have been dropped, all for the sake of supposed unity.

The men who are reached through this ministry are not necessarily brought into sound New Testament churches and grounded in the truth. They are not being taught to keep themselves pure from apostasy and heresy. They are not being trained in discerning false gospels from the true. Rather they will be instructed in unscriptural ecumenism as they are sent back to their church congregation or parish to become active laymen. They are being taught that doctrine is not crucial, that to fight for the truth is unspiritual. They are even being encouraged to accept apostate denominations as genuine expressions of Christianity. There is so much theological diversity among those involved with Promise Keepers that no in-depth discussion of Scripture or what it means to be a Christian could take place without tearing the movement apart. If one followed the doctrines of some of the groups involved in this movement, one could not even be a Christian. And if one is not a Christian, nothing that person does will enable him or her to be godly.

EVANGELICALS AND CATHOLICS TOGETHER

On March 29, 1994, leading evangelicals and Catholics signed a joint declaration, "Evangelicals and Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the 3rd. Millennium." Contained within the document, which attempts to bring ecumenical unity, are some seriously compromising agreements regarding proselytizing and doctrinal distinctions.

The 25-page document, originated by Chuck Colson and Catholic social critic Richard John Neuhaus, was signed by 40 noted evangelical and Catholic leaders including Pat Robertson, heads of the Home Mission Board and Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Bill Bright - founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, Mark Noll of Wheaton University, Os Guinness, Jesse Miranda (Assemblies of God), Richard Mauw (President , Fuller Seminary), J.I. Packer and Herbert Schlossberg.

It called for Catholic and evangelical cooperation on social and cultural issues where both traditions share common goals, one example being the fight against abortion. The accord also stressed mutual allegiance to the Apostles' Creed, world evangelism, justification "by grace through faith because of Christ," and encouraged "civil" discourse over doctrinal differences.

You can't believe two contradictory propositions at the same time!

You can't believe Christ obtained redemption through His blood and also believe redemption is being accomplished through Catholic liturgy.

You can't believe salvation is by faith and "not of works" and at the same time believe that good works earn salvation.

Only 35 short years ago Roman Catholicism was included among the "modern Cults" about which Harold Lindsell warned his students in a course by that name at Fuller. Today, in spite of its false gospel of works and ritual which millions of martyrs faithfully opposed to the death, Catholicism is embraced by our most trusted evangelical leaders.

While ECT and later agreements may allow some "convergence and cooperation" between evangelicals and Catholics in many public tasks, there remains some important differences including "the meaning of baptismal regeneration, the Eucharist ... diverse understandings of merit, reward, purgatory, and indulgences; Marian devotion and the assistance of the saints in the lives of salvation..."

One often hears the naive expression, especially in justifying the new ecumenical acceptance of Roman Catholics as Christians, "I embrace all those as brethren who 'love Jesus' and 'name the name of Christ.'" Yet many cultists profess to love Jesus and almost all "name the name of Christ." One must discern what is meant by such words.

The gospel of God's grace is denied by every cult and false religion, including Roman Catholicism, where infant baptism removes original sin and makes one a child of God, salvation is in the church and its sacraments, redemption is an ongoing process of perpetually offering the body and blood of Christ upon its altars, and good works merit acceptance with God. Catholics ask the saints to pray for them. This is strictly unbiblical. We are explicitly taught that "No man comes to the Father except through Me" (Christ). Praying to "saints" is considered idol worship. This is an exclusive doctrine of the Catholic Church, in conflict with the Word of God. The Pope is NOT GOD, nor is he any holier than anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. As well, there is no intercessor for Christians other than Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Bible makes this abundantly clear.

1.Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." (Romans 8:34)

2. "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)

3. "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27)

The first two verses are referring to Jesus' intercessory ministry that He has for each of us and the third verse is referring direct to the Holy Spirit Himself. Notice in the first and third verses the exact same words are being used in reference to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Those same exact words are that They both "make intercession for us."

In the Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus specifically tells us that we are to pray direct to God the Father. We are to pray in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST! We are not to pray to any dead saints who are living in heaven. We are to only pray directly to God the Father, in the name of Jesus, if we have any specific prayer requests.

These three verses are giving us an incredible revelation in that not only should all born-again believers pray direct to God the Father, but that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will also be praying direct to God the Father for all of us as well.



John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."