Is Halloween Only A "Cultural" Event?

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Is Halloween Only A "Cultural" Event?


And what does God say about coming out of a culture?

[Darris McNeely] Today's the day that everyone's going to be coming out with all of their costumes and robes, colors that represent the prince of darkness, the dead, the undead. All Souls' Eve coming up, and up and down the streets of America we will see people coming and going in all kinds of costumes like that and others representing darkness, representing evil, representing death. Again, as I said yesterday , it's amazing to consider the rational and the arguments that people will use to justify this.



I was reading on one article that talked about the fact that Halloween today has nothing to do with religion and the relics of its past. It has become a cultural event, and therefore it's okay for a Christian to take part in Halloween festivities as long as their conscience is not offended by such an event. And so I asked the question: Is Halloween something that's just cultural, and if it is, is it okay to participate in?



It doesn't take much of a research genius to go through the stories and find the underpinnings, the background, the origins of Halloween festivities. All Souls' Eve, the night that the people did what they could to keep the dead away from their own houses and their own lives. And such a non-Christian, thoroughly pagan festival, centuries old, represents things that in the Bible from the beginning in Genesis all the way to the book of Revelation God tells His people to stay away from.



But sometimes you see a little different twist like you do when you say, "Well, it's just cultural today" as if in our modern, to our modern mind and times we have changed it by our own good, by our own rational and reasoning that it's not religious. It's just cultural, therefore it's okay. As if the God who in the Bible says He doesn't change (Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.



See All...). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever would change His view on something dealing with the dead, things that would be and are completely unclean.



There's one scripture that came to mind when I was thinking about this, and it's in Revelation chapter 18 where it talks about Babylon. Revelation 18 and beginning in verse 2 in this story about Babylon, a system portrayed throughout scripture as the antithesis of the Kingdom of God and anything dealing with the culture and the way of God and His holiness and His righteous life. And in Revelation 18:2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.



See All... it is recorded that "He cried mightily with a loud voice saying, 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!'" And so this picture of a future system called Babylon that is described here in the Bible as a dwelling place of demons and a prison for every foul spirit. Something that later on in the chapter here, verse 4, God says, "Come out of her My people lest you share in her sins and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities" (Revelation 18:4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.



See All...). The system called Babylon at the time of the end makes one last effort to thwart the purpose and plan of God is here described as being the place, the repository of every demon and every foul spirit.



And so when we look around our culture today and we see demons and we see foul spirits, and we see people reveling in that and dressing up and laughing and partying in a cultural manner, do we ask the question: Is it okay? I think that it is not, and I think that because of what scripture says. It's not my judgment. It's God's judgment.



And when you read the rest of the story here in Revelation 18 about Babylon there will be a time of judgment upon an entire system that flies in the face of God, out of which God says, "Come out. Take no part in what she does" (Revelation 18:4-8 [4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

[5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

[6] Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

[7] How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

[8] Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.





See All...). And so you can say something has been sanitized and changed because of the way a culture and a time looks at it, but God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever still has the same point of view. And so the lesson is there for us and the decision is up to you and to me.



That's BT Daily . Join us next time.

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Can atheists "prove" there is no God?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

Youth Focus from Vertical Thought... The God Debate






article by Doug Horchak





Can atheists "prove" there is no God?



Recently, two of the world's most vocal atheists published books to defend their claim that there is no evidence for God's existence. Richard Dawkins ( The God Delusion ) and Christopher Hitchens ( God Is Not Great ) have presented their best arguments for their position that God does not exist and that religion poisons the world. Ironically, their own books provide much "evidence" to the contrary.



So what are their claims? Let's consider their reasoning and conclusions. Common arguments by atheists against God include:



• Comparing the God of Israel to all gods through history. In the minds of atheists, all gods take on the same value. Whether it is Zeus, Thor, Baal, Vulcan, Vishnu or the God of the Bible, there is no difference in their eyes. They conclude that all gods have been humanly contrived to accommodate the social and psychological needs of man.



• Discrediting the notion of God because of violence done in His name. As atheists evaluate history, they often note how many times violence, genocide, killing, rape, murder and war have happened in the name of God. Whether the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades or the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and Africa, these types of violence are commonly cited as the hypocrisy of religion and a result of belief in God. Atheists conclude that there could be no benevolent, loving God behind this.



• Claiming errors and duplicity of Scripture. Many atheists deny the existence of the Judeo-Christian God based on alleged discrepancies of the Bible. Examples of biblical disagreements they cite include issues related to history, science, the teachings of Jesus, death, murder and war. If the Word of God—the Bible—contradicts itself, they reason, the book cannot represent the mind of an omniscient God.



• Showing that paganism is in mainstream Christianity. Both Dawkins and Hitchens cite the fact that, although mainstream Christianity claims its origins from Jewish forefathers and the writings of the Bible, much of its doctrine, ceremony, images and worship have their origins in pagan practices actually condemned in the Bible. They correctly note that the origins of Christmas and Easter (mainstays of many churches) come from Babylon, Egypt and Greece—not the true Creator God of the Bible.



Atheists point out that these practices are hypocritically borrowed from earlier pagan religions. If the forms of worship are this flawed, they reason that claims by these same worshippers that God really exists must likewise be hypocritical.



• Asking who designed God. When trying to debunk intelligent design (a movement of scientists claiming that the complexity of systems enabling all life to exist cannot be adequately explained by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution), atheists fall back to what they believe is the mother of all questions: Who designed or created God? In answer to Christians saying that God is the original cause of all things, they want to know who created Him. Since there is no acceptable answer to this question (at least to them), they believe that there clearly can be no God.



• Concluding that Darwinism must be true! Atheists believe that there is only one answer to the origin and development of life: that of Darwinian evolution. Most professors, teachers and scientists in the fields of zoology, anthropology and biology believe and teach this theory as fact. Atheists see this instruction by educators as further proof that there is no God.



When atheists make sense



You might be shocked to know that some of the observations from which atheists argue make perfect sense! When you consider the observations and knowledge of religion and history that avowed atheists embrace, it is easy to see why they struggle with believing in a Creator God! Much of the historical evidence of religion, biblical interpretation and deeds done in the name of God discredit religious people's efforts to justify their belief in God. Some facts to consider:



• The many gods in varied cultures through history do not represent the true God. These "gods" are, in fact, fictional and do not, nor have they ever, existed.



• The varied practices, doctrines and historic acts of Christians through the ages (in the Middle East, Europe, America and around the world) are confusing and hypocritical.



• The confused and often contradictory interpretations of the Holy Bible by so many denominations, sects, groups and individuals are mind-boggling. These individuals have misrepresented the Bible!



• Many of the practices that began in the church of Rome in the second and third centuries were borrowed from the pagan customs of the pre-Christian world. The observance of Christmas, Easter, New Year's Day and even worship on Sundays is not taught in the Bible!



A missing dimension, once again



The fact is, we do live in a world that is confused about virtually everything—including God, science, morality, religion and the Bible! While many people (like Hitchens and Dawkins) assume that the history of mankind and religion represents a God-centered worldview's best shot—actually, the opposite is true! The history of mankind generally represents man's rejection of God. Human history doesn't represent God at His best, but man at his worst!



For nearly 6,000 years man has been devising his own view of morality and life—which includes various forms of religion (including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.). What we see in the practice, teachings and history of these religions is too often generated and designed solely by human beings—not by God at all!



Jesus Christ told His disciples nearly 2,000 years ago that, as time went on, the masses would be deceived by many claiming to be His true representatives. He said: "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:4-5 [4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.





See All..., King James Version).



Put another way, the vast majority of the world's religions and religious leaders would be counterfeits. The result is that millions of people have been deceived by Satan the devil—the real ruler and god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.



See All...; Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.



See All...).



While there are as many views of the meaning of the Bible as there are religious sects, even this confusion was foretold by God! The written history of the God of Israel is unlike the accounts and historic writings referring to any other deity in human history. In the writings of the Holy Bible, God is referred to as transcending the physical realm, including the many gods conceived in the human mind. The gods of images and human imaginations are nothing compared to the invisible, all-powerful God of the Bible!



Evidence of a Creator



The Bible tells us that people, having the physical creation before them, are truly "without excuse" when it comes to knowing that God exists (Romans 1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:



See All...).



Interestingly, while the modern intelligent design movement acknowledges that the creation truly was created, a majority of educators deceptively decries the concepts of irreducible complexity and design inference as nonscience. Even so, a large and growing body of scientists and educators today realizes that this complex universe could not exist without some intelligence behind it!



In more than one place in the Bible, God tells us that "the fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalms 14:1(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.



See All...; 53:1). And yet, some of these same "fools" that have sadly rejected the idea of a loving, omniscient creator God do have a clear understanding of the hypocritical, confusing and often violent history of mankind and its many religions.



Their fundamental error is that they attribute such confusion and chaos in man's history to the best the idea of God can offer, when, in fact, man's sordid past (and his immediate future) are the result of man's rejecting the true Creator. GN

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"Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

"Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall"


article by John Ross Schroeder

This historic demand, delivered by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on June 12, 1987, came to symbolize the Eastern European revolt against Communist slavery in 1989. Nearly 2 1/2 years after the president's epochal visit, the Berlin Wall collapsed on Nov. 9, 1989. What are the prophetic implications indicated in God's Word?



June 12, 1987, turned out to be a warm spring afternoon in the then divided city of Berlin. The ugly Berlin Wall stood in the background as the articulate speaker delivered his stark public message to the Soviet leader. Armed East German border guards watched from military installations embedded in the wall itself. Crowds on the Eastern side, hoping to hear the president's speech by loudspeaker, were cruelly forced to back away from the Berlin Wall.



In the first part of his speech, Ronald Reagan reviewed previous visits by American presidents, particularly the memorable words of John F. Kennedy, "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner), uttered only a few months before his tragic assassination on Nov. 22, 1963. President Kennedy meant that "as a free man," he stood together with West Berliners in their struggle to secure their freedom against Communist aggression. During that speech he predicted that the Berlin Wall would come down.



Some 25 years later, President Reagan delivered his stark demand to the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, "Tear down this wall." The detailed history behind these fateful four words is well worth recounting.



Doing battle over four words

The West German government invited President Reagan to come to Berlin to help celebrate the historic city's 750th anniversary. White House speechwriter Peter Robinson was asked to write a speech for the president about foreign policy. His final draft, including the phrase "tear down this wall," was reviewed by the National Security Council and the State Department. Both of these government bodies strongly disapproved of the four-word phrase.



Evaluations like "needlessly provocative" quickly emerged. One diplomat suggested an alternative phrase: "One day this ugly wall will disappear." Speechwriter Robinson reacted privately with, "One day, perhaps pigs will fly."



This momentous speech, defining President Reagan's general approach to foreign affairs, survived seven different drafts. In fact, the heated battle over these four words continued all the way to Berlin. Kenneth Duberstein, the president's deputy chief of staff, accompanied him in the limousine on the way to the Berlin Wall. During this journey, Ronald Reagan finally said: "So, Ken, I am the president." "Yes, sir," came the reply. "Well, Ken," chuckled Mr. Reagan, "Let's just leave that line in."



The president told an assistant, also on the scene, "The boys at State [the Department] are going to kill me [figuratively], but it's the right thing to do."



Witnesses to history

Several authors and journalists who were witnesses to the historic fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 have recounted their own personal experiences in books, magazine articles and newspaper stories. I was dispatched to the scene by my bureau chief in England, accompanied by my daughter Stephanie acting as translator.



Twenty years later veteran writer Gerhard Marx persuaded me to accompany him to Berlin to cover the anniversary celebrations together. He spent his early youth in Germany during World War II, later immigrating to the United States and becoming an American citizen.



My colleague chose a hotel only a short walk from Checkpoint Charlie, the name given by the Western Allies to the most well-known Berlin crossing point between West and East during the Cold War. The site has become a tourist attraction, complete with a museum.



The Berlin Wall was constructed in 1961 to prevent East German citizens and some from other Warsaw Pact states from escaping to the West. The gates had already reopened slightly when Hungary opened its own border to fleeing Germans beginning in August 1989.



However, perhaps the defining movement that finally culminated in the wall's collapse in November began in the East German city of Leipzig, southwest of Berlin, with weekly prayer meetings in the Nikolai Church—followed by a peaceful march. In mid-October some 70,000 people in Leipzig marched peaceably through the city, unsure of whether the government would suppress these demonstrations. This public demonstration for individual freedoms helped precipitate the collapse of the Berlin Wall.



A celebration of freedom

Some 30 heads of state (mainly from Europe) met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Bellevue Palace on Nov. 9 for a celebration of freedom and then joined the public celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate.



American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also attended. (My colleague and I joined the exuberant crowds making their way to the Brandenburg Gate, where some 1,000 colorful domino stones were lined up to replicate the falling Berlin Wall two decades ago. Earlier young children were assigned to paint these stones in a variety of patterns and symbols.) This convergence of leaders was more European in nature than strictly German.



Somewhat in contrast, next year's 20-year festivities on Oct. 3, 2010, will concentrate on the reunification of West and East into one German state. Although this revolution for liberty really began earlier in the Polish shipyards under the leadership of Lech Walesea of Solidarnosc (Solidarity), the collapse of the Berlin Wall has captured the public imagination, becoming the more lasting symbol of freedom.



The Velvet Revolution, the deliverance of Czechoslovakia (since divided into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic), came later in that November of 1989, clearly an autumn of epochal change in Eastern Europe.



World interest will once again refocus on Germany with the coming reunification anniversary celebrations in October of 2010. Although it is wise to periodically remind ourselves of any major, significant event that has resulted in much improved liberty—and a better economic and political life for many millions—human unity itself does not always result in genuine freedom, lasting prosperity and happiness. History shows that unbridled, lawless "freedom" eventually brings tears and monumental suffering.



Always remember that God is the unseen witness to human events. Even if He decides not to directly intervene before or during any specific occurrence, the Bible shows that His will is the ultimate deciding factor in the outcome of these major geopolitical events. This is one of the most important themes of the book of Daniel.



I didn't hear anyone giving God any credit during these celebrations, though undoubtedly He was accorded thanksgiving in some German churches. Still, it seems few really considered His role in these momentous events. At the very least, He allowed the Berlin Wall to fall. We should never think that He lacks the power to intervene in human affairs.



The Tower of Babel

This ancient tower depicted in the book of Genesis remains an important reminder. The Genesis account simply describes what humanity was up to some 4,000 years ago after rejecting God's guidance. "Come,...let us make a name for ourselves [a dubious motive], lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth" (Genesis 11:4And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.



See All...). God's previous instructions to Noah and the human family had been to populate the whole earth—not remain in one location (Genesis 9:1And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.



See All...).



But humankind has generally chosen to rebel against the Creator's wishes beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Although the Almighty seems to generally refrain from intervening in human affairs, on this particular occasion He clearly did. He decided to nip this rebellion in the bud by taking an extreme measure—suddenly introducing many languages into the human configuration—thereby ensuring that humanity would carry out His will and scatter over the whole globe (Genesis 11:5-8 [5] And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

[6] And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

[7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

[8] So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.





See All...).



God sees our future well in advance, and He knew that human ingenuity would move matters along faster than He wanted. "This is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose [imagine, King James Version] to do will be withheld from them" (verse 6, emphasis added throughout). Having made men and women in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27 [26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.





See All...), our Creator has always understood the enormous ability and capacity of our human potential—both for good and for bad. Our first parents chose to imbibe of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.



The sovereignty of God

We hear a lot today about the sovereignty of various states. For instance, some farsighted political leaders in Britain fear any further loss of the nation's sovereignty to the European Union. But it is our Creator whom we should really fear. He remains in ultimate control of the destiny of nations and individuals (see Deuteronomy 32:7-8 [7] Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

[8] When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.





See All...; Acts 17:26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;



See All...).



Presidents of major countries sometimes use forceful words with remarkable effect—simple words like "tear down this wall." God can also speak to humanity in forceful words about events that He has the divine power to bring to pass. Those words have been preserved in the Bible, sometimes in the first person.



The Hebrew prophet Isaiah quotes God Himself as saying: "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please... What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do" (Isaiah 46:9-11 [9] Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

[10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

[11] Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.





See All..., New International Version).



A future European Union of 10 nations

We rightly applaud the freedoms now experienced by the peoples of former East Germany, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics and other former Warsaw Pact nations in the East. Communist enslavement only brought poverty, atheism and a crushing of the human spirit.



But we should carefully look into God's prophetic Word, which tells us where Europe is ultimately headed. He has forecast a future union of 10 kings (or political entities) that will devastate the world and persecute Christians severely. For additional information, you may wish to request our free booklets The Book of Revelation Unveiled and Are We Living in the Time of the End? WNP

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What a Former Witch Taught Me About the Darkside

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

What a Former Witch Taught Me About the Darkside

by Darris McNeely

Submitted October 29, 2010

Halloween is this weekend, in case you haven’t noticed. But it’s hard not to notice. Halloween has become the second-largest retail holiday in North America. It’s second only to Christmas in sales generated by the strong consumer desire to party with the dead and macabre elements. Imitating ghosts and demons may seem like harmless fun. It’s not. Playing with the darker elements of this world is inviting strong forces into your life. You do this at your own peril.



I recently interviewed a lady who spent 20 years as a practicing witch. Her story was the centerpiece of a Beyond Today program called “Dancing With the Dark Side.” The program aired last week on WGN America and drew considerable comment from viewers.



One viewer wrote asking for help counseling a child who wished to become a witch. Another wrote detailing the disastrous impact on his family from involvement with the dark, satanic world. As my interview with “Mary” (the pseudonym for the woman who was once a witch) shows, you do not want to go down that road. Here is part of that interview.



McNeely: What do you think you were looking for when you entered into that world?



Mary: Power. To be special, to be unique.



McNeely: You think that’s what other people are looking for, as well?



Mary: Oh yes. Yeah. I mean, you get into it seeking power to control your life, manifest or will things into your life, but the bad thing about it is after it progresses, it starts taking on a negative tone. I started out with Wicca. I started out with thinking I was just worshipping the earth because I wanted something tangible, something I could see, something I could adhere to. The equinox, the sabbaths in Wicca. It soon didn’t feel like enough.



I felt compelled to check out or read books about necromancy and voodoo, and like I said, I was in it for about 20 years and there toward the end, I felt like if I hadn’t had the car wreck, I would’ve been gone, because I would’ve opened myself up to channeling. I’d already started using my own blood in my own rituals, in my own spells. I’d already started making voodoo dolls and casting bad spells on people.



McNeely: Did you actually see those spells come to pass?



Mary: Mhm.



McNeely: You did?



Mary: Yes.



McNeely: Things happened?



Mary: Yes. Things always happened.



Mary went on to explain that people who dabble with the dark arts are looking for a power to control their lives and that of others. They end up being controlled by a darker power they do not understand. Fortunately for Mary, she escaped the hold of the dark side and is building a better life for herself. She finally is in control of her life, in a right way.



Why not watch the entire Beyond Today video, “Dancing With the Dark Side,” on our BeyondToday.tv Web site.



Satan offers a clever counterfeit path to power for those who venture into his dark world. But the tragedy is that his path is a dead-end street filled with wrecked and broken lives. Evil is a very real force in this modern world that scoffs at the existence of a spiritual dimension. This Halloween, instead of celebrating a holiday for the dead, why not educate yourself in the truth? Our booklet Is There Really a Devil? provides solid biblical teaching on the subject.



Though the media often trivializes it today, there is indeed a dark spiritual world, and it wants to deceive and destroy you. Don’t let it happen. Resist it, and cling to the incredible future God has prepared for you.







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Step Into The Light

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

Step Into The Light


by Berowe

“Let me shed some light on that…”



We’ve all heard or used that phrase before to encourage someone to slow down and look at something from a different angle, allowing us to get a fresh perspective. It can help us gain a clearer picture and can push a discussion along or settle a disagreement.



As Christians, we know that living life and letting our human nature guide us will push us away from God. We need to live a Godly life that draws us closer to Him. How do we do that? Thankfully, God has given us a tool to see inside of ourselves. He has given us a way to shed some light on our inner workings.



Light or darkness: how to know the difference

Before Jesus was born the knowledge of God was given to the Israelites. He had set them apart to be His people. He let them know how to live a good and righteous life through His law. Over fourteen hundred years after the Exodus, God sent His Son to die for all men, for all those who would believe in His sacrifice. No longer would His way of life be given to only the Israelites. It would be given to everyone.



That includes us today. It does not matter what your upbringing was or what your status in life is now. What matters now is that when He calls, you must answer. You will need to know what sin is and with the help of the Holy Spirit, put sin out of your life.



But, how do we know what sin is? Paul, the apostle whose ministry was teaching Gentiles (non-Israelites), told them that he would not have known sin except through the law (Romans 7:7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.



See All...). So, if we study God's law, we can know what sin is; once we know what sin is, we can start to put it out of our lives.



The light of the law

Jesus told us that His Father loved the world and gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall be saved (John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.



See All...). He went on to say that the light had come into the whole world, but, men loved darkness rather than the light because the light shows them their evil deeds, their sins (John 3:19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.



See All...).



It’s understandable why people would not like this kind of light. How many people want to be shown how what they are doing is wrong? Not many. We get defensive and sometimes angry at the person telling us what’s wrong.



Sadly, that’s how many in this world see God's law. His law sheds light on us and shows us our sins. But, those that God calls to understand and then choose to believe in His Son want to stand in this light and desire to know what they are doing wrong in order to repent and change. You are being called into that light.



In the spotlight

David, a righteous king of Israel and ancestor of Jesus, meditated on God's law every day (Psalm 119:97(MEM.) O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.



See All...). He was a man who did his best to live God's way of life and is known as a man after God's own heart even though he made some pretty big mistakes. David may not have been perfect, but he didn't run away or hide from God's commandments, not even when he was confronted with one of his greatest sins (2 Samuel 12). He knew and tried to apply God's law in his life and he was passionate about understanding the law to the fullest.



We are not perfect either. We fall, we repent, God forgives us and we are back up again. We learn from our sins and we have encouragement from God's mercy. We should look at David's example and not live in the darkness of human nature, but rather, step into the light of God's law.



Spend some time every day to meditate on His law. It is the best way to know how to live a Godly life.







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The Bible and You: Practical Answers—Real Hope

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

Series 1 - The Bible and You: Practical Answers—Real Hope

Hi friends! Welcome to the fifth lesson in our series about "The Bible and You: Practical Answers—Real Hope."



When we face problems, whether crime in our neighborhood or unemployment, threats of terrorism or potholes in the street, it is natural for us to look to our governments to help solve them. But we've all heard the cynics' comments about government:



•Henry Ward Beecher said: "The worst thing in this world, next to anarchy, is government."

•Milton Friedman said: "The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem."

•And P.J. O'Rourke quipped, "Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys."

Why does it seem that our governments are helpless in the face of problems or can become the cause of more problems? Corruption plagues governments around the globe. And conflicts between governments seem to spiral out of control as our world becomes a more and more dangerous place.



But Jesus Christ promised a solution to all these problems! He is coming back to this earth and promises a perfect form of government that will truly serve your needs and the needs of every human being! Explore this wonderful news from the Bible in this lesson, "A Real King Who Will Return to Rescue Humanity."



http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-hope/a-real-king-who-will-return-to-rescue-humanity.htm

The Enormous Expansion of Chinese Influence: What Does It Portend?

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The Enormous Expansion of Chinese Influence: What Does It Portend?


article by John Ross Schroeder


Recent news reports strongly suggest that China's military, economic and political influence continues to expand aggressively both in Asia and the world at large. What are the long-term implications?



Some observers predict an Asian-centered world order—part of our ever-changing constellation of global power and influence. One renowned Indian statesman actually stated that the 21st century "will be Asia's century."



Foreign Affairs also comments: "China's extraordinary economic growth and active diplomacy are already transforming East Asia, and future decades will see even greater increases in Chinese power and influence... Will China overthrow the existing order or become a part of it? And what, if anything, can the United States do to maintain its position as China rises?" (January-February 2008, emphasis added throughout).



But before we address these questions posed by Foreign Affairs, let's take a more searching look at Chinese expansionist efforts in Asia itself.



The military implications of Chinese expansion

David Blair, diplomatic editor of The Daily Telegraph, writes: "China is building a web of influence across South Asia. Many of Beijing's immensely ambitious projects are years away from fruition, yet the repercussions of these ventures are already being felt" ("China on the Rise Once More Across the East," Telegraph.co.uk, May 20, 2009).



The Chinese are currently constructing ports in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and on a Burmese island. Recall that China gave Sri Lanka its support during the conflict with the Tamil Tigers. Ports like the one in Sri Lanka could possibly be used as Chinese naval bases in the future, raising questions as to whether China will extend its naval strength into the Indian Ocean.



Kerry Brown, an official of the Asian program of the British Chatham House think tank, states: "China is marching toward regional dominance and that brings it into conflict with India on one flank and Japan on the other. It will at some point become much more active as a military power in that region" (ibid.).



But Mr. Brown does not believe that China necessarily wants conflict. His thoughts are that the Chinese "are seeking a stable international environment within which they can continue their economic development." Nonetheless, other countries in the general region are understandably worried about China's intentions. Australia is one.



Australian reaction to China's growing military

According to Bonnie Malkin, reporting for The Daily Telegraph from Sydney, "Australia is conducting the biggest expansion of its navy since the Second World War and will spend an extra £35 billion on the armed forces over the next 20 years" ("Australia Expands Navy as Chinese Power Grows," Telegraph.co.uk, May 19, 2009).



It seems highly likely that Australia's military buildup could very well be related to Chinese expansion. "The potential instability caused by the emergence of China and India as major world powers was cited as the most pressing concern for this military build-up in particular. Australian defence planners are believed to be concerned about China's growing naval strength and America's possible retreat as a global power in the decades ahead" (ibid.).



This article goes on to discuss the doubling of Chinese submarine patrols in the past year, calling attention to the extension of China's navy into Australian territorial waters. While specifically denying any plans for any future war with China, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stated categorically that his government would "'make absolutely no apology' for taking whatever steps were needed to guarantee the country's security."



China and Russia

China and Russia have a long history of both cooperation and conflict. According to Andrew Boyd's An Atlas of World Affairs, "In a long series of conquests, from 1500 to 1900, Russia and China took over all of northern Asia. Between them, they subdued the Mongolians and all the Turkic-language peoples, from the Azerbaijanis of the Caucasus to the Yakuts of eastern Siberia, and including the Kazakhs, Tatars, Uighurs and Uzbeks" (10th edition, 1998, p. 173).



But cooperation can turn into conflict, and the two giant empires clashed periodically, principally over territorial tensions. Fast-forwarding to the late 20th century, Sino-Russian relations grew considerably warmer.



"In 1989 the USSR withdrew its troops from Afghanistan and began to reduce its forces in Mongolia and on the Chinese frontier; this satisfied some of China's requirements for a 'normalizing' of relations. Tension was eased, and work was resumed on the completion of a [transnational] rail link...The break-up of the USSR created a buffer zone in central Asia, and Russo-Chinese relations continued to improve" (ibid., pp. 174-175).



Relations between these two geographic giants had apparently deteriorated to the point in the early 1970s that Leonid Brezhnev had reputedly asked President Richard Nixon for permission to "nuke" the People's Republic of China. Reportedly, the stern reply was a firm "No."



The Sino-Russian relationship continues to wax and wane. "In the early 1990s, massive sales of arms to China made up 2% of Russia's exports. Russia needed the money badly, but its generals grew nervous about China's new military strength" (p. 175).



China's relationships with other countries on its border also warrant observation, in terms of possible prophetic overtones for the end time. Consider India.



Chinese disputes with India

After many decades of relative stagnation, both China and India have seen remarkable growth rates over the last two decades and more. These two Asian giants alone have almost two fifths of the entire world population. Although set back somewhat by the current world recession, economically both nations could still be viewed to be on the march.



These two Asian countries have a long history of border tensions and disputed territorial claims on their 2,100-mile border. Threats of war and even a few serious skirmishes have occurred. David Blair recently reported, "The tension between China and India over their bitterly disputed border has spread to the Asian Development Bank [ADB], where Beijing has blocked almost £2 billion for its neighbour" ("China Blocks £2 Billion in Aid to India," Telegraph.co.uk, May 19, 2009). Part of the total amount has been earmarked for a northern Indian water project on territory China claims for its own.



India would need U.S. support if it ever hopes to be able to persuade the Chinese to relent and ask the ADB to release the funds. Such events shift relations between nations. But in spite of serious periodic differences between these three countries, could China, Russia and India come together at the time of the end?



Certainly in today's world, America appears to be on the wane and China and Asia on the ascent. Why is the United States suffering so many setbacks in the world? Are there both historic and prophetic reasons?



A prophetic picture of the time of the end

Bible prophecies in the book of Revelation and the book of Daniel dovetail together to give us an intriguing picture of events at the time of the end.



Daniel 11:40And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.



See All... mentions these occurrences "at the time of end" and the fact that the king of the North (identified prophetically as the charismatic leader of a Central European combine of nations), while entering the Holy Land, attacks the king of the South (probably the leader of an Arab-Islamic confederation). Then verse 44 tells us of "news from the east" that will trouble this king of the North.



Revelation 9:13-16 [13] And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

[14] Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

[15] And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

[16] And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.





See All..., also describing end-time events, describes an eastern army 200-million strong that unleashes great devastation, killing a third of mankind. Several chapters later, in Revelation 16:12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.



See All..., we read of "the kings [leaders] from the east" crossing the Euphrates River.



It would appear that one of these forces is an Islamic counterattack to the king of the North entering the Holy Land. The other, it appears, is likely from further east, from China, India and other Asian nations that lie to the east of the Holy Land. Regardless of which is which, demonic forces will influence "the kings of the earth" to gather together at Armageddon for that final battle against Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.



See All...).



In effect this will be the final World War. The returning Jesus Christ will be the undisputed winner of truly "the mother of all battles." It will constitute mankind's final rebellion against his Creator during this age of man. But the outcome has already been determined. "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.



See All...).



To learn more

This article can only briefly summarize the significance of these end-time events. Our free booklet You Can Understand Bible Prophecy will give you a basic overview of all the major events accompanying the time of the end and even well on beyond. A companion booklet titled Are We Living in the Time of the End? highlights the telltale signs that signal that we are indeed approaching the close of an age.



Another publication, The Book of Revelation Unveiled , shows how to truly comprehend the message of that mystery book. The booklet The Middle East in Bible Prophecy brings a needed perspective of historic events such as the four empires revealed in the book of Daniel and the rise and fall of ancient Israel.



Since no power identifiable as the United States is found depicted in the events described in the book of Revelation, this fact strongly indicates that some combination of major factors leads to America's prophesied collapse before the very final events preceding Christ's return. To learn more about this whole story, historic and prophetic, read the booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy . WNP

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In the News...More Britons Believe in Ghosts Than in God?

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In the News...More Britons Believe in Ghosts Than in God?

article by Amanda Stiver, David Treybig, James Capo





More Britons believe in ghosts than in God, according to an informal survey published on—yes—Oct. 31.



The survey wasn't a true random sample, so the results can't be considered scientifically accurate, but of the 2,012 people who completed a questionnaire for the British home entertainment retailer ChoicesUK, 68 percent said they believed in the existence of ghosts and spirits, while 55 percent said they believed in the existence of a god (source: AP).



Of those who believed in ghosts, 76 percent said that films and TV reality shows about the supernatural helped convince them that ghosts exist. But what does the Bible say? It reveals that there really is an active spirit realm—not of ghosts, supposedly disembodied human beings, but of spirits, fallen angels called demons that seek to influence and deceive people against the truth of God. These may sometimes pose as the ghosts of dead people. The dead, however, are unconscious, awaiting a future resurrection (compare Ecclesiastes 9:5For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.



See All..., 10). For this and other reasons, the Bible warns against any involvement with the spirit world apart from contact with the true God.



Our booklet Is There Really A Devil? reveals how this spirit realm is the real source behind so many of the world's problems and explains how God will overthrow this power and establish a kingdom of peace. Jesus Christ overcame Satan (Matthew 4; Luke 4), and through Christ we can too.

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"Potential Just Means You Haven't Done Anything"... Yet

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"Potential Just Means You Haven't Done Anything"... Yet


 by Jacob Mammen

Recently I stumbled on a quote said by Dowell Loggains, offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, in response to a question about the potential of their troubled star wide-receiver, Kenny Britt. When asked he replied, “Potential just means you haven’t done anything.” Now that quote struck me, not just because I agreed with coach Loggains assessment of Britt’s underachievement, but because I believe there is a spiritual question to be asked here.



Have you and I done anything with the incredible potential of good that God has blessed us with? That’s a tough question to ask yourself, but a question we all should ask nonetheless. Honesty with your own self-assessment is key here! If you feel like you have, awesome. But if you feel like you haven’t, it’s time to!



First things first: recognize, believe and own the fact that God has given you great potential with your whole heart and pray that He gives you the desire and opportunity to unlock it! One way to start unlocking that great potential inside of you is to start using your talents for the glory of God and for the betterment of those you come in contact with. Everyone has talents and the best part is that by using those talents it can lead you to discover talents you never knew you had! If you can fix, fix. If you can sing, sing. If you can translate, translate. If you can encourage, encourage. If you can listen, listen. If you can impart sound words, impart sound words. If you can be so extremely zealous, be so extremely zealous! If you feel like you have the talent to inspire, then go inspire! God didn’t give you talents so that you could keep it for yourself, but so that you could share it with others!



There’s a passage of scripture that exhorts us to do just that, it’s found in 1 Peter 4:10-11 [10] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

[11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.





See All... (ESV):



As each has received a gift [talent], use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.



Now let’s get out there and start unlocking that incredible potential given by God, with the talents we all have!







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eBooks Review - The Bible and the Near-Death Experience

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eBooks Review - The Bible and the Near-Death Experience

The Bible and the Near Death Experience is an attempt to make sense of what happens after death.



Book Information

Author

Moses U. Colbert



Publisher

BookBaby

Recommendation

Lena VanAusdle does not recommend this.



Kindle Edition, pages





Find it on Amazon The book, "The Bible and the Near Death Experience," unfortunately, is very short on Bible, and heavy on opinion. The author, Moses U. Colbert, has a unique voice and writing style, which could be considered engaging, however, the improper usage of words and grammar detract from this considerably.



The basic premise of the book is that there is a spirit in man (true), that we don't totally understand (true), but this spirit is connected in a very complicated way to our soul (that we don't understand), and that our bodies make up a third portion of our being (with our soul and spirit), just as the trinity. The Trinity doctrine is a false doctrine, and Mr. Colbert's explanation of the body, soul and spirit is riddled with fallacy as well.



Occasionally the author will say something true and profound, "as long as a Christian lives, he or she will at some point in their life struggle with the sin nature. What we accomplish or do not accomplish in our Christian lives will not achieve perfection" ( pg . 60). Unfortunately these truisms are surrounded by misconceptions and misinterpretations of what the Bible truly teaches. I don't doubt that Mr. Colbert is sincere, nor do I doubt that his recounting of his experiences is accurate, unfortunately, he is calling evil good (Isaiah 5:20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!



See All...) by attributing what seem to be encounters with demons, as experiences with God.



Mr. Colbert states, "...I understand that my life is not my own. It's not about what I want. It's about my relationship with God, how much I love him, and sharing that love and respect with others" ( pg . 62). It is obvious that this was the motivation for the writing of this book, unfortunately, that love is misguided in its expression. If you are looking for an accurate explanation of near death experiences, I recommend the following: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-program/doctrinal-beliefs/near-death-experiences-and-bible






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Free Trade Area of the Americas What Will Happen to Latin America?

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Free Trade Area of the Americas What Will Happen to Latin America






article by Fred Nance





The United States can no longer take its superiority in the economy of the western hemisphere for granted. The EU's economic reach grows ever longer and its influence ever stronger.



Many people in the western hemisphere desire the "American dream." The prosperity and economic boom of the 1990s in the United States has many nations longing for open markets, so they can begin to taste some of the good times. On the planning table is the "Free Trade Agreement of the Americas" (FTAA) that would create the largest free trade agreement the world has ever seen. It is hoped that by the year 2005, the FTAA will create a market of 800 million people in the Americas, from the Arctic to Antarctica.



This past April, 34 nations participated in the Summit of the Americas in Quebec. President Bush actively took part in that summit and has been asking the U.S. Congress for authority to negotiate this agreement. "I will look south, not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental commitment of my presidency. Those who ignore Latin America do not fully understand America itself," said the president ( Latin Trade Magazine, June 2001, p. 30). He has promised that the trade zone will not only create markets for the United States, but will fortify democracy in Latin America and spread the economic benefits equitably.



Can a partnership be forged between the United States and Latin America? What is the most likely scenario for these nations, according to Bible prophecy?



As pointed out in a recent New York Times article, the combination of democracy and free enterprise in Latin America does not guarantee higher living standards. Every nation in the western hemisphere except Cuba presently has an elected government, with increasingly open markets. Yet, 224 million Latin Americans (roughly 36 percent of the population) live in poverty. Many of these nations are experimenting with democratic capitalism for the first time. As a result of this experimentation, economic benefits do not filter down to the masses, because the region's rigid social structure isn't equipped to equitably distribute wealth.



"Latin Americans get to choose their leaders, but once they are in place, it's the old cliques that make the bottom-line decisions that are suitable to their own needs, not the needs of the people," says Hernando De Soto, a Peruvian economist ("Latin America's Poor Survive It All," New York Times, June 24, 2001).



The source of divergence



Why are the United States and Canada so much more prosperous and more democratic than Latin America?



Ibero-America actually had a head start on the United States and Canada. The first permanent Spanish settlement was established in 1493 on Hispaniola in what is today the Dominican Republic. The first permanent British colony was established more than a century later, in 1607 at Jamestown in what was to become Virginia.



Venezuelan writer Carlos Rangel wrote: "As late as 1700, the Spanish American empire still gave the impression of being incomparably richer, much more powerful and more likely to succeed than the British colonies of North America" (Lawrence E. Harrison, The Pan-American Dream, 1997, p. 18). Latin America had an earlier start, yet British America surpassed it in power and influence.



Lawrence Harrison writes: "As we approach the end of the 20th Century, Latin America is roughly fifty years behind the United States and Canada in terms of the prosperity of its citizens and the solidity of its democratic institutions" (ibid, p. 18). What explains this flip-flop in history?



We can turn to Bible prophecy for the answer. God made known through Jacob that Joseph's descendants would receive the birthright promises "in the last days" (Genesis 49:1And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.



See All..., 22-26). It is because of the tremendous physical blessings promised to the descendants of Joseph that the United States has prospered so much more and become more powerful. The United States was molded from British, Anglo-Protestant traditions, whereas Latin America traces its roots to Ibero-Catholic culture. These are the fundamental differences that explain the divergence between the nations of the Americas at the beginning of the 21st century.



Where will it go from here? Can a partnership be forged among all the nations of America?



Leadership needed



There are many who believe that without leadership, the United States might lose out in the competition for Latin American markets. Jenny Bates, an international economist at the Progressive Policy Institute, writes: "There is an emerging risk of the United States being slowly shut out of Latin American markets, while our competitors, particularly the European Union, gain ground. In the future, if Latin American countries face lower barriers on imports from the EU than from the United States, they will purchase goods and services, including highly lucrative capital goods, from our competitors. This potential outcome is not lost on the Europeans" ( Blueprint Series, Ideas for a New Century, 2001, p. 5).



Despite President Bush's desire to negotiate a free trade pact, many forces are at work to prevent it. Powerful U.S. interest groups, especially labor unions and environmentalists, oppose free trade. The U.S. Congress itself might be against it, as President Clinton found out when he failed to obtain the renewal of "fast track" negotiating authority that he needed to forge a similar accord.



Whether free trade is reached throughout the western hemisphere, one can be sure that Europe is watching these developments closely. Europe has a strong historical, cultural and demographic relationship with many countries of Latin America. European multinational corporations have established a major presence there.



Corporations from Spain are especially dominating in acquisitions of banking, energy and telecommunications to the point that they will soon hold pan-regional power in Latin America. A trade agreement between Mexico and the European Union was recently signed, which was Europe's response to NAFTA. Some economists believe that agreement set the pattern for possible future trade agreements between Europe and Latin America.



From "dollarization" to "euroization?"



"Dollarization," the abandoning of a country's local currency to adopt the dollar, has been occurring in some Latin American nations. Last year, Ecuador officially adopted the dollar. El Salvador began using it as legal currency on January 1, 2001. Guatemala joined the race to dollarize in May, and it is also being discussed in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Argentina has pegged its peso one-to-one with the dollar for a decade.



Now Argentina has announced it will also link its peso to the euro. The value of the peso will be fixed at one euro, as soon as the euro rises to parity with the dollar. When the euro rises or falls against the dollar, the peso will be set at the mid value between the two currencies.



Cuba has also debated switching to the euro, although no action has been taken at this time. Might this become a trend, if poor Latin American countries see a more powerful Europe rising and the leadership of the United States declining, as Bible prophecy foretells?



Economic system foretold



Latin America's desire to embrace globalization and free markets could lead it to make an economic pact with a coming world economic system that is unveiled in the 18th chapter of Revelation. There it describes the merchants of the earth becoming rich by her (verse 3) and states they will mourn because Babylon, the greatest customer for their goods, will be gone after she is destroyed (verse 11).



The increasing presence of European multinational corporations, along with the historical and cultural ties between Europe and Latin America make the possibility of future trade alliances and monetary movements worth watching. WNP

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Christopher Columbus and Jesus Christ

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Christopher Columbus and Jesus Christ






article by Jerold Aust





Have you ever heard that Christopher Columbus gave God the credit for his journey to the New World?







Source: courtesy of the Architect of the CapitolNotice what he later wrote in describing his efforts to find a new route to India:



"It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel his hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit . . .



"For the execution of the journey to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps. It is simply the fulfillment of what Isaiah had prophesied . . . No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service" (quoted by Bob Gingrich, Founding Fathers vs. History Revisionists: In Their Own Words, 2008, p. 17).

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What Memory or Legacy Will You Leave Behind?

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What Memory or Legacy Will You Leave Behind?

by Janet Treadway

Funerals seem to be a time of reflection. It is a time to reflect on the memories of the person who died. You either have great memories of that person, or sadly, not so much!



It seems all the memories, of the deceased, come out at a funeral. The preacher seems to bring out the positives. Sad to say, sometimes it can be very hard to have good memories of some individuals. However, a funeral is not the time to be brutally honest about someone if their character was bad. But their character will not escape our memory. We all hold memories in our heart of an individual’s character, legacies that they left.



Funerals are also the place where reality hits us squarely in the face, reminding us of our appointment with death. For a moment we are forced to focus on death and the reality that we will not live forever. And yes, none of us will escape the ending of our physical life. In Genesis 3:19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.



See All... it says, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."



As we age, and death becomes more of a reality, we begin to focus on making a will. Deciding what material things we will leave behind and to whom. Having things in order when we die is love for our loved ones. But do we give it much thought as to what legacy, character or good memory we will leave behind? Material things fade away, but the legacy that you leave will transfer on to your children, friends, and those you have touched while you were alive.



So what memories will you leave behind, for people to reflect on when you die? And what legacy will you leave behind for your children to carry on and hand on to their children? This is an important question to ask if you want your children to be blessed.



It must start with your devotion to God. Your legacy begins in your heart and your response to God. Psalm 112:1-2 [1] Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

[2] His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.





See All... reads, "How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed."



The Ten Commandments -- which are not the “Ten Suggestions” or “Ten Opinions” -- is our blueprint for life in how to build good memories with our families, co-workers, neighbors, church, communities and most of all with God. “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed” (Psalm 112:1-2 [1] Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

[2] His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.





See All... NIV).



And young people, it is not too early for you to give thought to the legacy you will leave behind. In Ecclesiastes 12:1Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;



See All... it reminds us, “Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, "Life is not pleasant anymore." Sadly, too often, a young person’s life is cut short for various reasons. God admonishes you to remember Him as you live your life because you will give an account for your actions.



Yes, what will people think of you at your funeral? What legacy will you leave your love ones? Here are two quotes to consider:



“Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your friends. It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs.” - Steve Saint



“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” - Shannon L. Alder



Live a life that fears, loves, obeys and respects your Creator, God the Father. If you do this you will leave a great legacy for your family, friends, and neighbors -- and great will be your reward in God’s Kingdom.







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The Early Church Was Not Communist - and Neither Was Jesus

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The Early Church Was Not Communist - and Neither Was Jesus

article by Don Hooser, Tom Robinson

A common misunderstanding is that the early Church practiced communal socialism, which some believe based on what they read in the beginning chapters of Acts.







Source: iStockphotoNote Acts 2:44-45 [44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.





See All...: "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need."



But this was a unique situation that didn't last very long. We later see that elderly widows were to be financially provided for by a common church fund only if they had no family members in the Church who could privately support them (1 Timothy 5:3-16 [3] Honour widows that are widows indeed.

[4] But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

[5] Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

[6] But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

[7] And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

[8] But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

[9] Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

[10] Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

[11] But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

[12] Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

[13] And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

[14] I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

[15] For some are already turned aside after Satan.

[16] If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.





See All...). Obviously, all members of the Church's congregations at this later time were not being provided for out of a common fund—only a select number in real need.



In considering Acts 2, we should note that Christians were being persecuted. Also, thousands of new believers, some from distant lands, had just been added to the Church at the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem.



No doubt many decided to remain in Judea at that time to learn more about their new faith and rely on one another through growing persecution rather than return to their homes far away. These people thus had an immediate need for food and lodging, and a voluntary pooling of resources took care of that.



The believers at the time felt extremely blessed, grateful, hospitable and generous. Many who had extra assets sold some of them to help finance the living expenses of others. The expression "all things in common" means this: "I love you, and therefore your needs are just as important to me as my own needs. I consider all that I have as being yours also."



However, keep in mind that they could not sell what they did not own. They were voluntarily selling some of their privately owned property so they could help others. This was charity, not communism. No one was compelled to sell his property, nor did anyone confiscate one's property or income to give it to others, as many governments do today.



Acts 4:32-35 [32] And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

[33] And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

[34] Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

[35] And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.





See All..., which follows shortly after in time order, shows that the pooling of resources was still going on. The account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 [1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

[2] And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

[3] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

[4] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

[5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

[6] And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

[7] And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

[8] And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

[9] Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

[10] Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

[11] And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.





See All... adds further clarity. God did not execute judgment on these two for their refusing to share, but for their telling a lie to make themselves look good.



The apostle Peter asked Ananias, "While it [their possession] remained [unsold], was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?" The couple was not obligated either to sell their land or to give away the proceeds. Again, this was not communism or socialism.



The words of Jesus Himself should make it even clearer. In His parables of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20, He portrayed God as a vineyard owner paying different employees the same agreed-on amount even if they worked for less time.



The employees who worked longer thought it unfair. But the owner, representing God, replies to one: "Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?" (verses 13-15).



To the final question here, communists and socialists, and those with such leanings, would answer no —since in those systems the community or state decides. Jesus' statement, while figurative of spiritual principles, is nevertheless a ringing endorsement of both private ownership and free market exchange without wage control. He was certainly no communist—and neither were His followers.

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