Numbers 10:29, “We are on our way to the place the Lord promised us.” What a great thought that we are on a journey with God to the place He has promised us. But, like the people in Numbers it will require change in the way we think, in the way we see things because only those who think and see like Him can enter into the promise.

How long does it take for God to change the mind set of a slaved people; from seeing their troubles to seeing their opportunities? How long does it take to change people’s mind from ‘working for money,’ to ‘money working for them.’ How long does it take for people to stop seeing their owns needs, and to seeing the needs of others?

It takes three generations to twist the truth into a lie, but it only takes one generation to bring back the truth. The generation that brings it back will only know that it is the Lord who leads them. They will only know that it is the Lord who provides for them and protects them. They will not be a people enslaved by things; for it requires them to get rid of everything that has brought the past generation into bondage.

For the Lord has promised wonderful blessings for those who enter His promise!

Lord, forgive me for not thanking You for all You have done, and are doing, and will do for me and my family. You have given us great freedom that allows us to worship You, and express to all who You are. You have always met our needs, and have given us a great future with You. Lord, help me never to forget what You have done.

Lord, Your word says that when I refuse to confess my sin it drains my strength. I waste away from within, and groan all day long. But, there is great joy when my sin is forgiven, and put out of Your sight! When I finally confess all my sins to You, and stop trying to hide or justify them, You will forgive and give me Your peace. Therefore, I will confess my rebellion to You and know that all my guilt is gone!

Son, when you seek Me, willing to confess your sins to Me, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Many sorrows come to those who refuse to confess their sins. But, My unfailing love surrounds those who trust Me and obey My Word. So rejoice, be glad, and shout for joy, because I have forgiven you and your heart is pure in My sight!

Son, just like when you refused to confess your sin, it is the same for any nation that refuses to confess their sins to Me. Your forefathers knew this and were careful to do it, but today your country is full of idols; the people are madly in love with them. Their stubbornness to confess comes from thinking their wealth can save them, and no one harm will come their way. But, they will not go unpunished, for the day of reckoning will arrive; the day when I will punish the wicked. It will begin when I strike their water supply, causing it to dry up.

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George Washington

“You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certain ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country. I now make it my earnest prayer that God would… most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion.”

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Patrick Henry

“Being a Christian… is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast. The Bible… is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed. Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others. The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible. This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.”

Lord, You see the troubles of this great land, and you care about the anguish of Your children. Therefore, I am trusting You. My future is in your hands. Help me to realize how great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world.

Son, tell My children to be prepared. They must not be afraid of suffering for Me. For I will stand with them, and give them the confidence of eternal life. But they must know that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Me will suffer persecution.

Tell everyone who will listen that My word, which is inspired by Me, will be useful in the days to come to show everyone what is true. My word will correct you when you are wrong and teach you to do what is right. I will use it to prepare and equip My people for what is coming. So let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of My word. Tell My people in the coming days they must learn to meet the urgent needs of others. In so doing they will have a productive life.

Son, the coming days will be very difficult. People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at Me, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray each other, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than Me. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Very soon everyone will recognize what fools they are.

You have said, “I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.” Son, are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! If you trust in your wealth and skill, you will be taken captive.

Son I will bless you and protect you. I will smile on you and be gracious to you. I will show you My favor and give you My peace.

I thought this was interesting, could it be that Jerry Brown is key to droughts, since he was governor on both occasions?!

1/17/14  SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday declared a drought emergency in California as the state struggles with the least amount of rainfall in its 153-year history, reservoir levels fall and firefighters remain on high alert.

“We are in an unprecedented, very serious situation,” said Brown, who asked California residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20 percent. “Hopefully, it will rain eventually. But in the meantime, we have to do our part.” The drought declaration also streamlines the rules for water agencies to transfer extra water from one part of the state to another, easing shortages. It also directs the state to hire more seasonal firefighters, limits the landscaping of highways and raises public awareness. Brown was governor in 1976 and 1977, one of California’s most severe dry periods in the 20th century. The most recent extended drought was from 1987 to 1992.

“The Sierra Nevada snowpack on Thursday was 17 percent of normal. And last year, most cities in the state received the lowest amount of rain in any living Californian’s lifetime. The rainfall records go back to 1850. For the past 13 months, a huge high-pressure ridge in the atmosphere has sat off the West Coast, diverting storms that normally would bring winter rain northward to Canada. As a result, reservoir levels are low, farmers and ranchers are suffering, and fire danger is at an extreme level. “Farmers across California face wrenching decisions today, as well as in coming months,” Wenger said. “Will they have enough water to plant crops, to water their livestock, and keep trees and vines alive?”

“An additional concern is how many people they may have to lay off as a result of water shortages. Any way the state and federal governments can provide assistance in adding water to the system will help. So far, farmers have been affected more by the dry conditions than most California residents. Although many residents think that population growth is the main driver of water demand statewide, it actually is agriculture. In an average year, farmers use 80 percent of the water used by people and businesses — 34 million acre-feet from a total of 43 million acre-feet that is diverted from rivers, lakes and groundwater, according to the state Department of Water Resources.” 

January 14, 2014 Tuesday

This morning I woke up with a thought. What if this drought we are in turns out to be the worst on record? What if the summer turns out to be the hottest on record? How will this drought affect one of the top 10 economies in the world? Would water become our most expensive commodity?

No rain water for the valley would affect all of the agriculture in our state. It would affect our fruit trees and our forest. There will be forest fires like never before, and the cost would be great. Construction would slow down, maybe come to a halt, because you need water to build. California’s great economy would stop, and people would be forced to leave this state. The exodus would take away the tax base that our politicians use for their own desires in defiance of God and His word.

Why would God do this? DOES God do this? In my study on morality and immorality, I saw how God set up spiritual laws that will take affect when man sins become so great. When man becomes so immoral in a city or state or nation, the earth will vomit him out. If a drought took in the whole state, could it be that the earth wants to remove man with all his immorality from California?

What has the state of California done that would make its cup of inequity full? Our leaders never think of calling on God or looking into His word on how to resolve the problems of our state or nation. Look at the laws they have passed in the last 5 years and ask yourself if any of these laws bring glory to God; if any of them are the right way?

God says to His children that it is not the time to be fearful, but to see the opportunities He will give us. If water will become the most expensive commodity, then what should His children (the wise) be doing with the instruction and leading of the Holy Spirit? 

When I give someone the power over me – to teach me, to protect me, or to give me what I need – then I become a slave to them. It is when I give them no power over me that I am free.

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“[W]e have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

John Adams, Second President of the United States

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“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”

Thomas Paine,

Who are the people that want to remove our constitution, if it is for a “moral and religious people?” Do these same people act as if to say, “If there is a debt let it be paid by my children and grandchildren.”?

If we want to stay a free people then we must not depend on others, but seek God in all we do, and learn to depend upon Him. Live by His truth, and never give up the freedom we have now.

My wife and I have not attended a traditional church for years; why? Some might think we are not walking with God. Some will ask, how can we stay in fellowship without being around other believers? Some will think we have gone out on a tangent and have missed the way. Some might even think that there was a church problem in times past and that is why. I have been asked, “Do you  have gifts that the body needs, why don’t you use these gifts?”

The truth is, I do not fit into the so-called traditional church anymore. The church of today is not relevant to what I see or what I am going through, and this is why I believe the traditional church attendance is down. I have been asked why not try and change it? Really? I do not have the time, desire or strength to do this. But, I have never given up on the body of Christ, just the so-called “traditional church.”

The traditional church of American is not prepared for what is coming. They believe that God will not allow them to go through extreme suffering. Why would they think like this? Is there some place in the Bible that says that Christians will not suffer? Could it be that they think they have not done anything worthy of suffering, or just because they belong to Jesus that He will not allow them to suffer. Ask those believers all over the world who are suffering now; those who have died, or have had the loss of wife, husband, children and parents, the loss of everything they saved and worked for their whole life. They suffer for their stand for Jesus, because they will not compromise!

What I have found – is if you want a relationship with Jesus it will not come by attending meetings. It will not come by listening to someone tell you what they learned in the Word of God. It will not come by trying to live a good life. All of my “saved” life I have had a quiet time in the Bible; about one hour every morning. Lately, one hour has not been enough. I even long for the wee hour morning now and cannot wait until 2 or 3 AM so that I can spend time with the Spirit in the Word, and in prayer. I do not regret that I am losing sleep either, as I still go to work from 7 AM to 6 PM. I am not saying this to show how “spiritual” I am. I am only saying that if people want to truly know Him it requires time.

Certainly the traditional church leaders teach God’s Word, but there is a difference when you have the Holy Spirit talking to you from His word each morning, rather than someone telling you about His word. The question is: Do you want to ‘know’ Jesus or have someone teach you about Jesus?

1 Timothy chapter 4 says, “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith.” Why? The Lord says, “These people do not know Me or My word. They think their life is made right with Me by rules and regulations, but My faithful people will know the truth. My children’s hope is in Me, the Savior of all people. So don’t let anyone think less of you because you are different, but be an example to everyone in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

This morning I woke up with a thought. What if this drought we are in turns out to be the worst on record? What if the summer turns out to be the hottest on record? How will this drought affect one of the top 10 economies in the world? Would water become our most expensive commodity?

No rain water for the valley would affect all of the agriculture in our state. It would affect our fruit trees and our forest. There will be forest fires like never before, and the cost would be great. Construction would slow down, maybe come to a halt, because you need water to build. California’s great economy would stop, and people would be forced to leave this state. The exodus would take away the tax base that our politicians use for their own desires in defiance of God and His word.

Why would God do this? DOES God do this? In my study on morality and immorality, I saw how God set up spiritual laws that will take affect when man sins become so great. When man becomes so immoral in a city or state or nation, the earth will vomit him out. If a drought took in the whole state, could it be that the earth wants to remove man with all his immorality from California?

What has the state of California done that would make its cup of inequity full? Our leaders never think of calling on God or looking into His word on how to resolve the problems of our state or nation. Look at the laws they have passed in the last 5 years and ask yourself if any of these laws bring glory to God; if any of them are the right way?

God says to His children that it is not the time to be fearful, but to see the opportunities He will give us. If water will become the most expensive commodity, then what should His children be doing with the instruction and leading of the Holy Spirit?

Son, the worldly leaders are teaching the Koran and people have accepted it as truth.  Therefore, this will usher in a great rebellion against Me; and allow a man of lawlessness to become their leader. But, they must know with him comes destruction. This leader will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power, signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those who are on their way to destruction. By believing his lies, they will refuse to accept the truth that has the power to save them. What is the final outcome for them? The earth will vomit them out, and they will be condemned, because I am holy, and I am The Lord!

Son I have set My children apart from all other people to be My very own. I will allow persecution in their life to show them My justice and to make them worthy of My Kingdom. They must make their lives worthy of My calling; for I have given them all the power they will need to accomplish all the things I have asked them to do. When My children are faithful, My name will be honored because of the way they live, and they will be honored along with Me. People of the world will see all the good I do for My children, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for them. Remember, those who lead blameless lives by doing what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts – will stand firm forever. These will be My true heroes, and I take pleasure in them!

So ask Me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.

Lord, I know You are always with me. Therefore, I will not be shaken. You have shown me the way of life. You have granted me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.

Morality – What is it and why is it so important?

Noah Webster, author of the first American Speller and the first Dictionary stated: “The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. . . All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”

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Gouverneur Morris, Penman and Signer of the Constitution:  “[F]or avoiding the extremes of despotism or anarchy . . . the only ground of hope must be on the morals of the people. I believe that religion is the only solid base of morals and that morals are the only possible support of free governments. [T]herefore education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God.”

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Benjamin Franklin, Signer of the Declaration of Independence: “[O]nly a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

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Continental Congress, 1778: “Whereas true religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness . . . it is hereby earnestly recommended to the several States to take the most effectual measures for the encouragement thereof.”

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As I read the Bible I learn in Psalms how wonderfully I am made. You can take any part of your body and study it and see this great truth. But, what I think is so amazing is the way God made the body to heal itself. I am not a doctor nor do I have the knowledge of the human body to teach anatomy, but I do know that God designed us to heal our selves, and with the use of our white blood cells. It is these cells that attack any infection that comes into my body. They have the power to know where and what has been infected and it goes after it to remove it. When the body cannot fight the infection any longer – the body dies.

I learned that, “Although your white blood cells account for only about 1 percent of your blood, their impact is significant. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are essential for good health and protection against illness and disease. Think of white blood cells as your immunity cells. In a sense, they are continually at war. They flow through your bloodstream to battle viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders that threaten your health. When your body is in distress and a particular area is under attack, white blood cells rush in to help destroy the harmful substance and prevent illness.”

God made the earth in a similar way, like us the earth has the power to heal itself. If the earth had white cells, how would they work so that earth could heal itself from infection? The more important question is what would infection be to the earth? From what I read in the bible the infection is the sin of mankind.

Isaiah 24:3-6 NLT “The earth will be completely emptied and looted. The Lord has spoken! The earth mourns and dries up, and the crops waste away and wither. Even the greatest people on earth waste away. The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin. They are destroyed by fire, and only a few are left alive.”

The Scripture says the earth longs and even groans for the day when God’s children of righteousness are revealed.

Romans 8:19-22 NLT “For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

Throughout history you will find that the earth has lashed out at immorality. Why was Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? When places on God’s good earth become so completely immoral, the earth will attack to heal herself, as she with the threatening infectious sin in Sodom and Gomorrah. 

I used to think that God sits up in heaven and when man’s sin has made Him mad enough, He brings down judgments. I do not believe it works this way. I believe God has instilled a system of healing in the earth. When the cup of immorality is full – the earth will attack and begin its healing process. Our climate is changing dramatically, and some will say it is from pollution, but I agree with God’s Word that it is from immorality. The earth wants to be healed. Look at what is going on in the world and see where extreme wickedness has taken place and is still taking place, then look at what nature has done or is doing right now. The earth will try to remove man’s wickedness, by removing man.

Our forefathers understood the importance of righteousness and justice; the effect it has on the land as well as the people. Today our leaders have forgotten this great wisdom as they reject the truth, and have allowed immorality to take over our country. Instead of judging immorality and turning from our wicked ways, we blame objects and natural disasters. One example of how ignorant our leaders have become is how they say, “Guns kill and we need to get rid of them. Then we will see less crime and injustice.” Guns don’t kill; it is the person pulling the trigger that kills. Murder is a hate crime; hate is in the hearts of men. In the same way, we need to admit that what is making our good green earth so angry is our sinful rebellion to our Creator.

If the earth is getting ready to judge America for its immorality, what would it look like? Look at nature’s forces in the recent past with the increase of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, droughts, flooding, etc. The experts claim these are happening far more often and with greater force than ever before.

But, people blame everything else as to why the earth is changing, and refuse to admit the problems in our world are due to our wicked hearts and hatred of God. The earth will heal itself by removing what is infecting it. You mess with the earth long enough and she will have no problem eliminating you, a city, a nation, or an entire world – like in the days of Noah.

Jesus said that in the last day the sinfulness of man on the earth will be great, completely covering the earth’s surface. Why does it say in the Bible that the Lord will renew the earth? He will make her new because she has been smothered by man’s sin; her face is like the face of woman that has been tortured beyond recognition.  And, just like your body dies when your white blood cells can not stop the infection in you, the earth will also die because of the rapid increase of evil on the earth in the last days before the return of our Redeemer and King. Jesus comes and with Him comes a thousand years of rest and renewal for the earth. He will rule with an iron scepter and His everlasting kingdom will be one of peace and righteousness. He will return to strike and conquer with the armies of heaven. Talk about white blood cells!

As I mentioned before, with the “National Monument to the Forefathers,” under its statue of “morality” are the words: prophet and evangelist. Why would these two types of people be under morality? Our forefathers believed that the prophets are the ones that God sends to foretell what is coming and to expose the condition of man in the sight of God. I have been told by some very good pastors that the gift/office of prophet is no longer needed since the Bible was written. But what about the people who don’t read the Bible, or those who read it looking for what they want it to say? Could this be why our nation, and our world is in the condition it’s in? God still speaks through His prophets today and if we are wise we will listen to what they are saying about the coming judgments and God‘s Day of Judgment.

What about the evangelist? Without the changing of man’s heart there will be no change in morality. The evangelist is one who tells everyone about the saving power of Jesus Christ: The Good News!  Without the prophet and evangelist, immorality increases rapidly to infect mankind and the earth. What is the outcome of immorality? The earth will begin to attack with what we call nature. What is the answer and hope? Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit helping us to return to the truth and the love of God, and more specifically, to bring Americans back to what our forefathers believed and lived by.

According to Leviticus 18:27-28 and Jeremiah 31:36b God says there are laws of nature that He has set up, and one of them is that the earth will vomit people up when their cup of iniquity is full.

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Thomas Jefferson said: “I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest of dangers to be feared. To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and in our comforts, in our labor and in our amusements. If we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.”

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Benjamin Franklin said, “A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.”

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