Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

In my life of being a builder I have written down with how I solve problems on my projects, and that I believe can be applied to our country today with the problems we face. I see four parts, simple but hard to complete because it cannot be emotionally controlled.

 

  1. Identify the problem: Today we have many problems: we are a divided nation, illegal immigrants pouring in with diseases and terrorist plans, civil wars, diseases without cures, moral decay, killing of the innocent, no common sense, etc. So what do we tackle first?
  2. Bring in anyone who can solve the problem: Sometimes these people are not people that we will like, or are politically correct in what they say and go about getting it done. But a leader will recognize that they have the ability to solve the problem, confident to tackle it.
  3. Never work around the problem: The solving of the problem will have a cost and it will difficult to do, but still must be worked through. Can’t go over it or around it. Working around it will be like pushing the problem down a snow covered hill; it will increase and only be harder to solve.
  4. Share your experience with others: Write every step down so that others can use the same principles and procedure for their problem. Write it down so you won’t forget it either.
  5. Problem solving allows for prosperity and greatness.

 

What will stop us from solving our problems today?

 

  1. Letting our emotions be the driving force for solving problems: When we allow emotions to lead, it   never solves anything.
  2. Those people who are emotional will use emotional arguments to influence and control others. Example: with illegal immigrants are coming in needing help and we must help them because we are a Christian nation. That is not the answer to the problem! Being emotional about a problem will not solve it, but create confusion and chaos.
  3. Not willing to do what is needed because of self-concern: Stop thinking about ourselves, and start thinking about the next generation.
  4. Not allowing truth to rule: The first consideration with a problem must be ‘what is the truth?’ Truth is right before us if we really want to know the truth. The truth requires discipline and self-denial.

 

Just some thoughts.

28 Principles That Helped Build America – Chapter 21 – Principle #21

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Strong Local Self-Government is the Keystone to Preserving Human Freedom

 

Proverbs 11:14 “A nation will fall when there is no direction, but with many advisers there is victory.”

 

We know from history that power automatically becomes more centralized and the purpose of our Constitution was to prevent that from happening. When power becomes more centralized we find that the freedom of the individual is destroyed because the decision-making is done by the officers in central government. We see this happening in our country even today with some of the laws that are being passed and the federal government giving executive orders to the states.

 

In Anglo-Saxon times the people took pride in their participation in decision-making process. We see the same example in ancient Israel where families were divided up into multiples of tens, 50s, hundreds, and thousands and where problems were solved on the local level.

 

Thomas Jefferson saw the advantage of the strong local Anglo-Saxon self-government. Historian Richard Frothingham pointed out the local self-government in ancient England with the division into burghs, counties, shires, etc. and where the inhabitants had a voice in managing their own affairs.

 

Although the crown stepped in and deprived the people of the power of local rule, when these people pulled away from the mother country and migrated to America the idea of local self-rule reappeared and began to frame the laws which were to protect the freedom of the individual and to provide a healthy local self-government. It was Thomas Jefferson who said: “The way to have a good and safe government is not the trusted all to one, but to be divided among the many, distributing to everyone exactly the functions he is competent to perform best.”

 

He went on to say: “The national government be entrusted with the defense of the nation, and its foreign and federal relations; the state governments with the civil rights, laws, police, administration of what concerns the state generally.”

 

Tocqueville, in his book called Democracy said that in America it was local self-rule that started and then expanded into a wider rule. It was not the other way around where they had central power and then brought down to self-rule on the local level.

 

James Madison emphasized the necessity of all possible authority to be in the states with the people and that the Constitution would delegate to the federal government only that which involves the whole people as a nation.

 

Our Founding Fathers meant for the federal government to be small and inexpensive because of the limited problems which would be assigned to it. Thomas Jefferson saw the federal government reduced to only foreign concerns. How different it is today when we see how bloated our federal government is in trying to give us “cradle-to-grave” instructions and with less safety and security.

 

Perhaps we should heed the prophetic warning of historian John Fiske who said: “If the day should ever arrive (which God forbid) when the people of the different parts of our country shall allow the local affairs to be administered by prefects sent from Washington, and when the self-government of the states should have been so far lost as that of the departments of France, or even so closely limited as that of the counties of England – on that day the political career of the American people will have been robbed of its most interesting and valuable features, and the usefulness of this nation will be lamentably impaired.”

 

I think it is interesting to see how many states are suing the federal government. Why? Because of the encroachment of the federal government upon the States and going against the Constitution or law of the land.

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Why did God say to the nation of Israel that they must remove all of the people who live in the land they are going into? Why did God say that they must not intermarry with the people of the land?

 

Why does God tell His church to go?

 

Could it be that when we allow people into our country that do not agree with our Constitution which is based upon the Word of God that we will become confused over what the truth is and then become divided?

 

Could it be that when we allow other religions to come in and make changes in how we are governed that we begin to fall apart?

 

Could it be that when God’s people intermarry with other faiths that reject the one true God and His Son as Lord that God’s people come under God’s discipline?

 

Could it be that when the church does not go out to where ‘other faiths’ live, but instead stay home and invite them into our houses of worship that our worship becomes compromised?

 

So what does a country look like that accepts other faiths and intermarries with the religions of the world? The Word of God is no longer seen as the absolute truth. The Word of God comes under man’s judgment, by saying it is hateful, unloving, and without wisdom for life today.

 

Churches that do not go out to where the lost live, will become places when the only words the people hear from the Bible is what they hear on Sunday mornings from church pulpits?

 

What happens to the generation that fails to live up to the holy contract made by their forefathers with God by enjoying the fruits of God’s blessings and yet rejecting their part of that contract with God?

 

What happens? Be prepared for Ezekiel 20:36: “As I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

 

Just some thoughts

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Do not let these evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed. Let them see that it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

Son, I know everything people do. I know what they are going to say even before they say it. I know that those who hate Me have a sin-sick heart. Soon I will give them what they deserve.

 

Son, understand this that I will go before you, and I have placed My hand of blessing on your head. Every day of your life is recorded in My book. I died to set you free from the penalty of your sins and you can now come boldly entering heaven’s Most Holy Place; right into My presence. In the coming days you must hold tightly to My promises without wavering, for I can be trusted to keep all My promises. Think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Remember that there are better things waiting for you that will last forever. But for now, patient endurance is what you need and soon you will receive all that I have promised.

 

Lord, how precious are Your thoughts about me. Search me, O LORD, and show me my heart. Forgive my anxious thoughts and help me to endure this time patiently knowing all Your promises to me. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path You have laid out for me.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, another generation has come and they do not acknowledge Me, nor do they remember the mighty things that I have done. They have abandoned Me, the God of their ancestors. How quickly they turn away from the path of their ancestors who walked in obedience to My Word. This new generation contradicts My teaching, and the result is that most of them have turned away from the truth. They have wander from the truth and follow deceptive teachings that come from demons, and have an unhealthy desire to argue with anyone who tells them the truth. So avoid godless, foolish discussions with this generation because their so-called knowledge is foolishness.

 

This has happened because some of My prophets and pastors refuse to stand up and speak up against those who teach and tell lies. Therefore, this generation shows no respect for anyone, especially those who still speak the truth, instead they listen to those who say pleasing things.

 

Tell those who will listen – to keep a close watch on how they live. Be wise about what is being taught by comparing it to My Word. My teachings promote a godly life, and godliness with contentment is great gain. When you know My Word, it will be easy to know when anyone teaches lies.

 

Son tell those in this generation that will listen – to never speak harshly to an older man, but to show him respect. Tell them to treat older women as you would your mother. Let godliness be in your plans and decisions and in your relationships at home; for this is something that pleases Me. I will show My favor with what and who pleases Me.

28 Principles That Helped Build America – Chapter 20 – Principle #20

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

The Unalienable Rights of the People Are Most Likely to Be Preserved If the Principles of Government Are Set Forth in a Written Constitution

 

Habakkuk 2:2 “Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.’”

 

The principles of the common law were known among the Anglo Saxons but they did not see the necessity of writing them down. However, when their most treasured rights disappeared in the Norman Conquest that took place, this taught the Anglo-Saxons a lesson. Slowly these rights were written down over a long period of time and we know from history that in A.D. 1215 King John was threatened to sign the Magna Carta. It was during this time that the principle of no taxation without representation came into being.

 

It was also in the 17th century that Charles I was pressured into signing the people’s “Petition of Rights” and later William and Mary signed the English “Bill of Rights.” Through the centuries the British had tried to manage their political affairs without any written Constitution and our American Founding Fathers learning from this felt that a written code was necessary to build a strong government.

 

The first written charter in America was the Mayflower Compact that later evolved into a more comprehensive type of Constitution when Thomas Hooker adopted what was known as the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut in 1639. Montesquieu, in writing about the Constitution, said that “the wisdom of many is better than a single person.” Founding Fathers felt that the Constitution would be a better fit as it was brought through the wisdom of many delegates instead of leaving it to the genius of some individual. It was James Madison who mentioned that in ancient history the framing of the government was done not through the assembly of many but through an individual of approved wisdom and integrity.

 

It is never easy to operate through a committee like our Founding Fathers did, but the product – our Constitution – was far stronger than what any one individual could have written.

 

Just as a side note, in his book Democracy of America, Tocqueville mentioned how impressed he was that the American people were readers. He mentioned of how he could go into the most rugged log cabin and would find the Bible, perhaps a Shakespeare play, but above all he would find newspapers. I thought how different it is today in the 21st century when out of our schools we are graduating young people who can barely read, let alone enjoy reading books.

 

Our Constitution has stood the test of time and it is the law of our land. We see today how it is under attack by “political correctness” and is being transformed into something that our Founding Fathers did not envision.

28 Principles That Helped Build America – Chapter 19 – Principle #19

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Efficiency and Dispatch Require Government To Operate According to the Will of the Majority, but Constitutional Provisions Must Be Made to Protect the Rights of the Minority.

 

Proverbs 12:26 “The righteous man is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.” (TEV version)

 

During the Revolutionary War some vital changes needed to be made in the Articles of Confederation, but it was also discovered that a single state could prevent the change from happening. What was discovered was that unanimity is ideal, but can be disastrous in a time of calamity, and in those circumstances majority rule becomes a necessity.

 

John Locke brought out how it was almost impossible to continually have “unanimous consent,” because of a number of factors – like health, family matters, business, etc. which could keep some away from the assembly where decisions are made. In times of crisis this could be disastrous.

 

Therefore, in the Constitution provision was incorporated in the text where it would take two thirds of the majority for a decision to be made – such as overriding a Presidential veto – but it would be considered dangerous when applied to the routine business of Congress. In other words, a small minority could seek to control the opinion of the majority by tying everything up in tedious delays, continual negotiation and end up being detrimental to the public good.

 

However, the Founding Fathers knew what tyrannical conduct of a Parliament can do to the rights of minorities. In his first inaugural address Thomas Jefferson said: “All, who, will bear in mind this sacred principle – that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail – that will be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possesses the equal rights, equal laws must protect, and to violate would be oppression.”

 

When we stop and think about it that every ethnic group in America was once a minority. We are literally a nation of minorities. It is the responsibility of the minorities themselves to learn the language, seek education and become self-sustaining in order to be an asset to the community. Those who are already well-established can help. The reputation of the United States, perhaps more than any other nation, has been generous and helpful to newcomers.

 

The body of Christ, especially in the Western world, has a tremendous opportunity as well as responsibility to help those who are coming into our Western civilization to adapt and become an asset to our nation. We also have the opportunity to present the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

The inscription on the Statue of Liberty says: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” I believe that many who are wanting to come in want to be able to breathe free!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, all who claim Me as their only God will go through hard times; but it is in these hard times that I will be with them and show Myself strong. When they go through rivers of difficulty, they will not drown. When they walk through the fire of oppression, they will not be harmed. For, they have been chosen to know Me and believe in Me, and they will understand that I alone am God and there is no other. No one can snatch My children out of My hand. No one can undo what I have set into action.

 

Today people trust in something that can’t help them at all! When they hear what I say, they do not understand. They do not comprehend what I do, even when they see it. For their hearts are hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. They have closed their eyes and ears – so that they cannot understand that they need to turn to Me so that I could free them and heal them. I want them to know that My salvation is still available, but people with hardened hearts will never accept it.

 

Look at all the horrible things going on in the world, and you will see that evil has twisted the minds of people. They have chosen their own mad course, one without hope of anything good and lasting. There is nothing ahead for them but great fear and regret; eternal death is all that awaits them! These people have grown tired of hearing about Me, and they have burdened Me with their progressive sin and rebellion. Only I can blot out their sins and give them peace with Me, but they resist the truth. If they would only come to Me asking to be forgiven then I would never think of their sins again, but protect them and provide for them. They would be the children I favor. I have paid the price to set men, women and children free, but they must humble themselves before Me and receive My great salvation. Now is the time to seek Me, heart and soul.

 

Son, I will carry out the warnings of My prophets, for it has already begun! So be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart. Keep My light shining in the world. I am Your peace and strength to the end.

Just a thought:

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” George Orwell

 

TRUTH: Today there is a great rebellion against God (Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior) which will allow a “man of lawlessness” to easily enter with their favor. In the Scriptures it is said that he will be a man who exalts himself, and will not allow the truth of Jesus Christ to be spoken. He will claim that he is God, and seemingly prove it by doing counterfeit signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those who refuse to love and accept the truth in God’s Word. They will believe his lies, and be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing in the truth, and they will be punished with ETERNAL destruction FOREVER separated from the Lord. The Lord Jesus will slay this man!

 

So, God’s children must stand firm and keep a strong grip on the Word of God gaining the wisdom they need and knowing the difference in truth and lie, right and wrong. They will need to remove from their presence those who claim to be Christians but deny God’s power of His Word and Spirit.

 

The Lord said that “love will grow cold,” but God’s people must never get tired of doing good because God will pay back those who persecute His people; this He promises and will not fail to do.

 

So, we must not be afraid to live a life worthy of being called a child of God. He will give us the power to accomplish all the good things our faith prompts us to do. The Name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be honored because of the way we live for Him.

 

Where do you get your truth today? Do you get it from the news and social media, or from Facebook, or from our politicians and government policies? Do you get upset when people tell you they get their truth from the Word of God (His Book the Bible)? If so, then we are certainly in the last days that our Lord described!

 

Be wise and be faithful so that you do not lose what the Lord said you would lose by falling away from the truth, the way and the life.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

I am angry, and I am not going to shut up; I will speak against the lies of the ungodly.

 

 They say, “Why can’t we agree in America?” What they really mean is that they want Christians to back down and get out of the way! This is why they say things like: “You have so much hate within you, why can’t you be tolerant and accept my choice of life style?” It’s not what they say, but what they really mean; their secret motive. We need to better judges of what leaders really mean behind what they say.

 

These people want me to compromise my godly values, and every time the Church does, we lose something, until we have become their slaves instead of God’s true servants and vessels. Why do I need to accept their choices and life styles? Is this what the Bible teaches? Is this what Christ taught His disciples? So then, while I still have “freedom of speech” I will speak the truth, even if it costs me!

 

Let’s put what is being said today – to the test. We heard from our presidential candidates their views on taxes. Bernie says “I will raise your taxes to cover all of the programs that will help the poor and needy in our country.” So if he is elected and can do all that he says he will do, my taxes will increase. If my taxes increase by the 25% that he wants – then I will not have any money left to give to people who are advancing the Kingdom of God. So do you think Bernie will have the government give my tax money that he took from me, to support those who are advancing the Kingdom of God? No brainer! What about the others who say they will reduce my personal tax burden; will that leave me more money to give to people who are advancing the Kingdom of God? This battle is about the Kingdom of God, not the poor and needy. Advancing the poor and needy will not advance the Kingdom of God, but advancing the Kingdom of God will take care of the poor and needy.

 

We need to look towards the future when we hear these people talk, and ask ourselves, “Will what they say they are going to do allow me to financially support the people who are advancing the Kingdom of God, or not?” When we make choices out of emotion and sympathy – we will make the wrong choices; for it will not be what is best for the good of our future. This is worldly wisdom instead of godly wisdom.

 

There is not any leader that is righteous enough to rule this world, let alone any nation or state; not until Christ returns as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the One we need to listen to and trust completely. His Word is Truth! He is the only Way! Light of world and Hope of the nations!