H E L P

Help--why are you trying to do things on your own, call for help.

H- Hope, hope thou in God. Psalm 119:114, 116 "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.119.KJV  Psalm 42:11 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.42.KJV Isaiah 26:3 "'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.26.KJV 

E- Escape 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.10.KJV 

L-Limit, don't limit God. Psalm 78:41 "Yea, they turned back and tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.78.KJV

P-Prayer Ephesians 6:10-18 "10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.6.KJV

I heard a sermon the other day that was speaking about the night that Jesus sent his disciples in the boat on the lake. The story is found in Matthew chapter 14. Verse 22 says, "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.14.KJV  That word constrained is an interesting word here; it means "To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige" Jesus made the disciples get in a boat that He KNEW was going to be headed straight into a storm. There are many STORMS in this life and before they can touch us, they must pass through the hands of the Almighty God. Satan, as in the case of Job, in the Bible must get permission from God for anything that he does. (see Job chapter 1:6 "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.1.KJV & 2:1 "Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.2.KJV ) Satan does not have free reign to do anything that he wishes; if he did we would all be dead. God knows the trials that you will go through in this life and He is there ready to HELP you if you will ask Him and trust that He has your best interest at heart.  Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JER.29.KJV Back to the boat, in Matthew 14, as soon as Jesus and Peter get back in the the boat, the storm ceases. Jesus had just taken Peter by the hand after he had failed to keep his eyes on Jesus and had begun to sink. Jesus is waiting with outstretched arm to save you too. and then He will walk with you through the rest of your life's journey, just don't take your eyes off of Him. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18, and 20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.28.KJV

Golden age

 Many Christians too, seem to be content with expecting the world to be pervaded by the principles of Christianity, making little or no account of Christ's coming and the resurrection and the new earth. Their "golden age" for the world is made such, at best, by the prevalence of moral and religious truth. They speak as if the kingdom of Christ were a mere figure for the moral influence of his religion, and not as literal an account as can be given of a state or commonwealth having Christ at its head, whose utmost prosperity must therefore be in his person and presence. ARSH January 28, 1862, page 67.7

Thus many are looking for what will never come,-a "golden age" before the end of the world, a millennium of peace. They would better be preparing for the "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation" (Daniel 12:1), for that is what is coming. Thousands read the prophecy in Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 about swords and ploughshares so carelessly as to misread it altogether. This is what the people say; but God says exactly the opposite. See Joel 3:9, 10. Thus Paul wrote, "When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them." 1 Thessalonians 5:3. It is not peace, but war that awaits the world; not a golden age, but a time of trouble. PTUK July 16,  1896, page 452.4

These things are looked upon by very many, as sure tokens of future good; forerunners of a bright, golden age, when all will be converted from sin to holiness, which some vainly think already dawning. And know not that the day of vengeance hasteth greatly, and that these things are foretold signs of the coming of the Son of man, plainly fulfilled before their eyes. ST1853 24.2

The ears of the people are filled with the pleasing fables of the world's conversion, a good time coming, and that we are just entering the golden age. The threatenings of God's word on the proud, the haughty, the vain, the rich, the sinners in Zion, and those out of Zion, are kept back by the false teachers these times. Many of them even dare to teach that the moral code of the ten commandments is abrogated. EMTF 21.5

The prophets describe the last days as dreadful in the extreme. Jesus declares them like those of Noah and of Lot. Paul says they will be perilous, and that in them many will depart from the faith. The doctrine of human progress to a state of perfection and holiness, as held all the way from the most prudent, down to the extravagant Spiritualist — that the golden age is soon to open — we regard as Satan's master-piece to bring the mind of the Christian world into an unprepared state to meet the impending dreadful crisis, described by the prophet Joel. — ARSH September 23, 1862, page 132.16

Thousands are deceiving and being deceived by the delusive dream that the millennial day is softly stealing upon our world, and there shall be the much-talked-of golden age. Alas! for such! Between our time and that future glory of Messiah's reign there lies a region as dark as midnight, strewed with such ruined hopes and blasting terrors as this world has never known-such a time of plagues and tribulation as never was, when all hopes based on finite good shall utterly perish, with all those who have deceived themselves thereby. ARSH January 5, 1864, page 42.1

The world's conversion, and a thousand years of peace and holiness before the second coming of Christ. Those who cherish this hope, look for its consummation in the seventh Millennium, in the last days. But have the prophets, Christ and apostles, spoken of the last days as a period of peace, prosperity and holiness? Nay, verily. The prophets speak of the last days as a period that waiteth for the wrath and fierce anger of the Lord to "lay the land desolate, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Christ declares that as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at his coming; that the wheat and tares should grow together until the harvest, and that the harvest is the end of the world. The apostles speak in harmony with the prophets and Christ. Says Paul, "In the last days perilous times shall come;" etc. 2 Timothy 3:1-8. Compare his description of the last days, with the picture of the good days to come, the golden age now opening before us, held forth from the pulpit and the religious press, and it will be seen that the popular churches are deceived by a false hope. Their ears are turned from the truth unto a pleasing fable. ARSH December 11, 1855, page 85.11

The time of trouble spoken of by both Daniel and our Saviour, is actually upon us. "Like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt," so it is now with the troubled masses. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." This is now the moral phase of society, and precisely our prophetic whereabouts in the church, our nation, and the world at large. The church is in exile, weeping and praying, "even so, come Lord Jesus." While the latter-day "scoffers" in derision are saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" thousands are "deceiving and being deceived" by the delusive dream that the millennial day is softly stealing upon our world, and there shall be the much talked of golden age. Alas for such! Between our time and that future glory of Messiah's reign there lies a region as dark as midnight, strewed with such ruined hopes and blasting terrors as this world has never known - a time of plagues and tribulation as never was, when all hopes except those based on the truth shall utterly perish, with all those who have deceived themselves thereby. ARSH July 22, 1862, page 58.21

The professed Christian church, wedded to worldly governments, declaring virtually by precept and practice their corrupt union, and that they have no king but Caesar, looking and hoping that human governments will bring about peace and prosperity to the nations, and the good time coming, and a golden age of millennial blessedness, without her Lord—lukewarm in respect to her love for the appearing of the King-cold and formal in her religion-making the house of prayer a house of merchandise-and in love with the present world-knowing that if her Lord does come, he will disfranchise her from human governments, sever the cord that binds church and state, and destroy all the kingdoms of the nations; knowing that when the king does appear he will separate between the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares; knowing that when he shall come he will overturn the money changers, and drive from his temple all buyers, and sellers, and lovers of the world; and finally, that those that love not his appearing, but are saying, "The Lord delayeth his coming," shall have their portion in the burning lake; aware of this fact, any intelligence that his coming is near at hand is unwelcome news-exciting alarm and hate. Their hearts fail them for fear, which will increase to consternation at his advent. ARSH May 30, 1865, page 201.18

The scriptures plainly teach that man is to become more and more corrupt, and ripen for the day of wrath as that wrath approaches. Look at the metallic Image of Daniel second chapter, given to illustrate the four universal kingdoms, preceding God's everlasting kingdom. Why was not the head of clay and iron, its breast and arms of brass, its belly and sides of silver, and its legs and feet of gold? It would then much better illustrate the view of many that the world has been growing better, and that even now we are entering the golden age. Those who talk of this being the golden age, have this Image turned topsy-turvy, standing on its golden head. But let it stand up on its feet, and the diminution of the value of metal from head to feet, is a fit emblem of the gradual apostasy of man since he left Eden. ST1853 25.1

What EGW says about those who like to debate.

 Discussions not to be Sought

[From a personal testimony.] 

Young preachers should avoid discussions, for these do not increase spirituality or humbleness of mind. In some cases, it may be necessary to meet a proud boaster against the truth of God in open debate; but generally these discussions, either oral or written, result in more harm than good. After a discussion, the greater responsibility rests upon the minister to keep up the interest. He should beware of the reaction which is liable to take place after a religious excitement, and not yield to discouragement.... GW 377.1

Generally, the influence of discussions upon our ministers is to make them self-sufficient, exalted in their own estimation. This is not all. Those who love to debate are unfitted for being pastors to the flock. They have trained their minds to meet opponents, and to say sarcastic things; and they cannot come down to meet hearts that are sorrowing, and that need to be comforted.... GW 377.2

In the presentation of unpopular truth, which involves a heavy cross, preachers should be careful that every word is as God would have it. Their words should never cut. They should present the truth in humility, with the deepest love for souls, and an earnest desire for their salvation, and let the truth cut.—Testimonies for the Church 3:213-218. GW 377.3

***** 

Discussions cannot always be avoided.... People who love to see opponents combat, may clamor for discussion. Others, who have a desire to hear the evidences on both sides, may urge discussion in all honesty of motive; but whenever discussions can be avoided, they should be. They generally strengthen combativeness, and weaken that pure love and sacred sympathy which should ever exist in the hearts of Christians, although they may differ in opinion. GW 377.4

In this age of the world a demand for a discussion is not real evidence of earnest desire on the part of the people to investigate the truth, but comes through the love of novelty and the excitement which generally attends discussions. God is seldom glorified or the truth advanced in these combats. Truth is too solemn, too momentous in its results, to make it a small matter whether it is received or rejected. To discuss truth for the sake of showing opponents the skill of the combatants, is ever poor policy; for it does very little to advance the truth. GW 378.1

Opponents of the truth will show skill in misstating the positions of its defenders.... They will generally deride sacred truth, and place it in so false a light before the people that minds that are darkened by error and polluted by sin, do not discern the motives and objects of these designing men in thus covering up and falsifying important truth. Because of the men who engage in them, there are few discussions that it is possible to conduct upon right principles. Sharp thrusts are too frequently given, personalities are indulged in, and often both parties descend to sarcasm and witticism. The love of souls is lost in the greater desire for the mastery. Prejudice, deep and bitter, is often the result.... GW 378.2

Many choose darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. But there are those who, if the truth had been presented in a different manner, under different circumstances, giving them a fair chance to weigh the arguments for themselves, and to compare scripture with scripture, would have been charmed by its clearness, and would have taken hold of it. GW 379.1

It has been very indiscreet for our ministers to publish to the world the wily sophistry of error, furnished by designing men to cover up and make of no effect the solemn, sacred truth of Jehovah. These crafty men who lie in wait to deceive the unwary, give their strength of intellect to perverting the word of God. The inexperienced and unsuspecting are deceived to their ruin. It has been a great error to publish to all the arguments wherewith opponents battle against the truth of God; for in so doing minds of every class are furnished with arguments which many of them had never thought of. Some one must render an account for this unwise generalship. GW 379.2

Arguments against the sacred truth, subtle in their influence, affect minds that are not well informed in regard to the strength of the truth. The moral sensibilities of the community at large are blunted by familiarity with sin. Selfishness, dishonesty, and the varied sins which prevail in this degenerate age, have blunted the senses to eternal things, so that God's truth is not discerned. In giving publicity to the erroneous arguments of our opponents, truth and error are placed upon a level in the minds of the people, when, if they could have the truth before them in its clearness long enough to see and realize its sacredness and importance, they would be convinced of the strong arguments in its favor, and would then be prepared to meet the arguments urged by opposers. GW 379.3

Those who are seeking to know the truth and to understand the will of God, who are faithful to the light, and zealous in the performance of their daily duties, will surely know of the doctrine; for they will be guided into all truth.—Testimonies for the Church 3:424-427. GW 380.1

***** 

Whenever it is necessary for the advancement of the cause of truth and the glory of God, that an opponent be met, how carefully, and with what humility should they [the advocates of truth] go into the conflict. With heart-searching, confession of sin, and earnest prayer, and often fasting for a time, they should entreat that God would especially help them, and give His saving, precious truth a glorious victory, that error might appear in its true deformity, and its advocates be completely discomfited.... GW 380.2

Never should you enter upon a discussion, where so much is at stake, relying upon your aptness to handle strong arguments. If it cannot be well avoided, enter the conflict, but enter upon it with firm trust in God, and in the spirit of humility, in the spirit of Jesus, who has bidden you learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart.—Testimonies for the Church 1:624-626. GW 380.3

https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/35.1958

Happy Marriage

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

H F J G U I I S W K R E A G H G N V O R Y Y Y K R G E L H B 
R D B G Z L S A Y Y F O G L X K M X I B A B V T V A E F T E 
Q W A S E Q F D E X P K H B E L F T G X Y R J I I Z I N E A 
P Z W J S U F I F G B F Q M T M I X V G K R Y S Q U J I R R 
M T Y V P W K F F Y W D C W O W T V L P W N Z Q C C Q T U E 
B V E Z S G S B K Z K Y R Q N M J Y E K J Q X N K T Z I D T 
B P X U N E R K U S M E W O G J X Q N B P Q X G M Z A M N H 
L J V N O L E P A T H P C U J B H P W A M B N C K J X L E I 
O Y Y S H T E K N I H T P F N I B B T J G R S I G E T U H C 
N B V E I R S W E Q Y M A X T A W K G Q H T O D J E O C X Y 
G H G E U O D W M T A L F S B S I W P W M S D E B M K X U E 
H W G M V H S C U T H J E N B V U R L Y N H K B T L Y Z O H 
Q A A L G G W J M Z Y L W Y U Z I Z Q T Q T T Q K B A I X D 
L G X Y N G U K H H F A U L T J M X J X W X F D E H Z Y J B 
H T D I H Y B T V V S L Q V A Y D W T J S J U B I P B H S I 
M Y H Q M Q E N R E J L M Y E L V N P I S K P M X X B L A X 
P T P Q Y C B E L I E V E T H I U A J Y J V R C B T E A E Y 
F J E V I D Y N J O T I Y B W S P T Y O O S T L L H T B S M 
Q T S O A T E I K A Z H T F S A I W J Z L A R D C T F D X N 
U T J F I U S K P S A B A F X E J A D F Q S H O P E T H X R 
G E Z R Z H N R E C D H C Z R H E N V I E T H H A R E H G O 
R K A H D J O T V U X Q U A B V O V N E H K K V H E D T L T 
X H X L M V X V E J V R G K J M U T M W R I H R G F D L S Y 
C Q H J O Q W A C T R H T P G X U N G U N E U C I F M E S G 
N A R K K L C T E A H Z U R N F C P S D X I V A N U S O N L 
U V E M L G I P P R Y K F T U B I H O W N N G A Q S X J U Y 
F D T X Y K X O C C T I W W K T R D D K L W F R H K W Q L K 
C Q Q K D E F F U P W G E A S C H Y E B V S D M T E L Q D P 
T J G P S P F X X J M Y O H D N F M O S J U E H R E B R F X 
P J P T P X N L B C T W Z A X R X O Q X F V L U W G E Q J R 

ALL  BEARETH  BEHAVE  BELIEVETH  BUT  CHARITY  DOTH  EASILY  ENDURETH
ENVIETH  EVIL  HER  HOPETH  INIQUITY  ITSELF  KIND  LONG  NOT  OWN
PROVOKED  PUFFED  REJOICETH  SEEKETH  SUFFERETH  THINGS  THINKETH
TRUTH  UNSEEMLY  VAUNTETH

Scripture reading for today is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." 

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.13.KJV   Every church wedding I have ever attended has included these verses.  I come from a broken home as do many others.  I have also been in relationships which have failed, so I have a lot of experience in what bad relationships are like, unfortunately.  But what does a good, healthy relationship look like?  While our scripture reading gives us many clues the Bible also holds many other keys to having healthy happy marriages.  These keys can be used in any relationship as well.  So what are they?  Back when God originally made Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden he gave these words.  Genesis 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.2.KJV  Thus the first principle that we come to is that the man and his wife need to establish their own home separate from their parents.  I would add a small caveat here, and that is: unless there is a parent that needs to be medically cared for and the family is capable of caring for them.  But the principle remains that the in-laws should not interfere with the decisions which the husband and wife make together.  I heard a story once about a husband and wife who had been married for many years and one day the wife asks the husband if he still loved her.  He replied that he had told her on the day they had gotten married that he loved her and if that ever changed he'd let her know.  Some people feel that courtship is over when you've "Won" the man or woman of your dreams.  I am here to tell you if you don't continue to court your spouse as long as you live then someone else just might!  Courtship should end only in death! 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, have fervent and unfailing love one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."   https://my.bible.com/bible/1588/1PE.4.amp  Proverbs 31:28 "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.31.kjv   1 Corinthians 7:34 "There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.7.KJV  Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.12.KJV  Another key is a very controversial one and that is that the man is supposed to be the head of the household, the priest of the family. 1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.11.KJV Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 33 Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.5.KJV  In many of today's homes the man has been so emasculated that he just acquiesces to whatever his wife wants to do. This is not a healthy relationship.  Now you may be a strong woman who thinks that she rules the roost, but with the relationships that I have had or seen others have, things just don't seem to run as well if the man won't stand up and be "THE MAN" in the home. This is not to say that the woman does not, and cannot have her own voice heard in the home. But if there is a disagreement, even IF she is right, she needs to allow her husband to possibly fail in something rather than fight to be "right". I once had an argument with a husband for 3 very long hours in a van with all the kids.  We were traveling to his parents house and just before we left, he asked me a question.  I had been married long enough to know better than to even respond to the question, so I asked if he really wanted an answer or did he want to tell me why my answer was wrong.  He said that he really wanted an answer so I gave him the answer as I saw it. For the next three hours the kids witnessed him berating me for my stupid answer.  They learned to disrespect me and other women in the process. Well, three hours later we get to his parents' place and he asked his father the SAME question, and guess what?  His dad gave MY exact same answer!!!!! What do you think my husband said? He said, "huh, I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT LIKE THAT BEFORE!"  Nope not in three whole hours of fighting did he ever really listen to me.  All I accomplished by arguing was hate, anger, and the children's disrespect. The correct answer as given by a MAN that my husband RESPECTED was accepted. And I could have saved myself a great deal of agony.  The moral of the story is this, even if you are "Right" in any argument you can lose a great deal, if you make it an argument.  Allowing a man to do things his way, even if wrong, might just lead him to respect your opinion more the next time. It is a proven fact that as a general rule a man will respect another man's opinion more than that of a woman even if the opinions are the same.  Something about the way men talk to each other makes the same statement sound different.

    Husbands, the Bible speaks to you too, Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.5.KJV The question is how did Christ love the church? The text continues, "and gave himself for it." When we think of how Christ gave himself for the church our mind should be drawn to his sacrifice on the cross. Jesus left all of heaven just to come live here and die just for you.  Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GAL.6.KJV 2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." A man should not be slothful in his life, he should work to provide for his family. 1 Timothy 5:8 "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."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1TI.5.8 A man should not be playing video games all day mooching off of society. 1 Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.13.11 James 1:19 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.1.19 Proverbs 16:32 "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.16.KJV  Proverbs 14:29 "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.14.KJV These principles are not just for men. I was once involved in a situation where a small group was reading a book filled with good advice about health issues.  One of the men in the group kept needling his wife, look here, this is for you.  Over and over again when we came to a new point in the book, he would keep using the book to poke at her.  None of these points are just for the man or just for the woman. Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.12.KJV

Typical Christian

 I just watched a Christian movie in which the husband of a young couple played the part of what I feel is like a typical Christian.  A lot of so called Christians are only "Christian" in church or when things are smooth sailing, life is good, everything is going right in their world. They don't really even know what they believe or why they believe in it. They like to tell others what they should or should not be doing, as if they know that person's life but when bad things happen to them, their Christianity goes right out the window.  They blame God. They curse God, and then they even suggest that maybe God doesn't exist. They don't have a real connection to their Creator. To these I would suggest that they read the book of Job in the Bible. Bad things do happen to good people, that is the nature of living in this sinful world. One day each individual will have to face their Creator face to face; they won't be able to say well my parents did or said this, or my grandparents or my spouse; they will have to answer to the Almighty God for their own actions. If you are only a Christian when you go to church and the rest of the time you live like the devil, don't think that you are fooling God.  Jeremiah 1:4-5 KJV 4 "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."  https://bible.com/bible/1/jer.1.4-5.KJV Matthew 10:30 KJV 30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.10.30.KJV Matthew 7:20-23 KJV 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.7.20-23.KJV Each individual needs to, not only know what they believe, but why they believe it, and who they need to believe in. Psalm 20:7 KJV 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.20.7.KJV

Moral majority?

 Recently I have been in conversations where people have been saying that we need a moral majority to be in control in this country. So I have some questions about that.  For example what if the vast majority (75% or higher) of the people anywhere in the world believed that it was ok to rape and murder and steal for any reason.  Would their belief make these things correct? Obviously the answer is no. Biblically speaking the majority of people have NEVER been in the right. Let's begin in Genesis chapter 6: verse 12 "And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.6.12.KJV  Genesis 7:13 KJV "In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;" https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.7.13.KJV Only 8 souls got on the ark.  It has been estimated that the earth had approximately 8 billion people on the earth at that time much like today. That's roughly 1/1,000,000,000th of the population, a clear minority. Fast forward to Jesus day, the majority of the leadership in the Jewish nation rejected Jesus and called for his crucification. Matthew 26:3, 57 KJV 3 "Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.26.3-57.KJV So if this country or any other decides to force one belief on the rest of the people, that would be wrong. God never uses force. Let's take a look at one more of these examples in Daniel chapter 3:4-27 KJV 4 "Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [5] that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: [6] and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [7] Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [8] Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. [9] They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. [10] Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: [11] and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [12] There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. [14] Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? [15] Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. [19] Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. [20] And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. [21] Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [22] Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. [23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. [25] He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire. [27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them." https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.3.4-27.KJV Here in Daniel the majority of the people obeyed and bowed down to the image, only 3 stood tall. This same scenario WILL be REPEATED in the next few years not only in this country but also in all the world. The religious organizations of the day have refused to listen to unpopular truths plainly brought to view in the Scriptures, and in combating them they have adopted interpretations and taken positions which have sown broadcast the seeds of skepticism. Clinging to the papal error of natural immortality and man's consciousness in death, they have rejected the only defense against the delusions of spiritualism. The doctrine of eternal torment has led many to disbelieve the Bible. And as the claims of the fourth commandment are urged upon the people, it is found that the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath is enjoined; and as the only way to free themselves from a duty which they are unwilling to perform, many popular teachers declare that the law of God is no longer binding. Thus they cast away the law and the Sabbath together. As the work of Sabbath reform extends, this rejection of the divine law to avoid the claims of the fourth commandment will become well-nigh universal. The teachings of religious leaders have opened the door to infidelity, to spiritualism, and to contempt for God's holy law; and upon these leaders rests a fearful responsibility for the iniquity that exists in the Christian world. GC 586.2  "The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX, in his Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: `The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error—a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.' The same pope, in his Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized `those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious worship,' also 'all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.' GC 564.5In the movements now in progress in the United States to secure for the institutions and usages of the church the support of the state, Protestants are following in the steps of papists. Nay, more, they are opening the door for the papacy to regain in Protestant America the supremacy which she has lost in the Old World. And that which gives greater significance to this movement is the fact that the principal object contemplated is the enforcement of Sunday observance—a custom which originated with Rome, and which she claims as the sign of her authority. It is the spirit of the papacy—the spirit of conformity to worldly customs, the veneration for human traditions above the commandments of God—that is permeating the Protestant churches and leading them on to do the same work of Sunday exaltation which the papacy has done before them. GC 573.1It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, "his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Paul states plainly that the "man of sin" will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life." Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church. GC 578.3 "In matters of conscience the majority has no power." GC 201.1 To protect liberty of conscience is the duty of the state, and this is the limit of its authority in matters of religion. Every secular government that attempts to regulate or enforce religious observances by civil authority is sacrificing the very principle for which the evangelical Christian so nobly struggled. GC 201.1 The papists determined to put down what they termed "daring obstinacy." They began by endeavoring to cause divisions among the supporters of the Reformation and to intimidate all who had not openly declared in its favor. The representatives of the free cities were at last summoned before the Diet and required to declare whether they would accede to the terms of the proposition. They pleaded for delay, but in vain. When brought to the test, nearly one half their number sided with the Reformers. Those who thus refused to sacrifice liberty of conscience and the right of individual judgment well knew that their position marked them for future criticism, condemnation, and persecution. Said one of the delegates: "We must either deny the word of God, or—be burnt."—Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5. GC 201.2 https://thegreatcontroversy.com/