Hope and Change

PRESIDENCY

SOME WILL APPRECIATE THIS AND SOME WILL NOT.

HOWEVER, ALL OF IT IS TRUE.

After two years of Obama ...

Here's your change!

	January 2009	TODAY	% chg	Source
Avg.. Retail price/gallon gas in U.S.	$1.83	$3.44	84%	1
Crude oil, European Brent (barrel)	$43..48	$99..02	127.7%	2
Crude oil, West TX Inter. (barrel)	$38..74	$91..38	135.9%	2
Gold: London (per troy oz.)	$853.25	$1,369.50	60.5%	2
Corn, No.2 yellow, Central IL	$3.56	$6.33	78.1%	2
Soybeans, No. 1 yellow, IL	$9.66	$13..75	42.3%	2
Sugar, cane, raw, world, lb.Fob	$13..37	$35..39	164.7%	2
Unemployment rate, non-farm, overall	7.6%	9.4%	23.7%	3
Unemployment rate, blacks	12.6%	15.8%	25.4%	3
Number of unemployed	11,616,000	14,485,000	24.7%	3
Number of fed. Employees	2,779,000	2,840,000	2.2%	3
Real median household income	$50,112	$49,777	-0.7%	4
Number of food stamp recipients	31,983,716	43,200,878	35.1%	5
Number of unemployment benefit recipients	7,526,598	9,193,838	22.2%	6
Number of long-term unemployed	2,600,000	6,400,000	146.2%	3
Poverty rate, individuals	13.2%	14.3%	8.3%	4
People in poverty in U.S.	39,800,000	43,600,000	9.5%	4
U.S.. Rank in Economic Freedom World Rankings	5	9	n/a	10
Present Situation Index	29.9	23.5	-21.4%	11
Failed banks	140	164	17.1%	12
U.S.. Dollar versus Japanese yen exchange rate	89.76	82.03	-8.6%	2
U.S.. Money supply, M1, in billions	1,575.1	1,865.7	18.4%	13
U.S.. Money supply, M2, in billions	8,310.9	8,852.3	6.5%	13
National debt, in trillions	$10..627	$14..052	32.2%	14

Just take this last item: In the last two years we have accumulated national debt at a rate more than 27 times as fast as during the rest of our entire nation's history.
Over 27 times as fast. Metaphorically speaking, if you are driving in the right lane doing 65 MPH and a car rockets past you in the left lane.
27 times faster, it would be doing 7,555 MPH!

Sources:
(1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. Of Labor;
(7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC;
(13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury

As you read this, think how important your vote this year will be to every part of your life.

The True Meaning of Christmas

As Christmas once again draws close, we need to remember the circumstances of His birth. As Mary was heavy with child they were forced to make a long journey, discomforted by a political decree to be registered by the government for the sake of governmental control. Politicians were continually vying for control and distorting taxes for their own lavish lifestyles. The religious elite were often caught up in the process as well. While prophesies of God’s intentions were readily available to the religious leaders, few of them paid any attention or made them known to the people. It was into this background that God moved and Mary brought forth her firstborn son.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke 2:7

What should have been the most glorious episode in Israel’s history happened with almost no notice. Certainly, the news media of the day was unaware as well as the political movers and shakers. As I watch the hoopla generated by the visiting prince of England and his new bride, I am reminded that for the King of the Universe there was not even ‘room at the inn’. The fact that God alerted a few humble shepherds and that was all reveals that God saw no value in alerting the government or the ruling elites to His plans. Very few of the religious class knew of this momentous event until some two years later. What does this say to us about God’s method of moving? It seems that if people have no desire to seek God, He doesn’t feel obligated to let them in on His plans! And the fact that He did reveal the coming of the Christ child to wise men from east re-enforces this truth, even though they were Gentiles.

This Christmas takes place in a similar setting; politicians vying for power, a government more concerned about its power to tax and spend while excluding itself from the laws they pass, a news media that promotes political correctness and eliminates every reference to Christmas or Jesus Christ that it can, and religious establishments that are more concerned about what Caesar thinks than about what God thinks and about their own position and power. Am I being to judgmental? Yes, there were a few, like Simeon and Anna or Nicodemus and there are a few today like them but, the majority fall into the same category as their historical counterparts.

But, that did not stop God from sending His Son to begin His government that will only increase until it fills the entire earth. And it should be remembered by all that Daniel was shown this Christmas story thousands of years before as he interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream –

"You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. – Daniel 2:34

Man’s kingdoms always appear glorious to him but God’s kingdom begins with a stone which the builders rejected but grows until it becomes a mountain that fills the whole earth. This exactly the way God described the Christmas story to His prophet Isaiah –

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6, 7

So, may the blessings of the Christmas story be yours as you rejoice in the hope that the government of Christ is indeed growing – now, in the hearts of men – but soon as a mountain that will crush all of Satan’s inspired governments.

The Problem with Lawlessness

Taxpayer Costs of Illegal Aliens in Wisconsin:  $883 Million

I recently received this assessment from a Wisconsin State Senator’s office. It was based on a recent report by FAIR, The Federation for American Immigration Reform. The full cost for illegal immigrants to US citizens is $113 billion yearly of which $84 billion is born by states and local levels. This study took into account the tax collections from illegal alien workers in both the above-ground and underground economy.

If you wonder why your government keeps taking larger amounts in tax from you and yet are still going into the red, the annual outlay that illegal aliens cost U.S. taxpayers is an average amount per native-headed household of $1,117. The fiscal impact per household varies considerably because the greatest share of the burden falls on state and local taxpayers whose burden depends on the size of the illegal alien population in that locality. The full report may be seen at –

http://www.fairus.org/site/News2/977633106?page=NewsArticle&id=23190&security=1601&news_iv_ctrl=1761

Why am I writing about this problem in a Christian blog? Because it is basically a Christian ethics problem! Jesus predicted these things would abound at the end of the age:

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” – Matthew 24:12

This is basically a problem of ‘lawlessness’. That phrase is not speaking only of breaking man’s laws but, primarily of breaking God’s laws! The ‘love of money’ is driving this problem and Paul writes that the love of money is a root of all evil –

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:10

Employers, in their greediness are looking for cheap labor and they are willing to break and bend the law to get it. As a result, we are all ‘pierced through with many sorrows!’ This practice has provided a conduit into our nation through which all kinds of wickedness flows, including drugs and radical Muslim terrorists. Politicians, greedy for power, have also helped this illegal practice in the hope of gaining votes. Paul writes, all who do these things have ‘strayed from the faith.’

I do not blame the one coming to gain employment. Those who promote the illegal action are to blame. If an employer paid his employees a fair wage for doing the work or if the government upheld its own laws concerning illegal immigration the problem of illegal immigration would soon be solved. Instead, we allow employers to under pay these illegals and we allow our government to refuse to enforce the laws and even sue states that do try to cure the problem. This is lawlessness!

Jesus warned that if we allow this kind of lawlessness to abound, it will result in our love for God growing cold. A spiritual Winter is upon us: we cannot pray to Jesus in our public schools or political events, we cannot erect crosses on public land, some even forbid singing Christmas carols that mention the LORD, our churches are more worried about losing their tax-exempt status than preaching the truth found in God’s word, and our youth are leaving the church in record numbers. We have indeed grown cold!

WARNING: Paul said this kind of lawlessness would have far-reaching results causing believers to stray from the faith. Those who do are in danger of being deceived -

“… and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Some are preaching an ‘I’m OK, you’re OK’ or that ‘once saved – always saved’ gospel, but notice that it is God who will send them a strong delusion so they will be condemned! Lawlessness and willing approval of it is a deadly serious sin. If you are guilty of it, I plead with you to repent before it is too late.

The New Testament Church_part 3

The first Christian church discovered recently in Megiddo, Israel reveals that the Lord’s Supper was central to the early church’s service. The uncovered mosaic showing two fish held the communion table and was situated in the center of the room. All activity seems to have revolved around it leading one to wonder just how the first church really functioned?

The Church is the gathering of the ‘called out ones’, the fellowship of true believers in Jesus Christ. But, it is much more than that for it is also a place of communication; God to mankind and mankind to God. While we are always to be in prayer, there is a special place for corporate prayer. Paul writes to Timothy –

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; - 1 Timothy 2:1

Praying and giving of thanks was so important that it was to be done ‘first of all’. God wants to bless His people and Jesus gives the formula for receiving, “Ask and you shall receive.” (Matthew 7:7) but Jesus also explained that there are some requirements –

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. – John 15:7

We must abide in Him and respect the Word of God. God wants all men to be saved, but He waits for us to ask for it in prayer. I know of a certainty that my life has been shaped by prayers for my salvation. I remember when as a young man I overheard my Grandma and Uncle praying for my salvation. And I know my mother has prayed many long years for God’s grace in my life and many others as well. There are few prayers more acceptable to God that those of parents for their children. After all, God is a ‘family man’ and children are His heritage and His reward to parents. He delights to hear parents calling out for His help in training their children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord!

Paul also explains a great secret to Timothy about prayer and government –

“For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” – 1 Timothy 2:2

Our prayers can make a difference in the government we live under. Few nations on earth showcase this fact more than the United States. When the church in America submits to God and prays, it has been blessed with good government but as the church has drifted away from the truth of God’s word, prayer has been outlawed from our schools, public prayer in the name of Jesus Christ has been declared ‘unconstitutional’, a spirit of murder has been released upon the land, and government has practiced dishonesty and corruption more than honesty and truth.

But God wants to speak to His people in the church as well. Paul explains –

How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. – 1 Corinthians 14:26

This verse makes it very clear that God wants speak into our lives by His Holy Spirit. Several points become very clear about the format of these fellowship meetings. Everyone is to be involved! It was not the ‘leadership model’ used by most of the church body today; a few leaders up front and pews full of spectators, always receiving and never giving out, which is a recipe for constipation! Did they have leaders? Yes, they had Elders (or Bishops), from which came the apostles, evangelists, prophets, teachers and pastors, and they had Deacons appointed to serve. But these never usurped the moving of the Holy Spirit and His various gifts poured out on all the members. They had singing. The Psalms were mostly sung and they had hymns as well. They had doctrine, teaching by the elders, and they had messages from the Holy Spirit delivered through the gifts of prophesy, messages in tongues and interpretation, revelations which included dreams and visions. All this was done in good order and for the purpose of building up the individual members.

They also had one other feature which both explains their existence and their foundational purpose for meeting, the Communion of Christ’s body and blood.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

God knew how quickly man forgets so He instituted the Feasts of the Lord in the Old Testament to remind them of His promises as well as coming prophetic events. Jesus exhorts the churches of Revelation many times to ‘remember’. What we refer to as the Lord’s Supper was really part of the Feast of Passover. It reminds us that God was faithful to send His Passover Lamb for us. It also reminds us of the blessings He bought for us on the Cross. It reminds us that we have entered into a covenant relationship with God. When the devil assails us, we do not stand alone, Jesus is with us and Satan can no more defeat us than he could Jesus. But, perhaps even greater, it reminds us that when we stand before the final judgment of God to be judged for our sins, which we all have committed, Jesus stands with us and says, “Father, he (or she) has repented and My blood paid the blood debt for his sin.”

This is the church.