Times of Refreshing

People had gathered around Peter because of an amazing miracle God had done. God healed a man who couldn't walk from birth, and now the man was running and jumping and praising God! That was the setting for one of Peter’s inspiring prophecies of the Kingdom of God:

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:19-21).

This whole world needs to be refreshed. Many people are physically thirsty and hungry. But even more are spiritually in need of the refreshing that God gives our hearts and minds.

Let's practice refreshing others now as we prepare for the best time of refreshing ever: God's Kingdom!

Will America's Billions in Military Aid to Egypt Backfire?

Most of America's founders had great faith in God and relied on Him much more than do the present leaders and citizens of the United States.

For a nation to be persistently blessed with God's provision and protection, the people must be faithful to God, and they must trust in and rely on Him.

We are to be at least as faithful to God as a person should be to his or her spouse. Our Creator is rightfully jealous. He regards any unfaithfulness to Him as spiritual adultery.

This requires more than lip service. Actions speak louder than words.

The problems of foreign aid and political alliances

One example of spiritual infidelity is when our country's leaders have more trust in political and military alliances than they have in God. And the obvious evidence of this is when we unnecessarily send hard-earned tax dollars to other countries as political and military foreign aid (as opposed to disaster relief and humanitarian aid).

Tragically, much foreign aid is siphoned off to enrich the leaders rather than to benefit the common citizen. In fact, the aid often props up corrupt leaders, enabling them to retain their power over the people.

Most of America's foreign aid and military aid to other countries is an effort to buy cooperation and friendship. In doing so, the United States has "hired lovers" (Hosea 8:9).

But "friends" who are purchased are not real friends. The "aid" is like a bribe. They know you don't have real love for them. They know you have the selfish motive of buying their favors.

In fact, the United States often sends more money to unreliable "friends" than to its reliable friends! We reward nations for being unreliable! We choose strange bedfellows.

But the most serious aspect of this mess is failing to rely on God's guidance, provision and protection.

Egypt a dangerous example

Peace treaties and other negotiations with dictators usually come to an end when the dictator dies or is ousted. That shows how futile it is to rely on countries that are ruled by dictators.

Egypt has been one of the top recipients of American assistance, receiving about $1.5 billion in aid each year. But the violent demonstrations against the Mubarak regime show that no amount of aid can guarantee stability, prosperity or even a reliably pro-American foreign policy.

Much of the aid to Egypt has been military aid. Egypt has an incredibly strong military. It is larger than Israel's, although some of Israel's military is more advanced and sophisticated. If control of Egypt falls into the wrong hands, that military power could easily be used against us.

With the recent enormous uprising in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood is trying to get its foot in the door hoping to gain control of the government. It was the Muslim Brotherhood that murdered Hosni Mubarak's predecessor, Anwar Sadat. A government that involves the Muslim Brotherhood will be hostile to personal liberties, repudiate Egypt's treaty with Israel and threaten the United States. It could refuse traffic through the Suez Canal to anyone at any time.

And although a majority of Egypt's people say they want democracy, 84 percent of them also say you should be killed if you leave Islam. With that belief, Egypt won't be a land of freedom—a land that guarantees the right to life, the rule of law, property rights, the protection of minorities, respect for human dignity and the right to worship God according to one's conscience.

Through His prophets, God frequently reprimanded Israel and Judah for committing spiritual adultery and "playing the harlot" with neighboring nations. Instead of being loyal to God and putting their full trust in Him to provide and protect, they relied instead on alliances with various nations (see Jeremiah 3:1-15 and Ezekiel 16:15-63).

God warned Israel that their alliances would backfire. He said, "I will stir up your lovers against you" (Ezekiel 23:22). After the fall of Judah to the Babylonians, God's prophet wrote, "Among all her lovers she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies" (Lamentations 1:2).

Would that America would rededicate herself to a committed covenant relationship with God!

But it is not going to happen soon enough to prevent calamity. Our nation's increasing infidelity toward our Creator will be our undoing. Bible prophecies tell us that America and her Western allies will eventually suffer terribly because of their unfaithfulness to God.

However, God promises that He will provide for and protect every individual who faithfully obeys, serves and trusts in Him!

Praise the Lord

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.” Psalm 150:1, 2

You can praise and worship God! What can we praise Him for? Here are two main areas.

First, you can praise and worship God for Who He is. God loves you and He is great and wonderful and all powerful. You can tell God that you love Him. You can sing praise songs to Him. You can worship Him in church.

You can praise God for how great He is. God is just; He is loving; He is kind; He is all powerful; He is merciful; He created the universe and all that is good. How great is our God!

You can also thank and praise God for what He has done. Most of all, we can thank Him for sending His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. You can thank God for saving you and sending His Holy Spirit to fill you. We can thank Him for all He has done for us; for good health; for financial provision; for loving family and friends.

The Bible says “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” Let us praise God each and every day and tell Him that we love Him!

So, this week, let us pray and

• Tell God we love Him and are so thankful for Him
• Worship God for Who He is and His wonderful nature
• Ask God to protect your family and friends and all of us here at Global Media Outreach

THANK YOU so much for your prayers! And let us all worship and praise our wonderful Lord and Savior together.

May God bless you and your family this week.

Is America Mentioned in Bible Prophecy?

In spite of America's housing market meltdown, dismal unemployment rate, rapidly declining currency, and trillion-dollar deficit, what happens in Washington DC still affects the globe. Recent setbacks aside, the United States of America yet remains the world's sole superpower. In this light we inquire: Is America mentioned in Bible prophecy, or has God's Word overlooked the most influential nation on earth?

Many prophecy writers emphatically state we're not there. They may pinpoint Russia, China, Israel and Iraq as major end-time players, but not the United States. In this article, I want to give you something different to think about. I want to suggest the possibility that America is the exact power specified in this mysterious verse:

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon (Revelation 13:11).

Allow me to build my case. First, what is a "beast" in prophecy? Answer: A great nation. The proof's in Daniel 7 - a chapter that clearly parallels Revelation 13. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 plainly refer to beasts, ten horns, a boastful mouth speaking great things, and war against God's saints (compare Daniel 7:3-8,21 with Revelation 13:1-7). Daniel 7 describes four great beasts: a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dragon-like creature. An angelic interpreter confirmed:

The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth (Daniel 7:23).

So we can nail this down: According to Daniel 7 - a chapter that plainly parallels Revelation 13 - a "beast" in prophecy isn't a computer or super-evil person, but a mighty kingdom or nation. That's what the angel said. Historically, 98% of reputable Christian Bible commentaries have interpreted Daniel's four beasts to represent the ancient nations of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. This is a fact.

Back to Revelation 13:11: "I saw another beast coming out of the earth." Thus John saw a great nation rising into power. From where? "Out of the earth," predicted the prophet. In Daniel 7, all four beasts "came up from the sea" (Daniel 7:3). What does "water" represent? Again, prophecy provides the answer: multitudes of people. We know this because in a parallel prophecy, another angel confirmed: "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues" (Revelation 17:15). True to the facts of history, ancient Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome all arose from the midst of a sea of peoples in Europe and the Middle East. Not so with the beast in Revelation 13:11 - it comes from the earth.

Thus Revelation 13:11 points to a great nation rising out of a sparsely inhabited area.

"I saw another beast coming out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb." Each word is significant. The true Lamb of God is Jesus Christ. "Like a lamb," indicates that this nation would have lamblike or Christian features. A lamb is a young animal, a baby sheep. Thus this nation would at one time be youthful and new. Significantly, its "two horns" have no crowns like the first beast described in Revelation 13:2. Crowns represent kingly power. Thus in Revelation 13:11 we see a new nation, with lamblike, or Christian features, rising out of a sparsely inhabited area, led by a crownless government without a king. Are the pieces coming together yet?

Here's the shocker: Revelation 13 also reveals that mysterious "beast" with horns "like a lamb" would achieve superpower status near the end of time, make a fatal mistake, and lead out in the global enforcement of the mark of the beast. God's Word reports:

And he [the lamblike beast] causes [he resorts to force] all [through his global influence], both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand or in their forehead, that no man might buy or sell [the world's economy is involved] except the one who has the mark (Revelation 13:16,17).

These verses parallel the last part of Revelation 13:11 describing the final, tragic act of the lamblike beast - "he spoke like a dragon." Let's put all the pieces together:

1. Revelation 13:11 pinpoints the rising of a great beast.

2. In prophecy, a beast represents a great nation.

3. This nation comes out of the earth, or wilderness area.

4. This nation starts out young, like a baby lamb.

5. This nation is lamblike, with Christian characteristics.

6. This nation has horns with no crowns - it has no kings.

7. This nation achieves superpower status near the end of time.

8. This nation influences the world's economy.

9. This nation finally speaks like a dragon.

10. This nation finally enforces the mark of the beast.

Be honest: How many nations on Planet Earth fit all ten of these clear, unquestionable, Heaven-inspired details? Only one.

The United States of America.

"God bless America, land that I love!" we sing every 4th of July. It's true. God has blessed America, in spite of its problems (and we obviously have many). Yet the prophecy of Revelation 13 plainly predicts that when earth's closing crisis hits, major changes will envelope our beloved county, and the last movements won't be pretty. Sadly, in the closing moments of time, this mighty nation that has stood tall for representative government, democracy and freedom, will finally sacrifice its mild, lamblike, Christian principles, "speak as a dragon," descend to force, and enforce the mark of the beast.

Can't you see it coming? If our eyes are open to see the signs of the times, we should be able to discern Revelation's predicted from-freedom-to-force trend in full swing right now. Big government is taking over. Our rights are disappearing. The dragon is snarling.

The mark of the beast is coming.

May God help us to understand His "sure word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1:19), to prepare for what is soon to break upon planet Earth with blinding speed, and to get ready for the great Day of God. Above all, may we each have a strong relationship with the true Lamb, Jesus Christ, and reject the dragon's voice.

Spiritual but Not Religious

"In 1998, 9 percent of American adults told the General Social Survey they were spiritual but not religious. By 2008, it had risen to 14 percent. Among those ages 18 to 39, the increase was even more dramatic, and 18 percent now say they are spiritual but not religious" (Christianity Today, September 2010, p. 74).

Spiritual sounds more sexy and religion sounds too structured, stale and demanding to today’s searchers. But pure religion, as defined by the Bible, is truly personal, real and spiritual.

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).

Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and following His example of service to those in need is anything but stale and meaningless. But it is demanding, and fulfilling!

What did the apostle Paul mean by a "falling away" in the end times?

Why will people follow a great religious leader during what many call the great falling away or the great apostasy?

Those interested in the signs of the end times often take note of a warning given by Paul to the Thessalonians, speaking about the return of Jesus Christ to earth. He writes, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first" (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He then proceeds to explain this "falling away" in greater detail.

Paul writes that it will involve the revealing of "the man of sin...the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Some man is going to style himself as greater than God, pretending to be God—and people will believe him. Why? Because:

"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 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" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11).

The "man of sin" posing as God will be performing supernatural acts with the help of the devil, deceiving all those who have rejected God and putting himself in a position to be worshipped by the world.

Revelation 19:20 describes this powerful religious leader as "the false prophet who worked signs" in connection with the political leader called the "beast." The False Prophet is the same as the one called "another beast" in Revelation 13:11, who performs miraculous "signs" (verses 14-15). He is also the leader of the false church ("the harlot") in Revelation 17:1-5. He is also referred to as "another horn" who will "persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law" in Daniel 7:8, 20-22, 24-25.

The Power of Prayer

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

The Power of Prayer. Why is believing prayer in Jesus’ name so powerful? It is because God is so powerful! God has said when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we become children of God. And God loves to answer the prayers of His children!

Jesus said, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” God loves us and He loves to spend time with us. So when you pray, take some time and enjoy God’s presence. Be silent before Him; ask Him to speak to your heart.

And you can pour out your requests to your loving heavenly Father. Even though we all have done things that are wrong, when we ask forgiveness of our sins in Jesus’ name and accept Christ as our Savior our sins are forgiven. You can ask God to forgive your sins; you can pray for your family and loved ones; you can ask God for wisdom; you can ask Him to give you His love and patience with those around you. Your heavenly Father loves to have you pray and there is great power in prayer because God who hears and answers you is all-powerful and loving.

So, this week, let us pray and ask God to

• Help us reach even more millions with the good news of Jesus Christ
• Forgive our sins and help us to walk in humility and holiness of the truth
• Protect ministers of the gospel here and all around the world

THANK YOU so much for your prayers! We greatly appreciate your prayers for us here at Global Media Outreach.

May God bless you!

Faith and Faithfulness

Prayer is more effective than positive thinking in preventing infidelity, according to a study reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The study by Frank Fincham at Florida State University showed that those who were asked to pray for their partners lowered their "infidelity ratings" from 3.5 to 2.4. Those instructed to think positively of their partners actually went up a little from 3.5 to 3.9.

"Dr. Fincham suspects that the act of praying about a romantic partner leads people to view their relationships as something sacred and not to be damaged," reported The Economist (Aug. 28, 2010, p. 71).

Understanding God’s view of the sanctity of marriage and involving Him in our marriages is even more powerful in preventing cheating and promoting the true intimacy God intended (Matthew 19:4-6).

The Seasons of Parenting

Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1, which says, "To everything there is a season," psychologist John Rosemond observes: "There are three seasons in raising children, and one final season that is our goal. Each season is a phase where a child needs a certain type of parenting.

"SEASON 1 is from age 0-2. During this season, the child is the center of the universe around which the parent orbits and the mother is the child's servant. The father generally stays on the sidelines.

"SEASON 2 is from age 3 to 13. The child will be less the center of the universe. [The] parent is in the role of authority and leadership. It is a period of discipleship, where you lead where [the] child will follow you.

"SEASON 3 is from age 14 on. This is the mentoring phase which prepares the child for becoming an adult. It is a [rite] of passage. The goal is for the child to self lead and the parent to be the mentor.

"SEASON 4 is adulthood for the child. You are no longer parenting but [are] your child’s friend" (Parents Council of Washington Lecture, Oct. 25, 2004).

In explaining the seasons, Rosemond advises parents to focus on the proper season. Regrettably, many parents stay mired in season one (being a servant) when they should be teaching their children to take responsibility themselves. Another mistake is trying to be your children's friend before the appropriate season.

What Will Happen to Egypt?

After Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution toppled autocratic leader Ben Ali's government Jan. 15, protests have erupted in other Arab nations from Algeria to Yemen. But it is Egypt in particular that has the world's attention.

Tens of thousands of protesters in the streets of Cairo have voiced frustrations about the economy (about a quarter of young people are unemployed throughout the Arab world) and corruption. But protesters don't all share a common view of the solution—beyond removing President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for 29 years. If the government falls, will anarchy, democracy, military rule or an Islamic regime emerge?

The United States and the rest of the Western world has come to depend on Egypt's stability for the 30 percent of the world's oil that is transported through the Suez Canal, as well as its assurance of peace with Israel. That peace has come at a high price of about $2 billion a year in American aid—mostly military aid—to Egypt. Who will control Egypt's vast array of the latest armaments?

Egypt in Bible prophecy

Throughout the Bible, Egypt was in contact and often conflict with the people of Israel. No wonder Egypt is mentioned 611 times in the Bible! Although none of the New Testament mentions of the nation of Egypt refer to end-time prophecies, there are plenty of them in the Old Testament. Here are just a few:

In the Bible's most detailed prophecy, Daniel 11, Daniel saw many specific events that then occurred over the next 400 years. The conflicts centered on the king of the North (the Seleucids, whose empire was swallowed up by the Roman Empire in 65 B.C.) and the king of the South (the Ptolemies, who ruled from Alexandria in Egypt).

Then the prophecy skips to end-time events. Daniel 11:36-38 appears to describe the actions of the Roman emperors and their successors, leading all the way up to a final king of the North of the end time.

"And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push [Hebrew nagach, to push or to attack] at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land…and the land of Egypt shall not escape" (Daniel 11:40-42, King James Version).

Good news for Egypt and everyone

Soon after this, Jesus Christ will return to save humanity from self-destruction and will be proclaimed king of all nations, including Egypt (Matthew 24:22; Revelation 11:15).

Through those end-time events of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, Egypt will be punished for rebellion against God, as all nations will. But God promises to heal Egypt: "They will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them" (Isaiah 19:22).

Then Isaiah records one of the greatest ironic twists of history. Egypt and Assyria, historically Israel's greatest foes, become blessed allies!

"In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance'" (Isaiah 19:24-25). That is truly the good news of the peaceful Kingdom of God!

Lean not on your own understanding

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5

You can trust in God. What does it mean to trust? Picture a small boy who loves his father and he knows his father loves him. The small boy runs to his father and jumps and says “Here daddy catch me!” He knows his father loves him and will catch him. The small boy trusts his father will watch out for him and care for him.

In much the same way, we need to believe that our heavenly Father loves us and cares for us and will watch out for us. God loves us! He loves us so much He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. “If God is for us, who can be against us. He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

So do not worry, your heavenly Father loves you and He will care for you. If you trust the floor in a building will hold your weight, you can walk on it. You can trust that God will watch over you and care for you. He loves you and He will protect you.

So, this week, let us pray that God will

• Protect you and your family from harm
• Give you His plans for your future so you will know what to do with your life
• Protect our staff and volunteers at Global Media Outreach and help us reach more people for Jesus Christ

THANK YOU so much for your prayers.

May God bless you!

Presenteeism?

The Economist magazine reported: "American research suggests that 'presenteeism' (whereby the walking wounded turn up to work without contributing) costs twice as much as absenteeism" (July 10, 2010, p. 65).

Many employers understand the value of working with employees facing difficult challenges such as death in the family, divorce or major illness. But employers expect employees to seek help and to strive to work hard through whatever daily difficulties they face.

Paul encouraged Christian employees to work as if they were working for God. "Servants, in all things do the orders of your natural masters; not only when their eyes are on you, as pleasers of men, but with all your heart, fearing the Lord: Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:22-23, Bible in Basic English).

In other words, bosses shouldn't have to worry about "presenteeism" from their Christian employees.

U.S. Health Care: Will It Be Repealed by the GOP or GOD?

In 2010 Congress, after considerable debate, passed a landmark piece of legislation insuring that most Americans would receive some level of health care.

This legislation was largely the work of the Democratic Party that controlled Congress at the time. However, in the national elections of November 2010, the Republican Party made great inroads in the House of Representatives, taking control of that half of Congress. On Jan. 19 the House of Representatives voted to repeal the law. Of course, the Democratic Party–controlled Senate and the president will not go along with that move, so it is considered largely symbolic.

But is there another power that has something to say about—as well as the ability to provide—proper health care for all people? The answer is yes. The power that speaks loud and clear on this issue is none other than the great God Himself! The Bible speaks quite eloquently about the need for all peoples, in all nations (not just in the United States), at all times to have the blessing of excellent health and excellent health care.

What God says about health

This will all begin with the return of Jesus Christ to govern all nations. A critical aspect of insuring excellent health will be the proper education of all people as to what will bring about that desired end. The prophet Isaiah speaks to this.

"Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to…the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3).

Our great God has designed and created the laws governing excellent health. Those laws will be universally taught to all people for their benefit. Does it make any sense that an automobile manufacturer would include an owner's manual detailing what type of fuel to use in its new product, but that God would not include information on what types of food ("fuel") we humans are to consume for maximum health?

Let's focus on just one aspect of God's health-care plan for all peoples—His laws regarding the food we eat. Those laws, some of which are found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, include what should be eaten and not eaten so that our bodies are properly nourished.

The Scriptures tell us that in Christ's Kingdom the earth will abundantly produce health-giving, nutritionally rich foods needed for robust health. "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'when the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it" (Amos 9:13).

God's health-care plan, free to all the earth's people, will properly educate mankind regarding the laws of health such as which foods are best to be eaten. Additionally, these foods will, themselves, have healing qualities and be in great abundance.

Divine healing

There is another aspect of God's health-care plan that I would like to briefly touch on. There will be divine intervention by Jesus Christ to heal those who have health disorders. As Christ did in His earthly ministry nearly 2,000 years ago, He will do again after He establishes His Kingdom on earth.

Note what the Bible says about Christ's ministry 2,000 years ago: "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people" (Matthew 4:23).

Now notice what prophecy says will take place after the return of Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom on earth: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing" (Isaiah 35:5-6).

Gift of the Holy Spirit

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Are not these all things that we would love to have?

How can we experience these in our lives? We often try the wrong way. We think we will find joy in money, or material things. But true and lasting joy, and peace, and goodness, and love come from the Holy Spirit. Just as a tree bears fruit, so the Holy Spirit bears wonderful fruit in our lives.

When we truly accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is up to us to choose to let the Holy Spirit control our lives. When we ask the Holy Spirit to fill our lives, He gives us the joy and presence and character of God in our lives. Because truly it is God who is love; God who is the source of all that is good; God who has perfect character. God’s love and goodness is not dependant on our circumstances; the fruit of the Holy Spirit can be in our lives every day through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

So, this week, let us pray and ask God to

• Help us believe Him for great and mighty things
• Fill us with His Holy Spirit and His love and joy
• Fill our volunteers and staff with His Holy Spirit that we may walk in His holiness

THANK YOU so much for your prayers.

May God bless you!

Laziness--a Life Waster

We humans are all made with the need to rest, relax and put our feet up from time to time. It is a wise thing to rest when we need to. But laziness is a mind-set that promotes resting into a lifestyle. It wastes the life we have because it wastes the hours that make up our lives. If we love life, we will be sure not to squander time.

Squander carries the meaning of throwing something valuable away. Time is of great value. Proverbs 6:10-11 explains that a little slumber and folding of the hands results in poverty and need.

Treasure your time--rest when you need to and then get going.

Triple A Rating Is Not Forever: Moody's and S&P Warn of U.S. Debt Downgrade

In just the last minute, the U.S. Debt Clock.org website showed the U.S. national debt increasing $1,400,000 and change—the digits fly by so fast they blur in front of my eyes. They not only boggle the brain, but the numbers seem meaningless as I sip coffee at my neighborhood Starbucks looking at a sea of late model cars in the parking lot.

The numbers dizzily flash upward. Debt per citizen: $44,998. Debt per taxpayer: $126,844, with $1.331776750 trillion added this year alone to the national debt.

Surrounded by global brand name stores beyond the parking lot, I watch the numbers mount up on the world's biggest name brand—the United States of America—as it lunges toward the greatest bankruptcy in history.

It could change. The U.S. people and their leaders could make the sacrifices needed to turn things around. But there is nothing so far—beyond rhetoric—indicating that the government will do what would be necessary.

But if the U.S. government doesn't change its gargantuan deficit spending, its credit rating could be downgraded in the next two years, according to senior spokespeople for Moody's and Standard and Poor's. Both are the world's leading credit rating agencies. They determine whether investors will buy the debt bonds of nations throughout the world and at what interest rates.

"We have become increasingly clear about the fact that if there are not offsetting measures to reverse the deterioration in negative fundamentals in the U.S., the likelihood of a negative outlook over the next two years will increase," said Sarah Carlson, senior analyst at Moody's.

If the rating is lowered, experts agree there would likely be a wholesale departure from U.S. debt, which means the United States could see a collapse of the dollar. This could quickly cause the global financial structure to explode or, just as dire for the United States, it could force all the rest of the world's leaders to quickly construct a new financial structure without the United States.

Then, all America's debt numbers would grind to a halt. The creditors would foreclose.

Speak No Ill

"To speak ill upon knowledge shows a want of charity; to speak ill upon suspicion shows a want of honesty," Arthur Warwick once noted. Control of our words and the passing on of stories and tales is a problem we all face. It is often called gossip.

There is a right time to reveal a deed and a right time to cover it. Evil that will lead to more evil needs to be stopped. But a slip that a person makes and regrets may need to be covered (1 Peter 4:8). It is a matter of judgment. The Bible tells us that a prudent man conceals knowledge, but a fool proclaims foolishness (Proverbs 12:23). Check your facts, check your heart, and speak no ill that hurts.

Get Up!

A person can only fall once if he or she never gets up. But getting up and trying again is how we humans gain experience and become stronger. Babies learn this when they are trying to walk. I have not known a baby who never fell. Usually they fall and fall--and grow stronger and in better control of their muscles every day.

Righteous people are the ones who want to be better. When they fall, they rise with more determination to learn not to fall. We are all undergoing great changes as we strive to overcome our flaws and become more like Jesus Christ. We are bound to fall, but it is in the rising and trying again and again that we please God.

What is a saint?

Saint has come to mean a preeminently holy person who is officially recognized after death. But what is the Bible definition of saint?

Some people readily admit, "I'm no saint," as if being a saint were a rare and unreachable goal. But what is a saint according to the Bible, and should we want to be one?

Saint in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word hagioi, which is related to the Greek hagios—holy (New Bible Dictionary, second edition, pp. 486-487).

God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) and commands us to become holy as He is. He is the ultimate example and source of holiness. Holiness includes both the idea of being separated for a special purpose and being pure and right—acting and thinking like God.

So God calls all members of His Church to be holy—literally, to be saints. Consider 1 Corinthians 1:2, for example, which proves this beyond dispute: "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours."

Sanctified can be translated as "set apart" (Jewish New Testament), or as the Amplified Bible expands it, "to those consecrated and purified and made holy." All members of the Church of God are called to be "saints," or God's "own holy people" (New Living Translation). The many problems Paul describes in the Church of God in Corinth show that the brethren were far from achieving the goal of holiness, but that is what they were called and aiming for.

If you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, then by biblical definition you are a saint.

So how did its meaning change? According to the New Bible Dictionary, the apostles called all Christians saints, and "it continued to be used as a general designation at least up to the days of Irenaeus and Tertullian, though after that it degenerated in ecclesiastical usage into an honorific title" (second edition, pp. 487-488).

I have called you friends

"...I have called you friends, for everything that I have learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15

Jesus Christ said, "I am the vine and you are the branches.". What did He mean by that? A vine, or a living plant like a tree, is alive. The vine or the tree is the source of life to the branches of the vine.

In the same way, Jesus is our source of life. He is the only true source of lasting spiritual life. When you have Jesus Christ in your heart and life as your Savior and Lord, He can give you life, and joy, and peace, and eternal life. In Jesus Christ is true and lasting happiness.

Jesus said He would not leave us or forsake us. He even called His disciples His friends. Jesus loves you and by the power of the Holy Spirit He said He will be with us always, even to the end of the world. Jesus loves you!

So, this week, let us pray and ask God to

• Help us trust more and more in Jesus our Lord and Savior
• Protect our fellow Christians at Global Media Outreach and around the world
• Help someone you love come to know Jesus

May God bless you!