This week's Bible study will be the 2nd half of Ephesians chapter five

Treating Each Other Well

[Ephesians chapter 5, verses 15-33]

When we left off last week at verse 14, the apostle Paul was exhorting and encouraging the Ephesian church to remain as “the light in the Lord”, and to live as “children of light”. Today we will finish up the latter half of the book of Ephesians chapter five, where we find Paul continuing to elaborate on the meaning and intent of his writing. So let's take up where we left off, beginning at verse 15.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5, verses 15-21, NIV)

Paul's words, “Be very careful, then, how you live”, could be an entire sermon in and of itself, but I will save that for another time. For now, this an admonishment and a warning to those aspiring to live for Christ as I do: Live carefully! This doesn't mean we are expected to somehow live carefree lives, blissfully disconnecting ourselves from the world and the people around us, as if we can somehow insulate ourselves from everything that exists outside of our comfort zone. Instead, reject isolation, ignorance and fear! “Do not be foolish”, Paul wrote, “but understand what the Lord's will is”. Knowing God's will for our lives is easier than some people think. All we have to do is ask in prayer, ”OK, Lord, I want to serve you but I'm not sure how to proceed. Could you please point me in the right direction?” Is there anyone reading this who is not sure about the answer to that question? Let me use shopping (perish the thought since I despise materialism) as an example. If one walks into any given store, whether big or small, looking for a certain item, do we not ask for directions from an employee rather than wander aimlessly all over the store searching? Of course we do, unless you've been there before. Has any of us ever asked for directions to find any given item in a big-box store and been turned away by the employees? I think not, and since this is true for some company that wants to sell you something that you may or may not need, why should Jesus, who has what everybody needs, be any different? He has already given us the ultimate gift by dying for our sins on the cross. So if you're not sure if He will answer your prayers don't worry, he will, provided that you are asking for the right reasons. He already gave his life for you, so why would he turn you away for anything else?

Paul also wrote, “Make the most of every opportunity”. That doesn't give us an excuse to be greedy or opportunistic, nor to pursue great wealth for its own sake – which in the end turns into a self-made trap from a spiritual standpoint. Don't take unnecessary chances, which at times can be tantamount to courting disaster. We are to repent of our constant partying, and all the immoral things that go with it, Paul wrote. If we want to get our fill of something, being filled with the Holy Spirit is devoid of all the unwanted side effects of all those other things. We are to be thankful at all times and in all circumstances, no matter what happens to us. And if bad things do happen, and sometimes they still do anyway, that doesn't mean God is mad at us. Being mad at someone is a human emotion, which is why God doesn't think like that. But sometimes bad things can happen in order to strengthen us because that's one way God builds character. Finally, “submit to one another”. This does not mean we are expected to be human doormats – far from it! What it does specifically mean actually refers back to what Jesus said in all four gospels, “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Let's all pause here for a moment and examine ourselves. Are we obeying this commandment? I certainly hope so, because anyone who is not isn't saved yet. Still others have dedicated their lives to the Lord and are saved, but they have back-slid in this area and are leading selfish lives. Remember that this is “job one” for any true Christian. Serving Christ is the opposite of serving oneself. As we continue our study, then, Paul also continues this topic and extends it into the home, beginning at verse 22.

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing of the water through the Word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5, verses 22-27, NIV)

The first sentence in this passage of Scripture is one that has been abused and misused over the centuries as an excuse for the husband to be a tyrant and a dictator in the home. Having once been raised in a home similar to this, I am speaking from experience. Let me be absolutely clear that under no circumstances is there ever an excuse for abusiveness by either spouse towards each other or towards the children. If any of my readers is in an abusive relationship, for your own sake get some help! Remember there is no shame in asking for help. Get away from that situation, otherwise you will be placing yourself in harm's way sooner or later. Plus, this works both ways, as Paul wrote so perfectly. Guys, it's difficult for the ladies to have a relationship with someone they are afraid of, so back off and simmer down! And ladies, you're not going to have a long-term relationship with anybody when you sit at home watching TV and getting drunk after he goes off to work. We are living in hard economic times, so waiting on a husband who will be a good provider is strictly pie-in-the-sky as far as reality is concerned. When choosing a spouse, find someone in whom you can trust enough to pool your resources. If anyone is hesitant about trusting a potential spouse with money, I would advise my readers not to marry that person, and to seek another instead.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church”, proves further that loving relationships work both ways. Don't nag each other, don't pick fights or start arguments, don't keep score on perceived wrongs or injustices, and never, ever be abusive. If we want to be followers of Christ, the devotion thereof starts in the home. Let's all be “without stain, wrinkle or blemish” before the Lord. That means acting as if He were standing right there next to us, because you had best believe that's exactly where He is. And now let's conclude today's study of Ephesians chapter five.

“In this same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church – for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband”. (Ephesians 5, verses 28-33, NIV)

Treat your wives' bodies as a part of your own, and wives must do the same for their husbands. If you want a formula for a successful marriage, this is it. But most important, we are to care for ourselves and have the same regard for ourselves, and for each other, that Christ has for the church. If your marriage is such that either spouse would lay down their life to save the other, that is my definition of a strong marriage. And we are to do so knowing that we are members of the body of Christ, meaning we treat others as ourselves because that is Christ's command to us all. “Love your neighbor as yourself”, starts in the heart, not the mind. But it also means that, as the redeemed of Christ who are saved from hell, we have become the greater Family of God, having been adopted into that family by the supreme sacrifice of Christ. Since we have become Christ's relatives by legal adoption, which we examined in my earlier study of the book of Romans, we are to act as such. No person who lives an immoral life can be a part of the Family of God. But they can still be saved if they repent of their sins and turn away from their immoral, sneaky and deceptive ways. There isn't much time left before the end of the age, so I urge you all to turn to Christ now before the opportunity ends. Let him teach you what real love means. Once you experience that, you'll never go back to your old life again, and you'll be saved forever.

Why worrying is pointless, and what to do instead

Our politicians are without a clue, and here comes more proof

America's Political Leadership is Inceasingly Clueless, and Here's Still More Proof

Five Biblical Concepts Our Political

Leaders Just Don’t Understand

by Rev. Paul J. Bern

Right-wing Evangelical Fundamentalism, as well as much of America's conservative political leadership, claims to return to the roots of Christianity. Few of these fundamentalists care much about the early church, the four Gospels, the apostle Paul's letters, or St. Augustine. Rather, they blend Southern Conservatism, bastardized Protestantism, Aryan heresies, gross nationalism and a heavy dose of naive anti-intellectualism for a peculiar American strain of what I will tactfully call spiritual sophistry. As a pastor by the name of Reverend Cornell West has noted, “the fundamentalist Christians want to be fundamental about everything, except ‘love thy neighbor.'” I couldn't agree more. So, I decided to make that this week's commentary (I never liked the word 'sermon', it seems too stiff and formal to me). Here are some verses we liberal Christians wish they would get more “fundamentalist” about:

1. Immigration: The verse: “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” - Leviticus 19:33-34, KJV.

Bogus 'Christians' hate this verse because fundamentalists are almost universally xenophobic. The truth of the matter is religious fundamentalism is only a reaction to the multiculturalism of a liberal democracy, and particularly in multicultural churches. Rather than seeking a “brotherhood of man,” religious fundamentalism longs for a colonial community, without the necessary friction from those with foreign beliefs, cultures and customs, and especially with different skin colors. We are called to discern among “sojourners”. The original meaning of this word in this context is 'those who move about from place to place'. This looks to me like a euphemism for what some call 'illegal immigrants'. People looking for a home have been around ever since humankind began to explore the earth. (the New International version translates 'sojourners' as “aliens”, which has a more familiar right to it) There are currently 11 million illegal immigrants who want to become citizens, with likely an additional 20 million family members as new citizens within about a decade. What does God say about those who hate without cause and mistreat foreigners? “I will be a swift witness against… those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against … those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:5., KJV

2. Poverty: The Verses: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” - Matthew 19:24, NIV.

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5: 1-6, NIV

To myself, at least, one of the most absolutely hilarious aspects of modern-day, far-right Christianity is its reverence of capitalism. That’s because Christ could be considered anti-capitalist, as well as Moses (see Exodus 22: 25-27, in any Biblical version you like). Consider that there is some version of the story of the rich man approaching Jesus that appears in every Gospel. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells the rich man, “go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Mark 10:21) The story of Lazarus should similarly terrify modern day fundamentalists. Lazarus is a beggar who waits outside of a rich man’s house and begs for scraps. When both Lazarus and the rich man die, Lazarus ends up in heaven, while the rich man ends up in hell. When the rich man begs for water, Abraham says, “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.” Luke 19:25.

So-called “conservative Christians” (the very term is an oxymoron) hate these verses because the only thing fundamentalists dislike more than immigrants is poor people. Seriously. A former Tea Party congressman once said he thought the government should cut food stamps entirely, “The role of citizens, of Christians, of humanity is to take care of each other, but not for Washington to steal from those in the country and give to others in the country.” Former congressional representative Michelle Bachmann has also made a similar statement. The entire Tea Party movement is based on the idea that a huge portion of Americans are “takers” who suck the lifeblood out of the economy. Never mind the fact that the reason all those people aren't working is because their jobs got exported overseas for pennies on the dollar, leaving them destitute. The majority of Christian “fundamentalists” insist that poverty be explained in terms of a personal moral failure, or even mass incompetence. They therefore hold that success should be described in terms of morality, when in fact the Bible says quite the opposite: “In the last days many will compare godliness with gain”. The poor are considered culpable so that they can be punished – like today’s cuts to food stamps or the public shaming of those on disability, welfare or unemployment.

3: The Environment The Verses: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:27-28 

 

“By him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17

Why do so many fundamentalists twist and distort these verses? In Genesis, man is given stewardship of the Earth, God’s creation. Stewardship in the Christian tradition implies protection. Man should exist in harmony with the earth, not work against it. Jesus Christ once told his followers: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” - Luke 16:13. Increasingly, the religious right (which is neither, by the way) is trying to do exactly that, intertwining Evangelical fundamentalism with unfettered capitalism — with disastrous results for the earth's environment and the US job market. Thus, American political life is increasingly dominated by Christians from the extreme right who reject the religious ethos in favor of capitalist ethos. It is these same Christian right wing nuts who seeks to discredit the threat of global warming. It also claims the threat of climate change is “alarmist” and fears that efforts to clamp down on emissions will hurt the poor (read: Fortune 500 corporations). In reality, climate change will have its greatest effect on people living on less than a dollar a day who can not adapt to higher temperatures. Conservative Evangelicals are not concerned with dwindling biodiversity, the destruction of ecosystem, rampant pollution, global warming and the numerous other environmental challenges we face. Rather they, with the business community, are only concerned with the bottom line. The future is irrelevant (unless we’re talking about government debt). Thus, the Biblical command to protect the environment is quietly swept under the rug.

4. War The Verses: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” - Matthew 5: 38-42, NIV “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5: 43–45.

As a religious and political movement, fundamentalists have defined themselves as a party of opposition, rather than of love, grace and mercy. Some scholars are erroneously calling this a “third great awakening”, even though it is different from the other two. This one is full of contempt disguised as piety toward those whose understanding of religion fails to meet their lofty standards. While past “Great Awakenings” have looked inward, seeing sin within the conflicted self, this new awakening looks outward, seeing sin in the wider culture. The culture, which is secular, is evil, while the church is sacred. This is why modern religious fundamentalism gravitates towards xenophobia, homophobia, sexism, etc. Fear and disgust are its motivating factors. This fundamentalism inclines some religious people toward a preemptive “war of religion” and a strong disgust (that sometimes culminates in violence) toward Muslims and gay people. Oddly enough, the Christian tradition has developed a theory of “Just War” (developed by Thomas Aquinas) which condemns war except when all other options have been exhausted and there is just treatment of prisoners (with a specific condemnation of torture). If only one of the past two “Christian” presidents had listened.

5. Women The Verse: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:28

Although the right often claims the Bible supports their absurd ideas about gender roles, such sexist claims have been thoroughly debunked by theologians. Generally, when you’ll hear an explanation of why women belong in the home, it’ll rely on a misreading of one of Paul’s doctrines. In contrast to Paul, Christ rarely concerned himself with sexual mores, although he clearly was against divorce. He was far more concerned with fighting oppression and injustice. Fundamentalists want to keep women submissive and subservient, but Jesus won’t let them. In Luke, for instance, Jesus is blessed by a priestess named Anna. He praises a woman who stands up to a judge and demands justice. It’s worth noting that in a time when women could not testify in a court of law, all four resurrection stories have women arriving first to Jesus’ tomb. Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well even though Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans, and he praises Mary Magdalene for listening to his words (see Luke 10:38-42). These verses are powerful and I believe that they should be carefully considered.

I'm becoming increasingly concerned that Christianity and religion in general is represented by its most ultra-conservative, fundamentalist elements. Remember that Karl Marx drew his inspiration for the famous quote “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs” from the example of the early church (Acts 4:32-35). But once the moral potshots are finished, we all have to face the fundamental and aching deprivation of having been born. We can continue to have a fun time berating those who believe the Bible explains science. The Christian message doesn’t contradict science, and nor is it concerned with American politics. Ultimately, Christianity is about transcending politics and fighting for social and economic justice. Think of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Malcolm X – all of whom were influenced by their religion to change the world. Jesus saw how oppression and oppressors consumed the world. He has, as always, sided with the oppressed. This Johnny-come-lately of skewed fundamentalism I'm writing about is radically new and far removed from true Christianity. True Christianity offers us a far superior doctrine — one of social justice, love and equality. When we practice all of these, we are following Christ regardless of religious denomination.

The Lie We Live

This week's Bible study will be the first half of Ephesians chapter five

From the Darkness to the Light

[Ephesians chapter 5, verses 1-14]

Last week we finished chapter four, where we found the apostle Paul giving a healthy dose of tough love to the early church at Ephesus. Taking up where we left off, if we want to be real Christians having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ instead of mere sect worshipers who think their denominational affiliation will get them into heaven, we can start by watching our language. We can only assume that there must have been a problem with this issue within that particular congregation for one reason or another, the details of which have been lost to history and the passage of time. But what Paul was writing back then is just as applicable today, and probably even more so due to the saturation of mass media. All we have to do is watch a movie on cable TV, and we find dialogues often filled with profanity. I had my own cable TV turned off 4 years ago, and I haven't missed it at all. There is so much good Christian stuff to watch on the Web that's free anyway! The apostle John wrote that we are to be “in the world but not of it”, and having your cable TV disconnected is one good way to do exactly that.

Today as we study the first half of chapter five, we find the apostle Paul continuing his commentary as he changes his tone from one of chastisement to one of encouragement and exhortation, a pattern that is noticeable throughout Paul's writings. But he also warns the Ephesian church to steer clear of distasteful behavior and of wicked people, and to be ever mindful of who they represent. We are to be representatives of Jesus Christ and full time ambassadors for him, and we should live our lives accordingly. Paul charges us all with that very responsibility, beginning at verse one of chapter five.

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person – such a man is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” (Ephesians 5, verses 1-7, NIV)

We are to be acting as God's dearly beloved children because that's exactly what we are. As Christ gave himself up as an offering, so are we to emulate Christ by living our lives as a “fragrant” offering unto Him. We can do this by willfully living lives that are free of evil and devoid of any form of impurity or immorality. We must also not harbor any greed (none!), which is contrary to the Spirit. In a world that is driven by greed, that can be difficult to accomplish sometimes. Success has been mistaken for financial gain in our world of today, and it is wrongfully defined by the acquisition of assets and material goods, the overwhelming majority of which people don't need anyway. The reason for this is that we are bombarded on a daily basis with advertising of all kinds, some of it truthful and some false. It is the equivalent of having a door-to-door salesperson coming to your door every 3 to 5 minutes for your entire life, that's how out-of-control this problem has become. Is it any wonder that so many people are literally programmed like robots to buy, buy, and buy some more whether the customer can afford it or not? It is up to us to willfully resist this media barrage of BS pitchmen. If I do watch TV, I mute the commercials. It's cheaper than buying a 'TeVo'.

Make a conscious choice to become a non-materialistic person. You can save a whole lot of money simply by refusing to buy any more than one absolutely needs (although I admit it would be nice to sell more books than I do, it's not critical to me). Those desiring to live for Christ and to devote their lives to him can use this single issue as a good starting point. Drive used cars instead of new, buy at least half your clothes at thrift stores, and buy the house brands at the grocery store. Live modestly and simply, and be as self-sufficient as you can. I've been doing this successfully for many years, and I encourage all of you to do the same using whatever methods work best for you.

Also, please note that the apostle Paul compared greed with idol-worship, as he did impurity and immorality. Any time we put anything in our lives ahead of God, that is the very definition of idolatry. This can be other things, other people, or it can be when we insert ourselves into situations involving unsavory, devious people. It can also be idolatry when it comes to money, the hoarding of wealth, and the pursuit of material gain (“he/she who dies with the most toys wins”). “Do not”, Paul wrote, “be partners with them”. In 21^st century lingo, that saying goes far beyond the bedroom. Do not be partners in marriage, nor in business, nor in those you associate with either in or out of the workplace, and absolutely never in illicit affairs of an intimate nature. If you do and yet still are a believer in Christ, that would be the very definition of an impure life. In that case, just because you “believe” will be an insufficient reason for you to be spared from hell unless you stop all that other stuff you are doing. As I wrote last week, it's time for us to clean up our act. This is very serious subject matter that I am writing about. The guilty individuals know who they are. As we keep that in mind while maintaining our great reverence for the Lord (or “fear of the Lord”, as the Old King James incorrectly translates), let's continue now starting at verse eight.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the life consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. That is why it is said: 'Wake up, oh sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'” (Ephesians 5, verses 8-14, NIV)

Being the “light in the Lord”, as Paul wrote, is a clear reference to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as he defined it in his letters to the Roman and Corinthian churches which we have already studied. It is also a reminder of the beloved Sermon on the Mount as it is written in the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters of Matthew's gospel. I quote from chapter 5, verses 14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” The apostle John wrote of Jesus in chapter one of his gospel, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1, verses 4-5, NIV)

Are we living our lives as “children of light”? That's the first step in receiving Holy Spirit baptism. Also, if you have been seeking it or praying for it to happen and it has not yet happened in your life, do not be concerned! It doesn't necessarily mean God isn't listening to your prayers, it just means God is waiting for exactly the right moment to baptize you in the Spirit and to give you the desires of your heart. Just remember what Paul wrote in another epistle, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“Find out what pleases the Lord.” Then, simply do it. Sometimes having a really great walk with Christ through your life can be as simple as that. As you begin doing this you will notice that you no longer have time for all the stuff that used to bug you to death, such as problematic people. What happens in this case is that all of the negative and unwanted stuff in our lives gets replaced and supplanted by the positive power of the Holy Spirit. Finally, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” If your neighbor's home gets burglarized and you find out who did it, turn the perpetrators in. By the same token, this doesn't necessarily mean we should become serial tattletales and vicious snitches either. Remember, we will be judged in the same way we judge others, so watch out for that. In the meantime, simply seek and find out what you can do in your life that is pleasing to the Lord. Then do it, but remain in a constant state of communication with God. Seeking dialogue is one sure way of pleasing God. It's also the best way to find out what he wants you to do next in life. Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you”. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well this works when you apply it to real life. And that's when you know that you are truly living for Christ.

American People: FIGHT THE TYRANTS! --- A MESSAGE TO THE MILITIA

If the civil unrest predicted for this summer actually breaks out, should Christians join the fight?

The US Is Becoming A Failed State:

How Do We Turn This Around?

By Rev. Paul J. Bern

The United States of America, if I may risk pointing out the obvious, is failing. Failing to adequately tackle the systemic problems in our economic system. Failing to reflect on the deep flaws in our system of government. Failing to repair our damaged image abroad. Failing to adequately protect its citizens from violence at home (the plague of murders by rogue police officers across the US is only one example of many). Failing in education, in health care, in human rights, in religious tolerance, and even with regard to incarceration of its citizens, as the overcrowded and dangerous US prison system attests to. In fact, we look a lot like the USSR in 1990 – except with a lot more big-screen TV’s. And we all know what happened to the USSR during the 1990's.

Of course, you may well take issue with my central contention. You may say that we are prosperous because our GDP is so large, or because America is the richest country in the world. Or that our government works properly (pardon me for a second while I LOL), or even that we have a great health care system (laughing even harder), and that since most of us are Christians anyway, who do we have to tolerate? I respect your right to those opinions – freedom of expression is one of the few things our country hasn't managed to screw up in the last couple of hundred years. But in every case, the data backs me up. I will try and substantiate my claims first, before putting forth a few solutions of my own.

The first problem is the economy. For example, in 2009 alone 131 banks failed. The 2008 TARP bailout granted hundreds of billions of dollars – with strings attached – to private companies who then used the money to short-sell the market, make countless billions more, hand the government back its money (removing the strings) and pay out lavish bonuses while Americans lost their jobs, savings, houses and cars. America's national debt threatens to exceed one year's Gross Domestic Product. While this is occurring, a record number of laid off workers are leaving the US workforce forever due to a complete lack of opportunity to better themselves. One in four US workers who are long-term unemployed and over age 50 will never work again. I know this to be true from personal experience because I was one of those most unfortunate individuals. To this day people find themselves struggling financially to keep their heads above water. Meanwhile, the median family income is less today than it was a decade ago. Our government, as everybody knows, is no longer run by competing ideologies but by corporate interests (I include both parties in this category since both are moneymaking enterprises). There are good Republicans who would prefer that your cancer-stricken child had health insurance. There are responsible Democrats who are horrified by our country's spend-now pay-later approach to finance. But since they are beholden to a higher power – money – they have to vote with their wallets, not with their hearts. At the Federal level, AT&T and Goldman Sachs have contributed over $75M over the last 20 years, and the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, plus the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers aren't far behind.

Across the world our reputation is tarnished, perhaps irrevocably. We are seen as an economic and religious bully, and we don't seem to care. We vilify our political enemies for their human rights records while we import cheap goods from countries that we know exploits child labor, while America has more people incarcerated than all the other countries of the world combined. We are, to much of the world, intolerable hypocrites! Is it any wonder that they see us this way? When it comes to medical care, health care apologists will continue to defend our system at all costs, claiming that so-called “socialist” states such as England, France and Sweden kill their citizens at will in order to save money, or they may make you wait up to thirty years for a kidney transplant. When our kids can't even get health care, that should be a major 'red flag' indicating that something is terribly wrong. Any anthropologist will tell you that we took care of our young much better when we were Neanderthals – so what's changed? For one in four kids to be dependent on food stamps at some point in their formative years – and 25% of them are – is a social injustice of the highest order to the point that it foments much outrage. As such I think that this issue should have people out in the streets protesting and being disruptive against the whole darn system! Why it isn't happening hardly at all is a complete mystery to me. Is everyone asleep or drunk? Wake up already and smell the coffee! Revolution is in the air, can't you feel it? The Bernie Sanders presidential campaign is only the tip of the iceberg, my dear readers. I am so glad that those exciting but perilous days of insurrection will soon be upon us. I can't tell anyone exactly when, but it will happen in the near future, you can count on it. Violence in the streets will be a sure bet if both outsider candidates get forced out at the Democratic and Republican conventions this summer and the American people are only left with the status quo.

Why do I think so? We deny basic human rights to our own people, and Americans of good conscience everywhere are fed up to their eyeballs about it. Women still make 79 cents for every dollar a man earns in the workplace. The overwhelming majority of those who are incarcerated are people of color. Moreover, whom anyone chooses to marry is not a matter for the government, it is a matter for the individual as well as for the churches. Speaking as a mature Christian man and Web evangelist, although I am not in favor of gay marriage personally, I adamantly refuse to judge same-sex couples for getting married (that's between them and God, or it had better be). Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian doctrine, and it is central to the self-identity of every true believer. As to what religion to follow, since I am a full-time ambassador for Jesus Christ, I will lead any and all toward Christ who want to go, and often with plenty of encouragement along the way. Although some may not like or agree with the choices others make, they are inalienable rights of choice, and you should be free to exercise them as you will because that is the law of the land (see the 1^st Amendment in the US Constitution).

As far back as 2005, statistics showed that hate crimes against Muslims were increasing 50% year-on-year. Even so, the FBI reported that in 2015 hate crimes against homosexuals had increased 9% from 2014, and those motivated by religion had risen by 12%. This is discouraging to say the least. The track we have taken over the last fifty years has been the wrong one. We have let corruption, greed, fame, intolerance and a stubborn refusal to acknowledge our problems almost ruin our nation. We are failing to live the American Dream, and if we don't start now our children will never even know what it was.

I have eight common-sense but fairly radical ideas, and I'm sure you have some of your own. I have chosen not to expound on what I personally think the consequences of these actions would be, as I would be diving headlong into speculation that could easily (and should be) challenged.

[1]. Immediately and totally stop all corporations from giving money to political parties.

[2]. Acknowledge that, when it comes to government, politics and religion do not mix.

[3]. Make a promise to our children: you will be well-educated, and you will be well-treated when you are sick.

[4]. Change the game. Capitalism is a debt-based economic system combined with a federal republic system of government. It is a system that has run its course for all practical intents and purposes. So much debt has accumulated throughout the world that there isn't anywhere nearly enough money in the entire world – all the combined world economies – to pay it off. At some point in the near future, more and more countries are going to find themselves insolvent. When no one can pay back their debts, the whole thing comes crashing down, and that includes the USA. Are you prepared?

[5]. Take a leaf out of the Bible and just treat everyone else with dignity and respect. “Love your neighbor as yourself”. If it was good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for you. Leave the gays alone because you're a sinner too, you just commit different sexual sins than they do. Leave the Blacks and Latinos alone, because racism has no place in church, and because equality is scriptural. Leave the Muslims, the Jews and the Christians alone. When respect departs, lawlessness is the next train along.

[6]. Pay for it. Child labor is inexcusable. If it costs an extra ten bucks, or extra hundred bucks, to buy something that was made by willing workers, pay it. And the same goes for government. You want health care? Pay for it. More troops? Pay for them. Tax breaks for corporations? Ditto. If you have to raise taxes to pay for it, raise taxes. Stop acting like giddy schoolkids with mom's credit card, and pay for what you consume!

[7]. Form coalitions based on issues, not parties. Not every NRA member is anti-abortion. Not every tree-hugging hippie thinks that owning a gun is wrong. When a party tells you how you should think, and what issues should be thrown together into what bucket, you're a lot closer to communism or fascism than you think you are.

[8]. Buy American products whenever possible. From what I can tell, the great empires of yore – from Egypt to Rome to England – were 'first-to-market' with some manufacturing innovation or other, that led to more innovations, and greater strides, that in turn led to them becoming the largest producers of goods in their region. This happened to the USA from the dawn of the twentieth century until the 'fifties. Then we began to transform into a service economy, just as those others did. Producing goods is what is making China become a world powerhouse, and if we are to compete, we must produce our own. American isn't always the best, and it's almost never the cheapest, but if we are to reinstate our status as the world's greatest country, we need to start by supporting our own businesses and workers. To refuse to do so is to commit an injustice. Enough said!

Illuminati 2017: Predictions!! We must reach mass awareness! WATCH NOW!!!

Church fund raiser, summer T-shirts, 100% of proceeds will go to Progresive Christian Ministries

 

Tee shirt fund raiser here at www.pcmatl.org; faith-based Tee shirts, quantity discounts, 23 styles to choose from. All proceeds go to Progressive Christian Ministries of Greater Atlanta. Proceeds go towards marketing expenses for 2 nonfiction books about to be published, plus a replacement desktop PC; shirts are $12.95 each, 2 for $20.95, or 3 for $26.95 (call ahead for larger quantities), all prices tax included! http://www.pcmatl.org/#!tee-shirt-fund-raiser/c1sda

The latest title from Author Rev. Paul J. Bern

“Sole Survivor: One Man's Testimony for Christ”, by Rev. Paul J. Bern, rated 4.5 stars on Goodreads.com! Based on a true story, this 100-page book is the third title from Christian nonfiction author Rev. Paul J. Bern. This Spiritual self-help book and Christian testimony is a memoir about raw survival when the odds are stacked against you. It tells how the author started life in foster care only to be put out as a teenager, having run-ins with the law as a young man, only to find Christ and end up being adopted into the Family of God as an adult. It tells of the author becoming disabled later in life, only to find he has everything he needs to live well Spiritually rather than as a “consumer”. It's a quick, easy and inspiring read that enlightens, uplifts and refreshes, telling a story so rich that it's well worth your time. This book is available on-line from Progressive Christian Ministries of Greater Atlanta at www.pcmatl.org/books-and-donations (free shipping, tax deductible), or from Create Space at http://www.createspace.com/5245426 for $9.95. Or, get the e-book ($2.99) on Payhip at https://payhip.com/b/pvQc or on Goodreads.com, Smashwords, Kindle and Nook. Free shipping and handling from the ministry website, tax deductible too! To watch the video before you buy, visit http://youtu.be/5Bxi7x0nUc0 Thanks so much!

This week's Biblestudy will be the 2nd half of Ephesians chapter four

It's Time For Us to Clean Up Our Act

[Ephesians chapter 4, verses 17-32]

Today we will be finishing up the latter half of chapter four of the book of Ephesians. Taking up where we left off last week, the apostle Paul was making some concluding remarks about living up to our calling as Christians with the understanding that we do so because God is watching us all, and He is actively protecting his followers and faithful servants who live up to their calling in Christ. It doesn't matter as much what your calling is since all have equality in the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. What is more important is that we discharge the duties of our Spiritual calling, combined with being full-time ambassadors for Christ, in a manner that gives all the glory, honor, praise and full credit to the Father through his Son. The apostle Paul continues this important topic beginning at verse 17.

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is within them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you have heard of him and were taught in him in the accordance with the truth that is in Christ Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4, verses 17-24, NIV)

Paul's reference to “Gentiles” in this context, since there were already numerous non-Jewish believers at the time the apostle Paul wrote this, is that of all nonbelievers regardless of background or status. Refusing to believe in the saving power of Christ is still very common today, especially over in Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. There is a price to be paid for willful separation from God, and for willful disbelief. It starts with a loss of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which results in a loss of all sensitivity to the teachings of Christ, even to the point of ignoring or walking away from the cleansing power of His blood, which was shed on Calvary for you and me. This creates an empty spot in each of us if it is allowed to occur, meaning that people will try and fill up that empty spot left within them by their separation from God with anything they can find. This includes a Spiritual “laundry list” specified in writing by the apostle Paul, meaning it has the same relevance today as it did when written 2,000 years ago.

Living for sensuality is one of the primary ways these faithless individuals try to fill in the empty spot within them that is a result of separation from God and refusal to believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Sexual promiscuity, drinking alcoholic beverages until they make themselves sick, and overdosing from prescription medications (whether legally prescribed or not) are three examples. All three can and do kill people. Drunk driving, which killed 35,000 people last year in the US alone, is the worst of them because it often takes innocent lives. The fact that it happens unintentionally changes nothing as far as those responsible are concerned, assuming they survive the crash. Those who do not repent and turn away from these kinds of behaviors will end up forfeiting their place in heaven if they don't get their act together. You know who you are, and you don't have much time left because we are in the Last Days foretold in the Bible. It's decision time, people. Whatcha gonna do? Make an affirmative decision to follow Jesus Christ for the rest of your lives – that is the correct choice! Why not do so right now? Ask Jesus Christ, who is God's only Son, to come and inhabit your heart, mind and soul. It doesn't matter how you say it, just do it.

So! What happens when people realize they have sinned and make a decision to repent of their non-belief and their self-destructive behavior? A total renewal of our minds takes place, as Paul wrote, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” So evidence of repentance amounts to a Spiritual heart transplant, or to a brain overhaul, or actually both. When we catch ourselves slipping in this regard and going back to old habits or addictions, we are to immediately make a conscious effort to put aside our old selves, even to willfully suppress ourselves when necessary. We then put on our new selves in its place, remaining focused on that, while practicing it continuously until it becomes second nature to us. Bearing that in mind, let's continue now beginning at verse 25.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed until the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4, verses 25-32, NIV)

Don't we all aspire to become more Christ-like in our own special way? Paul is saying to us all that being truthful is the best place to start. Being truthful is equally as important as the act of worshiping Christ, and our worship becomes empty and meaningless without this critical ingredient. Truthful people have integrity, but untruthful people either have none, or they sometimes have a distorted vision of what real integrity is. “All liars”, the apostle Peter wrote, “will go to the lake of fire”, meaning untruthful people such as those whose livelihoods are based on deception or theft, or who have a secret or two to hide. I was somewhat like that a long time ago when I was a much younger man. I was a very successful “direct salesman” as they used to call us back in the 1970's. I sold optical products and jewelry, but the stuff I was selling was poor quality and I knew it, but I sold it anyway because I just didn't care. I had no problem with lying to get a sale. I had yet to learn that repercussions result from that kind of behavior. I'd rather not discuss in detail what those repercussions were, but they were severe. That is just one example, but I have long since repented of such dishonest behavior, by the grace and mercy of God.

The second thing that can keep us separated from God is anger. When Paul wrote, 'In your anger do not sin'... , he was quoting Psalm 4, verse 4. It is one thing to have a justifiable anger resulting from injustice, such as from being a crime victim (first, be glad you survived). But anger between spouses, siblings, neighbors, co-workers, and especially within churches, is not indicative of lives lived for Christ. “Do not let the sun go down on your anger”, Paul wrote. Paul had a way of making a point so profound and so concise that he could sum it up in one sentence, and this is a good example right here. If you're still angry at bedtime and can't go to sleep because of whatever – well excuse me, but you're in sin. Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger. But this has stayed in the Bible for the last 2,000 years because it is timeless advice, but also because it is a divine command from the Lord. It's time to change out of your old selves and to put on a brand-new garment of peace, tranquility, unconditional love, forgiveness (without which our own sins cannot be forgiven – it's in all four gospels), generosity, compassion and being merciful. Do as Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. 

 

Watch your mouths! If we are going to talk, Paul writes, then let's say things that build people up instead of trash talk, cursing and profanity, which are offensive and never appropriate. Get rid of every kind of malice, hatred, envy, rage and violent behavior, which are forms of spiritual impurity. Spiritually impure people who fit into all the various categories that I have listed above are not going to be with the Lord when they die. Let all who read this examine themselves. It's time for us all to get serious about our faith. People here in these Last Days of this age have only a short while left before the two events relating to the second coming of Christ take place. The first is the rapture of the church somewhere during the three and a half year reign of the Antichrist as prophesied in several places in the Bible. The second will be the actual return of Christ at the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon, as it is foretold in the four Gospels and the books of Revelation, Daniel, Zechariah and several others. In between time, in those 3.5 years, all those who refuse to worship the Antichrist as god on earth will be executed, and will so be saved and gain eternal life in the presence of God. But those who yield to the Antichrist and receive his mark on their forearm of their forehead cannot be saved, and their end will be eternal shame and condemnation. Believe it or not, it's all over the Bible as I stated above, and as time goes on I intend to make time to teach all these other subjects as well. Until next week, then, shalom.

Getting Rid of Worry, Stress, and Anger

Why Worrying Is A Complete Waste of Time

by Rev. Paul J. Bern

For this week's commentary I want to write about Matthew chapter six, and with good reason. I have been noticing for some time now that there is much speculation on many alternative media websites, as well as social media (particularly You Tube) about the end of the world, the “rapture” of the church, and the timing and commencement of World War Three. There are also many other related things being discussed, such as the so-called “New World Order”, which is actually the coming of the Antichrist prophesied about in the books of Revelation, Daniel and Zechariah, among others. We all have a choice – we can either waste time worrying and growing more frustrated waiting for things to get better, or we can take a proactive approach and take charge of the situation and fix it ourselves – God willing, of course. We can either sit around and serve time waiting for things to improve, or we can make the time available serve us. Life has taught me that chilling out and hoping things get better is little more than a cop-out because it's tantamount to taking the easy way out. Anybody can do that, but being lazy and idle, or feeling defeated, will only make our situations worse. The current state of affairs of the US middle and working classes is only one example of many that applies here.

Worrying about being under-employed or unemployed, or of being caught in the ongoing economic vise of falling wages and rising prices while temporarily being unable to do anything about it, isn't going to solve anything for anybody. But I can truly say without hesitation that I can definitely empathize with those who are going through this economic calamity we're all experiencing. Having been there once myself, I know what it's like to be unable to find work despite being very qualified and experienced, even to the point of becoming homeless. The ultimate outcome for me was retiring early and going on disability, which I resisted at first until it finally became my only choice. It was an ordeal that I wouldn't wish for anyone to go through, even my worst enemy. Did I worry while all that was happening to me? Of course I was! But God used that very thing to teach me patience as well as new ways to prioritize my life and the things within it. And, it turned out that it was a lesson I needed to learn. God didn't allow me to go through a period of homelessness in my life to punish me. He did it to strengthen me, to build me up, and to make me a better person, and I'm glad He did!

There are many dramatic and sensational things on the Internet currently – the possible collapse of the dollar, the criminalizing of homelessness, rampant joblessness, the Occupy and 99% Movements of which I am proud to be a part, and the daily reminders that the Middle East situation as it currently stands could explode into all-out war at any moment. Then there is the more far-out stuff people worry about, such as claims of space alien contact, or the wild speculation about the planet “Nibiru” (which, while it appears to exist, is currently somewhere between Neptune and Pluto. In a worst case scenario it's more than 250 million miles away from earth, or halfway to Jupiter, at its closest approach!), and let's not forget the insistence that the world was going to end on December 21^st, 2012, while we're at it! Then again, there are millions of good people out there who have real stuff to be greatly concerned about, such as being unable to find suitable work – or any work at all – or who may be facing the loss of a vehicle and a home, or the breakup of a family, as a result of long-term unemployment. 

 

If people waste time worrying about this and all other things over which we have little control, is it any wonder that so many people take anti-depressants and mood-stabilizing drugs? Is it any wonder that 100,000 people per year die from accidental drug overdoses? Is it any wonder that substance abuse of all kinds runs rampant? Is it any wonder that 35,000 people per year die from drunk driving accidents in the United States alone? It's time for us all to pause for a moment and take a deep breath and then slowly exhale. See? That's not so bad. Now let's all take the next step together, and put all this into perspective from Jesus' point of view, which is the only one that really counts. I can sum it up in 6 little words. Worrying is a waste of time. It's just a colossal waste. This sounds simple enough, but it can be hard to do in the world in which we live today. It is easy to get stressed out by all the things going on around us. The cure for all this can be found in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 6, verses 25 through 34.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body; what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, oh you of little faith? So do not worry, saying 'what shall we eat', or 'what shall we drink', or 'what shall we wear'? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. 

 

There is plenty to worry about in life, and all to varying degrees. We take a chance every time we drive a car, or even when we simply step out of our homes. The chances of being in a traffic accident are much higher then, say, being in a plane crash or struck and killed by a meteorite falling from the sky. Worry is based on fear of the unknown. It is one of the most basic human emotions. But worry and stress can be brought under control by using the methods that Jesus taught from the scripture I quoted above. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life; what you will eat or drink, or about your body; what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” The message Jesus was giving us here is that we need to prioritize correctly and understand what is most important. We can stop worrying when we start getting what is most important in its correct order in life. Jesus is putting first things first. Life is more important than food. Better to be alive and hungry than to be dead. Jesus goes on from there: ”Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” To call this 'Spiritual common sense' would be a major understatement.

Worrying is useless! Stressing out is pointless! There is documented medical evidence that this is so. This is not merely my opinion. Worry raises your heart rate, your respiration and your blood pressure. Stress and worry can give you a heart attack or a stroke. I should know, I was fortunate enough to survive a stroke ten years ago, but I learned my lesson well. I can truthfully say that I am at a point in life where I just don't let things bother me like I did when I was younger. Doing so can only make each of us die a little younger, so why go to such trouble? Worry is a completely negative emotion. Negative emotions produce negative symptoms like anxiety or anger. Anxiety produces all kinds of ailments including physical, emotional/psychiatric and spiritual. Anxiety and worry can make you go crazy. They can literally make you sick. The thing to do instead is to replace all the negativity associated with worry (or anger) and turn it into something positive. There are those who may say, “That's easier said than done”, and they'd be correct. But when we take the anxiety, the worry and the stress in our lives and replace them all with the exhilarating peace of Christ, we come to an understanding that worrying can't change the outcome of anything. The apostle Paul wrote that the peace of Christ was “a peace that surpasses all human understanding” (see Philippians 4:7). Once we occupy ourselves with the task of attaining this Peace – and yes, it is definitely a reachable goal – you will find that the worry and stress you've been suffering from for God-knows-how-long, is suddenly not worth the time it's been taking up. There are simply not enough hours in the day to be bothered with one single minute of worry, stress and anxiety. Instead of making things better, they hold us back.

But what did Jesus say to do instead? “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these other things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33). We need to get our priorities straight. God first, above all else. If we're not taking this crucial first step then we are missing the mark. This means letting go of our hatreds, our fears, our anger, and our irrational need for material possessions. Why do we need a bigger house, a newer car or new clothes? Remember what Jesus said: “Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor stow away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Indeed we are, in God's sight! Just knowing this can alleviate a lot of stress and worry, and it turns anger aside. For example, does it scare you to think about what might happen if things in your life were to get completely out of control, even through no fault of your own? Hey, that's normal for a lot of people, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. The key is to learn to let go of our pride and the notion that it's up to us to solve all our own problems, and to let go and let God take charge. He can do so much more than we can anyway, provided we allow Him to work through us instead of trying to do it all ourselves.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. This is what I call the pure genius of Christ. Worrying is pointless and counterproductive, that's what Jesus is saying. You may not hear much of Jesus being spoken of as a genius, but it's the truth. Jesus wants us to stop worrying about things that don't matter and to focus on the things that do. He wants us to not be anxious or stressed out about things that may be beyond our control. The things that matter the most are the things that matter to God. The things that matter only to us are the things that matter the least to God. Don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Instead of worrying about bad things happening, take whatever steps you need to take to make sure good things happen in their place. That's how we keep in mind that God is in charge. It's all about correct spiritual priorities.

The apostle Paul wrote in Romans chapter eight, “If God is for us, then who can be against us?” This is the ultimate antidote to worry and fear. We really need to stop being so fearful, especially when it is to the point where fear prevents us from becoming all who we are meant to be. Fear can actually prevent us from succeeding and can hold back our development as individuals. That's why replacing worry with the peace of Christ is a crucial first step towards banishing worry from our lives for good. I have simply made up my mind to stop wasting time worrying and to start living well. God has already given each of us the power to do the same. To tap into this power, just follow the example of Christ. To learn how to do that, get a Bible and start reading it. All the answers are right there. (For those readers who don't own and can't afford a Bible, you can download them free of charge, just search “Bible free download”) Knowledge of God, wrote King Solomon in the Book of Proverbs, is the beginning of all wisdom. So if you want to be smarter or if you simply want to enrich yourself, the Bible is the best and only place to start, and reading our Bibles is the cure for worrying.

Worry is a disease that eats us up inside and keeps us from growing. We waste our time worrying about whether something bad is going to happen or not. In 99% of the cases it turns out that what we worried about never occurs anyway. We can all fight worry with anticipation. Follow Christ's example by anticipating the future as a series of opportunities, expecting a positive outcome rather than fearing a negative one. You will be pleasantly surprised at the difference this makes. Besides, anticipating the future in a positive way is so much more fun than sitting around worrying about the opposite. Banish worry from your life today! It's an important first step towards personal growth in Christ. Follow Christ's example and He will guide you, pray for guidance and your prayers will be answered. Keep this in mind in your everyday living and live without worry. It improves your quality of life immeasurably.