When I was in High School, I took an electronics class. The teacher was always determined for us to learn how to do our work, not just know about it. On quizzes and tests, he would tell us if we want the answers, he would tell us, but he said that we would be graded on how we found the answer, ugh.

As people today we are faced with challenges in living for God. Others are always willing to give us the answers. We are probably guilty of doing that ourselves. Jesus wanted people, all people, to come to salvation and living the Christ like life; but He wanted us to know and understand how to do it. This passage serves as a lesson learned if we pay attention.

Some years ago, I was told by a lady whose parents were teachers that the new age movement had an agenda to disregard Christians and how to deal with the Christian influence in the public schools.

I am appalled that our nation is trashing of traditional marriage in favor of homosexual partnerships; and the movement to remove God from our nation’s money and flag salute.

We have dropped into hopelessness with abortions, religious institutions accepting and promoting the things that are contrary to God’s Word. And much, much more. So, what is all the commotion about?

Psalm 2 addresses these things for us as a nation and as individuals. Listen to what the Lord says concerning these things…

A few days ago, I was rejoicing to see a man standing and not kneeling to the gods of this world. His explanation for this was right on. Sam Coonrod “I don’t think I’m better than anybody, I’m just a Christian. I believe I can’t kneel before anything but God, Jesus Christ. When presented with the gods of this world, we need to remember the essential things regarding our faith and only kneel before God Almighty, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are the simple facts of belonging to the church of God that we need to hold near!

Stop for a minute and think about your frame of mind today. Are you in a panic and depression over what is happening today? Does your outlook have the alligators winning and you have forgotten that you were supposed to drain the swamp? And you are thinking that all is lost? Well, even with all these things we are told to persevere and be steadfast in the Lord for He is in control and will see us to the end of our days!

The church at Sardis was a shell of a church. They had a name, the 1st church of Sardis, but they were dead or dying. The LORD admonished them to wake up, pay attention, repent of their ways, follow Him, or they would lose it all.

So far it seems that the end result to keep from getting off track is to spend time with the Lord and practice His word in our lives. In this church they were commended for the way they conducted their lives as believers, but the Lord points out that many embrace a false woman prophetess who leads them away from the truth. He admonishes them to correct the problem, so listen to the message and see.

We are witnessing the power of Satan over the world. This is nothing new, for he has done this from the start in the garden of Eden. His bent is to destroy God’s plan and purpose for mankind. Although he has tried over the ages, he will not succeed! Here is another reason to follow the Lord in these days!

The Church, the body of Christ, has dealt with trials and tribulation since it began. In some places and at different times, it has been in a greater or lesser degree. Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, “In the world you have tribulation”. But unless you get depressed over that statement, let me read the rest of the verse! "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

I would like to kindle in you a spark today. A spark that stirs up a fire within you to know your Lord better and to walk worthy of your calling!

In the first church, we see that the Lord is making an assessment of what they are doing regarding their walk with Him.

Our attention, as Christians has been drawn away to what is happening around us. We are manipulated by the media in all forms, with the express purpose keeping our eyes on the circumstances instead of on Jesus. Satan is good at what he does to make this happen. If believers are on the circumstances surrounding them and not on Christ, how will the world hear the truth.