Why Intentional Preteen Ministry?

Are We Kicking Against the Goads?

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Are We Kicking Against the Goads?

Article by site founder, Connie Rice

Saul in Acts 9 was on his way to Damascus to arrest those who followed “The Way” (those who believed in Jesus as the Messiah promised by God through the prophets). More on this description can be found in the article, “From ’The Way’ to ‘Christian’: Early Church Identity Explained” by David H Mercer for “Bible Study Toolbox”. Paul thought he was following God’s will.  However, when Jesus appeared to him and said, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ [King James Version uses the word “pricks”).  In that time period, a long stick with an attached iron point was used to motivate oxen to move or change directions.  The article, “What Does it Mean to Kick Against the Pricks?”, by “Got Questions” explains the cultural background behind the phrase.  Quoting from that article: “Jesus took control of Paul and let him know his rebellion against God was a losing battle.  Paul’s actions were as senseless as an ox kicking ‘against the goads’.  Paul had passion and sincerity in his fight against Christianity, but he was not heading in the direction God wanted him to go.  Jesus was going to goad (‘direct’ or ‘steer’) Paul in the right direction.”  Saul (who Jesus renamed Paul) later describes this encounter with Jesus to King Agrippa in Acts 26:

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.  And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.  While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.  And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goad’s’.  So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’  And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.  I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me’.”

Acts 26:9-18

This account reveals to us that even if our intentions are honorable in following God, we may still misunderstand and end up going against Him and/or His plan.  It is necessary first, for us to know God’s Word very well, making it a priority to read and study it continually because this is how God chose to reveal Himself to us.  Saul (later Paul) was well-versed in the Old Testament Scriptures, yet still misunderstood God’s plan, resulting in him working against it. When Jesus appeared to him, Jesus corrected Saul’s faulty understanding, gave him a new name (Paul), and gave him a mission.  The result was life-transforming to Paul, who became the greatest missionary in history.  He spent the rest of his life, despite numerous dangerous trials, in sharing the truth of Jesus as Savior to both Jews and Gentiles. Although the Bible does not give an account of any of the apostle’s deaths, In 2nd Timothy Chapter 3, it seemed that Paul believed his death to be imminent.  The article, “Was Paul Beheaded in Rome?” by Sean McDowell after research he did for his book, ”The Fate of the Apostles”, reveals that according to early Christian accounts, it was traditionally believed that Paul was ordered to be beheaded by Emperor Nero.  Although the book of Acts is the only place where the term “goads” (or “pricks”) is used, we see another instance of someone whose intention was to follow Jesus, but whose actions brought a strong rebuke from Jesus.  The passage from Matthew below reveals how Jesus went from saying that Peter was blessed because he was hearing from God and promises that Peter will be the rock upon which He will build His church to rebuking Peter for being influenced by Satan.

“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am’?  So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’  He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’. Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven’.  Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.  From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ’Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You’!  But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan!  You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men’.”

Matthew 16:13-23

This reveals that we need to be very careful – that we can love Jesus and be totally surrendered to Him, but that we can still be influenced to say or do things that are in opposition to God’s plan. I have personal experience with this. It was clear that God had put me in a particular situation, so when things became more difficult, I thought that I needed to lean on Him, do my best to balance things, and persevere. God allowed me to become injured, which He used to ultimately change the situation. It took a year for me to realize that He had actually been prompting me to take a different path, but that I was not trusting Him – so He changed it for me. I was quite surprised when the Lord revealed this to me, but repented and asked for forgiveness. Within a few months, God opened up opportunities for me that would help to restore the cognitive damage resulting from my injuries, which then allowed me to continue to serve Him in ministry. Jesus was bold in His rebukes, yet patiently and graciously restored both Saul and Peter, using them in mighty ways for the Kingdom work He had planned for each of them. As Paul later said:

“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” 

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Jesus not only uses the trials of this life to strengthen and humble us, but even uses our failures – not to condemn us, but to restore and prepare us to accomplish His plan for our lives.  May we always choose to partner with Him in the process, even as it can be painful, knowing that His plan is better than anything we can figure out on our own.  It leads to experiencing His incredible peace, purpose, and yes – even joy – in the midst of life’s struggles.  God’s plan is always best, but we need to not only spend time with Him in His Word and surrender our lives to Him – we also need to spend enough time in humble, reflective prayer to make sure we properly understand the direction He would have for us to go.  We don’t want to give Satan a foothold in our mind or allow our own or the world’s wisdom to influence our decisions along the way, and take the chance that we, like Saul (later Paul), are found to be “kicking against the goads” or influenced by Satan to react impulsively like Peter.  I’m so thankful for the Lord’s love, mercy, patience, gentleness, grace, and wisdom as well as the gift of the Holy Spirit whose efforts guide and empower us to experience God fully while still in this broken world.  I’m also thankful for the hope of eternity with Him in heaven where there will be no pain, death, sickness, or evil when my time on earth comes to an end.  To God be the glory!

© Constance Rice 2026

1 Chronicles 16 – David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving to God

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on 1 Chronicles 16 – David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving to God

article by site founder, Connie Rice

In his commentary on the book of 1 Chronicles, Chapter 16, respected pastor and theologian from the late 17th and early 18th Centuries, Matthew Henry, gives context and background for this portion of Scripture.  He notes that David used parts of psalms he had already written to create a prayer of thanksgiving to God.  It had been on David’s heart to bring the Ark of the Covenant, which had been God’s dwelling place in the wilderness and beyond, symbolizing His presence with the Israelites beginning with Moses as explained in the book of Exodus.  In Chapter 16 of 1 Chronicles, David had just brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem for the public worship of God.  Below is the passage beginning in verse 8 – our church used this passage in a sermon this past Sunday (May 24, 2026) and it is applicable to our present day as well:

8Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
11 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

14 He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
17 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”
19 When you were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

20 When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
21 He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
24 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

25 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is also to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are [a]idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
27 Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.

28 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
30 Tremble before Him, all the earth.
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.

31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.

34 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
35 And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.”

36 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

Sadly, those in our culture have forgotten or have never really known who God is, so there is a strong tendency for people to make God in their own image, using their wisdom to judge Him and His Word.  God is our Creator and knows us better than we know ourselves.  He provided a way for us to live in freedom from the bondage of sin as well as be with Him in heaven forever. He even gave us His Word so we could know Him and know how to live in fellowship with Him while on earth.  The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is free to all who will believe in Him and surrender their lives to Him, but it came at great cost to Him.  When we think logically about it, the extent of God’s love, mercy, and patience toward sinful and arrogant mankind is mind-boggling and should leave us with a grateful heart, totally in awe of Him.  Below is part of Psalm 25 written by David:

4Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

8 Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
9 The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

If you really want to know if God is real and if He is who He says He is, then genuinely seek Him – but don’t be surprised if He chooses to reveal Himself to you.  Before I did this, I was completely unaware of the invisible spiritual realm and that it was even possible to have a personal relationship with my Creator while still in the midst of a fallen world. When God revealed Himself to me, it changed my life and gave me peace and purpose that I had never experienced before. Studying His Word with the help of the Holy Spirit (another gift from God to help and guide us) has given me understanding and discernment. I’m so thankful that He has allowed me to be part of His Kingdom work so others can find Him too. God is truly worthy of all praise and glory.  May each of us learn this and remind ourselves of it thereafter, until He takes us home to be with Him forever.

© Constance Rice 2026

Science Supports the Biblical Account

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Science Supports the Biblical Account

article by site founder, Connie Rice

That science supports the biblical account is logical to those who are familiar with the Bible’s teachings. We recognize that God created the universe and all scientific laws. However, this may surprise those who have accepted an evolutionary worldview as fact.  Although the Bible is not a science book, whenever it references anything having to do with science – it has been correct. In some cases, God revealed accurate scientific principles thousands of years ahead of man’s discovery of the same principles. David Rives, founder of “David Rives Ministries”, the “Creation Superstore”, the “Genesis Science Network” with Creation content live-streaming 24/7, and the “Wonders Center and Science Museum” near Nashville, TN, explains some of the accurate principles outlined in the Bible in his book, “21 Verses Backed by Science”.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God I ]manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. “ 

Romans 1:18-21

Just as God revealed Himself throughout Scripture over time (progressive revelation), He appears to be doing the same in recent history. The closer we get to the end of human history, the more God is revealing the truth of His Word through discoveries in biology (DNA, mutations, etc.), the animal kingdom, astronomy, geology, archaeology, and more. It is really an exciting time for believers as we see more and more evidence supporting the biblical account. Discover for yourself as I have for the past 25 years:

This is only a sampling of available resources. Hopefully, you will take some time to seek out the evidence for yourself. That is the reason this website was created – so people could see the abundance of resources available and where to find them.  Much is at stake, not the least of which is where we will spend eternity as well as whether or not we will know God personally and live out our God-given purpose in this life.  

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.”

Proverbs 8:12-17

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

Don’t take other people’s word for what is true – seek the Lord with your whole mind, heart, soul, and strength and ask Him to lead you to what is true.  A personal relationship with our Creator is the greatest adventure a human can experience!  Read the Bible for yourself.  I encourage people to start in the book of Psalms and Proverbs, then the New Testament (stop before reading Revelation – it will make no sense until you read and study the Old Testament).

“The Holy Spirit can take God’s Word of truth and minister it to our deepest needs.”

~ Billy Graham ~

I also recommend an excellent book by Tony Evans, “The Power of Knowing God”.  I believe you will come to the same conclusion – that there is a God who created each one of us and who desires a relationship with us, that He wants to bless us with His peace and help us discover our purpose.  We find that He is all-powerful, all-knowing, merciful, the source of all wisdom, truth, and goodness, and is sovereign and active in the affairs of mankind.  He created all the laws of science that we depend on every day and the greatest scientists in history humbly sought to know more about what God had put in place, and He blessed their efforts.  So yes – science supports the biblical account. It’s only in recent times that men and women have tried so hard to deny or ignore His existence, but the evidence is all around us.

© Constance Rice 2026

Should Christians Support Israel and the Jewish People?

Eyes2c1 Comment on Should Christians Support Israel and the Jewish People?

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Christians should not be divided over whether or not to support Israel and the Jewish people.  This does not mean that we have to agree with everything the government of Israel does, but we do need to be wary of those who condemn Israel and/or Jewish people – no matter how confident they might seem.  We need to remember that Satan uses every avenue to deceive, and as one of my previous pastors said (although he probably wasn’t the first to make the point), “the nature of deception is that we don’t know we’re being deceived”.  God has given us a firm foundation in His Word (the Bible) to reveal Himself to us and so we could discern what is true.  However, it is our responsibility to read and study the Bible for ourselves.  With America’s current low level of Bible literacy, unfortunately even professing Christians are quite vulnerable to the enemy’s clever lies.  Satan has always worked against God and God’s people.  God is the author of life and source of all goodness and Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of lies and Scripture teaches that he is the evil one.  Our adversary redefines words and makes things look good that are not, tricking many people into following his ways instead of God’s.  While God wants His people to be unified and love each other with grace and patience, Satan’s efforts will bring division, chaos, bitterness, and confusion.  Below are God’s words spoken through Moses as the Israelites enter the promised land:

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.  Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. Therefore, you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.” 

Deuteronomy 6-11

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Psalm 133:1

If you profess Jesus as your Savior, please don’t leave your Bible on a shelf or table – make it a priority to read and study it every day.  Just like it’s hard to express the peace, supernatural strength, and joy we experience in this life when we know God’s goodness and faithfulness personally, it’s also hard to express the value we receive from seeking Him daily through His revealed Word, obeying Him (the gift of the Holy Spirit given to believers supplies us with the power to obey), and trusting His plan for our lives.  In our present day, so many resources are available that make it easier than ever before, but nothing happens without our effort to make the practice a priority.   Some believe that the church age replaced God’s promises to Israel (replacement theology), but that is not what Scripture actually teaches.  At the end of the church age, God will fulfill His promises to Israel.  For those of us who have personally experienced God’s incredible mercy, it should come as no surprise to us that He would fulfill His covenant promise to Israel.  There are a number of good resources on the topic; here are a few:

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

2 Timothy 3:12-17

Does this mean that everyone who speaks against Israel in our present day is evil?  Not necessarily – they may just be deceived, but evil is behind the movement.  Satan is always trying to create division in his fight against God’s people.  God wants unity among His people, not division or confusion.  The Jews are God’s chosen people and Jesus is their promised Messiah.  Jesus was Jewish, the first people to follow Jesus were Jewish and the first evangelists were Jewish.  We should all be thankful that God opened up the gift of salvation to all people, accepting and adopting all who would receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Scripture teaches that although we are presently in what is referred to as the church age, God is not done with Israel or the Jewish people.  He is always true to His promises. 

“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 

2 Timothy 2:14-15

Let none of us be deceived on this very important issue.  We are responsible for who we listen to and whether they “rightly divide the word of truth” or are being used by Satan (intentionally or unintentionally), bringing disunity, conflict, and division to the church.  Satan has been effective with this strategy in the past with the Creation vs. evolution debate due to Christians believing the world’s teachings over what God has actually said in Scripture, and trying to massage the biblical text to make it line up while accusing those who hold to a plain teaching of Scripture of being the divisive ones.  Thankfully, recent discoveries in geology, DNA, mutations, archaeology, biology, the fossil record, and astronomy are making it clear that the Bible can be trusted as written.  I’ve watched God continue to bless and grow the impact of those who were faithful to His Word – “Answers in Genesis”, “David Rives Ministries”, “Genesis Apologetics”, “Institute for Creation Research”, “Creation Ministries International”, “International Association for Creation”, and many more.

”Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.
You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes; oh, do not forsake me utterly!
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.”

Psalm 119:1-16

May our study of the Bible affect us the same way.  All praise and glory to God, the Creator of our world and all life, who loved us so much that He sent His only Son to make a way for us to be freed from the power of sin and be in relationship with Him on earth while looking forward to being in His presence forever in a new heaven and new earth where evil, death, sickness, and sadness will have no place.  Let us not elevate ourselves to the spiritually dangerous place of judging the very people group that God has chosen for Himself.  So – yes, Christians should support Israel and the Jewish people. Seek the Lord through His revealed Word and ask Him to reveal Himself to you along the way.

“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.”

Psalm 25:8-10

© Constance Rice 2026

“Cs” of Change in One Lifetime

Eyes2c1 Comment on “Cs” of Change in One Lifetime

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Recently, I wasn’t able to fall back to sleep after waking up and as I was praying, my mind wandered. I began to think about changes that had occurred in my own lifetime. To my surprise, I realized that they were characterized by a large number of factors that started with a C. I wrote the factors down in no particular order:

  • Comfort – most people striving to live within their comfort zone & avoiding anything that might interfere or cause conflict with others.
  • Convenience – saw the entry of fast food restaurants (have fond memories of A&W root beer served in frosty cold glass mugs, delivered to the car window with food order), ultra-processed prepared food, & many technological advances (entry of personal computers from some that filled whole rooms – in first full-time job, kept track of inventory of high-line pieces for a jewelry company with punch cards, saw the beginning of the Internet, mobile and then cell phones, microwave ovens, etc.).
  • College – from only certain professions requiring a college degree to all young people being pushed to attend college. Businesses followed by requiring degrees for jobs that never required them before, creating increasingly huge debt for graduating students and removing good jobs from those who were capable of doing the job, but thrown out of consideration. Because of this and the decline of American manufacturing, we went from having an economy with massive job opportunities for young people to create a successful life for themselves and their families to one that no longer offered near as many opportunities.
  • Cheaply made goods – saw American made quality goods replaced over time with cheaply made goods from Communist China (yet more Cs), a country that did not have the best interests of Americans in mind. Brand named products used to communicate quality, but became no better than other brands – with all being of low quality.
  • Computers – saw the beginning of personal computers to now when most people can’t function without one, where a cell phone has way more power than a computer that used to take up a huge room.
  • Chemicals – saw huge increase of chemicals being used in food, medicine, clothing, furniture, mattresses, cleansers, cosmetics, etc. – have also seen a huge rise in chronic illnesses and obesity.
  • Climate mania – remember scary predictions of another ice age, then as the climate shifted, to fear of global warming, then as the climate shifted again, to climate change – although none of their predictions ever came to be, policies were implemented that have proved to be destructive to society, businesses, countries, states, and individuals.
  • Conceit – we were brought up to always consider others, but the increased focus on self, self-esteem, and pride has created a level of narcissism and self-centeredness not seen before in my lifetime.
  • Cell phones – saw the beginning of car phones for a few to now when most people can’t function without one.
  • Complacency – for most of my life, there was a level of trust in leaders and institutions that unfortunately has proven to be ill founded – we were frogs in a pot, oblivious to the corruption and fraud that was being increasingly perpetuated. People generally minded their own business, were not personally involved in politics but trusted that the election process was honest, and tried to be a law-abiding, taxpaying, hard-working good citizens and neighbors. Bad laws were being passed without public discussion and most people had no idea.
  • Cancer – as a kid, I never heard of cancer – now it is commonplace, touching most everyone I know in some way. I’ve personally lost my dad, an aunt, many friends, and even several children I knew and cared about to cancer.
  • Chronic illness – used to be rare, but is also now commonplace – so many people suffer from “mysterious” symptoms (including both of my own daughters with Myalgic Encephalopathy or M.E. – one as a teen from undiagnosed bacterial infections and one as an adult, the result of chronic Lyme). In children, the incidence of ADD/ADHD, autism, allergies, asthma, & other illnesses has skyrocketed (neither my husband nor I have been allergic to anything, but both of daughters are). Other debilitating chronic illnesses have also skyrocketed, (Alzheimer’s, etc.).
  • Corruption – for most of my life, institutions were trusted and revered – now we see that fraud and corruption is in all of them, even to the highest levels of government, education, medicine, media, etc.
  • Crudeness/coarseness of language – from most people being respectful of God by not using His name in vain and of others with their language – choosing to use G rated communication in public and especially around women and children to where now not seeming to have any boundaries among the general population or in the culture or media (movies, TV shows, etc.). The word “inappropriate” seems to have been eliminated from the cultural dialog.
  • Cancel culture – from most everyone believing that free speech was for everyone, whether we agreed or not, to personal attacks against those who simply disagree, negatively affecting their reputations, careers, families, and even putting their lives in danger.
  • Cognitive decline – from unusual and in the very old to common and in younger ages.
  • Conflict – from focusing on finding common ground to treating those who disagree as an enemy or evil; also in relationships – instead of being determined to resolve conflicts, becoming quick to give up on relationships (causing untold harm to children and society at large).
  • Confusion – has always existed to some degree, but now seems to be perpetuated intentionally, and especially toward young children – even to the point of whether they are male or female instead of helping them be more comfortable with the biological reality of who they are (causing further mental and emotional damage as well as permanent physical damage).
  • Civil discourse – in my younger days, there was a decline in racist ideas toward acceptance of all people so that most people tried to be respectful of others, regardless of their ethnicity – even if they totally disagreed with them.
  • Community loss – divorced & single parents were unusual, as were parents who deserted their family; in my lifetime, more families began living farther apart geographically, many with no family nearby at all.
  • Common decency/common courtesy/common sense loss – saw societal boundaries gradually discarded, fewer people choosing to be courteous or polite, and more people making or falling for illogical arguments/ideologies.
  • Crime – has always existed and has had ebbs and flows, but people generally respected the property rights of others and valued human life; now crime is much more rampant and more barbaric with terrorism and those from more violent cultures entering America.
  • Children – from people wanting to get married and start a family, seeing children as a blessing, with a culture striving to protect them to one that targets them in numerous ways for harm; from infertility being rare to now being a familiar issue for many people; from babies being in the “safety of the womb” to being intentionally and violently “terminated”, California and other states defending the killing children once they are born if the mother had intent to abort them, etc. Unborn babies are the most innocent and vulnerable among us, and deserve to be protected; from the culture of protecting children from the seediness of life so they can just be kids who feel safe and secure to those who openly sexualize and confuse them, exposing them to things that destroy their innocence and make them vulnerable to abuse and danger.

There are probably more Cs than the ones listed here, but this has already been quite a convicting (even that starts with a C) exercise for me. I would like to apologize to the generations after my own. All of this happened on our watch and we were mostly oblivious, trusting those in authority, that they had the best interests of people in mind. As our nation has drifted away from God and His Word (the Bible), the values that we grew up with are being eroded. If it continues, it will be a great loss to humanity at large. Christianity transformed the world with so many positive influences, creating Western Civilization. The things most of us appreciate in America were possible because of biblical principles and God’s common grace. As long as we were following His principles, our nation experienced incredible blessings. However, God cannot bless nations who openly rebel against His teachings and who call evil good and good evil or who harm children or who defend the intentional killing of those who are helpless, whether by abortion, euthanasia, drugs, chemicals, etc.

“These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to [h]Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.”

Proverbs 6:16-19

We did not realize that the freedoms and opportunities we enjoyed were at risk and took them for granted. May God forgive us for being so oblivious and naive, and for not doing more to protect the most vulnerable among us. May we love our fellow man enough to tell him or her the truth. God is not mocked. He has given us all we need to know in the Bible and has provided sufficient warning of the judgment to come as well as the consequences of our choices. Jesus’ sacrifice of death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of all mankind. However, each person must choose to turn from their sins (repent), recognize that Jesus is God’s Son, and trust in Him alone for salvation, surrendering their life to Him.

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, [g]when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”

1 Peter 3:18-22

The prince of this world tempts, deceives, lies, condemns, and seeks to destroy us. God loves us and wants that none should perish. We can avoid the eternal torment that comes from hardening our hearts against Him. Allen Parr has a 26-min video on hell that is worth watching. Being willfully ignorant does not end well. It is up to us to humbly seek God with our whole heart, mind, strength, and soul. If you’re not sure, ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He waits with open arms for anyone who genuinely seeks Him and chooses to turn from their sinful ways, but we must fully surrender our lives and will to Him. He gave the Israelites a choice – blessings or curses/life or death. He’s given all of us a choice – we can look forward to rest in heaven with Him or experience eternal regret and torment in hell. Hopefully, we won’t be like the man in one of the Indiana Jones movies who “chose poorly” (the goblet) – let’s choose life. God is the author of life and Jesus conquered death. With His righteousness covering us, we can conquer death too and look forward to His coming back, rather than awaiting His righteous judgment.

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 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 3:18-21

© Constance Rice 2026

Book of Revelation – Jesus Revealed

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Book of Revelation – Jesus Revealed

article by site founder, Connie Rice

This post is late because I changed what I was going to write on. In reading the last chapters of Revelation (I try to read through the Bible every year), I was compelled to share the truth given as it is so important for everyone to know. The book of Revelation is the only book with a promise that anyone who reads, hears, or obeys it will be blessed, keeping in mind that much of it will not make any sense to those without a knowledge of both the Old and New Testaments. The Scripture below was posted directly from “Bible Gateway” using the New King James Version (NKJV) and includes only Revelation Chapters 20-22. It picks up after the Tribulation with Satan being bound and the start of the Millennial Kingdom (1000 years of Jesus’ reign on earth with HIs followers).

“Satan Bound 1,000 Years

20  Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Satanic Rebellion Crushed

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The Great White Throne Judgment

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before [c]God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second [d]death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

All Things Made New

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, [e]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said [f]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It[g] is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes [h]shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, [i]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came [j]to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the [k]bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the [l]great city, the [m]holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.

14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the [n]names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand [o]furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

The Glory of the New Jerusalem

22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine [p]in it, for the [q]glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations [r]of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor [s]into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into [t]it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything [u]that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

The River of Life

22 And he showed me a [v]pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the [w]holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 Now I, John, [x]saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. [y]For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [z]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Jesus Testifies to the Churches

12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the [aa]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

14 Blessed are those who [ab]do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 [ac]But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

A Warning

18 [ad]For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, [ae]God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God[af] shall take away his part from the [ag]Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I Am Coming Quickly

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be [ah]with you all. Amen.”

My personal hope and prayer is that the new year will be a time:

  • for believers to choose to read, study, and obey the teachings of God that He has so graciously provided to mankind and preserved throughout history in the Bible, and that they would trust in His guidance.
  • for those who have drifted or walked away from the faith for any reason to recognize who Jesus is and to put all other things aside (confusion, doubt, shame, loss, hypocrisy of self-professed Christians, anger, etc.) and place Him in His rightful place of honor in their lives, trusting His perfect will.
  • for unbelievers to take the challenge to humbly ask Jesus to reveal Himself to them and choose to pursue truth wherever it leads, starting with reading the Bible for themselves. I recommend starting in the book of Psalms, then Proverbs, then John, then Matthew, Mark, & Luke, then the rest of the New Testament (stopping before Revelation), then the Old Testament (chronologically is helpful in understanding), and then Revelation.
  • for all of us to continually seek the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and choose to surrender ourselves daily to His will, knowing that He is the source of all that good and right, that He is light and in Him is no darkness at all, and that He uses the inevitable trials in our lives (because we live in a broken world) for good. He uses them to draw us closer to Himself (those who choose to lean in to Him will experience Him in a deeper way and get to see His blessings and provision). He wants to transform us to be more like Christ. He also wants to increase our compassion for the suffering of others, motivating us to be a source of good in the world. May we all be diligent in guarding ourselves against the forces of darkness and evil in this world, knowing that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and has been given all power and authority over all of his enemies. He will make all things right, so we can trust Him as the only perfect judge.

God is revealing Himself all over the world and people from all nations are responding to His call – just as the Bible foretold. However, Bible prophecy also tells us that there will be a big falling away and many will turn from Him and harden their hearts. Please don’t be part of that group – the consequences are grave and eternal. Out of His love for us, he gave us a free will – may we not use it to waste our lives on earth or our lives in eternity, missing out on the hope of heaven in the presence of our loving Creator – where death, illness, sadness, pain, and evil will no longer exist. God started with a perfect world and will bring it to full circle in creating a new heaven and a new earth. You can compare it to eternity in hell by watching this 26-minute video from Allen Parr: “The SOBERING Truth About Hell Nobody Wants to Talk About”. Let us not choose poorly (reference to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade film in Holy Grail scene). There really is nothing more important than the question of where we will spend eternity.

For those interested in learning more, there are numerous helpful resources on the book of Revelation and End Times. Some include: videos by Allen Parr on the book of Revelation and end times, “Revelation for Kids” website & study materials by Shama Stock, and “The Non-Prophet’s Guide to the Book of Revelation: Bible Prophecy for Everyone” by Todd Hampton, and the “Prophecy Pros Podcast”. Other resources can be found on this site on the End Times page under Bible.

© Constance Rice 2025

So Much for Which to be Thankful

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on So Much for Which to be Thankful

article by site founder, Connie Rice

It’s so easy for us to take the blessings in our lives for granted (even our own Creator and Savior and those relationships closest to us). We can develop a complaining and critical attitude where we focus on things we don’t like rather than choosing to look at the bigger picture.  When we focus on the positive and count our blessings every day, it changes our attitude and not only does it make us easier for others to be around us, but we will become happier and more content.  An article by Imed Bouchrika, Phd for Research.com offers “35 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude: Mental Health Research Findings for 2026”.  Scripture shows us how to have God’s peace (which is not found in the world):

“Rejoice in the Lord always.   Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand.Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me,these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-9

The Thanksgiving season reminds us to be more reflective.  The First Thanksgiving in America was held to thank God for His provision in the new land.  They were strong people, but they also recognized that they needed the Lord’s help in order to survive.  It can be hard for modern Americans to comprehend the challenges of those early Americans.  Here is the one of the only records of the celebration – from a letter to a friend in England from “E.W.” (Pilgrim Edward Winslow) as documented (and put in modern English) by “Plimoth/Patuxet Museums”:

“Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit,with some 90 men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”

Winslow’s Letter in Mourt’s Relation (ed. Heath), 82

Those of us who have participated in even one mission trip have discovered how hard day-to-day life is for people in poorer countries.  We also find that so many of our struggles are not that different from each other, but are common to all people.  We are all made in God’s image and we are all trying to get by in a broken world that is under the sway of Satan, the evil one. He is the prince of this world and has had thousands of years to study humans and learn how best to take them down. He uses many Ds to accomplish this – doubt, deception, discord, distraction, distress, disunity, distortion, despair, etc. – all with the goal of destruction.  Believers must realize that they are in a spiritual war, how to identify the source of each battle that comes their way, and learn how to live victoriously.

“Satan may be the god of this world, but his domain is limited to unbelievers. Born-again children of God are no longer under the rule of Satan. God the Father ‘has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves’ (Colossians 1:13).  The apostle Paul was sent by God to turn people ‘from the power of Satan to God’ (Acts 26:18). Unbelievers, however free they may think they are, are caught ‘in the snare of the devil’ (2 Timothy 2:26) and lie in the ‘power of the evil one’ (1 John 5:19). As the god of this world, Satan exercises his power over the unbelieving world to keep them from Jesus.  Second Corinthians 4:4 indicates that he is responsible for the spiritual blindness of people without Christ: ‘The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.’   Satan snatches the gospel from people’s hearts (Matthew 13:19).   He promotes false philosophies and ‘doctrines of demons’ (1 Timothy 4:1, NKJV).  Satan’s philosophies are the fortresses in which people are imprisoned, and they must be set free by Christ.”

quote from “Got Questions” article, ”How is Satan god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)?”

God has graciously offered us so much.  As if Jesus voluntarily sacrificing His life to pay the penalty for our sins so we could have access to a holy God and be with Him for eternity in heaven isn’t enough, He doesn’t stop there.  He also gives us the His Word (the Bible), the Holy Spirit, the path to a clear conscience, His peace (even in the midst of trials and chaos around us), and purpose during our time on earth, allowing us to be part of His Kingdom work of pointing others to Him so they can experience His amazing love and hope of heaven for themselves.

“O Lord, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation’.”

Isaiah 12:1-2

Through the Bible, God has revealed Himself so we can know Him as well as what is true and good.  We also see how God has worked in the world throughout human history and allows us to see ourselves since our true identity comes from our Creator.  God tells us how to fight spiritual battles with the Bible as our offensive weapon.  Every believer should be reading through it every day, over and over again, throughout our lives.  Satan attempts to keep us from being effective in Kingdom work and we cannot live a life of victory without knowing the Bible. Jesus is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings and has been given all authority.  Through His name, we can tell Satan and his demons to take a hike and leave us alone. 

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.   Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.   For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” 

Ephesians 6:10-13

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can better understand the Scriptures, be reminded of verses when we need them, be empowered to overcome sin in our lives, have the ability to love, serve, and forgive others, and be transformed to accurately reflect Jesus.  The Holy Spirit also convicts us when we do wrong, so that we can repent and ask for forgiveness and help to not repeat the same mistakes.  Satan condemns, but God seeks to restore.  Living with a clear conscience is a tremendous gift as well.  The Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish the calling given to us by God, who has created and gifted each of us for a life with purpose and meaning. 

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”

James 4:7-8

When we take the time to reflect on what the Lord has already given us and focus on the positive things in our lives, we cannot help but be thankful for the unmerited favor He gives to those who choose to trust in Him.  We truly serve an awesome God, who is also holy, deserving of our praise and to be kept in His rightful place as Lord in our lives. He is God and we are not.

© Constance Rice 2025

Life is but a Breath

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Life is but a Breath

Guest post from friend, Laurie Reifsnyder (her newsletter post for her motorcycle club)

Scripture: “They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.” – Psalm 144:4 (NIV)

This past few weeks have had some sad moments for the HOG membership. We
did Russ’ Memorial ride, Eva Joy’s little sister was tragically killed in an accident
and Paul’s wife passed away while receiving cancer treatments. It is shocking and
painful to lose friends and loved ones suddenly. This scripture reminds us that life
is fleeting and we don’t know when it will be our turn to keep our appointment
with God.

Yet, it is heartwarming to see us come together and support those who have lost
loved ones. We check on one another, give great hugs and lend a helping hand.
We show loving-kindness to each other, just as God has commanded us to do.
When we are young, we feel invincible, as if life has no ending. We ride with the
wind and don’t look back. As we age, we become more in touch with our frailty
and our mortality. Hopefully, we gain wisdom in our journey through life and ride
a little slower. King Solomon reminds us that there is a time for everything:
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven; a time to
be born, and a time to die; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn
and a time to dance. – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2, 4 (NKJV)

God doesn’t want us to fear death because he took care of it through Jesus. Jesus
died in his earthly body but rose again and conquered spiritual death. He gives us
hope that when we die in this body, that we will gain eternal life by believing in
him. We go from one kind of life to another life which has no ending, nor tears,
nor pain. We are not annihilated; our consciousness lives.
Let us thank God for the days that we have on this earth and pray that we will see
our loved ones again, in heaven. In the meantime, we enjoy the wind therapy we
get from him.

Blessings, Laurie

Public Education in America – What Happened?

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Public Education in America – What Happened?

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Sadly, most Americans are not aware that for most of its history, America’s public schools used the Bible and its teachings were foundational elements in the education for youth of all ages.  The first textbook in America’s  public schools was “The New England Primer” and it was used until the 20th Century.  In teaching the ABCs, it began with “In Adam’s fall, we sinned all.”  A reprint of it (I have one) is available for purchase.  Studying quotes from our founding fathers can prove enlightening (quotes below are from ”Wallbuilders”, an organization with a large collection of original documents and letters):

“I advise you, my son, in whatever you read, and most of all in reading the Bible, to remember that it is for the purpose of making you wiser and more virtuous. I have myself, for many years, made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year. I have always endeavored to read it with the same spirit and temper of mind, which I now recommend to you: that is, with the intention and desire that it may contribute to my advancement in wisdom and virtue.” John Quincey Adams in a letter to his son

“The general principles in which the fathers achieved independence, were the only principles on which that beautiful assembly of young men could unite, and these principles only could be intended by them in their address, or by me in my answer. And what were these general principles? I answer, the general principles of Christianity, in which all those sects were united, and the general principles of English and American liberty…15  Quote of John Adams from exchange of letters with Thomas Jefferson

Most Americans also are not aware that the first colleges and universities were founded so that every citizen leader in America would have a solid biblical foundation and understanding of Scripture. The original mottos make that clear – scroll down this website’s page to read some of them. Over time (and in own my lifetime), universities became places of open debate and were considered bastions of free speech where everyone’s ideas and opinions were welcomed to be discussed and analyzed. People could disagree without becoming emotionally charged and could even be friends with those who did not share the same opinions.

Harvard University – 1st U.S. university; its namesake & its 1st president were both reverends: “Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae“, Motto Latin for “Truth for Christ and the Church“.

Unfortunately, the open debate that allowed students to critically consider all views also gave opportunity for activists espousing dangerous leftist philosophy to shift the atmosphere of colleges and universities to becoming places of indoctrination with one-sided opinions and based on ideology rather than historical facts. Those professors and students with conservative opinions and/or religious convictions faced increased pressure, mocking, and exclusion.  Author, David Horowitz, came out of that ideology when he realized how dangerous it was and spent the rest of his life warning others through his books and founding of the “Freedom Center”. 

“Communism has decided against God, against Christ, against the Bible, and against all religion.”  Billy Graham

Churches in the last century became timid in teaching a plain reading of the Bible because so many fell for the lie that science had proven millions of years, Darwinian evolution, and even the ape to man story.  Christians lost their confidence in the truth of Scripture and also removed themselves from the “dirty business” of politics, leaving America with leaders who had no fear of God. In doing so, our government became even more corrupt with self-gain and power becoming the primary goal for many. In just my lifetime, the Bible and prayer were removed from public education, schools went from teaching Darwinian evolution as a theory to teaching it as a fact even as recent discoveries discredited it and were better supported by the biblical account. A narrative was created and defended in universities and science journals and those who disagreed were censored, mocked, and faced loss of their careers and reputations.

“The Bible is clear: God is the Creator. Any interpretation of science that attempts to remove God from involvement with origins is incompatible with Scripture.”  Quote from article by “Got Questions”, “What does the Bible say about creation vs. evolution?”

When Jesus came to earth, He found the religious leaders going through the motions and not accurately teaching/keeping God’s law as it was written, and thus His harshest words were for them.  When He comes again, how will He find the church?  Since the beginning of Western Civilization, the church has influenced the culture by boldly exclaiming the unified message of God to the world.  Now, a minority are biblically literate. Church leaders should tremble at how so many churches have allowed worldly ways to infiltrate and influence large bodies of Christians and the culture at large. Many believers have not recognized the value of reading the Bible, studying it, and surrendering fully to obeying their Savior’s commands to be light and salt while on earth. What is the result of this?

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 [g]Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:13-14

Unbelievers no longer hear the unified message of God, but are hearing different messages – all supposedly speaking for God.  We’ve seen other institutions that had always been revered and trusted following the same gameplan of creating narratives and censoring, mocking, and discrediting those who voice opposition or different opinions.  The culture is falling apart with more confusion, division, broken families, mothers seeing their children as a burden to be rid of rather than the blessing that they are, fathers abandoning their wives and children, the innocence of children being destroyed, people being used for sexual gratification for personal gain, corruption at the highest levels of government, the tragedy of millions of innocent babies killed by abortion, the elderly not being revered, and levels of depression, despair, addiction, and suicide never seen before.  Groups develop a tribal mindset that sees others as their enemies instead of their fellow man who was also made in the image of God

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. and loved by Him.“ 

1 John 4:7-11

Without a fear of God and the realization that they will stand before Him as Judge and give an account for their lives, people are capable of great evil and can rationalize and justify most anything.  For those who believe that man is inherently good and also do not know the Bible, this rise in evil can be a great and unexpected shock. That is not so for those who have a personal relationship with their Creator and know His Word, including prophecies of the End Times. Do you have a biblical worldview?  Dr. George Barna has an online questionnaire to help you determine whether or not you do.  Quote from his website:

“Imagine experiencing…

  • calm in the midst cultural chaos
  • sure confidence in your faith
  • standing strong no matter the pressures
  • relationships built on love and trust
  • having answers to the tough questions of our time

The biblical worldview helps you navigate the many challenges of life. It’s the only way to be…in the world, but not of it.”

Public education’s rejection of the Lord as the author of life and the Bible as His revealed truth and moral code for everyone has given the prince of this world (Satan) the opportunity to deceive, confuse, discourage, destroy, and torment so many while keeping them away from the One who created them and loved them enough to die for them so they would not have to be in bondage to sin. He made it possible for each person who chooses to surrender their lives to Him to have fellowship with a holy God and live with a clear conscience while serving Him and others. Our physical lives are short compared to eternity where our souls will live on – either with Him in heaven, reuniting with believers who have gone before us or to a place of torment. God gave us the gift of free will and because we are all human – we all have a propensity to rebel and choose our own way, trusting in our limited knowledge instead of trusting the only One who is sovereign over nations and individuals and is the source of all that is good and true.

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.  So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

James 1:16-21

Public education has not just been in decline in teaching the basics to students.  Starting with colleges and universities and now even with the youngest of students, public education has gone from preparing students in knowing Scripture and learning to be responsible and productive citizens who can be honest and humble leaders to intentionally indoctrinating, sexualizing, scaring, and confusing students.  Can Public Education be redeemed or reformed?  I don’t have the answer to that, but know that we can trust the Lord to call people to accomplish that immense goal if time allows in His plan of when Jesus will return.  In the meantime, let each of us repent of our own sins as well as the sins of our nation and seek the Lord in the Bible with our whole heart, mind, strength, and soul with prayer and a commitment to spending the rest of our lives being part of His Kingdom work in whatever we do so that more precious souls can be redeemed from the clutches of the Evil One.

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 

1 John 5:1-5

Our culture’s rejection of the Lord as the author of life and the Bible as His revealed truth and moral code for everyone has given the prince of this world (Satan) the opportunity to deceive, confuse, discourage, and torment so many while keeping them away from the One who created them and loved them enough to die for them so they would not have to be in bondage to sin. He made it possible for each person who chooses to surrender their lives to Him to have fellowship with a holy God and live with a clear conscience while serving Him and others. Our physical lives are short compared to eternity where our souls will live on – either to His presence in heaven, reuniting with believers who have gone before us or to a place of torment. God gave us the gift of free will and because we are all human – we all have a propensity to rebel and choose our own way, trusting in our limited knowledge instead of trusting the only One who knows the future, is the source of all that is good and true, and knows us intimately but loves us anyway (in itself is a great mystery).

”We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life.  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” 

1 John 5:19-21

© Constance Rice 2025

Unknowing Patsies for Satan?

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Unknowing Patsies for Satan?

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Scripture is clear that as Christians, we are to be unified as one body, each surrendered to the One who was tortured, died in our place, and overcame both sin and death so that we could be freed from the power of sin, have peace and joy in the midst of a broken world, have purpose in our lives, and also have the hope of eternity in heaven with Him. Jesus said we will be known by our love for one another and by our fruit.  So why is there so much division among believers and churches?  Well – we all have a sinful nature and an enemy who is always looking for a way to create division among God’s people and in His churches.  Sadly, many self-professing Christians are more vulnerable to Satan’s lies and deceptions because they do not know God’s Word well enough to have discernment and as a result, tend to follow the world’s ways and/or justify their sins rather than obeying Christ’s commands.  Scripture teaches unity among believers.

“ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus’ words to His disciples before His Ascension in John 13:34-35

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

1 John 1:5-10

Every one of us have a sinful nature, making us prone to being prideful, stubborn, self-serving, critical, and arrogant. We can be quick to judge others and react impulsively.  It is hard to see and admit our own faults and weaknesses because we really want to see ourselves as being a “good person”.  Some do not want to think about evil, so choose to just ignore it and others are unaware of the enemy’s tactics and are unprepared for them, making them all vulnerable.  How many of us have unknowingly become patsies for Satan in His rebellion against God instead of becoming more like Christ so that we can exhibit His love, mercy, grace, and patience to others and prioritize His Kingdom work in this life so we can bear fruit that lasts forever? 

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.  ‘Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’’’  

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:18-23

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.  If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

John 12:24-26

Think about it – God doesn’t need us, but allows us to take part in drawing people to Himself.  What an honor!  Everyone will suffer, but as a Christian, we recognize Christ’s suffering on our behalf and know that when we fully surrender our lives to Him, seek Him with our whole heart, mind, strength, and soul, and lean in to Him – He fills us with His peace that this world cannot know and blesses, guides, and strengthens us, never wasting any pain.  He allows trials that grow us, make us more humble, and prepare us for what He knows is in our future.  In the process, as we trust Him, He reveals more of Himself to us. How heartbreaking that so many walk away from the faith without ever really experiencing this precious relationship with their Savior because they turned away from Him instead of running to Him.

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from His works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” 

Hebrews 4:9-13

Let’s remember that Jesus created us, knows everything about us, and yet holds open His arms to receive us into His family. Let us trust the One who has already shown His love for us so that our relationship with Him becomes so deep that we would be willing to give up everything and suffer anything rather than deny Him.  ”Redeem TV” is a free faith streaming service.  The videos there on stories of missionaries, great heroes of the faith, Christian history, etc. can inspire us to make the most of our lives here.  Other helpful resources include “They Were Christians: The Inspiring Faith of Men and Women Who Changed the World” by Cristóbal Krusen (founder of “Messenger Films”) and “Freedom: The History of Western Liberties” by Kevin Swanson (founder of ”Generations”). Another great resource is “The Power of Knowing God” by Tony Evans – it is both helpful and powerful. For free 24/7 streaming of Creation content that supports the biblical account, go to the ”Creation Science Network”.  The more we see of what God has created, the more we see His genius and our awe of Him continues to grow. 

“Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?  My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.  And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.  And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him.  And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” 

John 4:13-23

Time is short – end times prophesies are lining up to be fulfilled as we see an increase of natural disasters, increase of evil, violence, & despair, attempts to create a global government, many people of no or other faiths coming to Jesus, revivals in multiple areas, and apostasy (individuals and churches turning away from the clear teachings of Scripture).  A line in the sand is being drawn and God is trying to show people their need for Him. Throughout Scripture, God warns HIs people before judgment. We need to be prepared by reading and studying the Bible and being part of a body of believers as we are stronger together.  Just like predators look for one of a flock or herd that is isolated from the rest, Satan continually seeks ways to wedge his way in to create division within relationships and churches. From personal experience, I can say that it’s not uncommon for people to be hurt by the actions of other Christians and churches (all made up of sinful people).  Instead of being part of Satan’s attempts to divide, may each of us step back and pray for all involved, and wait on God to work things out His way and in His timing.  He is always faithful to provide for and guide those who are truly trusting in Him and obeying Him. 

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’.  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:5-11

We should read or reread the short book of James about taming our tongues and pray for the Holy Spirit to help us follow its teachings.  We need to be on guard to take every thought captive to Christ.  Our actions and speech can bring division in our relationships and churches, giving the enemy a foothold in a situation or our actions and speech can bring prayer and encouragement, pointing people to Jesus.  Let’s be determined to love one another with Jesus’ love through the amazing power of the Holy Spirit, a gift to all believers.  Let’s not be unknowing patsies for Satan, partnering in his plan of division, deception, destruction, & death in the world.  Instead, may we love one another, giving glory to God, from which love and goodness originate.

“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

James 1:26

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

© Constance Rice 2025

Identity crisis

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Identity crisis

Article by site founder, Connie Rice.

Why are we seeing such a rise in people who are confused about their identity?  It’s shocking to a lot of people and is tragic to us all, but is it really a surprise with biblical literacy in America at its lowest in 250 years?  Those who study the Bible recognize that there is an epic spiritual battle going on for people’s souls and the identity crisis of our present day is yet another method being used by Satan to cause confusion, doubt, anxiety, and depression.  At the same time, it draws people farther from their Creator and the truth found in Scripture that can reveal God’s love for them.  Jesus Himself warns us about the devil and calls him “a liar and the father of it”, “the enemy”, “the evil one”, and “the prince of this world”. 

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.  Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it’.”  

Jesus’ words in John 8:42-44

God wants that none should perish and is the Author of life.  He is not the author of confusion, but His adversary uses confusion in addition to a number of other things to keep people from knowing God.  Satan also uses temptations adapted to each person’s weaknesses and sinful tendencies, casts doubt on the truth of the Bible and/or God’s goodness, uses addictions of all kinds, deceives people into thinking they are doing good when they are actually working against God, divides people along racial, economic, political, religious and/or other lines.  Once we grasp this reality, we can gain discernment through Scripture, but even then can be caught off guard because we all have a sinful nature that is self-focused and prideful.  When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, we receive not only eternal life in heaven, but also the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to turn from our sinful desires and helps us to focus on God and the needs of others.  This gives us a sense of purpose. 

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 

2 Peter 3:9

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

John 14:15-17

We will also understand that there are only two sexes – male and female.  God made this clear in Genesis and Jesus affirmed it in the New Testament. 

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’.” 

Genesis 1:27-28

“And He answered and said to them, Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Matthew 19:4b-6

God has already proved His love for us and has gone to great lengths to provide a way of salvation for us because everyone falls short of His glory.  He made Himself evident to all of mankind by His Creation.  More and more things are being revealed that support the biblical account. Recent discoveries in DNA research, geology, biology, astronomy, archaeology, etc. allow anyone who wants answers to find them. This website offers a multitude of resource links in numerous areas for anyone who wants to learn more.  John Piper says this about seeking God:

“The great obstacle to seeking the Lord is pride. ‘In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him’ (Psalm 10:4).  Therefore, humility is essential to seeking the Lord.  The great promise to those who seek the Lord is that he will be found. ‘If you seek him, he will be found by you’ (1 Chronicles 28:9). And when he is found, there is great reward. ‘Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).  God himself is our greatest reward. And when we have him, we have everything.  Therefore, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!’” (Psalm 105:4). 

John Piper quote from article, “What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord?”

Before Western civilization was brought on by the spread of Christianity and knowledge of the Bible, cultures tended to be more tribal or pagan in nature, with various groups warring with others.  God chose the nation of Israel thousands of years ago to be set apart from everyone else and live in obedience to Him so they could be blessed and other nations would see His favor upon them and seek Him too.  Unfortunately, there were cycles of disobedience with God’s people.  They would turn from Him leading to God’s judgment to the people then crying out for His mercy to God then bringing deliverance causing the people to rejoice, and then to the people disobeying again, “doing what was right in their own eyes”, with the cycle repeating over and over again. Our present culture seems to be doing the same.

“Tom Holland, author of Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World, believed in his youth that Christianity had ushered in an age of superstition and that the Enlightenment revived classical values. But when he studied Christianity’s effects on Western civilization, he discovered that the self-giving example of Christ and the Christian ethic that respects all human life as made in God’s image are the real foundations of all those values we cherish. Elsewhere, Holland writes, ‘[Christianity] is the principal reason why, by and large, most of us who live in post-Christian societies still take for granted that it is nobler to suffer than to inflict suffering. It is why we generally assume that every human life is of equal value’.”

From article, “Western Civilization Still Needs a Christian Foundation” by Sharon James for The Gospel Coalition

God promised a Savior (Messiah) to His chosen people, but when most of them did not recognize or receive Him (Jesus Christ), God opened up salvation to the gentiles (the rest of mankind).  Those outside of the Jewish faith who seek the Lord and receive this amazing gift are adopted into God’s family – I am so thankful for that!  Since that time, the world has been in what is called the church age. 

“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”  And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.” 

 Paul’s words to the Jews in Acts 28:28-29

Throughout the church age, those who have received the gift of salvation through believing and following Jesus Christ have found love, acceptance, peace, and truth.  Through their sanctification process, they become more like Christ and grow in their concern for their fellow man.  This is when we saw the increase in care for widows and children, the creation of hospitals and orphanages, and the courage of people who stood up for making the Bible accessible to the masses, even to the point of death.  Education was emphasized, especially in early America, when multiple universities were founded to make sure young people would be prepared to live out God’s calling on their lives and be equipped to share the gospel.  Most people have no idea that American Ivy League colleges and universities were founded with this purpose and some were even founded and/or funded by clergy (scroll down this site’s “Historical Quotes” page).

“We stand in the shadow of the Bible today as opposed to in the pages of the Bible. I think that the biblical illiteracy comes as a direct result of a failure to recognize that the DNA of western civilization comes from a biblical worldview.”

Quote by Hank Hanegraaff

May all who struggle with their identity choose to seek the Lord with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul.  Jesus died for every person, but waits to be invited into our lives because He won’t force Himself on anyone.  The Christian life is not easy because the enemy does not want us to find salvation. When we do, instead of being God’s enemy, we become his enemy.  He will try to still use deception, doubt, discouragement, etc. to keep us down, but we will now have the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to show us our true identity and enable us to live a victorious life of purpose while experiencing His amazing love, mercy, grace, faithfulness, kindness, patience, gentleness, as well as have a future filled with hope. 

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

“ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 

1 Peter 2:9-10

© Constance Rice 2025

True Wisdom Begins with Fear of God

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on True Wisdom Begins with Fear of God

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Sadly, even many Christians do not benefit from true wisdom because they do not place a high enough priority on reading and studying the Bible.  Through His Word, God has provided a way for us to not only know who He is but to rightly understand ourselves and the world as well as how to receive eternal life in heaven through Jesus Christ.  Paul gives us a description of who Jesus is in Colossians:

“He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Colossians 1:5-20

Satan was the angel, Lucifer, who rebelled against God and was cast down.  He is the prince of this world, the devil, the great deceiver, the father of lies, the tempter, the accuser, etc., and he is a master at confusing issues, redefining words, and who tries to keep people from salvation.  For those of us who do surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and trust in Him alone for our salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit to empower us to live a victorious and purposeful life pleasing to God.  However, while on earth, we still have a sinful nature and Satan uses our own weaknesses and sinful nature against us to pull us away from the abundant life that Christ made possible. 

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech?  Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.’”

Jesus’ words to the Pharisees (Jewish leaders) in John 8:42-47

God has made Himself known through what He has made, so we all see evidence that He exists. Those who deny His existence have to reject what they see with their own eyes.  Some still hold to Darwinian evolution even though it cannot account for how the first living cell came into being and the fossil record does not support it.  More on this topic from scientists and others who recognize that recent research supports the biblical Creation account can be found on this site under Creation. 

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

Romans 1:18-20

Once we believe that God exists, the next step is to know Him.  He has chosen to reveal Himself to us in His Word.  The wisdom of the world is not true wisdom because Satan creates nothing – God is the Creator and Author of truth, life, and all that is good.  Satan offers lies, death, and all that is evil.  Oh, he can dress up lies and even death and evil to make them look appealing to us or even to appear good.  That’s why we need to determine good vs. evil from our Creator and not allow ourselves to be deceived.  How do we know true wisdom from worldly wisdom?

“Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

James 3:13-18

When you look at the attacks on Scripture throughout history, notice that they mostly focus on Creation, the historicity of Adam and Eve, Noah’s Flood, and the nature of humankind.  This is strategic and intentional – if Satan can convince people that Creation did not need a Creator (question God’s existence), that Adam and Eve weren’t real people (not understanding that their disobedience cursed the world with, evil, sickness, and death), that Noah’s Flood didn’t happen (discounting God’s judgment on evil then and that He will judge evil again), and that humans are basically good (rationalizing and justifying sins and even having the arrogance to judge God), then he can keep them from fearing God and seeking Him with their whole heart, mind, strength, and soul, and crying out to our holy God for mercy.  Thankfully, He is a merciful and forgiving God who waits with open arms for us to realize our need for Him and to turn from our sins and toward Him, the only One who knows everything about us yet still loves us unconditionally.  As a loving God, He not only made a way for us to live forever with Him in heaven because of Jesus’ atonement for the sins of all mankind, but also has provided us with ample warning of coming judgment:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless”

2 Peter 3:9-14

According to Bible prophecy, we are approaching the end of the church age, which means the Rapture could happen at any time. The Great Tribulation would follow and after 7 years, Jesus will return to fight Satan and lock him away for 1000 years.  At the end of that time, He will conquer Satan and evil once and for all.  In the meantime, may we all seek true wisdom, which begins with the fear of God:

“My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you,
To deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things,
from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness.”

Proverbs 2:1-13

The book, “The Power of Knowing God” by Tony Evans is a wonderful resource that I highly recommend – God has really gifted him with great communication skills.  The analogies he uses are excellent (the one on 3 pit bulls made me laugh) and help us to better understand biblical principles.  Every chapter in this book is powerful, but the one on wisdom relates to this post. This quote is from Chapter 10, page 147:

“Wisdom is located in God alone.  To access that wisdom, you must fear God (Proverbs 1:7;9:10). What does it mean to fear God?  It means to reverence Him in the high esteem He deserves.  It means to surrender to His Kingdom rule over every area of your life – to seek His viewpoint based on His inerrant Word and to walk in its ways, rather than your own.  To fear God involves a conscious awareness of His presence while allowing that awareness to impact your choices.  Wisdom is about so much more than just knowledge.  It is a merging of understanding with that knowledge, which then plays into life application.  Knowledge is perceiving the true nature of a matter.  Understanding involves knowing what to do with that knowledge.”

Tony Evans’ quote from his book, “The Power of Knowing God”

If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus, may I repeat the Bible verse that Billy Graham often used: “Now is the day of salvation” from 2 Corinthians 6:2.  Your loving Creator is waiting for you.  If you are a professing Christian, are you ready to receive all that your Savior has for you?  One of my favorite verses is 2 Chronicles 16:9:  “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

© Constance Rice 2025

Lies & Deceptions – Oh My!

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Lies & Deceptions – Oh My!

Article by site founder, Connie Rice

Can professing Christians be taken in by the lies and deceptions of Satan?  Sadly, this is a resounding yes!  Satan is a master of deception – making sin look attractive until it has us in its grip or convincing us that we are good people whose own wisdom is sufficient or redefining sin so we don’t recognize it as such. Jesus came and endured immense suffering and death so that we could be free from the bondage of sin, but the father of lies (Satan) can make God’s way look like bondage and sin look like freedom to us.  Jesus expects and deserves our obedience to His commands. It’s only when we recognize who He is and the depth of His love for us that we can completely surrender our lives to Him.  As we do so, we are gifted with the Holy Spirit who helps us to understand the Bible, obey Jesus, and have the desire to live according to His commands because of our love for Him.  The Holy Spirit also convicts us when correction is needed.  The purpose of conviction is to warn us or to cause us to recognize any sin we’ve committed so we can repent (turn from it) and have fellowship with our Creator restored.  Guilt is one of Satan’s tools and its purpose is to condemn.

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Jesus’ words in John 14:21

The Holy Spirit empowers us to obey Jesus’ commands, but as long as we are on this earth, we also have a sinful nature that wants its own way and convinces us that we know better than God.  We also have an adversary, the prince of this world, who knows our weaknesses and uses everything in his toolbox to take us down – lies, deceptions, temptations, distractions, discouragement, etc. to rob us of the abundant fulfilled life of purpose that Jesus would like for us to experience.  We see how effective Satan is with increasingly destroyed lives, broken families, the rise of a death culture, addictions, immorality, corruption, selfishness, etc.  Even if we aren’t intentionally choosing to disobey God, we have a tendency to think that our own way is somehow better than His plan for us or that our own wisdom is sufficient in this life.  If we do not know the Bible well, we will develop false expectations, expecting our lives to be comfortable, so the trials of this life can derail our faith.  We also tend to take for granted the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall obtainthrough the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

Romans 5:1-11

Perhaps it would benefit us to remember the story of Pinocchio.  Jiminy Cricket did his best to guide Pinocchio with wisdom, recognizing that the path he was taking would be harmful to him.  However, Pinocchio followed his own pleasure and desires until he realized that it was not the best for him.  One of the scenes from the Disney animated film has the following quotes (from IMBD quotes):

  • Pinocchio: Right and wrong? But how will I know?
  • Jiminy Cricket: [watching] How’ll he know!
  • The Blue Fairy: [to Pinocchio] Your conscience will tell you.
  • Pinocchio: What’s a conscience?
  • Jiminy Cricket: What’s a conscience! I’ll tell ya! A conscience is that still small voice that people won’t listen to. That’s just the trouble with the world today…

God created humans with a conscience so we will know right from wrong.  He has also gifted us with free will – not forcing us to follow Him, but providing us with the Holy Spirit to speak wisdom into our lives as we read the Bible, pray, and seek the Lord with all of our heart, mind, strength, and soul.  Jesus’ death conquered both sin and death, allowing us to have a close relationship with our Creator and Savior – a bit of heaven on earth.  The Holy Spirit gives us the  power to live a life that reflects the Lord’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control (fruit of the Spirit) to those around us and guide us according to God’s will.  What an amazing gift!  Only a loving and compassionate God would do this.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if professing Christians learned the commands of Jesus and lived them out?  This is what happened to create Western Civilization with care for the poor, care for orphans and other children, care for the sick, the building of universities & hospitals, the pursuit of science, and was instrumental in the founding principles of America.  That’s why knowing past events in history is so important (being careful that our sources have not allowed a biased agenda in how they document the past). See pages under History on this site for sources using original quotes and documents (ie. wallbuilders.com):

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

Jesus’ words in John 16:12-15

As we study Scripture, not only do we learn more of who God is and who we are, but we also learn what is true so we can develop discernment and more easily identify the lies and deceptions of this world.  There are helpful resources in addition to Scripture that have helped me in my walk with the Lord to better understand the unseen epic battle between good and evil that has existed throughout human history.  Here are some of them:

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

Jesus’ words inJohn 10:9-11

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world.  Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

1 John 4:4-6

As we get closer to Jesus’ return, may we seek the Lord with all of our being and trust in His revealed Word.  He patiently waits for us to figure out our need for Him.  May we not fall for the lies and deceptions of this world, but instead recognize that Jesus is the source of all truth and goodness.  Let’s not be patsies for Satan through ignorance, deception, or through following our own sinful nature, but let’s also not be discouraged when we fail (as we all will no matter how much we strive to be like Jesus on this earth).  Let our hearts be broken by our sins so we will be quick to acknowledge and repent from them, asking God to forgive us out of His rich mercy and help us to be more faithful.  Let us focus on the hope that Jesus made possible for us, both here and in heaven for eternity.  May we be worthy of the calling He has given us and may others find their way to Him through our witness of His love for us all.  To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

© Constance Rice 2025

Sit at Jesus’ Feet

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Sit at Jesus’ Feet

This blog post is credited to Charles Spurgeon‘s “The Risen King: 40-day Devotions Before Easter”, edited by J.A. Medders, published by The Good Book Company.

This devotional book was recently gifted to me by a good friend and it’s quite powerful! Although written for the 40 days prior to Easter, it could be read at any time with much benefit to anyone desiring to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus by adding this to daily Bible reading. What follows is the Day 18 entry in its entirety:

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.‘ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her’.”

Luke 10:38-42

The one thing necessary is what Mary chose – that good portion which should not be taken away from her. Very clearly this was to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear his word. If anything is plain at all in Holy Scripture, it is evident that this is the one thing we need: to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear his word. This and nothing less: this and nothing more.

We are always to be learners and lovers of Jesus. Never let departure from him and independence of him be named among you. It is weakness, sickness, sin, and sorrow for a believer to leave the Lord and become either their own leader or reliance. We are only safe while we remain humbly and gladly ready to obey him. Jesus Christ is a monopolizer of human hearts; he will never accept just one part of our person. He bought us altogether, and he will have the whole of our personality. Christ must be everything, or he will be nothing. Christ must be first to us. We do not love Christ if we love anything as well as Christ. And neither do we trust Christ if we trust in anything besides. Christ must reign alone. ‘Jesus only’ must be the motto of our spirits. It is good for us, therefore, that only one thing is necessary, for only one thing is possible. And from this one blessing flow many blessings.

To sit at Jesus’ feet means holiness, for those who learn of Jesus learn no sin but are instructed in lovely things and things of good repute. It brings strength, for they who sit with Jesus and feed upon him are girded with his strength. It means zeal, for the love of Christ fires hearts that live upon it, and they that are much in the company of Jesus become like Jesus, so that the zeal of the Lord’s house burns hot within them. So, when we say that sitting at Jesus’ feet is the one thing necessary, we have not uttered a mere truism; it encompasses a world of blessings.

Christian, it is necessary for you today to have communion with Christ. Do not think of it as only indispensable tomorrow – it is needed now. There are dangers you cannot see which can only be warded off by present and immediate fellowship with Christ. ‘One thing is necessary.’ However much you advance, O believer, you never advance beyond this. Whatever your experience or your information or your ripeness for glory, it is still necessary to sit at Jesus’ feet. You shall never get into a higher class in the school of wisdom than the class which Christ teaches. It is always necessary – every moment necessary – that we sit at Jesus’ feet.

REFLECT: Is anything distracting you from sitting at Jesus’ feet? What could you do to enjoy Christ’s presence more?

PRAY: Lord, help me to sit at your feet today, tomorrow, and all of my days. Communion with you is my greatest need, reward, and joy. Show me what is hindering me from unhurried fellowship with you. I’m ready to sit at your feet. In your name, Jesus. Amen.”

Minimizing and Justifying our Sins?

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Minimizing and Justifying our Sins?

article by site founder, Connie Rice

American culture has moved farther and farther away from God and His Word, and in a number of ways, actually promotes what God has clearly taught is sin. This environment makes it easier for even Christians to minimize or justify the sins in their life. Of course, this comes easily to all of us since we are sinful beings. To do otherwise requires the will and intentional commitment to know and obey the Lord’s commands. It is all too easy to develop the world’s way of looking at things, especially when they make it sound right, good, and even compassionate. However, there are always consequences to our choices, so it would be wise to seriously consider what God has said. Has He given clear guidance on an issue? Does He repeat any of His commands? How well do we know what He teaches? Have we come to know Him on a personal level? Does He have His rightful first place in our lives? When Jesus comes to meet His children in the air, will we be excited to see Him or like a disobedient child, will we dread standing before Him to give an account? I can’t help but wonder if the tears Jesus wipes away might be tears of our own individual regrets and lost opportunities that we didn’t consider while on earth.

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

1 John 1:5-10

When we really seek the Lord with all of our hearts, minds, soul, and strength in prayer and in His Word, He reveals Himself to us. The command to seek Him is repeated in the Bible, even by Jesus. Reading the Bible helps us to know God and see things more clearly. We begin to understand that all love and goodness come from Him and that the reason He hates sin is because He knows the destruction it causes His children. When we choose to do things His way in spite of what we may desire or may not understand, or maybe even disagree with, God is pleased and pours out His blessings on us. Does that mean life will be smooth and trouble-free? Of course not – we live in a broken world due to the sin of Adam and Eve. However, what we find when we live a life of trust and obedience to our loving Savior is that He is patient, merciful, and gentle toward us and is faithful to provide for our needs. He even sometimes surprises us with unexpected and undeserved blessings.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Sadly, many Christians have not experienced a close relationship with their Savior because they haven’t fully surrendered to His Lordship in their lives. We can be good at thinking we know better than Him, but we only fool ourselves and set ourselves up for more trouble than we would have had otherwise. Habitual sin can also destroy our witness to unbelievers because it does not allow us to reflect the Holy Spirit in our lives, so we are not set apart as God intends. We’re supposed to be His ambassadors to a lost and dying world – He fills those trusting in Him with His peace, strength, light, and joy so others can also find eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Romans 8:5-8

We see the effects of a world that has denied God and His Word – evolutionary teaching has caused those who don’t seek evidence for themselves to think that God does not exist, that the Flood did not happen, and that the Bible is not true. When we look at powerful leaders and influencers in the world in recent years, we see people trying to be God instead of seeking Him. They give glory to those who copy some of the characteristics of incredible creatures that God has made instead of giving glory to the One who created the creature to begin with. We see people trying to improve on God’s ingenious system of a perpetual and nutritious food supply and boast that the engineered food is more plentiful and pest-resistant (I can’t help but ask why is it good that the pests don’t recognize it as food anymore). We also see people trying to control the world’s weather and climate and even trying to improve on humanity itself with technology. The closer we look at God’s Creation, the more in awe of Him we become unless we deny the obvious and fool ourselves into thinking that we are smarter than the Creator of the universe.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Romans 120-25

In my preparations to teach on how Jesus fulfilled the components of the Old Testament Tabernacle, it is clear that sin is a serious thing to God. He knew we would never be able to be with Him as sinful beings, so made a plan through the sacrificial and voluntary death of His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind so God would see His righteousness over us. He only asks that we believe in Jesus as His Son, that His perfect life made it possible for His death to pay for our sins, and that He rose again, overcoming both sin and death. All we have to do to be forgiven is to acknowledge our sin before Him and ask to be forgiven. Jesus says that if we love Him, we will obey His commands (and gives us the power to love and obey with the gift of the Holy Spirit to indwell us). What more could He have done for us?:

  • gave us His own power to live in fellowship with our Creator while on earth
  • freed us from the power of sin in our lives
  • fills us with purpose, His peace, and joy – even in the midst of the inevitable challenges of living in a broken world.
  • gives us the future hope of eternal life in heaven with Him

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Matthew 24:36-39

We’re watching Scriptural prophecies fall into place, so Jesus could return at any time for His children. Will we be deceived into thinking that our sins don’t matter to God? Will we minimize or rationalize them? God has not been silent and He does not change. God deserves our devotion, worship, and obedience and is looking for those whose hearts are turned toward Him. The closer we get to the end, the more we should seek God in prayer and His Word and share the good news with others so they can live in heaven with us and avoid the horrific times that Scripture teaches will most certainly occur. I personally suspect that after Jesus takes His children in the Rapture, the story will be that we were all abducted by aliens so the whole world has to come together – bringing into fruition the one-world government and Tribulation times prophesied in the Bible.

“Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 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. “

2 Thessalonians 2:5-10

© Constance Rice 2025

Are We Putting Jesus to an Open Shame?

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Are We Putting Jesus to an Open Shame?

Article by site founder, Connie Rice

The book of Hebrews is powerful on so many levels, explaining the divinity of Jesus (including how He is our High Priest).  This book also encourages us to be diligent to enter God’s rest once our time on earth is over and provides encouragement and hope for believers. Reflecting on heroes of the faith that are listed in Chapters 11-12 as a “great cloud of witnesses” is inspiring – especially as we see that included in that list are people who had weaknesses and made mistakes and that God still used them in His Kingdom work and honored them. It’s interesting that many descriptions of them begins with the phrase, “by faith…” and that they were or became dedicated to following God no matter the cost to them personally.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:13-16

Hebrews also gives us thought-provoking truths to contemplate as we live out our lives and our faith. It might be surprising to some who have fallen away to discover that Chapter 6 says that doing so puts our Savior to an open shame and that we crucify again for ourselves the Son of God if we don’t repent and return to Him (see Scripture passage below). It would appear that drifting from our faith is far more serious to God than we may have realized or understood and that there are concerning consequences.  However, there is also hope for those who figure it out and turn back to the Lord.

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Hebrews 5:12 – 6:12

Have we been satisfied with just knowing God a little bit and as a result, missing out on knowing Him at a deeper level? Have we, perhaps even without realizing it, rationalized or trivialized our sins, making us vulnerable to Satan’s lies, and deceptions? Whose side are we on?  Are we really walking with the Lord and keeping Him in His rightful first place in our thoughts and hearts or could we fooling ourselves? Scripture teaches us to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength – in other words, with all of our being. This should cause us all to contemplate our relationship with our Savior and make sure that when we stand before Him, we don’t hear the scary words He gave in Chapter 6 of Luke:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall’.”

Matthew 21-29

Whenever a person accepts Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, submitting their lives to His leadership, he or she receives the Holy Spirit to guide and instruct.  From that point on, the believer has the power to better understand Scripture, the power to turn from sin and the promise that God will always provide a way to escape it as well as gain access to God’s peace which the world cannot give. In a Bible study I’m presently doing, “The Power of Knowing God”, Tony Evans likens the Holy Spirit to a dimmer switch.  All believers have access to God’s light, but how much of God’s light is in our lives is completely up to us.  Sadly, many people keep the dimmer switch on low and very few allow all of the light in that the Lord has made available to us.  He promises to draw near to those who draw near to Him.

“Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?’  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

‘God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble’.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep!  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

James 4:4b-10

Another good resource is “The Awe of God” by John Bevere (the Bible study I finished before my present one).  May each of us be intentional about seeking the Lord with all of our hearts, minds, soul, and strength, learning what He wants us to know about Himself and the world through His Word, and choosing to trust and obey Him with every aspect of our lives.  Let us not fool ourselves into thinking that we know more than the One who created the universe and each one of us.  He is all-knowing so knows what’s ahead of us, is everywhere at once, is sovereign and all-powerful, and is the source of all wisdom and goodness.  He’s worthy of our praise and obedience and wants to bless us.  The natural consequence of not being intentional in seeking God is to drift away; there is no such thing as a static faith.   May we know God so well that His light shines through us so others will seek Him too.  May none of us be a stumbling block to those needing salvation and/or stand before Jesus and discover that we have put our Savior to an open shame and have again crucified for ourselves the Son of God.

© Constance Rice 2025

 

Regaining Physical & Spiritual Health

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Regaining Physical & Spiritual Health

article by site founder, Connie Rice

For those of us old enough to remember when most people were healthy and chronic disease was very unusual, the “new normal” of so many people suffering with chronic and serious health issues is both shocking and disturbing, especially for those of us who have lost loved ones and whose own children suffer from chronic disease. It makes me sad to realize that this came into play with my own generation’s focus on convenience, speed, and striving for instant gratification (grown worse with each generation). My childhood saw the introduction of fast food, GMO and highly processed foods, increased sugar consumption, use of high fructose corn syrup, increased pesticide use and huge farm industries taking over small, independent farms. It was also the rise of prescription drug usage focusing on alleviating or minimizing specific symptoms without considering how God created the body as a self-healing mechanism with integrated body systems. At the same time, the things of God were removed from our schools, universities, media, and culture so that recent generations (sadly, this includes self-professing Christians)are more ignorant of what the Bible teaches than any previous American generation.

“Secularized Americans should not be expected to be knowledgeable about the Bible. As the nation’s civic conversation is stripped of all biblical references and content, Americans increasingly live in a Scripture-free public space. Confusion and ignorance of the Bible’s content should be assumed in post-Christian America.”

R. Albert Mohler, Jr. from his article, “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem”

As Christians also withdrew from political arenas, people with no fear of God or knowledge of His Word gained power and influence over every American institution and we are now seeing the withdrawal of the biblical principles of goodness and love of fellow man that created Western Civilization reverting back to tribal and paganistic attitudes and practices. Instead of people sharing common values, they separate into various groups while demonizing other groups. We are the United States and need to return to our roots and find our way back home to God. It is only with a knowledge of what He has shared with all of humanity and a desire to know and love our Creator, crying out to Him for mercy, that we can be restored. Thankfully, He is a merciful God and waits for us to realize our need for a Savior to rescue us from the bondage of sin that Satan desires we remain entrapped. When people don’t have God’s wisdom, they make decisions out of their own. Those who seek power and influence attempt to take God’s place, but work against all that is true and good – perhaps even unintentionally. Satan is the prince of this world and when we do not belong to Jesus, we are mere puppets for the Father of Lies and the Deceiver.

“My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.”

Proverbs 2:1-9

In order to be physically healthy, we need to recognize that God has given us incredible bodies – our brain alone is a marvel. Each one contains more switches than all the manmade computers in the world as noted in a 2010 CNET article by Elizabeth Armstrong Moore. Think about our eye and how efficient it is (when there is no pathology). We have multiple body systems that were designed to work together without our even thinking about it. When our bodies haven’t been hindered by toxins or drugs or pathologies, they function efficiently. Some things I’ve learned that help become healthier and better support our bodies so they can do their job properly, as well as feed the spiritual needs that all humans share are listed below:

  • A much as possible – eat whole, natural foods that have not been altered by pesticides or additives.
  • Stay hydrated with water or tea (green tea very beneficial, especially when use with honey & some turmeric with a dash of pepper; maybe drink 1 cup of coffee & 1 cup of green tea.
  • Avoid high fructose corn syrup, seed oils, excess sugar, too many simple carbs.
  • Get sufficient exercise (walking, stretching, isometrics, Qigong, use light weights if able; all according to ability, then work from there).
  • Sunlight heals and supports Circadian Rhythms (especially early in the morning); being outside 20-30 minutes each day without sunscreen helps strengthen the immune system.
  • Get restful sleep – check out Circadian Rhythm cycle – how our bodies are affected by light, etc.
  • Since soils are most all depleted because of big farm policies, take supplements to support immune/liver functions.
  • Work brain – learn new skill (play instrument, juggle, etc.), learn a new language; read more, take a class (on-line or in-person), play games that improve cognitive skills (Scrabble, memory games, Bananagrams, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, etc.) .
  • To increase brain function – use sound/light therapy at 40 hertz (MIT & other studies showing promise in removing amyloid plaque in brain).
  • As much as possible, avoid prescription meds – research natural healing methods for various areas – ie. to help regulate blood sugar/insulin resistance: supplement diet with cinnamon, chromium picolinate & apple cider vinegar and whenever eat sugar – also eat/drink protein to minimize blood sugar spikes.
  • Learn how to lower and cope with life’s stresses (work, relational, emotional, dealing with grief, etc.); sound therapy, red light therapy, prayer, music, start new hobby, grief support, abortion recovery, etc.
  • Read and meditate on God’s Word, crying out to Him when feel overwhelmed. A helpful book to understand this is “The Power of Crying Out” by Bill Gothard.
  • Develop an attitude of thankfulness – perspective can be self-fulfilling. If we focus on problems, they seem bigger and hopeless; if we instead focus on our blessings, it gives us hope and problems shrink.
  • Find a Bible-teaching church and join a small group for community and Bible study. Pray for how God would have you serve in a ministry.
  • Look for ways to help others. Having purpose is important to every person and God blesses our efforts to serve Him and others through ministries, in our communities, and beyond.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure earlier this year if we were watching the end of America – that God’s patience might have finally run out. However, it appears that He is giving us another chance to figure it out. My prayer is that more people will and turn to Him and His Word. Not only is God showing us mercy when we don’t deserve it, but He is revealing Himself to people all over the world through visions and dreams. You can learn what He’s doing around the world by going to Christian news sites. This is part of biblical prophecy, but increased persecution is as well, and we are also seeing that and need to pray for those affected. Those who follow Christ and know the Bible want all people to know their Creator and to surrender to His plan for them so they can also experience His faithfulness, peace, strength, and joy in the midst of the turmoil of this world and have the hope of living forever with Him in heaven where there will be no sin, evil, sickness, or pain. Praise God for His patience, mercy, grace, faithfulness, power, sovereignty and love for mankind. He wants to bless His children, but it does require us to trust Him and obey His commandments (He even offers us His power to do so). I’m encouraged that Bible sales have gone up over 20 % even while book sales have only gone up a little (although I’m a strong supporter of books in general and would like to see them maintain strong sales too). Perhaps more people are recognizing that the answers we need have already been provided and protected by God for our benefit.

“Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.”

Psalm 34:11-22

What an amazing Lord we serve! May 2025 be a year filled with healthy bodies and healthy souls! To Him be the glory!

© Constance Rice 2025

Thanksgiving and Christmas are Connected

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Thanksgiving and Christmas are Connected

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Having a grateful heart helps us keep the trials of this earthly life in perspective. God’s gift of salvation through Jesus tops the list of things to be thankful for, so that leads us into celebrating His birth as He entered into human history to pay the price for the sins of us all, knowing we were incapable of saving ourselves. We are dead in our sins before a holy God, but turning from our sins and believing in Jesus for salvation gives us new life and eternity with Him in heaven. As if that wasn’t enough, He gifts us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Bible, obey the Lord’s commands, love others, and have meaning and purpose throughout our lives. He also makes it possible for us to know God and develop a relationship with Him. This truly is a joyous season, no matter what challenges we may currently be going through. Paul explains this better than I ever could in Romans 8:

“Do do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.


What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

‘For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.‘

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So many people think they have tried Christianity and subsequently walked away, but perhaps they have never fully surrendered their lives to Jesus – there are areas they hold on to or closets they won’t open. Perhaps they don’t understand that true wisdom and understanding only comes from God:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”

Jesus’ words in Luke 12:4-5

Nothing is hidden from the Lord, so it’s really ourselves that we deceive if we think we can live out of our own wisdom and have no fear of the One who knows everything. The more we know the Lord, the more we realize the amazing love, mercy, grace, and patience He freely offers to those who love, trust, and obey Him. There are two books that are very helpful in understanding how important this topic is (I finished the first one as part of a Bible study group and our group is just beginning the second one): “The Awe of God: The Astounding Way a Healthy Fear of God Transforms Your Life” by John Bevere and “The Power of Knowing God” by Tony Evans.

Are you ready to experience God in a deeper way and discover the life Jesus created you to live? It is not easy as Jesus told us that we would be persecuted and face tribulation. We face spiritual attacks and temptations as well as other challenges, but we can be victorious through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus has also overcome the world and so equips us with all we need. Following Christ is the greatest adventure we could ever have, giving us purpose, providing excitement, personal growth, and a future filled with hope. Could it be time to believe God and step out in faith to do things His way? The more we know the Lord, the more meaningful Thanksgiving and Christmas become to us and we find ourselves rejoicing even when our circumstances are difficult. The more we know God, the more we find ourselves rejoicing the rest of the year as well.

© Constance Rice 2024

Unseen Battle Becoming Visible

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Unseen Battle Becoming Visible

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Has anyone else noticed that the world has become a much darker place in recent years? The Bible predicted all of this, so it should come as no surprise. Even though I’ve been praying for another Great Awakening, a revival of God’s people, for truth to prevail, and for evil to be exposed – it is still a shock to see the extent of evil being revealed. There are way too many examples to list, so since the protection of children is so important to me personally, this focuses on them.

  • Promoting the killing of unborn babies up until the time of birth (despite advances in medical technology showing that they are distinct persons with their own DNA from the time of conception).
  • Losing track of over 85,000 children who were brought into our nation illegally (putting them at high risk of sex/slave trafficking).
  • Intentionally sexualizing and destroying the innocence of children in books, schools, movies, libraries, etc.
  • Intentionally confusing children regarding their basic identity and then promoting permanent physical harm to them with dangerous, life-altering drugs and mutilating surgeries (creating a huge profit for hospitals and lifelong patients for big Pharma).
  • Parents trying to protect their children are bullied and threatened, and even become at risk of losing custody of their children.
  • Foods are now full of chemical additives and addictive sugars that the body cannot effectively process. Fruits and vegetables have less nutrition from the push for longer shelf life and being “pest-resistant” with the use of poisonous pesticides (caused me to ask, “Is it pest-resistant because the pests recognize that it isn’t real food?”).

Personal experience – when I was in elementary school, I had vaccines for Polio and Smallpox (my sister & I both had a reaction to the latter injection site – puffed up and refused to heal for months; still elevated). I had all the childhood diseases and have been immune to them all since. Over the years, I had a few Tetanus shots, but nothing else. At 70, I have no serious health issues, no allergies, and take no prescription meds (reversed my pre-diabetes with diet changes and supplements). As a parent, I believed what doctors told me, that my children needed all the childhood vaccines to be healthy and go to school. Both of them are in their 30’s and have allergies, ADD, anxiety, and have suffered from debilitating chronic illnesses ( one developed M.E. (Myalgic Encephalopathy) at 14 after 2 bacterial infections, the 2nd one damaging the Central Nervous System; the other child contracted Lyme Disease as an adult – several doctors missed it over a 9 year period, resulting in it becoming entrenched and causing severely limited function; after 17 years of marriage, they are also unable to have children). The childhood schedule now has even more – over 72 vaccines by age 18. After serving the Lord continually over the last 30 + years, it is clear that the number of children with special needs (illnesses, allergies, ADD or ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, difficulty communicating/socializing, cancer, etc.) has steadily increased. A recent article by Dr. Brian Hooker references a recent study by the Toxicology, a research journal, that shows “58% of infant Deaths reported to VAERS occurred within 3 days of vaccination”. An article from Cleveland Clinic lists the childhood schedule. Why are all newborns given Hepatitis B shots (at risk are IV drug users and sex workers)? The term “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome” (SIDS) was coined in 1969 for babies dying without a known cause – infant vaccines began in the mid-60s.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Ephesians 6

Americans have freedoms and opportunities that most have historically respected and valued as a source of good in the world. Unfortunately, too many Americans have found fault in recent decades instead of being grateful for our country. Too many Christians responded to the “ugly business of politics” by refusing to get involved or vote, which basically handed over our nation to those who have no fear of God. Tragically, this has resulted in our country acting badly toward other governments and even its own people in numerous ways that Americans never would have anticipated. However, our founding fathers did:

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

Benjamin Franklin

“We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.”

James Madison

“If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . . If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.”

Noah Webster

‘But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”

John Adams

“I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have … The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases. The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.”

Thomas Jefferson

As a populace, we have become soft, seeking comfort and security for ourselves and our own without much consideration for future generations. Our founders fought and died with their focus on posterity (future generations). Not enough people are students of history and many younger people have not been taught the sacrifices of those who have gone before them. One of the enemy’s tools is to rewrite history and keep new generations from knowing these things. The founding of America was truly miraculous and God has blessed this nation since its founding. As our government and culture moves farther and farther away from God and His teachings, we are suffering from the removal of His blessings and protections – Proverbs 29 applies:

“He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.

The king establishes the land by justice, but he who receives bribes overthrows it.

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

By transgression an evil man is snared, but the righteous sings and rejoices.

The righteous considers the cause of the poor, but the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath.

If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, but the upright seek his well-being.

A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.

If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked.

The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

The king who judges the poor with truth, his throne will be established forever.

The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; but the righteous will see their fall.

Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint but happy is he who keeps the law.

A servant will not be corrected by mere words; for though he understands, he will not respond.

Do you see a man hasty in his words? there is more hope for a fool than for him.

He who pampers his servant from childhood will have him as a son in the end.

An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.

A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; he swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the Lord.

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.”

As Christians and as American citizens, we have the privilege of governing ourselves along with the responsibility to be good citizens, doing our civic duty, which includes voting for the candidate whose policies most closely align with biblical principles. There is no perfect candidate besides Jesus Himself. There is a 50-min sermon by Gary Hamrick, pastor of Cornerstone Chapel in Virginia, that does an great job of explaining this topic. Let us prayerfully respond to the challenges of our day with our focus on God and His Word along with posterity as our founders did so God can again bless and protect America. We do not know God’s timing regarding the end times, so need to be prepared, pray continually, and be about our Father’s business in the meantime, sharing truth with others so they can also find their way to Jesus, their Creator and Savior – regardless of who is in office:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.

Daniel 2:20b-22

© Constance Rice 2024

Importance of Knowing History

Eyes2cLeave a Comment on Importance of Knowing History

article by site founder, Connie Rice

It makes me sad when I hear kids, teens, or adults saying that history is boring or that they are not interested in learning about dead men. To be fair, history is not always taught in ways that engage the student. They may not realize that learning about the past allows us to see how people have overcome difficult circumstances, which can inspire us. It also helps us to recognize that all people, no matter when they lived, share some of the same struggles that we do. We have more in common with them than we might have previously thought. In addition, learning from the mistakes and accomplishments of the past can help us to better understand the present and help us work toward a better future, both on a personal level and on a societal level. Below are some quotes from people who recognized the importance of studying history.

“Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

Winston Churchill from a 1948 speech before House of Commons

“A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia.”

David McCullough

“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”

George Orwell

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

Marcus Garvey

“In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind.”

Edmund Burke

Of course, as a Christian, I’m interested in seeing how God has worked throughout human history. In reading the Bible, we see how He worked in the lives of the people and nations represented in Scripture. We learn that He is always working, in our time as well as in biblical times. In the book of Hebrews, we are given a list of the “great cloud of witnesses” whose lives are honored for their obedience to God. Since Bible times, many amazing people of faith provide us with additional examples of how God has worked through them. We see that the efforts of believers have affected the world in many positive ways, sometimes at great personal cost and sacrifice. These include people from all walks of life. Some of the greatest scientists of all time were motivated by their faith to discover what God had made. You can find lists of them here and here. Here are just a few from recent history:

Isaac Newton (1642-1726/27) – mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, & author: “This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.”

Werner von Braun, rocket scientist (1912-1977): “My experiences with science led me to God. They challenge science to prove the existence of God. But must we really light a candle to see the sun?”

Raymond Damadian, inventor of the MRI machine (1936-2022): from an ICR article: “‘[I understand] what the Apostle Paul calls the renewed mind. Out of a mind renewed by Jesus came the obvious. How could a scientist achieve his goal of discovering the absolute truths that govern the natural world without the blessing of the Author of those truths? For me now the true thrill of science is the search to understand a small corner of God’s grand design, and to lay the glory for such discoveries at the Grand Designer’s feet’. He credits God for his work that continues to save countless lives saved through accurate diagnoses.”

Henry Richter, designed & developed first earth satellite for JPL/NASA (1927): from CREV article: “I didn’t find that relationship [with Jesus Christ] in my life until I was past the age of 40, but I am ever so thankful that I did, because now I have a personal bond with the Creator of the universe! All those amazing designs I saw in nature now make sense. I have a purpose in life. I’m heaven bound.”

I’m presently putting together a series on the biblical roots of the U.S. Constitution and as I go through founding documents, quotes of founding fathers, and details of how our country began – it is plain to see that our founders were motivated by their faith, that they acknowledged God’s sovereignty over the affairs of men and nations, and that they focused less on their personal benefit and more on posterity (generations down the road). Their goal and sacrificial efforts were to create a government that would honor God and protect the rights of all citizens to worship freely and plan their own future, government that believed the rights of citizens were from God and that the purpose of government was to protect those rights. Everyone has a bias based on their own experiences and what they have learned, so it is always best to go to source documents and quotes whenever possible. The faith, courage, and sacrifice of our American founders should always be remembered. Just a few of the quotes of some of our founding fathers include:

“Finally, let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light and labored in its hope.”

Daniel Webster, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, & Defender of “Constitution”

“And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”

Benjamin Franklin, Signer of Declaration of Independence & U. S. Constitution, Pennsylvania Governor, diplomat, printer, & scientist

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

George Washington, 1st U.S. President, Member of Continental Congress, Commander-in-Chief of Continental Army, President of Constitutional Convention, & judge

“And can the liberties of a nation be though secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are of the gift of God?”

Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President, signer of Declaration of Independence,

“All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”

Noah Webster, author of the 1828 “American Dictionary of the English Language”

Unlike our founding fathers, others in history sought to gain power and control, even to the point of murdering their own citizens. There were numerous examples throughout history of people being treated poorly and even being killed by their leaders. Sadly, during the 20th Century, there was tremendous bloodshed with two world wars. Most know about the holocaust under Adolf Hitler (fascist dictator in Germany) and Mussolini (fascist dictator in Italy), but many do not know how they came to power. This is important to understand. People under communist rule in different parts of the world do not have personal liberty or freedom of speech or freedom of religion and poverty rates are very high. Countries that became communist nations in the 20th Century include Soviet Union (under Josef Stalin), China (under Mao Tse-Tung), Cuba (under Fidel Castro), Venezuela (under Hugo Chavez), North Korea (Kim Jong Un), Vietnam, Cambodia, countries in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The image below from Researchgate.net shows that about 100 million deaths resulted from Communism:

The stories of missionaries and people of God can encourage and inspire us as well and show us how God worked in and through each of their lives. There is a partial list on this site on the Inspirational Christians page under History. Unfortunately, many of the biographies written about people in history have had their faith gleaned out, leaving the reader to think their accomplishments were entirely out of their own strength and wisdom. For a number of them, this is not the case. Books that include the faith of people in history can be found on this site on the Judeo-Christian history books page under History. There are also a number of great resources for older kids on the Resources for preteens page under Leaders (scroll down to Christian History). Below are just a small sampling of incredible people of God not already included in this post:

Martin Luther (1483-1546) – priest, theologian, author: “I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”

John Bunyan (1628-1688) – author of “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, preacher: “I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eye lids rather than disobey God.”

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) – composer: “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”

George Whitefield (1714-1770) – preacher of the Great Awakening in America: “God forbid that I should travel with anybody a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to them.:

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) – author: “Remember!—It is Christianity to do good always—even to those who do evil to us. It is Christianity to love our neighbor as ourself, and to do to all men as we would have them Do to us. It is Christianity to be gentle, merciful, and forgiving, and to keep those qualities quiet in our own hearts, and never make a boast of them, or of our prayers or of our love of God, but always to shew that we love him by humbly trying to do right in everything.“

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) – nurse during American Civil War “God called me in the morning and asked me would I do good for him alone, without reputation?”

Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) – missionary to China: “Carrying the cross does mean following in Jesus’ footsteps. And in His footsteps are rejection, brokenheartedness, persecution and death. There are not two Christs – an easy going one for easy going Christians, and a suffering one for exceptional believers. There is only one Christ. Are we willing to follow His lead?”

Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) – powerful preacher, evangelist (personally baptized over 15,000 new believers): “Do I live as carelessly and worldly as unbelievers while professing to be a follower of Jesus? If so, I am exposing Christianity to ridicule and leading people to speak evil of the holy name by which I am called.”

C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) – author, atheist turned Christian apologist: “Everyone has noticed how hard it is to turn our thoughts to God when everything is going well with us… While what we call ‘our own life’ remains agreeable, we will not surrender it to Him. What, then, can God do in our interests but make ‘our own life’ less agreeable to us, and take away the plausible sources of false happiness?”

Gladys Aylward (1902-1970) – missionary to China who walked over 100 children through mountains for weeks away from war: “Oh God, here’s my Bible, Here’s my money. Here’s me. Use me, God.”

Billy Graham -(1918-2018) evangelist: “Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don’t be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.:

The importance of learning history cannot be understated. Without recognizing past mistakes and successes, we really are doomed to repeat devastating events. For believers, learning history and the stories of those who have gone before us can challenge us to live in a way that helps us discover the individual Kingdom work that God has placed on each of our lives. When we surrender fully to the Lord, obeying Him and trusting in His plan, He equips us for whatever He would have us do. That is where we find the peace and strength that is not found in this world while adding purpose and meaning to our lives in the process. It is also where we can accomplish God-sized tasks through the power of the Holy Spirit that have a positive impact on those around us and the world, while giving all glory to God!

© Constance Rice 2024

info@eyes2c.net