Why Intentional Preteen Ministry?

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Things around us can change at a sometimes dizzying pace and confusion seems to prevail in so many things. In recent days, the attacks on truth and reality are coming from every direction. What can a person to hold on to? God has provided the answer for us if we’ll only look. He is sovereign over everything, does not lie, is all-powerful, all-knowing, is just, is holy, is good, and He knows us better than we know ourselves and even with our flaws, still loves us enough to have His only Son come to earth and willingly die to pay the penalty for our sins. God has revealed Himself to us through His Word, the Bible. How sad that so many ignore the very thing that would help them to better understand Him as well as our world and our place in it. How tragic that some miss the abundant life Jesus has for them as well as live without His peace and joy because of assumptions they have made about what His Word teaches. What does God say through the psalmist about Scripture?

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”

Psalm 19:7-13

Do we really think that this life is all there is? Then why do we hope for something more? Why do we seek justice and fairness? Why do we want our lives to mean something? Why do feel guilt? Why do we want others to be honest with us and feel betrayed when they are not? From a materialistic, evolutionist, atheist perspective – there is no answer for any of this. We fool ourselves if we do not acknowledge the existence of God. He has revealed Himself through His amazing Creation. Previous generations all over the planet recognized a Creator by what He had made. We fool ourselves if we think He is okay with our rebellion against Him and/or His Word. Or that we can live any way we want and expect Him to bless us. God created time, so is Himself outside of it. He created the material world and each of us, so has the authority to dictate policy. As the source of all that is good, only He can define what is good and what is evil. Out of His love for us and His compassion and mercy, He gave us the Bible so we could know Him and understand the way of salvation He has provided for us through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. We ignore or reject His revealed Word (the Holy Bible) at our own peril eternally as well as hinder our lives on earth, even for those who profess Him as Lord yet live according to their own wisdom. Psalm 96 does a good job of explaining God’s majesty:

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns; the world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously’. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.”

Psalm 96

When we live according to the teaching of God’s Word and keep Him in first place in our lives, trusting Him to guide us according to His perfect will, we experience personally His love, mercy, grace, compassion, provision, peace, strength, power, joy, and faithfulness. Even though the path is difficult and this world is broken because of sin, through trusting in the saving power of Jesus, we know our eternal future is secure. The more we know our precious Savior, the more we see that obeying His commands are not burdensome, especially since He gives us the power to obey through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Some commands can seem impossible (“Be holy as I am holy”, “Love your enemies”, and “Do not be anxious for anything”), and they are without His power. How incredible that He shares His power with us so we can walk with Him along our journey in this life with our sin no longer being a huge obstacle that is impossible for us to overcome. God’s Word and our adherence to it provides a firm foundation in our lives even when everything else is shaky and confusing. God never changes and is sovereign over the affairs of people and nations. There is so much comfort in that.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

Numbers 23:19

“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.”

James 1:17

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 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. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

James 1:12-22

Without a working knowledge of God’s Word, we are vulnerable to the lies and deceptions of the world, which is under the influence of Satan, the prince of this world and “father of lies”. He is a master of deception and is a murderer. God is the author of life and the source of wisdom, truth, and goodness. He has given us the gift of free will – may we use that freedom for our good (recognizing that His commands are for our good and His glory), and also for the good of others. If things seem to be falling apart in your life or if the crazy things going on around us are disturbing to you, perhaps God is trying to get your attention so you will get to the end of yourself, repent of your sins and turn to Jesus so He can save you. If things always seem to go well for you, is it be possible that Satan doesn’t see you as a threat? If we have a relationship with our Savior, it should change us. Others should be able to see Jesus in us. We are His ambassadors to a lost and dying world and from the fulfillment of biblical prophecies lining up all over the world, there may not be much time left before Jesus comes for His own. The tribulation will be horrific and we don’t want anyone to have to endure it. Hope is found in Jesus alone.

“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 8:43-44

“Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed’.”

John 8:34-36

“There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.”

C.S. Lewis

A firm and unchanging foundation is found in the Bible. God wants us to know Him, know what is true, and even to know what to expect in the future so we can be prepared. He seeks to bless those whose hearts are turned to Him. Those who read the Bible, study it, meditate on it, choose to obey it, and trust in Jesus alone for their salvation will have His peace that cannot be found in this world, grow in their relationship with their loving Creator, and have hope for the future in heaven with Him for eternity – where evil, sadness, and pain will not exist. Praise God – to Him be the glory!

© Constance Rice 2023

article by site founder Connie Rice

God has revealed Himself in such a way that man has no excuse for not believing in His existence. Not only is His majesty, genius, and power clearly evident in what He has made, but His love and mercy are also clearly evident as we study His Word. It’s no wonder that Satan has attacked the Bible so strongly, trying to cause people to reject or doubt its truth. He did that beginning with Adam and Eve and has been deceiving ever since. Unfortunately his efforts have been effective in more recent times, even in the minds and hearts of professing Christians. The idea that things were created without God and just happened over time (Darwinian Evolution) is one example. Whenever we see confusion, division, and conflict, we know Satan is behind it. He seeks to destroy all that is good and offers counterfeit answers to deceive people. Psalm 19 proclaims God as the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and all life, and that His ways are the path to wisdom:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language here their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

 When nations and cultures are ignorant of God’s Word, they are vulnerable to Satan’s lies and deceptions (which many times includes a message that is mostly true so it is more difficult to discern). The spiritual battle that has existed since Satan’s rebellion against God has become more intense because he knows his time is short. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus is returning for His children (referred to as the Rapture) and so we have no way of knowing for sure that it is imminent. However, we are seeing much of biblical prophecy fall into place at a fast rate. The farther a nation moves away from God and His Word, the more we see an increase in self-centeredness & pride, corruption, immorality, confusion, lack of respect for human life, destruction of the family, increased anger, and violence. We must be closer than ever to Jesus’ return because of the level of delusion and confusion being foisted upon people from the highest levels of government and institutions. Romans 1:16-32 predicted our present circumstances:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”

For those interested in learning about biblical prophecy, there are a few sources that may be helpful. They use Scripture to support their conclusions rather than offering speculation that can make this topic more confusing. The “Prophecy Pros Podcast”, Amir Tsarfati’s videos, and author of “Foreshadows”, Steve Miller.

God created order and teaches unity, love, and grace. Unfortunately, people can have a tendency toward holding on to only some of God’s characteristics, but He is also holy and just so He must punish sin (disobedience to Him). As our Creator, God determines what is good and what is evil. Jesus came to earth as the embodiment of God to die for the sins of mankind so that we can be free from the bondage of sin and have the power to be obedient to His commands. He conquered death and provided a way for us to live forever with Him. He also served as an example of how we are to live during our short time on earth. He even heals broken people so they can partner in His Kingdom work. When man begins determining those things for himself is when things go really wrong because what one man determines to be good will be different from what someone else determines to be good,. We need a standard by which all of mankind is subject. God provided just that in His Word. Those in the Old Testament tried doing what was right in their own eyes numerous times, but it ended badly for them every time as they ended up facing God’s judgment. Since God is the source of all that is good and loves us, He has provided a way for us to discern good from evil by providing and protecting His Word throughout the centuries. It is up to us to read, study, and apply it’s principles.

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Judges 21:25

“The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. The voice said, ‘Cry out!’ And he said, ‘What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever’.”

Isaiah 40:5-8

We’ve heard it said that some people tend to look at the world through rose-colored glasses, implying that they are optimistic and focus on the positive. Similarly, the same seems to apply with what we believe about Creation and human origins. “Answers in Genesis” uses the example of people having different glasses with which they see the world, which can be influenced by what they believe about Creation. It might be an interesting endeavor to compare where each worldview leads:

Darwinian Evolution	Creator God (as revealed in a plain reading of the Bible).
Materialistic processes created all.	God is the Creator – eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent, not bound by time or space.
Big Bang – planets, matter, & natural laws result.	God created the world out of nothing (ex nihilo) – He created space, time, and matter as well as the heavens & natural laws.
Primordial soup developed with gases & chemicals.	God created the sun, the moon and the stars.
First living cell appeared (can’t explain how).	God created plants, animals, and people – all fully mature, able to reproduce, with each reproducing after its kind.
All life began with simplest life form & evolved to become more complex using mutations & natural selection.	God breathed life into the first human.
Man evolved from a line of ape-like creatures.	God created man unique from the rest of Creation, in His image, with a moral conscience and the ability to reason, worship, create, and seek purpose in life.

“Humans and Apes: Tracing Our Roots to Adam” – excellent discussion podcast with actual evidence, history, & biblical foundation for a plain reading of Genesis from “Generations” by Kevin Swanson with researcher, author, & speaker, Dr. Terry Mortenson of “Answers in Genesis”.

Recent research in so many areas support the biblical account and do not support the idea of Darwinian evolution – especially Dr. John Sanford’s work on genetic entropy (mutations), the incredible complexity found in the human genome, Carbon 14 being found in dinosaur fossils, coal, and diamonds, the amazing design and characteristics of animals, and soft tissue being continually found in dinosaur fossils. There are more and more scientists who recognize that the biblical account better explains all we see and there are so many incredible resources available now. This website offers many of them, but it is a challenge to keep up with so many great new ones being offered in our present day. People have answers at their fingertips that reveal the truth of the Bible – the only issue is whether or not they will consider the massive amount of evidence and seek the Lord, cry out for forgiveness, and turn from their sins. Time may be short. As Billy Graham used to quote from 2 Corinthians: “Today is the day of salvation”.

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

The Lord of all Creation loves you and wants to know you personally. He created you for a purpose and wants to guide you so that your life will be fulfilled and blessed. Isn’t that a wonderful thing? Our life on earth is not easy because Satan rules this world, but our hope is in heaven and Jesus sustains us while we’re here so that we are never alone and do not need to fear man.

© Constance Rice 2023

article by site founder, Connie Rice

For anyone out there who is confused, fearful, disillusioned, overwhelmed, or shocked by recent events or ideologies and the unexpected level of evil being exposed – Jesus is the answer. Beginning with the fall of man as Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent, a spiritual battle has been going on – God vs. Satan, good vs, evil, light vs darkness. Imagine the level of regret Adam and Eve must have had as they looked back on the angel guarding the entrance into the Garden of Eden where they did not realize what they had until it was gone – fellowship with their Creator, peace, plenty of food, animals all around who all ate plants (nothing to fear), etc. The realization that they would now have a life that included hardship, pain, and death must have been a rude awakening to them. This is interesting to contemplate as the only thing God commanded Adam not to eat was from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil – they were allowed to eat from the tree of life. God gave humans the gift of free choice, but many times the choices we make are not for our own good or for the good of others. Through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin and death entered and corrupted the world and man has been helpless to save himself ever since. God always warns before judgment comes and His Word has warned us too.

“The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Genesis 2: 8-9

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 2:15-17

“So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Genesis 3:24

Satan (the serpent in Genesis) has had thousands of years to study the human race. Although he cannot read our thoughts as God can, he can identify each person’s weaknesses and adapt his temptations and deceptions to draw us away from the very One who created us, loves us, and even died for us. We can be discontented with what we have and be tempted to turn instead to what appears to be a better way, but in reality is not better. Satan is the prince of this world. He is busy doing all he can to keep people from accepting God’s free gift of salvation made possible through Jesus’ death. If a person does accept God’s gift of salvation, then the enemy (Satan) does all he can to derail us, discourage us, deceive us, tempt us, or cause us to doubt that God is good and that His Word (the Bible) is true. This is the essence of the unseen spiritual war that rages. It is up to us to know God’s Word so that we can avoid deception and draw near to God in obedience so we can have access to the power of the Holy Spirit so we can stand firm in the face of temptation and spiritual attacks. God tells us how to be victorious in Ephesians 6 – notice that with the shield of faith, we can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, so we do not need to be afraid of the enemy if we are trusting in the Lord and obey Him:

“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 [b]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 6:10-20

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the [a]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:1-10

In America, the majority of people (sadly, even Christians who say they love Jesus and respect the Bible) are biblically illiterate. Most do not make reading the Bible a priority. Churches and Christian universities have failed to stress the importance of knowing our Bibles, resulting in parents not seeing the importance of modeling that importance to their children. Because of this, we should not be surprised by the rising incidences of evil since so many people are deceived by the enemy’s lies – we see a sense of false compassion encouraging people to defy God’s clear teachings in multiple areas of the culture (abortion, divorce, sexuality, education, politics, etc.). Al Mohler recently wrote an article for “Crosswalk” on this topic: “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem”. What we have been witnessing is the decline of Western Civilization and a return to paganism and demonic influences, which bring about God’s judgment. It was Christianity that created Western Civilization, which lifted up the value of human life and motivated people to care for those who were sick or in need. The promotion of a death culture (abortion, euthanasia, etc.) is not from God because He is the author of life. The confusion we’re seeing in young people regarding their sexuality (even to point of thinking they can change their biological identity) is not from God. He made them male and female and this is confirmed through biological science – either XX or XY) is the author of order and not confusion. Those who perpetuate these ideas are not from God.

“This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.”

Genesis 5:1-2

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

1 Corinthians 14:33

“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.”

1 Timothy 6:11-16

We are entering a time of hostility toward God and His followers in America that we haven’t seen in recent history, so this may come as a shock to many. We are seeing people becoming hostile toward those who hold to a biblical worldview. There are so many around the world who have experienced much stronger persecution for their faith. We need to go to Christian news websites to learn about not only that, but the amazing work Jesus is doing around the world – both exist at the same time, just as Scripture foretold.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 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 3:1-17

This life is full of struggles, but the hope of a Christ-follower is not in this world. Hope is found in Jesus. He is the only answer. God works in individual ways with each person (He is endlessly creative), but in my life – God allowed me to reach the end of myself (in a time of desperation, when I finally realized that I was powerless to fix my situation) – that was when I cried out to the Lord for help and He met me right there. Is He waiting for you to figure out that you need help? that you need Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? I pray that you would cry out to Him as I did and find Him right there. When we repent of our sins and ask for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive them and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He doesn’t stop there: He also offers us a new life filled with His purpose, His peace, His strength, and yes – even His joy in the midst of chaos, until He comes back for us in the Rapture or until our time on earth is done. Either way, we will be able to spend eternity with Him in heaven, where there is no evil, sickness, pain, or death – only goodness. We won’t even have to fight our own sinful nature any more – praise God! This is truly a blessed hope. To better understand, check out the “Got Questions” article, “What is the Blessed Hope?”

© Constance Rice 2023

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Most of us are familiar with the line, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”, referencing the “The New York Sun’s” response to a little girl’s inquiry in 1897 about whether or not Santa Claus exists, someone who is good and eternal and has gifts for those who believe. In our present culture of confusion, fear, immorality, corruption, violence, efforts to cancel those who have a message different from a particular narrative, and evil seemingly rising up all around, people may question whether or not a loving God really exists. Life can be very difficult in a broken world. Some try to escape harsh realities through entertainment, alcohol, drugs, pleasure, ambition, withdrawal, or even things that tend to be more positive (sports, family excursions, etc.). I believe that those of us who have come to know God through trusting in Jesus for salvation and follow Him in obedience can answer those who, like Virginia, might be asking whether or not someone who is good, eternal, and has gifts for those who believe really exists.

“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. 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..”

1 John 4:9-10

“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 be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through 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

He has revealed Himself through all He has made and wants us to recognize our need for Him and our need for the gift of salvation that He freely offers to those who believe. He is a personal God and so responds to each person in ways that are personal and designed specifically to them. The “Got Questions” article, “How Does God reveal Himself to Us?” explains this well. At times, God allows challenges in our lives to get our attention. We tend to just let one day turn into another unless something jolts us out of our routine or security or comfort zone, and shows us that we don’t have the answers or power we need and that is what it takes for us to reach out to God for help. If we take the time and effort to really look at what God has made and the incredible design and complexity that exhibit His genius, it leaves us in awe. That’s why Satan attacks the biblical account of Creation as well as the Flood of Noah, which clearly shows how serious sin and evil are to God. Satan knows that if he can cause people to doubt those areas, he can deceive them into thinking that they can somehow be accountable only to themselves in this world and they can ignore, rationalize, or even celebrate their sin. Sadly, many have bought that lie and have turned away from their Creator. They will have missed out on the greatest relationship they could ever experience and miss being in awe of who He is and recognizing that they will one day stand in judgment before a holy God. God is love as well as patient, merciful, and forgiving, but He is also perfectly just and holy, so He must judge sin (as He alone defines it to be).

“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.”

2 Peter 3:9-13

When we really look closely at what God has made, we see that the idea of one creature turning into another over time is utterly ridiculous. When I was young, the public school system taught Darwinian Evolution as a theory (actually, it doesn’t even measure up to a theory). Although I did not attend church or know what the Bible taught (outside of biblical values that were taught by my parents), I was able to critically evaluate what was actually being taught and rejected it, seeing that it made no sense in light of what I could see in the animal kingdom and in humans. Therefore, this issue was never a stumbling block for me. A number of years ago, public schools began teach Darwinian Evolution as a fact instead of a theory (even though discoveries since are better supported by the biblical account), so this issue has been a stumbling block for many. Unfortunately, even some in the faith community became convinced that science had somehow proven long ages and/or some form of evolution. Actually, the scientific method involves testing of a proposed hypothesis and the results of repeated testing either support or falsify the proposed hypothesis. Science textbooks continually change based on the discovery of new evidence. Evolutionary proponents conflate observational science (which can be tested) with historical science (which cannot be tested) and then attribute the term “science” to their interpretations of the evidence. What results is a particular narrative and then the work of any scientist not in alignment with that narrative is effectively excluded from the conversation and their reputations and sometimes their careers are intentionally damaged (combination of cancel culture and propaganda). The film, “No Intelligence Allowed”, by Ben Stein exposes this.

“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, 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,”

Romans 1:18-22

After praying for years that the Holy Spirit would move in a mighty way to draw people to the Lord, for a revival of God’s people, and for another Great Awakening of historic proportion in our nation and around the world, it seems that it may be God’s timing to do just that (many others have been praying similarly). As this is written, there have been accounts of tens of thousands of people drawing near to God. So far, these have been in Christian universities, high schools, and youth groups, which would be classified more as an outpouring of God’s Spirit on His children that could bring a spiritual revival of God’s people. I pray this continues and spreads and that a new great awakening will follow as happened when God drew those caught up in the hippie culture to Himself in the late 60’s & 70’s of the 20th Century. Perhaps we are on the crest of it as God has orchestrated the timing of “Jesus Revolution” film, which is an excellent and powerful film on that movement in Southern California (in theatres this week at the time of this post). In that time, God used Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee to reach young people with the love and truth of Christ and were used by Him to help so many in find peace, joy, community, and purpose, along with the power to overcome the sins, hurts, and addictions that were destroying their lives. Greg Laurie was saved through this ministry and went on to pastor Harvest Church and create numerous “Harvest Crusades” (huge gatherings of people seeking after the Lord). I was privileged to attend some of these.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who 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.”

Romans 8:1-8

God is always working, but America as a culture has been pushing Him away, seeking after their own path(s). As our nation has moved farther away from Him and deeper into sinful ways, His blessings have been withdrawn and judgment is falling on us. As He has done so many other times in history, I pray that He would do a mighty work in helping people discover that only by accepting His free gift of salvation through Jesus and choosing to obey Him (understanding that His ways are for our good and that His plan is perfect), can we experience a meaningful personal relationship with our Creator that brings not only brings His peace, His strength, and His joy, but also a deep sense of purpose as He allows us to join Him in His Kingdom work.

“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.

Romans 8:31-39

God wants that none should perish and wants to have a personal relationship with each person and blesses those who seek Him with their whole heart, mind, strength, and soul. Still not sure if a loving God exists? Sincerely seek Him and find out. When I cried out to Him for help and surrendered my life to Him and His purposes, He made Himself known and I seek Him every day through His Word and prayer. I have discovered that there is no better plan than the one He has purposed for each of us. This life entails struggles and we’ll suffer because Jesus suffered, but He sustains us through it all with supernatural peace, strength, and joy – all with a clear conscience! As some of the infomercials have said, “but that’s not all!” God also gives us hope – knowing that we look forward to an eternity in heaven with Him, with no sin, no evil, no pain, no sickness, & no death. Getting back to Virginia’s letter – Santa Claus was actually based on a real person in Asia Minor. St. Nicolaus was a good man (but still a flawed human being) who gave gifts anonymously to those in need in obedience to teaching of Jesus Christ. How amazing is it that we are able to have a personal relationship with the One He was trying to reflect? The gift of salvation is free to us, but it cost Jesus Christ everything – He deserves all praise and glory. Yes, Virginia, there is a loving God!

© Constance Rice 2023

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Most thinking people would agree that morality exists, but where does it come from? If one has rejected the existence of God, then there isn’t really an objective standard. There is certainly no mechanism for the development of morality through Darwinian evolution. Recent claims suggest that each person can determine what is moral or immoral, but would that provide a solid foundation for any society? What one person might think burglary, rape, etc. is good for them, those things are definitely not good for the other people affected or for society in general. Historically, most laws within societies are rooted in a some sort of a moral determination. As our culture attempts to remove God and His Word from society and tries to redefine morality according to its own carnal wisdom of the moment, we see increases in crime, corruption, addiction, despair, broken families, and other societal ills well as the recent incidence of a cancel culture that diminishes freedoms that had previously been protected by adherence to the Constitution. America was founded on principles found in Scripture and the balance of powers created by our founders reflect their understanding of the sinful nature of humankind.

“Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle… In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity… That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.”

Congress, U. S. House Judiciary Committee, 1854 – reference from “Wallbuilders”

“Power always thinks… that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all His laws.”

John Adams, 2nd President of the United States of America from “A-Z Quotes”

As stated in the Declaration of Independence, American citizens have inalienable rights given by their Creator and the role of government is to protect those God-given individual freedoms. The Constitution was ratified by the states as the supreme law of the land only after the Bill of Rights was included with the first 10 Amendments as a safeguard to prevent American citizens from tyranny. All political leaders are required to give an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. In recent times, unelected bureaucrats in powerful government agencies, the expanded use of Executive Orders, and corruption are taking us ever farther away from our Constitution and bringing us to a dangerous crossroads. Thomas Jefferson’s and James Madison’s insightful words seem to have been prophetic:

“When all government …in little as in great things… shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another, and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.”

Thomas Jefferson

“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

Our rejection of God and His Word has America facing the very real threat of joining other great empires in the dustbin of history. Scripture teaches that all wisdom comes from the fear of God, who is sovereign over the affairs of men and nations. Our nation is pursuing a fool’s errand that could lead to our demise.

“The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.”

James Madison

“From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the air.
Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’
God understands its way, and He knows its place.
For He looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heavens,
To establish a weight for the wind, and apportion the waters by measure.
When He made a law for the rain, and a path for the thunderbolt,
Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out.
And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
And to depart from evil is understanding’.”

Job 28:20-28

I’m old enough to remember when people, even of differing political affiliations, shared a respect for God and the Bible, and loved America with its freedoms. They sought to engage in civil discourse with respect for other people when they disagreed. With honest debate, the best ideas rise to the top. The idea of protecting one narrative while silencing those who disagree is completely foreign to most Americans and is indicative of tyrannical forces at work. The attempts to silence debate and promote one view on various topics as the only “acceptable view” has been unheard of in my lifetime. In my generation especially, there was a refutation of racial discrimination and opportunities grew for every people group. We made every effort to implement the dream of Martin Luther King Jr.:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Throughout my life, there was a basic trust in government leaders, media, education, and medical institutions – that they were looking out for the good of our country and its citizens. There was a respect for law enforcement and most Americans were law-abiding, tax-paying, hard-working citizens who weren’t looking to the government for support. I never dreamed that in only one lifetime, our culture would turn on law enforcement, release violent criminals on society, force people to stay in their homes, prevent people from attending religious services, not allow family members to be with their dying relatives, force an experimental drug on people as a condition of going to school or work or to travel, and to kill healthy, defenseless babies in the womb up until birth (biological fact – nothing happens after conception to make a human; the child already has a unique DNA, distinct from its mother). It is shocking that our schools, institutions, and even our government leaders would also deny other known biological facts to purposefully sexualize and confuse little children (to the point of maiming them for life). When I was was growing up, the whole of society made every effort to protect children and their innocence. Now, children are targets and are suffering unnecessarily and unfairly as a result. God will hold them accountable.

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!“

Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:6-7

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:28

We have evidently been the proverbial “frog in the pot”, trusting that our leaders shared the same traditional values that have made our country strong for centuries. Those of us who have been oblivious to the takeover of our institutions are responsible and I am crying out to the Lord for forgiveness for being too busy to recognize much of it before it got to dangerous levels. I pray for salvation of our leaders, that they would too cry out to the Lord for forgiveness and turn from their ways that bring harm to others. I pray for justice and protection for the children – they deserve to grow up feeling safe, secure, cared for, and to be shielded from the seediness and evils of this world.

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Jesus’ words in Mark 7:21-23

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery’, ‘You shall not murder’, ‘You shall not steal’, ‘You shall not bear false witness’, ‘You shall not covet’, and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Romans 13:8-10

Let’s consider what our nation would look like if we actually followed the moral code that God put in place for us to follow (keeping in mind that even when we are intentional about obeying God, we will never be completely obedient this side of heaven because of our sinful nature – no person is perfect, and therefore no culture, country, government, business, church, or family will be either – something our founding fathers understood well):

Leaders: Leaders in all areas of society (family, government, business, education, church, etc.) would fear God, being acutely aware that they will stand before Him to give an account for how they have handled their power and influence. They would seek God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul so that they could lead with wisdom, truth, and grace. This would minimize corrupting influences that arise when people cave in to their sinful desires (greed, sex, lust for power, etc.).

Sexuality: Sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman would be minimized. If people actually lived the way God commands, there would very little divorce, pornography, adultery, abortion, single-parent homes (except if widowed and then the church would come beside the family). People would find their deepest needs met through their relationship with God and would seek to live out the life that He created each of them to live. Nobody would need to try to “find” their identity because they would understand who they are in Christ and have access to the incredible peace, joy, strength, and sense of purpose that God made available to every person He has created.

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

Ephesians 5:3-7

Marriage would be a lifetime commitment between a godly man and a godly woman as a three-fold relationship, with God in first place. Each of them would seek the Lord and follow Him individually and as a couple. The husband would love his wife as Christ loved the Church, even to the point of sacrificing his life for her, and cherishing, providing for, and protecting her, knowing that God will not answer his prayers if he mistreats his wife. The wife would provide insight and help while respecting her husband as the ultimate authority in the home, recognizing that he is the one responsible before God as the spiritual leader of the family and for how he handles his household. Because their deepest needs are met by the Lord, they wouldn’t need to place unreasonable demands on each other or have false expectations, but would see their spouse as a blessing to share life’s inevitable challenges and joys.

“‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Ephesians 5:31-33

Parenting: God holds parents responsible for the spiritual upbringing of their children.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Children would have both a mother and a father who would parent them with love, compassion, and would teach them the ways of the Lord until they could develop their own relationship with their Creator and Savior. They would be valued, protected, and brought up in the wisdom of the Lord, learning to put God first and to think of others more than themselves. Parents would not frustrate their children and children would respect, honor, and obey their parents and authority. Parents would be godly examples that boys and girls could emulate. Boys would learn what it is to be a godly man and girls would learn what it means to be a godly woman. Children would learn to be productive members of society and appreciate the importance of their particular contributions (giftedness, skills, experiences, talents) that would benefit their families, communities, and societies at large. They would be brought up to value the family bond, learn to take responsibility for their mistakes, and seek to bring honor to the family.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:1-4

Education: The Ivy League universities begun in America were founded to provide an understanding of Scripture. This is evident in their mottos (scroll down page). Education is not a responsibility given to the federal government by the Constitution.

Differences in various people groups: Since all humans are made in the image of God, each person would have respect and consideration for his fellow man, reaching out to help those in need. There would be no reason for discrimination or racism, since the only race according to Scripture is the human race. The only distinction the Bible makes is between those who follow God and those who don’t. Each person would be equal under the law and would have equal opportunity to work toward their particular goals in life.

“When God created mankind, He made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And He named them ‘Mankind’ when they were created.”

Genesis 5:2

Crime: The vast majority of people would not commit crimes against other people or their property. If they did succumb to temptation, they would face consequences so that they could be rehabilitated into productive members of society. Communities would be safe for families, without fear of attack on their person or property from criminals. There would be equal justice for all.

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”

Proverbs 29:18

Work ethic: People would work hard to support themselves and their families. They would do all of their work to the glory of God, always doing their best. Godly people working for godly leaders would create healthy work environments and higher productivity.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Colossians 3:17

Poverty: Religious institutions and individuals would be encouraged to reach out to meet the needs of their congregants and communities (this is already done by many of them). Addressing poverty was not a responsibility given to the federal government by the Constitution.

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”

Proverbs 19:17

So – how have the recent attempts to remove God and His Word from our society been working out for us as a nation and a society? Those in power get to determine what they think is right and then force citizens to comply or be punished. That is mob rule and is exactly what our founding fathers warned against and why they rejected a strict democracy and purposefully created a representative government with checks and balances and a Constitution with a Bill of Rights.

“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”

John Adams

We need our political leaders to once again strive to represent their electorate and recognize that they and other leaders will be accountable to God for how they choose to use their power and influence. God is the Creator of the world, of us, and as such determines morality just as the inventor of a game would determine the rules of the game. He has told us what is good and what is evil, and has even placed it on our hearts so that we instinctively know when our ways are not right. God is patient, but we know from the past that His patience does not last forever. In the end, He will defend the righteous and judge those who do evil – according to His definition; not man’s. Since the Lord is perfectly just and omniscient (all-knowing) – only He can be the rightful judge. Those who reject His existence and try to play God may find success in this world for a time, but they only fool themselves. May they recognize their need for a Savior and cry out to Jesus for mercy before that time.“

” I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”

Jesus’ words in John 5:30

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

James 4:7-8

© Constance Rice 2023

article by site founder, Connie Rice

To many of us, the world seems upside down and in some ways, at war with reality itself. It seems as if a line in the sand is being drawn and people may not be able to avoid choosing a side. Things that have been known and understood by all cultures for almost two millennium are being challenged, and people are being told not to believe their own eyes or even proven biological and scientific facts. For people old enough to remember the “Twilight Zone“ TV show, it’s like being in one of the episodes. Similarities to the book, “1984” by George Orwell has caught the attention of people familiar with his writings. Those who know Scripture are able to recognize the spiritual battle that is raging around us. It’s sad that biblical illiteracy is so high, because many will be deceived by the dark forces that are increasingly at work in this world. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus will return for His followers and God could certainly choose to turn things around now as He has turned around other dark times in history. However, we are seeing more things converge on a global scale recently that were foretold in Scripture and we are told to be aware of the signs of the times. For those who may not know where in the Bible to look may find a “Crosswalk” article by Dr. Roger Barrier helpful: “Signs of the End Times and Knowing When the End Is Near”. God has revealed Himself, told us what is true and how we should live, as well as what to expect before Christ returns. The 30-minute “Prophecy Pros Podcast” audio discussions may also help those who seek to better understand the times we are in through the lens of Scripture prophecy.

“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
0 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
You established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve You.
If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours“

Psalm 119:89-94

Since most news sources do not really cover it, many people may not be aware of the high level of persecution currently being experienced by Christians around the world or how the tiny nation of Israel has been miraculously protected. Its existence as a nation state is itself a fulfilling of biblical prophecy. Once Jesus takes the Church (all of His followers), evil on earth will no longer be restrained. As disturbing as that sounds, it is important for us to consider because people will need to choose sides before this happens – will we choose God and salvation through Jesus or will we choose to hold onto our own sin? God is the source of all good and Satan is the “deceiver of the world” and “father of lies” who promotes evil. Have we come to grips with the seriousness of our own sin before a holy God? How will we answer the all-knowing Judge when we stand before Him? He is a merciful God who gives us the freedom to choose, but our choice has eternal consequences. Will we be like Esau who gave up his inheritance for a bowl of stew, satisfying a current, temporary desire, but giving up something far more valuable in the future?

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive Him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets. For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything He tells you. Anyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from their people.’”

Acts 3:19-23

Scripture tells us the God has placed eternity on our hearts and that we all have a sense of right from wrong. As our Creator, He gets to define what is right and what is wrong. One of Satan’s lies is that we can decide that for ourselves. Another lie is that we can find our identify outside of Jesus – we can trust Him because He created us and He loves us so much that He voluntarily came to earth as a baby, endured hardships on earth, and after living the perfect life that none of us could, suffered greatly and laid down His life so that the penalty of death for the sins of all mankind would be paid. This made it possible for all mankind, through Him, to no longer have to be controlled or condemned by sin. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves and He also knows the future and what we need in order to be ready for what’s around the corner. He created time and so is not bound by it. More importantly, He made it possible for those who turn from their sins and trust in Him for salvation to have a righteous standing before God – not because of our own righteousness, but because we are covered by Jesus’ righteousness.

“And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’ So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After He drove the man out, He placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Genesis 3:22-24

God created a beautiful paradise for His first man and woman (male and female) to enjoy. They enjoyed fellowship with their Creator on a daily basis. Everything they needed was there and they had nothing to fear. Because God wanted them to choose to love and trust Him, He placed one tree in the garden and commanded Adam that they were not to eat from it. Eve was deceived by Satan (as the Serpent) and both of them disobeyed God’s command, bringing evil, death, sickness, and brokenness into the world. How much regret must they have had when they no longer could live in the paradise that God had created for them to enjoy? After all God had done for them, they did not trust and obey Him. It reminds me of the song, “You don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone”. All of us at one time or another have felt rejected and betrayed. Our tendency is to react in kind because of our sinful nature, but God continues to have open arms for anyone who draws near to Him. Even with world broken from sin, there is still much beauty to behold that can take our breath away.

“We must also recognize the priority of beauty in every human heart. Part of what it means to be made in the image of God is that we yearn for things that are genuinely beautiful. Even the most hardened secularist marvels at a sunset or stands breathless at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Augustine explained in his Confessions that every human heart is directed to beauty. The problem with the sinful human heart is that we can be bought off by something less than beauty. Of course, Augustine also pointed to the fact that the human craving for beauty was not mere sentiment. Rather, true beauty reveals an objective origin and source of beauty, God Himself. Our longing for beauty ultimately reveals our desperate need for God.”

Excerpt from article by R. Albert Mohler: ‘Will Beauty Save the World‘?”

Those of us who have cried out to God for His help and forgiveness have found Him waiting; we understand His amazing love and mercy firsthand and that nothing else on earth is as valuable or precious as a personal relationship with our Creator. He is so patient with those who have placed their trust in Him and choose to follow His path. Not only does the Lord provide us with the power and the desire to turn from the sins that separate us from Him, but He also knows that we will inevitably fail and fall short in our efforts. He offers restoration to all who genuinely ask. His grace is truly sufficient.

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”

Romans 3:21-26

People can begin a relationship with Jesus without knowing the Bible, but He reveals Himself through His Word. If we are not intentional about reading the Bible regularly, Not only are we in danger of being deceived, but we will miss out on knowing Him at a much deeper level. The more we know Him and walk with Him, trusting His plan for our lives, the more we get to experience His faithfulness so that we look forward to being with Him forever. Life on earth is hard, but Jesus, who understood suffering very well, walks with us through life’s challenges. God is going to create a new heaven and a new earth and no evil, deception, death, illness, or sadness will be there. Which side of the line in the sand will we stand? As for me, my only regret in choosing to accept God’s gift of eternal salvation through Jesus was that it took me so long; I felt like I’d wasted many years. Maintaining a clear conscience, having daily fellowship with my Creator, spending time with Him in His Word, resting in His love, and being part of His Kingdom work bring joy as well as a sense of identity and purpose that the world cannot offer. There are rocky times ahead for us all as evil rises, but when our hope is in the Sovereign One, we can be filled with His peace that the world cannot take away and can also look forward with anticipation to eternity with the One where hope is found.

© Constance Rice 2022

Article by site founder, Connie Rice

Most people are thankful for numerous things in their lives – maybe for their family, friends, provision, career, etc. It’s appears that the more thankful people are, the less unhappy they tend to be. There are also those who don’t see the blessings in their lives, but only see the struggles or things they don’t like, and thus are not very thankful. In either case, it may be helpful to look to Scripture to see not only what our Creator says about thankfulness, but to whom we should be thankful.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him.
The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.

Today, if only you would hear His voice,
‘Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
where your ancestors tested Me; they tried Me, though they had seen what I did.

For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known My ways.’ So I declared on oath in My anger,
‘They shall never enter My rest’.”

Psalm 95

When we read the Bible consistently and repeatedly throughout our lives, it becomes quite clear why we should be thankful and to whom. However, that does not mean that it is always easy to act on or remember to be thankful in times of struggle. It requires intentionality and a continual effort to maintain our relationship with our amazing Savior, Jesus Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach and transform us through the Bible. We have the promise of heaven for those who have submitted to Christ here, but life here on earth is the domain of the prince of this world (Satan). As a result, we are surrounded by the curse of a broken world – sickness, death, evil, heartbreak, addiction, greed, corruption, confusion, lies, deceit, immorality, arrogance, lack of respect for life, etc. – which can result in people having a lack of hope, which can result in despair. Each of us has our own sinful nature to contend with as well, and can be more of a problem to ourselves and those around us than we would really care to admit. Jesus came to earth and endured pain, mockery, torture, and murder because He knew we were incapable of saving ourselves and that our sin separates us from the very thing that we so desperately need – hope through a relationship with Him and the power to turn from the sin that can so easily control and deceive us.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

We are saved by God’s grace because of His amazing love for us. Our hope is in Him. The more we allow God’s Word to penetrate our minds and hearts, the more clearly we see Him for who He is and how deserving He is of our worship and obedience. This cannot help but increase our awe of the One who loves us and offers us a way of salvation in spite of our flaws and sinful attitudes and behaviors. Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice on our behalf cost Him everything to the point of death on a cross.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.“

Colossians 3:1-17

It is no wonder that the farther our culture moves away from God and His Word, the worse things become. It’s curious that modern American society has more material comforts than in previous times, but despair, depression, addictions, etc. are increasing. Some look to escape from reality and some seek to redefine reality for themselves. The phrase, “looking for love in all the wrong places” seems to fit here. Jesus is the answer – Scripture tells us that through Jesus, we have access to the peace of God and joy that the world cannot offer. Our identity, purpose, and how we should live are found in the Bible.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-9

At some point (maybe not that far down the road), the evil will rise to the point that God’s final judgment will be upon our world. Each of us has to get to the end of ourselves and recognize our need to seek God’s wisdom, which He has graciously provided to us in the Bible. It is no wonder that the farther our culture moves away from God and His Word, the worse things become. If people do not expect to stand before Him in judgment, they would tend to rationalize evil against their fellow man – perhaps even convincing themselves that they are doing it for the greater good (past history is a good teacher here). At some point (maybe not that far down the road), the evil will rise to the point that God’s final judgment will be upon our world. Each of us has to get to the end of ourselves in order to recognize our need for God’s wisdom, which He has graciously provided to us in His inspired Word.

“You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven?

At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens’. The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:25-29

It can be easy for us minimize our sin or even refuse to acknowledge it, but God is merciful and powerful and can help us turn from it. He is holy, so we need to be cleansed of our sin through trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation and asking for His mercy and forgiveness. Partnering with the Lord and allowing the Holy Spirit to help us grow to be more like Christ and give us the power to say no to sin is a lifelong pursuit and worthy of our efforts. As we place all of our trust in Him, we will begin to experience the extent of God’s faithfulness and understand the psalmist’s words because we will have discovered the same thing for ourselves.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise Hs name.
For the Lord is good and Hs love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.“

Psalm 100

Having a thankful heart, counting our blessings instead of focusing on what is not to our liking, helps us to be more content – which in turn, gives us a better attitude and perspective. That makes life easier for us and for those around us. We will still fail at times because we can never be perfect this side of heaven, but we can allow the Holy Spirit to help us be the best person, spouse, parent, child, relative, friend, employee, boss, etc. we can be and be quick to ask for forgiveness from God and others when we do fail. A clear conscience is a wonderful thing – it only comes when we are obedient to God’s teachings and do not deceive ourselves into thinking our that sin does not matter to Him (and as the Lord of all, He defines sin, not us). So, to whom should we be thankful?

“For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His dwelling place.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. Tremble before Him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!’
Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord,
for He comes to judge the earth.”

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Cry out, ‘Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to Your holy name,
and glory in Your praise.’
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.”

1 Chronicles 16:25-36

As our forefathers discovered hundreds of years ago when they first arrived in America, – thanks be to God, who is sovereign over all. Michael Medved explains the history of the first Thanksgiving in one of the “5-Minute Videos” on “Prager U”. The more we know the Lord, the more our hearts will overflow with thankfulness for His love, mercy, and grace and for the supernatural peace, strength, power, and joy that He makes possible for us in this life while awaiting His promise of being with Him and other believers in heaven. – not just once a year as we celebrate Thanksgiving, but every day of every year.

© Constance Rice 2022

Article by site founder, Connie Rice

“Follow the Light” has become a bit of a cliché, but how do we generally respond when the lights go out when it is dark? Don’t we look for a flashlight, find a candle to light, or follow a light we see farther away so we can see. Blind people generally rely on the eyes of another person or a trained dog to guide them. Interestingly, the Bible uses the concept of light and darkness to contrast good and evil repeatedly. Our world is broken and evil causes much pain and suffering. The prince of this world is Satan, but God is sovereign over everything. We are given the choice to follow the light or to be in darkness.

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”

Isaiah 42:16

From the beginning, God had a plan to provide a way of salvation for people because He knew we couldn’t save ourselves and that our sin separated us from Him. Those in the Old Testament were saved by their faith in the promised Messiah. Jesus Christ came into the world as fully human and fully God, living the perfect life that humans are unable to live. He came to sacrifice His life for the sins of all mankind and rose on the third day, victorious over both sin and its penalty of death. Jesus is heaven now and beckons us to His light.

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, His Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.

1 John 1:3-10

Those who place their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation will not only have eternal life in heaven with Him, but can live in His light here on earth – even in the midst of darkness. Through the Holy Spirit that indwells believers, we have access to the power to say no to sin in our lives and to reject darkness with its many other Ds (see below) and choose God’s way instead. Life on earth is hard for everyone, but we have a Savior who wants to walk with us through challenges, growing us into His likeness along the way. The lists below compare the contrast between living in darkness or following the light:

Even though we have access to the light as believers, we need to continually choose to follow it. Our sinful nature will still try to take us down paths that are rooted in selfishness, lust, greed, etc. In order to follow the light, we need to be intentional about humbly seeking the Lord with our whole heart, mind, strength, and soul. We also need to read His revealed Word (the Bible) every day and reread it repeatedly throughout our lives so that we do not fall prey to Satan’s tricks and lies or to our own sinful tendencies.

Below are names of Satan and a partial list of the names of Jesus (alphabetical listings) given in Scripture. It’s a worthwhile exercise to review them:

After reading through the contrasts between darkness and God’s way and Satan and Christ, perhaps it can help those who do not yet believe understand why believers in Jesus want so desperately for others to find and follow the light themselves. As people understand what is at stake eternally (eternity in heaven with Jesus or eternity in hell without Him), they are more motivated to share the gospel (good news) with those they care about. This is literally the most important decision we can make in our lives. Hopefully, “Follow the Light” won’t be dismissed as a mere cliché. Those who are still unsure are challenged to pray and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you – with expectation and without doubting. He wants to know each person He has created and to have a personal relationship with them.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in M will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord’, she replied, ‘“’I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world’.”

John 11:25-27

“To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, ‘“’If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32

We don’t have to live in darkness – we can seek the light, Jesus Christ. He can open our eyes to see the truth and bring us into His marvelous light. He will transform and bless us on our journey. It’s not an easy or comfortable path, but we are never alone when we keep our lifeline close to our wonderful Savior. He will help us while we’re here until He comes back or takes us home to heaven.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’.”

John 14:1-6

“Then Jesus told him [Thomas], ‘“’Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’.”

John 20:29

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Is anyone else disturbed by the level of evil being revealed in recent times? There has been a spiritual battle since the beginning, but it seems to have intensified in recent times. Maybe the powers of darkness are just not hiding as much. As individuals and even whole nations reject God and move farther and farther away from His teachings, their rebellion brings about God’s judgment and Satan is able to influence and deceive more and more people – even Christians, due to their ignorance of God’s Word. Many have accepted Darwinian Evolution as true and have turned from God, perhaps without the understanding that we are all condemned before a holy God. It is only through His love, mercy and grace that we are able to stand before Him without fear. When people humbly seek the Lord, repent of their sins, and choose to trust in His Son, Jesus, for salvation, God is faithful to forgive them. For those who think they might be beyond God’s mercy, consider that He forgave David of his adultery and subsequent murder against the woman’s husband because David fully repented of his sin. A more modern example is the case of Jeffrey Dahmer, who committed heinous crimes against boys and later came to understand through Creation science ministry that God was real and then turned to Him in repentance. “Generations” has a half-hour podcast with audio footage from Dahmer in a 1994 NBC interview.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.”

1 John 1:9-10

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.  The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.  For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you His Holy Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

God offers us a new life because as our Creator, He knows what we need more than we do and He knows what lies ahead and how to prepare us. It’s amazing that Jesus gave His life so that we could live in heaven when we die, but even more so that He allows us to enjoy a personal relationship with Him and ensures that we will never be alone while on earth. Jesus didn’t stop there – He sent us the Holy Spirit so that we could have access to supernatural power that enables us to choose not to be controlled by the sins that so easily deceive and entrap us in this world. What kind of love is this?

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!”

Romans 5:6-10

Some of the people who have rejected God have risen to major positions of influence in America and throughout the world, and have been actively working to move nations, government agencies, educational entities, institutions, media, and corporations toward humanistic, materialistic principles that do not consider human life as having intrinsic value. This is not a new concept to students of history, but for decades, students have been subjected to biased revisions resulting in them not having an accurate understanding of those who lived in previous generations or of past events. The 20th Century experienced numerous instances of those with an atheist, evolutionary worldview and a thirst for power who added together, murdered an estimated 100 million people and oppressed their surviving citizens. America was a source of good in the world and so many of our brave men and women sacrificed (some with their very lives) to prevent this from happening in America and have also come to the defense of people around the world so they could also live free from oppression. When America upheld godly principles and honored God, we experienced His blessings. Increasingly, our nation has thumbed their nose at Him and His teachings, evidently believing the lie that His ways restrict them. Actually, the opposite is true. He offers true freedom.

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; He puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him! For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage! The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man; from where He sits enthroned, He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.”

Psalm 33:4-16

Let’s say someone does not believe in God and as such, rebels against or ignores His commands. This person rejects the moral standard that Scripture clearly teaches and believes that this earthly life is all there is. Loving our fellow man as also made in God’s image is replaced with a mentality of survival of the fittest. Should we be surprised at the level of selfishness, corruption, sexual activity without boundaries, oppression, and policies based on models rather then actual data because that can then be used to manipulate people? Biblical values have provided the foundation for healthy societies, marriage, and children. If human life is not valued, abortion, euthanasia, and even genocide and depopulation begin to be promoted as cultural solutions.

“He went on: ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person’.”

Jesus’ words in Mark 7:20-23

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

John 3:17-21

History is repeating itself with the rise of global elitists who seek to control the world. This time, however, technology has progressed to the point that makes possible what previous power hungry leaders could not have even imagined (outside of science-fiction writers). So many have bought the lie that Darwinian evolution is true and that there is no God. As a result, they have rejected the One who created them and denied His power, not realizing that by doing so – they have actually joined forces with Satan against all that is good. There’s a reason why adventure stories about good vs. evil have captivated the hearts and minds of people – life on earth is a huge adventure story and there is an epic spiritual battle going on. We need to make sure we choose the side of good, which comes from God. He has not been silent, but has allowed many things to shake us up to get our attention. Life isn’t easy for anyone and suffering is part of this world – we can suffer on our own or we can suffer with our Savior right beside us and experience His peace and strength as we lean in to Him.

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Romans 6:8-14

We need to choose wisely whose side we are on. A line in the sand is being drawn. The Lord wants to reveal Himself to people and have a personal relationship with each one. Will we turn to Him and away from our sins, crying out for mercy and forgiveness, or will we continue to reject Him? Angels are ready to rejoice in heaven to celebrate each and every person who chooses to follow Jesus, the only One through whom we can be saved.

 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Jesus’ words in Luke 15:8-10

Things have also been bleak during previous times in history and God has turned things around. If enough people repent and turn to Him, He may do that again. It seems that there are many people of money and influence around the world working together to control the rest of the population according to their visions of utopia. Instead of following God, they try to be God and worship the creation rather than the Creator. Those who know God’s Word understand that there will be a one-world government at some point, so this could very well be the beginning of the end. We don’t need to despair or be anxious, but we should be ready for Him and draw near to the Lord through His revealed Word and prayer and choosing to obey, trust, and serve Him until He takes us home.

“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus’ words in John 16:33

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Reality, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is “the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be” and is based on truth. It seems that our culture is rejecting both reality and truth. Life is difficult, so it is understandable that people may want to try to escape reality. That is why movies have been popular – to forget about our problems for a short while. That can be healthy, but not if we attempt to defy reality or use means of escape on a regular basis. If we expect that everything in our lives should be good or that we should have comfort and security, that perspective can create disappointment, discouragement, fear, and/or confusion. Add to that some people’s expectation that everyone is inherently good, and the world just doesn’t make sense. When evil affects us and others, we can become shocked, fearful, disillusioned, withdrawn, easily deceived, and/or cynical and bitter. A biblical worldview helps us know who we are and why we exist. It explains the existence of evil with each person having free will and that we are sinful beings bent toward selfishness. This is evident even in the youngest of humans and part of the role of parents is to help children choose to think of others.

“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Jesus’ words in Mark 7:21-23

We are in a spiritual war, but our battle is not against those who think or act differently – our battle is with Satan (the devil, the adversary, the serpent, the dragon, the evil one, the father of lies, …) and the spiritual forces of darkness that are so prevalent in this world.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm.”

Ephesians 6:10-13

Satan knows his time is short and his lies, deceptions and acts of evil are becoming increasingly evident. He tempts people to sin, to doubt God and His Word, and encourages people to throw off the healthy boundaries that God has put in place to help people develop healthy families, cultures, and governments. Ignorance of or rejection of God and His commands results in people’s worldview being influenced by spiritual darkness – dimming of conscience, living out of own wisdom, being prideful, having lack of accountability, etc. The farther away from God and His Word people get, we see:

• Sexual immorality – rationalizing, justifying, & even celebrating the same sexual sins that brought God’s judgment in past history and have contributed to the downfall of whole civilizations.
• Children not as protected– removal of innocence (regarding sexual activity & violence), child abuse (physical, emotional, & sexual), destruction of families, fatherless homes, focus on social, science, & historical indoctrination rather than academic instruction (evolutionary teaching – that they are just animals rather than uniquely & lovingly created in the image of God), and recently to instill fear with climate change and disease and to intentionally attempt to confuse them (lifelong consequences).
• Narratives vs. facts – one-sided narratives are replacing civil discourse and the search for truthful facts; institutions that once celebrated their diversity of thought now actively shut down debate. “Cancel culture” is simply a new term given to previous moves in history to implement tyranny.
• Human life devalued – abortion at will (now expanding throughout pregnancy & even after birth), euthanasia being expanded & pressured, removal of life-saving care, genocide, depopulation, etc.
• Lack of civil discourse – more conflict between individuals, people groups, & leaders.
• Drug abuse & addiction – has increased exponentially and governmental forces are now accommodating and encouraging drug abuse.
• Pride celebrated – throughout Scripture, God answers and blesses those with humble hearts and rejects those who are prideful.
• Identity questioned – people have chromosomes in every cell of their body that are either all XY or all XX; this determines whether they are male or female; this cannot be changed.
• Increased tyranny – rising levels of corruption is resulting in tyrannical behavior in governments of previously free countries.
• Declining religious freedom – lack of respect against those with religious convictions to the point of legal actions taken; increased religious persecution around the world.
• Video games – more and more young people spend time outside of reality, which if not moderated, can result in their having more difficulty coping with the inevitable trials of life.
• Metaverse – the next level of escapism where people create whole alternate realities that have no basis in actual reality; people would live out alternate lives online.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Transhumanism – those who don’t know God look to more and more ways to live longer or strive to find a way through technology to live forever (God placed eternity on our hearts, but it was meant to cause us to seek Him); these people have risen to places of power and influence and do not see humans as inherently valuable because they are made in God’s image, but seek to “improve” humanity as the next step in what they see as evolutionary progress.

“Moreover, I notice that throughout the earth justice is giving way to crime, and even the police courts are corrupt. I said to myself, ‘In due season God will judge everything man does, both good and bad.’ And then I realized that God is letting the world go on its sinful way so that He can test mankind, and so that men themselves will see that they are no better than beasts.”

Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 3:16-18

To keep things in perspective, it’s important to consider that our lives on earth are very short in light of eternity. Francis Chan has a 2-minute great illustration of this on his site, “Crazy Love“. What we believe and do while on earth affects our eternity and should cause us to consider serious possible consequences. God has revealed Himself through Creation, through His Word (the Bible), through Jesus Christ (God incarnate), and through the supernatural transformations He has accomplished in the lives of those who trust in Him for salvation and obey His commands. John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles all made it clear that repentance is necessary for us to be right with God. It might not be the answer we want to hear because we want what we want and can delude ourselves into thinking that we know best. In the Old Testament, we find a phrase repeated each time God’s chosen people faced His judgment – “and the people did what was right in their own eyes”. This perspective describes our present culture, but is not pleasing to God and sets us up for His judgment. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”. It’s not like we haven’t been told – here are just a few examples of the need to repent of our sins and seek God’s mercy:

“John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”

John the Baptist’s teachings in Mark 1:4-5

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’.”

Jesus’ teachings in Mark 1:14-15

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago.”

Peter’s teachings in Acts 3:17-21

“Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to His works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”

Paul’s teachings in Romans 2:4-8

Spiritual darkness can really fool people into thinking that they are following something positive, something compassionate, and/or even something loving. However, Jesus tells us that Satan masquerades as an “angel of light” (explained in an article on Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s website). Believers are repeatedly warned in the New Testament to not be deceived, so we are at risk of following lies that may on the surface sound good, but result in bringing in more problems or evil. Many believers and whole churches have already been deceived – mostly those who have rejected the inerrancy of Scripture. God’s Word provides us with the discernment we need as we seek the Lord.

“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Jude 3-4

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

1 Peter 22-25

Jesus is our Creator and knows the future, so He is more capable of directing our lives than we could ever be. He has all the answers, and as our Creator, knows what will bring each of us the most satisfaction and purpose in life. This life is hard and Scripture teaches that this world is not the home of God’s children, so our focus needs to be on Jesus, our living hope.

“Under the system of Jewish laws, the high priest brought the blood of the slain animals into the sanctuary as a sacrifice for sin, and then the bodies of the animals were burned outside the city. That is why Jesus suffered and died outside the city, where His blood washed our sins away. So let us go out to Him beyond the city walls (that is, outside the interests of this world, being willing to be despised) to suffer with Him there, bearing His shame. For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.”

Hebrews 13:11-14

“And He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God’.”

Jesus’ words in Luke 9:23-27

Is it time to seek God with your whole heart, mind, strength, and soul and repent of your sins, humbly asking Him for mercy and forgiveness? Is He waiting for you to figure out that you need Him and the eternal salvation that He freely offers through your believing in Jesus Christ as His only Son and Jesus’ death on the cross and Resurrection. Victory was His in overcoming both sin and death. He invites us to live forever in heaven with Him – a place He is preparing for us where there is no sin, sickness, death, or sadness. The signs of the times are revealing that we could be very close to Jesus’ return. As Billy Graham repeated from 2 Corinthians 6:2b, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation”. 

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:35-42

Rejecting reality has dangerous consequences. God created a perfect world with amazing plants and animals, and then created the first man and woman in His image. He gave them capabilities that are unique to humans as well as a desire for relationship and to live a life of meaning. God gave the first humans responsibility and freedom to enjoy the garden with only one command – not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve was deceived by the serpent (Satan) and both she and Adam chose to disobey God’s command, bringing sin, death, pain, sadness, and decay into the world. Sometimes we don’t know how good we have it until it’s gone. Our Creator has revealed Himself through His inspired Word, so that we could know Him and choose to follow Him. It is not easy, but having freedom from the power of sin & fellowship with our Creator while on earth with His supernatural peace, joy, and strength is worth our effort while we await our future with Him in heaven.

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God will resurrect His children. For on that day thorns and thistles, sin, death, and decay—the things that overcame the world against its will at God’s command—will all disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom from sin which God’s children enjoy. For we know that even the things of nature, like animals and plants, suffer in sickness and death as they await this great event. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as His children, including the new bodies He has promised us—bodies that will never be sick again and will never die.”

Romans 8:18-23

© Constance Rice 2022″

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and Casey, our nation has seen pro-life centers being attacked both verbally and criminally. Influential leaders have accused pro-life pregnancy centers of being deceptive and harmful. As someone who has been personally involved as a volunteer and financial donor for two different pro-life crisis pregnancy centers in two locations over the last 25 years, truth and honesty compel me to speak up. Pro-life crisis pregnancy centers receive no government monies (unlike Planned Parenthood). They are supported by donations from people and organizations that recognize the value of human life as made in God’s image and strive to support women and protect the lives of the most innocent and helpless among us who have no voice of their own – the unborn human. I make that distinction because animal rights proponents recognize that protecting the eggs of endangered birds protects the endangered birds, but have you heard anyone arguing that the egg isn’t worthy of protection because it isn’t yet a bird? Instead, there are laws that protect those eggs from anyone who would intentionally harm them. Aren’t unborn humans worthy of protection against intentional harm? Weren’t we all at one time an unborn human? A short video from “Welcome to Truth” explains the humanity of the unborn: “The Unborn is FULLY Human – PROOF in 6 Minutes”.

Before I explain what motivated me personally to begin volunteering and donating to pro-life centers, let’s look at the facts of what these centers actually do – all at no charge to their clients (due to the generosity of their donors) and almost all through the efforts of trained volunteers who are dedicated to helping moms and their babies:

• Pregnancy decision coaching by trained advocates
• Free pregnancy tests
• Information about pregnancy options
• Material resources (maternity clothes, diapers, infant clothing & supplies, etc.)
• Post-decision support (including parenting classes and abortion recovery groups)

In some centers (true of the two I’ve been involved with):

• Consultation with a licensed medical professional
• Limited ultrasound for pregnancy confirmation
• Testing for sexually transmitted infections and diseases
• A medical doctor is available (some volunteering their time)

The most often heard claim made by proponents of abortion is that women have the right to control their own body – an old argument that denies the biological facts that should end abortion altogether:

• Life begins at conception at the moment the sperm fertilizes the egg – a unique individual with its own DNA is created; nothing else happens beyond this point except time to develop, nutrition, & shelter – the same as other humans in later development stages also need (ie. a newborn, toddler, preschooler, or the infirm (none of which could survive without care).

• Recent technology confirms the humanity of the unborn fetus (prenatal surgeries, 4-D ultrasounds, etc.)

Is it ever a person’s right as the stronger and more powerful person to deprive a weaker person of their right to live? Is it ever right for someone to choose to kill a child in a later developmental stage because they are inconvenient or expensive or stand in the way of what might be perceived to be more important? I do not stand in judgment of others here because I myself believed the culture’s lies regarding abortion and took the life of my own child in the first trimester. It remains my biggest regret in life, but it took many years before I understood the extent of the damage it had wrought in my own life. Even though God calls the taking of an innocent life an abomination, He offers mercy, forgiveness, and healing to those who have experienced abortion, but repent and cry out to Him for forgiveness (whether it’s the mom or dad or a grandparent or whoever else might have pressured the mom to have an abortion, or the person who performed it).

In my case, I had been married for 7 years but was given an ultimatum by my then husband to abort our child or he would leave. He had decided that he didn’t want children at all. Thinking marriage was forever, I went through with it – hoping all along that he would change his mind. I even asked the clinic worker if it was a baby because if it was, I didn’t want to abort. She said it wasn’t a baby yet – just blood and a clump of cells. She was just repeating the lies she had been told. I realized years later that the reason the doctor said he had to go back in when I thought the surgical abortion was over was that he hadn’t been able to account for all of my baby’s body parts. I was horrified and wept bitterly while again crying out to God. When I consider that, my heart just breaks for the women and teens who have been sent home with a pill to pass their tiny dead baby on their own. Women deserve better than abortion. My husband at the time left anyway soon after the time our baby would have been born. There were no pregnancy care centers at the time of my abortion to offer encouragement and material support if I had my baby – I support them so other women won’t have to go through what I have. What can we do now?

• Correct false information about the Supreme Court decision and state laws:
  • Supreme Court decision did not outlaw abortion; it simply sent the decision back to the states and the people.
  • None of the states prevent treatment for ectopic pregnancies (not considered an abortion).
  • None of states prevent treatment if the mom’s life is in danger.

• In listening to some of the people who are upset with Roe v. Wade being overturned (even though that decision was an act of judicial activism at the time and not supported by the Constitution), you would think that pregnancy just happens to women – like an airborne illness. We all know that sex if required and that people who don’t engage do not become pregnant. Pregnancy is a natural consequence of sex between a man and a woman and all choices have consequences. Our culture seems to try to minimize or eliminate the consequences of “sexual freedom” rather than making different choices which would minimize or eliminate those same consequences.
• As a culture, we need to stop lying to women that “sexual freedom” is helpful to them. A natural consequence is the creation of a human life, so we should only engage intimately with a person who is committed to us for a lifetime (exhibited through marriage). This would eliminate the vast number of “unplanned pregnancies”.
• Abortion has actually been a friend to irresponsible men who want to be sexually active, but seek to avoid any responsibility resulting from their pleasure seeking. It also increases the exploitation of women and girls as sex abusers and sex traffickers push them into aborting children that are conceived to keep their dark deeds secret or in the case of traffickers, to keep bringing in money.
• For those who have serious financial concerns, pro-life centers can provide needed support both before birth and afterward. As Christians, we all need to step up and help here – with our time, our money, and for some, as adoptive parents.
• Women have been created to nurture and protect their children (you see this clearly even in the animal world); abortion turns this reality upside down to the detriment of women’s emotional health (even when they don’t consciously recognize it). It was years before I was able to see the connections:
  • extensive depression when my next child was born, preventing healthy bonding between us and hindering her ability to learn to communicate her emotions effectively
  • difficulty in marriage and other relationships caused by my insecurities and feelings of unworthiness as a person
  • as a parent, fought feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness to be a mom
  • recognizing that I had prevented my girls from having an older brother (which I had always wanted as a child)
  • before accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior and experiencing His amazing forgiveness, I had a deep, but silent fear of His judgment because of my abortion
  • considering how old my first child would be and wondering who he would have become (during the healing study I took, God revealed to me that my child was a boy)

Once I experienced God’s forgiveness, I rejected going through a post-abortion Bible study because I didn’t think it was needed. However, because I wanted to volunteer to help other women, I took part in one – I never dreamed that God had such a deep level of healing and restoration for me to experience through it. Now I help lead other women through the same kind of healing study that God used to bring me to a place of complete freedom – through a local pro-life crisis pregnancy center. What many may not know is that some of the most dedicated pro-life people are women who have experienced abortion.

There are so many stories of people whose moms chose life and the blessings that come from that decision. Some you may recognize – Tim Tebow, Kanye West, Nick Cannon, Greg Stier (founder of Dare 2 Share) – see a list of 23 celebrities at “Welcome to the Truth”. How many people with various talents and much to offer have been prevented from being born? We will never know what contributions they would have made – whether they would become celebrities or be less well-known, but equally valuable, members of society.

Abortion providers do not offer true choices and they do nothing for free – abortions are a big revenue source for them. States that created laws limiting abortion are revealing this truth. Abortion centers are closing because that’s the only choice they offer. One answer to a situation is not a choice. Crisis pro-life pregnancy centers offer real choices and real support for women who are struggling with life-altering decisions. Every year, I hear testimonies from pro-life center clients who have chosen life for their babies, and they are so glad they did. For more detail of what pro-life centers do, check out the article by “Life News”, “Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Helped 2 Million People, Provided $266 Million to Help Women. In Just One Year”

So – are pro-life pregnancy centers harmful? Absolutely not! They were started and are maintained by people who truly care about women and their unborn babies. They put their time, money, and efforts where their mouth is. They do not benefit from their involvement – it is truly a labor of love. Those who attack them speak out of ignorance. If you’re still not sure, visit one for yourself.

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice

When I was growing up, it was common to hear the phrase, “safety of the womb” – we don’t hear that today, do we? We know that God knew us before we were born because of what He told Jeremiah:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:4-5

Are we listening to those who deceive, destroy, and promote death instead of to the author of life and source of all that is good? Have we even considered this? It’s clear to those who fully trust in Jesus for salvation and guidance that we are in the midst of an intense spiritual battle. Perhaps we might learn from what God instructed Moses to say to the Israelites as they were about to enter the promised land (see quote below). Of course, we cannot apply this passage to ourselves directly because it was meant for them in the time they were in, but it does show us how important it is for us to know and follow God’s ways. He is immutable (never changes) and even though many don’t want to acknowledge it, He is sovereign over the affairs of men and nations and nothing we do, say, or even think is hidden from Him. It sure seems that we have been witnessing the withdrawal of God’s blessings over America as our culture has increasingly tried to push Him out of the public sphere, rejected His teachings, celebrated what He calls sin, and promoted death through abortion, euthanasia, refusing to punish evil so that innocent people are put in danger, etc.

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.  For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep His commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in His ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.”

Deuteronomy 30:15-16

That was a different time in history, but we know that God brought judgment down on the nations that practiced child sacrifice. Since the Roe vs. Wade ruling in 1973 that made abortion the law of the land (albeit a result of judicial activism and not according to the Constitution or even a vote of the people), tens of millions of babies have been deprived of their right to life which then deprives them of any of the other rights that are supposed to be guaranteed in America. There is nobody more defenseless than a child in the womb and recent technology has opened the womb for all to see that a fetus is indeed a developing human with its own DNA, distinct from their mother. Is God, by allowing Roe vs. Wade to be overturned, showing us mercy to see if we will turn back to him – our nation, our churches, and as individuals? He seems to have been withdrawing His hand of protection and restraint in recent years, allowing evil forces to increase. He allowed such things in the Old Testament to get the attention of His people, hoping they would repent of their sinful ways so He could bless them again. Isaiah prophesied about the coming Day of the Lord. Pride and arrogance will be crushed:

“For see, the day of the Lord is coming – the terrible day of His fury and fierce anger. The land will be made desolate, and all the sinners destroyed with it. The heavens will be black above them; the stars will give no light. The sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will provide no light. ‘I, the Lord, will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sin. I will crush the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the mighty’.”

Isaiah 13:9-11

Later in the New Testament, we see that children are precious to Jesus and He has strong words for anyone who would harm them or cause them to sin:

“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf is welcoming Me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of My heavenly Father.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:5-10

We should not be surprised by the expansion of evil and death and the unceasing attacks on family and those who stand for life – it is a natural progression when more and more people do not think they will be accountable for their actions. When the Bible and prayer was removed from schools, students are taught only Darwinian Evolution as their origin. The taking of innocent life is promoted as a right and even as a societal good. Is it any wonder that more of them do not consider human life valuable and struggle with more depression and anxiety than any previous generation? They do not know who they are in the Lord and have not experienced the love, acceptance, identity, peace, value, and sense of purpose that is available to those who choose to fully trust and follow their Savior and Creator, Jesus Christ. This makes them vulnerable to lies and deceptions that sound positive, but actually lead to death.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

John 3:16-21

It’s so easy for us to rationalize our sin and make excuses for ourselves, but true freedom is not found in having no boundaries – it is found in Jesus. Through Him, sin loses its power over us and we can thrive within healthy boundaries. It breaks my heart that Satan has deceived so many (even believers) because biblical illiteracy abounds, but we cannot say that we have been not been warned. The letters of the New Testament focus on the need for us to be discerning and not to be deceived. Satan is referred to as the “prince of this world” and Jesus tells us that Satan is the “father of all lies”. Jesus spoke boldly to the religious leaders when He was on earth and church leaders now should take note:

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God.  I have not come on My own; God sent Me. Why is My language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.  He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me! Can any of you prove Me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe Me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.  The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God’.”

John 8:42-47

”The Crosswalk.com article, “Why Are There Different Names for Satan?” by Clarence L. Haynes Jr. says it this way: “The Hebrew word for Satan means to oppose, obstruct, or accuse. In Greek, the word for Satan means adversary. This is a perfect definition of him because this is what he does to believers and to unbelievers. In all honesty, he is not a friend of anyone but an adversary to everyone because his ultimate desire is destruction.”

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.”

Revelation 20:1-3a

Even when Peter as a faithful follower of Jesus thinks he is defending Jesus against harm, Jesus points out that Peter was actually following Satan in his response:

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to You!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’ Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what they have done’.”

Matthew 16:21-27

That should give us pause – are we allowing ourselves to be patsies for the enemy? Have we allowed ourselves to be deceived – either by the world or even by our own heart? How can we keep from being deceived or from deceiving ourselves? God gave us His Word, the Bible, so we could determine what is really true. Jesus explains this in His prayer to God the Father in part of what is called “The Lord’s Prayer”:

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one – I in them and You in Me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”

Jesus’ prayer for His disciples & future believers in John 15:17-23

God revealed Himself to everyone in His Creation so that people have no excuse for rejecting His existence. So-called experts who have rejected or ignored God may consider themselves to be wise, but in reality are only wise in their own eyes and are considered as foolish by the Judge of all. Unlike some of the lies that are being promoted by our current culture, perception is not the same as reality. We need to be rooted in truth and reality – they are intertwined.

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

Proverbs 9:10

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.”

Romans 1:18-22

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.”

Psalm 14:1-2

We don’t have to follow deception, destruction, and death – even when it is masked in terms that sound good. Jesus as our Creator knows us better than we know ourselves and loves us in spite of our faults and failings – to the extent that He came to earth knowing He would be tortured and murdered so that we could have access to His righteousness while here and when we stand before a holy God. This is all found in the Bible. We have been warned, but some are rebellious, some stay willfully ignorant, and some just don’t make it a priority. My prayer is that people would seek after the Lord with their whole heart, mind, strength, and soul so they can develop a relationship with the One who created them and subsequently recognize truth. If you have had an abortion or have pushed someone else into having one, or if you have fallen for any of the other lies put out by Satan through our culture – God is a merciful, forgiving God and wants to restore you. I know this from personal experience – cry out to Him for forgiveness and turn from sin.

“’The time has come,’ He said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”

Jesus’ words when He began His ministry in Mark 1:15

Do as many other intelligent people have done before you – research for yourselves whether or not Jesus is really God and if the Bible can be trusted as absolute truth. A number of people have done so and came face-to-face with their Savior – C.S. Lewis, Lee Strobel, Marvin Olasky, Ray Comfort, Bernard Nathanson (leader of modern abortion movement who was transformed by Jesus and became a pro-life advocate), Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe of Roe vs. Wade), and many more. Some of them not only became Christians, but also evangelists. Check out the article, “List Of Converts From Atheism To Christianity” by “Believers Portal”.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of this Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

Romans 8:1-13

If you are already a believer, but have not made it a habit to read the Bible all the way through again and again, I will pass on a challenge that was given to me. Pray for God to give you a love and a passion for His Word and to carve out a time for you to seek Him through His word and through prayer. Over time, you will find yourself looking forward to your time with the Lord (He always has time for you). There is no wrong way to read, but this is the order I would personally recommend:

• John – who Jesus is from closest disciple
• other gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) – who Jesus is from different perspectives
• Psalms – reveals the majesty & heart of God
• Proverbs – wisdom of Solomon
• Rest of the New Testament (wait on Revelation – really helps to be familiar with the Old Testament)
• Old Testament (a chronological reading provided the most understanding for me)
• Reread the entire New Testament (preferably a chronological reading)
• Revelation

Let’s not tempt God any longer. We can learn from Jeremiah’s words in Lamentations 3:34-45 as the people faced God’s judgment and were taken captive by their enemies after continually turning their backs on Him and ignoring His commands.

Following the author of life and source of all that is good and staying in His Word provides us with the discernment we need to keep from being deceived. Otherwise, we are vulnerable to Satan’s lies and deceptions that lead to destruction and death. Some people will choose to accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation on their deathbed, but will miss out on the relationship, blessings, and purpose He had for them while on earth. Others may not get that opportunity and none of us knows when our time is up.

Please take a moment to ponder this – what more could God have done to reveal Himself to you and to prove His love for you? We don’t know the future, but He does. And as your Creator, He also knows everything about you and as such knows more of what you need than you possibly could. The choice is yours – will you seek the Lord and ask for His mercy and forgiveness or will you live out of your own wisdom? Will you choose life or death?

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Why is society deteriorating with incidences of mass murder, drug overdoses, dysfunctional families, sexual exploitation of children, increased crime and mayhem, and millions of tiny, helpless humans being discarded before birth – some fully developed? What is happening? Could there be a common thread that connects all of these things? For those whose worldview says that people are all inherently good and only do bad things because of their experiences in life, this is quite puzzling. However, for those with a biblical worldview, it is both tragic and preventable – but not puzzling. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners and that none of us can stand before a holy God, but that through Jesus we can be righteous before God. We all have a natural sinful nature that causes us to be self-focused. Children need training to help them learn to think of others and learn how to control their attitudes and behaviors. Those who have not been taught well can be hindered from growing into responsible members of society.

“As it is written: No one is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good.”

Romans 3:10-12

 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

School shootings have been fairly recent events with the perpetrators being young. In public school (where God, prayer, and the Bible were removed in the 1960s), students have been taught that they are animals, that they evolved from an ape-like common ancestor (rather than created by God in His image with value and purpose). Interestingly, most public schools try to instill good character traits (being kind, honest, hard-working, generous, etc.), but leave out the source of those traits and why we should strive toward them. Schools have removed effective disciplinary actions and have moved away from a focus on academics to social indoctrination. Some students are promoted who have not completed the required work which leaves them behind in understanding and skill level so that they can become discouraged and eventually just give up on learning.

“In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.”

Ephesians 1:5-14

A huge factor in our culture’s decline is the increasingly high divorce rate where fathers are absent or relegated to a minor role in the lives of their children. Kids need dads who can be a godly male role model and are invested in their lives. On the other hand, some parents dote on their children and cater to their every whim, giving children the false idea that if they want something, they should have it. Imagine their shock and possibly anger when they are hit with the reality that others are not impressed with their entitlement attitudes and lack of respect for authority. On top of that – in recent years, children have been targets of marketing manipulation and tragically, also sexual exploitation and confusion. Many kids in recent decades are medicated with brain altering drugs using a methodology of trial and error. Too many seek acceptance by joining a criminal gang, through promiscuity, and/or through social media. Some seek escape through video games and/or drug use. With Chinese Fentanyl being trafficked by drug cartels and labeled as other common drugs coming through the open border, more young people are dying from overdoses. Our youth are crying out in various ways and desperately need to know that God loves them and created them with purpose. Only He can fill the needs of their souls.

“Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So He subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind.”

Psalm 107:10-15

The prince of this world (Satan) is having more influence on our culture as God and His Word are being rejected. We are watching what happens when the influence of Christianity lessens and when even many Christians are biblically illiterate, leaving them vulnerable to believing lies that are couched in nice-sounding words. Satan looks for ways to deceive, destroy, and discourage and uses those who even unknowingly promote his plans . A 30-minute DVD, “Worldviews Have Consequences” (scroll down page for trailer) from “David Rives Ministries” (DRM) offers an interesting interview with James Gardner of “Canopy Ministries”. A good article from “Got Questions” is “What does it mean that Satan masquerades as an angel of light?”

“And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

2 Corinthians 11:12-14

Barna Group recently released a study revealing that “Competing Worldviews Influence Today’s Christians”. Let’s not be a patsy for the enemy – let’s develop the discernment that only comes with a strong knowledge of the Bible, letting God’s Word give us the foundation for what is true so we will not be deceived. The next generation needs us to equip them with the truth and how biblical teaching better explains everything we see around us. God created science, so His Word will not go against the actual scientific evidence. It will, however, go against some of the world’s interpretations of the same evidence.

“While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.  As you sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and us in John 17:12-19

I was an adult before finally getting to the end of myself and crying out to God. I began reading the Bible right away. Having no previous exposure to Scripture, I actually found it helpful to read my daughter’s “Adventure Bible”. My personal recommendation for getting started is beginning with reading the books of Psalms and Proverbs, then the book of John, then the other gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke). Then read the books of Acts, Romans, and the rest of the New Testament. The book of Revelation will make more sense if you read the Old Testament first since it references Old Testament prophecies. If you have not read the Old Testament before, it may be easier to read it in chronological order. You can find an online plan at “Bible Study Tools”. If you prefer an app, check out “The Bible Project” reading plans or “YouVersion” or look at chronological Bibles at “Christian Book Distributors”. If you’re interested in starting with a book that gives you a general overview of the Bible, you could try a handbook. or a brief online explanation at “Got Questions”. and/or watch free short overview videos of each Bible book from “The Bible Project” (when I discovered these, I binged watched them). Once you finish reading the Old Testament, reread the book of Hebrews in the New Testament and then read the book of Revelation. There’s helpful resources on “Revelation for Kids: Revelation made simple, for kids and grownups too”.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:12-17

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice

The move of our culture in recent years has been to basically shake our fist at God and rebel against Him and His Word. What He has called good is said to be bad and what He has called sin is said to be good. This comes as no shock to those who know God’s Word – it was prophesied in the Bible. However, the speed at which this is taking place is rather shocking. There are many who unfortunately do not have the eyes to see where this will lead – sadly, to their own peril. This story has played out numerous times throughout the history of mankind, but unfortunately recent generations have not had the benefit of being taught a fact-based history. Ignorance of factual history and the lessons that can learned through it combined with not knowing the Bible (unfortunately, biblical illiteracy is rampant even among many church-goers and self-proclaiming Christians) makes people quite vulnerable to deceptions and lies.

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

2 Timothy 4:1-4

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!”

Isaiah 5:20-21

Most people are aware that they can be deceived by others, so many are skeptical to a degree of what others say. Another form of deception may not be as well-recognized. Self-deception is quite common because our sinful and selfish nature can cause us to rationalize or justify ungodly attitudes and/or behavior that separates us from the Lord. This can limit or block God’s blessings in our lives. Perhaps some are focused on seeking ambition, security, fame, or money instead of a close relationship with their Creator. Feelings of discouragement, disappointment, grief, physical or emotional pain, rejection, confusion, betrayal, or misunderstandings can result in our reacting poorly to people and circumstances. Others may struggle with arrogance or pride, or a host of other things that can blind us to the truth and lead us away from Jesus Christ, who is the source of all truth. Even if we are doing all the things a “good” Christian is supposed to do, our hearts may not really be with God. That becomes fertile ground for self-deception. That’s when we begin to do what is “right in our own eyes” instead of seeking the Lord in His Word with our whole heart, mind, strength, and soul.

“This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, His Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.”

1 John 1:5-10

“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”

Proverbs 21:30

God is sovereign. He will not be mocked. His plan will succeed – it’s an honor and a privilege to be part of God’s Kingdom work, but He will accomplish His purposes with or without any of us. We know that Jesus will win in the end and that evil will be dealt with once and for all by a just and holy God. He created each person in His image and so values every human life, wanting that none should perish. He has been and continues to be patient so more and more people can be saved from the penalty of their sin. He warns us in His Word what happens when we reject Him and rebel against Him. God does not send anyone to hell, but gives us all the freedom to choose – but like all choices, there are consequences. Where we spend eternity should deserve our utmost attention because. well – eternity is a long time. Our time on earth, even for those with long lives here, is but a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. God wants us to admit that we fall short and for us to seek Him, asking for His help to live the life He has created for each of us. Discover the purpose for which you were made. As you follow Him, depend on Him, serve Him, and share what He has done in your life, God meets your needs and guides you. True soul satisfaction is found through Jesus. He fills our deepest needs.

“You do not have, because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.  You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us’? But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore 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.”

James 4:2b-8

2 Pet 3:9:  “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”.

This verse tells of God’s great love and mercy. It is God’s desire that all be saved. But again, we know from what He has revealed to us that only those who come to Jesus in faith will be saved:

Rom 10:9-10: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

“There is a human responsibility in salvation. It is not a work. Rather it is a response to Jesus’ offer to forgive, save, and restore sinners.”

excerpt from article, “Will All People Be Saved?” by Shari Abbott of “Reasons for Hope* Jesus”

The death rate is 100% – it comes to everyone. We will all stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives – to either welcome our long-awaited Savior and receive our promised rewards in heaven or to stand in judgment for our sins. Without the intercession of our Savior, we will be separated from the loving God who created us and from His goodness eternally. Check out the article, “Going to Heaven – How Can I Guarantee My Eternal Destination?” by “Got Questions”

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13-16a

The Bible is God’s message to us for who He is, who we are, how things came to be, how He has worked in people’s lives throughout human history, and what to expect in the future – including how Jesus is going to come for those who trust in Him and will destroy evil. Much of what we’ve seen in the form of natural disasters, evil, sickness, conflict, disrespect, cultural immorality, rebellion against God, etc. was prophesied for the end times. Time may be very short – “today is the day of salvation”. The article from “Got Questions” answers, “What Does it Mean That Today is the Day of Salvation?”. Jesus offers the hope of salvation from our sins and even offers each of us a part to play in the perfect tapestry He is weaving. It took me a long time because I was stubborn, but I finally got to end of myself in a time of desperation. I surrendered my life to Him and have experienced true soul satisfaction and meaning in this life. His amazing love, mercy, faithfulness, and patience along with His peace that the world cannot provide, His joy, and His supernatural strength are incredible. If you let Him, He will make all things new.

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:17-24

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [emphasis by site founder]

Philippians 2:5-11

The choice is yours. I hope you will choose to seek the Lord with your whole heart, mind, strength, and soul and begin (or continue) your relationship with your Creator. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. May He reveal Himself to you as He has to so many before you who surrendered their lives to Him. When you keep Him first in your life and choose to obey Him and trust in the truth of His Word, you will experience His blessings. This life has troubles, but He will never leave you nor forsake you, so you will never be alone. Let the adventure begin!

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice:

It seems to be fairly common for people (mostly believers) to ask, “What is God’s will for my life?” or “How do I know what God’s will is?” Our culture confuses us with this, especially with its constant focus on self so that people develop an expectation that the answer is specific to their particular future. However, the answers to these questions are given in Scripture and they apply to us all. The first step is to accept God’s plan of salvation for our lives by trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our eternal salvation, asking God for forgiveness, and turning from our sin (determined by God in His revealed Word, not by us or the culture).

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” [bold emphasis by site founder]

John 6:40

Then we need to choose to follow the Lord’s teachings and keep Him in first place in our lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us to be more like Christ. The particular path He has planned for each of us is unveiled oftentimes gradually, just one step at a time (similarly to how God chose to reveal Himself gradually throughout history through particular people and events). How do we do this? In Scripture, we are given examples of what it looks like to put God first, but one example of this in the Old Testament is with Daniel. He was a teenager when he and other young Israelites were taken into captivity by the Babylonians and faced pressure to accept the new culture, to put aside the commands of God, and they were even renamed from their original Hebrew names that reflected God to Babylonian names that reflected pagan gods:

“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility – young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself [emphasis added by site founder] with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” [bold emphasis by site founder]

Daniel 1:3-8

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.  Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” [bold emphasis by site founder]

1 Peter 2:15

In order to live in a way that unveils God’s particular will for us as individuals, we must be resolved to not defile ourselves as well. Our culture (and sadly even some churches and Christian leaders) teach that it is okay to follow the culture in various areas, that things have changed and God’s Word is no longer relevant to our lives. It is common now for young Christians to consider sex outside of marriage and living together outside of marriage as perfectly fine. If sexual immorality is repeatedly taught against throughout the Bible and even by Jesus Himself, how can Christians expect to experience God’s blessings in their earthly relationships?

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;” [bold emphasis by site founder]

1 Thessalonians 4:3

As societies are more and more removed from God and the Bible, society suffers from multiple negative consequences as evidenced in the last 75 years or so in America:

higher incidence of domestic violence,

higher rates of abortion (now even trying to legalize killing full-term infants after birth),

more children growing up in single family homes,

less respect for the value of human life – abortion, euthanasia, more murder cases, etc.

increases in sexually transmitted diseases,

increased levels of anxiety – even in young children,

higher incidence of addiction,

more depression & higher incidence in suicide at younger & younger ages

higher crime levels,

increased intolerance for those who think differently,

confusion about one’s own sexuality and gender,

school shootings,

parents abusing and/or killing of their own children,

children killing their parents,

more corruption,

the war on reality with push for alternate realities,

inability for young people to cope with reality, and the list goes on.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” [bold emphasis by site founder]

Romans 12:2

As much as it might be politically incorrect to say so, numerous studies have shown that God’s design for marriage and family with children being brought up in a home with both biological parents provides a healthier foundation for children which results in stronger communities and benefits society overall. When both parents have a close relationship with and serve the Lord, know Scripture, and practice an authentic faith before their kids, we see a legacy of healthy families being built throughout multiple generations. There are no guarantees, but God promises His Word will not come back void.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus did not negate Old Testament law, but came to fulfill it and live the perfect life that none of us were capable of doing so that His sacrificial death on the cross would pay for the sins of all mankind. It is up to us whether or not we accept the gift of salvation that He freely offers. Along with the gift of eternal life in heaven with Him, Jesus tells us that the truth sets us free and that His Word is truth. He offers freedom from the bondage of sin and the ability to please God.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

1 John 5:13-15

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” [bold emphasis by site founder]

1 Thessalonians 5:18

God has done His part – He created a way for us to be redeemed and live a life of victory with purpose even in a fallen world. However, He is Master of all so we need to do it His way. Living with Jesus as part of our lives isn’t what brings victory; we need to seek Him with all of our hearts, minds, strength, and soul. Francis Chan puts it this way, “He wants all or nothing. The thought of a person calling himself a ‘Christian’ without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd.”

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” [bold emphasis by site founder]

Hebrews 13:21

As we watch our culture deteriorate and see the chaos and confusion continue to ramp up, will it be enough for you to get to the end of your own wisdom and humbly seek the One who created you? I pray it is. That will be the beginning of your journey of discovering God’s amazing love for you and His perfect will for your life so you can live a life of purpose and victory, experiencing the the Lord’s supernatural, strength, peace, and joy even in the midst of life’s trials.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

Isaiah 55:6-12

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice

We are living in a time where increasingly, people and whole nations do not seem to have a fear of God. American culture is being driven farther and farther away from God and His Word. Many people are building opinions and making decisions for their lives based on their own wisdom, “doing what is right in their own eyes”. That phrase is in quotes because it is given numerous times in Scripture as a warning, generally followed by God’s judgment.

“You shall not do according to all that we are doing here today, everyone doing whatever is right in his own eyes”

Moses warning the Israelites just before they entered the promised land – Deuteronomy 12:8

 “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Judges 21:25

“Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.”

Jeremiah 11:8

In view of that, how wise is it to continue down the path of doing what is right in our own eyes? If we say we don’t believe in God or what the Bible has to say, then what basis is there for morality at all? If everything was created randomly, there is no rational basis for morality. God has defined right and wrong in His revealed word and as our Creator, has every right to determine the rules of the game. Without an objective standard for everyone everywhere, morality just becomes opinions, which vary from person to person. God didn’t have to reveal Himself to us or give us moral standards or provide sinful people with a way of salvation, but He did – out of His love for us. He knows that sin ultimately harms us and puts us in bondage. However, He also values liberty, so has given us the freedom to choose whether we will accept His gracious gift or reject it. It brings to my mind the scene in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” when the first person attempted to choose the holy grail and disintegrated. The keeper of the grail in the movie, says, “He chose poorly”. The question for each of us is, will we choose wisely or poorly regarding the most important decision we can ever make? Pondering where we will spend eternity deserves our time and thoughtful attention.

Let’s take a brief look at what God’s Word has to say about those who do what is right in their own eyes:

“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.”

Isaiah 5:21

“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”

Proverbs 26:12

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”

Romans 8:5-8

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Proverbs 14:12

God doesn’t send people to hell, but unfortunately many will choose it by rejecting Him and by extension, heaven with Him. Our inherent sinful nature causes us to want things our own way and question God’s wisdom. Our stubbornness (referenced in the Old Testament as being a “stiff-necked” people) can result in our demise. It’s so sad for those of us who have personally experienced God’s amazing love, mercy, grace, goodness, kindness, and blessings to see others turn away from all that He freely gives those who choose to trust and follow Him. For those like myself who lived outside of relationship with Him for many years and finally surrendered to Him, we desperately want others to experience the same incredible and close relationship with Jesus that we enjoy. Is life easy as a Christ-follower – no; it’s quite hard and takes intentionality, but the joy of His presence and the help of the Holy Spirit make peace and even joy possible in the midst of life’s many challenges. The world begins to make more sense as we study His Word and we begin to long for the restoration that God will bring in His timing.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:12-13

 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:8

Now let’s take a brief look at what God’s Word has to say about the fear of God. It is not meant for people to tremble in fear before Him (although that will be a reality for those who reject Him and then stand before Him in judgment). Instead it means to recognize that God is your Creator, loves you, and wants the best for you. He provided a way to be free from the power of sin by trusting in His Son, Jesus Christ, alone. As you confess your sins, ask for forgiveness, and surrender your life to Him, you will have assurance of being with Him in heaven, you will receive a spiritual gift that helps you serve the Lord and others, and you will receive the Holy Spirit who will help you throughout your life.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 14:27

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:26-28

“For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.”

Psalm 25:11-14

“Oh, how abundant is Your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear You and worked for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of the children of mankind!”

Psalm 31:19

“My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it 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 in integrity.”

Proverbs 2:1-7

It’s hard to explain to those who haven’t yet surrendered their life to the Lord, but true freedom results as we partner with Him to help us live a life of purpose and have victory over sin. He even allows us to be part of His Kingdom work while we await the glorious new heaven and new earth that He will create. Life on earth has its challenges for all of us because the world has been broken by sin, but being in the center of God’s will brings soul-satisfying peace that the world cannot offer, supernatural strength to persevere, provision for our needs, and even unexpected joy and blessings.

“Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man! For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.”

Psalm 107:8-9

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

James 1:2-6

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Psalm 19:7-11

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.” 

John 8:31-32

To learn more, you can check out resources on the “Good News” page. If you have questions about whether or not the Bible is true, there are many other pages (Apologetics, Creation, Outreach, etc.) on this site that may be helpful in directing you to answers.

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice

Do you have an innate desire to know what is true? Do you want your life to mean something? Do you value justice and fairness? Do you have the ability to reason using logic? Where do those desires and abilities come from? These are timeless questions that every human being has contemplated at one time or another. Our worldview determines how we answer them (if we make an attempt to answer them rather than pushing them to the back of our minds). Darwinian evolution and random chance cannot even explain where the first living cell comes from, let alone answer how any of the above-mentioned things came to be. Multiple generations now have been taught that they are a high-level animal that has gradually evolved and become more complex over time, as well as that this life is all there is. God is not given credit for the Creation of our world and the amazing design that we see in plants, animals, mathematics, scientific laws, and humans. People who believe God is their Creator with a Master Plan and as one made in His image, are accountable before Him, tend to be mocked and ridiculed. Is it any wonder that hopelessness, depression, suicide, drug abuse, anxiety, crime, fear, corruption, and confusion have increased substantially over the same time period? Others have gone much deeper into answering the big questions of life than is able to be addressed here, but let’s think about some of these questions:

Where did we come from?

Does our life have a purpose?

Do the decisions we make in life matter?

Why do people suffer?

Why is there evil in the world?

Where did our sense of justice and logic come from?

Is physical death really the end or is there a heaven or hell after death?

Let’s see if an evolutionary interpretation or a biblical interpretation can better answer these:

1. Where did we come from?

If Darwinian evolution is true, we evolved from an apelike creature – there was no plan because it would all be random (although for evolution to be true, new and more complex information would be needed along the way). The scientific law of biogenesis rejects the idea that life can come from nonlife (spontaneous generation), so how did the first living cell come about? Evolutionists cannot answer that, so generally just focus on mechanisms for change. The mechanisms given are natural selection and mutations, and of course time. Natural selection needs something to select from and mutations result in a loss of information and are generally harmful rather than beneficial. Therefore, Darwinian evolution cannot answer the question of from where we came.

If the Bible is true, we are made in the image of a loving, merciful, faithful, intelligent, logical, just, good, sovereign, and eternal Creator God. We as humans were created uniquely from all other creatures (made in His image) and possess some level of some of God’s attributes – the capacity to love, to have compassion, to create, to reason using logic, to have desire for meaning and purpose in life, to seek justice, to have a basic sense of right and wrong, etc. Each person also seems to naturally know that there is more to life than just existence, thus creating the motivation to seek answers.

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 1:26-27

2. Does my life have a purpose?

If Darwinian evolution is true, the only purposes are to survive (to search for food and either to flee from predators or to pursue other creatures as predator) and to reproduce. Interestingly, no mechanism has been suggested to explain many things, such as why some creatures migrate and where that tendency comes from, why some live in groups and others don’t, why some creatures exhibit abilities that more complex creatures don’t have, etc. No answer is given for why humans seek purpose in their lives and other creatures do not, why humans place such a high value on beauty, fairness, music, art, etc., or why it seems that only humans contemplate their future and meaning in life.

If the Bible is true, each person is created to know and love their Creator while living a life that gives glory to Him, and to reflect His love to others. God reveals Himself and the way to have a life of purpose through the Bible. Amazingly, God empowers His followers to accomplish this through the His Holy Spirit when we accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as our personal Lord and Savior – trusting in Him alone for salvation and following His teachings. A life of love, hope, selflessness, personal & spiritual growth, and purpose is available to all who choose to submit their Savior – we are made a new creation and our past no longer defines us. We are given the power to turn from the sins that so easily control us – this is true freedom.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

3. Do the decisions we make in life matter?

If Darwinian evolution is true, how we live our lives doesn’t really matter – each person is free to survive how he or she sees fit without regard for how their decisions may negatively affect others. Selfishness, arrogance, pride, corruption, and no end of evil are rationalized as a result of this worldview.

If the Bible is true, our lives on earth affect our relationships with both God and others, and we are to seek God with our whole heart, mind, strength, and soul, and love others as ourselves. We are to sacrifice for the benefit of others. The decisions we make in this life affect our eternity (whether we stand in judgment before a holy God or receive rewards from our Savior, Jesus Christ and live in heaven forever).

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.”

John 8:31-32

4. Why do people suffer?

If Darwinian evolution is true, it’s a “dog-eat-dog world” where each person’s focus is on themselves and their own needs, so suffering and death would be part of it for those who are not at the top of the “food chain”, so-to-speak. The strongest and fittest would still suffer from various things, but their control over those not deemed to be as strong or as fit would cause much greater suffering for them.

If the Bible is true, suffering and pain is never wasted. God allows suffering in our lives to draw us closer to Himself, to teach us, to grow us, to increase our compassion for others, to equip us to come beside someone else going through a similar trial, or to prepare us for something in the future of which we are not yet aware. Since God is omniscient, He knows everything – past, present, and future, so He alone really knows what lies ahead and how we need to be prepared. Some might be uncomfortable with the thought that God knows our hearts and thoughts and that nothing is hidden from Him. However, when we are in the center of His will, this knowledge can be a true comfort to us – He knows everything about us, yet He loves and values us anyway.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”

1 Peter 4:12-13

5. Why is there evil in the world?

If Darwinian evolution is true, there is no foundation for the existence of either evil or good – living things in nature exist only for survival and reproduction. Not only does it not offer an explanation of why good or evil exists, but it also cannot explain why humans are able to recognize good and evil. Although what defines good and evil for different people may depend on their culture and opinions, it seems that all humans acknowledge that some things are good and some things are evil.

If the Bible is true, God created a perfect world and the first two humans (Adam and Eve). In it was a garden that included fully formed fruits and vegetables for food as well as both the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God instructed Adam not to eat from the latter tree, but Eve was deceived by the serpent (Satan) and both of them disobeyed. They were expelled from the garden and their disobedience brought sin and death into the world. We live in a broken world with sin, illness, pain, and death which explains the evil in the world, but look forward to when Jesus will fight evil once and for all and be victorious. God promises to create a new heaven and earth where there is no sin, pain, illness, or death for those who accept His free gift of eternal life through believing in Jesus Christ for salvation.

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death’.”

Revelation 21:1-8

6. Where did our sense of justice and ability to reason with logic come from?

If Darwinian evolution is true, there is no explanation for how our sense of justice and logic came to be. On another note, there is also no way to explain the existence of natural laws, mathematical laws, music, or beauty. How can intelligence arise out of nothing?

If the Bible is true, our Creator God is logical, intelligent, and just. Since we are made in His image, humans are also logical, have intelligence, and seek justice. Who hasn’t said, “That doesn’t make sense.” Even very young children say, “That’s not fair!” Scientists acknowledge that all DNA contains information and information can only come from intelligence.

“Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows Himself holy in righteousness.

Isaiah 5:15-16https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+5&version=ESV

7. Is physical death really the end or is there a heaven or hell after death?

If Darwinian evolution is true, we die and that’s it. There is no hope for anything else.

If the Bible is true, we exist eternally – either with our loving Savior in heaven or if we choose to deny Him, in a place without His presence. Hell was created for Satan and his demons, but God does not force Himself on anyone. He gave us liberty to choose our own destiny. Rejecting Him naturally results in our being somewhere else. God offers us hope for help in this life as well as the hope of heaven.

“All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as My gospel declares.”

Romans 2:2-16

What do you say? Which belief system best answers the big questions? If you want to know God and yourself better, if you want to experience God’s amazing love, if you want your life to mean something, and if you desire justice, then use your God-given ability to reason logically to seek the Lord. He does not hide from you.

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.”

Lamentations 3:25

Truth matters, but how can we determine what is true when conflicting reports about the same issues are all around us? Let’s reason together using our God-given sense of logic to recognize that God not only created us, but gave us the Bible (His revealed word) to guide us through this life and prepare us for the next. Seeking Him as we read through it is how we know truth as well as what is good and what is evil. Only a biblical worldview can supply us with the answers we each so desperately need. Our culture has individually and corporately turned our backs on God and rejected His teachings to our own peril. Each of us needs to turn from our sin, turn to our Creator, and cry out for His mercy. He is the source of truth, forgiveness, hope, purpose in this life, and is the perfect all-knowing judge. As evangelist, Billy Graham, referenced often in his Crusades from 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Now is the day of salvation”. For those who have already accepted the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, Peter offers further wisdom:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 1:3-11

© Constance Rice 2022

article by site founder, Connie Rice

This site is about discovering truth. Unfortunately, discovering truth is made more difficult when terms are redefined. Noah Webster, author of “An American Dictionary of the English Language”, recognized that a unified national language was essential for our new nation. The following quote is from the history given regarding Webster’s work:

“Webster learned to read and understand more than 20 languages and traveled to France and England to research early dictionaries and books on the origins of words and language. Several times Webster ran out of money, but he received financial support from statesman and jurist John Jay and other prominent Americans who wanted to see the book finished. Webster completed the dictionary in 1825, and it was the last time that one person alone developed a major dictionary. It included an impressive 70,000 words, definitions, and explanations of words’ origins. The first edition was printed in 1828 under the title An American Dictionary of the English Language and sold for $20 per set. This colossal work came to symbolize a unified national language, and for Webster, was essential for nation building.”

Webster’s Dictionary 1828

In recent years, influencers in American culture have been redefining words to suit their preferred narrative. The result is more confusion and increased division across the country, just the opposite of what is needed for a nation to be unified. Some of the examples given in this article are phrases and the definitions of words used in this article came from “The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language” (mine was published in 1973):

CULTURAL TERMS:

• separation of church & state – often communicated as being in the Constitution (it is not); it was taken out of context from a private letter written by Thomas Jefferson in reply to a Baptist minister who was concerned that his minority denomination could be persecuted against. The “separation” referenced was to protect the practice of religion from government intrusion. After their experience in Europe, our founding fathers understandably did not want the government establishing a particular denomination as the official religion of the state.
• tolerance – “capacity to tolerate the beliefs, practices, or traits of others; forbearing”; by definition – a belief or practice different from one’s own, so the term is not the same as agreement or approval of someone else’s belief or practice. In other words, one can only be tolerant in the case of disagreement – showing respect and consideration in spite of it.
• marriage – “the state of being husband and wife; wedlock; the union of a man and woman as husband and wife”; by definition, does not include relationships of same sex; another term should be used rather than redefining the existing one. The institution of marriage was created by God Himself and He uses it as an analogy for the relationship and commitment between Jesus and the church. What God has defined, man does not have the right or the authority to redefine.
• gender – “any set of two or more categories, such as masculine, feminine, and neuter, into which words are divided according to sex, animation, psychological associations, or some other characteristic, and that determine agreement with or the selection of modifiers, referents, or grammatical forms”; human gender as male and female have been known throughout human history and is supported by biology; one’s gender is not just feelings, reproductive party parts, and hormones. It is not possible for a male to become a female or a female to become a male because human chromosomes are either XX (female) or XY (male), excepting chromosomal mutations, ie., Down’s Syndrome (who are still male or female). From a Cleveland Clinic article on fetal development: “At the moment of fertilization, your baby’s genetic make-up is complete, including its sex. The gender of your baby depends on what sperm fertilizes the egg at the moment of conception. Generally, women have a genetic combination of XX and men have XY. Women provide each egg with an X. Each sperm can be either an X or a Y. If the fertilized egg and sperm is a combination of an X and Y, it’s a boy. If there are two Xs, it’s a girl.” In addition, data shows that there are inherent differences in the brain, differences in skeletons, and over 3000 skeletal musculature differences. The redefining of gender as a fluid spectrum goes against science, and much damage is being done to adults and especially children with confusion and even permanent body-alteration. Sadly, the stories of those who have suffered do not get much attention. Jesus even spoke to this in Matthew 19:4-6 when answering a question about divorce: “’Haven’t you read’, He replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female?, and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate’.“
• abortion – “induced termination of a pregnancy before the fetus is capable of surviving as an individual”; fetus is defined as “the unborn young of a viviparous vertebrate; in humans, the unborn young from the end of the 8th week until the moment of birth as distinguished from the earlier embryo”; it is important to note that nothing happens after fertilization to create a human being – it is already created and only needs nutrition, shelter, and time for further growth & development (the same as any infant, toddler, child, & adolescent). To promote abortion as a “woman’s right to choose” for what happens with her own body uses the incorrect premise that the child is part of her body when that is not the case. Babies in the womb are the most innocent and vulnerable of all humans and their lives should be protected by society, not snuffed out. Laws against abortion in America were brought about when the medical community realized more about human development in the womb. There was a common expression used when referencing the safest place a person could be – “the safety of the womb”, but you don’t hear that today. Our Declaration of Independence stated that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” What other rights can there be if the right to life is not protected? It is interesting that abortion advocates consider choice to be absolutely necessary, but many of the same people do not value choice when advocating for a vaccine mandate of an experimental, never-before-used gene therapy – even though those break both the Nuremburg Code of 1947 and HIPAA. The Bible is clear on this issue that all human life is created in God’s image and that children are precious in His sight. Other nations who had a practice of sacrificing their children have faced His judgment.
• racism – “the notion that one’s own ethnic stock is superior”; our nation has experienced racism, but there has been much progress made over the last 70 or so years and most people were following Martin Luther King: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.“; Influencers in our culture are fanning the flames of racism again, but this time against those with white skin – it is wrong to tell some children that they are and always will be oppressors and it is also wrong to tell other children that they are victims and oppressed, and always will be. Anyone who has been around children knows that they make friends with other children of all colors and ethnicities. The truth is that we are all made in God’s image and every person’s life has value and that we should all treat each other with respect and dignity.
• equality – our nation was built on the idea that all people were equal in the eyes of their Creator and therefore should be equal under the law and have equal opportunity to pursue liberty and happiness. The Declaration of Independence further states, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”. Equality (everyone is equal under the law and has equal opportunity) has recently been replaced with the term equity (equal outcome). Equity has its origins in Marxist theory, and wherever policies based on that have been implemented, the result has been equal poverty, equal misery, loss of liberty, and sadly, also the loss of millions of lives. If interested in this topic, you can check out “EPOCH: The Rise and Fall of the West” by Kevin Swanson, “The Enemy Within: How a Totalitarian Movement is Destroying America” by former communist, David Horowitz or “How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World” by news outlet, “The Epoch Times”

• insurrection – “In insurrection there is an organized and armed uprising [bolded by site founder for emphasis] against authority or operations of government whereas riots and offenses connected with mob violence are simply unlawful acts in disturbance of the peace which do not threaten the stability of the government or the existence of political society.” Some use this term to describe the Jan 6, 2021, but not one person has been charged with that crime – none of the protesters who entered the Capital were armed and there has been no evidence of a planned, organized takeover of the government. It is irresponsible for leaders to intentionally use terms incorrectly (because every politician should know what this term actually means) and may result in citizens being treated unfairly under the law (jailed without charges, no speedy trial, unhealthy conditions, etc.).
• white supremacy – another term that has recently become the verbal attack “du jour” against people who disagree. Throughout history, there have always been some who considered their own race superior to others. However, I feel blessed to have lived in a time and place where most people moved away from issues of race and valued others for their trustworthiness, honesty, hard work, dependability, and good character. To see this attempt to again divide people by race in American culture is a step backward and is counter to the a biblical worldview that views all people as made in God’s image and therefore, valuable and equal in God’s sight.

MEDICAL TERMS:

• natural immunity – scientific & medical has always recognized that people who have already had a viral illness and recovered do not need a vaccine; the natural immune system response has already identified the foreign body and fought it off, is generally equipped to fight off any subsequent variant(s), and is no longer contagious. It has also been scientifically known that as a virus mutates, it becomes weaker and less virulent over time. As people’s natural immune systems fight off the virus and the virus mutations make it weaker, eventually, there is herd immunity. There are now many studies around the world that all verify that natural immunity provides better protection than existing vaccines. “Western Journal” has an article on this topic, “Johns Hopkins Doc Says Natural Immunity 27 Times More Effective Than Vaccine”.
• positive viral infection – diagnosis of a positive infection before this pandemic was by evaluation of symptoms AND a positive test; only with the present situation has it been suggested that a viral infection could be spread by those without symptoms. It is interesting that these suggestions have been dropped from more recent discourse, but not before panicking the populace around the world and causing untold human & economic damage and allowing governments to massively increase their control over people and businesses.
• unvaccinated – most people understand that this would include those who had not been vaccinated with a particular vaccine and may not be aware that during our current situation, the category of unvaccinated includes those who have not have been “fully-vaccinated“, defined by the CDC as finding an “antigen in a respiratory specimen collected from a person ≥14 days after they have completed all recommended doses [bolded by site founder for emphasis] of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized COVID-19″. Since many adverse reactions, serious illness, and/or death have occurred shortly after the first shot or within two weeks of the last shot, this drastically underreports the level of adverse reactions from the vaccine itself and mistakenly makes it appear that the truly unvaccinated are the cause of increased illness & death.
• vaccine – “a suspension of attenuated or killed microorganisms, as of viruses or bacteria, incapable [bolded by site founder for emphasis] of inducing severe infection but capable, when inoculated, of counteracting the unmodified species”; in 2021 as more and more “breakthrough cases” with people contracting and even dying from the illness, that the CDC definition of the word was changed to: “A suspension of live (usually attenuated) or inactivated microorganisms (e.g. bacteria or viruses) or fractions thereof administered to induce immunity and prevent infectious diseases and their sequelae. Some vaccines contain highly defined antigens (e.g., the polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b or the surface antigen of hepatitis B); others have antigens that are complex or incompletely defined (e.g. Bordetella pertussis antigens or live attenuated viruses)”. As Steve Kirsch (tech millionaire who funded covid vaccine trials) explains in his article for Principia Scientific, he “was so shocked at what he saw… that he risks everything to join the growing army of whistleblowers exposing the deadly dangers of these experimental ‘vaccines’.”

We are living in confusing and perilous times. Knowing what is true and having discernment is so critical. God has turned things around during previous times in history when things looked bleak and evil was rampant, so He may very well choose to do so this time. However, we also know that the beginning of the Tribulation may be soon. Some Bible scholars think that the Lord will come for His people after the 7-year Tribulation, some think it will happen in the middle (3.5 years after it begins, before the Great Tribulation as the Antichrist rises to power), and some think it will happen before the Tribulation begins. The event of Jesus coming for His children is referred to as the Rapture. The latter two views have Jesus coming for all of His children and then will come again later as a warrior to fight evil forces. “Got Questions” explains the difference between the Rapture and Jesus’ 2nd Coming. God wants that none should perish, but has given mankind the freedom to choose their own destiny. Many are rebellious and stubborn and will refuse to turn away from their sin and toward Him, rejecting His free gift of eternal salvation that is possible through His Son Jesus Christ’s voluntary, sacrificial death and resurrection. Knowing the Bible provides us with needed discernment and shows us the signs for which we should be aware. My heart breaks for those who won’t choose to accept the free gift that Jesus offers, and I will continue to pray for them. Jesus asked Peter in Luke 9:20, but it applies to each of us: “’But what about you?’ He asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’”

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

2 Corinthians 7:10

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people!’ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone’. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:8-12

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really know Me, you will know my Father as well.”

John 14:6-7

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished – He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.“

Romans 3:21-26

There’s a passage in the Bible that caused me to seriously consider what it means to be ready for Jesus’ return:

“Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.  People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Jesus’ words in Luke 6:44-49

If you have been holding on to sin of any kind, turn from it and move toward your loving and merciful Creator. Allow Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and experience the life you were created to live – with access to His peace, His joy, His strength, His power (all supernatural), and His purpose for you played out. The Lord makes it possible for those who trust and obey Him to experience a taste of heaven here on earth while we await His return.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.“

Psalm 34:8

© Constance Rice 2021

article by site founder, Connie Rice

A culture that turns on its youth cannot long endure. Those of us who have lived longer can remember when the culture protected children and looked out for their well-being and innocence – not just parents, but also movies, TV programs, news agencies, schools, the government, and society at large. In only about 75 years (one generation), our children have gone from being protected by every aspect of society to being targets for destruction, confusion, taught that they were random products of evolution, and have been victims all too often of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse. Instead of recognizing that children are precious and made in the image of God, our culture is treating children as a market with incentive for profit, as future activists to be indoctrinated, as sexual targets, or as pawns in a political game with increasing levels of fear and confusion. The past year and a half has brought unprecedented lockdowns, masks, social distancing, and removal of everything normal in the daily lives of children with separations from school, family members, sports, teams, & friends. Now they are targeted for vaccine mandates even though the risk from this experimental gene therapy (long-term effects are unknown) could be higher than risks of the illness. As a society, we have gone from protecting children to not protecting them, and have recently moved beyond that to intentionally harming them. God will judge those who are responsible. He loves children and warns those who bring them harm or keep them from Him:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in Me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:6-7

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’.”

Mark 10:13-14

Let’s break down some of the other changes that have shifted our culture’s previous protection of children to its current influences:

Abortion legalized in 1973 – unborn children are the most innocent and vulnerable among us and have no voice of their own – this is the ultimate form of child abuse; how can we as a culture continue to defend this barbaric intrusion into the womb? I remember when people wanted to point out the safest place possible, they would use the phrase, “safety of the womb”. We don’t hear that any more, do we? Without the right to life itself (affirmed by God and guaranteed by our Declaration of Independence), what other rights matter? For those like myself, who at one time believed culture’s lies on this topic and have taken the life of their own child through abortion, our merciful God forgives those who repent and ask for His forgiveness. In fact, He’s even had me step out to be available to lead a small group study to help other women find complete healing as I have. Much discussion is made about rape and incest, but the vast majority of abortions are focused on timing, finances, goals, etc. More babies were killed worldwide via abortion in 2020 than from all of the other leading causes of death combined.

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

Psalm 139:13-16

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.”

Psalm 127:3

There has been a concerted effort throughout the 20th Century to change education in America. It began with John Dewey (who spent time with communist dictator, Josef Stalin) and Horace Mann. Their progressive philosophy on public education sought to shift it away from a focus on academic knowledge toward education focused on the child within society. The ideas and goals were adopted in America and spread to other countries as well. A couple of quotes from John Dewey reveal how his influence has perpetrated American public education over the years:

“There is no god and there is no soul. Hence, there is no need for the props of traditional religion. With dogma and creed excluded, then immutable truth is dead and buried. There is no room for fixed and natural law or permanent moral absolutes.”

John Dewey, philosopher, author, and called the “Father of American Education”

“I believe that the school is primarily a social institution. Education being a social process, the school is simply that form of community life in which all those agencies are concentrated that will be most effective in bringing the child to share in the inherited resources of the race, and to use his own powers for social ends. I believe that education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.”

John Dewey, philosopher, author, and called the “Father of American Education”

Prayer was removed from schools in 1962 (although at the end of 1963, my teacher still gave our class time to pray when the announcement came across our intercom that President Kennedy had been shot); prayer was removed from all schools because of a lawsuit from a single atheist, Madeline Murray O’Hare, who spent 30 years trying to remove God from the public sphere before her disappearance, later determined to be murder. Interestingly, her older son became a strong Christian in spite of his atheist upbringing.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“The Lord is righteous in all Hs ways and faithful in all He does. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever.”

Psalm 145:17-21

Daily Bible reading was removed from schools in 1963. This is an excerpt from a 2012 article from The Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA):

“Gigi Savant has been teaching since the mid-’80s. She’s been in both public high schools and Christian schools, and she certainly does not like what she’s seeing in the public sector. ‘Our nation was founded on Christian values of what’s right and what’s wrong, founded on the Ten Commandments,’ Savant said. ‘But if you remove the basis of scripture, it’s everything. It’s our world view. And it has cataclysmic results.‘ Savant currently teaches at a Lakeland, Fla., school, where Classical Christian curriculum is being taught. ‘We stress goodness, truth and beauty,’ she said. ‘In public education, there is no standard of truth.’ Well, there is one standard, but it’s nowhere to be found in the public arena. ‘The Bible teaches there is truth. Jesus is the truth, the way and the life,’ Savant said. ‘Truth really is a person, the person of Jesus. When you remove the Bible as your standard, what becomes truth?‘”

Excerpt from article, “Taking God Out of School” by  Trevor Freeze

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”

Jesus’ words in John 17:17

Prior to 1963, Creationism was taught in most every school; now, evolution is taught as fact in all public schools, even though no scientific evidence is possible for any belief of origins – the scientific method requires that ideas be testable and repeatable. Neither belief can be scientifically proven, so neither belief falls under the purview of science. A 1973 article from the “Institute for Creation Research” (ICR) discusses this: “Evolution, Creation, and the Public Schools” by Dr. Henry M. Morris. Children are not descendants of ape-like creatures; they were created by a loving God in His image.

“For this is what the LORD says – He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited – He says: ‘I am the LORD, and there is no other’.”

Isaiah 45:18

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Romans 1:18–20

Sexuality – Beginning with the “sexual revolution” in the 60’s, our culture began to intentionally dismantle cultural norms and reject God’s teaching on sexuality. This has had far-reaching and devastating effects. It began with adults, but eventually worked its way into every aspect of our children’s lives. Prior to this time, the innocence of children was seen as something to value and protect. In one lifetime, sexualization of children became rampant on every front – at school, from movies & TV, and even in so-called “family entertainment”. They are intentionally confused about their sexual identity at a time when they are still developing. Elementary children generally want to play with and choose to spend their time with others of the same sex – it is part of their normal development. Activists have been successful at invading their world and confusing them at this critical time, under the guise of “safety” and to prevent “bullying”. Some children have been greatly harmed by thinking they were homosexual or lesbian and are then encouraged to act on it, leading them into earlier sexual experiences. Somehow, the rights of leaders became more important than the safety of children in organizations like the “Boy Scouts of America” (BSA). The predictable result was that many young boys were preyed upon and sexually abused by leaders who took advantage of this focus on the rights of leaders at the expense of boys – the organization now faces bankruptcy with over 82,000 claims of sexual abuse.

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person – such a person is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.”

Ephesians 5:3-7

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

1 Corinthians 6:18-19

Internet & Social Media – Technological advances have brought wonderful things into the world, but with it come inherent dangers and harmful influences. Pornography used to require effort to find, but now it shows up without even looking for it. Social media has provided the blessing for family and friends to stay connected even when far away geographically, but also allows people to say things to others anonymously that cause great emotional and mental harm. The Internet has made it much easier to find information, but much of that information is inappropriate or harmful to children. Sexual predators have found ways to attract unsuspecting children and teens and the result is that sex trafficking has become a very real danger in every community.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9

Climate Change – Children have been subjected to continual hysterical doomsday predictions from public school and vocal climate change activists. This places undue stress for students, creating more fear and anxiety. For those of us who are older, we remember when there were doomsday predictions about a coming ice age in the 70s. This did not occur. Then it was global warming and that did not prove to be correct either. Then they changed the term to climate change so that no matter what happened – it could be blamed on climate change. In every case, the predictions are based on models that have been consistently wrong. Changes in climate patterns and natural disasters existed long before cars and the industrialization of nations. The Bible teaches that our seasons will continue; we do not be fearful:

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Genesis 8:22

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus’ words in John 14:27

Critical Race Theory (CRT) – In my lifetime, great strides have been made regarding racial differences. I and most everyone I know have adopted Dr. Martin Luther King’s idea that all everyone should be judged on is the content of their character and not on the color of their skin. With CRT, white children are being told that they are inherently oppressors and non-white children are being told that they are oppressed and are victims. Some classrooms have even used a color wheel to determine students’ levels of oppressiveness or victimhood based on their skin color. This is extraordinarily harmful to children and only serves to create anxiety, fear, insecurity, and conflict where none previously existed. Anyone who works with children sees that they play with all manner of other kids; skin color does not affect them. Instead of carving out particular groups, we can teach children to treat everyone else with respect and dignity and to be the friend they would like to have. The Bible does not separate people on the color of their skin, but says that ALL people are made in God’s image and therefore have intrinsic value. CRT also corrupts the history of America with untrue accusations and assumptions, seemingly in an attempt to prevent children from having any understanding of how amazing their own country is compared to other civilizations and governments throughout history. It seems that immigrants from other countries may see this more clearly than those who have taken for granted the freedoms that so many have fought for and died to protect. An article, “What’s Great About America?” from “The Heritage Foundation” by immigrant scholar, author, & filmmaker, Dinesh D’Souza, explains this further.

“So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it’.”

Genesis 1:27-28a

Gender– Although gender dysphoria does exist and we should have compassion on anyone who suffers from it, the idea that one can choose his or her gender from multiple options conflicts with science, nature, common sense, all of human history, and the Bible. Previous research in this area shows that 80 – 95% of children will outgrow this if those around them help to reinforce reality. Of all the confusion foisted upon children, this one causes them to be confused over their innate identity and if encouraged, can open the door to a lifetime of confusion and even body mutilation. Biology recognizes only male and female with XY and XX chromosomes, respectively. This is what the Bible also teaches and what Jesus Himself affirmed. Activists keep adding more and more “genders” to their list (upwards of 60 now). The aggressiveness and intensity of this movement as well as the growth splurge of those identifying with gender dysphoria at the same time social media, schools, and other influencers push these ideas into the mainstream further reveals where the path leads when people reject their Creator and seek answers with emotional intensity rather than seeking truth from the One who created them. It is so important that children to understand that they are precious in God’s sight and are either a girl or a boy. Jesus referenced passages from Genesis when answering a question:

“’Haven’t you read,’ He replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Matthew 19:4-6 (Jesus includes quotes from Genesis Chapters 1 & 2)

We must protect the children – it is the responsibility and privilege of every adult. The greatest gift we can give children is to teach them that they have a loving and merciful heavenly Father who loves and values them, that they find their identify in Him, and that they were uniquely created with their own fingerprints, DNA, personality, gifts, and abilities. They need to be protected from those who try to sexualize them or bombard them with destructive and harmful messages. Children should be allowed to have a childhood free from the lies, confusion, unnecessary exposure to sexual themes, and the ugliness in the world. Most of us had the benefit of more protection than children today have for them. Those who accept the free gift of salvation through our Savior, Jesus Christ, not only have hope, strength, joy, purpose, and supernatural help to follow Him in this life, but also look forward to when God makes all things right and evil is put away forever.

“The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.”

Romans 8:7-11

“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 16-18

© Constance Rice 2021

article by site founder, Connie Rice:

We’ve all seen people on street corners holding a hand-made sign that says to repent. There’s a tendency for many to ignore or to think they are a bit weird. Perhaps a few might wave at them or give them a thumb’s up. How many of us would consider making a sign of our own and using our free time to stand somewhere, warning people to repent? Movies and TV shows will sometimes show people doing that and they are generally portrayed as social misfits or someone who is mentally challenged. In reading in the book of Matthew recently, I found myself wondering how people in our culture would respond if John the Baptist had instead arrived in our day and was publicly calling people to repent because the kingdom of God was near. He is described differently from others in Scripture. He didn’t seem to have a regular home and was clothed in camel hair with a leather belt and ate honey and locusts. His appearing followed a 400-year period of God’s silence. That’s a long time that encompassed many generations.

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near’. This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him’.’ John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

Matthew 3:1-6

Comparing that to present day, I was reminded of how each generation in recent history has moved farther away from God and the truth of His Word in merely 75 years. Being American and having a worldview that was generally biblical went hand in hand. The evils of the 20th Century with the holocaust horrors of World War II as well as the murderous communist takeover in China were plain to see. There were also violent communist takeovers in Cuba, Cambodia, and Viet Nam (the last two influenced by U.S. media reports and communist-funded student anti-war protests). You can learn more from The Epoch Times series, “The Dark Origins of Communism”. The 60’s brought many changes to American culture, but most people still wanted good to prevail and recognized that God was the source of what was good and that He had blessed America and miraculously protected her since inception.

“Historically, the Christian Worldview has been determined by the answers to two questions: What is Truth? Why are we alive? These are the two most basic questions that can be asked about human existence. Of course, for us to even ask these questions flies in the face of the common modern worldviews, which deny the existence of Truth, Purpose, and Direction in the universe. For us to say, ‘these questions make sense’,” presupposes the Christian Worldview.”

quote from article, “The Essential Christian Worldview What is Truth? Why are We Alive? “ by Bible.org

So much has changed in my lifetime. Younger generations have had Bible reading and prayer removed from public schools and have been taught Darwinian evolution as fact (even thought recent discoveries has brought more problems with that premise than when I was taught evolution as a theory). The history of America in textbooks has been altered with leftist ideology. This, along with a cultural acceptance of both immoral behavior (according to God) and the killing of unborn children being sold as freedoms are just some of the influences that have drawn America farther away from God and subsequently farther from His blessings and protection. There are so many amazing quotes from our founding fathers. The familiar quote from Patrick Henry is, “Give me liberty or give me death!”, but he said more than that:

“Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.

Patrick Henry

The history of our country has been rewritten so that younger generations do not understand the principles on which our nation was founded or how precious our freedoms are (America had been referred to as a beacon of hope around the world, where liberty and self-determination set the stage for people to have the opportunity to succeed no matter who they are or where they come from – to form a classless society unlike previous nations). Ronald Reagan’s quote is proving to be quite prophetic:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

Ronald Reagan

Those even somewhat familiar with the Bible know of John the Baptist and his call to repent, but if he were here now – would people receive his message and submit their lives to God, repenting of their sin? Would they instead dismiss him as an odd character? What does it mean to repent? Is the call to repent something we should take seriously or do we consider it to be outdated and extreme? Does anyone else in the Bible call people to repent? If so, who are they and what do they say about it? Just a sample of Scripture examples are included below – from the Old Testament, the New Testament (including Jesus’ words and from the book of Revelation describing the end times):

“To repent and to convert involved obedience to God’s revealed will, placing trust in Him, turning away from all evil and ungodliness. Each person was to ‘turn from his wicked evil way’ ( Jer 26:3 ; 36:3 ). Amos gave God’s lament, that despite all He had done for or to the people, ‘yet you have not returned to me’ (4:4, 8-11). Hosea anticipated the day when Israel ‘will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king’ ( 3:5 ). Thus he pled with them to return to the Lord their God and to say, ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously’ ( 14:2b ).”

quote from Bible study tools definition of “repentance” referencing Old Testament Scripture

“In both Mark ( 1:15 ) and Matthew ( 4:17 ) Jesus began His public proclamation with the call ‘Repent.’ Mark connects it with believing the good news; Matthew, with the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. While Luke does not include this initial call, he notes several strong calls for repentance in Jesus’ teachings (see esp. 10:13 ; 11:32 ; Luke 13:3 Luke 13:5 ; 17:3-4 ). The Book of Acts often connects metanoia [metavnoia] with remission of sins (see 2:38 ; 3:19 ; 5:31 ; 8:22 ; Acts 26:18 Acts 26:20 ). There are strong reminiscences here of John’s proclamations, but one striking difference is in the audiences. While John addressed Jewish hearers only, those in Acts were comprised of Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. The first four incidents feature Peter as speaker; the last text refers to Paul’s statement about his mission. In addition, Paul is said to have preached to both Jews and Gentiles/Greeks to ‘turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus’ ( 20:21 ). These two elements are also found in the Markan account, where Jesus called people to ‘repent and believe [in the good news about himself]’ ( Mark 1:15 ). Further, metanoia [metavnoia] is joined with epistrepho [ejpistrevfw] in Acts 3:19 (Peter) and 26:20 (Paul). Thus, repentance leads to conversion, and ‘deeds consistent with repentance’ are to follow.”

quote from Bible study tools definition of “repentance” referencing some New Testament Scripture & Jesus’s words

These are just some of the references in the Bible about the necessity of turning away from our sin and toward God. In His revealed Word (the Bible), God reveals Himself to us, explains what sin is and what following Him is, and progressively reveals the way of salvation. He didn’t hide from us or leave us ignorant of who we are and how to live. He gave us truth both through His inspired word in print and in the person of Jesus Christ. The importance of repentance is reiterated throughout Scripture and Jesus Himself called on people to repent and believe (in Him for salvation). The role of John the Baptist was to show people their need to repent (turn away) from their sins and be baptized with water in order to prepare them for the arrival of the “lamb of God” (Jesus Christ) from whom they would receive salvation and be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world’!”

John 1:29

The book of Revelation references the end times. Believers are called to repent here too, before the second coming of the Lord. Sadly, those outside the church did not those warnings and thus would still be dead in their sins standing alone (without the righteousness of Christ) in judgment before a holy God. The time to make a decision to repent and turn from what God calls sin (not what the world says) is now. He wants that none should perish, but give us the freedom to not choose Him and His ways. The consequences of our choice is eternal and can be grave. We will all die and leave our physical bodies. The question for all of us is, will we repent of our sin (we have all fallen short of God’s perfection) and accept the salvation Jesus freely offers us while we still can or will we delay thinking about it until our time runs out? We may not have John the Baptist in our day calling on us to repent, but God has protected the Bible throughout the ages so we could still clearly hear the message.

“Finally, metanoia [metanoevw] is frequent in Revelation, often as part of formulaic exhortations (Revelation 2:5 Revelation 2:16 Revelation 2:21-22 ; Revelation 3:3 Revelation 3:19 ). Believers are called to repent of various malpractices, and to exercise their former faithfulness. Those outside the church, despite various warnings, did not repent of their deeds ( 9:20-21; Revelation 16:9 Revelation 16:11 ).”

quote from Bible study tools definition of “repentance” referencing New Testament Scripture from book of Revelation

We do not know the date Jesus is coming back, but we know He will come for His children and then He will come to fight evil. Since we’ve read the end of the book, we know He will be victorious. Don’t let the lies, deceptions, and temptations from the prince of this world rob you of eternity in heaven and the peace and soul satisfaction here on earth that only comes from God. We really are in a battle between good and evil (which can be dressed up to appear good – Satan offers only counterfeits of what God offers and leaves people unsatisfied). Accept the gift that Jesus freely offers because of His love for you (although it cost Him everything). You can learn more about this on this site’s “Good News” page. Study the Bible so you can develop discernment and not be a patsy for the Father of Lies (as Jesus calls him) who seeks to destroy. His influence is revealed where conflict, division, greed, arrogance, pride, self-centeredness, or lust for power/money/control exists (our human nature easily goes there).

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

© Constance Rice 2021