Can You Qualify?

There is a test that every new potential naturalized citizen must pass. The questions are listed below. How many could you answer? Why not test your kids: see what they have learned in school? So that you won’t be embarrassed in front of your children, I included the full test and answers at the end of the article.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

A: Principles of American Democracy

1. What is the supreme law of the land?

2. What does the Constitution do?

3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

4. What is an amendment?

5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* 7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?

8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?

9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

10. What is freedom of religion?

11. What is the economic system in the United States?*

12. What is the “rule of law”?

B: System of Government

13. Name one branch or part of the government.*

14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

16. Who makes federal laws?

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*

18. How many U.S. Senators are there?

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*

21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

23. Name your U.S. Representative.

24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

26. We elect a President for how many years?

27. In what month do we vote for President?*

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

33. Who signs bills to become laws?

34. Who vetoes bills?

35. What does the President’s Cabinet do?

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

37. What does the judicial branch do?

38. What is the highest court in the United States?

39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

43. Who is the Governor of your state now?

44. What is the capital of your state?*

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

46. What is the political party of the President now

47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

C: Rights and Responsibilities

48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*

50. Name one right only for United States citizens.

51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*

55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms

57. When must all men register for the Selective Service?

AMERICAN HISTORY

A: Colonial Period and Independence

58. What is one reason colonists came to America

59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

61. Why did the colonists fight the British?

62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

64. There were 13 original states. Name three.

65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

66. When was the Constitution written?

67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

69. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?

70. Who was the first President?*

B: 1800s

71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*

79. Who was President during World War I?

80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?

82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

INTEGRATED CIVICS

A: Geography

88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

91. Name one U.S. territory.

92. Name one state that borders Canada.

93. Name one state that borders Mexico.

94. What is the capital of the United States?*

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*

B: Symbols

96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?*

98. What is the name of the national anthem?

C: Holidays

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*

100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

This is from the Government web site. You have to correct some of the answers because it hadn’t been updated since George Bush was president.

Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test
The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the redesigned (new) naturalization test are listed below. Applicants who filed the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, on or after October 1, 2008, should study this list. The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions. An applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.

Although USCIS is aware that there may be additional correct answers to the 100 civics questions, applicants are encouraged to respond to the civics questions using the answers provided below.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

A: Principles of American Democracy

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
▪ the Constitution

2. What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government
▪ defines the government
▪ protects basic rights of Americans

3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
▪ We the People

4. What is an amendment?
▪ a change (to the Constitution)
▪ an addition (to the Constitution)

5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
▪ the Bill of Rights

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
▪ twenty-seven (27)

8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
▪ announced our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness

10. What is freedom of religion?
▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

11. What is the economic system in the United States?*
▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy

12. What is the “rule of law”?
▪ Everyone must follow the law.
▪ Leaders must obey the law.
▪ Government must obey the law.
▪ No one is above the law.

B: System of Government

13. Name one branch or part of the government.*
▪ Congress
▪ legislative
▪ President
▪ executive
▪ the courts
▪ judicial

14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
▪ checks and balances
▪ separation of powers

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
▪ the President

16. Who makes federal laws?
▪ Congress
▪ Senate and House (of Representatives)
▪ (U.S. or national) legislature

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
▪ the Senate and House (of Representatives)- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

18. How many U.S. Senators are there?
▪ one hundred (100)

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
▪ six (6)

20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
▪ Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.]

21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
▪ four hundred thirty-five (435)

22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
▪ two (2)

23. Name your U.S. Representative.
▪ Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.]

24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
▪ all people of the state

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
▪ (because of) the state’s population
▪ (because) they have more people
▪ (because) some states have more people

26. We elect a President for how many years?
▪ four (4)

27. In what month do we vote for President?*
▪ November

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
▪ George W. Bush
▪ George Bush
▪ Bush

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
▪ Richard Cheney
▪ Dick Cheney
▪ Cheney

30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
▪ the Vice President

31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
▪ the Speaker of the House

32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
▪ the President- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

33. Who signs bills to become laws?
▪ the President

34. Who vetoes bills?
▪ the President

35. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
▪ advises the President

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
▪ Secretary of Agriculture
▪ Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
▪ Secretary of Education
▪ Secretary of Energy
▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services
▪ Secretary of Homeland Security
▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
▪ Secretary of the Interior
▪ Secretary of Labor
▪ Secretary of State
▪ Secretary of Transportation
▪ Secretary of the Treasury
▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs
▪ Attorney General
▪ Vice President

37. What does the judicial branch do?
▪ reviews laws
▪ explains laws
▪ resolves disputes (disagreements)
▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution

38. What is the highest court in the United States?
▪ the Supreme Court

39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
▪ nine (9)

40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
▪ John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)

41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
▪ to print money
▪ to declare war
▪ to create an army
▪ to make treaties- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
▪ provide schooling and education
▪ provide protection (police)
▪ provide safety (fire departments)
▪ give a driver’s license
▪ approve zoning and land use

43. Who is the Governor of your state now?
▪ Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.]

44. What is the capital of your state?*
▪ Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.]

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*
▪ Democratic and Republican

46. What is the political party of the President now?
▪ Republican (Party)

47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
▪ (Nancy) Pelosi

C: Rights and Responsibilities

48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
▪ Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
▪ You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
▪ Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
▪ A male citizen of any race (can vote).

49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
▪ serve on a jury
▪ vote in a federal election

50. Name one right only for United States citizens.
▪ vote in a federal election
▪ run for federal office

51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
▪ freedom of expression
▪ freedom of speech
▪ freedom of assembly
▪ freedom to petition the government
▪ freedom of worship
▪ the right to bear arms

52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
▪ the United States
▪ the flag- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
▪ give up loyalty to other countries
▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
▪ obey the laws of the United States
▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
▪ be loyal to the United States

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
▪ eighteen (18) and older

55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper

56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
▪ April 15

57. When must all men register for the Selective Service?
▪ at age eighteen (18)
▪ between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)

AMERICAN HISTORY

A: Colonial Period and Independence

58. What is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom
▪ political liberty
▪ religious freedom
▪ economic opportunity
▪ practice their religion
▪ escape persecution

59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
▪ American Indians
▪ Native Americans- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
▪ Africans
▪ people from Africa

61. Why did the colonists fight the British?
▪ because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
▪ because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
▪ because they didn’t have self-government

62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
▪ (Thomas) Jefferson

63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
▪ July 4, 1776

64. There were 13 original states. Name three.
▪ New Hampshire
▪ Massachusetts
▪ Rhode Island
▪ Connecticut
▪ New York
▪ New Jersey
▪ Pennsylvania
▪ Delaware
▪ Maryland
▪ Virginia
▪ North Carolina
▪ South Carolina
▪ Georgia

65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
▪ The Constitution was written.
▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.

66. When was the Constitution written?
▪ 1787

67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
▪ (James) Madison
▪ (Alexander) Hamilton
▪ (John) Jay
▪ Publius

68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
▪ U.S. diplomat
▪ oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
▪ first Postmaster General of the United States
▪ writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
▪ started the first free libraries- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

69. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
▪ (George) Washington

70. Who was the first President?*
▪ (George) Washington

B: 1800s

71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
▪ the Louisiana Territory
▪ Louisiana

72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
▪ War of 1812
▪ Mexican-American War
▪ Civil War
▪ Spanish-American War

73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
▪ the Civil War
▪ the War between the States

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
▪ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
▪ saved (or preserved) the Union
▪ led the United States during the Civil War

76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves
▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy
▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states
▪ freed slaves in most Southern states

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
▪ fought for women’s rights
▪ fought for civil rights

C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*
▪ World War I
▪ World War II
▪ Korean War
▪ Vietnam War
▪ (Persian) Gulf War- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

79. Who was President during World War I?
▪ (Woodrow) Wilson

80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
▪ (Franklin) Roosevelt

81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?
▪ Japan, Germany, and Italy

82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
▪ World War II

83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
▪ Communism

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
▪ civil rights (movement)

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
▪ fought for civil rights
▪ worked for equality for all Americans

86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
▪ Terrorists attacked the United States.

87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
[USCIS Officers will be supplied with a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes.]
▪ Cherokee
▪ Navajo
▪ Sioux
▪ Chippewa
▪ Choctaw
▪ Pueblo
▪ Apache
▪ Iroquois
▪ Creek
▪ Blackfeet
▪ Seminole
▪ Cheyenne
▪ Arawak
▪ Shawnee
▪ Mohegan
▪ Huron
▪ Oneida
▪ Lakota
▪ Crow
▪ Teton
▪ Hopi
▪ Inuit-0- * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

INTEGRATED CIVICS

A: Geography

88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
▪ Missouri (River)
▪ Mississippi (River)

89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
▪ Pacific (Ocean)

90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
▪ Atlantic (Ocean)

91. Name one U.S. territory.
▪ Puerto Rico
▪ U.S. Virgin Islands
▪ American Samoa
▪ Northern Mariana Islands
▪ Guam

92. Name one state that borders Canada.
▪ Maine
▪ New Hampshire
▪ Vermont
▪ New York
▪ Pennsylvania
▪ Ohio
▪ Michigan
▪ Minnesota
▪ North Dakota
▪ Montana
▪ Idaho
▪ Washington
▪ Alaska

93. Name one state that borders Mexico.
▪ California
▪ Arizona
▪ New Mexico
▪ Texas

94. What is the capital of the United States?*
▪ Washington, D.C.

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*
▪ New York (Harbor)
▪ Liberty Island

[Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]-- * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov

B: Symbols

96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
▪ because there were 13 original colonies
▪ because the stripes represent the original colonies

97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?*
▪ because there is one star for each state
▪ because each star represents a state
▪ because there are 50 states

98. What is the name of the national anthem?
▪ The Star-Spangled Banner
C: Holidays

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
▪ July 4

100. Name two national U.S. holidays.
▪ New Year’s Day
▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
▪ Presidents’ Day
▪ Memorial Day
▪ Independence Day
▪ Labor Day
▪ Columbus Day
▪ Veterans Day
▪ Thanksgiving
▪ Christmas

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

Racism

Is racism still prevalent in our country? Yes it is! Is it against the law? No; that is, not yet. What I wish to discuss here is the why, the where and who is involved.

Having lived through the time of the struggles of the black man for equality, I can give some insight into the mindset of the American people during those years. First, we are all afraid of change. Large changes are more frightening than small changes. The status quo is almost always preferable to most people, unless they are the people being harmed. As a youngster, I lived in Baltimore, Maryland. I can’t remember blatant racism against black people during my childhood. Not that racism wasn’t there; but that I didn’t notice it. I can, however, remember racism against Jews. My best friend was a Jew, and I can remember being embarrassed by my parents while they were house hunting. We would look in neighborhoods where signs at the entrance would mean “no Jews allowed”. I can’t remember the exact wording but it was something like “restricted”. My friend, who was along for the ride, had to explain it to me. These signs didn’t seem to bother my parents, but they sure bothered me.

During the time of the “Black Rebellion”, of the sixties, I vividly remember three instances:

First, I remember the time of college campus race riots across the nation. I especially remember the one at the University of Georgia since my wife was a student there. Two black students were admitted to the college. The female was living on the first floor of her dorm. Upon her arrival my wife met her and welcomed her to the campus. All seemed to go well until the night of the Georgia-Georgia Tech. basketball game. Rumors about a coming riot were everywhere. As the demonstrations were scheduled, my wife requested permission to leave the dormitory, and stay with a relative off campus. She was told she couldn’t because they would have to let everyone do as they pleased and it would be chaos. They were therefore restricted to campus and had to stay in their dorm, with lights out and the doors locked. During the demonstration she was sitting on a bed in a third floor dorm room. A rock came through the window and hit her in the head. She was the only student injury during the fracas. Some time later, at a party in her cousins house in Waycross, Georgia, a young man began bragging about having thrown the rock. She informed him that she was the one he had hit. He abruptly became silent and very shortly left, never even apologizing.

Second; over an Easter break, I drove down from Baltimore to the University of Georgia in Athens for a visit. I picked up my future wife, and we drove to Kingsport, Tennessee to visit her sister’s family. It was decided that rather than my taking her back to Georgia, I would go directly to Baltimore and she would take the bus back. When we arrived at the bus station, we decided to get something to eat so we sat down at the counter. We were told we were at the wrong counter and had to move to the white section. As we were discussing what had happened, we noticed several signs. There were signs, besides the ones at the counter, at the drinking fountains and rest rooms that read colored and white. We had not noticed the signs because they were out of our realm of experience. Today, they would stand out like red flags. There are two other signs I would like to point out: The first one I saw at the entrance to Corning, Ohio in the early 80’s which read: “Nigger, don’t let the sun set on you in Corning, Ohio”. The second, entering Charleston, WV, although a little crude, read, “Jesus is coming back and He’s pissed”. I think that the second, very nicely, emphasizes what’s wrong with the first.

Third, when I was stationed at Fort Gordon Georgia on 1966, I developed a friendship with a fellow soldier who was black. My wife was coming down to be with me for the time I was to be there. The apartment I rented off post really needed a lot of fixing up. My black friend volunteered to help in the clean up. We stopped at a restaurant to get lunch. At the greeting desk, we were told that I could eat there but he couldn’t. After some discussion, we wound up getting some carry out.

I still don’t fully understand the justifications behind hatred. I know it’s there: I can see it and have been exposed to it in many quarters. Were we not all created by the same creator? Don’t we all stem from the same ancestors? Perhaps it’s just that discrimination and hatred are simply two of the best weapons Satan has against the One True and living God that he hates.

The most blatant form of hatred I see in the world today is the Moslem hatred for the Jews and Americans. Yes, I know it is not all Moslems, but it is quite a few. Moderate Moslem’s are doing the same thing the Christians did when Hitler went after the Jews: nothing. The estimate is that only about ten percent of Moslems are radical but that amounts to hundreds of thousands. In order to discern what caused this hatred we need to determine the root cause. Israel and America have never been rulers over the Arab peoples. If they have been oppressed, it was by their own kings and leaders. There are Moslems living within Israel, and they are treated as citizens. In America, because we are a tolerant Judeo/ Christian nation, Moslems have been welcomed within our boarders with open arms, just as we have with all new legal immigrants (yes I know that everything did not run smoothly for all immigrants; I have German and Irish blood in me). From this we can see that there is something else behind what is happening, and it is obvious to me that Satan is behind it. Just as a side thought – How did the political right get saddled with the Klu Klux Klan and other Nazi hate groups? Since the Nazi’s were the National Socialist party, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to place these groups on the left? Perhaps a closer look at other radical groups is in order. During the Islamist hearings in congress, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas said, Christian militants might also be trying to undermine our country because of their stand against a woman’s right to abortion. Her opinion was that Christian extremists, among others, might be trying to bring down the country. Is there still no cure for stupid? Ms. Jackson equates those who are trying to save innocent lives by demonstrating against abortion, with those bent on destroying the lives and property of innocent people to make political points. The Bible tells Christians to love their enemies, and pray for them. The Islamic scriptures tell Moslems to kill those who won’t convert. A simple basic difference, wouldn’t you say?

I am not setting myself up as an expert on racism and discrimination, but simply expressing what I have experienced. Golda Meir said: “There will be no peace in the Middle East until the Arabs love their children more than they hate the Jews”. She was on the right track, but until we all can accept the Love of God and put Him above all else, we will have to live in a world filled with Satan’s hatred.

Rick Rahn

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

The Light Of The World

God wanted His people (the Hebrews) to be a light in the world and draw the gentiles to Him. If we read what the Bible says, we see that the Jews were successful in this effort. In ancient, as well as New Testament times, we read that there were always those, outside the Jewish people, who were involved with the Jews to the extent that they often accepted the true God as their God. Many of those people, just as today, having received the knowledge of the true God would cling to the idols with which they were familiar. They never made the commitment to serve the Lord. How have you responded to the call of the Lord? Do you know who Jesus is and yet have never accepted Him as Lord of your life? Are you so caught up in your everyday life that you don’t find the time to devote your life to Him? “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we could be saved.”

The Jews’ mission, to bring the world to the Lord, had its ebbs and tides. When Jesus came to the earth it was at a time of ebb because the Jewish leaders had perverted God’s Word. It had become so bad that the Jewish leadership, although it was clearly spelled out in scripture, missed the coming of their Messiah. Their own importance had become so paramount that even though they studied the scriptures, they were blinded to the truth. Pride and self importance are two of Satan’s favorite tools. Are you deceived in the same ways the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the leaders of Israel were? Moses clearly explained this to the rich man in Hades: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” Well! Jesus did it! Do you believe?

Want some alone time? Try this – I know you can’t talk about Jesus to your co-workers during work hours, BUT, perhaps a moment on the parking lot when you are off the clock may provide just the right time. When the word spreads about you, after work each day you can watch the crowd scatter; thus a time of rest and contemplation. When the light is switched on, the roaches scatter.

Just as the high council of the Jews (71 people who were the elders, rulers, the teachers of the law along with the high priest, who caused Jesus to be killed) thought of the apostles as thorns in their flesh, we today (born again Christians) are the thorns in the flesh of those apostate teachers who have invaded our “church”. Who are these apostate teachers (false prophets) of today? We Christians are to be known by our fruits and theirs are rotten. Rick Warren for false teaching , Robert Schuller for ‘too much Jesus’ , Oprah Winfrey and the New Earth , Rob Bell – there is no hell , Jeremiah Wright for black liberation theology , Jim Wallace for false teaching , Kenneth Copeland for distorted teaching , are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to distorting the Word of God. The biggest problem with these people and others is that they are keeping people from being saved. Their destructive messages render people helpless for eternity. When it comes to being the light of the world, these guys go around turning off the switch. Today’s generation has become so biblically illiterate, we are less discerning of the truth and thus responsible for letting deception run rampant even in the body of Christ. We must not be deceived by the size of a group for appearances can also be deceiving. Many are called but few are chosen, and many will be mislead. The path to righteousness is narrow while the path to destruction is wide. The path to righteousness is paved by the Word of God.

We all are used to hearing about groups that are not Christian such as: transcendental meditation, Scientology, Mormonism, Christian Science, Unitarians, Jehovah’s Witness and others. There may even be some born again Christians in these groups. These are not bad people, but simply mislead. The biggest problem today are those who claim to be Christian and yet deny many, if not all, of the foundations of Christianity.

When authority figures condemn you for telling the truth, remember what Peter said: “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

When God calls, what is your answer? Adam said: “"I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." Moses said: “Here I am” . These were vastly different answers to the call of God. One represented fear because of sin, and the other represented submission to God. Adam lost paradise, whereas Moses gained the freedom of the Hebrew people. Are you on the path to destruction or the path to righteousness?

Jesus was the light of the world while He was here. The Bible says that we are to be the light of the world in His place. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we accomplish this. Just as Gamaliel said: “if it be of God it will prosper, if it is not of God it will fall” We, as individuals, must judge if we should be involved with these things or not. All things must be judged be the Word of God. Don’t be mislead, by the size of a congregation or the influence of the false teachers and leaders. The Devil has a lot of devotees. We need to pray for these people, it is after all, up to God to separate the wheat from the tares.

In the days when Jesus was here on earth and during the growth of the early church, just as today, there were many who practiced the ‘magic arts’, sorcery, divination, fortune telling and witchcraft. They were even able to conduct healings and exorcisms which is why the Jewish leaders asked Jesus by which power He did these things. We need to ascertain, by using the Word of God, by which power what we see happening is accomplished. We need to follow the light and reject the darkness.

I have come to believe that there are different levels of punishment for those who reject salvation through Jesus. The worst punishments are reserved for those false teachers, along with Satan and his bunch, who keep people from the saving knowledge of Jesus .

Rick Rahn

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

To Judge Or Not To Judge

“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head:”
(Psalm 141: 5)

I have been led to do a study on where a believer in Christ should stand when it comes to confronting sin in our own life or the life of those that we love, whether it is a friend or family member. The struggle stems from trying to know when or how to speak the truth in love out of concern for what I perceive to be a very real threat and possible danger to the eternal lives of those I hold so precious and dear to my heart. The lies of the enemy, Satan and the dark powers of this world, are infiltrating the very fiber of the hearts and minds of the people, even those who believe they are followers of Christ to such an extint that they are causing many to fall away from the truth of the one true living God. I do believe that Satan is unrelenting in his constant attempts to seek to steal and destroy any and every one he can, for he knows his time is so very short.

Deception is rampant in the world and is coming in like a flood even into our churches which are supposed to be a sanctuary or safety through the teaching of truth, God’s Word. Yet, if we are not diligent to study and keep God’s truth ever in our hearts and ever before our eyes to shine as a light to expose the lies of the enemy, we make ourselves vulnerable to the disastrous consequences of the eroding of our very faith. Faith is a gift from God, but we have a responsibility to guard and nurture, defend and protect that very gift lest it become compromised, diminished, perverted or even destroyed. That is why we are exhorted to put on the full armor of God that we might withstand all the fiery darts of the enemy. The Word of God is our shield of faith.

None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow so heed the call today to follow the Lord in faith. I have felt the urgency to take a stand and sound the alarm, to cry out to all, “Wake up! Wake up people! While you are slumbering in your indifference and apathy, Satan is roaming over the Earth, seeking whom he may devour. We must expose his lies and urge our loved ones to be careful, be aware, be on guard! You must be diligent to put on the whole armor of God. Have you forgotten to use the sword of the Spirit, a two edged sword, that rightly divides the Word of God? The truth of the Word must be the one and only yardstick by which to measure what you believe. Yet many of us scurry around in the business of our daily lives giving little or no attention to the Word of God, as if its application in our lives has no meaning or worth at all.”

My heart is crying out in concern for the danger I fear is coming upon those I love. Yet, as a result of doing so, I have been accused of being judgmental. I was rebuked and told that judgment was supposed to be left in the hands of God. Not wanting to be guilty of judging or condemning others, for that has never been my intent, I decided to “practice what I preach.” I began to search the Word that it might shed its light into my heart to provide understanding and any needed correction within my own self, for I know that Jesus said, “And why beholdest though the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matt. 7: 3)

So it is my desire to take you with me into this journey of study in an effort to discover together what God says about our proper stand where judgment is involved. Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matt. 7: 1, 2) At first glance I might then jump to the conclusion that a follower of Christ is never to speak out against sin or deception, but keep silent and “forever hold your peace.” But I would be dead wrong in making that declaration, for I have not yet sought out the full counsel of the Lord. So let us not linger, but venture further down the path of discovery for the truth.

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Judge not”? He was speaking against the kind of hypercritical, judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build up one’s self. It is not meant to be a generalized statement against all critical thinking, but an urgent reminder to be discerning rather than negative. Jesus taught us to discern false teachers and teachings (Matt. 7: 15 – 23), and Paul taught that we should exercise church discipline (I Cor. 5: 1, 2), and trust God to be the final judge.

So now we begin to form our basis for understanding, at least in part, about judgment. We are not to judge others hypocritically, or to judge on the basis of personal preference in matters not commanded in scripture (which is forbidden in Romans 14). However, there is not only a right, but an obligation of every follower of Christ to judge everything by the only yardstick that is straight and true, and that is the Bible.

In I Cor., we see the example set by Paul. He loved the people of Corinth dearly, and because he did, he was quick to confront them with the sin and false teaching that was prevalent among them. He did not view them from just the stand point of a teacher, but as a parent who loves his children, and is therefore responsible for their nurturing and care. Loving parents do not just feed and clothe their child, and then say that by doing so that is the full extent of their responsibility to that child. No, for when they see their child walking into harm’s way, whether it be out of disobedience and rebellion, or out of immaturity and ignorance, it is the parents’ duty to do all that is needed to teach, correct, and protect the child with every measure within their arsenal of defense. Therefore, Paul did not refrain from criticizing, or judging, them. His intent was not to “condemn” them, but to save them from condemnation by confronting them with the sin in their lives, whether it was sin of commission or omission. He rebuked them because they were careless in that they were allowing false teachers to bring in corruption and compromise; thus, twisting and perverting the true Gospel of Christ. (II Cor. 11: 1-4) His rebuke was not meant to condemn them, but to call them to repentance that they would not have to receive the devastating consequences of sin and deception in their lives.

The Bereans, on the other hand, were commended because they carefully tested everything by the Scriptures. (Acts: 7: 11) The Bible says
“he that is spiritual judgeth all things.” (I Cor. 2: 15) Jesus taught that we
should “judge righteous (correct or morally proper) judgment.” (John 7: 24) We are urged to judge any preaching or teaching (I Cor. 14: 29), and sin in the body of believers (I Cor. 5). We are to “try the spirits.” (I John 4: 1) This kind of judging is not a matter of pride, or disdainful treatment of others, but rather wisdom and obedience.

When someone confronts us with the judgment of error or sin in our lives, whether it is manifested in our behavior or the words that come out of our mouths, we have a choice of how we are going to receive and respond to the possibility of the truth of that judgment. We can choose to become offended and cast it off as being hypocritical and judgmental and unworthy of our consideration; thereby rejecting what may or not be true before we even “test the spirits” to discern whether it is true or not. Adversely, we can make the choice to search the Scriptures to shine the light of the Word into our hearts and expose any wrong way that it may lead to correction and a change of heart. The Word of God, when applied, can lead us to repentance, and if we are willing, the Potter will gladly melt us and mold us more into His image. His love toward us is without limits.

Too often, we reject rebuke and reproof when we are confronted with sin in our lives. It is often hard to hear the truth. It is even harder to accept the truth, for then it means that we have a responsibility to submit our will to the Lord. It means that we must be willing to obey, that is to be a doer of the Word, and not just one who hears but does not obey the Word of the Lord.

I have been rebuked and had my conscience seared many a time. Boy does it smart! It is not a fun thing to experience. Sometimes I have responded inwardly, if not openly, with the attitude of “Who are you to judge me?” Eventually, the voice of the Holy Spirit would cause me to be honest with myself and God. I would know that I had to submit my heart and ask the Lord to “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Just as any loving parent will do all that is possible to discipline and correct his/her child, so too does the Lord in His even greater love and wisdom for each of His children.

I do not suggest that just because someone may point to wrong in our lives that we are to receive it automatically as the gospel truth. That would leave you and I open to constant manipulation by anyone and everyone. I do mean to suggest that perhaps it might be worth your while to check out whether the criticism may be valid. If you are willing to search and discover if the judgment lines up with the Word of God, it may turn out to be a precious gem from God that could possibly bless or even save your or my eternal life. It is easy to receive flattery and compliments about one’s self. However, judgment or criticism can bring about quite a different response within each of us. I read the following scripture years ago, and God has used it more than once as a beacon of light to change my attitude about being judged by another. “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head:” (Psalm 141: 5) Though no one enjoys being criticized, everybody can benefit from it when it is given wisely and taken humbly. King David has herein given us some good advice about how to accept criticism:
(1) Don’t refuse it, (2) consider it a kindness, and (3) keep quiet, that is don’t fight back. When I have been obedient and really practiced applying this in my life, it has helped me to receive and respond to criticism in a more positive manner, making it more productive rather than destructive, no matter how it was originally intended.

I urge each of us, including myself, to always study and test all things by the Word of God which is the only real and absolute truth. It is the only measure by which we are to judge all things. God and His truth never change; they are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Man’s ways are forever changing and adapted to fit their own beliefs, opinions, and needs which they deem to be relevant at any given time or place. Therefore, you and I can not put our trust in the thoughts and ways of man. But God is truth, He never waivers. We must not let sin or lies and deception take root and grow in our hearts. Sin and deception can only lead to doubt and unbelief. Once one has been given the truth, it is then left up to the individual to be willing to submit to the will of God in our lives. His purpose and will for our lives is proclaimed in His Word. It is the obligation of each follower of Christ to speak the truth in love. All else is then to be placed in the hands of God, for only He can judge the heart.

I pray our journey together has been helpful in finding God’s truth about judgment. As always, I encourage the reader to never take my word or anyone else’s word as the gospel truth. Search the Scriptures for yourself. Always question anyone’s “truth” to see if it lines up with the full counsel of the Word of God. May His Word forever shine as a beacon of light in our hearts that we may forever glorify the Lord. May His Love forever be shed abroad in your heart. May His face shine upon you and bring you peace.

Ginger Rahn

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

Israel

          There is no such thing as a Palestinian.  Yasser Arafat claimed ownership of the territories because the Palestinians were descendants of the Philistines.  That was a lie.  In 1967, before the war, the lands that Israel won in battle were occupied by Syrians, Egyptians and Jordanians.  When the war was over, these countries abandoned those people.  Nobody wanted them. 

          Five times, since 1948, the Arab nations have tried to annihilate the Jewish nation.  Five times the Israeli’s were victorious; yet we see these enemies of Israel’s existence preparing to try again.  “The definition of insanity is to do the same thing time after time and expect a different result.”[1]  It seems to be that Ishmael turned out to be what God said – a wild ass. 

          The Arab people living in Israel have more rights, prosperity and freedoms than any of the like people living in the surrounding countries.  These Arabs don’t want the “Palestinians” to be successful: they would no longer have the freedoms and advantages they presently enjoy.         

          Why do I defend Israel?  The borders that God Almighty set for Israel encompassed a lot more territory than Israel’s present borders.  Perhaps the world powers should have enough sense to go back to those borders.  Perhaps the Arabs know what the real borders should be, and therefore want to obliterate Israel before God can have His way with the land.  What I think is the real basis of the conflict is that the Arabs know they are not God’s chosen people and are therefore jealous.  God said: “As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord”[2]. 

          Jesus didn’t come to do away with Judaism.  He came to fulfill Judaism.  That is why we Christians are actually Jews in the spiritual sense: we have been grafted into the vine[3]  Paul said: “I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

    If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!”[4] In recognition of this fact: pray for the peace of Jerusalem[5]. 

          What is a gentile?  The Old Testament definition was anyone who was not a Hebrew.  The New Testament definition is anyone who is not a Hebrew or Christian.  Christians are grafted into the vine and are children of God.[6]  God said: “No one may appear before me without an offering.”[7]  Animal sacrifice is no longer needed because of what Jesus did for us.  That is why the curtain separating the Holy of Holies was torn in two when Jesus was crucified.  We now have direct access to God, because of Jesus.  Since that day, no priest or anything else has to stand between us and God.  You and I are now personally responsible to God because of this.  Our access is now dependent on having a “Born Again” experience.  We must accept, b y faith, that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.  You were not born into this relationship; it is something you have to accomplish individually. What is it that God wants us to do?  Recognize that we are sinners, be sorry for these shortcomings, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, ask Him for forgiveness, accept that forgiveness and then live like you are forgiven.  Peter said: “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”[8]  The Jews do have a special relationship with God due to His covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  I don’t understand that relationship as it is today, but I do know that The Jews are still His chosen people.  God said: “I will bless those who bless you (Israel), and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."[9]  Can you see the difference in prosperity between Israel and the surrounding nations?

          Blessing and cursing, life or death, good or evil; the choice is up to us.  Every American administration since 1948 has stood by and blessed Israel.  The present administration seems to be going in the wrong direction.  The same type of rhetoric that the Nazi’s used against the Jews is rampant throughout the world.  It’s almost as if it is the in thing to be anti-Semitic.  There are even people in our country that want to outlaw circumcision.  That would prevent the Jews from fulfilling their covenant with God.  Literature, put out by the author of this legislation in San Francisco, is promoting the worst anti-Semitic drivel I have ever seen.   Keep in mind that God was going to kill Moses because he had not circumcised his son.[10] 

          What should we do as a nation?  Do we abandon Israel in this obvious time of need?  President Barack Obama has announced that the starting point for peace negotiation with the ‘Palestinians’ should be the pre 1967 borders. That would be suicide for Israel, and he should appreciate that fact.  Israel cannot be defended with those borders.  President Obama has now been rebuked three times in his efforts to hurt Israel’s border security: First, by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, second by our congress by their positive reception of the Israeli Prime Minister, and third by the Canadian Prime Minister at the G8 conference.

 

The following is a posting conversation I had on Facebook.

Me - President Obama has now been rebuked three times in his efforts to hurt Israel’s border security: First, by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, second by our congress by their reception of Netanyahu and third at the G8 conference.

Person 1 - What a disrespectful picture to post of our nations leader. Regardless of if you think he is right or wrong we should still respect our leader of this free nation. His job can't be easy and he is surly doing what he thinks is best overall for everyone. Just as you do and say what you think is right even though not everyone agrees with your beliefs or ideals.

Person 2 - I guess those of us not retired yet might as well understand we will have to keep working so we have money and medical insurance. Those of you retired better get your resumes together because "what's good for the goose will have to be good for the Gander". So, no more SS, Medicare, etc. Here's your voucher and good luck! I hear Walmart is hiring!

Person 2 - PS Rick, since the Jews don't believe in Christ, and therefore will not be in heaven, why in the world do you care about their security? I mean 2012 is around the corner!

Me - Obviously some people don't understand what I said. I didn't pose the picture. I didn't disrespect him. What has Israel got to do with SS and healthcare? You are swallowing one of the biggest democrat lies in history. At your age, SS and Medicare will not be changed. It's 54 and below where the changes take place. That is if the republicans can save the country.r SS was taken away and the government said oh well sorry you don't get paid anymore? I guess that job at walmart would be looking pretty good. It will be an atrocity to this nation to not have a SS program, a Medicare, Medicaid and other social service programs. Hopefully in my lifetime we will also see free or very low cost healthcare for everyone.... Go Obama!!!! Thank God he looks out for the poor and needy, kind of like Jesus did.

Person 1 - So it's okay to continue to take SS out of my husbands and your sons paycheck and have no intention of them receiving benefits when they retire? I'm so confused, does that mean it would only matter if it affected you personally? What if your SS was taken away and the government said oh well you don’t get paid anymore? I guess that job at Walmart would be looking pretty good. It would be an atrocity to this nation to not have a SS program, a Medicare, Medicaid and other social service programs. Hopefully in my lifetime we will see free or very low cost healthcare for everyone….Go Obama!!!! Thank God he looks out for the poor and needy, kind of like Jesus did.SS was taken away and the government said oh well sorry you don't get paid anr SS was taken away and the government said oh well sorry you don't get paid anymore? I guess that job at walmart would be looking pretty good. It will be an atrocity to this nation to not have a SS program, a Medicare, Medicaid and other social service programs. Hopefully in my lifetime we will also see free or very low cost healthcare for everyone.... Go Obama!!!! Thank God he looks out for the poor and needy, kind of like Jesus did.

Me - I don't know what your SS will be like but I'm sure it will be the best our country can provide. Again I ask - what has this got to do with Israel?

          This te;lls me that a lot of people are so tied up in their own ideas and ideals, they can’t see the forest for the trees.  Is it that no one really cares about Israel?  The last time this happened we lost six million Jews. 

          Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give unto you: rise and be healed from your unbelief and accept eternal life through Jesus, the Christ and our Lord.

---

[1] Albert Einstein

[2] Ezekiel 34:12-15 NIV

[3] Romans 11:13-24 NLV

[4] Romans 11:13-24 NLV

[5] Psalm 122:6

[6] Romans 11

[7] Exodus 34:20

[8] Acts 2:28-29

[9] Genesis 12:31

[10] Exodus 4:24

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

Discerning Of Spirits

          Discerning of spirits is a gift of God, but you have to make sure it is His gift you are using and not just your opinion that is guiding you.  In my traveling salesman days, back in the 1980’s, I would get a chilled eerie feeling whenever I got close to New Bern, NC.  I didn’t know why I got these feelings but found out later New Bern was a concentrated center for witchcraft.  There was a clash of spirits. 

 

          We are instructed to judge all things in relationship to the Word of God.  We are also told to test the spirits[1].  We are instructed to make sure we are in God’s will before we take action.  We are warned about false prophets, false teachers, and those claiming to be Christ. 

 

          Remember an old Jewish statement – “An all loving and all powerful God will do whatever an all loving and all powerful God wants to do”.  This all loving and all powerful God, knowing that we were not capable of living perfect lives, provided His all loving and all powerful Son to pay the price for our shortcomings.  All we have to do is accept His all powerful gift.[2]

 

          What has happened to Christianity?  Man, from his deep need for spiritual fulfillment, has not only withdrawn from the conventional denominations of Christianity but has, since the beginning of time, invented cults of different kinds to fulfill his longings,  Why, since the beginning of time has this happened?  It is because man, in his finite wisdom, has inevitably judged this finite wisdom to be superior to even the infinite wisdom of God.  Man in his own mind is right![3]  Is this because God is hard to locate?  Absolutely not!  The Bible tells us God will reveal Himself to whoever seeks Him.  In the Old Testament the Lord was available to people like Abraham and Moses, although initially they didn’t know who He was.  The difference between people like Abraham and Moses as opposed to the average guys of that time, is the openness factor.  If you truly open your heart, God is faithful to fill the void within you. 

 

          In today’s world, and several past centuries, we have had the Bible to guide our way.  The denominational churches we have today were all founded in strict Bible teaching and true love for the Lord.  What has happened is, as usually happens when man tries to think for himself instead of listening to the Lord, man blunders.  The message in a lot of denominations has become watered down and politically correct.  The preferred message today, in many of these churches, is a feel good, fluff message that minimizes the real message of the Bible.  The truth is that sin is real, hell is real and punishment is the result of unforgiven sin.  In the same way, God is real, His message is real, the Bible is real, Gods love is real and the salvation He provides is real. 

 

          If you attend church on a regular basis, how close does the preacher’s message match the Bible?  Cults are abundant today and many of them claim to be “Christian”.  Purposeful misinterpretation of scripture is the basis of many of these cults and some of the denominational churches have fallen into these false teachings.  God never promised to make us filthy rich in this world.  He never promised to keep us in perfect health in this world.  The Hold Spirit never intended for His gifts to be used as toys.  His true promise is that He will be with us in our trials and provide our daily needs.  The gifts of the Spirit are to be used for the edification of the church.  Since many of us are like sheep and tend to follow the leader, we are led astray by those leaders who are either misled themselves or are purposely misleading their followers.  This is the spirit of deception.  We are instructed to study the Bible for ourselves in order to show ourselves approved.[4]  Could this be because God knew these things would happen?

 

Below are the tenants of Biblical Christianity –

1.  There is one true and living God.  He has three parts – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2.  God is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful and always present.

3.  Jesus was born of a virgin.

4.  Jesus was all man and all God.

5. He taught what He wanted us to know, and saw to it that these things were recorded in the New Testament (new testimony of witnesses to what was taught and what took place).

6.  Jesus is the Messiah, sent from the Father to be tortured and die on the cross, so that we could have an undeserved personal relationship with Him.

7.  The Holy Spirit is the personage of God that is with us at all times whether we are Christians or not.  He dwells within us if we are Christians. 

8.  The devil is real and his desire is to destroy you. (We have all seen the cartoon with the devil on one shoulder and Jesus on the other.  That is close to the truth. The Holy Spirit never leaves you, and the devil is constantly trying to lead you in the wrong direction.)

9.  Eternal salvation is available to anyone who repents of their sin and accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

10.  You absolutely must be Born Again, in order to enter the kingdom of God.  The work has been done, the price has been paid and the availability is there for everyone. 

11.  The Bible is the inspired Word of God.  Anything, that differs from the Bible, whether in print or in attitude, is blasphemy. 

12.  Jesus is going to return in Glory.

STRICT TEACHING, YES.  JUST TEACHING, ABSOLUTELY. 

 

          When considering if something is to be judged as a cult or God’s truth, we should keep in mind the words of Gamaliel – “If this work is of men, it will come to naught, but if it be God, we cannot overthrow it.”[5] Jesus said “Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.”[6]

Jesus said: “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. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”[7]

---

[1] 1 John 4:1

[2] John 3:16, Romans 10:9

[3] Proverbs  21:2

[4] 2 Timothy 2:15

[5] Acts 5:38-39

[6] Matthew 12:30 New Living translation

[7] Matthew 5:15-23

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>