Just look at America today; at the end of World War II America was the greatest lender nation in the world. Today, America is the greatest borrower nation in the world. We are up to our eyeballs in debt, with most families so deeply in debt until many today are now not more than just 1 or 2 paychecks away from losing everything.
As a society-at-large, we are consumed with a credit addiction mentality. We purchase cars that we know that we can’t really afford to drive, buy homes that (on average), will take us more than 30 years to pay off, and encourage our children to get college educations “On Credit” that will take many of them their entire lifetimes to repay. (And then we wonder why our nation has become so fiscally irresponsible?)
In contrast to this, God (in Deuteronomy 28) informs us that we are supposed to be the “Lender and not the Borrower,” we are to be “Blessed going out and blessed coming in,” “Blessed in the city and blessed in the country,” and “Blessed in every other area of our lives” as well. And yet, how many Christians do you know who live their lives blessed like that?
But then again, that same passage also states that those blessings are contingent only to those who are willing to: “Observe and Do ‘ALL’ that the Lord Has Commanded Us to Do.”
Furthermore, (in Exodus 23 & Deuteronomy 15) every 7th year God set aside to be a Sabbath year, a year when the land was to be given rest, and all debts were to be canceled. In this way, God made certain that no individual could ever be more than 7 years in debt for anything.
Do these principles also apply to America? Well, America was founded upon Judaeo-Christian principles, so I believe that they do. All one has to do is to look at how America’s economy has been affected on the Sabbath years in our past (or the time shortly thereafter) to realize that the outcome each time is just far too repetitious for the results to be merely coincidence.
Each of these dates below represents a Sabbath Year over the course of the past 50 years:
1966- 23% of the value of the Stock Market was wiped out
1973- for the first time since World War II, gas is rationed in America caused by the Arab Oil Embargo.
1980- U.S. and Global recession
1987- 33% of U.S. Stock Market Value wiped out.
1994- Bond Market Crash
2001- Twin Tower Trade Center attacked and destroyed, Wall Street experiences its largest single one day point collapse up until that time.
2008—Exactly 7 years later, Wall Street experiences its single greatest one day decline ever—triggering national recession which has been ongoing for over 6 years.
Now I know that God cannot be put in a box, He’s not locked into doing the same thing every time. But if we are 7 for 7 in major national economic downturns on or just after every Sabbath year (during the last 50 years and this is a Sabbath Year) don’t you think that the odds are pretty good that, as America has continued to become “even more wicked than she has ever been before” that it could well be that, the “Economic Tsunami” (that I believe will soon arrive)is going to be “Far Worse” that all others before it?
I truly believe that this nation is on the verge of experiencing an economic downturn that will (quite possibly) make all other economic downturns pale in comparison.
So how do Christians prepare themselves to live in “God’s Abundant Blessings” even while it seems like the rest of the world is drowning under the economic upheavals that seem to be threatening almost every country on the planet? Let me share with you some Biblical insights on how to do just that:
1. Always make it your first priority to practice God’s principles on giving—(First-fruits, Alms [giving to the poor], Tithes, and Offerings [seed sowing]).
2. Secondly, “Get Out of Debt!” Try not to buy anything that you can’t pay for with cash or in no more than 30 days if you absolutely must.
3. God sends finances in our direction for 3 reasons—some to give, some to spend, and some to save. Learn to do all 3.
4. Be extra-careful of whom you take financial advice from. (Always look and see what kind of financial condition your adviser is in. If they are head over heels in debt, they’re hardly eligible to be giving you sound fiscal advice.)
5. Work ethics are a must. I’ve never known a lazy person whom God ever abundantly blessed. As parents we have a moral obligation to God to instill good work ethics in our children while they are young—their futures may well depend on it!
6. And especially to young people: “Do not buy into the lie that getting a good education is worth strapping yourself to decades of debt.” Use some biblical wisdom about finances and education. You can get your core subjects at almost any local community college—apply for grants, work a job, and pay for your courses as you go. To attain your degree, be a smart shopper, work while you learn, and even if it takes 6 years to get that 4 year degree, if that’s what it takes to leave college debt free—DO IT!
7. Never allow envy or greed to be the reasoning behind your buying motives.
8. Learn to live on less, to want less, and to “be satisfied more” with that which you already have.
9. Don’t be a wasteful with what you have, because God is not in the blessing business to those who continue to “waste” His blessings.
Debt is just a legalized form of slavery. Many a missionary never made it to the mission field, many a dreamer never attained their dreams, all because he or she allowed themselves to be buried in so much debt until it literally stole their dreams.
To all the rest of the saints of God: Yes, we are living in a perilous time where for us to be able to survive the Economic Tsunami that’s coming may well depend on how serious we are about getting out of debt as quickly as we possibly can.
And may all of us realize what a great ministry opportunity that God is about to make available to us as we put practice living with “God’s Abundant Blessings” on our lives...even in the bad times!
Just a Thought,
Pastor Ken Jones
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
“Part Of The Process”
Way too often “WE” (as the children of God) have this tendency to accept whatever junk that the devil has been busy whispering in our ears about why we are being forced to endure the “Storms of this Life” that may be presently raging all around us…and we do so just as if what the devil is saying is some kind of absolute “Truth.”
However, as the children of God, we need to remember that, “God does not allow any of us to go through the m...any trials of this life simply because He’s trying to punish us or because we may have messed up “big time” somewhere in our pasts.
Sometimes, the very things that we now find ourselves going through are merely “Part Of The Process.” They are the storms which are necessary to “Move Us From Where We Are Now…” to “Where God Desires For Us To Go…” to “Change Us From Who We Are Now…” into becoming “Whom It Is That God Desires For Us To Become!”
Part of the requirement for becoming the spiritually minded children that God desires for us to become is that first of all each of us must be, “Willing to Go through the Process.” And, there are also times that God allows us to go through all the fiery trials and terrible storms (that we may be presently encountering) simply because God knows that He can trust us!
Lastly, (and I hope that none of us ever forget this) it is in “The Process” that we learn how to trust God to deliver us “OUT” of the “Storms” (but perhaps even more importantly); we also learn that when He chooses not to delivers us out of those storms, we can still trust Him, for He may well choose to deliver us “THROUGH” those “Storms” instead.
Just a Thought,
Pastor Ken Jones
However, as the children of God, we need to remember that, “God does not allow any of us to go through the m...any trials of this life simply because He’s trying to punish us or because we may have messed up “big time” somewhere in our pasts.
Sometimes, the very things that we now find ourselves going through are merely “Part Of The Process.” They are the storms which are necessary to “Move Us From Where We Are Now…” to “Where God Desires For Us To Go…” to “Change Us From Who We Are Now…” into becoming “Whom It Is That God Desires For Us To Become!”
Part of the requirement for becoming the spiritually minded children that God desires for us to become is that first of all each of us must be, “Willing to Go through the Process.” And, there are also times that God allows us to go through all the fiery trials and terrible storms (that we may be presently encountering) simply because God knows that He can trust us!
Lastly, (and I hope that none of us ever forget this) it is in “The Process” that we learn how to trust God to deliver us “OUT” of the “Storms” (but perhaps even more importantly); we also learn that when He chooses not to delivers us out of those storms, we can still trust Him, for He may well choose to deliver us “THROUGH” those “Storms” instead.
Just a Thought,
Pastor Ken Jones
Imminent Danger Ahead!
This week, Congress is scheduled to vote on whether or not to approve an agreement (that has been endorsed by the Obama Administration) concerning the lifting of sanctions against a rogue Islamic terrorist regime, Iran. All in the name of peace. Ironically, this very deal will also pave the way for Iran to have almost immediate access to all that she needs to produce nuclear warheads capable of slaughtering hundreds of thousands (if not millions) in a single assault.
If this deal is allowed to stand in its present form, America will essentially be allowing the greatest exporter of terrorism in the world to inspect their own nuclear sites; and… it will give them immediate access to over 100 billion dollars in financial assets (with which they can further export their brand of terror indiscriminately).
And yes, this is also the very same country whose I.E.D’s killed and maimed thousands of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. And they are also the very same country whose leaders (almost daily) publicly proclaim, “Death To America” even while so many in America’s misguided political leadership are ever busy promoting and supporting “This” the most dangerous deal perhaps ever to be signed into law by our political leadership.
So why is “This” a matter of such utter importance as to stir me to address it in this blog today? It is because of the fact that Iran is bent on the creation of nuclear war material that may well be used on America. More disturbing than that, first and foremost, she has made it publicly known that she will use her newly attained nuclear might to "Wipe Israel off the map."
Iran plans on wreaking havoc on the Jewish people. With her unchecked nuclear capabilities this rogue nation proclaims that she will be able to slaughter (the more than 6.3 million Jews living in Israel) in “One Day,” (that’s more Jews than Hitler was able to exterminate in more than 5 years of Nazi Death camps).
Iran is made up primarily of Shiite Muslims, their ideological belief is that Allah has called them to start World War in order to usher in the arrival of the 12th imam (Islam’s version of a messiah). According to Islamic prophecy, when the 12th imam arrives, he will cause all the world to accept Islam. And any in the world who have the audacity to reject Islam, they will die cruel and horrible deaths.
(If that sounds vaguely familiar, it should. For what Shiite Muslims believe is exactly what the Bible describes as what will happen during the Great Tribulation when the Antichrist will demand all mankind to worship him...or be slain.)
But I have a “NEWSFLASH” for those who are bent on Israel’s destruction. The Jewish people are still God’s Chosen people. And as such, His Word guarantees that, “They shall never be destroyed!”
If Iran continues with her present plans, she will seal her own demise as well as the demise of all the nations who will foolishly ally themselves with her (God makes this clear in Ezekiel chapters 38-39, [Iran today is biblical Persia] ). GOD IS GOING TO FIGHT “THIS” BATTLE!
That brings me back to America, and the vote that is about to be taken this week. If our leaders follow through, allowing this deal to be passed, a deal that will so greatly benefit Iran and (at the same time) so greatly threaten Israel…as a nation, we too shall reap the consequences of God’s wrath.
Genesis 12:3 makes God’s promises and His warnings crystal clear concerning Israel and those connected to her. There, God assured Abraham of this: “…I will bless those that bless thee ([Abraham] –he is considered the father of Israel), and curse them that curse thee [Israel]…”
America Be Warned! If our leadership follows through on this agreement that threatens the very existence Israel, such action will, “Unquestionably” serve as the catalyst for the release of God’s judgment upon our nation.
In Scripture, there were 4 great sins that all nations who were guilty of, they soon fell under the wrath of God:
-The Shedding of Innocent Blood [since 1973 America has murdered more than 56 million children, and who is more innocent than a child?]
-Idolatry the worship of other gods [just turn on any TV or listen to a radio and it soon becomes evident who and what America now worships]
-Promotion, Practice, and Endorsement of Sexual Immorality [the Supreme Court just drove the final nail in this coffin] and the 4th…
-Turning Against God’s Chosen People, The Jews. (We’re about to be 4 for 4.)
These continued acts of belligerence and total disregard for the truths of God’s Word by our national leaders “WILL” have national implications that will be felt by one and all. For if our leadership chooses to abandon Israel in this matter…I firmly believe that God Will Not Allow The Remainder Of This Year To Pass Without America Learning What It Means To Feel His Wrath!
With all of that said, if there is one more thing that I am certain of, it is this: “Nobody can be sure of what the future holds for any of us. However, as children of God, ‘ALL’ of us can be confident in ‘The One’ who ultimately holds our future in ‘His’ hands.
Therefore “I Choose” to continue to put my faith and trust in the Jesus Christ!
Pray for America, Pray for our Leaders, and Pray a Special Prayer for Peace Safety of the Nation of Israel!
Just a Thought,
Pastor ken Jones
If this deal is allowed to stand in its present form, America will essentially be allowing the greatest exporter of terrorism in the world to inspect their own nuclear sites; and… it will give them immediate access to over 100 billion dollars in financial assets (with which they can further export their brand of terror indiscriminately).
And yes, this is also the very same country whose I.E.D’s killed and maimed thousands of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. And they are also the very same country whose leaders (almost daily) publicly proclaim, “Death To America” even while so many in America’s misguided political leadership are ever busy promoting and supporting “This” the most dangerous deal perhaps ever to be signed into law by our political leadership.
So why is “This” a matter of such utter importance as to stir me to address it in this blog today? It is because of the fact that Iran is bent on the creation of nuclear war material that may well be used on America. More disturbing than that, first and foremost, she has made it publicly known that she will use her newly attained nuclear might to "Wipe Israel off the map."
Iran plans on wreaking havoc on the Jewish people. With her unchecked nuclear capabilities this rogue nation proclaims that she will be able to slaughter (the more than 6.3 million Jews living in Israel) in “One Day,” (that’s more Jews than Hitler was able to exterminate in more than 5 years of Nazi Death camps).
Iran is made up primarily of Shiite Muslims, their ideological belief is that Allah has called them to start World War in order to usher in the arrival of the 12th imam (Islam’s version of a messiah). According to Islamic prophecy, when the 12th imam arrives, he will cause all the world to accept Islam. And any in the world who have the audacity to reject Islam, they will die cruel and horrible deaths.
(If that sounds vaguely familiar, it should. For what Shiite Muslims believe is exactly what the Bible describes as what will happen during the Great Tribulation when the Antichrist will demand all mankind to worship him...or be slain.)
But I have a “NEWSFLASH” for those who are bent on Israel’s destruction. The Jewish people are still God’s Chosen people. And as such, His Word guarantees that, “They shall never be destroyed!”
If Iran continues with her present plans, she will seal her own demise as well as the demise of all the nations who will foolishly ally themselves with her (God makes this clear in Ezekiel chapters 38-39, [Iran today is biblical Persia] ). GOD IS GOING TO FIGHT “THIS” BATTLE!
That brings me back to America, and the vote that is about to be taken this week. If our leaders follow through, allowing this deal to be passed, a deal that will so greatly benefit Iran and (at the same time) so greatly threaten Israel…as a nation, we too shall reap the consequences of God’s wrath.
Genesis 12:3 makes God’s promises and His warnings crystal clear concerning Israel and those connected to her. There, God assured Abraham of this: “…I will bless those that bless thee ([Abraham] –he is considered the father of Israel), and curse them that curse thee [Israel]…”
America Be Warned! If our leadership follows through on this agreement that threatens the very existence Israel, such action will, “Unquestionably” serve as the catalyst for the release of God’s judgment upon our nation.
In Scripture, there were 4 great sins that all nations who were guilty of, they soon fell under the wrath of God:
-The Shedding of Innocent Blood [since 1973 America has murdered more than 56 million children, and who is more innocent than a child?]
-Idolatry the worship of other gods [just turn on any TV or listen to a radio and it soon becomes evident who and what America now worships]
-Promotion, Practice, and Endorsement of Sexual Immorality [the Supreme Court just drove the final nail in this coffin] and the 4th…
-Turning Against God’s Chosen People, The Jews. (We’re about to be 4 for 4.)
These continued acts of belligerence and total disregard for the truths of God’s Word by our national leaders “WILL” have national implications that will be felt by one and all. For if our leadership chooses to abandon Israel in this matter…I firmly believe that God Will Not Allow The Remainder Of This Year To Pass Without America Learning What It Means To Feel His Wrath!
With all of that said, if there is one more thing that I am certain of, it is this: “Nobody can be sure of what the future holds for any of us. However, as children of God, ‘ALL’ of us can be confident in ‘The One’ who ultimately holds our future in ‘His’ hands.
Therefore “I Choose” to continue to put my faith and trust in the Jesus Christ!
Pray for America, Pray for our Leaders, and Pray a Special Prayer for Peace Safety of the Nation of Israel!
Just a Thought,
Pastor ken Jones
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Ready Or Not, Here I Come
Just turn on the radio, or sit down and watch the evening news; or
simply take the time to turn on your computer on any given day. And
suddenly, it becomes all too readily apparent that out world cannot long
survive if she continues to stay on her present downward spiral.
Furthermore, it has become all too obvious (even among those in our world who neither know God as well as those who even go so far as to deny the existence of Creator, God)—that there is a growing sense of fatalism, hopelessness, and utter despair.
Anarchy, wickedness, chaos, and utter debauchery now seem to be “The Order Of The Day” for much of our world. And these evils are paving the way for God’s judgment to soon rain down upon this degenerate human race. And sadly, it has become "all too apparent" that most of mankind seems to have no desire whatsoever of attempting to alter this course of impending annihilation that we are so readily embracing.
But to all of those Believers whose hope is in Jesus Christ… even in the midst of these “Darkest of Hours of a Depraved Humanity” God’s Word affirms to us that “Nothing Here Has Taken God By Surprise!” Furthermore, His Word gives us the assurance that He has already prepared a “Way of Escape” for His children out of this mess!
When will the Day of God’s Judgment arrive upon this vile, evil, wicked world? This I do not know; but of this one fact I am fully aware: “Before His wrath is poured out upon planet Earth, Christ’s Bride (His Church) will have already been far removed to our heavenly home!”
And I’m sure that by now you know that I’m talking about the soon coming “Rapture of the Church.” It is an event that holds a specific time on God’s Future calendar of events, the one of which Paul wrote:
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:17)
Yes, it is true that our world is overripe for the Judgment of God. But Saints of God, be encouraged, because this also means that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is soon to proclaim (for all of His “Faithful” children to hear) “Ready or Not Here I Come!”
How grateful I am that God’s Word makes it clear that before the 7 Year Tribulation begins, that God “WILL” provide a way of escape for the righteous so that we will be able to avoid His judgment upon this wicked world. In (Luke 21:23) Christ clearly states: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
So for all the spiritual skeptics who would try to have us to believe that the Children of God are going to have to go through the Tribulation, I would just love for them to explain to me why it is that God would tell us to “pray that we would escape all these things” if they were impossible to escape from?
And one more thing (according to Revelation 3:10), the saints of God are also given this promise: “Because you have kept the Word of my patience, I will also keep you “FROM” the hour of temptation.”
So Saints of God, don’t you dare let anyone steal from you the “Joyous Hope” of our Lord’s imminent return. For, “WE” (the Church) shall be taken out, caught up, (Raptured)… long before all hell breaks loose upon planet Earth!
Therefore, saints of God, if ever we’ve lived holy, let’s make sure that we are living holy today. If ever we’ve lived committed, let’s make sure that our commitment to God is more than it’s ever been before. And if we’ve ever been about doing the Father’s business, “NOW” is the time to make sure that it is becomes the absolute, #1, priority of our lives!
Be encouraged, be faithful, and be certain that you are watching and waiting (with eager anticipation). For I firmly believe that one day soon, we’re going to here a shout…and the trump of God is going to sound… and our Savior is going to crying out something that only His children will hear. And that “Something” is this: “READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!”
“…So comfort you one another with these words…Amen!”
Just a Thought,
Pastor Ken Jones
Furthermore, it has become all too obvious (even among those in our world who neither know God as well as those who even go so far as to deny the existence of Creator, God)—that there is a growing sense of fatalism, hopelessness, and utter despair.
Anarchy, wickedness, chaos, and utter debauchery now seem to be “The Order Of The Day” for much of our world. And these evils are paving the way for God’s judgment to soon rain down upon this degenerate human race. And sadly, it has become "all too apparent" that most of mankind seems to have no desire whatsoever of attempting to alter this course of impending annihilation that we are so readily embracing.
But to all of those Believers whose hope is in Jesus Christ… even in the midst of these “Darkest of Hours of a Depraved Humanity” God’s Word affirms to us that “Nothing Here Has Taken God By Surprise!” Furthermore, His Word gives us the assurance that He has already prepared a “Way of Escape” for His children out of this mess!
When will the Day of God’s Judgment arrive upon this vile, evil, wicked world? This I do not know; but of this one fact I am fully aware: “Before His wrath is poured out upon planet Earth, Christ’s Bride (His Church) will have already been far removed to our heavenly home!”
And I’m sure that by now you know that I’m talking about the soon coming “Rapture of the Church.” It is an event that holds a specific time on God’s Future calendar of events, the one of which Paul wrote:
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:17)
Yes, it is true that our world is overripe for the Judgment of God. But Saints of God, be encouraged, because this also means that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is soon to proclaim (for all of His “Faithful” children to hear) “Ready or Not Here I Come!”
How grateful I am that God’s Word makes it clear that before the 7 Year Tribulation begins, that God “WILL” provide a way of escape for the righteous so that we will be able to avoid His judgment upon this wicked world. In (Luke 21:23) Christ clearly states: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
So for all the spiritual skeptics who would try to have us to believe that the Children of God are going to have to go through the Tribulation, I would just love for them to explain to me why it is that God would tell us to “pray that we would escape all these things” if they were impossible to escape from?
And one more thing (according to Revelation 3:10), the saints of God are also given this promise: “Because you have kept the Word of my patience, I will also keep you “FROM” the hour of temptation.”
So Saints of God, don’t you dare let anyone steal from you the “Joyous Hope” of our Lord’s imminent return. For, “WE” (the Church) shall be taken out, caught up, (Raptured)… long before all hell breaks loose upon planet Earth!
Therefore, saints of God, if ever we’ve lived holy, let’s make sure that we are living holy today. If ever we’ve lived committed, let’s make sure that our commitment to God is more than it’s ever been before. And if we’ve ever been about doing the Father’s business, “NOW” is the time to make sure that it is becomes the absolute, #1, priority of our lives!
Be encouraged, be faithful, and be certain that you are watching and waiting (with eager anticipation). For I firmly believe that one day soon, we’re going to here a shout…and the trump of God is going to sound… and our Savior is going to crying out something that only His children will hear. And that “Something” is this: “READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!”
“…So comfort you one another with these words…Amen!”
Just a Thought,
Pastor Ken Jones
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