COSMOPOLITAN UNIVERSITY NETWORK

Articles

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(Prof. Rev. Dr. K.R. Ince~Ph.D.)
 

God Has Spoken-Has Anyone Been Listening?
Perhaps as Christmas rapidly approaches; we would do well to listen and hear the voice of God as it resounds down through the annals of time! We spend so much time and money these days in our attempts to hear alien voices which may be broadcast from some far-flung corner of the universe, and attempting to make contact with something that may or may not be out there. But do we really take the time to HEAR the voice of God, as He speaks to us in Scripture, and to our hearts, if we allow Him to. His Word to us is a living Word, and in the Greek it is "Rhema",--- His word to us in Scripture is not just words on a page, it is truly alive. But it should be even more to us; even as we approach this Blessed time of the year when we celebrate the Birth of Christ. By contrast; we spend so much time and money at Christmas, as we renew contact with others that we have not really bothered with the rest of the year, Christmas cards, partying and feasting, over-priced gifts, etc.. All too often we miss the real meaning of this miraculous Event that not only took place over 2000 years ago, but even now, if we would only open our eyes, ears, and hearts to see and hear what God has done , and will do for us today! Think of the words of the Psalmist, where he states;---
"O come, let us worship and bowl down, let us kneel before the Lord, our
Maker [in reverent praise and supplication]. For He is Our God, and we are
the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear
His voice.(Ps.95:6-7)
Perhaps; if we listen, we too will hear the clarion call of the angels, when they exultantly proclaimed the very birth of Christ to the whole world.---
"Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth, peace among men with
whom He is well-pleased [men of good-will, of His favor]."(Luke 2:14)
We must ask ourselves; are we only concentrating on the festivities and feasting-the gift-giving and getting, and all of the trappings associated with Christmas-or are we people who are focused on the immensity of the real meaning of Christmas-CHRIST? If not; are we indeed men of good-will, and of His favor? TODAY IF YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE !! Is it not as Paul states in his Epistle to the Hebrews and John in his Gospel?----
"God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His
Son."(Heb.1:1-2)
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God.-In Him was life, and the life
was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness
comprehended it not.---He came unto His own, and His own received Him not,
but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on His name.---And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory. The glory as of the only
begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (Jn.1:1-2,4,11-12,14)
Isn't it time that we stopped trying to hear voices or make our voices heard in some far-flung part of the universe, and isn't it time to stop listening to the voice of the hucksters attempting to make Christmas even more commercialized? Is it not time for all of us, to open our ears, eyes and hearts to the Christ of Christmas-the very Word of God to us? TODAY; IF YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE !!!

IS CHRIST BACK IN CHRISTMAS ?---MAYBE !
Prof. Rev. Dr. K. R. Ince~Ph.D.

A recent survey of Canadians showed that many more of the populace were going to be spending very little time shopping and spending money in the malls this year for Christmas gifts. They were planning on spending more time at home with friends and family, and concentrating on safety and security, particularly after the recent terrorist activities. Almost in the sense of cocooning themselves, and shutting out the terrors and fears of what is happening in the world today.
This is good news for some and perhaps bad for others! The merchants, of course depend on Christmas to make their best profit for the year, so they will be badly hit; bur then again we have commercialized Christ out of Christmas. With our demands for bigger and better gifts. Perhaps too, this will also restore some of the family values that we have lost over the years. We have made the festive season a time of revelry, feasting, party-going, and expensive gift-giving, and forgotten all about the real meaning of Christmas-we celebrate the Birth of Christ-God with us-Emmanuel!
Just as Christ was born into the turbulence of the dark, cold world of that time, and in a lowly stable--the Holy family was there, and friends and worshippers gathered around Him. So too; we need to gather as a family with friends and others lrdd fortunate of our Community, but with Christ as the center of our attention if this time is to have any real meaning for us.
It does no good really; to simply cocoon ourselves as a family, hoping that the terrors and fears of the world will go away if Christ is not the focal point of that family gathering. As the 23rd Psalm states-Yea; though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me."
Christ Himself said in John 17;--"In this world, ye shall have tribulation, but fear not, for I have overcome the world." Just as a child is fearful of the shadows cast in a darkened room; until mother turns on the light and reassures him so that he can sleep in peace and security-so too we need to permit the Light and Life of Christ be born anew in our hearts and families this Christmas. It is only then that we can truly say as the Psalmist did in the 73rd Psalm (V.28) "It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge."
It is then that we can truly understand the words of Christ as meaningful for us in these turbulent times, even as we celebrate His Birth 2000 years ago and even now in our lives---"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
(John 14:27)
Perhaps this Christmas; we too may hear the jubilant song of the Angels echoing down through the ages---"Glory to God in the highest and on earth, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)

May the Love of God, the Joy of His Birth, and the Peace that He alone offers, be yours and the world's this Blessed Christmas and always!!

THE INTERNET
THE GOOD-THE BAD-THE UGLY
A USEFULL TOOL FOR MANKIND?
OR SATAN'S INSTRUMENT
FOR THE MORAL DECLINE OF MANKIND?


A BRIEF PAPER ON THE PROS AND CONS
OF THE INTERNET
AND ITS EFFECT ON FAMILY AND SOCIETY

PROF. DR. K. INCE~Ph.D.



THE GOOD
The Internet, since its inception has been viewed as a marvelous

communication and educational tool for mankind. The ability to access information

and research in virtually every topic imaginable has proven to be a definite boon to us

all. Informational material that has been archived into massive computer banks is now

available to virtually everyone who has a computer, and not many don't these days! We

are able to communicate almost instantaneously with another person anywhere in the

world, and even in the language of that country. It is an amazing concept; as the world

becomes a Global Community !

We find that we can do our banking and bill-paying on-line, shopping fpr

clothing, gifts, and groceries, entertainment, make our travel and accommodation

arrangements, and get the local and world news virtually as it happens. We can even

get the information required to build a family tree, if we are at all interested in

Geneology. Great books are available, even the Bible itself, as well as the histories of

great people, their writing, and thinking. Medical and health breakthroughs are

brought out as they happen; and research in all types of fields are available to us in

any area of interest.

No matter where you live in the world today; if you have access to a computer

and the Inter-net, and not too many don't, you can have access to education, and at

some of the most prestigious Universities. While there is still some controversy among

academics regarding on-line education, in this high-tech world we live in today, it must

be seen as a viable option for many people. We have become a much more transient,

mobile world than ever imagined even 40 years ago. The cost of maintaining the

"hallowed hall of ivy", let alone the salaries demanded by Professors and the
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Administration has resulted in severe increases in tuition fees for students. These same

students are forced, out of necessity, to take on huge student loans which remain a

millstone around their necks for many years after they graduate and find work---if they

can, and I shall be speaking more on this. This creates a 'catch 22' situation.

Employers find they must pay higher wages for these students with degrees; but

without experience and even without life-experience in many cases. This is reflected in

higher costs to the consumer; and eventually in higher costs for education. The

answer, of course, or rather the alternative, may be found in the value of distance

education via the Internet. For example; I find that upon reading the Alumni

newsletter from my old 'Alma-Mater'-Wycliffe College-University of Toronto, that they

are also looking at distance learning via the Internet. And they are not the only ones;

because many others have seen the value and the necessity of this type of education in

this extremely mobile, high tech world of today.

This may be deemed as a threat to the structure of the 'hallowed halls of

learning' and the Professors who teach in the Lecture Halls and classrooms. Over the

years they may have gained 'tenure' at their respective Universities, and they continue

to teach the same thing year after year to new students, but for the most part, without

instilling a love and a desire for knowledge and learning which they should pursue for

their whole life. The greater part of our teaching and learning is disassociated from the

relationship between the one who teaches and the student. There is not enough inter-

action or relational communication between the two. It becomes a matter of acquiring

the necessary students to maintain the college through tuition and grants, feeding them
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the necessary lessons, and the students doing their reading and research to get the

necessary marks for their degrees. This often becomes simply a matter of regurgitation

of the material to accomplish their goals as quickly as possible, so they can get out to

work and get on with their lives ! This too is not always the best way for students to

learn; because the classroom setting is not always the way in which people may learn.

Many require more direct access to the teacher or Professor. And often the student may

feel that there is no challenge to innovative or creative thinking if they are locked in to

the structure of the programs to get their Degree. Some may argue; and rightfully so,

that the attendance at, and Graduation from a University is also a discipline, This is

true; but is it a discipline so rigid as to deny the student, because of University

schedules, the opportunity to gain life and work experience? Too many students find

that even when they do acquire their degrees; they are unable to get meaningful

employment because they have no life or work experience. Statistcly; it has been

found that of Graduates who enter their own business, 97% were failures. Why?

Because they had the necessary knowledge, but without the wisdom to apply it. That

wisdom comes only with life experience! Thus; flexibility becomes a necessary factor in

education. This flexibility becomes a very real possibility with Distance Learning via

the Internet.

These days; it is not unusual to find not only the fresh young faces of recent

high school graduates, but also many who have been in the work force for years and

are now finding that they need greater formal education to compete. Many may be

family men with regular jobs that will not allow them to attend regular classes, unless
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they take a student loan with time off work and the loss of a paycheck. Some have jobs

that require them to be re-located from time to time or their work necessitates travel.

Some may be single mothers who also may have to look at quitting her job to attend

University, acquire a student loan and the burden of repaying it after Graduation.

There are also the difficulties faced by those with physical challenges who wish

to obtain their Degrees. The physical obstacles may be of such a nature; that, even

though the university may provide some areas of accessibility, they still do not permit

the necessary flexibility for the student's needs. Remember that although there may be

physical difficulties that inhibit their attendance at a regular University setting, their

minds may be even sharper than the able-bodied as there are compensatory factors that

come into play when some abilities are lost. We must also realize that there must be

other recognized methods of acquiring those same degrees, and that they hold the same

status as Degrees obtained by attendance at a University. There are many American

On-Line Universities which are accredited by the Government of the USA, and which

do provide earned Degrees, but without the strictures of time and location, and these

need to be recognized as to their validity, by everyone. Regardless of who may require

this type of method of acquiring a degree; it all comes down to a matter of accessibility

to education for everyone. All of these factors simply place further obstacles in the way

of their ability to better themselves, and cause undue hardship to themselves and their

families, With the Internet and Distance Learning; the attendance at classes in a

formal institutional setting is minimized, because the student may tailor his education

and the time it takes to complete it to their own time constraints. For a married man
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with a family; it may also, if he lives in a community where there is no University, he

must look at maintaining two households while he attends University elsewhere.

But we must also realize that there is a certain amount of pride, or perhaps

envy, on the part of those who had to sacrifice financially and time-wise to attend the

prestigious University of their choice to get their Degrees before the inception of the

Internet and Distance Learning. Many of these look down on this type of education as

sub-standard, simply because they do not realize that very specific standards must be

met by the student, before any Degrees are granted. Let us not forget that it is not only

North American Universities that hold high academic standards; but Universities

around the world have the same high standards (and perhaps higher), and they are

also available to anyone, and just as prestigious as any we have here, if not more so. It

was not many years ago that many would travel to distant locations abroad to obtain

those same degrees. It must also be acknowledged; as many Universities-North

American and abroad, have come to realize that not all acquisition of knowledge and

education is accomplished in the 'hallowed halls of ivy'. It is also in the knowledge that

is acquired in life and living, employment in many fields, and in credit or non-courses

taken over many years. These are often more important than a student gathering

knowledge at a University setting, but without the life-experience and wisdom to apply

such. The question that must be asked is; which would be the most valuable employee

to the employer? I believe it goes without saying-The one with the experience to back

his or her knowledge. They are also likely to be the best employee; because they already

know what they want in the way of goals and careers for their lives, and have set their
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minds to work towards this.



THE BAD


As with anything in this world; there can also me a 'down side' or bad effect

on society ! By this, I refer to what we refer to as the 'high-tech' or computer age. With

the move of the cursor, the click of a mouse, or the press of a key, there are so many

things that we can access or accomplish, that would not have been thought possible 40-

50 years ago ! Not only do we have the previous benefits from the Internet; but we are

also able to conduct E/commerce, or the ability to conduct our financial affairs over

the Internet-whole stock portfolios can be managed, and transactions made, without

even entering or having physical contact with a brokerage house or banking

institution. Machinery and production lines are computerized and can be operated

from anywhere. All of these may be seen as a boon to mankind; allowing him much

more leisure and recreational time, but there are drawbacks to this! As we become

more and more reliant on computers, and as they become faster and more powerful, we

find more banks and financial institutions, manufacturers, sales outlets, and many

other types of companies are downsizing. This means cutbacks in personnel, both

workers and management, and greater unemployment. What use is greater leisure and

recreation time if one is unemployed and unable to afford to do anything? Companies

and institutions that are downsizing will only keep the most highly trained and

educated, and with many more years of employment ahead of them on staff at this

point. This results in the demand for much higher education than ever dreamt of in

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past years! But all of this also results in a severe demand for more social welfare

programs, employment insurance, etc. and eventually there is so much dependence on

early retirement pensions, social welfare, that there is only a narrow segment of those

who can contribute to sustain these programs.

Here again; we get back to the matter of education ! Many Universities and

Colleges are finding that the cost of maintaining these venerable institutions are

increasing year after year. Salaries; both professorial and administration are

constantly escalating, and therefore tuition costs are increased, as are requests for

government grants. As a result; students must be sought out in many distant lands t

keep up the required registrations. It is for this very reason that many Universities

around the world, have realized that the down-sizing of such institutions is absolutely

necessary-and they become what is termed a 'Virtual University', but without

sacrificing their standards of excellence. This allows more people to access education

than ever before in history, and at a much lower cost to the student than attendance at

a university away from home. This will necessitate the downsizing and elimination of

some professorial and administration staff, of course, and this will naturally be fought

tooth and nail by those affected ! Some might argue that 'Distance learning' does not

allow for student - professor contact; but at a recent conference on this subject in

Toronto, it was pointed out that there is very little one-on-one contact in the

Universities, while there is considerably more direct contact with the teaching staff in

Distance learning, out of necessity. If our educational institutions are to survive; it will

become necessary to become much more innovative and accepting in their approach to

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educating the populace.



THE UGLY


But it not only allows us these wonderful benefits; with its accompanying

drawbacks -(a 'catch 22' situation) it allows us access, willingly or unwittingly, into

the darker thoughts and actions of mankind. There are many traps which have been

cunningly devised with what appears to be completely innocuous web-sites, or have

trailers or attachments which have been locked on to them, and which the person who

is browsing is not aware of until later when they begin appearing in their e/mail! It is

so cunningly devised; as to make it virtually impossible to eradicate from the computer.

By this I am referring to the 'smut' of pornography which is so prevalent on the

Internet ! It has long been said that 'idle hands do the devil's work'; and it is so true!

With the increasing 'liberalism' towards sexual activity on television, and the ongoing

increase in this abomination of pornography on the Internet, is it any wonder that we

have an increase in crime and violence in our society. If people are unoccupied

otherwise; they naturally gravitate towards something that will alleviate their boredom.

As the senses become more jaded; the need for more 'exciting'? activities become more

necessary, it appears. Therefore; as more is demanded, more is provided, and it

profoundly worsens! In reading an article recently about the opening of the public

baths in the ancient buried city of Pompei for public viewing; it referred to the Roman

erotica which was depicted on its walls. A parish Priest commented that 'it would even

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tempt the most chaste'-obviously he has not seen what is available on the Internet

today!! I have found even the most 'God-fearing' people are not immune to the

temptations the Internet provides, from the number of people that have admitted to me

of their addiction to these perversities. What is meant to be an act of love between a

man and a woman in marriage, has been reduced to the most obscene perversities that

one could ever imagine, even in the darkest mind. I have been researching this with a

measure of disgust; as there are web-sites galore, which feature lesbian and homo-

sexual activities, as well as beastiality, as well as many others which are beyond

imagination. Many of these are not even noted on the web-site; but are simply attached,

much like a virus, and they simply worm their way into your computer. All of these

simply use men, women and children for the propagation of their lurid fantasies, and

develop more and more jaded appetites in the populace. This can only bring a further

break-down in normal family relationships, and in societal normalcy in morality. I

would be the first one to insist that there should be some method of policing the

Internet and in particular the web-sites to stem this tide of immorality !

CONCLUSION
Yes; it must be concluded that there is a good side, a bad side, and an ugly side

to everything in this world; it all depends on how we, as a people choose to use it ! We;

and only we, can make the decisions as to whether the good side outweighs the bad and

the ugly, and whether we can improve our lives with this tool, or continue to

Demoralize and undermine the financial and educational structure of our lives and

our society. The decisions are yours-but you need to make them NOW, before it is too

late !!

DON'T YOU KNOW THERE'S A WAR ON?

BUT DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO THE ENEMY IS ?


A PAPER BY

PROF. REV. DR. K.R. INCE~Ph.D.


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"Then war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels went forth to battle with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought. But they were defeated, and there was no room found for them in heaven any longer.
And the huge dragon was cast down and out---that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer [deceiver] of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him."
(Rev. 12:7-9) (A.B.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in fierce anger [fury], because he knows that he has [only] a short time [left] !"
(Rev. 12:12b) (A.B.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The ten horns that you observed are ten rulers [kings] who have as yet received no royal dominion, but together they are to receive power and authority for a single hour, along with the beast.
These have one common policy [opinion, purpose], and they deliver their power and authority to the beast.
They will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them. for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings---and those with Him, and on His side are chosen and called [elected] and loyal and faithful followers."
(Rev. 17:12-14) (A.B.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~









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At the time of this writing; most of the world is at war against what is

deemed to be acts of terrorism by a number of groups, and particularly the El-

Quaida under Osama bin Laden. This has also brought in the battle in Afghanistan

with the ruling body of the Taliban, an oppressive, fundamentalist sect of the

Muslim faith. There is also talk of war with Iraq, Somalia, north Korea; because of

feared connections with terrorist groups, and the possibility that they may be

building biological or nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

But is this the real enemy-we need to stop and think of this in the light of the

previous Scriptures ! Particularly if we here in North America-both Canada and

the United States-call ourselves 'Christian' or Godly' nations. We; both in the

Constitution and in the Charter of Rights, claim the Sovereignty of God and the rule

of Law for our nations, but do we actually reveal that in our attitude towards God

or His Commandments? In our National Anthem, we sing 'O Canada, we stand on

guard for thee-God keep our land, glorious and free'-but do we stand on guard

for our land and not stand on guard for God?

If we look back in the Old Testament to Genesis and the Creation narrative

we might do well to heed the warnings contained there !

"And the Lord God planted a garden towards the east, in Eden

[delight] , and there He put the man whom He had formed [framed,

constituted]-----And the Lord God took the man and put him in the

Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. And the Lord God

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commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the

Garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing

and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you

shall surely die, " (Genesis 2:8, 15-17) (A.B.)

"Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature

of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the

woman, can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from

every tree of the Garden? And the woman said to the serpent, We

may eat the fruit from the trees of the Garden. Except the fruit from

the tree which is in the middle of the Garden, God has said, You

shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. But the

serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die, for God knows

that in the day that you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you

will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and

blessing and calamity. (Genesis 3:1-5) (A.B.)

Adam was placed in the Garden to tend and guard and keep it for God-

this was where God and man met to walk and talk. Both Adam and Eve not only

failed to recognize the enemy, but he seduced them into believing that they would

not surely die, and cast doubt on the reality of God's word ! Are we so blinded to the

truth of God's word that we go along blithely while we allow Satan to undermine

our nations? This morning I received an e/mail from a friend qhich spoke to this

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very issue. Regarding an interview with Billy Graham's daughter on the recent

tragic events, terrorist attacks, school shootings, Anthrax, etc. Its content was

simply this;----

"I think it started when Madelaine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered)

complained she didn't want any prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you had better not read the Bible in school-the

Bible that says Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, and love your

neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr Benjamin Spock said

we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their

little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-

esteem (Dr. Spock' son committed suicide). And we said an expert

should know what he is talking about, so we said OK. Then someone

said teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they

misbehave. And the school administrators said no faculty member in

the school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't

want a law suit or bad publicity.(There's a big difference between

discipline and touching, beating, smacking, humiliating, kicking, etc.)

And we said OK. Then someone said, let's let our daughters have

abortions if they want and they won't even have to tell their parents,

And we said OK. Then some wise school board member said, since boys

will be boys, and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all
the condoms they want, so they can have all the fun they desire, and we
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won't have to tell their parents they got them at school, And we said

OK. Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn't matter what

we do in private as long as we do our jobs. And agreeing with them, we

said it doesn't matter to me what anyone (including he President) does

in private as long as I have a jib and the economy is good. And then

someone said, let's print magazines with pictures of nude women and

call it wholesome down-to-earth appreciation for the beauty of the

female body. And we said OK. And then someone else took that

appreciation a step further, not just the female body, but of nude

children and every kind of sexual perversion, and made it available on

the Internet. And we said OK they're entitled to free speech. And then

the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that

promote profanity, violence and illicit sex. And let's record music that

encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes. And we

said it's just entertainment, it has no adverse effect, and nobody takes

it seriously. So go right ahead.

Now we are asking ourselves why our children have no conscience,

why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother

them to kill strangers, their classmates and themselves. It has to do

with the fact that we reap what we sow.

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God, and then wonder why

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the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers

say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how someone can say

"I believe in God", but still follow Satan, who, by the way, also

believes in God, and he trembles. Funny how everyone wants to go to

heaven, provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do

anything the Bible-the word of God says. Funny how we are quick

to judge, but not so quick as to be judged. Funny how someone can

be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the

rest of the week. "

Funny too, that so many people are fearful of losing their jobs that they will

deny God's ways to keep them, and thereby lose their very soul. Funny too that so

many believe that there is no such a person as Satan; and yet when they do

something wrong, they say, "the Devil made me do it".

Not so funny is the fact that Satan would love to have you believe that he

doesn't exist. Or that God; being a loving God would never condemn anyone to

death and hell. Or again; that there is no real hell. Satan appeared to Adam as an

innocuous serpent, and as Paul describes him as being 'transformed into an angel of

light' (2 Cor. 11:14) or as the beginning Scriptures state 'the old dragon', so he is

very real. Perhaps people don't want to hear God speak to them in His

Commandments and in all of the Scriptures, even as the Israelites declined from

hearing God, because they might die, and so they sent Moses up to commune with

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God. Perhaps this is why we have permitted others to disallow Bible reading and

Prayer in school, and in so many other public places, because if we hear the

commands in the word of God, it will identify us as sinners, not just the 'nice

people' we would like to think we are! As Paul states;---

"I was alive without the Law once, but when the Commandment

came, sin revived [became apparent, revealed], and I died."
(Romans 7:9) (K.J.V.)

We are so intent on being 'politically correct' that we don't stand up for

what we know to be true. We have become complacent and apathetic as regards our

faith and belief ! Funny too; that we are willing to let all of these things happen in

what is called to be a nation under the Sovereignty and rule of God , for as 1st Peter

states-

"Ye are a chosen generation. A royal priesthood, an holy nation, a

peculiar people, , that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who

hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
(1 Peter 5:9) (K.J.V.)

There is so much truth to this E/Mail quotation (and my own additions) that

I felt that it belonged in this paper, and particularly when, at this time, it seems the

whole world is going to hell in a hand-basket. Perhaps we might think of the words

of Christ when he quoted God's word to Isaiah;-----

"This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and

honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me, But

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in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the

commandments of men."
(Matt. 15:8-9)

We do reap what we sow: and it is

very much like what has happened repetitively in the history of mankind, right from

Adam's time. Adam knew the blessings and bounty of God, and His presence, and it

was all taken from him. He had been given a command from God to tend, guard

and keep the Garden for God. He was also to use the bounty of God's creation in the

service of God and man. Adam and Eve were seduced by Satan in his guise as a

serpent, into not only doubting the veracity of God's command, but of disobedience

to it, and in failing to guard against the incursion of evil from outside the garden. It

was what you might call 'dereliction of duty', and not even being repentant for it.

He was only fearful of God finding out. In eating of the fruit of the tree of the

knowledge of good and evil,, blessing and calamity, he was cast out of the Garden

and he knew the blessings he was losing, but he knew also the calamities he was to

face. He was cast out of the blessings, benevolence, and protection of God, and now

he had to face the cold, cruel world where Satan lived.

Think too of the Israelites when Moses brought them out of bondage in

Egypt. As they traveled in the wilderness; God was present with them in the cloud

that covered them by day protecting them from the elements and leading them. But

He was also present with them in the pillar of fire by night, providing warmth from

the cold desert nights, and protection from the wild beasts and marauding bandits.

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God protected and provided for them as long as they stayed under His covering; but

if they strayed from His way, they became easy prey to the hostile world and the

Devil who resided there.

Think about it! Satan has deluded us as a nation; as a people under God !

We; even as Adam, have failed to recognize the enemy, and sound the alarm, and

therefore we have not kept it for God! We have known the blessings and the

providence of God; and we have surrendered it to Satan-we have given in-in our

complacency and apathy, and we now are facing calamity as we come out from

under God's covering! We are nations; both Canada and the U.S.A., that are

captives of fear, but it does not have to be so. As Paul states;---

"God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,

and of a sound mind." (2 Tim. 1:7) (K.J.V.)

We need to think again of the prayer of Daniel, and make it our prayer as

individuals and as a nation;---

"O Lord the great and dreadful God, Who keeps covenant, mercy,

and loving kindness with those who love Him and keep His

commandments. We have sinned and dealt perversely and done

wickedly and have rebelled, turning aside from your

commandments and ordinances. Neither have we listened to or

heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to

our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of

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the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but to us

confusion and shame of face---because we have sinned against

You. We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by

walking in His laws which He set before us.-----O my God,

incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and look at our

desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we do

not present our supplications before You for our own

righteousness and justice, but for Your great mercy and loving-

kindness. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, give heed,

and act! Do not delay, for Your own sake, O my God, because

Your city and Your people are called by Your name."(Daniel 9)


LET US NEVER FORGET; THAT WHEN MAN TRULY REPENTS,

GOD RELENTS -as is stated in the prophecy given by God through Ezekiel;-------

"They shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all

the abominations thereof from thence, And I will give them

one heart, and I will put a new Spirit within you; and I will

take the stony heart out of their flesh, and I will give them an

heart of flesh; that they may walk in My statutes, and keep

My ordinances, and do them; and they shall be My people,

and I will be their God ." (Ezek. 11:18-20) (K.J.V.)

"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith
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the Lord God; and not that he should turn from his ways,

and live? (Ezek. 18:23) (K.J.V.)

Yes; there is a war being waged right now; both in heaven and on earth;

and you had better know who the real enemy is, and whose side you are on, for as

Christ Himself said;----

"He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that

gathereth not with Me, scattereth abroad."
(Matt. 12:30) (K.J.V.

"I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the

world; but that Thou shouldest keep them from the

evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the

world. Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is

truth." (John 17:15-17) (K.J.V.)

"These things I have spoken to that in Me ye might

have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation;

but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
(John 16:33) (K.J.V.)

If we aquiesce to Satan as we allow him to gain inroads into what we

pray for in the Lord's Prayer----"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as

it is in heaven", then we are not on the Lord's side, and we are scattering rather

than gathering. If we continue in our greed for wealth, creature comforts, power,

etc., to rape, pillage, plunder, and pollute the earth and everything around us, are

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we keeping it for God, and using it in the service of God and man? Are we any

different from Adam? We may call ourselves Christians; but does our faith and

belief reflect God's rule in our lives, or even any of His virtues as a peculiar people

and a holy nation?

I would urge all of us to consider the passages at the first Scriptural

passages at the beginning of this paper, and consider where we stand now, and

where we will be found at the last days in the light of the following passage of

Scripture; ---

"The beast was given the power of speech, uttering boastful and

blasphemous words, and he was given freedom to exert his

authority and to exercise his will---and he opened his mouth to

speak slanders against God, blaspheming His name and His abode

even [vilifying] those who live in heaven. He was further

permitted to wage war on God's holy people [the saints] and to

overcome them. And power was given him to extend his authority

over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all the

inhabitants of the earth will fall down in adoration and pay him

homage, everyone whose name has not been recorded in the Book

of Life of the Lamb that was slain [in sacrifice] from the

foundation of the world." (Rev. 13:5-8) (A.B.)

Are we giving Satan free reign; by acquiescing to the demands of those who have sold out to him, by allowing him to seduce us in our apathy to think that

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God would not require payment of us for willfully allowing sin to be a part of our

Lives and our nation? In closing; think on the following;---

"Then I heard a strong loud voice in heaven, saying, Now it has

come---the salvation, and the power and the kingdom [the

dominion, reign] of our God and the power [the sovereignty, the

authority] of His Christ [the Messiah]; for the accuser of our

brethren, he who keeps bringing charges against them day and

night, has been cast out! And they have overcome [conquered]

him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of

their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even

when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had

to die for their witnessing]. Therefore be glad [exult], O

heavens, and you that dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth

and sea, for the devil has come down to you in fierce anger

[fury], because he knows that he has [only] a [short] time left."
(Rev. 12:10-`12) (A.B.)

"I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the

throne, and books were opened. Then another book was

opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged

[sentenced] by what they had done [[their whole way of feeling

and acting {their motives, aims, and works) ] in accordance with what


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was recorded in the books.----And if anyone's name was not

recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of

fire." (Rev. 20:12, 15) (A.B.)

Isn't it about time that We put aside our apathy and complacency and

stood on guard for God, recognizing the real enemy, and resisting him rather than

being seduced by him and letting him cast doubt in our hearts-to use also the

enormous bounty that He has given us in the service of God and man? A great

general once said that 'You must know your enemy, if you are to defeat him'-How

true