You might wonder why a whole society seems to drift into a hardened rejection of the knowledge of God.  Why do people who resist God seem to fall prey to deeper and deeper deceptions in so many areas of life?

What do you want?

• Confidence in your purpose in life?
• To be pleasing to your Creator?
• Victory over destructive influences in life?
• Character qualities that glorify God?
• Greater insight for success in your own journey?
• Optimal physical well being and health?
• Freedom to use your gifts most effectively?
• Greater impact and influence on the world around you?

A wise man will hear and increase in learning and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel

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

Proverbs 1:5, 7

One of my best lessons I ever learned…

“My people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge.”

Hosea 4:6

“Through knowledge the righteous are delivered.”

Proverbs 11:9

“… if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

James 1:5

What is the primary way that God gives His wisdom to those who ask of Him?

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

Psalm 119:130

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…”  John 16:13 The Holy Spirit will actually be your guide.

If we are willing to listen…

“He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.”

Proverbs 18:13

“Prove all things; hold fast what is good.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21

“Do not reprove a scoffer lest he hate you; reprove a wise man and he will love you.”

Proverbs 9:8

I was reminded as I considered how the scriptures guide us in how we should talk to other people, that when you’re speaking with someone who has demonstrated to those around him that he is a fool, disregarding God…

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

Answer a fool as his folly deserves, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”

Proverbs 26:4-5

Let’s keep some facts in mind. In some parts of our seminar series called Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation, we’ve uncovered extremely important information that is often hidden from the public because it doesn’t fit with politically correct evolutionary ideas that dominate the academic and media world today.

We learned that that there is NO evidence to prove the earth is millions or billions of years old.  That whole idea is a fabrication of evolutionary speculation.

Almost all age-dating measurements point to a YOUNG EARTH… and YOUNG as in a FEW THOUSAND years – NOT MILLIONS and billions.

In our study about the fallacies of evolution it became very clear that the complexity of living cells is so vast that creation has absolutely no chance of ever happening by chance… without an intelligent Designer.

And when it comes to man’s origin, we uncovered the fact that man’s supposed evolution is an atheistically motivated pipe dream built on pathetic hoaxes and no solid evidence.  All the so-called “missing links” are PHANTOMS that never amounted to anything but apes or humans or frauds.

Have you ever wondered…

Why do certain problems seem to be increasing today?

Why are world governments so messed up?

Why is there so much strife and corruption?

Even… why are allergies increasing, chronic diseases increasing, school violence rising?

Yes, I know that sin is the ultimate ‘cause’ of all the bad stuff…

But, let’s face it.  We’re not completely satisfied with pat answers that we can’t do anything about.

And aren’t we commissioned by our Lord to do good works, help others with positive blessing and be constructive ‘lights’ in the world to bring thanksgiving to God?

What we are seeking is answers….

Answers to the age old question of ‘cause and effect.’

Christ’s followers are confident that the ultimate resolution to all the problems is the glorious return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth… but

Think – Cause and effect

Cause and Effect…is the most basic scientific principle, that is fundamental to all the branches of science and philosophy.

Cause and effect requires that an observed event can be traced to an event that preceded it.

Creationists believe the universe has a “First Cause” (God).

Atheists believe in NO “First Cause” for the universe.

All scientists accept the principle of cause and effect EXCEPT those who reject a Creator.

Evolutionists think their belief is scientific and that the creation position is unscientific faith.  In the study of origins, the evolution model clearly contradicts the natural laws of science, while the creation model complies with those natural laws.

What is a miracle?

An event or action that apparently contradicts known scientific laws

What miracles do Christians believe in?

• A Supernatural God exists (outside the known laws of nature).
• God has the ability to create the universe (all energy and matter) from nothing.
• God has the ability to design an orderly universe.
• God has the ability to create life.

What Miracles Do Atheists/Evolutionists believe?

• Matter and energy created themselves from nothing (violating the first law of thermodynamics).
• Life originated from non-life (violating the law of biogenesis).
• The universe began as disorder (the big bang) and became orderly over time (violating the second law of thermodynamics – the universal observable reality of the increase of entropy – everything is wearing out).

Both Christians and atheists have faith in miracles!

What kind of ‘Faith’ does atheism require?

What about Christianity?

Some say it takes more ‘faith’ to believe in evolution than to believe in A Creator God.

What is your definition of ‘Faith’?

“Faith is the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1

Faith in evolution is not Biblical faith… it is more like unrealistic gullibility for deceit.

Consider Some thoughts about our purpose:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear..”

1 Peter 3:15

Should we consciously be thinking that our daily purpose is to convince everyone around us to ‘accept the Lord?’  Or should we be open to dialog with those whom the Lord has prepared and stirred a curiosity in their hearts to ask us questions about why we believe the scriptures… that wonderful “seed” (of the word) that sprouted in us to bring us the revelation of His redemption and eternal life?

“Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God.”   

Matt. 22:29

“If they believe not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.” 

Luke 16:31

What is your objective?

Many facts of history and science prompt endless arguments between people with differing purposes.

If your objective is to know the truth and be liberated from destructive deceptions and ideas that lead to confusion and loss of personal liberty and happiness, then you have no reason to ever be afraid of the facts.

Any story sounds true until you hear the rest of the story.

Be aware of your mission – Is it to preach deliverance to captives?

• Isaiah 5:13 – “…my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge …”??
• Why do they lack knowledge?

See verse 12: “…They regard NOT the work of the lord, neither consider the operation of his hands.”  What should we expect when we allow our children to be taught about the wonders of God’s creation (biology, geology, astronomy, etc) by those who scorn the Bible and blaspheme God?  What’s going to be the outcome?  According to this scripture, this is the root cause of a generation of God’s own people becoming captive to a pagan system.  Read the book of Judges. When a generation forgets God (even when their fathers knew Him) their waywardness brings enemy tyrants to put them into slavery??  Why do they lack knowledge?

When you take time to look at any controversy, what do you find?

Does it matter what your lifestyle is if you expect your physical, mental and spiritual wellness to be at their best?

I’m not only talking about your sexual morality here.  What choices do you make with your food?  What do you place before your eyes?  What do you think about?  What are the effects of how you dress or present yourself?  Do your words and attitudes make a difference in your personal peace and prosperity?

“They did not like to retain God in their knowledge.”
Romans 1:28

“Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

 

How can this be?  Think of it.  If they actually reject the love of the truth – it’s a gift that would lead them to be saved – God will send them a strong delusion that they would believe a lie.

If they reject the love of the truth, what happens?

It’s wise to remember that evidence alone does not convince the heart of one’s need to repent and receive God’s gift of eternal life.  There are scriptures that point out how the evidence in the world about us is more for affirming one’s faith than for proving the existence of God or the truth of His word.

The lack of evidence beyond the Gospels leaves the work of persuasion to the Holy Spirit. Upon God’s power the Gospel advances, as Paul says: my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God (1 Cor. 2:4–5).

More to my point, the apostle writes, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16). The Spirit is the ultimate witness, the ultimate testimony of our faith.

God gives us the faith as a gift (Eph. 2:8), and gives us the Spirit as a seal of His assurance (Eph. 1:13–14).   We should expect to discover God’s natural evidences that validate what the revelation of His Word says, but we should not expect that mental persuasion alone is going to convince us of God’s call to repentance and His forgiveness for our life of being out of harmony with our Savior.

If we fall for the deception that it doesn’t matter how we think about important matters of life, then the more we resist the common sense will of God that is built into His natural creation, the more we will set ourselves up for more deception.

Job said: “Ask the beasts and let them teach you…Who doesn’t know that the hand of the Lord has done this?”

When you realize that Job exclaimed the obvious, we should take it to heart and give time to pointing out to our kids how God has created animals and bugs and birds and everything as awesome testimonies of His power and creativity and care.

Paul wrote: “God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen through what He has made.” (Romans 1:20).

The Psalm writers sang: “How manifold are Thy works” (Ps. 104) and that as we teach the next generation about the works of God they might put their confidence in God (Ps. 78).

If I ignore the natural laws of the universe that God created, I will pay the consequences.  If I disregard the principles of God’s wisdom displayed in the course of our interaction with others and with the world around us, I will eventually suffer from the negative results of my negligence.

Think how Missionaries share knowledge

That’s why missionaries from more civilized and advanced communities of people are compelled by their own consciences to share what they have learned with others who are not so blessed.  We want to share discoveries about better hygiene to avoid disease.  We want to share discoveries about better nutrition to avoid chronic debilitating conditions.  We want to share principles of good farming and water purification to bring others into greater health and prosperity.  And as we discover improved concepts of productivity, communications, human relationships and more efficient ways of human ingenuity, we naturally desire to bless others with what we’ve learned.  That’s all about reclaiming our legacy… and it’s accomplished even more as we help others to reclaim their legacy.

Just as God through the prophet Moses gave the Israelites a choice to obey God and live or turn from God and lose their life, so today God is always extending His grace through His people to turn from their self-destructive ways and walk in the light of God’s truth, His wisdom and His love.

When the apostle John wrote in 3^rd John that he prayed that his fellow disciples of Christ would, in all respects, prosper and be in good health, even as their soul prospered, I’m sure we can see that it would require an ongoing process of walking in the peace-giving insights and wisdom of God.

Let’s not think we can keep eating foods that are compromised by modern production processes without paying a terrible price in chronic disease.

Let’s not think we can bow to the convenience of man-made pharmaceutical drugs to accomplish what God’s naturally created order of nutritious food, good lifestyle and healing herbs can do to give us the wellness we desire.

The prophet Hosea wrote that “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.”  The funny thing is that we don’t know what we don’t know… and if we stubbornly think that there isn’t any more to know about the thing that is destroying some part of our lives through ignorance, we’ll never be able to fully experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.

Reclaim YOUR legacy

Learn about the disciplines and results of Godly character like honesty, truthfulness, integrity, self sacrifice, and so much more.  Invest your time to serve others with good people from whom you can learn such disciplines.

Invest in your own personal development … your skills, your practical and professional education.  Get good at something you really enjoy doing to provide benefits to somebody else.

That’s all part of ‘doing the will of God.’  And as you do the will of God and seek to know the knowledge of God – if you have a love for development and knowing the truth God’s going to lead you into more of it.  But if you reject it, you know the promise.  God’s going to send you ‘strong delusion.’

Take the time to learn about the things that contribute to your good health. Make a priority of learning all you can about the created natural order of how to stay in the best of personal wellness.  Discover the best of what nature has to offer along with the best of what scientific discoveries can provide as long as they cooperate with nature and do not poison or harm you.

And when it comes to your personal wellness, realize that it is just as much about your spiritual and mental health as it ever was about your physical health.  So naturally, those many complex choices you make in all those areas will affect your ability to have a greater capacity to expand your material prosperity… your wealth… your ability to bless your family and others with the necessities and even the comforts of life.

Do you want to leave a positive influence on the next generation?  It’s pretty hard to do that if you reject the wisdom that God puts in your path isn’t it?  Listen to the insights he gives you about character, skill development and personal wellness.  In the process, you’ll be better prepared to prosper and have the good health that the apostle John prayed about.

I urge you to reclaim all of your legacy.  Reclaim all that God has for you by seeking Him with all of your heart.  By applying the principles that He is giving you day in and day out to do the things – to exercise the disciplines – that are going to make a difference in your life and the lives that you influence.