PEACE If It Be Possible Otherwise Arm Yourselves

Common Sense Commentary:

I recently wrote a blog entitled "Peace Of Mind Is Temporal, Peace With God Eternal", in which I pointed out that, in Scripture, "Grace" always precedes "Peace".

Today, I examine another aspect of PEACE. That is, "Peace with people". "IF it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Rom.12:18. Four observations about this verse: (1) The big "IF" recognizes that "peace with all men" is next to impossible. (2) Though it is almost impossible, do the best you can to keep peace. (3) Peace with people is accomplished only in degrees ... "as much as (you are able) lieth IN YOU " not in them. (4) The Apostle was speaking to Christians not to the lost world. The only peace in this world "lieth in you " not in them. Grace accepted gives glory to God and that results in peace in the hearts of believers on earth.

"Peace with people" begs the question, "What if it is NOT possible ?" There are times when it is NOT possible.
In the above verse, the Apostle allowed for that probability but Jesus foretold its certainty. The peace that "lieth in you" is not shared by most of the world's population. That is why Jesus said something completely contrary to what most religionists believe, "Think not that I am come to send PEACE on earth: I came not to send PEACE, but a SWORD." Matt.10:34. What on earth did He mean by that ? When the heralding angels said, " On earth peace, Good will toward men", in Lk.2:14, they were saying "He who IS our peace, the Prince of Peace", has come down to earth, from God, with peace and good will toward all who will accept it." Earth has had a thousand wars since then so He didn't mean earthly peace but spiritual peace, inner peace, peace with God. Jesus knew that most people would not accept Him but would reject Him and thereby reject His peace and good will. The resulting conflict is the "sword" Jesus spoke of in the above verse. "The children of darkness" in conflict with "The children of light" . "For we wrestle ... against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph.6:12. The peace we Christians have in Christ and desire to share with the world is only available to those who accept Christ. Rejection of Christ results in rejection of Christians and enmity against both. Jesus said, "In me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation." Jn.16:33. This explains why Ecc.3:8 says, there is "a time of war and a time of peace".

The history in the Old Testament is a history of war between God's people Israel and pagan nations. That's not to say Israel was always right or in God's will. Even since Bible days, the history of man and the world is a history of war. Sometimes those wars were between equally evil powers, sometimes one or the other of opposing nations was more evil that the other. But also, some wars have been between darkness and light. Alexander the Great simply wanted to conquer everybody .... and pretty much did, but wept when there were no more worlds to conquer. Napoleon was similar. Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Mao were far more evil than those they conquered.

God is not opposed to the sword in defence of liberty, justice and safety. He created Civil Law, in Gen.9:5-6, for that purpose. He expanded on that original civil law with the Commandments and Law of Moses. In the New Testament, Rom.13:1-7, the Apostle says Law Enforcement Officers are called of God as "Ministers of God" to deal with evil. "But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid: for he beareth not the SWORD in vain: for he is ... a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

Neither is God opposed to the sword in self defence. Jesus, himself, told his Apostles "He that hath no SWORD, let him sell his garment and buy one." Lk.22:36. To this, His Apostles answered that they had two swords." V.38. We are not surprised that Simon Peter had one of those swords. Shortly after that, in V.49, they saw Judas leading a mob of Chief Priests, Elders, and enforcers with sticks and stones to take Jesus by force. His disciples naturally asked Jesus if this was the time to use those two swords. "They said ... Lord, shall we smite with the sword ?" Simon Peter didn't wait for an answer. He quickly drew his sword and slashed down on the nearest of them. His target must have dodged because Peter's sword just missed the guys head and sliced off his ear . Jesus restrained Peter, healed the man's ear and said, "shall I not fulfill what my Father sent me here to do ... die for your sins?" Jn.18:11. Paraphrased.

The principle of self defence was endorsed by Jesus in Lk. 11:21, "When a strong man ARMED keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace." The law says a man's home is his castle and he has the right to defend it.

This same principle is established in our U.S. Constitution, Amendment #2 "A well-regulated militia (citizen soldiers) being necessary to the security of a free state, the RIGHT of THE PEOPLE (not just soldiers) to KEEP and BEAR ARMS." This amendment is plain, (1) The RIGHT to KEEP, have, possess ARMS. (2) To BEAR, carry ARMS. Anyone who can't understand this simple English as to what our Second Amendment means, google the founding fathers' words on the subject of arms and self defence. Our first President, George Washington was there and was one of the signers of the Constitution. He also, personally, bore arms and said, "A free people ought to be armed." Boston Independent Chronical - Jan.14, 1790.

Side Note: In the old West Texas town of Pecos, back during the 1800's frontier days, a cowboy had been arrested for murder. The Courtroom was full of the victim's family and a few Friends of the accused looking in the open windows. The Judge hammered the court into session and surveyed the audience for several minutes. Then he turned to the Sheriff and said, John, give the defendant a pistol. He's the onliest one in this courtroom without a weapon. That was Texas. In those days there was very little law in the towns and absolutely none in the vast distances of open country. With Indians, wild animals, rattelers and murderers roaming the country, your pistol or rifle WAS the law. Looks like all those wild animals, rattelers and murderers had wicked offspring who now live, rob, rape, steal and murder in the big cities of America. I'd rather wander the wild west any day than any big city you can name. RB

Downsized E.U. The 10 Horns Prophecy Of Revelation?

Common Sense Commentary: Students of Prophecy have believed, for centuries, that the last secular, world empire would be a Restored Roman Empire composed of ten European nations.

The quote below is from the 2/26/11 issue of Money & Markets by Bryan Rich, a secular, financial newsletter. The article is entitled, "Social Unrest Setting Stage for Sovereign Defaults".

"And the root of the turbulence might not just be pain, but irreversible change. While many Middle Eastern citizens are seeking freedom and a just sovereign nation, what's under threat in Europe is loss of sovereignty. You see, the only plausible solution to the crisis in Europe is fiscal unity. That means the European countries that are defined by deep-rooted histories, heritage, ideologies, languages and national pride would consolidate into a true union, with one central governing power." This would not include fringe members as it does today in my opinion. Blue emphasis mine. RB

This final, secular, World Kingdom of ten nations was first mentioned in Danial 7:7, 20, 24. Also four times in Rev.12:3, 13:1, and 17:3,7,12,16.

Obituary Of An Old Friend and Mentor

COMMON SENSE COMMENTARY:

An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting but sadly true.....

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense , who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and Maybe it was my fault.


Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust , by his wife, Discretion , by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on.
If not, join the majority and do nothing as usual.

Money, Gold, Silver & Wealth In The Bible

Common Sense Commentary: Only you are responsible, as God's steward, for all you are and all you possess.

Many Christians have a conflicted opinion about money in general, but gold and silver in particular. They have a double standard similar to that of many vegetarians and animal rights advocates who strongly condemn any use of animals, cages, zoos or for food .... but they wear leather shoes, belts, wallets, purses and use many products with animal oils or substances in them. I have known Muslims and Jews who secretly ate bacon for breakfast when traveling away from home. In fact, there must be millions of religious double standards up and down every street and road.

The Christians who feel guilty about gold or silver jewelery, bullion or owning precious metals, have no problem with taking a big raise in salary or with "making too much money" as long as they are on the receiving end or it. Nor do they flinch at owning a business worth many thousands or even with wearing nice clothes or driving a nice car or having retirement savings invested in anything but gold , silver, or whiskey.

FILTHY LUCRE: In every case where the term "filthy lucre" is used in the Bible, it is in reference to greed or to those who are addicted to money or teachers of evil for money. See 1Tim.3:3&8 & Titus 1:7 & 11.

UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON: When Jesus referred to the "unrighteous mammon", He was applying the term to unjust and unfaithful stewards. He also instructed them to be generous with their wealth and thereby "make friends" with "the mammon of unrighteousness". Lk.16:8-11.

I. Everything in Heaven or earth belongs to their CREATOR GOD.
.....1. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein." Psm.24:1.
.....2. "The silver is MINE and the gold is MINE, saith the Lord of hosts." Hag.2:8. If it is God's, it cannot be filthy or unrighteous and if God gives it to you, it is not filthy and unrighteous. All depends on how you use it.

II. It is GOD, the Creator and Owner, who gives of His treasures to us.
.....1. "... "I gave her corn, wine, oil and multiplied her silver and gold (with) which they (made) Baal" ...an idol and false god. Hosea 2:8.
.....2. "... of their silver and gold have they made them idols ...." Hosea 8:4. God did not condemn them for having silver and gold, He gave it to them. He condemned them for misusing and abusing what He blessed them with and making a false, idol god instead of using it for good. Gold, silver and wealth of any kind is no different from what they buy, brass, iron, wood and stone. King Belshazzar made a great feast. Nothing wrong with that... but, He sent for the holy vessels of gold and silver which he had confiscated from the holy Temple of God in Jerusalem. He, his lords, princes and their wives and concubines wanted a new thrill. They began wickedly,presumptuously drinking wine from the holy vessels of God which led to even greater sin. "They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone." Dan.5:1-5. That's when the finger of God wrote their condemnation on their wall.... (Facebook ain't new).
.....3. God gave Apostle Peter "a piece (Gk.stater 'silver coin') of money" from a fishes mouth, to meet a need in Mt.17:27.
.....4. A young man asked me for money for a meal. I asked him if he knew the verse, "Give and it shall be given unto you...." "Yes", he said. "What does it mean?" said I. "It means to give", he said ... and handed me 32 grimy pennies. "No", said I, "It means to receive" ... and God gave him a job in our church and many meals.


III. Wealth of ANY kind cannot save your soul, keep it saved, or deliver you from the Great White Throne Judgment of God.
.....1. "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold from your (sins).... 1 Pet.1:18.
......2. "Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath." Zeph.1:18.
......3. "And Judah shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver.... in great abundance." Zec.14:14.
......4. Judas, the betrayer and greedy Socialist, was not only an Apostle but also "a thief". Read it for yourself in John 12:5-6 & 13:29. He also committed suicide. Why did Jesus include Judas ? It was prophesied. Evil highlights holiness as darkness optimizes light. Whereas, holiness dissipates evil as light banishes darkness. Hot vs. cold, positive vs. negative, sweet vs. sour.

IV. King Solomon described the Groom and Bride (Christ & His Church) and heaven in "golden" terms.... "Thy cheeks are comely (beautiful) with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. We will make thee borders of gold and studs of silver .... He made pillars ... of silver, the bottom ... of gold.... paved with love ...." Song of Solomon 1:10-11 & 3:10.

V. Gold and Silver and Wealth of every kind can be used in the Worship of God.
..... 1. Remember ...." The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." Hag.2:8.
..... 2. God also gives the tools to get wealth. "With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and has gotten gold and silver into thy treasures." Ezek.28:4.
..... 3. God gives not only the wealth but the wisdom and knowledge."If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth .... and it shall be given him ."Jm.1:5. "And God said unto Solomon, Because ... thou hast not asked riches, wealth, honor ... long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge ... that thou mayest judge my people ....wisdom and knowledge is granted thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth and honor ...." 2Chr.1:11-12. The way to riches and honor for the Christian is ...not to seek them ... but seek to obey God, fulfill His calling, care about His people, and seek wisdom and knowledge. Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt.6:33. I believe it.
..... 4. "...They shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD." Isa.60:6.
How can they bring gold and wealth if they do not already have it ? And, how do you give offerings, money, gold or anything to God anyway ? Do you throw it up into the air as high as you can and hope God catches it ? Do you take some T.V. evangelist's word that he is speaking for God ? Do you address an envelope "TO GOD" In care of Heaven .... Universe, U.S.A. ??? I heard a Radio preacher say, "We gittin mail from all over town, across the state and nation and universe." Like old Oscar said, "Now you gone too far ." Let me tell you, never send money to God. He doesn't need it or want it and the U.S.P.S. couldn't deliver it. Support a Solid, Bible Believing, Christ Exalting, God Worshiping Church, similar Missionaries, and be generous to those around you who have need but never send money to something or someone you don't know exactly what they do with it .... and that is seldom. In my sixty years of preaching, I've seen behind the cameras and crosses and microphones and walls of thousands of ministries and I can tell you that what you see on the surface is not necessairly what it is. Get in the above described church and support it. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse .... my house .... and I will open the windows of heaven ...."Mal.3:10.

VI. Wise Men stepped out of the Old Testament into the New Testament and brought gold and their wealth to God.
.....1. "There came wise men .... and fell down and worshiped (Jesus)... and opened their treasurers ... and presented unto Him gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matt.2:1 & 11. (Traveling expenses to Egypt).
.....2. The Holy of Holies, in the Tabernacle and Temple, had within it "the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid ... with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna ...."Heb.9:4. How did it get there and from whence came it ? God gave the people wisdom and knowledge to accumulate it by His hand and they brought it back to Him for His service. "All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee...."
1 Chron.29:14.
.....3. "Whither is greater the gold, or the Temple that sanctifieth the gold ?" Filthy Lucre and the unrighteous mammon become Holy when used to the glory of God.

VII. Gold, Silver, and all Wealth used for God can't be bad no matter how much you have.
.....1. Job was a millionaire but was ... "perfect, upright, feared God and hated evil ..." Job 1:1-2. He lost it all, and became an even better man through suffering and loss... and then God gave him twice as much as he had before.
.... 2. Heaven is made of precious metals and jewels. "Twenty four elders.... had on their heads crowns of gold." Rev.4:4. "And the city was pure gold ...." Rev.21"18. "And the street of the city was pure gold ...." Rev.21:2.

In a word, silver and gold, wealth is good if used for good. If not, it is filthy lucre and unrighteous mammon. Let your life's goal be serving God and He will take care of the rest. You concern yourself with the "DEPTH" of your ministry and God will take care of the "BREADTH" of it.

Pass it on. RB

Common Sense Commentary: This woman obviously has no clue as to what her job is, or what she is supposed to do as the Inspector General of the Federal Reserve.......... The issue is the oversight pertaining to the ever-expanding, out of control balance sheet of the Fed. You will be absolutely stunned by this short video clip! In your wildest dreams you couldn't imagine anything like this happening in the USA. Click below. http://dailybail.com/home/there-are-no-words-to-describe-the-following-part-ii.html WHO IS KEEPING TRACK OF THE FED's TRILLIONS? Remember a Trillion is a thousand Billion.So a Trillion is = $1,000,000,000,000 This bureaucrat obviously has no idea as to what her job is and is the perfect appointee for this administration to oversee the Federal Reserve which prints and handeles trillions of dollars. She has no idea where the money has gone or what the Senator is talking about. One more example of a very highly paid public official who is totally in the dark.

A Born Again Liberal Birther Questions President 'O'

Common Sense Commentary:


Where do these self confessed "Far Left Liberals" get off, questioning our President's birthright to be President ? If they aren't sure he was born in Hawaii, as he says, and is an honest to goodness red white and black American, why did they scream so loudly that he was "our last best hope"; and why did they campaign so fanatically for him and haul in bus loads of "politically correct" resurrected voters to put him in the White House ? Everybody knows he was born in the little jungle village of Kenya, Hawaii which is just 12,000 miles east or west of Honolulu in a distant corner of the state. Below you will read one of these "Far Left Liberal" commentators who has seen the light, been saved from Political Correctness, repented of his sin of gullibility and now wants to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but. He is a new man, a born again Birther you might say.... you might... not I. Maybe we can help him get his other " Far Left Liberal" ideas out of the ditch Delusion. Read on ....

http://thesop.org/story/20110216/shock-poll-birthers-a-majority-of-likely-2012-republican-voters.html


Shock Poll: Birthers A Majority Of Likely 2012 Republican Voters

By Robert Paul Reyes (Self confessed "Far Left Liberal")

"A slim majority of Republicans are still in disbelief that President Barack Obama, now in his third year in office, was born in the United States and therefore is legally eligible to be president, according to a poll by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling.

The survey looked at whom these "birthers" prefer in the 2012 Republican presidential primary contest. Among the 51 percent of Republicans who think Obama was born outside of America, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was preferred by 24 percent, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin by 19 percent, former Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) by 14 percent and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney by 11 percent."

http://www.rollcall.com/news/Poll-Majority-GOP-Birthers-203418-1.html?ET=rollcall:e9834:80104117a:&st=email&pos=epol

The mainstream media depicts Americans who believe that Barack Obama wasn't born in the United States as a tiny fringe element in the Republican Party. Even Fox News doesn't take the complaints of the "birthers" seriously.

A poll by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling indicates that a majority of Republicans doubt that Obama was born in the United States. That`s not exactly a fringe element.

To believe that Obama wasn't born in America, is to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his presidency. You would think that Obama would be horrified by the results of this poll, and finally release his birth certificate, to remove all doubts once and for all.

Only arrogance or the lack of a valid birth certificate can account for Obama`s failure to release his birth certificate to the media. I`m not claiming that Obama was born in Kenya or Indonesia, but I am demanding that he provide proof that he was born in Hawaii.

The results of this poll indicate that Obama`s failure to release his birth certificate will be one of the top issues of the 2012 presidential campaign. I`m a far-left liberal who voted for Obama, but I will not vote for his re-election if he doesn't cough up his birth certificate.

It`s sad to say, but as things stand now the totally incompetent Sarah Palin is more qualified than Obama to serve as president, at least there are no doubts that she was born in America.

Pass it On. RB

Words Are Powerful Little Things

Common Sense Commentary: What I am interested in, under the above title, is human behavior in reaction to words.

I. SEMANTICS - Words are the product of Semantics (sema=a sign + ics =to see) which is, to mentally see something said or written. Words do that through our ears or eyes to our brain. Semantics is the science of meanings as contrasted with Phonics which is the science of sounds or enunciation.

Webster says that "words" are "an articulate sound or series of sounds which symbolizes or communicates an idea or thought".

Words can be thought or communicated audibly or written with a tiny bit of ink or black lead on a page. As powerful as they are mentally, emotionally and educationally, words are physically no more than a breath of sound or that tiny bit of ink or lead on paper. It is their meaning, arrangement and volume wherein lies their power.

II. ACTION and REACTION to Words - We are all, from time to time, faced with unpleasant situations and harsh words. Some personalities are addicted to intimidating others. Conversely, others are easily intimidated. (1) Intimidation is an action over which the intimidated person has no control; but they DO have control of how they react to it. We do not have to be intimidated by any human no matter their position, power, fame or relationship. For instance, the intimidator may have a dominating, intimidating personality which they are well practiced and expert in using. This personality flaw usually isn't even recognized by themselves; they do it automatically. The targeted person cannot be intimidated unless they ALLOW themselves, by their REACTION, to BE intimidated. We cannot be intimidated with WORDS alone unless we put ourselves in that position by our own reaction. (2) Anger, whether with or without justification, is usually a reaction to something someone said or wrote. Again, anger cannot arise without our having given place to it. It is a reaction. You cannot be forced to be angry. (3) Insult is the same. No matter how bad someones words may be, if they call you all kinds of terrible names, just remember that their words are reflecting far more about themselves than about you. If you know who your are and what you are not, you cannot be insulted unless you react negatively and let words wound and insult you. It really is your choice not theirs. (4) Scared is also, obviously, a reaction to a perceived threat, whether real or imagined. It too is a reaction which may or may not be useful in a bad situation. More often than not it is not useful.(5) Offended - Offensive words may be cast at you in artillery barrage proportions but, unlike sticks and stones, they cannot hit or hurt us unless we react to them. Being always sensitive to negative WORDS
about or to us is similar to someone throwing a rubber ball against a wall. If it always bounces off the wall and back to the hand of the thrower, he will continue bouncing you off the wall. STOP REACTING !

All of the above emotions are not actions but reactions and therefore are within our own power to be hurt or not. "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." 1Cor.15:28

III. Words Beat War - God's Word says "There is a time for war and a time for peace". Ecc.3:8. I really believe that if just Christians would stand up against tyranny and evil, and speak out vocally and by the pen, and be absolutely committed to resisting it, that most wars could be avoided. Notice I said "most" not all. Edward Lytton coined the phrase, "The pen is mightier than the sword" which I believe is true. But the problem is .... getting the right people to faithfully put "The Pen" to work until the tyrant is de-horned. Words on the internet dethroned Mubarak and Words elected many recent political candidates.

Sound reasoning, communicated by spoken and written words, is our greatest weapon against power hungry politicians and in strengthening a civilized, free society. If we do not step up and speak out, we will lose our nation to those who tend to scream, demonstrate, and expect the Government to support them with our taxes.

We must not just be intimidated or angered or insulted or offended or scared of the enemies of freedom and of political tyrants; WE MUST ACT NOT REACT. WE MUST STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT. WE MUST USE OUR WORDS WISELY AND OFTEN IF WE ARE TO WIN BACK AMERICA.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but WORDS will never hurt me. The first half of that childhood idiom is true enough but it is rarely true that "Words will never hurt me". I think that could only be true if a person were so close to Christ as to be in His shadow. Few, if any, there be who are so selfless and secure in Christ within , as to refuse to allow themselves to be intimidated, insulted, offended or scared by words alone. W.E. Henley penned these last words of his poem, Invictus. "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Though the poem is powerful, it is also presumptuous to the extreme, but it has an element of truth in it. You alone must accept responsibility for your own soul''s decision as to whether you will accept or reject God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. He has done everything necessary to save you. He will not force himself upon you. It is your decision and if you die without Christ ... God is not at fault.

IV. THE CORRECT PASSWORD - Words come in hundreds of languages and in a dictionary full of different meanings. Words range from Heaven to Hell, good tidings and bad tidings, a declaration and a question, a promise and a curse, compliment and criticism, accusation and denial and thousands of others.

A correct Password will open a million locks on the Internet highway. Another correct Password will open the windows and gates of Heaven to those who have it ... and that Password is JESUS, the living Word of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....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 & 14.

Pass it on. RB

How Fragile And Explosive Our World

Common Sense Commentary:

That day seemed normal and peaceful in Tunisia. A vegetable and fruit seller was arrested. Such arrests had become common but, though just a spark, it was THE spark that set off an explosion of rebellion that brought down the government. Like the straw that broke the camel's back, the Tunisians had reached the end of their patience. They could bear no more injustice, no more corruption, no more pompous, elitist government abuse. They were at their wits end, they could take no more. This little spark, ignited a flame and the flame an inferno which rapidly spread to Egypt where it exploded in Hosni Mubarak's face and brought down his thirty year Pharaonic reign. Food prices were rising and there were no jobs and yet the government increased their burdens. From Egypt the fire of revolution leaped across the desert to Jordan and several other countries. Such is the story through all of history and the nature of populations faced with injustice, unreasonable laws and the worn thin stress of people under the heel of corrupt, abusive governments and politicians.

Injustice and Civil unrest have reached their tipping point in the Middle East and could easily spread to Asia, Europe and the Americas, including the U.S. Injustice, unfair laws and political corruption may survive and flourish for many years, as it did in the Soviet Union, but suddenly there is that final spark that ignites the volatile fumes of tyranny and the injustice which accompanies it. The spark becomes a flame and the flame a fire-storm and then an inferno of Civil War. All injustice and corruption must eventually come to an end and a re-balancing take place. Our country is not immune. The American people are fearful and angry at politicians, bureaucrats, Wall Street, Mammoth Banks and International Corporations which pay themselves unbelievable salaries and bonuses while losing the stockholders money.

In my opinion, the fuse of rebellion in our own country quietly awaits that final spark.


Jesus Christ is the hope of the world .... the only true, lasting hope. He is our "HOPE of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." Titus 1:2

Pass it on. RB

Peace Of Mind Is Temporal, Peace With God Eternal

Common Sense Commentary: .......True, Lasting Peace is a Product of Heaven !

When Jesus was born, the angels sang out, "Peace on earth, good will toward men". That is, peace has come down to earth in the form of the baby Jesus and He comes with good will toward all men (hu-man-ity). Jesus came to a restless, troubled unpeaceful world with "peace and good will" for all who would accept it... freely.

The bold, fearless Prophet Isaiah declared in Isa.57:21, "There is no PEACE saith my God to the wicked." Then the weeping Prophet Jeremiah said they were saying "Peace, peace when there is no peace." Jer.8:11. God had looked down upon humanity, whom He had created in His own "image and likeness", and saw a world of turmoil and wickedness, but He loved us anyway. Jn.3:16 "For God so loved the world ...." (It was the grace of God which loved this wicked world). "... that he gave His only begotten Son .... (Yes, the "grace full" love of God sent Jesus to earth to die for our "wicked" sins) "...that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

l. God's hand of GRACE reaches down to our hand of FAITH .... "For by GRACE are you saved, through FAITH, and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God. Not of (selfrighteous) WORKS lest any man (hu-man) should boast." Eph.2:8-9. "For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Gal.2:16.

ll. God's GRACE-full Love, when accepted through FAITH in Jesus Christ, saves us from the guilt and penalty of sin and thereby we receive PEACE with God. "Having made PEACE through the blood of His Cross ...."Col.1:20.

lll. Peace with God is His Gift to true believers .... "Now the Lord of PEACE himself GIVE you PEACE...." 2Thess.3:16. ....."Peace I leave with you, my PEACE I give unto you: not as the world giveth ...." Jn.14:27.

IV. Jesus not only GIVES us PEACE ... He IS our PEACE. "For he IS our PEACE ...."Eph.2:14

V. From the moment we believe, the Spirit of Jesus lives in us to nurture and produce spiritual
fruit through our lives. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE ...."Gal.5:22. There are nine different blessings listed in v.22-23 but they are all ONE fruit like sections of an orange. Notice the verse says, "The FRUIT (singular noun) IS (singular verb) love, joy, PEACE ...." The Spirit of Christ is producing those nine spiritual blessings, in some degree, large or small, in every true Christian ... not based on how much of Him we have but how much of us He has. He is a person, the third person of the Trinity. If we have the Spirit of Christ at all, we have all of Him.
"... God giveth not the Spirit by measure." Jn.3:34. You have all of Him or none of Him. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Rom.8:9.

Vl. PEACE with God will strengthen your MIND as well as your heart. "The PEACE of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and MINDS THROUGH Christ Jesus."
Phil.4:7.

Vll. GRACE always precedes PEACE. In every verse where GRACE and PEACE are mentioned, GRACE is always listed first followed by PEACE. There is GRACE available for every human being on earth but can be rejected which forfeits PEACE. There is no PEACE without GRACE.
In all 13 of Apostle Paul's epistles (letters) he begins with "GRACE and PEACE unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Also in both of Apostle Peter's epistles, he uses that phrase. Apostle John also uses it in 2Jn.1:3.

Pass it on. RB

Struggle Is Good ... Unless You Quit ! ENDURE !

Common Sense Commentary:

Struggle is an absolute essential in the reaching of goals in life, whether it be athletics, military training, college degrees, building a business or making a living. Enduring struggle is essential in surviving it. Struggle is difficult, painful, discouraging, but never easy. If it were easy, everybody would be an athletic champion, a roaring success, or a graduate. Struggle eliminates the lazy, the quitters, the indifferent and the weak. At least, the physically weak will gain strength through struggle ... IF ... they are not just lazy and... IF ... they do not quit ! Nothing worth while is easy ... including the Christian Life. "You shall be hated ... for my sake: but he that ENDURETH to the end shall be saved (safe)." Mk.13:13....... "ENDURE hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2Tim.2:3....... "ENDURE afflictions "....2Tim.4:5 ........ "ENDURE grief ...." 1Pet.2:19.............
"We count them happy which ENDURE. Ye have heard of the patience (perseverance) of Job." Jm.5:11.

I. The Apostle Paul warned us of hardship and STRUGGLE in Christian Growth. "We are troubled on every side, perplexed, persecuted, cast down ... bearing about in our bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life of Jesus may be seen in us." 2Cor.4:8-10. ...... BUT "...All these things are for your sakes (for your good)." v.15. ........ "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." v.17. Struggle is Good !


Paul didn't just preach it; he lived that life of STRUGGLE as a faithful witness for Christ..... In hard labor, in prisons frequently, in danger of death often, beaten five times with thirty nine stripes (195 scars on his back), stoned three times, shipwrecked, long walking journeys, perils in the sea, perils of robbers, perils of the jews, and of the heathen, in the cities, in the wilderness, perils among false Christians, weariness, painfulness, hunger, thirst, fastings often, cold and nakedness, plus the care of the churches ..... But we glory in tribulations ... knowing that tribulation worketh patience (perseverance): and patience experience, and experience hope and hope makes us unashamed. 2Cor.11:23-27. Hard times teach us not to be afraid of hard times like hard work teaches us not to be afraid of hard work and we grow stronger in perseverance to endure the struggles. Struggle is Good !


II. The patience (perseverance) of Job grew out of his STRUGGLE with long months of pain, loss, loneliness and complete ruin. He lost his children, wife, health, friends, and almost his hope .... It was stretched to the limit .... but he cried out, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
Job gave this testimony, "I was at ease, but God hath broken me asunder: He hath also taken me by my
neck and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark (target)." "But He knows the way that I take: When
He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10. Struggle is Good !


III. David STRUGGLED with sin, betrayal and sorrow. "I have eaten ashes ... and mingled my drink with weeping. Because of thine indignation and thy wrath : for thou hast lifted me up and cast me down."Psm.102:9. When David reached the bottom of his sin and emotional pain, he repented and God healed and forgave him. "Before ... I was afflicted, I went astray: But Now I have kept thy word." Psm.119:67.
Struggle is Good !

IV. Naomi STRUGGLED with the loss of her family and with God's redirection of her life. She, and her husband had taken their two sons out of God's will, in Bethlehem, and went astray down to Moab. There she lost everything but gained a daughter-in- law, Ruth. God led her to return to Bethlehem where her old friends greeted her with a question. She had aged and they asked, "Is this Naomi ???" Naomi answered, "don't call me Naomi (pleasant) call me Mara (bitter) for the almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty."
Ruth 1:20-21. Yes, she was broken, broke and bitter, but God used her brokenness and poverty to place her in a vital and strategic spot in the genealogy of Jesus which went through Ruth, who married Boaz.
Struggle is Good !

V. STRUGGLE is exercise, physical, mental and spiritual. "No chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are EXERCISED thereby." Heb.12:11. Struggle strengthens your character, weakens your rebellion, moderates your excesses, burns out your hidden sins, purifies your mind, diminishes your selfrighteousness, increases your compassion for others and expands your love for God and His people. Looking back on my own life, I can now see clearly that the hard, painful and fearful days of my life, that seemed so terrible at the time, have turned out to be beautiful stepping stones into the will and purpose of God for my life. With the Apostle Paul I can say, "We glory in tribulations .... knowing that tribulation worketh patience (perseverance). Rom.5:3. The Apostle Peter had the same testimony.... "The God of all grace .... after you have suffered a while, (will) make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1Peter 5:10. Struggle is Good !

STRUGGLE Is Good !!! IF you do not Quit. Hard times will either make you or break you .... depending on how you take them and if you do not Quit. Struggle is Good IF you do not give in, and IF you do not give out, and IF you do not give up, and IF you do not Quit. Struggle is Good !

When things go wrong as they sometimes will .....
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill ....
When funds are low and the debts are high ....
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh....
When care is pressing you down a bit ....
Rest, if you must, but DON'T YOU QUIT. .....
Life is strange with its' twists and turns. ....
As everyone of us sometimes learns. ....
And many a failure turns about. ....
When he might have won had he stuck it out: ....
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow.....
You may succeed with another blow.....
Success is failure turned inside out ....
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt. ....
And you never can tell how close you are. ....
It may be near when it seems so far. ....
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit. ....
It's when things seem worst that you MUST NOT QUIT !
Author Unknown

Struggle is Good ! Pass it on. RB

My "State Of The Union" Speech

Common Sense Commentary:

Last night, I had a meeting with me and myself at which I was unanimously elected PRESIDENT OF MY BLOG . Today, I sit in the official chair at my National Broadcasting Computer Network. As President, I am typing my Annual State Of The Nation Speech. I have analyzed the state of our nation and concluded that what the other President should have said is, "We have just three options available to us in our present financial dilemma. They are, Hyper-Inflation, Utter Default, or Extreme Austerity."

Choice Number One: HYPER INFLATION. We can simply do what the Federal Reserve Bank and the present Administration are already doing. That is, just print however much money it requires to pay our U.S. debt to bond holders China, Japan, other Nations and many foreign and domestic citizens, the money we owe them. This we can do by printing brand new U.S. dollars out of thin air ... that is "trees", from which comes our special, high quality, air paper currency. Under this option, the buying power of everybody's savings, retirement funds, Social Security, and wages will decrease steadily until there is nothing left of the"filthy lucre" value, except the beautiful, special, high quality, air paper with "green" portraits of Presidents, pyramids, big eyes or other desirable, museum quality art which we can frame and hang. This option will also leave in its' wake a hyper inflationary economy here, and around the world, like unto Weimar Germany in the 1920's which led to Hitler and WWll. The U.S. dollar will have lost it's highly profitable position as the World's Only Reserve Currency and will have become a mini-art piece, fuel and a global by-word ...


Choice Number Two: UTTER DEFAULT. This option is what Iceland chose when it went bankrupt. Simply refuse to pay the sixteen trillions plus we have borrowed or promised. One trillion is only one thousand billion and what's a trillion or two between friends ? This option would be akin to simply declaring bankruptcy. The good news is, our world-wide credit would be totally destroyed, like cutting up a teenager's credit card. Then we would be prevented from borrowing so much money ever, ever, ever again. Nobody would buy the dumb bonds. That's a good thing. Another savings ... it would reduce the budget for our nervous politicians and allow them and our President to notify all those on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Government Retirement and Disabled Veterans, that "we have no more real money to pay you". At the same time, they will notify all those tax paying workers, "You get to pay double, triple or quadruple taxes .... take your pick. Another good thing is, you tax payers will get to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots so the haves can cross over that gap and become "more equal" and not have to pay taxes either. There's always the soup kitchens, draining near-empty beer bottles, smoking snipes off the sidewalk and sleeping on it too. No rent, no grocery bills, no health insurance and no job. It doesn't cost much to live.

Choice Number Three: EXTREME AUSTERITY. This option is the only honest option of the three. If we had followed our ancestors, who were almost all practitioners of austerity, frugality, honesty, hard work, accountability, responsibility and savings, we would not now be in a national and personal debt crisis like Noah's flood without a kayak. I'm sad to say, our "election obsessed" political leaders, will not choose this honest option. You see, our wonderful country, of the "American Dream", has lost those good, rational traits just mentioned, and our national Character as well. The President, the majority of congress and of Americans would prefer to default on our legitimate debts or print endless, weak, paper money to repay ninety cent dollars with five cent dollars. That's blatant dishonesty as a remedy for a sixty five year national spending binge. Time to pay the piper. The fat lady has sung, the curtain has fallen ....the show is over. Tighten your belt, save your money .... but not in paper.

Pass it on. RB