Our LORD in Matthew 7:24 stated very clearly that a wise man is one who builds his house upon the rock. I have had in my travels to see in southern California houses built on the side of a steep hill overlooking the ocean. These houses are supported by stilts coming from the ground. The problem with this is the ground is soft and susceptible to mud slides from torential rains. We see reports often of houses swept away and people crying over their loss. Why should they cry? They should know building a home supported by stilts in the area where they live is very questionable. Solid foundations can support the home in  rough weather. Last year in Texas, a beachfront home withstood a category 5 hurricane while all the homes around it were wiped out. Why? The house was built to withstand the storm. JESUS tells us in this verse that the only way we will be able to " withstand the wiles of the devil" is to be firmly grounded in HIS Word. The better we know the Bible, the better prepared we are to take what life throws at us. Are you able to withstand the storms of life and live faithfully for our LORD?

 The Bible admonishes us to " train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This admonition from GOD puts heavy responsibility on the shoulders of parents, grandparents, teachers, and church leadership. I witnessed this admonition in action Monday at Word of Life camp in Schroon Lake. My wife, Cathy, and I were there to judge teens using their abilities in different areas. Cathy judged music groups, and I judged Jr. high young men in preaching. What was so satisfying to see was when the boys were preaching, many of their family and friends were there to offer encouragement. There was prayer with the boys before they started, and lots of hugs after they were through. As I witnessed these happenings I realized that the training these boys were getting at home was active and vital. Their parents and churches were deeply involved in the lives of these young men. This is what the verse I quoted at the start is all about. Training involves leadership, love, and example. This was exemplified as I was judging. I am encouraged to see this and spurred on to make sure I am doing these things with my family and the young people that attend our church. My prayer for myself and you is that we become "good Trainers!"

    We have a great honor to live as children of GOD in this world and let our faith and trust in GOD be evident in guiding our daily lives. The question I ask myself, and you should as well, is " how different are we from those without CHRIST?" Paul in Romans 12:2 makes a very solid statement that is loaded with implications. He says, " ...do not be conformed to this world....". Do we conform to the world by the music we listen to? Is conforming to the world controlling how we dress, or maybe even those with whom we closely associate with? This can be a very slippery slope for the believer because we are faced with an onslaught of culture in our country that is blatantly ungodly. The paper said today that Michael Jackson was a "music deity". What does that say about where we are as a nation? GOD has given us all things to enjoy, and yet moderation in all things must be our lifestyle.  We must hold firmly to Biblical standards of Godly living that have been is not conformity to this world so that they will like us, but it is to "...be transformed by the renewing of our mind." The only way we can accomplish this is to know GOD's word so well that it will guide us daily in our thoughts and actions. Where do you stand?

  Yesterday we began looking at what the Bible says about the final days before CHRIST returns a 2nd time to earth. If the signs indicate HIS coming is close, how much closer are we to the rapture of the church? Paul teaches in 2 Timoth 3:2-4 that the final days will be marked by mockers who ridicule GOD and those who follow HIM! Lifestyles will be in direct opposition to what GOD has revealed for us, and yet people will not care. Just read in the newspapers, or observe on the TV screen how those who truly obey GOD in their lives are ridiculed, or discounted as unimportant. Matthew 24: 9-10 tell us the last days will be days of hatred and persecution on GOD's people, the jews, and those who name the name of CHRIST as Lord and Savior. This is everywhere today. Peace will be the topic of discussion between countries even as armaments are built up. 1 Thess.5:2-6 tells us as much. There is much more revealed in the Bible, but to those who are looking for CHRIST's appearing, realize that we may be seeing many things that the Bible teaches falling into place. Israel is back into it's land so things are ready. Again, are you ready for HIS appearing