Every living being is involved in a battle for survival. After that comes the emotional needs such as happiness, love, peace, etc., but when there is no apparent struggle for life, then all the emotional pleasures replace the necessities. Modern thinking would have us believe that the 'present time' is the only real thing and all else is an illusion or a distraction. This is a very dangerous attitude, because it assumes that our natural pleasures of each day is the only thing that counts. Each living person also has a soul that needs to be kept alive, because we are dual beings. While most are busy keeping the body and mind alive and happy, those who are wise are taking steps to keep the soul alive. Only the knowledge of true salvation makes this possible. 2COR 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (we no longer fight the same battle for survival and emotional comforts that the world does), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; God reveals the real battle and the best method to win it.

The ark that Noah built was like nothing ever seen before on the earth. It was big and obvious, but no one related to the message that went with its construction. None identified his preaching and the ark with salvation and safety... none had seen a great flood before. They all perished because they simply couldn't bring themselves to weigh up the evidence. Likewise, the spirit filled church is a spiritual ark, but for most people during the last 2000 years, the signs based church is not identified as a place of safety. Even though death has stalked humanity from their earliest existence, not even the promise of eternal life with signs following has been able to capture the hearts of the majority.

'Plug and Play' is a term used to describe the specific design of a computer system that makes it possible for the computer to use a device as soon as it is connected, with no special knowledge or training required. This is no different than the very effective plan of salvation (the New Testament), which Jesus Christ first introduced on the day of Pentecost. From the moment we receive the Holy Spirit we are ready to live forever and serve the Lord in truly amazing ways...

It is amazing how some things never change. We are warned by Mark, 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches (or power) to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. We also understand that wealth and power lead to a sense of entitlement and pride, making it very hard for the essential trait of humility and patience to be practiced (these being the only effective approach to God and his blessings). It is also not surprising that the age of entitlement (vast wealth and resources on tap for all Western nations) is taking its toll on both Christians and the nations themselves. Increasingly in our narcissistic age, we see a deluded self-belief and inflated sense of importance, made possible by technology and politically correct bullying.

Despite modern advances in technology, medicine and knowledge; humanity is still going backwards at an alarming rate. Death, sickness, wars, the abuse of the poor and the lust for dominance is worsening. Morals, integrity and justice are declining, being replaced with flawed practices that led to the failure of all past empires... it will happen again. However, the good news is that God has other plans for the earth. God had Noah build an ark to save those who believed the prophecy of a coming flood. Likewise, Jesus Christ is building another ark... called the church; which will also deliver those who prepare for the coming fire. Both destructive judgments are the results of human rebellion against the principles and creation of God.

Repentance is much more than feeling bad about your failings and shortcomings. Rather, it defines a willingness to obey God and to be directed by his principles of life. Feeling sorry or guilty is not what God expects, he wants people to make changes, to make commitments and stand by them. We need to obey his directives to receive the Holy Spirit and to use it to build a truly Christian lifestyle; full of mercy and blessings. A walk with God means submission to him and a change of direction. It also means that we will take responsibility for our own actions... not blaming others nor pretending to be spiritual. Thus we agree to both live by God's word and to offer the gospel to the unsaved. We are God's prophets; a living walking testimony.

One of the greatest mistakes people make is by expecting God to act in ways considered to be logical by human standards. God is a Spirit, thus his ways are different than ours. Our expectations and reasoning is very limited by comparison... with God seeming to be mysterious in many ways. ISA 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. If the correct scriptural approach is taken, many of the mysteries of God and his purposes, can be simply & easily used for the benefit of humanity.

It is going to take the near total destruction of the earth and the explosive, totally unexpected return of the Lord, to get people to take notice of their creator and the purpose of their existence. This is revealed to be the most earthshattering and important day in human history... totally inescapable. REV 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him (a day of great tragedy for all the unsaved, both dead and alive, of all cultures on the entire planet). Every human on the earth, no matter who, or where they are... even the dead will be granted consciousness to see the most amazing part of God's plan for humanity. The great majority will be devastated. We are continually warned in the scriptures of the certain return of Jesus Christ; his need to repair the unsolvable mess the human race has brought upon itself. This warning applies both to the unsaved and the church alike. Why the church? Because we have been called for a purpose that must be honoured, We have been given supernatural powers and abilities to walk in the Spirit according to God's purposes. Our sins and failings are catered for, so we can freely serve God within the purposes of the Spirit. We are free to choose our life as long as we make God our first priority in every action... a very small price to pay for eternal life. If we fail to walk in the spirit, people will die. We are the only hope for the unsaved and equally, we have powerful influences on other church members. Without the testimony of the saved (us)... everyone is hopelessly lost.

Despite all the multitudes and diverse cultures in this world, there are only two types of people that summarise all humanity. There are those that are spiritually alive and those that are spiritually dead. Spiritual life comes by the anointing of the Holy Spirit (through the death and resurrection of Christ) and the maintenance of that life has been established on the mercies of David. However, when the maintenance is lacking, troubles and despair will also create a great divide. The mercy that David established for all of us; has one key requirement that most people overlook. PSA 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Verse 13 reveals the basis of David's agreement with God. Those who walk in the spirit must also be servants and administrators of God's word... not just hearers, but doers. Being a hearer only is unhealthy. This is the obvious question that God directs to all his saints... ROM 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? It isn't enough to know the gospel and its promises, it has to be our life.

There have been some very special people in scriptural history whose sacrifices and faith have given us a lot more than we deserve, or could ever earn. Many who have gone before have made it possible for us to be part of this wonderful blessing of eternal life. David established a guaranteed pathway for the successful management of our sin and weaknesses. Jesus Christ died as a perfect sacrifice to provide the power and mechanism for eternal life... he also provided a system of fellowship and worship which is 100% effective. Let's establish the principles and promises relating to David, which allow us to manage our sins and failings.