Throughout history, societies have granted special recognition and privileges to marriage because it is the central organizing institution of human culture. Marriage regulates relationships, sexuality, human reproduction, lineage, kinship, and family structure. Also, marriage has performed another crucial function; it defines morality. Morality is much more than a definition of sexual activity. It provides structural and ethical balances that allow every individual to be respected and valued for their character, rather than social compliance. It is moral and ethical disciplines that regulate our freedoms into sustainable practices.

The true church should be built on the examples of Christ and the apostles, through the tangible power (rather than doctrinal theory), of the Holy Spirit. The functioning of our church needs to be representative of God's attitude and blessing to the human race, which also includes continuous refining of doctrinal issues. The positive way we treat each other, the way we respond to pressure or betrayal, should also reflect our God given testimony. Everyone in the church owes it to God, to have and continually present a positive testimony of overcoming and spiritual joy.

The biblical record reveals that there have been a number of times when nations and empires have been destroyed for refusing to repent from sinful behaviour. On all occasions, there were loud and clear warnings of what was about to unfold, but as a rule the people refused to take the warnings seriously. We are now moving rapidly towards the worst prophesied destruction this world has ever seen. All the signs are present as humanity is globally abandoning ethics and morality at an unprecedented rate.

Life is considered to be the most precious thing that we have and humanity has gone to great lengths to preserve it. Technology, hospitals, medicines, machinery and all sorts of techniques have been devised to try to sustain life. Pressure groups are always pointing out the perceived dangers of smoking, pollution, nuclear arms, climate change, etc., all expressing concerns for the values that maintain life. Not surprisingly, there is a much greater problem that men wilfully ignore. What happens after you die? Is it the end? Are there any other opportunities for further life? Is there another level of existence etc? It is typical of mankind to spend so much time and money trying to preserve his natural body (which ultimately perishes), while spending too little time investigating whether they can have a future after the body dies. What agency has been set up to investigate humanities greatest need? Mankind is foolishly worrying about immediate natural concerns at the expense of their future. What comes next... after you die? God asks us to consider these things and with the consideration he offers us a valuable answer.

The USA has a constitutional right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. These ideals have also been the basis for most of the western world and while loosely based on God's laws, have had a certain level of success. However, mankind always knows better than God. They keep meddling and changing their laws to better reflect their personal desires of the day (always pushing against the boundaries and morals that work best). They proclaim liberty and happiness but usually end up with more misery and pain for the human race. Not surprisingly, you cannot find or maintain joy and freedom by doing the same things that remove it. The Bible clearly points out that joy and lasting freedom will always be elusive unless they are the result of spiritual blessing. Your physical body and everything you hold dear in this world, will all cease at some point. All spiritual gains are never lost and can never be taken from you... not even by physical death. If you want something positive that lasts and will be a source of joy and contentment, then it needs to last longer than this worlds goods. God has revealed many wonderful and positive directions for those who are wise enough to make good decisions.

The world is stumbling from one crisis to another on a daily basis. Each failure is soon overwhelmed by another, often much worse. Most of our world leaders are too proud or foolish to take effective actions for fear that the press will crucify them for some petty breach of political correctness. There is madness in continuing to make choices that history has revealed can never work, especially when every action that leads to failure is already detailed in the bible. This world is so corrupted by evil and ignorance that any solution that involves God is not permitted... 'every answer except the one that works'. Even though the west was built on the Ten Commandments they are being abandoned at an alarming rate... and with it, the list of failures and misery continues to grow. Rather than return to proven models, they simply make more changes that can never work.

The Holy Spirit delivers us from humanity's failings and comes with a simple list of lifestyle changes that turn our weaknesses into blessings. These verses are similar to a product service manual, that makes it possible to understand new design and management practices that will keep us alive and well. Fellowship is much more than turning up at a meeting and communion is much more than drinking and eating food elements once a week.

We are called for one reason only... to live & preach the gospel! To compensate for the sacrificial attitude needed to obey God's plan, we have a perfect arrangement where our sins and failings can be forgiven as we serve the Lord with an undivided sense of purpose. That is why the Lord told us to seek first the kingdom of God (position and purpose), then he blesses our lives with all other needs. MAT 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things (natural needs and assets) shall be added unto you. This is God's way and produces doers rather than hearers... it also gives us a lifelong measure to rest upon. What is the urgent calling we have all been equipped to do? MAR 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. This requires sacrifice, faith and commitment (ongoing sense of urgency). That is, if you think your life and the life of God's children are worth saving.

This catchphrase grew popular in the TV series "Star Trek: The Next Generation," where an evil alien race called the Borg, tried to take over and assimilate every planet they came upon. "Resistance is futile" was the phrase used on those about to be taken captive... escape was impossible. Sadly, this is the reality for many trying to resist the downhill direction this modern world is taking. It won't end well, because the only solution is God and this world won't let God be the answer for anything! However, God will stun this world when Jesus Christ reappears to destroy everything that is a corruption of God's ways. Everyone is facing the certainty God's judgment... there is no escape. This perhaps, should be the application of 'resistance is futile' as everyone who resists Godss salvation will perish. HEB 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Both death and judgment are unavoidable. Thus any other life priority is futile.

Newton's third law is not only universal, but is also spiritually sound as well... 'For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction'. Engineers understand that unless that which is built is stronger than the forces working against it, it will collapse! Human life is no different. Unless we exert a greater force against death, then death will prevail. Spiritual life is equally bound by this truth... that is why the bible is primarily a book that teaches us how to fight against the certainty of death, with stronger powers that offer the certainty of life. Thus, the battle for spiritual life (the preservation of the soul), should be our first priority. Paul explains this reality... EPH 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (natural forces), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (spiritual forces). This is the true battle that should be the focus for everyone, at all times.... especially us.