The Memory And Topic Of 911 Is A Continuing Hurt In The Heart Of Americans, So Speaking Anything Controversial

The memory and topic of 911 is a continuing hurt in the heart of Americans, so speaking anything controversial about this poignant moment in history is sure to cause surprise or anger. We at NOTES ON LIFE are not political, so please read this with an open mind, heart, and soul.

An extremely important, timely and relevant spiritual lesson is directly tied to today’s scripture which was ignorantly quoted out-of-context in Congress on Capitol Hill on 9/12/2001 by Senator Tom Daschle, then four years later in commemoration by Senator John Edwards. Likewise President Bush, like the rest of the nation, echoed this theme in defiance to the attack that “We Will Rebuild.”

In carefully re-reading this verse, it speaks of the condition of the hearts of those whose bricks had been toppled, that being one of PRIDE AND ARROGANCE. The backstory here was that the Israelites had been attacked and beaten down by an enemy that worshipped a false god, yet in previous times, Israel always stood strong and was protected and victorious because they were faithful to God’s Word, and upheld righteousness. The exact same could be said for the United States of America.

In ancient times as at 911, the reason why they were attacked and ’the bricks (towers) fell down’ was that our nation had likewise fallen away from righteousness. You may strongly disagree with the following, but here are the facts about where the U.S. is both socially and spiritually in regards to its Lack of Righteousness.

Likewise our Pride and Arrogance has permitted a nation that has no bounds on sexual behavior or responsibility, pornography is consumed by the majority, speaking openly about God and the Bible is Forbidden, ridiculed or outlawed, there is a Disregard for Law and people in authority and Elders are Disrespected, Injustice is Rampant, people are Unapologetic about bad behavior, government and businesses are Fiscally Irresponsible, the most innocent are routinely Murdered and legalization and intoxication with Drugs are Openly Celebrated. Now the question we have to ask ourselves as a nation is Are these behaviors RIGHTEOUS?

The Bible speaks clearly about what happens when we operate outside of righteousness saying:

“Judge us Lord according to our RIGHTEOUSNESS, and do not let those that triumph over us rejoice when we do not.” Psalm 35:24 (paraphrased)

America - this is exactly what happened on 911. We were judged according to our (lack of) righteousness by a godless hateful, lost peoples and then – just exactly as in ancient times - we defiantly rebuilded, and those that attacked us celebrated and rejoiced. HISTORY DOES INDEED REPEAT ITSELF.

Now the GOOD NEWS: It does not have to continue on this way. America can recover and be free of this 20 YEAR CURSE if and when we bring HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS back to our shores - if not as a nation, we can do so as individuals. We need to REPENT Not REBUILD and not rebuild security, towers, or walls, but REBUILD HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Then and only then will another 911 not happen for we will have true protection and again become One Nation “Under God.”

May we always reverently Remember and Honor those that died this day, but not Repeat It.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

Pastor-Teacher Wayne Estrada

A Letter Written To And Answered by BILLY GRAHAM

DEAR DR. GRAHAM: You probably get asked this question a lot, but do you think we will be reunited with our pets in Heaven? Our dog died recently after almost 15 years, and I just can’t imagine being happy in Heaven unless he is with us. -- Mrs. S.J.

DEAR MRS. S.J.: God will provide us with everything we need to be happy in Heaven -- and if animals are necessary to make us completely happy there, you can be confident He will arrange for them to be with us.

Some Bible scholars have pointed out that the Bible suggests there may be animals in Heaven -- but without the aggressiveness and dangers that are part of their lives now. The prophet Isaiah saw God’s coming Kingdom as a place of absolute peace, where even animals that had once been enemies will be friends. He wrote, (Isaiah 11:6).

Over the years, my wife and I have had many pets, and I understand your grief; we are always sad when they die. I sometimes wonder, however, if God isn’t using them to remind us of a far greater reality -- and that is the reality of our own deaths. Life is brief, and it can end in an instant. The Bible says there is "a time to be born, and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:2).

That is why we must never take life for granted, but see every minute as a gift from God to be used for His glory. And if we aren’t sure of our eternal destiny, now is the time to be sure by making our commitment to Christ.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

Hidden inside the spelling of the word “believe” not so coincidentally is the word “LIE,” and this raises an interesting question about the state of how belief works.

If you think about it, either you BELIEVE something or you DON’T beLIEve something — and there’s no in-between. That is, either you believe something to be true, or else it is a lie…and that is the crux of today’s scripture message.

Either Christ rose from the dead or He didn’t! It’s really that simple, and the question is 'How does one know that, and what would cause someone to come to that conclusion?”

Romans 10:17 says that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” while Hebrews 11:1 adds to that “Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, (and) the EVIDENCE of things not seen.” You see, BELIEF is based on EVIDENCE and that evidence is what the Word of God says. The tough question all must make is, 'Is this evidence TRUE or is it a LIE?'

No one can convince you of that, because you have to make up your own mind. Perhaps it is a LIE and if so, you can ignore, scroll past, or delete, but if it IS true and you believe it, the promise is that God will save your soul for a life in eternity.

Do you believe this or is it a lie? YOU CHOOSE

NotesOnLife.org

by Dr. Jeanne Sheffield Estrada

Today’s world presents us with so many visual images flashing and enticing us with every blink of our eyes that it is easy to both consciously and unconsciously contaminate our souls with useless trash that has no real purpose or benefit to us.

Just as a home can be contaminated with mold or disease, so have our souls been dirtied with images, stories, and ideas presented in the world that are contrary to God’s nature and pureness. This is why (like a healthy home) it is imperative to guard the windows of our eyes which lead to our soul and to stop looking at anything that keeps our eyes from falling upon things that are not good:

“ Keep your eyes looking straight before you and... don’t turn them looking right or left.” - Proverbs 4:25,27 (paraphrased)

My dear friend, do not start every new year with a worldly resolution but instead 'purpose in your heart' as Daniel did in worldly Babylon as he “...resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food” (Daniel 1:8) to not consume things that are harmful to you. This means web sites, pictures, TV or movies that distract and pollute your soul (you KNOW what they are!)

Instead, ask God to help you open your eyes to only see and partake of those things which are clean and wholesome. Cast your eyes as much as possible each day on God’s Word! Open the eyes of your soul to those things which are pure and these will enrich and strengthen the core of your very being.

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

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Walking through this life isn’t always easy, often challenging, and sometimes even downright dangerous. The question — especially when times are tough and the answers uncertain — is 'What can keep you going and bring you to your goal?' and the answer from God’s point of view is FAITH.

The manual called “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” (B.I.B.L.E.) says that “Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) The currency of heaven is the application of faith, because in God’s economy no transactions can occur unless faith is involved. The larger the investment of faith, the bigger and better the return on your spiritual investment.

Your results will be directly proportional to the amount of F.A.I.T.H. you invest in it by F-orwarding A-ll I-ssues T-o H-eaven. When you do and place your trust in God, LISTEN carefully to what He is telling you to do, TRUST those instructions and then faithfully FOLLOW His direction and the result will always be successful! God is right 100% of the time, and will always lead you on the perfect faith path.

Regardless of the circumstance or how difficult what lies ahead, do not just “have” faith but PRACTICE Faith. Truly Forward All Issues To Him, place your path in His hands, keep walking towards the cross, and His steps will always guide you upward and onward.

God ONLY honors faith, and your sure reward is at the foot of the cross of Christ. Step out boldly in your faith going forward, and what you invest will manifest “According to your faith (then) it will be brought to you.”

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

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What Are Those Stupid "Jesus Saves" Signs?

Perhaps you’ve seen signs like this, usually in old run-down neighborhoods hanging from buildings that had seen better days. So this begs the question, 'If this 'Jesus Guy' is so good at SAVING, then why is the neighborhood that this sign is hanging in looks like IT hasn’t been “saved” yet?'?'

All that nonsense (of course) is coming from those naive Christians telling people that their 'imaginary friend' will (somehow?) 'save you' from HELL? Well if you feel that way, it certainly appears to be a really FOOLISH message, and if that is the case the Bible says this is exactly how many people will receive it.

The Bible, a book that has been around over 3,000 years that has been printed and read by more people in history, written about, investigated, and vetted by archaeologists, scientists, and used as a basis of law, government and morality for centuries by politicians and nations, and it has also been found by historians consistently to be TRUE. This is the BOOK that teaches “Jesus Saves” but after all that, somehow that phrase hanging on a funky red neon sign is stupid.

Well the Bible describes people that snicker at these signs when God says in HIS BOOK to the world:

“Professing themselves to be WISE, they became FOOLS.” Romans 1:22

Friend, if you feel this way, we have it on good authority that if anyone is foolish here, it is not the Bible or those that believe in it, but those that do NOT believe in it. If this offends you or rubs you the wrong way - perhaps drastically - that is 100% OK!! You see, we all have the right to feel, think or believe anything we want, so if you disagree, so be it. Don’t shoot the messenger (me) here...just reporting what this book says.

The question after reading this is will you change your mind? An interesting deep definition of the word 'repent' means exactly that! To CHANGE YOUR MIND about God!? Would you at least consider doing that today? Because this is more than just a sign - it means the SAVING of your very LIFE.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You (...and He SAVES too...)

NotesOnLife.org