Gratitude

 

Why are humans so ungrateful to God?

God gave His advice to humanity, but we refused to listen.

God showed us examples of good and evil, but we refused to see.

God sent prophets and preachers, but we refused to believe.

God arranged for the Bible to be printed in every language, but we refused read it.

God offered His only Son as as a sacrifice for our sins, but we refused to accept the gift.

God did His part, but we refused to repent.

What is it about human nature that make us so ungrateful to God?  

The core aspects of human nature that drive ingratitude toward God are pride, entitlement, and our psychological tendency to normalize blessings while focusing on what is missing. Theological texts and psychological studies suggest that humans naturally struggle with humility, often mistaking unearned mercies for personal achievements.

The primary internal forces that drive this behavior include:

1. The Trap of Pride and Self-Sufficiency

At the root of ingratitude is the desire for personal glory. Accepting a gift requires admitting that we are dependent on the giver, which inherently bruises the human ego. 

• The "Self-Made" Illusion: Humans naturally prefer to believe that their success, health, and wealth are the direct results of their own hard work rather than divine providence. 
• Refusal of Dependency: Acknowledging God as the source of all blessings forces a person to recognize their own vulnerability and reliance on a higher power, which human pride naturally resists. 

2. Entitlement and the Habit of "Craving"

Human nature easily twists baseline blessings into things we believe we are strictly owed. 

• Shifting the Baseline: When conditions are stable, humans quickly treat daily miracles—like breath, waking up, or food—as standard rights rather than gifts. 
• Focusing on Cravings Over Needs: As warned in theological texts like 1 Timothy 6:6-8, human nature constantly shifts focus toward luxury and unmet desires rather than being content and grateful with basic necessities.

3. Spiritual and Mental Forgetfulness

The human brain is wired to focus on active threats and unresolved problems, which causes past blessings to fade quickly from memory. 

• Habituation: We adapt to positive changes incredibly fast (a concept known psychologically as the hedonic treadmill), causing the initial joy of a answered prayer or blessing to disappear.
• Selective Memory: In times of crisis, humans are prone to forget years of safety and provision, focusing entirely on immediate suffering or perceived deprivation. 

4. Comparison and Envy

Human beings rarely evaluate their lives in isolation; instead, they constantly look at what others have. 

• The Comparison Roadblock: When people look horizontally at their peers instead of vertically toward God, jealousy takes root. This makes it impossible to appreciate one’s own unique gifts, turning potential gratitude into resentment.

​God opposes the proud, but shows favor the humble. ~ James 4:6

 

You Are Cordially Invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html 

 

Culture of Death

 

Culture of Death

What does that term “culture of death” really mean and how does it relate to Christianity?

The term refers to a civilization that endorses lethal omissions and even outright killing by doctors to alleviate suffering or resolve life crises, or even what that group or society may euphemistically describe as a “personal choice issue,” and most Churches fall squarely into the "culture of death".

Historically, “culture of death” was most often applied in the context of euthanasia, and assisted suicide. But now, abortion as a “lifestyle choice” must certainly be included. 

At age 87, I can remember how just a few decades ago, most such acts were outlawed and widely scorned; not just by Bible believing Christians, but by everyone. Not anymore. The sad fact is that now most people, including Christians, tolerate —and some even celebrate —the culture of death as necessarily linked to an individual’s right of free-choice and personal liberty.

How did Christians become so indifferent to the sanctity and equality of human life? Well, the easy answer to that is the need for the Church to appear acceptable to Western society where it has suffered major losses to its financial base. So would the fact that abortions generated huge revenues for Church owned hospitals have anything to do with the" culture of death?" 

I also believe that there is a deeper reason, a much deeper spiritual reason as to why Christians accepted the death-culture paradigm into its motif and culture. And that reason is “authority.”

You see, the Roman Catholic Church from its inception, accepted another rule of authority which was not based upon the Bible and used that authority as its ultimate guide. And if you are a Protestant you know exactly where I am going, —and that alone damns you because you are confessing that you already know the truth. The made man Churches accepted false prophets, who in turn, reinterpreted scripture, and did so to give its members a reason to form their own Churches. It is interesting that even the Old Testament describes such false prophets as “lying spirits.”

Whenever you choose to switch authorities, you also choose to switch allegiances. So it is no wonder that main stream Christianity is following a dying, sinful culture to its doom. The irony is that Christianity has been hijacked by Churchianity. I guess you could call that the “mystery of iniquity.”

How the Counterfeit Church Was Formed

 

The New Testament Church

 

When Jesus started His public ministry, He did not call the learned Rabbis. He called fishermen, tax collectors, shepherds, farmers, shopkeepers... the common man.

Jesus did not incorporate His Church and hire men to preach. As it is written: The general assembly of God and church of the first-born are registered in heaven (not a corporation registered on earth) ~ Hebrews 12:23. Jesus did not build a "church" building, have altar calls, teach the "sinner's prayer," have a "praise and worship team," teach earthly riches, or observe pagan holidays. God is not confined to Temples or Church buildings. He chose the human heart as His dwelling place. As it is written: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16 

During the first three centuries of Christianity, the Church met on the Sabbath in small groups in a home, sang hymns (especially the Psalms), read from the Scriptures, and kept the feasts of the Lord. Sometimes someone may have a word to share, or there was group discussions about the letters the Churches would receive from one of the Apostles. In the early Church, breaking bread referred to the everyday act of sharing meals together in one another's homes. The Apostles appointed able men to care for the flock. That was it... no paid clergy, no earthly headquarters, just Brethren seeking the Kingdom of God. ~ Matthew 18:20

Pastors and Elders were chosen from the local congregation. These men did not quit their job to get paid for their service to the Church. Ministry is a service not a payday.

As false teachers begin to creep into the congregations, they led people away from the doctrines of the Apostles. Wolves in Sheep's clothing formed their own Churches with their own doctrines. The main organization that emerged was the Roman Catholic Church. Then in the 16th century came the protestant reformation that spawned thousands of church organizations. Organized religion hijacked Christianity and turned it into a hodge-podge of confusing doctrines and practices.These false teachers turned Shepherds into a paid position.

 

One reason people have a hard time believing the Gospel (Good News) is because it seems too good to be true. A man named Jesus/Yahshua claims to be the Son of God, comes down from heaven and is birthed of a virgin, grows up like any other human, takes all the sins of the world on Himself, dies on a cross, rises from the grave, promises to resurrect all people from the dead, and offers them eternal life!? Yeah, right... that's too good to be true.

So, organized religion created a "reasonable" Jesus. He loves you, but will send you to an ever-burning hell if you mess up. He will not resurrect you, He will "rapture" you. You must belong to the "right" church or you will burn in hell forever. You must go through certain rituals, wear your collar backwards, pray, light candles, give 10% of your income to a Church, celebrate His birthday, and hunt Easter eggs to honor Him. Now that makes sense to the carnal mind. We can handle that "truth."

Anyone who wants to follow Jesus Christ must go back to the way the early Church worshipped. As it is written: Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. ~ Isaiah 58:12 

In the New Testament, the concept of a "foundation" refers to the core truths, teachings, and spiritual realities upon which the Christian faith and the Church are built.

The writers of the New Testament use the architectural image of a foundation to show how a believer's life and the global community of faith can stay strong against hard times. 

1. Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Foundation

The most important foundation in the New Testament is the person of Jesus Christ Himself. 

• The Only Foundation: In 1 Corinthians 3:11, the Apostle Paul explicitly says that no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
• The Chief Cornerstone: In ancient construction, the cornerstone was the first stone laid. It had to be perfectly square because every other wall aligned with it. The New Testament calls Jesus the chief cornerstone. Without Him, the structure of the faith would fall apart. 

2. The Apostolic and Prophetic Foundation

While Jesus is the ultimate bedrock, the New Testament also attributes a foundational role to the people who shared His message with the world. 

• Spreading the Truth: Ephesians 2:20 teaches that the household of God is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone."
• The New Jerusalem: In the Book of Revelation, the vision of the heavenly city features twelve foundation stones, and on them are written the names of the twelve apostles of Jesus. 

3. Obedience as a Personal Foundation

Jesus used the idea of a foundation to teach people how to live out their faith daily. 

• The Wise and Foolish Builders: In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus told a famous story about two men. One built his house on solid rock, and the other built on shifting sand.* When heavy storms and floods hit, only the house on the rock survived. *organized religion is shifting sand
• Hearing and Doing: Jesus clarified that the person who builds on THE ROCK is the one who hears His words and actually puts them into practice. Mental agreement is not enough; active obedience is what makes a life unshakable. 

4. The Six Foundational Teachings

The New Testament also outlines a list of basic doctrines that make up the "starting line" of Christian learning. According to Hebrews 6:1–2, these elemental foundations include: 

• Repentance from dead works (turning away from sin)
• Faith toward God
• Instruction about baptisms
• The laying on of hands
• The resurrection of the dead
• Eternal judgment 

The author of Hebrews explains that once these fundamental truths are firmly in place, believers should move forward into deeper spiritual maturity. There is no shame in admitting your Church or your pastor does not have all the answers.

Desiring to grow rapidly, the Barley Company Christians leave, or get “disfellowshipped,” from Churches that only preach the milk of the word,  Churches where virtually every sermon ends in an altar call to “get saved.” The Barley Christians strive to “go on to perfection (completion); not laying again the foundational doctrine of salvation." ~ Hebrews 6:1  

Worship is far more than joining a Church, singing hymns, and listening to a preacher. It's a lifestyle of reverence, obedience, and total surrender to God. It takes two primary forms: specific acts of praise (like singing and prayer) and everyday acts of love and service. Meeting with other Believers is a good thing, but don't get the idea God only loves "your Church."

Things Your Church Cannot Do

 

 

Fair Tax

 

 

 

The Fair Tax Act proposes replacing nearly all federal income, corporate, payroll, and estate taxes in the United States with a single, national retail sales tax. First-year enactment (like the proposed 2023/2025 legislation) targets an inclusive tax rate of 23% on all new goods and services. [1]

Core Mechanisms of the Fair Tax Act

• Abolishes the IRS: Eliminates individual and corporate income taxes, payroll (Social Security/Medicare) taxes, and the estate and gift tax, theoretically doing away with the need for the Internal Revenue Service. 
• National Retail Sales Tax: Shifts the tax burden from earning to spending. Consumers would pay a federal consumption tax only when purchasing new goods or services. Used items and previously taxed properties are generally exempt.
• Prebate System: To prevent the sales tax from disproportionately hurting lower-income households, the act includes a monthly "prebate" (a flat advance payment) for every registered household to cover the tax on basic necessities up to the federal poverty level.

 Learn More

14th Amendment

 

In June 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. The decision rejected a presidential executive order that attempted to restrict automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who were in the country unlawfully or temporarily. 

 

This U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the 14th Amendment "birthright citizenship" makes it legal for two wrongs to make a right, i.e. two illegal aliens to make an U.S. citizen. The High Court conveniently ignored "subject to the jurisdiction." Illegals are not citizens, they are law breakers from the get go and are subject to immediate deportation under the U.S. Constitution. 

The law that applies to illegal immigration is Title 8 of the Constitution. Activists Judges, who are appointed, work harder trying to remove Trump, who We the People elected, than they do removing drug dealers, murderers, rapists, and terrorists. Liberal Judges, Mayors of “sanctuary cities”, and politicians who support them are breaking the law under Title 8 of the Constitution by aiding and abetting illegal aliens. 

Fourteenth Amendment

Section 1

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

Section 3

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Section 4

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5

The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Note: Congress shall have power to enforce, not judges.

 

Has the Court unwittingly given Trump an avenue to void the National Debt under Section 4?

 

With the election of Obama the Democrats have been in insurrection and rebellion to the Constitution. Since 2009 under Obama and Biden over 30 trillion dollars was added to the National Debt. For over a century, the Federal Reserve has operated as a shadow government — controlling interest rates, printing debt-based currency, and orchestrating booms and busts while remaining above the law. In 2025, the Fed has become even darker. It isn’t serving America. It’s serving Davos. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is also known as the Davos Forum, the execution arm of the globalist Great Reset.

The numbers tell the story: over $2 trillion in deficit spending, $1 trillion in interest payments, and mortgage rates so high that the American Dream has collapsed. Meanwhile, Wall Street, Black Rock, and the WEF feast on the spoils — the Fed doesn’t serve the people. It serves a global criminal cartel. 

If President Trump is able to replace the Fed and abolish the IRS, Americans will become wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. Let's push for the FairTax and pray that God will forgive our sins and heal our land.

 

Learn More About Fair Tax

Sabbath Debate

 

 

by Guest Contributor Dwayne Johnson

Consider what happened on Sunday—the first day of the week:

 

• Jesus rose from the dead Saturday night at the end of three days and three nights in the tomb and revealed Himself early Sunday morning. (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-9; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1). The women worshiped the risen Christ, and His resurrection became the foundation of Christian worship.

• Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene on Sunday.(John 20:11-18). She recognized her risen Lord and honored Him in worship.

• Jesus appeared to the other women on Sunday. (Matthew 28:9-10). They "came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him."

• Jesus appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus on Sunday. (Luke 24:13-35). Their hearts burned within them as they recognized the risen Christ and returned rejoicing.

• Jesus appeared Sunday evening to the gathered disciples (John 20:19-23). The disciples were assembled together, the risen Christ stood in their midst, and they rejoiced in His presence—a gathering centered on the worship of the risen Lord.

• Eight days later (again the first day of the week), Jesus appeared to the disciples with Thomas present (John 20:26-29). Thomas responded by worshiping Jesus, declaring, "My Lord and my God!"

Then consider Pentecost is always on a Sunday in May—fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:15-16):

• Peter preached the Gospel to the people who were gathered together on Pentecost Sunday. About 3,000 people were baptized.

• The Holy Spirit was poured out from heaven on the Day of Pentecost - Sunday

• The New Testament church was publicly established on Sunday.

• The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers—all centered on the worship of the risen and exalted Christ.

And do not overlook this remarkable fact:

Jesus rose on the Feast of Firstfruits, which also falls on Sunday. Paul later declared, "Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Even the feast itself pointed to Him.

So no, Jesus did not spend forty days making a verbal announcement that the Sabbath was abolished. Instead, God filled the first day of the week with the greatest redemptive events in history:

• The risen Jesus revealed on Sunday.

• Jesus received worship on Sunday.

• Jesus repeatedly appeared to His disciples on Sunday.

• Jesus accepted Thomas' Sunday worship as "My Lord and my God."

• The Holy Spirit was poured out on Sunday.

• Three thousand were baptized on Sunday.

• The New Testament church was born on Sunday.

These are not papal traditions. They are biblical events. No one claims Jesus spent forty days saying, "The Sabbath has been changed to Sunday." The real question is, Why did God choose the first day of the week to reveal the risen Christ, receive worship, pour out the Holy Spirit, and inaugurate the New Covenant church?

Every day is the right day to worship the Savior. Keeping the weekly Sabbath and the annual Sabbaths are reminders of God love, mercy, and forgiveness. The day you meet will other Believers a matter of choice. The Sabbath is a day of rest after working six days. It's a gift and a blessing from our Heavenly Father.

Paul wrote in the Book of Romans: 

Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.~ Romans 14:4-6

In other words, mind your own business. Stop judging and debating who's "right and who's wrong." Stop worshiping a "day" and worship the One who created the Days.

You are cordially invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you. 

 

The Good Shepherd

 

Things your Church cannot do:

1. Give you the holy spirit

2. Give you good health

3. Give you salvation

4. Give you eternal life

Things your Church can do:

1. Teach you false doctrines

2. Pass the collection plate

Things Jesus Can Give You For Free

1. Give you His unconditional love

2. Give you Truth

3. Give you knowledge

4. Give you wisdom

5. Give you peace of mind

6. Give you the fruit of the spirit

7. Give you the holy spirit

8. Give you a guardian angel

9. Give you salvation

10. Give you eternal life

This is only the short list, as it is written: "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." Amen. ~ John 21:25

Millions of Christians worldwide read the same Bible, worship the same God, and believe in the same Savior - yet will not fellowship with another church group. The difference between a Church member and a Disciple of Christ is: a Church member follows the doctrines of their denomination, a Disciple follows Jesus Christ. ~ 1 John 2:3-6 

Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd, my Sheep hear my voice and follow me." The hireling shepherds tell their sheep not to fellowship with other sheep. They say, "We are the good purebred sheep, those other sheep are spotted and bad, have nothing to do with them."

This is nothing new. From the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ, men have led sheep away from the Good Shepherd's flock. 1 Corinthians 1:12: Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”

Acts 7:38 tells us the ekklesia, assembly or church was founded in the wilderness centuries before Pentecost. The Church has always been the people who follow Christ, not organizations. Pentecost in the New Testament was the giving of the holy spirit, not the founding of a new religion, or the Church of Christ, or the Catholic Church, or any other organization. As it is written: The general assembly of God and church of the first-born are registered in heaven (not a corporation registered on earth)  ~ Hebrews 12:23.

It is good to meet with other Believers, but don't get the idea that your Church has a franchise on God or a monopoly on the truth.

Jesus/Yahshua is the only person qualified to give you the unvarnished truth. Listen to Him. To organized religion it seems right to incorporate a Church name, have an earthly headquarters, put up a building, hire a preacher, and go into business, but what seems right may not be right. ~ Proverbs 14:12

These "one and only churches" remind me of Elijah who said to God, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; and I alone am left who serves you. God answered (paraphrased), "Elijah, don't kid yourself, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to organized religion (protestantism) and every mouth that has not kissed the big toe of St. Peter's statue or the Pope's feet" (paganism). KJV reads sightly different but the gist is the same. ~ 1 Kings 19:14-18

Churchianity says if you are not a member of our "one and only true church," you have no hope of salvation. Jesus says in Mark 9:38-41..."if they are not against us, they are on our side." Was Cornelius a member of any church? Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation (or denomination) whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." ~ Acts 10:34-35

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd. ~John 10:16. This will come to pass when Jesus returns and sets us all straight. Meantime, we are instructed to love one another. Love does not mean we agree 100% on every doctrine, it means we do not condemn someone just because they are not a member of "our church."

Today, under the New Covenant, God has reserved many millions of zealous people all over the world to be citizens of His Kingdom. Does your Pastor teach the Gospel of the Kingdom?