MOVING INTO THE NEXT SEASON OF MY LIFE AND I WILL NEED YOUR HELP

We all have experienced different seasons in our lives.   One of my seasons started, June 12 ,1976.  I graduated from University of Tennessee at Martin with a B.S. in Agriculture, the next day I married Debbie, next we went on our honeymoon to Williamsburg, Virginia and then I started to work the next week with the Dyersburg Production Credit Assn. as a loan officer.  I had to learn how to make loans to farmers.


From that date until today, I have been working with people and their money for 39 years with different banks and a financial service company.  I have dealt with many who wanted to lay up treasures on earth.  When those treasures were threatened with economic downturns and market drops,  I had to also manage their fears.  I gained experience in dealing with almost every financial situation.  I also grew close to my clients and made a lot of new friends over the years.  I have no regrets on experience learned, and the friends I have made over the years.


Next week, if all the paperwork goes through, I will be signing off my computer with home office and will have sold my practice to Randy Thetford, the other Ameriprise office here in town.  My new season will begin on August 17, 2015.  I will be leaving a season of helping people lay up treasure on earth and beginning a season of helping people build up treasures in heaven.  I read in Ecclesiastes 3:1, To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. (NKJV) Read also verses 2-8.  I have chosen:

• A time to build up.
• A time to embrace.
• A time to speak.
• A time to love.

Entering my new season of life has not come easily.  Fear and doubt have been my foes for many years. I have heard their small voices each day for several years.  I am thankful the last few months of trusting in God, and His helping me to develop the courage to follow my dream, has been the victor.


My dream is to be a full time, successful, Christian author.  Each day I write, my passion for it grows stronger as well as my compassion for my fellowman.  In writing, I have had to take my mask off and risk baring my heart and soul to you readers.  To you who have read my work, I hope my voice of compassion and love for you has come through in my words.  I want to work on my craft daily in order to do my best for my readers.


There is one quote I have read that has helped me take the step to dream big again.  I have heard it from two different sources so I really do not know who to give to give the credit.  I want to thank whoever the author is, because it has really helped me.  Below is the quote and I hope it helps you also.




 As God's chosen blessed sons and daughters, we are expected to attempt  something large enough that failure is guaranteed, unless God steps in.
 This is how the world see's the power of God in our lives.  Just like He
 showed His power through David, Moses, Joseph and Paul.
                                                                                                            ?????


I am attempting something large, and God will have to step in.  I believe He will use you my readers,  my family, and my friends to help me.  I have read in the past, if your dream does not scare you, then it is not large enough.  Well for me, this is a little scary.  Revealing my dream publicly will make me accountable to you.


My next book, The Father of Deception, will help the readers identify the deceptions used in keeping you from your real purpose on this earth. What we are experiencing today in our culture is a result of the success of these deceptions.  In my book, The Heart Behind the Stone: Develop a Giant Slaying Heart, my purpose was to help people develop a faith in God so strong and pleasing to Him that they will be able to conquer any giant in their lives that keeps them from being all that God created them to be.  Also,  I show the steps the young shepherd boy David did in developing his giant slaying faith.  My book, 123 Tips for My Grandchildren and Yours, was written for all of our grandchildren to remind them how to build a strong faith in God living in a fallen world.


My blog is being read by people from 13 different countries.  This is a way I can connect with my readers on a weekly basis.  Some use my post in their devotionals. I try to write about current issues facing Christians of today. I also want to use these post each week to encourage Christians in their daily walk with God.


God has helped me symbolically to slay the lion and the bear, as He helped David slay a real lion and bear. This developed in David a trust in God that enabled him to slay the giant, Goliath. David slayed Goliath, not with the armor and battle experience of King Saul, but with a simple sling, a small smooth stone, and the experience of having a relationship with a loving God.  David said one thing that has always motivated me. He said in 1 Samuel 17:29 when his brother, Eliab, criticized him for asking about slaying Goliath. David answered him with this statement, that we also can make. And David said, 'What have I done now? Is there not a cause?' (NKJV)  Christians, let's make this same statement together.  God has given each of us a talent, and this fallen world has given us many causes to use them.  I am going to pick up my sling and a smooth small stone to go after my Goliath.  Are you ready to do the same?  Yes, you do have it in you to do the same.


Here is how you can help me. If you have read any of my books, please post a review on Amazon.  Amazon will refer my books to others when my readers write reviews. Also, if you or someone you know hasn't purchased one of my books,  please consider doing so.  The price is cheaper than a large hamburger and hopefully you may glean something that will help build your faith.


You can also help me by sharing my blog post with others.  This is how I build a platform of readers.

I enjoy writing a blog post each week.  Several of you send comments that are very encouraging.  You do not know how much I appreciate the "likes" "shares" and comments on Facebook. Do you remember when I wrote about my little dog "Poochy"?  I could give Poochy a little encouragement, and he would go after our big Charolais bull.  I am like Poochy. Your encouragement helps me tackle the giants in my life.


As I stated in the title.  I do need your help.  I also need your prayers for Debbie and me.  Pray for a cure for Parkinson's disease and pray for me as I enter the next season of my life trying to help people.


Please send any comments to rhepler52@gmail.com or comment on Facebook.  Also you can go to www.amazon.com to purchase my books or write a review.


Thank you so much for helping me.


Rick


 


                       

DO I REALLY LOVE YOU IF MY ACTIONS HELP YOU PERPETUATE SIN IN YOUR LIFE?

I read a headline Friday morning, after the Republican presidential debate on Thursday night, that caused me to think. I am going to share my thoughts.  Here is the headline. John Kasich won applause for his gay marriage debate answer.  Some of his answer I agree with. I am to love everyone unconditionally as God does.  I am glad God loves man unconditionally.  Our example for this is in Matthew 5:43-48. Verse 45 emphasis God unconditional love, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. (NKJV)  In reading the above verses, I am to be perfect (complete) as my Father in heaven is perfect.


So John Kasich was correct in saying, we should have unconditional love for each other.  I have been asked the same question as he. What if your daughter was homosexual?  Yes, I would love my daughters if they told me they were homosexual.  I would love them more than ever, because I would not want them to die a practicing homosexual or even have a same sex partner. The same as I would not want them to die as an adulteress, liar, thief, murderer or unbeliever.  I would, in love, teach them God's will on the subject. I would also pray every day that they could control the desires of the flesh and not be a slave to them.


Now with that aside, I could not go to their same-sex wedding or anyone's same-sex wedding.  Even if the supreme court said it was the law of the land, and also if I was applauded for saying I would. God's love for us is serious and so are His commands.  So serious, only Jesus' death on the cross could atone for our sins.


Just because the supreme court of this great land says it is legal to have same-sex marriages and also to kill the unborn child, I do not have to do it.  Please read Acts 5:28-29. Peter and the other apostles were told by the high priest and other Jewish priests  not to teach in Jesus' name.  Peter boldly told them in verse 29,  We ought to obey God rather than men. As Christians, that is our answer and our example.  Are we bold enough and do we love the souls of men enough to stand on this principle?


If I say, "I love Jesus my savior", then I will keep His commandments. (John 14:15)  If I compromise God's truth that has been given to us, for anyone whether it be for my daughters or my best friend, I am a hypocrite. Many people give the excuse of not going to "church" because the "church" is filled with hypocrites.  I do not want to give them an excuse.


If I compromise with the world and my actions, attending a same-sex marriage, tend to make others to believe their sin is no longer sin because I am present, does that make it righteous?  If you are confused about this, let's see what Jesus said about it.  Please read 1 John 1:5-9. Read closely what verse 8 says.  "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us".  We cannot decide against God, and by popular demand say that same-sex marriage is not a sin.  (The same is true with all things that God says are sins)  Why not? Because in verse 10, "If we say we have not sinned we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us". How does this make God a liar?  Read Romans 1:18-32.  Does God say it is okay to practice homosexuality?  Is it okay for me to go along with it?  I think verse 32 answers this question.


Can I join in the applause because John Kasick said he believes in traditional marriage, but will abide by the decision of the supreme court?  He demonstrates this by telling the audience he attended his friend's same-sex marriage.  Does God applaud his statement?  What is His thinking on the subject?  And the Lord said, "Because of the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not I will know." (Genesis 18:20-21, NKJV) Please read the rest of the story in Genesis 19 1-29 to see if God approved of their actions. Especially read verse 13.  "For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it." (NKJV)  The iniquity of Sodom and Gomorrah was so great, it prompted God's wrath to destroy it.


Shall I over look the precedent that God has set before us, to receive an applause for my political correctness, or shall I obey God rather than men?  God draws the line in the sand, not I.  I am with God and He will protect me in my decision.  I will still love you unconditionally, but even Christ said in Revelation 2:12-16, "Repent or else".


I would like to recommend a book written by F. Lagard Smith. When he wrote this book, he was the Professor of Law at Pepperdine University and the author of several Christian books.  The title of the book is Sodom's Second Coming: What You Need to Know About the Deadly Homosexual Assault.  This book's copyright date is 1993 by Harvest House Publishers-Eugene, Oregon 9.


These are the issues the book faces head on:

Do homosexuals have a choice about their lifestyle?

Should Christians be tolerant toward homosexuals?

Are gays behind the myth of heterosexual AIDS?

Does the Bible really condone homosexual conduct?

The book published in 1993 hits head on what is happening today in 2015.


We will never go wrong taking our stand with God and His Word. Our children and grandchildren are depending on us. We need to cry out to God on this. Can we say as the Psalmist said, It is time for you to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your law as void. (Psalm 119:126, NKJV)


Thanks for reading. Please share with your friends and family on Facebook and send me your comments either on Facebook or to my email. My email is www.rhepler52@gmail.com .




Rick

"You Do Not Want to Be Here"

Yesterday I had an old friend and classmate, Dotty Harrison, stop by the office.  Dotty is a Leisure Travel Consultant with World Ventures.  Many of you have seen her on Facebook, holding up a sign reading "You Should Be Here", at some nice place to vacation. Dotty really enjoys what she does and has been able to travel with her family making precious memories.


You know, some of my favorite  memories were made on vacation with family.  We all need to get away sometimes and recharge ourselves.  Sometimes I get our old vacation pictures out and open up the memories of such good times.  Many of the places we have visited are beautiful representations of God's  creation. I am working on some plans so Debbie and I can do more traveling.  I may have to talk to Dotty when we get ready.  She presented some good ideas yesterday and she is someone I trust.


There is a place one man did not want his brothers to ever come.  That place was the place of torment in the Hadean Realm or Hades.  Read about this man (the rich man and Lazarus) in Luke 16:19-31.  Lazarus was a beggar and lived a life of only receiving evil things, while the rich man received fine clothing and fared sumptuously everyday.  Lazarus begged for scraps just to stay alive each day and had pain from sores all over his body. Also, someone had to carry him everywhere he went, because he was lame.


Lazarus, a righteous man, died and the angels carried him to Abraham's bosom.  Lazarus is in the paradise section of  Hades. (Hades is the place disembodied spirits go after death of their physical bodies to wait for Judgment Day.  The righteous go to the paradise section and the unrighteous go to the torment section.  Neither can cross over because there is a great gulf between.)(Luke 16:22,23,26) The rich man, an unrighteous man, went to the torment section of Hades waiting for Judgment Day. On Judgment day the righteous in Hades will go to Heaven, and the unrighteous will go to Hell with the Devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:33,34,41)


The rich man is tormented with the flame.  He begs Abraham (notice who is begging now) to send Lazarus to him with a cooling drop of water.  Abraham tells him their places are fixed. No crossing over.  The rich man realizes his eternal fate.  He wants to warn his brothers and begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn them.  I can imagine the words he wanted to tell them were, You do not want  to be here.


The last 3 verses, 29-31, give the rich man a horrifying feeling.  He wants to send Lazarus back from the dead.  He believes they will listen to one coming back from the dead.  Abraham tells him they have Moses and the prophets.  If they don't listen to them, they will not listen to Lazarus coming back from the dead.  The rich man knows his brothers are just like him.  They were living the same unrighteous lifestyle as he was.  He knows they will not change their thinking.  The torment for him is also knowing he will be spending all eternity in torment thinking of the unrighteous example he lived before them.


This is a dreadful thought, dying knowing you lived  a godless life before your loved ones, teaching them by your example to never to seek the Lord. You would just hope and pray someone would teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to them in a way they would gladly obey and live it. How many today are in the torment of Hades hoping someone will teach their loved ones?  If the unrighteous dead could say anything today, do you think it could possibly be, You do not want to be here ? Please seek the Lord Jesus Christ and obey Him.


Please send comments to: rhepler52@gmail.com or like and share on Facebook.  Thanks for reading.




Do you want to teach your children how to grow up to become men and women after God's own heart? Check out my books on www.amazon.com , The Heart Behind the Stone: Develop a Giant Slaying Heart and 123 Tips for My Grandchildren and Yours.




Thanks,


Rick

"Miss Katie"

I attended school from 1st grade to 8th grade at Hickman Elementary School, Hickman Ky.  The time period was from 1958 to 1966.  Totally different educational era than today.  The American Flag was still honored, the Bible was read at the start of each day, and discipline was a part of the educational experience.  Yes, there were some things wrong with our country back then also.  Some of the kids I played with in the summertime, on the farm, were not allowed to come to my school nor did they go to church with me nor could they go in and eat a hamburger after school or church with me at any of the local restaurants.  Those things have changed. But that is not the topic today.


We had a fifth grade teacher feared by just about every student.  "Miss Katie" had a reputation of being very strict. None of the students wanted to be in her class.  When I was in the second grade we were having a party and my mother was helping.  My younger brother, Randy, was there with mother that day. Mother and my teacher stepped out of the room for something.  Randy was being Randy when I saw Miss Katie coming down the hall. I quickly grabbed my brother, trying to get him to sit still and be quiet. Too late.  Miss Katie saw me and immediately scolded me. I told her, Randy was my brother and she said, "I don't care if he is your father, leave him alone." She then went on my "Please don't let me get her for a teacher", list.


Guess who was one of my fifth grade teachers.  Yep.  I got "Miss Katie", the most feared teacher  Hickman Elementary had at that time.  The day came when I was in Miss Katie's sights again.  I thought, this is going to be bad.  Of all times not to have my homework, she called on me.  Terror filled my heart.  I knew I had to tell the truth as painfully as it was going to be. I said, " I do not know the answer, because I did not do my homework".  I braced for the storm.  She immediately asked, "Why?".  My thought was, I am doomed.  I must tell the truth.  Gathering all the courage I could find, and hoping for compassion from her, I said, "I didn't do my homework, because I stayed up and watched the Andy Griffith Show  last night."  The wait for her anticipated rebuke produced a moment of silence in the classroom.  I had trouble controlling my bladder when I was in first grade.  Evidently, I had overcome it, because this was a great opportunity for it to let go of all of its contents.


Then came her unexpected reply.  "Well, you just take it home tonight and bring it to me in the morning."  What?  "Miss Katie" understands a 10 year old, frightened, little boy.  She is giving me a second chance?  You cannot imagine my relief.


The next morning when I turned in my homework, "Miss Katie" said,  "You are a good student. I just want you to do all you are capable of doing".  I loved "Miss Katie" from that day forward. Not only was she my teacher, she was my friend.  I would even visit her at her home years later.  I am glad I didn't do my homework that day and also told her the truth. If not, I never would have known the real heart of the feared "Miss Katie".


In Jesus' time the Pharisees where concerned with outside appearance and rituals, such as hand washing for one.  Jesus told them they cleansed the outside of the cup but the inside was dirty.  Meaning they gave the appearance of being righteous, but on the inside their heart was not right. He was talking about there need for obtaining a pure heart.  Jesus said clean the inside of the cup and that the outside of the cup may be clean also. He described them as the whitewashed tombs were beautiful on the outside, but inside were full of dead men's bones.


Jesus says in Matthew 15:19, For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. (NKJV)  We can have the appearance of a clean outside, of a cup, and the inside the cup, the heart, still be dirty.  David in his prayer of repentance ask God to create in him a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within him.  David wanted a right heart before God. (Psalm51:10)


We can remove symbols of hate from the outside, but the hate still remains on the inside.  Have you ever drank coffee from what appeared a clean cup on the outside, but your last sip revealed the filth in the bottom of the cup? Symbols worn on the outside whether good or bad cannot change the heart.


We do our best to remove hate from our country, but ironically we allowed a few in government to remove the one and only thing that can teach us to replace that hate with love.  And that one and only thing is God's word, the Holy Bible.


Focusing on changing the inside of the cup (heart) instead of making the outside look as we would have it, (removing symbols of hate as some call them) would get to the root of our problems.


Please read for this week's reading Psalm 53, Matthew 15 and Luke 11:39-40.


Like "Miss Katie" we sometimes need to get to know people and the inside of their cup before we put labels on them.


The blood of Christ is the only cleaner that can make the inside of our cups (hearts) clean.  When we learn to clean our hearts, the filth (all evil) will be replaced by love.  It can be done by cleaning one cup at a time.


Thanks for reading.  Any comments or words of encouragement would be appreciated.  You can send comments to www.rhepler52@gmail.com or like and share on Facebook.


You know as I think about it, I was lucky.  All of my teachers were good and good to me.




Rick

Where are you?

I respect my mom and dad more and more each day.  Growing up in the 50's and 60's we did not have the play stations the kids have today.  Living on the farm we always had something to entertain us, and it was almost always something outdoors.  Sometimes we would be having so much fun, we would miss the time we were suppose to be home.  It wasn't a good thing for us when mom or dad had to walk the fields looking for us.  We would usually know we messed up when we heard, Where are you?  You better answer me.  Were they mad?  Walking all over the farm looking for us, what do you think?  Yes they were mad!!! But it was a mad that had a ton of love behind it. I realize that now.


You see, the things we did, swimming in Reelfoot creek and the neighbor's ponds, hunting, swimming with our horses, riding five on my motorcycle at the same time, camping out and walking all over the neighborhood at night, climbing tall trees to shake out treed raccoons at midnight, crossing the Mississippi River in a small lake boat, stirring up a nest of water moccasins, and a few other things, were reasons for their concerns.


I realize now anytime I left the house, whether I was 5 years old or 63 years old, they were always concerned until I got back home.  Now as a parent and grandparent in a different time period, I share those same thoughts.


Where are you? is a question from parents, friends, brothers, sisters and anyone else who loves you.  Most importantly, it is a question from the God who created you.  Did you know this was the first question God had for man after He created him? (Genesis 3:9) This was a question from a loving God to find Adam and Eve, who had just disobeyed God.  Behind this question was love and concern also.  They were lost, but God had a plan for them and us to be found.


This was not like the first question asked in the garden.  The first question was from Satan. It was not a question of concern or love, but a question of deception to cause Eve to doubt and disobey God. Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'? (Genesis 3:1)  The first question was to get mankind lost, and the second question was to find him, to lead him back.


Satan is going to do everything he can to get us lost from God and to remain lost.  God is still asking the question, Where are you? How do I know. Let's look at a few verses.


When a nation is lost: If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV)  You say, well that was the Old Testament and it was a long time ago.  Well let's look in the New testament and read if God is the same.


When a son is lost, Jesus portrays a parable about a father that had a lost son.  Before we go any further, I want you to get your Bible and read Luke 15:11-32.  The father in this story told by Jesus represents God.  This father's son wanted to get his inheritance from his father and get far away from him.  He wanted to live and fulfill all of his fleshly desires.  The world (Satan) had tempted him  with  a promise of pleasures and a better life than he had living with his father.  You notice, he had money from the father to do this.(God makes his sun to shine on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust, Matthew 5:42) 


After you have read the scriptures, let's talk about this.  My mom and dad were usually watching for me to come home.  How do I know this?  They opened the door for me.  The father in this story was continually watching for his son, because his son left him not intending to ever come home.  How do I know this? Read verse 20.  The son was still a great way off and his father ran to meet him.  I think Jesus wants us to realize God is always looking for us to return when we are lost.


The world showed this son a good time until it got all he had.  When he spent all the father had given him, he ended up feeding and eating with the hogs.  That could set a person's self esteem back and if it didn't, smelling like a hog would.  The son then believes the lie (from Satan) that he is unworthy to ever be called his father's son again. He says in verse 21, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.


Next, Jesus wants us to know how the Father reacts when a son that was lost comes home. There is rejoicing. (Luke 15:20-24) (Luke 15:7,10)  Did the father, who represents God, in this parable treat him like a servant or son?  I think the kiss on the neck, the best robe, ring on his hand, sandals on his feet and killing the fatted calf give us a good clue.  He treated him like a son.  It is very evident here the son did not know how much his father loved him or he probably would never have left home.


This is just a parable, but God wants us to know He loves us and wants us back if we have left Him for the world.  We are precious to Him.  That's the way He created us to be. Don't believe me?  If God would text us today,  I believe this is what he would say.  Please read below.


I created you in Our image.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made. When Satan deceives you into thinking his fallen world is better than the Kingdom of God, I have given you the truth that will free you from him. I have always loved you, and I do not want you to eat with the swine, nor wear their mud and awful odor.  I have provided something better for you to put on, and He will make you as white as snow.


I detest what my enemy and yours has done to you and is trying to do to you.  You needed a perfect sacrifice to come back to Me.  I could not find one among you so I sent you Him.  He was tempted as you are, and He faced some of the same trials as you.  The day He was beaten and murdered by those who called themselves religious, I had to watch my only Son get beaten and mocked by the very creatures He created.


But, He showed you how to love Me and obey Me, even in the greatest trial.  The only time I had to turn my back on Him was when He took on your sins.  I had heard Him cry out at that time, 'My God, My God, were are you?'  I know your pain when you have lost a child to physical death.  Through His obedience He gained a victory over death for you.  Do not fear death of the physical body, but fear the spiritual death that will come to you if my Son does not know you.


I do not think like you.  I will forgive you and give you newness of life away from that false life  you have been deceived into living.  If you choose to believe in my Son, you can put Him on like the father put  his finest robe on his son in the parable My Son told you about.  We will then bury your past life in this world and rejoice with the Angels as the father rejoiced with a feast of the fatted calf with his friends when his son who was lost came home.


I know you are going through some difficult times right now.  If you, who are called by My name, will stop living as the world and Satan wants you to, will humble yourselves, and pray and seek My face, I will heal your land.


'Where are you?'  Don't you know how much I love you?  Don't you know I want you back? Don't you know I have sent the best to redeem you?  Surely you don't want to follow the ways of the evil one, do you? Do not the words that God the Holy Spirit has left with you  teach you that I love you, and my commandments are for your good?  I am patiently waiting on your return.


All of the above came from a text from God. That text is found in His word, the Holy Bible. Message me or hit share or like on Facebook, and I will post the scriptures that back it up in a separate blog.


Mother or dad would yell out to us, "Where are you?",  then they would always say, "You better answer me.".


If you like todays post please send comments to rhepler52@gmail.com  or if you want to use my books for family devotions you can go to www.amazon.com and type in Rick Hepler to purchase them.


Thanks for reading.  I know this was a long one, but the problems we have in this country are long ones too.


Thanks for reading.
Rick


       

What Have You Chosen to Be Independent From?

July the 4th has always been a favorite holiday for me.  I usually think about the day off and barbecue more than the real reason we celebrate.  It is a federal holiday in the U.S. commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain.  A great day for our country.  We celebrate the fact we are self ruled by our own government and not that of any other nation on earth. I hope and pray we can remain this way.


We all like our freedom.  I remember when I was a senior in high school, I couldn't wait until I went to college.  I wanted to be independent from mom and dad.  After the first month of being a college freshman, this country boy went home every chance he got.  I found out being dependent on the security of the home I was raised in and the love of a mother and father wasn't such a bad thing after all.  Later I did choose to be independent from home to start another home with my wife Debbie. That also was a very good thing.


Even after we declare independence from one source, we are lead to being dependent upon another.  Even in our country after obtaining independence from Great Britain, we were dependent on our newly formed government to govern and protect us.  Let's look into this a little more closely.


The supreme court ruled last week to remove the ban on same sex marriages.  The gays and lesbians celebrated their independence from a law that they said discriminated against them. In other words the law refrained them from same sex marriage.  They celebrated their independence with rainbow flags and other things that made them happy.  What they do not realize is they gained their independence from a law which ran parallel to God's law. They then were made slaves to something else more enslaving.  That something is the lust of the flesh. It is totally their master now and it will desire more and more from them to appease it.  God has given them up to their vile passions,  and a debased mind, since they do not have Him in their knowledge any more.  They will now do those things which are not befitting to the will of God. (Romans 1:26-28)  They are now slaves to sin. (John 8:34)


Before we get too hard on our gay and lesbians brothers and sisters in humanity, let's also take a look at ourselves.  Who do we serve? We either serve the Lord our God (Matthew 4:10) or Satan the god and ruler of this world. (John 12:31; 2Cor.4:4; Ephesians 2:2)  We cannot serve two masters. We are serving either God or Satan.(Matthew 6:24)  We either love the Father or the world. (1 John 2:15-17)  If you say you are a Christian, yet are slaves to the works of the flesh, ( Galatians 5:19-21) you are trying to hold on to two masters and Christ says that is not possible.


God gets us to love and serve Him by showing His love for us. He even sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us while we were yet sinners. (Romans 5:8) What does loving and following God give us? How about love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) That's just in this life.  We also get eternal life by following and obeying God. (John 3:15-21)


What does Satan give us to follow the world?  How about the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. (Matthew 4:1-11) The fruits of following the flesh are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I also told you in times past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21) These have not been so great for family life in America. Broken families, addictions, murders, hatred among a few.  Not a lot of love in communities that practice these things.


We can't serve a little of both of the above.  It is either one or the other.  We can be a slave to our fleshly cravings, initiated by Satan, or we can seek to choose God in spirit and truth.  We must be like Joshua.  "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". (Joshua 24:15)


God's commandments are superior to any man made laws. In changing our culture to be free from the lust and enslavement of fleshly desires, we are going to have to change one heart at a time with God's love and His word.


Which of the two above, would you want in your neighborhood around your children and grandchildren?  Those who follow God or those who follow the world without God? We are going to serve one of the two.  Which will it be?


How do we know which we are now following?  Have we prayed today?  Have we earnestly read and studied God's word?  Have we demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit to a total stranger? Or have we had thoughts fulfilling desires of the flesh?  


We don't like slavery in this country but we are slaves either to God or Satan.  Christ said we would hate one and love the other. Which one do we hate?  Satan can't give us forgiveness but God can.  Satan does not want our lives to get any better, but God does.  Obey God and He will forgive us and He desires for us to be in heaven with Him some day.  Satan desires to deceive us into being lost in a devil's hell with him and his angels.  What choice are we making?


I thank God I was born and raised in the greatest country on earth.  This country was once made up of God fearing, courageous, and patriotic people.  I have seen in my lifetime teachers reading the word of God before class every morning and having the pledge of allegiance to our flag, to teachers being dismissed if they even had a Bible laying in plain view on their desk. It all started from a small group. First they took God's word out of the schools, next they approved of killing babies in the womb, next they were adamant about teaching evolution to our children and not mentioning God's creation account and now they are going to force our children to accept a sexual sin as normal and punish anyone who disagrees.


We are fighting an unseen battle.  It is not flesh and blood that is leading this battle. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the  darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12,NKJV)  There are still good honest people in this country.  We remember when evil was called evil and good was called good.  We remember the works of our God in the Bible.  We read of His power and protection of His people when they humbled themselves and called on Him as their God.


Read 2 Chronicles chapter 20.  Jehoshaphat the king of Judah was sent the word that a great multitude was coming against him and Judah from beyond the sea. What did he do? He feared and set himself to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And do you know what they did? They gathered together to ask help from the Lord. It says that all of the cities of Judah came to seek the Lord.


Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of the people and prayed to God.( 2 Chro.20:6-12) Look at his questions to God. "Are You not God in heaven and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might so no one is able to withstand you? He already knows the answer to this question.  Is he praying this, to remind the people of who God is?


He then he shows his trust in God's help. Verse 9, If disaster comes upon us--sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine--we will stand before this temple in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to you in our affliction, and You will hear and save.  Do we have his same confidence in God?


I like verse 13. Now all of Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.  When was the last time in our worship assemblies were all the families with their children, mothers and fathers in attendance together?  Then they heard an answer from God. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel and said, Do not be afraid nor be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.  In verse 20 Jehoshaphat told the people to believe in the Lord their God and they would be established and believe in His prophets and they would prosper. Read in verse 21-30 of the victory the Lord gave them.


God will do the same for us today. In a previous post I wrote about humbling ourselves before God and obeying Him and He would forgive our sins and heal our land.  If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chr. 7:14, NKJV)


What if this July the Fourth the American people chose to be independent from the love of this world (1 John 2:15-17) and chose to believe, trust, obey and be dependent on the God in heaven?  What if this Sunday in the assemblies of God's people there were husbands, wives, and children together before the Lord? What if  we acknowledged the sins of our nation, including the last ruling by the highest court in this land and humbled ourselves before God and repented of following the world instead of God? What if we cried out to God as Judah did?  Do we believe God would hear us?  The promises He has left us in His word (the Bible) says He will.   Have things gotten bad enough for us to take it to the Lord? I believe He is stronger than Satan.  Don't you?


Please send comments to www.rhepler52@gmail.com


Thanks
Rick

FIRST GENERATION RESPONSIBILTY!!!

Today's post may sound a little harsh. But truth sometimes does hurt me.  The truth always proclaims to me what I need to do, whether I do it or not is always my choice.


I am a third generation Hepler from my grandparents, Jim and Cora Hepler.  My grandchildren are third generation from Debbie and me.  But at some point I needed to take on first generation responsibility instead of third generation responsibility. Confused?  Let me explain.


Get out your Bible and read Joshua 24:15.  Joshua proclaims, But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua is not a "third generation" any more.  He has confidently moved to a first generation with all of its responsibilities. What prepared him for this?


What internally made Joshua want to move up and make the commitment he made?  Maybe these earlier verses will help.  Turn in your Bibles to Exodus 24:13-18.  Joshua is mentioned here as Moses's assistant and he was with Moses on the mountain.  Then Exodus 33:11 says, So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.  And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.  Reading these verses reveal to us the interest and respect Joshua is developing for God.


Joshua is appointed to be Moses's successor in leading the people to the promised land. (Deuteronomy 31:6-8) In Joshua 1:1-9, God commissions Joshua for the job.  Read the instructions God gives him in verses 8-9. This Book of law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do all that is written it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (NKJV) Joshua took God at His word.  The way he desired God and lived for Him was an example to his family and those he was called to lead.  They prospered under Joshua's leadership.  What happened to the second generation?


The second generation followed Joshua, but they did not seem to take on the first generation responsibilities after Joshua died.  In Judges 2:7-10 we read of Joshua's death and then the next generation died, and the third generation that arose after them knew not the Lord nor the work which he had done for Israel.  This is frightening and following this same pattern can cause the third generation of our times to not know the Lord or His works just as it happened back then.


How does this happen today with God's people?


Joshua loved God, led other people to love and obey God, and led his family by his commitment to God saying, " But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua wanted his family and everyone else to know his stand with God.  Joshua reminded God's people by example and reminded them of what God had done for them, and also His commandments for them. Read Joshua chapters 23 and 24.


The next generation, the elders, after Joshua had reminded them in chapter 24 of what God commanded, said they would serve God and obey His voice.  "Now therefore," he said, "put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord God of Israel."  And the people said to Joshua, "The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!" (Joshua 24:23-24, NKJV) We see in Judges chapter 1:21-34 some did not obey but compromised with the people they were to drive out. Read Judges 2:1-2 The Angel of the Lord tells Israel of their disobedience to God.


The generation of elders did not have the same love and passion for God as Joshua. Their actions did not reflect what they told God they would do. They taught the other generation by their actions toward God that they were not sincere.  Here is the consequence of their attitude and lack of passion for God.  When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.  Joshua had died, the generation after him was now dead.  The second generation knew God  and had seen His great works( Judges 2:7-8), but they failed to help the generation after them to develop a faith in the God of Israel.  This generation did not know God, and we can read what happened to them.


The same happens today in the church when the second generation doesn't grow their faith in God to become as a first generation to their children and grandchildren.  Many times the second generation will ride on the faith of their parents. They will go to worship every Sunday, but they tend to compromise with the world.  The first generation reads and meditates on God's word every day.  They pray everyday and believe God. Their faith is pleasing to God.  Doubt of who God is and what He can do never enters their minds.  They trust in God to bring them through their trials.  They believe and focus on the place God has prepared for them after this life.


The second generation, unless they do the same to build their active faith, will end up coming to worship, sitting in a pew, thinking they are faithful.  God is not first in their lives, and it is shows by the priorities they have.  Many will put their careers or recreation before God. They are like the Israelites we have just read about.  This generation wants to love God and the world.  This is not possible. Read 1John 2:15-16.  This causes the next generation to see through their parent's faith in God by their godless, unchristian living the other six days of the week.


The third generation then does not know God nor have a desire to know Him. They have not been taught how to develop a faith as the first generation or a faith like Joshua.  They quit thinking about God and do everything that is right in their own eyes. (Deuteronomy 12:8, Judges 17:6)  This is a generation that wants abortion, same sex marriages, the Bible removed from schools, and you can look at the news to fill in the rest. ( News bulletin just in: Supreme court ends same sex marriage ban.)  They know not God!


I read the Barna Groups' poll yesterday and they said that 45% of the people in the U.S. today are unchurched.  No wonder they just lifted the ban on same sex marriages.  The second generation has compromised God's word with allowing the world to come into their hearts.  We haven't begun to see what is going to come out of the third generation that knows not God.


This is going to happen when you do not have any first generations like Joshua to build the faith of the people.  Second generations, you have just been playing "church" and the third generation knows it, and they don't care anymore.


The big question is this, and please be honest with yourself?  Which generation are you? Do you enjoy going to worship the God who created you and sent His son to die for you, each Sunday? Where you there last Sunday? Do you pray to God each day?  Do you enjoy reading and meditating on His word each day?  When was the last time you did this? Have your children or grandchildren ever seen you pray or reading God's word? Had you rather listen to the ideas of men on how to live your Christian life or, do you dig into God's word and find out for yourself? Do you really know God, or are you of the generation that does not know God?


Tough questions?  You bet! They are meant to be! I have already been through them myself.  We need more men like Joshua.  Joshua wanted his people to know where he stood. I had to make that same gut wrenching decision myself.  I asked myself a few years ago, do I want to play church and have my children do the same?  I don't say this boasting, but I made the choice for me and my house to follow the Lord and serve Him.  I want the world to know where I stand on this.  I am not self- righteous because I am not nor never will be good enough. Only Christ's dying and shedding of His blood makes me righteous before God. If I love Him, I will keep his commandments.


In past blog post I have shown God's solutions to the problems we are having today in our country. Solutions, no matter who they come from, will never work unless they are used and acted upon.  I want to see my third generation in heaven someday.  I want them to know God. I want and pray my children will move from second generation to first generation in their devotion to God. They are following God's pattern to do it. What about you? Your children? Your grandchildren?  When was the last time you taught them about God?  Is their faith like yours?


The shepherd boy David developed a faith strong enough to slay a giant.  We can do the same. We have many giants to slay. If we do not do anything to teach our children and grandchildren what God views as sin, they will think same sex marriages, fornication and living anyway you feel like it is ok and not a sin.  God is not going to change his mind.  The supreme court does not have any weight with Him.


I love God, my wife, my family, and you.  We live in a fallen world. We are not going to make it pain free and without troubles, but Jesus is preparing us a place that is.  We just need to believe Him, obey Him, and love Him.


Any comments? You can go to www.rhepler52@gmail.com to comment or you can share on facebook below.  You can also go to www.amazon.com to preview and purchase my books.


I would not be writing blog post or books if I did not care about your soul's destiny, and the direction our country is going.  Don't think you are too bad to change. You can change or repent today if the direction you are headed is not the one you want your children and grandchildren to follow. Go to God's word.  See what was told to the early Christians on what they had to do to be saved.  Remember, with God all things are possible. (Matt.19:26; Mark 9:23)


Have a good weekend.


Rick