THINK ABOUT IT

What is a Polytheistic Society? A polytheistic society is one in which people worship multiple gods and goddesses. In our modern world, we face a similar landscape; we have different religions, a multitude of denominations, and the rise of atheism and witchcraft. In such a society, religious faith becomes confused. Everyone believes they are right, and the mantra becomes "live and let live." People say, "You have your truth, and I have mine," even when those "truths" are in direct contradiction to one another. How does this impact Christians? Many Christians become paralyzed. They are fearful of confronting others in their errors because they might be labeled as "extremists." As a result, many become overly "open-minded," accepting and even celebrating every particular belief system. The result is ecumenism—everyone coming together in a fragile "religious harmony" while holding beliefs that are completely incompatible. Accepti...

  Society Will Enslave You Society will enslave you—not necessarily on purpose. It isn't as if there is someone sitting behind a desk plotting to shackle the masses; while such people may exist, that is not what I am speaking about here. I am speaking about how the very nature of human society inevitably enslaves us. How Does Society Enslave? Human beings are social creatures, and in order to live in harmony, we create social norms. We define what is acceptable and what is not. There is nothing inherently wrong with norms that facilitate peace, but enslavement begins when society starts to define the very meaning of life for everyone as a whole. For example, a society will teach young women a specific standard of beauty. It might say a truly beautiful woman must have a stretched neck, a narrow waist, or a curved figure. Automatically, any woman who does not fit that image feels worthless or inferior. As a result, many will spend their lives searching for ways to match that standar...

A life without purpose is a living death. In our time, many are living without direction, and as a result, life can be deeply painful. Depression is rampant where there is no purpose. Life without a mission deteriorates into a search for pleasure and a desire to numb the self with all manner of drugs and distractions. You can tell that for many people in America, life lacks a clear aim because it is so often focused on escaping reality. Is making money life’s purpose? No. While money is needed to facilitate life in this world, it cannot be the ultimate reason for our existence. Purpose is much more than a paycheck. What is Purpose? When we speak of purpose, we are talking about the fundamental reason for something's existence. We were not created and brought into this world simply to accumulate wealth. There are primitive societies that do not use money at all, yet their members often live with a clearer sense of purpose and joy than those in wealthy Western nations. When looking ...

 The Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all evil" ( 1 Timothy 6:10 ). Yet, if you were to walk around and ask most people, "Do you love money?" the answer would be no. Especially in a Christian setting, the response would be a definite "no," but reality often tells a different story. What does it truly mean for a person or a society to love money? It doesn't mean you go around professing your affection for it. America is a capitalistic society—an economic system where private individuals and organizations own the means of production, and the market determines prices and distribution. The primary characteristic of this system is the drive for profit.  In America, life is often centered on the chase. When acquiring money becomes the ultimate goal, both the society and the individual become corrupted. This is the true "love of money": when the acquisition of wealth becomes your highest priority. It is seen when the thing that moves y...

Man was made in the image of God. But what does it mean to be made in His image? What is God like? The Bible says, "God is a Spirit" ( John 4:24 ). When we think of a spirit, we think of something not limited by physical restraints—something unseen and greater than the material world. When God made man in His image, He created a spiritual being covered by an earthly body. We all have the breath of God and a spirit within us. This internal spirit is the real person; it is our character. Two Natures: Spiritual and Earthly With our spiritual nature, we relate to God; with our earthly nature, we relate to the world. Let’s break this down to understand it better. What do we find in our spiritual nature? We find love, patience, longsuffering, and mercy. The spiritual nature is primarily about relationships; that is its highest goal. Because God is a Spirit, He has no physical needs, yet He finds pleasure in relationships. The Godhead itself is a union of three eternal beings—Fathe...

 President Donald Trump has gained victory in the presidential election. Many across the nation and the world are shocked and astonished by this extraordinary success. How can a man who left Washington in disgrace in the eyes of many in January 2021 return to the highest office in the land? Many thought at that time that Mr. Trump was politically done and buried; yet, here he stands as the President-elect.  How did Mr. Trump do it? He had a singular goal—the presidency—and he persevered until the very end. He was undeterred and unrelenting. He "set his face like flint," essentially declaring that no matter what came his way, he would not stop. Even after negative events, he remained motivated to run the race and win what many consider the biggest political prize in the world. On the way to this triumph, Mr. Trump faced lawsuits, criminal cases, and assassination attempts. He was abandoned by many in his own party after the January 6 debacle and was blamed for Republican losse...

 The 2024 United States presidential election has concluded, and President Donald Trump has prevailed decisively over Vice President Kamala Harris. This completes a historic comeback for Mr. Trump, who survived two assassination attempts and faced numerous criminal cases. His return to the White House is a feat of political resilience not seen since the late 1800s.  How did Trump manage to do it? Many in the media suggest that the primary driver behind his return to power was the economy. Americans are enduring tough times due to inflation, a difficult housing market, and the rising price of groceries. While mainstream media outlets insisted the economy was performing well, the average person felt otherwise and subsequently rejected the incumbent administration. By focusing heavily on these economic anxieties, Trump propelled himself to victory. A New Golden Age? In an age of global anxiety, Trump campaigned on a promise of American prosperity. His slogan, "Make America Great...

 Pride is something we all struggle with. At its core, pride is an attempt to fill an internal void. We are all born with a sense of emptiness. As we become self-aware, we begin to notice the differences between ourselves and others—our strengths, our weaknesses, our smallness, and our vulnerabilities. Realizing our "nakedness," we quickly seek to cover it with the garment of pride, comparing ourselves to others to determine if we are "better" or "worse." We internally ask: How can I be better than the next person? How can I exalt myself? Pride is rooted in competition. It manifests in several ways: Striving to be the most beautiful. Accumulating the most money. Being the most intelligent. Dressing in the most expensive way. Believing you do not need anyone else.  Pride is about promoting the self to fill a void at the expense of others. We feel a temporary "high" when others notice our covering—like someone saying, "You look great in that ...

In our current society, marriage often has a poor reputation. To be honest, marriage can look quite intimidating depending on where you look. Divorces are rampant both in the church and the world; for many, the institution seems more like a curse than a blessing. Some have had such hellish experiences that they wouldn't wish marriage on their worst enemy. Indeed, marriage can either make or break you, depending on whom you choose as a spouse. Marriage is a solemn undertaking that requires deep reflection, much thought, and even more prayer. The worst mistake one can make is to be blinded by raw emotion; reality has a way of making such impulsive decisions lead to regret. However, beyond the frightening aspects of a "bad" marriage lies a beautiful experience—if we understand its true purpose. A successful marriage based on divine principles will still have its challenges, but it is a beautiful thing that our individualistic society needs now more than ever. Our society is ...

  In the Bible, we read the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God had sent two angels to rescue Lot, the nephew of Abraham. The angels appeared as men, and Lot, who was sitting at the gates of Sodom, saw the strangers coming and offered them hospitality. Though the strangers initially resisted, claiming they would rather sleep in the streets, Lot’s persistent concern eventually persuaded them to accept his offer. "But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, and said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly." — Genesis 19:4–7 Because the angels had delayed in accepting Lot’s offer, they were noticed by the men of the city. Immorality was rampant ...

 When we look at the world, we see immense suffering. Everywhere, the cry of a suffering humanity is ascending to heaven. But who is to be blamed for all of this misery? Do I personally play a part in the world's distress? In this post, we will take a brief look at how misery spreads and our individual role in it. The Origin of Suffering In the beginning, God made humanity perfect; male and female He created them and placed them in a perfect garden. He gave them a simple commandment: do not eat from the forbidden tree. But the serpent came into the garden and tempted the woman. She was seduced, and after being overcome, she went on to tempt her husband to follow her into sin. The man ate of the forbidden fruit, and the rest is history—suffering is now widespread. The Blame Game After sin came the "blame game." The man and the woman both blamed others for their own actions. The man blamed his wife, the wife blamed the serpent, and God judged them all. From that point on,...

On October 28, 312 AD, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. Rome was in the midst of a civil war. Constantine won the battle, starting the path that led him to become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. But something significant happened before the fight: Constantine, a pagan at the time, claimed to have received a vision from God. On October 27, with the armies preparing for battle, Constantine claimed a vision led him to fight under the protection of the Christian God. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, around noon, Constantine saw a luminous cross in the sky with the Greek inscription, "In this sign, thou shalt conquer." Constantine also claimed a dream in which Christ commanded him to use the sign of the cross against his enemies. Constantine became the first emperor to convert to Christianity. He ended the policy of persecuting Christians and, in 313 AD, issued the Edict of Milan, proclaiming religious freedom....

Today is the 4th of July, the day America celebrates its independence from the British Empire. It is a day marking freedom from the oppression of the British Crown—a day of great rejoicing. But friends, this freedom was not simply given; it was not free, because true freedom never is.  The Founding Fathers of the United States had to fight for American independence. King George III of England would not simply allow the colonies to walk away. He sent soldiers to crush the rebellion, and much blood was shed for the liberty we enjoy today. It was a long and bitter struggle until the Americans prevailed and the British Empire retreated. Similarly, in the spiritual struggle against sin, the world, and the devil, freedom is not free. The enemy will not allow his captives to walk away freely; he will fight to the bitter end to keep us in the chains of sin. If we want to be truly free, we must be willing to fight. We must be willing to "crucify" the sin in our lives and stand firm in...

 Recently, I saw an article that discussed the "unwritten laws" of nude beaches—rules intended to regulate behavior in such places. The title was, "Lose your clothes, but not your manners." I found this fascinating because it perfectly reveals the modus operandi of this world. It shows how the enemy ensnares the masses into a sense of self-righteousness while they are actively promoting and participating in evil. One of the "laws" mentioned was: Don’t look down, and don’t compliment people on their bodies. This would be hilarious if it weren't so wicked.  A person who frequents such a place and keeps these "laws" will consider himself a moral person. Because he didn't stare or make inappropriate comments, he feels righteous. He might even condemn someone else who fails to follow these rules as a "pervert" or a "wicked person with no self-control." This is exactly where the world wants to bring us: to a point where w...

Would you allow a friend to eat poison? Would you support a friend who is drinking down a deadly toxin? Would you justify the drinking of poison within the church, or simply say "live and let live" while someone destroys themselves? Unless you have a cruel heart, you would do no such thing. Yet, for some reason, many people are cheering as a minority of our human family consumes the spiritual poison of homosexuality. In the eyes of God, homosexuality is not natural; it is described as an abomination and a departure from His design. According to the Word of God, the spiritual consequence of unrepentant sin is death, and the Scriptures teach that those who persist in this lifestyle will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.  God made the woman for the man and the man for the woman. "Opposites attract," and the physical design of the human body shows that men and women were made for one another. From a biblical perspective, homosexuality is an aberration—a misuse of human...

 God created us for the purpose of love. He did not do this because He needed love—for He is all-sufficient—but for the purpose of sharing His great love with created beings. What does it mean to love? To love is to give; it is to seek the highest good of another. Many things masquerade as love, but under close scrutiny, they prove to be nothing more than selfishness. An example of what love is not is having sex with someone to whom you are not married. A man may tell his girlfriend, "I love you and you know I am going to marry you, so it's okay for us to get intimate now." Is this love? No. It is lust—selfishness masquerading as love. Two essential elements are lacking here, and without them, you cannot have true love: Patience and Self-Control . To love someone requires being patient with them and exercising great restraint over oneself. A lack of love is demonstrated when a couple cannot wait until their wedding night. In this state, they act more like robbers than ...

 The "Mark of the Beast" spoken of in Revelation 13 is approaching with great haste. Yet, many remain in darkness regarding what this mark is and how it will be implemented. In this study, we will examine key prophetic truths concerning this solemn subject. What is a "Beast" in Bible Prophecy? In Bible prophecy, a beast is a symbol of a nation or a kingdom. This is not a foreign concept to us today; if I show you an eagle, you recognize it as the United States. If I show you a bear, you think of Russia. Daniel 7 clearly establishes this principle: a beast represents a kingdom or empire. In Revelation 13, we see two distinct beasts. Our focus today is on the second beast: "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." ( Revelation 13:11 )  A lamb in the Bible is a symbol of Jesus Christ—the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29). Therefore, this nation begins with Christian principles: gen...

  What Makes a Woman Truly Beautiful? What makes a woman beautiful? Is it her face, her hair, or her figure? Modern magazines have many metrics for judging beauty, using specific measurements and standards for height and silhouette. Pageants present us with a "most beautiful woman in the world," leading many men to wish they could have her and many women to wish they could be her. Yet, when you look closely, you often find that these same women struggle to maintain a marriage or keep a man.  Why can’t a "beautiful" woman keep a man? While her appearance might attract many, her inward character—arrogance, shallowness, or a nagging spirit—eventually repulses even the most superficial of men. Many beautiful women mistakenly believe that physical looks alone are enough to sustain a relationship. They confuse the attention born of lust with genuine love, only to be left broken by a revolving door of men in their lives. Physical beauty is not a sufficient reason to marry....

"Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." — John 14:30 Jesus called Satan the "prince of this world," yet He declared that the Devil had "nothing" in Him. In other words, there was nothing in Jesus’ life that Satan could claim as his own. Because Jesus was free of sin, He was free from the Devil's control and his kingdom. You and I cannot naturally make such a statement, for we were born in sin—born as captives and slaves to Satan’s domain. Sin belongs to Satan. It is his product, his art, and his merchandise. Whoever harbors sin belongs to his kingdom. Since all of us have sinned, we all at one point belonged to the kingdom of darkness. But the question today is not whether you once belonged there; it is this: Are you currently having a love affair with the Devil? You might ask, "Ric, how can you ask that? I’m not a devil worshipper; I don't practice voodoo or witchcraft. How cou...

 Love is a beautiful thing. It makes life worth living. Love is the greatest force in the universe because God is love . We all want to be loved, and most of us long for someone to love in return. We sing about it, write about it, and watch movies about it; yet, genuine love is perhaps the most difficult thing to find on this earth. It is often easier to find diamonds and gold, or even the lost city of Atlantis, than to find true, selfless love. Because of this, many have simply given up, viewing love as a fable for the unwise. Why is Love So Hard to Find? The simplest answer is that we are imperfect. To be imperfect means we are "broken," unable to fully perform the function for which we were created. Imagine you meet the "love of your life." She is beautiful to behold, and you think, "I have finally found her." You scoff at friends who speak negatively about marriage, convinced they just haven't found "the right one." You and your lover b...

 America is a capitalist society—a society that often places materialism above human welfare. It teaches us that money is the key to freedom and happiness, urging us to "live the American Dream" and "keep up with the Joneses." Capitalism promises liberty, but it often delivers a different kind of slavery, because material things can never truly satisfy the human soul.  Capitalism can become a form of bondage used to ensnare the masses. In this system, the worker is promised liberty if he only works hard enough to make a lot of money. However, the harder you work and the more you are promoted, the heavier the workload becomes. You find yourself with less time for God, your family, and yourself, while the system generates more profit at your expense. Your boss becomes richer while your mental and physical health declines. The system enslaves you by turning you into a perpetual consumer. As soon as you receive your paycheck, you run to buy a new car, the latest iPhone,...

If I were to ask you what the greatest treasure in life is, what would you say? Would you say diamonds, gold, or money? A piece of land or a prestigious job? It is an irony of this life that we often spend the most on things that are least important, while the things that are truly vital are free of charge. The greatest treasure in this life is a gift: The treasure of relationships.  Relationships are the most important part of life because people are the most valuable entities in this world. However, modern society has deceived us into valuing things more than people , and as a result, we have become miserable wrecks. Some are so busy chasing money that all their relationships collapse. They work so many hours that they have no time for anyone else. But consider this: the job you are killing yourself for would fire you in a heartbeat if you no longer fit their needs. That same company would let you go instantly if you faced a serious illness. Many of us have our priorities upside...