Dear Beachside Family and Friends,

A recent Pew Research Center study evaluated American's belief in God by their affiliation with various groups. Classes studied included denominational background, age, sex, race, income, education, and others. Its' overall findings showed that about 80% of Americans believe in God, or some facsimile of God, and 20% do not. 

As a sub-class, those with college degrees, and especially those with post graduate degrees were much less likely to believe in God. Among those holding master's and doctoral degrees, less than 10% espoused belief in God. If this study is correct, it would seem that the more educated one becomes, the less likely he or she is to believe in God. This study did not ask whether individuals believed in the God of the Bible, which likely would have resulted in even smaller numbers professing belief in God. 

The belief gap between the average American and the uber-educated American is large. This chasm is significant because almost all doctors, lawyers, and judges, and many journalists, politicians and career government officials hold post-graduate degrees. Since these individuals are much less likely to believe in God, they do not have the same values as the average citizen. Those who believe in God respect His authority and recognize they must answer to Him for their actions in this life. This tends to moderate their behavior, as they know there are consequences for their actions. The godless are not so, having no expectation of a life beyond this one, and no fear of judgment and eternal punishment. 

When those who have no respect for God are in authority in our form of government, the opportunity for abuse of power is great. Since they believe their education and intelligence are superior to the citizens', they act as if they are above the law, with no concern they will be forced to give account for their actions. President John Adams said "Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." When godless officials cannot get what they desire through constitutional means, they simply ignore the Constitution. For them, the end justifies the means. 

There is ample evidence to suggest that officials of the previous administration in Washington have used their power in an unconstitutional manner to spy on at least one, possibly many, private citizens of the United States. Leaders at the highest levels in the Justice Department, FBI, State Department, and the former White House may have been complicit in tapping the communications of their political opponents during a presidential campaign. If so, this is  an abuse of power never uncovered before in the history of our nation. 

Years ago, during the Watergate scandal, the establishment news media could be trusted to bring the truth to light. It now appears that they nave become a part of the darkness, conspiring together to keep the truth from the public. It is now apparent that the godless elites in media have embraced the darkness as their light, their truth. Jesus told the leaders of Israel "...And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! (Matthew 6:23) It seems that journalism only exists to prop up and advance the darkness to the exclusion of light. Their education and intelligence serves only to hide the truth, not to advance it. 

The deep divide between the powerful elite and the citizens they govern becomes more obvious every day. It is important to pray for those that are in authority that they may see the light, the TRUE LIGHT. Paul wrote "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (1 Timothy 2:1-3) Pray that our leaders will embrace truth and turn from the darkness.  "Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good," (Psalm 53:1) The folly of intelligent man is to think that no Intelligence rules the universe. The scripture is clear and undeniable: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." (John 1:5) Revival is on the way!

Pastor Ramon

Dear Beachside Family and Friends,

Life is about choices. The decisions we make today are the foundation for what transpires in our lives tomorrow. Every action of the present has direct bearing on the future, and what we do each day sets the stage for the experiences of the next. In this age of self-gratification, very few think about their future. They are convinced that there are no consequences for their actions, and if there are, someone or something will bail them out. Looking to relatives, friends, and the government as their source, they ignore the fundamental principles of happy and successful living. 

The pleasure of the moment is the opiate of existence in many lives. As long as it feels good right now, the results don't really matter. A life of addiction, unwanted children, and poverty await the irresponsible, but society urges on the masses to continue in lifestyles destructive both personally and professionally. Liberal progressives tout the freedom to do "what you want to do". but have no solutions for the moral wreckage and individual torment their policies foist upon society. The Bible provides the definitive statement about the current condition of many in our society: "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)

There are those who are convinced that men are not equal in the dyes of God, and that He selects winners and losers in life through a celestial lottery. Some believe rhey cannot succeed because they are "underprivileged" This allows those who reap a bitter harvest from poor and ill-conceived choices an excuse. They declare themselves losers in life because of the circumstances of their birth, race, religion, or sexual preference. The government must step in and help they say, because "we have been cheated in life", when in fact it is not life that has done them wrong, but their own choices. As Peter observed "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism."(Acts 10:34)

Since God shows no favoritism, men are denied the excuse of their circumstances for the lives that they create. Life is all about the choices each person makes, nothing more, nothing less. We are each empowered to choose, and the GOOD NEWS is this: we CAN choose lives of peace, health, prosperity and blessing. God tells us in Deuteronomy 30:19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

 The most important choice that can be made today is one that will secure eternal life and break the power of death and destruction. There is but one solution to the poor choices that many make. His Name is Jesus, and He helps us to break free of the past and embrace a future of hope and blessing. He tells us "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Choosing Jesus is the best life decision anyone can make. Choosing a relation?hip with Him fulfills God's command to choose life, and helps us all to make proper decisions for our future. Jesus promises life to all who call upon His Name. He told His disciples "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) 

God has provided a way for every man to choose life today and receive blessings tomorrow. Making the right decisions today will assure an amazing future. The choice is up to you: Choose Jesus, choose life, and eliminate excuses for failure. It's time to enjoy life and living once again!

 Pastor Ramon

Dear Beachside Family and Friends,

January is heralded in with celebrations far and wide. Crowds fill Times Square in New York and Pier Park in my hometown of Panama City Beach to watch balls slither down poles to arrive at their respective destinations at 12:00:01 am January 1st. Music is played, toasts are made, and kisses are exchanged in order to welcome in the New Year. The revelry continues throughout the night until the celebrants creep wearily into bed to recover from the effects of the party. 

On waking the next morning with or without headaches, each person is faced with the same question: what will I do to make the New Year better than the one that just passed away? Not wanting to do the same thing over and over again with the insane expectation of different results, ideas awake in the minds of many. I'll make some resolutions they declare. I'll change my life! Resolving to do things differently, resolute individuals vow to be kinder, stop stressing, and treat others and themselves with more respect. Amongst all these resolutions, the  most commonly shared is the determination to get fit. 

The first month of every year shows large increases in the sale of fitness equipment. Surges in fitness center memberships and diet plan commitments promise the fit lifestyle of the future. Millions are spent in the  pursuit of taut, toned bodies, and untold numbers of shakes and energy bars are consumed, all in the quest to make this year's body better than  last year's. 

It's important to take care of our bodies, exercising and feeding them properly, but there can be a downside. Some drive themselves so much that exercise and diet consume all of their time and energy. Fitness has become their God. God certainly desires for us to treat ourselves well and stay healthy, but His fitness priorities are different. Paul understood this, for he wrote "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. (1 Timothy 4:8-9) While not denying the benefits of working out, the wise apostle declared the most important training to be spiritual, not physical. It is possible to be physically fit and not spiritually fit, and the Bible clearly declares which type of fitness is most important. 

 "Now in a great house there are not only articles of gold and silver, but also others of wood and of earthenware; and some are for specially honourable, and others for common use. If therefore a man keeps himself clear of these latter, he himself will be for specially honourable use, consecrated, FIT for the Master's service, and fully equipped for every good work (2Tim 2:20-21)

Resolving to become physically fit in 2018 is a worthy goal, but pales in comparison to becoming FIT FOR THE MASTER'S SERVICE! Spiritual fitness assures us that we can be used by God, and being used by Him is the greatest pleasure this side of heaven! 

Let's make a fitness resolution together. Read this out loud: "Father, I resolve to become spiritually fit in 2018 so that I can be used by You and be fully equipped  to do Your work" Working out in the Word every day will grow your faith (Rom 10:17), and since faith pleases God (Heb 11:6), we will be used and blessed by Him. That's a fitness challenge worth accepting. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Pastor Ramon