"God helps those who help themselves!"
Hezekiah 6:1

The book of Hezekiah is not in the Bible but that doesn't stop many people from believing the content of this phantom scripture.  They believe it, quote it and use it to justify their actions or should I say, hide their sin, because people who quote it are usually proud of the fact that they provide for themselves and pride is a sin. (It's the one that comes right before a fall)

By the way, "God helps those who help themselves," is actually a quote from Ben Franklin and it appeared in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757, but does the content of this oft-quoted scripture contain any shred of truth?  Yes and no.

The children of Israel would still be in bondage today had they not physically got up and left Egypt.  They were told what to do and they did it.  God helped them because they helped themselves.  He had been helping them every day while they were suffering under Pharaoh and might have continued to do so had they refused to leave, but we can all see the difference, can't we?

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We have all read the parable of the good Samaritan and nod our heads, thinking that we would have helped that poor man, however, we rarely give credence to the parable because after all, it is just a parable.

When was the last time you saw someone in need and walked away shaking your head?  You may have even thought, "I really wish I could have helped but there was nothing I could do." 

Those words are nothing more than a way to sooth your guilty conscience. 

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Often in this life, we will find two witnesses telling the same story, or almost the same story.  we will dismiss one and accept the other.   The reason is credibility.

When one witness is given to sensationalism and extremes, it is completely normal to dismiss everything that person says.  We consider them unreliable even though periodically, they may be correct on an issue or two.   Likewise, when another person has proven themselves to be level-headed and factual, we tend to believe what they say even though periodically, they might be wrong.   The reason is credibility.

It is unfortunate that this phenomenon is regularly found with those professing to be believers.   Whereas one person or group will draw others closer to the truth, another will drive them away even though they share almost the same truth.    The reason is credibility.

To protect your reputation, don't associate with crazy people, whether they be saints or sinners.  Their testimony is unreliable.   All too often, when someone else presents the same message, people will associate the content with the incredible and unreliable witness and dismiss it as folly.

An incredible witness brings harm to the Truth and the kingdom because their version of the truth is tainted by their wayward mind and the foolish company they keep. You can't see the light in their life due to the glaring reflection from the tinfoil they are wearing.

I will give two examples of different people presenting information on the same topic.    One, you will dismiss as bizarre and the other may cause you to consider their message.   The reason is credibility.

The subject matter is UFOs.

See? You have proved my point!  You are already dismissing the topic because you have heard so much from unreliable witnesses who live in trailer parks, marry their cousin and wear tinfoil hats.   So have I.

We must learn to analyze the message and glean bits of truth, if present, no matter what or who is the source and we must learn to dismiss the untruth, no matter what or who is the source.  Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Humor me on this and watch a couple of videos.

Note: This exercise will take a bit of your time, so get settled in and go to the next page when you are ready to begin.

When you are done watching the videos, leave a comment.   Let me know who you think is credible or otherwise and why.    Additionally, give your thoughts on the validity of the message.

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When Herbert Hoover took office, the economy was booming and times were good. During his four year term, household income fell 35% and unemployment rose to 25%. The Great Depression began after his first year in office, and despite efforts to implement volunteer efforts and government action, he was unable to end the economy's downward spiral. He lacked charisma in relating to voters and had poor skills in working with politicians.

Sound familiar?

George Bush's approval ratings hover between 25-28%. Jimmy Carter's popularity dipped to 28% in 1979 and Richard Nixon and Harry Truman suffered ratings in the low-to-mid 20% in the last years of their administrations. The difference between the other president's low ratings and that of George Bush, GW's are accompanied by a severe downturn in the economy. No matter what he says from the podium or what Bernanke of the Federal Reserve Bank says, people are worse off now that they were eight years ago.

Today, I make less than one fifth what I used to make, my bills have more than doubled and my current job is instable.

I know I am not alone.

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Many parts of America, long considered the breadbasket of the world, are now confronting a once unthinkable phenomenon: food rationing. Major retailers in New York, in areas of New England, and on the West Coast are limiting purchases of flour, rice, and cooking oil as demand outstrips supply. There are also anecdotal reports that some consumers are hoarding grain stocks.  

At a Costco Warehouse in Mountain View, Calif., yesterday, shoppers grew frustrated and occasionally uttered expletives as they searched in vain for the large sacks of rice they usually buy.

Food prices are soaring.  Millions of people around the world are starving.  Who is to blame? 

The answer to that question may surprise you.

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