"Suffering for Doing Good"

 "Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment." (Ecclesiastes 8:5 KJV)

  "Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats." (1 Peter 3"13-14 NLT)

 Well, hopefully this will at least make some things be corrected in this crazy messed up world; but even then, there will always be wicked and evil, because there is no way that the enemy will surrender. If you don't know what I mean, it is because he knows first-hand that he will be defeated and that there is not any chance in hell that he will win; but he doesn't care, because he wants to take as many of us as he can with him, just to prove a point! 

 If you don't know what it is that the devil is trying to do, it all comes down to making man unworthy in God's sight. What a stupid and undoable plan! God already knew of man's unworthiness, long before He decided to create him, He already had a plan to make that which was unholy, Holy! We are justified in Christ, just as if we had never sinned; Ever! 

 And yes, the next President of these United States has suffered quite a lot, suffering being impeached, having his home raided, trial after trial, being arrested and charged as a felon; and for what? For trying to make this country a better place; a place where people can live safer, live free from oppression; actually, have a right to share their faith, without being told to shut their mouth! 

 We will have a President that is for life, love, peace, hope, and God! What is so terrible about that...

"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first." (1 John 4:16-19 NLT)

"So Let It Be Done"

 "Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?" (Ecclesiastes 8:4 KJV)

  "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." (Romans 13:1 NLT)

  You know by now how I feel about this election, as I have been an advocate for the rule of law, God's law, more than anything else. However, we have come to a serious crossroad, where there are major differences in the way some people see that laws should be enforced or carried out. Some laws are being ignored, while others are being enforced, even if they really don't exist. 

 Free speech was once something that was never censored, because it was part of the debate and a right that was established long ago; but we have torn that right, right out of the Constitution, without even having a vote! Hopefully things will get turned around, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't actually get worse. 

 Whatever happens, I believe there is justice being poured out; whether good or bad, it will always be for the good of the church! Before Covid showed up, everything was starting to get turned around; at least those things that made our Nation prosperous. But behind the scenes, and within the hidden bureaucracies, sinister things were tearing at the roots of our Nation. 

 It wasn't until we had to be locked down, that people started to pay attention to the wickedness that was hidden all throughout our government, especially our public schools. People started to realize that their kids were being captured by something they did not approve of; something that they never expected to be taught, let alone something to be hidden from them, as if they had no rights to know. 

 Then we had the privilege of living through four years of stupidity and chaos; where those who were called to be in charge, had really no right to be doing anything that they were assigned to do. And if they were doing it wrong, they were awarded for it, as if there was nothing wrong.

 Help me if I don't know what I am talking about, because I could just be making stuff up! Who could possibly make up the stuff that has taken place over these last four years; but regardless, God is still in control! The question we must ask ourselves, as Christians, is how this has affected the church? Has it made the church stronger? or has it just made us more willing to get in line? 

 Maybe, just maybe, we as a Nation needed to see what could be, and the church needed what is: because The KING is coming, soon and very soon...     

"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" 
(2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT) 

"Pilgrim's Discipline" - To

 "Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him." (Ecclesiastes 8:3 KJV)

  ""After this time had passed, I Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. "His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, 'What do you mean by doing these things?'"" (Daniel 4:34-35 NLT)

 I feel at peace regarding all that will happen, regardless of what might happen! No matter what, I know that God has a firm grip on this world, because He is the Creator of heaven and earth; it is His to do with, whatever He wants! And based upon the amazing thing He did on that cross, I can be assured that His plan we be amazingly awesome!  

 So, anyone out there that might think we have got to be worried, we don't need to worry about anything except those who will be lost, deceived, and reject Jesus Christ! If you want to worry about something, you need to worry about them. This world is going to be torn to pieces, but that doesn't affect anyone that saved: even if we are torn to pieces, lit on fire, and thrown into the deepest sea, we have a place waiting for us in the Kingdom of God, guaranteed! 

 Hopefully you can believe that is true, because it is what this life of faith is all about. There is nothing that happens here on this earth that God does not allow; not that He is pleased by what is bad or evil, because that is not something He would do; but everything is going to be dealt with, sooner or later; and all those who are not written, in the Book of Life, will be judged accordingly. 

 If you are so inclined, pray for those who plan and plot evil, that they might be changed. It could happen: If it happened to Manasseh, the evilest king that Judah ever had, it could happen to anyone, no matter who they are or how evil they become. 

 Keep your focus on loving the Lord and praying for those you want to be saved...

"Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness." (2 Peter 3:11-13 NLT) 

"Pilgrim's Discipline"

 "Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him." (Ecclesiastes 8:3 KJV)

  ""If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you."" (John 15:18-19 NLT)

 I know what you might be thinking, 'Do we just lay down and give up our rights?' Well, here is the part of any circumstance that might actually make some sense: We are not greater than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He was God, who came into this world, of which He created; yet He gave up His rights, in order to be a sacrifice for this entire world! 

 Giving up His rights, does not mean that He did not use the powers and abilities of God, because He most surely did! But when it came to the matter of why He came, He humbled Himself and became like one of us, totally and completely vulnerable to punishment, humility, and death. 

 We are really no longer part of this world; but does that mean that we are no longer useful to do what is right and just? Absolutely not! If the church would do what they were called to do, especially in this nation, the United States of America, where we have certain rights, (which, by the way are being stripped away, daily,) then there would not be so many evil things being done by evil people! That's a fact! 

 The whole point of this part of our journey, is to be a light, because we are of the Light! We are meant to be reconciling people to God, not just trying to avoid being part of the world; because as long as we are able, we are called to spread the Gospel and be a servant of the Lord; doing that which Jesus did, touching lives and making disciples, making know that which is right, shining light on that which is evil; praying for those that need to be saved! 

 The bottom line in all of this crazy and confusing story, is that this world is evil, so we should not be surprised by that fact; but at the same time, we love the sinner but hate the sin; we pray for those that are held captive and praise God for those that have been delivered; and most of all, we must come to the complete understanding that we are not at war with flesh and blood...

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For our weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV)   

"The Oath of God" - 2

 "I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard to the oath of God." (Ecclesiastes 8:2 KJV)

  "My child, fear the LORD and the king. Don't associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the LORD and the king?" (Proverbs 24:21-22 NLT)

  This morning, I was awakened by dreams of some serious fighting and destruction, from where and to what cause, I really could not tell; but I do feel fairly certain that it was something real. We are living in some very interesting times, and I am more than certain that the nation I currently live in is not going to be able to make it through what is coming ahead. There might be a reason that the country does not appear in the last days, unless that is, we actually are the "The Great Whore, The Harlot; The Mystery Babylon."  

 Anywho! This is more about the role of the church, than it is about what might happen to this messed up place, so called earth. God has more to do, more than we could ever imagine! Our role in this requires us to stay alert yet stay calm and collected. We are better off just being the ones that love others, even if we don't like what they do or don't do, we must still love the sinner but hate the sin! 

 As I said before, I truly want to see the good guys win, because it feels better knowing that evil was defeated; but evil will still try to win, no matter what! Reading the end of His-Story, there will be a time when evil has its day, but that time still has over a thousand years to go, before it all ends...

""Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?"" (Matthew 26:52-54 NLT) 

"The Oath of God"

 "I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God." (Ecclesiastes 8:2 KJV)

  "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." (Romans 13:1 NLT)

 We might not like to hear it, but even those who are evil and don't respect God or God's people, they too are allowed to be governing authorities over nations, states, or cities. If you don't believe it, we have a very obvious proof with the ruler that has been appointed over this world, Satan himself! 

 Whether you like it or not, it is true; we don't have the ability to vote him out of office, but we are more than able to not obey what he might tell us to do! Just because someone has authority over us, does not mean that we must do all that they tell us to do! If you don't believe it is so, look at those three Jewish boys that refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue. 

 Besides that, here in this State of California, it is not legal for a Christian to try to convert someone who might be gay, especially by telling them that what they do is a sin against God. When I was taking a class about being a School Chaplin, the instructor of the class warned us not to do that, even if the child came to us, as a believer, saying that they were dealing with the possibility of being gay. 

 What do you do with that? How much would you hold back, having a kid that believes in Jesus, but has doubts about their condition to be something, even though they have convictions about doing it? I had several minutes of challenging questions with the instructor over that situation; but she wouldn't allow me to make my case. It was at that point of the lesson that I understood that we were living in a very evil State! 

 I'm still here, living in the evil world, but where can we go! We are here to shine the light of Jesus, no matter how bad it gets, we must remain faithful and share the Good News, no matter what! The best answer to any questions regarding the sin someone might be dealing with, especially if they say that they believe in Jesus, is to simply say, 'pray about it and read your Bible!'

 You really don't need to point out sin in someone's life, if the sin is pressing upon their heart; just point them to the One that can change the direction they are headed, and let God do the work, so that you don't get blamed for changing them. If they might take their own life, you might feel guilty for telling them something, they probably already knew. Or worse than that, you might be arrested for causing them to take their own life; wouldn't that be a terrible thing! 

 This current election might be one of the worst situations that I have seen in my lifetime! One side, although they spout about commitment to democracy, they can't stand the thought about 'the republic on which we stand'; that is because the Republic we have been founded upon is based upon God's law, not the law of man! I really hope that you understand what I am saying, because man's law is all about doing what mankind wants to do, not what God wants us to do...

 "Own nothing to anyone - except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law." (Romans 13:8 NLT)  

"Obedience to the King"

  "Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. Don't try to avoid doing your duty, and don't stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants. His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it. Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble. 

  "Indeed, how can people avoid what they don't know is going to happen? None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not recue the wicked." (Ecclesiastes 8:2-8 NLT)

  "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God: Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began;" (2 Timothy 1:6-9 KJV)

 After saying all that was said, I felt a certain peace, almost as if it doesn't really matter what was said, because there is more to this than what I hope for to happen; what really matters is what God wants to see happen: And God needs His church to wake up and start getting serious about the salvation they have been given! 

 Now, there is a serious question I see on the horizon: What would cause the church to get serious about spreading the Good News and following Jesus? Would it that President Trump would win the election and start making life better for all of us, just so we can be happy and satisfied with this life? Or would be the other result, as we have more persecutions against the church, more perversion against our children, and more restrictions placed upon our lives? 

 Therefore, I am beginning to think we deserve the worst, to be made the best, because the best life will just make us fat and happy. We need to be persecuted and afflicted, just like Jesus was, because we are only going to be serious about the gift we have been given, once we start getting crushed and spilt out, just like our Lord and Savior! To that, I say: Bring it on...

"Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 2:10-13 KJV) 

"God's Blessing!" - Regardless!

 "Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed." (Ecclesiastes 8:1 KJV) 

  "Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you." (2 Timothy 4:19-22 NLT)

 Regardless of what might happen, God's blessing will be upon those of us that love Him and make every effort to do what is right. During Trump's rally at MSG, one of the speakers who spoke was Dr. Phil. In his presentation, he talked about bullies, and one of the things he spoke about was the responsibility each of us should have to stand with someone that might be bullied by a bully. As a matter of fact, he said that if we know it is wrong, and don't do what is right, we are no different than the bully! 

 I can recall a confrontation that took place at a Pro-life gathering, where a new Care Center was being established and work was being done to get it ready to open. Several Pro-choice people came to protest the opening of the Center; and one of them stepped up to brother Mark, and started barking in his face, as if he wanted to have a fight with him. Well, little did he know, but Mark was a Martial Arts instructor. Mark kept his cool, and finally spoke, saying in a soft and gentle tone: "You really don't know how much Jesus loves you right now." 

 These words that Paul penned to Timothy were his from his final letter. As with yesterday's post, Paul was basically airing out the things that he needed to make peace with and the things he wanted to feel good about, before he was going to be executed. It was going to happen, and he was still sharing how God was going to bless him; regardless of what anyone might do to him, he was still going to be blessed!  

 One of the things that bothered him, was how he left Trophimus in Miletus. Yes, it bothered him, because he couldn't heal him; even though he had healed so many others, and even brought the dead back to life! But there is always a reason for all that God does, and for all that God doesn't do! His will, will always be done, regardless of what we might do or do not do, He finds a way to get things done, according to His purposes and for His glory!

 So, that said, this election that is going to take place, regardless of the outcome, and regardless of who might win, God will be the winner in the end, period! The question really comes down to what side you will be on? Were you representing your Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, or did you turn away? We are still called to stand up for what is right, what is lawful, what is true, and what draws people closer to God, even if we don't really know the interpretation of a thing! 

 Either way, God will be the winner; and either way, we too will win...

""Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: "I know about your suffering and your poverty - but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death."" (Revelation 2:8-11 NLT

"God's Blessing!" - Too

 "Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed." (Ecclesiastes 8:1 KJV)

  "Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus of Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers. 

 "Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said. The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen." (2 Timothy 4:9-18 NLT) 

 Alright, I have had enough! For far too long people have turned away from speaking out, just because they don't want to be judged or canceled or have their comfortable life disrupted. But only those who love chaos and hate this country are the ones who speak out and disrupt, because they just don't care! As a matter of fact, most of them don't even know what they are doing or the real purpose of their fight. 

 Let's look at this with a little bit of wisdom! The current administration, if that is even possible to be what you call it, has made a mockery of administering the oath that they have sworn to withhold. The people that they have selected to perform certain tasks and positions, have been selected, not based upon their abilities to do the task, but upon their differences and their abilities to follow commands. 'Just do what we say, and don't worry about what you were called to do!' 

 And then you have the Other Guy! The one who thinks about the abilities of his selections to do the job right and to actually get things done! What a contrast between the two; one creates disruption and a lack of continuity or order; while the other works to make everything work together, making success and perfect order the goal; because that is how you fix what has been broken...  

"These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:1-7 NLT)  

"God's Blessing!"

   "How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person's face, softening its harshness." (Ecclesiastes 8:1 NLT)

 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)

 If you didn't get to watch the MAGA Rally yesterday, the best parts were amazingly special and made me realize that there is still a little glimmer of hope that we can turn this nation back to God! Yes, not all of those who spoke were godly people, but that doesn't mean that God doesn't use people who are ungodly to do what He wants to do, because He most certainly does!

 As to the post from yesterday, you must understand something that was said, Eve wanted to be cared for and protected; husbands, you wives want to be cared for and protected: more than that, whether or not they want it, they need to be cared for and protected! This is what we must do; just as Christ cares for and protects the church, the husband must do the same for his wife. This was my point from yesterday's post: Adam failed to care for and protect his wife! 

 I cried yesterday when Malania announced her husband, saying, "Please let me announce our next Commander in Chief, my husband, Donald J Trump!" I'm not sorry if that might offend anyone, because for the last few years, what has been happening in the country has offended me and most of the people who live on this planet! No one has the right to tell a five-year-old child that they are not what they were meant to be, absolutely no body, not even their parents, let alone a teacher. 

 We grow up thinking things all on our own, we make mistakes, and we do things we regret; we certainly don't need someone pushing us over a cliff and cutting off our choices to make up our own minds, what we are and how we have been created. That is pure evil, and I am totally astounded that it is happening in this country, which is meant to be a place where God is trusted! 

 If you believe in God, why would you even think about voting for someone that hates God; Someone that does not respect human life; Someone that does not honor doing what is right and maintaining the rule of law? What have we become, if good is evil and evil is good? 

 Someone really needs to fix this, and I'm hoping and praying he has a chance to do, just that...

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV) 

"Not Quite Right!"

 "Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." (Ecclesiastes 7:29 KJV)

  "Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil - the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else." (Ephesians 2:1-3 NLT)

 By the way, I didn't go into a discussion of the thousand women, because that was Solomon's experience; something I don't think any other man has gone through, so I had no right to try and speak about it or try to explain it. The only thing that I can possibly say, if there was a hint of definition to his point: most women are very emotional and sensitive to any type of rejection or lack of understanding what they want or need. This was precisely what Eve, (I believe,) experienced in the Garden! 

 Let me try very carefully to explain what I am trying to say. Adam was the man, who God made to guard and protect all that was in the Garden. God gave Adam the ability to be, "upright," which actually means, straight, correct, right. With that, God gave Adam the assignment to name all of the animals, which, while doing so, Adam discovered that something wasn't right. 

 It was Adam's correct observation that God had intended for and prepared for him to need; after which God made from Adam a woman; which Adam called her, because she came from man, which he was. This now became a union of one, man and woman living together; they became one flesh by bounding together with one another.

 Without trying to make any comparisons about who is what and why, Adam was supposed to be the one that was watching over and protecting his wife! However, (and this is just my opinion,) there was this thing that Adam wanted, but he was too fearful to directly take it himself. Oddly enough, God gave him this woman to help him manage and look over the Garden. 

 God had told Adam, 'You may eat of tree, except that one in the midst of the Garden,' but somehow, Eve added something to that command, which was, 'don't even touch it.' Either it was Adam who told Eve, 'Don't even touch,' or it was Eve's choice to say it, because she had witnessed Adam touching it and admiring the fruit! 

 There is more to this than what meets the eye, because if Adam did this to entice Eve, in order to make her want what he wanted, she was being set up for something that either Adam expected, or felt was a weakness for her to be led into. I know it might sound crazy, but you have got to understand that man was made with the ability to invent and plan and think through all sorts of ways to get things done.

 Eve was deceived because Adam allowed it to happen, and that's just saying it nicely, because he might have more than just allowed it, he might have actually set her up for it, just to see what might happen...

""The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."" (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT)

"Reality Check!"

 "Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found." (Ecclesiastes 7:28 KJV)

  "Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!" (PSALM 12:1 NLT)

 Maybe it might be time to start taking a look at the something that matters, in this case, the deception and the flat-out lies that are being spread all over the globe. And when I say the globe, I mean the whole earth! What have we become? How is it that people are allowed to try and take out or lock up a man, just because he has won the popular vote? 

 I know that this takes us down a road that we don't really feel is any of our concern; but, if you have any care whatsoever how evil and deranged the condition this world is heading, then you should at least pay attention to who is taking us there, and who it is that wants to stop it from happening. If we are the salt of the earth, then we need to be salty and add some flavor to the world we are living in! 

 Pay attention to what is being said, and who is right and who is wrong; at the very least, pray about the ability to decern what you hear, and to at least understand which direction it is coming from. Ethier way, good or evil, God's will, will still happen; there is nothing that can stop Him from doing what He has planned and prepared for this earth. The most that will happen, will be the difference between those that are lost, and those that are saved!

 We must be about our Father's business, which is all about being Salt that actually works...

""Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"" (Luke 14:34-35 NLT) 

"Reasoning!" - Too

 "Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:" (Ecclesiastes 7:27 KJV)

  ""If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison - your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!' Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."" (Luke 14:26-33 NLT) 

 Maybe you have thought about this before, realizing that the cost is great; but the benefits of giving up everything to follow Jesus, is so much greater than anything else. And then you start counting the cost, placing things in certain categories, with variable priorities, thinking of responsibilities and commitments or the people you care for and feel responsible to watch over. 

 And then you just come to the realization that you should just make peace! Do what you can to serve the Lord, but keep your life in order, is what you decide to do; it just seems like the most logical thing, given the life that is all around you. Does that sound familiar to anyone? 

 You cannot believe the stories you can hear from those who have given it all away to let God take full control; most of which will tell you, "Life can exist in a vacuum!" The world will tell you that it does not work; but with God, everything is possible! This is why I have such a deep belief that Mark, John Mark, the writer of the Gospel of Mark, was that "Rich Young Ruler." 

 I am not alone on this, even Dr. Chuck Missler believed it was so, as well as other Scholars that have determined to investigate the matter on their own. What makes a man give up everything, to pick up his cross, and follow Jesus? Was there really a concern in his heart for eternal life? According to his account, there really was! Jesus knew what He needed to do, because Jesus already knew what he was going to do; that is, once he started reasoning the issue.

 Just in case you didn't know this, Mark ended up being somewhat of a Ruler again; except this time, he was planting churches all over Asia! God tends to use people's talents for His good...

"This is what the LORD says: "You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the LORD."I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."" (Jeremiah 29:10-14 

"Reasoning!"

 "Behold, this I have found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:" (Ecclesiastes 7:27 KJV)

  ""Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken."" (Isaiah 1:18-20 NLT)

 You probably should know, this verse is about Solomon reflecting upon all the wrong things, both in the lives of those who live under the sun, and his own life, as a man that is meant to be protected and guided by God. He truly started out well, but somewhere along the way, he changed direction, wanting more of the world, and less fellowship with God. 

 Although he might not have ever stopped believing God existed and has awesome power; power enough to destroy him and cast him off his throne; he still remembered the promise God gave to him, even though he didn't hold up his side of the bargain! This might seem crazy, but God still kept His side of the deal, because He never goes back on a promise; but at the same time, the choices we make, can do great harm in our lives, if they are the things that go against what God wants us to do. 

 You might know that famous song, "Count Your Blessings," where you are to name them one by one; well, this area of our life involves counting all the sin, one by one, and then asking God to forgive us and cleanse us, and then turning from that sin; which means, turning completely to God! 

 The question is, 'Can it be done?' When God changed Jacob's name to Israel, the meaning was, "Governed by God," which was quite a different meaning than Jacob, which meant "one who follows on another's heels." Just so happens, there happens to be another heel mentioned in the Bible, of one that would crush the head of the enemy, Satan! 

 We are not perfect in these fleshly bodies, but Jesus took on flesh, to be the sacrifice to cure our sinful lives, and to make us perfect, in Him! In Him we are perfect, without Him we are not...

"Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:16-20 NLT)   

"Escaping the Vampire"

 "And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her." (Ecclesiastes 7:26 KJV)

  "Then the LORD said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the leaders of Israel are doing with their idols in dark rooms? They are saying, 'The LORD doesn't see us; he has deserted our land!'" (Ezekiel 8:12 NLT)

 Now, this is something interesting to talk about! I'm not sure what type of picture or idols they had back in the day of Solomon's time; but I am pretty sure that if someone wanted to make something to get themselves feeling nasty, they would surely find a way to make it happen. (I know this for a fact!)

 Yes, there is section of my life I wish I had never entered into! Most people don't think it is all that bad, thinking they really don't harm anyone, but themselves; and that's only when they feel guilty or get caught. But it takes more than you even realize, until it becomes more than you can take! 

 I am ashamed to share it, but it must be said: You cannot hide from God! Yet, those who are taken by 'her' have some sort of way of thinking that God will not see, as if He doesn't look in that direction, so you are okay to do whatever you want. What a terrible way to picture the God who has the power enough to save you but doesn't have the ability or desire to see how you are destroying your life! 

 It took some time, and some really serious things happening in my life, but I realized that I needed my faith more than I needed that foolishness! How can we stand for our faith, if we can't turn from the things that make our faith weak or insignificant? 

 If you don't believe God's there when you think He's not looking, how will you trust He is there when you call out and need Him? Humdrum faith, is pretty much what that is...

"Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body to become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace." (Romans 6:12-14 NLT)