Stealing The Hearts Of People…

In our current state of politics, one might question, “is this new”? I would answer, “no, it’s not new”. Modern day politicians say whatever is necessary to manipulate people in order to get votes. I remember growing up and realizing that it was common among a certain political party to take polls, asking people what was important to them, issues they felt were paramount. The politicians would then change their platform to include these issues. It sounds good, but when polls changed, so would their platforms. It became a popularity contest instead of what the politician actually believed. And so we come to today’s topic, stealing the hearts of people. Absalom did just that. He played the people to turn against his father the king. He undermined his father’s wisdom, power, and jurisdiction. He told the people what they wanted to hear. He changed his platform to what was popular. He flipped-flopped on the issues. He thus, manipulated the hearts and minds of the people. Does this sound familiar? Does it sound just like a modern day politician? If you’re not familiar with the outcome of this story, it doesn’t turn out good. Both sides lose in this situation. And it eventually costs Absalom his life. When you manipulate people, it can seem to work in your favor, but in the end, it’s you that gets played. Stealing hearts is only temporary. You can only deceive someone for so long. The question you must ask is this, "what do you do with the peoples' hearts once you've stolen them"? When people realize what’s happened, they will turn on you, and everything you gained from this deceptive practice will be lost, including your reputation.

1 After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. 2 He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. 3 Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. 4 I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!”5 When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. 6 Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:1-6

Don’t Feed The Wildlife…

In today’s welfare state, this proverb exposes its abuses and outcome. There’s a reason there are signs in our national parks that read “Don’t feed the wildlife”. The problem with handouts is that it encourages laziness. It encourages dependence on our government. It encourages entitlement. As this proverb states, being hungry drives a person to look for work so he can make money to feed himself. Welfare has its place, but it’s temporary, not permanent. Long-term welfare transforms charity into entitlement, and produces donors without love and recipients without gratitude.

26 It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. Proverbs 16:26

What This Evil Act Causes…

When I read about the rape of Tamar by her half brother Amnon, her response to him after his suggestive advances, shows her mindset and reveals her character. “Where would I go in my shame? And you would be be called one of the greatest fools in Israel.” She not only thinks about herself but also her brother’s reputation. It shows that she knows society’s view of rape and it’s victims. She knew, well in advance, the repercussions of what this evil acts causes. She even tried to stop it by telling Amnon that if he asked their father David, he would allow him to marry her. Tamar must’ve known God, because she knew all of these things. Sadly, Amnon didn’t listen, and it eventually cost him his life. And so it goes with all who have his same mindset when it comes to sexual behavior. God places boundaries for reasons; our protection is one of them.

10 Then he said to Tamar, “Now bring the food into my bedroom and feed it to me here.” So Tamar took his favorite dish to him. 11 But as she was feeding him, he grabbed her and demanded, “Come to bed with me, my darling sister.”12 “No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel. 13 Where could I go in my shame? And you would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. Please, just speak to the king about it, and he will let you marry me.”14 But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her. 15 Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her. “Get out of here!” he snarled at her.16 “No, no!” Tamar cried. “Sending me away now is worse than what you’ve already done to me.”But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her. 17 He shouted for his servant and demanded, “Throw this woman out, and lock the door behind her!”18 So the servant put her out and locked the door behind her. She was wearing a long, beautiful robe, as was the custom in those days for the king’s virgin daughters. 19 But now Tamar tore her robe and put ashes on her head. And then, with her face in her hands, she went away crying. 2 Samuel 13:10-19

Listening Is A Lost Skill..

Listening is a lost skill in America today. It’s no wonder why we are where we are today. Taking the time to actually listen, to take in what others are saying, forces us to get our attention off of ourselves. When we do that, we are able to witness God moving.

20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. Proverbs 16:20

The Answer To Life’s Problems…

True Christians have the answer to life’s problems. It’s Jesus. He is the answer people long for. He is the hope in this life. Why not share this truth with others, for that’s what we are commanded to do (the great commission). Infuse someone with hope today, tell them about Jesus. It’s not hard, we just have to set ourselves aside and share what we know to be True.

5 You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. Psalms 65:5

The Peace And Significance You Long For…

For all those that long for freedom, for acceptance, for unfailing love, look no further. Jesus is right here waiting, wanting to give you the peace and significance you long for. What the world craves, it cannot produce, so it simulates it, drawing people in. In offers spam instead of steak, powdered milk instead of whole milk, infatuation instead of real, enduring love. In Jesus, we will never be condemned. In Jesus, we will receive eternal life. In Jesus comes the acceptance (from day one) that all religions hope for at the end of their journey. We pass from death to life, through a corridor where a small sting replaces the horrific effects death truly has on human beings. If only the world could see and know this.... we wouldn’t have so many longing for but embracing a lifestyle that delivers the exact opposite.

24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24

What Got Lucifer Kicked Out Of Heaven…

Pride is what got Lucifer kicked out of Heaven. And it’s what sends many into Hell. Pride says, “I’ll do it myself”, “I’ll do a better job”, and “I don’t need your input or help”. There was a song back in the day that could summarize the concept of pride, it was called “My Way”. You see pride is selfishness. Selfishness is the opposite of Love. If God is Love, then pride opposes God. The second biggest thing pride does is blinds us to the truth. It makes us feel we can do things on our own. The reason pride goes before destruction or a big fall, is because it makes us believe in ourselves, leaving God out of the picture. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing”. So in recap, Pride makes us believe in ourselves and not God. When we make plans to do this or that without God, it may seem to work for a short while, but it won’t last. There’s more to the picture then what is seen. Human pride is always opposed by God. It leads to embarrassment, humiliation, and a very big fall. Ultimately, that very big fall bottoms out in Hell. Is our selfishness really worth the journey down there? Lucifer is a prime example of this concept. Choose today Whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

18 Pride goes before destruction,and haughtiness before a fall. 19 Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. Proverbs 16:18-19