A Nation Divided….

These are the words of Jesus, not mine. If He is God, and He is truth, then America (and the World) needs to take His words seriously. The only hope America has is if we start listening to truth and stop suppressing it. A nation divided will not stand. Good versus evil, good must prevail. The Church must rise up, pray for this country, and unite in spreading the Gospel. As Princess Leia said in Star Wars, “it’s our only hope”.

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. Matthew 12:25

When “Me” Takes Up Most Of My Thought Processes…

Loving your neighbor isn’t New Testament theology. It’s been around since God existed (forever), for its Who He is, part of His character. When we don’t help those in need, or delay the help, it only shows us what’s in our heart. When “me” takes up most of my thought processes, withholding good from others becomes a habit that’s hard to break. This selfishness reveals which stage we are in, in the sanctification process (child stage). We haven’t learned that helping others is a sign of spiritual maturity. Ultimately, we are the ones who miss out on the true blessing (better to give than receive). Rotate your eyes 180 degrees forward, that way they will be facing outward, and you’ll be able to see others in need. Now go out and do the good God commands, and love your neighbor as yourself, while you still have the ability to help them.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” 29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,for those who live nearby trust you.30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,when no one has done you harm. Proverbs 3:27-30

Peace In The Midst Of The Storm….

God will never abandon a heart that seeks after Him. He is a refuge in times of trouble; a shelter for the oppressed. He is a calm (peace) in the midst of a storm. A light in a dark tunnel. He is security in an insecure world. He is confidence in times of mistrust. He is hope in times of despair. He is the Anchor of the soul. God honors those that honor Him. Never lose sight of these truths.

7 But the Lord reigns forever,executing judgment from His throne.8 He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.10 Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You. Psalms 9:7-10

Letting Go Of Our Troubles….

Common sense and discernment go hand in hand. Is it possible to have one and not the other? I’m not quite sure. Common sense without discernment can happen, but discernment without common sense isn’t possible. In today’s day, we need both, because we have to use discernment when hearing any news from any source. Common sense alerts us about an issue and discernment proves it’s legitimacy. People believe what they hear because they never take time to research the topic. And the reason they don’t research the topic is because they most likely are to wrapped up in their own little world. Being distracted only complicates things for the worse. Our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, and more people are not wanting to think deeply because it’s too much work. Without God, people will never be able to discern truth from falsehood. For it’s God Who grants wisdom. Common sense may no longer be common, but even if we possess it, it doesn’t guarantee we will be able to discern the lies that the world wants us to believe. Common sense only allows us to be closer to the truth, not guaranteeing us the proper use of it. God is our security, the Giver of discernment. Without Him, we are left in the dark to feel our way around, making the best sense of it we can. Part of the peace that the Bible talks about is the ability to live above fear, and the ability to sleep soundly at night. Our relationship with God grants us understanding and the trust that develops from that allows us to let go of our troubles, letting God take care of them. Common sense and discernment, don’t leave home without them.

21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.Hang on to them,22 for they will refresh your soul.They are like jewels on a necklace.23 They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. 24 You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. 25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, 26 for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Proverbs 3:21-26

Are You Absolutely Sure?

In modern times you hear more commonly that there is no such thing as absolute truth. Fortunately for believers, the Bible tells us there is. Truth is objective; meaning it applies to all people, all the time. Truth is not subjective; meaning it only applies to certain people and certain circumstances. Here in Genesis chapter 34 we read of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, being raped by Shechem. The very words “something that should never be done” (referring to rape) tells us that it’s an absolute (objective) truth. It means rape is wrong, all the time, never having a single reason to justify it. Imagine if America understand that there is absolute truth; abortion, same-sex marriage, transgenderism, euthanasia, legal drug use, and the list goes on and on, wouldn’t be legal because we all know it’s a sin. Truth matters. It matters regardless if we believe it’s objective or not. And the consequences are blind to prejudice, favoritism, or any thing else we can label it. The truth sets us free when we accept the fact that it’s objective and it’s God’s way of doing things. And by the way, when someone says, “there’s no such thing as absolute truth”, respond by asking, “are you absolutely sure”? 😉

1 One day Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area. 2 But when the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw Dinah, he seized her and raped her. 3 But then he fell in love with her, and he tried to win her affection with tender words. 4 He said to his father, Hamor, “Get me this young girl. I want to marry her.”5 Soon Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But since his sons were out in the fields herding his livestock, he said nothing until they returned. 6 Hamor, Shechem’s father, came to discuss the matter with Jacob. 7 Meanwhile, Jacob’s sons had come in from the field as soon as they heard what had happened. They were shocked and furious that their sister had been raped. Shechem had done a disgraceful thing against Jacob’s family, something that should never be done. Genesis 34:1-7

Learn To Manage Our Selfishness…

Salvation, Christianity, and Faith all have one thing in common, our response/attitude to God’s calling matters. If we respond with humility and gratitude, we will receive it and flourish. If we reject it, we will not only suffer eternally, but live a meaningless life here on earth as well. We have to learn to manage our selfishness in order to serve Jesus. And that’s only possible when we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives empowers us to make that change. Without Him, it’s not possible to manage our selfish desires, for we see no need for it. Jim Elliot once said (in regards to this topic), “He is no fool to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose”. Are you worthy? Then take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow Jesus.

37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love Me, you are not worthy of being Mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than Me, you are not worthy of being Mine.38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine.39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it. Matthew 10:37-39

If You Truly Love Someone….

If you truly love someone, you will correct them. You don’t let them continue to sin. Remember (as I’ve said before), Jesus dined with sinners, He didn’t sin with sinners. And He never left an encounter without painting a clear picture of how God designed us to live. If you really care for another human being’s soul, you will love them enough to show them the truth. Authentic relationships mutually look out for each other, always having each other’s best interest at heart, no matter what the consequences may be. God’s loves us too much to let us destroy ourselves. And He will do whatever it takes to show us. He just won’t do it with force (against our will). Anyone that has a loving father knows this. If you don’t know what a loving father is like, realize you have One waiting for you to respond, to start the relationship you need more than any other. Never leave an encounter with sinful behavior unaddressed.

My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when He corrects you.12 For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12