Calling The Church To Account With Regard To Our Obedience.

 

As the Lord has grown me up in Him, my heart has become heavy as I discern "organized religion" substituting the will and sovereignty of man in place of Scripture in the life of the Church. If you have followed this blog for anytime at all, you will not be surprised at what you read here today. I have often called out the Church for being more obedient to its man-made traditions than the instructions and commandments God revealed to us through His Word.

Let me begin by stating that we should all know that obedience is important to God, the Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Bible is full of their heart on this matter. The Old Testament records the importance of obedience on the part of Abram, Moses, Enoch, Joshua, the prophets, King David, and so many more. It also makes clear that blessings come out of obedience, while curses fall from disobedience. The ancient nation of Israel had to learn that lesson over and over. And all the nations of this world today should take heed of that prophetic warning. 

In the New Testament, Jesus states the importance of obedience in clear and simple terms: If you love Me, you will keep My commandments (John 14:15). And if that isn't clear enough, we see His frustration in Luke 6:46, Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you?  Mind you, He is talking to those who have come to Him as Believers and heard His words.

As Jesus began His three-year ministry, He gave Believers explicit instructions: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and Seek, first, the Kingdom of God and righteousness. Repent ... Seek... these are verbs; commands to take action; and there is an expectation that obedience is assumed and required if we are to call ourselves Followers of Christ. And Obedience was a sacred calling on the lives of the Biblical heroes I mentioned above. There was no equivocation or ambiguity when it came to obeying God's commands.They understood that anything less than perfect obedience was seen as rebellion in God's eyes.

The first king of Israel, King Saul, understood that well when he heard the rebuke from the prophet Samuel, "For rebellion is as [serious as] the sin of divination (witchcraft), and disobedience is as [serious as] false religion and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you as king". Rebellion, leading to disobedience, has consequences! Yet, we see our leaders of nations, and our leaders of Churches and denominations, choosing to amend, modify, adapt, and recast God's commands in an attempt to make them align with man's will and become more palatable to our flesh. 

So, do we truly believe that God is the same today as He was yesterday? Do we take God at His Word as seriously as those people in the Bible -- or as we should? And, what then, does obedience look like in the 21st Century? I have some pretty serious  doubts that it resembles what God called for in the Old Testament. And it should be apparent that it isn't God who has changed -- but the Church of today, its leaders, and members of the Body of Christ. 

I must tell you that I have often been accused of a lack of Mercy and Grace towards my fellow Christians because I am willing to challenge what the Church has established as "comfortable" and "acceptable" when it comes to following the commands of God. But, for me, I am unwilling to compromise my obedience to my Lord for the sake of avoiding conflict by agreeing to concessions regarding the Word of God. My obedience is a willful act, and it is the fruit of my decision to honor Jesus as my Authority.

Don't misunderstand me -- it's not that I don't honor the position of Pastor, Teacher, Prophet, or the teachings of Biblical scholars and theologians. But my Ultimate Authority is Jesus Christ and what His Word tells me. All that Christ did in His life on earth was done according to the Scriptures, and He did it as obedience to His Father who established the Word. Our lives should mirror that same commitment and obedience. 

And here is another aspect of obedience that makes modern Christians uncomfortable: For some reason, Christians are afraid of the word "power" when it is applied to them. But I am here to tell you that there is real power in the life of a Believer who is willing to be obedient to Jesus's commands and authority. When you are walking in obedience, you will find that the floodgates of Heaven open up, and God is able to work through you, demonstrating His Power in the fruit that you bear for His Kingdom. 

People are healed -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The spiritual forces and demonic beings of the Dark Side are put into submission under the Name and the feet of Jesus. People step into their destinies [and giftings] as Children of God, and prosperity and blessings take root in their lives. Peoples' minds, bodies, and souls can be literally transformed by our free will decision to obey our Master and Lord! In effect, our obedience is the catalyst that releases God's Power into this realm and pushes back the cloud of Evil that blankets this domain. When we obey those commands to "Repent [change our minds to think from God's perspective]" and "Seek the Kingdom", we walk in a new spiritual identity that binds and looses the power from Heaven's Kingdom into His Kingdom here on earth. 

So, I invite you to examine your own heart -- and the obedience of your Church -- to see if we are honoring our covenant with our Creator; both personally and corporately. He loves us and has established His commandments, statutes, laws, and decrees for our own good. We return His love by being obedient to those commands. But that requires a responsibility on our part ... to know and understand His Word. In today's culture of compromise and concession, we can become deceived by men seeking their own will and power, which can, without question corrupt the Word and result in rebellion and disobedience. God created us to be in communion with Himself! Let us trust Him and obey His every word! His commands are not burdensome, but balm to our souls. 

And I would like to finish these thoughts by expressing my desire that we do not obey out of a legalistic, religious heart, but out of the "obedience of love" towards Jesus, who loved us and gave Himself up for us. If I may, I would like to offer this simple principle ... My obedience is grateful love; grateful that the Word has manifested in my life: "My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him".   

Romans 1:4-5.     Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.     

Reap the Pleasure You Will Receive From Following God's Will in Your Life!

As Christians, we are blessed with God's gift of free will. Through this divine gift, we have been given the opportunity to develop an authentic relationship with our Creator. Instead of being robots whose every decision is dictated by the Sovereignty of our Master, we have been given the ability to make independent choices; whether to be influenced by the moral character of God, and to act on those choices -- or to choose our own path based on our human desires, independent of God's will.

Of course, non-believers will say they are equally capable of making moral decisions, too. But when moral standards are defined by our culture [instead of God's universal moral principles], we usually find that what is considered right or wrong, good or evil, varies significantly between different people groups. When there is no uniform standard of morality, and no acceptance of God's supreme authority in the world, it can lead to chaos and undesirable consequences in our lives. In addition, when there is no understanding of God in our life, or that His will for us is always good, acceptable, and perfect [Romans 12:2], man can be tempted to follow his own will and desires, with the ultimate purpose of pleasing himself.

My primary reason for writing this post is to speak to my fellow Christians about guarding our minds and hearts, and to encourage each of you to always seek the will of God. As a Christian, it is my desire to become more like Christ; to grow in my identity in Him, so that others will be encouraged to transform their lives [and this earth] to become like God intended. But, unfortunately, from God's first relationship with man in the Garden of Eden, up to this very day, thousands of years later, we as humans, tend to desire our own will, and have suffered the consequences.

Like many in the family of God, I can honestly testify that I have suffered the consequences of walking outside my Father's will. Thankfully, those choices came in my younger years, and I've had the opportunity to recognize the errors of my ways; both spiritual and physical. Neglecting God's authority over my life, and His purpose for my path, resulted in misalignment with His Divine plan. Needless to say, those weren't very productive times in my life. But I'm grateful for the lessons learned, and the repentance that led to maturing in my spiritual walk, and growth in my relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.    

As simple as it may sound, it all comes down to this ... we want what we want; we desire what pleases us above what pleases our Creator and Father in Heaven. Adam and Eve proved that, and set the pattern for all mankind. They knew God's will. He laid it out for them in exact terms; pure and simple ... "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die". But they chose to use their precious divine gift of free will to act in agreement with man's enemy, who told them, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 

And here's the rest of that portion of Scripture that is at the heart of what I'm trying to express ... "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate". This is all about Eve determining that the fruit of the tree [she was forbidden to eat] offered pleasure, and that appealed to her more than obeying the LORD God. The enemy in the garden promised if she used her free will to accept his temptation to disobey God, she could actually become like God. And the human race has paid the consequences to this day.

You see, the only way we can become like God is to follow Jesus Christ's example. He shows us the way in a passage in John 6, verses 38-46:  "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."  A little further in that passage, Jesus says "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." And again, He says, "And they will all be taught by God".

We can infer from this passage that it pleases God that His Son, Jesus, is willing to do His Father's will, rather than His own. And God wants Jesus to not lose one person that He [the Father] draws to the Son. Furthermore, God's pleasure includes the obedience of those in mankind that receive His calling on their lives, and who are willing to walk in God's purpose for them. Paul confirms this truth in Philippians 2:13 ... "For God is the One working in you, both to will and to work on behalf of His good pleasure".  

So, this is where we need to come in our journey of understanding: We have been created for His good pleasure! And when we bow to His will, rather than our own, our purpose on this earth will be revealed day by day. And that's where the fulfillment comes from. I can speak to that from personal experience. I have shared this before, but my testimony is a perfect example of what that fulfillment looks like. Nearly 20 years ago, I had a chance [divine] encounter with a man I did not know, but who told me he had a word from the Lord for me. You have to understand, at that time in my walk with the Lord, I wasn't very experienced in hearing from the Lord, so when a stranger tells me God spoke to him about me ... let's just say I was a little skeptical.

But this man revealed something that I had not shared with anyone on earth. Since I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. I'd write stories in my bedroom while in elementary school. I had a few episodes of writing for a local newspaper while in high school, and some interviews for an informal music publication in college. By the time I met this man many years had passed and now that desire was a dream unfulfilled. But when he told me that the Lord had spoken to him, and wanted me to "become the pen, not the blank piece of paper", I was astounded. How did you know I always wanted to write? was my astonished response!  He said, God made you to write and it pleases Him when you do what He made you to do. He wants you to write -- not to have a #1 best seller, or to make a million dollars -- write just to please Him!

This may not seem an earth-shattering event to you, but it has changed my life and my sense of who I am. That chance encounter led to me spending nearly three years writing a novel; just for the purpose of pleasing my Father in Heaven. To be doing what He made me to do brought me so much joy and I will tell you that the story, characters, and words just flowed from my mind. There were days I didn't remember writing those pages that began to pile up. I truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as He guided me through that process. And I sensed the pleasure of the Father that I was writing for Him! That project then led to hearing His voice tell me to start this blog 15 years ago (including 2,709 posts); again to write for Him, encouraging anyone who finds this little commentary useful in their relationship with the Lord. I have self-published a couple of books, and have another one in the developing stage. 

My life has been a testimony of the consequences of seeking my own will, and the blessings of pleasing God when I choose to follow His will. It is very clear to me that my free will is a reflection of God's love for me. When I can set my path on fulfilling His purpose for my life, I receive far more than anything I could ask for, or even dare to think. And the best part of that is knowing that I am most pleased when pleasing Him! Thank you, Lord, for the gift of free will! For me, it means eternal joy in Your Presence!

Colossians 1:9-10     And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;    

Happy 250th Birthday, America! Let Freedom Ring!

I am going to be quite transparent in today's blog post. I am an unabashed and unrepentant American patriot! From the time my reading skills surpassed the "Run, Dick, Run!" books of my early childhood, I read everything I could get my hands on about the history of America -- beginning with Virginia Dare, who was the first English child born in an American English colony; the Roanoke colony to be exact. She was born on August 18th, exactly 366 years prior to my own birth, so I've always felt a connection to her. The entire colony disappeared and what happened to them is a still a mystery to this day. Yet she symbolizes man's desire to seek freedom and independence no matter the cost.

And I was blessed to have an aunt that was a librarian and took an interest in sharing books that would kindle my love of American history. There was a series of children's  books that began in the 1930s called "Childhood of Famous Americans". They were illustrated with black silhouette shadow profiles of the book subjects. I would go to the library with my aunt and spent many days devouring these books that inspired me with the childhood stories of American patriots and what led them to their purpose and greatness in the American story. The first one I read was about Thomas Jefferson, followed quickly by George Washington, Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, Meriweather Lewis, Ethan Allen, Francis Marion, Dolly Madison, Harriet Tubman, Molly Pitcher, and on and on. The series extensively covered the personalities of the American Revolution, and I was fascinated with each and every person.

I am not naive enough to think that these books did not simplify the lives of these historical Americans, and that they concealed their flaws and foibles for the sake of young readers. Like each one of us, there are weaknesses and shortcomings in our life stories, but these books were written from the perspective of introducing how the principles of the American story influenced these heroes and patriots. I know, for me, they incited a sense of pride in my country, and a desire to emulate their legacies to America. In today's culture, it's apparent that we've come a long way from that mindset. In fact, our libraries are filled with anti-American teachings; books that disparage our history and denigrate our founding principles and citizens. 

I know the generations that have followed me have not had the same opportunities or blessings of being shown the original [and foundational] truths of the founding of our country, and why its existence is so important to the world. Several years ago, I read a book written in 1981 by W. Cleon Skousen, titled The 5,000 Year Leap. The book refers to the significant progress and advancements made in human civilization, particularly in the context of the American Revolution and the founding of America, which established a new form of government based on principles of freedom, equality, and justice. The concept emphasized that the Founding Fathers created a unique system that allowed for unprecedented growth and prosperity, rooted in natural law and Judeo-Christian values. 

I would like to share a few of those principles from the book that have contributed to why I think America should be recognized for their contribution to man's freedom, liberties, and independence. They also represent why I still choose to be a patriot and am proud of my country...    

•  It is important that we return to the truth that our Founding documents are worthy of being studied and honored in our halls of education. We need to recognize the Founding Fathers' principle that the only reliable basis for sound government and human relations [that are just] is Natural Law. And what is meant by "Natural Law"? As defined by the Founding Fathers, it refers to universal moral principles inherent in human nature [and which come from our Creator] and which can be understood through reason. These moral principles were [and still are] essential for establishing rights and governance, as reflected in the Declaration of Independence. 

But what is most important is that the men who established our form of government understood that Natural Law is God's law! There are certain laws of the universe that originate with the One who created the universe, and these laws that come from God are innately involved "in the affairs of men".

•  A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain virtuous and morally strong. A republican constitution is a governing document that establishes a system where representatives are elected by the people to make decisions on their behalf, and it is governed by a written constitution that outlines the fundamental principles and laws of the state. This type of constitution ensures that the government operates under the rule of law, protecting the rights and liberties of individuals while limiting the powers of the government itself. 

There is a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin, who in the aftermath of the contentious Constitutional Convention, was asked by Elizabeth Willing Powel, a Philadelphia socialite, "Well, Doctor Franklin, what have we got ... a republic or a monarchy?" His cultivated response: "A republic, Madam, if you can keep it". But there is another quote by Franklin, that I find especially relevant for today's national climate ... "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Is that where we find ourselves today?!?

•  I still believe, like the Founding Fathers, that all things have been created by God, and all mankind are equally dependent on Him, and therefore equally responsible to Him. That leads to the principle that without Faith [or Religion, if you prefer], the government of a free people cannot be maintained. George Washington said it best: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports .... And let us [with caution] indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion [faith]." 

The Founding Fathers considered the existence of the Creator as the most fundamental premise underlying all self-evident Truth. They felt a person who boasted he or she was an atheist had just simply failed to apply his or her divine capacity for reason and discernment. 

•  Mankind has been blessed by God with certain natural rights, such as life and liberty, that don't need the help of human laws to be more effective or stronger. In addition, no human legislation has the power to reduce or destroy those rights, unless the person, himself, commits a flagrant violation that forfeits his rights. In conjunction with these natural rights of life and liberty, is the understanding that they are secure only so long as the rights of property are secure. This was a revolutionary idea in the history of mankind. Never before had men been able to declare rights to property they had cultivated and improved by their labor. 

•  And perhaps one of the most important principles that represents the founding of America is the idea that the core unit which determines the strength of any society is the family; therefore the government should foster and protects its integrity. When Alexis de Tocqueville, a French historian, political scientist and politician toured America in 1831-32, he made this observation... "There is certainly no country in the world where the tie of marriage is more respected than in America, or where conjugal happiness is more highly or worthily appreciated." And where marriage is held in such high esteem, it follows that family and children are respected and cherished. 

These are just some of the principles upon which the founding of our country were established. It is not difficult to see where we have failed in maintaining these high standards set by God and our Founding Fathers. And it is a sad truth that we have enemies within our country who have fomented rebellion and disobedience against God's laws and righteous and just relations between men. Sadly, it might seem as if we have abandoned the principles upon which those courageous men and women risked their "lives, fortunes and sacred honor" in order to establish a new covenant of freedom and independence for all men. 

But, I have faith in this country! For 250 years. we have fought off the strategies of human and spiritual forces to destroy the hope that America stands for. The heart of that little girl I used to be is still inspired by my fellow countrymen and women who rise above the corruption; who believe in our Divine purpose in the world; and who recognize that when we repent for our sins, God will still pull us out of the fire we have self-inflicted. This is my country... but first, it was His country and He afforded me the blessing to be born here. And, so, today I celebrate our longevity. I commemorate and recall the miracles of our founding; how 13 individual colonies came together for the good of all; who respected what God had provided for them in this amazing land. I thank God that I am an American and I know, without a doubt, that the spirit of 1776 is still alive in 2026! If God is for us, who can be against us? Happy Birthday, America! We are still here and worth fighting for!

1 Peter 2:16      Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 

 

 

  

The Rise of Socialism As We Get Ready to Celebrate 250 Years of Freedom!

I think it goes without saying that Socialism has gained newfound favor among the young these days. In my day, Che Guevara's image was everywhere -- on t-shirts, dorm room posters, murals, even coffee mugs. He was the cultural icon for the anti-capitalist movement in the 60s and 70s, relying on guerilla warfare and civil unrest to further his agenda against capitalism in the West, which he saw as imperialist and colonialist. He believed that armed revolution was the answer to creating a classless society. 

Unlike Guevara's form of armed revolution, his contemporary, Saul Alinsky, sought to empower the marginalized through community organizing and agitation. Although he preferred to work within "the system", he wasn't averse to confrontation, while employing the art of compromise when it suited his plans. Both of these men have left a huge impact upon the youth of this century, and we see their influence upon the political and social movements of the day. Students from that era became teachers and college professors who have indoctrinated the ensuing generations with their anti-American and socialist doctrines.

And now, from the political rhetoric of far-left politicians, to peaceful and nonviolent marches, to the activist groups who have caused disarray, chaos, and violence towards communities, businesses, and government agencies, it has become apparent that our nation is becoming embroiled in a domestic crisis.

It seems that our citizens are at odds over our separate political and economic ideologies. We constantly hear terms like Marxism, Socialism, Communism, and Capitalism. As a Christian, born into a Capitalist society, I think it is important for me to first, understand what these terms mean, and secondly, how they are designed to affect every aspect of my life. Finally, I believe it is necessary for me to understand what God says about them in His Word.

Let me start by saying that as a Christian, I am more in favor of Capitalism, because I believe that its roots pay tribute to God's will for mankind. From the founding of this nation, our Founding Fathers expressed their desire to uphold "these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". These Rights are assumed to include the freedom to own private property, and to determine our means of making a living, fostering economic freedom and prosperity for all men, while preventing excessive governmental influence or control. Ultimately, Capitalism is an economic system based on private property, profit, and free market exchange.  Also assumed, is the hope that men will be guided by God's moral principles and biblical teachings, as expressed by Jesus in His parables --  such as a strong, moral work ethic and the absence of greed. 

Marxism and Communism, on the other hand, deny God's existence, and their adherents often share atheistic belief systems. They tend to reject traditional ideals of morality. These economic systems believe in [and seek] material and economic equality as the purpose of life for mankind. Marxism advocates for a classless society and argues that class struggle is evidence that material conditions and economic forces always form the basis of social structure, usually resulting from calls for radical transformation, and eventual revolution. Communism is a classless, stateless society where all property is communally owned and wealth is distributed based on need. All forms of private property and centralized governance are abolished; there is no money, no wage labor, and no social hierarchies based on economic status. It is often associated with authoritarian regimes and is the end goal of Marxist economic theory.  

Both Marxism and Communism view any religious or spiritual fulfillment as "an opiate " served to the masses as a means of both oppression and false hope, and meant to be actively abolished. The bottom line is that Capitalism and Marxism/Communism are two mutually exclusive economic systems, greatly differing on the ideas of morality, human nature, and the role of government.

And in the middle we find Socialism, which is an economic and political system whose proclaimed goal is to reduce inequality and provide a fair distribution of resources. But as we can see in our current national climate, in the name of democracy, it can take on increasing authoritarian forms, taking from one group of citizens to give to another through progressive taxation and public ownership of major industries and services. It is touted as a transition from capitalism to communism, with the goal of limiting capitalist success to protect social welfare. 

It is quite evident that our younger generations have been fed a litany of pro-Socialism doctrines through our public education systems (and sadly, even through the Church)! They have been taught that Socialism ensures fairness and equality - in fact, it is known for operating on the principle of government intervention and redistribution of wealth. But to my knowledge, there has never been a nation that succeeded under the Socialist banner. Instead, Socialism has led to economic decline, the loss of personal freedoms that our Constitution guarantees, and overall societal chaos. Free will, which is such a divine gift from our Creator is discouraged, as is economic independence that our Founding Fathers safeguarded. 

Instead, our latest generations seem to have lost the pleasure, fulfillment, and gratification that comes with innovation and entrepreneurialism, and opted for settling for reliance on the government for their every need. They don't seem to understand that our Creator has instilled in us a desire and a drive to achieve our individual purposes that He created us to fulfill. All they have to do is study the histories and socialist policies of Venezuela, Argentina, Cuba, and the Soviet Union to discern that Socialism has never worked economically, nor resulted in a more egalitarian society... or contented population.

I do not contend that our capitalist economic ideology has served us perfectly. It has its history of greed, mismanagement, manipulation, and corruption that have grieved the masses. But my spirit clearly discerns that the principle ideas of the other economic systems I have presented in this post do not serve me as a Christian or an American. Having worked side-by-side with my husband in our own business for the last 30 years, we have been blessed to have the freedom to work hard, create new things, reap the rewards, and learn from the failures. We are by no means wealthy, and there are months we struggle, but we would not trade our lifestyle for any other means of making a living. God's economic system works best for us ... It's called freedom!

I will never forget the first time we went to market with our goods to sell, and the overwhelming thankfulness I felt that we lived in a country where several hundred small businesses could be free to gather together to showcase their creative talents and reap the benefit of their hard work. It hasn't been easy; we've paid our dues through our labor and toil, and have seen the fruit of our efforts. Capitalism leaves room for God to be a part of our business, as it has for 250 years of hard-working Americans. 

And now, it looks as if our country is at a crossroad. It's not true that no nations have existed beyond 250 years. But America is facing a battle from within as to whether we continue to exist in the same freedoms we have enjoyed for those two-and-a-half centuries. I invite you to read The Truth About Socialism and decide for yourselves if the candidates in the upcoming midterm elections represent the foundations of our country and what has contributed to our success as a nation since 1776. It is so important that our youth understand the consequences of fighting for this way of life. Yes, we have work to do, and things we need to correct and root out. I believe we have been blessed by God as a nation and as individuals. I do not want to be the generation that lost that favor.  

Ecclesiastes 2:24     There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. 

The Battles In This World Get Harder When You Say "Yes" to Jesus

 

How many of you received the message from your church's pulpit that when you accepted Jesus as your Savior, your life was going to be changed? And taking that a step further, that life would not only be changed, but you could expect blessings to be poured out in abundance? And how many of you were disappointed when that didn't happen; that instead, you experienced disheartening challenges that had you wondering "Why aren't the promises and favor God promised showing up in my life?" 

Many Christians assume that our Salvation guarantees an easy, prosperous life, free  from any kind of struggles in this world; any pain, distress, trials, or conflict. It's not really all our fault for this misunderstanding. After all, preachers have gained fame and successful ministries by preaching a Gospel message of Prosperity and Success. 

Yes, Jeremiah 29:11 does tell us, "For I know the plans I have you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." But Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart! I have overcome the world." It is so important that we take the WHOLE counsel of God! We cannot live in only the positive, merciful counsel of God. We must learn and digest His Word about discerning the consequences of receiving the Truth of our Salvation and the cost of belonging to Jesus in this world. 

When we accept the power of Jesus that comes with our Salvation, we must also accept the responsibilities, accountability, and, yes, burdens that come with acting as His representative on earth. We no longer belong to the world, but are separated from them and belong to Jesus. He has bestowed upon us [among many things] the power and knowledge of God's Kingdom, and appointed us to bear fruit for it in His Name. We were chosen out of the world, and the world hates us because, like Jesus, we are a mirror that exposes their sin. So the citizens of the world hate us for the same reasons they hated Jesus. They will persecute us, for the same reasons they persecuted Jesus. 

We must accept these burdens as the privileges of our sanctification unto our service for the Kingdom of God. We should consider ourselves no less called to trials and tribulations than the Disciples who answered Jesus's call in the first Century. Like them, we don't fully understand what it will cost us, but by being fully committed to His cause [by and through faith], we will be able to withstand the hate of the world and all the pain, suffering, and despair it tries to inflict upon our flesh. 

Because this is what the world does not understand ... the burdens we may carry as the Lord's representatives shape us and sharpen us, refine and strengthen us to carry forth His Gospel to the world. We will be shaped into God's own weapons by the very afflictions meant to destroy us. We will be built to do the work we are called to do in order to exalt the Father and the Son, and to bring down those who seat themselves higher, on thrones of their own making.

In the aftermath of our struggles and battles, we will carry the banner of Christ, declaring His victory, and bringing His peace and the full knowledge of Him to all the world. I look forward to that awesome Day, and the resounding echos of God being praised across the globe. Until that day, I ask you to join me in waging our battles faithfully, and carrying forth our praises endlessly. Let us all find rest in the Word, shelter under His Wings, and joy in the knowledge that God holds us in His Mighty Hand. For the Day of the Lord is near and we glorify His Name! 

Hebrews 10:24-25.   And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

For Many Christians, Modern Israel Presents A Biblical Dilemma

In today's vernacular, we've come to understand a dilemma as "a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, oftentimes between equally undesirable ones". And, yes, dilemmas do present themselves in the Bible, but more likely illustrating moral or ethical conflicts faced by individuals in the Bible. Think of the moral dilemma Abraham faced concerning the sacrifice of Isaac. Do I obey God, or do I protect my son, whom I prayed for, all those years ago? Or Rahab's dilemma whether to choose deception in order to protect the Hebrew spies, or choose truth and loyalty to her own people. 

These two examples of dilemmas faced by Biblical personalities illustrate the difficult challenges faced when we find ourselves in moral conflicts, emphasizing the roles that Faith and Character play in Biblically navigating difficult situations. That is the predicament that true Christians find themselves in today when it comes to deciding how we are to react to modern-day Israel [in light of how God instructs us to perceive or recognize them, according to His Word]. 

In my own opinion, their actions today are often in alignment with the rebellion they displayed in the Old Testament. LET ME BE CLEAR, and please hear me, as I make several points that will explain my discernment about God's favored nation. In regards to Jesus's Second Coming, I do not believe they resemble the redeemed Israel that He returns to restore to their original calling, yet I believe that God still remains faithful to them. Why? Because He is a God whose promises are irrevocable. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call (Romans 11:29). Among His many promises to the nation of Israel are the assurance of His Presence; the promises of restoration and the gift of a homeland; faithfulness through trials; the promise of the Messiah; and the promise of Peace.

Today's post reflects my thoughts after reading an article on Harbinger's Daily by Jan Markell, titled "Is Israel's Spiritual Blindness A Reason For Christians to Reject Them?" My unequivocal answer is, "No!" But there are Christians in our country who staunchly defend the current nation of Israel and believe that we should safeguard and protect them, despite their secular unbelief in Jesus, and no matter their worldly actions involving their Middle Eastern neighbors. And that presents a dilemma for me. You see, I discern that God has a covenant with both Israel and the United States. He is a Covenant Keeper and will not break a covenant with either of us. They are irrevocable! But that doesn't mean He approves of our immoral actions. How do you think He feels about the Israeli Foreign Ministry promoting a four-day event called "Pride Land", billed as the "biggest LGBTQ+ festival ever in the Middle East". It will turn the land near the Dead Sea into "a temporary city featuring hotels, entertainment venues, and round-the-clock programming". 

To me, it brings impressions of Sodom and Gomorrah and God's judgment against His covenant people. But I'm pretty sure that Israel's secular and political Foreign Ministry did not give a lot of thought to God's judgment when it decided to host "Pride Land". When the land of Israel became a state in 1948, Theodor Herzl, a political activist known as the "spiritual father of the state of Israel" fully expected it to be a Jewish secular state. And if we have studied our Bible, we should not be surprised. Ezekiel 36:22-23 fully explains the state the Jews were in, when they returned to the land, and why I believe that their spiritual blindness is not a reason to reject them ... Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate My holiness before their eyes. This is a prophecy for the future; as yet unfulfilled.

Careful analysis of this passage in Ezekiel 36 reveals that when the Jews return to the Land [which happened in 1948] they did so in unbelief. And Ezekiel, Chapter 37 prophesies that the northern kingdom and southern kingdom of Israel will one day be reunified into one nation and will be made "one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel". And then God takes Ezekiel [in the Spirit of the Lord] and sets him down in the middle of a valley of dry bones, asking him, "Son of man, can these bones live?" The dry bones symbolize the hopelessness of the Israelites in exile; far from their homeland and without spiritual and religious guidance. God continues the conversation: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off' ". But then God gives them the news of their re-birth through the prophet: "I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst." Again, another prophecy for the future.

But the Israel we see today is not a land of peace, and they are not united in their culture, politics, or faith. In fact, I do not see them as having experienced a rebirth yet, because it is a spiritual rebirth that God intends. And that leaves many Christians in a dilemma. The article in Harbinger's Daily points to a quote from Prophecy News Watch: "There is a long and deeply rooted love for Israel in the Christian community. Many see the nation not just as a geopolitical ally, but as a central thread in God's redemptive story. They pray for its peace. They defend its existence. They celebrate its resilience. So, when something like this [Pride Land] emerges, the reaction is not rejection -- it is lament."

Let me be clear: I believe that most of the citizens of Israel, along with their political leaders are secular and spiritually blinded. But there is a remnant coming into view who exemplify the dry bones of Ezekiel 36. They are receiving the breath of the Holy Spirit and coming to life. God's sanctified nation of Israel will be reborn and regenerated, to once again become God's chosen people. We do not need to abandon them or give up on them! We owe them a huge debt for giving us the roots of our Christian faith. As Deuteronomy 7:6-8 tells us, they are a people holy to the Lord our God; they are His treasured possession. Romans 11 tells us that God's covenant with Israel is everlasting, and His eternal purpose is to bless the world through Israel. As a steadfast follower of Jehovah God, and faithful servant of the Jewish Messiah and Savior, I do not condone Israel's unholy actions anymore than I approve of my own nation's discretions. I will not reject Israel as I continuously pray for her redemption and fulfillment of God's prophecies. Lord, hear our voices raised in Hope and Faith!

Deuteronomy 7:6.    For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

I Am Living Unafraid and Unashamed Of My Relationship With Jesus!

In a little less than a month our country will be celebrating 250 years of its existence. I'm not sure the citizenry truly understands the magnitude of that accomplishment ... or just how easily that milestone can cease to advance. As a Christian, I am fully aware that the greatness of our nation does not lie in our wealth, the power of our military, or the strength of our government and political parties. The long-term success of a nation depends on whether its citizens and leaders possess and practice moral character, and whether they recognize that it is not man's power that assures their freedom and liberty, but God's higher power and principles that deserve their allegiance, obedience, and observance.

I believe that is the only way that 13 individual and independent colonies could have come together to defeat the Great British Empire 250 years ago and establish a nation that has been able to hang on to its existence for two-and-a-half centuries. But do we still cling to those ideals of our Founding Fathers, and publicly acknowledge that we owe our continuance to the sovereignty of Almighty God? 

Do we still adhere to the sentiment that John Adams wrote in this excerpt from a letter to Thomas Jefferson on June 28, 1813? ... Now I will avow, that I then believed, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God: and those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System".

Or can you agree with this passage from Thomas Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237"? ... God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever...".

And here is one more; a quote by Patrick Henry, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, from "The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, p. iii: It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.

From the very beginning of our nation, we have stood upon the principles of God as the guiding impetus for existence. And as leaders, and citizens, we were not shy of proclaiming the authority of the gospel of Jesus Christ as our foundation. So, you can imagine my sadness upon reading that American Christians have begun hiding their faith from their public life! An article on the website Harbinger's Daily asks "Ashamed of the Gospel?"  The Lifeway Research survey, called the "2025 State of Discipleship: Living Unashamed", revealed that approximately one in six Protestant churchgoers in the U.S. were less likely to discuss their spiritual beliefs openly and in public!

Scott McConnell, executive directory of Lifeway Research says, "Living unashamed is an indication of spiritual integrity. What you think about your relationship with God should be evident in the substance of your relationships with other churchgoers and be present in your interactions with non-Christians." I'd like to take that several steps further -- If spiritual integrity refers to how we live our faith in consistency and steadfastness according to our moral principles, why are our actions and beliefs focused primarily on churchgoers? A genuine Christian life reflects our commitment to living according to God's will and commands [as illustrated in the Bible], and to glorify Him before the world. If we are afraid or ashamed to proclaim our faith and relationship with Jesus, what kind of Christian are we? And how does that further the gospel of Jesus and the Kingdom of God?

If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).  Some will say they are not ashamed of Jesus, but are simply mindful of the offense it appears to others. But I ask you, "Was Jesus intimidated by those who who were offended by His outspoken faith and sharing of the Gospel? Did He put His own reputation and safety before the Father's will? Did He act and speak differently, depending on whether He was in the public square or speaking privately to individuals?" 

I'm beginning to see that how we have decided to display our faith is affecting the spiritual environment of our nation. The Bible continually encourages us to "hold fast" to our faith, because first and foremost, it is an essential part of pleasing God... "I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]". Our faith will not only sustain us as individuals, but provides strength and hope for our nation during challenging times. And these are certainly challenging and testing times!

Just in my lifetime, I have seen my country silence the presence of God by removing prayers to Him in our schools. I believe that this devious obstruction of the foundational connection to our Rock and Refuge has led to the loss of our nation's strength and purpose in the world -- and to the devaluation of life. It has led to abortion access and the murders of over 1,126,000 babies (according to statistics in 2025); a slight increase from the previous year. And the shootings and increased instances of violence in our nation have taken on new parameters that are defining the loss of our spiritual integrity. And we cannot ignore the fact that the world sits on the brink of nuclear warfare. I think everyone can agree that this is not pleasing to God!      

When we give into our fears and remain silent about our relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, it gives Satan an advantage in advancing his plans to introduce the Antichrist, his final push to overthrow the influence of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for God's purpose of saving mankind. When we stop openly proclaiming our faith and testifying to the power and goodness of Jesus in our lives, we stop being an encouragement to people who are desperate for hope. We then contribute to the rise of the Antichrist to deceive the masses as he opposes Jesus, declaring his opposition to God's redemptive plan by falsely substituting himself as the world's savior before Christ's return. When our citizenry doesn't know about Jesus and His promises of Hope and Eternal Life, they will look to government to be their savior. And we are seeing the fruits of our legislators who remain silent, as well.  

So, as we approach the 250th year celebration of our nation, let us be vocal, outspoken, and uninhibited in sharing our faith. Let the world know that the people of the United States of America still understand that our rights don't come from men (or man's government), but from God -- something that we knew at the founding of this nation. We inherited that understanding from our founding Fathers [as flawed as they might have been], and we will not readily let it disappear on our watch. We must recapture our spiritual integrity, knowledge, and courage by enthusiastically espousing the supremacy of Jesus Christ as our national foundation of liberty and freedom. And that means we must become unafraid and unashamed of proclaiming His Name in every sphere of our lives. In the words of John Hancock, the first Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."  

2 Timothy 4:7      I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 

 

The Glory of God Will Soon Be Seen In His Remnant; For His Judgment is Nigh

The title of this post may read like its contradicting itself, but if you will allow me, I would like to share what I discern is a vital truth of God's character. I will attempt to tie together the ideas of His Remnant to include both His Judgment and our Hope. As we continue moving into these Last Days, I have been ruminating on Isaiah 1:9 for the last few days ... Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. 

An important aspect of what I want to say today is the understanding of what "remnant" means to God, and its significance throughout Scripture. It is most often referenced in the Old Testament, citing the condition of the Israelites. But it is also used in the New Testament to describe the state of Christians in the End Times. 

The meaning of the word Remnant is often understood to mean "that which is left or remains". And in the Old Testament it refers to the people, whom the Lord in His mercy, spared to be His Chosen People (Israel). They were subjected to all kinds of calamities and catastrophes, such as war, pestilence, and famine. But often, they were the cause of their own affliction and misfortune, due to their disobedience and rebellion towards YHWH, who was so faithful to them. There is plenty of evidence of God maintaining a remnant through the prayers of the prophets ... from Moses to Jeremiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Isaiah, and Zechariah, who announced that a remnant would be present at the time of the coming of the Messiah's kingdom. Of course, we have the blessing of being on this side of the Cross to know he was referring to Christ's Second Coming! [Read Zechariah Chapters 12 and 13 to recognize the prophecies in Revelation]. 

Also, I want you to understand that there is a twofold theme which emerges from most prophetic passages concerning the remnant: First, that a remnant will survive when the people are subjected to punishment; and Secondly, the fact that a remnant does survive and does remain contains a note of Hope for our future! But it is essential that the Body of Christ grasps the truth that both God's Judgment and His Mercy lend themselves to the existence of His remnant.    

That idea is present in Isaiah 1:9. I invite you to read the entirety of this chapter. I am struck with the anguish God exhibits over the iniquity and rebellion among His people; they are totally estranged. And I can recognize our situation in these ancient words from Almighty God. He is not afraid to openly declare their sins for the world to hear: The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds... [untended, unwashed, unbandaged]. Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; [it is destroyed by outsiders while you watch]. 

And then comes a spark of Hope for the remnant's future! If the Lord of hosts [God of the Angel Armies] had not left us a remnant [a few survivors] we should have been like Sodom [desolate] and become like Gomorrah [doomed]. It is important for Believers to know that, to God, the Remnant is holy! Even in the midst of a sick world, full of wounds, bruises, decomposing and rotten flesh, shattered hearts, seared minds and counterfeit, desolate houses of worship, God holds dear a remnant that is set apart and dedicated to His purpose(s).   

While the world deserves His outstretched arm of Judgment, we still have what I believe is a brief and pregnant pause from that fearful judgment while He still holds open a door of Mercy to us. He calls to the Remnant to fearlessly carry forth His Glory and His Majesty as banners of Hope among the wicked and the lost. As Appolus wrote on a favorite blog of mine, "The voice of God still cries out to the proud, the religious, the self-satisfied, and the blind. Shall the haughty humble themselves? Shall they cast down the idols of their own hands? Shall they forsake the dead traditions of centuries, those polished pathways of men that have led them farther and farther from the fountain of all life?"

I'm afraid, my friends, that this is where we find ourselves. Do we understand that the works of men will collapse and disintegrate when we continue to rebel against our Holy God? Make no mistake! He WILL have a remnant in this age -- in spite of the world's governments promoting AI and the subjugation and eventual demise of Mankind. Those whom He has set apart to glorify Him will succeed in their devotion to His Name and cause.     

His hand is still outstretched to us. Will you find it stretched towards you in Judgment or Mercy? Will you repent of all the ways you have rebelled against Him, and seek His Presence and His Truth? Will we, as a nation and a world, experience the terror of Him turning His back on us? Or will we witness the fullness of His Glory as it shines on a restored people? I look forward to the day -- and I discern that it is near -- when the realm of His Glory appears and I can step into it with unsurpassed joy and humility. Yes, a Remnant often is formed out of God's Judgment, but oh, the reward of being a part of it and witnessing His Glory! Lord, let me be found acceptable in Your sight to join Your holy remnant of faithful servants!

Micah 7:18    Who is a God like You, who forgives wickedness and passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He [constantly] delights in mercy and lovingkindness.  

 

 

Celebrating Memorial Day With Hope In A Time of Despair

I dedicate this post to:

Captain John Charles Hardy, USAF. Length of service 8 years. His tour began on January 15, 1968; Casualty was on April 3, 1968 in North Vietnam. Hostile, died while missing. Fixed Wing Crew Air Loss, Crash on Land. Body was recovered.   

Each year on Memorial Day, I run a blog post that I first wrote in 2013, with my updated thoughts and feelings. This year I am discerning a new awareness of its significance. So, let me begin with my traditional opening and then share where my heart and spirit are positioned now ... Today our nation will be remembering those who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we, the people of the United States, could continue to live in peace and prosperity. My own father signed up for WW II as a young 17-year-old Midwest farm boy, [with his parents' permission] as a tailgunner in the U.S. Navy's Pacific fleet of PV-1 Ventura's. I'm blessed that he survived, and I steadfastly believe that those who have gone before us, and paid the ultimate price, should never be forgotten.

I hope that everyone honors Memorial Day for what it really is: a day to remember and commemorate the people and events of our history. And in context of the Bible, the meaning of the Hebrew word for memorial actually means "to remember". And God makes it very clear that He feels memorials serve a valuable purpose to remind us of all He has done for us.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Joshua 4:1-24. The Lord was finally delivering His People into their inheritance, and had appointed Joshua to lead the tribes of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Joshua was given very specific instructions ... have the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant ahead of the people into the Jordan, and God would stop the flow of the river (which always overflowed its banks during this harvest time). The priests were to stop on this high ground, in the midst of the Jordan, while the people of Israel passed to the opposite shore. 

Then the Lord directed Joshua to send one man from each of the 12 tribes of Israel to where the priests were standing, and to gather a rock from the riverbed. They were to bring them back to where the people were lodging on the west bank. The purpose for these 12 stones was very important to God: "Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall say to them. 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever." 

This very visible memorial would be a reminder to all future generations that the Lord of all the earth had delivered them out of the land of Egypt and into the Land that had been promised to their ancestor, Abraham. The memorial of stones would cause each succeeding generation to ask of their meaning, and then be reminded of all that the Lord of all the earth had done for them. It would be a lasting reminder and memorial forever of the goodness of God. 

But I love it that Joshua, himself, also erected a personal memorial in the middle of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests stood in the dry riverbed. Perhaps he wanted to offer a personal memorial to God, separate from the corporate one that would be erected on the west bank of the Jordan. But I think there is a much more consequential meaning to Joshua's actions. We must take note that once the priests continued with the Ark of the Covenant and set their feet upon dry ground on the opposite bank, the waters of the Jordan were released and this memorial was buried under the raging waters, never to be seen by anyone. Is there significance to this memorial, as well?

Perhaps we can glean some meaning from the waters of the Jordan as being symbolic of judgment, just as the waters of the Flood condemned all corrupted flesh in Genesis 6; and the waters of the Red Sea buried the Egyptians; and Jonah was buried under the waters as part of his own judgment. Then there is Hosea 5:6, when God says, "I will pour out my wrath on them like water".

If this interpretation is a possibility, what is the difference between the two memorials? Why is one established in the Promised Land, and one is buried under the Jordan River? If water is judgment in this instance, then it makes sense to me that the memorial on the west bank is a picture of being saved from the waters of Judgment. The Ark of the Lord, which typologically points to Christ, stood in the midst of the Jordan, holding back the waters and allowing the stones to be brought up and erected on the shore as a memorial and sign of God's Deliverance.

But the other memorial of stones was covered by the Jordan. They cannot be a sign because they cannot be seen. Those stones are a warning! It was Joshua alone (whose name means YHWH is Salvation) who did the work of setting up the twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan. It is not only Joshua's name that points to Jesus, but his actions. Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead. Those 12 stones are a warning about death and judgment! If people do not repent and trust in Jesus, they remain in the miry clay of a river -- and that river will overflow in judgment at death.

Those same 12 stones represent the unredeemed, who have rejected Jesus and are buried in death by the righteous judgment of God... "And they are there to this day". But here is the really sad part ... they will never be seen or inquired about. They were quickly forgotten and there would be no evidence of them for the rest of eternity.

As we celebrate the Memorial Day established by our own nation, it is my prayer that we would share our own memories of those who so bravely gave their lives as a testimony of their belief and faithfulness to this country. Do not let those memories be buried and those men and women forgotten. But let us also share what the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ has done in our individual lives. Don't let the unsaved think they are safe on whatever dry ground they are standing upon. They will be judged, as we all will be! Tell them how they can be saved from the waters of judgment. Tell them how, through the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, and the work of Jesus on the Cross in saving and sanctifying them, they can be a memorial stone of remembrance of God's goodness and rulership. Let this Memorial Day mark a new remembrance of the work of the Lord in our nation.

And this is where I return to my opening statement to honor those who sacrificed their lives so that we might live "in prosperity and peace". But, for me, those attributes don't seem as assured as they once did. My spirit discerns that there has been a crucial shift in our national foundation and not only our prosperity and peace, but our standing with God, may be in danger of being shaken and overcome by judgment. All the generations of young men and women who have sacrificed their lives to pay for our liberty and freedom seems [to me] to be disrespected by those who have been instituted as our governing authorities. But what is even more alarming, it appears as if the authorities of all the nations are equally at fault! They are more interested in acquiring wealth and power for themselves than they are in strengthening that prosperity and peace they espouse as their goals. 

The precious lives of our youth are offered on the altar of pride in oneself and self-glorification. In Genesis 6:3, God declares, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is flesh...". Make no mistake -- God sees humanity's moral decline and corruption. My spirit discerns that His patience with human sinfulness is coming near to filling up His cup of wrath, and the deterioration of the earth in the midst of man's moral decay serves as a warning that He may be preparing to bring His righteous judgment on a deserving world.

So, would you join with me in praying that this Memorial Day is the last that we remember war and death, and that mankind will realize their need for repentance and turning to Jesus Christ for redemption and deliverance? May we all gather our own memorial stones and erect them for future generations as symbols of God's sovereignty and promises. And let this Memorial Day mark a new remembrance of the work of the Lord in our nation. Happy Memorial Day!    

Jeremiah 29:12   "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you."  

 

Christians: Please Stop Seeking Validation From the World!

I'm just going to be honest here today. This post won't be lengthy, or verbose. As I discern that we are coming closer and closer to the fulfillment of the prophecies Jesus gives us in Matthew 24 and 25, I become more aware of how many people (including Christians) whose validation comes from the sinful world, rather than from their Redeemer. And it bothers me. And yes, it might be due to the paper I wrote in third grade titled "My Personality", in which I made the direct and terse statement, "I don't like fake people", that has described my opinions of disingenuous people ever since. [Note: I'm happy to say that my eight-year-old self learned to curb my judgment and offer grace]. But I'm still aware of people who crave validation, and not always from the best sources. 

Because my husband and I are studying the Book of Revelation, I am deeply conscious of Jesus's letters to the Churches, and the accusations He has against them. I am also sensitive to the devastating price that Jesus paid for my opportunity to be spared from the righteous wrath of God against His creation. Therefore, I am greatly disturbed by the self-seeking and self-serving attitudes of the masses -- both believers and non-believers alike.

Believe me, I know that I have my own catalog of sins and times I've disappointed Jesus; a list of thoughts and actions that fail to fulfill His hopes and expectations of me. And there are the times I've been tempted to seek meaning and my value from the approval or recognition of another. But, after coming into my personal relationship with Jesus, I have found that no one, nor anything else, meets the level of validation I receive from my Lord. He calls me His own, and I only want to walk in His image. The world offers me nothing that exceeds His approval and praise.

So, when I see people who need to compete for attention -- whether it is on social media, or in their church titles, I am [admittedly] both saddened and angered. Sad, that they are  caught in endlessly exhausting cycles of seeking validation from the world; and, yes, angered that they seem unawares of the devastating price that Jesus paid to free us from the temptations of the world. And when I see Christians who are  focused on receiving their "earthly crowns" more than they desire to direct the world to the Glory of Christ, I wonder just how much it breaks His heart. Do they understand He paid for our freedom through all eternity, and the price He paid was His lifeblood? We belong to Him; our bodies are His temple; and He counts each of us worth His life! 

Is there any other in this world that considers you so valuable? Does His love or affirmation shift with the changing algorithms of the day? And do you constantly feel like you need to keep updating your qualifications in order to be appreciated or recognized as worthy? Are you always performing? That's the trap the world sets for you! 

When you know who you are and Whose you are, you can truly be in the world, and not of the world. Being rooted in your Godly identity is the only way you can stay grounded and stable. Your life doesn't collapse when someone criticizes you or rejects you in a crowd. Your value isn't invalidated when your hair turns gray, or your position in the workplace is revoked. Jesus's presence in your life is all the assurance you need of your worth.

I believe we are about to enter a period in the history of the world when the only opinion that matters is the voice of our Savior. The latter days are described in the Bible as marked by War, Famine, and Pestilence. And, in case you're not paying attention, they are all being widely proclaimed. And, yes, I know they have always existed, and people throughout history have thought they were nearing the End Times. But don't tell me that you can't feel Evil and Lawlessness getting ready to join forces with the Antichrist spirit. At the same time, my spirit is sensing the presence of the King of the Universe as He prepares to separate the wheat from the tares, and the sheep nations from the goat nations. I'm feeling the heat of the Refiner's Fire as God readies His process of purifying and transforming His people to become validated representatives of His kingdom on earth.

So, while I will not judge the hearts of anyone as to whether they are "fake" or "genuine" -- that's God's responsibility -- I will judge their fruit and pray that we all understand that our value comes from God and the One who made us and set us apart from the world. We are made in His image and He loves us. That's all the validation we need!

1 Peter 2:9       But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous Light.