Don't Be Deceived!

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,  for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:1-10 NIV

For anyone listening to the 45's speech last night--written for him, practiced by him, and to his base supporters--Republicans, we who have discerning spirits saw through the empty rhetoric.

Yes--the tone of the speech was modified so he would sound more presidential--which some have said he accomplished, but note--the comments were, "he sounded presidential" not that he was.

Yes--he is attempting to litigate the case he's simply trying to keep campaign promises, but those promises were not made to or for all Americans, but his base. There are more of us, than them.

What's interesting to note is that though some were in agreement about the tone of the speech, they knew the person speaking was not was not the real person, but a masquerade to try to keep the public duped into believing he cares.

How do we know he doesn't really care--he had the temerity to invite the widow of a recently slain Navy Seal--manipulating the situation to give an appearance that he cared, after not accepting responsibility for the botched raid in Yemen. At first he tried to blame Obama (what's new there?), then he blamed the generals, and though he said valuable intel was procured, reports from those in the field, deny that claim.

"Just so we're clear, it's not Obama behind the leaks. Approx 50% of staffers are actively participating one way or another. #Iamtheleak" (from Twitter account from those on the inside).

So, what has changed? Not much. He will always put on the appearance of caring about Americans, but his scope is limited to those who worship at his feet. Since I have never worshiped an elected leader, I'm not about to start now; especially when he has done nothing noteworthy that will benefit all Americans.

The fact-checkers have already determined that much of what he said may have been true, but misleading. In other words, the speech included some statistics and figures, but were used out of the appropriate context in which they were derived. For instance, he failed to say that of the millions who are not working, over 75% are senior citizens or students. So that leaves only 25% who are actively seeking work that are yet unemployed.

On Obamacare--the ACA--I've said it before and I'll say it again--if Republicans had not been so vitriolic in their attempt to belittle the healthcare act--by calling it "Obamacare" more people would have understood what was at stake when he was running around the country screaming about repealing it. Once people understood that Obamacare and ACA were the same, they screamed foul and started showing up for town hall meetings with their representatives. No one in their right mind would vote against their own interests unless the truth was shrouded.

On my confidence meter--the marker is still on the "very low" end and if I was to give him a grade, it would be an F--. His "America First" only includes those who support, not the rest of us and as stated above--there are more of us--than them and we'll simply show him what that means in the coming months.

Truth--The Great Divide!

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”Matthew 12:22-37 NIV

Every day, brings new challenges, new insights, new bizarre behavior--all keeping many of us, just shaking our heads.

Whenever anyone in the Republican says foolish things--they confirm what I've already concluded--based on the things they say and do. If "truth" is desired in the situation, then no one should fear or rail against an investigation that should reveal truth. However, it would appear with statements made by Rand Paul and some others that, "Investigating your own party is a waste of time" (They spent millions investigating Hillary with one committee after the other--but she was a Democrat). What I glean from that statement is, "Even if we discover truth, we'll not reveal it because we'll all be exposed."

Now, some may argue the conclusions of my premise and that's their right to do so. But I have said from the beginning there was something fishy--rotten fishy--in the mix with the campaign run by the Republican party. But the smoke is clearing and soon, everyone will be able to see what I see.

It is now established by the intelligence community that members of the Trump campaign were communicating with Russian operatives--a year before the election. After the primaries (or even before), a deal was made with the devil and the Republicans. "Nominate me and I can guarantee a straight ticket win." Some didn't believe it, but eventually he was able to convince them as to how he could make such a statement. They knew--they all knew and that's why they don't want an investigation into the truth of the matter. For the truth--when known--will create a great divide--one greater that what we already see in this country.

Many who were duped into believing the great orange lie, or were just to angry so see clearly through red-hot emotions--voted for a manipulative, pathological liar whose only goal in running for president was to enrich himself. I'd be willing to bet--if truth is allowed to be exposed by the investigations--they'll he suddenly be struck with dementia and won't remember anything. I've watched him during a videotaped deposition to know how this is all going to play out. It will be just like his denying on Air Force One last week that he didn't know about Flynn lying to Pence. He lies with a straight face, cold heart, and no conscience.

At any rate, he's already decided to "campaign for 2020" this weekend for he needs constant affirmation or ego stroking to survive the day-to-day boredom of acting like a president when we all know--Bannon is actually the president and 45 is just doing what he's told to do (because he doesn't have the intellect to figure things out on his own).

And oh yeah! We finally figured out--(most of those watching unfolding events) that republicans are afraid to go against 45 because then he won't sign their asinine bills. The deal with the devil is exposing all the demons and truth will indeed cause that great divide--of loyalties when they scamper to try to save their own butts.

I wonder how those hypocritical pseudo-christians feel now--knowing they perpetuated the lie that God chose Trump to be president. Deluded people chose Trump and voted for him; that was not an act of God, but of manipulation and deception. Soon they will discover how lying on God has devastating consequences.

Here's to--the Truth--exposed for all the world to see!

Found In Darkness!

For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 2 Peter 2:4-16 NKJV

From then to now-God in His infinite Wisdom knew how to preserve those who listened to those who spoke what He said--not the scorners, the religious group.

Remember this: People didn't listen to Noah and promoted the propaganda that he was crazy--and in the end at the appointed time--when it began to rain--only Noah and his family was saved.

People didn't listen to those alarmed by what they saw Hitler do and he used false propaganda to convince people "he was the only one right." And what happened to him and six million Jews? He destroyed lives and lost his own through lies and manipulations because of his insecurities, fragile ego, and cognitive disabilities. History does repeat itself--often--when people refuse to learn from the mistakes of the past.

There are far too many instances that could be cited from history that show us what happens to people who drink from the glass of greed and corruption--believing the lies of the enemy and their surrogates who say, "I and only I can fix it."

With all of the evidence coming to the surface as to how the 2016 election was manipulatively rigged, history will again place America under a cloud of darkness because of one person--whose greed and ambition allowed foreign actors to influence a democratic process to accomplish an agenda through bribery in order to supplant right with wrong.

"Oh the tangled webs we weave when we practice to deceive!"
 

 

The stage lights have been turned up and sitting in the middle with their places marked are Vladimir Putin and Donald J. Trump--the actors who have upstaged the democratic process for personal greed and oh have they deceived the masses who believed the lies--fake news, corrupted emails, and promoted it all out of hatred. But the end has not yet been told and when it's over--the two shall be left on the stage in darkness because they will be exposed and naked for all the world to see--hate for hate, greed and corruption, traitors and demons.

We have not seen the last act and though it may be tortuous for a moment--even the blind shall see how foolishness and hatred create chaos and crises for more than a few, but those who Believe God--will survive to write the story of how good triumphs over evil--once again and only the evil ones will be cast into darkness for all eternity.

 

Lord, our Lord, when will people stop hating others so much they refuse to see truth when it's right in front of them? Thank You for the Lord You keep pouring into us--to love all--and for the boldness and courage to speak truth whether people want to hear it or not.

Self-Appointed Leaders!

Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. (His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.) Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah. Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon. Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? I Kings 1:5-11 NIV

Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?” Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.The king then took an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground, prostrating herself before the king, and said, “May my lord King David live forever!” King David said, “Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came before the king, he said to them: “Take your lord’s servants with you and have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon. There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.” I Kings 1:27-35 NIV

Looking upon where we are today, I can hear the same question being asked of God by those who know Him and are in strong relationship with Him, "Is this Your doing God?" And while I cannot speak for anyone else, in my spirit I hear God's response, "No!"

But we have to understand what happens when people use all manner of deception and manipulation to accomplish what they want and the best way to understand how God is consistent in what He does is to look at what happened with Adonijah! And for that, we'd have to keep reading, but I'll sum it up. Adonijah died at the hands of King Solomon after making an insulting request--through Solomon's mother.

Instead of acting like a man, Adonijah acted like a child, making the request of Solomon's mother instead of going to Solomon directly. The request--give me the virgin that had been assigned to King David (his father)--covetousness and desire to make a mockery of David's last days by taking what was his.

Perhaps, the greatest lesson we can learn from the history recorded in the Old Testament is that when we rebel against God--thinking we know more than He does--in order to make our own name great--we are doomed to suffer the consequences.  God is not mocked. He sees all that is done by those who do not reverence Him, but make a mockery of all He has planned. In the end, we reap the consequences of our actions when we fail to heed the warnings.

The only great name anyone should reverence is Jesus and when we denounce Him and disavow all He is by our actions, we place ourselves in a position to be judged and all the world shall hear the noise when the end has come upon those who appoint themselves as leaders--and those who supported the nonsense.

Look at what some Americans have done--in the name of patriotism, but in actuality because of hatred and bigotry! Elected a president with no qualifications and certainly no approval from God. And then he mocks the entire democracy, by appointing the most despicable people in positions of authority and more who are even less qualified than he is to head vital departments of our nation. The noise in the streets--the cry of outrage for people know only disaster awaits. And the noise we hear and have heard is nothing to compared to the noise we will hear--from those who supported the unqualified person to lead to this nation.

Not my will, but Yours--to do as You direct in all things--to sound the alarm when You speak it to me and let others know--You are yet watching over all that occurs in the earth and You have the final Word.

Know The Spirit That Influences!

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer. I Timothy 4:1-5 HCSB

If we know that Satan's job is to influence others in stealing, killing, and destroying, encouraging lying since he is the father of liars, and manipulating deception, why are we surprised by anything that happens in the world?

There are two reigning spirits in our atmosphere: Holy Spirit who speaks to our hearts when He resides within and Satan--who speaks to the mind, causing flesh to react to external forces.
Holy Spirit will only speak those things to our hearts which we have learned of God and in living according to God's Word, reminding us that it's all about Jesus!

Satan will tell people to do whatever feels good to you. It's all about you!
Holy Spirit speaks truth as He leads us to living peacefully among all people, doing all things decently and in order.

Satan is the master of confusion and chaos and he is only concerned with the destruction of mankind.
If we're honest with ourselves--willing to take a good look in the mirror, shedding the scales that blind us to truth--we'll see which spirit influences everything we think, say, and do. Once we can see truth about self, we can look at others and see truth about them as well, but until we are able to see and accept truth about self--we will never see truth about others.

This is why we have so many people confused about who the best person is to sit in the White House. When people can support bigotry, hatred, racism, and narcissism in a candidate, they are actually saying those character traits reside in them.

There is no perfect candidate in this election year, but we can seek God and allow His Spirit to direct us in all things and we know--because we know who He is and how He operates, that He will only direct us to the person who is more likely to be living according to His Word--full of compassion and love for all people.

When we begin to understand The Word of God is intended to be a blueprint by which we live, and apply it to our lives on a daily basis, we will see the benefits of living according to The Word. The bible is not just some ancient book of myths as Satan has some believing; it is clear instructions for living a Godly life, a life in which one can expect peace and harmony, and enjoy life while here on earth. When we know God--we know love; when we know love, we will not entertain thoughts of destruction or hate. Mankind is God's most precious creation and Satan hates us with everything in him and will influence the vulnerable and weak-minded into thinking there is no God of creation, and people can do whatever they want to do.

Remember--Satan is the liar--the influence behind all destruction and confusion, hate and bigotry.
Now, who is influencing what you think, say, and do?

Believers' Instructions for Daily Living (Part 4)

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation" Then you will shine among them likes stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain." (Philippians 2:12-16 NIV)

Did you ever think about the phrase--"when the cat is away the mice will play" and what it means? In this analogy, the cat is the authority and the mice the subservient to the cat. So, while the cat is in their presence, they do what they must do--play hide and seek to keep from being destroyed. When the cat is away--the mice roam freely and are totally unconcerned about being caught.

Some people honor the authority in their lives only when the authority is present--right there--can't be missed. Employees will do their jobs while the boss is in their office, but if the boss is out of the office, many can hear a collective sigh of relief and most get lazy and lounge--doing absolutely nothing.

When teachers are out of their classrooms for a day or days--a substitute teacher can count on not getting anything done because the students have determined--the teacher isn't here and we don't have to do any work--even if work was left for them to do. I've heard all the stories--"the sub lost it; I didn't know we had to turn it in, the sub didn't give us any work, I took it home and forgot to bring it back." Students make up so many excuses for not doing work that they could have saved themselves some time by simply doing the work.

Paul understood that when he was around, the people honored his presence and he's commending them on doing so and encouraging them to keep on doing the right thing--whether he's there or not. And that is what all Believers should be doing, right now. Living like we know (because it's true) that God is present--in our midst at all times--and we should do the right thing at all times.

I know many won't understand this because they're thinking on a carnal level. "I can't be good all the time." Yes, we can. When we know God's Word and have a relationship with Him, we can be good all the time. The thing that keeps us from being good is our flesh--when we give in to temptation to fit in with others who don't know Him. I'm guilty--not intentionally, but guilty nonetheless.
Sometimes, my flesh overrides my spirit and I'm immediately impressed by Holy Spirit that I need to repent for the things I allow to escape through my lips. "Grieve not the Holy Spirit" I hear every time I mess up. The bottom line is--I'm more careful to not mess up, but when I do, He reminds me--He's right there and hears everything I say and sees everything I do.

The biggest problem for Believers is when they tend to act like God can't see or is deaf. He's always in the midst of everything we do and yes--He can see and hear it all. Now, we have a decision to make--to honor Him at all times, recognizing His presence or to act like He's only around in church on Sundays. It's our choice, and the world needs us to make it right now--for our time on this side of eternity is almost over and we have many souls to introduce to Jesus before He returns. 
Let's do all things as unto The Lord, desiring to please Him only!

Right in God's Sight!

"A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." Proverbs 21: 2,3 NIV

In this world--societies of men determine what is right and what is wrong--sometimes these determinations are made with the guidance of God's Word and sometimes, men fall prey to the dictates of other men and decide that was wrong is now right and what was right is now wrong.
The real challenge is knowing--whose "right" is right! Can what man says ever be right over what God says? Not for those who believe God's Word. For us, His Word settles all questions that may arise about right and wrong, good and evil, and judgment for saints and sinners alike.

Looking back in history, we know that man has constantly abused other people by putting them into bondage and making them build civilizations with blood and sweat and sometimes their lives. Though some think that slavery began with people being exported from Africa to other nations, slavery began in the history of man, when one group discovered they could manipulate others.
Though usually as a matter of who won a battle in war, some people were enslaved out of manipulation and deceit (African transports). What has always been amazing to me is the fact that a minority group of people can terrorize the majority into doing their bidding. We see this dilemma played out again and again in history and what happens eventually is rebellion of the masses, leading to bloodshed and more change.

This appears to be the cycle of mankind whenever we attempt to change or deviate from God's Word. Deliberate misinterpretation of God's Word leads people to believe they are the superior race over others and they have a right to mistreat others. Foolishly have some believed that the Ham's curse was that his descendants were black people. A closer study of man's beginnings would bring understanding of the fact that the first man--Adam--was a person of color since all life began on the continent of Africa. Migration--moving away from hot climates into colder ones, led to the change in skin color--not superiority of one race over another. Who decided man's skin color from the beginning? God--when He created man from the dust of the earth. Who decided the nature of man from the beginning? God--when He created them male and female.

What changed things? Superiority and avarice changed things for mankind from one continent to another and has not changed since the beginning with the first act of disobedience. When man thought he knew better than God, change in the atmosphere led to manipulation and deceit which is why we are where we are today. Manipulation of a minority of people who have changed the atmosphere of doing right in God's sight into doing whatever they want to do--has led to controversy, hatred and turmoil. Persecution of Christians is on the rise because a minority feel their rights override the rights of Christians. Believers are being sued because they stand on their faith in God. Hatred is running rampant and the minority is leading the pack--claiming their "right" supersedes God's right. 

In the final analysis--all who have eyes and ears will see and hear that God's right is always right and His wrong is always wrong. But since Satan has blinded those who believe they can call God's wrong, right, they will reap the benefit of not heeding God's Word and be cut off and remembered no more; their deliverance from their enslavement--created by the minority--will end with the deaths of the minority since their seed ends with them.

We must--in order to sustain our civilization of mankind--understand that only God is right and what we do in His sight, will ever be accounted right.

True Witnesses Have Relationship With God!

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." (Isaiah 43:10 NIV)

There is no one group--who have professed to be the only witnesses--whom God loves more than any other who believe Him because of those things that others have revealed through His Word and His love. When God spoke through the prophets in "that day" they knew exactly what He meant. God showed up and showed out--confusing every group of people who worshipped gods they made with their own hands. What He wanted them to understand is that He, the God of creation, was before any of the gods people erected from the materials that God created.

I've addressed this before, but I fail to understand how anyone could give "power" to inanimate objects created by hands of men and think that object is more powerful than the One who created the materials by which it was created.

Our God--in all of His awesomeness-has no beginning or end. Before time was--He was and after time ends, He will be and for now--He isl Unfortunately for some--they have not figured it out yet.
There are those who think that mere men--who have changed the intent of God's Word to suit their own beliefs--have the only connection with God. This is why when they observe Communion (a sacrament observed by many churches), they only serve the elders with others looking on them. How ridiculous is that? Did they not read and understand that Communion is an event in which all partake? And with all of the flawed logic and theology presented by them which constantly changes, they proclaim they are His true witnesses.

So, who is a true witness? Anyone who in relationship with God, understanding the intent of His Word and does not attempt to use The Word to manipulate people, is a true witness of God. We who know and understand that God is not a respecter of people--we are all the same--we know how He does things and we also know and understand His thoughts are far above our thoughts. We understood the need for Him to come down to earth in the likeness of flesh to reconcile mankind back to Himself and was called Jesus, who upon returning to Heaven, provided us with power through His Spirit--Holy Spirit who dwells upon the inside of all true Believers and Witnesses of the One True God.

If Holy Spirit does not dwell within, how can one say they are "true witnesses" of the Living God who will not tolerate any mocking Him by manipulating others. This particular group states (I say this from personal experience from conversations with their "elders") that their corporate group in New York is led by Holy Spirit, but Holy Spirit is not available to anyone else so they must do what they are mandated to do within their publications.

The devil is a liar! Holy Spirit is available to all who desire Him in their lives and does not discriminate, nor encourage alienation of family members or any other who choose not to believe their foolishness. And now they promote themselves as believers of Jesus when not too long ago, they denied He was the Son of God.

Know God for yourself--Know God's Word for yourself--and know when the devil rises us to deceive and manipulate those who are gullible enough to promote false doctrine. If you know Him because of relationship with Him, you are a true witness of He who created all things and without Him--nothing was created.

The Promise of Authority!

"To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations." (Revelation 2:26 NLT)

While in the spirit, John received the messages from Jesus to share with the churches--specifically named then--but to include all that exist, now!

With this particular segment, many have erroneously concluded and proclaimed that "Jezebel was a harlot" and in doing so, made every female who wore make-up or attempted to "look better" feel inferior when attending church. What must be understood is that "Jezebel" is a spirit of manipulation and deception. This spirit then can and does inhabit both male and female and it has nothing to do with what person does to "look better" but everything to do with their seductive, manipulative  attitudes.

Why then does Jesus call this spirit--she? This is a reminder of who she was and what she did as recorded in the Old Testament. She manipulated her husband, sought to kill Elijah (I Kings) who killed the false prophets that she had established to deceive the people and was later killed because she would not repent, and scorned God. The dogs licked her blood against the wall in Jezreel.

Are there not still false prophets--people who are intentionally deceiving the nations and manipulating God's Truth, encouraging others to live in opposition to God's Word? Yes, there are and God's response is that He will cut them off so that not one--not even the descendants of such behavior--shall live.

All who have an ear to hear what the Spirit of The Lord says, hear and obey! Repent and turn from wickedness!

But for those who remain faithful to God, victorious in obedience, to them will He give authority over nations! Hallelujah! This is the promise of authority that we can look forward to receiving when we "stay in The Word" and faithful in our obedience to Him, not man! What a mighty God we serve!

Dancing With The Devil!

Surprised are you? About the title I mean. We’ve all been caught up with dance crazes from long ago and many people frowned upon the types of dances from back then the same way we do now. However much I love dancing, this is really not about a new dance craze; it’s about the dance craze that most people do until they come to the realization that this dance—is one we should all sit out—becoming a wall-flower in the dance-hall of life.

James tells us to, “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us,” (4:7). So, if that’s true, why do so many people think that they can entertain the devil and escape the consequences that are bound to result from being around him?

Perhaps, I’m being too subtle. We engage in a dance with the devil when—we think we can “try” drugs and escape addiction. We think we can be “sexually promiscuous” and escape the consequences of our actions—unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, damaged self-esteem, and negative labelling by others. We think we can “listen to peers” especially children and disrespect parents and other adults without dealing with the consequences that could end up in locked out of a home and locked into a system that does nothing to promote well-being. We think we can “hang out” with the dope dealers and not get burned when they do. We think we can “steal our way” out of poverty only to discover that theft is not the way when we get caught and go to jail. We think we can “outsmart” parents and the law until we see our faces plastered on social networks or the news—on the most wanted criminal postings.

Anytime, we think we can do wrong and get away it—we’re dancing with the devil leading us into darkness and possible death. We must remember that the devil—that master of deception and father of liars—gets his kicks from seeing us getting into hot water with no way out of it. He laughs at the follies of his followers, cheering them on from the sidelines—showing them how to get swallowed up into the pit in which they have fallen.

Think about the people who believe that gambling is a way out of debt. The devil is leading this dance all the way to the poor house or suicide. He encourages the loser to try, “just more time” and then sits giggling hysterically when they lose even more. He loves to watch how they scramble trying to manipulate others into letting them have more money to lose and some resort to stealing because they believe—they need just more try.

Think about the people who live in abusive situations in which the devil manipulates the abuser and the abused. He convinces the abuser to keep abusing in order to control others, but then he also convinces the abused to believe the abuser when they apologize, beg for forgiveness and then they stay—for more abuse. 

Think about those people—specifically parents—who allow others to babysit for them and they abuse their children. Without a certain knowledge of those who have been trusted, we open the door for the dance and then when he leads, we get frustrated and angry. When we should have been looking into the backgrounds of those we choose to trust, we don’t. When we should trust our children to tell us the truth we don’t and allow the abuse to continue when we keep getting the same people to babysit.

Stay tuned for Part 2--coming tomorrow and while you wait--toss that dance card aside, never to be used again.