What A World!

Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths. Proverbs 24:1-7 NIV

When we look at the world today--with the advent of every news report, from just about any news outlet except Fox, we hear the "noise" rattling around in the emptiness of something more substantial to quench our thirst for awareness. The blustering, bullying spewing from the mouth of the twitler, if not stopped, could create catastrophic disaster and will lead to lives being lost--and not just Asian lives, but American lives--in the vicinity of the other idiot.

Every time I see stupidity in action and the Republicans supporting the stupid, I am reminded that though they claim to be Christians, they have no relationship with Christ and are certainly not familiar with God's Word. Though they claim to preach the Gospel and teach Sunday School lessons, I'm convinced the gospel they preach is not of Christ and the Sunday School lessons have nothing to do with Christianity and how we are to live for Christ--doing things the way He would do them. In fact, the more Republican lawmakers make claims or reference scriptures, the more people are turned off from them since no one sees them "living The Word," they just reference it--in an attempt to convince some of their great religiosity. And that's all it is--a superficial attempt to convince by being religious, and having no clue what it means to be in Relationship with Christ.

For this reason--we may see America involved in a military engagement that will have no victors, just devastation. In a nuclear war, there are no winners and everyone loses. We lose the potential to advance peace, we lose ability to employ diplomatic policies, and we lose the respect of all those world leaders who are standing by--waiting to see how the fallout will affect them. We lose!

Many are tired of the bully posturing and though there are others who think the rhetoric is a signal of strength, we all know twitler is a school yard bully thinking everyone should cave to him. He's bullying lawmakers, and his cabinet and others, but he will not say a mumbling word against Putin because he fears Putin. Bullies are insecure people who know they have no real strength and they're always looking to make themselves to be more than they are. Bullies are not God's idea; they are the result of people not being loved and disciplined as a child, never being held accountable for their actions and growing up thinking they can make others do what they want them to do.

What twitler needs to understand now is that he is not a monarch or a dictator and he can't make anyone do anything. Republicans need to come clean with America and admit they gave into the temptation to having power and all the money they received from Russian donors was not worth the mess we see right now. They are complicit in keeping silent about a situation they had to know--in order for twitler to win the rigged election. What individuals need to do right now is to defy their pastors who tout twitler as God's choice, stand up and speak out--analyzing truth against the fictional propaganda promoted by trumptrain and Russian comrades. America needs every true Patriot to stand up and speak out, now while we have an opportunity to do so, before it's too late to change the course of bully policy.

If we survive to see 2020, America will have a better opportunity to see this country led by and for the people with me as the voice of  Everyday Americans. I will lead by example, always speaking truth and bringing other Everyday Americans to the table in making decisions that affect all. We know what we need and we don't need those who have never experienced the challenges we face to make decisions for us.

Join us in 2020 to elect the right person for the task of regaining respect and status on the world stage, making this an event like none ever seen--where America is governed by the "common-folk" who know what needs to change and are wise enough to choose those who can make it happen.

The Difference Between The Old Self and The New Self!

"That, however, is not the way of life you learned, when you heard about Christ and were taught in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:20-24 NIV)

Once again, we see in The Word, those who are speaking to the Believer--not the ones who never believed, but those who have come to learn that Jesus is the only way to the Father.

I hesitate to say that The Word was written for Christians since the term "Christian/Christianity" has taken on new connotations since those who refuse to obey The Word in its totality are still calling themselves, Christians. So, I use the term Believers--those who have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and live according to The Word and its truth. I claim that this is an unequivocal truth since unbelievers will not read The Word and certainly won't obey it.

When I see what is going on in some churches, I wonder if those attending the buildings have ever read The Word for themselves since they are always defeated by every little thing that happens in their lives. Some are quick to resort to cussing people out when they can't have their way or in spreading rumors about things that have nothing to do with them or out of envy and jealousy. They are hard-hearted and think of no one but themselves and what they want to see happening in the building, for they do not realize it is the Body of Believers who are the True Church.

Most of what Paul writes is about how we ought to conduct ourselves as a Body of Believers--especially when we claim to be followers of Christ. He writes instructions on how to behave in our places of worship, gives instructions about those who have been gifted in various offices--apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher and all the helps ministries in the church. He gives us instructions on how to be parents and good husbands and wives. And in all of the instructions, if we read carefully, we see and understand how his experience with Jesus changed his life--from being a member of religious sect to being a Believer of Christ Jesus.

This is what truly believing and following Jesus means or should mean--we put off/set aside our old ways of doing things, cloaked in darkness, hiding our sins, and put on/drape ourselves in the newness of Christ Jesus. When we discover the new covering is so much better than the old, we should walk in the newness of life and light of love bestowed upon us.

We have rules for everything--especially in the church buildings--but if all those coming into the building, were walking as new selves in Jesus Christ, we would have no need for rules for we would all be submitted to Holy Spirit and we would allow Him to do His job--in the building and when we're not in the building.

If we have any love in us for God, we would listen to His voice and obey in all things, so when others see us or hear us, they would know--we belong to Jesus and our new selves will not continue to wear the old cloak of darkness--attempting to hide our sins.

Any Way You Praise Him!

"Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp" (Psalm 149:3 NKJV).

There are so many protocols observed by so many people in how to praise God. When people understand that when you're in a relationship with God, it does not matter how you praise Him, just as long as you praise Him!

Here the psalmist states to: praise His name with the dance--so this diffuses the thought that we should not dance in the churches. But let's get real--a dance in praise of God should not look like the dance in the club or party. There is a difference--one is lead by Holy Spirit, the other by another spirit that is certainly not holy.

Sing His praises with timbrel and harp. There are a number of people who believe that any instrument used in a church is ungodly; some who believe that only the instruments mentioned in the Bible are allowed, and some who think only the songs in Psalms should be sung. Well, if that's true--then why are we instructed to "sing a new song," unto the Lord?

Here's a tip--for all who know The Word and The Lord--praise Him any way you want to do it and He will receive the praise!

It is time for many to wake up and shed their religious, pious attitudes and get into relationship with God and seek Him in how to praise Him. As long as what we do is sincere acknowledgment and honoring to God--He is not going to dismiss our praise because we did not have the right instrumental accompaniment. He doesn't even care whether we can sing or not (that's people who care) when we lift our voices to magnify Him the sound becomes a sweet melody to Him.

As a lyricist, I've written many songs of praise to Him--to accompany sermons--out of daily experiences and a number of people have sang my songs--with the accompaniment of instruments and without the accompaniment of instruments. Children and adults sang from their hearts and I know that God was glorified in the midst of their singing.

Too often--we allow what others think, stop us from doing what God has put in our hearts to do. Don't allow a religious spirit to keep you from praising God--any way you want to praise Him. If your church thinks instruments are the devil's tool, you might want to re-think where you worship. Find a place of worship where God is glorified and magnified and it's all about Him--not the people in the building.

And while you're thinking about what I just said, give Him a praise--right where you are--and watch how He honors your sincere praise--any way you praise Him!

Religious Piety is Not Holiness!

"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (I Peter 1:15, 16)

With all the rules and regulations, doctrines and dogma that guide some in "religiosity", we have confused holiness with religious piety--the observance of "religious principles". One of the reasons we often get confused about how to conduct ourselves is because of the leadership in various denominations who have convoluted the teaching of holiness and confused it with piety. Holiness is not a look or an act--it is a lifestyle based upon relationship with God.

If church leadership would get a revelation and teach with a goal towards getting everyone into right relationship with God rather than obedience to them, we would see a marked difference in behaviors and attitudes world-wide. Unfortunately, too many of our church leaders today are like the Pharisees who only wanted to control the people, not allow them the freedom to understand God and live for Him, but for them.

When a person is in relationship with another, they seek to please that person, not control them. When we're relationship with God, we can hear Him and govern ourselves accordingly because we make wise decisions because we operate with the mind of Christ. If Holy Spirit is guiding everything we do--we have no need for a mere mortal to guide us in anything pertaining to how to act or dress or think.

Religious piety--governs how a person dresses in a building, how a person talks in a building, how a person praises God in a building, what songs can be sung in a building, how much to give in a building, how to snub others who don't worship as they do, how to isolate one from family, and the list could go on and on.

Holiness--allows Holy Spirit to control tongue, attitude, and behavior at all times--not just in a building. Holy Spirit bonds the relationship between us and God and corrects us when we are going astray and reminds us of God's love, grace, and mercy.

Notice, that there is nothing in The Word that talks about Jesus being religious, but being holy. The reason for that is simply that He was not and is not a religious person for had He been religious, we would all still need an annual sacrifice for sin. No, Jesus was never religious because of His relationship with the Father, He had no need to be pious--demanding strict adherence to man's rules and in fact, broke most of the religious leaders rules which is why they sought to kill Him. He was interfering with their ability to control the people.

Today, conduct serious introspection about self and what is done to represent a relationship with Christ Jesus. Are you pious or are you in relationship with God? Do you worship out of piety or out of relationship and holiness? The only person who can answer these questions, is you! Piety or Holiness? Religion or Relationship? Choose this day where you stand with the understanding that God knows and we can't fool Him!

Father, in the name of Jesus, give us a heart to recognize the work You are doing in our lives, cutting away all that is not of You and filling us with all we need to be holy in Your sight and accomplish all You would have us to do.

For more on this subject of Holiness--check out my book  http://www.amazon.com/Holiness--Not-Look-Lifestyle-Living-Life-ebook/dp/B00CQPB87G/ref=la_B00BAW31CQ_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394971472&sr=1-10

Holiness (excerpt)

How does one define holiness?  According to Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary, “personal holiness is a work of gradual development.  It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance” (I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23, 24).  Simply put, true holiness is being as much like God as we can.  We can exhibit love for all, compassion for all, and maintain a right relationship with God so that He may guide us in all that we do.  If we refuse to obey His Word, we cannot be in a right relationship with Him.  We must also remember that we are not gods and we do not have the right to tell Him what He can or cannot do either with others or through others. 

Holiness is not defined by man’s inept attempt to keep people bound to legalism.  “If a woman is truly holy, her clothing will completely cover her extremities; her hair will be covered, and she will be void of make-up and jewelry.”  There are no specifics as to how to define how a man is holy as far as how their dress goes.   So says legalism.

What is legalism?  Legalism is the way of the Pharisees and Sadduccees.  These are the rules by which people determine (not by the Word of God) who is holy and who is not.  Legalism is another word for bondage.  Bondage hinders and prohibits the Holy Spirit from directing and guiding an individual and keeps people controlled by other people based upon their traditions.  Jesus gives us warning about such people when talking about the Pharisees.  “Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on.  And many things of this kind you are doing” (Mark 7:13 Amplified).  In this particular passage Jesus is referring to how the Pharisees attempt to control men as it relates to the care of their parents.  It also holds true for much of the church world’s attempts to establish rules.

How many rules does a church have?

There are rules for dressing in order to come into the sanctuary.

There are rules for committing a portion of one’s income to support the church.

There are rules for what one can do outside the church building.

There are rules for which one can hold associations or affiliations.

There are rules for when to come to church.

There are rules for who can teach or preach.

There are rules for where one can sit in the church.

There are many rules for the women.

There are some rules for the men.

There are rules for the young people.

There are rules for the rules.

Does all of this sound familiar?  If one looks closely at all the rules, the majority of the rules are directed towards women.  [Remember when the

Pharisees brought the woman who was “caught in the very act” to Jesus?  What happened to the man?  The “law” states that both should be stoned to death.]  This discovery should not be a surprise since the majority of churches are established by men for men.  Women simply become an    after-thought in the consideration of everything that goes on around them.  This is a fascinating phenomenon since most churches could not continue to function if it were not for the women involved. 

This is an excerpt from Holiness, Not a Look, But a Lifestyle! available on amazon.com