Let's Hear The Conclusion!

Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 NIV

Amazing how for everything that happens under the sun, there is a biblical reference for which we can frame our thoughts.

Comey's Testimony--My perspective!

Yesterday, I watched James Comey's testimony with millions of Americans and other countries--after reading his statement because I wanted to hear what the former FBI director had to say.

After reiterating what had already been released, we get insight into Comey's thoughts and feelings at the time of each of the meetings he had with trump. Considering he was moved, out of "gut instinct" to document the meetings, his testimony "in my mind" proved that Comey was fired because he would not: pledge loyalty to trump or drop an investigation involving Michael Flynn.

Points of contention for some (not me): Why didn't Comey confront trump about the inappropriateness of meeting with him and his requests and Loretta Lynch wanting Comey to call the Clinton email incident--a "matter" instead of an investigation.

My take--trump's white house counsel should have briefed trump on what was appropriate or inappropriate. When Comey informed the AG the first time there was a problem, that would have been the AG's responsibility to speak to trump.

My Take-Aways--Comey told the truth and though he confirmed that he told trump he "was not" the target of an investigation--"while he was the FBI Director" he made it clear that trump is under investigation now--because of what he is doing--false accusations--not anyone else. trump attempted to gain a loyalty pledge from Comey and was not successful and then he attempted to influence Comey into dropping the investigation against Flynn.

Who--if anyone--is lying about the situation? Comey is considered by most to be man of integrity and honor. On the other hand, trump is known to be a pathological liar. Therefore, I conclude that trump is the liar and Comey is the victim in this situation.

The asides--Understanding Republicans would attempt to deflect the focus from trump's possible obstruction of justice, I was not surprised by the interjections of "but Hillary and her emails." Not surprised at all by that proclamation and knew without doubt that there would talking points created for the parrots to parrot. There were.

Today, trump's claim of "total and complete vindication" is both misinformed and ludicrous and further exacerbated by a bumbling, inept attorney who refused to acknowledge the simple fact of what was then to what is now. Kasowitz's further claim (I'm sure at the behest of trump) that Comey was a liar and a leaker is further confirmation of his ineptness. Enabling a person when they are clearly in the wrong is not helpful to anyone and in fact, will probably result in a greater gap of trust between the public and the WH.

Speaking of the WH--Sarah Huckabee Sander's proclamation that trump doesn't lie was so preposterous that I felt sorry for her.  Everyone knows trump lies because his lies are so easily fact-checked. He flip-flops on a matter from day to day, if not, hour to hour. It's a matter of "PUBLIC RECORD."

At any rate, trump claims he taped conversations with Comey that will prove Comey a liar. Okay, so let's hear them. Unless they have hired actors to create the tapes, once again, trump wrote a check his behind can't cash--there were no tapes or he would have produced them by now. It's like the proof he had that Obama had wiretapped him--non-existent. And now the claim that Comey is a leaker--is also false--because there was no "privileged communication" or "classified" information "given" to anyone. More lies from the WH.

My conclusion--trump is unfit--temperamentally and intellectually (if we believe Ryan who says, "he's new, he didn't know") to serve America in the position of the Oval Office. If he doesn't know what the job entails, he shouldn't be in the role. There are experts around him (hopefully) that should be advising him.

Yes, I get it some voters (not the majority) wanted someone other than a politician in the WH. They got what they wanted and it's become a nightmare for Americans.  Over 20 million Americans are about to lose their healthcare, consumer protection regulations have been rolled back so corporations can pollute the water and the air, a proposal has been put before Congress to privatize Air Traffic Control--endangering lives of those who fly, and now they're gutting the Dodd-Frank Act--allowing Wall Street to once again, put Americans in financial jeopardy.

They also got a rigidly conservative Supreme Court Justice who sides with corporations and ignores the rights of individuals, an Attorney General whose known bigoted past is now prevailing in our "so-called justice" system and who has his own problems with Russian Connections. Tax reform has resulted in massive cuts for the rich, not much for the poor and working class.

So, all those who support trump--hope you're happy--validating the premise that ignorance is bliss. While you continue to thrive in the alt reality framed by delusion, the rest of us--the True Patriots--will continue fighting for all Americans and their constitutional rights.

Watch for all the unfolding events that will change the landscape in America forever.

When We Question God!

And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” Exodus 3:9-13 NIV

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” And the LORD said, “I will wait until you return.” Judges 6:12-18 NIV

Throughout the course of history, whenever a person needed clarity from God, they asked questions and since God wants us to conduct ourselves with wisdom--He gives us clarity--so we'll understand and not be misled or mislead.

Of course, we could go back even further to see Abraham bargaining with God and how God allowed Abraham barter with Him. When we have a right relationship with God, we can talk to God and question Him because He wants us to understand.

Moses had a heart open to hear God and wanted to please Him, but when he didn't understand why God was using him, he questioned Him and God responded.
When Gideon didn't understand how he was to do what the angel of the Lord was saying to him, he questioned Him.

The Word tells us the testimony of two witnesses is true. I always look for confirmation in God's Word of anything He tells me do and usually after I've questioned Him--seeking understanding. For The Word also tells--in all of our getting--get understanding.

So when things happen and we don't understand them, we have a right to question God and He will respond as a loving Father responds. God doesn't want us wandering around in circles--not understanding the direction He wants us to take.

I remember when He told me I was to teach His Word. He woke me at 3:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning and we argued or rather I argued, He laughed at me, for three hours. I didn't understand why God would use me and in fact--told Him, He had the wrong house. I even tried telling Him about my past and how He couldn't possibly want me. And when I did that, I heard Him say, "Like I wasn't there with you." That did it for me. Because I've always known that God is always with me, but I couldn't fathom why He wanted me to teach His Word. I stopped arguing, but I did say, "If you want me to teach Your Word, then You'll have to teach me."

Now, I had read the bible--in its entirely--just three months before I had this conversation with God--out of boredom or so I thought. I now know He was preparing me. And in the course of preparation, He led me every step of the way, getting clarity and understanding about what He wanted me to do.

That was over twenty-five years ago and I'm still teaching His Word and still questioning Him when I need clarity of anything. This one thing I know--He loves me and would never lead me astray. At times, when I hesitate to be quickly obedient it is because I am waiting for confirmation and when I get it--I act.

I believe The Word--Some may trust in horses. Some may trust in chariots. But I will trust in The Lord and when I don't understand something, I will question Him.

Looking around the world at all the events that are taking place--the earthquakes, the floods, the violence, and hatred--I shake my head in wonder and question Him--Why, Lord, why?  And He answers.

I don't have to like His answer, but when He speaks, I know it is Him and another--man or spirit trying to mislead me--I will not follow. When we have a right relationship with God--child to Father--He treats like us His children and responds as a loving Father, not a taskmaster.

Where Was Jesus When...?

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Whenever there is a problem in the world and we see tragedy after tragedy, confusion on top of confusion, the doubters and naysayers always question the faith of the Believer by asking, "Where was Jesus when...?"

It's a legitimate question, one deserving an answer and the answer can be found in The Word, but many don't remember to reference The Word because they don't know how to justify using it or submitting to its authority. With my limited wisdom, submitting to the Wisdom of God, I will attempt to answer this question, but not before I ask some additional questions--to provoke thought.

Where was Jesus when a young female child was sexually molested at the age of four and began stammering, having difficulty talking and repressing the memory until she was grown? He was right there beside her, holding her through the pain and removing the memory so she could survive until she was able to handle it.

Where was Jesus when the young man who was so frustrated with life that he turned to drugs and almost died from an overdose in an abandoned house? He was right there, watching over him until help arrived, willing him to live so others would hear his testimony?

Where was Jesus in the midst of the turmoil in riots and other uproars that cost people their lives? He was right there in the midst shielding those who believed in Him so they would have time to share how they were saved.

Where was  Jesus when a pregnant woman, with no visible means of support, decided she couldn't have a baby that she couldn't care for sufficiently? He was right there, His heart aching with hers, holding her hand and receiving that child unto Himself.

When the prostitute conducted business in the back seat of a car, in a public bathroom, or motel room, Jesus was right there, with His heart breaking over her choices.

When the married man or woman sneaked off to be with someone else, Jesus was right there, praying on their behalf.

When the promiscuous refused to change their ways and slept with everybody they thought they wanted, man-to-man, woman-to-woman, man-woman, He was right there, praying they would turn to Him to fill the void in their lives.

There are so many instances that could be listed in which those who Believe in Jesus have never been forsaken, even if they died--He was right there because He said, He'd never leave us or forsake us. And to this--again the naysayers would respond--well, if He loved everyone why would He allow people to suffer?

God has never forced anyone to make the right choices and because people choose to do the wrong thing, He allows it and the consequences of those choices expose who Believes and who doesn't. When children are at risk at the hands of others, it is the others who choose, not the children, but since He knows how much we can handle and who can and who can't, sometimes He simply takes the children unto Himself so they suffer no more.

There are many who will never accept The Word as the final authority in their lives and that is their choice. When we stand before God, Jesus will be right there, advocating for some and hearing the final judgment for all.

When we Believe, Jesus is always right there--in the midst of whatever we're going through--waiting for us to turn it all over to Him, but He won't take the problems from us. There is no need for anyone to be depressed, oppressed, or suppressed by circumstances or situations beyond their control. Jesus is the answer to all of our problems and He's always within our hearts--if we choose to listen and obey. Until all come into the knowledge of The Word and the authority of Jesus' Love, many will continue to ask this question, "Where was Jesus when...?"

Why None Can Compare To Our God!

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5 NIV

Reading this passage reminds me of what testimonies used to be--a testament of God's goodness.

I know many people are still testifying of His goodness--all the things He has done--delivering them out of darkness and bringing them into His marvelous light. He has healed bodies and emotional distress. He has saved us from ourselves when we didn't realize we needed to be saved. He has made ways out of no way. He has planned our future and keeps us on the path of success when we obey Him. He warns us of impending dangers and keeps giving us chance after chance to get living right--according to His Word.

While I cannot speak for others, I can certainly speak for myself. I am here today because of His Love and His Plans for me. When the enemy attempted to take me out by discouraging me, God was there. In the midst of two rear-end collisions in which I should have been dead, God was there. When I thought I was so grown I didn't have to listen to anyone else, He was right there, waiting for me to reach the end of myself so I would know, I needed Him.

When I had a stroke, He reminded me of His promise to me--and I reminded the devil, I will live and be restored whole. When darkness clouded my life and thoughts, He removed the clouds so I could see all that He had prepared for me. I am a survivor of so much that my heart is filled to overflowing knowing that He was right there and nothing the enemy planned, worked. I have been through some fires, some floods (figuratively speaking)--been on the mountain-top and in the valley and everywhere I was, so was He. There is none like Him!

When we trust people--they usually let us down because of their fickleness, but God is faithful, even when we are not and He never changes. Doctors may have some book knowledge and skills, but it is The Lord who guides them when they listen. When we fly--our hope and trust should not just be in the pilot's abilities, but in God who can keep the plane in the air until it's time for it to come down and safely land it. When we ask Him to bless our food (and our tummies, too), He can remove anything from the food that might harm us and we may never know it.

There is not enough space for me to proclaim all that He has done for me and what I know He will do because all of His promises are true--I simply have to stay in position--in obedience--to receive them. Can we say that anyone does what God does? No! There is no One like Him!

On The Journey--Mem!

MEM
Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
I have not departed from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

The 13th letter and the 13th stanza which appear to be revelation--eyes-wide-understanding of God's Word.

The writer has reached a point in his life when he realizes he loves God's laws and principles and meditates on them daily. He's letting God know, that he has learned more from meditating on God's Word than anything his teachers have taught him and more than those who came before him who apparently did not have the same attitude towards God's Word.

What I love about this is the fact that the writer states--he is wiser because of the testimonies--what he has witnessed God do for him.  When I look at the conduct and behavior of the masses in our society, I have to wonder if any have loved God's Word enough to meditate on it. Have we reached a point where God's Word has revealed to us--God's Truth in how we should live?

I cannot imagine any of us living today being able to say, we are wiser than those who came before us (those in relationship with God). However, it is more than possible that many of us know more than those who tried to teach us--to the best of their ability--about God's Word, through Him.
Here's what I get out of this the most--when we have personally witnessed God's operating on our behalf, we have a testimony that no doubter or hater can ever shake. The doubters and haters could not possibly understand God and even if God had performed a miracle on their behalf, they wouldn't recognize it because to them--it is all about them.

The more I study and meditate on God's Word, the more I see Him and understand how I am to live my life representing all that He is--not me. That does not mean that I ignore the gifts He has given me; it means that I use the gifts to promote who He is. The more I please Him, the more He gives me favor with others.

On much of the social media we use, we see the term, "influencer" as it pertains to how many followers and connections are made through them. I want to be an influencer in promoting the Gospel more than I want to be an influencer on social media. If anyone has come into greater understanding by something I've written that brings them into relationship with God, I have achieved my goal.

Oh yes, His Word is sweeter than honey and will sustain us more than a drink from a fountain, since we have a well of living water rising in us, that never runs dry. And when we recognize what we have in Him, we will exercise self-control and stay out of evil's way.

Knowing It's Jesus!

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before by Father in heaven. John 10:32,33 NIV

Do we need to be ashamed to call upon Him and let others know from whom our Help comes from? No! It is Jesus--the Son of the Living God--who holds me when I need comfort; who heals my ailing body; who provides me with instruction through His Holy Spirit; who leads me in the right direction every day I wake; who whispers in my ears that He loves me and will never leave me; who gives me wisdom whenever I ask and strengthens me to accomplish my tasks--It is Jesus!

Oh it is Jesus,
oh it is Jesus,

it's Jesus in my soul;
for I have touched the hem of His garment,
and His blood has made me whole.

The chorus of this song, by Andrae Crouch, says it all for me.

It is Jesus! It is Jesus! It is Jesus!

It is He who loved me enough to die for me.

It is He who prayed for me in the garden at Gethsemane before I was born.

It is He who has paved the way for my success in all things.

It is He who gives me strength on a daily basis to do what must be done.

It is He who teaches me patience when I want to give up on people.

It is He who fills me to overflowing with love so I can love others.

Oh, It is Jesus! And I will shout it from the rooftops, in the valleys, from the depths of the sea to the peak of the mountains--It is Jesus--by whom salvation is made possible to all who will believe and receive His love today!

And because He is who He is--I can face whatever life throws me, knowing there will be victory in His name and be glad I am His!

Praying For a Damascus Road Experience!

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "not get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:3-6 NIV)

 Many know the story of Saul's conversion and all the great things he accomplished as Paul. But what sticks out to me the most is the fact that as Saul, he was a religious man--full of knowledge and zeal, without relationship with God. After his Damascus road experience, he was yet full of knowledge and zeal, in relationship with God, without being religious. And that's the place we all need to be--in relationship with God, not being religious. For it is in relationship with God that we hear God when he speaks. Being religious limits our ability since we are too busy trying to please men/women and doing what they say God is saying to them. These are the modern day Pharisees and Sadducees--the religious leaders who in their zeal to control others, have missed hearing God and pleasing Him.

Father, in the name of Jesus,

I pray for the unbelieving, the doubters, the atheists, the agnostics, and all who by any other label, deny your existence and the Deity of Your Son.

Create for them, O God, an experience in which the light of truth will guide their paths to You so they'll have a testimony of their own Damascus Road revelation. Provide them with knowledgeable people in their lives who can and will teach them Your truths and not the religious ideology that permeates the earth, yet is ineffective against the enemy who wages war within and without.

Bring all to a place where they realize they need You as their provider, comforter, healer, and counselor.

Cause the scales of unbelief and doubt to fall from their eyes so they can see You in all Your glory and begin to magnify and praise You, O God.

And before this day is over, Lord, let the number of souls won to You be increased a thousand times more than there right now and even greater numbers come to You before the end of this month.

I stand in the gap--desiring only to please You and see souls saved so we can live in peace, knowing how to love one another as we love You.

Your Word says that whatever we ask in Jesus' name will be given to us when we believe and not doubt. I believe souls are won as this prayer is shared and I declare it done--to the glory of the Most High. Amen!

Confidence and a Clear Conscience!

"We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you." (2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT)

When Paul wrote this letter to the church at Corinth, he was reminding believers that he and the other disciples had lived life--with holiness as the foundation for living--and they could say it with confidence and a clear conscience--having no need to be ashamed of the life they had lived. Can we say the same?

If we were writing a letter to encourage someone to live a holy life--according to God's Word--could we say what needed to be said with confidence and a clear conscience? Considering the fact that the apostles who had a relationship with Christ before He ascended and even after--especially those who were in "the upper room" when the fire fell from heaven, were walking spirit-filled lives--do we even have a chance to measure up to their standards?

While we may not be able to proclaim doing all that they did, we should have our testimony--how we arrived at a place where we believed and were saved. When we share our testimonies--sincerely and without fanfare--we can have confidence of what we say and with a clear conscience--knowing we are not trying to scam anyone into believing Christ Jesus--we can effect life changes for many.

If we share--how we were once lost and guilty of indulging in any and everything we thought we wanted--and with our experience, understood what it meant to be in need of a Savior--came into the light, confessing all we had done and repenting of it--people can relate and have hope for themselves or their loved ones. "The blood of the lamb and our testimony" offers hope of salvation to all who are willing to hear and receive.

Imagine--for a moment--what life would be like for you and others if--after knowing the Truth, you continued along the path you were taking. How much different would life be right now? If someone had not shared the Gospel with you, where would you be? If you had not recognized the need to change--how many lives would have been affected--negatively? Would you have a clear conscience now or would you be riding guilt (some go through life so burdened with guilt that they carry it with them wherever they go) through life?

We can have a clear conscience and say with confidence that we are living life with holiness as a foundation--when we look to Him who is able to accomplish all things through us.

Telling Of His Deeds!

"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds" (Psalm 73:28 NIV).

Sometimes, when we attempt to talk to people who have either professed not knowing or believing in God, we get frustrated in our attempts to change their view. What I've realized is that we are never going to change the mindsets of all people and perhaps, not even some of them, but we must be determined to tell everyone about His deeds.

"You can't tell it like I can tell it, what He's done for me."

A line of a song that makes more sense than many songs combined. No one can tell my story like I can.  Many who have been in my life can witness and confirm the changes in my life, but they cannot tell my story and do it justice.

Before I was ever a thought in the minds of my mother and father, Jesus looked down through the years and saw me, loved me, and prayed for me in the garden of Gethsemane.

He knew that I would be molested as a child and repressed my memory of the incident until I could handle it.

He knew that I would struggle through life, trying to understand why I was different--why I would rather read a book than play outside; why I would rather be nice than nasty; why I could not give in to certain temptations that could have ruined my life forever. He knew before anything ever happened how I would react or respond.

And the moment that I thought it was time for me to give up the struggle and give in to the thought that real love was not part of my life's plan, He showed up and showed out, convincing me that all I ever needed was Him.

He dried my tears and eliminated my fears of not being worthy.

He raised me from the brink of self-destruction and settled me into a new life, as a new creation in Him.

He called me and taught His Word so I would have no need to be ashamed of what I was supposed to do.

He made it possible for me to live my dreams and have love overflowing for all, no matter what they do.

He allowed me to be "an old spirit" as a child and now as an older woman, He gives me "a child's spirit" forever young at heart, but wise with life's experiences.

He knew, He loved, He raised and saved me so I would have a testimony--telling others of His goodness, mercy and love. He is always near and I know I can count on Him to lead me in the direction I must go and give me the words to say to others. His love--can only be understood with experience with Him, so when I pray for those who don't believe; I pray that God will bring into their life an experience that will let them know that He is real and He loves without discretion, all who come to Him!

Thank You, Lord for loving me enough to stand by me in all of my life's struggles and to bringing me to a place where I understand Your love, receive it and share it everywhere I go.

The Irrefutable Testimony!

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children" (Romans 8:16 NIV).

There are a number of people who are confused as to whether or not they are descendants of Abraham and entitled to all the benefits of being one of God's chosen. From the beginning, God chose those He wanted to call His own and bless. This relationship was based on a natural connection to Abraham through bloodline (the basis of most relationships claiming to be family). However, because many of the natural relatives were rebellious and disobedient, the connective relationship with God was broken and Jesus had to come to restore it.

When the relationship was restored through the work on the cross, all who chose to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord became part of the family by adoption through Holy Spirit. Now, if we are adopted into the family of Abraham, and recognized by God as being part of the family, why on earth are we confused?

Instead of listening to those who are confused and allow negativity to reign in their lives, we must know for ourselves whose children we are. Imagine this event being played out in a courtroom. We have been charged with proclaiming we are joint-heirs with Christ (He's our elder brother) and thereby children of the most High God. All of the witnesses of religious dogma have been called to testify against us, but there is One who testifies with irrefutable evidence-the Word of God. Holy Spirit convinces our spirit that we are the children of God and as such, entitled to all the benefits and promises of God!

Do we dare believe Him? Absolutely, we dare and proclaim from the mountain tops and throughout the valleys that we are children of God. We have a right to proclaim God as our Father, Jesus as our elder brother and Holy Spirit as our guide and counselor in all matters. We have a right to receive all the benefits God promised the Children of Israel from the beginning. We can claim with assurance that God has planned our lives and He planned them with purpose--that we might prosper and have a future with hope. We can proclaim that whatever we put our hands to when we obey God, will succeed. We can rest assured of His promises of victory--being the head and not the tail, being healed by the stripes Jesus bore before being nailed to the cross, having an eternal resting place with Jesus when we choose to be obedient. We have a right to make these claims when we have accepted the adopting agent--our faith in God.

Now with the right to receive all the promises, we all put ourselves in position to receive all the persecution and negativity that was directed at Jesus. We must stay focused on Him and never lose sight of the prize in Christ Jesus--our hope must remain intact until the end when we receive our eternal reward. However, when we choose not to be obedient, we must also expect to receive the consequences that were also promised to those children who disobeyed.

Think about it! Are you proclaiming to be a child of the Most High? I have been accused of proclaiming an inheritance in Jesus--and the evidence provided by Holy Spirit is irrefutable! Hallelujah! I am a child of the Most High, entitled to all His many benefits!

He Sees and Hears!

"The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry" (Psalm 34:15).

Have you ever felt like someone was watching every move you made? You're not alone in that feeling.  In fact, we are all being watched--the righteous and the wicked alike--by the One who sees and hears all things. However, when the Lord sees the righteous in trouble, He hears their cries unto Him and responds.

Who are the righteous? Every person who has a relationship with God and is doing what is right in His sight is the righteous. We know that His eyes are in every place, seeing the good and the evil. When we care about maintaining our relationship with Him, we do not do the things we know would displease Him. For when we delight in the Lord (take pleasure in pleasing Him), He gives us the desires of our hearts (when they align with His Word).

We can rest assured in the knowledge that though we will go through trials and tribulations, we will come through them victorious because Jesus forewarned us, through John's Gospel. Sometimes, it just doesn't seem fair that those who live a righteous life suffer the same things as those who don't know God. But if we never had to suffer, never felt persecuted, never been subjected to ridicule and scorn, we would not have a testimony to share with others about how good God is. If we never knew how He can deliver us from evil, how would we be able to share it? If we never knew about His healing virtue, how could we tell someone else?

God--in His infinite wisdom--allows us to "go through" things so He can develop us and then use us to "get through" to others when we can magnify Him in all things. Glory to God! Use us Lord to Your glory! We will come through all the trials, triumphantly--gladly singing His praises and having a testimony about how awesome He is.

If we never had a trial, would we call upon the Lord? If our lives were perfect in every way, would we be able to say, God is good, all the time? If we never had a reason to talk to Him about self or others, would we do it? Think about it! God wants us totally dependent upon Him, as His children, so He can provide everything we need--proving Himself to be a great Father! Oh yes, He is God and He is God all by Himself and I am so thankful and grateful for His love that I would not have my life any other way--depending on Him for everything!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for the trials and tribulations that You allow to come upon us to make us strong so we can tell others of Your goodness. We thank You for loving us enough to come down to our level and for saving us from ourselves. We thank You for providing for us--everything we need and our hearts' desires. Help us to stay focused on You and to be willing to share--our testimonies so others will come to know You for themselves. Amen!

While I Live!

"For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?"(Psalm 6:5)

While I live, I will give You thanks and praise You each and every day!
While I live, I will tell others of Your goodness and mercy and love!
While I live, I will trust You to provide my every need!
While I live, I will train my children and grandchildren in the ways of The Lord!
While I live, I will be a living testimony, proof of Your mercy, grace, and love!
While I live, I will do all that You would have me to do or say!
While I live, While I live, for when I am dead, there is no turning back the hands of time to do or say anything.  While I live, I look forward to an expected end to spend it with You for all eternity.  While I live!