Recognizing Truth!

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” John 8:42-47 NIV

POLITICS ALERT!
In an era in which people accept lies for truth and say truth is a lie, how on earth are we supposed to know truth when we see or hear it?

Jesus told us that truth will set us free in verse 32 of this same chapter. But whose truth? The truth of the masses who are willing to believe anything that is not proven or simply because of who said it? I think--if we're going to listen to people--especially other Christians--we must know what they say lines up with The Word!

The following excerpt was taken from an online article on November 1, 2016:

In an interview Tuesday morning on CNN, wealthy GOP donor Foster Friess explained why supporting Donald Trump — who has been married multiple times and has bragged about grabbing women by the genitals — is actually very compatible with Christian values. "I don't think [Christian voters] should be conflicted if they're really embracing their Christian values," said Friess, in a pitch to win over Christians shying away from supporting the Republican presidential candidate because of his controversial comments.

Friess argued that because "one of the gifts Jesus gave us was forgiveness," the Christian thing to do would actually be to forgive Trump for his past sins. "What value is our Christian faith if we don't forgive someone who's seeking to move forward?" Friess said, noting the "whole message of Christianity here is evident in Donald Trump's progress, where you look at where he was 10 years ago and where he is today, we have to be excited about that."

What's notable in what Friess says is that since "forgiveness" is a Christian value, why is it not extendable to Hillary who has exhibited knowledge of God?  The Republican Party has investigated the Clintons for decades and have yet to find anything prosecutable in anything they have done.
When both Bill and Hillary messed up, they apologized and sought forgiveness. Though they are not perfect--none of us are--they have exemplified more Christian values than Trump is even capable of knowing exists.

And Trump's progress is questionable to say the least. He is still promoting fear, hatred, and bigotry. He is yet disrespecting women and thinks nothing of his behavior. He is yet lying on a consistent basis and igniting hatred in the hearts of those who support him. He is yet promoting violence against Hillary.

There are those who say Trump loves this country. How has he demonstrated that love of country? His four deferments indicate he could care less about the security and safety of this country since he refused to join the military and yet--now claims that he can teach the Secretary of Defense military strategy! This is the same man who claimed to know more about ISIS than the Generals who have been involved in fighting them. But more importantly--he thinks he's smart not to pay taxes--taxes that are used to pay our military to help keep this country safe. Is that love of country?

Trump claims he's a smart businessman. How many smart businessmen end up filing bankruptcy multiple times and losing almost a billion dollars in one year?

Trump claims he respects women yet has no problem attempting to intimidate Hillary during a debate in then interrupting her at another to call her a "nasty woman" in the middle of her giving a response to the moderator. There's also his questionable obsession about his daughter's body, which borders being incestuous fantasy.

There has been no evidence in anything he says or does that Holy Spirit is guiding him in anything. There is no unconditional love for others and we know this since he fuels the chants of "lock her up!" His claim that she is "the devil" is fueled by hate mongers such as Alex Jones who admits he has said that President Obama and Hillary are the devil and "we can tell by the smell of sulfur on them." Now--whose truth is that? Sounds like that came straight from the pit to me. There is no joy and hope in what Trump says, only despair if he's not the one in charge! That's the narcissistic personality that reigns in his life. Remember, at his convention, "I know what's wrong and I am the only one who can fix it."

This person can't even discipline himself and has demonstrated he can't focus on anything for more than 30 minutes at a time, unless he's entertaining the masses at his rallies. There is no evidence of the fruit of the Spirit operating in his life and there is no truth than can be manufactured to even create the illusion of his being a Christian.

Perhaps, more importantly than anything else is the fact that Trump believes he has no reason to ask God for forgiveness since he has done nothing wrong. And that's the way he sees his life--he's never done anything wrong because he's a god that lives by his own rules. If we do not ask God to forgive us, there is no forgiveness to be had. And just asking to be forgiven without repentance is simply mouthing empty words.

In order for us to recognize truth that others pretend to speak, we must know that truth aligns with The Word in the context God intended, not how we selectively misuse it.

Now, I know there are people--Christians--who are concerned about who might be appointed to the Supreme Court. Is the concern because they do not trust God to be God and speak to the hearts of all involved? Or is that they simply don't want to see a woman in the White House? The other concern--supposedly--is they feel they must support the person who is pro-life. Well, here's a question for them. How is it that a pro-life group can support rights of life in the womb, but not rights of life outside the womb? There is more outrage about people having abortions than there is about people being killed--especially when it comes to the "Black Lives Matter" group. What happened to being "for life" in this situation?

Apparently, those who think being pro-choice is a sin and that's because they haven't developed a right relationship with God because God--the God of heaven--gives us choice in all we do and He has established the consequences of our choices and "never makes us do anything." And for the record, being pro-choice does not mean a person is "for abortions." It means we believe that a woman has the right to choose what she does and deal with the consequences of her choices. That's the way God does things--allows people to choose.

As for the 2nd Amendment argument--that Hillary is trying to take guns away from people--that is so much hogwash being perpetuated by the lies promoted by the haters. She wants to make sure that guns are kept out of the hands of those who would use them to commit murder. She has no problem with people owning guns to protect themselves. And please don't respond to me about "hunting rights." No one needs an automatic, rapid-fire weapon to kill a deer or anything else. The animal would be so shredded there would be no point in having killed it in the first place.

So, enough of the smokescreen about why people want Trump in office. He is a despicable, white man and people don't want to see a woman as President. There are people who would rather put political party affiliations before country and that should be a sin. God didn't create politics--men did--in their effort to ignore Him. Remember how Saul became a king--because other tribes had kings and did not honor God.

Now, why should anyone believe anything that's been said? They shouldn't without seeking God for themselves and praying for discernment to recognize truth--in all people, in all situations, at all times. Truth--regarding any situation--has already been addressed in God's Word and if we have a right relationship with Him, He will always guide us to truth in His Word and His Truth is applicable for all people.

Speaking With Confidence!

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father,  from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:12-19 NIV

Having the love of Christ abiding within our hearts is more important than anything else we could obtain. With His love, we can boldly approach the throne of Grace and place our petitions before Him, knowing He hears and will respond.

Therefore, with the love of Christ, overflowing in my heart, I boldly speak, with confidence that God's plan will prevail--no matter what we think about anything and that includes the political climate.

The email situation won't matter any more than being lewd and crude will matter in the greater scheme of God's plans.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is residing within--we can see the evidence--from without. Where there is love, not hate; where there is love, not fear; where there is love, not doubt; where there is love, not fear-mongering; where there is love, not rumor-mills feeding gossip; where there is love, not encouragement to do violence. Where there is love, there is a desire to serve God and people. Where there is love--we know, who knows God. 

What we all must do is to seek Him, hear and obey.

I have sought Him and according to His Word, I have obeyed.

Every Morning!

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:21-26 NIV

Every morning when I wake
I'm reminded of His Love,
No matter what happened the day before,
A new day and new mercies is what I hope for.

Every morning when I rise,
My sacrifice of praise starts my day,
Even with joints ache with eyes blurred,
I give thanks for strength to endure.

Every morning that I see,
Is another opportunity for me
Spread love, spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
Live as a demonstration of a changed life
In Him. Every morning!

No matter what else has happened to us, no matter what disappointments come our way, we can and should start each new day with praise unto Him who is the reason we live and move.

Sometimes, life's difficulties tend to distract from the facts--God is love and His love and mercy endure forever--no matter how often the enemy attacks.

When we know we have received His love into our hearts, nothing the enemy does should tear us apart from knowing the battle is not ours, but His and in Him, we always win. Victory is more than a battle cry, but a lifestyle we can and should live--so we make the enemy quake every morning when we rise.

We cannot change yesterday or even the last minute, and only He knows what the future holds, but when we know He holds our future in His hands, we can live without fear or doubt and move to the rooftops--with a shout--Jesus is Lord and no weapon formed against us shall ever prosper!

It is morning time and time to rise--giving Him praise for the victories we shall know all the day long!

Repentance and Forgiveness!

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:9-14 NIV

In order for us to receive forgiveness, we must willing to admit when we're wrong. If a person can never admit being wrong or in need of forgiveness, how can they be forgiven?

Many are those who always cry, "forgive, forgive" but that's only when it pertains to someone else, not them. And the other side of the coin is--the person who keeps doing wrong, never repents of the wrongdoing--never turns away from doing wrong--because they never admit they are wrong. Apologies--it would seem to some--are for losers and therefore--a winner never apologizes for anything--in their mind. So, if there is no admittance or apology, there can be no forgiveness for if there is--it is just a matter of words, not sincerity since true forgiveness, comes with a change of heart.

We are told--in The Word--that from the abundance of the heart--the mouth speaks. From that we can conclude by what we hear--what is in a person's heart. If all we hear is hatred and bigotry, lies and finger-pointing, then what we hear is what's overflowing in their heart.

If we attach a color to every trait or virtue--what color would our hearts be? We've heard of people having a black heart (pure evil), but is that what resides within us? For all those virtues that are positive--love, joy, hope, forgiveness, humility, and sincerity,--let's color them yellow. For all the negative traits--lying, hatred, bigotry, fear-mongering--let's color them black. Now, let's take a look at what appears to be a halo over people--is it light or is it darkness? Darkness does not drive out light, but light certainly drives out darkness so it would benefit all for us to have light in our hearts rather than darkness.

Not one of us--living past the age of seven--can say we've never done anything wrong. And as kids, when we did something wrong we were punished--if we had loving parents. As adults, we have to recognize when our behavior is not conducive to maintaining peace or when infringing upon the rights of others. When we do wrong--we admit it--apologize and seek forgiveness and let it go, not holding grudges.

When we repent--turn away from those things that offend God and turn to Him to stay on the right path, He forgives and never reminds us of all the wrong we've ever done. But the enemy--the prince of darkness--will always seek a way to get into our minds to remind us of what we've done in hopes of keeping us distracted. We don't have to let the enemy influence our thoughts or our deeds. We simply have to remember who it is we serve and serve Him with gladness and joy in our hearts.

However--if we never acknowledge doing wrong--there is no true repentance and therefore forgiveness is not received. For what we do not admit when we're wrong, God cannot forgive us. And if we say we're sorry for doing something when we are not--the lack of sincerity will be revealed in our continued wrongdoing.

Beloved, let's love one another with a sincere heart--allowing the light of hope and joy to override the darkness impelled by fear and hatred. God is love and if we love Him, we can love others for love resides in our hearts in abundance. And if we love, we can forgive when others admit their wrongdoing and we should not hold it against them.

The Path of the Wicked!

 Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies. Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be. Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions! Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short. May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away. The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.” Psalm 58:1-11 NIV

POLITICS ALERT!

When a person is a sore loser, they snatch at any straw they can find in an attempt to redeem themselves--from falsely promoting an election that is rigged against them to deliberately deceiving the masses by promoting untruths.

Not many people may think about who alerted the media about the letter Director Comey sent to the Republican chairs and the ranking Democrats about the possibility of having pertinent information regarding emails--"connected" to Hillary Clinton's aide. In fact, the director himself provided a misleading missive to those he sent the letter, which was later explained, but too little--too late to keep truth in the forefront. So, the letter had to transmitted to the media by those who sought to re-ignite the embers of a campaign that was burning out with more lies--and the Republicans had more to gain from this information than the Democrats so I'm guessing--the Republicans are responsible for the misinformation promoted.

With a flailing campaign and low poll numbers, the great Deceiver pounced on the breaking news with his own breaking announcement--not waiting for details--but giddy with the idea that his frenzied crowd would be elated and they were with chants of "lock her up" before they knew it wasn't about Hillary. But does that matter in the greater scheme of things with a deceiver? No--mission is accomplished--the die has been cast and the roars of the lion--drowning out truth.

The saddest part of this whole situation is that not one person seems to understand how deliberately this information was handled--designed to create more distrust of Hillary because the other candidate hates to lose. He has gone from cries of "foul play" to igniting insurrection by his followers and on more than one occasion has encouraged others to "take her out." One man has already "inferred" that since he is a patriot, if Hillary wins, he will kill her. That's how dangerous this candidate is--in promoting that kind of hatred in this country, in which no dictator reigns.

How anyone can continue to believe that this character--who falsely claims any knowledge of God, and we can see it in his actions--is beyond me. He is a con man of the foulest magnitude! Supporting him as president of the United States is inviting poison to spread throughout the country and watching it seep into the core of the earth.

Fortunately, for those of us who know Truth and Trust God--his endeavors will not get far, for the righteous know how to pray and expect God to act on behalf of those who truly love Him. No weapon--especially not the lies promoted by hatred--will prosper against those who love The Lord and seek to please Him, only.

A half-truth (cherry-picking details) is a whole lie! And we know where liars will end up for their eternity has already been prepared for them.

"By the end of a day that brought stinging criticism of Mr. Comey from both Democrats and Republicans, he appeared on the defensive, saying in an internal email to bureau employees that he had felt obligated to inform Congress, and “we don’t know the significance of this newly discovered collection of emails.’’NYT

Is There A Noah In The Earth?

The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the LORD said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. Genesis 6:5-9 NIV

Only the physically blind and physically deaf would not know about all the wickedness in the land, residing in the hearts of people--determined to do evil. This is not the first time this has happened and it probably won't be the last, but when there is at least one--who has found favor with God, there is yet hope for humanity.

We know because of God's Word that He has already determined there is a remnant who will be saved, but do we know how to be part of that remnant? Is there a Noah--someone who is righteous, blameless among the people, and walking faithfully with God? Have we strayed so far from God that none can hold back God's wrath?

Whenever we read The Word, we must open our hearts to hear God speak to us and know that nothing that occurs in our world that surprises God.

God is not surprised by the legalization of living in opposition to His Word. He's had a remedy for that before now, and it's written in His Word.

He's not surprised by the political contamination that promotes bigotry and hatred and the abuse of women. He's dealt with that before now.

He's not surprised by children turning against parents and parents killing their own children. He's addressed that in His Word.

Whatever happens in our lifetime, has already been addressed and when we know The Lord and have a relationship with Him, we will hear Him when He warns us; we will find favor with God.

With all of the animosity generated by a political campaign, I'm praying for wisdom to be poured out into the hearts of all so sanity and peace will reside in the land. I'm praying for those who know God to continue to seek Him in all we do and all that is being done to glorify Him, not man or woman.

Whenever we forsake God and His Word, we create an environment for evil to creep in and take over those who do not know God. As long as there are people who refuse to acknowledge God and live according to His Word, we will always be subjected to the rise of wickedness in the land. I have faith--in God and mankind--and that we shall find favor with God and He will use those of us who know Him to be the remedy that establishes a safety zone for all who believe.

We should all be Noahs--walking blamelessly before God, living righteously, and finding favor in His sight. Are we, can we, shall we be the Noahs that God showers us with favor?

Faith Makes The Difference!

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:20-24 NIV
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 2 Chronicles 20:20 NIV
The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.' ” Isaiah 7:9 NIV
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; Matthew 9:29 NIV
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Matthew 13:58 NIV
“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:25 NIV

Faith and fear should not exist side by side,
Where there is faith, in God, only love abides.
Where there is fear, there is no love,
Where there is love--hope and faith reside.

Consider all of the negativity that exists in the atmosphere--ignited by fear and drenched in doubt by those whose faith no longer exist in God, but in man or woman, mere mortals who are imperfect and full of flaws. When our hope is in man, we leave God out of the equation and since our faith is misplaced, God has no obligation to respond to our pleas to Him.

When our faith exists solely in God, we have no need to fear whatever the enemy is doing and we can stand firm--facing down the enemy--assured that our God is faithful and whatever He has promised to do for us, He will do.

Whenever we allow the enemy to cause us to doubt God, we give the enemy power over us and that power--fear--drains our faith and when we lack faith, we become fearful of everything and everyone.  
We only see the dark side of every event because fear creates an illusion that light does not exist.
If fear is reigning in our lives, we must be willing to examine what is truly going on within us. 
Perfect love casts out fear--our love for God and others--boots fear out of our hearts and where love is--the light of hope shines brightly, guiding us towards God, not away from Him. In darkness, we cannot see where we're headed and at every turn--with every decision we make--we doubt ourselves because we have been blinded by the darkness and we cannot move forward in darkness, without stumbling and falling.

Brothers and Sisters in The Lord--we have no need to fear when our faith is in God--and what we do aligns with His Word. We are not responsible for what others do, but if we are the examples--a living demonstration of The Word of God in action, others will know--our faith is in God and they, too will not fear the evil that exists in the atmosphere.

Remember--without faith--it is impossible to please God, but with faith in God, we can do all things through Him who strengthens us and keeps us focused on Him. Stand firm on your faith in Him, no matter what the evil reports have to say, for the report of the Lord is all we need and believe His report, found in His Word.  Faith in Him makes all the difference in every aspect of our lives.