Whaaaat?

1Thessalonians 5:1-3 - But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

I wrote this awhile back but never posted, as will be seen in a news article quote.

The times and the seasons are in the news every day. Violence and/or destruction are ramping up. Society is loosening it’s grip on morals. How much more can we, as well as God, take? The Apostle Paul described the coming of Christ to raise the dead and judge the world. There have been verses that describe this. While it’s been thousands of years, the signs are pointing to a much closer than ever before time of His return. The sudden escalation of bad in the world is a sure indication. Just look at the political hatred, for one thing. Violence is another. Moral degradation, weather disasters...all mentioned in the Bible.

If this sounds negative...there IS good news to all of this. Of course!

The Bible predicts this type of behavior in the last days. How bad it has to get is not something we can know, other than the verses showing what must take place before Christ returns. And the Bible even tells us: ...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

(2Peter 3:3-4)

Again, as the Bible suggests, ...the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. God shows us the signs so that we will be ready and watching. A few years ago I would not have guessed I’d be seeing signs in my lifetime. Others have suggested the same. Not just the US but around the world. I’m thankful I know this God to recognize these signs, even if I don’t understand everything in detail. I’m thankful for His salvation and the power of His Holy Spirit to recognize these things. But I am sad for skeptics. I watch and wait.

So, even the news media, which is not watching and waiting, has quoted scripture! I’m sure we will see this more often in the future. Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Sec. Pompeo said the attacks on the ships were part of a “campaign” of “escalating tension” by Iran and a threat to international peace and security. (News.com)

It’s not the first time the phrase peace and security (safety) has been mentioned in the news. Peace and security

We can know that Israel is in the heart of the issue in the last days. It’s complicated but it’s all about God wanting His people to come into the realization that Jesus, whom they have rejected as Messiah, is as He has said. They have been in the news a lot. They will play an important role in the last days. There are nations gearing up to take Israel out. All the stuff going on in the Middle East is pointing to a time like we’ve not known.

But God...who knows the beginning from the end is preparing these things for the advancement of His will...and the return of Christ. But God...desires that none should perish but have everlasting life. He has made it clear that none are righteous apart from Him. He has said that only Jesus is the way to eternal life and if we earnestly seek Him and ask for forgiveness of our sins, He will save. But we have to admit we are sinful. No one can deny this. Everyone in the Bible except Jesus needed salvation, even His mother. Everyone needs to come to directly to Christ for eternal life. No man can save. You cannot save yourself. Only Jesus. That’s the best news ever.

I avoid the news as much as possible and look to the prophetic words of the Bible. I look up, not at what’s happening here on earth. Man cannot bring true peace and safety. Only Jesus can. 

So if you don’t like what’s going on in the news, consider looking into the Word of God and see what He has to say, see what He promises for those who love Him and put their trust and faith in Him, who WILL win in the end. The good, those who receive Christ, have quite an edge over the bad, who do not receive Christ.

John 5:28-29 - Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Eternity

1John 5:11-13 - And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

I listened to a sermon last week on eternity. I thought I'd share snippets of my take on the pastor's thoughts. This is long, filled with hard words and truth, maybe not well received. Hopefully you'll get through to the end. Don't quit early. While it may be hard, there is always hope. There's always good news for those who want to hear. There's a God in heaven who loves you no matter what you might think. Even if you reject Him, He loves you. He'd rather you not reject Him. There are consequences for doing that. 

Basically, the truth that was stated in the sermon many times is: eternity stretches on and on and on. It is eternal. It never ends. Never ends. It's why it's called eternity!

There's a bit of debate about eternity. Some believe eternity is being in heaven. Along with that thought some believe all people go to heaven, or only good people go to heaven. Taking that another step is the question concerning just who is good? And...just how much good do we do to please God? How do we, mankind, determine what is good? How does man's goodness compare to God's view? Oh, to be sure, the Bible has a few things to say about these points, like, briefly, we cannot earn our way into heaven. We are told our (good) works are as filthy rags, that apart from God we can do no good thing, nor enter into heaven. Ouch.  Good works do not produce salvation; good works are the product of salvation. 

So this pastor suggests, and it's all biblical, that we all must spend eternity somewhere. We actually choose where we want to go. It's all about choice and that choice is simple. That choice will either put us in either heaven or hell. But...it is our own choice. Another ouch.

Again, we don't go to heaven based on our good works, what church we go to, how wealthy we are, or who we know. Oh wait, there is one Person we can, and must, know--Jesus Christ. The Bible was written to show us this, from Genesis to Revelation.

Life is not about what we make of it, what we accomplish or how much we accumulate in this world. God's whole purpose for creation and for creating us is to know and glorify Him. Then what we do is important. It's not about the works that we do before we know the Lord. It's about the works that we do after. Remember, all our works, before we know Christ, are as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6)

You will be somewhere all throughout eternity.  There is no in between. It's either heaven or hell. There is no gray area when it comes to God. We're either for Him or against Him. What you will find all throughout the Bible's pages is that a price has been paid. If we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, that price has been paid for us and we are saved. 

So, moving on. Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as this Lord and Savior? This question can offend people. People don't always want to be told they must have a relationship with or give their lives to Christ. But as this pastor was saying in the sermon, if you're offended by Jesus Christ, plain and simple, you're going to hell. Ouch again.

The Bible says you must be born again. There's no other way to get to heaven. You must be born again. If you want more information on what it means to be born again read John 3. You only get to heaven through Jesus Christ. That means admitting you're a no-good, rotten sinner, filled with self and pride, and absolutely powerless without God (which you find out in time)!

The great lie of the devil is like what he asked Eve in the Garden, Did Gid really say...?  Did He really say you're good enough on your own, you don't need Him, your good works are what define you, but not your relationship with Him? Remember, in the Garden Adam and Eve walked and talked with God. They didn't have to work, there was no pain, no sorrow, no shame, no tears. They lived in paradise. Heaven on earth. They tended the animals and were not ashamed of their nakedness. But then the devil slithered in and changed everything...got them banished forever from all that God said was good...and separated from Him. Now to enter into eternity, we must be reconciled again with God. God made a way. He did not offer up His Son as a sacrifice for us for the fun of it. How can we live thinking all go to heaven if not everyone even goes to Him for salvation? To be born again? 

Just as there will be a literal hell, there will be a literal heaven. It will be just the opposite. Like the description of the paradise of Eden, in Revelation we are told:

...God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

(Revelation 21:3-8)

Cowardly, unbelieving, abominable...just a few names for those who do not believe and fall into the same category as the rest. We are all in those categories...until we receive Jesus as born again believers. 

Remember Jesus on the cross between two thieves? One totally rejected Him, the other admitted his sin. What did Jesus say to that second thief? Today you will be with me in paradise!

You must go through Jesus Christ. One way and one way only. There is only one door by which we enter. That Door has a name. It is Jesus Christ. He says, I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9)

Hell is a place of violence, misery and hate, quite the opposite of the description above. We see enough of that today. The pastor explained, Where you spend eternity is determined now. Do you live for yourself or do you live for the Lord? If you live for yourself the Lord is not a part of your life. Maybe you don't feel you need to go to church. That's a sign that you're not living for the Lord. Maybe you don't read your Bible. That's another sign you're not living for the Lord. These may be hard words but Jesus is not Someone you can sit on the fence about. You're either with Him or without Him. And our eternity is based on that. 

But there's still that hope I mentioned in the beginning. We can still seek Him today. But we are not always assured of another day, or another hour or minute. A car crash could take you out in an instant. Without Jesus at that moment means eternal death. He is always waiting for the next person to receive Him. You've heard the words "it's never too late". For Jesus it's never early enough. He wishes none to perish.

Have you heard these messages before? Have you shut your ears and heart to them? Maybe you've not heard. I was offended when I first heard. But God softened my heart through a trial. Consider the words. Jesus is the way, truth and life; no one goes to the Father apart from Him. Like I said before, we are all considered wicked and separated from God until we have made the choice to seek Him with all our heart.  Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6)
Where will you spend eternity? Where do you want to?

Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Bricks, Stones and God's Plans

Genesis 11:4 - And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." 

Hang on for a ride!

In the Old Testament there is a story about the Tower of Babel. Like everything in the Bible, it is there for an example. Just a brief explanation: There was a man named Nimrod whose name meant "the valiant" or "opposition." He was a hunter. He hunted down people to help him create the Tower of Babel. Why? He wanted to create a city that rose to the heavens...one that was made by human hands, apart from God, that he could make a name for himself. I very clearly remember someone saying a very similar thing when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11; to build bigger and better. Sort of like sticking a finger in the eye of the enemy.

Look at our nation! We were founded on God's principles. But, like Babel, we have chosen to remove God (for the sake of diversity and tolerance) and build a nation in man's way. Made by human hands, apart from God... God will tear down anything devoid of Him. He will cut off the proud and arrogant. 

So if you know the story you realize that God objected to this tower being built and "scattered them abroad." God said "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language..." (vs 6). There was only one language at the time. The Tower of Babel story symbolically, or more likely literally, represents what we need to look for today to prevent the same thing happening. A way to look out for today's Nimrod, one person, a tyrant, who wants to take away our individuality as a people.

The EU parliamentary building looks a bit like the Tower of Babel. (Oh, Lord, help me put these thoughts together concisely....) I heard a rabbi (Daniel Lapin) explain the Hebrew meaning of the building of this tower and its components. 

Tower of Babel...EU parliamentary building? What could they possibly have in common?  Seats of a one world government, perhaps? I've heard we're headed in that direction for the sake of peace and safety and there is a scripture that states For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (Thessalonians 5:3)

Nimrod had the capability of seducing the people into building this tower...made of bricks. You have to understand this: bricks are manmade, each looking the same as the others. The tower was made by human hands. God did not have a hand in this or He would have used stones...natural, not manmade elements. So where am I going with this? 

Bricks and stones and God's plans. When God creates us we are individuals; we each have our own individual personalities. When you look at stones, not one is exactly like another. Not so with bricks. Nimrod molded and shaped his people like these bricks so they would do just as he wanted them to. He would order their lives. Then when he had them molded he had them build this tower to make a name for himself. (One world government would be like this.) God was not involved in this process nor was it for His glory. God wants us to be individuals, as He created. We are told "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1Peter 2:5)  

This tower was the first attempt at creating what we would today know as a new world order or a one world government. It was not God's plan, but man's. It's like our age-old idea of making something of ourselves on our own terms...a self-made man...to achieve our own goals, apart from God. Like the manmade bricks...with mortar, this rabbi suggested that the mortar today would be materialism. Mortar is the material that holds the bricks together. If the mortar in my life is not God, it's about me, my stuff, the ladder I want to climb. But God wants me to be a stone...a living stone.

Today's government appears to be suggesting we do it one way by going green or doing everything for a "higher purpose" like the tower, or the greater good. Do you see this? According to the Bible we are headed for a one world government. There will be a one world ruler who will look like a Nimrod, who will want everyone to become a brick rather than a stone. A brick he can manipulate and take away individual rights to achieve the plans, whose decision is to build his own tower...apart from God.

If we allow one man who has decided he's as good as, if not better than, God, to take over the world, if we become part of a one world government, one world order, common currency because he thinks it's for the greater good, we are in trouble. And God will intervene. I remember a story similar to this early on in history. There was this angel of God. His name was Lucifer. He was the heavenly worship leader. He held a prominent role in God's plan. But he became arrogant enough to think he was better than God...for which reason God threw him out of heaven. This is why today he's so bound and determined to infiltrate lives of unsuspecting people through making us believe something is good and to someday find just the one man he can fashion to become the ruler of the world, or the antichrist. All these things are in the Word of God.

Haven't we seen government wanting everyone's freedom taken away...stripped little by little...beat down some and raise up others....make everything equal...one level playing field? We could all be slaves without any freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to choose. We could well become as bricks to bring about the desires of one man.

It's why it's so important we understand the Bible. All throughout history God has shown us what it is like if we turn away from Him. We fail, we collapse, we are destroyed. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).  It's not a bad thing having God on our side, having a relationship with Christ.

If we have all our materialistic things removed from us what holds us together? If we do not have God in our lives we have absolutely nothing. The rabbi said this: any tyrant knows that he cannot enslave a people who believe in the Boss, as he pointed upward. And to that I say Amen! He continued to say (paraphrasing) we will begin to develop a hostility toward traditional biblical faith (and our God) and any commitment there might be toward Him....secularism becomes the religion of the day. We cannot afford to take God out of the picture. Sadly, this is becoming commonplace in some of our churches.

If we are slaves to the world view, if we allow culture to dictate what's right and wrong, we will follow the others like sheep. If we know the God of the Bible and follow Him, listen for His voice, understand what He wants for us, we know the truth and we have liberty. For who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36)... It is our relationship with Jesus, not our just knowing who He is, that will set us free from the things of the world (materialism). It is He who tells us to treasure the things of heaven that cannot be destroyed or taken away rather the things of the world which do not last (Matthew 6:20). He must be our priority.

Though God became angry with these people, instead of destroying them, He dispersed them. They were no longer one people but many individuals, again stones not bricks. This dispersing brought us our individuality in the world...the different cultures. But since history tends to repeat itself, we may be headed back into the same scenario. We may be headed toward socialism or globalism and losing our individuality. But I don't believe there will be a happy ending this time, except for believers. Why did God write these things if they weren't so? Why did He provide examples for us all throughout the Bible of monumental things down to small personal things? Those who see and understand have a better chance of survival. It will happen, but those in Christ realize this and know their outcome, no matter what happens in the world.

Do you want to be a living stone of God or a manmade brick? It's your choice. This Book is our handbook for life. But we have no life if we wander among the sheep of the world...keeping up with the Jones' and determining to be our best in ourselves. What's wrong with being the best God has chosen for us, that living stone? 

It is our responsibility to first get into that relationship with God...that personal relationship...between you and Him. You don't get to Him through living in the same house with one who has a relationship, nor do you get one just by corporately attending a church or just believing there is a God. It is you who must make a decision for yourself. When we come into relationship with Christ and have that common bond with others of like mind it is the wisdom and strength of God that causes our strength rather than the single, worldly individuals wanting to do on their own. 

God is our Master, not any man. Without Him we are nothing. When we begin to realize this we can succeed. If all the world succumbs to the idea, or even the demands, of one man, one government, one way of living for all mankind, we are lost. If that happens, and it looks pretty much like it could, if we have God as the center of our lives, we have nothing to fear. Whatever the outcome, we are secure in Christ. No man, no government, no world, can take that away from us. This is an amazing promise.

John 15:5 - "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Amazing Grace Alone

Matthew 5:17-18 - Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

You hear me say this often: it’s not about a religion but a relationship. This relationship is with Jesus Christ. A church doesn’t save us. Our works don’t save us. Rituals don’t save us. Being what we think is good doesn’t save us. There is only one way we can be saved and that is through Jesus Christ. Not just knowing who He is. But having experienced a change within. An I know that I know that I know I have been touched by God experience. Being saved is one of God’s miracles. Anyone who has known this just plain knows. I still do as if it was yesterday and it’s been 20 years. 

He did all the work on the cross. He is the One who said it was finished. Our role in all this is believing what He did was sufficient and putting our trust in His accomplished work. 

I read or heard this the other day and it has stuck with me, though I’ve known this for some time: when children are small they trust their father (or parents) explicitly. It’s the same for us with God. He tells us we are to come to Him as little children. That means with total trust in our Heavenly Father. No questions asked. It is the same principle, which example I believe is God-inspired! He sure can use everyday life to reveal His nature. Praise Him!

You can look at a lot of the things in this world and see God’s hand on them. The seasons and how things are born, grow, age, die and return. The cycle of nature’s life. It mimics ours to some degree. In our life we die, but do not return to earth. But...in the cycle of life in Christ, we can live on after death. But only when we have put our trust in Jesus Christ alone for the remission of our sins.

This means allowing His grace (unmerited favor) of God toward mankind and mercy into our lives, not what man thinks we need to do to attain God’s love and acceptance. We all know the song: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. We have to be able to say we are a wretch! And we have to be able to admit we are lost and blind, but through Christ we are made to see the truth...of His Word, of what He has done, of our wretchedness and dark hearts...those things only He can change. 

It can be a difficult thing to understand and yet it is so simple. It’s the simplicity of Christ alone. No certain prayer or ritual prayers repeated. Those things we might do in hopes they will please God are like the Old Testament sacrifices being made constantly to atone for sin. When Christ came, and while those laws help us to understand rights and wrongs, He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. His work on the cross did it. If we are in Christ, hidden in Christ, God sees only His Son standing before Him. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:3-4)

If anyone trusts that their rituals, church, goodness, or works will be pleasing to God, this is wrong. Give your life to Jesus and you will know the truth...and that is what will set you free. Honest.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

This is the Truth

John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

We all need to be saved. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. There are no multiple ways to heaven. There is only one way, one truth and one life. His name is Jesus. We are called to come as little children, to trust in He who created all things. Jesus is the first and the last...all encompassing...Alpha and Omega...beginning and end. Let your end be in and through Him.

Jesus said... “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)  When you receive Christ you become a true believer.

I’ve often struggled explaining what the word believe means. I finally found an explanation!

In regards to salvation, the word believe always implies far more than mental agreement with truth. [Even] Satan and the demons know more than any of us the facts about Jesus, the meaning of His death and resurrection, and the truth of Scripture. To believe for salvation requires more than that. A believer is one who has transferred ownership of his life and future to the lordship of Jesus. Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). So a believer, in the biblical sense, is one who has responded to God’s calling and chosen Jesus as the Lord of his or her life. A believer looks to Jesus alone for salvation from sin and hell. By the same token, an unbeliever is someone who has not allowed Jesus to be the Lord of his or her life. Religious-sounding words may have been spoken, but if the heart has not changed, it is not saving faith (Matthew 7:21–23). The person claiming salvation while lacking evidence of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit is still functionally an unbeliever. (Gotquestions.com)

The only way I’ve been able to explain it was a change of heart, an experience where you know you have been touched by God. If one wants this, one only needs to seek God for it. He will know that person’s heart and the true intent of it. He will respond if it’s what that person truly wants. It’s why I pray for hearts to be willing to receive what He has to offer...that free gift of salvation that no works or personal goodness can attain, but that a heartfelt request can. It’s all about Him, not us.

A well-used verse...

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God...

A Matter of the Heart

Genesis 3:1 - Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

I read and hear so often: if government would step in, if laws were enacted, if people would be more tolerant. But if one takes any issue, whether political, personal (addictions) or governmental and takes steps backward to identify the root cause you will always find it boils down to a heart issue. 

I say this often. We live in a fallen world. The Word of God describes this in great detail...for us to know and “take to heart.” However, many choose not to believe all that is written in this Book. And this is exactly how sin came into the world. “Did God really say...?”

It doesn’t matter if it was not eating a particular fruit or walking down a certain path or sitting on “that” rock. It was the fact that God told them not to...for their own benefit. The end of this scriptural thought goes like this: Eve told the serpent that God said not to eat of this fruit lest they die. And the serpent, that lying, deceitful guy that he is even today, countered with: ...”You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

Well, this deceiver devil is still up to his tricks and many fall for his lies hook, “lie” and sinker. Abortion is not murder, being attracted to someone of the same sex is not a sin, drunkenness is okay, looking at another of the opposite sex with specific desires is not lust if not carried out, a white lie is okay. I could go on...way beyond the 10 Commandments. There are many more subtle sins found. Ones we are all guilty of: impatience, anger, gluttony, gossip, using God’s name in vain (as an exclamation of anger, frustration or just because instead of in praise).

If any of this sounds a bit much, it isn’t to God. His standards are way higher than ours. And it’s why He calls us to come to Christ to be forgiven and receive a heart change...the major thing God wants to do.

This heart change isn’t something we can determine to do on our own. He supplies the power to overcome. When we come to Christ we are justified, of our sins like this is sometimes said, “just as if I’d” never sinned. All sins are forgotten. But not all sins are removed; we are in a perpetual state of sanctification until we die. But...we have the ability to go direct to God when we realize our sin and ask His forgiveness on the spot. And Jesus stands in the gap between us and the Father. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus...(1Timothy 2:3-5)

I know I am far from perfect and I know that only Jesus was perfectly free from sin and guilt. It’s why He has become our Redeemer. Though we cannot be perfect until He returns and we receive our glorified bodies, we can choose to have the assurance of perfection and a perfect life as God had originally intended for us. All we have to do is sincerely ask Him for the forgives of our sins and ask that His Spirit become that one who guides us. 

God absolutely knows the intents of our heart. Often, as we sadly are seeing in the world today, He has given man over to their evil desires, not that He wants to, but that He must if they decide not to seek Him and turn from their sin.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 -“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”