What Are You Falling For?

Isaiah‬ ‭14:12-13‬ ‭- “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north."

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I heard the question above and it stirred up thoughts!

We think ourselves more highly than we ought. We think we can do a better job with our lives than God can. Guess again! Look what it did for the devil above.

We know we have an enemy of our souls, the devil, satan, Lucifer, Beezelbub...whatever name you want to call him. His job is to steal, kill and destroy mankind. (The opposite of God who wishes none to perish.) He preys upon us all. How? By lying to us. He will make us believe what is good is evil and what is evil is good. In the world we have very relaxed views on so many issues: marriage and divorce, sexuality, meaning of life (abortion, murder), human rights, government, politics...oh, and offending. 

Not too much of it is looked at from God's point of view anymore. I didn't look at it that way once either. It was my life and I was going to live it any way I wanted. It didn't affect anyone else, did it? Whatever made me happy. And, sadly, in the world it continues. But as frustrating as it is, I now know that this is the way the Bible tells us it will be...then Jesus will return to exact judgment. Just when you think this is the worst the world can get, it gets worse. I noticed that on the news this week.

As a friend emailed me one day...I seem to be at peace with my religion and I seem to take pleasure in it. Well, yes, I do! That can only come from God. Except it's not about my religion; it's about Who I know. It's about my relationship with Jesus. He brings that peace and pleasure. Yes! 

So, back to Lucifer! He became very proud in his status as an angel. He thought so highly of himself, he thought he could be like God, maybe even better. And God had a decision to make...kick him out of heaven. Pride caused Lucifer to fall. 

What are you falling for? The thought raced through my mind, like Lucifer fell from God's graces, so can any person whose pride in believing they can go through life, living their own way, without any regard for God. This is one of satan's lies. Are you falling for it? Shrugging one's shoulders at or thinking it's they way the culture is changing regarding to major issues today is compromising with the devil.

Those who stand with God and His Word and abide in Him will always be questioned. Some will go so far as to scorn. It's to be expected as a follower of Christ. 

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2Timothy‬ ‭3:12‬). But...The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. (‭‭Psalm 34:18‬)

What are you falling for? I fell for the lies for more than half my life. When the truth was shown to me I took a stand for Christ. I am not ashamed of the Gospel! It is by this Gospel that my life was saved, glory to God alone. I was not trying to prove anything to God. In fact, I was opposed to Him. I believed in God and Jesus. I just saw no need for Him in my life; I was doing okay. Or so I thought. One day, at my wit's end, God revealed Himself to me and that was it. I knew I needed Him. And He knew it also and changed my heart in an instant. 

What makes my heart ache is those who feel as I felt. I think about how some day, if they continue to avoid Christ, the truth will be revealed and they will regret having done so. What comes to mind is the story of Lazarus, a beggar, and the rich man. In a nutshell, both had died; Lazarus, the beggar, went to heaven; the rich man to hell. The rich man saw Lazarus in a good place and realized his mistake and pleaded that Lazarus be allowed to tell his family to not make the same mistake, which could not (and cannot) be done. Think about it. Lazarus was about as low as one could get; humbled by his lifestyle, believing in God. The rich man had everything, no doubt with some pride, with no need for God, yet those riches meant nothing at death. 

It's never too late to receive Christ nor is it too late to question God about the validity of it all. If one seeks, with all his heart, God will respond. Don't fall for the lies that a relationship with the God of heaven is not possible. I'll tell you, I had done many sinful things and probably hit every one of the Ten Commandments, yet God reached me. He had placed people in my life to help, though I wasn't very happy about their insistance at the time. God's timing was perfect. Whatever pride I might have had in my determination to live without God, fell. 

Are you falling for the lies of the devil or falling before the feet of Jesus? Falling for the lies is pride; falling before the feet of Jesus is about as humble as one can get.

Isaiah‬ ‭66:2‬ ‭- "For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,” says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.

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Battlefield of the Mind

Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This is for YOU! 

Please read this! Don't throw it into the trash just yet. Don't delete it. Don't think it pertains to some but not to you.

I have to remind myself often the statement above! There is an enemy of our souls whose only job is to torment, to steal, kill and destroy, as the Bible says. He's angry and jealous with God and is seeking to take down as many people in this world as he can. He tells lies to everyone. One is how it is not so important to know Him and take Him and His Word seriously and it's okay to live as we desire because He will not allow anyone to not go to heaven. 

It's why we need to be focused on God and the truth of His Word. Truths can be hard. They can shatter what we have always believed, those lies. I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer or a doom and gloomer. I'm just saying people need to know what is right and wrong. God is a good God. He wants none to perish. But He also knows when He needs to judge. And He will. And He will judge those who have not allowed themselves to learn the truth. But here's a promise:

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬)

Perfect peace. Peace through Christ. Trusting in Him, not self or others, or a religion or denomination. Relying on Him. Knowing Him and His Word. Minds stayed and focused on Him, His truths, His Word. On Him.

Some people who have known me for many years know I have changed. My beliefs are different. My stance on things are different. I thank God for that, while others may not! He opened my eyes when I gave my life to Him. All I had believed, the same lies as everyone else, became blatantly, clearly errors. When the truths poured in I changed, not to everyone's liking. 

The Word of God tells us, once we are saved through the power of Jesus ...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭12:2‬)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

How do we renew our mind? Through the Bible. That's where the truth hangs it's hat. If we get angry thinking we don't need to read His Word, we will miss out on all the peace. It is a battlefield of the mind, which we can overcome! We just need to submit to the truth. The world doesn't revolve around any one of us. Good chance our beliefs do not line up with God's. Who do we think we are believing we are smarter than God? He will judge us on that one! 

There will come a day when we all will know exactly where we stand with Him. Every knee will bow and tongue confess Him to the glory of God. We will be separated between true believers and non-believers. It will either be a glorious day or one of great sorrow. Don't be fooled into thinking you are right with God if you have not tried learning what truth is. 

Isaiah‬ ‭55:8-9‬ ‭- “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

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God's or Ours?

Romans 1:18-25 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Oh, sorry for the lengthy scripture. 

I look at what our society is becoming and this is so evident. So.evident.

We may not quite recognize the wrath of God in the world today. We can believe that some of the devastation on earth is a result of our choosing to push God and His views and commands out of this life. It could be. Recall that it's in time of trial that He hopes people will turn to Him and if He has to bring them on... These things might be happening and we don't know it. I know there will come a day when we know and see God's judgment. 

As an aside, I'm hearing more and more Muslims are turning away from Islam to Christianity. This is amazing...and amazingly good. I listened to a pastor or priest giving a sermon on how Muslims need to understand that their killing other Muslims because of their allegiance to Christ isn't vengeance as they would think. It is a win-win situation because these victims, being in Christ, will be with Christ. 2Corinthians 4:17 says For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory...  In light of eternity, even our life on earth, whether easy or hard, is small. What matters is the end and where we stand with God.

So man, in general, with a relatively small number not represented here, live according to their own lifestyles. They choose to believe their lifestyles and ways are better, that anything goes in this world and care not whether it is acceptable to God. It is pride. The pride of life, as the Bible states. The riches of the world. Nothing to do with God and the even better things He has to offer...even in the midst of a life of trials. 

God has shown us from day one who He is, His power and His majesty. He has shown us throughout the Old Testament what He requires. So if we don't read His Word we will never understand this. If we don't read the whole Bible we believe what we want to believe, even believing the lie that He is a tyrant, unloving, choosing to war, kill and destroy. This was all to show us our fate for not loving, trusting and following Him. And so it goes today. He does not change. What He did in the Old Testament was a form of discipline. Sounds harsh but His demands are just. He did nothing but love His people and they kept falling away. They did not glorify Him, nor were thankful for all the times He saved their sorry lives or provided for them.

So today, what does man do? Just about the same thing. Idols are made to replace God. Jobs, children, cars, homes, money, television, hobbies...anything that would replace time with God. And in another way, lifestyles...choosing to be whatever or whoever we want to be instead of what God created us to be. There will be judgment upon us all, as believers and unbelievers, for the things that have gotten between God and us. But there is still hope, no matter where we are in life or what we believe. He will forgive, if we ask Him to bring change to our hearts.

Have we exchanged the truth for lies? Have we allowed the world view or man's view of how we should live cause us separation from the God who loves us so much? He loves us with our sin but doesn't want us to stay in that place...and as I have said, as He has said, wishes none to perish. Do we look to Him or go about our own ways? ...we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. (Acts 17:29)  It's not about who we think He should be but who He says He IS. 

He is but a call away if we so desire. That call could mean eternal life or eternal death. God's judgment or His wrath? Your choice. He loves you....

Acts 17:24-28 - God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring."

The Son Who Saves

Matthew 10:28 - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

So what do we do? Tell the truth or lie? Speak what offends or what coddles? Speak life or death? Speak or remain silent? Jesus spoke the truth...that He was able to do more than those who tried to kill. He was able to destroy...take out evil altogether....and in the process save those who would believe in Him. But first He had to die and be risen again. 

I am also reminded of the verse in Ephesians: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians‬ ‭6:12)  Those who kill the body are flesh and blood, who live in the darkness of this age, who are great deceivers, those who would deny Christ and like the old serpent in Genesis, ask, "Did God really say...?" But there is One greater, who is truth, who can destroy those deceivers, if we just allow ourselves to listen to Him. 

Jesus was hated by many people because His words of truth were offensive. You'll hear me say that often. Yet He spoke words that allow the soul to remain alive even after the body is gone. And He spoke them no matter what price. He trusted His Father over the men who despised Him and had the earthly power to kill Him. He allowed Himself to die in this trust. And we know what happened after they killed Him. He rose again in three days and now sits at the right hand of God. He is alive today to draw us to Him and eternal life.

One of the things we are called to do as believers is share the same message that Jesus did. It won't sit well with many. As Jesus was scoffed, so will we be. That comes with peculiar people territory! But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (‭1Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9-10‬)  It is a privilege to call myself peculiar...it comes with receiving Christ. 

I once lived far away from God. I lived as I desired, did as I wished, pursued my own dreams, believed my accomplishments were just the start of things. All is vanity, a grasping for the wind, as Ecclesiastes tells us. Without God we keep striving for more because what we have is never enough. 

The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. (Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1:8-10)

That's not an easy message for anyone who puts their faith in self and all they do or accomplish...without God. What? I didn't work hard for this house, this car, this family? Who says? God does! There may be nothing new under the sun but all things become new under the Son. 

Oh how we are changed when we meet Jesus Christ. When we meet Truth and He opens our eyes. He who saves the soul from those who want to kill it. The One we should fear over the one who kills the soul with deception. If we do not accept this the Bible says we are deceived. That deception is caused by a sin we are born into and need to have covered by the One who saves. 

1John 1:8,10,9 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. BUT: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Did God Really Say???

Genesis 3:1,5 - 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’? 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."

Did God really say...? Those were the first words the enemy said. Seeds of doubt planted in an about-to-be-separated-from-God being...Eve. So it all started, this thing about sin and separation.

The enemy, a deceiver and liar. He had the upper hand, although he had no hands! He had been relegated to slithering on the ground. Amazing, seeing as how snakes have that reputation of being slimy and scaly. A snake in the grass, a cold-blooded snake, one who feigns friendship. How can we be so deceived by something many abhor? And what is it that is said about removing the scales from one's eyes? It's all about snakes...one particular snake from 6,000 years ago.

This serpent had cunning words. He only wanted revenge for something he had brought upon himself through pride...extinction from the heavenly places...by God Himself. His anger toward God has festered in him ever since and he takes it out on us. He still has an upper hand in this world. He only wants evil, brings evil, speaks evil through his deception. And we listen...

There is another hand that is greater than his, though. Thankfully. Gratefully. 

Do you know the story of Saul who became the Apostle Paul? It's one of my favorite stories. From unbeliever and persecutor to believer in a heartbeat. He was met by Jesus on the road to Damascus. He saw a great light which blinded him. A great light! He was blind for...get this...three days. On the third day... Here, read it yourself: As he journeyed he [Saul] came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem..." (‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭3,8-9,17-18,20-21‬)

We once were blind and now we see. The scales fall from our eyes when the light of Christ is revealed to us, when truth is revealed and the lies diminish. And we are then called to preach the gospel! And I need to remind myself it can happen to anyone. And I need to remember that I was there once myself. Oh, the grace we must give...

We all believe the lie, his words, until the truth of God's Word becomes known to us. Did God really say??? Yes, He did. He does not lie, never has, never will. He has given us the means to know the truth of His Word and live by it and know if we falter we can be again forgiven by it...by Him, the Word of God made flesh, Who died but rose again and still lives, as do the words He speaks through His Word. Jesus, God's only Son. There at the beginning, Creator of all. Worthy of all honor, praise and glory, forever and ever. Who only wants good for us. Hallelujah!

He has been made known to us, this Word, this God, this Creator...this Jesus. We either believe in Him or we do not. There is no middle of the road. We either believe His Word or we do not. We either read His Word or we do not. We either trust His Word or we do not. We either follow or we do not. Black and white just like good and evil. We do or do not. Which leads to...

Either life or death. If we believe in Jesus, believe His Word, understand what His Word says and obey His commands we have life. His Word is life. It is the water that quenches our thirst. It is the daily bread of life, our fresh manna. Life - life - life. He's all about life.

What good has satan brought? I'm waiting for an answer. Hmmmm. Nothing. Tick, tick, tick, tick. Times up! No good, that's what he is. That's what he's up to. Has God really said??? He's quick to plant seeds of doubt of God's Word as truth. 

Know the Word and those seeds of doubt can be like the seeds planted on rocky soil. They will blow away. I say, satan, blow away! Get lost. Let his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth, never more to yield words of doubt. Did God really say??? Yes, He did. He not only said, He promised. He has told us all about this snake in the grass and his wicked ways. He has shown us how he has deceived and still does today. He has shown us Who is victorious in the end. How many want to follow a loser? How many want to follow One who is victorious? My name is Laurie...or Lauren. My name means crowned with laurels...victorious. I will stand by that as a promise from God. 

We are either for God or against Him. We either live or we die. We either believe the truth or are deceived. We either believe His Word or we reject it. We either receive the Word or reject Him. If we do not believe what the Word of God says we believe him who asked did God really say...

We are called to run to Him, not away. Call on the name of the Lord so the enemy must flee. We are to humble ourselves before a mighty God or be humbled by Him. We either submit on our own or we will be submitted some day. We are either joined with God or separated from Him. 

He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other... (‭‬Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭30‬,6‬:‭24)

Light and Dark

John 1:1-5 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 

The only true light is Jesus. We can hear or read news reports about the possibilities of economic collapse, wars, terrorism, illegal aliens, job issues, you name it, but if we have Jesus at the forefront of our lives, minds, we can continue to walk in the light. All else is darkness. Government and world leaders won't be able to permanently fix a problem. But Jesus can.

Darkness in the world is taking over and many are falling for it. They have forsaken truth for a lie...or they have never known the truth. We see this happening so much more deliberately. Exchanging the truth for a lie. What once was bad is now good...or tolerated. God's Word tells us the truth. I said a few days ago, I will hold to the truth. I will not compromise even if it means people disliking me. It's how I will be victorious in this fallen world. Many may think it is intolerant and hateful, but God says....

IF WE DON'T KNOW JESUS AND BELIEVE WHAT HE SAYS WE ARE IN DARKNESS. WE BELIEVE THE WORLD'S LIES. WHEN WE CHOOSE TO BELIEVE ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT THE BIBLE STATES IS TRUTH, WE LIVE IN DARKNESS AND DO NOT KNOW GOD. If you do not know this Man, you live in darkness. The things He says then mean nothing...you might believe He loves all people and that He died for all (which He does) but you do not share in this life unless you receive Him as He says we all should. 

Oh, people, know the truth. Know Jesus. Listen to His Words, as hard as some of them may seem. He also says a lot of encouraging things. We must know Him today rather than wait for tomorrow. We must understand who He is, what He has done, what and who He stands for. We cannot compromise His Word. It is what it is. He is who He is, who He has been, who He will be.

Who He was: 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬)

He [was] despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭3-6‬)

Who He is: 

The way, truth and life. Light of the world. Bread and water of life. The solid rock. Our Redeemer and Savior. Almighty God and the Son of God. Sovereign. King of kings and Lord of lords (greater than world leaders who we seem to want to trust). Alpha, first and beginning (as in creation) and Omega, last and end (as He who will return to rule and reign one day). 

The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed... (‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬)

Who He will be:

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬)

There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭5‬)

If you don't know this Man today, you need to seriously consider it. Not have an intellectual knowledge of who He is, but know Him spiritually, deep within your heart...the heart you have given to Him. He died for you. Now it's time to die to self for Him. Give your life to the One who gives the better life. If you want to know Him, and you seek Him, He will respond. He will know your heart's desire. He wants to heal your broken heart, set you free from your sins, give you life and remove the blindness from your eyes. He is all we need. 

In this world we seek things to satisfy. Nothing will except for Jesus. Hear these words. They are His coming from my fingertips. I haven't written anything He hasn't already spoken. Honest.

John 8:12 - ...I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. 

Stop Believing the Lie

Psalm 51:5 - Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. 

There is a lie going around. It's a lie perpetuated by our enemy. That lie is that most people are basically good. It's been going on for thousands of years. Yet the Bible tells us we are born into sin. A few other scriptures reinforces this: 

The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. (Psalms 58:3)

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— (Romans 5:12)

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one! (Job 14:4)

We are told none are good, not one. 

We can argue that idea when we think about how we perceive how we are at work, our honesty, integrity, generosity, anything we do that is considered good. No one wants to believe they are bad. It's a hard thing to understand, but none of those things really are good without God. It's why there is a view that there is a narrowness to Christianity. Even that is the truth of God's word! That's what these words (from Jesus) mean: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it". (Matthew 7:13-14)  

There lies the problem. Submitting to Christ. He is the narrow gate. He is the One who produces the good in us, after we know Him. ...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

When we are saved through Jesus Christ, we are made righteous, good, but not before. People sometimes have a problem with the word saved or the idea of salvation. Here is the biblical definition from Strong's Concordance: make whole, heal. Jesus does that. We are not whole, we are nothing, we are dead to our sin, without God. He brings the ultimate healing.

More definitions of save: to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue. We live this life in danger of eternal death without Jesus. Jesus comes to take us out of that danger. 

In our sin we are not well. We probably will not recognize it. We won't recognize a need for spiritual healing because we believe the perpetuated lie from the enemy. But Jesus did and still does. He heals through that free gift of salvation. We cannot heal ourselves. There are no self-help books available that heal better than the truth of God's Word. 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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

If you search scripture you will find many verses that show us we are born into sin. You will also find excellent scriptures that will show how to come out of that sin. It's why the Book was written!

It's all about God. It's about what He does with us. He created us that we should worship Him, that we should seek Him and thank Him for all He has done. It's not about us, what we do, who we are, but who we are in Him. Without Him we are nothing. 

There is a very real enemy who wants us to believe the lie. He so wants us to be ignorant of the truth. He's doing a good job. He has the majority of people caught up in this lie. My question is, do you want to be lied to or do you want the, sometimes very hard, truth? The truth is in Jesus, the very Word of God made flesh. He is the narrow way, truth and life. He is alive and still receiving those who want to know Him and His truth and the goodness of God. Stop believing the lie and believe this: 

2Samuel 22:29,31-33 - For You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD shall enlighten my darkness. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect.

The Two Laws

Romans 1:25 - ...who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

The whole point of the Bible is to show us the way...the way we should go and the Way, who gets us there. We either believe what we are told or we don't. Right way, wrong way. Man's laws or God's. Choices.

In the Old Testament we are told we are to train up our children in the way they should go. We have one of two ways, two laws by which we live. The one of the world and one of heaven. The Bible and the words in it, to the world, are foolishness (1Corinthians 1:18). It says so! God says so. But we have made up our own laws. 

We see in more recent events those laws taking place on the streets of our cities. People demanding what they perceive is their right regardless of what the law says. There has been talk on how many of the people come from single parent families. Or families that are not well adjusted because they have chosen the wrong way of life. It's not about what we have or don't have; it's about what we do with what we do have, not letting it hinder our wherewithal to do WHAT IS RIGHT. We still have a choice to do right or wrong.

Oh boy. I started writing this morning before church. And what did pastor preach on...he started with Romans 1:25 above. Then Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

If things were done the right way, we would not have problems. God's way is not some impossible way to follow. It brings freedom for the soul and life. How much real life is there in being angry all the time and killing, looting, cheating or stealing? How much life is there in feeling as though ones going against the law is like a game? One of our church members got up before the sermon this morning and felt he needed to tell us not to let the enemy steal our joy. We can lose our joy if we allow the lies of this enemy or the lies of this world to take over. Do not fall for his lies.

So back to the two laws. The world is not as intelligent as some may think. God's wisdom is so much greater. If we believe there is a God, and He has done all He says, shouldn't we be willing to believe what He says will happen to us if He is not taken seriously? He has our future in His hands. That should be enough to bring us to a reverent fear of Him.

So, back to today's sermon, which wasn't what I was going to write about but, oh, how it fits right in! Regarding Romans 1:25. We either worship the creature or the One who created the creature. This is where I divided my notes into two sections... Man's way, God's way; worldly way; God's way. See a pattern? The two laws. Satan's way, God's way; pride or humility; death or life; lies and deceit or truth; foolishness or wisdom. Two laws, two ways of life. One is embraced by many, the other by a few. We have forgotten how to incline our ear to the words of truth. We have forgotten to pass them on to our children. Future generations will less and less know about this Creator and all His works. It will be generations of rebellious people. (Psalm 78:1-8)

Pastor brought 1Samuel 3:1-3 into his sermon. Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down...  Not only in those days, but today the words of God are becoming rare with little revelation of their meaning (truths). Eyes of the world have grown dim and the lamp of God is diminishing in our world. That is not good. 

The two laws...right or wrong, truth or lies, world or God, dark or light. When we start believing we can distort the truth of God's Word to fit our needs or our beliefs because they are less offensive, we have gone the wrong way. But if 

we walk in the light of Christ, we will know the truth and it will set us free. Mmmmm. Seek the truth, seek God. If you seek, He will let you find Him!

John may have written these words but I would bet God thinks the same way at times:

I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (‭2John 1:4, 3John‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬)

LIES, LIES, LIES

John 8:43-45 - Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 

I was deeply saddened this morning. To the point of weeping and crying out to God and screaming at the enemy for all the damnable lies he has thrust upon the people of this world all these years.

When I speak of "we" I speak in generalities. I was once part of the "we" group. This "we" group gets larger and larger as the days go on. As I write I'm torn between anger, frustration and grief over those I know who are victims of satan's lies.

Oh, people, understand that we have so walked opposed to God and we don't even know it. We believe the lies. We fall prey to the stupid...no, wretched...lies that anything God says, anything He has commanded, is wrong and not to be paid attention to. It's passé. Ancient history. Times have changed. Well, times have changed but our God has not. He is still the same today as He was when He created this world and all that is in it...and wrote commandments that we should live by.

We do not like, nor do we listen to, what God has to say anymore. Or at least the majority of the people do not. There is a remnant adhering to the things of God, those narrow path walkers. The rest...sadly, and why I'm filled with remorse this morning, want nothing to do with Him. Some do not want to know they are wrong in some of their beliefs. Others just follow what others have said. They have not dug for answers themselves. They are blind to the truth that sets people free keeping them bound in the chains the enemy has wrapped around their hearts and minds.

Hear my heart: Without the truth these lives will be lost forever in the great day when Jesus Christ returns. If I have remorse I can't imagine what God must feel. He loves greater than I ever could.

Whatever we see happening in this world is all a byproduct of the enemy's lies. Pride, greed, lust, anger...just a very few of the sins that control this world. Pride in thinking we are so great when we are not, that we can do whatever we want because we are who WE say we are and no one will tell us otherwise. Lust and greed just naturally follow our pride. Anger that anyone would confront us with truth.

There is no man worthy of anything. Yes, we do good things, patriotic things, honorable things. Sometimes it is for very good reasons. But it is still not enough in God's eyes unless in anything we do we give God the glory. You see, it's always been all about God.

Why all this? Briefly, I was stirred when I saw a post on Facebook which is pro abortion that a friend "liked." I read the malicious comments. I knew deep in my heart these people are so unaware. I'm saddened by the belief that what is so wrong is so right to some. The devil has so blinded them. God specifically states that some things are wrong. Others don't see it... Have I missed the mark here and there? Oh, yes. And for that I am truly sorry. But when these deep-seated tears came this morning, I knew they are just the tip of the amount of remorse and sadness God Himself feels. He knows the life's end of unbelievers. He wants none to perish. Sadly, some will.

It all boils down to what we have seen creeping, now catapulting...the lack of God in lives. I assume some have had so many issues because of the fallen world we live in that they have shaken their fist at Him instead of embracing Him for His strength and guidance through the truth of His Word. They may not understand why He allows bad to happen to good people. Again...none of us are good. None. None... When sin entered this world, we were all deemed sinners. Some find Christ; some do not.

I also know it ain't gonna get better. It's only going to get worse. Lord, strengthen me...strengthen us. We who know You as Lord and Savior need your strength to withstand all that is going to come at us. The persecution for our "narrow" beliefs which are Your truth. Give us the right words to speak, in love. I thank You, Lord, for being on what You call the narrow path that leads to life. I pray for those who are on the wide path where lies abound. That path leads to destruction. There are many I know on that path. Open their eyes. Open my eyes even further also, even if it hurts all the more to see others drifting away while I draw closer. Draw me closer, Lord. Draw others. 

Jesus was falsely accused and crucified. He did it on His own for each of us. All we need to do is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, to trust Him for our lives, to listen to His words of truth. To be set free from spiritual death. To see what truth actually is. There are people all over weeping as I wept today. I pray the Spirit of God would move.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight...who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent...for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭5‬:‭20-21,24‬)

Wheat, Tares/Lies, Truth

Matthew 13:30 - Let both [the wheat and the tares] grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."

I read an article a Facebook friend posted recently about Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, the largest church in the country having over 10,000 people. Must be a good church then, huh? Free spirited, no cross, no religious symbols, rock concert type setting, with flashing lights on the ceiling. "And we cheer and we shout and there's joy."

This was a good article in that a discerning person could see how Osteen, often by his own words, believes it's supposed to be all about HIM teaching US what WE can do to get what WE want now. Where's God in any of that? God's Word should be preached, not Osteen's. Christ did not die so we could have all we want on this earth today. Yes, He gives us the blessing of a lifetime, that being eternal life in Him. But satan does what he does best. He lies and one of his best is that God wants us to have all the material wealth here and now, all prosperity and health, all good things; that's what life is all about. Satan tempted Eve, he continues to tempt anyone willing to listen today.

Matthew 6:20-21 tells us not to store up treasures on earth that can be destroyed but to store up treasures in heaven; where our hearts are, so is our treasure. The greatest treasure is securing our eternal life, through Christ...alone. If God isn't the focal point in our lives with all else following, our hearts and treasures are in the wrong place. It's all about Christ. It's about receiving HIM into our lives and living devoted to Him. It's about knowing the truth...that, yes, God loves us unconditionally, but if one rejects that love, which rejection is considered...no not considered...IS...rebellion and sin, one rejects God and there are consequences, which is eternal death.

Funny, after Jesus talked about hearts and treasures He talked about false prophets and teachers...that's Osteen...teaching falsehoods whether knowingly or in ignorance. We do not know his motive, whether for his own riches, telling the people what they want to hear, or out of blindness himself to the truth of God's Word. But his preachings are lies.

Just this past Monday, as an aside, we discussed true love in women's Bible study. A point made was how we reject God from outright disobedience to His commands to lack of tolerance within our homes, even unkind thoughts. We all fall short, but it's by God's grace He picks us back up daily to start over if we are truly repentant at the time we recognize our failing. We have a patient Father. Search my heart, purify my heart, O God. Then after writing this, this one brief part of a series on truth from our pastor was in my email. Doesn't all sound like our whole life will be wondrous blessings, does it?

Christ died for all mankind, but only a few will actually receive His free gift of salvation. Matthew 7:13-14 - “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." I don't believe many in Osteen's megachurch will find the road leading to life if they do not wake up to the truth. At the end of their lives they may find they lived for the wrong purpose...and did not store up treasures in heaven, but treasures of and in the world.

The biggest misconception, and we see it everywhere in the world, is that we live for the here and now, eat, drink and be merry, take what we can get, or spend countless hours working hard for it and not give any thought to God. Do we bless ourselves with what we have made of or for ourselves (our stuff) or does He bless us with what He gives us (truth and life)?

We read one part above from the parable about the wheat and the tares. The wheat represents those who are in Christ, the tares, those who are not. They are both sown in a field which represents the world. In this world we are either a wheat or a tare. We live and grow together. A day of judgment will come to each of us when we must account for our lives. On that day the wheat will be separated from the tares. The tares will be gathered and burned, the wheat will survive. If you read the last part of the scripture above it says, "but gather the wheat into my barn." If we are of Christ He will gather us to Himself. If we are not we are burned. Sounds a bit like heaven or hell.

We are told to beware of the false teachers. If we are not hearing all the truth in our churches, we are missing out on the greatest gift of all, eternal life. If we are not being told the hard words to turn away from our sin and turn to Christ, we are not hearing the whole truth. Some don't want to hear those words...like those who attend Osteen's church. We can be quoted scripture, told stories, be encouraged that if we put our minds to it, we can accomplish "whatever," but if sin is not blatantly exposed and discussed with the only solution being Jesus Christ, we are in the wrong place. Joel Osteen tells about how we can live our lives successfully today and fails to point to Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit, and our Father in Heaven. He is no more than a secular motivational speaker who occasionally throws in a scripture.

If we repent of our sins, receive Christ, allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, God will give us the desires of our heart, which will be His desires for us because He knows what's best for each of us. He gives generously, although it may not always come in ways we think. My spiritual blessing is the most important. My spiritual and eternal life are more important than anything else. Praise God for that. I was asked one time if a particular thing never happened in my life, would I still follow Christ? My answer was absolutely. I couldn't imagine living without Christ. He's my strength in all trials. He's all I need.

I still claim to not be perfect. Perfection in Christ is an ongoing process and it is only arrived at when we die and are with our Savior. We are not to lose heart. I'm thankful I know the truth, which has set me free. I'm thankful these hard words were preached to me. I'm thankful for a discerning spirit. I'm thankful for being able to share this knowledge.

Galatians 6:8 - For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 

The World and the Light

John 1:5,9,11 - And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

We are starting a study on the Book of John (Life Change Series) in Sunday school tomorrow. After I read the first few verses and looked at the questions for the first chapter, I went back to a comment was made in the study book. It was regarding the world. The word world comes from, in this instance, the Greek word kosmos. It means a variety of things like an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government. The inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race. The ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ. World affairs, the aggregate of things earthly. The whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ (Strong's Concordance).

The comment was: the world is corrupted by sin, so it is evil, dangerous, futile, temporary. Satan dominates the world; that is, the world of people who are not yet born of God and freed from darkness. The world that God created to be a lovely and ordered ornament became an ugly and strife-torn world order because men rejected God and fell under control of evil.

Believe it or not, much of what we see happening in the world today is dominated by satan. He has such a grip on society. People don't see it or they reject it. Do you really think anyone in their right mind would think they, a good person, could be dominated by satan? Isn't that reserved for murderers, rapists, thieves and the like, they may ask.

When a person is born of Christ, born of the Spirit, not man, and receives the light of Christ in their lives, they also receive truth. This light exposes ugliness and corruption and changes their view on things.

Seeing and knowing all the ugliness through the eyes of Christ helps get us through, although we don't approve of it. We know Who created it, how the world is playing it out and how it will end...for both those who have received the Light and those who have rejected Him.

When I say reject, I'm not just talking about atheists, those of non-Christian faith or those who don't attend church. I'm talking about those who believe that, because they attend church or are a certain denomination, they are believers.  There are plenty in our churches who go because they somehow think that is enough, it makes them good.

A true believer is one who has received Christ in their spirit. God has been able to penetrate the darkness of their hearts with His light. They have made a commitment to follow Him daily, think on Him daily, meditate on His Word, are obedient to what He tells us is true and just, and obedient to His call. Just knowing who He is won't cut it. Unless one truly commits the self to Jesus he has basically rejected Him, which is a very hard word, but backed up by scripture.

It takes commitment to follow Christ. It takes determination, patience, perseverance and willingness to learn, change and be transformed. There should be a difference people can see, whether others like it or not.

This world has allowed itself to believe a lot of stuff is for the good of mankind. Without the light of Christ it will continue to be a lie in their hearts and minds. I'm talking about those issues in society where it would "behoove us" to be tolerant of certain things, embracing diversity, as it were, allowing things that seem to benefit a person because society says it's so. God would disagree on some of those very issues that should be tolerated and supported (abortion, homosexuality, pornography to name a few).

Apart from all the ugliness of the world, God still is working to fulfill the statement that He wishes none to perish. He brought the Light into this world for that very reason. But for the most part the world loves the darkness and is being held captive to satan's lies. And sometimes no amount of truth being told will change their minds without a good shakeup by God Himself. Therefore, there will be two end results some day. A good one, with Christ, and the dreadful one with satan.

Let the true light of Christ into your life for a good end result. The promises for those who do are glorious. It is not about our physical bodies or lives, but our spiritual.

John 1:12-13 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Blindness, Truth and Hope

John 9:25 - He (a blind man) answered, “Whether He (Jesus) is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

Glenn Beck? Going blind? We heard him tell us. We heard the pain in his voice. How would you feel if this type of news came to you? It wouldn't have to be blindness but that one thing that would take away your ability to do the thing you enjoy the most. For Glenn...he loves to read. Going blind poses a threat. 

Despite the news he received, he stated he still has hope. And so can we all if we have Jesus Christ in our lives.

Beck has been laying himself open about how he believes if this country doesn't change its ways soon, there will be no hope for us. We have taken God out of most things. We have forsaken the truth for a lie. Gee, that sounds familiar: Romans 1:25 - They exchanged God's truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator...  I realize this is referring to worshipping idols or things rather than God, but I also see this as meaning we should not replace God's truth with our own misconceived truths, our own ways, our own lives. 

Where have the lies come from? They've come slowly and benignly. We have listened to what seems one harmless lie after another and they have been assimilated into our beliefs.  We now wonder how we have gotten where we are. Beck has been exposing these lies. I'm paraphrasing, but he said, "We only have hope if we know the truth." For goodness sake, I've heard that before too.

What message was Jesus trying to convey all throughout His teachings? The only way to the Father is by the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus, as I know I've mentioned more than once, is the Truth. The only hope we have for eternal life is through the Truth of who Jesus Christ is and our relationship with Him. Not our truths, not our ways, not our own lives.

So what has this to do with Beck's going blind? He once was blind, but now he sees. He knows the truth and that has taken away the blindness, both in this country and spiritually. He may be physically going blind (and I pray it doesn't happen) but spiritually he is still able to see. He has the knowledge of God behind him.

When all hope fails in lives or this country, it is my prayer that people will finally see what Truth is. Beck may be in the throes of this bad news, but his attitude is what will get him through. He strongly believes that no matter what happens, with God he will be able to continue...there is hope. God got him through his addiction to alcohol, which he has clearly said he could never have gotten over on his own. So Beck believes that no matter what, he will get through whatever it is he must go through in this next set of circumstances. 

Those who know God have an upper edge because of the truth we have learned. And those of us who know what Truth is have a hope of our own. I'm sure I could be criticized for saying that. I, too, once was blind and now I see. The truth of who Christ is opens eyes. And when His truth penetrates into the recesses of our heart and soul, nothing looks the same. It's absolutely amazing and only something a person can understand when they have experienced and take to heart the power of God in their lives. 

There are many who don't want to listen to Glenn Beck because the truth sometimes hurts. It can cause us to want to retreat into our own little worlds where only good things happen. We can bury our heads in the sand...until it's too late. Doom and gloom or truth? It's all how a person perceives it.

It's the same with Jesus. When He speaks the truth it can convict us of our wrongs. If we hear the Truth we might have to change. Rejection can take place so lives can remain as is and holding on to what seems good remains. If we don't listen to Him personally or to those who speak of Him, we can "play dumb." What's that old saying? "What you don't know can't hurt you." I disagree. What you don't know can hurt you. It's the difference between life and death spiritually. 

Jesus is worth knowing because He is Truth. He's there for the asking, for the receiving and accepting. He will open the eyes of the blind...those people who have not yet had their spiritual eyes opened to His truth, the truth of who He is. We are all born blind and we remain blind until the words of Truth enter in and begin to transform. Those blind eyes are opened and oh, the gloriousness of it all!

I truly empathize for Beck. I'm sure he will find his way through all this and I don't doubt he'll not mince words in any way. Sometimes tragedies bring an even stronger resolve. If Beck truly trusts in God he has all the hope in the world (and beyond) to strengthen him. As he has said, he knows that no matter what happens, there will be a good ending to it. I give him credit for speaking up...for the truth we need to know about our country and speaking openly about God.

Those who know Christ know this is the truth: tragedy or death may come, but what does it matter? If one has a relationship with Christ we can look both in the eye (no pun intended) and see beyond our circumstances here on earth to the day we are received in heaven by Christ's outstretched hand. Earth is only temporary.

I once was blind, but now I see. Nothing can take away my sight spiritually. Physical blindness might only enhance the vision of who the most important Person is. For that matter, any disability can do that. God has admonished us Himself, whether a person wants to take it as truth or not. Remember, He is our Heavenly Father. He longs for all of us to return home to Him. He wishes for us to have the blinders removed against Him. He may have been addressing the priests of the Old Testament, but this word below is for us well. Without knowledge of God we are nothing; we are blind...to the truth.

Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests, because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.