We Do Have Choices!

No matter what “traditional thinking” is regarding tribalism when it comes to politics–we do not have to vote for a person just because they’re in the “right party” or because of their political careers or celebrity status or their gender. What should be important to all, in any election, is the candidate and what they stand for. (Shudder now known tribalists).

I know there are some who say we should vote for those with political experience. The problem with that is–if those are the only people we vote for–no one else ever gets a chance to learn how to govern. We cannot be expected to know or understand those things to which we have never been exposed. However, committing to being a life-long learner puts in a position to learn and do. After all, what’s the point of learning things if we never have an opportunity to apply what we’ve learned.

Therefore, in the 2018 election cycle–there are many people who have never entered into politics before now but chose this moment and hour to make a difference. Not only will this hold true for the 2018 election election cycle, but for 2020 election cycle and every election cycle afterwards until the United States of America is truly governed by, the people–the Everyday Americans–who understand what is needed for all.

Since the Republican party–(Conservatives or whatever they choose to call themselves) have abdicated their responsibility in allowing a fascist to run rough shod over America, it’s time to let them rest and reconsider the role they could have to play in American politics. In order to make sure we fully root out the problems–I think the Republican party needs a 20 year rest–just enough time for them to regroup and rethink what it means to be an American and who Americans are. Until they understand this–they should never be in a position to legislate laws or govern anyone, but themselves.

In essence–in order to purge the evil intent, greedy corrupt malefactors from Congress and local governments all over the country–the #BlueWaveTsunami is a must–to save humanity and our planet.

No matter what ethic group we identify with or gender or religious group–no matter what our political party affiliations are–we are all Americans and we should respect all Americans whether we agree them or not–it’s called “choice.” We do not have to denigrate those with whom we disagree nor do we need to try maligning them to make ourselves look better. In fact, any time we have to resort to “dirty political tactics” by dredging up every known and unknown thing about a person, we have wasted precious time and resources that could have been used to exalt what we want others to remember us by–where we stand and why.

So, here’s the point of this particular blog post–I am a Black woman who is daring to entertain the idea of running for president in 2020. Some have said, I won’t make it because my limited political experience; some have reminded be of the odds against me simply because I’m a Black woman, and some don’t think I can withstand public scrutiny and daggers thrown by those opposing my run.

They have a point–though I began this exploration with limited political experience, I’m gaining insight as to what I need to know by becoming a precinct delegate and being appointed to my city’s Zoning Board of Appeals Commission. I’m competing training modules provided by the National Democratic Training Committee and learning from those who have already cleared the path. I will be the 8th Black Woman or the 9th Black woman to run for president (if Kamala Harris gets her paperwork in before me). Being a Black woman is not going to deter me from seeking to do good–it never has and it never will.

I have a heart to save and a desire to push America forward and help prepare everyone to handle the technological challenges and in restoring our global position with other nations. I am an Everyday American, with no political baggage, no celebrity status, and no desire to be a “bought” candidate. No one can bribe, bully, or blackmail me about anything. And yes, I am an imperfect human being, which makes me a Flawed But Fearless Fighter for justice for all. I’ve accomplished quite a bit in my life and I don’t plan to stop accomplishing until I’m dead (in about 34 years from now). For the rest, if anyone wants to know more they can simply review where I stand on facebook.com/YesIAm2020 or do a search on my name. Nothing new can dissuade me and nothing old will deter me from my destiny in 2020. Win or lose (and I do plan to win), I’m making the case for everyone–to exercise their right to choose–remembering we do have choices.

I’m choosing the candidates I know will fight for all–not because of gender or party, but because of who they are in 2018. I hope in 2020–people will do the same–and vote for an Everyday American–in every election–to govern all Everyday Americans.

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How We Got Here!

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us.Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.” Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”  I Samuel 8 NIV

If we take a few moments to contemplate this passage of Scripture and align it with where we are right now–we can see how we got here–to this time in 2017.

I’m a visionary and have an extremely creative imagination and while reading this I saw a parallel time period from then to now.

Hillary tried to warn us what would happen if 45 was elected--in all three debates–she let us know what would happen.

45 let us know who he was, but people blinded by dissatisfaction and willing to believe lies, didn’t listen.

Evangelical leaders who claim to be pro-life (within the womb), but hate others outside the womb, wanted to see a Supreme Court Justice appointed who would overturn Roe v. Wade. Coupled with their hatred of Obama–the first Black President–they convinced people that God chose Trump to be president–using a well known tool–gas lighting–repeating lies until they are believed, leading people to distrust their own judgment.

What we learn from Samuel is that having a king to rule over the Children of Israel was never God’s idea, but the people who badgered Samuel, who chose to have a king–after being warned about how a king would treat them. God never leaves us with choices without presenting the consequences of our actions (Deuteronomy 28).

Just about everything we were warned about with Trump has come to pass. He will lie about lies and back peddle on promises and those who CHOSE him–by electing him as president–are now crying, “foul!”

The Children of Israel didn’t listen to Samuel and many people–those who are the most needy–refused to listen to Hillary and chose instead to believe the lies perpetuated by Trump.

Understanding what happened and how a kingship was established–the people’s choice, should help many to understand that when Paul talked about “honoring authority” in Romans 13:1–(again I say), he was not talking about a president–but the authority that God established which is Christ Jesus.

The people didn’t want to accept God as their King so He gave them what they wanted. Disgruntled, deluded, and duped gullible Americans didn’t want Hillary as their president so He allowed them their choice.

Will God hear our prayers when we ignored Him? The prayers of the righteous avails much and we shall soon see whether He hears and will answer us–relieving us from this nightmare and the policies that hurt the poor and the needy.

Ignoring God and the obvious–the back-peddling pathological liar is how we got here; now it’s going to take the same God we ignored, to get us out of the mess made out of an honorable position which no longer is held in high esteem by much of the on-looking world.

We can say anything we want to say about how God does things, but we only have to seek His Word to find out the truth–God has always honored man’s choices and warned us of the consequences of our choices, but many refuse to listen.

What Have We Learned?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.”So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so.God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:1-21 (and the rest)

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 NIV

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 1 Corinthians 14:23 NIV

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10 NIV

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

In the beginning, God created all that was ever created and without Him, nothing was created. He created–took nothing and made something out of it. Man “invents” using what already is to change it into something else. God is not a man that He should lie, Man lies. God is not the author of confusion and chaos–Man is. God is not unjust–Man is fickle and justice is not equal for all when man makes decisions. All of God’s promises are, “Yes and Amen.” Man’s promises waffle betwixt and between roller coaster emotions and constantly changing societal acceptances.

There is a difference between the God of Heaven and the god of this world for the god of this world–the arch enemy of God– has created nothing but chaos and confusion in the minds of the weak and gullible.

When we know how God functions–from the beginning to this very moment–we know without doubt that He would not “choose” absurdity over wisdom and knowledge. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”Proverbs 1:7  “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.” Proverbs 4:5-8 NIV  God creates, Satan destroys!

Until the gullible cease to say, “God chose Trump to be president” or “God elected him,” I will continue to dispute it with everything in me, according to The Word of God.

God–not human–has no need for those things humans involve themselves–like “elections.” When the Children of Israel cried for a king, God allowed them to choose–though He spoke to prophet-Samuel and had Samuel anoint David–the people still had to choose. And when we look at the history of the kings who ruled–sometimes those choices were not good ones and the kings were evil and committed all sorts of debauchery and wickedness.

As stated before and is being stated by many–this futile rhetoric about God choosing Trump–is driving more people away from God and church than drawing them to God. God doesn’t have a problem with us making mistakes, but when we don’t learn from the mistake and keep perpetuating it, then that’s a problem and God will allow us to wallow in the consequences of our choices.

Now, what have we learned?

What’s Next?

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:4,5; 21-27 NIV

No matter how many times it said, many refuse to listen to the wisdom that resides in the pages of the book of Proverbs.

Wisdom–usually referred to with a female pronoun throughout The Word–is compared to “an adulterous woman” (not so wise) in this passage,  one who has no integrity, scruples or values. To keep this all in context, one must read the entire seventh chapter. However, if we look beyond the pronoun reference and see the character traits of the adulterer, we see how all of this connects and is applicable to daily lives–especially in the political arena.

Let me see if I could put this into perspective–based on the facts as they are revealed. The male pronoun reference embellishes the character traits of a person who is gullible and easily manipulated. The warning against the adulterous woman is to make sure all understand that manipulators use enticing words, playing to a person’s weaknesses and desires and will offer whatever they want–in order to get what they want. Of course, if a person is gullible and easily manipulated–because of a lack of knowledge–they will believe and follow the manipulator–and end up traveling the path of destruction–by their own choices.

We have two choices–one not much better than the other–but choices nonetheless. We must choose between a blustery, dictatorial, narcissistic, bigoted, hate and fearmonger who doesn’t have a clue about how much of anything works outside his own delusions of grandeur. One who backpedals on a daily basis, and doesn’t feel he has to play the game by the rules and when people disagree with him–watch out for vitriol–as he attempts to bully by intimidation.

And the other choice–someone who has been proven to not always tell the complete truth–(though all politicians lie) and for some–as they see it–refuses to take responsibility for her actions. Though she has been cleared of wrongdoing in two major investigations–Benghazi and the email probe–opponents refuse to let her “carelessness” go. Okay, so she was careless–or stupid–but unfortunately, stupidity is not a crime or more people would be locked up and then there wouldn’t be anyone eligible to run for any public office–especially in this election cycle.

What I don’t understand is why–anyone would choose a man who has openly stated that his daughter is so beautiful that if he wasn’t married, he’d date her. That statement sent warning signals to me–especially in light of his inflated ego and view of self. Does he really think it was appropriate to admit he’d like to sleep with his daughter? Why would anyone want a man in the position of President of the United States–who praises the likes of those who hate and kill–indiscriminately? And then there are other pending lawsuits that, if ever revealed, will expose the true nature and character of a child molester.But then I guess the answer is in his enticing words (not necessarily truth)—intended to ignite and promote hatred of others while making himself appear more capable and knowledge than he is.  He is his best publicist for not many others have said anything about his greatness or his wealth.

I’m still praying for all Americans who will be voting this fall. And for those who think I’ve gone overboard with what I have to say about the election and applicability of God’s Word, you’re entitled to think whatever you like. I’ve learned to respect people who disagree with me without trying to tear them down for doing so. If that same courtesy is not extended to me–God’s got my back. I’m especially praying for those Evangelical leaders who are deliberately leading people down a garden path–not of God–but out of fear, proving they do not trust God. Fearmongering works best when a candidate has nothing of substance to say about the real issues–that affect all Americans. Where love resides, there’s room in the heart for fear!

Until we realize we all–black, white, yellow, brown, red–Believers of Christ and non-believers, gay, straight, male or female–belong to the human race and we should all be treated with love and compassion as Jesus would do. So what happens next? That depends on how open hearts are to hearing Holy Spirit speak–even when it means putting aside political ideologies that ignite hatred and bigotry. God knows best and in the end–it will all be as He planned it.

Choosing Truth!

“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15,15 NIV

Making choices is a daily task and having an opportunity to choose didn’t begin with us, but continues with us.

How many choices do we make on a daily basis? For some, too many to count and for others, too few to matter –they would think. We choose what we’re wearing, how we start our day (acknowledging God or not), we choose to either breakfast or not, we choose to be good and kind or not, we choose to be helpful and compassionate or not. We choose to live a life that’s pleasing to God or not. We choose–not God!

Everything that we “DO” is a choice! We can choose to live righteously or in opposition to God’s Word–it is a choice–as is all active, deliberate behavior.

Now, some naysayers would say there are some things that are not a choice and they are right. None of us has ever chosen our parents. None of us has ever chosen the race or ethnicity into which we were born. None of us has ever chosen our intellectual ability at birth (many choose to enhance with education). None of us has ever chosen our gender at birth (though some are not choosing to rearrange God’s perfection).

But now notice–what said earlier “ALL ACTIVE, DELIBERATE BEHAVIOR” is a choice and no one can deny that truth.  All sexual behavior on the part of the adult who is supposed to know better is a choice. Engaging children in sexual behavior is criminal and the choice of sick-minded deviants. Whether straight, gay, bi-sexual or whatever label a person chooses--any sexual activity in opposition to God’s Word is SIN and it is a choice people make.

However, while this blog post is not about sexual sin, explicitly–it is about choosing Truth. We can choose to follow God and obey or not. It is our choice. What we have to remember is the consequences of our choices and they are not all good. Even when we obey, bad things happen to good people, but if God has designed it–the results will be good. But when people disobey God, they only have coming to them what’s due for disobedience. Though man may attempt to change God’s Truth in order to pacify the masses, those responsible for making Truth a lie will reap the consequences of their choices.

As we are reminded in Revelation about the lake of fire–while we yet live we have a choice to make and any who choose not to serve The Lord will reap their place in the lake of fire. Take a minute to reflect upon what has been said today–if you know The Lord, serve Him with gladness and know your reward awaits you. If you know others who don’t know The Lord, please share this post with them so they will have time to make an intelligent choice that will save them from the lake of fire. Choosing Truth is the only way to live without regret.

Watching The Snares and Pitfalls!

In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. Proverbs 22:5 NIV

All along our journey in life, we encounter moments when we must make decisions and every decision we make, could take us off the path that God has designed for us. When we make the wrong decision, we must be prepared for the snares and pitfalls that await us, but when exercising wisdom, according to God’s Word, we can avoid those snares and pitfalls, steering clear of them.

Let’s face it–most of us have turned the wrong corner at some point in our lives and that wrong turn cost us something. The cost varies depending upon why or how we made the wrong decision. Making decisions out of anger and frustration, not thinking things through carefully, halts our forward progress and sometimes knocks us backwards, making the forward movement even longer. We’ve heard people say and may have even heard these words come out of our own mouths,“Every time I get ahead two steps, I get knocked back four.” For many of us–that’s how life seems to treat us.

The promise from Jesus was not that we would never encounter challenges in life, but that we would, but with the promise also came the assurance that He has overcome the world. So how far back we get knocked depends upon our response to life’s challenges. If we stay on the path–our destined path–we can count on Him to be there to keep us from being entrapped by the snares or from falling into the pits. We must remember that the snares and pitfalls were destined for the wicked, not the righteous.

However, the enemy desires to sift us as wheat–leaving us scarred and confused and within the confusion, blinds us to truth and leads us along the path of the wicked, making us feel that there is no way of escape. The escape plan has already been put into action, but we must heed The Word of God, skirting around all the plans of the enemy and succeeding in the plan God has for us–plans for our success.

The path we choose in life will determine how soon or how long we’ll reach our destination, according to God’s plan. If we obey, we’ll stay the course–knowing He will always be there to keep us safe. If we choose to ignore the wisdom of God and disobey, we align ourselves with the plans of the enemy and we can only achieve what disobedience gets us.

We always have a choice--we do not have to succumb to the wiles of the enemy. When we learn to handle frustration and disappointment seeking God’s wisdom, we never have to turn to drugs, alcohol, feelings of worthlessness or depression, or any other wickedness that cuts our lives short and decreases our potential for achieving the success God plans for us. All we really have to do is to watch out for the snares and pitfalls by guarding our hearts and hearing God and know who puts them in our path.

 

On The Journey-TSADDE!

Righteous are You, O LORD,
And upright are Your judgments.

Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful.

My zeal has consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words

Your word is very pure;
Therefore Your servant loves it.

I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.

Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.

The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
Give me understanding, and I shall live

The 18th letter and stanza of this acrostic expression of the writers deep-seated emotions about their circumstances.

When we do everything we can to do what is right, do we get tired when we see our efforts fall short?

This is what I’m getting out of this stanza–the writer knows that God’s laws are right, he’s trying to live by them, but all around them, people are living by their own standards and codes of righteousness. He’s getting tired–of being harassed because of his zeal to do things God’s way, instead of the way people consider to be just.

I’ve often felt that way myself. Not that I’m so perfect, but when I try to live according to God’s Word and then watch all those who don’t–appear to prosper–my flesh gets weak and I want to angry and want to tell people off. However, when Holy Spirit speaks to my heart, I calm down and continue to seek God’s Word, with my mind made up to do things God’s Way.

I know many Believers who have encountered some of the same things I have in this regard–we are criticized, ridiculed, and persecuted because we refuse to go along with the status quo–accept everything everyone does and ignore God. We won’t do it.

Our opposition–or at least mine–has come from two primary sources–those who don’t believe in God and those who promote living in opposition to God’s Word because it is politically expedient.

Though I get weary and spiritually weak in this continuing fight, I won’t give up. I won’t allow those who choose not to Believe, to deter me or dissuade me. They have a right to believe or not believe just as I do. When they choose to cite science as a standard, I know they have forgotten--if they ever knew–that God created all that was ever created and the goal of science is to try to explain–why–science does not create anything from nothing, which is why scientists are yet puzzled by Creation and are forever trying to discover–the how and why. That’s what they do–discover–not create.

On the other hand, I am appalled at Believers–those who proclaim to be Christians or at least know something about The Word–those who encourage living in opposition to God’s Word and promote ungodliness. It is this group that has the most to worry about when they stand before God on That Day. It is because of sin running rampant and approved by Supreme Court Justices and any other legislative body or persons–who refuse to see the benefit of God’s Word as His intent for mankind that the world is in the shape it is.

We must call sin–sin! Liars (and this covers most politicians) are sinners! Thieves–in high places and low places are sinners! All sexual behavior outside the parameters of marriage as God defines it–is sin! Having respect of person (giving people advantages over others for no reason other than association)–is sin! Allowing self-pride–in thinking we know more than we do to reign–is sin and usually leads to problems! When we don’t know something, we should own it, and seek to learn it.

This is what the writer has concluded–without God’s Word to guide him, there can be nothing but chaos and destruction. Have we reached that conclusion? Are we going with the status quo–anything goes? Are we cementing our relationship with the God of Heaven or the god of this world?

We have choices to make–if we haven’t already made them–and I choose to Believe God and live according to His Word--not the dictates of man. What about you?

Forsake The Godless By Pursuing Godliness!

” Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7,8 NIV)

No matter how many times I am confronted by those who celebrate April Fool’s Day as their holiday, I am convinced that God has addressed every situation we encounter in His Word. Even for those who say, “there is no god” yet they honor the god of this world on a regular basis. The god of this world (Satan) has influenced those who say there is no God (of Heaven) so they can live like they want to live–doing whatever they want to do. They say, we who Believe Creator God, are honoring a myth and they say, the bible is nothing but an ancient book.

“They” can say whatever they want and believe whatever they want–it’s their choice. The God we serve never forces Himself on anyone and He has made it clear in His Word that even He has chosen us to be His, we must also choose Him if we are to His.

If a man sees a woman across the room at an event and is smitten with the love-bug and gets up the nerve to approach her, he has chosen her. If she doesn’t want to be bothered with him and rejects him, that is her choice. If he attempts to force himself and his affections on her, he is violating her right to choose and can be accused of harassment or stalking. Thank goodness God is not like fickle man–He never forces us to accept Him or His affection.

Now, the other thing I don’t understand is why is it that people who claim that our God is an ancient myth, will attempt to quote the ancient book, trying to justify themselves? “God said don’t judge!” This is a common response by many who support living in opposition to God’s Word. Now, if His Word is ancient and He is a myth, why are they bothering to quote Him (even though out of context)? They are quick to say, “Jesus just said, love.” Well, Jesus did say that, but He didn’t stop there. He said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” In this statement, He acknowledges that He and God are one–in purpose and intent. In order to understand the Bible, just as with any book, we have to read the entire Bible, comprehending the times, the people, the cultural and how much God loves us–today! He does not change!

The truth is obvious to me. Though they claim they do not believe God, they understand a greater power exist in the universe than they are and many have been exposed to God’s teachings, they just refuse to adhere to them. That is their choice. However, choosing to ignore God or not to believe Him, doesn’t change His existence, His decrees or His judgment.

Exercising our bodies for physical fitness is a good thing, but exercising our faith in the One True God is more valuable. For it is God who created our bodies and knows exactly how every cell works, but faith in Him–after the measure given–can only increase in value when we keep hearing and obeying The Word. The more we hear The Word, the greater our understanding becomes and the more we obey The Word, the greater our reward–the abundant life that Jesus promises.

Let’s put aside the godless myths that the god of this world promotes and pursue Godliness as God has outlined in His Word, for our benefit, not His. All glory belongs to the God who created all things and without Him, nothing was created. Hallelujah!

Getting Through Narrow Spaces–Requires Adjustment!

“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.” (Matthew 7: 13,14 NIV)

Are you trying to get through the narrow path or are you the travelling the wide path?

When we think of something being narrow–small space–we understand single file marching. After all, if a group of people trying to get to a destination is confronted with a narrow opening, they have to make adjustments in order for all to get through it. A bit like elementary school when teaching kids to walk to the right–they walk in a single file line–and though they learn this lesson early, it’s amazing how many forget it when they move onto high school and even the world. For some reason, as they mature, they seem to forget the “walk to the right” rule and wander aimlessly, pushing, shoving, and never mindful of those who do remember the rule. They chose the “wide path” because it appeared to have more room and they thought they did not need to make an adjustment to get through it.

Think of a group of people trying to get through a subway gate at the same time. It won’t work–the space is too narrow for more than one person to get through at a time. Most people know this so they adjust their positions, even when travelling with friends because they understand the need for adjustment.

The need to adjust is certainly true for those who are on the road to heaven. The space is narrow (and sometimes we are called ‘narrow-minded’ for our views) and we have to make adjustments–walking single-file because our walk with Jesus–is an individual event, not a group one. We understand who He is, why He came, and know that He only said what the Father told Him to say, never changing anything the Father said, but encouraging all to love all as the Father loves us.

Those who choose the broad way–making room for others to walk arm-in-arm are not going to make it into heaven because they have chosen the opposite direction. On this path, we’ll find all sorts of opposition to God’s Word and everything is a party, everything to be enjoyed with anyone at any time. There are no rules, just jostling others out of the way to get where they want to be. They do not understand that judgement is not a group event, but an individual one and they think they’ll party with their friends for all eternity.

I know how those on the broad path think. I used to be one and whenever someone threatened me with hell for all eternity, I was foolish enough to say, “Well, I guess it’ll be a party since everyone I know is headed the same way.” What an idiotic thing to say, now that I know better. Unfortunately, some people haven’t figured it out yet and they’re still saying the same type of foolish things.

When I made the adjustment to follow the narrow path, I had to shake loose some folks–move away from them since they didn’t think the path I’d chosen was right for them. I adjusted my thinking, my behavioral habits–what I read, what I write, the music I play, the movies I watch, the people I hang out with–and know I am on the right path–the narrow path that leads to eternal life.

Those on the broad path think life is all about them and what they want–never understanding how much God loves us, why He was willing to die for us and never caring to make any adjustments in their lives that involve giving up fleshly desires. And their god–Satan–has managed to keep the blinders on them, leading them here and there, everywhere, without purpose or focus, keeping them on the route–to end in the lake of fire.

If we want to please God and see Heaven–and want our loved ones and friends to see the same–we must “adjust” and walk single-file--to the right–staying out of harm’s way, not crowding others, but focused on seeing Him and living the life He designed for us. “Adjust!”

The First Death Is Just The Beginning!

“Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Unless Jesus returns before we take our final breath, we will die (or fall asleep) and our end will only be for the earthly measurement of time. The heavenly measurement of time begins when He returns and all the dead in Him (those who died believing Him to be their Savior) shall rise at the sound at the trumpet and they shall be judged first.

It is not the first death that we need to concern ourselves while we live. It is the second death–the assignment of eternal resting place–in heaven reigning with Jesus or in the lake of fire, being tormenting continually for eternity.

While I know there are those who do not believe in heaven or hell, according to God’s Truth they do exist and in the end, we’ll all discover their existence. But while we wait for the end to come, we must know that our final resting place for eternity is determined by what we do while we have breath to live. Notice what John says, about who ends up in the lake of fire.

“The cowardly–those who are always fearful because they do not know that love casts out fear. The fearful do not know love for it they did, they would not fear. The unbelieving–those who refuse to accept God’s existence so they can do whatever their flesh dictates. The vile–those who do every imaginable evil thing they can without concern about how their actions impact others. The murderers–those who have no respect for life and consistently are responsible for the deaths of others. The sexually immoral–those who use sex as a tool for pleasure with anybody and everybody without discrimination or adherence to God’s plan for sex. Those who practice magic--misusing gifts of discernment and abilities given by God for monetary gain or fame. The idolators--those who worship things made by the hands of man or people–holding the things and people in higher esteem than God. The liars–those who twist and malign truth (especially God’s Truth) for their own personal agendas in order to influence others into doing what is pleasing in their own sight–totally ignoring God’s plan for man.” All these–when they have chosen to do these things–will end up in the lake of fire, unless they choose to live as God desires before the first death.

No person–can send another to hell and God won’t either. The eternal resting place in which we end up is determined by what we do when we are alive, having the ability to choose and choose wrongly. Every person–believer and unbeliever–chooses their final destination and they have no one to blame but themselves.

No matter how our end comes the first time–illness, accident, war, acts of violence or old age, our greatest concern should be the second death.