What A World!

Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths. Proverbs 24:1-7 NIV

When we look at the world today–with the advent of every news report, from just about any news outlet except Fox, we hear the “noise” rattling around in the emptiness of something more substantial to quench our thirst for awareness. The blustering, bullying spewing from the mouth of the twitler, if not stopped, could create catastrophic disaster and will lead to lives being lost–and not just Asian lives, but American lives–in the vicinity of the other idiot.

Every time I see stupidity in action and the Republicans supporting the stupid, I am reminded that though they claim to be Christians, they have no relationship with Christ and are certainly not familiar with God’s Word. Though they claim to preach the Gospel and teach Sunday School lessons, I’m convinced the gospel they preach is not of Christ and the Sunday School lessons have nothing to do with Christianity and how we are to live for Christ–doing things the way He would do them. In fact, the more Republican lawmakers make claims or reference scriptures, the more people are turned off from them since no one sees them “living The Word,” they just reference it–in an attempt to convince some of their great religiosity. And that’s all it is–a superficial attempt to convince by being religious, and having no clue what it means to be in Relationship with Christ.

For this reason–we may see America involved in a military engagement that will have no victors, just devastation. In a nuclear war, there are no winners and everyone loses. We lose the potential to advance peace, we lose ability to employ diplomatic policies, and we lose the respect of all those world leaders who are standing by–waiting to see how the fallout will affect them. We lose!

Many are tired of the bully posturing and though there are others who think the rhetoric is a signal of strength, we all know twitler is a school yard bully thinking everyone should cave to him. He’s bullying lawmakers, and his cabinet and others, but he will not say a mumbling word against Putin because he fears Putin. Bullies are insecure people who know they have no real strength and they’re always looking to make themselves to be more than they are. Bullies are not God’s idea; they are the result of people not being loved and disciplined as a child, never being held accountable for their actions and growing up thinking they can make others do what they want them to do.

What twitler needs to understand now is that he is not a monarch or a dictator and he can’t make anyone do anything. Republicans need to come clean with America and admit they gave into the temptation to having power and all the money they received from Russian donors was not worth the mess we see right now. They are complicit in keeping silent about a situation they had to know–in order for twitler to win the rigged election. What individuals need to do right now is to defy their pastors who tout twitler as God’s choice, stand up and speak out–analyzing truth against the fictional propaganda promoted by trumptrain and Russian comrades. America needs every true Patriot to stand up and speak out, now while we have an opportunity to do so, before it’s too late to change the course of bully policy.

If we survive to see 2020, America will have a better opportunity to see this country led by and for the people with me as the voice of  Everyday Americans. I will lead by example, always speaking truth and bringing other Everyday Americans to the table in making decisions that affect all. We know what we need and we don’t need those who have never experienced the challenges we face to make decisions for us.

Join us in 2020 to elect the right person for the task of regaining respect and status on the world stage, making this an event like none ever seen–where America is governed by the “common-folk” who know what needs to change and are wise enough to choose those who can make it happen.

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Redeeming Qualities!

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God. 1 Peter 1:13-23 NIV

As far as Christ is concerned, we who were sinners have been redeemed with the precious blood of Him who hung on the cross and shed His blood for us that we might have eternal life. And the only thing He requires of us is that we love one another with a sincere love, not a plastic, superficial love that is conditional.

There are some who only care about those who care about them.

There are some who only respect those who respect them.

Then there are some who expect loyalty when they are not loyal to anyone but themselves.

These are conditional responses and what Christ wants from us is unconditional love shown to one another whether others love us or not.

Loving others–especially when they are unlovable can be hard to do, but we must if we are to demonstrate the love of Christ within us. If we have not His love, our love for others is superficial and easily diluted based upon how others treat us.

How do we know when the Love of Christ dwells within us? We know because the fruit of His Spirit is evident in our lives. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:23-26 NIV

Therefore, our redeeming qualities are evident in our love for one another, the joy we have in rejoicing with the success of others, the peace we have in our homes and communities when we know we are peacemakers and not peacebreakers, the patience we have with those in our environment, understanding we all have to find our way with the help of others; the kindness we can show complete strangers as well as those we love; the goodness in our hearts that ignites the desire to do good things for others; the faithfulness we demonstrate to those things we have committed to doing as well as the people we have committed to being faithful in our lives; the gentleness we show those who have not yet reached the same level of maturity we have; and the self-control we demonstrate on a daily basis, not allowing our feelings and emotions to drive us.

Are there any who have yet to demonstrate having any redeeming qualities in our midst? Do we dare to speak truth to power in order to set the record straight and to make sure when we stand before God on the day of Judgment, we can rest assured we have done all we could do to sound the alarm, warning others of the danger in not following Christ? Are we capable of loving others, no matter what and how do we know that?

Loving others unconditionally has been the foundation for me to do what I do–as an educator, a community activist, a wife and mother and grandmother, and a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a writer with a platform, what I say may not always be indicative of unconditional love, but when we love–we tell the truth–whether others agree with it or not. That is–unconditional love!

As a further demonstration of unconditional love of all Americans, I am taking on the posture of jumping into the political arena in my bid to become president in 2020. I am not running for the position in hopes of gaining power or status, but for the love of country and my fellow Americans. I have neither political baggage for the opposition to inspect, celebrity status and wealth, and I don’t play golf. I am a total representation of the Everyday American, having faced the challenges that most Everyday Americans without celebrity, political pull or wealth face, daily. What I do have is honor, love and integrity. If you can handle truth and love in voting for an Everyday American, you won’t regret it. Please–spread the word–and remember my name!

 

Never Giving Up!

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. Nehemiah 6:9 NLT

This is what I feel watching GOP attempting to dismantle the ACA and risking the lives of millions of people. They are consumed with a 7-year promise to repeal ACA (out of hatred for President Obama) and not even paying attention to their constituents who now understand that the “hated Obamacare” is the needed ACA that many depend on to use. This is what happens when people lie and allow hate to reign rather than wisdom and the love of Christ. GOP–with Mitch McConnell leading the way was determined to obstruct President Obama and make sure he was not able to accomplish anything–from day one. In spite of the obstructionist attitude and behavior–President Obama was able to accomplish much and all of it–the GOP are now determined to rollback, throw out, and eliminate–because of hatred.

The GOP hated Obama, trump hates Obama and with all that hate–there can be no room for love–just hate and hate as we all know destroys utterly and completely. The GOP will be destroyed utterly and completely if they don’t wake up and pay attention to their constituents and not the crazed idiot in the WH (I cannot bring myself to call him a “man” because he has not demonstrated that he is one. So, if you’re upset with me now, you’re going to be upset with me for a long time).

In spite of the hatred against ACA and Democrats in general, I will continue to pursue the path to the White House, never giving up, no matter what the idiots do.

My family’s history–has provided a record of endurance, courage, boldness and determination. They were brought across the ocean, ripped from their families and only known culture. They were denied identity other than what the “white man” wanted them to have. They were treated like sub-human beings, forced to work on empty stomachs, never consideration. They were freed by the signature of Abraham Lincoln, but kept entangled and bound by fear and hatred by Jim Crow laws.

Civil rights laws have yet to bring an era of true freedom for the Black Community and with the GOP in position of the majority in Congress, we are taking a regressive route in the 21st Century rather than seeing forward movement as it pertains to positive race relations in this country. Hate crimes are on the rise against anyone with “brown or black” skin tones, different religious beliefs, and misogyny is also on the rise. All of this is a result of gullible people (with hidden hatred of those who are different than them) who voted for the greatest fraud and con artist who ever lived–trump.

Though many may feel there is no hope–I will never give up and I will continue the good fight of faith–in service to my country and fellow True Patriots who understand that every American deserves equal treatment in all things. We will Raise the Standards for all Americans.

Counting on fellow Americans who think like Christ to support my bid for president in 2020. I’m not seeking financial support at this time, just your vote to guarantee we will have a voice in Washington representing the Everyday American. 

 

Christian Role In The World

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God  and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1 John 3 NIV

If a person claims to be a Christian and yet does not have the love of God residing within them, they lie.

If a person claims to be a Christian and yet does not have compassion for the poor and the needy, they lie.

If a person claims to be a Christian and yet their actions don’t line up with their words, they lie.

If a person claims to be a Christian and yet the truth does not abide within them, they lie.

If a person claims to be a Christian and yet cannot see beyond their own agenda, looking past those in need and they can help, they lie.

If a person claims to be a Christian and yet cannot love all others–no matter what their skin color or religious faith or ethnicity for any reason, they lie.

Our role as Christians is to love–-unconditionally just as God loves us–unconditionally in spite of all our flaws.

When the love of God resides deeply within, we cannot hate others or live in sin, but with everything in us–His love overflowing, we love others to Christ by what they see us do, not by what we say.

There is a  lesson within this short message that will benefit all–if hearts are receptive to hearing God speak, then they’ll know we are to take care of the vulnerable and weak.

This is God’s truth–loving Him and loving others–always ready to defend the rights of the poor and needy, always ready to give as unto The Lord. And this is living as a follower of Christ–just as Jesus would have us do. 

Speak Lord, for Your servants–all who love hear and will obey. Those who are not Yours will continue on their way–will not hear and receive their just reward for ignoring You.

Justifying The Lying!

The LORD said to Job: “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”Then Job answered the LORD:  “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”  Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:“Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?  Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand. Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you. Job 40:14 NIV

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

And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ Deuteronomy 31:17 NIV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17 NIV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 1 Corinthians 14:33 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

If we look at the plight of America and Americans, we can see that there are problems all around us. Job had problems after Satan got permission from God to test him. Though the assaults were devastating–the loss of property, children, and covered with boils–Job maintained his faith in God. Because of his faith in God, all he had lost was restored.

The story of Job is the oldest known book of the bible and in it we find what real faith in God is. Yes, we acknowledge our circumstances, but we don’t dwell on the negatives and try to see God in all we do. In all of the story–with his friends trying to persuade him to curse God and die and even his wife–Job remains steadfast–determined not to allow anyone to deter his faith in God. And the one thing we must remember in all of his trials–Satan couldn’t do a thing to Job without God’s permission and because God knew Job–He allowed the unfolding events in Job’s life.

Does God know us well enough to know our end from the beginning? Of course He does. He knows who will remain faithful to Him without lying on Him in the process. He knows who will obey and do what they’re told to do whether they understand it or not. He knows the level of our faith and nothing we say or do to justify a lie–especially about Him–will surprise Him.

God is not surprised by the lies people tell on Him–especially those in the “church” arena. In fact, part of the problem is that people are “in churches–the physical buildings” but they are not the church which we are supposed to be. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV

We are the body of Christ–whoever believes and obeys! It is the body of Christ (the collective group of Believers) who is the church–not a building–where people meet.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13, NIV

Now if we are the Body of Christ–and have been filled with His Spirit--we know when He speaks and we know He will never lie to us and everything He speaks, aligns with The Word of God. So, why then are people–the church leaders lying on God and then trying to justify the lying?

It is simple as breathing. People lie because Satan is their father and we know that it is true because God’s Word tells us so. Since we know God won’t lie we also know He would never choose a liar to govern people. But God allows things to happen and it is possible that Satan got permission to test God’s people as it pertains to the 2016 Election and the people failed the test–because their faith was not in God, but a man–a mere mortal.

And this is why we have the situation in Washington that exists–church leaders failed the test, but God never fails. God has not forsaken those who truly love Him and will obey–even in the midst of persecution and derision. He knows our thoughts from far off and He knows the direction He wants us to take. It is truly unfortunate that many will suffer because of those who sought to control other people rather than allowing Holy Spirit to do His job.

There is no justifying the lying and all those who are yet lying–claiming God chose Trump to be president are lying. If God was in the business of choosing elected leaders then those same people who hated Obama with a vengeance would have to acknowledge that God chose him to be president, too since God is not a respecter of people. Now which it is-is God choosing presidents or is He allowing people to choose through the election process?

God’s Approval or Man’s Approval?

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.2 Timothy 2:15,16 HCSB

When we know we are doing all things according to God’s approval, not the approval of man, we can maintain our focus and never waiver in our faith. However, attempting to obtain the approval of men and women is a never-ending endeavor that will never compete with the approval of God.

Needing the approval of people means we are constantly changing–who we are, what we do, and how we do things. And every time we meet someone new that we think we need to impress, the vicious cycle begins again–changing to accommodate people.

In our society, we see the end results of trying to obtain the approval people. We are thrown into courtrooms with lawsuits that are ridiculous–man’s need to force others to accept their changing, fickle feelings about who they are and which bathroom they use.

The enemy’s hold on the minds of people is surreal–and for those who know Christ, we know who’s behind every whim of others trying to be someone else. In the beginning, God! That settles it. God made man biologically fit to be compatible with woman and any time, man has attempted to change God’s purpose for mankind it was because of the enemy’s hatred for everything God created.

And the saddest part is that children are bewitched by the media, movies, television, and music applauding changing genders in midstream, never to know God’s best in their lives. My heart is heavy and saddened every time I see young girls holding onto each other as a couple instead of just friends. I pray that deliverance will soon come, but unfortunately when sin is running rampant within and without the school systems, my prayers may be in vain.

Celebrating sin–no matter who’s involved–opens the door for all types of demonic spirits to take control of feeble, weak minds and convince them of things that are not true. This is what happens when we coin terms like “political correctness” and ignore “Godly righteousness.” This need to obtain the approval of the masses rather than God–leads to destruction rather than victory and no court in the land will be able to stem the flow of God’s wrath.

Since my desire is to please God and gain His approval, I will continue to say what God says and attempt to convince others of His love by loving them unconditionally, but teaching them the Truth of God’s Word. If people choose not to receive truth, then their destruction is on them, but if I or others who know truth, refuse to teach truth, then the destruction of others is laid at our feet.

When we belong to Christ, we have His approval and have nothing to prove to men or women who are mere mortals as we are. God first–and all else will fall into place.

Can We Hear?

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:29 NKJV)

This admonition is repeated seven times in this Revelation to John by Holy Spirit–and if we believe that seven is the symbolic representation of completion, it is a finished work–the Revelation–and we must hear in order to get ready for His return.

Why do we need to hear? Because in the revealed work–we are reminded of the seven types of churches–their character traits, their strengths and their weaknesses. Regardless of what denomination we proclaim to have an affiliation with, we all fit into one of these types that persist. God knows from the beginning to the end, what we will do and when we will hear and change, which is why is mercy and compassion is so important to us–He gives us room to repent and turn to Him, time after time, but there will come a day, when we will no longer have time to change, so we must make that change–now!

Throughout this book, we are reminded of all these things that the prophets (and all who God used) have said and as Solomon reminds us Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun.God has used people, those chosen by Him to remind mankind throughout our history to choose to do right–His right–and forsake all those things that do not honor Him.

Some of us–as in times past–have selective hearing. We have read The Word, we have heard The Word, and many know when Holy Spirit speaks, but yet we do not hear and obey. When we selectively choose which parts of the message we will hear, we put ourselves into position to miss God and eventually, we will enticed to believe that other spirit, rather than Holy Spirit because that other spirit–manipulates and deceives and tries to make things “sound” like God when they are not.

Engage in conversation with The Lord today and hear what Holy Spirit has to say about everything around us and when you hear–obey for “obedience is better than sacrifice.”

Going to church–a good thing when The Word is being taught–does not mean a person has a relationship with God. Memorizing scripture–though a good thing–does not mean we have a relationship with God. We need to know what He said, believe that He is and will be, and obey His commands to love. When we do this, we establish a right relationship with Him and then we can praise Him no matter what happens in our lives because we know–in the end, we win!

Proclaiming His Name!

“For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God!” (Deuteronomy 32:3 NASB)

What’s in a name? The power to pre-destine one’s fate or not!

Many people give their children all sorts of names without thought as to how that name may play a part on the child’s future. Throughout the bible, we see specific names given to people because the names actually meant something specific. That is certainly true for the name of our God.

Without getting into a list of all names by which He is known for all He does, I’ll just briefly discuss–the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord–one who takes responsibility for others–who actually determines what they do and how they do it.

Jesus–The name above all names and by which every knee shall bow before the end of this journey called life.The name by which people can be healed and delivered. The name by which we are assured all of our prayers are heard and answered.

Christ–the Savior of mankind, the One who was obedient unto death so we could have life and that more abundantly.

So, what’s in a name? Lordship–giving Him control over all we do and say, Advocate and Mediator between us and the Father who is the One who determines all things, and the Savior of our souls.

Jesus–The Word–God who came down to earth in the likeness of man to prove to us that we can live in obedience and reap the rewards of obedience. God wrapped Himself in flesh and demonstrated the importance of blood-flow and blood-covenant and willingly gave Himself for us–a disobedient, rebellious people who have yet to understand His greatness, and He loves us anyway.

Jesus is Lord of all and He only is worthy of our praise and glory as He is One with the Father. Hallelujah! For the King of Kings and Lord of Lords–our Risen Savior–who gives us victory in every area of our lives when we are obedient.

Because of Him–we are saved, healed, delivered, victorious, on our way to our mansion, living an abundant life with all of our needs met and successful with everything we do. Glory to God in the Highest! There is none like Him, no other name by which man can be saved from himself! What an awesome God!

And though there are many other gods people worship, there is only One who created all that was ever created and without Him, nothing was created.

The only Wise God who knows all things from the beginning to the end; He knows our thoughts before we do and loves us so much, He sent His Spirit back to earth to guide, comfort, and counsel us at all times. No one can love us like Him! And no other god can do what He does! Our God is awesome! He can move mountains on our behalf and reestablish valleys without anyone’s permission and do all things well. Praise The name of Our Lord!

Servant of Christ!

“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 NASB).

The questions Paul asked about himself then-centuries ago, are applicable to us, now in the 21st Century. Are seeking the favor men or God. Are we trying to please men (think about the concept of being politically correct when it comes to God’s Word)? If we are trying to please men, we most assuredly cannot please God and we would not be servants of Christ.

Very simply put–servants do what their masters desire. If Christ is our Master then we should seek to please Him. If man is our master, then we know why there is confusion in the land because man’s thinking is fickle and ever-changing, while Christ does not change His mind about what is right or Godly.

Now before we lose sight of who we are, we need to think about whose we are and spend some time with the master of our fate. Personally, I choose to spend time with The Lord, seeking how I can please Him. For when I please Him, I have rest in my soul and do not worry about those things which I cannot control. God tells me in His Word that when I please Him, He’ll give me the desires of my heart. Therefore, I submit to the guidance of The Lord, as His humble servant.

Take the time and think about who it is you are trying to please and why.

Just Stay Put!

“…If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear (produce) much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIVb)

John’s revelation of the person and personality of Christ is rich and draws most people in like the warm sunshine. He shows us how Jesus relates to each of us on a very personal level, as He did those disciples travelling with Him.

He is the vine from which all fruit (gain/wealth/people) is produced.  When the branches of a rosebush are pruned, the roses will bloom in what appeared to be a barren, unproductive spot. When God prunes us, cutting away all the dead stuff in our lives and removes it (and people), we have an opportunity to blossom when most would have given up on us.  The problem for most of us is that pruning hurts and we tend to move away from anything that hurts us.

When we are confronted with truth about the things we do, some will run and hide or go find someone (another church) that will condone our wrongdoing.  Dead things do not grow and when we continue to pile on “death” we eventually stink and rot away and nothing will grow in the midst of the deadness.

When we hear truth, we need to stay put and allow the pruning process to work in our lives, cutting away all that we do not need. If we don’t, our lives become worthless and like the unproductive branch that is cut off and burned, so do our lives–we do it to ourselves.

Stay in position with Christ–withstand the correction and enjoy the fruit of your labors with all of His many benefits.  There is no place to hide from God, “for His eyes are in every place, seeing the good and the evil.” With Him, we can accomplish much, without Him, we can do absolutely nothing worthy of pleasing Him. Stay in The Word and allow The Word to stay in you!