Glorify His Name!

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ!” (2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12 NIV)

I cannot imagine what was going on in Thessalonica when Paul wrote this second letter to the church there. From what he says, I know the Believers were being persecuted and treated unjustly and he was encouraging them to remain faithful to God. In the first part of this passage of scripture, we see Paul remind them that the evil ones–those who don’t know God or obey will be punished and on the day Christ returns, He will be glorified in His Holy people who believed Him because of the testimony of others.

Now, that they have believed, Paul tells them they are constantly praying for them that God may make them worthy (we cannot make ourselves worthy of His calling) and that they will allow His power to bring to pass every good thing they desire and do. Why? Not for them to glorified–lifted up and praised, but so God will be lifted up and praised–and His name–glorified.

Notice that Paul tells them by God’s power–He will bring every good desire and deed to fruition–so He’ll get the glory. One of the things that irritates me the most is watching award shows where the winners “give God honor” for what they have achieved, but their deeds–whether in a movie or in music–did nothing to glorify God and everything to glorify Satan. Do they think that God is fooled or deceived by them winning an award for their portrayals of godlessness–on screen or in the music? Seriously?

Does God get any glory or honor in obscenities, profanities, pornography, or sexual promiscuity? Is He entertained by, Modern Family, Nashville, Gray’s Anatomy, Empire, Scandal, The Haves and Have Nots,  or the other shows where wives are sleeping around with other men and women or children being sexually active? Why must sex be used to glorify the devil when God intended it to be used to glorify Him through the production and continuity of the human race through marriage (His standards)? And the saddest part is that so many Christians are caught up in watching all the filth and the pastors are dismissing services early so their congregations can keep up with the latest godlessness.

It is because of all the godlessness portrayed on television that I have opted out–there is nothing worthwhile except perhaps the weather and traffic reports on local stations. No matter what program a person attempts to watch–they are bombarded with fornication, homosexuality, and all types of perversity.

Reading and writing have become my modes of entertainment–I read to learn and write to inspire, motivate and educate. With all I do, I proclaim the name of Jesus so He is glorified and not me. Not that I can make me worthy of the calling on my life to proclaim the Gospel, but because He strengthens me daily to do all I can to make sure others know just how good He is.

God is not deceived by anything we see that dishonors Him nor is He fooled by anyone proclaiming to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and yet lives like the unsaved world and promotes ungodliness. People who think He is deceived have been deceived, by the great deceiver.

With all that we desire in life and all we do–let’s do it to glorify the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and when we do–He will bring all we desire to pass as a testimony to His goodness so others will also believe. 

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The Importance of Words, Perception, and Relationship!

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.” (Psalm 22:27,28 NIV)

This particular statement seems a bit odd since we know the earth is round (not flat as some once thought) and there really are “no ends” as some might interpret ends, but there is “an end” of the earth.

What I love most about studying scripture is trying to align “the terminology” as written to what words mean today. Since language is constantly evolving and meanings ever-changing, it pays to know and understand that what we know today, was not known when God inspired men to write what He said, His meaning remains the same. Basically what is being said is that people in every place will remember and turn to the Lord (for they had turned away from Him and His ordinances) and all the families of the nations will bow down (every knee shall bow) before Him for in reality, all authority and control belong to Him and He rules overs the nations of people who belong to Him.

Now it is important to understand that God’s Word was written for God’s people–all who belong to Him, love Him, and obey Him. For those who don’t know Him, don’t want to know Him, His Word means nothing to them and is not worth a debate. The responsibility of the Believer is to expose His Word to all, but acceptance of His Word is on them. We are not called to make anyone believe God since that belief is an individual experience and the same is true of His Word.

I am always amazed at people who say they believe God, but have no idea what His Word says or means. The bible is not a novel and should not be interpreted as one. The events related in the bible are a summary of historical events that are not presented in a chronological layout in the bible, but are there for our understanding of what God has done, the role He has played in the lives of men, and how He continues to guide us, when we choose to listen. But for those who choose to “debate” what is said and why, they will never understand this aspect of The Word and they miss the importance of having a relationship with God so He can speak to their hearts and provide them with understanding based upon His wisdom, not their own.

I must admit I am growing weary of superficial Christians–those who say they know Him, but live anyway they want to live and promote and encourage others in living in opposition to God’s Word. And some of these same people claim to have always “followed God” and never sinned, but they have no clue as what salvation means. When people tell me they have never sinned, I know they do not know God or His Word. They have a form of godliness, but deny the power of Holy Spirit and who He is.

What I see in people who debate God’s Word is they do not have a relationship with Him, but with their church, or religion. Being a Christian is not about being religious nor is it a religion, but the affirmation of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. Once we understand the history and perspective of those who have come and gone before us and can relate the events to where we are today, we can see God in all His glory and appreciate His sacrifice for us, today.

Those Who Understand, Have No Need of Control!

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” (Psalm 32:8,9 NIV)

God’s response to David’s entreaty was that He, Almighty God would instruct him, teach, and counsel him and at all times, would keep His eyes upon him. Our great and awesome God is the same God that spoke to David and He is yet speaking to us--He will instruct, teach, and counsel us–we have no need for those who have no understanding of His ways to teach us anything, provide us with instruction of anything and they certainly cannot counsel us about anything that pertains to God and His ways.

Those who are looking to men’s legislation or judgments are really wasting their time. The only thing that will be proven by the interception of men in the wake of God’s way of living, is that men and women will constantly be jerked around by the whims of men. God’s instructions have been written–not only in the book most know as a bible, but in the hearts of all who have a relationship with Him. Holy Spirit dwells within the consummate Believer who knows God cannot lie and He said what He meant and meant what He said. It is Holy Spirit who provides us with understanding as He hears from God to direct us and counsel us at all times. Without God, we become like those who have gone before us–lost and wander around like mindless creatures, not having a clue as to which direction to take.

But we see in current events that whenever the flesh is tickled or set ablaze with lust within those who have no fear or reverence of God, all must be embroiled in the mindlessness and only those who are standing firm in their faith, will survive to see the glory of The Lord prevail in all things. We are warned in The Word that flesh and spirit are enemies–we either allow flesh to dictate what we do or we allow Holy Spirit to dictate what we do. Holy Spirit will not force His will upon anyone and neither should man.

Judgment, for all who sin and especially those who lie, has already been determined and unless the guilty parties change their ways and see the need to have God in their lives, their end is established–in the lake of fire.

Those who stand firm have no need for godless men with no understanding to instruct us in the ways of a living God, who is yet keeping watch over us. It is the godless who need to be careful and watchful of the mighty hand of God. The same Hand–who comforts and protects His children, also delivers a blow to those who mislead God’s children.

Be encouraged! We are not like the horses or mules with no understanding that need others to lead us around when they have no direction. We know the way–and Jesus is the way, the Truth and the Light!

Nations Judged by a Risen Savior!

“Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence.” (Psalm 9:19 NIV)

“Arise, Arise, Arise Oh Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered.”

The words are included in a song of praise, acknowledging that when God reigns over a situation, men won’t triumph and all the nations will see the downfall of all those who are opposed to God. This was true when David wrote it and it is still true today.

Many times we attempt to fight a battle that is not even our battle to fight. The battle in deed is the Lord’s over much of what is occurring in recent events. Since the beginning of time when man made choices, God has not allowed any nation to remain a power to be reckoned with when they oppose God.

Such is the fate of our nation--we are doomed to be ruled by others–who don’t know God, because of our disobedience and apathy. We who know Him, not just about Him, have failed to promote a flawless Gospel because of a perfect Savior because who choose to allow flesh to rule and not His Spirit.

How many years passed between the last prophet who heard from God and the appearance of Jesus? We have determined a fate that is similar to those who were ruled by godlessness because we refused to speak up and promote righteousness in the face of God’s enemy–for it is Satan who has influenced the minds of all who promote living in opposition to God’s Word.

Take heart! God hears the prayers of the righteous–those who are determined to live for Him. Even the world will change, His love towards those who truly love Him, will never change and His mercy endures forever. Let everyone who knows the power of prayer and the provision of our Risen Savior arise and say so!

God’s not dead–He is yet alive and He is the same today as He was in yester-years and all those who mock Him will see Him and His majesty in the power given to all who will hear Him.

Those who didn’t know Him, mocked Him then and they are no longer, neither are there any descendants of those who promoted evil. What He has done before, He will do again and all the world will see–the enemy defeated and thrown into the lake of fire with all those who followed him.

Thank You, Lord for being a refuge for those who love and know You, determined to live life that is pleasing to You.

Hollywood’s Harvest!

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” (Galatians 6:7,8 NLT)

My daughter recently got upset over the fact that there was nothing on television worth watching on a Thursday night–she was so disgusted that she started using the hastag #justunplug. Now, she’s thinking about starting a crusade against all the “junk” on television and of course, I’ll join her.

What junk? All of the shows that revel in revealing all manner of sexual promiscuity—Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Modern Family, all the soap operas (left), the seamy reality shows that are not real at all and many, many more. With all of this junk on television (with no real story-lines or plots, just a promotion of ungodly behavior), why are we amazed at the moral decay we see on a regular basis in our homes and communities?

Teens are “exploring” their sexuality because of the junk they see on television and then everyone is complaining about the rise in sexually transmitted diseases. But then–we celebrate teen-motherhood by promoting people–specifically Bristol Palin–as a “star” simply because she had a baby as a teenager! What is this world coming to–the pathway of destruction and we will all reap the harvest planted by Hollywood.

Toddlers and pre-schoolers (encouraged by their godless parents and psychologists) are claiming to want to be another gender and the world is standing by applauding because the babies and their parents are riding into the limelight on television.

We glorify same-sex relationships and demonize anyone who opposes them and because Believers won’t take a firm stand on Gods Word–the opposition’s harvest is abundantly covering the planet. Hollywood would not be so successful if they did not have willing, demoralized people–waiting with baited breath to see what else they (Hollywood) can do to take us further into degradation.

And the other junk that has absolutely mesmerized people--werewolves, vampires, and walking dead (now there’s an oxymoron). We have truly become a universe of walking dead–dead to the leading of the Holy Spirit and anything remotely promoting Godly living. We sit back and complain and criticize all the young people who get caught in drugs, sexual promiscuity, deadly games to get attention, wife-swapping (like that’s supposed to be normal) and raising children in environments that are not conducive to “norms” and yet we get upset when they act out what they see on television.

Hollywood–its writers and producers and directors–will have to stand before the Lord one day, just as we will and give an account of their actions. The only way we will ever see a change in what we see on the news is to “unplug” from the decadent godlessness we see on television and in the movies, and “plug” into The Word and allow Holy Spirit to lead us back to a path of righteousness. If we, as Believers, won’t stand up for what is right, we will all reap from the harvest of decay that Hollywood has planted!

Father, create us in a renewed spirit and mind to want to serve You in all Godliness, setting aside any desire to promote Satan’s agenda. Lead us in tearing down the harvest of decay and planting the seeds of righteousness so the world will indeed become a better place. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

When a Godless Society Governs!

To say that our society has forgotten God would be the greatest understatement ever made. We see the results of godlessness, every day in every nation.

Prayer was removed from schools because of a godless woman who thought others praying around her children was an infringement upon their rights. Without prayer and God in our schools–our schools have become the devil’s playground as children get involved in drugs, sexual activity, disrespect of those in authority, and violence against them and others runs rampant, with no end in mind because society says–we should not pray in schools.

With the elimination of prayer, came the elimination of corporal punishment in schools and now that the kids know “no one can touch them” no matter how badly they behave, we have chaos in schools and foolishness with parents who cannot control their children and the teachers are not allowed to control them and we wonder–what happened to academic achievement in the schools? It was beaten up by a godless society that permitted Satan to reign with legal maneuverings and political correctness that has created a slow, but sure eroding of anything that promotes Godly behavior.

Societal outrage over kids getting spanked by their parents has led to kids controlling their parents and no one in our society is safe–from the lack of respect of others–these kids feel. They know and provoke parents into giving up on trying to parent them. Parents are afraid of the legal system and kids are running amuk–violence is on the rise and yet no one looks at the problem for what it is–a Godless society running things and then wondering why we have the problems with kids we have.

When politicians cave and submit to “societal leanings” about sin–we know we’re all in trouble and since those of us who know how God operates, we know that sin is rocking the boat–hence all the troubling events–we are all witnessing.

Chaos, violence, disrespect of all authority, unrest in all the land, fear, hatred and inhumane treatment of other human beings--this is what happens when a Godless society governs!