Now What?

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him, but their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. Psalm 115: 1-8 NIV

Those who praise people more than God and give people greater esteem than they do God, are idolizing the creation, rather than the Creator.

I’m reminded of trump in this passage–he has a mouth that never speaks truth, eyes that cannot see reality through his delusional alternative universe, ears that block out sound, wise advice; he has feet but cannot walk the path of integrity because of his crooked ways, and he utters sounds that are incomprehensible and astounds the world at his mental incompetence and ineptness.

We are in the throes of the beginning of a national crisis because we have allowed an idiot–that very foolish, stupid person–to make decisions for all when they do not have the mental capacity or expertise to do so. He relies upon those who hate and promote false news and lies to give him advice–though he claims to work for the people who voted for him. Here’s the problem–the people who voted for him were only a fraction of the total population and some of them are now seeing the error of their vote.

But trump is really not the problem right now–unless we allow him to continue to be one. The real problem is the complacent and impotent GOP Congress. They have a job to do–upholding their oath of office and they are negligent in doing their job. Pressure has to be brought upon them to honor their oaths of office over any pledges of loyalty to a person. Patriotism does not mean standing by a president; it means doing all one can to preserve the nation–placing priority to country over political party. They need to be reminded over and over again, until they do their job. 202-224-3121 is the Congressional Switchboard number–start calling now.

If they fail to do their job, we can rest assured of continued destruction and erosion of what we once understood a democracy to be. Putin gets his wish and takes over America without firing a shot–all because of an idiot who allowed himself to be put in a position where others have leverage over him. And the collusion–is real and dangerous since it involves the exposure of all in the GOP who have been complicit in the disastrous 2016 election results. They knew then and know now, the price of winning a rigged election will cost them their political careers. They have been duped, willingly.

What do we do now? We call, we email, we fax, we tweet until we get tired, then we rest and start all over–letting Congress know what we think of them and how they should do their jobs. I’m planning to contact at least 20 a day–by one means or another until they take notice and rethink their positions which are all on the line. The other 261 million people will vote for integrity in 2018 and in 2020–removing them from their positions.

I, among many others, will be seeking the opportunity to truly serve all Americans and I know–if Everyday Americans are fed up with the nonsense we see on a daily basis, they will appreciate having someone who understands the challenges they face, making decisions in the White House for all Americans.  Only time will tell if Americans will wake from their daze and see truth and love as a means to accomplish greatness rather than lies and hate. It is up to us, all Americans who care about this planet, to rise and change the narrative so we’ll have a bright future.

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Who Will Be Exalted!

The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan, for all the towering mountains and all the high hills, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall, for every trading ship and every stately vessel. The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear. Isaiah 2:11-18 NIV

What is an idol? An image or material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed or any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration or devotion, or a false conception or notion, according to the dictionary.

Given the definition of an idol and rightly interpreting the use in The Word, what idols do we have that we exalt above God?

Notice the last part of the definition–a false conception–that which is not true. The carved images to which some have given “power and authority” are false. The manufactured things given power and authority are false. The people for whom some have blind admiration and devotion to are not real--they are false and should never be exalted above God. But that’s what we do–we exalt celebrities and their opinions above God’s Word.

We exalt sin above righteousness and don’t even recognize that the words we use underscore where our hearts really are when we “idolize” celebrities and other well-known people or ideologies that are opposed to God’s Word.

We celebrate confusion and chaos that reign in the lives of all who believe God doesn’t know what He’s doing or did when they were born–idolizing that confusion and exalting it above God’s Word and intent for mankind.

We idolize foolishness and ignorance as long it supports and promotes emotionalized views of bigotry and hatred against others.

In all of this idolatry and idolizing of things and people–we must understand the spirit behind our behavior. If we are not influenced by the Spirit of Righteousness, we are influenced by the spirit of evil by the arch enemy of God–Satan. It is Satan’s influence that moved upon people to exalt their carved images above the obedience of God. The idols they created were given power and authority they did not have. But because the masses were blinded to truth, they worshiped the idols–out of ignorance.

We are yet doing the same thing today–worshiping idols, worshiping things and people–out of ignorance–giving them exalted status–false power and authority that doesn’t really exist–above understanding God’s Truth and intent for mankind.

But the day is coming–and it will be soon–when all the false gods will be exposed and fear will be embedded in the hearts of all who held the idols in greater esteem than God alone. When they see the consequences of their actions rising to crush them, they will attempt to run and hide, but there is no hiding place from God. He alone has created all that was ever created and He knows every nook and cranny of every mountain, every divide in all the bodies of water and He knows our hearts–whether they are good or evil.

Those who love The Lord and obey His Word know they have no need to fear the calamity that will fall upon all who have ignored God. They know a place has been established for them for all eternity to live in the presence of the Most High God. And in the day the calamity occurs–utter destruction–of all idols–whether people or things–then they will know that The Lord alone will be exalted!

The Unknown God!

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17:16-25 NIV

Worshiping gods was nothing new to people when Paul preached the Good News. For centuries–man made idols–with their own hands–of stone, bronze, gold, wood, whatever they used at any given time–shaped into images to represent events that they didn’t understand. They had fertility gods, sun gods, moon gods, season gods, agricultural gods, –all these gods they created to explain what they didn’t understand because they didn’t have access to science (as we know it today) to discover the “whys” of what occurred.

And then there was the representation of the “unknown god” (science still cannot explain) who had a place in their worship venues. This altar bore this inscription because the men of that day and even now, could not explain certain events, but they attributed it a god.

Mankind is still worshiping idols–gods made by their own hands. They think the “things” have dominion of events that occur in our lives. Most of us understand superstitious nonsense and know that there are no “things” that have any power–no images created by mortals can do anything of their own accord. But then there are those whose faith is in statues, and beads, and images and their faith in the things cannot be shaken.Some worship all they develop and to keep what they make in the forefront of their minds–they emblazon their name on everything–and expect others to worship them, too.

However, since they do not know God or understand God, their faith in Him is tenuous at best because they are ignorant of His ways and purposes. The God of Heaven, the Creator of all things and without whom, nothing was ever created, is still the unknown God to many–who think they are the masters of their destiny. These did not read about Jeremiah and the conversation God had with him, “before you were formed in your mother’s womb, I knew you,” and later He said, “I know the plans I have for you.”

Now while it is true that we all have choices to make, when we follow God’s plans we are going to be successful as He defines success. God does not define success as man does–especially when man’s success is contingent upon a lack of integrity, intimidation, and bullying. When success is obtained by questionable means (leaving others holding the bag of their debts) that is not godly success. Godly success is only achieved by doing things the way God directs us. That success may not mean being a billionaire–but it will mean we are pleasing God.

So while many are still serving and worshiping gods created by human hands or machines, out of a religious spirit, there are some of us who are led by the Spirit of God and will only serve Him–the unknown God for those who don’t know Him.

 

 

Is The God You Serve An Idol?

“For great is The Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but The Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are His sanctuary.” (Psalm 96:4-6 NIV).

When I read this again, I was reminded of all those naysayers–the ones who choose not to believe The God of heaven, who protest loudly and always insist that He is just a god like the others.

Let’s examine the other gods for a moment–the gods made by hands–symbolizing all manner of things that mere mortal at one time, could not explain. The gods that man created by carving images in wood, out of wood and in stone and out of stone–the gods who could not have been created by the hands of man, if God had not created the substance from which they were (and are) made. There images of sun gods, moon gods, rain gods, fertility gods, seed gods, water gods, death gods, heroic gods, jealousy gods, strength gods, intellectual gods, all kinds of gods and yet not one of them has ever created anything from nothing.

When man could not understand the function of a volcano, they threw in virgins to appease a god who they thought was angry with them. People sacrificed children upon burning altars to appease gods they didn’t understand, but thought they had some power–never realizing that true power–only comes from the God of Heaven as Elijah demonstrated with the prophets of Baal.

Even the god of this world–was created by the God of heaven–and the only power he has over anything is the evil that lurks in the hearts of men–those thoughts that people have and will not control–when the enemy speaks to their hearts, he influences what they do. This is the reason for all the senseless violence in the world today–the god of this world and his ability to influence the evil that already resides in man.

And to perpetuate the nonsense–we have people creating images that represent evil–worshipping those images that have no power to do anything but lie dormant–unless the hands of a mortal moves them.

Are we worshipping idols, yet today? Are we creating or using images made by the hands of man and giving the images more authority in our lives than the Living God?

Do we not understand that the God we serve–cannot be manipulated, moved, carted or sent anywhere for any reason because He is omnipresent–everywhere at the same time whether people believe Him or not?

Do we not understand that the God we serve–does not need us–we need Him? He created us–we did not create Him as some attempt to persuade. He is not a figment of our imaginations and His Word–though written by men, inspired by Him, is just as true today as it was hundreds of years ago.

The God of Heaven is yet speaking to people who are willing to hear and obey, but the problem is that many do not hear Him when He speaks because they have not read His Word–to even know His voice. If we don’t know what He has said, we won’t know what He is saying–because He never changes.

So now, think about it! True worship of God is done in the Spirit and those without the Spirit of God guiding them cannot worship God in the beauty of holiness. We don’t need images, or symbols, or anything else man-made to worship God or to communicate with Him. After all, when did any of those things–create who He is?  Is the God You Serve an Idol or the Living God who desires nothing more from us, than the praise of our lips–giving adoration and obeying His Word?

No Power But Holy Spirit!

“Tell us, you idols, what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come, tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear. But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; whoever chooses you is detestable.” (Isaiah 41:22-24 NIV)

Symbols, images, statues–all carved from wood or crystals or stones–which of them has the power to do anything on their own–without the manipulation of hands attached to man/woman/child? Do they speak to remind of the past? Do they foretell the future? Do they heal the sick? Do they move mountains or other obstacles?

Since neither stone, wood, or crystals have no power of their own, why do we give them credit for having any? What makes us fear images created by the hands of man in paints or sculptures? Whatever is made or contrived by manipulation “any substance” is powerless and those who think they have any power have been deceived. Things can not do anything without the help of hands attached to a person. Even with mass production, someone has to control the machinery, turn on the power or at least set the controls so the power is turned on or off.

With all of the stupidity–totally foolish machinations being erected by those who are only interested in mocking God and stirring strife within the minds of people–why are we in such an uproar? What power does a satanic temple have over those who know God and are empowered by Holy Spirit? Do we really need to fear wood, stones, or paint, or crystals? There is no power in those things, but there resides in the heart of every Believer–the power of Holy Spirit to combat the works of evil. Instead of sounding alarms of fear, it’s time to place our faith on the altar of the One who can and will do all things well because of His love for us.

Very simply put–we ignore stupidity and pray for repentance for those who act out of ignorance--and we know they are ignorant or they would not involve themselves in such foolishness. We ignore the media reports and not give them any place in our hearts or thoughts. If we truly believe that God is yet in control–we have nothing to fear from the enemy, but they have everything to fear from the wrath of an angry God–who created all things.

Don’t allow the symbols or symbolism to ignite fear or trepidation into your hearts! Remember how God used symbols and symbolism as a means to warn people who were guilty of sin. The snake–the cursed reptile who used to stand upright, now crawls on his belly on the ground–prey to all mankind who fear him. The horns attached to a head–which keep the one to whom they are attached from thinking clearly or they would know the horns torn from another animal gives them no power and puts them on the same level as the animal from which they took the horns. Red–though meant to instill fear–should ignite gratitude in the heart of the Believer since it is a reminder of the blood shed on the cross for us. Shapes and images are merely marks made by those who are bored and have nothing better to do–than to be used by the enemy as a trick to create fearfulness. NONE OF THESE THINGS HAVE ANY POWER OF THEMSELVES!

However, in the spirit realm–there are two reigning spirits–Satan–the prince of the air and god of this world–who influences weak minds of those who rebel against God and Holy Spirit–the living spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ–who resides in us and keeps us focused on doing what is right–abhorring evil, and turning away from it.

I don’t know about you, but I have the mind of Christ, desire only to please God, and know that Holy Spirit reminds me of those things that occurred in the past that I might learn from them and reveals future events that I might prepare for them. What do the stones, wood, crystals and paint do? Absolutely nothing!

Nothing Greater!

“Now search all of history, from the time God created people on the earth until now, and search from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything as great as this ever been seen or heard before?” (Deuteronomy 4:32 NLT)

Though history has always been a matter of perspective–based upon who’s telling it–there can be no denying that nothing greater has happened in history than the creation of man–by a self-sufficient God–not created by the hands of man!

People can worship any god of their choosing–and create images of their likenesses and commit them to stone, but have those images–those gods ever created anything?

I’ve often wondered how anyone could believe that something created by the hands of man could yield any supernatural power over anything or anyone. Somehow, that type of belief defies logic. If I can make it–then would not I have the power supposedly given to the “thing?”

Now, I realize that many would say belief in an “unseen” God defies logic as well, but belief in Creator God–one who created everything and without Him nothing was created makes more sense than “us” making things and then giving them power.

What have the other gods created except for confusion in the minds of many? Did they create the earth or the heavens, the stars, or the seas or even “mankind” as we are today?

Why would anyone worship a “thing” and expect anything from it? Things, created by the hands of people, have no power of themselves and therefore, since they cannot “do” anything of their own accord, why do they deserve worship by anyone?

I’m not trying to minimize a person’s belief in whatever they believe; I’m simply trying to understand it.

No mound of stones is creating anything, no ropes of beads or gems is creating anything, no wooden crosses are creating anything–when we give the things more power than He who created all the material in which the things were created, we are worshipping idols, which is a waste of time and energy.

But then–there are those who worship spouses, children, cars, jobs, themselves and once again I ask–why?

There is no greater god–no matter how many people worship the things they create–than the God of Heaven who created all the things people use to create the images that have no power.

But the god of this world (Satan) has deceived people into thinking the things are deserving of worship which is why they do it. If people are convinced that “things” have power when they don’t, their focus is not on God and Satan can continue to influence people into doing stupid–killing, destroying, lying, stealing, manipulating and when people wear blinders, they can be led into darkness, not understanding the power of Light and Truth.

What Can Your God Do?

“I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means—that it is the LORD who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it. “Present the case for your idols,” says the LORD. “Let them show what they can do,” says the King of Israel” (Isaiah 41:20,21 NLT–Read entire chapter for context).

The prophet outlines for the Children of Israel what God will do for them and then tells them why–“The Lord has done this” and then–he tells them the false prophets to “present the case for their idols” –false gods.

For those of us who know and have experienced the miracles of God–healed when sick, raised from the pits and lifted to greatness, understand how the poor are fed when all hope appears to be lost, we know that it is The Creator God who is capable of making a way out of no way.

But there are those who “worship idols”–athletes, celebrities, spouses, jobs, all manner of things and people who have not “created” from nothing–anything. They have not created mountains, oceans, the sun or moon, or anything else that we can see–from total nothingness. There are some who have manufactured things from the things already here, but they have “created nothing” and people worship them as gods.

They have no case to present because the case–before God–would be flawed and full of holes so wide a person could fall through them. Mortal man–demonstrates foolishness at the highest level–when they worship things created by the hands of man, giving them more power than Creator God. 

I don’t know about your god, but my God is awesome!  He can move mountains, hide me in the rain, shelter me in the valley, heal me when I’m broken, deliver me from the desires of the flesh and lift me when I’m down for the count and raise me to greater heights than I could have ever imagined. He can open doors, no man can shut, and close doors no man can open. He gives sight to blind and makes the lame to walk. He provides whatever I need when there is no provision and He never leaves me alone–He is always with me! Hallelujah!

Now, what can your god do?

If your worship and praise is reserved for the idols of this world because of their fame or fortune--how will you present your case to the Living God who will judge all we do, one day?

The God Who Guides!

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end” (Psalm 48:14 NIV).

The Sons of Korah had a revelation about which God truly has power. They knew the history of the Israel who had been caught up with worshipping gods made–with the hands of man–whose only power was in the superstitious belief of the people. But now, they understood that there is a God–one whom man had not created and could not be seen with the natural eye–who had power to change the course of things and did. With the discovery and understanding, they praised Him for His mighty acts on their behalf and submitted to His guidance.

How many gods are people worshipping today? Are they worshipping the gods made by the hands of man–cars, careers, money, status, power–their idols (trophies, certificates, degrees, all which can be seen and touched) and for some–their spouses? What real power do any of these things have? How can they guide a person anywhere? How can anyone really put their trust in these things or people and expect them to last forever?

At one time–as recorded in the history books and in the bible–images were made of men and things (animals in particular) and the things were given power by the imaginations of the people. The best record of their total impotence is the story of “their gods” pitted against God with Elijah and the “fire consumed everything” in the troughs and around them. No magic, just the power of a God who created all things and without whom, nothing was created. The Sons of Korah got it–have we?

We should not expect our God to act like a magician when we need anything, but we certainly need to learn to listen and hear Him when He speaks so He can guide us into the direction in which we will receive all we desire. The true power of God lies within us and in our obedience to God. As He told Joshua, “if we will keep His commandments, then everything we put our hands to would prosper and we would have good success.” Are we obeying? Have we made any effort to accomplish anything?

When we don’t receive the answers we want from God, perhaps we should look at our responses to Him when He speaks to us. Can He count on us to do what He asks us to do? Will we obey Him even when we don’t understand what it is He wants us to do? Have we clearly demonstrated that our trust is in Him and Him alone?

Consider the “things” that you have amassed. What power have you given them? Do you trust them to guide you in all things? Can they provide you with answers to questions that arise in your life? Are you building a kingdom in which you want to reign or are you a Kingdom Builder–leading others to the God who reigns forever?

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to be as wise as those who have gone before us in recognizing that though there may be many gods that people worship; You are the only God who guides–forever. Amen!