Provocation!

But am I the one they are provoking? declares the LORD. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?“ ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: My anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place—on man and beast, on the trees of the field and on the crops of your land—and it will burn and not be quenched.“ ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their ancestors.’“When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips. Jeremiah 7:19-28 NIV

Wow! This pronouncement against all who do not seek God and obey Him and is just as relevant today as it was then!

TO THE EVANGELICAL LEADERS WHO TOUTED THE #WHidiot AS GOD’S CHOICE:

Do you see what happens when God is not consulted? Do you see what happens when truth perishes from your lips and you promote lies? Do you understand–yet–how your lies and promotion of this idiot can bring irreparable harm to Americans–all over the globe? If you do not understand the danger your lies and promotion of an imbecile then you are just as responsible for what he does as he is.

TO THE SUPPORTERS OF THE #WHidiot:

Are you still giddy with excitement of his illegal win of the election? Do you see him promoting or acting on your behalf? Does eliminating your healthcare make you scream with joy? Does the possibility of losing your loved ones–both male and female–in another war excite you beyond belief because of his reckless rhetoric? Aren’t you just tickled pink that your tax dollars are paying for his weekend excursions, his children’s security detail, his wife’s security detail, the construction of a helipad at Mar-a-largo, and the launched missiles that have cost over $200 million dollars? Are you happy yet? How about those good paying jobs–have you gotten yours and aren’t you just thrilled that only the rich will benefit from his proposed tax reform? Doesn’t that make you want to just jump and shout with joy? Did you know you were also “electing” the offspring of an idiot to be in charge of policy decisions? Well, did you?

Since you chose to believe the liar-in-chief–are you ready to accept responsibility for the fact that America will never be as great as it could be because of the madman at the helm? I know you believed the lies he spouted because you voted for him and promoted all the “fake news” about Hillary–aren’t you just super-proud of yourselves?

TO THE RESISTANCE:

Don’t get weary in doing what is right in order to save us from the idiocy brought upon us by lying “religious-pseudo-christians” and the “gullible, frustrated white middle class workers” who simply didn’t know any better.

Stand firm in pushing elected leaders to do their jobs. Call, write, Tweet. Never let them forget how they got their jobs.

Stand firm in pushing the Department of Justice to dig as deep as need to dig to make sure truth surfaces about all the involvement by those in the White House that manipulated the 2016 Election.

Stand firm in your resolve to make sure, when one gets weary, another encourages and  keeps up the pace.

Stand firm in your resolve to push the media in staying focused on the investigations and not all the distractions #WHidiot is creating to delay the process.

For those of us who know–and have an intimate relationship with God–we know the truth and we will continue praying that truth will save us and will not promote false news, provoking all the other crazy imbeciles who would love nothing more than to “show us” their might.

The Word tells not to provoke God, for fathers not to provoke children and we should know better than to provoke the enemies of America with foolish rhetoric. If we’re going to provoke anything from God–let’s provoke His protection in our obedience to His Word.

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Nothing Has Changed!

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD. “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior. “So then, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.” Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones tremble. I am like a drunken man, like a strong man overcome by wine, because of the LORD and his holy words. The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land lies parched and the pastures in the wilderness are withered. The prophets follow an evil course and use their power unjustly. Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness,” declares the LORD. “Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall. I will bring disaster on them in the year they are punished,” declares the LORD. “Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that not one of them turns from their wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets: “I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The LORD says: You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’ But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word? See, the storm of the LORD will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind swirling down on the heads of the wicked.The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand it clearly. I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. Jeremiah 23:1-22 NIV (Read it all)

The Word of The Lord–Always Speaks Truth and Never Lies!

His thoughts about leaders is constant no matter what title or term is used–when those in leadership lie and mislead God’s people, there are consequences all will feel until those who lied are utterly destroyed.

Where Do We Stand With God?

But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest. Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good.“Among my people are the wicked who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch people. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor. Should I not punish them for this?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?“A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end? Jeremiah 5:23-31 NIV

No matter how hard we may try, we cannot ignore what the prophets of earlier times have said, especially when we see–hundreds of years later–the same thing happening across the globe.

While we have no control over what other people do, are we exercising control over what we–individually do? If we are not capable of self-control and living right before God as individuals, how could we expect a nation to do what is right? After all, the nation is the collective group of individuals. So therefore–each individual’s action becomes a benchmark for the nation to be judged. Are we setting a standard to be admired or mocked, to be rewarded or punished? Where do we stand with God?

Unfortunately, we often say things that are attempts to justify our inability to live according to God’s Word like, “No one is perfect.” While that’s true, it is simply not an excuse to live in opposition to God’s Word.

Our imperfections and flaws and shortcomings are a result of disobedience and lack of understanding, both of which we have control. We miss the mark when we allow the dictates of our flesh to lead us and not Holy Spirit. We allow our emotions to reign in our lives instead of wisdom and uh-oh, dare I say it, “common sense.” When we refuse to get into The Word of God and seek Him for understanding, we continue to fall short of being who He desires us to be and in doing what He desires us to do.

As the Word points out to us, “we are without excuse” and there is no point in our attempting to justify living according to the dictates of our flesh. Though there may be many who claim they do not believe in God and certainly won’t read a bible, there are just as many Believers who blog on a daily basis–promoting God’s Word and His love. Since many spend more time on the Internet than they do in opening a book, there is much to be found to keep people on the path where God would have us. The global opportunity means we have far-reaching capability to make sure everyone has access to understanding of God’s Word. Indeed, there are many people–especially some who claimed to be atheists, who have exposed to the truth of God’s Word and accepted.

Now, what was that excuse again? No Bible–no problem–there are many online bibles with commentaries and many bloggers who do an excellent job of explaining scripture and connecting the application to our lives. We are indeed without excuse. So, where do we stand with God? Each individual has to answer that question for themselves and then we can accurately conclude whether or not–we are in the same place today as the people were when Jeremiah spoke to them.

 

Praying Women Who Obey!

Now, you women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament. Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has removed the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares. Say, “This is what the LORD declares: “ ‘Dead bodies will lie like dung on the open field, like cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather them.’ ” This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,”  declares The Lord! Jeremiah 9:20-24 NIV

In spite of what many may say about women in service to The Lord, God knows the heart of each of us and He knows who will hear and obey.

Who are some of the notable women mentioned in the Bible? There are far too many to include in this blog today, but I’ll mention a few. Deborah was the wise consultant that led armies to victory. Hannah prayed and changed the fate of Kings through Samuel. Esther stayed before Lord, fasting, waiting to hear and then saved her people from total destruction. And we cannot ignore Mary–no matter how hard some may try–the vessel by whom our Savior was born–pure, undefiled, blessed. Then Paul makes mention of women by name–acknowledging their role in ministry.

Let’s face it--when we go into almost any church across the land, we tend to see more women in the building than men. Grandmothers have prayed for grandchildren so they would stay out of harm’s way. Mothers have prayed for children to find success and happiness. Wives have prayed for husbands to hear what God says. Sisters (both biologically and spiritually) have prayed for nations and peace in the land. Praying women have always made a difference and we shall continue to pray and make a difference.

Wise women always turn to God and seek His direction. And when God speaks to them, they are usually quick to hear and obey. Even though men have for centuries dominated the land in positions of power, the real power lies in the heart of every woman praying for them.

Therefore, no man should ever belittle women and what they can and have accomplished. When men belittle women, they do so out of insecurities–fearful they may be outshone by a woman. Real men honor and respect all women–knowing they have strength and courage beyond anything they could ever imagine. After all, it was women who carried the men–before they were born–and many carry them long afterward in life–always praying for them. This is true for the Godly women–regardless of ethnicity or religious preference.

Today, I encourage all women to seek God and His wisdom, praying and fasting, until we can turn this nation around–seeing an end to violence and hatred.

Where We Are In America?

But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’ Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good. “Among my people are the wicked who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch people. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor Should I not punish them for this?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this? “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end? Jeremiah 5:23:31 NIV

While I don’t consider myself a prophet, I cannot help but see the similiarities between then, when Jeremiah tried to warn the people, and now–when propheliars are deceiving the people.

We know from The Word that God hates a liar and for all those who had planned to develop businesses in North Carolina and are not backing away from it because of the rights of the masses–not the few–they are liars.

What’s amazing in this country is that when celebrities and the rich speak–even though their hearts are far from God, governments cave to their bullying. And make no mistake–when people threaten to withold anything promised because of differences of opinion–that is the ultimate in bullying!

What the bullies have overlooked in their tactics is that some people are courageous enough to stand up for what is right and for the protection of those who are vulnerable when it comes to keeping the masses safe. If states make laws allowing “those who prefer to dress like the gender of their preference” to use any bathroom of their choice–what happens when the “pretenders” impose their sick acts upon others and violate the innocent? Who’s protecting the rights of the innocent who are bound to become victims of sick, depraved minds?

I fully support the rights of states to uphold Godliness in whatever endeavor and I submit that when they stand for righteousness, God will make a way for all to be well. His resources are not limited to the handful of bulllies who think they can intimidate people into doing what they want.

As far as discriminating against people because of sexual orientation goes, if people kept their orientation to themselves there wouldn’t be a problem. No one needs to wave a flag or have a parade every time they enter a business promoting their sexual orientation. Quite frankly, I’ve had enough of the outrage from the minority on this issue because it’s their business what they do, not mine.

And if I knew that someone “hated” me, I wouldn’t want to do business with them anyway. I certainly wouldn’t want them serving me any food. There are plenty of places people can go to obtain whatever service they need without all the fanfare.

Just so people won’t misunderstand me, I’m sick and tired of people comparing being black as the same as being gay. I do not have to announce my skin color when i walk into a place of business; it is obvious for all who can see. PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH THEIR SKIN COLOR WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER; they are not born gay. All active, deliberate behavior is a choice whether to be heterosexual or homosexual, bi-sexual, or transgender–THE ACTS OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR ARE A CHOICE–PEOPLE DO HAVE CONTROL OVER WHAT THEY DO!

Now, we are living in the days in which we’ll see God remove His hand from the nonsense and all–who promote and condone living in opposition to His Word– will suffer the consequences. No one has to take my word for it; one only needs to read His Word and see–He’s the same–yesterday, today, and forever!

 

Because of His Love!

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV

“The steadfast love of The Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, new every morning, great is thy faithfulness O Lord, Great is thy faithfulness.” The lyrics to this song–based on Jeremiah’s insight–are just as true today as they were when Jeremiah first thought them.

It is because of God’s love for us that we are not consumed by the fires: of envy, jealousy, hatred, disdain, rebelliousness, defiance, disrespect of others, and unruliness. It is because of His love that He places those whose hope is in Him in situations to warn, correct, guide and rebuke, others.

It is because of His love for us that we are still here, maintaining our hope in Him for peace in the land, joy in the hearts of all who proclaim His as Lord, and desire to live right before Him.

It is because of His love towards all who love Him that we are able to love the unlovable–those who refuse to heed instruction, are rebellious and defiant against authority, and are only concerned with what self wants. Yes, we love all, as we are commanded to love–doing what love does, but we do not have to like people who deliberately oppose themselves to God’s ways.

We are admonished to obey authority when we recognize the authority is of God. We are admonished to do all things, decently and in order. We are reminded that God is not the author of confusion, and that means that Satan is. Where there is no order or structure–there is chaos and rebellion.

I have determined to live my life pleasing God–obeying His Word and I know that He will honor my desire because He always speaks to me–keeping me from making a fool of myself, and I hear and obey. That’s Love!

I look forward to each and every day, waiting to see what The Lord has in store for me. With each challenge He allows to come my way, He has prepared me to respond in a manner that does not dishonor Him. That’s Love!

When I am wrong, He doesn’t hesitate to correct me and I receive the correction because I know that’s what Love does.

It is because of His great Love for me, that I have not allowed the issues of the world to overcome me and land me in the pits of destruction. He has given me strength and insight, courage and boldness to stand firm on His Word, rising above the drama that Satan attempts to use to ensnare and my response to Him–is obedience–I spread my wings and rise above the foolishness of this world and soar with the Eagles. That’s what Love does!

Our Declaration Causes Him to Forget!

“No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34 NIV)

What a wonderful day it will be when all the people of the Land–all over the world–stand up and declare, “I know The Lord.” Even though many of us teach that God will remember our sins, no more, we often forget the qualifier–when all know Him.

Having a knowledge of someone or something does mean we “know” for what we have is surface knowledge. It is the surface knowledge–without any depth–that most can claim to know about God, for those who even acknowledge He exists. For those who claim He doesn’t exist, it is because they choose to ignore Him and want to control their lives–doing whatever they want to do–having no accountability to anyone but themselves (just as Satan does).

While writing this, I remembered an exchange on an online news article with someone–a young lady I believe who wanted to dispute the veracity of God’s Word regarding homosexuality. Her comeback to encouragement to read The Word for herself was, “God wrote the Ten Commandments, but men wrote the Bible.” Her limited, surface knowledge of God did not give her any insight as to “men writing what God inspired them to write.” including the Ten Commandments. These are the people who “know of God,” but don’t know Him. 

It should not amaze anyone that those who refuse to obey will ultimately make excuses, live in denial, and re-write a bible–eliminating references to sin, hell and anything else they choose to ignore, including changing the gender of God, without justification or understanding any of history. Jesus called Him, Father (as translated into English). Any word–in any language–used to indicate “father” means a male. Therefore, simply re-writing anything pertaining to God’s Word–does not change His intent for human beings or what He said. It is only those who are intimidated by The Word that desire to change it,anyway.

But those who know God, accept His Word and understand His intent–not because of what is written on a page in a book, but because they have developed a relationship with Him and communicate with Him on a regular basis. And I don’t mean ritualistic prayer where “words are merely repeated” but have not the power to transcend the heavens. Merely repeating words is not communication and if we understand that communication requires interaction between two people, we would know that not only do we talk to God in prayer, we listen to what He has to say.

Think about it this way.  If we’re communicating with a spouse and all they heard was the same thing and they never responded, the marriage wouldn’t last long. If children keep repeating the same request of parents and parents never respond, frustration and rebellion ensues. There can be no communication without a response or interaction between the two parties. Prayer is communication with God; therefore, we must actively listen to what He has to say to us before we continue to badger Him with redundant nothingness. When we hear and obey, He knows, we know Him and when He knows we know Him, He forgives our sins and remembers them no more.

Do we know Him or do we just know about Him? Soon and very soon, we must all give an account for what we do and say, and right now, I’m declaring, “I know The Lord!”

Are We Now, As Jerusalem Was?

“Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have all seen her naked; she herself groans and turns away. Her filthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding; there was none to comfort her. Look, Lord, on my affliction for the enemy has triumphed.” (Lamentations 1:8,9 NIV)

Jeremiah understood why Jerusalem became captives–for they had forgotten the God of their fathers, the God of heaven who had saved them so many times from their enemies, the God who had made them an honored nation of people who had great reputations, and now–no other nation looked upon them with honor and respect.

America has become captive–slave to the enemy of God–Satan and all of his influence in the minds of people who have forsaken the principles of godliness and righteousness because of some–who choose to mock God and God is allowing us to be scorned as mocked as a nation, where few countries have any respect for us and certainly, none honor us Godly people. Have we become the Jerusalem that concerned Jeremiah? If so, how did it happen and is there any hope for us as a nation?

When greed–having more than we need becomes a priority, we set ourselves up for failure. However, most corporations in this country don’t call it greed; they call it competitiveness. Greed by any other name is still greed; especially when little thought is given to the people who clamor for the goods of the competitiveness until they clamor themselves out of jobs. The more the worker in this country wants, the less they get. They may get higher wages, but those higher wages lead to job loss, benefit loss, and higher consumer prices, and job creation anywhere but in America.

Corporations are only interested in one thing–the bottom line–profit over everything. They could care less about those in this country, which is why we are now so indebted to others. If the Chinese were to demand payment on the debt we owe them (or any other country), we’d all end up learning to speak other languages for America would no longer be an English speaking nation. This is what happens when a nation becomes captives of others–the captives have to change to accommodate their captors.

That’s on a natural level. On a spiritual level–everything changes in the spirit realm first–this country has submitted to enemy’s influence and he is running rampant, creating havoc in the minds of so many, leaving violence and death in his wake and because we have become such a godless nation; we don’t even recognize the enemy at work–at least some don’t. The principalities in the air have definitely influenced the head of our government and all those in places of authority. They have been deceived and now become captive to the deceit, sworn to spread the lies of the enemy everywhere they go, making a mockery of the Godly principles by which we once lived. And other nations–are looking upon us with contempt, just waiting for us to cave so they can enter our borders and hold us captive to their will. This is what happens to every nation who puts God on a shelf, thinking they know more than He does.

While I can see the inevitable about to take place, it won’t stop me from praying and interceding on behalf of a nation that has forsaken God and all of His principles to pacify flesh. And I know there are other Believers out there who know what I know and they are doing what I’m doing–communicating with the One who can change the course for the better for all. For God has said, “If my people who are called by name would humble themselves and pray, turn from their wicked ways, then would He hear from heaven and heal the land.”

Father, look upon this land and see the hearts of those who love You. I pray that there are more of us who love You and will obey than those who scorn and mock You and Your Ways. Forgive us, for many don’t know why they do what they do, other than to live to please self and not You. Thank You for Your mercies, which are new every day and help us who know You, to not take Your mercy and grace for granted, but to continue to fight the good fight of faith, daily, for we know time is not on our side, but You will have the last and final word over all those who have chosen to disobey You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Have mercy upon us O God!

Church Leaders–Pay Attention!

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:1, 11 NIV)

There is so much that can be said about this entire chapter of Jeremiah–if I spent time expounding on each verse, it would take me over a month to complete it. But when I woke up this morning before 6:00 a.m., these are the verses of scripture that were playing over and over in my head and in particular, verse one.

Though many would attempt to deny that what was said to the prophet Jeremiah applies to us today, they would be wrong. Since some of those same folks constantly reference Jeremiah 29:11 (including me), we must understand that we cannot selectively determine which passages are applicable whenever it’s convenient. ALL SCRIPTURE is there for our learning, good for reproof, and direction, if we would just seek God for understanding.

Yesterday, my husband and I witnessed (in a video) a pastor pouring bleach, water and detergent over the heads of people–“washing away their sins.” How abominably ignorant of him and his followers to risk physical injury to eyes, ears, or other regions of their bodies. We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ–shed on the Cross–and nothing that man can do will ever wash away our sins.

In a number of churches, the church leaders are gay and promoting a lifestyle that is opposition to living according to the Word. In one such church, the pastor is a woman and her wife is the first lady. I’m praying for them to see the need for repentance and to stop misleading God’s flock. And herein lies the problem–many church leaders see their congregation as their flock, not God’s.

When people are not aware of their responsibility as a church leader or are just interested in the position as a status symbol, they veer away from the Word in order to make themselves special. They are special alright–in need of special prayer.

If God has ordained and anointed a person for leadership in a church–the development of the church is dependent upon God, not them. They should be in constant prayer, ready to hear God speak and ready to obey what He says. The people who come into the church do not belong to the pastor or church leader–they belong to God. When we abuse or misuse that which does not belong to us there is a penalty to pay and in this passage of Scripture (read all of it), we see God is not playing around with His proclamation against those who mislead His children.

In fact, most of the churches or religious institutions do not exist because God ordained them–they are cults, established by narcissistic persons who have a need to seen and thought important. They are encouraged in their own eyes by their ability to influence people into doing foolish things–we’ve seen the evidence in Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and in other places–where people died led by those narcissists. Jim Jones, David Koresh, and so many more. There are other cults around that have not reached notoriety as yet, but I’m sure we’ll see them soon.

How do we know a religious groups is a cult? They are easily identifiable; they esteem themselves more highly than the Word of God and in many cases, they go beyond the Word in their interpretation and begin to think they are equal to God. Whenever a person thinks they are a god, there is a problem. Whenever a person thinks they can foretell the date and hour of Jesus’ return, there is a problem. Whenever a person encourages and promotes living in opposition to God’s Word, there is a problem. God has already prepared their final dwelling for all eternity–the lake of fire, if they do not repent.

I’m sure there will be some who think I’m bashing preachers, but I’m not. I’m warning church leaders–everywhere–do not forget that God is the same–yesterday, today and forever. His purposes and intent for mankind have not changed, and when anyone changes what God has said for their own purposes–to mislead and encourage living in sin, they are going to judged by God, not me–for misleading God’s flock.

Giving God His Rightful Place In Our Lives!

“LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” (Isaiah 25:1 NIV)

When we honor God, by recognizing who He is in our lives and praise Him for it, He honors His Word to us. When the prophet was speaking to God, he acknowledged God’s authority over his life and deliberately exalted Him and praised for others to hear, proclaiming His faithfulness in all things.

When we call Him, “Lord” we are acknowledging the authority we have given Him over our lives--as defined by the use of the word at the time King James authorized that translation. Lords of the land, governed and provided for those who lived on the land. Since God is our provider, and we have given Him authority over our lives, He is rightly declared–Lord.

We exalt Him--lift Him up and declare all of His wonderful works–His provisions and the miracles He works in our lives. No one else deserves the praise for what He does–He inspires, He corrects, He motivates, He pours into His wisdom, He gives us favor with men, He never leaves us alone and His Word is true for He is not a man that He should lie or change His mind.

His faithfulness towards is enduring–everlasting and without measure. All He said He would do, He does–in His timing, not ours. All of His plans, decided before we were born, will be brought to pass when we hear Him and obey. For He has said, through the prophet Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and give you a future.”

His plans–will be fulfilled–when we seek Him first–before doing anything, hear and obey. Whenever we’re not sure of what we should be doing, we need to ask Him. And we need not be afraid to approach Him boldly because He has given us permission to do so and when we do as He desires, He knows He can trust us to do what He wants us to do.

We serve an awesome God, who only wants the best for us and He’s waiting for us to turn to Him and trust Him, implicitly. Can we give Him His rightful place as Lord of our lives and trust Him to provide–not only everything we need, but also to give us the desires of our hearts when we please Him?

He’s waiting with open arms to receive us as His own. Why are waiting to give Him what is rightfully His–Lordship over our lives and praise for all He has done and will do?

If we have yet to make that decision–to give Him His rightful place–Lord of our lives, today is a good day to make that decision. Reading beyond the first verse of this chapter, we understand that even the destruction of lands who ignore Him or won’t obey Him is part of His plans for disobedience. Today is the day–don’t wait another moment–accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and know where you’ll spend eternity.