Election 2019

Once upon a time, I thought I wanted to run for president and when I found out how much that would cost, I decided to run for an open seat on our city council. Now, I’ve never been overly fond of politics or politicians, but I thought I’d give it try any way. What I learned is–I was right to distrust the political machinery, even in a local election. Corruption has a stench that reaches into the hearts of small towns as well as big cities.

I followed the procedures I was given to get on the ballot–getting the required number of signatures, filing all the paperwork and having it done before deadline. On Memorial Day–2019,  I was told I had a target on my back. I heard what was said, but really didn’t give it much thought. “What can they do to me?” I thought. I knew there was nothing negative anyone would be able to find on me and if anything were publicized, it would have to be because someone made it up. Well, they did, but that didn’t stop me.

So, about a month or two before the election on November 5, 2019, I found out the plot–an 83 year-old white man who had been the former mayor and councilmember was running for the council seat because he didn’t want another African American on the council (we had one who got there by manipulation). Then things got really juicy. I was provided the man’s historical stance in trying to keep Black people out of the city–from blocking the sale of a building to a Black Church, to manipulating the Council into buying the building–only to discover once the city couldn’t afford the upkeep and had to close the building, the building ended up in the hands of a Black Church, anyway.

The name of the city was changed because it included the word, “Detroit” because some people didn’t want the association with the bigger city. About 20 years ago, the Black population was insignificant to most, but since then (around 2008), the numbers have been growing and now, it is believed that 40% of population is Black.

In 2017, the city was sued by the Department of Justice for allegedly violating civil rights voting laws. In November of 2017, a Black person was elected (primarily because of split votes between five Black candidates). In June of 2019, the city and DOJ reached a settlement–the city would use Ranked Choice Voting to establish a pathway for minority candidates to be elected. I ran, but was not successful in my bid for the seat because (viola) the plot to keep me off the council worked (name recognition).

How did it work? The “former mayor” of over 20 years ago, put out campaign signs for himself, another council candidate and a mayoral candidate. Whether others were involved remains to be discovered, but I’m guessing, someone will talk and someone else will hear about it. With the three signs put together in various locations, it gave the impression the three candidates were running as a team or slate (and since the three candidates were white, it made the DOJ lawsuit very relevant). And apparently, that’s how a number of people saw it–manipulation at work.

On election day, November 5, 2019, before the polls closed, the spouse of one of the candidates for council (the incumbent) happened to hold a conversation with a poll worker that he didn’t know, was there for me (correction–he did know). He laid out the entire plan (that was misunderstood by source). “My wife and Henry (pseudonym)  will win, and Mary will get a 1000 votes, then we’ll offer her an opportunity to apply for an appointment” (contextually, this was not reported with full knowledge and understanding of what was being said. The 1000 vote reference was about past experiences for candidates to win).

I got 1061 votes and the next day when we were given the results of the election, I was asked to consider applying for the appointment of a vacated seat. (This blog post ignited conversations–perhaps needed conversations in order to clear the air of any all misunderstandings. However, looking at the “entire” situation, without parsing–the optics were not good and possibly led to the misunderstandings, but I am yet analyzing to understand the motivation that prompted this entire discussion).

While I was considering applying, I got the word not to take it because it had been pre-planned and was possibly in violation of the Open Meetings Act. The way it was explained to me, by someone who had first-hand knowledge of the manipulative way the council worked. Some time ago, a seat was vacated and a number of people applied for the appointment. After the interviews, some were told they were sure to get it, but they didn’t. One of the interviewees found out later that a member of the council was friends with the wife of one of the interviewees and had been promised the positioned. The other person felt this was a waste of his time and since that “policy” was apparently the status quo, he didn’t want me involved with shenanigans. I’m grateful for the info.

Here’s what was offered: I would get the vote for the appointment as long as another person didn’t apply for it. I have documentation of what was said, just in case one or more of parties involved happens to read this. I love paper trails. And for those reading, before jumping to conclusions, try to understand how I perceived what I did. Being a minority, brings a certain mistrust to a number of situations and when a person “watches” what happens (not just hears), I tend to look a little closer look at everything, not just one thing. I’ve been told before that perhaps, I’m too analytical and that may be true, but being analytical means I examine all sides of an issue before drawing definitive conclusions. Note: DOJ has since responded to an inquiry by me and confirmed what I already knew–name recognition used as a means to choose candidates–will not change using Ranked Choice Voting. Basically, nothing much will ever change unless a person changes their name and that still may not work.

So, my proposal to fill the vacant seat is to appoint the person who was already voted for by the residents, rather than have 4-member council (likely divided) to try to make the decision. Based upon the “vacancy” section in the city charter, the council appoints the person to fill the vacancy–“before the DOJ settlement decree” and since the rules for voting changed, there should also be a change  in filling a vacancy since the Election Results record shows, how the next person ranked on the ballots with the residents’ input. The one thing the “plotters” overlooked is who would win the mayor’s seat, but that’s for another article. In that article, I’ll explain how “manipulation” won the day over egos. After all, the same manipulation that worked the first time around–when five Black candidates were in the race, won again–vote splitting–a winning strategy.

Too bad manipulation won’t hold seat. Tick-tock–the 6 month clock is running! Being escorted out a bar for being drunk (and I can imagine disorderly) right before an election–is not a good look and certainly not a “good representation” of self or city.

More next time! Keep watching as the “world turns and manipulation rules” in Eastpointe, MI! At the behest of the residents, I’m going to apply for the appointment and we’ll see how that works, in 2019. If it wasn’t for the residents, I’d call it a day and move on with my life–still helping where I can–but without the weight of corrupt politicism as a burden.

Author’s note: While some folks were trying to block me from winning an election out of pure racial bias, they forgot to keep watch of the mayoral candidate–who just happened to be Black–and won. Talk about Irony!

 

 

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Deceived By The Enemy!

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:1-8 NIV

Remember when trump claimed Hillary was “unfit” to have classified information and all the Republicans fell in line behind him? Nothing on her server has ever surfaced, but this morning, trump admits–he shared classified information with the Russians–his buddies and kept the US press out of the meeting.

Most of us have always known the Russians are not our friends–at least the leadership is not a friendly person and we know–he orders the execution of his opposition. The Russian people–may not be as brainwashed by false propaganda as Putin wants them to be. At any rate–we can say–the Russian leadership is an enemy no matter what disguise they attempt to use.

Personally, I don’t believe they deceived trump–they manipulated him into doing their bidding in exchange for his 2016 election win–a win that is still under a cloud of legitimacy considering we all know–the Russians interfered with it.

The leak in the WH–is trump’s best friend at this point.  Or at least I can say, they are ours. They should tell the press what’s going on in the WH in total transparency so we know what we’re up against, daily.

The Republicans who claim to be true Patriots and the moral majority–have proven they are the hidden enemy of The State–of America. They have hidden their bigotry and disguised their hatred for “all Americans who don’t look like them, think like them or worship like them” by claiming something that just isn’t true (God chose trump) in their support of the worst person in the world now sitting in the WH. They knew he wasn’t fit to serve as president, but they promoted him anyway because of their personal agenda. They knew he wasn’t competent and certainly not a Christian, but they promoted him anyway. They knew he was not a Patriot because he doesn’t want to pay taxes that support our government, but they promoted him anyway.

Now–who is America’s greatest threat? The enemy occupying the Oval Office is Public Enemy #1 with Pence, Ryan, and McConnell following right behind them. They all knew about the Russian hacking and are complicit in the cooperation to just “win.” How do we know–by paying attention to what they’re doing or not doing as Christians.  They support and condone a pathological liar who is a bigot and ignites the worst in those who hate people because of their differences. This is not Christ-like behavior; this is the enemy hidden under the umbrella of the Republican party deceiving the masses.

There are a number of people in America who would make a better president than the one we have; I am one of them! The proof will be in the pudding. Watch for it!

Don’t Be Deceived!

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,  for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:1-10 NIV

For anyone listening to the 45’s speech last night–written for him, practiced by him, and to his base supporters–Republicans, we who have discerning spirits saw through the empty rhetoric.

Yes–the tone of the speech was modified so he would sound more presidential–which some have said he accomplished, but note–the comments were, “he sounded presidential” not that he was.

Yes–he is attempting to litigate the case he’s simply trying to keep campaign promises, but those promises were not made to or for all Americans, but his base. There are more of us, than them.

What’s interesting to note is that though some were in agreement about the tone of the speech, they knew the person speaking was not was not the real person, but a masquerade to try to keep the public duped into believing he cares.

How do we know he doesn’t really care–he had the temerity to invite the widow of a recently slain Navy Seal–manipulating the situation to give an appearance that he cared, after not accepting responsibility for the botched raid in Yemen. At first he tried to blame Obama (what’s new there?), then he blamed the generals, and though he said valuable intel was procured, reports from those in the field, deny that claim.

“Just so we’re clear, it’s not Obama behind the leaks. Approx 50% of staffers are actively participating one way or another. #Iamtheleak” (from Twitter account from those on the inside).

So, what has changed? Not much. He will always put on the appearance of caring about Americans, but his scope is limited to those who worship at his feet. Since I have never worshiped an elected leader, I’m not about to start now; especially when he has done nothing noteworthy that will benefit all Americans.

The fact-checkers have already determined that much of what he said may have been true, but misleading. In other words, the speech included some statistics and figures, but were used out of the appropriate context in which they were derived. For instance, he failed to say that of the millions who are not working, over 75% are senior citizens or students. So that leaves only 25% who are actively seeking work that are yet unemployed.

On Obamacare–the ACA–I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–if Republicans had not been so vitriolic in their attempt to belittle the healthcare act–by calling it “Obamacare” more people would have understood what was at stake when he was running around the country screaming about repealing it. Once people understood that Obamacare and ACA were the same, they screamed foul and started showing up for town hall meetings with their representatives. No one in their right mind would vote against their own interests unless the truth was shrouded.

On my confidence meter–the marker is still on the “very low” end and if I was to give him a grade, it would be an F–. His “America First” only includes those who support, not the rest of us and as stated above–there are more of us–than them and we’ll simply show him what that means in the coming months.

Self-Appointed Leaders!

Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. (His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.) Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah. Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon. Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? I Kings 1:5-11 NIV

Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?” Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.The king then took an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground, prostrating herself before the king, and said, “May my lord King David live forever!” King David said, “Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came before the king, he said to them: “Take your lord’s servants with you and have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon. There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.” I Kings 1:27-35 NIV

Looking upon where we are today, I can hear the same question being asked of God by those who know Him and are in strong relationship with Him, “Is this Your doing God?” And while I cannot speak for anyone else, in my spirit I hear God’s response, “No!”

But we have to understand what happens when people use all manner of deception and manipulation to accomplish what they want and the best way to understand how God is consistent in what He does is to look at what happened with Adonijah! And for that, we’d have to keep reading, but I’ll sum it up. Adonijah died at the hands of King Solomon after making an insulting request–through Solomon’s mother.

Instead of acting like a man, Adonijah acted like a child, making the request of Solomon’s mother instead of going to Solomon directly. The request–give me the virgin that had been assigned to King David (his father)–covetousness and desire to make a mockery of David’s last days by taking what was his.

Perhaps, the greatest lesson we can learn from the history recorded in the Old Testament is that when we rebel against God–thinking we know more than He does–in order to make our own name great–we are doomed to suffer the consequences.  God is not mocked. He sees all that is done by those who do not reverence Him, but make a mockery of all He has planned. In the end, we reap the consequences of our actions when we fail to heed the warnings.

The only great name anyone should reverence is Jesus and when we denounce Him and disavow all He is by our actions, we place ourselves in a position to be judged and all the world shall hear the noise when the end has come upon those who appoint themselves as leaders–and those who supported the nonsense.

Look at what some Americans have done–in the name of patriotism, but in actuality because of hatred and bigotry! Elected a president with no qualifications and certainly no approval from God. And then he mocks the entire democracy, by appointing the most despicable people in positions of authority and more who are even less qualified than he is to head vital departments of our nation. The noise in the streets–the cry of outrage for people know only disaster awaits. And the noise we hear and have heard is nothing to compared to the noise we will hear–from those who supported the unqualified person to lead to this nation.

Not my will, but Yours–to do as You direct in all things–to sound the alarm when You speak it to me and let others know–You are yet watching over all that occurs in the earth and You have the final Word.

Right in God’s Sight!

“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21: 2,3 NIV

In this world–societies of men determine what is right and what is wrong–sometimes these determinations are made with the guidance of God’s Word and sometimes, men fall prey to the dictates of other men and decide that was wrong is now right and what was right is now wrong.

The real challenge is knowing–whose “right” is right! Can what man says ever be right over what God says? Not for those who believe God’s Word. For us, His Word settles all questions that may arise about right and wrong, good and evil, and judgment for saints and sinners alike.

Looking back in history, we know that man has constantly abused other people by putting them into bondage and making them build civilizations with blood and sweat and sometimes their lives. Though some think that slavery began with people being exported from Africa to other nations, slavery began in the history of man, when one group discovered they could manipulate others. Though usually as a matter of who won a battle in war, some people were enslaved out of manipulation and deceit (African transports). What has always been amazing to me is the fact that a minority group of people can terrorize the majority into doing their bidding. We see this dilemma played out again and again in history and what happens eventually is rebellion of the masses, leading to bloodshed and more change.

This appears to be the cycle of mankind whenever we attempt to change or deviate from God’s Word. Deliberate misinterpretation of God’s Word leads people to believe they are the superior race over others and they have a right to mistreat others. Foolishly have some believed that the Ham’s curse was that his descendants were black people. A closer study of man’s beginnings would bring understanding of the fact that the first man–Adam–was a person of color since all life began on the continent of Africa. Migration–moving away from hot climates into colder ones, led to the change in skin color–not superiority of one race over another. Who decided man’s skin color from the beginning? God–when He created man from the dust of the earth. Who decided the nature of man from the beginning? God–when He created them male and female.

What changed things? Superiority and avarice changed things for mankind from one continent to another and has not changed since the beginning with the first act of disobedience. When man thought he knew better than God, change in the atmosphere led to manipulation and deceit which is why we are where we are today. Manipulation of a minority of people who have changed the atmosphere of doing right in God’s sight into doing whatever they want to do–has led to controversy, hatred and turmoil. Persecution of Christians is on the rise because a minority feel their rights override the rights of Christians. Believers are being sued because they stand on their faith in God. Hatred is running rampant and the minority is leading the pack–claiming their “right” supersedes God’s right. 

In the final analysis–all who have eyes and ears will see and hear that God’s right is always right and His wrong is always wrong. But since Satan has blinded those who believe they can call God’s wrong, right, they will reap the benefit of not heeding God’s Word and be cut off and remembered no more; their deliverance from their enslavement–created by the minority–will end with the deaths of the minority since their seed ends with them.

We must–in order to sustain our civilization of mankind--understand that only God is right and what we do in His sight, will ever be accounted right.

Why Jesus said, “You Can’t Hear God If You Don’t Belong.”

“Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47 NIV)

When a mother hears her baby cry, in a room full of babies, she knows which one belongs to her. The same is true about children–for the most part. When they hear a parent call them in a crowded situation, they know their parent’s voice. Why? The relationship established between child and parent is a strong bond, one that causes people to become “used” to hearing the voice pattern and tones.

When we have a relationship with God, a strong bond established by knowing His Word, we know when He is speaking and when He’s not, because we know the intent of His Word as it pertains to our lives.

On the other hand, Satan has specific voice patterns and tones, too. He speaks the opposite of what God says and his purpose and intent for our lives is to kill, steal and destroy. He is a master of deception and the father of liars. How do we know? God says so in His Word and if we know His Word, we know who is speaking to us at all times. Let’s listen to the conversation Jesus had with the Jews who disputed the claim of kinship–whose children were whose.

John 8:42-46

v. 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.

v.43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

v.44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

v.45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

v.46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?

If we meditate on what Jesus is saying, and think about all we have heard and from whom, we can determine who everyone’s spiritual father is based upon God’s Word. If we belong to God, we hear Him and obey because we know it’s Him speaking to our hearts. If we encourage living in opposition to God’s Word, manipulating God’s Truth to entice people to lie, steal, kill or sin by any other means, we are saying Satan is our father. There are no blurred lines about this truth, no middle ground or gray area. Either we belong to God or we belong to Satan and anyone with a discerning ear, can tell who we are by what we say and do.

Remember when Jesus was baptized by John and spent forty days in the desert? Tired and hungry, He would have been vulnerable to Satan’s attack had He not been who He was. When Satan manipulated The Word trying to deceive Jesus, Jesus simply spoke the Word, by saying, “It is written…” And when we know we are under attack by Satan, our response should be, “It is written” and say what God has already said. If we don’t know what God has said, we cannot say what He says, and the enemy will use our lack of knowledge to manipulate and deceive–just as he is doing right now.

Satan has fooled and deceived many nations to the point where some civilizations no longer exist because people did not hear God, but listened to Satan’s lies.

Know God’s Word for yourself and when the devil raises his ugly head trying to deceive, speak what God said, but the only way that will happen is when you know God and belong to Him.

My Father is God, my Lord and Savior is Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit resides within me, reminding me daily of God’s love and His Word so I won’t sin against God or people. That’s because I belong to Him and my relationship with Him is cemented by His Word. Since He is not a respecter of persons, and I am not an only child, all who have a relationship with Him will hear Him and obey and ignore Satan’s voice of deception because we know– our Father’s voice.

More about what Jesus said and why, next time.

True Witnesses Have Relationship With God!

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10 NIV)

There is no one group–who have professed to be the only witnesses–whom God loves more than any other who believe Him because of those things that others have revealed through His Word and His love. When God spoke through the prophets in “that day” they knew exactly what He meant. God showed up and showed out–confusing every group of people who worshipped gods they made with their own hands. What He wanted them to understand is that He, the God of creation, was before any of the gods people erected from the materials that God created.

I’ve addressed this before, but I fail to understand how anyone could give “power” to inanimate objects created by hands of men and think that object is more powerful than the One who created the materials by which it was created.

Our God–in all of His awesomeness-has no beginning or end. Before time was–He was and after time ends, He will be and for now–He isl Unfortunately for some–they have not figured it out yet.

There are those who think that mere men–who have changed the intent of God’s Word to suit their own beliefs–have the only connection with God. This is why when they observe Communion (a sacrament observed by many churches), they only serve the elders with others looking on them. How ridiculous is that? Did they not read and understand that Communion is an event in which all partake? And with all of the flawed logic and theology presented by them which constantly changes, they proclaim they are His true witnesses.

So, who is a true witness? Anyone who in relationship with God, understanding the intent of His Word and does not attempt to use The Word to manipulate people, is a true witness of God. We who know and understand that God is not a respecter of people–we are all the same–we know how He does things and we also know and understand His thoughts are far above our thoughts. We understood the need for Him to come down to earth in the likeness of flesh to reconcile mankind back to Himself and was called Jesus, who upon returning to Heaven, provided us with power through His Spirit–Holy Spirit who dwells upon the inside of all true Believers and Witnesses of the One True God.

If Holy Spirit does not dwell within, how can one say they are “true witnesses” of the Living God who will not tolerate any mocking Him by manipulating others. This particular group states (I say this from personal experience from conversations with their “elders”) that their corporate group in New York is led by Holy Spirit, but Holy Spirit is not available to anyone else so they must do what they are mandated to do within their publications.

The devil is a liar! Holy Spirit is available to all who desire Him in their lives and does not discriminate, nor encourage alienation of family members or any other who choose not to believe their foolishness. And now they promote themselves as believers of Jesus when not too long ago, they denied He was the Son of God.

Know God for yourself–Know God’s Word for yourself–and know when the devil rises us to deceive and manipulate those who are gullible enough to promote false doctrine. If you know Him because of relationship with Him, you are a true witness of He who created all things and without Him–nothing was created.

Dancing With The Devil! (Part 2)

We tend to wonder why—young girls become drunks or alcoholics—never understanding what led to their behavior. Someone invited the devil to the dance and he led the dance, to his tune.

We tend to judge the behavior of others without really knowing or understanding how a person got to the place where they are. We didn’t or don’t know—the circumstances under which they were encouraged to dance—the devil’s dance—and saw no way out.

It’s time we either show others how to allow Jesus to cut into the dance or encourage them to leave the dance hall. When Jesus enters into the dance, the devil has to flee, but we don’t have to follow Jesus’ lead. He allows us to choose the rhythm and beat to which we’ll dance and if we choose to follow the devil’s lead, He’ll let us.

In order to stop the music the devil has implanted in our minds, we must submit to God—totally yield our thoughts and will to Him—resist the devil’s influence by walking off the floor and then watch him run, when the beat moves into holiness—a tune he cannot stand.

So while we enjoy watching others dance to the tunes they hear, we must be careful that we don’t allow the tune the devil plays to influence us by allowing him to lead in the dance. Don’t be fooled. The devil only knows one two-step: deception and manipulation—he’ll deceive with his charisma and manipulate you into thinking he actually knows how to dance. He will convince with each turn and dip—his ability to be smooth, when every step he takes—leading you—is a lie and he’s leading you astray. He’ll persuade you to—live like you want to live—it’s your life and nobody else’s business. He’ll tell you that, “trying drugs won’t hurt you;” he’ll justify being a thief, a liar, an abuser, a sex addict, or anything else that keeps you from being blessed by God.

Are you still allowing him to lead?

Need another dance tune? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that all who believed in Him would not perish, but have eternal life.” The devil hates that tune as much as he hates you—so don’t dance with him—give your life to The Lord and allow Him to lead you in the dance of life—positioning you to be blessed in all things!

 

Dancing With The Devil (Part 1)

Surprised are you? About the title I mean. We’ve all been caught up with dance crazes from long ago and many people frowned upon the types of dances from back then the same way we do now. However much I love dancing, this is really not about a new dance craze; it’s about the dance craze that most people do until they come to the realization that this dance—is one we should all sit out—becoming a wall-flower in the dance-hall of life.

James tells us to, “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us,” (4:7). So, if that’s true, why do so many people think that they can entertain the devil and escape the consequences that are bound to result from being around him?

Perhaps, I’m being too subtle. We engage in a dance with the devil when—we think we can “try” drugs and escape addiction. We think we can be “sexually promiscuous” and escape the consequences of our actions—unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, damaged self-esteem, and negative labelling by others. We think we can “listen to peers” especially children and disrespect parents and other adults without dealing with the consequences that could end up in locked out of a home and locked into a system that does nothing to promote well-being. We think we can “hang out” with the dope dealers and not get burned when they do. We think we can “steal our way” out of poverty only to discover that theft is not the way when we get caught and go to jail. We think we can “outsmart” parents and the law until we see our faces plastered on social networks or the news—on the most wanted criminal postings.

Anytime, we think we can do wrong and get away it—we’re dancing with the devil leading us into darkness and possible death. We must remember that the devil—that master of deception and father of liars—gets his kicks from seeing us getting into hot water with no way out of it. He laughs at the follies of his followers, cheering them on from the sidelines—showing them how to get swallowed up into the pit in which they have fallen.

Think about the people who believe that gambling is a way out of debt. The devil is leading this dance all the way to the poor house or suicide. He encourages the loser to try, “just more time” and then sits giggling hysterically when they lose even more. He loves to watch how they scramble trying to manipulate others into letting them have more money to lose and some resort to stealing because they believe—they need just more try.

Think about the people who live in abusive situations in which the devil manipulates the abuser and the abused. He convinces the abuser to keep abusing in order to control others, but then he also convinces the abused to believe the abuser when they apologize, beg for forgiveness and then they stay—for more abuse.

 

Stay tuned for Part 2–tomorrow! In the meanwhile, I hope your dance card–has been tossed aside–never to be used again.