Nothing To Fear With Him!

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

For those who do not know this Psalm, I encourage you to read, mediate upon it and carry it in your heart throughout your days.

For those do who do know this Psalm–encourage those around you to remain steadfast, moving forward in all God has planned for them, never fearing the enemy.

This is not to make light of all the tragedies around the globe, more specifically the events that have rocked England lately. No matter what we do–as a people–either individually or collectively, unless we’re mind readers we can never know what another is going to do–especially those driven by hate. We can know–we must live our lives to the utmost, doing what we can for those in need of help and support, and defying the expectations of the enemy which are to keep us afraid and impotent.

We have lost–if the news is reported correctly–a tenable candidate for Iowa because of death threats by the opposition. I cannot begin to understand her feelings right now, but I’m praying that she’ll overcome them, seek protection from law enforcement and rise up and win. If she doesn’t fight back, the strategy will be employed by others in order to keep people from opposing them in what is supposed to be a “free and fair election” process.

For that reason, I have to applaud Congresswoman Maxine Waters who refuses to be intimidated by hate and evildoers. She knows the risks and refuses to back down and I’m also praying for her safety and success in accomplishing her mission.

When we know that we are doing what is right, for all the right reasons, we should not be fearful of the evil ones for we are protected by God’s goodness and love. If we show fear–as with dogs who smell fear–the enemy will attack and defeat.

I’ve said before I don’t have enough sense to be afraid of anyone–no matter how big or ugly or how much money they have or the platforms they use to discredit–I will move forward in seeking opportunity to represent Everyday Americans in 2020–and if the opposition wants to start their research now–go for it. I’ve made it easy for them.  Anything they want to know about me can be found online–in a book or in a blog. I have nothing to hide and wouldn’t even if I did. My life is an open-book and I’m just getting started writing the next chapter.

With God going before me, I have nothing to fear–no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and if it is the purpose of God for my life to be the next president of the United States, I shall be. Attempts to try and intimidate me have always made me stronger and more determined than ever to fight harder. We shall see–how The Lord perpetuates victory in every area of our lives.

Get ready for it–a time for real change that matters to real people–is coming soon!

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What The Lord Hates!

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV

Whenever people don’t want to hear or live truth, they always start justifying their behavior and when it comes to living according to The Word, many are quick to say, “Jesus just said love.” Well, He did talk about love because He is love and because He loves, He wants the very best for all who love Him. And He said, “If we love Him, we’ll keep His commandments”–to love–God and one another.

I guess if we ever stop looking at the Bible as a means of restricting or confining us, we’d understand that God’s Word is our protection against things in life in which we have no control. But the enemy has managed to manipulate and deceive people into thinking the Bible is just an ancient book of myths and that people should be able to live any way they want to live. We’ve always had that choice, but I can say without hesitation that I tried living without The Word and living with The Word guiding my life is so much better.

Living without The Word to guide us will blind our eyes to truth and allow the influence to influence heart and mind–letting us think that God does not see or hear the things we do. But He does and the seven things that He hates are what keep confusion and chaos reigning when people live without The Word.

Haughty Eyes–arrogance revealed in the eyes of those who think they are better than others and will do anything to make people feel inferior.

Lying Tongues–that little member that has no bones, but crushes the mighty and keeps the weak oppressed and suppressed.

Hands That Shed Innocent Blood–those who willfully take lives of innocent people who have never wronged them. The terrorists will discover on judgment day their sentence for taking the lives of innocent people simply because they refuse to accept the fact that people can choose what they believe and should not be subjected to the hatred and disdain of others. This is true of anyone who takes a life outside of war and self-defense.

A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes–those who do nothing other than think about doing wicked things–those who plot to take lives and destroy hope. Don’t forget, the enemy’s job is to kill, steal and destroy–all who God loves.

Feet That Are Quick To Rush Into Evil–those who hover and linger around others, just waiting for a snippet of gossip so they can run and tell it. Of course along the way, they mangle truth into twisted lies to make what they have to say more important.

A False Witness Who Pours Out Lies–those who will lie as a witness against someone else in order to benefit from the lie. These are those who knowingly attempt to deflect truth from themselves. And we see this time and time again when silly females lie about being raped simply because someone rejected them. We cannot forget all those who were false witnesses against Jesus Christ, but then we must also understand it was all part of God’s plan for our salvation.

A Person Who Stirs Up Conflict In A Community–those who “are always stirring up trouble where no trouble exists.” I have heard them called, “pot stirrers” and they will twist truth in order to inflame those listening in order to make themselves appear superior. One of the political candidates seems to be really good at stirring up conflict within many cultural communities and he thinks people are stupid enough to buy into his nonsense. I’m praying that wisdom will envelop all when they head to the voting polls and show this character that not everyone is as stupid as he thinks they are.

All of these seven things warrant a separate post, but I thought about the world’s condition and as I was reading this passage today, I was reminded that God does indeed hate–liars in particular–those who claim He didn’t mean what He said, stirring up conflict in communities (their place has already been prepared), and those who kill for no reason.

As a Believer–one called by God to teach His Word–I cannot ignore expansion of those things that are designed to destroy mankind by just expanding on the “good stuff” in God’s Word in my posts. Teaching Truth–God’s Truth–not mine because I don’t have any truth to teach is what I will continue to do, no matter what people think of me. Fortunately for me, I know they have nothing to do with my place in eternity and I will not be deterred from teaching God’s Truth simply because they “hate” because I Believe.

 

 

 

Are We Praying?

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:2-6 NIV)

When I think about what I might do if I was in chains, I wonder if I would have had the fortitude that Paul had. I honestly don’t know the answer to that because I’ve never been locked away from people or in chains. I can only pray that my devotion to God would enable me to do likewise.

But that’s the key–devotion–totally dedicated and committed to doing what is needful. Although most of us are appalled with the way the terrorist groups treat Christians, we must admit they are totally devoted to their goal–no matter how inhuman it is. They are so committed to accomplishing their goal they are willing to die to see it come to pass.

I don’t want to be involved with taking the life of a another human being, but wouldn’t it be great if the rest of us were as devoted to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the terrorists are in trying to decimate us?

This, then is why Paul encouraged the church at Colosse (and us) to devote ourselves to prayer–being in constant communication with God about everything that concerns us. He cautions us to be watchful–paying attention to the changes taking place around, hearing Holy Spirit when He warns us of things to come, and taking whatever action we need to take to make sure the way of the Gospel is never blocked or closed to all those who desire to hear it.

Let’s face it–we have not always heeded Paul’s advice which is why there are so many changes in our society–and not all of them good. We were not being watchful when Madeline Murray O’Hara decided that her children didn’t need to be exposed to anyone praying in schools. The Body of Christ didn’t think she’d accomplish her goal and did nothing and so today, the school systems all over the country are running amuck because open prayer is not allowed. In other words–the devil won that round. But there are still those who are devoted to praying–and students are leading prayer circles in limited situations. Hooray for the brave, bold students, but what happened to the adults who should have been fighting for the rights of all to hear and agree with the prayers?

Once again, Christian Leadership in the country failed to act on warnings by Holy Spirit and the Supreme Court has led the way for the downward spiral of morality and we shall soon see such decadent immorality that it will make our dead ancestors cringe in unbelief. Were we praying before issues reached the Supreme Court? Were we praying that our elected body of legislators would do their jobs?

Are we praying–even now–or have we become complacent and apathetic–willing to just let things take their course?

My daily prayer includes thanking God for wisdom being poured out upon every leader in this country–that they will hear from heaven and act accordingly. I’m praying that those who made the decision to legalize sin would repent and for those participating in sinful acts would repent and seek God. I thank God for the ability to love, the boldness to teach His Word, and the wisdom to know what to say and when. I thank God for inspiring me to teach my children and grandchildren to learn to please God, not man. And more importantly, I’ve taught them to seek God–communicating with Him on a daily basis–for answers to all their questions and solutions for all their problems.

Are we praying? Are we devoted to seeking God for every situation we encounter–for peace in the world and salvation for all?

Lord, give us insight to know that we will never have the answers for all the world’s problems, but You do. And when You speak to us–directing us in how to help solve them, give us an ear to hear and a made-up mind to do–just as You direct us to do, exercising Godly wisdom at all times. Thank You for loving us enough to give us chance after chance to get things right before You return. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!