Let’s Hear The Conclusion!

Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 NIV

Amazing how for everything that happens under the sun, there is a biblical reference for which we can frame our thoughts.

Comey’s Testimony–My perspective!

Yesterday, I watched James Comey’s testimony with millions of Americans and other countries–after reading his statement because I wanted to hear what the former FBI director had to say.

After reiterating what had already been released, we get insight into Comey’s thoughts and feelings at the time of each of the meetings he had with trump. Considering he was moved, out of “gut instinct” to document the meetings, his testimony “in my mind” proved that Comey was fired because he would not: pledge loyalty to trump or drop an investigation involving Michael Flynn.

Points of contention for some (not me): Why didn’t Comey confront trump about the inappropriateness of meeting with him and his requests and Loretta Lynch wanting Comey to call the Clinton email incident–a “matter” instead of an investigation.

My take–trump’s white house counsel should have briefed trump on what was appropriate or inappropriate. When Comey informed the AG the first time there was a problem, that would have been the AG’s responsibility to speak to trump.

My Take-Aways–Comey told the truth and though he confirmed that he told trump he “was not” the target of an investigation–“while he was the FBI Director” he made it clear that trump is under investigation now–because of what he is doing–false accusations–not anyone else. trump attempted to gain a loyalty pledge from Comey and was not successful and then he attempted to influence Comey into dropping the investigation against Flynn.

Who–if anyone–is lying about the situation? Comey is considered by most to be man of integrity and honor. On the other hand, trump is known to be a pathological liar. Therefore, I conclude that trump is the liar and Comey is the victim in this situation.

The asides–Understanding Republicans would attempt to deflect the focus from trump’s possible obstruction of justice, I was not surprised by the interjections of “but Hillary and her emails.” Not surprised at all by that proclamation and knew without doubt that there would talking points created for the parrots to parrot. There were.

Today, trump’s claim of “total and complete vindication” is both misinformed and ludicrous and further exacerbated by a bumbling, inept attorney who refused to acknowledge the simple fact of what was then to what is now. Kasowitz’s further claim (I’m sure at the behest of trump) that Comey was a liar and a leaker is further confirmation of his ineptness. Enabling a person when they are clearly in the wrong is not helpful to anyone and in fact, will probably result in a greater gap of trust between the public and the WH.

Speaking of the WH–Sarah Huckabee Sander’s proclamation that trump doesn’t lie was so preposterous that I felt sorry for her.  Everyone knows trump lies because his lies are so easily fact-checked. He flip-flops on a matter from day to day, if not, hour to hour. It’s a matter of “PUBLIC RECORD.”

At any rate, trump claims he taped conversations with Comey that will prove Comey a liar. Okay, so let’s hear them. Unless they have hired actors to create the tapes, once again, trump wrote a check his behind can’t cash–there were no tapes or he would have produced them by now. It’s like the proof he had that Obama had wiretapped him–non-existent. And now the claim that Comey is a leaker–is also false–because there was no “privileged communication” or “classified” information “given” to anyone. More lies from the WH.

My conclusion–trump is unfit–temperamentally and intellectually (if we believe Ryan who says, “he’s new, he didn’t know”) to serve America in the position of the Oval Office. If he doesn’t know what the job entails, he shouldn’t be in the role. There are experts around him (hopefully) that should be advising him.

Yes, I get it some voters (not the majority) wanted someone other than a politician in the WH. They got what they wanted and it’s become a nightmare for Americans.  Over 20 million Americans are about to lose their healthcare, consumer protection regulations have been rolled back so corporations can pollute the water and the air, a proposal has been put before Congress to privatize Air Traffic Control–endangering lives of those who fly, and now they’re gutting the Dodd-Frank Act–allowing Wall Street to once again, put Americans in financial jeopardy.

They also got a rigidly conservative Supreme Court Justice who sides with corporations and ignores the rights of individuals, an Attorney General whose known bigoted past is now prevailing in our “so-called justice” system and who has his own problems with Russian Connections. Tax reform has resulted in massive cuts for the rich, not much for the poor and working class.

So, all those who support trump–hope you’re happy–validating the premise that ignorance is bliss. While you continue to thrive in the alt reality framed by delusion, the rest of us–the True Patriots–will continue fighting for all Americans and their constitutional rights.

Watch for all the unfolding events that will change the landscape in America forever.

 

Advertisement

Where Was Jesus When…?

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Whenever there is a problem in the world and we see tragedy after tragedy, confusion on top of confusion, the doubters and naysayers always question the faith of the Believer by asking, “Where was Jesus when…?”

It’s a legitimate question, one deserving an answer and the answer can be found in The Word, but many don’t remember to reference The Word because they don’t know how to justify using it or submitting to its authority. With my limited wisdom, submitting to the Wisdom of God, I will attempt to answer this question, but not before I ask some additional questions–to provoke thought.

Where was Jesus when a young female child was sexually molested at the age of four and began stammering, having difficulty talking and repressing the memory until she was grown? He was right there beside her, holding her through the pain and removing the memory so she could survive until she was able to handle it.

Where was Jesus when the young man who was so frustrated with life that he turned to drugs and almost died from an overdose in an abandoned house? He was right there, watching over him until help arrived, willing him to live so others would hear his testimony?

Where was Jesus in the midst of the turmoil in riots and other uproars that cost people their lives? He was right there in the midst shielding those who believed in Him so they would have time to share how they were saved.

Where was  Jesus when a pregnant woman, with no visible means of support, decided she couldn’t have a baby that she couldn’t care for sufficiently? He was right there, His heart aching with hers, holding her hand and receiving that child unto Himself.

When the prostitute conducted business in the back seat of a car, in a public bathroom, or motel room, Jesus was right there, with His heart breaking over her choices.

When the married man or woman sneaked off to be with someone else, Jesus was right there, praying on their behalf.

When the promiscuous refused to change their ways and slept with everybody they thought they wanted, man-to-man, woman-to-woman, man-woman, He was right there, praying they would turn to Him to fill the void in their lives.

There are so many instances that could be listed in which those who Believe in Jesus have never been forsaken, even if they died–He was right there because He said, He’d never leave us or forsake us. And to this–again the naysayers would respond–well, if He loved everyone why would He allow people to suffer?

God has never forced anyone to make the right choices and because people choose to do the wrong thing, He allows it and the consequences of those choices expose who Believes and who doesn’t. When children are at risk at the hands of others, it is the others who choose, not the children, but since He knows how much we can handle and who can and who can’t, sometimes He simply takes the children unto Himself so they suffer no more.

There are many who will never accept The Word as the final authority in their lives and that is their choice. When we stand before God, Jesus will be right there, advocating for some and hearing the final judgment for all.

When we Believe, Jesus is always right there--in the midst of whatever we’re going through–waiting for us to turn it all over to Him, but He won’t take the problems from us. There is no need for anyone to be depressed, oppressed, or suppressed by circumstances or situations beyond their control. Jesus is the answer to all of our problems and He’s always within our hearts–if we choose to listen and obey. Until all come into the knowledge of The Word and the authority of Jesus’ Love, many will continue to ask this question, “Where was Jesus when…?”

 

 

Why None Can Compare To Our God!

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5 NIV

Reading this passage reminds me of what testimonies used to be--a testament of God’s goodness.

I know many people are still testifying of His goodness–all the things He has done–delivering them out of darkness and bringing them into His marvelous light. He has healed bodies and emotional distress. He has saved us from ourselves when we didn’t realize we needed to be saved. He has made ways out of no way. He has planned our future and keeps us on the path of success when we obey Him. He warns us of impending dangers and keeps giving us chance after chance to get living right–according to His Word.

While I cannot speak for others, I can certainly speak for myself. I am here today because of His Love and His Plans for me. When the enemy attempted to take me out by discouraging me, God was there. In the midst of two rear-end collisions in which I should have been dead, God was there. When I thought I was so grown I didn’t have to listen to anyone else, He was right there, waiting for me to reach the end of myself so I would know, I needed Him.

When I had a stroke, He reminded me of His promise to me–and I reminded the devil, I will live and be restored whole. When darkness clouded my life and thoughts, He removed the clouds so I could see all that He had prepared for me. I am a survivor of so much that my heart is filled to overflowing knowing that He was right there and nothing the enemy planned, worked. I have been through some fires, some floods (figuratively speaking)–been on the mountain-top and in the valley and everywhere I was, so was He. There is none like Him!

When we trust people–they usually let us down because of their fickleness, but God is faithful, even when we are not and He never changes. Doctors may have some book knowledge and skills, but it is The Lord who guides them when they listen. When we fly–our hope and trust should not just be in the pilot’s abilities, but in God who can keep the plane in the air until it’s time for it to come down and safely land it. When we ask Him to bless our food (and our tummies, too), He can remove anything from the food that might harm us and we may never know it.

There is not enough space for me to proclaim all that He has done for me and what I know He will do because all of His promises are true–I simply have to stay in position–in obedience–to receive them. Can we say that anyone does what God does? No! There is no One like Him!

We Can’t Get Tired Now!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

Day after day, week after week, year after year, no matter how much we attempt to do to change what happens around us, we don’t see the change we want to see, but we can’t get tired, now.

Though adversity after adversity confronts us, wearies us, and angers us, we must keep doing what we know is right–guided by Holy Spirit--maintaining our hope in Him who is the Light who dispels the darkness.

Even when we are walking in the Light of Love, we must guard our hearts and recognize the wolf in sheep’s clothing or the smiling faces who hide the poison in the conversation. Not every smiling face is a friend and when we look closely at the eyes–those orbs that reflect the depth of the soul, we know who is a friend and who is the enemy’s tool.

Every day we wake, we will face some known and some unknown challenges. Many we will overcome, but there are some that drain us dry, leaving us weak and wondering why we bother to continue. That’s life–we can’t take it personally and we must never get tired of trying to do the right thing. When we are weak in our strength, we can count on Him to strengthen us. When our thoughts attempt to defeat us, we have to encourage ourselves in The Lord.

Living for The Lord is not easy, but it is gratifying beyond the description of mere words. Those who don’t understand cannot fathom why we keep on the path He has set before us. They participate in the scorn and ridicule and wait for us to become as they are and when we don’t–they are confused, while we just smile and give God the glory!

If you’re like me and have been facing all sorts of challenges–physical, emotional, and spiritual--praying fervently for those in need, while it seems that no one is praying for you; strengthening yourself in the Word just to keep from going off on those around you, mumbling to keep from saying the wrong thing since words once spoken can never be retrieved; and living in the hope we have in Jesus–don’t get tired now!

When people say all manner of things about you that aren’t true–just thank God for them spending so much and attention on you. You really matter to them! When your body acts like it belongs in a morgue, speak life to your body and tell it to get up and get going. When your heart hurts because people disappoint you, focus on the One who never disappoints. We have an advocate in the midst of every trial and temptation and His name is Jesus!

Until He returns, we are victorious in Him on this side of heaven, so we can’t get tired now!

On The Journey–Mem!

MEM
Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.

I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.

I have not departed from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

The 13th letter and the 13th stanza which appear to be revelation–eyes-wide-understanding of God’s Word.

The writer has reached a point in his life when he realizes he loves God’s laws and principles and meditates on them daily. He’s letting God know, that he has learned more from meditating on God’s Word than anything his teachers have taught him and more than those who came before him who apparently did not have the same attitude towards God’s Word.

What I love about this is the fact that the writer states–he is wiser because of the testimonies–what he has witnessed God do for him.  When I look at the conduct and behavior of the masses in our society, I have to wonder if any have loved God’s Word enough to meditate on it. Have we reached a point where God’s Word has revealed to us–God’s Truth in how we should live?

I cannot imagine any of us living today being able to say, we are wiser than those who came before us (those in relationship with God). However, it is more than possible that many of us know more than those who tried to teach us–to the best of their ability–about God’s Word, through Him.

Here’s what I get out of this the most–when we have personally witnessed God’s operating on our behalf, we have a testimony that no doubter or hater can ever shake. The doubters and haters could not possibly understand God and even if God had performed a miracle on their behalf, they wouldn’t recognize it because to them–it is all about them.

The more I study and meditate on God’s Word, the more I see Him and understand how I am to live my life representing all that He is–not me. That does not mean that I ignore the gifts He has given me; it means that I use the gifts to promote who He is. The more I please Him, the more He gives me favor with others.

On much of the social media we use, we see the term, “influencer” as it pertains to how many followers and connections are made through them. I want to be an influencer in promoting the Gospel more than I want to be an influencer on social media. If anyone has come into greater understanding by something I’ve written that brings them into relationship with God, I have achieved my goal.

Oh yes, His Word is sweeter than honey and will sustain us more than a drink from a fountain, since we have a well of living water rising in us, that never runs dry. And when we recognize what we have in Him, we will exercise self-control and stay out of evil’s way.

On The Journey–Heth!

You are my portion, O LORD;
I have said that I would keep Your words.

I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.

I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.

I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.

The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.

At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.

I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.

The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.

The eighth letter and eighth stanza–the writer’s testimony continues as he stands before God giving an account of himself.

A vow is a promise to do something and though many make them, few keep them. If a person cannot count on us to keep our word, what good is our word? Have we made a promise to God to keep His Word (obey it) and then fallen short? When we fall short, do we recognize it and repent, openly acknowledging to Him that we are still in need of Him to guide us?

Have we sought the Lord with our whole hearts–seeking Him daily for wisdom and direction in understanding how He wants us to live? And if we haven’t, are we still expecting Him to merciful unto us while we do what we want to do?

When did we last consider our ways–truthfully look at how we conduct ourselves as Believers? Are we a true representative of who God has called us to be? If not, when are we going to make a change–towards all He desires us to do? If we’re not willing to change–according to His purposes–why do we still expect Him to act on our behalf?

How many of us can honestly say, we will quickly obey all God gives us to do? Though I hear Him when He speaks directly to me or through others, I am still sometimes a little slow to respond. Not because I don’t know it is Him who is speaking, but I hesitate when I don’t fully understand what the end result will be. Here’s something to think about–we don’t have to know the end, if we trust Him for the results He wants. Selah!

Many of us have allowed ourselves to be bound, tied up with those who don’t even know God and they certainly don’t serve Him. We have to make sure that we don’t allow ourselves to be drawn into the circle of the wicked by determining to find and stay in companionship with those who serve The Lord as He desires, not as they desire.

That doesn’t mean that we should not continue to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but we should certainly not be found in continued fellowship with those who live in opposition to God’s Word. In other words, our confidantes should be Godly and not the ungodly.

Consider this–there are many who serve The Lord with gladness and understand His mercy and grace continually shower us as we continue our journey in life–let’s find them and fellowship with them, share our hopes and dreams, be encouraged by one another and continue upon the path that God has established for us.

I am grateful for all those who blog their faith, their hopes, their concerns and trust in Jesus. I am continually encouraged by those who support and correct me when I am tempted to cave in to the stress that attempts to weigh me down. I thank God for all who read my blog as well as those who write for me to read. Though we trust Him, we are yet human with the frailties of being such and having someone else to encourage us to continue the mission is a blessing.

On The Journey–Waw!

Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—
Your salvation according to Your word.

So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.

And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.

I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.

And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.

My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes. Psalm 119:41-48 NKJV

With the sixth letter, in the sixth segment (stanza), we see a change in the tone the writer uses. In the stanza before, the writer (psalmist) is demanding (pleading)  God. In this segment, he is conciliatory, expressing what he will do and how much he loves doing it.

If we never do anything wrong, why would we need to plead for mercy? The first line–acknowledging the need and implying past deeds that require mercy. When God bestows His mercy upon us–not giving us what we deserve, are we truly repentant or do we take His mercy for granted?

What I’ve noticed in many of the psalms noted in the bible is a continued acknowledgement of God’s mercy, grace, and love. It would appear that the writers were continually cognizant of the need for His mercy, grace, and love and were not ashamed to admit it. And in this passage, the writer acknowledges that salvation can only come according to His Word (The Lord).

Why? If we have understanding of God’s Word, we know how to respond to anyone who attempts to belittle us for our faith. And in this time–the 21st Century, people are just as quick to belittle a Believer for their faith as the heathens were when this psalm was written. Some things never change, but is there truly a change in our response? Are we willing to lay before God, admitting our shortcomings and plead with Him to keep us showered with His mercies and feeding us His Word?

Do we truly trust God’s Word or are we continually arguing the merits of His Word with those whose spirits do not know Him? When we trust in God’s Word, we have no need to debate the merits of His Word for Holy Spirit has woven the truth into our spirits.

Do we yet have hope in God’s ordinances–the principles and concepts by which we should live or do we accept others wrongly interpreting and changing the intent of God’s Word to suit themselves? We are admonished in later passages of scripture by Paul that we should be more concerned with the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of the law. In other words, God has a specific intent for mankind’s interactions with one another and we must maintain the intent of His Word and not cave to man’s fickle roller-coaster understandings that change like the direction of the wind–without notice.

I can actually see Paul in this passage–as humble as the writer of the psalm, after meeting Jesus–saying, “I will walk in freely in Your principles and not be ashamed to tell of Your goodness to rulers everywhere I go.” Are we walking freely, living all the principles, and ready to testify of God’s goodness?

Do we truly love God’s commandments? I don’t mean the ten or the various ordinances given to the children of Israel then; I mean do we really love Him and are we really loving others, unconditionally?

When we deliberately take lives, create havoc, stir up hatred, lie and manipulate others so we can get what we want, do we honor God and show love to Him or others?

Many artists have sang songs about love and the need of love in this world, but I have yet to see love cover us as a shield against hatred. The world does indeed need love–pure love–unconditional love–exercised by all and not just a few. We need to learn to separate pure love from lust for many are deceived into believing that expressions of lust are love when they are not.

We know this because of the argument by many who insist that people have a right to love whoever they want to love in their support of same-sex unions. The truth of the matter is they are not talking about pure love–they are referencing the aspect of lust and proclaiming that people should have a right to have sex with whoever they want. Involvement in sex is not an expression of pure love–it is an expression of lusting for another simply as a means to relieve oneself.

Will we learn to love one another–unconditionally–in the new year God has so graciously given us? Or will we continue to think we know more than He does and keep doing things our own way, expecting a different result? Are we truly–insane–as this behavior implies?

I detect in my spirit an even greater need to meditate upon God’s Word so when I present my petitions before Him, I will not be guilty of dishonoring Him or attempting to deceive Him. My desire is to come before Him at all times with a pure heart–opening myself to hear Him and abide by His instructions.

 

 

 

 

Knowing It’s Jesus!

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before by Father in heaven. John 10:32,33 NIV

Do we need to be ashamed to call upon Him and let others know from whom our Help comes from? No! It is Jesus–the Son of the Living God–who holds me when I need comfort; who heals my ailing body; who provides me with instruction through His Holy Spirit; who leads me in the right direction every day I wake; who whispers in my ears that He loves me and will never leave me; who gives me wisdom whenever I ask and strengthens me to accomplish my tasks–It is Jesus!

Oh it is Jesus,
oh it is Jesus,

it’s Jesus in my soul;
for I have touched the hem of His garment,
and His blood has made me whole.

The chorus of this song, by Andrae Crouch, says it all for me.

It is Jesus! It is Jesus! It is Jesus!

It is He who loved me enough to die for me.

It is He who prayed for me in the garden at Gethsemane before I was born.

It is He who has paved the way for my success in all things.

It is He who gives me strength on a daily basis to do what must be done.

It is He who teaches me patience when I want to give up on people.

It is He who fills me to overflowing with love so I can love others.

Oh, It is Jesus! And I will shout it from the rooftops, in the valleys, from the depths of the sea to the peak of the mountains–It is Jesus–by whom salvation is made possible to all who will believe and receive His love today!

And because He is who He is–I can face whatever life throws me, knowing there will be victory in His name and I can be glad I am His!

What I Used To Do!

“I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” (Philippians 3:6,7 NLT)

When we acknowledge where we used to be and what we used to do–without Christ–we begin to understand that our journey becomes our testimony.

Once upon a time–I used to mock anyone who attempted to tell me anything about the bible. I believed in God and that I would go to hell for doing wrong things, and I believed in prayer, but no one–had taught me the value of reading and understanding God’s Word for myself. This is what happens when a person “just goes to church as a child” but nothing is ever really taught or explained–and in my case–probably because those who were teaching could only teach what they knew.

This is the reality we must come to accept–we can only teach people what we know and anything beyond that–is incomprehensible. And Paul acknowledges that with all of his learning–about the law–he lived what he was taught–under the law, but when he comprehended the work on the cross, the law lost its value. Had he not recognized that the law could not do what the work on the cross did, we would not have his written testimony of God’s Grace through Jesus Christ as encouragement for us to live–to please God–not man!

Many of us can sit around boasting about the things, “we used to do” and come away with nothing other than laughter and reflection and often changing thoughts about those who “confessed their faults” and shortcomings. In order to encourage others to live–pleasing God–our boasting should be how we were once blinded to God’s truth and how we were brought into the light of the Jesus Christ. This should be our boast–from coast to coast–across oceans and seas–up the mountains and down in the valleys–that we were once lost, but now we’re found–in the newness of life with Christ Jesus!

So, when I think about how I used to scorn those who tried their best to get me to understand, I understand why there are those who reject what I have to say about God’s Word. If anyone one of those people–who tried to get me to understand the bible had ever asked me if I had read it, I would have shut up and had nothing to say. They didn’t ask me–they just kept pounding away, trying to nail understanding with a flimsy hammer that didn’t have enough weight to sink the nail into my impenetrable heart.

But I’ve learned–from my journey–from what I used to do to what  now do–and I ask the question, “Have you read the Bible for yourself?” No two people can have an intelligent conversation about anything unless they both have some knowledge of the subject being discussed. I am intelligent enough to know this. Had I been asked–my “no” would have ended my mockery because I had no basis on which to intelligently discuss the bible. When people respond with a “no” to me, I suggest they read it first, then we can discuss it–with intelligence–even if we have differing opinions. End of conversation–no mockery, no foundation for intelligent discussion.

Perhaps, one of the problems with us trying to promote the Gospel and encourage others to live according to God’s Word is that we do not know how to acknowledge where we once were and what we used to do–before we read it for ourselves. We cannot continue to try to hammer The Word into people with just our experience; we must encourage them to read The Word (starting with the Gospel of John, hopefully), seek God for themselves and receive His love–developing a right relationship with Him. Then and only then will our “testimony” have meaning and we can be assured that others will walk in the light of Jesus Christ!

What did you used to do–before you found the Light and Truth?

Confidence and a Clear Conscience!

“We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.” (2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT)

When Paul wrote this letter to the church at Corinth, he was reminding believers that he and the other disciples had lived life–with holiness as the foundation for living–and they could say it with confidence and a clear conscience–having no need to be ashamed of the life they had lived. Can we say the same?

If we were writing a letter to encourage someone to live a holy life–according to God’s Word–could we say what needed to be said with confidence and a clear conscience? Considering the fact that the apostles who had a relationship with Christ before He ascended and even after–especially those who were in “the upper room” when the fire fell from heaven, were walking spirit-filled lives–do we even have a chance to measure up to their standards?

While we may not be able to proclaim doing all that they did, we should have our testimony–how we arrived at a place where we believed and were saved. When we share our testimonies–sincerely and without fanfare–we can have confidence of what we say and with a clear conscience–knowing we are not trying to scam anyone into believing Christ Jesus–we can effect life changes for many.

If we share–how we were once lost and guilty of indulging in any and everything we thought we wanted–and with our experience, understood what it meant to be in need of a Savior–came into the light, confessing all we had done and repenting of it–people can relate and have hope for themselves or their loved ones. “The blood of the lamb and our testimony” offers hope of salvation to all who are willing to hear and receive.

Imagine–for a moment–what life would be like for you and others if–after knowing the Truth, you continued along the path you were taking. How much different would life be right now? If someone had not shared the Gospel with you, where would you be? If you had not recognized the need to change–how many lives would have been affected–negatively? Would you have a clear conscience now or would you be riding guilt (some go through life so burdened with guilt that they carry it with them wherever they go) through life?

We can have a clear conscience and say with confidence that we are living life with holiness as a foundation–when we look to Him who is able to accomplish all things through us.