Apr 15thWhat Do You Stand For?

In 1933 the Nazis came into power. By 1945 the German’s had murdered two out of every three Jews, 200,000 Roma (Gypsies) and 200,000 mentally or physically disabled patients, mainly Germans, living in institutional settings. When the Holocaust ended in 1945 there were 6 million dead. This was not a small third world country or hundreds of years ago. What was the rest of Germany doing during this horrific genocide? What was the rest of the world doing? They were going to the theatre, shopping, dining out, and going to the children’s school recitals. Nothing bad really, just living their lives as usual. I am talking about intelligent, civilized, some even god-fearing, everyday people.

In the spring of 2003 two Darfur rebel movements, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), rose against the government military to fight the historic and political marginalization of Darfur. The government-armed militia (the Janjaweed) and the Sudanese military specifically targeted ethnic groups from which the rebels received much of their support. The civilian casualties were immense. Over 400 villages were completely destroyed and millions of civilians were forced to flee their homes. Experts estimate that as many as 300,000 people lost their lives between 2003 and 2005. President Bush declared the crisis in Darfur to be genocide in 2004.

The United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force (UNAMID) now in Darfur replaced an underfunded and underequipped African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur in January 2008. UNAMID to this day remains without the necessary resources to protect the 2.7 million internally displaced persons who live in large camps across Darfur. There are also around 300,000 Darfuri refugees living across the Sudanese border in neighboring Chad. Overall, the UN estimates that roughly 4.7 million people in Darfur (out of a total population of roughly 6 million) are still affected by the conflict. (Savedarfur.org)

Today, Beaten down by the centuries-old caste system, the Dalits are mired in India’s thriving sex trade with young children being bought and sold every day.

“Dalits are not considered human. They get no education. They are used and abused and have no recourse or avenues toward justice. There is no protection from law enforcement; no access to the courts; no political voice, no hope of upward mobility.

“Our goal for the entire movement is no small thing: to eliminate the caste system, to free the Dalits. The world needs to understand that slavery still exists. That even today, young children are bought and sold like cattle. That little girls are forced into the dark, illicit sex trade. That young boys and girls are coerced to beg in the streets, and bring their proceeds back to line the pockets of thugs who abuse them at night.” (nottodaythemovie.com)

RIGHTNOW-There are roughly 100,000 children prostitutes between the ages of 11-16 years old, enslaved by pimps, right here in the Unites Stated of America. Thanks to the amazing efforts by the Department of Justice, some pimps are serving life in prison and others are serving 20, 40, 60 or 80 years in prison. Many pimps have begun to target girls 18 – 21 who have a baby so they can control the girl’s visits with the baby based on how much money she earns. Pimping or trafficking an adult (someone 18 years or older in most jurisdictions) only carries probation as a penalty if arrested. (childrenofthenight.org)

So why am I telling you all this? First of all knowledge is power and getting the word out is of the utmost importance if we want to get people involved. I understand that you may not have known all this was going on today but now you do. It is horrible, I know, but if we just get sad, say that it’s wrong and then continue to live our lives as usual, how are we any different than the bystanders during the holocaust? How are Christians so caught up in the things of this world that we turn a blind eye to evil when we are not supposed to be of the world? There were a few dozen ordinary people who took a stand. People like Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.

Get involved, take a stand! “How?” you may ask. I am glad you asked. I will place several links below.  We need to be willing to sacrifice our time, talent and yes, our money to fight evil. As Christians we are called to sacrifice. I often hear Christians, after reading something like this say, “Well, that is her passion”. Let me tell you, this is God’s passion. Read what He has to say about it in James:

²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

www.savedarfur.org

www.worldvision.org

www.childrenofthenight.org

www.childrenhungerfund.org

http://invisiblechildren.com

www.nottodaythemovie.com

(text: TODAY to 68398)

If anyone is interested in hosting an awareness party at their home, I will come and provide information regarding many of these organizations. If anyone is interested in volunteering at Children of the Night, let me know.  My goal is not to make you feel bad but to move you to act. You can start by sharing this blog with others. If enough of us act, we can make an impact.

Mar 14thTrusting God When It Hurts the Most

It seems so easy to trust God when everything is going well, although that is really more thankfulness than trust. But when things get hard, hearts break, money runs out, marriages fall apart or a loss of any kind is suffered, what is our first response? Do we drop to our knees and cry out in prayer? Do we thank God for the trial, trusting that He will not only walk through the fire with us but bring us through stronger on the other side?

Through the years I have been through my fair share of trials and I have reacted in trust and I have reacted in anger and rebellion. I know what it means to trust Him and to not trust Him. God promised that in this life we will suffer. Nonetheless, it is during suffering that we doubt God the most. Does our suffering mean that God is unfair, unjust, or not loving?  Does it change who He is in any way?

Below is an excerpt from my book, Spiritually M.I.A…

“You see, it was Satan that attacked Job. However, God not only allowed it but he pointed Job out. God had faith in Job and loved Job deeply. We all use Job as the ultimate example of faith during suffering. Job didn’t know the honor God was bestowing on him; all he knew was that he was suffering. God knew the suffering would be temporary and that He would never leave Job’s side.

When I was in labor with my first child, I was in so much pain; I couldn’t see more than a few inches in any direction. My mother was one of my labor coaches but right in the middle of a contraction, the nurse moved in front of my mother to check the monitor. I thought my mother had left me and for what seemed like an hour. When I saw my mom’s face I was really upset. How could you leave me now? She replied that she never left my side, I just couldn’t see her. In the same way, it is hard to see past our suffering.”

We are going to suffer through trials. How we choose to react to each trial reveals the depth of our faith. A friend once told me, “You want to see who someone really is, apply pressure”. Who are we once the pressure is applied? Do we trust our Father and seek comfort in in His Presence? Do we get angry, blame others or withdraw while feeling sorry for ourselves?  Do we continue to give our all knowing that we are not the only ones out there suffering or do we stop serving and loving others because of our grief?

Here is a verse that many of us know but struggle to live out:

James 1:2-4

New International Version (NIV)

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I am going through many trials at once right now. I am not surprised since the enemy always attacks harder when we are preparing for an Encounter for our women at church. Just the other morning, I didn’t think I could go to work because the tears wouldn’t stop flowing. I cried out to the Father, “God,  I need your smile, cause I don’t have one. I need your strength because mine is gone. Please get me through this”. And you know, He did just that. He is so amazingly faithful.  His strength was perfected through my weakness.

When the trials come, seek His face like any child who runs to their parent for comfort. He wants to be your strength, your protector, your healer, your provider. So let Him. The point is, we can’t do it alone.

Feb 14thJustified Homicide?

With all the talk about a recent murderer, (who I don’t feel like mentioning by name), being justified in his killing spree, I thought I should take time to put in my two cents.

I am constantly amazed at America’s blame and victim mentality. It is no wonder that with each new generation we have become more vengeful than ever.  My Child Development class was actually taught that children should not have to share. “Why should they?” the teacher asked. No one could answer him. His message, “it’s all about you”. As if we are not self absorbed enough. That message has evolved into, “do whatever is right in your own eyes”. Teachers in both colleges and high schools actually teach that there is no absolute right or wrong. So when someone is “wronged” and takes bloody vengeance, he is justified, right? I mean if you face racism in the 1^st grade, at a Christian school none-the-less, and then continue to face it throughout your career, you should have the right to assault and murder people? Shouldn’t you?

I expect this kind of thinking from this world as they do not know God, but what is up with the Christians who are conforming to this mentality? God is clear on this:

Matthew 5:43-48
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father who is in Heaven.”

So we are to love our enemies and we are to submit to the authorities.

1 Peter 2: 13-17

^“13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

The argument most used against following this part of God’s word is “But, our government/police are corrupt.” When this was written, Nero was in power. Nero was as evil and corrupt as they come. This is a man who dipped Christians in hot wax and lit them on fire to light his garden at night. Peter wasn’t writing about submitting only to great governors or emperors. When we rebel against those in authorities, we are rebelling against God. Now, I am not talking about praying, worshipping and reading the Bible being against the law. I would go to jail and even die to worship God but that is not what we are talking about. We are talking about murder and we are calling it justified.

Well I was molested and raped by different men many times throughout my life. I was abused by more than one man. Would I be “justified” in killing men? How about the relatives of those men? Can I kill them? Could you blame me after suffering such wrong? Yes, you could blame me if I decide to take matters into my own hands.  After all, we are all a victim of something.  So where does it stop?

The Lord says:

Romans 12:19

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written: “’Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,’saith the Lord.”

As Christians we are to be Disciples of Christ, who forgave His crucifiers while being crucified. We are to follow God’s word even when we don’t feel like it or agree. Why? Because His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and because while we were His enemies, He died for us. As Christians, let us not feel pity for ourselves as victims or blame others for our actions. Let us lead the way with love and forgiveness. This world may choose to perpetrate the lie that avengers are justified. But when they stand before God, they will answer for each word they spoke and each life they took.

Jan 14thDeliciously Evil

Last night there was a recurring commercial that prompted me to write. The major selling point for this particular program was a young lady commenting that the show was “deliciously evil”. The sound of those two words together is so appalling that my stomach turns each time I hear it. Yet this show is not unique in its content or purpose. The purpose of shows and songs about lust, adultery, fornication, deceit, etc. is to glorify sin. This world is full of lovers of evil. This was overwhelmingly obvious to me as I drove down Reseda Boulevard the other day. Adult novelty stores, smoke shops, liquor stores and massage parlors (that are often masks for prostitution and human trafficking) were to my left and my right. All we have to do is turn on the T.V. to see that a great love of evil surrounds us all.

19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” -John 3:19-20

As God’s representatives here on Earth our work is definitely cut out for us. It is not an easy task but we are to shine the Light in this dark world. There are too many days when the evil in this world doesn’t stand out to me as much because I’m just going about my day. It is so easy to become complacent and desensitized.

We can become focused on the same temporary things and even chase after the same temporary highs. God’s people must not be lovers of evil. We must stand apart and repel the darkness with the light of Christ shining through us. We must not be lovers of gossip, violence, lust, money or idols. “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”- Colossians 3:5

As our Light continues to shine brighter there will be those who are drawn to the love of Christ. However since the Light exposes the sin and shame that hides in the darkness, there will be those who ruthlessly try to stomp it out. They are as in bondage to sin just as you and I once were. We must love them all the same for we do not know who will come to repentance or how God may be glorified through our obedience. What we do know is that the only reason we are still here is because there is a job for us to do. Let us each examine our lives and ask the Lord if we are doing our part.

Nov 27thSelf-fulfilling Prophecies

Funny how these kinds of sayings can be used for good or evil. What is a self-fulfilling prophecy? According to Wikipedia- It is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes it-self to become true, by the very terms of the prophecy itself, due to positive feedback between belief and behavior. Now I can see both the good and bad, the truth and the lies of this saying.

I will start with the truth I see. Truth is that what you believe and hold as true can and does affect everything around you and about you. Everyone has a foundation of which everything they are is built upon. If our foundation is anything other than the Truth, then our lives will be as unstable as our foundation. The wise man built his house upon the Rock (truth), the foolish man built his house upon the sand (lies).Matthew 7:24-27. If we allow the lies of the Enemy to be our foundation, they will affect everything in our lives. If you believe the lies the enemy has told you, lies about who you are and about your worth, then you are not going to grow past those lies. If I believe that everything I do will fail, then I am not even going to try. If I do try, I won’t give it my best because I don’t believe I have a best to give. Is failure going to follow that? Of course it will. What if I chose to believe that I am a child of God, called for a purpose bigger than myself? What if everything I do, I don’t do for my own glory or recognition but for the purpose of furthering God’s kingdom?  There would be no room for failure because the condition of my heart is my success. Even if my plans were thwarted and my path was changed I would be successful because God was doing the thwarting and the changing.

Now for the lies I see in this statement. I have seen this used by Christians for the purpose of making our dreams come true. This comes back to the “positive thinking will bring you positive results” mentality that was preached by the “Secret”. I can’t go into that all over again so if you haven’t read my blog about this book, please do at http://www.becky.itsallstuff.com/the-secret-behind-the-power-of-intension-and-the-law-of-attraction-is/ . The danger of that boils down to us giving the “universe” credit for that which only God deserves credit for. It also makes salvation through Jesus optional. After all, Satan can offer you this world. It is his world and he will offer whatever will distract you from the truth. If you think that you can make things happen by being positive, where does God fit into that? God is in control and nothing happens outside of his absolute divine permission. Then what happens if you positively claim something that God has said “no” to? Will the laws of positive thinking outweigh the power of the Almighty God? We are to submit to God’s will and His plans for our lives.

If our foundation has to be on the truth, then what is the truth? Jesus is the truth, the way and the life. John 14:6.  Our foundation is to be on Christ and who He is. It is not based on us, and our gifts or talents. What about my truth and your truth, you may ask? The truth is that our lives are not about us; they are about God. God is writing my story and yours. Our stories however are still not all about us; they are all about God. This world, and the vapor of time that we are in it, is about a love story between God and His people. We want everything to be about us. We have the audacity to think we can use God to write our story the way we want. We spend so much time trying to be the star and hero of the story instead of being satisfied with whatever role (big or small) God has given us.  If God called me to travel the world spreading the gospel, praise God. If God has called me to be a godly wife and mother, a Proverbs 31 women, Praise God! The latter is just as important, if not more. It is not about the recognition of this world; it is about the recognition of our Father. The lion I see in the mirror as a kitty isn’t a reflection of my inner strength, it is a reflection of Christ the lion of judah strengthening me.

Nov 14thPutting the Christ back in CHRISTmas

As a child Christmas was the most exciting time of year. Not because of a jolly fat man in a red suit or because of flying reindeers since I never believed in any of that stuff.  The beautiful decorations, cheerful music, and special time spent with my family reminded me of fairytale that lasts for a month.  I am not saying I didn’t enjoy the gifts, of course I did but they were few and they weren’t the focus.

Somehow most of America has made Christmas into a greedy, retail driven excuse to spoil ourselves and others with little regard to the true meaning of the day. I don’t expect anything different from this world. But how did we Christians allow Santa and Jesus to get all intertwined as if they are equals who can just share the day? Santa is not just make-believe, he is a lie. Why would we mix a lie with the TRUTH himself? My point is not actually about Santa but about the overall lie that Christmas is about getting stuff and going in debt.

There are parents that work triple time to spoil their children during Christmas, how is that about Jesus at all? If we are reflections of Christ, and CHRISTmas is about His birth and His life, why are we treating this day like the rest of the world?

What would putting the Christ back into Christmas look like?

James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Get together as a family and serve others on Christmas day, whether it is at a local charity or mission or a family you know who is in need. Limit the money spent on one another this year and use that money for those in need instead. Read the scriptures about Jesus birth together as a family and talk about the true meaning of CHRISTmas before opening any gifts. Talk about giving to those in need versus giving to those who already have so much.

I have listed some resources to help you below. Please cut and paste any of the light blue links for the websites of the organizations mentioned below. If you have or know of an organization that serves other during CHRISTmas, feel free to add the information in the comment section.

I pray that as the rest of the world allows CHRISTmas to bring stress, debt, greed, deception and over indulgence that we will allow God’s Holy Spirit to bring us love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. For only then will we be able to give with all our hearts.

World Vision’s Gift Catalog allows you to send gifts of life and love to those who are in need around the world for CHRISTmas. You can provide animals, clean water wells, business opportunities and basic needs for orphans and widows. You can also help provide hope for sexually exploited girls.

http://www.worldvision.org/m/give-a-gift-change-a-life-christmas/index.html?campaign=10152558&gclid=CLy74tuBz7MCFYl7QgodYBwAPQ

Children Hunger Fund helps those in poverty both inside and outside the U.S.

http://www.chfus.org/donate?utm_source=CHFCC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SL1210

http://catalog.chfus.org/collections/deliver-food/products/canned-vegetables

Rays of Light Philanthropic (RLP) is hosting CHRISTmas “Be a Blessing” Gala to collect toys and basic needs items for homeless children from Inner Circle Foster Care and Adoption Services

www.Raysoflightphil.org

http://fosterfamily.org/

Shepherd of the Hills 20800 Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills on Saturday December 8, 2012 7 p.m.

Los Angeles Mission

https://losangelesmission.org/give/donate-now/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Blos%20angeles%20mission%20com&utm_campaign=paid

Union Rescue Mission

http://unionrescuemission.org/

Acts 20:35 “…. remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Nov 2ndLiving Your Best Life! Are you?

There is no such thing as “living your best life” apart from Jesus Christ.  A relationship with Christ is the beginning of true life. Without Him, your life is being wasted. You are actually a “dead man walking”. Oprah promotes the wisdom of Iylana Vsnzant regarding the “Thoughts to Remember About Living Your Truth”.

Let’s start with “your truth” … any truth that is contrary to God’s truth is a lie. That in itself should alarm us.

God’s Words:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Iylana’s and Oprah’s truth #1:

“You’re making it about them. This has got to be about you, because you don’t have peace.”

God’s Words:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24

Iylana’s and Oprah’s truth #2

“You’re demonstrating a courage that most people cannot fathom; giving it all away in order to have yourself.”

God’s Words:

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20

&
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,..” Philippians 2:3

Iylana’s and Oprah’s truth #3

“If your heart had a voice, Beloved, what would it say?”

God’s Words:
A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the LORD. Proverbs 19:3

Iylana’s and Oprah’s truth #4

“Anger simply means that your personal power-your personal space-, our personal sense of being – has been violated.”

God’s Words:

“⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”1 Corinthians 13: 4-5

Iylana’s and Oprah’s truth #5

“ A withhold is a lie”

God’s Words:

“³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-33

Now that one is a partial truth. If you withhold the truth, that is a lie.  However, truth is not just “your” truth. Truth comes from God, not from within us. We also already established that denying ourselves is a fundamental part of following Christ. (See Lie #1)

Iylana’s and Oprah’s truth #6

“If you want to be at peace, you have to be clear about your intention and- moment by moment- in alignment with your intention”

God’s Words:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

&
“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11

Even Christ submitted to God’s will and plan when it was not what he desired. Intentions are merely our desires and from an evil heart flow selfish intentions.  True peace comes from God alone.

I am going to conclude  these “thoughts” here since really one lie was enough to prove the point. I may lose some of you on this but if you know me, you know I have to be faithful to what God thinks first, so here goes…

 Oprah is wrong! There are only two paths. One is wide and leads to destruction. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14

We (Christians) need to recognize when those that the world view as good are leading the lost, and some of our own, down the path to destruction. There is no such thing as a “best life” apart from God. That is a lie straight from the pit of hell and all who promote such lies are against Christ. We cannot follow both the Truth and a lie at the same time.  Man Up or (Woman Up) and choose a side!

Oct 3rdLove=Unconditional Support…., Right?

In a recent debate about Christians not supporting Gay Marriage there was a few comments made that truly could not go unanswered. The angry atheist wrote “Christians really need to leave people alone to enjoy the blink of life that they get here on earth.”  Then he continued his lingual lashing to us hypocritical, judgmental Christians with, “The problem with that is, it is too close to showing love and compassion for someone… Jesus would never want that!”

Wow, so we don’t show compassion because we won’t redefine sin according to the worldview….hmm. Let’s see what we live by, Jesus said:

Matthew 22:36-38 ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

What I have seen today is an increase of people quoting the 2^nd commandment with no regard to the 1^st. “Love the Lord your God with ALL your HEART and with ALL your SOUL and with ALL YOUR MIND”.  Jesus tells us what this looks like in John 14:23 “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them”.

Disobeying God is sin and it separates us from our Creator, Our Heavenly Father.  I love my children, family, friends and neighbors enough to tell them the truth. I tell them that Jesus came down to this Earth to die our death and give us eternal life. I tell them that it’s not God’s will that one of His children should perish (Mathew 18-14), that He offers each and every one of us the same opportunity to spend eternity with Him. We love them by offering a food bank at our church, opening our home to those in need and one another. We take care of the sick, the orphans and the widows. We comfort those who were wounded by a cruel and godless world.

But the world says love is unconditional agreement with someone, supporting someone even if you believe they are wrong.  If I believe that their actions are causing them separation from their Father, a Holy God and say so, oh no, that is hate speech. I shouldn’t care if they spend an eternity suffering because they are happy now. So if a loved one is in an abusive relationship with someone who hurts them, I should tell them to stay if they are happy. If a loved one is addicted to heroin and it makes her happy, I should support her. If someone is so unhappy here that ending this life is the only peace they feel they can have, I should support them because disagreeing with someone is hate, right?

And what about the folks who are calling us names, accusing, mocking, attacking what we believe, who we are and our God? Are they tolerant, all inclusive and all accepting as they ask us to be? The same people ignorantly misuse the word of God to try to prove He is hateful because a “loving God” would not do or say (fill in the blank)…

Let me tell the world something, “My God is Love!!” (1 John 4:8). The world is dyslexic and made love a god. Say what you will but ONLY the Great I am- the One True God can define true Love, define sin and is Himself Just. God’s word has stood the test of time and trying to use it against His people is nothing new. After all, your Father the Devil has done it from the beginning. So as we reflect the likeness of our Father, you reflect yours.

Therefore Romans 8:6-8

^{6 “}For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, ⁷ because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, ⁸ and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

I will continue to tell the world the truth because “ Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4. I will not trust a world that is lost and has no salvation to offer. I will love the world by God’s definition and no one else’s. I will not put anyone or anything else above my God. He is my first love and I will not apologize or compromise.  Come on stand up!

John 3:36
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Amen

Sep 7thAre You Ready for the Big One?

The reports are in and it’s definite; a big one is coming and we need to be prepared. Earthquake kits, extra water, a cash stash and plenty of canned goods are vital. What about the final big one, the Day of Judgment, are we ready for that? Are we warning others about preparing for that day like we do Earthquakes? Revelation 11:13 “And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
Our Earthquake kits aren’t going to cut the mustard on that day. But what kind of God would bring such judgment on the Earth? Since the “fall of man”, men and women have been debating over whether or not God has the right to be God. God creates us, loves us, provides for us, walks with us, puts all of creation under our submission but it’s not enough. We want more, no, we demand more. We do not believe that He knows what is best for us, so we take matters into our own hands. We create a chasm between us and God and basically tell Him to go die. And you know what, He does. He puts on flesh, comes to Earth and lives the life we can’t just to die the death we should.
God has allowed the disrespect and disobedience to continue because He loves us so much that He wants no one to perish. 2 Peter 3:9  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

But God is a just God and justice will be carried out. God created hell for Satan and his demons. He never intended for any human to go there. That was not what we were created for but He does love us enough to let us make that choice. So for all those pro-choice folks out there, you can’t get more pro-choice than that. God is really pro-life though, He wants you to have life and have it abundantly through His Son. He wants you to live in eternal peace and joy in perfect love with Him. However, if you do choose hell over Him, that is your choice. The bible is clear about this…

Revelation 14
“9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” 12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

Just because you don’t have the mark of the beast on your head, doesn’t mean it isn’t on your heart. You can only serve one or the other. I know there is a new “christian” movement that says a loving god won’t send anyone to hell but did you know Jesus talked about Hell more than Heaven? So who is lying, Jesus or these “christians” with a new message? Well since I am a CHRISTian I will believe Christ.
Galatians 1:8 “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, Let him be under God’s curse!” I don’t care if your gospel came from Joseph Smith, Muhammad, Charles Taze Russell or Rob Bell, once they changed the gospel of Christ- they were cursed. What about you, are you ready? Are You Ready for the Big One?