Thoughts ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZONPRTOFF dateof comment Look Inside Data Conditions:Order: 1|2|3| Dateof Comment 05/28/2024 If we are honest with ourselves when we are going through trials, we probably are jealous when those around us seem to have it all together and having a good time. On the other side is we do not want to deal with other people's problems because it can get us down. This is not what the word of God says: Romans 12:15 (New Living Translation) Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. If this is difficult it may be that we do not love others: Romans 12:9-10 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. {This is the secret to having compassion for others. Verse 15 will become an honor not a sacrifice.} It is even more difficult to do this: Romans 12:14 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. God wants us to pray for those who are against us because people can change and come to Jesus. How many of us have come to Jesus because of the love and prayer of others? Paul wants us to do the same. But I am also not afraid to ask God to remove them if they hinder the message of Jesus Christ and force Satanic ideas on God's people. Our own inspired by God constitution has the death penalty on treason and crimes against humanity especially against his children. Romans 12 has a lot to say dealing with people Romans 12:11-18 11 Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! {As one gets smarter, he learns about how much he does not know.} 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Matthew has some more people tips. These also honor God too: Matthew 5:4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. Matthew 5:6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. Matthew 5:7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 05/26/2024 I am beginning to feel like we do not worship our King in the manner he deserves. When I see how the men and women in the ghetto worship God, I know there is a lot to learn. Let's first look at what the dictionary says about worship. It can be a noun or verb. I know that my God is a God of action and I feel that is the type of worship he is looking for is the verb. noun reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred. formal or ceremonious rendering of such honor and homage: They attended worship this morning. [The example sentence the dictionary used does not mean much if the heart is not in it.] adoring reverence or regard: excessive worship of business success. Synonyms: idolatry, adoration, homage, honor the object of adoring reverence or regard. verb (used with object) , wor·shiped, wor·ship·ing or wor·shipped, wor·ship·ping. to render religious reverence and homage to. to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing). Synonyms: adulate, idolize, glorify, adore, revere, venerate, honor verb (used without object) , wor·shiped, wor·ship·ing or wor·shipped, wor·ship·ping. to render religious reverence and homage, as to a deity. to attend services of divine worship. to feel an adoring reverence or regard. I feel the latter verb is used too much by Christians. We attend worship services without God or the Holy Spirit in the mix. This is not the way our sovereign God designed worship. Paul talked about worship with Timothy: 1 Timothy 2:8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. This means get your attitude right when worshiping the King. Paul also tells us what not to do in the next two verses with false worship: Colossians 3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Ephesians 5:5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. This is how the families do it in the ghetto. We need to model these three verses: John 4:23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. John 4:24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Philippians 3:3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, Other than if the sun is shining in your eyes, it is a good idea to remove your hat. After all you are a crafted specimen created by God. Don't cover up his work. 1 Corinthians 11:7 A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is made in God’s image and reflects God’s glory. And woman reflects man’s glory. Until we give our bodies unto him, we may never experience real worship. It will always be fake. Romans 12:1 A Living Sacrifice to God And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 14:6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. I have been given ministries by God. I would fail if he was not in the middle of it. I want to make sure that he gets the glory and the victory or else: Acts 12:23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So, he was consumed with worms and died. Always look into your past to make sure something is not hidden like unforgiveness or vows, or your worship will be like this: Malachi 2:14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. I really think God likes women because he keeps reminding me about how we need to behave to our wife. If Jesus Christ lived as example to us, we should do the same just because it is right. As we close remember that a synonym to worship is "honor". I firmly believe that anything that glorifies the name of our King is worship. Your heart reveals to God what type of worship you are giving him. The people in the ghetto spent over three hours worshiping God. All the families shared the wonders of what God is doing in their lives and asked for prayer. None were looking at their watch because they scheduled their Saturday for God. Now that is the heart of worship. 05/21/2024 I don't know if you are like me but sometime I just get tired of waiting for all of God's promises to come. I feel the whole world is against me. Even those of old had these feelings Psalm 119:84 How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? Thanks to all of your prayers I have never felt like this guy: Psalm 69:3 I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me. I bet you know what I am going to say next. Yep you are right it all has to deal with faith. Faith requires us to wait on God. As you begin to understand how God works you learn why things take time. It still sucks having to wait. I do know if we get to excited and get outside of Gods timing we can mess things up for ourselves and other people. It has been nearly 4 years with all the stupidity going on. This verse is interesting and still works today. I do believe it is getting close: Daniel 12:12 And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days! Psalms also talks positive about waiting: Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. This tells us that God is at work for those that wait: Isaiah 64:4 For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! Waiting allows God to help us: Jeremiah 14:22 Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O Lord our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us. Lamentations 3:26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord This next verse shows how much God is waiting on us. He wanted to give people time to repent. Plus God would look stupid sending the rain before the boat was finished. It would have sunk. Imagine that 120 years for him to wait for someone to repent and they still did not. 1 Peter 3:20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. Look at what Abraham did: Hebrews 6:15 NLT Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Also remember what happen when Abraham did not wait on God as planned. God's word is designed to give us that hope and encouragement to wait. This does require us to read it to get the technique down: Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. While we are waiting on God's promises lets do this to distract ourselves: 1 Corinthians 1:10 (New Living Translation) I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 05/07/2024 If you are like me, you come across verses that we need to work on. This is one of my verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I cannot say that I am always in that joyful mood. Sometimes I am ready to let life just have it. I do have to admit that the people who pray for me help keep joy in my life. Jesus Christ himself is a good reason to have joy. Making a positive difference in the life of God's children also brings joy into my life. I guess if I would never talk to my wife, it would be doing the same thing to God if I did not pray frequently. Talking to your wife in an honorable way frequently builds relationship with her. So, it is with God if we want relationship with him, we need to talk to him frequently. I do have to admit that I am in most circumstances thankful but not all. Sometimes if things are not working right, it is more convenient to come up with four letter alternatives to use on the circumstance that is failing. This is why Paul said, "Never stop praying". This will develop a habit to instantly start praying when circumstances fail. 04/27/2024 I was watching Flashpoint the other night and I was appalled when I saw how the enemy has overtaken all the ivy schools in the United States. When the ivy school started, they taught biblical principles while giving the students an education. Over the years, the enemy has infiltrated the faculty who intern are indoctrinating the students to make them anti god. I watched as woke students were preventing a Jewish student from attending class by blocking his route. He tried to walk around them, but they moved as he moved. These same woke college students are also into pronouns, abortion, racism, and everything else that is contrary to God. I firmly believe that they read the Bible and do everything just the opposite of what it says. I do know that all colleges are not like this. I happen to minister to a college in Denver that's just off I-25 in the middle of town. Those students are meeting twice a week to talk about Jesus and encourage other students to come. They even do some laughing. I know some of the history of some of these students that they are bold. Some of them when they were in high school challenged their principle for not bringing his bible to school because he felt that was inappropriate. That student mentioned the fact that Jesus would ask him why he did not have his bible when he went to school. It made him think about “I am too embarrassed to take my bible to school. My King may be too embarrassed to represent me in front of the Father.” That challenge made him start bringing his Bible to school and he began to stand up for godly principles and God. You must be bold in an environment that has the tendency to look away from the things of God. It is a privilege for me to serve the students in this university. They are a dream of mine that has come true which is to love the older generation because of the stories that we have to talk about the things of God in our life that will encourage them. I love them too because of their youth which makes us feel younger just because they are young: 1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Our youth will eventually be running this country and I want them to be able to run it better than my generation is. I may not be able to change the world, but I can start here with this generation of students. My prayer for these students, faculty members, and the future college students that will be coming is that God will continue to make them bold in the things of God and they will continue to want to bring other students into the Kingdom of God. And God as they bring glory and honor to your name that you bless them in their careers and marriages as they grow older. Continue to give me the words to encourage and train them in living a Christ like life. God continue to give me honorable material so I can make them laugh. I know that everyone likes a good mystery, but it would be cool to someday meet the coolest students on the planet. After all God would not have me here if you were not cool. 04/20/2024 I don't know if you've ever had one of these discussions with God where you say, “Lord things are just not working out. I am getting tired of struggling with finances. I am going to have to stop what I am doing until circumstances improve.” What do I mean by this? It seems like Malachi 3:10 effect just seems to die off. Malachi 3:10 NLT 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! When I first started doing things it seemed to work out. There was money to buy silver, spend on families and gangs. Even though I could not splurge on anything there was always excess money in reserve which I always acknowledged as the Malachi 3:10 effect. Now we have high inflation and lows prices which lowers my income coming in. The cash reserves are dwindling, and it's looks like it is becoming impossible to continue to support God's ministries. God had a humorous way of answering what was going through my mind. I like to listen to Kent Christmas because he talks about the things that God's doing in our corrupt and evil government to expose what's going on. I began to realize that his message would be more for me. Just like me, he started out at a certain place before experiencing Malachi 3:10. At first, he was working with a $40,000 in the checking account. God turned this into $5 million without asking for donations. The next thing he brought up is God is now looking for people with exemplary faith in what he is about to do. Kent’s goal is to affect Nashville Tennessee for Jesus Christ. To do this God is having him put up a bigger building for the people to come. He is planning on during construction phase that there will be times when the checking account will be empty. Like he said God is looking for people with exemplary faith. This requires us trusting in what God is going to do. The sad part about all of this is if our faith is not strong enough, we're ready to abandon ship even before that moment occurs. We all know that God is never late but very seldom is early either. But he always comes at the right time. So, we need to give God the time he needs to do what he wants. And we need to prove to him that we are willing to wait on him. Kent believes that God is going to provide all the financing through his people and the ungodly. God has revealed that this is coming: Proverbs 13:22 NLT 22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly. We serve the God of the impossible. When it comes to our finances continue to put him to the test. Unless we gamble or spend our money foolishly, we will see Malachi 3:10 occur in our lives again. Even knowing what is going on it still is not fun to go through this. This is what God is looking for: Romans 5:4 NLT And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 04/06/2024 I always like this verse because it looks like John 3:16 Part II. I really believe if we are developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that we will also develop a love for our brothers and sisters. John asks that we should want to lay our lives down for them: 1 John 3:16 NLT 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If our relationship with Jesus Christ is weak, it will probably prevent us from even wanting to make a sacrifice for someone else. This verse confirms this: 1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first. 03/27/2024 In society we have those who are considered to be on the right and those who are considered to be on the left. What it should be said is that there are those on the right and then the rest are wrong. This is not everything but look at how many times that God talks about the right hand. Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 17:7 Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Psalm 18:35 You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. Psalm 20:6 Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Psalm 110 Of David. A psalm. The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Psalm 110:5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Matthew 26:64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. The only time the left is mentioned when you need a place to put goats. Matthew 25:31-33 NIV The Sheep and the Goats 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. In my opinion God is not fond of what the left believes in at all. I am surprised on how much they are trying to push abortion legislation this coming election. Even more shocking is that old people are trying to get signatures for this mockery. When they ask me, I just say, "I serve a pro-life God. No way I would want to anger him by having this on the ballot." I hope this would make them think about what they are doing. You know if people would look for what God wants, they would not be doing all this dumb stuff. His word defines most everything you need to know. The Holy Spirit gives discernment on the rest. 02/29/2024 I have learned that you need to read the entire chapter when someone sends you a verse. Many times, the whole chapter is too awesome to leave out. Psalm 46 is like that. Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Jesus confirmed this: John 14:27 NLT I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! I am on the platform "Telegram" and I monitor the disaster news group. I have seen everything described in these two verses 4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. 5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. 6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! These verses are accurate event today. They describe the movement of the Holy Spirit and the Glory of God. When he goes after those who have not heard about his son "Jesus", there will not be any nation who will be able to stand against his Glory. I have even heard from some of the prophets that God will make a sound that everyone will hear. 7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Even though it looks like someone is trying to get us into a war. His angels are ready to strike for his children. 8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. 9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. President Trump was sent by God to destroy anyone who messes with his little children. He did it while he was president, and he continues to fight for the little children now. Because of this he has had the greatest attempts on his life of any man. When Trump was in office there was zero wars. Now look at it. Don't worry, the prophets said that Trump will serve two terms. Like Arnold says, "I will be back". This will really shake things up. 10 Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. If we wait on God plans to unfold, every nation will know God. Even atheists will know there is a God. As big as the Red Sea was, God is going to do something that is much bigger. It is about time that nations begin to honor God and his son Jesus 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. This verse is the same as verse 7. God wants to make sure that we did not miss it the first time. Just imagine what it is like to have an entire army of God in your midst. God has us all covered: 2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living Translation) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 02/26/2024 I am amazed how many people in the last 100 years who read the end time section in Matthew 24. Jesus is discussing with his disciples about the end times. They blow off verse 14 completely: Matthew 24:5-15 NLT 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. 9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Jesus Christ is never coming back until verse 14 is fulfilled. The great commission was to spread the gospel to the entire world, and it still has failed as of this writing. The technology to reach the world has not existed until now. Jesus knows it exists in America and has pleaded with our Father to spare America from her deserved judgement. Between the covenant of the pilgrims made with God, those prayer warriors who got on their knees to save America and Jesus pleading for us. God is giving America a chance to fulfill his Sons's wish. The greatest battle is the nations who still persecute Christians. We are about to witness what God is about to do. Nothing in the past will compare to what he is about to do and no one in the future will witness the magnitude of what our God is about to do. Our God is getting ready to release his Glory in a manner that is going to encompass the whole earth at once. It may start in one location, but it will eventually consume the whole earth. This is what is going to happen to the nations who try to stop what God is about to do: Exodus 14:17-18 NLT 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. 18 When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!” Everyone, including the atheist, will know he is God. God wrote about this event that is coming in Joel: Joel 2:28-29 NLT The Lord’s Promise of His Spirit 28 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. Have you ever thought about what the Glory of God might look like on this large of a scale. Exodus talks about God on the mountain: Exodus 19:18 NLT All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. We all know that the Holy Spirit is going to be part of this: Acts 2:1-6 NLT The Holy Spirit Comes 2 On the day of Pentecost[a] all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. Could you envision verse 3 "Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them." If the Glory of God falls inside of a building, someone may call the fire department to put the spiritual fire out. No building will be able to contain God's coming Glory. What if God's Glory would fall on an entire city? We know that the devil runs when God's Glory is present. Every leader of this world would be like Pharoh not being able to stop the movement of God's Glory in their country. You should be glad that you were born in a period to witness God's Glory. There are millions who have died already who would love to be in your shoes now. God did not make a mistake with you being alive at this time. He has a plan for your life to intensify his Glory. Every one of us could be like Ester: Esther 4:13-14 NLT 13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Gods sometimes hides us from the enemy until he is ready for us. Who knows if perhaps you were made for just such a time as this?” If you do not know, ask God to reveal it to you and go where he sends you. And this is who we are doing it for: Hebrews 1:3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. God's coming Glory is going to wreak havoc on the enemies' plans. God's Glory is also necessary to complete the final harvest. Could you imagine how God's Glory would transform the church? Jesus is excited for it all to begin! 02/21/2024 I don't know about you, but I am sure getting tired of all the injustice in the land. I watch how President Trump is guilty of everything and everyone on the left is wanting to take him to court. Everything is always proven bogus, but they continue on while our judges go along with the charade. Then there is Joe Biden who has been caught taking money from China, his son is evolved in so many corrupt schemes and the election fraud. Yet not a single judge really cares enough to go against all of the corruption in our judicial system. As individuals they throw us into prison or censor us if we stand for the truth. I know that it is difficult to go through what is happening, but God has something to say about this: Isaiah 10 New Living Translation 10 What sorrow awaits the unjust judges and those who issue unfair laws. 2 They deprive the poor of justice and deny the rights of the needy among my people. They prey on widows and take advantage of orphans. 3 What will you do when I punish you, when I send disaster upon you from a distant land? To whom will you turn for help? Where will your treasures be safe? (Even in Isaiah's day the judges were being bribed as they are today) 4 You will stumble along as prisoners or lie among the dead. But even then the Lord’s anger will not be satisfied. His fist is still poised to strike. (This is what God is about to do today. I am like the disciples. "Lord, can we call fire down from heaven like Elijah did and consume them all." Of course, in the end of the story the disciples were rebuked.) Be careful when you say God is slow at fulfilling his word because he has been waiting for his people to humble themselves and pray for the destruction of evil in the land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 New Living Translation 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. Matthew 7:8 NLT For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Could you imagine that one reason God may be slow is because no one was willing to ask him for a solution to the problem. I have heard this one from people who say America is so evil that we need to be judged by God. Remember when God was getting ready to destroy Sodom that he had a discussion with Abraham why he should not destroy the city. It would have worked except the whole city was corrupt. America is not as bad as Sodom yet and we need to ask God not to destroy her. Luckily for you and me there have been prayer warriors praying to change God's mind. He is going to change America for his Son so that America can help him reach the whole world to know Jesus Christ. America is still so involved with pleasure seeking that we have a difficult time seeing what evil is going on around us. It also easy to be selfish and we say, "Yep, it is not bothering me, so I am not going to make a stink about it." We then go on our merry way as things continue get worse. God is always looking for people who care enough that they will ask him what they can do to change the situation and let him take care of the rest. God does want us to change and get involved. God even wants our judges to repent. Peter commented on why things seem slow: 2 Peter 3:9 New Living Translation 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. Prayer is still the answer. We all need to bring this word that Isaiah wrote down. And we pray to see his promise fulfilled. I believe that he is probably is doing this already. But he likes to know that we are interested in removing evil from the land. This verse from Isaiah is encouraging because it tells us that God is not going to let this go on forever. I am praying that God will bring up new judges and lawyers who are not afraid to live for Jesus Christ. Just imagine what our legal system would be like with judges and lawyers who loved Jesus Christ. Who knows this might be the end of lawyer jokes? 02/14/2024 I just discovered that there are eleven commandments instead of ten. This is the eleventh commandment: John 13:34-35 (New Living Translation) So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Just by living this commandment you will discover it will be impossible to break nine of the original commandments dealing with people. The first commandment is: Exodus 34:14 NLT You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. I firmly believe that if we love people like Jesus wants us to that we will want to give Glory only to the true God. Instead of calling it a commandment we should call it an amendment to God's original law. It does make it more powerful. This is the goal Jesus is looking for: Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. People need to know that we are real especially if we want to bring their souls into the Kingdom of God. 01/22/2024 I have been hearing a lot about the Jezebel spirit attacking our nation and even Christians. Do not think you are safe from it because it caught Elijah and John the Baptist off guard. Jesus said this about John: Matthew 11:11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! God demonstrated to both Johns who the Messiah is by the Spirit descending on him. John 1:29-34 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” With the boldness of Elijah, John the Baptist stood up politically against the marriage of Herod: Matthew 14:3-5 3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. This action sent John to prison when the enemy challenged John. This spirit causes fear and we began to doubt our calling or what we know. This is also harmful to our faith in these moments. Elijah ran to the desert to hide where he began making false assumptions that he was the only one left and Jezebel had more power then God. John could not run and was so unsure of his calling that he sent his disciples to find out if Jesus was real: Matthew 11:2-4 2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Jesus is the master of communication in his response:) 4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” It is easy to fall into this trap because this spirit is so prevalent. This is why we need to pray and bind the enemy to overcome this Spirit. Ask frequently: Matthew 7:7-8 (New Living Translation) “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. This spirit is harmful to your spiritual health in so many ways. Lord I pray that you keep the spirit of Jezebel away from all your children and give us the insight to recognize it. 01/12/2024 Isn't it interesting how often that things of life eventually come against us. We finally realized that we can't do everything ourselves and turn to God for answers. David himself had these moments: Psalm 118:5-6 (King James Version) I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? God really does have a place for us. We may not even want to go there. But when we are where God wants us to be, he will be there with us in a big way. As long as he wants you to stay in this place, you will become invincible to any man. If you leave where God called you to go, you may see what other men will do to harm you. We know that apostle Paul's place was Asia. Which to me is a pretty large place. Paul was where God wanted him to be. Acts 27 talks about how the wind and the storms could not destroy him. He even warned the captain to what was about to happen if they left harbor. Our God always has a way out even when those around you are evil. When Paul prayed when the wind was about to destroy the ship, God answered his prayer quickly and saved everyone's life onboard the ship. That is another thing I have noticed is on how fast God answers prayers when we are praying about where we are supposed to be. Acts 28 talks about everyone being spared from the shipwreck. Paul was helping create a big fire when a Viper bit him. He just threw it in the fire and kept on going. He knew that God called him to go to Rome and understood that it would not happen if he was dead. If you don't know the story of my buddy, he too had a period when he was in distress. When he called out to God, he brought him to east Denver to reach out to the gangs. God has always protected him from danger until he tried to create his own place and almost died. He realized what he did and apologized to God for not listening. Even when we are in God's place, he can make changes if we ask. He was always getting banged around so we prayed that the leaders would prevent his men from laying a hand on him. God changed this immediately. We still had the pistols that were always drawn and even placed on the back of his head while reading God's Word. We then prayed that when he had God's Word in his hand that would be the cue to put their pistols away. God answered that prayer immediately. Now the gang members are looking for my buddy to ask him questions about forgiveness and they usually are hungry. He will be one of many who would tell you that God's place is not boring. If you have fear in your life, let God direct you to where he wants you. He will then always be by your side. The enemy will lose his power because of his presence and men will have no control over you. Don't go solo and lose what God has to offer. 10/04/2023 I watch How our judicial system is trying to take out Trump for the tiniest thing and quickly. Then I notice the opposite with Joe Biden with his son Hunter. They're trying to cover all that up. It seems like our judicial system only supports evil. It looks like we have to live with this because nothing can be done. Just because we see injustice in the land you need to read this from Psalms. It was written for what going on in 2023: Psalm 7:11-17 NLT 11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. 13 He will prepare his deadly weapons and shoot his flaming arrows. 14 The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. 15 They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. 16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. 17 I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. It is OK to remind God what he placed in his word to him. Just believe these words are real and God is going to do something. But the last thing is the dirty word "patience" that I hate. God does things in a way to give people the chance to repent. Definitely do not forget verse 17 "I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." while God is judging the evil in the land. 09/20/2023 I don't like what is going on with today's world and it is tempting just to stay at home to separate myself from this insane world. The problem with this is we will cheat ourselves from the joy God has for us. James mentioned this right away as he began writing: James 1:2-4 Faith and Endurance 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Running away from sin is a good thing but we should face troubles head on. We do not have to do it alone. James had an answer for problem solving. It is: James 1:5-8 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Even after doing all this, the long battle can begin to weigh down our spirit to the point we lose our enthusiasm serving our King. Paul has an encouraging word for us as he wrote to the Galatian church: Galatians 6:9 NLT 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. God will give us great harvest of blessing if we keep our eyes on him and continue to do the things he asks of us. When we serve our King with our focus to please him, the world's problems seem so much smaller. 09/11/2023 It is amazing how many people struggle with self-worth. This should not be a problem because God does not make junk. This is a trick of the enemy to causes us to want to give up. Just think about it, why would God send his son to die for worthless junk. Paul's letter to the Ephesians has something to say about this: Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. David even realized the workmanship that God did to create us: Psalm 139:13-16 NLT 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. God has given us everything to maintain the masterpiece he made us to be. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT Growing in Faith 3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. Expect fantastic things to happen when you do what he has called you to do. Romans 8:28 NLT 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. It is a fact that anytime you have a masterpiece, you are going to protect it at any cost. This is no different with God: Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT 8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” He will even watch out for you for your enemies. Psalm 7:14-16 NLT 14 The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. 15 They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. 16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. He has a vested interest in making sure that our path is remaining straight. Psalm 32:8 NLT 8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. When doubt tries to enter your mind, God many times will send someone to encourage you. Even the Holy Spirit can do this alone: Psalm 94:19 NLT 19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. More proof we serve an awesome God and we know God does not lie. This is his desire if we do not abandon him to our selfish desires: Isaiah 43:1-4 NLT The Savior of Israel 43 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4 Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. Do not let your weak faith make you doubt that he cannot accomplish this. He wants to do this for you. After all you are a masterpiece. 08/30/2023 In order to truly serve God properly we have to know who we are: Romans 3:23-24 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Because of Jesus Christ we are now not guilty. Do not let the enemy use your past experiences to prevent you from being bold: 1 John 3:21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. Romans 5:21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Now that we know who we are, let's find out what God wants: 1 John 3:7-10 7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. You see it does matter what we do after receiving God's grace through Jesus Christ. Like John says if we do not live properly or hate our neighbor the way we should, it sounds like the Lake of fire is our next destination. Grace is NOT fire insurance but is something that needs to be treated with respect just like the man who gave us this gift. I have noticed that those who have a good relationship with Jesus Christ have an easier time with living a righteous life. Develop that relationship with him. Read God's word, pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. He is willing to help build it. Let's make Jesus Proud of us. 08/21/2023 I really believe that when we really begin to love God that our lives become this: Psalm 42:8 (New Living Translation) But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. There are truly people who love God this much and live this kind of life. I myself am trying to work towards this goal of loving God like this. God does not do anything that harms us. It is just the opposite as Isaiah said: Isaiah 33:22 (New Living Translation) For the Lord is our judge, our lawgiver, and our king. He will care for us and save us. In fact, God would rather have us victorious in our walk with him as the Psalm says: Psalm 149:4 (New Living Translation) For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. So, let us watch our attitude so we too may be victorious as we walk with our King. When we accomplish Psalm 42:8, we will want to do as Paul asks the Corinthian church. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (New Living Translation) As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. Bring Glory to our King with a pure heart and actions and he may send you to amazing places that you never have dreamed it was possible. I have witnessed it firsthand what our King is capable of doing. 07/09/2023 I do not get a thrill going through pain and suffering. If you think that you are the only one with problems, you are wrong. There are people in the bible who have experienced and support my views: Jabez did not like pain and suffering either: 1 Chronicles 4:10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. {Could this mean that prayer is a good start to relieving pain and suffering} I have to admire Job for the pain he endured. Is there another man who could do what he did without rejecting God? Unlike you and me who have Gods written word and Jesus Christ, he did it without both. He was never excited to go through this period either: Job 6:10 At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One. Job 6:25 Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to? Job 7:15 I would rather be strangled— rather die than suffer like this. Job 9:28 I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God. Job 14:22 They suffer painfully; their life is full of trouble.” Job 15:20 “The wicked writhe in pain throughout their lives. Years of trouble are stored up for the ruthless. Job 30:17 At night my bones are filled with pain, which gnaws at me relentlessly. Job 30:27 My heart is troubled and restless. Days of suffering torment me. Job 33:19 “Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds, with ceaseless aching in their bones. King David did not like the pain either: Psalm 25:18 Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. Psalm 38:6 I am bent over and racked with pain. All day long I walk around filled with grief. Psalm 38:17 I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain. Psalm 48:6 They were gripped with terror and writhed in pain like a woman in labor. Psalm 69:26 To the one you have punished, they add insult to injury; they add to the pain of those you have hurt. Psalm 69:29 I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. It always looks like the bad guy gets a pass to pain: Psalm 73:4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. Malachi 3:15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm. Always remember this that if you are serving the enemy, he will leave you alone because you are ineffective to God's Kingdom. This does not honor our King. Psalm 73:14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. Psalm 90:10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Psalm 109:22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is full of pain. Jesus wanted a way out of pain and suffering if possible: Matthew 26:39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Many of God's Children have had their lives shaped by pain and suffering. Even their salvation has come from it. This happened in the first letter of Paul the church in Corinth: 2 Corinthians 7:8-9 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. Acts 5:41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. Will anyone get into the Kingdom of God without some sort of pain or suffering? Acts 14:22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Romans 8:17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Our actions can cause pain in the life of others: Philippians 1:17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. Serving Jesus is a discipline: Hebrews 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 1 Peter 4:1 Living for God So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. Everything may seem negative up to this point, but this is what you will see if you endure: Romans 8:18 The Future Glory Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 2 Corinthians 1:5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 2 Thessalonians 1:5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. Hebrews 5:8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. (True for us also.) 1 Peter 2:20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. James 5:13 The Power of Prayer Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Now for the Big Finish: Hebrews 2:18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. James 5:11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. Take heed of this last verse. We need to turn our lives over to Jesus now to reap the full benefits of what he wants to offer us. This is a promise from our King himself: Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
