Another Jesus

"Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me." John 14:16. kjv

Those are the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."Through Whom He created the worlds", Hebrews 1:2 nkjv. This is the One who has been exalted above the heavens and the earth and that which is beneath the earth. "'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending', saith the Lord, 'which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.'" Revelation 1:8 kjv.
"Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." Hebrews 1:3-4 nkjv. It is by His, (Jesus Christ), stripes we were healed.

Image from Google.com and Funnyjunk.com

As offensive as some will find the above picture, this is how many view Jesus. Their conduct shows that this is the Jesus who was here and is expected to return, but that person in that picture isn't Jesus!


There is only one Jesus, no other. Yet there are people preaching and teaching another Jesus. Preaching and teaching abominable heresies about Jesus being merely a prophet, or that God will let every single human into Heaven regardless of how they have lived their lives, these false teachers deny the power of the true God. Who is this other Jesus? One who is weak, one who is dispensable, one who is willing to let those who have not denied themselves of vices and many works of iniquity and taken up their cross to follow Him, enter into heaven willy-nilly. There are many false teachers out there saying that there are many ways to get to God, but there is only one way to the Father and that way is through Jesus Christ. There are those, "Spiritual Gurus" who teach things like reincarnation and all you need is to trust in yourself and  follow your heart, or one of the most popular ones that's going around, "live your truth". Can truth be found outside of God? No. Still these doctrines are lauded over things like, trust in God, justification by faith, deny yourselves and repentance. We are taught through the Holy Scriptures not to follow our hearts because, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 kjv.

So many have become accustomed to the prosperity preaching, the gospel of inclusionism, and other doctrines of men, that things like, "take up your cross and follow Jesus", sound practically alien. Many wonder, "Deny myself of what?" For the most part, it's pleasures we refuse to deny ourselves of. Unlawful things, things that we have trying to fill a void, that truly only God is able to fill. Many don't want to let those go, and those that do, don't know how and are confused and end up listening to persons that are teaching  that they can remain as they are and enter into heaven.

It can be quite confusing for a person who is struggling with something to know who is right and wrong if  they do not know Jesus. There are persons who say they are Christians that preach God's grace and mercy and repentance and God's wrath and then there are people who also call themselves Christians that preach about reaping blessings freely without having to make any changes in your life, and they also teach that money is the key to solving  all problems, and that homosexuals won't be punished because they are only loving one another, calling good evil and evil good. Then you have the persons who call themselves Christians who teach about Jesus but their conduct is not worthy of the Gospel. Hot, cold, lukewarm, it's only a matter of which one are you? All the different beliefs among those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ, no wonder it is very confusing to those who are non-believers. Of course the bulk of their confusion is because of the veil over their eyes, because many exchange the truth of God for a lie, Romans1:25. Although we are called to be of one accord, it seems as though there is more division among the members of the Christian faith, than there is in the many false doctrines out there, that isn't good.

There is a very famous pastor that said gays will get into heaven, just as they are, gay and everything, but this is a lie. Instead of teaching the truth, that God is a God who prefers mercy rather than sacrifice, and that He prefers for you to come clean, i.e. confess your sins; denounce former lusts and follow Him, and only after you have done the will of God you can receive the promise, not after you do what you will, many preach of another God who can fellowship with darkness, who's grace and mercy begins on the Day of Judgement, not today while it is still called today. Many believe they can take things up with God when they see Him face to face, or on the Day of Judgement, God will read off of a really long scroll all that a person has done wrong and give everyone a pardon who has lived their lives however they pleased. The time to receive grace is now, today. When Jesus returns He will be returning to receive those who have thankfully received Gods grace and mercy and the truth. He will be returning for those who have done the will of God, who have served God in Spirit and in truth. The just live by faith. We are justified by faith. If you believe in the things that are contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you're going to receive your portion with the workers of iniquity. Jesus told the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, Matthew 16:6, meaning to beware of their doctrine. Many have disregarded this warning and decided to satisfy their itching ears with teachings that feed their flesh, while their Spirit becomes malnourished.

It is written that, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." 1 John 4:1-3. "...and is NOW already in the world", ruminate on that.

It's rare these days to find anyone admonishing and exhorting the bretheren to beware of those who are not of Jesus Christ but appear as though they are. Most are teaching about blessings that one can gain from following Jesus, but perhaps inadvertently or not, forget to mention that one must deny themselves of many things if they want to be a follower of Jesus Christ, if they want to be a child of God, they must have faith. "Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." Matthew 16:24-27 nkjv. Denying yourself anything is hard for many. Denying yourself that piece of cheesecake whilst on a diet is hard, but many cheat on diets, but you cannot cheat in your walk with the Lord.  You won't be in it alone my friend, God is there to provide you with self-control, one of the fruits of His Holy Spirit, which is issued to all those who believe in Jesus Christ, to those who remain in the True Vine, Jesus Christ. "My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness..." 2 Corinthians 12:9 kjv.

It is amazing how easy it is for people to deny the Truth. Many are hastening into the strong delusion we were warned about.  The wool is being pulled over many persons eyes. How? There are people who come as though they represent Jesus, but in fact are agents of the devil, and  many who are unable, even unaware, of the importance of testing spirits, fall into the snares set by the enemy. "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. We must be careful of those persons who are not teaching of the true Jesus. There are many anti-christ's who are with us now. To protect ourselves during this time, we must arm ourselves with the armor of God. "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..." Ephesians 6:14-18 nkjv.

What Love Looks Like

I was in young adults group the other night and a few of the members were having a conversation about love before the meeting got on the way. One of the members said, "It doesn't exist". I guess we have all hear that one before, right? Another member said, “It's a mirage!" in a very matter of fact way. Later that night throughout our discussion about relationships, we revisited the conversation that occurred earlier. Again the same two members expressed how they felt, and they were fully convinced that what they had come to learn about love was the correct, basically as far as they were considered it's nonexistent and nobody can negate that. I don't know if I should be amazed that there are so many people who have no idea what love is, but what is surprising is how many people who say they're Christians are still unable to identify love, not specifically these two gentlemen, but in general. Many young adults, Christian or not, are still uncertain about love.

There's really only one type of love and that love supersedes whatever other love many have come to learn from the world, and that is the love created by our heavenly Father, Godly love. But there is this other thing masquerading as love but really isn't, most folks don't know the difference and call anything/anyone that gives them a little tingle love. Yes, there is brotherly love, family love and the love between a husband and his wife, but throughout each of them is a common thread, and that is given to us in scripture in 1 Corinthians 13:4. The love created by God, given to us freely, is the same love commanded we give to one another, no matter what our relationship with that person may be.  Don't become confused when you see or hear people mention things like, Phileo, Storge or Eros, which by the way Eros isn't even mentioned in the Bible. Phileo or Philia is mentioned in the Bible as brotherly love. "Brotherly Love" is love between friends or acquaintances and so on. Storge, which some may be unfamiliar with and others may have heard of it, is said to be love between family members. Eros is never mentioned in the Bible at any point, not even alluded to, funnily enough, this seems to be the only one that garners the most attention in movies, music, books and other media.

Eros is said to be intimate love, or in other words, sexual love between two persons, having to do with the erotic. Eros, which is a Greek word,  is a part of Greek mythology, considered to be the son of Aphrodite. A type of  love based on a character in Greek mythology, hmmmmm this type of love is starting to sound more legit by the second, not. Eros love, because of its connection to sex obviously, is really what many of the popular songs and movies promote more often than real love. Agape love is said to be Godly love. The love of God is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and it is the love we are told to have for one another. I think there is a pretty obvious reason why the Bible does not mention Eros, it is because Godly love is paramount. The love of God is unconditional and perfect, whereas Eros has conditions which are sexual.  In the Biblical definition of love, having sex is never mentioned as  evidence that a person loves you, or for a person to remain loving you. In fact, a person who truly loves you would love you in spite of you not having sex with him/her,  not because you did. We must remember that God says love endures all things, and that includes when it comes to having  to abstain from sex. I don’t know anyone who loved someone genuinely on the bases that they had sex with them. The message taught to many young adults is that, "real love between a couple can only begin once the act of sex has occurred", lies, and if you believe that my friend, you may have just taken a trip through crazytown by way of deceptionville. No need to fret, the truth will lead you out of there, we've all been there at some point. It is not genuine love if sex had to occur in order for the love to be established. Some go around saying, "The only way I will know you love me for real is if you have sex with me", if you ever hear anyone say that, run like the wind, because that person is trouble, either that person has no clue about what love truly is, or that person is trying to pull a wool over your eye. Yet many guys tell girls that lie, and some females do the same, and guess what, there are more who will believe that than the ones who will believe the truth. The love of God takes the backseat, whilst sex masquerading as love takes the drivers seat. The love of God, which is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit, is the love that is most important to God and it should be the same to us as well.

Satan has placed his anti-Christ slogan on the lips of many through different songs. You may wonder why I say anti- Christ, well; there are myriads of songs out there shining a dark light on love, saying love sucks, love hurts, forget love, so on and so forth. If God is the creator of love , which He is, and the entire message of the Bible is Love, then wouldn't it be anti-Christ to speak against love. But of course in many, not all, but many of the popular songs written, love is vilified. This is why I have to say those song’s are not about real love, the love bashing songs, because if they were about real love they wouldn’t be the reason many sink even deeper into depression, possibly suicide or some rage where they kill someone after hearing one of those heart breaking songs about love gone wrong. Remember , the Bible says love isn’t provoked, and love is patient, so wouldn’t that mean a lot of these popular songs are spreading an anti-love message and ultimately anti-Christ when they send people flying off the handle because of some of the lyrics?  It is the work of the devil. And some might say, “Come on, you can’t blame the music Sateigdra, it’s the person because not everyone kills someone after they hear a sad love song”, you're right not every does, but it cannot be denied that music manipulates a persons emotions whether they want to admit it or not and not everyone can keep it together, you may not kill your ex or current partner after hearing "Misty Blue" but somebody may be stirred up by the devil to do so. It doesn't matter if the music you listen to makes you happy, sad or angry or just do really strange random things, music influences everyone in some way emotionally. Look at most hip hop for instance, it influences the way many speak, dress, dance and think,  it's a teacher and many are the its pupils and don't even know what they are subjecting themselves to. We should not be ignorant of the enemies devices, spreading his agenda through certain music is one of his tools, beware. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your minds and be sober.” 1 Peter 1:13. That 1 Peter scripture isn't talking about being sober from alcohol, although that is also something many get drunk on and shouldn't. That scripture is talking about not being drunk in the ways of the world, the pattern of the world, not being drunk on the lies of the enemy, but allowing your minds to be renewed in Jesus Christ and remain there, sober. 

Unfortunately, many cannot discern exactly what love is so they are unable to even display it, and that is a very troubling thing. Truth is, if you are under the impression love isn't real or is some illusion, how will you be able to show it if you can't identify it yourself. Most importantly, if you deny the existence of love you deny one of the key tenets of the Christian faith. It is by the love of God and His mercy any of us are even here today, it is because of His love He gave His only begotten Son, it was because of love, the very same love many are denying the existence of. Some might sigh and say to themselves, “Oh, Sateigdra, you misunderstood the whole thing. You're confusing Godly love with boyfriend and girlfriend love, relationship love, duh!" Well, I'm pretty sure that didn't go over my head. I'm going to draw an example from the relationship between a husband and a wife not two unmarried people, although if an unmarried couple indeed are in love, the correct type of love, marriage should be in the horizon right? Many are under the impression the love between a husband and a wife is vastly different from the love between a mother and her children or two friends, but it's really not, if you think about it, of course taking in account all the things God said love is. If Jesus said that a man ought to love his wife the way Christ loves the church, then the love a husband has for his wife is the same love God has for us His bride, His church.  The only major difference is a husband and wife have sex and people who are not married are not to, after reading this far into this message on love, it should already be understood that sex does not equate to love. God said we ought to love one another just the way He loves us. There are no different degrees of love we are to have for different types of people, we have a standard and that standard is the love God has for us and we are to follow that pattern. Honestly, at first hearing it, it can a bit hard to really grasp, especially when God say's we are to love our enemies. God was quite clear when He said we are to love on another the way He loves us, He never specified a specific group of persons or a specific individual.

"Can't two young people be in love and not be married?" Yes, two persons that aren't married can have love for one another, love isn't something confined solely to the institution of marriage, but don't take that to mean that you should be having sex, because you're "In love". Of course the devil want's us to think that because a husband and a wife have sex, that means if people are “in love” they should have sex. By the biblical definition of love, sex and love are not directly correlated, in fact in  1 Corinthians 13:4, sex isn't mentioned, it isn't even alluded to in any way, so why do so many think that sex and love outside of marriage go hand and hand. Sex is to be between a husband and his wife (male and female), because that’s how God wants it. Now who’s big and bold enough to contend with God on that, or on anything? When a husband and a wife (male and female) are married, "the husband is to render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does, and likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." 1 Corinthians 7:3-4.  When you fornicate, thus committing sexual immorality, you have done that against your body. "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside his body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 nkjv. If you are not married your body should not be given to anyone, no individual has authority over your body if you're not married to them, and hence you should not be having sex, no matter how much anyone claims they love you, if they love you they will be willing to wait for you, even if it meant a hundred years. Love is………patient!

"But I say to the unmarried and to the widows it is good that they remain as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion."  1 Corinthians 7:8-9 nkjv. Paul shares how it would be better for all to remain virgins (unmarried), whilst abstaining from sex, like he was able to, but he shares that if you cannot control yourself, if  certain urges are burning within you then it is better you be married, as supposed to walking around lusting and longing for sex which will ultimately lead you to fornicate. He did not say since you're feeling  aroused, and I'm trying to be G-Rated here, ya'll folks know what I'm talking about though, if you're feeling turned on, Paul did not say run out and have sex or spill you're seed on the floor.  For the ladies I'll just say it plainly, masturbation is not right, nobody should be masturbating, that goes for male and females. But why, it’s not sex right? In order for you to even get aroused to the point where you feel the need to touch yourself you would have to be envisioning something you shouldn't, hence you're lusting which is a no-no as far a God is concerned and no different from having sex, He doesn't want us lusting.  Someone might be wondering,  "if we're not suppose to have sex before we're married, why is it that our bodies are designed in a way where we become aroused?" Your arousal comes from an inner desire brought about from imagining certain scenarios between you and a certain person, a girl you know or a guy you know. When you were conceived there  wasn't some kind of gene that was passed down to you that produces those thoughts, those thoughts come from lust which is a sin, and we were all born sinners. Lust is a fruit of the flesh not of the Spirit. Husbands and wives are aroused by one another is it a sin then? In the confines of marriage it is not a sin to long to be with your wife or your husband, whereas outside of marriage it is wrong and considered sinful. Perhaps it sounds a little confusing but it really isn't. It's another one of the wonderful things about marriage, you can long and desire to be with your wife or husband as much as you want and it will never be considered wrong because you're both married, one flesh in the eyes of the  Almighty.

What does love look like? "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek it's own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4 nkjv. "Love is the bond of perfection." Colossians 3:14 nkjv. "Love never fails..." 1 Corinthians 13:8 nkjv. And nowhere there does it mention love is having sex, only the works of the father of lies would perpetuate such heresies. A horrible lie many young people believe and even teach others. Everyday we are bombarded with what the world says love is, through music, movies, books and may other things, that have many under the impression that love is something that should give us a tingly warm sensation or love and sex you can have as a pair outside of marriage. If there is no physical intimacy involved then it's not love according the doctrine of the enemy. The devil is a liar! The enemy yet again has taken something so wonderful that God has created and has redefined its meaning and have many thinking his way is the only valid way and anything else is some kind of fabrication of ones mind.

Many cannot identify love, perhaps it is because they were never shown love growing up and is unable to pin any type of gesture to love because they have not received it, or because they were hurt so many times by people who claimed they loved them, they eventually lost faith and have little to no trust in anyone anymore. For a person that has never had love, who is unable to receive love, it may seem a bit difficult to love them because they are either bitter often, or they are quick to assume anything you do is based on some ulterior motive you may have. In cases where the person does not know what love is, you should try to be very delicate with them, being aware that person may not be very trusting due to past hurt, and perhaps may have become very jaded over the years because of it. You my have to say you love them a lot more than you would regularly say I love you to someone who you know is aware of what love is. Whenever you do something you may have to say," This is because I love you", and sometimes just go up to them and say, “I just want you to know you are loved, you might be having a rough day but you are loved, you may want to be left alone right now, but I just want you to know that you are loved”. The more you say it along with performing it in different way's whether a hug or a card, kind gesture, still showing kindness to them in spite of how they treat you, and by displaying the things 1 Corinthians 13:4 says love is. Hopefully they will be able to identify love according to the pattern of your behavior towards them. When they go out and see those same actions being displayed towards them by others they will be able to identify that as love, also, pray about it. Pray that God's light may shine upon them and their understanding be opened so they can comprehend and bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the most important one, love.  

What love looks like

"Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

God is to be feared just as much as He is to be loved.

"....Do not be haughty but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either" Romans 11:20-21 nkjv.

Fearing God isn't some kind of antiquated superfluous concept, that we can just decide we won't be bothered with.

What a horrible attitude to have, also a very costly one. Person's who seem to not care about God, or think because they can't see Him with their eyes He's probably not real, hence not worth their time, is walking down a very slippery slope. 

There are a lot of people that claim they love God yet don't keep His commandments, many say they fear God yet it's not evident in their conduct, just a bunch of double talk. A friend of mine told me one day, "Yeah I fear God, but I don't think He's this tyrant you make Him out to be." I was telling her that repentance is important because nobody truly want's to experience the wrath of God. It seems as though whenever a person mentions God's wrath, which is hardly mentioned by the way, but when folks do mention it, people immediately equate that with saying, God is horrible and hates you and will kill you if thing's don't go His way. I thought to myself, too many people think God is a pushover, just rainbows and butterflies & pumpkin spice lattes. Yes He loves us, if we even begin to scratch the surface of understanding how much He loves us our minds would be blown, but He also intends to judge each one according to their works.Revelation 22:12.  Have we been taking God too lightly? We are to, "...work out your salvation in trembling and fear." Philippians 2:12. (TREMBLING & FEAR) who is doing that exactly? The man with the gun is feared, many fear the leaders of their country, folks are afraid of the police, folks are afraid of terrorist's, some are afraid of speaking in public (I'm one of them), but only a few truly fear God. In Mathew 10:28 Jesus said, "And fear not him who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell".  Even Jesus preached about fearing God, this wasn't something Christians came up with to frighten people into salvation or to paint a marred picture of God.

What will it profit me if I fear God?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth forever." Psalm 111:10

"For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it." Ecclesiastes 7:12

The fear of the Lord should be preached form the mountain tops. Many take each day for granted, arrogantly and foolishly many go about the day never giving a single thought as to how they were able to wake up, how they were able to arrive to work safely, and return home at night without a scratch. A pilot and passengers hop on board a plane and maybe a few would even consider that it is by Gods grace that the plane even enters the sky, and remains. Many hop off the plane and go about their business, how many give God the glory and thank Him for watching over them, not many, if any. Throughout biblical history God's wrath has been displayed in many way's, but today it's like people have forgotten and think He's that god that television shows and movies depict Him to be. He's not some guy sitting in the sky smoking pot wearing a white choir robe, or some guy in the sky with a baritone voice talking to people randomly, or some dude that delegates angles to come out of heaven and carouse with humans, and by the end of the movie the angel is deciding whether to be a human or to drag him/her self back to that insufferable perfect place called heaven. That's not God and  angels don't conduct themselves like that. I'll tell you one thing, (who am I kidding I can never just say one thing, this lengthy blog is an example of that) but I will say this, if you trust Hollywood to teach you all about God, life and death, you will go through life completely misguided.

Many going about life with this very same attitude.

"Keep calm and don't care."

 

Some examples of Gods wrath and judgement as recorded throughout biblical history:

 Genesis 7. God destroyed the entire earth with a flood, only 8 lives were spared. Think about it, out of the many people who lived all over the face of the earth only 8 lives were spared.

Genesis 19. God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two cities filled with people and only Lot and his family were spared. Not even ten righteous were found in two cities. Many believe those cities were destroyed primarily because of  homosexuality, in fact many don't even say anything beyond that when talking about the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah, all they say is that gay people were there and God destroyed them because of that. It's the usual reference many go to when talking about the the rewards of homosexuality if it doesn't cease. God has never destroyed an entire city (Ever) because of a single act of iniquity. In the book of Ezekiel God explained why He destroyed Sodom. Read Ezekiel 16:49-50, you might be surprised at His reasons, and how many of us are guilty of what God truly destroyed them for.
And God's judgement had not ended there, He commanded Lot's family not to look back once they fled the city, but Lot's wife looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt. ouch!

Exodus 12:31 God freed the Hebrews from Egypt, but although they had seen God's power in Egypt, although they had seen the Red Sea part and crossed through it and the Egyptians in hot pursuit perish in it, although they had eaten manna from heaven, although they had been covered by God with a cloud by day and a fire by night they still did not enter into the promise land, because of their disobedience they experienced God's wrath. Deuteronomy 3:23-29 shows that not even Moses entered the land promised. In Joshua 3 the the fourth generation of Hebrews finally enter the land promised as was prophesied in Genesis 15:16, God told Abraham that it would be the fourth generation. Do not take this as to say God did not keep His covenant since the generation that leaved Egypt did not enter, on the contrary He kept His word and the Hebrews did enter, in spite of what the others did, God kept His word to His people.

Numbers 11 The people complained about only eating manna so God sent quail, so much quail that when it came from the sea it was about two cubits above the surface, that's approximately 36 inches. It was all around the camp. "...and the people stayed up all that day, all night, and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers).." Ten homers is about 12 to 20 bushels in modern day measurements. ".and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague. So he called the name of that place Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had yielded to craving". God had brought those people out of  Egypt, literally their food fell from the sky, they had water, they were no longer in bondage, yet they still we're ungrateful, so they experienced God's wrath.

Numbers 16. The story of  Korah, Dathan and Abiram and the rebellion they orchestrated against Moses and Aaron. These guys were just haters to be honest, their kind of like some people we all can relate to having known at one time or the other, persons that just see everything going good for you or see that you have been given an important position in your company or church or local bowling team and their just  jealous it's not them getting all the attention so they wanna try and mess everything up, by causing everyone to lose trust in you. Thing is, Moses and Aaron weren't seeking glory for themselves, like many who have been given gifts or talents from God tend to do, no Aaron and Moses simply were being obedient and through their obedience and humility they were commended by God and the people listened to them because they knew that God placed them in charge. Oh, let me not forget to mention, Korah were sons of Levi so they had an important position as well, but that wasn't enough they wanted to be the big bosses running the show. Sounds like anyone you guys know? They started disrespecting Moses, he sent for them and they didn't come, long story short, and it is a long story, all the men Korah and their households were swallowed up into the ground and the earth closed over them, all who was with Korah perished that day. "..All who were around them fled at their cry, for they said 'Lest the earth swallow us up also'". Numbers 16:28-34. But God wasn't done yet, "..a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense."" Numbers 16:35. Read Numbers 16 to get the full story, it's really amazing!

Acts 5. The story of Annanias and Sapphira speaks volumes to those who think they can deceive God. Seriously God is everywhere, I don't know why anybody at any point could possibly think there is something they can hide from God. He can read our minds and hearts, He knows all that will be, during our lives and after, He was here from the beginning of time, He's the creator of time. One of my favorite scriptures is in Isaiah 43:13 where God say's, "Yes, before the day was, I am He." It was His Spirit that hovered over the face of  the waters in Genesis 1:2. "For of Him, and through Him and to Him, to Whom be glory forever, amen." Romans 11:36. It would be unwise to think one can deceive God, even Satan that devil know's God cannot be deceived,  guess nobody gave Annanias and Sapphira the heads up. They of all people should know that God watches and know's all things, they were believers after all. They lied to the Holy Spirit when they were asked if they had given all the money they sold their land for. They withheld some and gave the rest as to appear as kind as the others who had property and sold it to help others in need, but God had seen all of it go down, yet Annanias and his wife still lied and were struck dead on the spot, the very second they lied about what they did. When I was a little girl and I was telling my friends something and they perceived it might not be true, they would say by whom do you swear that your telling the truth? And if your lying  you'll be struck down. Of course it would be by that lighten bolt people think will flash and strike somebody dead if they tell a lie. Well, Annanias and Sapphira kind of had that happen to them, minus the theatrics a lightning bolt would bring. They died instantly, the very second the lie left their lips! Don't you want to thank God right now for His grace and mercy, because if that still happened today, I doubt anybody would be alive to be reading this, I doubt I would even be writing this, I doubt the computer or internet would have gotten invented because those guys would have been dead or never even born because their parents would have been struck dead. We've all told a little white lie, or any kind of lie before, yet here we are still alive, Gods mercy and grace is indeed amazing and He is worthy to be praised.

(I just recently added all the info beneath the pic because I wanted to give more examples of God's wrath.)

I could really go on and give you example after example of God's wrath, I might even write a part two to this sometime in the future God willing. The biggest example I can think of to let you understand God's wrath is when He allowed the Chaldeans to take the Israelite's into captivity in Babylon. These were Gods chosen people, but they went astray, they always went astray in their hearts, Hebrews 3:10. God suffered long, He sent prophet after prophet to warn them because of His love, you can read of it in Ezekiel and many other books in the Old Testament, but they still did not listen. He loved His people so much He kept a remnant, He did not destroy all, He gave them a choice to save their lives yet again by telling them to allow the Chaldeans to take them into to captivity, although they would be slaves they would be alive and God promised eventually they would return back to their home as freemen, but many did not listen and were destroyed by famine, pestilence and the sword. It is important to fear and love God, fearing Him is profitable, as suppose to fearing man, which profits you nothing. God has yet again given an opportunity to save our lives, by losing it we save it, meaning if you want to gain what God has in store for those who love Him you must be willing to deny yourselves the things in this life that are keeping you away  from eternal life, Matthew 16:25. God out of His immeasurable love has been suffering long with this world not wanting any to perish, 2 Peter 3:9, but the Day of Judgement  is still ahead, we must take God seriously in His promises (fear and trembling) because it is not to be counted as slack, a thousand years is but a day with Him and a day is a thousand years. 2 Peter 3:9




"For whatever things we're written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4

Off the Beaten Path

Picture from Goabroad.com via Google.com

Something that I have struggled with and I'm still struggling with daily, being encouraged. I compare myself with other people more often than I should, more so my circumstances with theirs. Seeking validation from people I think, for sometime, has been a thorn in my side. I measure many things with other people. I've even found myself comparing my spiritual growth with other believers, which is so ridiculous, but it happens. I don't make myself do it, it just happens. I once was having a conversation with a guy I know who is well versed on the Bible and can explain and reveal a lot of things in scripture that I haven't been able to grasp yet, and instead of feeling happy for this guy because God has given him the ability to understand certain mysteries and things like that, I think to myself, "How come I don't know this? Shouldn't I know this? Am I still blind? What am I doing wrong? Should I study more? Am I studying or simply reading?" These things make me question my knowledge or lack thereof of certain things I guess I think I should know. Maybe I have some kind of complex or something I don't know. God has given me understanding on many things and I give Him the glory for that, but I don't know why I always compare myself to others, as of recently it's been primarily to brothers and sisters in Christ.

There are days when I wake up frazzled and not knowing what to do. Sometimes there are those days I don't even want to get out of bed, those days I hardly feel motivated to do anything, so I sleep late, and when I get up I feel horrible because I think to myself, "You wasted half the day again." I wonder to myself if I'm lazy or what. But when I wake up it's like a race for time trying to get things done before the day really is gone. Because of all this frenzy going on within me, even the slightest thing aggravates me. A spoon or fork slipping out of my hand, something as simple as trying to open something that doesn't, something not staying in place where I put it, things as simple as that some days really feel like the straw that broke the camels back, and I just breakdown crying. A deep sadness for some reason always stays with me.  I try and hope whenever I go out to not run into people from my past simply so I wouldn't have to be faced with, what I find to be an invasive insufferable question, "So, what are you up to these days?" I smile awkwardly when faced with that question and then I become very uneasy, wishing I could crawl under a shell and hide and cry. It shouldn't matter what anybody thinks of me, family, friends, anyone, but it does.

I question my value, my purpose, a whole lot, too much I believe. There are days I even wonder if I'm fit to spread the Gospel, honestly, more often I don't feel worthy, but still  there are many instances where I feel compelled to do so. My conscience has been really getting to me recently to the point where it overwhelms me. I make mistakes, and trust me when I say this, after I've made a mistake no matter how minuscule it may seem to others, my attitude can shift and change how i feel for the remainder of that day. I've struggled with depression a lot in the past and I feel my insecurities have really stagnated my growth and sometimes I feel it still does. Some days I can go from being really cheerful and waking up singing hymns or whatever cheerful song comes to mind, then end up being really gloomy later.  I can't remember a week that went by recently where I didn't start crying just out of the clear blue, just crying and crying. I think all of this stems from me wondering my self worth, my purpose, wondering which direction to go in life. I get puzzled on how I am able to encourage people and can't encourage myself. I don't know why I keep coming back to this place, everytime others have encouraged me and I feel I have finally got it all worked out and I'm better, then there's a regression.

Writing used to make me feel like I had purpose, it even filled the days and made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile, it doesn't anymore. I never used to really get super excited to write anything but whenever I did, I liked it while I was doing it, but now I don't feel much about it. I've been praying to God about removing out of me the desire to do things that aren't according to His will, to remove from me the propensity to be drawn to worthless things, maybe this is it, the desire to be a writer or whatever. It doesn't bother me, because even when I wrote and I feel like I was doing something of purpose, kind of like waking up to a career or something, it really didn't truly make me happy. I liked it, but I didn't feel truly happy or anything, most days I wondered why even bother nobody will read it anyway. 

I'm getting older, even though I'm still very young, but I have always been a person, at least, my family thought should "be somebody" and that pressure is always in the back of my mind, so much it makes me really sad sometimes, because I'm not what anybody expected I would be. I didn't go to college and later have some really impressive career, no, my life is simple, and if measured to the world's standard of success it's not anything to write home about. I have no life achievements that can be captured and shared on Instagram or twitter. I'm not brimming over with quirky little quips, memorable anecdotes or self made platitudes that will get a hundred likes on Facebook or a 100 retweets on twitter. I'm introverted most of the time. I don't have dreams or aspirations, but everytime I turn around the world is telling me I should, and also I should chase them down and accomplish them all before I die. I don't have a five year plan, or even a five minute one. I know for most this might be disgraceful or even something people might conclude as the reason for the sadness I mentioned earlier, but it's not, rest assured, it's not. 

No, my family  probably won't ever be impressed or feel proud of me and brag to people about my accomplishments in this life, but I'm starting to feel that it's okay, even writing that releases some of the pressure, kind of like that pounding pressure that has your tooth throbbing when you know you need to pay the dentist a visit, it's like that horrible feeling slowly subsiding.  I have prayed to God to remove my heart and mind off of worldly things and to place it in heaven. So, when those moments come when I feel cheerful or happy, it's not because I have a lot of money in the bank, because I most certainly do not. It's not because I have really  prestigious affluent friends or a fancy wardrobe or drive an impressive car, because I don't. It's because I found out what truly matters in life, it's that my soul prospers, even if my finances don't, that the inward man be renewed although the outward man perishes, that there is indeed richness in contentment and a person can indeed be content even if what they and many others had initially expected of their lives doesn't come to fruition. Most importantly, that I, like my Savior Jesus Christ, overcome this world. I know I will suffer in this life, we as Christians were marked for a bit of suffering 2 Timothy 3:12, and perhaps my deep sadness may simply be hinged on something that isn't really bad but a kind of cleansing of some sort. Perhaps me questioning my path in life is a product of a renewed mind, because in my mind before I was certain which path in life I wanted to take, and God wasn't on it. Perhaps, realizing that in order to truly find my life in Christ I will have to lose the one created by my flesh, the one I had been conditioned from childhood to believe is the correct, perfect, and  acceptable way for ones life to be. My understanding thus far and peace I have found in Christ Jesus is sufficient and for now that's all that matters to me, this is what I must remind myself whenever I start the whole comparing myself to others thing. It's okay to take a step off the beaten path. The truth is, we are not supposed to feel fulfilled and complete with anything this world has to offer. I think it's important that we examine by what standard we measure success, God's or this world's, because experiencing true joy and ultimately where we spend eternity depends on it. 

Where are the fruits?

There's a guy on my facebook who posted something on his wall that prompted me to write another blog post. The job he has is what he truly likes, it's something he's trained real hard for, worked endlessly, put in a ton of time, but things aren't turning out the way he thought they would, or the way he thinks they should. He said, "I feel like giving up",  his friend's made comments like, "don't give up" "stick in there", they said just about every thing they could to uplift his spirits. Somebody even threw out there, "It's always darkest before dawn" originality at it's best, lol.  He thanked them for their words of encouragement and said  how he's, "really been feeling down and that their words helped him to wake up a little, and be more positive". He goes on to lament about how he has, "worked so hard and been through too much to not see the fruits as yet", then he asked a very interesting question, "Why is God putting me through so much? Why me?", he added, "Don't see the fruits of  my labour". So where are the fruits of this guys labour? I mean he has worked by the sweat of his brow right? and still, nada fruits. What's up with that?


Many of us have felt this way so what he's feeling is nothing out of the average, we've all been there, well many have at least. Remember those times when you picked up a few extra shifts, worked overtime, woke up earlier than usual to get that proverbial worm, or fruit, which is it? lol. Some may have missed a few of their kids swim matches or soccer games, maybe even moved vacation down the calendar a few times to get that couple extra dollars. Lets face face it, most have burned the candle at both ends and expected to see the results after a certain amount of time, we would hate to find out it's all been in vain? But what if that is the case?

How do you know if what you've been doing is truly what you should be doing? Is it because your really good at it? Many people are good at many things, probably because of all the time and dedication they've put into it, or maybe it's just something innate, you know past down through the family genes or something. Perhaps it is what your suppose to be doing, maybe you need to change your approach, take a second look at your character even. Ask yourself why am I doing this? What is my motivation? Is God anywhere in this? Did I even seek Gods council before I went out and put my all into this? Many don't ask those questions. Most of us don't want to hear that what we love so much may not be God's plan. I know I didn't want to hear it, what I loved to do nobody could tell me that wasn't my calling, even though it ultimately replaced God. I assumed on my own that's what I was meant to do. Never asked God anything, pretty much listening to my carnal mind. I noticed a void, I enjoyed what I did but wasn't getting the results I expected. Was it God calling me out of whatever it was I was doing? Was it God trying to point me into the right direction? Was it Gods way of saying this isn't what I have planned for you.

  Many have dreams, many have big plans, many have have a colourful and impressive answer for that question, where do you see yourself 5 years from now? ( I hate that question by the way, on account of me not being a psychic) 5 years from now I hope to be wherever God wills. I'm  not saying we should go throughout life winging it every chance we get, but it's really not winging it if God is the driver. Not exactly been checking for God much before, he's taken the back burner to your career. Oh, you go to church on Sundays so you and God pretty much have an understanding? (you might need to check my post on the compartmentalizing christian). After you've "worked so hard" you wonder where are my fruits God? Ever heard of selfish ambition? James 3:16. Psalm 119:36, Proverbs 18:1 & Romans 2:8, there are more but read those and see if the cap fits.
God has been, and probably currently is, nowhere on your agenda. What if all you built all you worked so hard at, was built all on your flesh. In fact, what you do has consumed so much of your life that what you do has become your God. Oh, that sounds a little harsh? Or is it that your feeling a little guilty, your hearts been pricked? Remember God is a jealous God, but in a loving way.

What ever happened to denying yourself and taking up the cross? Many say that they are following Jesus yet they're carrying baggage with them. How can you carry your cross and baggage at the same time? Can you say yes and no at the very same time in the very same breath? Can only be one or the other. I don't have all the answers, I'm still growing and learning myself, what I do know may sound a little familiar, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness", after you do that something totally amazingly fantabuloso happens, "and all these things shall be added unto you". Seek Gods will not your own, take that cross up, put all that excess baggage down or expect to get weary, and you might just be closer to what God has planned for you than you think. May God bless and guide you, and by choosing His will, supply you with those fruits you work so hard for. Let His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Most Importantly

Seek the fruits of His Holy Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" Galatians 5:22-23

Perfect Love!

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:3
"I am the good Shepard: the good Shepard giveth His life for His sheep." John 10:11

I decided today I'm not going to write anything, just share a video with you all, the video speaks volumes, it even caused me to tear up. Some of you may already know of the story in this video. I'm not certain when this came out, but I first heard of it back in the 90's when I was really young, might have been about 5 or 6, it's amazing the things I am able to remember. Somebody told me about this story and I've thought about it several times over the years, but never heard the story told anywhere else, never heard anybody ever mention it since the first time I saw it, so I thought maybe I made it all up in my head. I was really young and had a big imagination, didn't have many toys so my imagination kept me occupied and out of trouble. 
Yesterday I was on youtube and came across a video and read the description and was blown away,  it was the story I heard about as a child, it's real! I didn't make it up! Others know of it! I was so glad. Then I watched the video, and as I watched it I thought to myself, I think I even saw this when I was little but only remembered fragments, little snapshots in my mind. This story is sooooo touching if you don't feel something after watching this, I honestly don't know what to say. The message behind it is so beautiful and familiar. The narration is so awesome along with the video, really makes the video even more powerful.  Please watch, even share if you like. I would love to hear everyone's take after viewing the video. It's almost 20 minutes long but I promise you worth the watch. 

The Compartmentalizing Christian

One night I was having a discussion with one of my friends and he was telling me about a conversation he had with a friend of his the night before, he said how they were talking about the Tropic of Cancer and seasons and so on, but the minute he started talking about God and the Bible his friend said, "Why are you talking about God?". I told him I guess she would have preferred it if you waited for Sunday, the usual time allotted for discussing God by faux Christians. This reminded me of a familiar situation that occurred between me and a friend who claims to be a Christian. He attends church on Sundays but throughout the week he doesn't show any interest in talking about God or anything biblical, in fact he has a complete disdain for it outside of church or church oriented events. I live in a country where the majority are self professed Christians yet live ungodly lives, they say we're a "Christian Nation" when in fact we’re very very far from it, more like Sunday morning Christians and weekday do-your-own-thing Christians.

People here go to church just about every Sunday and if you don't go you’re not a "good Christian" or even a Christian at all, because a prerequisite in order to be considered a true Christian is your ritual attendance every Sunday morning in a Church service, ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, this is not to be mistaken with anyone thinking I am against attending church, it's good to fellowship with a group of other (true) believers, whether it is in a congregation on Sunday or a small group, for where two or three are gathered in God's name He's in the midst, Matthew 18:20. These type of gatherings are not bad, however if your intentions are far from God, if the only reason you're there is because "that's what Christians do on Sunday” you missed the entire point.

Throughout the week you rather not be bothered with any talk of God, but on Sunday your weeping and falling on your knees, singing and dancing, singing glory to God, jumping around. Persons like this God speaks very clearly concerning there actions, “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.  Away with the noise of your songs!  I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”  Amos 5:21-24

These persons think they can compartmentalize their praise and worship to God, separate into distinct parts, categories, or compartments, but God wants nothing to do with that type of attitude, He doesn't want you to be disingenuous but sincere and humble. You can keep your hypocritical praise, your empty songs, you can drop the pretense God isn't a fool. These are the persons who say that they're Christians, and zealously protest against poverty, racism, rape, homosexuality, sex trafficking, other sins and social injustices, but draw the line when it comes to fornication, adultery and the love of money. As long as you're not protesting against something their struggling against they're fine, a parameter is set when it comes to things they enjoy doing or don't see wrong based on their own understanding.

These are the ones who sit front row in the congregation yet lay beside other women husbands that very same night, knowing we are called to hate and reject and expose evilness. These are the ones that protest against murder, yet support pro-choice. These are the ones that will not entertain any talk of God throughout the week, yet they will be the first one in church Sunday morning tambourine in hand, they are fools thinking they will be blessed, thinking they are indeed secure to get into heaven because of their tithes and artificial praise, and disingenuous prayers. "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." Matthew 6:5.

We know God is loving, but who said God is tolerant of foolery, sin, wickedness, iniquities? Is he not just? Will he not pay each person according to their works? Pursue Truth! Pursue righteousness! Pursue wisdom and understanding! Live Holy for He is Holy! A lot of persons say, "But we're not perfect", which is true, however, the aim is perfection. God will sanctify those He calls. Jesus was perfect and we're to be like Him, though their may be times where we may fall we have God's grace and mercy to catch us like a net. "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" Romans 5:20. What a mighty loving God we serve.  Being a Christian is a way of life, it’s not words and works alone but a walk, praise and worship is not something you compartmentalize, you place aside for an hour or two at the start of the week, it’s to be woven into your daily life,  set in such a way that it becomes as natural as breathing.  I have my own struggles and know I need God’s help, grace and mercy  in order to walk circumspectly daily. Don’t be a fool or wise in your own eyes, thinking you don't need God. What can be done with a person who claims they already know God and has a relationship with him yet their actions contradict this?

"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 26:12

The Pursuit Of Humility &

The Perils Of Pride!

"Surely He scorns the scornful. But gives grace to the Humble." Proverbs 3:34

"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble." Proverbs 29:23

"Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." proverbs 16:18

The word 'Pride' is mentioned 49 times in the King James Bible. What is Pride?  Why is it is so important that it was mentioned so many times in the Bible? Where does pride come from? How do we as Christians rid ourselves of it?

Pride by definition is a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. The quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one's importance. Nowadays it's also synonymous with being Gay, i.e. Gay pride. I went looking for a pic on google of pride and well, I wasn't surprised that every gay image of the annual LGBT Pride Parade popped up, rainbows everywhere, even more of a reason why Christians should flee from this sinful thing called pride.

Many of us are guilty of wanting to flash around our new possessions, brag about our new promotion, new house, new car and new clothes, we long for popularity, to be the belle of the ball instead of giving glory to God we seek it all for ourselves. 

I've seen people who claim to be Christians that are musicians and say their in it to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, that they’re doing it simply to give God the Glory. On the other hand they go on about how they want grammy’s and fans and to be “successful”,  but which type of success are they pursuing, the worlds standard of success or Gods?

 Outwardly many of us put on the appearance of humility but inwardly we’re hoping to impress people, we find ourselves compromising in order to get people to like us. More of our attention is on ourselves, seeking attention instead of focusing on what we’re called to do, which is to give God the Glory in all things. God did not bless us with gifts/talents to uplift ourselves but to praise Him, instead we take opportunity with the freewill God lovingly supplies and try to seek praises for ourselves. I heard a pastor say that he read a book where the author said, “nobody can honestly say that their humble”, it’s true, and nobody can say, look at me I’m being humble, look at all the humble things I've done, the minute they do that their already contradicting what being humble is all about.  The author wrote that, “We’re people pursuing Humility by the grace of God.” We cannot obtain humility without the assistance of God, some attempt to but end up falling short every time. What in this life can we truly do successfully without the aid of The almighty powerful and loving God?

Where does pride come from? For all of us pride is innate, it's just another way sin manifests itself into our daily lives, we're all born sinners and therefore susceptible to all the different ways sin decides to barge itself into our lives. It’s in our nature/flesh to be prideful we were born that way, like the song goes, but don’t rest on your laurels and count this as an acceptable excuse. This battle between powers and principalities (which it is) can only be won with the help of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ along with  our willing co-operation. What we can do is fight against our innate nature to boast about ourselves , our accomplishments , our appearance, our possessions, even our knowledge of something. The Bible say’s knowledge puffs up, so even after obtaining a measure of knowledge whether it’s divine or worldly, we mustn’t  allow the Devil to take opportunity in our achievements  to make us boastful, hence making something seemingly nice a stumbling block. We must also be very careful try to bridle our tongue in every which way.  James 3: 1-18

So we know where pride comes from, and it’s certainly not from God. We should try to make an effort to move in the direction away from being prideful, but for many of us it's easier said than done. We've all had occasions where we knew we we're wrong about something and being so prideful we didn't want to humble ourselves and apologize. The other day a friend of mine was telling me how so much can be lost because of how we allow pride to overcome us, something so small can snowball into something huge simply because we refuse to swallow our pride. Pride is one of those trees that bare bitter fruits, like arrogance, boastfulness, haughtiness, conceit, vanity and so on. God doesn’t want anything to do with these things or people who partake in such things. We are called to be Holy like Him.

 The Bible said in the last day’s people will become lovers of themselves and that is very true today. Look around your workplace and schools and churches and so on and you will see for yourselves. People are being taught to love themselves instead of loving others. Jesus specifically said to Love (one another) the way he loves us, it is the greatest commandment. So many are blinded by these new age, new world, anti Christ standards that the world is polluting the minds of this generation with. People care more about their own happiness than that of others, having complete disdain to that which we are called to do.  Philippians 2:4 tells us to, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  

 As I wrote this I thought back on the many occasions where my mouth and pride have become a problem for me on several occasions in my life, even recently a friend had to bring it to my attention, which is the reason I decided to write this piece today. Pride is taxing on each and every one of us, but God has supplied each one of us with the tools to defeat this ugly force, (prayer). I find myself having to pray a lot to be cautious of things I say and how I react to certain things and being boastful even about performing my duties as a Christian. Every now and again we can all use a big slice of Humble Pie, better that than to spend your eternity wishing you did. Be blessed and remember to ask God daily for guidance,  it will take some humility on your part but it’s always worth it. God Bless.

"How Can you believe, who receive honor from one another,and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" John 5:44

Strange Fruit

Good vs Evil

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

The Enemies Plan

In the beginning, the enemy hashed out a diabolical plan to destroy what God had created and saw was good.The enemy always had an agenda, right from the giddy-up, and that hasn't changed. His hellish m.o was to steal, kill and destroy via lies, of which he is the father of. Satan slithered his way up to Eve and seduced her with lies and  promises of  infinite knowledge, even though he knew that exposure to this was strictly forbidden by God, he still sold her dream after dream, and she bought it. It's easy for many now to call her names and say it was all her fault, but how many people alive today, if they were able to switch places with Eve, would have done differently? If anything, many now walk according to the flesh and their carnal minds, and probably would have tried to contend with God, saying  things along the lines of, "Why can't we eat from that tree God? What's the big idea? Why can't we just have a little taste? What's up with that God?" Some would probably even try to see if they can be clever and say, "Okay, if I did eat the fruit of the forbidden tree, you being God, if I got messed up wouldn't you be able to make a way to set me right again?" How many these days hasten towards what God warns us to stay away from, yet have the nerve to call Eve stupid or foolish, as though they are any better? In the Garden, the devil asked Eve if it was true that God said they shouldn't eat of every tree of the garden. Eve told him that God said they may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden, but they were prohibited from eating of the fruit, or even touching the tree in the midst of the garden, or they would surely die. That vile little  liar told Eve, basically, that God just didn't want them to be like Him, knowing all things, as if to say God had some kind of superiority complex or something. Satan pretty much called God a liar, when he said that they wouldn't die if they ate from the tree. From this point you can see how crafty and wicked satan is. The enemies actions are sordid, and  the way he plays the game is not so much for him to win, but for you to lose. You might think, well, that doesn't make any sense, how can there be a loser but no winner. Here is how. The devil cannot usurp God's power or  sovereignty as the Ruler over  the heavens and the earth. So, even if one was to lose somehow, more than likely as a result of disobedience, the enemy doesn't necessarily win anything at all, because his end has already been established, there is no reward in heaven for him. It is for many to meet the very same ending  purposed solely for him and his angels, that satan tries to play us all. The devil had the gumption to call God a liar. From this point you could see this dude was trouble, but Eve did not see this. Even though he told Eve something contrary to what she had already known God said they weren't to do, there was no suspicion in her mind that what he said was evil, because she was still unaware of what evil even was. Adam and Eve once being ignorant of good and evil in the garden, even though they were initially good, albeit completely unaware, they didn't do any wrong they just obeyed God without question. They were basically very naive, but it was a good thing, because they had a pure innocence, one we would be hard-pressed to find these days. Because of  their naivete they could do no wrong, up to that point evil was non-existent in their minds and hearts. Eyes now open, upon eating the forbidden fruit, they were made aware of many things, things they would have been better off not knowing. They always had free will in the Garden, that didn't just spring up after they left. Of course, because of  Adam and Eve's pureness, their innocence, their lack of knowledge of anything evil, they just used their freewill to obey God. That is really how we are suppose to be now, although we have free will, we are to take that and obey God. It may sound strange or even contradictory to some who believe they have a clear gasp on how freewill ought to work, but it all makes perfect sense. Many say, if given something freely shouldn't we be aloud to do whatever we want and not be forced to do otherwise? But I ask this, isn't that what God has aloud, for each to do as freely as they please? Because He has laws, has that obstructed you from doing whatever you very well pleased? Most, if honest, would rightly say no, because mankind follows the dictates of their own heart as suppose to following the laws of God in any event. Someone might say, then why would God give free will and then create rules for us to follow and if we don't then we are punished, wouldn't that be unfair and really a contradiction? On the contrary, the rules were given so order can be maintained, for our benefit. Imagine a society with no rules, would you want to live there? Also, the fact that God had laws put in place to be followed, and still gave free will, was not to confuse us, it was not to play games with us or to trip us up, it was so we would freely choose to love Him.
I imagine nobody truly wants someone to love them by force, but from a sincere heart. Knowing they could freely choose anyone else yet they still choose you, is a wonderful feeling and it's indicative to sincere love, God only wants the same. Is that too much for our Creator and Protector and Provider and Savior to have in return? Does He not deserve it? Does He deserve to be called unfair because of that? He could have had us like robots if He wanted, He certainly has the unlimited power to make us that way, and who would tell Him not to? He is God, but He didn't have it that way, even more of an example of how merciful and loving and fair He is. Though many will say He is not, it is quite evident that He is a fair and just God that loves us. What you consider unfair punishment is simply the consequences brought about as a result of the choices you made freely, with that same freewill you got. Had you chosen differently, you would have had different results. For you to lament, "Oh, if I do whatever I please and God punishes me for it, that's unfair.", is the same as touching a piece of  hot coal, and upon getting burnt you get upset at the hot coal because it burnt you, when your the one who picked it up not the other way around. I have heard this question more times than I can remember, shucks, I've even thought about it myself once ago before I had come to know God. "Why didn't God just make Adam and Eve obey Him?" I would have to ask a person who asked that question this, why didn't He just make the sky purple and pink?  Why not make the cows say meow and the cats say moo? Why, Why, Why? What concern is it of ours why He has aloud any of what it is He has aloud, and how He decides to do things? Would knowledge of that make you believe in Him? Would it make you repentant if you knew each and every one of the reasons God does any of the things He does? Ask yourself that.
There is a story in the book of Luke Chapter 16 verses 19-31. There was a rich man, a very snazzy dresser and he fared sumptuously everyday. There was also beggar named Lazarus who was filled with unsightly sores that laid at the rich guy's gate everyday. Lazarus was so hungry that he wanted, if only, to be able to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich guy's table. Dogs even came and licked Lazarus' sores. One day, the beggar died and was taken by angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. Being tormented in Hades, the rich man lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham, and Lazarus in his bosom. The man who was once of a very ostentatious affluent reputation in his life, but now in torment in Hades, cried out to Abraham,  for Lazarus to dip his finger in water, to cool his tongue. But Abraham reminded the rich man of how in his life he received many good things, but Lazarus life was filled torment. Besides all of that, there was no way Lazarus would be able get to him now because of the great distance between them. Seeing how horrible conditions were where he was, the rich man begged Abraham to have Lazarus go back into the world, to his father's house, and testify to his five brothers so they would not meet the same end he did. Abraham said, "they have people like Moses and the prophets there, let your brothers listen to them." The rich guy was like "no, if you send someone from the dead to warn them, they will repent". Abraham told him, "If they don't even listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't be persuaded by somebody who came from the dead". The story about Lazarus and the rich man is a cautionary tale, and even after many have heard this story they still do not repent. Even after many have been given the sign of Jonah, of preaching and teaching , they reject admonishment, they reject the Good News, they find no place in their hearts for the Gospel of peace and truth. So, really ask yourself if all these questions you have about how God runs things, if they were answered, would it make you repent? You have heard of the love God has for you, but does it make you genuinely sorrowful and repentant, or do you carry on living your life according to your will, which has rewards that are not favorable in the grand scheme of things? God really and truly not only provided a way to have us reconciled to Him, but He supplies each of us with help, in the form of His Holy Spirit. Isn't that loving? Ask yourself, why after leaving the club or the bar completely wasted, you made it home safely? Certainly it wasn't because you got the skills of a formula one race care driver. Many when they make it home safely after a night of carousing and drunkeness, they boast about how they got home safely because they're a  great driver. Not even acknowledging God's grace and mercy. Why when you were robbed the thief didn't murder you, certainly it wasn't because of his moral code, even though it is strange how some lawless people would commit an crime and not do another equally lawless act because they think that's crossing the line. Sometimes I wonder by what scales do they measure these things. Perhaps, you were shot at some point or injured in a car accident or injured some other way, Why didn't you die?  Because your lucky? Because you're a Harry Houdini? No, because God is sovereign! Why don't people ask the right questions? God is merciful and loving and filled with grace. God's mercy endures forever. God is longsuffering with us. It is not His will that any should perish, but how many are even concerned with His will? His good, acceptable and perfect will. How many? God doesn't force anyone to bend against their free will, because of that many hearts that constantly planning evil, the free will given has resulted in many horrible things happening. Their are rewards for whatever you decide to do with your free will. If you decide to pursue righteousness and to obey God, you receive good rewards but if you take your free will and do evil, what d you think your reward shall be. Do you think you should receive the reward of the righteous? Wouldn't that make God unjust? But He is not unjust, He is fair, and he fairly has given all free will and you can choose whatever to do with that, but it would be in your best interest to follow along the laws God has placed because those have more favorable rewards, than evil deeds. "For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap everlasting life."  Galatians 6:8 nkjv. Why not take what you have been given freely by a loving God and use it to to please Him who loves you so much, so in return for His love you love Him, without being forced to but by your own will, not because God wants you to repay Him or needs you to repay Him for His free love, but because He is worthy of our obedience, He is worthy of our praise. Upon eating from the tree they were forbidden to eat of, their eyes were opened, once that happened you could pretty much they say it all went downhill from there. That devil, being the deceiver that he is, came along and whispered lies into Eve the minute her eyes were opened. Adam also, eating of the same fruit, now was aware of things that he would have been better off not knowing. You know what's so amazing, even though God had seen all of this He still went looking for Adam, He still was calling his name, but Adam hid. Before, they were nor ashamed of their nakedness, Genesis 2:25, but now after tasting of the forbidden fruit, they were "in the know" and were ashamed at their nakedness and hid themselves. The moment  Eve then Adam took that bite mankind died, Genesis 2:17. Adam's death was not a physical death like some assume it was and would have you blindly believe, his death was a spiritual death which is far worse. Until the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for our sins, the death Adam experienced and passed down to us was irrevocable. How interesting is it that the enemy was so pressed to have Adam know knowledge then, but now he is using every deceitful bit of trickery he can to keep mankind from obtaining knowledge of the Truth. The truth of life, the truth of reconciliation to God brought about through Jesus Christ. Does anybody want to know why? You must want to know, at least you should want to know. The enemy is pulling out all the stop's, using all of his resources to keep all in the dark. What is he trying to keep us away from? Why is it so critical that he work around the clock, sending out his wicked ones to lead us astray? Why does he make evil look so appealing? Why is it that he makes us think we can't stop being sinful? Why? Why? Why? You must want to know the answers. Truth is, most people aren't asking these questions, the devil would have it that way. The devil wants us to think nothing is wrong in our lives, that all we do, although it goes against God's commands,  it's all perfectly fine. Well it's not. The pains satan is taking in keeping the proverbial wool pulled over the eyes of mankind. The devil already knows the Truth, he's just trying to keep it away from us. Isn't he selfish! If you are unaware of the enemies devices and not so hidden agenda, here's a newsflash, he doesn't care about you or me or anyone. The devil tempts us, then after we have succumb to temptation he accuses us before God, now if that isn't rotten I don't know what is. This devil is really not looking out for our best interest in anyway, his repertoire is filled with crafty ways to draw us out and drag us down, he drew the blueprint on deception, his arsenal is packed to capacity with weapons constructed solely to destroy our minds and lives simultaneously. He will make us believe he has our best interest in mind, that he really wants us to experience joy and happiness by supplying us with material things. But check this, the enemy is fully aware that the things of this world cannot supply a person with true everlasting joy, only temporary satisfaction. The enemy is fully aware that true lasting pure joy comes from the Lord, but he would have you believe the other way around, that true joy comes from the things you acquire in this life and if you don't obtain these things, you're a loser living a sad existence and must find someway to keep up with the Jones', so to speak. The enemy wants each of us to sail into eternal damnation right along with him, loaded down with sin just as the day we came into the world. This is why satan makes it all so appealing to do what God opposes. The truly sad part is that even though God has supplied us with a way to be reconciled to Him, many are still walking down  that broadway to destruction. Earlier, when I mentioned if anybody had the opportunity to switch places with Eve and was able to face God, and perhaps was to get a little cheeky with Him and say, "Okay, if I did eat the fruit of the forbidden tree, you being God, if I got messed up wouldn't you be able to make a way to set me right again?" Guess what? God did just that. He created a way to set everything straight after the fall that day in the Garden. Of course, God being omniscient, foreknew all of what was going to go down and already had His own plan, a resolution which was already prepared for such a time like the fall of man. As the devil came up with his plan to destroy the world, God had another plan much greater than the enemies. Gods plan was a plan to restore life, peace and unity between Him and man. How did He plan on doing this? By using His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savoir!  God had always prepared a way  out for his people in spite of all the snares the enemy placed in mankind's path. As the enemy lies in wait, as many blindly go through life, God made a way for us to be redeemed, by sending the Great Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who showed us the biggest display of Love that the world has ever seen, He sacrificed His life For us. God has supplied us with the opportunity to obtain the life we lost in the Garden of Eden via Adam. As it is written, " Therefore, as through one man's offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gifts came  to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous." Romans 5: 18-19. "...Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you." 1 Peter 18:20. The enemies number one plan is to keep us from coming to the knowledge of truth and the liberation that comes along with it. Where can you find this truth? Through Jesus Christ, "The Way, The Truth, and The Life"! John 14:6. The way to what you may ask, the way to eternal joy and peace and happiness. Jesus is the only mediator between us and God, He was the propitiation for our sins. Through Him we have a direct line to God by prayer. Sadly, for many the desire to please oneself supersedes the desire to please God. We should pray for the many that are still blinded, so their eyes may be opened so that they can see the eer of their ways and repent. So that many can be given new hearts and renewed minds in Jesus who is the Christ. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12 We ought to be well versed on the enemies methods of  trying to cause us to rebel against God. "Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices" 2 Corinthians 2:11. But what are some of Satan's devices? Satan is still setting the same snares, using the same lies, that he had from back in the Garden of Eden. He's still got the same old tricks up his sleeves. This dude even tried to tempt the Lord God, so you know he's out for the kill, he doesn't care who you are. That's why the time to wise up is now. "Gird up the loins of your mind!" 1 Peter 1:13. Be sober! "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." John 8:44. What sticks out to me in that verse is where it says, "he speaks from his own resources", God doesn't deal lies. The enemy on his own creates lies and then teaches them, creating his own  wicked philosophy. It's really no surprise that the tactics the enemy now uses to lure us in are as old as the hills, this is why she be able to beat him everytime. For many believers, when the enemy attacks, he will try to make you doubt every and anything you have come to learn, things like the authenticity of the Bible and the faithfulness of God, among many other things. The enemy wants you to become desirous to search other doctrines, but he will have you think, "Oh, I'm only seeking truth." but in reality he really just wants you to walk further and further away from what is already established as the living Truth found in the Holy Bible. He will have you raise questions about genealogies, even being led into disputes over things that can neither edify you or anyone. He will try to make you zealous for things that aren't good, practically making you a full on radical for iniquity. Making you so drunk on lies, you become violent all in the name of your new found belief , which is based on something that is contrary to the word of God. "Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness." Romans 6:13. The devil wants you exploring certain things that you really shouldn't be meddling with, being well aware of how weak the human flesh is, he knows that once he has cast even the slightest bit of doubt into your mind you may stumble. We must remember not to give place to the devil, Ephesians 4:26, or he will run wild. He will lead you into any direction, as long as it doesn't lead to God. Once you become so confused to the point where you, "exchange the truth of God for a lie" Romans 1:25, satan is glad. He will cause you to become doubtful about whether you are truly free from the bondage of sin. He will attempt to make you believe the old man has not passed away, but has simply been lying dormant until the right moment comes for you to be consumed with him again, and you be heavy burdened with that albatross of past sins once more. But it is written, "Who the Son sets free is truly free indeed" John 8:36. You are indeed free. Because you are tempted about a certain thing it doesn't mean you're still that old person. You are not your temptation. It is when you succumb to the wiles of the enemy, that problem begins. The Lord is faithful and will be present to catch you when you're faced with temptation. It is written that He provides a way out of temptation. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 niv. God can and will deliver you out of temptation. Do not cast away your faith and confidence, on account of some familiar, unnerving, unwanted, intrusive bit of feelings. Because you start feeling urges to practice certain things you have left behind, do not fret and begin to doubt thinking you were not changed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, just know it is the devil at work. The devil will no doubt have under the notion that all those desires are natural,  and it's all you and you should stop suppressing those feelings and live your truth. One thing I have come to learn over time is that the enemy has no interest in truths of any kind, his sole interest is to destroy you. One of the tricky things he loves to do, and it has happened to me, is bring people from your past that meant you no good back into your life, and they start having an even stronger desire than before to be a part of your life. Sometimes it happens gradually and sometimes you start bumping into them everywhere or all of a sudden they start emailing you or calling you, strange thing is, they really have  nothing much to say. You must never believe any of the lies the enemy will whispers to you. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  must be with you always, within. The enemy will say, pick that phone up and call so and so, and if you don't call then they won't talk to you anymore in life and you wont be happy, you need them, you won't be able to live without them. You may find yourself building your entire world around someone, to the point where you can imagine your life without them and when it doesn't work out, and reality hits, that you will indeed have to live your life without them, you start slipping into depression, and start having suicidal thoughts. Maybe it isn't even a person, maybe it's something else, drugs or something. The enemy will have you think you can't go on without whatever it is that's destroying you. There is only one thing a person cannot live without and that is God. I know the times I thought about ending my life were very dark moments. I would slip in and out of depression and just wanted the feeling of sadness to end, and the only thing that came to mind that I felt would put an end to my  misery was taking my own life,  fortunately, those feelings of killing myself subsided. I know it only could have been the Lord helping me there. We make the mistake in our lives of making gods out of people, some even turn their job into a god. We got to be very careful and constantly examine our lives and see if we have gathered any idols hidden in our hearts. Suicide is a very sad thing. To know that a person was so broken that they took their own life. That they did not believe anything, not even God, could pull them out of whatever it was that had them burdened, is a very very sad thing. I find myself commiserating with persons whoa are suicidal, being suicidal a few times in my life. When I think of what suicide is ultimately, choosing death over life, it could be fair to call not following Jesus, who is life, very suicidal, and if you look at it that way, in which I do, the amount of people out their that are suicidal are too many to be numbered. It's safe to say people who commit suicide, the ones that were believers, have cast away their confidence, and the ones who never believed, rejected the truth and gave up.There are those cases where people are led by the enemy to take their lives after something horrible that they feel has happened that have brought shame to themselves and caused irreparable damage, permanently tarnishing their image and is to much to bear, so they cast themselves onto their sword like Saul. The desire to end your life will never come form the Lord, always from the enemy, the Lord wants you to endure to the end so you may receive your just reward, the enemy wants you dead. The enemy will try to get you to twist scripture to justify the wrong things that you are doing, and that is evil. He will have you believe purity and obedience to God is some antiquated idea. He mostly wants us to think that God's commandments are burdensome,  but God has said that His commandments are not burdensome, that His yoke is not heavy, 1 John 5:3. The devil wants us to fold, he wan't us to think that the world and all that it has to offer right now is whats real, and there will be nothing after, no reward as promised by the Lord, so why suffer. The Lord cannot lie. The enemy wants us to count God's promises as slack but they are not, 2 Peter 3:9. He's making many believe that it is impossible for one to live righteously, but God has said what is impossible for man is possible for Him. Many will be led down the path of destruction because they trusted in satan and not Jesus. A constant theme that has been going on from century to century in movies, plays, books, games, etc, is good versus evil. One thing we can all attest to, is that Good prevails more often. In this spiritual battle that is going on right now, one thing is certain, in the fullness of time when all is revealed, God will prevail! "And I say unto you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 kjv. The other day as I was reading the book of Jeremiah, and there was a verse that really had me thinking about God grace and mercy and how He truly only wants us to seek Him with all our hearts, how much He loves us. "'Return, backsliding Israel,' say's the Lord, 'I will not cause my anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the Lord, 'I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God, and have scattered your charms to alien deities under every green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice,' say's the Lord." Jeremiah 3:11-13. God wants us to confess of our wrong doing and to return to Him, to trust in Him. He is waiting with opened arms, with mercy and not judgement for those who flee from iniquity. The devil, however, wants us to do our own thing and he wants us to believe that his way is the correct way and not the Lord's. satan wants us to be fearful, but he does not teach the fear of the Lord which produces great things like wisdom and knowledge, no, satan wants us to be fearful of everything else. He wants to lead us through fearing him and thing's of this world, to a life of eternal damnation. Satan will try to corrupt anything he can get his hands on, he wants to mislead us not help us. He will have you believe that since the majority of the world is doing something it must be alright with God. Satan teaches that God won't punish everyone who particiaptes in acts He has already declared are fruits of the flesh. There is eveidence in the Bible that shows how God has destroyed entire nations for those things, yet people still want to deny God's righteousness and His justice, denying the power. Still, many call God unfair, simply because they want to do as they wish and recieve the reward of the righteous, when the righteous has suffered under the wicked and is deserving of the promise. This verse in the book of Ezekiel 18:25-29 is an awesome verse and one of my faves, it is a verse that can help many to understand God's righteous judgements, "Yet you say, 'the way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, Oh house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your way which is not fair? When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity that he has done that he dies. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he has commited, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himslef alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he commited, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel say's, 'The way of the Lord is not fair'. O house of Israel, is it not my way which is fair, and your way which is not fair?". The trouble is, many lean on their own understanding, which we are warned against. Truthfully, not everyone is walking in unrighteousness, but the ones who are will be judged for it. The other evening when I was in young adults group, the topic was fornication, and a young man said, "well everyone is doing it" I guess that means it's alright because everyone's "doing it", we should all jump on that hell-bound bandwagon. There is a reason, the Lord said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14. This scripture shares why you should not be deceived when you see the masses drawn to something that the Lord clearly spoke against. The path of least resistance is the path many take. Not many wanna bother with denying themselves, the enemy have made many believed they are entitled to certain things no matter how bad it may be. The enemy teaches, do whatever you please, the Lord teaches deny yourselves, take up your cross and follow Him. We must trust in the Lord, he wants and knows what's best for us. Choose on this very day whom you will serve. The time has come when it truly matters who's side you're on. Choose the side with one true God, the loving merciful faithful Savior. Repent of your sins. Open your Bibles and allow the Holy Spirit to write the Truth onto your hearts. "He who testifies of these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly!" Revelation 22: 12-20 nkjv.