Stop believing Satan's lies

 It's time to set the record straight for the confused and misguided people in the world and remind them of the truth. Satan and his lies have pushed many of us to the point of saying, "Enough is enough!" He has finally over-played his hand and Christians are taking a stand for truth! This post is not meant to be judgmental but to inform those who may not know that there will be judgement for the way they live their lives. Each one of us will stand before the judgement seat one day and have to explain to the God who created us, what we have done to honor Him.

When God created mankind, He created us as male and female. It was Him who determined our sex and He is not a God of confusion; He doesn't make mistakes contrary to what many people believe. If you are confused about your sexuality, it's because you are listening to Satan because he wants to confuse you and make you doubt the Creator of the universe. His plans go against everything that God has planned for your life and if you believe his lies, the plans God has for you will be delayed. However, God's plans will always come to fruition because He is far more powerful than Satan. You may disagree with God for a time but remember that Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy. He does not have your best interest in mind. God loves you and wants only the best for you. 

The abortion issue is another example of Satan's lies. Every single life matters to God - as Dr. Seuss said, "A persons' a person, no matter how small." But Satan wants those who are created in God's image to die, and he's found ways to help many make a profit by killing the unborn and by convincing potential mothers that they are doing both themselves and their babies a favor by putting an end to their lives. More lies, more killing. He's a devious one always seeking humans to do his bidding. He can't do anything without people who are willing to cooperate with him.

The gay lifestyle is an abomination to God but Satan and his lies have people celebrating this lifestyle as a natural part of life. There is nothing natural about it and certainly nothing to celebrate as far as God is concerned. God heard the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah most probably from Lot (Genesis 18:20-21) and sent His angels to find out if the sin in those towns was as bad as what He'd heard. Abraham asked God to spare the cities if there were 10 righteous people living there and God agreed. However, there were so many homosexuals living there that God destroyed the cities completely. Only Lot and his family escaped the devastation. Does that sound like a God who approves of homosexuals? Those who are immoral will stand before God one day and be judged for their choices.

Those who harm and take advantage of children will also have to answer to God on the day of judgement. Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:5-6) This applies to all those who are teaching children the distorted ways of the world right now. Drag queen story time, pedophiles who are trafficking in child pornography, using children for sexual pleasure and teaching them things that take away their innocence and opportunities to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Again, Satan wants to destroy these children and steal their childhoods.

There is another issue which has plagued the "church" for a number of years, and it bears mentioning. So many "Christian" brothers and sisters are living together without the sacred vows of marriage. In Hebrews we read, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." (Hebrews 13:4) Those who are not Christians obviously do not have to obey God in this, but for those who are Christians, I have to ask you, "Why don't you get married?" I'm sure the answer would be monetary reasons and all I can say is, "Shame on you! Don't you believe that God would take care of you financially if you obeyed Him?"

We all make choices every day and those who believe in God as the creator of the universe need to make choices according to His will and choices which will honor Him. The "church", the bride of Christ, is at a crossroad right now. So many Christians have sat on the fence for too long, agreeing with "the world" on moral issues because they don't want to offend anyone. As a result, instead of the "church" showing the world how to live, we've let the world tell us how we should live. It's really gotten to the point of disgusting and it's time we live according to what the Bible teaches even if "the world" thinks we are narrow-minded. We should be more mindful of what God thinks of us than what the world thinks! He died for us, offers us eternity and wants to show us His glory, but are we ready to see His glory? Wake up church! Stand up for what's true and right even if the world hates you. Jesus said, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22) Choose to stand firm in the name of Jesus!

Heaven, our true home

      I've heard it said that everyone has a God-shaped hole in their heart and only He can fill that spot. There is a reason for this and I've been meditating on the possible reason. 

     During my devotional time a few weeks ago, I asked myself this question, "Does God ever get lonely?" He is the creator and ruler over the entire universe and there is no one like Him. He has no equal. He has no one to share His most intimate thoughts and dreams with. We are made in His image and each one of us has a desire to communicate with one another. He made us to be in community and since the recent pandemic many of us have discovered how important it is to have that contact with others. It only stands to reason that He wants the same thing. I'm sure that is why He created humans and why His Spirit inspired men to write the Scriptures. He has a desire to be in fellowship with His wonderful creation. With the fall of man, we lost the intimate relationship with Him but Jesus has restored that relationship so that we can speak directly to God through prayer.

     God speaks to us also through His word and to our hearts through His Spirit. Each believer has become an important part of Christ's church and we all have a part to play in becoming the beautiful bride of Christ. This bride will one day become God's companion for all eternity. I'm positive that He is eager to show us all that He has done, all that He has created and reveal His glory to His bride. There will be so much to see that He will give us eternity to take it all in. As amazing and mysterious as all this sounds, the Bible has given us glimpses of His plan for us. 

     Paul explained our relationship with Jesus this way, "For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church, and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:23-27)

     The book of Revelation tells of a marriage to take place in heaven in the future. "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His wife has made herself ready.' And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, 'Write Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.'" (Revelation 19:6-9)

     The church is being prepared for this wedding and as such, we are looking forward to going to our true home which is in heaven with our loving God. The trials and tribulations of this world are making us stronger and giving us a desire to be with God forever. When we get home, He will greet us with outstretched arms and welcome us into His eternal family.

     "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:16-17)

Declaring God's Power

 "O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come." Psalm 71:17-18

    As believers, we have an obligation to fulfill. The Lord blessed me with faithfilled parents and grandparents and the training I received in my youth has endowed me with a responsibility to my children and grandchildren to teach them about the Lord Jesus. 

    As I sit here today, I have several old pictures to remind me of just how far my grandchildren have come. They were babies in these photos and today they are young adults trying to make their way in the world. It's a difficult and different world compared to the one in the photo. So many changes in morality within our society today and they have to cope with these changes in ways far removed from the society that I had to deal with at their age. 

    How can I, as a parent and grandparent declare God's power to them in a way that they will understand? I have been told by my son that I can be "preachy" at times and I know that to be true. But the Lord Jesus has been faithful to me all the years of my life and it's important that I share His faithfulness with them. One thing I know for sure, God hasn't changed, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Since He has protected me and His Spirit has guided me through my 71 years, I can depend on Him to continue guiding me.

    I look for opportunities with my children and grandchildren to declare God's faithfulness. Whenever I can find an opening in our conversations to share my testimony, I do so. It's like sowing seeds, not knowing if they will ever grow and mature, but sowing none-the-less. After all, it's up to God's Spirit to draw them closer to Him. 

    Now that I am old and grayheaded, I often remember the things my parents shared with me about His faithfulness to them. The way He provided for them financially when times were particularly hard, the way He comforted them when death took loved ones from them, the way He led them into family situations which were stressful and turned those situations around for their good. At the time they shared these things, I didn't understand completely, but looking back, I can appreciate what they were trying to teach me. 

    That is what I can pray for my children and grandchildren, that the seeds I plant today will grow to fruition in the future. Since God is faithful and He longs for everyone to know Him, I'm sure He will hear my prayers and draw my loved ones with His lovingkindness into His eternal kingdom. 

You are the Light of the World

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.    Matthew 5:14-16

Have you ever experienced darkness so dark that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face? Years ago we took a family vacation to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. During our tour to the bottom of the cave, our guide warned us that he was going to extinguish all the lights so we could experience total darkness. It was a blackness that could be felt. We dared not move because we had lost all sense of direction. It was frightening and unpleasant even though it lasted just a few moments and we were all thankful and relieved when he turned the lights on again.

Those who will be separated from God for eternity will experience a similar feeling. Jesus told us in Matthew 8:12 that those who do not choose to follow Him will be cast into outer darkness. This darkness will last for eternity because the light of God doesn’t shine there. Can you imagine spending eternity in complete darkness?

As followers of Christ, we have the light of God within us. In reality, we are only reflecting His light. Wherever we go our light illuminates the dark places of the world and Jesus has entrusted us to share His light with all those around us. What an awesome privilege and responsibility He has given us! So let’s go light up the world!

I hope you enjoy this song, Send the Light

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytwRySXlrAc