Evil is coming out of the c, set. No more hiding in the darkness, we can see it in the daylight. The problem with defining evil centers around perspective. Those who are captive to sin have a different worldview of evil. The verse from Isaiah reveals why one man’s evil is another man good,
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” – Isaiah 5:20-21
A view of self without the biblical mirror provided by God gives off a false self-image. We see ourselves as the experts on right and wrong. Our rationale is primarily guided by our feelings and emotions. Pride rules over decision-making and pride separates us from God. Pride is was caused satan (Lucifer) to be cast out of heaven.
The Bible is the only moral guide we have. Outside of it, we have chaos. Without a clear moral code, we have everyone deciding for themselves what is their moral truth. We see it all around us, men and women making decisions and choices that are biblically wrong and in some instances even evil. They justify and rationalize what they do as right for them, and declare their decisions and actions as truth.
In the Bible, God reveals Himself to us, the origin of mankind, the fallen nature of mankind is sin, the redemptive work of Christ Jesus, and clarity on what is good and evil. The only worldview that counts is the one that is provided by the creator of all life. God is the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end. He is truth. He is the starting point for all life.
Evil has always made its presence in the world. But, I do believe we are seeing a rise of evil at this time on earth all around us and it’s undeniable. One of the key indicators that evil is on the rise is because of the cultural unity around sinful behavior. There are several terms America has come to familiar with. Cancel culture, social justice, critical race theory, LGBTQ, transgender, same sex marriage, woke, and white privilege.
They are different but they have one thing in common, they seek universal compliance. There is no room for dissent. No discussion, no other point of view that the culture acceptable view. We have seen this throughout history, where one group or another rises to power and seeks to transform cultural thinking, actions, and behaviors. What we see that stands out today is the demand for compliance. In the 70’s we have an overall cultural attitude of “live and let live.” In other words, you do your thing and I will do mine, we don’t have to agree we just have to tolerate it.
Today “live and let live” has been replaced with what I choose to do you must accept, defend, and promote. In such a culture, morality loses its definition. There is intense social pressure to conform to group thinking. Legislators are passing laws, written to defend immorality.
Psalm 7:14 says.
“The wicked conceive evil, they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies,”
Those in power are seeking to determine the truth for everyone. The battles rage in court, the loses weight out the wins. Religious freedom is at risk as evil rises up to crush it.
Throughout history, there have been evil empires. What we see now is the coming together of a one-world empire that seeks the submission of all mankind. An empire where evil is called good and good is called evil.
No one wants to suffer but in a fallen world, it is unavoidable. Whether physical pain or mental anguish suffering is part of the human condition for everyone. Exactly what it will be like is not yet clear, but it seems unlikely that it will be favorable to those who follow Jesus. The signs if opposition are already apparent.
Persecution is simply a clash between two irreconcilable value systems. The clash is what we are seeing now, and it is ultimately between those who believe, trust, and love the God of the Bible and those who do not.
I have a few time-wasting activities they are spending time on social media. Social media is a drain on my life it doesn’t mean anything. It does not serve any purpose.
Television is also a waste of time for me. I spend probably 3 hours a week watching crime/ murder shows. Which entertains me but in reality I could be doing something practical such as spending time with my dog or reading.
Social media and television are a distraction in the sense that they are unproductive. It is said that excessive social media and television can cause depression, anxiety, addiction and distorts our self-image and is mind draining.
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?
Anything that reminds me of what happened in my childhood is usually is a trigger for me. Such as tuna fish. The one in the can. My mother fed that to me for years, so much so that it’s all I can remember eating until I was 4 years old. It’s just not eating it, it’s also the smell.
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Messiah” – Galatians 1:10 (Messianic).
God did not make us to be what someone else wants us to be. God made you to be you. If we are going to become all we can be, we have to refuse to be defined by others.
Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh‘s daughter (Hebrews 11-24). Moses had an identity crisis. He was born as a Hebrew slave but was raised as Egyptian royalty, the grandson of Pharaoh, As an adult he faced two options: He either pretended to be Pharaoh’s grandson for the rest of his life and live a life of luxury, fame and power. Or he could admit who he really was: a jew,
If he admitted who he really was, his family would kick him out to live with a slave for the rest of his life to be degraded and humiliated and live a life of pain and drudgery.
Which would you choose?
Most people today are living lies. Culture tells them who they need to be. They are trying to be people they are not. Moses refused to live a lie because he was a man of integrity. He insisted on being who God made him to be despite all the peer pressure.
Who are you letting determine your identity?
Is it friends and family? Are you living someone else’s vision for your life? I lived for other people most of my life and it exhausted me, living someone else’s dreams didn’t work for me. Always trying to live up to everyone else’s expectations doesn’t work.
The Bible says,
“But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing, but God, who tests our hearts” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4
Maybe we all need to make a resolution that we will no longer be letting other people press us into their molds. We will be who God wants us to be. We will do what God wants us to do and fulfill the plan that He has for our lives, not someone else’s plan for our life.
Then take a huge sigh of relief that real success in life is being who we were created to be and nothing more.
My favorite historical figures are the “Founding Fathers.” They played a key role in securing the Independence of America and created America’s government.
Each Founding Father offered unique contributions to the creation of the Republic, some of the Founding Fathers thought, wrote, fought, and served public offices but all of them contributed in some way.
The Founding Fathers are the most important people to study (especially today) to gain an understanding of the American ideals of freedom and liberty.
It is sickening that these the theories have not been passed down to all people here in America whether they are here legally or came here illegally people need to understand what America is founded on and work to keep the freedoms we have.
The Founding Fathers left an unparalleled legacy in the world and it is being destroyed by evil men who have cold hearts.
“While the earth remains seedtime and harvest, cold, heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” – Genesis 8:22
God has enacted certain eternal principles regarding time. King Solomon was the wisest man of all in Biblical times. He observed these precepts in his description of the cycles of life in Ecclesiastes 3. 1-6.
“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.“
“A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plants and a time to uproot what is planted.“
“A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to read down and a time to build up.”
“A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.”
“A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.”
“A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.”
“A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.”
“A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.”
Timing is important to fully experience God’s peace throughout the many storms of life, the man or woman of God must learn to discern, accept, and appreciate the perfect timing of God. God accomplishes His will in each individual’s life in their perfect time. Learning to adapt to God’s timing is essential to avoid feelings of despair and outright rebellion. Submitting to God’s perfect timing is also an effective remedy for those who tend to “help” God hurry something along as well as those who all too often move ahead of God’s guidance in the zeal.
The Four Seasons
Every person experiences four different seasons. Each season presents its own set of benefits and challenges. Our ability to determine which season we are in at all times requires an acute sharpness of spirit. Sharpness of spirit is a worthy goal to strive for.
Winter is marked as a long and dreary season. It can become time for inner growth in us as well as plants and trees.
This time of year represents a time of introspection and examine of our hearts and motives. A time to allow God to make changes in us, strengthening and maturing us.
Spring represents a time of joy and glory after dormancy and hardships. It’s a time of pruning, not only in nature but us as well. It’s a time when God can shape and mold us.
Summer is marked by extreme dryness and heat. A time when everything needs more water than usual to sustain strength and life. Our spirits need more spiritual food to stay replenished. Are believers it’s a season to become stronger. As we may struggle and sometimes go through permanent stages.
Fall is marked as a time of harvesting. A time of pruning in preparation for winter. Leaves fall from trees as a sign of transition. For the believer, it’s a time to bear fruits. More correction and shaping can come from God which is required to prepare us for the late ng winter season.
Allow the season that you might be in right now to run its full course. God is a good God and it’s always His intention to bless you despite the circumstances you may be facing. Hard times bring forth good character if you allow God to do His work in you. He had a perfect will for your life.
Do not attempt to change the season you are in. Just as the day is balanced out by th night the seasons that you must walk through are designed by God to keep your life balanced.
Paul’s understanding of these precepts are evident in his letter to the Phillipian church when he declared,
“Not that I speak because of lack for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:11-13.
If our source of power is not Christ, the seasons of our lives can and will be unbearable. Don’t carry your own burdens. They are too heavy. Hand them over to the Lord. We must learn to trust in God’s promises and Jesus’s power to give us strength. By submitting ourselves to God we can trust Him to bring us through every trial and circumstance and to exalt us in due time.
Being an independent thinker means formulating your own thoughts and making decisions on your own,
The idea of thinking for oneself is not seen as a good thing. Young people today are so distracted by technology, especially in America. They don’t take the time to see if what other people are telling them is true.
Humans tend to adapt their behavior to confirm the culture’s beliefs. However, understanding how to think critically and set aside biases can help develop more creative solutions.
An independent thinker is someone who analyzes every situation using their own judgment rather than conforming to public opinion. They evaluate multiple perspectives, ask questions and use their critical thinking skills.
Independent thinkers are confident in the person they are -in terms of having a set of core personal values and aim for living their lives, as well as knowing and accepting their personal strengths and weaknesses.
This knowledge is needed to act as an overall anchor to guide their daily choices and judgments. Without them, a person has no compass or bearings for their thinking and will be like a straw in the wind, simply reacting to circumstances or accepting the opinions of other people.
A fundamental point to note is that none of us are, in the purest sense, truly independent thinkers, no matter how much we might like to like the idea of self-reliance. All of us exist and have grown up in communities where common sets of knowledge, beliefs, and values have been accumulated and shared with so many others. But we can all do better in being independent thinkers by just being curious and investigating what people are saying.
There are 3 sides to every situation. His thoughts. Her Thoughts. And your thoughts.
I would love to visit Hungary because of my ancestry is there and also for the food markets as well as maybe learning some tricks to cooking some of my favorite dishes. Mine never turn out like my nagymama’s.
I would also love to visit Israel, namely all the places Jesus walked and spent time. I believe it would be filled with some powerful moments. I would like to visit the food markets there also.
Many people do not fully know what Spiritual Warfare is or what to do about it.
One way to explain spiritual warfare is by comparing it to physical war. War is often about controlling territory for political reasons or economic power. Spiritual war is the battle for control over people’s souls.
Whether you follow God or not, God created you for a reason. He created you so that we may know Him and experience His love. He created you for you to love others as you love yourself and to use your skills and talents for the good of the world.
However, God has an enemy, who is known as Satan or the devil or simply “the enemy.” Because he is an enemy to God he is our enemy too. Satan is jealous of all people, Satan is on the warpath to erase mankind as God intended. In a world where there is hate and confusion that gobbles up what God intended for good satan wants mockery. Satan is jealous because we were created to have fellowship with God and ultimately worship Him as Creator and Lord.
Satan is committed to preventing people from knowing God and trusting Him with their lives. Whether your a believer or not Satan’s purpose is always to keep people from experiencing the Love of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us,
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (NIV)
I remember at time when Satan attacked me at a prayer meeting. I was singing worship songs and after I said something to the worship leader. I thought I heard Him say something derogatory towards me. I was completely filled with hate toward him. As I left the church I had a huge hate for my Pastor. By the time I reached my home, I hated the entire church and everyone in it. So much so I told myself I was never going back.
In the temptation of Adam and Eve recorded in Genesis 3, it provides a clear picture of what we can expect from the devil.
He is more crafty than any wild animal
He comes along pretending to be an ally.
He received by trying to bend the truth that God speaks to us.
He tries to plant doubts in your mind about the things God has said.
He wants us to think God is restricting us when in reality He is protecting us.
He uses our pride and our sense of shame to turn us against others.
Whether you feel under a spiritual attack right now or know someone else who might be or just want to understand spiritual warfare better. We are all involved in a Spiritual war whether we realize it or not.
Spiritual warfare sounds like a battle between God and His enemies. But what does that have to do with us?
Our flesh and souls are in an internal fight. There are days where we all struggle to believe what the Bible says about God or about you. Which is completely normal but lies, and the subtle ones are one of Satan’s favorite tactics.
The Bible teaches that three forces are battling with God for ownership of our hearts:
The World
Our flesh
Satan
Thankfully God is stronger than all of them.
There is no doubt the world encourages people to think and act in certain ways. Today very few cultures point us towards Jesus. And our ability to follow Jesus and maintain a strong connection with God.
Culture wants us to follow the path of hate and confusion. God desires us to go down the path of love and wisdom. The things culture wants us to focus our attention on is usually a clear indicator of the position of God commandment and wants the opposite.
You shall not have other gods before God. Yet culture focuses on personal appearances, money, material possessions.
You shall not murder. Yet we are killing babies and each other for no reason except for greed.
You shall not steal. Yet culture has become okay with store thefts. As long as you don’t steal over a certain dollar amount.
1 John 2:16 says
“For everything in world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world” (NIV).
When we pray we should ask God if there are ways you are putting something the world values before Him in our life.
There is no doubt the influence of the world is very real, we also need to be aware that the struggle to turn away from God can comes from within us from our own sin and our own desires.
Paul gives us a great picture of what this struggle feels like in Romans 7:21-23,
“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the ones who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” (NKJV)
Ask God to search your heart and make you aware of the ways you might be choosing to be the god of your own life. As He reveals things to you, ask for His forgiveness and strength to live according to His plan for you.
Ultimately Satan had already been defeated by what Jesus did when He died on the cross. Jesus’s resurrection from the dead demonstrates that He won the victory over death. But Satan wants to blind people to this truth -what Jesus has done for us.
Satan attempts to send people off course in our relationship with God. It goes right back to the beginning of the human story. Satan was the author of the first temptation humans faced.
It is important to be mindful of your enemy, Satan, is real . He is single minded and dangerous, so we must be wise in how you conduct your warfare with him. If you follow Jesus, God have given you incredible resources by placing the Holy Spirit within us when we are saved (baptized), but you need to resist letting your pride tempt you and try to defeat the Satan on your own. You cannot do it without God.
If you feel like you’re under attack from Satan in any way, bring that to God in prayer. Thank Him for the protection only He can give and allow Him to fight the battle on your behalf. God gave us His Armor. “The Armor of God” to fight Satan.
Armor of God Chart
If not Satan will attack us so regularly that it can be predictable. The moment you decide to do good, sin is there to trip you up. If you don’t delight in God’s commands you won’t see that God joins us in this delight. Whether parts of you covertly rebel just when we least expect us and want to take charge.
Fight Your Battles God’s Way
Throughout Jesus’s life on earth, He faced spiritual warfare in many forms. He was tested by Satan during His 40 days in the wilderness (- 4:1-13). He was provoked, falsely accused and verbally abused by people who did not like what He was saying and doing. It’s important to remember that Jesus was a man -fully human so He faced all the temptations any other person would face.
But He never lost any of His spiritual battles. Even His wrongful conviction and execution on the cross, which looked like a bitter defeat, but was His ultimate victory. Jesus gives us examples about using prayer in spiritual warfare.
“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed“ -Luke 5:16.
Jesus withdrew from situations of spiritual warfare, One example was when He heard the news that His cousin John the Baptist, had been killed by Herod.
It’s important to spend regular time alone with God, with as many distractions as possible. God needs our full attention to guide us through our journey through life.
Taking time alone with God reminds you that He is ready and waiting to spend alone time with you.
Jesus combined prayer with fasting. Fasting can help our awareness of our need to depend on God. The Bible teaches that fasting can enhance our ability to hear Him as we prioritize Him above our physical needs.
I have to admit I have issues with fasting. Because of my diabetes, I get a headache if I don’t eat regularly. But there is something called the Daniel Fast. It’s derived from Daniel 10:3. It limits food choices to vegetables and water.
“I ate no pleasant bread. No meat or wine came into my mouth. I didn’t anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days. This was immediately before Jesus began His public ministry. Satan must have threatened by what Jesus was doing given the efforts He went to trying to distract Jesus from His mission.
Holy Spirit’s Role In Spiritual Warfare
God is three persons in one God, and the Holy Spirit is the most often understood. But we need to know His crucial role in experiencing consistent victory in Spiritual warfare.
Jesus knows the spiritual battles ahead of us (everyone). After Jesus was raised out of the tomb. He appeared to as many as 500 people. He did this to promise the Holy Spirit. Jesus wanted us to have peace and clarity for our battles in this life. He is our greatest strength.
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you” – John 20:21
God is someone completely separate and different from humanity. But Jesus entered humanity and experienced the same struggles. When He was leaving to return to His Father in heaven, He left the greatest gift He could. He offered everyone the chance to experience His own presence living with Him, His Spirit -The Holy Spirit.
As we experience battles in this life, it’s important to not just look for strength from outside or from the tools God gives us such as prayer and His Word. But realize God works within us and gives us everything we need to live the way we are designed as His children. We may not feel worthy, but God works through us to make us worthy.
Pray With Other Believers
James 5:13-16 says,
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of their church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And as he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer if a righteous person has great power as it is working.“
Matthew 18:20 tells us where two or three are gathered in my name, He is among them.
The fact that God designed us to experience freedom from our sins, struggles, and even sickness through praying with others clearly shows that He doesn’t intend for us to go through any battle alone.
God encourages us to be bold in the things we pray for.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” -Mark 11:24 (NIV).
It’s important to know that Satan wants to put as much distance between you and God. His tactics often involve exploiting human emotions, such as shame, disappointment, insecurity, and loneliness.
Try using the following scriptures as prayers when you have to overcome spiritual battles.
2 Corinthians 10 3-5 (NIV)
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world, on the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself us against the kno of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,“
Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will retire every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
John 8:32 (NIV)
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
John 15:7 (NIV)
“If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
It’s important to note if we ask according to God’s will it will done for us. If we ask for evil or wrong things to be done they will not be done for us.
I am stubborn. While some don’t think of being stubborn as a positive trait. Stubbornness is what makes me preserve. It helps me stand my ground when everyone else is trying to tell me that I’m wrong. I use it as well as the discernment that God gave me to be the determinant of my success. Being stubborn is a positive because I always know what I want and this makes me more decisive.
From Pity to Praise 