What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I think most people don’t understand what I’ve been through in life.
In life I may seem like a nice person who would do anything for anyone. But while that’s true, I don’t fully trust anyone. People I do kinda trust, I am always on guard for clues they can’t be trusted.
I have a kind of emotional armor that protects me, but it also can isolate me. I’m sure most people think I’m cold because of my actions and hyper awareness. I have general sense of alertness as if I’m waiting for a shoe to drop.
I also use guarded communication. I speak carefully, avoid personal topics, and can deflect any vulnerability. I’m very untuned to my surroundings and the energy in the room.
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
Lazy days give me time to clear my mind. The best way to speak a lazy day is speaking to God. To be with God not Just in words, but in presence, awareness, and every breath.
Lazy days with God includes letting my thoughts, and actions be with Him.
Lazy days make me feel rested because I spend the day with Him.
The Bible tells us of the tribulation, that there will be a seven year period of intense judgment that begin after a f peace is established.
I have been thinking, with everything going on in the Middle East is this another Bible prophecy coming true. The peace deals are giving people a sense of peace. I don’t believe this peace is real.
This is just a short version of things that are in the Bible. I am not sure these are the times we are living. But these are my thoughts.
According to prophecy the seven year tribulation period begins with a treaty that is made with Israel, it’s often attributed to the anti-cry to promised peace and security to the world. I believe God is using Donald Trump to broker the peace that is happening.
There are 3.5 periods of time which comes up to 7 years total. The first 3.5 years is the initial period is marked by a false sense of peace and prosperity. During this time the antichrist will solidify his power.
In this 3.5 year mark the piece is broken, and the antichrist disagrees the temple and demands to be worshiped as God, an event known as the “abomination of desolation.”
In the second 3.5 years of the tribulation, there will be a time of great suffering for all humanity. It is described as a period of great distress, war, famine, disease, and a pouring out of God‘s wrath on that unbelieving world.
At the end of the seven years is Jesus’s second coming. He will defeat the antichrist and establish His Kingdom on earth.
Holiness is not just a state of being but a pursuit we actively engage in. Holiness means being set apart for God, reflecting His nature in our lives. It’s an invitation for us to live in a way that mirrors God’s purity and righteousness.
The Bible teaches us that being holy is essential because it draws us closer to our Creator. When we choose to walk in holiness, we become vessels of His love and peace, shining brightly in a world that often overlooks these attributes .
We can only attain this kind of holiness through a personal relationship with Jesus, allowing His life to flow through us.
Here are a few scriptures :
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life“ -1 Thessalonians 4:7
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and you will be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord” – Hebrews 12:14
God is described as being infinitely Holy, meaning He is set apart from all sin and corruption. His holiness is evident in His actions and attributes, such as His justice, love, power, and wisdom
When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?
To me being successful isn’t about wealth or worldly possessions, it’s about being content with your life and having your basic needs met -like food, shelter, and peace of mind. It means feeling grounded.
Focusing on what truly matters brings contentment. And having a peace with yourself makes it easier to stay grounded.
It’s a persons inner peace that is rooted in faith that I admire. People having a steady anchor no matter what comes their way. It is when a person has a sense of security and direction that transcends the everyday stresses of life.
A neighborhood should be more than just a collection of houses, it should be a community where people live side-by-side, not only space but experiences and responsibilities. It should be a setting where people can create a peaceful and supportive environment.
A good neighbor embodies qualities such as kindness, and respect. Friendly neighbors help create an atmosphere of trust and openness.
They should respect other people‘s privacy and space, it is essential to understand boundaries.
Many people think Satan is a fairy tale, and I don’t blame them. Who could really believe in an angry bright red guy with goat horns and a pitchfork walking around in hell?
This may sound childish. But that version of Satan doesn’t come from the Bible. Instead, scripture show a real spiritual enemy that we need to take seriously. So is Satan real? Yes. Does he own a pitchfork? Probably not.
Let’s be clear, Satan is a title, not a name. It means “the deceiver” and that tells us most of what we need to know about him. He is a liar, that’s who he is. That Bible describes Satan as being like a roaring Lion, a serpent, and a dragon. Not the kind of animals we would want to snuggle up with.
The Spiritual forces of evil at work in the world are often linked to Satan’s influence, whether through temptation, deception, or even the demons he commands. That’s why the Bible calls satan names like adversary or the evil one.
In the Garden of Eden, satan brought confusion by questioning Eve, “Did God really say…? Then, he tempted her with the same thing that caused him to be cast out of God’s presence -pride.
He promised Eve she could be like God, without needing God. Adam and Eve fell into the temptation, and were sent out of Eden, and out of the perfect fellowship with God.
One moment they were walking with God, the next they were filled with shame.
Satan is alive and active in the world today. He may not be the goofy horned creature a made up cartoon, from artists, but he is a real threat today.
If you’ve ever done something that felt fun or exciting in one moment, then felt cheap, ugly, or hurtful later. That’s what happens when we’re convinced by lies. Satan is how the Biblical authors talk about our desire for short-term highs that lead to lasting harm.
Satan is a liar and he still has power on earth today. He looks like the good life, but then he tries to suck the life right out of you. We can think about porn, addictions, affairs, empty sex, and anything that promises to fulfill our needs without God?
We all have felt crippled by guilt and shame over things we’ve done wrong -big or small. That’s one of satan’s traits. He is known as the accuser of the family of God. Satan isn’t stupid -he’s a liar and an accuser. Pride, lies, and shame come in many forms. That’s why the Bible tells us to be watchful and be on guard against him.
But Satan isn’t as powerful as God.
Sometimes it can seem like the fight between God and Satan is a battle between two rivals. But this isn’t a great way to think about God and Satan. Because Satan is a part of God’s creation, he is completely inferior to God’s power.
Satan doesn’t get a detailed origin story in the Bible. Instead, we get snippets of him lurking in the shadows.
God created Satan. Many believe he went by the name Lucifer before becoming a satanic figure, he’s a fallen angel. This fallen angel became a symbol of rebellion and sin, who influenced many late medieval and popular depictions of Satan, including the infamous image of a little red man with horns and a tail. Yet, the reality of Satan’s power is far more complex and deeply rooted in scripture.
But nowhere in the Bible gives us all the information we would like to know.
So, why does God allow this today? Maybe because God wants us to live in a world with free will and the ability to choose to love Him or not.
As for me I choose to trust God and His infinite wisdom more than mine.
This may sound kind of sad, and while sin is heartbreaking, in the end of the story it really turns out good for those who choose to believe.
Satan will always be a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy people. That’s a pretty important thing to know. If you’re feeling robbed of your joy, dead inside, and utterly shattered, you’re right where satan wants you. But there is great hope that Jesus came so we could have life and have it abundantly.
Jesus defeated death. He was the perfect sacrifice for all sin for all time. He gives us the fullest life. God made a way for you and me to be with Him despite all the times we’ve chosen pride and lies over Him.
In the end, it is important to remember that Satan may seek to destroy but ultimately Satan has been defeated by Jesus. While Satan’s lies and temptation may continue to challenge us, the truth of Jesus’s victory in the cross provided the power to resist Satan’s evil influence.
Satan may have authority in this world for a time, but Revelation reminds us, Satan’s reign is temporary. The kingdom of God and the resurrection of Jesus ensure that Satan, and his demons, will be cast into hell and will ultimately be vanquished, and God’s perfect plan for creation will prevail.
So, yes Satan is real. He’s a liar. But he is being defeated every day when we choose what’s right over what’s easy.
The Bible tells us that as believers we have divine protection that shields us from spiritual and physical harm through His power, presence, and intervention.
God can be a refuge, fortress, and can work through angels. This protection is not the absence of trials, but the assurance of His presence, guidance, and strength to overcome adversity by trusting in His faithfulness and love.
The Old Testament this protection is deeply rooted. and promises that God will be a shield and refuge for His people.
Psalm 91 is a powerful declaration of God’s safeguarding presence, with verses like, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” in Psalm 91:1.
In the New Testament Jesus embodies divine protection as the “Good Shepherd” who takes care of His sheep. And the Holy Spirit serves as a guide and counselor for believers.
Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us we also have spiritual “armor” to resist spiritual attacks that protect our well-being.
God provides protection in four ways, but be careful not to put God in a box. All things as possible with Him.
His presence: God’s constant presence provides comfort, security, and a hedge of protection against evil.
Angels: Angels are sent to encamp around those who fear the Lord (reverence) providing divine protection and carrying us when we stumble.
Spiritual Armor: We are equipped with the “Armor of God,” which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith.
Jesus Christ: As the Good Shepherd, Jesus offers ultimate protection from spiritual harm, and His followers are assured of His constant presence.
We can access this divine protection by placing our trust in God’s faithfulness and love in the ultimate source of divine protection.
Praying for protection is a way to invite God to work in our lives, and seeking His strength and guidance.
Abiding in God, by staying close to Him, and dwelling in His presence, by making Him our refuge He will provide deep peace and protection.
Obedience, when we walk in God’s obedience to His will and word we have access to His protective care.
“The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more” -Psalm 127:7-8
I seek to live by godly principles like love, which is the most powerful. And faith. I have found that faith in trusting in God -His character, and promises, even when I don’t see the full picture. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Living a humble life leads me recognize my dependence on God. I try not thinking more highly of myself or others.
I always strive to have integrity. Being honest and moral, even when I think no one is watching. I know God is watching.
I try to live by treating others fairly and stand against oppression and advocate for what is right.
There principles lead me a way of living that reflects God’s character. A person who embraces these values embodies what it means to live a godly life.
I have found that striving to live by these principles has not only made me closer to God by has also changed my life beyond what I could ever imagine.
A spiritual stupor is like a coma where we are spiritually alive, but lack consciousness, involvement, and responsiveness to God, similar to a physical.
It is characterized by spiritual lethargy, a contentment with a superficial faith, neglect, spiritual discipline, like reading the Bible and praying. It’s a lack of conviction of sand, and an overall spiritual apathy. This makes us vulnerable to spiritual deception that can lead to disconnection from our faith and God’s will.
While I believe that the murder of Chalie Kirk, spiritually awakened people. I wonder how many will fall back into to their spiritual comas. I know I felt something shift when this happened. It made me realize I have to step up my game and be more bold.
There are some characteristics of a spiritual coma, that we need to recognize so, we don’t fall back into that trap.
The characteristics of a spiritual coma are:
Spiritual Inactivity: A believer in a spirit of coma that becomes an inactive follower of Jesus, losing consciousness of God in their lives.
Neglect of Spiritual Practices: This is the lack of engagement with spiritual discipline, such as consistent Bible reading, personal prayer, or quiet time with God.
Apathy and Complacency: People in this state become accustomed to routine spiritual practices, lead to spiritual lethargy or contentment with doing the bare minimum in their faith.
Prioritizingother things: spiritual things lose their priority as we focus on or be calm, preoccupied with distractions, other people, or worldly concerns.
Apathy in Worship: This happens when we have a lack of compassion or a heart of worship, leading to shallow in involvement, and not fully experiencing God‘s presence.
Lack of Conviction of Sin: when we are in a spiritual coma, we become less aware of our own sin and more focused on the sin of others.
It’s easy to get into the practice of religion and below by a state of spiritual slumber, where we go through the motions without a genuine connection.
When we are in a spiritual coma, we can be susceptible to spiritual attack and deceptions from Satan. We become not as spiritually alert.
When we are disconnected from God, it can lead to our source of spiritual life, being worldly and lacking sustenance.
We need to make sure we are awakened to the Word of God. When we are encountered with the willingness to be stirred, it can serve as a wake up call and the source of the nourishment of our spirits.
We need to open ourselves up to the intervention of others. Our friend and like-minded believers can provide spiritual support and encouragement, and it reminds us of God‘s truth.
We have to to have the desire to dig deeper. A desire for a deeper connection with God. It’s the realization of the seriousness of the spiritual coma that can lead to deep yearning, and a deliberate choice to reengage with God and have a spiritual life. 
“The task is not to seek love, but merely seek to find all the barriers within ourselves that we have built against it.”
In a world that is fast paced we have gotten used to immediate rewards rather than long term benefits. Our brains are wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure.
The want for perfection and the fear that we can’t overcome. “If I can’t do it perfectly, why do it at all,”mentality.
From Pity to Praise 