We are living in a time where there is censorship and cover-ups of truth. Increased restriction and widespread propaganda especially with the children who are the most vulnerable.
Ephesians 5 speaks of the days we are in. This book gives us instructions during these trying times.
It instructs us to oppose and expose the deeds of darkness.
It instructs us to be watchful, awake, and alert.
It instructs us to make the most of the opportunities we have.
It instructs us on the only way to survive such days…through a Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled life.
The Bible warns us,
“Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
The Apostle Paul begins with Psalm 5:11-12 saying,
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in Secret.”
We need to remember Jesus was very tactful when he exposed darkness. For example at the well with the Samaritan woman, He didn’t say that the woman was a prostitute or I know what you did last night. Instead, His life brought the greatest sense of love and conviction, and ultimately transformation.
Ephesians 5:13-14 tells us,
“But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says, Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
When I do watch the news I see people who are asleep, they are not aware they preach social and radical propaganda.
This command holds great significance today.
Watching in a Spiritual sense, means to alert and aware of our surroundings. It involves having a renewed mind that is attuned to divine realities. We must stay awake and vigilant, not oblivious to the schemes of satan, by being alert, we can discern the attacks from satan and his minions while resisting them with the power of God’s Word.
Honestly and integrity are the traits I try to uphold in my life. I value these because I used to not uphold these values. Now I hold onto them because they please God.
Being truthful and transparent in my actions and words does not only mean I am trustworthy, but also that I respect myself and others. Saying what I know and believe even when doing so might lead to negative consequences.
Integrity is adhering to my strong moral principles. It is what I do to create a foundation for trust and respect in relationships.
When people are honest and have integrity they take responsibility for their actions. These are necessary to establish and maintain a healthy relationships.
Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy. I think he had it wrong. But I think worrying is the thief of joy.
Some people make worrying into an Olympic sport. It’s one of the most destructive habits the ensnares human beings and is as common as breathing and blinking. It is such a skilled and deceptive thief that it’s victims don’t even know they have been robbed of peace, time, mental energy as well as emotional well-being.
God never intended us to live fearfully focused on the future -hostages to an emotional heist. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us,
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah Yeshua.”
Worry is like a leather headband that puts pressure on the mind and interweaves three things. The distress of yesterday, the trials of today, and the fears of tomorrow. It is a vice grip that compresses our joy, cramps our peace and confines our freedom.
Worry is like a thief that steals out peace. Its an exercise that leads to fear and stress instead of faith and rest.
When Jesus talked about worry m He redirected our focus to God. Our worries does not change anything, it only takes away our joy. Focusing on God changes how we handle our worries.
“Cast all your worries on Him because He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7
When we worry we have no resources within ourselves upon which to draw that will affect our situation. Jesus wants us to cast ourselves on Him. He wants us to be dependent on Him for life. When we do this Hr gently picks us up and carries us.
Worrying is like a rehearsed tape in our minds. We know we shouldn’t worry but we cannot seem to turn the tape off… then we worry about worrying.
Fortunately, Jesus doesn’t just tell us to stop worrying without telling us how to stop worrying. While our thoughts and memories can not be erased, the tape can be replaced.
Jesus tells us to focus on,
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things you learned received and saw in Me, so these things and the God of peace will be with you” – Philippians 4:8-9.
The are many things to being a believer that cannot be understood until you follow Christ that are purely practical though they do not seem to be. When the most important things in our lives happen we often do not know at that moment what is happening is at the beginning of each day when we find ourselves at the crossroads between the unknown and the knows that we are called to make a crucial choice to trust ourselves or to place all our trust in God in a certain sense the whole life consists of accepting this remarkable offer the sense in which a believer leaves things to God is that he places all his trust in Jesus.
Jesus offers something freely He even offers everything freely and it is through prayer especially the only one that begins our day that we acknowledge this offer and connect deeply with our Creator’s true spiritual growth happens.
When we stop trusting in ourselves and place all our trust in God faith in Jesyd is the only thing that will save us from despair for He is our anchor during life’s storms what matters is the nature of the change itself not how we feel while it is happening, Jesus will guide and strengthen us and it is in this trust that we find true peace.
Psalm 27 introduces us to a spiritual barrier a divine protection that surpasses any security system created by man the Psalm presents us with a God who will not only protect us from a distance but become our personal fortress our living shield in our lives.
There are three principles that can transform a psalm to revolutionize our understanding of God’s protection and presence.
We must allow our hearts to be open to receiving the blessings of Psalm 27. Imagine a highly sophisticated and impenetrable defense system that adapts ti each threat and never fails and this is sustained by an inexhaustible source of energy. This is the kind of protection the Psalm 27.
Psalm 27 describes a God who is actively involved in protecting every aspect of our lives.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? When even doers came at me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army should camp around against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek after that I may dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, to see the Lord’s beauty, and to inquire of His temple. For in the day of trouble, He will keep me secretly in His pavilion. In the secret place of His Tabernacle, He will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock. Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tent. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear Lord, when I cry with my voice. Have mercy also on me, and answer me. When you said, ‘Seek My face,” my heart said to you, I will seek Your face. Lord. Don’t hide your face from me. Don’t put your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Don’t abandon me, neither forsake me, God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me your way, Lord. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies. Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, such as breathe out cruelty. I am still confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord” -Psalm 27
These words are a bold affirmation of unshakable confidence that depicts a God who illuminates our darkness moments and ensures our salvation and fills us with His strength with a powerful defender that fear loses it grip on our hearts with such a firm protector anxiety disappears in thr face of His certainty. This Psalm teaches us to activate the Divine barrier in our lives.
This Psalm focuses on the unshakable confidence that arises from true faith this confidence does not come from our own abilities or strengths but from a deep understanding of who God is and what He promises to be for us.
This Psalm begins with a powerful declaration that set the tone for the entire passage.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear the Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid.”
God is our light illuminating the path ahead and dispelling the darkness and confusion and doubt He is our salvation rescuing us from danger and securing our Eternal future He us the strength of our lives empowering us to face challenges that arise with such a God by our side that fear becomes irrational. This confidence is not exclusive to David who wrote Psalm 27, but it is for us too, we can develop this kind of unshakable faith in our lives.
We should make God our main focus and have a deep desire in our hearts. King David does not ask for wealth power, or material security, he desires God’s presence he is longing to dwell in the house of the Lord to behold His beauty and to seek wisdom. To have true unshakable faith is built with an intimate relationship with God where what matters most is not what he can do for us when we make the pursuit of God our highest priority everything else falls into place. Our problems become smaller in the light of His greatness our fears dissipate before His love and our weaknesses are replaced by His strength. This does not mean that challenges disappear but that we will begin to face them differently.
When our emotions try to pull us away Psalm 27 exemplifies the truth by showing that even in the midst of dangers are uncertainties we can cling to trust in God as His light and salvation.
Faith is not reserved only for Spiritual giants or heroes of the Bible it is within reach of each of had wherever we are and begins with the simple decision to take the focus off our problems and place it on our provider to shift the perspective from fear to the Father to make God’s presence our highest priority as we do this we find a growing confidence within us not based on our own strength but on the God who holds us in His hands.
Faith is not ignoring difficulties but fully trusting God to sustain us through them. When we cultivate this kind of faith and make our pursuit of God our main mission we will receive the desires of our heart.
This Psalm might be the Divine Refuge keep to seeking God’s face. When we believe God is who He says He is and promises to discover our spiritual bankruptcy.
When we realize that we can no nothing on our own and that we need to leave everything in God’s hands as we seek His face we position ourselves to receive His protection and guidance aligning ourselves with His will and ways. Find ping refuge not only in circumstances but also in fear, anxiety, and despair this trust is offered in Nahum 1:7
“The Lord is good a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knows those who trust in Him”
This is not just a theological concert but a tangible reality for those who place their trust in Him. He knows us in a personal and intimate way. And He is ready to be our stronghold in times of trouble.
Utah Arizona Border
This was based on some reading I did by C.S. Lewis.
Some people confuse the rider of the white horse in verse two of Revelation with Jesus, but the rider is actually the Antichrist.
Following the appearance of the rider is not a kingdom of righteousness, but a time of wickedness and sorrow. Masquerading as the true Messiah, he wears a crown, while Jesus wears many crowns (Revelation 19:12). The Greek translation tells us the crown with by the rider of the first white horse refers to the crown of victory worn by a conqueror. The crowns Jesus wears in Revelation 19 refer to crowns of royalty.
A Conqueror Bent On Conquest
When a victor triumphantly entered a newly conquered kingdom, he would invariably ride a white horse. The antichrist will deceitfully establish himself and then show his true colors.
This coming world leader, the antichrist will come at an economically difficult time. There will be war in different parts of the world and he through his brilliant political moves along with incredible charisma will be able to do what no one else has ever done. He brings economic stability to the world monetary system and brings world peace. By establishing this, he will deceive many.
He will convince the Jewish nation and the Arab nations to sign a peace treaty, paving the way for the long awaited temple.
His accomplishments will be so spectacular, so far-reaching and unprecedented that many will hail him as Messiah. But we are warned in the Bible that he is a deceiver.
The Man Of Sin
The antichrist will be history’s nastiest embodiment of sin and rebellion.
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sub is revealed, the son of destruction” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3
The Wicked One
“Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of His mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of His coming” – 2 Thessalonians 2:8
Lawless can be defined as “wicked.” The antichrist totally opposes every law of God. Halfway (3 1/2 years) into his power play he will show his true colors, rebuilding the temple and committing the abomination of desolation.
‘From the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there will be one thousand two hundred ninety days- Daniel 12:11
When, therefore you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)” – Matthew 24:15
He will show himself to be a bloodthirsty dictator who will make Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Saddam Hussein look like lightweights in comparison.
Dictators rarely take over nations by brute force. Political or economic problems almost always pave the way for tyranny.
This has already been proven by history. Rome set the precedent, seeking out economic turmoil. They came with seeming kindhearted, only to turn to tyrannical suppression and demand the worship of Caesar.
Adolf Hitler did the same in 1930, Germany was in desperate financial distress, and inflation was so bad, that literally thousands of people were starving. Communists stirred up riots in the street, and there was general chaos.
Then Adolf Hitler came on the scene -a voice of authority in the midst of chose. He spoke of a people and a destiny and promised glory to come. But that did not happen.
Hitler was a pale version of the antichrist who would work through a revived Roman empire. He like the Romans and Hitler, will bring political, military, and economic answers, and he will persecute Jews and Christians.
Satan’s Unholy Trinity
The antichrist will not act alone. There will be a false prophet working with him.
“The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur” -Revelation 19:20
It is here we see Satan’s unholy trinity:
Satan, imitating God ( and for a short time having the worship of people worldwide).
The antichrist, masquerading as the Son.
The false prophet, impersonating the Holy Spirit
The Work Of The Antichrist
The antichrist will bring about a new religious system that will accommodate everyone.
Our world is in the midst of a cult explosion. Whether it’s the worship of abortion, money, gender politics, or something else. This world is on a search for some mystical divine unity. The time is ripe for a world religion and one world order.
The antichrist will harness the world’s economic system. Thrusting us into a time that we will all have a mark on us to track our spending habits.
Wisdom is needed to understand this.
“He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads, and that no one would be able to buy or sell unless he has the mark, which is the name of the beast or number of his name. Here is wisdom. He who has the understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.” -Revelation 13:16:18
Modern Technology And The Last Days
Before computers were such a vital part of our lives, it was hard for me to imagine how this prophecy could be enforced. We have see the developments of all parts of electronic systems necessary for one person to wield total economic control, credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, ATM’s, etc… Now we have supercomputers that are so fast, that they can perform thousands of operations on each person’s files in the world every second.
Satellites can link the whole world together instantly, receiving unbelievable amounts of data simultaneously. Fiber optics that service our homes and computers can carry thousands of conversations, video images, and data transfers at the same time. Our cell phones can do this wirelessly. The internet links large and small businesses around the globe together instantly. In addition, we all have several numbers assigned to us – social security numbers, and driver’s licenses…that enable easy access to our records.
Modern technology has made it possible for the antichrist to do what the Bible predicts: to literally control the right of individuals to buy and sell. Why do you think they want to take our cash away? Makes you think doesn’t it.
We can but most of what we need by use of credit or debit cards. However cards, can be lost.
This problem could be solved by inserting tiny electron transponders (chip implants) somewhere in our body. This has already been done in livestock and pets. I remember when Florida had Hurricane Ian in 2023 some people couldn’t get into their homes because their electronic chips malfunctioned.
Imagine a guy floating downstream on a raft on a hot summer day. He’s having a great time, enjoying the ride as the cool water splashes on him. You’re on the shore and you know that there’s a dangerous waterfall not far downstream. This guy is floating blissfully and ignorantly toward his destruction. So, you yell, to warn him. You throw him a perserver. But then he rejects and keeps floating towards his death. Why won’t he grab the life preserver? The answer is because he loves what he’s doing and doesn’t want to believe your warning.
I have never understood why some people reject God. He offers his great salvation to us. You would think that everyone would eagerly grab the life preserver that God has thrown out to them.
“For God so loved the world He gave His Only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” -John 3:16
Why would anyone reject such a wonderful offer? Why would anyone want to keep heading for eternal destruction?
People reject Jesus because they love sin and they hate being exposed by God’s light or being convicted. This is also why people don’t go the Bible base churches.
I have some friends who I have invited to church or spoken to them about Jesus. They say they believe and we’re born again when they were small. They think they are “saved by the blood of Jesus.” They think they can go to clubs and drink, and cuss. The problem is God’s Word says differently.
People think that if they are basically good God will overlook their sins when they meet Him.
Plato the Greek philosopher is known to have said something that hit the nail on the head:
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
The light came into this world in the person of Jesus Christ, and His presence condemned those in darkness.
Jesus states in John 8:12,
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”
In the Bible, light is used symbolically in two main ways. First, first, it refers to God’s absolute holiness, which leads to the holiness of His people. Whereas darkness symbolizes Satan’s domain and sin.
Second, light refers to the spiritual illumination or understanding that we get when we are born again, whereas darkness refers to our natural blindness before we are saved (2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 6).
In a sense, God’s Word is a “lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Ps 119:105).
Proverbs 6:23 says,
“For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. Reproofs of instruction are a way of life.’
When Jesus came into the world, His very presence exposed the world to who God is as holy and to the fact that we are not holy.
Jesus did not come for the purpose of judgment, be of who He is, His very presence brought judgment and divided people.
Have you ever been in the presence of a very Godly person, so that in their presence you become uncomfortable?
I once heard a true story about a professional golfer who was once invited to play a foursome with Gerald Ford and Billy Graham, and Jack Nicklaus. He had played with Nicllaus before, but he was in awe of playing with President Ford and Billy Graham.
After the round was finished, one of the other pros came up and asked, “What was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?” The pro unleashed a torrent of cursing and said disgustingly. “I don’t need Billy Grahan stuffing religion down my throat.” With that he turned and stormed off heading for the practice tee.
His friend followed the angry pro and watched him take out his driver and best ball after ball in fury. His friend said nothing, but just sat nearby and watched. After a few minutes, the pro calmed down. His friend said, ‘Was Billy a little hard on you out there?” The pro was embarrassed and said, “No he didn’t even mention God, I just had a bad round.”
Billy Graham’s presence made that gold pro feel condemned, even though Billy never said a word.
I think how much more would we have felt condemned to be in the presence of Jesus? In Luke 5:8, Peter fell down Jesus’s feet and said,
“Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O’Lord.”
I have never been too much about brands. I care about comfort and the product that makes my life easier.
When I think of brands I think of more money. Brands are too often consumed with the idea of getting people to participate in whatever it is they are trying to get across.
I care about how a product works for me. Brands are not special. When buying clothing it’s about being comfortable. A cleaning product is based on how it works. A vehicle, whether I can go from driving in town or getting to the mountains.
When I think of brands I think about the money the extra charge for their brand.
God answers prayers. But sometimes, God is silent.
We’ve all been there or will be. We may earnestly see God, but, in return, we may only sense His silence. This silence can be difficult, and frustrating, especially when we think we need an answer “right now!”
In the Book of Job, it talks about an account of a man who was well acquainted with God’s silence. In Job’s pain and suffering, he cried out to God. He asked for answers and kept asking.
I can relate to Job’s circumstances because I cried out to God so many times growing up, but all I got was silence. The didifference was that I thought God hated me. And it sent me down a path of despair and depression. I didn’t know God was making me stronger. I thought He was trying to kill me. Thankfully I’ve learned a few things since then.
The first 37 chapter of Job’s account, he cried for God’s help and relief and was met only by God’s deafening silence.
As believers, we are not always going to hear God’s voice, but from Job, we can learn a few things to do when God seems silent.
Examine Your Life
Begin by asking yourself, if you have any unconfessed sin in your life. Make sure nothing is blocking you from being able to hear God’s voice.
Psalm 66:18 saysm
“If I cherish sin in my heart. The Lord wouldn’t have listened.”
Ask yourself if there is anything or anyone you love more than God.
As God brings things to mind, ask for forgiveness.
There is no shame in repentance. This is an act of faith and pleases God which restores our fellowship with Him.
2. Accept God’s Authority
Recognize that God can be silent. There is no obligation for God to answer us, inform us or let us know anything.
.A.W. Tozer said, ‘The knowledge of the Holy,” because no one and no thing can hinder Him or compel Him or stop Him. He is able to do ad He pleases always, everywhere, forever.”
Like us, Job faced the choice of acknowledging or rejecting the authority of God. In response to his suffering and loss, Job’s wife suggested he curse God and die.
Instead of following her advice, Job chose to let God be God. Job said in verse 2:10,
“Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?”
Accepting God’s authority also means actively trusting God, realizing He is in control and can be trusted.
In Job 13:15 Job says,
“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” (ESV).
Nothing in Job’s life, or ours, happens apart from God’s knowledge and plan. As we learn at the beginning of Job, God was fully aware of all the things that were about to happen to Job. In fact, He gave satan permission to do these things in Job‘s life. At no point does God release His control.
3. Listen To What God Is saying
Although God may seem silent regarding a specific request, remember that He is in a constant state of communication with us.
Even though I coped an attitude with God and went and did some idiotic things. If I would have left my mind and heart open, maybe my life would have gone a little differently. It is possible that I would have heard what God was saying.
The Bible is full of specific answers from God about what is right or wrong, as well as information about God’s intention for us as His children.
Don’t forget to dig into God’s Word, it is Hid communication to us. We can find out what He had to say about the problems we face or the questions we need answered.
Remember to ask God to speak to you through the Holy Spirit who lives inside of you. Often scripture can have new significance in light of the current problems you are facing.
4. Recognize That Silence Can Be Intimate
Silence can be a sign of God’s trust in you.
The Book of John tells of an account about Jesus’s friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. When Jesus found out Lazarus was sick, rather than rush to Lazarus’s house to heal him, he stayed where he was for two more days, and before Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus died (John 11:6).
To Lazarus’s sisters, Mary and Martha, Jesus’s silence could have been interpreted as neglect -that Jesus did not care about or want to help them.
This mirrors many of the emotions we feel when God does not immediately answer our cries for help.
In Jesus’s silence we as well as Mary and Martha, are drawn into a new closeness to God and understanding of His power.
It wasn’t until God saved my life through a horrible situation I got myself into that I realized there was something to God’s power and that He had been silent for years, but He was protecting me from myself all along.
When we can’t hear God, we sometimes find that He trusts us all along in the most intimate way possible.
I imagine He was saying to me all along “Girl don’t go that way it will lead you to a dangerous situation, but I will protect you no matter what, while you are learning.”
For Job, God’s silence was a result of the depth of their relationship.
What I’ve learned from all the situations and mistakes I’ve made is to never stop talking to God.
God is in control and has been all along. He heard Job’s cries for help. He hears us too. He just waits for the perfect time to speak.
I could definitely do more road trips. But, with the economy the way it is right now. It is so expensive. I feel the costs are not doable.
I don’t like being gouged for close to $300 a night for a hotel room for one night. And with nights getting colder it’s not possible to just go pitch a tent somewhere.
Many people ask why God doesn’t destroy evil in the world. But God could not destroy evil without destroying freedom. And if God destroyed freedom, God would destroy love. And if God destroyed love, God would destroy the highest good. If we’re not free to choose good, then we’re not free. So, there must be the ability to choose evil.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope, because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” -Romans 8:18-21
Since people have the ability to choose evil, what is God going to do about it? What is God going to do about suffering? God is not going to destroy it. God is going to defeat it.
There were two gardens. There was the Garden of Eden with the first Adam, and there was the Garden of Gethsemane with the second Adam. The Lord Jesus, the very Son of God, took sin on Himself and carried it to the cross and died for it. In the act, God has defeated evil so we can be restored to Him. And in this, He had shown us the greatest love.
God is the only one who can defeat evil. It’s not about feelings, money, drugs, or sex it’s about love – the love of God.
From Pity to Praise 