The world is changing fast, isn’t it? It seems everywhere we look is filled with darkness. News broadcasts doom and gloom. The pandemic, the economy, homelessness, joblessness, sickness, anger, anxiety, depression, fear… the list goes on and we are all feeling it.
It seems living in isolation has become the social norm, and I’m not just talking about quarantine. Some people live life on social media, then at home, in their private world, they are dying from loneliness and anxieties.
People have become cold and distant, freezing in place from the uncertainties, and so many relationship problems.
This is happening in the world AND in the church.
The world keeps pushing the envelope. No one knows who they are anymore (and I could write a thousand word post on this).
But we keep acting like this will blow over and we will all get back to normal…any day now. But it won’t and we won’t.
How do I know? Because the Bible say’s so.
Everything that is happening around us has been foretold and forewarned in the Bible.
These are treacherous days we are living in. BUT there is hope, dear reader. God is still on His throne and He is calling each and everyone of us to Him.
I don’t know what situation you are in. But God knows. Don’t give up. Don’t let the world turn your heart cold. God made a promise to His children and He is a promise keeper.
Jesus did tell us that because of sin, lawlessness (and don’t we see that every day on the news?) the love of many will grow cold. BUT He also said, he who endures to the end will be saved. AND the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations (we see this happening on the streets around the world. Hallelujah!) and THEN the end will come.
One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:28. Years ago I was going through a particularly rough time. One night the Lord woke me up with this verse, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” We often hear people quote part of this verse and leave out the other half. The promise is that all things will work together for good to THOSE who love God and are the called according to HIS purpose. I find this very encouraging. Why? Because I love Him and I know no matter what happens, it will work together for good and according to His purpose. Did ya hear that? His purpose, not mine, not yours, but His. Our good, His purpose!
So, Beloved, keep looking up. Let God do and finish His work in you. Let us be the light in this dark world. We are never alone.
How can I pray for you today? Comment below or contact me.
OK, so here you are, an adult, and you’re supposed to have your life together, you should be settled down, have a steady income, have savings, a home, and a healthy marriage. You should be physically and financially fit. Every day (or at least most of the days) should be a good day. Look around you, especially on social media, everyone else has their life together and is happy… so why aren’t you?
Have you ever thought that? Has your self-talk ever been like a beating behind a woodshed?
Are you feeling lower and lower, like you’re sinking deeper and deeper into the dark pit of despair and hopelessness, and there is no sign of light? Are you being tossed around in the waves of anxiety, fear, and depression and you wish someone would throw you a life preserver and pull you out? Are you hiding from people because it takes so much energy to fake pleasantries anymore and you quit answering your phone, lock the door, pull the shades, then pull the covers back over your head and wish to sleep until life gets better?
Friend, you are not alone. Believe me, I know how hard it is to sort your thoughts when you can’t even speak complete coherent sentences. I know what it feels like to have 5 minutes of hope and then 72 hours of hopelessness. I know what it’s like to want to have a “normal” life of stability, and to feel utterly alone even when you are surrounded by people and feel like a complete failure because no matter what you do it always ends the same.
“If I could just…”
“If only they…”
“But what about…”
Trauma is not something you “just get over.”
Through the years you may learn how to bury it, but it affects the rest of your life if you have not faced it and been healed.
Our earliest relationships are within our family.
We are born with a clean slate; our hearts and minds are like brand new chalkboards not yet written on. The function (or dysfunction) of family sets our expectations for future relationships and sets the standard of what we accept or do not accept. This is where we shape our identity and our worldview. This is where we learn what is safe and what is unsafe. Sadly, if we grow up in abuse (physical, mental, verbal, neglect) then what should be rightly judged as unsafe will be familiar and in adulthood, we will choose unsafe because it is what we know. (Be sure to follow me for more on generational curses)
The Effects of Childhood Trauma
(Note: I use the word “you” in general terms.)
Attachment Issues: You may have trouble with relationships, respecting/setting/maintaining boundaries, empathy, and social isolation. You want to be close to someone, but you struggle with true intimacy and inevitably you push people away from you, or you are attracted to people who will reject you. You have a hard time connecting with someone fully and for the long term.
Physical Health: You have increased medical problems and somatic symptoms; extreme focus on physical symptoms, such as pain or fatigue, and this causes great emotional distress. Prolonged depression, anxiety, and fear can and will wreak havoc on your physical health.
Emotional Regulation: You have difficulty identifying, labeling, and communicating your needs. You may feel like you are always on the “verge.”
Dissociation: You may have altered states of consciousness, amnesia, impaired memory, gaps in memory. No, you’re not “crazy,” this is a coping mechanism.
Cognitive Ability: You may have problems focusing, learning, and processing new information. No, you’re not stupid, your mind is just on overdrive.
Self-Concept: Lack of sense of self, body image issues, low self-esteem, shame, and guilt. Who could blame you? You were set up for this since childhood.
Behavioral Control: You may have difficulty controlling impulses, oppositional behavior, aggression, disrupted sleep and eating patterns, trauma reenactment (rumination), addictions… maybe it’s not Behavioral Control, but Uncontrolled Behavior.
In other words, you don’t do what you want to do, but what you don’t want to do you do.
Yea, I get it. As an adult survivor of childhood trauma, I learned all kinds of coping skills, limping through life on a series of ups and downs, not always making wise choices, failed relationships, pulling up my big girl pants, and leaving the past in the past (or so I thought). But can I tell ya, anything you may think you have buried so deep will eventually show its ugly head and I pray God grants you the wisdom and strength to uproot the toxic lies and abuse, and you allow His Holy Spirit to turn the soil in your soul and replace the childhood wounds with peace, hope, love, and forgiveness. And I hope it doesn’t take until you are in your 50’s like it did me, but even if it does, God is still able.
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” -Winston Churchill
Some well-meaning, but misinformed Christians will tell you, “You gotta forgive, and then everything will be better.” Sigh, if only it were that easy, huh.
Of course, you want to come to a place of forgiveness, the Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness. I will add some verses at the end of this post for you to click on to see for yourself what God has to say about forgiveness. Forgiveness is a process and it’s not based on feelings or emotions, rather it is a choice to release them into the hands of a loving and just God. Forgiveness enables you to take responsibility for your healing and growth. It is recognizing that a wrong, an injustice, has been done against you, but with God’s help you choose to let go and move forward into the hope and future God has for you.
The words “I forgive” are not a magical formula, it does not automatically erase the wrongs, and ‘poof!’ it’s as if you have never been wounded. It’s taking the first step to healing, you may have to remind yourself you forgive several times a day, but God the Father is right there extending His hand, grab hold of Him, and trust Him when He says, “Ok, my child, now is the time to throw that rug back and let’s take care of what has been buried under there.”
It is possible to dethrone the triggers that cause you to react in fear, upset, or anger. You may not be able to change the past, but you can control its grip on your future. This can happen by bringing truth to the lies, light to the darkness, acceptance from rejection, and love in the uglies.
Friend, you are no longer the helpless child. You can wave goodbye to pain and embrace life.
Do you want to know how to heal from your past? Do you want to know how to live a life of no regrets? Do you want to know how to hold your head up and walk with dignity, without shame, fear, and anxiety?
There is only one way for lasting healing and wholeness, and the one way is through the One, Jesus the Christ, by His Holy Spirit who is Healer, Comforter, and Deliverer.
If you are ready to step off the merry-go-round of failed relationships, emotional chaos, and unfulfillment, and you want some help (because we all need help sometimes), you can contact me HERE.
Remember, God is for you, He is not against you. He sees and He knows and He cares.
OK, so ya know how when you go to the grocery store without a list and you come home with everything but what you went there for? You know, you plan to just run in and grab some eggs and bread then $150, a half-eaten bag of chips, and a cart full later you load up the car with that feeling of “I feel like I’m forgetting something,” only to get home and realize you didn’t get the two items you went for.
Or are you a list keeper and you stick to the list with no flexibility?
Hey, I’m not knocking you if you are an impulse shopper or a list keeper. This post isn’t even about grocery shopping, or lists, or bread and eggs (note to self, grab some peanut butter the next trip to the store). This post is about relationships. Yes, you read that right, I’m gonna talk about relationships.
Many relationships have ended with casualties because they were approached as if shopping for groceries on an empty stomach. Not much thought went into choosing the partner, he/she just looked good at the moment, even though they may have lacked any real sustenance, and red flags may have been waving like curtains in an open window during a hurricane, but you were lonely, or you settled because you didn’t think you deserved any better. The relationship was filled with a bunch of fluff and fillers, but eventually, it made you sick and never progressed to true intimacy (and hint: intimacy goes beyond sex). After it has run its course you are left feeling more empty than when you started. Been there!
There are also lost opportunities for a beautiful relationship because the person didn’t fit your “list”. You know, maybe they weren’t the “right” height or had the “desired” eye color, or the “suitable job.” Were you ever so busy looking for what you thought you had to have and completely missed the beautiful core of the person? Been there, too!
I am not claiming to be a relationship expert, but I am a good student and I like to believe I learn from experience and/or observation.
If you are not a person of integrity you will not attract a person of integrity. Like attracts like. Integrity comes in many shapes, sizes, and color, because it is not what is on the outside that makes a person, it is what is on the inside, its character. A person of integrity is respectful, honest, gentle, patient, kind, loyal, has self-control, isn’t lazy, and is not quick to get you in bed.
If you are insecure and still carrying past injuries on your sleeve, you are a target for the toxic person, but an emotionally healthy and safe person will most likely not pursue you. The saying is true, hurt people hurt people, and why would someone want to sign up for that hurt?
I saw a post on Facebook recently that said: One day you will meet a man who will worship the ground you walk on and he will not want to lose you. (Or something to that effect)
What?! Ladies (and men) you do not want someone to worship the ground you walk on. That’s unrealistic and unhealthy, not to mention too much pressure to be perfect, because hello… no one is perfect. If someone has to worry about losing someone then they are in a conditional relationship and who wants that?
You want someone who worships God and only God, and who will worship God with you. This I can tell you for a fact if God is the center and most important part of your relationship then you have a lifelong committed union. You will be blessed to be in a relationship/marriage that will grow, deepen, strengthen, and encourage. This three-chord strand is what will hold you in sickness and in health, in plenty and lack, good times and not so good times, and even when you are aged, gray and wrinkled, because let’s face it, we don’t stay young forever.
You might be pleasantly surprised who God picks for you if you just shift your focus to Him. Cultivate your relationship with your Heavenly Father first, allow Him to work in your heart, and prepare you to be the person for who He has picked you for. How beautiful is the one you will love when you look with the eyes of the Father. He knows what you need, He will not join you with someone who will not compliment your strengths and cover your weakness, and vice versa.
So throw your list away, quit looking when you are empty, and trust the process God will lead you through. He is the best matchmaker! If you keep yourself and let Him, He will introduce you to your best friend, companion, lover, and spouse. After all, isn’t that what you want?
Better to be alone with God than in a relationship without Him.
Do you ever wonder where God is when everything around you is burning to the ground?
“Uh, hello God, are you there?”
Image from: Dreamstime
Consider this: A stowaway baby, found and adopted into a royal family, everything he needs is provided for him, he grows up with privilege and influence. Then one day he sees how cruelly his birth family is being treated by his adopted family and he takes matters into his own hands and commits murder.
Whoa! Back up… you mean he identified with the enslaved instead of looking the other way? (Not advocating violence/murder, but that is what happens when we take matters into our own hands) Of course, when his “adopted” grandfather finds out, he becomes enraged and wants to kill this young man, so the man had to flee, giving up a royalty to become a sheep farmer in exile.
Or how about three young men, finding favor with a king and selected into the king’s personal service, yet were sentenced to certain death because they chose to remain faithful and trust in God instead of serving the gods of the king?
“Throw them in the fire, boys! And while you’re at it, turn the heat up!” Image: Inspiration Ministries
And let’s not forget the close friend of Jesus, who became deathly ill and Jesus waited until he was dead before He went to him.
Wait a minute, wait a minute, you mean the Jesus who healed people, didn’t immediately go to His friend, and heal him?
Where was God?
He was right there with them. He was and is right where He always is, on His throne and with you.
With Moses, God was in the burning bush.
The Angle of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing flame of fire from the midst of a bush, and he looked, and behold, the bush was on fire, yet it was not consumed. -Exodus 3:2
God was the cloud by day and the fire by night that led His people to the other side of the sea.
But still, the question remains, if God is there, then why did His people have to go through all that? Why didn’t God just smite the Egyptians, wipe them from the face of the earth, and spare His people the white-knuckle grip of wondering if He was going to show up and rescue them?
And the three Hebrew boys? Don’t ya know? He was with them in the fire.
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king, looked and was astounded, and he jumped up and said to his counselors, “Did we not throw three men who were tied up into the midst of the fire?”
They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.”
He answered, “Look! I see four men untied, walking around in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt! And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” -Daniel 3:24-25
And still, the question is, why did the three Hebrew boys have to face the furnace? Certainly, God could have spared them that horror.
And if Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons, why didn’t He run to His sick friend and heal him instead of letting him die? And why did He wait until after he was dead and buried before He showed up?
So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him, while Mary remained sitting in the house. Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give to You.”
Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise from the dead.”
Martha replied, “I know that he will rise from the dead in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in, adheres to, trusts in, relies on Me as Savior will live even if he dies; and everyone who lives and believes in Me as Savior will never die. Do you believe this?” -John 11:20-26
So, to answer the question of why God doesn’t spare us the pain of waiting, trusting, and hoping while we go through the fires of life when He is able to just “come immediately,” is inJohn 11:15…
SO THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE.
But, why God?
It is easy, and understandable, to not look beyond ourselves when we are feeling hurt, rejection, fear, grief, or whatever form the fire takes, but we must remember it is not always just about us.
When we go through the fire, God promises to be with us in the fire. And while we are in the fire, we have an audience, people are watching our testimony being written. And sure enough, if you believe, your audience, persecutors, mockers, nay-sayers, will say as they witness your deliverance, “There is no other god who is able to save in this way!”
If you find yourself in the tomb, everything has crumbled, relationships have died, money has come and went, and all that you have built has burned to the ground, remember… death comes before the resurrection. Some things have to die!
Hold on loosely to things and hold on tightly to Jesus, because sure enough, if you trust Him though He slays you, you will hear Him call your name and say, “Come forth!” And your grave clothes will be removed and He will cover you with His righteousness.
Don’t resist the valleys, because He is still God in the valleys. When you can walk with Him through the valley of death, and still not fear, but BELIEVE, you will find yourself on the peak of the mountain and your light will shine and those who see will declare…
How great are His signs and how mighty are His wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation. -Daniel 4:3
He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he too had struck the waters, they divided this way and that, and Elisha crossed over.” -2 Kings 2:14
I just finished watching one of my favorite shows. OK, don’t judge me, I like to watch Criminal Minds. Are there any other fans out there?
Anyway, this episode, Dr. Spencer Reid had to reveal some struggles he had to an unsub. For those of you who watch the show, you know the relationship he has with his mom and the back story. At the end of the show, after the bad guy was caught, Morgan (another character in the show) gave Reid a hug, and during the hug he said, “You know…” and he didn’t have to finish the sentence because Reid knew what he was saying. Reid, who does not like the close contacts of hugs, then embraced the hug and comfort of a friend. For that moment, he was able to be safely vulnerable.
I like hugs. I didn’t always. Because a person does have to place themselves in a certain vulnerable position to receive a hug. I am talking about real hugs, not the meet and greet and sideway hugs we give on Sunday mornings. It wasn’t until years ago when God started to heal my heart that I would really embrace a hug. I don’t think I am wrong in saying that Hugs are a gift from God.
According to an article written by Erica Cirino, in Healthline, there are benefits to hugs.
1. Hugs reduce stress by showing you support
2. Hugs may protect you against illness
3. Hugs may boost your heart health
4. Hugs can make you happier
5. Hugs help reduce your fears
6. Hugs may help reduce your pain
7. Hugs help you communicate with others
The article goes on to suggest that we need four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance, and twelve hugs a day for growth. Is it any wonder why God said it is not good for man to be alone?
But what do we do if we are alone and we have no one to hug?
Sometimes it seems like we must be super spiritual and have an answer for everything. As if it is a weakness to admit we are running on empty, feeling alone, and in need. Shew, I am guilty of giving the “Well, let me answer you in Bible verses,” kind of help. And while scripture does hold all the answers to every question we have, sometimes we just need a hug.
What if you don’t have the emotional energy to praise your way through it? And for whatever reason, you don’t have someone to give you a hug. Sometimes you just need a hug; not advice or opinion, just a hug.
There was a time in my life when I was going through a rough time. It was a matter of the heart and I was struggling with depression from a broken heart. I didn’t have the energy to turn on the worship music and worship my way out of it. I didn’t have the strength to praise my way out of it. Even though I knew the Word, my mouth couldn’t open to speak my way out of it. Have you ever been there?
I knew God was with me, because I believed His Word, but I felt so alone. It was during my darkest time that I experienced Psalm 34:18 up close and personal.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and He delivers those whose spirits have been crushed.
At night, when I would go to bed, I would hold my Bible to my chest and hug it as I fell asleep. Don’t misunderstand me, to me it was like I was hugging Jesus. The Lord knew I was hurting. My hug spoke what my words could not.
Can I just tell you what the Lords hug feels like? It feels like peace. It feels like hope. It feels like love.
Yes, I believe hugs are a gift from God. If you have no one to give you a hug, I encourage you to open your heart and let the One who created the hug, and is the BEST HUG GIVER, to hug you with His presence through the Holy Spirit, where no words are necessary.
Believe me, His hug will comfort and heal you and the benefits are eternal.
Yes, we are living in troubled days. Everywhere we look we see evidence of fallen man. Jesus said that Satan is the god of this world, and we see his fruit everywhere; hate, fear, and death.
How do we keep from getting sucked in to the pit with the rest of the world?
How do we keep our hope in the face of hopelessness?
How do we love when we are hated?
The quick and easy answer would be to pray. And yes, we should pray, but what about when we are so heavy laden, hurt, angry, sad, alone, abused, empty, afraid, blue, and if I can be honest… how about when we are just tired of hearing our own voice and see no change around us? What then?
The world is spinning fast, time is but a vapor, and time is short, and nothing is within our control. We can not control another person or what is going on around us. BUT! There is one thing we can control… ourselves. We can take control of our thoughts and our responses. Then instead of being reactive, we can be proactive.
A broken hallelujah will be made whole. In your brokenness, offer a hallelujah and He will answer.
In Hebrew, Hallelujah transcends the languages of the world. It is not translated, it is transliterated. (click here to read more about praise)
“Hallel” means to boast or to brag on, to make a show, even to the point of looking ridiculous.
“Jah” is the short form of the name for God.
What do we tell our children to do when there is a fire? Stop! Drop! And Roll!
Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to [the abundance of] His greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flute. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; Praise Him with loud cymbals. Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
-Psalm 150
So I encourage you… No! I challenge you! Shut the world out, turn the news off, lay down the paper, hang the phone up, shut down the computer, and Stop! Drop to your knees, lift your arms, open your mouth, and let the praises roll!
You can’t change the world, but God can. You may not be able to change your circumstance, but God can. You may be waist deep in what the world calls despair, but He promises if you focus on Him, praise Him for His goodness, trust Him, give it ALL to Him, when you rise you will rise refreshed and strengthened.
He is still God, He is still on His throne, He has not left you and He never will. Don’t let the world steal your peace. Shift your focus.
This post is to those who follow Christ; those who are called by His Name, and for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying.
Do NOT get side tracked by the pettines that is distracting you. There is very real battle going on and many are falling away; chasing their own tails because the enemy has come in, undetected, and are causing warriors to engage in trivial arguments over offenses to distract from the source of the problem. Men and women of God who were once on fire and bold, are now hiding behind their doors and have allowed their voice to be silent; they have forgotten their first love.
Are we more concerned and focused on the mud on the carpet instead of the thief who has tracked the mud through our house? While we run around cleaning up his mess, sweeping it under the rug, he has moved on to kill, steal, and destroy. Like ostriches, we hide our heads, convincing ourselves if we do not see him then he is not there. We pull our feet under the blankets so the monster under the bed will not grab them, instead of just turning on the light.
But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.I gave her time to repent [to change her inner self and her sinful way of thinking], but she has no desire to repent of her immorality and refuses to do so. Listen carefully, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her [I will bring] into great anguish, unless they repent of her deeds.” -Revelation 2:20-22
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14
So when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked down from the [upper] window. As Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, “Is it well, Zimri, your master’s murderer?” Then Jehu raised his face toward the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three officials looked down at him.
And he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her underfoot. When he came in, he ate and drank, and said, “See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king’s daughter.” They went to bury her, but they found nothing left of her except the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. So they returned and told Jehu. Then he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘In the property of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel. The corpse of Jezebel will be like dung on the surface of the field in the property of Jezreel, so they cannot say, “This is Jezebel.”’” 2 Kings 9:30-37
We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony!
Don’t be fooled! This is not just “politics,” this is an attack against Christianity, against the people of God. This is demonic! Look around you! Jesus told us what to look for as a sign of His return and a person has to be blind to not see the signs!
He who testifies and affirms these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. -Revelation 22:20
Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
You love evil more than good,
And falsehood more than speaking what is right. Selah.
You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
But God will break you down forever; He will take you away and tear you away from your tent, And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.
The righteous will see it and fear, And will [scoffingly] laugh, saying,
“Look, [this is] the man who would not make God his strength [his stronghold and fortress], But trusted in the abundance of his riches, Taking refuge in his wealth.”
But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust [confidently] in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
I will thank You forever, because You have done it, [You have rescued me and kept me safe].
I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.
I read an article in CBN News and I have to share it with you, as a warning, and for encouragement to finish the race that is laid out before us.
“A United Methodist Church pastor has caused controversy after stating that Christians can support the marital union of homosexuals without betraying the word of God.”
All of the alarm bells are going off! Wake up, wake up, wake up!
Choose this day who you will serve (Joshua 25:15). You can not, as Christians, support something that is clearly against Gods Word without betraying the Word of God. It is NOT possible!
“Hamilton believes United Methodist churches must come together now and rediscover the faith that unites them. He does, however, believe that individual church parishes should be allowed to determine where they stand on this most sensitive theological issue. So, he helped set up the group “Uniting Methodists” to encourage local churches to claim autonomy over these pastoral matters.” Let us not fool ourselves, as Hamilton is greatly deceived, the autonomy he seeks is a separation from Truth.
Bottom line… you are for God or you are not. There is no middle ground and no compromise. All or Nothing, Hot or Cold, Life or Death, For or Against…
We are to be a light in the world; not bring the world into the church. It is love to speak truth and it is love to care for souls; even to the point of death. The world is lost, they are dying and facing eternal death, and we will be held accountable if we withhold truth.
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I was compelled to write to you [urgently] appealing that you fight strenuously for [the defense of] the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith that is the sum of Christian belief that was given verbally to believers]. For certain people have crept in unnoticed [just as if they were sneaking in by a side door]. They are ungodly persons whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want], and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 3-4)
Jesus said, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error] For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many.” And He also said, “At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. Many false prophets will appear and mislead many.Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.” See Matthew 24)
And the Lord said, “The outcry [of the sin] of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now, and see whether they have acted [as vilely and wickedly] as the outcry which has come to Me [indicates]; and if not, I will know.” (See Genesis 18)
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city[since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger]. (Matthew 10:15)
I do believe God answered the prayers of the righteous through the election of President Trump. We have been granted some time to move forward; some breathing room, as President Trump is a friend to Christians and Israel. What we do during this time is important. This is not a time to rest.
Here, in the United States, we are being hit from every side, evil is being exposed, the wicked are drunk in their sin, The spirits of hate, lust, greed, lies, and corruption… lawlessness; cover our nation like a dark cloud, defiling everything and everyone it comes into contact with.
But it doesn’t stop with the United States, the attack is worldwide; pediphilia, crimes against children and the unborn, wars, famine, strange weather (volcanic eruptions, fires, floods, earthquakes, droughts) and it is increasing.
Sin is in the church, the Gospel message is being watered down across the pulpit, itching ears are being served a “feel good” message where there is no longer a call to repentance. Those who were once on fire for the Lord have silenced themselves and opted for entertainment rather than the Word of God and have become so lukewarm they border cold; having walked away from the call of God on their life, they have neglected the only One Who brings salvation. Their hearts have grown weak and instead of repenting and returning to their first love, they have sought after the counterfeit to numb them; addictions, entertainment, unholy relationships… then when this proves to be empty, leaving them in a worse state than before, many turn to suicide, but it all leads to death.
For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24
For those of us who know Jesus, this is not a time to be afraid, this is a time to look up and to get on our knees and plead for souls. This is not the time to get lax, but to put on the full armour of God and wage war in the heavenliesfor our nation(s) and souls.
Then the men got up from there, and looked toward Sodom; and Abraham walked with them to send them on the way. The Lord said, “Shall I keep secret from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do, since Abraham is destined to become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him? For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is righteous and just, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.”
And the Lord said, “The outcry [of the sin] of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now, and see whether they have acted [as vilely and wickedly] as the outcry which has come to Me [indicates]; and if not, I will know.”
Now the [two] men (angelic beings) turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Abraham approached [the Lord] and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous (those who do right) with the wicked (those who do evil)? Suppose there are fifty righteous [people] within the city; will You really sweep it away and not spare it for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing—to strike the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right [by executing just and righteous judgment]?”
So the Lord said, “If I find within the city of Sodom fifty righteous [people], then I will spare the entire place for their sake.”
Abraham answered, “Now behold, I who am but dust [in origin] and ashes have decided to speak to the Lord. If five of the fifty righteous are lacking, will You destroy the entire city for lack of five?”
And He said, “If I find [at least] forty-five [righteous people] there, I will not destroy it.”
Abraham spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose [only] forty are found there.”
And He said, “I will not do it for the sake of the forty [who are righteous].”
Then Abraham said [to Him], “Oh, may the Lord not be angry, and I will speak; suppose thirty [righteous people] are found there?”
And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
And he said, “Now behold, I have decided to speak to the Lord [again]. Suppose [only] twenty [righteous people] are found there?”
And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
Then Abraham said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry [with me], and I will speak only this once; suppose ten [righteous people] are found there?”
And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
As soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his own place.
My friends, my brothers and sisters, church… Rise up! Be bold! Do not be afraid! If you love God then you will love people as He loves them, willing to die for them so they may live!
However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
Crooked Places Straight 