Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

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  • Planted

    “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you”.  James 1:21 NIV

    The Greek word emphyton (ἔμφυτον) means “implanted,” “inborn,” or “engrafted”. It describes something that grows inside or takes root naturally like a plant. It is not words just written on a page in your bible.  The words must be planted in your heart! Then the words will change and guide your daily walk and behavior.

    The words planted deep inside you will save you.  The knowledge of the words written in your bible will not save you.

    We are told in James 2:19 that even the demons believe and have knowledge of God’s words.  Yet that knowledge will not save them.  They let Satan change their hearts and they did not put the word of God in their hearts.

    Before a plant can grow well, gardeners clear out weeds. James says to “get rid of all moral filth and evil” so that nothing blocks the growth of God’s word in your life.  This goes along with the verse in James 1:27 where it speaks about keeping oneself from being polluted by the world.

    You must stop putting in your mind or heart outside influences and worldly thoughts.  One of the greatest ways Satan enters people’s lives is through Social Media Influencers. Someone else convinces you what is the best way to live or act.  Everyone on social media is telling you that if you do it their way, believe in the things they believe in, that you will be happier and a better person.

    One of the harms in social media is the “Like” button.  You post some thoughts or beliefs about anything, and you get some ‘likes’ and you start believing that you are doing God’s work. You start to think that you are helping people be a better person or helping the world be a better place to live.

    Every time you watch a news program your mind and attitude are directed to a certain kind of belief that is 100% worldly.

    Jesus says that there is only one way.

    John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

    Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

    1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

    Where should the word of God be?

    Proverbs 3:3: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”

    Proverbs 7:3: “Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.”

    Jeremiah 31:33: “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

    Today let the word of God be planted deep in your heart and mind.  Let it take root so that when the storms of life come, you will stand firm in God.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Daily Living

    “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”. James 1:27 KJV

    “Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world”. James 1:27 The Message

    Pure (katharos): Clean, clear, and genuine, without any hidden motives or mixed quality.

    Undefiled (amiantos): Free from stains, dirt, or outside corruption; untouched by evil or sin.

    The Greek word for “visit” in James 1:27 is episkeptomai (ἐπισκέπτομαι), which means to look upon with helpful interest or to provide relief to those in need. It means much more than a casual social call or drop-in visit. It implies going with a supportive purpose, taking personal responsibility, and actively stepping in to help someone facing hardship or distress.

    Every follower of Jesus should take the time to dive deep into this verse.  Jesus is giving you what He considers the best way to live your life before God the Father.  It is a very simple verse yet deep in its meaning and deep in what it is not saying.

    In its very simplistic meaning it is telling you that God considers the best way to show that you are a son or daughter of Him, is to always put others before yourself and to keep yourself from being corrupted by the world and its ways.  I like the NIV version of this verse where it states, “keep oneself from being polluted by the world”.

    You couple this verse with the verse in the gospel of John and you have God’s idea how you should live each day.

    “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV.

    Pure and True Religion is Action!

    Action over ritual: True religion is not just about attending services, obeying a set of doctrines, obeying the commandments, or having knowledge of scripture. It requires agape love and daily acts of mercy.

    It is putting your Love for God, your scripture reading, your heart filled with the Spirit, into your daily walk here on this earth.

    It is a purposeful and dedicated way of living in a world that is more corrupt each day.  I purposefully must show Agape love, and I purposefully have to stop doing anything that may let the corruption of the world into my mind and heart.

    It is not an accidental way of living!  It is a deliberate, intentional, determined walk each day with God.

    A lot of very strong and true Christians, who have kept all the commandments and have been a faithful follower of Jesus, will hear His voice at the second coming say to them, “I never knew you”. 

    They never let the words of Jesus change their hearts. They were perfect on the outside but inside they still wanted control.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for All.

    Larry

  • Isaiah 6

    Isaiah Six is a very powerful chapter on the transformation of the prophet Isaiah and the same transformation that must take place in every believer.

    Isaiah starts by seeing and experiencing the Holiness of God. The Lord is seated on the throne in the temple. The train of His robe fills the whole temple.  This is symbolic of the Lord’s infinite majesty, supreme authority and is showing that God’s glory is greater than any earthly king and it leaves no room for anyone else to rule in the temple or the universe.

    Above the Lord were seraphs and they were constantly praising God with song and voices. Verse three tells us what they were saying and verse four tells us how they were proclaiming the Holiness of God.

    The sound of their voices shook the doorposts and thresholds of the temple.  Oh, what a worship service and witness it would be if your praise at church shook the ground for the neighborhood to hear, see, and feel what God is doing for You.

    Immediately in verse 5 Isaiah recognizes his sinful condition and that he is not worthy of standing in the temple or the vicinity of God. When we realize the holiness and greatness of God and His presence, the more we realize our sinful condition. God’s absolute purity acts like a bright light that exposes even the smallest flaws in our hearts.

    “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Luke 5:8 NIV

    Isaiah realizes that he has no right to be in the presence of such holiness and purity. He shouts out in fear of being put to death, for he has experienced the presence of the Lord.

    “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 6: 6-7 NIV

    This is where the transformation starts.  You realize your sinfulness and impurity. You humble yourself before the Great “I AM”.  God’s presence in your life brings about complete surrender and humility. You realize that there is nothing you are going to do to become clean.  You cannot wash yourself.  No amount of working at scrubbing is going to get you ready for the presence of God.

    Immediately upon being touched by the coal Isaiah is clean. “Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 6:7 NIV

    The coal was radiant white with heat from being in the altar before God.  That whiteness of that heat brought complete forgiveness and atonement to Isaiah. God accepts the Purity  of His Son to bring Purity to you and me.

    This cleanliness changed Isaiah. He immediately hears the voice of God asking, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah 6:8 NIV

    This is such an important part in the transformation of a person from believing that they are worthless to being forgiven clothed in the white robe of Jesus. Don’t underestimate this part of the transformation. 

    The change is once he hears God’s calling to witness unto others, to take the message to others. Isaiah stands up and starts shouting “Here I am, Send Me”. Isaiah 6:8 NIV 

    This is how it should be in everyone that has accepted the saving grace of God.  You should immediately be so excited to share this wonderful message with all. You have been forgiven and cleansed and you cannot wait to share it with everyone. It is shown in your personality, the glow on your face and the love in your eyes for everyone. In your daily interactions in person or on social media. There is no more negativity or condemnation in anything you do. You did not deserve to be touched by the hot coal and forgiven. God saved you because He loves you. No act like it and live a life worthy of what God has done for you.

    “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes”. Romans 1:16 NIV

    God then tells Isaiah to go and tell but gives a warning. In verse nine and ten God explains that most people will not listen because their ears will not understand because their hearts have become calloused. They only want to hear what tickles their ears and gladdens their hearts.

    This is the problem with believers.  They hear the saving words, but it does not change them. They are believers that hear the word, the seed, that the workers have cast upon the ground.  They hear and sprout up only to die when the heat hits because they did not change their behavior and put down a foundation deep into Jesus. It was just a surface religion.

    Isaiah asks how long he should continue to spread the good news of salvation. God’s response is until the end of time. 

    God then gave some good news.  He has reserved a tenth of the population that has never bowed down a knee to the world and its ways. Those people shall be the holy seed that goes forward in the name of the Lord.

    What a wonderful promise of eternity is in this chapter for those that accept the saving grace of God the Father and accept the changes that this brings. They allow this saving Grace to change their behavior, words and actions.

    Read this chapter every morning.  Let it sink deep within and let the Holy Spirit transform you. Surrender all to Him and go forth today in a manner that brings glory to God.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Daily Walk

    “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God”. Colossians 1:10 KJV

    “We also pray that your outward lives, which men see, may bring credit to your master’s name, and that you may bring joy to his heart by bearing genuine Christian fruit, and that your knowledge of God may grow yet deeper”. Colossians 1:10 JB Phillips

    In this verse Paul is giving them the instructions for a daily walk with God. 

    It is a great reminder of how we are to live each out each day.

    Paul is describing two aspects of your daily walk.  One outward and one Inward.

    Your outward life should reflect a live that is worthy of what Jesus did for you when He was crucified and then He rose from the grave. He paved the way for you to enter the realm of eternity on the coattails of His righteousness. Your sins are forgiven! Will others see today the positive, outward praise and thanksgiving you have for what Jesus did for you?  Will they see it on your face? Hear it in your words? Is your walk today worthy of what Jesus did?

    Are you producing the fruit of the Spirit in every situation or every circumstance that may arise? In every step today are you making the atmosphere better by exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? Always reflecting the light of God.

    Then Paul turns inwardly and tells you to spend the day increasing in knowledge with God. The Greek word used here for knowledge is (epignosis).  It implies a deep, personal, and relational understanding, like knowing a person intimately rather than knowing about them.

    Paul is not telling you to increase in wisdom or knowledge about God and His word. He is telling you that each day you should work on becoming more intimate with Him. If you work at becoming more intimate with Him, then all other knowledge will follow.

    “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. Matthew 6:33 NIV

    Make God’s priorities, values, and His ways your focus. See the world through Jesus eyes and His Love for all mankind.

    This is not accidental but a very intentional, purposeful habit of praying, reading and meditating on Scripture and quieting your mind to listen to His voice of guidance.

    Purposely and intentionally shut off the world and its distractions and open myself to see, feel and enjoy the presence of God walking next to me.

    You habit should be to spend time with God instead of picking up your phone to scroll or post or turn on the TV for more news and programs that are not bringing you closer to God.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Start Living

    Are the times we are in today the late stages of the world? Many think so. I hear it every day from several people.  Or are we living the first day of eternity?

    In the book of Habakkuk God has promised that the people of Judah will go into captivity by the Babylonians. The prophet is questioning why God’s promise is taking so long to be fulfilled.

    This is God’s answer in a few different translations.  

    “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry”. Habakkuk 2:3 KJV

    “And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming, it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time”. Habakkuk 2:3 The Message

    “It is not yet time for the message to come true. But that time is coming soon. The message will come true. It may seem like a long time before it happens. But be patient and wait for it. These things will happen. They will not be delayed”. Habakkuk 2:3 ICB

    “At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time but keep on waiting— it will happen! Habakkuk 2:3 CEV

    What job do I have during these times and circumstances?  The most important job is to have patience.  To reflect patience with everyone I meet.

    Two Greek words that are used in the bible for Patience.

    Hupomoné (Greek): Steadfast endurance and remaining under heavy life pressures or trials with hope.

    Makrothumia (Greek): Long-tempered forbearance and tolerance toward people who cause injury or annoyance.

    Both are character traits that God has asked you and me to exhibit every minute of every day.  Exhibit in our words, in our body language, in our touch and demeanor.  It should be seen in our eyes and heard in our words for everyone to see or hear.

    These traits do not require any knowledge of when God’s promises will happen.  They require total Faith in God.

    Where do I get these traits of Patience?  Patience is a Fruit of the Spirit. A character trait grown inside believers by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). You do not work at getting this fruit. Your only job to obtain the fruit of the Spirit is to surrender all to God and He will fill you with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

    Patience is grown by surrendering to the Spirit.

    When Eve gave birth to Cain, we read “Adam made love to his wife Eve. She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have gotten the man that the Lord promised.” Genesis 4:1 GW

    Eve believed that her first born was the savior and that he would save them and return them to the Garden of Eden. Ever since Eve there are people that have told the world that we are living in the last days of time.  Each believed deep in their hearts that it was true.

    God does not have a watch set with a timer to remind him it is time to go and deliver His people from this world. Even His Son, Jesus, does not know when this time is.  God has no concern for your time schedule or your definition of what time in history we are in.

    In the Bible, patience is an active spiritual virtue rather than passive waiting. We are to be aware of the signs Jesus pointed out. We are to be ready each day to see the little cloud in the east and to hear the trumpet and sounds of the angels singing. We are to dig deep into His words and pray without ceasing.

    We are called to be a holy priesthood of people that exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. You are to reflect God’s own patience and mercy toward all humanity. We are to set aside worldly traits and habits and to show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Such is the fruit of the Spirit.

    What a pleasure it is to live each day with the opportunity to share God’s grace and Love to others. I am very content for each day that God allows me to reflect Him. Yes, I look forward to Jesus Coming again. Yet, if it takes beyond my lifespan, I will be positive, smiling and reflecting God each day with Joy in my heart.

    Start living the first day of eternity and not the last day here on earth.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Opinion

    “When you understand every opinion is a vision loaded with personal history, you will start to understand that all judgment is a confession”. Nikola Tesla

    What a wonderful quote and life changing quote if you take the time to let the words sink in to you.

    Pray and let God speak to you and your heart about how you treat people that believe and act differently than you do.

    Let’s look at the first part of this quote.

    People’s Opinions are not formed in a vacuum. Opinions are formed or shaped by our experiences, values passed on by parents, upbringing, traumas, tragedies and the culture we were brought up in. Some opinions have been passed down from generation to generation. Some opinions are deeply held, and some are just personal preferences.  Every opinion reflects how that person sees the world and over time that lens has been polished, scratched and shaped by that person’s unique path that they have walked in.

    No two people have the exact same opinion. No two people experience life through the same lens. No two people see God the same way.

    Opinions can only be changed by the internal working of the Holy Spirit.  You cannot change another person’s opinion or perspective about anything.  You can be a friend that introduces the Holy Spirit to another person.

    Arguing or pointing out what you believe is another’s errors in opinion will never change anyone. You feel it is an error because of your unique shaping of that opinion. Understand that person does not feel it is an error.  When you attack or pass judgement upon someone else’s opinion, they will take it as an attack upon themselves. Arguing online or in person has never led anyone to God. It has never led that person to pick up their bible and let the words enter their mind.

    You have greatly misunderstood your job in life.  You were never called to change people’s hearts.  You were not called to point out that their opinion is wrong according to you. You were never called to change people’s minds.  You were called to show God’s love. You Show God’s love by sharing how God changed you. How He walked with you through the shadow of death. How He has been your friend and how He has loved you.  You introduce the Holy Spirit and let Him start the transformation.

    How do you feel when someone questions your opinion about anything?  Are you willing to listen or do you just become more hardened in your belief? Does it bring about a feeling of Love towards that person?

    The greatest form of discretion is knowing when to keep your mouth shut. Silence may show far more of God’s love than anything you can say. 

    The way that God changes a person’s opinion is dependent upon the amount of time that person spends is a close communion with God.  God is not going to argue with you. God is not going to force His opinion on you. God is not going to over shout you while you are talking. God is not going to write a condemning post on social media.

    I am 70 years old and God has spent the whole 70 years trying to transform me and my opinions and He is not done yet. He loves me too much to leave me where I am.  He has eternity to accomplish His work inside me.

    I must be willing to be transformed, and I show this willingness by the amount of time I spend digging deep in God’s word and on my knees in prayer and listening.

    One change in my life that I have started doing is in every situation or conversation with anyone I say a quick prayer and ask God the following Question. “Father, how do you see this situation”?   I want to see it through God’s eyes and not my own eyes or opinion. I want to represent God in the situation I am experiencing at that moment.

    God can see the heart, and He knows what the other person is going through. God is working on that person’s heart. 

    You do not need to interrupt that work by your opinion.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Wrath

    “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness”. Romans 1:18 NIV

    When we read the word “wrath” we think of its definition.  Wrath is a noun that means extreme, violent, or intense anger, often combined with a deep desire for punishment, revenge, or divine retribution.

    Yet when you dig deeper into this verse you will see that the Greek word for wrath used here is the ὀργή (transliterated as orgē).

    Orgē generally means, settled indignation, or a fixed and righteous opposition to evil. It is not a sudden uncontrolled outburst of temper or anger. It is a steady, holy, and objective revulsion and judgment against sin.

    The Greek word for anger that bursts outward with emotion is thumos. It is used in verses like Luke 4:28 where it says the crowd in the synagogue is filled with wrath.  A sudden burst of emotional anger.

    When Jesus cleared the temple with a whip He was not exhibiting either of these two Greek words.  The Bible tells us that Jesus had “Zeal” for His Father’s house. “zeal” (“Zeal for your house will consume me” in John 2:17). The Greek word used for Jesus’s actions was zēlos.

    In Romans God has a deep indignation against all godlessness and wickedness.  All types and all forms. God is pointing out that the consequences of your repeated actions of ignoring His calling, love, and open arms, is that the natural path of sin will lead you to doing detestable things. God gives every opportunity for humans to see His love. He gave prophets, the bible, and nature.  All speak about God’s love.  Yet people still have scales on their eyes and their hearts are hardened. So, God gives them over to their own evil desires.

    Just remember the children of Israel.  They had God before them in a pillar of light at night and a cloud for shade during the day.   Yet, even with these very visible forms of God they turned and went their own ways many times.

    The wrath that is spoken about here in Romans is that God just lets sin take its normal course.  If it is not checked and removed from your life, it will lead to destruction and eternity in Hell.

    How do you check and remove this habit from life?  Turn and surrender all to God.  Walk with God.

    I love this example of what surrender to God really means.  Everyone has done this or seen their parents do this.  When someone is going to come over for dinner or a visit to your house you start to clean.  You pick up the living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen area. Make the area look perfect and ready for company.  You then go around the rest of the house and close the doors to hide those areas from the eyes of the visitor. You do not want the visitor to see or enter those areas. You are trying to hide that area because you think the visitors will change their mind about you if they see how you really live.

    This is how most people surrender to God.  They only give Him access to certain rooms or areas of their life.  Access to only parts of their thinking, behavior and their daily walk in life. They do not want to give up or let God change some of the aspects of them that they like or think they can hide from God.  They want God in their life on Sabbath but not during the week.

    God already knows what is behind the door that you will not open. What you do when you believe no one is watching. What you forget is that God loves you even with what is behind that door. He knows what is hidden in secret, but He is not going to open the door.  He is waiting for you to open the door and voluntarily let Him in for a complete transformation of the heart.

    He is knocking. He wants to come in.  When you do not open the door, He does not go away He just stands outside the door and lets what would be the normal consequences happen when you continue to live in the darkness and never let the light in.

    God’s wrath cannot be a part of darkness.  He needs the door open for His light to burn away all the darkness.

    Are you able to surrender all to Him?  Opening every behavior, personality trait, and habit to Him. Every thought and every action.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Dig Deep

    Are you digging deep or are you just on the surface?

    “They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”  Luke 6: 48-49 NIV

    How are you studying the word of God?  How are you spending time with God? How are you prepared for the storms of life where you are being slammed by waves the size of mountains and winds of hurricane force?

    In the above verse there are two types of Christians.  This verse is speaking to believers, followers of Jesus, and not the world in general. 

    One digs deep and continues to dig deep until bedrock is hit.  It then drills into the bedrock and sets its foundation. This person spends days, weeks or months on the same scripture. Looking up each word in the Greek or Hebrew for its original description and meaning.  Searching for where and how the word is used in other verses. What is the context that the scripture is in?

    The other believer is just building his faith on the surface.  He picks up the shovel and scrapes the top of the dirt and moves around a few rocks and then gets tired or thirsty. He takes his foot and kicks a little dirt away from the surface. He spends a few minutes a day just skimming over words and prays for the Holy Spirit to give him all the guidance he needs.  But he is not willing to put very much effort into digging deeper.  He thinks that reading the whole bible in a year is sufficient. The verse tells us that when the storm of life hits, and it will hit, this person is washed away and his destruction is complete.

    Digging is a very active verb.  You cannot just be still and look at the shovel and expect to get results. You must spend hours in direct contact with the shovel. You also cannot hire someone else to do the digging. I may hear a nugget in a sermon, in talking to someone or a verse speaks to me. A nugget placed there by the Holy Spirit.  I make a quick note of it and when I get home, I start digging. I may pass up eating so that I can dig, pray and talk to God.   I am certainly not going to overeat and then fall asleep.  That is one of the greatest deceptions of Satan is for you to misunderstand the definition of “rest” and go to sleep on Jesus.  You must take an active role in digging deep.

    The reason Jesus said the road is narrow and it is easier to put a camel through the eye of a needle is because He knew that most people are just surface readers.  The Disciples fell asleep while Jesus prayed His heart out to His Father. 

    Jesus spoke in parables and very rarely spoke directly about any subject. He wants you to think, ask questions, spend hours, days and months deep in prayer and thought with him.

    “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed”. Mark 1:35 NIV

    “Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God”. Proverbs 2:3-5 NIV

    You can ask God for understanding and insight, but the verse says you must search and dig deep like going for silver, gold or hidden treasure.  You will not find the knowledge of God on the surface.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • By Beholding We Become Changed

    You cannot feast your mind on Netflix, Hollywood, TV News, sitcoms, movies and programs and have a spiritual character.

    It is simply not possible.

    Why, because by beholding we become changed. 

    This works both ways.  By Beholding and Spending time with God you will become changed. So, then it stands to reason that by beholding and spending time in the world you will change. You cannot spend time in worldly entertainment and not become changed.

    Do you spend more minutes or hours watching worldly productions than you spend in the word of God?

    Do you spend more time on social media than you spend in the word of God?

    The Things of this world cannot satisfy you.

    By watching any news program, you start to lose love for all mankind. You start to think differently about people just because they are of a different political belief, a different race, a different social status, because they live a different way than you do, they are portrayed as the enemy.  Then it is very easy to fall into the mindset of the world and forget God told you to Love your enemy and all mankind.

    “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”. John 13:35 NIV

    Just look at how the moral and ethical standards have changed over the years.  What do you see in tv programs and movies now versus a few years ago?  You are being led to accept behavior of all types. Satan knows exactly which programs will affect you in a manner that you do not realize they are affecting you and then you start to put God’s ways aside.

    On Social media you soon find yourself posting a post that points out why one political party is better than another political party. Why one line of worldly thought is better than another. Why credit for something that you believe is good, should go to a man or political party. Why a person that believes differently than you is just plain wrong.

    You will quickly forget that God is not American. God is not republican or a Democrat. God is not liberal or conservative. God does not have a political party better aligned with His way. You soon believe that you are doing God’s will by condemning other people’s views and that if they just saw it your way, the world would be better off.

    You need to remember that 100% of politicians are an early version of the antichrist.  They are great at persuading people to believe that they have a better way of doing things. They promise peace and a better America.  They promise a better way. They will tell you that the way to a better nation is to vote for them.  Yet we are told that no man can bring about peace and a better way.  It can only be done through Jesus.

    What is happening is that you are slowly being led to a position where you will not be able to identify the true antichrist when he comes.  Because, you have been following what sounds good to you and it tickles your ears.

    You are being led to put your faith in man and not God.

    “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps”. Jeremiah 10:23 NIV

    God just told you in this verse that you cannot trust yourself to guide your own steps. Then why would you trust any man to guide you?

    When you turn to any man to guide you, your church, your family you are leaving God’s will and following man’s will.

    The world or nation will not be a better place because you believe in or following a certain man or political party.  People will not be better if you post the ten commandments on every wall in a classroom. 

    God reminds you that His word needs to be written in your heart.  The only way to do that is to shut off the world and spend more time with Him.

    Where is your Garden of Gethsemane?

    You need a garden of Gethsemane in your daily life.

    Having a “Gethsemane” in daily life means carving out a quiet, honest space to surrender heavy burdens, process deep emotional pain, and align personal will with a higher purpose. Just as Jesus sought solitude at the foot of the Mount of Olives to pray through His deepest anguish and to be in His Father’s presence.

    “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly”. Matthew 6:6 NIV

    Spend more time alone in the garden with God than in the world with man.

    Shut off the world and stop putting faith in a man or mankind to make the world or nation better. You are dishonoring God when you do.

    Remember it is not a religion, it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Idleness

    The Devil Rides on an Idle Horse.

    “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good”. Ezekiel 16: 49-50 AKJV

    In the Bible, the phrase “growing fat” is a warning about forgetting God. When people get rich, full, and comfortable, they often forget God. They become proud and stop listening to His voice. They think their bank account, big house, boat and luxuries were because of their hard work, and they deserve to rest up and take it easy. They deserve to go on extended vacations and forget about doing God’s work in the church. They wasted the blessings that God gave them and took credit for it all themselves. They say to themselves and to others, “Look what I have done”.  

    Growing “fat” in biblical terms is not about waist size.  Even though that is a problem and a sin also spoken about in the bible. “Fat” here is about getting comfortable, content, and a sense of peace in your daily life that makes you forget about needing God. 

    Satan loves this stage of anyone’s life.  This led the men of Sodom to doing detestable things that were an abomination before the Lord. The Devil will ride in on that idol, content and happy horse.  He knows just what to tempt you with that will make you feel good in the present moment. Lust for another partner, lust for too much alcohol, lust for a drug, lust for pornography, lust for a TV program or news show that will distract you from God. Satan will use anything to get you addicted to that feeling of contentment and happiness. The devil knows that if he gives you an adrenaline surge and short-term enjoyment for doing something, you will be back for more. The men of Sodom started to enjoy the feeling of doing the detestable thing. This feeling made them forget that the action was detestable.  They soon forgot the Lord.

    Key Warning Passages

    Deuteronomy 31:20: God warns that once He brings Israel into a rich land and they eat well and grow fat, they will turn away to serve other gods. They will break His covenant.

    Deuteronomy 32:15: Israel (called Jeshurun here) grew fat, thick, and gorged. They abandoned God and turned away from the Rock of their salvation.

    Hosea 13:6: When they had pasture, they were satisfied. When they were satisfied, they became proud. Because of this pride, God says He forgot them.

    This is the main reason that there are so many bible verses and instructions from God to consider it pure joy when you face trials, pain, suffering, depression, death.  Why does God cause or allow any trials to come your way? Why should you be praising God when these things happen?

    Because He loves you!

    He knows that you are in danger of forgetting about Him. He needs to wake you up so that you will return to Him.

    God Loves you too much just to let you go down the wrong pathway. 

    Turn to God and ask Him what He is trying to teach you when trials of many kinds come your way. God is always faithful and true and always has plans for you. 

    You must be born again and completely transformed. Which may require pain and suffering to let go of control and surrender it all to Him.

    Remember it is not a religion, it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love to all.

    Larry