Day 249 Let Me See as You Do

 

9/6/2026 

"O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free." 

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

 

My weekend has been wonderfully encouraging with messages from my three online pastors with whom I've kept steady company for a period of time. I also begin Friday evenings with the Wilbur family for Shabbat in your Home, as Sabbath begins on Friday evening in Israel and continues until evening on Saturday. Then Sunday mornings I walk across the country highway to my parent's Baptist Church, but today I was having some health issues, so I elected to stay home. It turned better today. Pastor Greg was away today, so Pastor Levi Lusko brought the message at Harvest Ministries. I must say it was a very timely message that encouraged my aching soul. Later I checked in with Pastor Jack Hibbs for Part 2 of last week's message from Proverbs 3. Another welcomed time of worship, prayer, and instruction.

I've been feeding my neighbor's two cats while she's out of town for Labor Day, so the inside cat, Callie, is becoming acquainted with the 10/40 window of prayer for people who have not heard the Gospel. This evening I shared a couple of others missionary updates, and she seemed to take note and not turn away. She's a much better audience than most with whom I share missionary news. Each day I receive updates from the different missionary groups I connect with updating me or alerting me to a crisis. I've been involved with missions since I was very young. Back then I only supported the ones my mama helped, but over the years my education has grown, as has my involvement. Although, I must confess that I feel that I am failing in keeping certain countries in prayer. My bulletin board is covered with faces, and I hold on to the monthly magazines that come from Voice of he Martyrs hoping to make a large collage of more names and faces. But, there simply is not enough room, not enough space, not even enough walls, as the need is so vastly overwhelming.

I've been sharing bits and pieces of the messages from this weekend with others, because they really gave me hope that there are people who care, pastors who train their sheep even the young people to know what is going on so they will be equipped. Always the focus is on trusting God, but today I sensed a bit of resignation, and I pray I sensed wrongly. We must see through the eyes of Jesus, and we must always remember that words are important, so we have to guard what we say. The Word of God warns us to in Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."  Each day I repeat Proverbs 4:20-22 "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh." One I repeat to others when their words are careless is found in Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." I hope these words do not fall on deaf ears.

I really wanted to share the meatiness of the Word that was shared with me over the past two days, as well as my personal time with Jesus, the things I wrote in my journal, the prayers we prayed in the daily call, and even some things the Lord has shown me. But as I've been sharing, I am so broken and desperately grieving the lack of interest in the things of the Lord by others that I don't want to have these pearls of wisdom fall on deaf ears, blinded eyes, and apathetic hearts. I so want for everyone to see Jesus, to know Him, truly know Him, to fall in love with Him all over again. Or maybe see Him for the first time and realize how wonderful He is. For people to realize all He has done for us, all He has given to us. To wake up each morning and truly thank God for sending His Son, His Only Son to save us, to pull us out of that muck and mire of sin and sit our feet on solid ground. To gaze upon His beauty in the Spirit of Holiness. 

I guess I'm a hopeless bore of a person to many, because all I do is talk about Jesus. I've chosen to step away from certain prayer groups, because I primarily wanted to listen more to what He was saying and how He was directing me to pray, rather than have a dozen prayer sheets with prayer points, too many to focus on. And quite honestly, I wanted to spend more time in actual praying than in hearing what seemed like rote responses from people who just wanted to hear themselves talking. I ask God's forgiveness so many times a day, because I do not want to be an accuser of the brethren. Satan has that firmly in his disgusting clutches, and I want no similarities with his personality. I want to emulate Jesus and show His love to others. But things just haven't seemed right to me. Many things. But by seeking God, and remaining humble and repentant, searching my heart, confessing any sin, I know I'll know the next step. I've also been under quite an emotional strain since December of last year, so I did need to step back and take note of a few priorities which had changed. I have to laugh, because my life is becoming increasingly interesting, and I have a few thorns in the flesh for my own making, I hope. Paul had his thorn, and I recently heard another brother speak of one the Lord thought he needed to keep. At least I'm in good company, although Paul is in heaven now, thorn free. But somehow it's a privilege to suffer for Christ, if that's what it is. I don't profess to know very much at all. I just keep doing what I know He says "do." Maybe if you're reading this you'll consider praying for me. I'd appreciate the comfort.

"The real purpose of our wrestling in prayer is to render us so impotent

and helpless, not only in connection with our physical and spiritual needs, but, above all,

our ability to pray, that our prayer really becomes a prayer for the 

Spirit of prayer."

O. Hallesby  

Day 248 My Plea

 

9/5/2026 

"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. 

If you look within, you'll be depressed.

If you look at God, you'll be at rest."

Corrie ten Boom

 

Our world is changing, and even though the signs are obvious, and have been for some time, many fail to see or simply do not want to pay attention. Nothing has really changed as this type of behavior - the inability to want to see - has existed for a very long while. Dietrich Bonhoeffer knew about this condition of man, as did Corrie ten Boom. I have been speaking out about it for a very long time, but my words falls on deaf ears as well. I guess it's easier to believe someone who claims that heaven is made of mountains of jello or pudding or some other nonsense. But that is simply not true. I do want to inform visitors to my page what the Bible says about certain Biblical events and educate. I'm not distressed or worried, because I know that nothing is a surprise to God. In fact God mentions all these things in His Word which I guess no one studied in seminaries or taught in church. It makes me very sad, because I know that situations presently going on in this world are not pleasing to Him and the disobedience and disbelief of man breaks His heart. 

I have admitted before that there have been times when I simply do not know how to pray, so I cry out to the Lord, and I weep over our nation that is turning its back on God. We have a President and his administration who have been trying very hard to turn things back around, re-claiming America as One Nation Under God while many mocked him, and churches remained silent. Without repentance change cannot come. This is the reason revivals do not tarry after the initial days have ended, and life eventually picks back up where it was before. 

When King David sinned against God by taking a census to number the people, God offered him three choices in judgment. David chose to face the Lord's punishment rather than fall into man's hands. The prophet Gad told David to do the following:

"And Gad came that day to David and said to him, 'Get up, erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.' So David, according to the word of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded. Now Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming toward him. So Araunah went out and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. Then Araunah said, 'Why has my lord the king come to his servant?' And David said, 'To buy the threshing floor from you, to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.' Now Araunah said to David, 'Let my lord the king take and offer up whatever seems good to him. Look, here are oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing implements and the yokes of the oxen for wood. All these, O king, Araunah has given to the king.' And Araunah said to the king, 'May the LORD your God accept you.' Then the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel" (2 Samuel 24:18-25).   

David understood the seriousness of his sin which brought the judgment of God on the people. And David also knew that he could not give something to the Lord that did not cost him. He had to surrender himself into God's hands and trust Him. He came to God with a repentant heart, recognizing his failure in verse 17 of the same Chapter: "Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, 'Surely I have sinned, and I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father's house.'"

The sins of our nation are so many, and we have allow darkness to come into our country destroying the freedom that God gave this country when our nation was established. We have allowed wickedness to come into our government, our cities, our schools, our borders, and the consequences are now becoming very obvious, yet still no one dares to speak up. And when there is silence, one becomes complicit with the sin. 

Repentance begins in each heart, then it becomes corporate. This weekend we remember 9/11 that will forever be etched in the mind and written on my heart as a heavy price our nation paid with the loss of so many precious, innocent lives. What have we learned?!

I am tired, and I do not understand what has happened to men and women who claim to know and love the Lord Jesus. What would men like George Whitefield, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, or Rees Howells think of the condition of men's hearts? How much more has to happen for the church to wake up? 

I won't give up or in. I will continue to stand the watch.

"My helpless friend, your helplessness is the most powerful plea which rises up

to the tender father-heart of God. You think that everything is closed to you because

you cannot pray. My friend, your helplessness is the very essence of prayer."

O. Hallesby  

Day 247 The Lion Roars

 

9/4/2026

"One thing I have desired of the LORD;

that will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all he days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD,

and to inquire in His temple."

Psalm 27:4

 

In a few short weeks we will be celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the three mandatory Feasts of the LORD, appointed times when men are commanded to come up to Jerusalem to meet the LORD and worship Him. The prophet Zechariah spoke of the end of times when all nations would come up to Jerusalem to worship the King: 

"And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain" (Zechariah 14:16-17). 

Zechariah is speaking of the Millennial Reign when Jesus Christ will rule the nations from Jerusalem. This period will be after the 7 years of the Tribulation period when Christ, along with the saints - those taken up in the Rapture - will rule from Jerusalem for 1,000 years. Those who survived the tribulation period will decide whether they are going to serve Jesus during this time, and it is my understanding that there will be children born during these times. I certainly hope they choose wisely, as I pray that we all do each day of our lives. Living for Christ should be the joy of our life, as David expressed in Psalm 27 his declaration of faith in the God of his salvation. 

We are still in the month of Elul which is a time of introspection and repentance leading up to the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and followed by the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). It is a time of preparation, repentance, and celebration. I have never celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in person, but this will be my third year of joining the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem online during the five day event. I feel so blessed to be able to join many online as we celebrate together with our friends in Jerusalem for this special time of worship. There will be two worship nights set aside for the younger generation who have been invited to share worship with the ministries of Solu Israel and Upper Room. There will be many special guests and great teaching as well as other programs. We pray for a great turnout from the locals this year and a mighty outpouring of Holy Spirit. The theme is The Lion Roars from Zion taken from Amos 1:2: "And he said: 'The LORD roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.'" The prophet Joel says in Joel 3:16: "The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; but the LORD will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel."

We pray for a time of great refreshing, and a prayer for true revival that will shake he earth, open men's eyes to see Jesus Christ as Messiah, a revival that will bring great transformation and the message will be shared all over this world. Many will be saved, brought to new life again in Messiah. Dry bones assembled, and the breath of life through Holy Spirit breathed into their lungs. What a glorious time it will be as many are born again. 

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord! 

Day 246 Come!

 

9/3/2026

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, 

nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 3:28 

 

I love the words of Paul found in the book of Galatians quoted above, spoken to the Christians at Galatia who were being duped into believing they needed to return to the Law. Paul is speaking of the Changeless Promise of our Father in Jesus Christ as joint heirs to the promise of Abraham because of our faith in Jesus as Messiah. Much more God speaks of equality in Jesus Christ. 

In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Paul was sharing words of counsel to the new believers who were struggling to understand new life in Christ. The culture of this city in Greece was "a bustling hub of worldwide commerce, degraded culture, and idolatrous religion," according to the Bible commentary. Paul is sharing Christ as the Power and Wisdom of God to a church struggling with a history of "factions, lawsuits, immorality, questionable practices, abuse of the Lord's Supper, and spiritual gifts." That's a lot to contend with as new believers in Christ who are probably wondering "why us?" 

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and he weakness of God is stronger than men." 

When God chose Abraham as the father of the nations and the Jews as His chosen people, He said He didn't do it, because they were any better than anyone else. He chose them and gave them the land only to fulfill the word which the LORD swore to their fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:4-6). God made a covenant with Abraham, and God always keeps His word. And He keeps His word to us, the Gentiles as well when we come to belief in Christ. We are not special, we are forgiven, and we would do well to remember that we are saved by grace alone, and we cannot work our way to heaven. It is only by the blood of Jesus Christ.

I've been reading the story of Katharine Barnwell (9 August 1938 - 29 September 2025) a British missionary and Bible translator who worked in Nigeria developing a Bible in their Biblical tongue that was common to all. She is one of many unsung heroes of the faith who selflessly gave her life to bring the Gospel and the written word to an African tribe resulting in the spread of the translation in unique ways that reached the continent and influenced others to follow her example and techniques. She worked through the Summer Institute of Linguistics and later with Wycliffe Bible translators.

Although she is not widely known in church or missionary circles, other than the translation world, her contributions to the spread of the gospel were groundbreaking, and in spite of the acclaim she received within her circles, she remained extremely humble, never wanting to be "seen" or "lauded" by others. The glory always belonged to the Lord. What is interesting to me is that because of her unique methods in putting the translation of the gospel in the hands of those who were most capable - the Nigerian tribes themselves, there was division and quite a bit of controversy which was based on jealousy by those who felt themselves more academically equipped to do the job, because they had acquired a PhD in linguistics and other western academics. Katy also was sent off to gain her PhD before being permitted to do the work she innately was trained by God to do, as it was so obvious to all. But men often judge by degrees and accomplishments rather than experience, culture, and God's choice of the best man for the job. I'm used to seeing jealously and pride get in the way of success, but I never thought the mission field would be affected. I imagine at the time it was a most shameful thing for the Nigerian people and even the western staff to witness. At least the work Katy was equipped to do was not hindered, nor was the work the tribe translators were chosen to accomplish, and eventually things worked out.

Katy's life included many wonderful accomplishments, and God used her mightily to accomplish His work in Nigeria and elsewhere. Her methods are still widely used as the best methods for Bible translation. I mention her life as an illustration of how God can use and equip someone totally disregarded by a family member (her father and sister) or in areas where circumstances seem impossible. Katy faced many dangers in Nigeria and other places, but God protected her and taught her to remain calm, trusting, and obedient. Her story is amazing. God can take those people who seem the least likely to accomplish many wonderful things and use them mightily for His purpose and service to turn the world upside down. All He needs is a willing heart.

And God can take seemingly ignorant tribesmen and use them as translators when they lack any formal education, to translate Bibles to be used in the different dialects of their countries and the continent. Great is the faithfulness of our God!  

In the Kingdom of God the opportunities of service are endless, and He invites all to "Come!" He'll provide the training and know how!

Day 245 The World Stage

 

9/2/2026

"All the world's a stage, and

all the men and women merely players;..."

"As You Like It" by

Shakespeare  

 

Actually I was hoping to use a quotation about a circus, comparing it to our world, but then Shakespeare popped into my memory, as at one time I aficionado about his works. I used to love Greek Mythology, too, but except for references used by people making analogies or inferences, my knowledge of the subjects lies dormant in that filing cabinet in my mind labeled "Garbage." I can say that - after all Paul once said he counted all things as "dung" in Philippians 3:8-9:  "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

I've been having a difficult time completing my blogs the last few days, putting them into translatable thoughts, often written in gibberish, therefore illegible. I've been so tired, not so much physically, although there is that also. But I'm emotionally tired, drained to the nth degree at the ridiculous stuff that arrives in my inbox about the things going on in our nation - and world. If the news were not so tragic, the comments would be laughable. The fact that people are surprised about it is even more reason to roll my eyes and say to myself "Ya think!"

I hear others say, and I even have said it, "When did things get to this point?" or "How could that happen in a Christian nation?!" or "Why isn't anyone speaking out about this, after all people need to know. Doesn't the scripture say to warn others?" All valid questions and points, but the answer remains the same - "It happened while we were napping at the wheel!" 

I've been using Pinterest for my illustrations, plus I used to spend my then free time designing boards of interest, which I still do on occasion, and I find interesting things to post on my Facebook page or a lighthearted images in an effort to detract from the seriousness of my normal posts. Recently I've noticed more nostalgic images about the days when I was growing up, mostly in black and white, as color prints were not available at that age in time. We had advanced from drawing on cave walls to paper by then! But there's one I find quite interesting:

 

When I post one of these memories, I generally receive thumbs up, hearts, or smiles, and perhaps a response about our glory days of good health and laughter. Now, I was different in that regard, but I didn't realize it at he time, because unbeknown to doctors back in the day, immune deficiency disorders were not something doctors understood. My folks knew I was sick, especially from frequent migraine headaches and other maladies uncommon to young children, and the teachers knew, because I went to school anyway. Like anyone else, if I had to stay home, there was a good reason:

 

Now I can relate better to castor oil or paregoric, than resorting to daddy's medicine, as noted above. But the point is that we didn't rush to the doctor without a good excuse, and parents weren't as frightened about sickness as they are today, so their fear was not transferred onto the children. I don't think that's a bad thing. As it turned out, I had some serious things going on in my body, not seen in one so young, but I never allowed it to make me feel different, so I lived my life. Case in point would be when Covid hit, and everyone wass locked inside, forbidden to do this or that. I had to work with my patients, who already had health issues, so naturally I took precautions, but then I was careful every day. Because they were afraid, I made certain that I assured them of their safety and conducted myself responsibly and professionally. While everyone was panicking, believing anything the media was putting out, taking this shot and swallowing that medication and sanitizing the cat, I did not receive shots or inoculations. Neither I nor my clients ever got sick, and I praise and thank God alone for that blessing! But fear I would not embrace nor allow anyone under my care to consider. Fear is the opposite of faith. Now the truth about those days is filtering out, so I no longer have to make my scientific points as a research biologist. And the truth is ugly.

I'm not saying that someone should not go to the doctor - that would be ridiculous, as God has given many gifted physicians the ability to help us in our times of need. Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke was a physician, so doctors have their place. What I am saying is that responding in fear can be dangerous, causes stress and needless anxiety, raising blood pressure and other risks causing worse things to happen. And now the reports of needless deaths, of which I know a few, are being exposed. Many healthy young people got cancer which may have been a result of too many preventative, repetitive inoculations. Just saying!

But worst things than viruses and bacterial infections have been plaguing our nation, and the results are being witnessed in the lawlessness, perversion, changes to our laws, and the ultimate plans to do away with America as it was founded to be - free and One Nation Under God. The price paid to achieve this freedom was high - the loss of human lives - and the cost of attempting to defend it over the years from communist aggression, drugs and violence has been steep. In considering the information I received about the DSA's plans to completely uproot our legislative and judicial systems and open borders again to drugs, trafficking, and crime as well as getting rid of law enforcement, prisons, and other safety organizations, the future of our country appears very dark unless we wake up and take notice and do something. Socialism and communism is not what America is all about, and neither are other terrible practices already taking over in certain areas. It's time to wake up! It's a matter of choice - just as it has been since God created the earth.

Where will we stand? What life will we choose? 

Day 244 Something More - Tikvah

 

9/1/2026

"And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears

say 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, 

let him take the water of life freely."

Revelation 22:17

 

I find it so exciting when someone finds new life in Christ, especially when a Jewish man or woman encounters our Messiah and receives God's great gift of salvation and redemption by the blood of His Beloved Son. Many people claim to know Him, but they have never tarried long enough to truly encounter His Presence. When we surrender our hearts and lives to Him in repentance and wed Him as our Savior and Lord, He sends Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us, to lead us and remind us of His instruction. God's Chosen people did not see the truth of who He is, and so we, who have graciously been grafted into the vine as co-heirs to the promise given to Abraham, have a responsibility as outlined in Romans, Chapters 9-11, to provoke the Jewish people to jealousy in our love and relationship with God. In this way we minister to them, and their curiosity when they witness our fellowship with God opens their eyes and hearts to Jesus.

In our Worship Watch this morning at Kehilat HaCarmel a story of a young Jewish man's conversion was shared. I believe he is a soldier in the IDF serving his nation, an orthodox Jew, who was also a student of Kabbalah, a mystical, esoteric school of thought that disciplines the mind to focus on hidden wisdom and knowledge as a means of "fixing" or "correcting" oneself. In many ways it is the opposite of what a relationship with God our Creator teaches, but at one time even Hollywood was delving into the practice. It's interesting that men seek "knowledge" of the supernatural, and the Bible is full of God's divine inspiration and gifts. Only God can "fix" or transform a human life, save a life.

The young man was not satisfied with his study of this mystical approach to enlightenment and fulfillment (my interpretation), as his soul hungered for more. In fact his words were that he knew there was "SOMETHING MORE." So in his quest for more, he found Jesus, our Messiah, our Living Hope (Tikvah), on the pages of the Bible, God's Word to us about the Living Word, the Bread of Life, the Living Water - Jesus Christ! Imagine the joy that fills his heart as he walks with His Master today!

So child-like, so simple, so real. An escape from the horrors of man's harsh world of evil, hatred, dissatisfaction, and the lust for more. When we truly encounter the Living God, dwell in His Presence, sitting at His feet, we see nothing except Him - knowing Him and Him crucified - for me, for you, for all, for anyone who hungers and thirsts. For the weary and lost, for the hurt and lonely, for all! Why can't we see Him for Who He Is?!   

"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 

Luke 15:10 

Day 243 Seeing as a Child

 

8/31/2026

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  

 

I've been listening to a lot of criticism lately especially from family, added to the criticism I received for putting Jesus first in my life and for believing everything He says. I'm told that I am gullible and "care, actually care waaay too much for people...most are not worth a ....!" Also, I'm told that I try to find the best in people when "nobody is good." 

I've been trying to put playful, fun images on my Facebook page, because I tend to be very intense, as I attempt to educate others about Biblical prophecy and how it is being played out in real time today. I don't really hear much from my friends, because I stand up and tell the truth, and that's not popular. I'm not accusing anyone, I'm just stating the Words from Scripture, and I am lamenting the state of our nation and world. I'm just an average person, and I don't have anything anybody wants, so I have nothing to lose, and if I did, I would speak the truth anyway, but I'm not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I may not like what a person does or says, but because I am a child of God I love everybody, even if they do abominable things, because God is love, and regardless of our actions, He doesn't give up on us or abandon us. Everyone sins and falls short of the glory of God. I just admit my failures more openly, but I also state my desire to service God wholeheartedly and unreservedly. I'd pray for the devil if I thought he could be saved. God doesn't want anyone to go to hell. I don't either. I cannot imagine total separation from God. I've been hurt by others and some bad things done to me, but I harbor no ill feelings, and I don't hate anyone. I pray for the salvation of those I know and those I don't. How can we say we love Jesus if we hate our neighbors?! But there are those who would argue that point also. Things are certainly in a big mess.  

As I was reading my prayer points for today, I found myself crying out to God about the drastic changes in the Democratic Party today from the party that existed when my parents were still alive. The path it is headed today is unconscionable, and the fact that leaders in our nation and in our churches are going along with sheer evil, is disconcerting, inconceivable, and a deplorable twist from integrity to immorality and worse. It indeed is calling good evil and evil good. I received a prayer update about the Democratic Socialists of America co-founded by Megan Romer, but it's origins go back further when it was organized by Michael Harrington. Reading the agenda on which this organization stands is heartbreaking and stands against all that is moral and good. It is anti-American, and that is the goal. All Americans, especially those who say they are Christians, should be knowledgeable about the stand candidates take on certain issues, and vote according to Biblical values rather than personal opinions or the stands friends or colleagues are taking. Most people really do not have a clue about the truth, as they just follow the leader, and people deceive. Satan is he father of lies. We are in a spiritual battle, and we are admonished to study to show ourselves approved, educated, and aware about all matters, especially when it comes to Biblical values. If we are Americans and truly want to see our nation survive, we must wake up and stand up and speak up!

We need to thank God for the present administration we now have, even when things are not "perfect" in our eyes. What is? But a man who stands up to proclaim our nation One Nation Under God, and who is working to protect our privileges and rights according to the Constitution, we should bow our knees and thank Almighty God for His divine intervention on behalf of our country.

I'm glad I'm me, and I gladly will take the heat and be called whatever, because I stand for what God says, and I am trying to live my life in accordance to His instructions. It's not hard, and yes, Jesus said we cannot enter the Kingdom of God unless we become as little children. As Christians we shouldn't be telling others not to be concerned, because God is in control. Well, yes He is, but if we look at the Scriptures, God says He fights for us, but He expects us to repent, turn from our wicked ways, suit up in our whole armor, get on our horses, and go to the battle front and witness how He takes the enemy down. 2 Chronicles 20 is and example of how God fights on our behalf. 

I love this quotation by Max Lucado from his book And the Angels Were Silent: 

"Quit looking at life like an adult and see it through the eyes of a child. Essential counsel for us sober-minded, serious-faced, sour-pussed adults. Necessary advice for us Charles Atlas wannabes who shoulder the world. Good words for those of us who seldom say, 'I can't wait until I wake up,' and more often state, 'I can't wait to go to bed.'"

I'm anxious for the return of Jesus, and I hope God in His mercy sends Him back soon, but I am not going to sit on a church pew waiting for the Rapture. I will be aware of what I need to do, so I can pray appropriately, but I will not be distracted by all the evil that is happening and bogging my mind with gloom and doom. I serve a Risen Savior who is very much alive and active in our lives today! Why should I fear what man can do to me? I'm going to get up in the morning and occupy until He returns, no matter how hard it gets. And I'll still be praying for everyone, even every deceived person who is aligning themselves with evil, as my heart breaks, and the tears flow, because I do care, and I want to see all saved, living for Jesus. Step by step He leads me, and we will overcome by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and we love not our lives to the death.