A House of Cards

The United States of America is turning into a borderless, bankrupt country where politicians want votes and a buck more than freedom and safety; and where carefree, careless layabouts and deadbeats take advantage of caring, hard-working, bill-paying, tax-paying, law-abiding, family-feeding citizens.

In a nutshell: Care-less people are always trying to figure out some way to take advantage of caring people.

Political correctness, money-making, status symbols and sex perversion are the gods of America today.

The God of The Bible resists an unthoughtful, unthankful, and unhelpful people - He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. U.S. politicians are so worried about climate change, but they really need a heart change from the Holy Spirit. The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that *forget* God. *Psalm 9:17* O my God, Please save America before it's too late!

The God of The Bible, The Lord Jesus Christ, is not an American - He Is Humble and Holy. The God of The Bible will never *bless* America while it forgets Him and promotes and glorifies Sin; and if you think He ever will, you're as lost and delusional as Donald Ego Trump, Burn-ie Quick-Sand-ers or Hellary Rotten Clinton.

America is a house of cards 

running on fumes right now.

Diligence, Care, Courtesy

Diligence, Care, Courtesy - A *diligence* to keep at it when no one is looking, a *care* for doing the little things right, and a *courtesy* that treats others respectfully. You can't buy and you can't train these virtues into a person - only the Holy Spirit can produce these good fruits.

Keep thy heart with all diligence. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.  He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.  The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.  But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.  But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.  For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.

Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Listen to the Right Voice

Carefully hearken to God's Voice, Yield to the Voice of the Son of God, Follow the Voice the Spirit of God - The words of God found in the Holy Bible are the Voice of the Lord.   Voices create words, words create thoughts, thoughts create beliefs in your heart, soul and mind.  Those beliefs will control your thoughts and words, and you will inevitably act and trust upon those beliefs; and they will ultimately determine your eternal destiny.  That being said, you need to be very particular about whose voice you are listening and hearkening to in this brief life.

And they heard the Voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.  And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?  And he said, I heard Thy Voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.  And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;  Because that Abraham obeyed My Voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.

And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.  And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey His Voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the Voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His Voice. Out of heaven He made thee to hear His Voice, that He might instruct thee: and upon earth He shewed thee His great fire; and thou heardest His words out of the midst of the fire.  Likewise when the Lord sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God, and ye believed Him not, nor hearkened to His Voice.

Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His Voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him. Only if thou carefully hearken unto the Voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.

And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and His Voice will we obey. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us.  If ye will fear the Lord, and serve Him, and obey His Voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God.  But they murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the Voice of the Lord.

And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered His Voice.  And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.  And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a Voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

God thundereth marvellously with His Voice; great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend. Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a Voice like Him?  The Voice of the Lord is powerful; the Voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Also I heard the Voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Unto you, O men, I call; and My Voice is to the sons of man.  Give ye ear, and hear My Voice; hearken, and hear My speech.  Obey My Voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a Voice of one that spake.

Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all His works which he doeth: for we obeyed not His Voice.  The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His Voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

She obeyed not the Voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.  And lo a Voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a Voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His Voice.  And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His Voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth *My Voice*.

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a Voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

To day if ye will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a Voice to him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great Voice, as of a trumpet. After this I looked, and, behold, a Door was opened in heaven: and the first Voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.  And I heard a great Voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

The Way of America

The way of America today: legalize immorality until the defiled consciences of unregenerate, educated heathen have no problem with it: abort babies; adore pets; let criminals out of prison; more regulations, less jobs; close Gitmo, open the borders; take your guns, implement federal police force; be politically correct, and morally wrong; let illegal aliens cross the border so they can vote and get free health care; let transvestites into the girl's restrooms, locker rooms and showers; prosecute police officers trying to do their job; promote Islamic faith in elementary schools; borderless country where the people have no freedom, power, or safety; disregard and don't label radical Islamic jihadi terrorists; greedy and incompetent gov't leadership; persecute Christians by making them appear as racists and sexists; save the guilty monsters on death row, while killing innocent babies in the womb; marry the same sex; market drugs and alcohol for tax money; shut down coal mines, steel plants and remaining manufacturing, and send those jobs overseas; use the US military an immoral experiment; blame shootings on guns and ammo, not the criminal's hate and selfishness; blame black protests, looting and killing of cops on white people and republicans; treat veterans poorly while giving more benefits to illegal aliens; delight in moral evil and sex perversion; elect idiotic, criminal politicians; support the lazy and irresponsible, tax the hard working bill-payer more; give away more EBT cards to layabouts and loafers; love sin, reject Christ; ignore illegal aliens crossing our borders or outstaying their visas; blame crimes on flags and guns; tolerate money and vote hungry congress and president; believe corrupt news media; allow Constitutional rights to be taken away by jaded supreme court; blaspheme God; take ISIS lightly; make deals with Islamic terrorist states; shun Israel; minimize and misuse the military; persecute and ridicule purity; remain thoughtless, careless, Christ-less, hopeless; intimidate the police; ignore the Bible; reject Christ; entertain, religionate, medicate, and intoxicate. America has forgotten the God of The 'Holy' Bible. God save America from itself!  The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that FORGET God. *Psalm 9:17*

Gratis

You may already know the Latin word for “freely” is ‘gratis.’ Revelation 22:17 tells us that the water of life is ‘gratis’ to anyone who is thirsty and takes it.  The Holy Spirit must first create the thirst in your heart, mind and soul, and only then will you seek the Lord Jesus Christ, The Water of Life.  Jesus paid a heavy price for your sins, when He was suffering physically and spiritually on the Cross.  Your sins cost Him His very life.  Sinner friend, only His innocent Blood can save you from the wrath to come.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:8 that freely ye have received, freely give.  Religionist do not like the word "freely" in the Scriptures, and they will not bring it up; because they want you to pay them ($$$) and their church in some way for your salvation.  

It was a cold January afternoon, and a poor beggar was wandering down a busy city street. The snow was collecting on his hair and tattered coat. He was tired and hungry, just looking for a handout. Then, a smell comes under his nose from a restaurant across the street. He makes his way through the traffic, and presses through the crowd, and presses his nose against the restaurant’s plate-glass window. The smells of the restaurant are intoxicating to him.

The down-and-out tramp has no work, no shelter, no money, and no hope. His stomach growls in protest, and his mouth waters as he watches the well-dressed, well-fed patrons enjoy their steak and lobster dinners. This is the finest restaurant in town. Who is he kidding by even looking upon the elegance of their feast? As a matter of fact, here comes the waiter to shoo him away, unappetizing scenery that he has become.

But the waiter’s face bears no rebuke. Instead, compassion is written across it. “I’ve brought you our finest entrée,” says the waiter, uncovering a sumptuous plate. The vagrant’s eyes grow wide, and he reaches for the embarrassing pocket change that is all he can offer. “Put your coins away,” laughs the waiter. “This one’s on our owner, who spotted you from the window. He knows you could never afford such a meal, and he offers this one ‘freely.’ Come back again when you’re hungry.”

The man is the story is a one-percenter. He is that one percent of society that no one cares about or seeks. He is the base and despised sinner. But Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus came all the way from Heaven to seek you and find you out in your wanderings and to save you and rescue you. He shed His very heart’s blood for you on the Cross to redeem (buy back) your soul from death and Hell. He wants a sinner. He longs after perishing sinners. He wants sin-blackened souls, so He can wash them white. He seeks dead souls to make them alive.

Look this way to the Cross with me: See Jesus’ eyes, He has pity for you; Look into His bleeding side, it was opened that you may hide your sins in it. See those drops of crimson blood streaming from His hands and feet, every drop is trickling down to the ground for you; Hear his death shrieks, He is crying out for your sake. “For me?” you may say, Yes for you, if you are a sinner. Let go of your good works, your goodness is your own peril; your righteousness is your own destruction, flee to the Cross now by simply faith with empty hands and cling to the bleeding Lamb of God for forgiveness and mercy and lovingkindness.

Christ came into the world to save sinners. Christ died for the ungodly. Today, reader you are an invited ‘guest’ to the heavenly banquet of the King of Heaven, not a paying customer. You can’t buy the food that comes from the King’s table. It is Gratis – you have to like that word. Come, come to Christ, come at His own invitation. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved from the love of sin and the wrath to come. To believe is to trust in Christ – simply give up and drop into his great and powerful and loving arms that can catch the heaviest laden sinner that ever breathed. To believe is to fall flat on Jesus’ promise (John 6:47) – let Him do all for you, and let Him save you by His Grace freely. Being justified freely - Romans 3:24

His Fear, His Witness

Lord Jesus, I don't want
to grieve or hurt You; 

help me to please You.

(His fear - Acts 9:31; II Cor 7:1)

and

Lord Jesus, I want
to tell others about You;

help me to live and speak for You.

(His witness - Acts 1:8; I John 5:10)

Savior and Friend,
I don't want to hurt You,
I want to tell others about You.

*THOU ME*

* Job 34:32 - Teach Thou me

* Psalm 19:12 - Cleanse Thou me from secret faults.

* Psalm 25:7 - According to Thy mercy Remember Thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

* Psalm 25:17 - O Bring Thou me out of my distresses.

* Psalm 109:21 - Because Thy mercy is good, Deliver Thou me.

* Psalm 119:25 - Quicken Thou me according to Thy word.

* Psalm 119:28 - Strengthen Thou me according to Thy word.

* Psalm 119:37 - Quicken Thou me in the way.

* Psalm 119:86 - Help Thou me.

* Psalm 119:117 - Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe.

* Jeremiah 31:18 - Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned; for Thou art the LORD my God.

Roadside Assistance

At times, we need to slow down and listen to the still, small Voice of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is softly and tenderly calling to us all - Come unto Me, all ye that labour and heavy laden, and I will give you Rest. The LORD has to put a special nail in our tires spiritually, whereby He slowly bleeds off our self-will, self-righteousness, self-confidence and pride. And when we slowly realize that our tire is getting really low inside, only then will we cry out to the LORD for His mercy and help.  Until His nail flattens our tire, we will not seek His face; but when we get stranded at our wit's end, we have to look up to Him and call for His Roadside Assistance.

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you Rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find Rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Bottom line:  Learn of Jesus - Meek and lowly is easy and light.

A Wise Prayer

The eldest servant of Abraham's house, that ruled over all that Abraham had, prayed this prayer before he found Rebekah in Genesis 24: "And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray Thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham." He begged God to send good speed and kindness on that particular day. Every day we need *good speed* (divine help) and *kindness* (divine favor) to be sent to us from the Most High God - The Lord Jesus Christ.  We need God to prosper our way each day with His divine provide-nce. Oh yes, that was a wise prayer.

"According To"

You're living according to something, and you'll soon be dying according to something as well, what is it?

O Lord Jesus Christ, there is none like Thee, neither is there any God beside Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.  Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.  Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he. The Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.  Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised.  Remember me, O my God, spare me according to the greatness of Thy mercy.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  Hear me, O Lord; for Thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies.  Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to Thy mercy.  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.  Let Thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even Thy salvation, according to Thy word.  I intreated Thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to Thy word.

Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to Thy word.  Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to Thy lovingkindness.  Great are Thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to Thy judgments.  Let my supplication come before Thee: deliver me according to Thy word.  Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? and shall not He render to every man according to his works?

If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.  I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving kindnesses.  I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

According to your faith be it unto you. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea.  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.  And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:  They walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel.  In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.  And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.  According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.  Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.  But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

According to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.  Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.  Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.  But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.  That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

"In You"

By nature, we only have sin and darkness within us, the Bible says so.  You see, the Gospel is about what is within you, not what you wear, or where you attend church.  In order for God, Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to be living within someone, that person must by a deliberate, personal act of faith simply rely on Christ's Atoning Blood alone; that person must receive Christ Himself spiritually by faith into his heart, soul and body.  Fix your faith in the Lamb of God's Blood.  Until you have done that, you will remain in your unregenerate natural state with the wrath of God abiding on you, not the love of God.  What is within you right now is what matters.  Religion cannot help you, only the Holy Spirit can regenerate, and only the Blood of Christ can rescue you from sin's power and penalty.  Below is a short Bible study on the Bible phrase "in you".  You will see that the Bible has plenty to say about what is within a human being.

And ye have not God's word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent [Christ Jesus], Him ye believe not.  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill Me, because My word hath no place in you. Even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

My Strength

Ascribe ye Strength unto God.  He weakened my strength in the way.  My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.  Seek the Lord, and His Strength: seek His face evermore. The Lord is my Strength and Song, and is become my Salvation.  I will go in the Strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of Thy Righteousness, even of Thine only.  In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.  Counsel is Mine, and sound Wisdom: I am Understanding; I have Strength. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

The Lord is my Strength and Song, and He is become my Salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation.  As thy days, so shall thy Strength be.  And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.  Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not.  O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee.  The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for He is not a man, that He should repent.  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Seek the Lord
and His Strength,
seek His face continually.  

Blessed be the Lord my Strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.  God is my Strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect.  Glory and honour are in His presence; Strength and gladness are in His place.  Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.  What is my strength, that I should hope?  The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in Whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower.  

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer.  Be not Thou far from me, O Lord: O my Strength, haste Thee to help me.  The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on The Lord Jesus Christ.

I will love Thee, 

O Lord,
my Strength.  

The Lord is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusted in Mim, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.  The Lord will give Strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with Peace.  The Salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their Strength in the time of trouble.  And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

The Lord God is my Strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.  For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?  God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble.  Because of His Strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defense.  In God is my Salvation and my Glory: the Rock of my Strength, and my Refuge, is in God.

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the Strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.  Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy Strength among the people.  Blessed is the man whose Strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.  They go from strength to strength.  O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give Thy Strength unto thy servant.  Behold, God is my Salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my Strength and my Song; he also is become my Salvation.

Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting Strength.  In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your Strength: and ye would not.  And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.  Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth Strength.  But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.  Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength.  And he shall stand and feed in the Strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide. Spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My Strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.  Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.  And after Paul had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

I can do all things
through Christ 

which strengtheneth me. 

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.

Worthy is The Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.  Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Ascribe ye Strength unto God.  

Red, White and Blue Facts

Iwo Jima Flag

What do the Red, White, and Blue of the US Flag represent?  The Continental Congress left no record to show why it chose the colors.  However, in 1782, the Congress of the Confederation chose these same colors for the Great Seal of the United States and listed their meaning as follows:

Red:  Valor and Hardiness;
White:  Purity and Innocence;
Blue:  Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.

In the USA, National Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th.  It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.  Flag Day is currently a state holiday in Pennsylvania.

13-Star Flag:  It became official on June 14th, 1777 when the Continental Congress approved the first official national flag.  Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design.  Each star and stripe represented a Colony of which there were thirteen, united nearly one year earlier by the Declaration of Independence. The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797).  This Flag lasted for a period of 18 years.

15-Star Flag:  Two more stars and strips were added in 1795 to total 15.  It is commonly called the "Betsy Ross Flag", after a Quaker seamstress who is believed to have sewn the first flag.

Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and poet, wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" after witnessing the flag flying during the bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.  During the bombardment, the HMS Erebus provided the rockets red glare, and HMS Meteor provided the bombs bursting in air. The flag he saw flying was 30x42 feet and is now on permanent display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

In 1818, Congress set some rules for the number of Stars and Stripes.  The number of stripes on the flag would always be 13, while the number of stars would always match the number of states.  Some flagmakers arranged the stars into a large star, or into a circle, others formed the stars into the first letter of their own state.  But in 1912, President Taft regulated the proportions of the flag; six rows of eight stars.  In 1959, a new arrangement was set when Alaska and Hawaii were added, bringing the total to 50 states.  The colors were also standardized:  Old Glory Red, White, and Old Glory Blue.

48-Star Flag:  On July 4, 1912, the U.S. flag grew to 48 stars with the addition of New Mexico (January 6th, 1912) and Arizona (February 14, 1912). An Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established the proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward. This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag, through two World Wars.  Eight Presidents served under this flag.  This flag was raised by the USMC during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

50-Star Flag:  An Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.  This is the current flag of the United States. Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state on August 21st, 1959.  The 27th flag of the United States became the official flag on July 4th, 1960.  Ten presidents have served under this flag:  Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G.H.W Bush, Clinton, G.W. Bush and Obama.

The Pledge of Allegiance:  I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible,  with liberty and justice for all.

The US flag and its colors are a great picture of the greatest story ever told – the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The flag is often referred to as the old “Red, White and Blue,” never the “White, Red, and Blue,” or the “Blue, White, and Red.”  The Red always comes first, because blood had to be shed for our nation’s freedom.   I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Freedom is not Free.”  The same is true with Salvation from Sin, Death and Hell.  Someone had to shed their blood for our nation’s freedom, and Someone also had to shed their blood for our spiritual freedom from Sin, Death and Hell – His name was the Lord Jesus Christ.  God became a Jewish man 2,000 years ago; His name was Jesus of Nazareth.  God was manifested in the flesh only one time in human history to take away the sin of the world. *I Timothy 3:16; John 1:27* The three colors of the US flag represent three things spiritually:

Red:  Blood – The Red stripes on the U.S. flag represent Jesus’ Precious Blood. With His stripes we are healed from the love of sin.  We have all sinned, and our sins have brought us into bondage, and Jesus had to die to set us free from the tyrannical bondage of sin.  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. *Romans 3:23* For by the law is the knowledge of sin.  We have all broken God’s laws and sinned many times against His goodness, long-suffering and forbearance.  All of our lies, stealing, cursing, rejecting Christ, dirty thoughts, lust, selfishness, self-righteous religion, greed, rebellion and the like has brought God’s wrath down upon us.  The blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanseth us from all sin. *I John 1:9*  In whom we have redemption, through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. *Colossians 1:14* Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. *I Timothy1:15*  The atoning blood of Jesus, the Son of God, is the only Hope for lost sinners.

White:  Righteousness – The White stripes of the US flag represent Jesus’ sinless Righteousness.  The Lord Jesus Christ’s Righteousness is needed by all to enter Heaven. God requires a perfect Righteousness, and we cannot satisfy His divine justice with our sinful doings.  Our sin leaves a deadly stain on our hearts that separates us from God; a stain that cannot be wiped away by any of our human efforts. You will need a perfect Righteousness to enter Heaven and to get past the judgment of God.  God will be looking for Perfect Righteousness on your soul on Judgment Day.  Jesus came to Earth and lived a sinless life (pure and holy) and worked out a Perfect Righteousness for you freely.  Jesus will give His Righteousness (pure white robe) as a gift in exchange for your sins (filthy rags).  You only have to humble yourself, submit and personally receive Him. *John 1:12* Your self-righteousness (human goodness, self-efforts) is as filthy rags and dung in God’s sight. *Isaiah 64:6; Philippians 3:8*  You can never satisfy God’s holiness and justice with your own self-righteousness, because it is tainted with your sin and pride.  Ye must be born again. *John 3:7*

Blue:  Heaven - The Blue part of the US flag is called the Union.  This is where the Stars are placed.  The Blue in our flag is picture of Heaven.  Jesus rose again the third day and is now in Heaven.  The only way you can enter Heaven when you die is through the Blood and Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.  You can obtain His Blood and Righteousness by simple faith (trust, total reliance) in what Jesus did for you at the Cross.  You can trust the Man who died for you.  Jesus never sold His cures while He was here on earth, and now you can’t buy His cure for your sin.  Salvation and forgiveness of sins is Priceless: sinful man can never earn it.  God bids you to trust His Son, Jesus.  Will you do so or not?  If you will not, there is no hope for you.  If you will, you are saved the moment you believe – saved from sin and hell.

The Stars – The Bible says, that saved sinners (the righteous) will shine as the stars forever and ever. *Daniel 12:3* Are you going to Heaven or Hell when you die?  Remember, only the Blood and Righteousness of God Incarnate, Christ Jesus, can save your immortal soul.  Life is short, Death is sure, Sin the curse, Christ the Cure.  Submit to Christ's Righteousness today *Romans 10:3-4*, or you can continue to submit to Sin and Satan – it’s your choice.  You need to plead Guilty, settle out of court, surrender, and bow down at Jesus’ feet today.  Don’t be careless with your soul.

Believe in Jesus now without delay – don’t procrastinate.  Admit you’re a sinner, be willing to turn from your sins (repent), stop loving your sin, and believe and trust the bloody death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ to save you today.  You need no good works - don’t bring any.  Come just as you are, an undone, ruined sinner.  Nothing is so destructive and damning as neglecting the Truth, the Lord Jesus Christ. *John 14:6; John 18:37*

Retire from your sinning and rebellion.  Pin all your hope for all Eternity on the atoning blood of God Incarnate.  Divine Justice and Wrath has been completely satisfied toward our sins by the offering up Jesus Himself. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. *Acts 16:31*  Right now, ask God to wash away your sins in the Precious Blood of Jesus and give you His Righteousness and Forgiveness of sins as a free gift.  Humbly seek the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer; receive Him by faith into your heart, soul and mind.  *Romans 5:9*

Independence Day Facts

The American colonies' Continental Army led by General George Washington started fighting the British in April 1775 because of British taxation and limitation on the American Thirteen Colonies. In June of 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a "Committee of Five" to write the Declaration of Independence: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old at the time and the best writer of the five, so John Adams gave him the task of writing the initial draft of the declaration. Jefferson's draft was brought before the committee, debated, and revised. The final version of the declaration contains 1,328 words.

On July 2, 1776 the Second Continental Congress unanimously voted to approve a resolution for independence that was proposed by Richard Lee of Virginia in June. On the night of July 2nd, the Congress started printing copies of the declaration, and its distribution started across the colonies on July 4th. The first 4th of July celebration actually occurred on July 8th, 1776. The Liberty Bell was rang on that day in Philadelphia to honor the first public reading of the declaration. The people that heard the declaration reacted with gunfire, bonfires, and fireworks. This custom was borrowed from England where the subjects celebrated the king's birthday with fireworks.

Fifty-six men came forward to sign the Declaration of Independence parchment. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors. Each of those men knew the penalty for high treason to England's Crown. ``We must all hang together,'' Benjamin Franklin said, ``or, assuredly, we will all hang separately.'' And John Hancock wrote his signature in large script on the Declaration of Independence, so King George could see it without his spectacles. They were brave men, and they remained loyal through all the bloodshed of the War of Independence. Their courage created a nation built on a universal claim that every man, woman, and child had a right to a future of freedom.  Freedom is a two-edged sword - it's the ability to choose, but the responsibility to choose well.

The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776, but didn't approve the declaration until July 4, 1776.  There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence; the oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, 70; and the youngest was South Carolina's Edward Rutledge, 26.  13 of the signers were 35 or younger, and seven were 60 or older.  One signer later recanted while being held prisoner by the British, Richard Stockton of New Jersey.  Eight of the signers were born in Britain or Ireland. The Declaration of Independence was signed more than two and a half years after the Boston Tea Party.  The signers of the Declaration were grouped by the States they were from (see below), except for John Hancock who was the President of the Congress.

In the American colonies, they were actually celebrating the King George's funeral.  King's George statue in New York City was pulled down, cut up, and the lead was smelted into musket balls that were used to fight the Revolutionary War. A parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence was signed on August 2, 1776 by 56 people. John Hancock, the President of Congress, was the first to put his signature on the document. The signers of the declaration were considered traitors and were persecuted.

Paul Revere did not ride alone to warn fellow patriots that British troops were approaching Lexington on the night of April 18, 1775.  William Dawes and Samuel Prescott rode along beside him and then 40 other riders joined the three patriots on their historic mission.  Thousands of women fought for the Revolutionary cause and traveled with the Continental Army working as laundresses, cooks, nurses, and even spies or couriers.  5,000 African Americans fought on the Patriots' side. Many of the Native Americans and Iroquois peoples fought alongside the colonists. 

By coincidence, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1826, two of the document's authors, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, died.  President James Monroe also died on July 4th in 1831.  In 1781, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th a state holiday.  Bristol, Rhode Island is home to the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration dating back to 1785.  Independence Day festivities became more widespread in the US after the War of 1812.  In 1870, Independence Day became a recognized holiday. But in 1941, Congress voted to make Independence Day a paid Federal legal holiday.

Patriotism - devoted love and support to one's country, concern for its defense, and the willingness to sacrifice for its freedom.  To unselfishly choose to serve your country in a way that doesn't promise any great return to you for having made that choice. 

Voices, Words, Thoughts, Beliefs

Spirits move voices, voices speak words, words produce thoughts, thoughts produce beliefs, beliefs produces lifestyles and your eternal destiny.  There are three types of spirits - man's spirit, evil spirits, and the Holy Spirit Himself.   Try the spirits whether they be of God, the Bible says.  Behind every voice, there is a spirit moving that voice - take heed, discern the spirit, and be mindful of what voices and words you yield to.  Take heed which voice you are listening to, take heed what ye hear and receive into your mind and wind up following with your thoughts, words, actions and life.  Be very careful about which Voice is directing your life.  Most of the time it is man's spirit just chattering about vain nonsense such as himself, the weather or sports.  But sometimes there is an evil spirit speaking through a human voice.  And very rarely, the Holy Spirit speaks through a human voice.  Jesus said, "My sheep hear my Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. Please make sure you are following Jesus' Voice found in the Scriptures; the still, small Voice of the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Christ.  Every one that is of the Truth heareth His voice.  *John 18:37* He that is of God heareth God words:  ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. *John 8:47*

Atheism is nothing more than self-worship.  Egotism is the delusion of one's own importance, even at the denial of your Creator's existence. An atheist believes his own thoughts that come out of his own *temporal* brain; but a born again Christian believes God's thoughts that are found in the *Eternal* Holy Scriptures.  If you listen and take heed to Darwin's voice, you'll wind up in Hell for sure.

Words are vitally important. Words are vehicles that communicate a message and plant thoughts in your mind. You are constantly under some sort of influence in this world. Mark it down - You are going to trust someone's thoughts, there is no doubt about that. Be sure you don't ever trust your own thoughts, or Darwin's, or Muhammad's, or Buddha's. Your thoughts must be renounced and replaced by your Creator's thoughts; God's thoughts are found today in the Holy Bible. Every man is either trusting to human thoughts that he has heard and received, or to the divine thoughts of Scriptures concerning Christ Jesus, the Substitute that was slain for sinners.

There are many voices in today's world that are communicating dangerous and damnable views and philosophies that will lead you into thicker darkness and then into Outer Darkness out in Eternity.  Take heed what ye hear - the voice that you follow will determine where you wind up in Eternity.  The still, small Voice of the Holy Spirit is gently trying to give you understanding concerning your inability to get rid of your sins.  You need help outside of yourself to get rid of your sins.  But there are many voices in this world today that will tell you that Sin doesn't even exist, and that you don't need to get rid of your sins.  There are many religious voices telling you that you need to do or pay something to get rid of your sins.  Take heed what ye hear.      

The essence of Biblical Christianity is the denial of self and your own thoughts, and the reliance on God's Thoughts/Words and the worship of the living God - the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The thoughts of men are vanity; but the thoughts of God are verity. "Modern thought" is nothing but the old pride of the Christ-rejecting sin-loving human heart. Vain man would be wise. The natural man glories in his own thoughts and despises the pure thoughts of the LORD. The atheist makes up his own rules, and then he breaks his own rules. The atheist has been educated beyond his intelligence, even into stupidity.

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the Thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. For the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the Thoughts: if thou seek *Him*, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever.

The atheist, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his Thoughts. The Lord knoweth the Thoughts of man, that they are vanity.  I hate vain Thoughts: but Thy law do I love. The atheist's breath goeth forth, he returneth to the earth; in that very day his Thoughts perish. The Thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his Thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For My Thoughts are not your Thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My Thoughts than your thoughts.

The atheist's feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The atheist walks in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto My words, nor to My law, but rejected it, saith the LORD. 

But atheists know not the Thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they His counsel. For out of the atheist's heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Why do the atheists rage, and the evolutionists imagine a vain thing? They imagine deceits all the day long. They proceed from evil to evil, and they know not Me, saith the LORD. But the atheists hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart. This evil people, which refuse to hear My words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, saith the LORD. 

Behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart. The atheist will walk after his own devices, and he will do the imagination of his evil heart. The Lord hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Egotism + darwinism + atheism + materialism = wasting, destruction, judgment, and perdition

P.S. = Never ever trust your own thoughts; but simply humbly receive and trust God's thoughts found in the Words of God (AV1611), the Spirit of God, the Gospel, and the living Person of Christ Jesus, God manifest in the flesh and His Atoning Blood.

My Goodness

Do all the good you can for as many as you can, but never trust any of your good works to save you from your Sins. For there is none Good but one, that is, God. The Lord Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd, that means He called Himself God. Christ Jesus was God Almighty in human flesh, the Mighty Creator became meek and lowly. Now understand - Only Jesus' Goodness can save a lost sinner. Have you ever heard someone say, "My goodness", or "For goodness sake?" Well, Jesus is my Goodness. *Psalm 144:2; Romans 2:4* The Goodness of God led me to Repentance.  Jesus overcomes my badness with His Goodness.

Because we sin all the time, we can never ever be good enough to satisfy divine justice or atone for our own sins, that's the very reason why Jesus, the Son of God, had to live a sinless life and bleed and die in our place on Calvary's Cross. Our goodness must come down in the dust, and Christ's Goodness must be exalted. Christ first, me last - He must Increase, but I must decrease. It is hard for a self-righteous person to give up two things: all self-glorying in his past goodness, and all hope and trust in any of his future goodness.

I'm not going to Heaven one day, because I'm good; oh no, oh no, I'm going to Heaven, because Jesus was Good enough to bear my sins in His own body, and pay all that was due to God's divine justice to make a perfect Blood Atonement for my guilty soul. Jesus paid the whole bill for my sins with His own blood. You see, bad people (sinners) that trust in Jesus to save them go to Heaven, but people that "think" they're good enough to help Jesus out wind up missing Heaven. Abound in good works, but never trust them. Everything is still Free at the Cross. Worthy is *The Lamb* that was slain!

It's Your Choice

The Holy Spirit is working and moving today to convince men and women of their sinfulness, guilt, danger and inability to save themselves. The mere thought of sin is Sin - the thought of foolishness is Sin.  The love of sin blinds the eyes of the soul.  In secret, Christ-less men love their sins; they are fond of their sins and a slave to them. Religionists get really superstitious and attempt to clean up their act for a few minutes on a certain day of the week at a certain place, but right after that short span of religiousness, the religionist goes right back to his darkness and idolatry (love for sin, self and stuff).  Water and works, or Blood and Righteousness - it's your choice.

A love for sin and rejecting Christ will surely damn you.  Sin blinds the soul, deafens the mind, defiles the conscience, and cripples the heart.  Sin will reign in you until Christ reigns in you. A king that lives in a palace and the bummiest bum that ever slept on the street must be saved the same way - through faith in Christ's Precious Blood.  Holy Spirit, please cure me of my love for my sins; please purify my inward desires and appetites. A servant of Christ or a servant of sin - which are you?  The darling Lamb of God bled and died to pay the whole bill for your sins.  Lord Jesus, make me tender and sensitive to the still, small voice of your Spirit and words.  Pardon of sin, Purity of heart, and then Peace of mind.  Filthy habits and evil tendencies only die under the sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ.  Love to Christ, or love to sin - it's your choice.

The love of sin breeds hatred for the words of God and Christ Jesus Himself.  Men avoid Christ because they want to do wrong.  The Gospel will not let us live comfortably in our sins.  Ask God for His mercy and purity through the Blood of Jesus Christ.  Sin-forgiving Blood and sin-forgetting Grace is available now at the Cross. You will never be happy at odds with your Creator.  If you choose to keep your sins, you must lose your soul.  The dislike and neglect of Christ is caused only by a love of darkness. The shining light of the Gospel sends the roaches of sin scurrying for cover. Trust the Lord Jesus Christ with your sins, only He can put them away.  Trust Him with your soul as well, for only He can save you from the wrath to come.  Inward desires after Christ, or inward desires after Sin - it's your choice.

Good Things 2

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.  And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.

Barnabas was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.  And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.  Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.  Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.  This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.