The Significance of Hyssop

Not many know that I am an advocate for the therapeutic use of herbs based strictly on several biblical reasons:

GENESIS 1:29 "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."

GENESIS 9:3 "Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things."

PSALM 51:7 "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

PSALM 104:14-15 "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man: That he may bring forth food out of the earth."

-IT'S RATHER OBVIOUS HERBS ARE IMPORTANT-

I was searching for a new organic tea and happened upon an offer for HYSSOP tea. I paused for a moment, then in a loud whisper spoke into the air, "Hyssop. hyssop? hyssop! Wasn't that mentioned as mixed with vinegar or something they they gave to Jesus during His crucifixion?" So I looked up the scripture. John 19:29 "Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon a hyssop branch, and put it to his mouth." Then as usual, my spirit was filled with curious! I was looking for a new tea to drink and somehow wound up writing an entire  blog. So ask yourself, "what if any, is the significance of hyssop in scripture (Exodus 12:22, Psalm 57:1, Leviticus 14:4-6) BUT ESPECIALLY THE HERB BRANCH USED TO CARRY THE VINEGAR TO JESUS' MOUTH as He was dying on a cross. Does the hyssop branch signify something deeper? Indeed it does!

 Ther is something very important in hyssop, especially mentioned in John 19:29. The Bible does not explicitly say, “hyssop represents cleansing,” When you put the passages together as I discovered after my research, there is a striking biblical pattern.

 1. The first major appearance of hyssop was at the Passover — Exodus 12:22 God told the Israelites to take hyssop, dip it into the blood of the Passover lamb, and put that blood on the doorposts. Think about what is happening:

Hyssop → blood → doorway → deliverance from death. The hyssop itself had no magical power. The power was in God's provision through the blood of the lamb.

2. At Jesus' death — John 19:29. This is where John 19 becomes extraordinarily interesting. John specifically says: “Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.” Are you curious as to why John would even bother telling us it was hyssop? I mean, He could simply have said, “They put a sponge soaked with vinegar up to Jesus' mouth.” But instead he identifies the plant! And Jesus is dying at Passover time. Jesus has already been identified in John's Gospel as: “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” So IMO you have this remarkable biblical picture:

Exodus:Passover lamb dies → its blood is applied with hyssop → God's people are spared from death. Calvary: Jesus, the Lamb of God, dies → His blood is shed → humanity is offered deliverance from sin and death. That connection is not something I would dismiss as coincidence.

 3. Hyssop also appears in cleansing rituals. Look at Leviticus 14:4–6. Hyssop is used in the ritual for cleansing someone who had been healed from leprosy. The priest uses hyssop along with blood and other elements in a ceremony declaring the person clean. Again, notice the recurring ideas: hyssop --> blood --> cleansing--> restorationThat makes the crucifixion reference even more interesting.

Jesus' blood isn't merely about His physical death. Throughout the New Testament, His blood is associated with cleansing from sin. Hebrews 9:14 says Christ's blood cleanses our conscience. 1 John 1:7 says:“the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” And then there is Psalm 51:7 I think this is actually one of the strongest connections David cries:

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean.” Now notice what David is asking for. He isn't asking God to wash dirt off his body. He's asking God to cleanse him from sin. So hyssop becomes associated with the biblical imagery of cleansing. And that brings us back to Jesus. At the cross, the One who is completely innocent is being treated as the sin-bearer.

Hyssop repeatedly occurs in contexts involving purification, blood, cleansing, and ritual application. Then John deliberately mentions hyssop at the death of Jesus, the Lamb of God, during Passover.

The research was laborous but I think you can agree there is a connection between Exodus 12, Psalm 51, Psalm 69, John 19, and Hebrews that makes the whole picture of blood, cleansing, suffering, Passover, and Jesus' final words come together in a surprisingly coherent way. All this over the study of 1 herb, hyssop. I think I'll go purchase that tea now.

Until He Comes,

-Pat- 

Something About God

 

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding. In allyour ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3: 5-6

Something About GOD GOD has a habit and a pattern of separating people before He expands them. Nobody likes separation. Not from a relationship, friendship, job, family, a dream that you've been holding onto for years. Separation hurts because it feels like loss, but WHAT IF it isn't loss? What if the separation is just preparation? Joseph, for example .. GOD didn't send him straight to the palace. He allowed him to be separated from his father, his brothers, his home, his reputation, his freedom BEFORE he handed him a throne. GOD has to separate you from the life you've outgrown BEFORE He introduces you to the life He prepared. And again, take Abraham. The first thing God said wasn't here's your blessing. It was, "leave your country, your relatives, your father's house and go to the land I will show you." Sometimes GOD doesn't even reveal the destination until you trust Him to leave what's familiar. How about Elijah? GOD told him to go to a brook, Cherith, and every day He sent ravens to feed him. The brook gave him water and everything Elijah needed was there. And then? One day that brook just dried up! Imagine that for a second. You're obeying GOD. Doing exactly everything He told you to do. And then, one day the very thing that was sustainimg you just disappears. The Bible doesn't say Elijah sinned. It doesn't say GOD abandoned him. The brook dried up because that season was over. Here's what GOD showed me. The brook was never Elijah's source GOD was. The moment the brook dried up GOD already had a wndow waiting in Zarephath. The provision changed but THE PROVIDER didn't. Some keep praying for GOD to bring the brook back but GOD is saying: I dried it up because I'm trying to move you. Maybe the relationship ended because your purpose just couldn't grow there. Maybe the friendship faded because your calling was getting too crowded. Maybe you lost the job because your identity was tied into your paycheck. Maybe the door closed because you would have never walked away on you own. Ultimately, God will guide us from a rocky path we're onto a clear path whih points straight ahed. Jesus was led into the wilderness BEFORE He stepped into public ministry. David lived in caves BEFORE he lived in the palace. Joseph went to prison BEFORE he was made ruler over all Egypt. The pattern isn't punishment. The pattern is preparation. Don't confuse GOD'S pruning for GOD'S rejection. Jesus said in John 15:2 every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit. GOD doesn't prune dead branches. He prunes fruitful ones. So maybe what feels like God is taking something from you, it's actually GOD making room for something you can't carry until your hands are empty. Some doors didn't close because GOD let you, they closed because He refused to let you settle for less than where He's leading you. Give God your whole heart instead of just part of it. Pray daily. Make it a habit to let Him be a part of every choice and action you make. When you do, GOD PROMISES to help clear your way and lead you in the right direction. Trust His plan no matter temporary silence, the passage of time, or if you think He's forgotten. HE HASN'T. He's working things out for your good IN HIS TIMING. Until He comes, -Pat-

3 End-Time Signs (inside the Church)

Let me be clear up front. I AM NOT PREDICTING THE END and I'm not addressing non-believers. This blog deals with things that will be going on with Christians before Jesus returns.There are end-time warnings many Christians are missing. The last one is already INSIDE THE CHURCH. The biggest danger may not come from the outside world -but from what is happening inside the church and inside our own hearts. The Bible reveals 3 end-time warnings we cannot afford to ignore and that's why I am blowing a trumpet today.

Sign 1: The Great Exhaustion. What is that you ask? Daniel 7:25 says the enemy will wear out the saints of the Most High. Not destroy them. Wear them out. Many Christians today are not losing their faith because of difficult questions or theological debates. They are losing their strength because they are exhausted. Besides normal things like work, bills, phones, child rearing, constant noise, etc. we could add to that: attacks from SATAN: wordly distractions, mental distress, temptation, assaults on faith, stirring fear, deception, etc. So slowly prayer becomes less important. GOD'S voice becomes harder to hear. The enemy doesn't always need you to deny Jesus, sometimes he only needs to keep you busy until your spirit falls asleep. 

Sign 2: The gospel of "self." 2 Timothy 3 warns us about the last days, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves. We usedto call it pride. Today it is often ceebrated as, "living my truth" and "protecting my peace." When a culture replaces: THY WILL BE DONE with "Let my feelings be validated," we are seeing exactly what te 2nd chapter of Timothy verse 3 warned about. The greatest danger is not only rejecting GOD. It is putting ourselves in His  place.

Sign 3: Scoffers inside the house. 2 Peter 3: 3-4 says, "In the last days scoffers will come walking according to their own desires, saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" Many people assume these scoffers will only be outside the Church, but look around! Today the attacks against holiness, repentance, judgment, eternity, AND THE RETURN OF JESUS are sometimes coming from inside religious spaces. Jesus warned us because He wanted us to stay awake. Jesus did not give us prophecy so we would live in fear. He gave us prophecy so we would BE READY. Jesus said in Luke 21:36, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that will come topass and to stand  before the Son of Man." We do not know the day or the hour. But we know the season. And this season should wake us up! The question is, ARE YOU READY?

 Until He Comes,

-Pat-

We Are God's Husbandman and Fellow Laborers In Christ

 

 "For we are labourers together with God: you are God's husbandry, you are God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9

 What is God's husbandry-what does it mean?“ God’s husbandry” means God’s cultivated field or farm—something that belongs to God, is cared for by God, and is meant to grow under His work. The verse is 1 Corinthians 3:9. In older English, “husbandry” can mean farming, cultivation, or tilled land. So Paul is saying:

*The Church (believers) are like God’s field.

*God is the owner.

*God’s servants are workers in that field.

*Spiritual growth is something God produces in us.

In the context of the chapter, Paul had been explaining that one servant plants, another waters, but God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). So “God’s husbandry” emphasizes that:

*1. The Church is not man-made or owned by leaders.

*2. Christians are being grown and cultivated by God.

*3. Different ministers have roles, but God is the one producing life and fruit (John15:5)

Then Paul switches images and says, “ye are God’s building” moving from a field picture to a construction picture. Both mean the same basic thing: you belong to God, and He is the one at work in you.

A simple paraphrase would be: “We are workers serving God, and you are God’s field—God’s place of growth—and God’s building.” We are the building (Jesus uses the word "building" as a metaphor), the Temple made without hands (Mark 4:58) in whom He dwells, and the apostles and prophets were the foundation, and Jesus the Chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2: 19-22). Peter refers to US as "living stones,  built into a spiritual house." Christ, US, joined together to become a Holy Temple. God is too great to be contained or confined to a physical building. HE DWELLS IN US! In every believer.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Canceling Jesus

 

There is a growing number in the Church canceling Jesus. Even if He came right now they would still cancel Him out. The same Jesus they talk about, the same Jesus they read in their Bible, the same Jesus they quote when life gets hard. They would cancel Him. I'm not talking about a Christian who is true to Christ..I'm talking about people who claim to know and love Jesus but don't want to truly follow Him. Those who associate themselves with Christ but are not truly ready to obey Him. Those who conform to the ways of the world but still want to associate themselves with Jesus. THE CHURCH is full of nominal Christians.

Jesus would not tell people to live their truth. *He would tell people to repent (Mark 1:15)

Jesus would not tell people to follow their heart. *Jesus would tell people to deny themselves (Matt 16:24, Luke 9:23,Mark 8:34)

Jesus would not tell people sin does not matter. *Jesus woud tell people to go and sin no more (John 8:11)

To truly follow Jesus faithfully seems much too burdensome in their eyes. They desire one foot in heaven and one carnally where they still can keep some of their sins and hope Jesus will overlook their continued rebellion. They would lose their minds, because let's be honest.. people do not hate God, people hate being told no! They hate  accountability. They hate conviction. People hate being told that not everything they want is good for them. 

This generation have bible verses in their bio's online and a cross on their neck but idols in their hearts. That's why Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." 

NOT "if you love me quote bible verses".

 NOT "if you love me wear a cross." 

BUT "IF YOU LOVE ME, OBEY ME." That's where people get uncomfortable BECAUSE ..

*obedience requires sacrifice.

*obedience requires self control.

*obedience requires you to tell your flesh NO. And this generation does not like hearing that. They're not having it.

Denying flesh, breaking old habits, and really standing on God’s business requires a change that the Holy Spirit helps produce. A real partnership, a real love relationship, and faith that the love in the relationship is enough. God’s love is enough. 

People want heaven, they just don't want holiness (being set apart from the world) and that's a problem because Jesus never came to be a mascot. He came to be Lord. And if we're being honest, if Jesus started preaching the same as He preached in biblical times peope would call Him judgmental! They would call Him toxic, sensative, and controversial .. all words that dominate modern culture discourse.  Unfortunately, truth has a way of making people uncomfortable. It did back then and it still does now.

Until He Comes,

Pat

When Did America Lose Its Soul?

 

-a moral and spiritual warning about the direction of the nation-

America has fallen deeply into an abyss of sexual immorality and moral confusion, and what was once recognized as sinful is increasingly celebrated, normalized, and defended. Abortion, pornography, sexual promiscuity, the objectification of the human body, and the relentless pursuit of sexual gratification have wounded the moral fabric of our nation. Behind this increasing darkness is not merely a cultural or political problem, but a spiritual one—a battle in which evil seeks to distort what God created to be sacred, turning something intended for love, commitment, and life into something exploited for pleasure and selfish desire. When a society repeatedly rejects God’s standards and calls good what He calls sinful, it should not be surprised when it begins to reap the consequences of its choices. Isaiah 5:20, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

When did America codify sexual freedom? I'll date myself by looking back. It was most likely in the early 70's (1973-1974?) the same time I was breaking away from worldly views and lifestyle to become Christian. As I began in-home Bible study classes with a group of ladies, there was so much more going in in the spiritual realm than my conversion. Three things stand out as a turning point for America and not in a good way, as neither of these three changes I'll mention are acceptable in God's eyes. And as I was turning more toward God back then, the world was drifting further away from Him rejecting divine truth.

1st: Roe VS Wade: baby killing.

So watch this, once you codify total sexual freedom, do you still have total sexual fredom if you still have to take responsibility for the "products" of your sexual freedom? .. Babies?? No, I would argue you're totally liberated. I'm not talking freedom in the sense that our founders meant of course not, but YOU'RE TOTALLY SEXUALLY FREE when you can treat abortion as birth control!! If you can murder the baby, now you can really sexually do whatever you want, and take no responsibility! So you're "free".

2nd: The Endangered Species Act. 

The same year we declared open season on the smallest humans, the same year!! .. we gave greater legal protection rights to sea turtles (1973), porpoises (1973). I'll expon in a minute.

3rd: The United States Supreme Court removed their obscenity laws in 1973. And for the first time in American History, PORNOGRAPHY became legal.  Easy .. make it, ship it, sell it. It's all good. Has reached a global market of over $190 billion dollars!! My America counts for$24 billion to $76 billion dollars annualy according to my Google search.

***Roe VS Wade (abortion) sounds like Molech (child sacrifice).

***Animal worship sounds alot like Baal. (animal sacrifice to secure good harvests)

***Porn (porneia from the Greek) sexual liberation-sounds like Astaroth (a high-ranking arch-demon traditionally described as a powerful Great Duke of Hell. -- I looked up all these things.

In the same year, all three LEGALLY CODIFIED! Could it be that America came into agreement with the demonic trinity that year!!?

America cannot continually sow seeds of sexual immorality, violence, selfishness, and disregard for God’s commands and expect to escape its rotten harvest. Scripture warns that whatever a person—or a nation—sows, that will it also reap (Galatians 6:7). 

Yet, God’s judgment is never the only message; there is still a call to repentance. The way back from this darkness is not found in greater tolerance of sin, but in turning our hearts back toward God, acknowledging what we have done, seeking forgiveness, and choosing righteousness over the corruption that has taken hold. A nation that has fallen from grace can still humble itself before the One who is able to forgive, restore, and heal—but it must first recognize how far it has fallen.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Don't Go In The Way Of A "STRANGE WOMAN."

 

I was having a discussion on line with a man regarding Proverbs Chapter 7. In short, the chapter warns men not to go in the way of a "STRANGE WOMAN." As our conversation advanced, he then began berating all women as evil harlots, starting at EVE (he said) and continuing all the way to today. He was pointing to Proverbs chapter 7 as the PROOF HE WAS 100% correct, stressing as he put it, "all women, every one of you whores seduce men to get what you want." Needless to say, he had a deeply negative and distorted view of all women, portraying us as inherently immoral and sexually manipulative. He took the warning about the ‘strange woman’ and turned it into a blanket of condemnation. I agreed with him in as much Proverbs 7 was describing a literal immoral/sexually seductive woman, while also using that literal description to teach a much broader, spiritual lesson about temptation and destruction, adding it's where the crux of the lesson lies. So even though there is a literal warning about sexual immorality as prostitution, I don't think that is the entire meaning of Proverbs 7 and I told him to look deeper. He didnt want to. So I'm going to point out a deeper meaning of Proverbs 7 as a kind of metaphor.

First, what does “strange woman” mean? In Proverbs 7, “strange woman” does not simply mean a woman who is unfamiliar or foreign. And though it refers to a woman who is sexually immoral, adulterous, or outside the boundaries God established for sexual relationships, I don't think that is the whole meaning. I think the deeper lesson is much bigger than prostitution or sexual seduction. I see a deeper lesson in that the young man in Proverbs represents someone who knows better but deliberately walks toward temptation. Here's why I see it that way. Notice how the chapter begins: “Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye”

(Proverbs 7:2). Then the man goes near the very place where temptation is waiting. That's significant. The lesson isn't merely: “Men, don't visit prostitutes.”It is more like:

“Don't put yourself in the path of temptation, listen to its seductive promises, and convince yourself that you can play with sin without consequences.” The woman becomes a picture of temptation itself. And Proverbs tells us exactly where it leads.

I'll break it down. The man is attracted by what looks pleasurable and exciting in the moment. But Proverbs says, “But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell” (Proverbs 7:23) See, that's the contrast: Temptation says: 'This will feel good. You deserve this. Nothing will happen." Wisdom says: "Look beyond the moment. Where does this road end?' Think of it this way.. first, I'm not discounting this describes the sin of prostitution. It is literally speaking about sexual temptation and an immoral woman, but the lesson is much broader than simply not going in the way of prostitutes. The  point I want to make is, the woman represents the seductive nature of temptation and the destructive path that sin can lead us down. 

The "strange woman" is literal, making a point to grab your attention but she is also representative. Maybe you've never seen it that way before. The Bible frequently teaches through a real situation that carries a larger spiritual principle. I see it all the time. So in reality, Proverbs 7 can be understood on two levels: Literal level:

A warning against adultery, sexual immorality, and being seduced by an immoral woman. Spiritual/moral level: A warning about temptation itself — anything that looks attractive, promises immediate pleasure, and ultimately leads a person away from God and toward destruction. I think Proverbs 7 teaches us that as well. One thing is DOES NOT TEACH is, that all women are evil and their goal is to seduce men.

The fact that anything that looks attractive, promises immediate pleasure, and ultimately leads a person away from God and toward destruction applies to both men and women! A woman can be tempted by something other than a man. A man can be tempted by something other than a woman. The underlying danger is the same though: sin disguises its destination while advertising its immediate pleasure, period. There's a beautiful connection to the rest of Proverbs too: Wisdom herself is portrayed as a woman calling out to people, while the immoral woman also calls out to people. In other words, Proverbs presents two voices calling for your attention — the voice of WISDOM leading toward life, and the voice of TEMPTATION leading toward destruction. That is really the heart of Proverbs 7 for me. 

Until He Comes, 

-Pat-

Don't Sell Yourself Short

 

Have you been comparing yourself to somebody else, or wishing you were them? ---> IE: They are a better speaker, a better singer, more popular, more successful, more healthy/fit, fit in so much better socially than you can due to shyness? And so you're thinking ..

What's wrong with ME?? But maybe nothing is wrong with you. Maybe the Good Lord simply didn't create you to be "them." Let that sink in.

The Bible says, we are God's workmanship. It really does in Ephesians 2:10. OR another way of understanding it is, we are GOD'S crafted work of art. That means He made YOU with intention. You were made for a purpose. Your life has meaning. He didn't make you to look or be like somebody else. Even your fingerprints are unique - unique ONLY TO YOU! So you, therefore, are unique to Him! There is no other but you in his eyes. When I understood this I nearly melted! Why? Because I thought of my own dogs and cats present and past. I love/loved each and every one deeply, but not one were the same personality, intelligence, agility, or talent. But my love was the same for each! All were unique. And so are we in GOD'S eyes!

You are His individual masterpiece, beautifully woven into the fabric of life by His Hand, each thread a quiet testament of your purpose. Maybe you are a gentle listener. Maybe you are good with guiding children. Maybe you are drawn to sit and comfort the elderly or physically disabled. Maybe you are a great peacemaker by bringing people together. Maybe you're a storyteller that can entertain the blind. Maybe your talent is teaching in a classroom. Maybe you're the person people call when they need somebody to pray. Maybe you are that neighbor who takes food to the lonely senior lady across the street whose spouse passed away. Maybe your passion is animals where you rescue and save the abused and abandoned. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE WHAT GOD HAS PLACED IN YOU.

Where do you think you got your singing voice? Your uncanny ability to draw when you never took an art class? Your emotional intelligence to sense moods and read a classroom? How about those who have an internal deep compassion and exceptional emotional strength when handling patients with physical and mental deficits? People will usually answer, "I was just born with it." Well ..

They would be right. Psalm 139:14 says God made each of us and that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (the word fearfully used here means great awe, reverence, deep respect). You were made with a holy respect and great value, set apart from others. You don't have to become anybody else other than who GOD made you to be. He wants a relationship with the one He made. That's YOU. He wants to share in your ups and downs, success and fears, sadness and happiness, your worries and concerns, good times and bad, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I WILL GIVE YOU REST"  (Matthew 11:28). 

I so want you to realize, you were created with a stamp of uniqueness. Psalm 139:13-14 states God knit you together in your mother's womb and made you in a way that is wonderful and unique. So there's no need to be somebody else or fashion yourself like them. GOD already has that mold. So don't sell yourself short. He wants you as you. And He's given you something whether you recognize it or not.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

God's Silence Is Never His Absence

Something from John chapter 7 has hung with me after reading this morning because it applied to me and maybe you too. I better understand something and am going to share in hopes it might help you insome way.

Jesus' brothers were telling Him 'if you are really the Messiah, go to Judea, tell them, and let them see who you really are.' What they were trying to say there was .. Jesus, now is the time, go. But Jesus answers them, "My time is not yet come." I thought about his response. Then it hit me ..

Jesus was not in a hurry. He wasn't trying to prove Himself to anybody. He wasn't letting people tell Him when to move. He was following the Father's timing. I believe this is something we all struggle with from time to time. How many times have we prayed, "Lord, can you do this now" OR "Open a door and fix this now, change my situation."  Sometimes God simply says, "Not yet." We don't like hearing those words, do we? I don't. But the words, NOT YET, doesn't mean GOD isn't listening to you, it doesn't mean He's forgotten about you. And it definately doesn't mean He's not working.. 

Sometimes God is doing His greatest work in us before He ever does His greatest work for us. You see, He's teaching us to TRUST Him. He's growing our faith. He's reminding us that He's GOD, AND WE ARE NOT. So think about this: if Jesus waited on the Father's timing, why do we think we have to rush ours? Maybe the hardest part of following Jesus isn't taking that first step, maybe it's waiting for Him to tell us WHEN to take that step. So if you are currently in a season where you've been asking, "Lord, WHEN??" Don't give up. Keep praying. Keep obeying. Keep seeking. Keep trusting Him. Because GOD'S timing is never late! And when He opens that door, you're going to realize that He wasn't making you wait. He was making you ready! 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

DISCERNMENT

 -Guilt Always Changes Behavior-

There are 12 "fruits of the Spirit" and 9 "gifts of the Spirit" mentioned in the Bible. People  who study are aware of these. My blog will look at one important gift mentioned in 1 Corinhians 12:10 called discernment. Let's define it first.  Discerment is the ability to judge well, see what is hidden, and tell the difference between right and wrong, or truth and lies. There are many people that don't like when you have discernment they can see what is hidden. People really don't like when you see between truth and their lies. 

We are living in such a time that discerment is necessary!

Luke 12:2 says, "For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be made known." This is the reason a lot Christians move to expose things. Spiritual discerning people have a high sense of awareness. Spiritual discerning people can notice things other people can't. They notice patterns and they also notice any shifts. Sometimes God will allow the discerners to sit back and just observe. Why? To try the spirit(s) in people (1 John 4:1) seeing if that person is changing, making a change, deceiving or being honest according to the written Word. People will get angry at Christians to whom God has given this gift, because people cannot hide true intentions, motives, or actions from someone with discernment. That same discerning has been given as a gift to hold a fellow believer accountable if they've moved away from truth, believed lies, or fallen to deception, fabrications, or falsehoods. Spiritual discerning people do not react fast because they also have the fruits of the Spirit as first mentioned above, and patience is one as well as self control. Most of the time spiritual discerning people already know enough before they bring up the topic. But that person waits to see if there is a change or if honesty actually shows up. 

Conviction creates tension. That's why most people don't like spiritual discerning people because it makes them uncomfortable. Some people will say 'you're crazy' or 'you think too much' or 'don't dwell on things so much' or 'you're being too serious about things.' 

EVEN NON CHRISTIANS WON'T LIKE YOU because of this gift.

1. The apostle Peter in his first book, chapter 4:4 warned people that people would think it strange you do not run with them.

2. 2 Timothy 3:12 warns all who live a godly life in Jesus will be persecuted for it.

3. John 15:19 mentions the world will hate you UNLESS you belong to the world.

What they are saying is the gift that God gave you angers them because it exposes them. It's the Spirit that expose. Truth shines in darkness and dispells it. It's like entering a dark room. As you reach your arm around the corner and flip on the light switch, IMMEDIATELY THERE IS NO MORE DARKNESS. Darkness is swallowed upin light! People don't want the Spirit of Truth through you.. dispelling lies, deception, falsehood, darkness. Why? Darkness cannot overcome light John 1:5. Sneakiness thrives in darkness. All a Spiritual discerning person is doing is noticing inconsistencies. They are not judging  a person personally, but rather shining Biblical truth on error. 

A true follower of Christ is given the Holy Spirit including "gifts" as the Spirit disperses to those whom God knows will use according to their several or respective abilities (Matthew 25:15). A Christian should absolutely feel convicted when they do wrong. Christians are to correct other Christians. However, there are some people who are not followers of Jesus Christ and have not God's Spirit living in them (I didn't for nearly 45 years of my life) so they are not going to get that conviction. That's why people with spiritual discerment point out things because it is that SPIRIT (John 16:8) that admonishes only as guidance to show people they need a Savior (as I once did) to shepherd them to truth AND forgiveness. 

Guilt Always Changes Behavior. When someone has a clear conscious they move differently, but a person who is guilty becomes defensive when Truth enters their ears like a lightswitch flipped on in a dark room and your immediate reaction is just a reflex to the truth being exposed. Another way to say it is, when Truth shines in, a guilty person automatically puts up a defensive shield. It's easy to get defensive when a truth we're not ready for, suddenly sees the light.. I did. 

Has this blog offended you? Ask yourself why.

In conclusion, be honest with yourself. Facing hard facts causes emotional pain not because reality is inherently cruel, but because it shatters the comfortable illusions, false beliefs, (maybe no beliefs at all) and ego-protecting stories we have built in our minds. We can feel threatened when we admit and face our personal failures, mistakes, or lack of self control. I speak from a past life. No more. I now live a life through the Spirit. One  unchained that left me exhausted by maintaining falsehoods of many kinds. I am washed. I am cleansed. I am clean. I am forgiven. I am free. I am whole body, soul, mind, and spirit.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

True Worship

 

-3 kinds God won't accept-

The Bible gives us a warning about how we worship because not every kind of worship is acceptable to God. Curious? I'll let the WORD answer and start with Malachi 1:10, "I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of Hosts. Neither will I accept an offering at your hand." 

So what kind of worship does GOD reject?  

FIRST: When your lips worship but your life doesn't. Isaiah 29:13 says, "For as much as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do homor me, but have removed their heart far from me." Jesus quoted this in Matthew 15. They looked religious. They showed up. They sang the songs, but their hearts were far from God. And that warning still applies today. You can worship on Sunday, then live completely differently the rest of the week. Your words, your money, your choices, your private life, they reveal what you truly worship. 

Worship isn't one hour on Sunday. It's the life you give GOD every day.

SECOND: Would you give GOD your leftovers? In the book of Malachi chapter 1, Israel brought God blind, sick, and lame animals while keeping the best for themselves. God challenged them, "Offer it now unto thy govenor. Will he be pleased with you or accept your person?" Think about that. Would you give your worst to someone you truly wanted to honor? Then why give God your leftovers? Leftover time, leftover energy, leftover attention. GOD doesn't deserve what's left. He deserves your first.

THIRD: When worship is emotion without truth. Jesus said in John 4:23,  "but the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth, for the Father seeks such to worship Him." Notice: Spirit and Truth, not emotion alone. You can cry during a worship song, raise your hands, feel something powerful, but emotion alone isn't true worship. True worship leads you towards GOD'S truth, towards repentance, toward oibedience, toward a CHANGED LIFE! God isn't looking at how loudly you sing. He's looking at how you live when you walk out the door.

So, ask yourself, is my worship truly reaching GOD?

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

The Law Of Truth

 

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5

TRUTH  is not something we create. Truth is something that we discover. Truth does not change because of our feelings or our opinions or even experiences. Jesus said in John  17:17, "Sanctify them by your truth; your word is truth." From the beginning the battle has ALWAYS been over t-r-u-t-h. Remember what happened in the garden? Satan (represented by a serpent) didn't start by convincing Adam and Eve there was no GOD, he simply got them to question what GOD really said. By twisting the TRUTH of what GOD told Adam and Eve, Satan tried to make Eve doubt what GOD commanded. Satan was mixing the truth with distortion.

This is how the law of truth operates. Watch closely. Whatever truth you choose to believe that becomes the foundation you build your life on! The WORD of GOD is truth whether you believe it to be truth or not. It's still truth!  Believing something does not make it true, and rejecting something doesn't make it false. If you believe lies about GOD, or about yourself, or your purpose in the Kingdom, you're life will follow those lies. But when GOD'S Truth enters into your heart, it begins expose those things you believe that were never meant for you. 

The world says, 'follow your heart.' However, GOD'S Word tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, "mans heart is deceitful above all things." AND IT NEEDS CHANGED AND IT NEEDS TRANSFORMED. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Truth is not just information we learn. TRUTH is a person that we follow, and that person is Jesus Christ. Followers don't just read the Bible to know more, we read it so GOD can change us. GODS truth reveals His character, His wisdom, His promises, AND THE WAY HE CREATED US TO LIVE. The more we surrender to that truth the more His truth begins to transform the way we think, the way we speak, the way we act, the way we love other people, and the way we choose to live. THAT is the law of truth. 

What you build your life on will shape the person you become. The closer you decide to walk with the One Who is Truth, the more you become transformed by that truth!

Until He Comes, 

-Pat-

A Sound Mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

 

"God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Are you full of fear, doubt, or anxiety today? I want you to grab a piece of paper. An 8x10 size will be perfect. If you cannot grab one then picture you have one in your hand and follow this exercise in your mind:

Take the piece of paper (literally or mentally) and tear it in half. Take the two pieces you just tore and tear them in half. Now you have four pieces. Do it one more time. Look at the divided pieces. Is it still paper? Yes, it is still paper BUT it is no longer whole! This is exactly what anxiety does to your mind. Jesus said something extremely powerful in Matthew chapter 6. He said, "Do not worry about your life." We can read read this in English, and we assume Jesus is saying .."just relax, chill, stop stressing." But the word He uses here for worry in the original Greek is the word merimnao. One of its meanings is to be pulled apart mentally. Oh, it gets deeper than that. That word comes from the root merizo which means to divide, to separate, and to TEAR INTO PIECES (like the paper you tore in the exercise). So..

Jesus isn't just telling us just relax, chill, stop stressing. He's telling us DO NOT LET YOUR MIND BECOME DIVIDED. Think. Who loves division more than anyone? The enemy. His entire strategy is separation. Sin is what separates us from God. Division is what separates us from one another. Anxiety is what separates your mind from trust. The context of this passage is so important because a couple of verses earlier, Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters." Then immediately after He said, "therefore, do not worry." Why did He say it in that order? Because He understands a divided heart always leads to an anxious mind! Worrying isn't just about fearing what's to come, its allowing your heart to become divided between what God said and what your circumstances are saying. 

The strangest part is science is finally starting to catch up to what Jesus taught thousands of years ago. There was a related research paper on this subject where a couple hundred people were followed over three years. This is what they discovered. They found that the more people fixated on their symptoms, the worse those symptoms got over time. Not only did the article report more severe symptoms, but their MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING DECLINED. It lterally got worse! The more fous and attention they gave to the problem, the more power that problem seemed to have. I'm not saying the validity of those symptoms aren't real. The symptoms ARE REAL. What I'm saying is, your focus can become a catalyst that perpetuates them. 

What if the enemy doesn't even need to destroy you? All he has to do is divide you. Divide your trust, divide your attention, or divide your focus. Because if he can divide your mind into a thousand different directions, he can keep you from, "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). Maybe this is why Jesus never said, "Seek first love," or "Seek first peace." He said, "SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD" because when your heart is whole, then your mind can start becoming whole again.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Kirk Cameron Goes The Way Of Annihilationism

 

I recently read, much to my dismay,  Kirk Cameron has pivoted on his belief of hell, moving from an Eternal Conscious Punishment (AS SCRIPTURE TEACHES) to Annihilationism. Let's dig into it.

Personally, I believe in eternal conscious punishment which teaches that hell is forever, that people in hell remain conscious forever, and that they continue suffering forever.

Kirk Cameron has reversed his course from once believing Bible scriptures, to believing Annihilationism in regards to hell, which teaches that the wicked eventually stop existing altogether, that hell fire does not torment without end, but ultimately consumes its victims until there is nothing left.

Today, I want to debunk the idea of Annihilationism and prove it is a dangerous belief that leads people away from Biblical truth.

Biblical truth, and one I adhere to, will be quick, exact, and understandable through the simplest scriptures I'll post. We have to refer to Luke's account, chapter 16: 19-31 to begin. There is an account of a Rich Man and Lazarus.  In the account, scriptures say, the rich man (looking up-meaning he was "below")  WAS IN TORMENT and Abraham (who was already in paradise-"up") was asked by the rich man to send Lazarus so Lazarus could dip his finger in water to cool the rich mans tongue. Here is the exact scripture-pay attention to the words used:

 "IN HADES, where he was IN TORMENT, he looked up and saw  Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, Father Abraham,  have pity on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I AM TORMENTED IN THIS FLAME [Luke 16:22-24]. ] Pretty clear, wouldn't you say?

It goes on. Abraham replied that there was an impassable great gulf between the two of them: from heaven (comfort/paradise) and the place of torment below, suffering, and separation from God forever] (Hades) verses 25-26. Here is the exact scripture:

[Luke 16: verse 26] "Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from there."  ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD.

Jesus frequently used the imagery of Fire, of Weeping, of the Gnashing of Teeth to describe the place of punishment for those who die without Christ.

Matthew 25:41 Jesus uses these words, "Depart from me you who are cursed, into everlasting fire"

Matthew 25:46 Jesus uses these words," And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteousness into life eternal."

Jesus words spoken by Him negate Kirk's Annihilationism view altogether. JESUS HIMSELF said it is fire, it is eternal, it's punishment is everlasting. 

By changing or negating the word "fire" into a metaphor waters down the terrifying WARNINGS Jesus was trying to give about the reality of judgment. Scriptures testify judgment is real, painful, and permanent!

Jesus spoke about hell more than any other figure in the Bible mentioning it more times than He did heaven! He spoke about it as real and the terrifying consequence of rejecting God. Minimizing hell or declaring, as Kirk says, "that the fire does not torment without end but ultimately consumes its victims until there is nothing left" is dangerous. Why? If a sinner hears such a reckless dogma instructed by a man of great influence, especially one with such a "Christian" reputation as Kirk Cameron, and expounding there is no Hades (Luke 16:23 says there is), no Torment (Luke 16:23 says there is) no CONTINUING FLAME (Luke 16:23 says there is), no retribution but simply you'll be no more-"there's nothing left" is dangerous because it leads people to believe there is no consequence for sin and encourages them to continue living that way.

Ask any non-believer, "If you knew there was no hell as Christians believe, no fiery flames the Bible mentions, no punishment other than when you die you'll be dissolved and simply no longer exist, would you stop everything wrong or the pleasurably sinful things you've done, are doing right now, and will do in the future? I guarantee they will answer NO. Where there's no assumed retribution, there is no effort to change from sinful behavior.

The Bible warns to be aware that people in the end times (which we have entered, see my other blogs) will twist, distort, rewrite, change the definitions of Biblical texts, misinterpreting biblical teachings, etc You can refer to:

A) 2 Peter 3:15-16 where he speaks about,"ignorant and unstable people distort things he taught as they do to other scriptures which leads to their own destruction."

B) 2 Timothy 4:3-4 where Paul warns Timothy "a time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine but will surround themselves with teachers who suit their own desires, turning away from truth and toward myths.

C) Proverbs 30:5-6 Speaks about God's WORD is true without fault not to "add to His words lest he reprove you and you'll be found a liar."

D) Revelation 22:18-19 Warns against adding to or taking away words written in biblical prophecy or " anyone adds takes away from the words words of this prophecy will have plagues written in this book added to them, likewise anyone who "takes away, changes, removes from the words of this prophecy will lose their part in the book of life and holy city."

E) Galatians 1: 8-9 Paul strongly warned against changing the core message of the Christian faith! "As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

You do not find a clean, confident, articulate Annihilationist position anywhere in the mainstream of Christian thought until the nineteenth century. In other words, it is a historical fringe view. That does not mean Annihilationism is impossible or inherently wicked. It simply means this: if you hold it, you are standing on brand-new interpretive ground that the Church—Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant—never walked for eighteen centuries. For me, scripture is crystal clear. There is a heaven. There is a hell. BOTH ARE ETERNAL, FOREVER, NEVER ENDING. The body may return to dust, but the SOUL, our conscious, lives on experiencing the punishment of what hell is in every sense of the word. Think of hell like a nightmare. You are physically asleep in bed but your conscious takes you to places that feel real... you cry in dreams, you're scared in dreams, fear is real in dreams, you can be physically injured AND FEEL IT in a dream, you can be shot, murdered, raped, at the hands of a psychopath, lost not knowing where you are, you can see monsters while dreaming, smell, feel see, hear, etc BUT YOU AREN'T THERE PHYSICALLY, YOUR CONSCIOUS IS! THAT IS HELL... not having a physical body but feeling like you do unable to die and end the suffering that takes place there. And what takes place there is horrific.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Your God Is Manipulative

 

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which is lost.”

I was confronted the other day by someone questioning my Christian belief. The conversation went something like this...

I just can't believe in a GOD who would send me to hell just because I don't believe in Him.

I said, Why is that?

Because that's an ultimatium--believe in Jesus or go to hell. That sounds manipulative. That's your God! I can't get behind that.

Let me ask you something. If a building is already on fire and someone kicks the door open and says, 'Come out, this is the only way.' Is that an ultimatium or is it a rescue?

What do you mean?? 

Spiritually you were already going to hell. I was already going to hell. That's not God being cruel, that's humanity choosing sin. And that's justice. God does not send innocent people to hell. The fact is, there are no innocent people in hell. NONE. God's standard is perfection. Not better than your neighbor, not "mostly" good.. perfection. But it's found only and attained only through grace by belief in the sacrifice of Jesus. Let me ask you this. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever lusted? Have you ever hated someone? Have you ever been pridefull?

Yes, who hasn't?

Well, then you are guilty. We all are. Just like you said, who hasn't? We're ALL guilty!

So you're telling me its believe or just burn?

No, it's GUILTY but RESCUE! You weren't standing on neutral ground and God came up and just shoved you toward the fire. You were ALREADY fallen. But He caught you before you hit the ground. See, Jesus didn't come to threaten you, He came take your sins upon Himself and release you of yours. The cross was not and is not an ultimatum, it was a substitution! Justice says, "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) but Jesus is saying, "I'll pay it for you. 

But why make belief the condition?

Because love can't be forced. Salvation is not a hostage situation.  It's a gift. If someone pays your debt you still have to accept it. If you refuse it, the debt doesn't disappear. God IS NOT SAYING believe in Me or I'll torture you. He's saying  you're already dying. BUT I MADE A WAY. Take it. Hell is not proof God is cruel. The cross is proof that He's not.

(IF ANY READER IS WRESTLNG WITH THAT SAME QUESTION. IT MEANS THE DOOR IS STILL OPEN.)

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Today Just A Prayer

 

A PRAYER FOR MY READERS

HEAVENLY FATHER, I come before You to quiet this persons heart and mind. All the overthinking, the stressing, the worrying, the obsessing over things they were never meant to control. The timing, the outcome, the future, what people will think what people will say. None of that is in their hands, but every bit of it, it's in Yours. You promised not some things, but "ALL THINGS work together for good" (Romans 8:28).

Jesus, the same way you turned water into wine, I'm asking You to turn their anxiety into peace, their sorrow into joy, their fear into faith, their setbacks into setup's, their "what-if's" into even if, their WHY God, into WOW God. Lord, you don't hand your hardest battles to the weakest soldiers. If there's a Goliath standing in front of this person, it's because you already see David standing inside of them.

 

Maybe the road is harder because the calling is higher. Maybe the way is longer because the blessing is bigger. They may not understand this chapter in their life, but they can trust the Author who's writing it. So I pray to stop putting a period where you place a comma, because as long as they're breathing, You're still working. And You say You're working ALL things together for THEIR good. So if it's not good yet, it's because You're not finished it!

Father, rewire the way this person thinks from "what if something bad happens" to an EVEN IF it happens God has still got me because fear is nothing but fath pointed at the wrong future. And 99% of what they're worried about right now will never happen. Let them walk away from this page lighter than they came here or felt in months. Put a smile on their face rght now knowing they are seen, known, and loved by You. You have them. They have you. And if they "have," they have everything they need. 

In the Name of Jesus, Lord of lords, and King of kings, I pray. Amen. 

Until He Comes, Keep Praying,

-Pat-

You keep treating provision like luck instead of proof."

-It's amazing how God will find a way to speak to you.-

LISTEN AND LET HIM SPEAK TO YOU TODAY

It's 2:05 a.m. 

I'm wide awake in the dark talking to God from my hospital bed about having a limited income and things around me getting so much more expensive. I began questioning how much more can I withstand from greedy companies taking advantage of the sick, disabled, the elderly, etc. --or anybody for that matter. It seems the world has lost its marbles and covetousness has consumed them. I went on pleading my case reminding God it wasn't that I needed financial support so I could go attend a concert, go on vacation, indulge in some monetary adventure, purchase the latest clothing, or keep up with the Jones's. I simply needed an increase in funds to afford the ever growing physical needs required for a lifelong disability.

ln my spirit I HEARD A GENTLE VOICE.  "May I ask you a question?"

I stopped dead in my tracks.

Me: Yes, Lord.(listening carefully)..

God said, "Why do you stress every time prices increase .. but forget Me every time I bring you through?

Me: I don't do that, Father!

God said, "Yes you do. You keep treating provision like luck instead of proof."

Me: (gasping) Oooh!

God said, "Didn't I make a way before?"

Me: You did.

God said, "Did funds come through to pay your hospital bill?

Me: They did.

God said, "Have groceries filled your cabinets each week?"

Me: Yes, God, they have.

God said, "Didn't doors open when you thought there was no way?"

Me: "Yeah. That's true. A miracle actually."

God said, "So why do you keep acting like this current season is bigger than Me?"

Me: God, I'm just tired. The world around me is collapsing. I can't stop the madness. It's everywhere.

God said, "No, you're not tired. You're fearful. You have more faith in your Social Security check being cut off than my ability to provide."

THAT HIT ME HARD!!

God continued, "You keep checking your bank balance more than you checking with me."

I chimed in, "BUT GOD, I have to make sure I have .." (He interrupted)

God said, "But nothing child, everytime you're allowing numbers and circumstances to steal your peace. But your security was never supposed to come from numbers. It was supposed to come from knowing who your Father is."

Me: I know. I do.

AND THEN HE SAID SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET.

God said, "If I can feeds birds that don't work jobs, take care of flowers that don't pay bills, and sustain the earth itself, what makes you think I have forgotten you?

TEARS INSTANTLY FILLED MY  EYES AND I SAID, " GOD I'M SORRY."

God said, "You keep asking for help while speaking lack over everything. 

Me: "How do I do that?"

God said, "Because you're calling yourself needy every day. Stop talking defeat. Stop talking lack. STOP TALKING DISASTER. Your words have been agreeing with fear and doubt more than faith."

Me: I'm sorry, God.

THE LAST WORDS I HEARD IN MY SPIRIT WERE ..

GOD: "Let me tell you, you're not struggling because I abandoned you. You're in a season where I'm teaching you to trust me beyond what you can handle."

Me: "I believe that God. (I closed my eyes). 

"OH, ONE MORE THING, said GOD ..

"Stop stressing over what I already promised to supply. If I say it's done, it's done."

Today I want to encourage believers that our Father "will supply all of your NEEDS according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). Then David, in Psalm 37:25 assures us, "I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread." It requires us to "be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 46:10) I'm not implying  that we, as believers, are exempt from hardships, but rather, God will not abandon or leave us to fend for ourselves in times of trouble." He has pulled through for me in my most difficult times. Being human. sometimes I let worry master my emotions when I know better. I hope this blog has reminded someone else that God will provide for those who faithfully follow Him.

Until HeComes,

-Pat-

 

Moral And Spiritual Decline Of America

America is, above all, the hearts and minds of its people.

And the trend line is moving hard in the wrong direction. Things are getting worse, not better. There are intensifying strong loyalties to certain groups and negative views to downright hatred of outsiders. Social-media platforms are getting smarter at manipulating human cognition. The political system's defects are worsening. And America's public-policy failures are deepening. We have uncontrollable U.S. debt, low student achievement, income and wealth inequality, loss of American identity and patriotism, widespread belief that our political system is broken, BUT MOST OF ALL, SIN.

So much so that what's wrong is now considered right and what once was right is now deemed wrong (Isaiah 5:20). Isaiah spoke those similiar words to warn ancient society about losing their moral compass. God says, "WOE to those who call evil good, and good evil." Here are some:

*Once-forbidden vices — weed, gambling and porn — are no longer confined to back alleys or rented out of state motel rooms. It's in the open and accepted.

*Online pornography was already ubiquitous before AI. Now, deepfake technology has created an entirely new category of harm that barely existed two years ago. 

*Today, young children encounter porn online, with the average age of first viewing estimated to be 10 years old!

*A normalization of profanity, with the f- word used openly everywhere, from political leaders to the biggest podcasters, to athletes praising “Jesus f*****g Christ.” This alone is a symptom of moral degeneration!

*The inclusion of transgender educators or visiting transgenders into schools to "entertain" CHILDREN is subject to intense public debate, reflecting deep disagreemets over child development and parental rights.

These are only a few "accepted" behaviors now.

The Bible also lists several spiritual and moral causes for the fall of a nation. Key factors include turning away from God, social injustice,  pride, corruption of leaders, and rejecting moral truth. America can check-mark every one of these! Perhaps our decline can be explained by a recent Gallup poll I saw that reported belief in God among U.S. adults has reached a new low. Belief in God provides a moral anchor and a moral compass, rules and regulations from an objective and absolute source of truth and decency. Breakdown of faith breeds the belief there are no absolutes- a subjective interpretation of right and wrong. When morality is determined by popular opinion instead of objective truth, by needing to be compatible with comfort and convenience rather than mission and service, by the pursuit of pleasure and happiness, rather than sanctity and holiness, the result is moral decline. Period. 

America cannot continue on this path and ignore  the laws of GOD without retribution.   

The Bible warms "God is not mocked " (Galatians 6:7). People always reap the exact kind of harvest they plant. Eventually all offeners will pay the piper. America is no exception. Here are examples from scripture of what happened to nations and or peoples when moral fabric declines, crashes, and burns.

1. The prophet Isaiah pronounced woes upon Israel for their sins, including moral perversion.

2. Moral perversion was calling evil good and good evil, putting darkness for light and light for darkness, putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

3. The message was for Israel at that time, but the principles apply today. Sin has degrees, and sometimes becomes exceptionally sinful, leading to calamity.

4. Moral perversion is worse than amorality. It is a complete denial and reversal of moral standards.

5. Moral perversion can be seen in individuals, nations, and the world. It was seen in Israel, leading to their captivity. It was seen in the Roman Empire, leading to its fall.

6. The "new morality" is not new. It is as old as the pre-flood world and Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible predicts it will happen again before Christ's return.

7. Sin never satisfies, so people turn to greater perversions. The perversions are unintelligent and contradictory. They show the power of sin and an uneasy conscience.

8. The main causes are a failure to understand human nature, life's meaning, frustration, and aimlessness. People don't know they are made in God's image.

9. This leads to disaster, judgment, and hell. But there is hope in the gospel, which provides forgiveness, a new heart, and new life.

1o. The gospel transformed the Corinthians and can transform anyone. It provides a holy, happy life of joy, peace, and purity.

We can't even see how sick we are because what use to be consider evil is now accetable!! Where do we go from here?  The White House cannot heal us. The government cannot save us. Religious institutions cannot transform us. Meditations won't free us. Crossing our fingers and hopingfor the best is foolish, and sticking our head in the sand is what got us here in the first place.

Only a massive spiritual awakening can turn the tide. We are too far in.. on the eve of destruction. Our country has felt like a powder keg ready to ignite for awhike now. Every one I know from believer to non-believer feel something is off. .The root of what ails America is spiritual; therfore, only God can heal us IF we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, turn from our wicked ways, THEN He'll hear from heaven, forgive us, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).  May it start with you and with me!

Until He Comes, 

-Pat-