ANGEL OF LIGHT

Atropa belladonna, better known as deadly nightshade, looks harmless, but this 4 foot stunner with its shinny blackberries and pretty flowers hides a deadly secret. For anyone unfamiliar with the plants more malevolent characteristics...beware. Her berries are sweet and go down easily, but ingesting just two to four berries can kill a child and a handful will take down a grown man. This is not your backyard garden variety species, in this case, "looks are definitely deceiving."

 

Deception, has many faces. By definition it is the act of encouraging people to believe information that is not true. Lying is the most common form of deception and it has the power to undermine and crush truth that is the bedrock of life. Every day the news bombards us with headlines that run counter to reality. Because of deception our politicans can no longer be trusted to protect our freedom. The scientific community has forcibly taken the place of God, bowing to the demon gods of mutilation, depriving our children of normalcy. The media lies and manipulates the truth speaking with forked tongues, exalting everything that is vile and pushing an agenda of depravity. The entertainment industry follows the sinful woke culture with no regard for the souls of the children they are leading astray. And the worst form of deadly deception is coming from our churches with false leaders who preach a gospel of sexual perversion.

The Bible warns believers about false prophets. "For a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching. Instead, to suite their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear, they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn instead to myths.( 2 Timothy 4:3-4)NIV

These words were written to believers -Christians like you and me - who stop paying attention to the evil the world is dishing out, and start to embrace these sinful ideologies as truth. Many Christians are turning off and shutting down, thinking the Gospel has been defeated.  THIS NOTION IS DECEPTION! The truth is if we are not totally invested in the Bible, the only true word of God, we will end up drinking the worlds poison. We can't protect ourselves and our loved ones if we don't know truth. Satan disguises  himself as an angel of light in order to trick us into following him down the path of destruction. (2Corinthians 11:14)  Like the deadly nightshade plant, deception looks good on the outside but once you eat it, the toxic nature of deception will quietly poison your soul until you are spiritually dead and headed toward eternal damnation. 

 

If you have fallen for Satan's lies...repent... get out of the deadly trap while there is still time. Jesus is coming back. SUIT UP! PRAY UP! LOOK UP! STAND UP!

 

 

Credits:

Beware the deadly nightshade-the beautiful plant that can kill you
 by, William DeLong | Edited by John Kuroski

Published September 14,2021| Updated October 7,2021

https://allthatsinteresting.com

Scripture verses NIV

THE OLD IS GONE

What I love most about the New Year is the idea that we have a free pass to try again. It's like Father Time has given us a fresh canvas and we can decide to give our resolutions another go. Maybe you failed to meet your goals last year, or you're one of the lucky ones who surpassed your own expectations, but the bottom line when the ball drops on the eve of a new year is the old is gone and the new is here.

During the month of January we get to ask ourselves,  "What type of person do I really want to be?" 

 Each one of us have areas of our personalities we want to improve on. Sometimes we reach a new year and are still carrying the same old issues from the previous year. It's easy to get discouraged when we try to overhaul ourselves all at one time instead of picking one thing and spending our time renewing our minds. All lasting change begins with a clean mental focus.

Keep your thoughts positive, especially when you miss the mark because that is the language of faith. You only become a failure if you quit and give up your fight to replace the old habit with the new you. 

 The Bible puts it this way..."Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone ; a new life has begun." (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT) This promise from God doesn't happen overnight. Little tweeks in our weaknesses' will lead to giant victories over time. Each day we should come into God's presence and confess our shortcomings ..."When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us from our wickedness."(1John 1:9) Confession keeps our thoughts free of condemnation.

Change is challenging, invigorating, exciting, and doable because the Lord Jesus Christ is on our side, cheering us on to victory. The next time you look at your canvas expect to see a new masterpiece in progress. 

Happy New Year!

 

CHRISTMAS IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT

As a catholic, I grew up with the story of Christ's birth embedded in my mind. Year after year I heard the story about wise men, shepherds and angels visiting the baby born in a manger. God's own son.

But as I grew older, the magic faded and Christmas became just another expensive tradition. I found myself getting so caught up in the holiday madness I forgot I could still follow Bethlehem's star.

It wasn't until I took a breath from all the things on my 'To Do List' and focused on the biblical account of the virgin birth that I began to make my way back to the manger.

I started my journey in the book of Matthew chapter 2 and while I read, I traveled with the astrologers known as wise men to overcrowded Jerusalem during the time of a census of the entire Roman world. We are told these wealthy, well educated scholars from the east read the stars and believed a new king was born. When the star they followed settled over the stable where the Christ Child slept they rejoiced and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Gold is considered by most people to be the universal symbol of love when given as a gift. Like the wise men, we can give Jesus our hearts and attention as we enter this busy time of year. When we pray and worship Him throughout the days ahead, imagine your voice and thoughts rising up to heaven like the fragrant scent of frankincense burning in the temple. Myrrh is a healing resin. When we lighten someone's burden this holiday season we are serving the King of King this Christmas.

 I switched gears and read Luke 2:8-14 to see what I could learn learn from the shepherds who were watching their sheep in the fields. Unlike the wealthy men who followed the star to Bethlehem these men were simple folk working for a living. They were not looking for anything special that night but angels met them in the fields and told them about the miracle that was taking place right around the corner. Imagine... thousands of people were in the city for the census and no one else noticed the bright star in the sky or heard the angels voices. 

It could have been a scene from modern day New York City, California, Washington D.C. or any other metropolitan city in the United States with multitudes looking for peace, love, and joy in all the wrong places.

Millions of people miss the reality of God's message to the world each year. Whether you are a bystander or a seeker this Christmas...don't miss the manger. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. "When you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

LIFE ON THE HIGH ROAD

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life-to God- is vigorous." (Matthew 7:13-14 MSG)

So what does it look like to travel this High Road? Well for starters, it's hard work. We will need to re-set how we think and act and we have to break free from believing the opinion of  unbelievers and what they say is right and wrong, and look to God's word for direction. On the high road, the Bible points the way, and acts as our compass. "Thy word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)

I'll site a few familiar scenarios, as we walk this lofty road because there is much to learn, and you can fill in the blanks with your own. Let's start with a tough one for all of us. Forgiveness. Most of us would rather hold onto a grudge than be the first to let go of a hurt. Yet the Bible is clear as to how we should respond when someone hurts us. "You are familiar with the old saying, 'Love your friend, hate your enemy.' God is challenging that. "I'm saying instead love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst." (Matthew 5:43-48 MSG) He also says, " Be kind and compassionate to each other, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) This kind of thinking and acting is alien to most people but its mandatory when you walk the higher moral ground.

Here is another saying that has caught on in our generation. "It's just a little white lie." Have you ever been tempted to fudge the truth? Maybe you added a little more backstory to make the gossip about your coworker more spicy. We might reason away the lie because to us it was just a slight deception. In reality a lie is a lie and is displeasing to God. In our day and age, lying is rarely called out but if your walking the narrow path  'little lies' are a big deal to our Heavenly Father. "You should not bear false witness against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16 

Maybe you tend to linger on porn sites and rationalize your enjoyment with the excuse "What difference does it make, everybody does it". I think it has become clear that when we flirt with things that are spiritually wrong we get trapped in the devil's snare. "Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sexual desires, which wage war against your soul."  ( 1 Peter 2:11) 

So what is the bottom line here? What am I trying to share? In my own experience, it takes a lot of effort not to follow the crowd. Sometimes its down right confusing and frustrating when God's ways are so different from what we are used to doing and what everyone else says is okay. As I make this climb on the Narrow Road of life, I have to admit l fall down and miss the mark many times. Sometimes I'm down for months, other times I get back up immediately and take small steps back up the hill. The important thing to remember is we serve a loving and forgiving God who wants to help us succeed. God holds out his hand to pull us up every time we mess up so we can finish the climb. "We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

The High Road may look empty and lonely but there are many other Christians making this journey. If you are feeling alone in your struggles, reach out to someone you trust at church. Make the climb with other like -minded people. You might make some new friends along the way.

AMERICAN POLITICS 2022

A few years ago I was not all that interested in what went on in Washington D.C., but even a weak patriot like me realized if I didn't step up to the plate my children and grandchildren would inherit this dark political arena. Each law Congress passes proves we are heading into dangerous territory and whether we like it or not the powers to be are annihilating our freedoms. 

In a calculated way, God fearing Americans are the new gladiators in this amphitheater of  injustice.

Each one of us has a part to play no matter how small our personal arena of influence. Our voices and opinions matter, in our homes, the workplace, schools, and local politics. Make no mistake, the next generation is watching and listening. If we don't speak out the only voices they will hear is the "official narrative" of the shameful deceivers. 

Dare to be different in a culture that thrives on conformity and false information. Stand apart from the bullies who insist you bow to the gods of political correctness. Take part in this fight for the future of our country. Real faith will not sit on the bleachers and watch as our fellow patriots are thrown to the big tech lions, or crucified by the tribunal of democratic puppets. Real faith will always do something.

Above all...TAKE HEART.  "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."( Psalm 34: 24)

"This is the worst time to fold. This is the worst time to doubt. Fear is not an option." (Mario Murillo)

VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022, LIKE YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT. 

 

 

 
 

IS LIFE PULLING YOU UNDER?

 

Trying to control life's circumstances is like fighting a  rip current. Our human nature wants to fix every problem, right all the world's wrongs, and stay emotionally strong in the process. Yet, no matter how hard we try to stay trouble free, sorrow can flood our lives like a sudden deadly tidal force.

Long before we start swimming against the unpredictable currents of life, we need to realize no one can manipulate the tides of their own personal journey.

We tend to believe we know the best way to manage the unpleasant events of life and if we keep pushing we will have a better chance of swimming free of unpleasant outcomes. Unfortunately, control is an illusion that drowns us in anxiety, frustration and fear.

The good news is you don't have to drown. You can stay afloat without trying to handle your problems alone.  The Bible tells us to..."Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Jesus always hands us a lifeline.

When you find yourself caught in a rip current, don't panic. You don't have to be a church member to ask God for help. Maybe you have been struggling for years trying to make it on your own and the current has pulled you far from shore and you think all hope is gone. If that sounds like you get ready... help is on the way.

Jesus reaches out to saints and sinners alike. He still heals broken hearts, sets addicts free, restores sight to the blind, and opens deaf ears to hear and understand His message of hope. The world has changed but the message of the cross has not. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn people. He came to seek and save the lost.

Are you drowning in a sea of heartache, disease, affliction? Call out to Jesus. He is your lifeline.

"I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

HOW TO STOP FUELING MENTAL CHAOS

Lately I have been having a hard time keeping my mind in one place. My cell phone has exploded with social media distractions. My desire to keep up with breaking news has jumped into overdrive. The family is running from one event to the next at the speed of light, while I allow my own commitments to fall by the wayside. My brain is in chaos making it almost impossible to sit at my computer and get any work done.

So how can someone so scattered write a blog about staying focused? Actually, I'm at the perfect place to share with you what my life coach (the Holy Spirit) has been teaching me about getting from point A to point B without a mental meltdown. For the past few months I have been deliberately working on being consistent and determined in order to reach my writing goals. Both of these powerhouse energies are impossible to achieve without developing active focus.

First and foremost I needed to prioritize. "In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Proverbs 3:6 (TLB) I began to shut down the internet in the morning choosing to have coffee while reading the Bible instead of scrutinizing my emails and the news. I walk away from my time with God feeling empowered and strengthened to meet the day, instead of feeling dizzy with media overload. The next issue I had to deal with was a biggie for me... procrastination. "Never be lazy in your work. Serve the Lord with enthusiasm." Romans 12:11 (TLB)   I needed to discipline my time instead of wasting it. Putting my cell phone away while I worked was not easy, but in the long run, a lot more productive. Truth be told, nothing earth shattering happened on Facebook or Instagram that I couldn't catch up on later.

Last, but most important... I am learning that it's never to late to focus on the goals God has planned for you. Once you start to follow His leading and gain your footing, put your spiritual muscle to work. Fuel your focus! Starve mental chaos! Focus, consistency, and determination will lead the way to success in every area of your life. Our Life Coach promised..."I  (the Lord) will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8 (NLT)