“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus asks, “If salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?” That question ought to bother us as much today as it did Jesus’ audience long ago. What he means is that a weak Christianity is a disaster for the world, for the world depends upon the Christian Church in order to become what it was meant to be. Consider the truly awful gun violence in the streets of Chicago and other large American cities. A vibrant Christianity would actively get in the way of this affront to human dignity. Vibrant Christian churches would rub salt into the earth of this violence; vibrant Christian witness would be a city set on a hill. Consider the tens of millions of unborn eliminated over the past fifty years. I would be willing to bet that the vast majority of the mothers and fathers of these murdered children came from a Christian background. Why wasn’t their Christianity strong enough to function as salt and light? Why wasn’t their faith illuminating enough to shine a light into the darkness of what they were doing? The clear implication is that without vibrant Christians, the world is a much worse place. Commentary by Bishop Robert Barron
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If you don’t have Jesus in your heart the devil will quickly fill the void.
Amen.
So true. In this universe, there are no spiritual vacuums.
My “pen name” is a reference to Matt 5:16. Be a bright light for the LORD.
And so goeth a nation also.
Good morning, Menagerie,
Thank you for posting this. We are, by no means, perfect Christians. However, we love our Lord God with everything we are and have. My daughter attends a public school in Central Indiana and it is a constant reliance on faith to send her every day.
She has been to private schools… she has a learning difference that makes some forms of special education required for her learning discipline. Something private schools can’t aide in… we have tried.
She is bombarded by evil every single day. You know what? It will be no surprise to her what the “real world” is like when she graduates high school in two years, because she’s had to bear it and overcome it these last 3 years. Fortunately, we’ve been able to unpack the nonsense at home and talk through it all.
I pray for her safety as she goes out and shares her love of The Lord every day.
I have stood up and backed down evil in Jesus’s Name repeatedly. At this point, we are refusing to yield any ground to the devil. Why should we leave public school and give it over to the darkness? I claim my daughter’s school IN JESUS’S NAME.
We sure wish we had some bold help. We thank God our Father that He Is Enough and that He equips the called and doesn’t call the equipped. We understand and accept that we are targets… very well then… we invoke our Saviors Protection and we reply what we believe… for ALL must be represented, right?
Please stand with us Moms, Dads, students.
Remember, if they placate all these special interests, they have to do so with us, as well. We must wear them out at their own game and hopefully soon more will come to their senses. All assignments including violence, sexual impropriety, race baiting, language and such have to come through me first for my approval. If I don’t approve… alternate assignments are created. And my daughter answers no surveys. I accept no emails from the only club that peppers communication constantly the Gay Straight Student Alliance. They are not to talk to my daughter about her pronouns, sexual orientation… ever!! She took a health class over the summer so I could monitor content. Read every document and release none of your Constitutional rights. Learn what they are… a great course is Biblical Citizenship by Patriot Academy. It’s free and great for adults and kids… I would say 8 to 10 years old and up. They need to know early what their rights are so they can learn, study, teach, and assert themselves.
It’s hard, but it’s what we are called to do as stewards of our children. We are in the world, not OF the world. Hold fast to our faith and don’t let go. Press onward until His Glorious Return.
Blessings, friends.
Oh what a great encouraging word you have given to us today.
.
Such good diligence you have show in stewarding your daughter’s education and upbringing.
.
You and your whole family are great overcomers, may it be that way for a thousand generations.
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” Matthew 3:3
The Chosen series – John the Baptist (one of our favorite characters… a little crazy, funny, with much zeal, and dead serious about sin and redemption)
JWoo, I have traveled the path of special ed for two of my four. If I listened to the government indoctrinates, my one child would have been institutionalized. Ultimmately,my daughter graduated from a private Catholic university in Joliet, Cum Laud. With a Bachelors degree. And is now a sheriff’s deputy in a prestigious county.
Who would have thought? Not me! Prayer for and my presence to my kid, with the Almighty’s Help, is what afforded her success. And her determination.
Parents, be vigilant with educators.Stand your ground. Pray for both the student, the family and the Educator. In IL, they resorted to all sorts of games to try and exclude my child from a good education, back when education was ‘education’.
“Never ever, ever, ever give up…the more they tell you it can’t be done….”…With God’s grace anything and everything is possible!!!
All y’all have a special place in my prayers….!
Amen, Aggiegirl!
I teach students with dyslexia. The good Lord does mighty work when we work hard to follow His instructions and love each other with the love of Christ.
Thank you for your help with the kids, Kathryn. Bless you, friend.
Thank you for all you do! Loving each other and what we do is 99% of the battle!
Remember that if you let the “government schools” set the expectations for your child they will start low and stay low. A concerned and positive parent will set expectations high and figure out how to help the child achieve. Parents are the key to everything. The Christian story and the Bible are the key to positive parents.
My daughter, as a child needed more than the catholic school could provide.
They deliberately set obstacles…that is what was so outrageous! I believe the obstacles were set in place to induce “failure”. And when that did not work, TPTB tried to trip up your parental self confidence, it hit me almost to the point of clinical depression. If I only knew then, what I know now.
Back then, I thought they had my child’s best academic interest at heart…it took a while but I figured it out.
Imagine fighting educators who believe your child is theirs to decide if they succeed or fail in being able to be self sufficient…and arguments structured almost like the ‘Rona jab and shut downs and this was 1990-ish….
Aggiegirl,
There are many children with special abilities and your story is living testimony that God created them perfectly just as they are. Happy for you and to hear your story. My girl flew her first Cessna airplane on her 16th birthday with dear old Mom riding in the back videoing it all. She was up front with her 24 year old flight instructor.
Who cares if they fail math? (She’s not, but I am using it as an example…) Not everyone is a Mathematician. We find their strengths… and grow those!
I’ve determined that today’s “high school” is not so much an academic victory, but a social one. Her education stopped at 7th grade and now it’s just navigating “people”. (She did the same Algebra for FOUR YEARS… ridiculous.)
Thank you, JWoo…while recalling all that, it was a return as the wounds never healed…but I am so proud of my daughter. She proved all the experts wrong….big shots from Northwestern University…LOL. You mention “Math”, haha, how did I know? LOL!
I love the mental picture of you in the “backseat” videotaping”….What an accomplishment for your daughter.
Other than the inner city problems, which I think satan has a hand in, most of us are where God wants us as we navigate through life with that ‘free will’ thing….
and blessed thanks for your prayers. Now, wouldn’t you technically be called a Maggie, Aggiegirl? (From my 8 years in the much loved San Antonio…)
Ha ha!
Amen and Amen. As my former boss told me some 30+years ago after the birth of my first child, “This is your child, your gift from God, so be sure that YOU do the raising, because you can be sure that if you don’t, there are many others out there who will take your place… and it won’t be how you want her raised.” I respected this man immensely and his words have been passed down to my own children and countless new parents. It has become so easy to let someone else do it. It takes constant work and many trials and errors along the way. Many errors😘 I believe that when we give our children a Christian home, not a “perfect” home, we also give them a fighting chance. It’s worth the fight.♥️
Prayers for our nation and all of the warriors who still fight for it🙏🏻🇺🇸🎚.
Isn’t it a blessing Georgia when a gentleman like your boss is willing to step inside your personal life and speak words of wisdom to you in Truth and Love. What a tremendous blessing and mentor!
Our children are absolutely worth it. Bless you, friend.
I went back to teaching this year in a public school. They simply can’t find enough teachers and frankly, I needed the insurance. Everyday when I wake up, I am overcome with anxiety over what the day will hold. But tomorrow morning, I am going to claim my school and my 8th graders in Jesus’ Name. Your words are exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you.
I just burst into tears in a restaurant. Truthfilter..Truthfulness… my daughter and I are there with you in Spirit… and our precious Savior CARRIES you. Please keep us informed of your progress and we’ll keep you in our prayers.
Sorry Truthfilter – my phone acted up while at the restaurant. I might offer a little warrior idea, if I may?
When the kids are not in your room yet, you might try annointing it. I do it over my home. I use something simple like olive oil, and I place a small cross above each window and entry door and I claim the area and pray for whoever walks out, or walks in… whoever sees out, or sees in… etc and I claim the area for The Lord. You can pray over each child by name and you can do that silently, as you call on them to participate, or call on them to behave. You can call out in them the Divine Purpose that The Lord has in store for each one of them… each time you utter their name.
If you start to feel an attack you can simply look over at your handywork that only you will know about and be reminded that it is The Lord Who Has Domain over that space that you have claimed.
Remember… anxiety comes from the devil. Anxiety and fear are not from God. the devil wants you to be afraid and wants to fight you. Don’t give him the satisfaction. It’s a Spiritual battle… and he loses.
For an added boost of courage, might I recommend the movie “War Room” with Priscilla Shirer… so many great messages in that movie.
We do this too, when we first move into a place; we anoint the four walls and the windows and doors and proclaim in the Name and Blood of Jesus, a holy and sacred place for the Lord. We pray for the Lord to have His angels keep guard, according to His word; and command the devil to keep out and not to come near, in Jesus’ Name. Wherever two or three are gathered in Jesus’ Name, there is He in the midst! What we see happening in the natural realm, is not necessarily what is transpiring in the spiritual realms. Remember how Daniel was praying and seeking the LORD for 21 days befre the angel Gabriel appeared to him. Gabriel told him, that from the first day that Daniel began to humble himself and seek God, the answer from God was given, and Gabriel was sent; but the prince of Persia, (the evil angel ruling over the principalities of Persia), came out against the angel of the LORD, to withstand him; and it took that long for him to break through, and that only because Michael the prince of Israel came to help him. When we pray, God immediately hears and answers, and has already sent to help; but there are spiritual forces that are at war with God’s forces; and we have to keep praying through, to help. These are deep and powerful truths, that we need to know, so we can understand how to do our work for the Lord.
Truthfilter,
I would/will be honored to Pray with you and for you & the precious children in your care. 8th grade is a pivotal point for many young people. Many here in the treetops will join you in prayer too!
Thank you & God Bless you.
Parents! Speak to your children about what they are “learning” in school. And voluntarily fill in the gaps of knowledge strategically placed there by the Marxist public school indoctrinators. If we can’t be a strong witness in our own families … then where?
And parents … do not exasperate your children. Love them. Love them with at least the same vigor and consistency you show your pets. Don’t give them an excuse to dump the “Religion” they received from you as being “harsh” and “uncaring”. But hold them to account. Don’t allow your kids to do anything that would make you (or God) dislike them.
And give them a safe place to decompress and talk it all out… even if they’re calling it crap. They have to have the freedom to talk with you. My daughter hates profanity but she knows home is her safe place and she can speak anything to me to help process through it all. And we’ve had animated times…phew.
It sounds like you have a very strong relationship with your daughter!
We do and we are in sync with one another. When something is sideways, the discomfort is palpable. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
Always talk about the little things when they are youg, so when they are older, they will feel safe talking about the bigger things…
Nowadays, even the FBEEEYE hunts down parents that care for their children… arrests at gunpoint, schakles, imprisonment, show trials.
These stories are so horrifying, I think most just don’t want to believe, that it could happen to them: but that is exactly what the plan is. I hope and pray with all my heart that they would be stopped, and the criminals be judged righteously for their crimes, PUBLICLY! But we also have to know our Bibles, and understand the times, if we are to know what we should do.
Ooooohhhh I am so NOT AFRAID. My God sees it all and vengeance is His. GOD IS VICTORIOUS and our futures are not just “doing okay”… they will be exceptional!
Blah, blah, blah… I will not waste a moment wringing my hands! satan is the author of fear and frankly his shrieking and gnashing and spitting and snarling… is getting boring. he is an impotent fool.
It’s amazing to see egos deflate when you take away their power.
What can he do? Kill me? Kill my daughter? And deliver us right into the Arms of Jesus – we are good with that! We win, we win, WE WIN!
Amen! Victory in Jesus, our Savior forever! What can they do? Nothing beyond killing our bodies! And OH won’t they be sorry for themselves when the Lord comes!
Thank you Menagerie. I look forward to your posts. THIS ONE is of particular relevance and I agree with each and every word!
Yes, Menagerie, thank you….George, I too agree….
It also fostered some heart felt dialogue amongst some of us….for which it is a reminder, we are not alone in our challenges.
Thankyou for this
Been a while since y’all posted a devotional. Thanks and blessings to Menagerie, SD, and Treepers around the world!
No Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace! It’s just that simple!
Lord, help them renew their minds and incite a revival like the world has never seen! In Jesus’s Holy and Saving Name, AMEN
10 Bible Verses to Renew Your Mind:
https://www.bettertogether.tv/keep-talking/10-bible-verses-renew-your-mind
We are the salt of the earth, means, that we are what is preserving it from all going to hell. In the world of the beginning, the righteous line of Seth were supposed to be the salt of the earth; but they grew tired of denying themselves of taking the women they wanted, just because they came from ungodly families. They were no longer willing to endure the convictions and strivings of the Spirit of God, to keep them in a sanctified life of faith. They were the originators of the saying, We’re only human! And so the Lord also gave them up to their fallen away and self loving ways, saying, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh; his days will be yet 120 years.” So, instead of being the salt of the earth, they took their worldly women from the families of Cain’s descendant, and made themselves great in the world; while the world quickly became completely corrupted and filled with violence; (like we see today); until God saw nothing that He could do, but destroy it all. Only because of Noah, are we here today: one man in the whole earth was left! So God had him build an ark, the logical thing by which he could save his family and all the animals. We are in the same kind of days as was before the cataclysm; and can the Lord find faith on the earth? Why then has everything been perverted and corrupted which God has made? Because of the great falling away which He foretold. But once the corruption has reached a certain point, there isn’t even a way to slow it down; but it must run its course, and the transgressors come to the full. If anyone hopes to make a difference today, they better be sure that they themselves are gonna make it; because God has already got it in the going to bring the end upon this evil world, exactly as it has been written.
“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is from that point forward good for nothing, but to be thrown out, and trampled under foot of men.”
We are not the ones to preserve it from going to hell, The Lord Almighty Is. He Was, Is Now, and Ever Will Be. The study of Revelation reveals that not all shall perish. evil will be done away with (little “e” because I never capitalize the defeated foe).
“If anyone hopes to make a difference today, they better be sure that they themselves are gonna make it…” What Lord’s Will Is, no human will put asunder. We are led to live holy and Godly lives and He Will Equip us as it is appropriate for whatever and whichever matter we face. We fool ourselves if we think we can do so of our own power. That’s ridiculous and God lays great waste to the plans of humans… and do not be misled friends… for it is better for a millstone to be hung around their neck and to drown in the depth of the sea than to mislead His children. Luke 17:2
No. See… commit your ways unto The Lord and He Will Make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6
Give Psalm 50 a good thoughtful read.
“We are not the ones to preserve it from going to hell, The Lord Almighty Is.” Yes and no. Yes, every individual has an obligation to “reflect” the light/goodness/kindness/faith/humility/greatness etc that is given to us from the Father. Michael is correct in this “We are the salt of the earth……” We who have been “awakend/saved/are aware” have a duty as His chosen “warriors” to do the best we can (each according to his abilities and talents) to use them, to share, to help, to “preserve” God’s kingdom and to help to “establish” the Kingship. Every single one of us has some unique ability, talent, look, humor whatever, given to by the Creator to USE IT. Yes, ultimately EVERYTHING is the Creator, and by the Creator. However that does not make us passengers, waiting for everything to be done for us. Follow your heart, pray constantly and God WILL direct your actions.
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours,no hands but yours,no feet but yours, Yours are the eyes through which to look outChrist’s compassion to the worldYours are the feet with which he is to go aboutdoing good;Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.”
― St. Teresa of Avila
That is beautiful, Menagerie. Thank you.
Thank you Menagerie. Something I needed this morning…..
I believe that living “a holy and Godly life” involves action, as well… just not all stated here. I am a Proverbs 31 woman and I train my daughter up to be so, as well. Additionally, we do not avoid or shirk away from our responsibility to minister to those who are within our range. We all have a duty, a Divine Purpose, to be the hands and feet as Menagerie has mentioned so beautifully in the words of St. Teresa.
Hi Sister JWoo, I think we are saying the same things. I’m sorry if I didn’t communicate that well.
Yes, that is essentially it! Well said. If the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ has wrought the miracle in our hearts, then their will be the evidence; as sure as those whom He healed and set free from the devil, were not “making it up” but were in fact really healed; and everyone who saw was shocked and filled with wonder. The New Birth and baptism in the Spirit must also be the same. It is God with us and in us, that is the salt and the light… He makes us that which preserves from rotting, and shines light into the darkness.
Our *faith* is the difference we make in the world. Through our faith in God, we do His good works.
God lives within us, our bodies are temples of the Living God, and *through* us HIS Light shines unto the world.
Love the Lord our God with all our heart….and love our neighbor as our self…
God has left us in the world to be the salt that preserves and the light that exposes; of course WE ARE NOT GOD! Who would be so Satanically delusional? But Jesus has left us here for a reason; which is not to just sit back and let God do everything, which He has commanded us to do! The Beatitudes are just the beginning, the foundation; all that Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the mount, and throughout all the days He was here; is what we are supposed to be in this world; as signs and wonders in His Name, for God. The Holy Spirit in the Believers convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. Nowhere does the Lord suggest, that we do this on our own. “Abide in Me, and my words in you; and you shall bring forth much fruit.”
So why do so many Christians receive any kind of idea, except what is relevant to the truth? The work of grace being wrought in us, is the light of the world and the salt which preserves from rotting! But no, you are right, non-Spirit-filled, and disobedient talkers, are definitely not anything that will keep the world from going to hell!
That’s the way I read my Bible. I believe yours says the same things.
What I meant by “If anyone hopes to make a difference today, they better be sure that they themselves are gonna make it…” is that we have to first be right ourselves, and be all clear and good with God, according as He sees us; then and only then can we be suitable for Him to use us to help others come to know the truth and be saved.
There are a number of passages in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, which speak of a generation, which God cannot have a mind to show pity upon; and even if the most holy and influential friends stood before Him to intercede, like Moses and Samuel, and Noah and Daniel and Job; they would only save themselves by their righteousness, that His mind couldn’t be for this people! These are very terrifying Scriptures, which are pertinent to our times, and the kind of people in the world. The Scriptures call them, “The Generation Of My Wrath.” The reason we should fear these things, is for the same reason Nineveh feared what Jonah was preaching. Even as wicked and violent and perverted that society was; in some ways the worst ever to have been in the world; yet they had the sense to realize who God is, and what His word meant; which this arrogant generation, that think they are too clever, and like to show everyone, that if they don’t regard it, then it doesn’t apply to them; has no clue how terrible is their danger. The ones who cause Jesus’ little ones to sin, they are the ones who would be better off with a millstone around their necks; not the ones who are trying to persuade people to make sure their salvation.
Salt – taste and see that the Lord is good.
When we trust Jesus he gives us joy and peace in our heart and people who don’t have joy or peace will be drawn to Him also.
His presence makes others thirsty for the water of life.
We know we are in dark times and it’s getting darker by the day.
Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. People are stumbling around not knowing that Jesus is the light of the world. In the creation story God said let there be light!!!
Before he created the sun, moon , or stars!!!! ? Jesus was there the First and He will be The last.
He hasn’t failed Israel so we can be sure he will not fail his promises to us.
What I’m trying to say is
without his presence in my life I’d have no joy to give to others. Without his Spirit I’d have no understanding to encourage anyone with.
And the darker the day how much brighter the tiniest light becomes.
He said it was going to be like this.
Yet he says don’t be afraid, count it all joy( there’s a process and a purpose for all these trials) let not your heart be troubled you trust and believe in God ,trust also in Him.
My only granddaughter is transitioning to be a boy. Her dad is in anguish and has begun to go to church this very Sunday. I’m praying he will become salt and light . So she will get thirsty and be preserved , and become salty and light for others.
All of us who read your crushing news will, I know, offer our prayers for your granddaughter, Ifitwerenoso, and for her father and you. Almighty God be with everyone who loves her during this terrible trial.
Amen
Ifitwerenotso… I so LOVE your post. It makes my heart sing.
I realize the attack your family is enduring with your granddaughter. I pray protection over her and I banish satan from her in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior whose Will… through the Holy Trinity… Will come to pass world without end. (Ephesians 3:21)
The Lord makes no mistakes as He lovingly knits us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139) May your granddear learn of her Creator’s precious Purpose for HER life that she is beautifully, fearfully, and wonderfully made. May she stand and speak boldly against making any changes to her image… and the image of others… and realize it is the capturing and enslavement of her mind… and theirs… to darkness. I STAND AND SAY “NO! AWAY satan!” ON HER BEHALF. A hedge of protection I pray over and around her!
May our Lord through the Holy Spirit envelope her, protect her, ignite her soul, and through the Spirit of the living water in her, lead her to her own righteous testimony of God’s faithfulness to her. HER story is not done yet!!
Have faith dear friends, God’s Word Will not return void.
“From the end of the earth, I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
~Psalm 61:2~
I am praying for this Dad, too. And his daughter/your granddaughter.
And yes, so right….
The darker the day, how much brighter the tiniest of light becomes!
I pray that light becomes a bright guiding beacon in the dark…
I have no connections to Relevant Radio except as a listener…but I suggest calling Drew Mariano or tweeting to the Chaplet program when they say it…sometimes you get thru and sometime not, but the prayers are said for all…There are miracles associated with it…and there will be thousands of prayer warriors praying for yours and others intentions…If not Catholic, it does not matter…..You will be prayed for. By many.
‘The people in darkness, have seen a great light, the Lord of our longing, has conquered the night.’
Be strong, friend.
I am so sorry that your family has been caught up in the evil insanity of the “trans” agenda. It is sweeping the world in a way that can only be explained as a demonic phenomenon, IMHO.
Prayers that your son will be able to convince her to NOT take any irreversible actions and that she will get GOOD counseling to help her understand why she feels this is an answer to whatever problems she is facing, for it surely is NOT!
I am sorry about this trial-but you are right-it is bringing your son back to Church.
Pray and fast for this intention every Wednesday and Friday. It is never too late. Her soul needs salvation even if her body becomes broken. It is never too late! Jesus is at your side and will guide you in the darkness, sadness, and trials.
He promised that He will be with us until the end of times. And He always keeps His promises.
I’ll keep you and your family in prayers. He has overcome evil, darkness and gave us hope.
Ifitwerenotso, your sickening news reached out and stabbed me in the heart. You must be devastated.
With many other treepers I will pray for your family and especially your granddaughter.
I would however also urge you to ensure that she has had an opportunity to hear some extremely enlightening interviews with those who took this path, and quickly saw the error of their ways. There are quite a few now, but this one is particularly salient:
This article references a video which has several:
https://www.foxnews.com/media/new-tucker-carlson-originals-two-part-special-detransitioners-speak-out-against-transgender-movement
If possible, make sure that she has read how this is a social disease, spreading through contact with others who have it, and lastly, that she is aware that there is a very large community of those who regret this often irreversible step.
No matter what she does, or what medical doctors do to her that they shouldn’t, she will never be a boy.
Heartbreaking.
Funny given this conversation and an earlier post I made about relevant radio…
They were talking this topic today, about how America is where it is most prevalent and that other European countries are starting to back off on encouraging it.
I pray their are serious counselors involved for her mental health.
A much repeated generally, I can’t recall the exact words but the statement, as a man asked God why cancer has not been cured and the response was I sent someone but you aborted him.
The actual reason why they don’t cure it is because it’s much more profitable to treat it.
Bingo!!! Allopathic medicine and Big Pharma exist to “treat” diseases, with expensive, invasive procedures and life-long dependence on drugs. “Curing” the patient removes a paying customer and therefore is not part of the plan!!
And the Cafeteria Christians…I pray Lord, give me strength in my faith.
Hello Aggiegirl, Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Hunger and long for Jesus, and to learn His word, and keep it; and He will increase you in every way. There are many Scriptures, prayers in the Bible for us to know how to pray. When you read your Bible, highlight the prayers that the Holy Spirit is impressing upon you; like for understanding and knowledge of the things of the Spirit; and for a discerning heart to know judgment, like Solomon prayed. And whatever He puts upon your heart, seek His answers in the Scriptures.
It says in Acts 17:11-12 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”
As your understanding in the word gets stronger, your faith will become unshakable. The Lord bless you.
Thank you for the inspiration as there are times my faith is challenged while normally, pretty strong.
You give excellent advice for discernment….I am kind of there…covid years took away my ability to go to church and weekly Adoration…having trouble getting a work schedule and church schedule back and have lost something intangible along the way….
However…I will share this one miracle that happened about 10 years ago ….I had forgotten it.
It was 2am or so, the Friday morning after Thanksgiving…I filled in at the Adoration Chapel at my church, so someone could have the extra time with out of town family….
The IL skies were clear, an occasional goose flying/honking overhead, otherwise, silent inside and outside…
I was almost nodding off…but not quite….I had my wits about me…
Out of nowhere, there was a prolonged whooshing noise….the wind noise passing thru the chapel….(It was not the heating system or anything else as I was alone in the Chapel, me, The Lord, my saints and angels, praying for my kids and issues in life…)…I came to the conclusion it was the Holy Spirit…I need to pray for the discernment, even if 10 years late!
Thank you Michael….
It is exciting to hear others’ stories of special encounters with God. An easy and absolutely sure way to discern if it was of God; Does it glorify Jesus? and, Is it Scriptural? There are multitudes that run behind “workers of miracles” truly believing, that that is the sign of its divine authenticity. But the devil also works signs, and has great powers to manifest things. There are true and counterfeit ministers of Christ. The true are exceeding rare and precious; and have paid the price of great trials of sufferings, of chastisements, of the hard work of personal sanctification. These will be like Jesus, meek and lowly of heart, humble and of the utmost personal integrity; and they will always, always glorify Jesus and the cross, and their doctrine will be in total agreement with the scriptures. The fakes and charlatans, who pretend to having knowledge or skill; they are religious quacks! They put on a grand show, and take the center stage, and pass around the collection plates, but Jesus Christ and Him crucified is nowhere real in all that they do. There is no power of the Holy Spirit that breaks the power of sin over people, and no discernment of what is or isn’t Scriptural. But that seems to be what people want, and are willing to spend lots of money, and time chasing them.
I guess all I want to say is, that the Lord will guide you and give you a nose for spiritual things, whether they are of God or not. Seek Him, and eat the Scriptures; fill your belly with the word of God; and stay close to Jesus in all you do; and He will not keep anything back from you.
The Lord be with you Sister 🙂
Amen to all of that, I pray every morning that we the people repent and turn our faces back to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and ask our God to heal our land.
Is that a joke?
Can’t imagine why you would that or why anyone would agree with you.
So you think that America policing the world and killing innocents for profit is Godly behaviour?
That’s not what Flyover said. He said the US (a nation founded under God) SHOULD be first and foremost in protecting human freedoms.
Not that it IS today.. since we no longer respect our Constitution.. but protecting human freedoms is something that we should STRIVE for.
Hey Judith, what you say is all good and true, but I think what ‘right to reply’ is saying, is that being a disciple of Christ, is being an Ambassador of reconciliation and of the grace of God. We are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world: for if He were of the world, THEN would His ministers fight!
The nation producing the fruit of the Spirit does not break God’s commandments, and make laws to protect the murdering of more than 700, 000 infants in their mothers’ wombs every year, and starting wars all over the globe; which is wickedness God will not forgive; but He will avenge His soul of such a nation as this.
The people who manifest the character traits of the Beatitudes, and love one another as Christ has loved us; those who have repented and quit sinning, and are walking in holiness and truth, in love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith without hypocrisy (stage-playing); these are the light of the world, and the salt of the earth.
No modern Western country is anything like this; except for the very small remnant that He has reserved to Himself out of every nation.
Our founding fathers had the right idea. We screwed it up.
You say it! They were very different kind of people than we have any idea today. Have you also noticed, how the tendency is to project modern liberalism and cynicism onto those in past times? I think that this generation really has no conception of how they really were Puritans from the heart sincerely unto the Lord. As the following generations fell away from the faith of our fathers, the devil has come in with the most horrendous deceit; and always founded in pride and love of self, love of money, and love of pleasure more than God. The founding generation was far away from being like that. If there is to be a revival, as so many good and honest Christians wish for; then there has to be an accounting, and setting in order of all the past evils committed. Time has no power to heal anything; because time is in eternity, and the things done in time are eternal; that’s why God allowing space to repent, is a mercy, and because He has made time to be a provision of His righteous mercy.
How about you let other people be the judge of their own countries behavior? Why do we have to dictate another countries policies, cultures, wars? Why are we dictating to Africa that they must starve? There is no right, or Godliness in that behaviour, and the world now sees it.
America stands on a pedestal whittled away to the thickness of a needle. We have no right to police anyone!
When did I say USA should be dictating or “policing”world policy? I think you are reading things into my post.
I do *not* agree with so-called nation building, neocon wars or any of that nonsense. Most Americans do not.
I am saying that the USA’s actions and deeds *should* shine a light to the rest of the world. We *should* represent for God. But we obviously fall short of that now.
Part of the problem is that we do *not* have free elections, so our government does not actually represent our people.
“..Wherefore, by their FRUITS ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20
Right? Godliness? It has been given to the saints to judge, by the Lord Jesus Christ; because we have His mind and His Spirit. You’re taking out your anger and frustration on someone who is not the one who needs to be punished. How is that right, and godly? This woman has done nothing wrong; and she is actually one of the Lord’s little ones who believe in Him, and are the very ones He has here to save this country. I think you owe Judith an apology; and need to reevaluate how you direct your words to others. And, learn what it means, to cast all your care upon the Lord, and for Him to sustain you.
Thank you, Sundance, (or Menagerie?) good post. In my weekly Bible Study we are studying Colossians, and the importance of having a vibrant prayer life. Pray for people to have Spiritual Wisdom, not wisdom from the world. And live that same Spiritual Wisdom.
Right on target Sundance, as usual.
Our republic was created for moral citizens.
Without moral citizens it becomes the most corrupt totalitarian entity that ever existed. We are there now. I pray my statement that one votes for communism only once is proven wrong.
Just like anything that the evil one does, it takes goodness and corrupts it to the lowest degree. lucifer was the greatest of the angels, and its fall was also the greatest. The evil one does the same for its followers who are meant to shine brightly as God’s children.
It gives us all hope though. That when we struggle to achieve holiness we are on the right path. The road to perdition is wide, as the Lord tells us. One keeps its “flavor” and purpose when traveling on the narrow road.
Have a blessed Sunday!
(May I, Quoheleth? It is Menagerie who blessedly posted this much needed thread. Blessings to you.)
oh thank you! Mea culpa!
Menagerie, Betsy jones, and the rest: Have a blessed Sunday!
And to you also.😊
OK, where are the preachers? Instead of preaching Chritianized psychobable, or get rich schemes, or tossing the gospel out for some worldly sin for worldly welcomes. Where are the fire breathing Holy Spirit inspired preachers today?
Precisely, they follow the doctrine setup and overseen by a pagan around 325 CE.
A: Here is one such: Pastor Kent Christmas Regeneration Nashville (rumble.com)
Highly recommended!
How did Jesus respond to James and John who wanted to call down fire upon Samaria? How did He respond when someone pointed out the enemy had planted tares among the wheat?
He said “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me“. Perhaps it is because we lift up too many things for all the world to see, other than Jesus? For a few years now, I’ve marveled at how when we lift up doctrine (baptism, tithing, sabbath or Sunday worship, spiritual gifts, et al), it invites doctrinal debate and division. If however we lift up Jesus, there is agreement.
I also marvel at Revelation 3:20 – something it took me DECADES to finally see. Jesus on the outside of the church at Laodicea, knocking on the door. When someone finally hears Him and opens the door, Jesus does NOT go into the church, He goes into the man who opened the door. Thus Revelation 3:20 is consistent with the scriptures that say “God does NOT live in temples/houses made with hands” (Mat. 23:38, Acts 7:48, Acts 17:24, et al), and “You are the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 3:16 & 6:19, et al).
I’ve come to see and believe that Luke 3:16 is EVERY bit as important as John 3:16. But like the 10 lepers who were healed and 9 ran off to celebrate their cleansing with just 1 returning to Jesus, most people are content to be cleansed of their sin and get their “get out of hell free card” – but never take the step of going to Jesus and desiring His baptism with the Holy Spirit. Jesus baptism with the Holy Spirit is altogether different than man’s baptism with water. Of course the baptism with the Holy Spirit will make you a kind of spiritual leper to your old dead church. See 1 Cor. 2:14, 2 Cor. 2:14-16, 1 John 2:27, et al. The churches of men are entities of external governance, hierarchical / tiered … those who are truly born of the Holy Spirit by the Baptism from Jesus are internally governed by the Holy Spirit. The governments of men hate the internally governed and drive them from their midst, persecute and crucify them over the presence of Christ within them.
Do you not witness them here within?
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Yes they are in abundance in the treehouse. “ thank God for an oasis of truth.”
They don’t need no stinkin badges”
They have eyes to see and ears that hear, if they stayed quiet the word is like fire in their bones
I haven’t had a problem finding good preachers. I’ve had the privilege of attending Mass a several different parishes over the last years and finding priests who preach not only good sermons on the Gospel and OT readings, but priests who openly, frequently call out sin and those complicit. Even when it involves the Church and the bishops.
Now, your first thought, and mine as well, is all preachers should be good and courageous and guided by the Spirit. Well yes they should. Moving around seems to not solve the problem. But I think it does because money powers everything, including churches. When support and attendance follows orthodoxy and good shepherds, results will follow.
But that also puts the ball right back in our court. Too many church goers are passive pew sitters who don’t get involved in their church and don’t contribute financially. Our clergymen need our encouragement, support, time, and tithes.
Many can no longer afford financial contribution so they give of their time. When a time of need comes to them and they ask, the pastor checks the $ and membership roster and pays no attention to the years they put in free labor of love helping the church function. Seen it too many times. The only needy people that churches help anymore are not their own even though they have been there for years. They are now tied to that government money. Even churches that give food only give to those who present government ID and they make a copy of it. I’m sure that this is necessary because government oversight but it’s also just creepy to me. Then there’s the scams going around membership – like as a member and also former or retired military – your name goes on a wall and you get free landscaping on your property from the illegal immigrants that your church is housing, feeding, teaching English to, Christianity, and teaching a trade. There’s no government funds to support orphans/foster kids who suddenly turn 18.
It’s cheaper just to contract directly with an illegal immigrant landscaper – we have plenty. Other deals offered to members are also often cutting into business’ of other members so not appreciated. Overlooking suffering citizens has turned many away from the church. Sorry but I have an addiction to trying to see both sides and this is a side I have seen. Plus sometimes things happen in church that we don’t understand and have no one to go to. Like on the eve of the first gulf war my pastor preached race hatred of Arabic peoples which was so shocking to me. We had an Arabic woman in choir. Somehow out of the hundreds of people in the congregation her terrified eyes flitted around and settled on mine. She had been there for years. I tried to forgive because he was usually a great pastor but she never returned and I don’t blame her.
John MacArthur is a God fearing, humble, “verse by verse” Bible preacher.
He was one of a handful of pastors who, after closing their church for the 15 (??) days to stop the spread of the wuflu, opened it up again right away. Opened it again without masks (unless people wanted to wear a mask) and without distancing (unless people wanted to sit away from others). And his church, Grace Community Church, is in Los Angeles, the dominion of California. They were getting major tickets, John was being threatened that he’d be in jail, and it was President Trump’s lawyer who went and helped Grace — pro bono.
Grace also has a seminary for pastors, and one of their graduates is a pastor in Canada who made national news when he was arrested for keeping his church open like John did. I believe someone wrote a book about what took place both in Canada and the U.S., and Grace is in the process of making a movie about the sovereignty of God and the falling away of the church.
Eight years ago my husband and I retired and downsized into the woods in northern Minnesota. Before deciding where to move we seriously considered moving to L.A., just to be able to physically attend Grace church. But there were too many check-marks in the negative column, so we moved to the hinterlands instead.
You are invited to attend Sunday morning online services today by going to
https://www.facebook.com/gracecomchurch/ or https://www.gracechurch.org/ scroll down on either to see the livestream.
Service starts live in California at 11 am local time, or 1 pm here in Central Standard Time zone — in about 25 minutes. If you miss the service you can go back and watch it, since I think they keep it online until the next service, which will be later today with a different message by a different pastor starting at 6 Pacific time/8 CST.
I love John’s teaching and preaching, and God willing, will travel to meet him before the Lord calls either of us Home.
As a side note, John was sick at the start of the new year and took a break through the month of January to rebuild his health. Don’t know if he’ll be preaching today or not, but the message should be good — Biblical — no matter who is preaching.
Grace and peace to you, though Jesus Christ our Lord.
The late service is also good for us to attend Sunday morning church locally — to be part of a church body — and make it home with plenty of time to attend church.
Dear Mark,
Look up Harvest Church, Germantown TN.
2 of their pastors, 1 elder and one awesome lay person recently lost their lives in a tragic airplane crash. Each were called by God and living spirit filled lives, such a joy to behold. They drew many many into the church preaching, teaching & living the Truth. The only survivor was the Lead Pastor, Kennan Vaughn. I cannot begin to tell you what their example & his ministry has meant to me. It has brought me back to my Lord and Savior. They save their sermons online easy to access.
The Word is still speaking loudly, fewer are listening. Please go to http://www.harvest Memphis.org.
God Bless.
The harsh reality is we are all bad Christians in terms of the standards that Jesus mentions. The demands of the law never end. Thanks to God forgiveness of our sins is always available for us and seeking it is perhaps our most important activity. I miss our more humble Christian culture of the past though.
With deep thanks to you, Menagerie, for this Gospel reading here on this site which truly is a light in the surrounding dark seas in which we are drowning. May the Lord have mercy upon us.
Amen. I often tell people the Christian church should be doing a lot more (myself included). Thank you for posting. Have a blessed Sunday.
Salt and light. Preservation and illumination.
You know, someone who is truly a Christian cannot hide the light of their faith at least in some small way. Think about the politicians you know.
Life is hard, and often times unfair, and sadly many, many times malevolent. Pray to our Lord and Master for strength to persevere in the Faith and give him Glory. Enduring and being a ‘Happy Warrior’ seems to be a ongoing, difficult challenge. But the fight is worth it. Pray for God to help us expose and root out the deceivers among us.
I see so many Church bodies have moved from the sacred to the secular world. How else do you explain gay, trans, adultery, abortion, the alphabet sexuality and so on being not only welcomed for what they are, but becoming leaders and pushing their profane agendas to be Church doctrine? Too many church organizations ignore scripture, brush aside scriptures that condemn these actions by saying it was meant for a different age and ignorant peoples. Or the Word is allegory, and not binding to Christians today. Many have left the church, and Clergy practice many sexual and other sins, teaching that God accepts us as we are, not as how He asks us to be. They see scripture of Christ forgiving the prostitute while ignoring the admonition from Christ to “go and sin no more”, absolving the flock and themselves without repenting. Repentance means you will turn away from your sins, you will not act on those base natures.
Just look at the history of the Catholic Church to see leaders who were Christians in name, but not acts. This has only gotten worse through the decades and centuries. Look at how Mafia members were committing all kinds of sins against God’s law, and were welcome in their Churches and told they were forgiven because they gave large donations. It used to be that Pastors preached Fire and Brimstone, now they only teach that God is Love, ignoring that God expects us to live in His accord, to His will. They ignore Revelations and the warnings it gives of the wages of our sins. Yes, we are saved by the Grace of God, but it isn’t just believing in Christ that we receive that Grace, it is through living in Him and living our lives by His example. You don’t hear that being said in many Churches today.
One thing that makes me very uncomfortable in the Church today is the nepotism in a lot of churches where most staff members share the same last name. The most irritating is when the pulpit is automatically passed to a son of a senior pastor with no selective process by the local church body. To me, this is secular especially when junior doesn’t have a firm grasp of the Scriptures. Due to our remote location we follow a church online and attend a local church when possible. AW Tozer was one of the great Christian and Missionary Alliance pastors from the 60s. He spoke to the luke warm nature of many churches and how they adopted worldly standards rather than standing firmly to Biblical teaching. We need to be constantly reminded, this is not our home, but a pilgrimage to eternity through the transforming power of Christ.
I find that many pastors preach psychology, not the word. (One of my biggest gripes.) Another is resolution of conflict within the church body. Follow the Book! His Word! Show us how it is done!
Oh yeah. I hate the music. This meandering New Age stoner space case s##+! The words are interchangeable meaningless parts that you can screw up any which way and still not embarrass yourself because it’s MEANINGLESS. I want the old tunes that had a rhythm and a life and told a story that I am glad to remind myself of. The songs that I want to sing around the house while I’m doing stuff and help me live a more Godly life because the rhythm, the rhyme and the bounce and snap and knowledge lifts me. This New Age stoner zoner music just makes me want to leave before I vomit.
Independent journalist Michael Yon reports the Catholic church is actively partnering with the WEF and other groups to facilitate the illegal movement of tens of thousands of military age males through the Darian gap in Panama up and across the border into the USA.
Does a vibrant Christian see this as an attempt to help people find a better life for their families and support the effort?
I don’t. And the Catholic church doesn’t seem to be shining the light of Truth these days, which puts it’s members in a precarious position.
In the end times, many corrupters and false prophets are prophesied. Christians must therefore reach deep within *themselves* to find the true Light of Christ that flickers within each of us. His Light is always there to guide our thoughts and actions.
See Archbishop Vigano on this, Dave. Anything he has written or spoken of. He is forthright in calling Bergoglio out in terms which should make him fearful for his unnatural alignment and cooperation with Schwab, Harari, and the WEF’s satanic agenda…and for his eternal soul.
He’s not fearful which tells me all I need to know.
No, he is not. He has a beatific countenance. and I am very much calmed by seeing it.
Amen
Their Christianity was/is not strong enough because it’s “their” version of Christianity and to paraphrase Frederick Douglass, their version of Christianity is not the Christianity of Christ.
People tend to seek a faith that teaches a doctrine that fits their needs and or lifestyle and to quote Dostoyevsky: “Nothing is more seductive for man than his freedom of conscience”.
I am just a lowly pilgrim and my wife is Roman Catholic. We just celebrated 54 years of marriage and have long since worked out our religious differences. Bishop Barron does commentary everyday and we generally start our day with him. A lot of times, he punts on the more contentious issues, but mostly, I enjoy reading/hearing his commentary.
Today, really strikes home. We live in Franklin TN, about 20 miles south west of Nashville. We moved down here last year from Chicago. There is a church on almost every corner (OK, a little exaggeration here) and yet we have pornography in our schools as well as SEL, CRT and Wit and Wisdom. Last summer we had drag queens in one of our parks. Where is the light? The people, for the most part, are asleep. If it wasn’t for Matt Walsh, people wouldn’t know about the transgender activities going on at Vanderbilt. There are two bills working their way through the Tennessee House and Senate that will put an end to transgender therapy on minors. Interestingly, these bills were tabled last session even though legislatures knew full well what was going on. It was the publication of this travesty that suddenly sprung them into action. Again I ask, where is the light?
Christianity in America is too easy. It has been co-oped by contemporary culture that seeks to suck the salt right out of the church. We have been cowed into a live and let live stance that allows the cess that passes as morality govern our lives. The current music icon Taylor Swift is quoted as saying “I am a Christian, and people with real Christian values support abortion”. Where is the light? Where are Christian leaders denouncing this?
The devil does not (and I am not claiming Taylor is the devil, but only that she is being influenced by him) appear with horns and a tail. If you read Revelations, he comes as a savior and a peace maker. After all he, Lucifer, was the angle of light, he is a fake and a liar, he is 666 which makes him a virtual god no more real than an Xbox game. He smiles as he crushes us with his fake morality. We are being lulled into his moral wasteland and we don’t even know it. Last time, where is the light?
This is amazing. This verse has been going through my head all week.
The old saying is an army marches on its salt. Salt was one of the main things an army had to have in the old days. It was used to preserve food, placed on wounds, given to the soldiers in hot weather, was needed for their livestock as well as for flavoring their food.
We are the salt of the earth. We are here to care for, help heal, nourish and add flavor to the lives of others.
Why would he say if it has lost it’s savor it is good for nothing but to be trodden under the foot of man?
Most roads were dirt. Only in the more prestigious places were they paved. They most likely kept them from growing up by using salt. Therefore, the Lord said we would be good for nothing but road salt.
Salary origins is Salt (Sodium Chloride).
Earth species evolved from oceans with potassium (our present inner cell ion) to oceans with sodium (our present outer cell ion).
Sodium and potassium maintains circulation and cell wall function.
That Life…
Luke warm Christians, Christians in name only, the unsaved, politicians, people in false religions, me, us, etc. We all need prayer, guidance and understanding that can only come from a belief in Jesus Christ. I try to remember that we do not fight against flesh and blood as Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Sharing love with those near us is our true reward.
On Sundays, my family visit The Golden Corral for the breakfast buffet.
We haven’t been in a while, and when we entered today, Miguel, the cashier, saw me, told me he missed me, asked me where I’ve been. I attempted to shake his hand, but he came out from behind, and said no, we have to have a hug.
Early on, I learned his name, chatted often and appreciated his kind demeanor.
When he embraced me, my spirit soared. I hope that my recognition of him and my obligation to love him was a factor.
To love others as we wish to be loved has been with me since childhood…a legacy of Sunday School that my mother insisted upon.
No action brings greater nourishment to the heart and soul than sharing the lovelight within.
Amen. Since watching The Chosen, I have decided to be more Christian. And I am sharing that with as many folks as possible!
I love that show too. It has been an inspiration and source of growth for me also.
It’s available to watch first two episodes here:
I closely identify with the Appostles in their struggles. I have known anguish, as did Mary Magdalene. When I lost my first husband thirty years ago, I no longer wanted to live. God saved me in my time of need.
At turns I can be stubborn like Simon Peter, righteous as Simon the Zealot or yearning for understanding like Rabbi Nicodemus. And Matthew reminds me of my Asperger’s brother, an accountant.
Love this show! Several favorites are Matthew and Philip. Philip was such an encourager to Matthew. Everyone needs a friend like Philip. And especially one like Jesus!
The Church can only be salt and light when a believer chooses to live a life honoring Jesus. Be holy as I am holy. There is only one way to live a life of Biblical obedience. Love God with all your heart. We do this by being grateful for what Jesus did for you. He died so you did not have to. That simple. No one else could do this. Only Jesus. If believers lived a life of profound and unabated gratitude, this would change the world.
The problem is that most believers really don’t believe. They say they are Christians but act like pagans. Want to impact our world for Christ? Stop compromising. Love one another. Live showing the fruit if the spirit. You will know them by their love. Love is the salt.
Be salty, my friends!
We used to have some great POPES that stood up whenever there were problems with the Churches or the scum bag politicians. We respected our Popes. Look at what we have now. Have to believe that there was fraud involved when our so called current Pope was appointed.
AMEN
Go to church or the devil will get you.
Wonderful post.
While reading today’s Collect, for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany then read the sermon by Father William Sisterman from February 2000, also follows in the spirit of this post so thought to share. It too is from the Gospel of Matthew, this one being Matthew 13:24-30.
It’s on the parable of the tares and wheat. Bottom line, renewal begins with the individual, the people, who become, are, the Church.
The sermon touches on the question of those in authority in the Church and the obvious tares (or weeds) not being ripped out immediately, and, well, I can see how this sermon fits in not only with the renewal of the Church (regardless of what particular religion we are drawn to) but also with what’s happening with renewal of our government, it starts with the people, and if we look we can see the renewal underway.
From the sermon: “Renewal always comes from the bottom up. Authentic renewal of the Church historically has always come from the people first, not from the top down. Leadership finally get the message of what the people are saying. Then they come up with the renewals and the re-formations. But it begins with the people. It begins with you ad I, this is something that we can choose to do if we want the Church to be renewed, it begins with us. First, we are renewed. First, by the Grace of God, we are changed.”
Here’s a link to the full sermon. I like how he explains the parable that even after Jesus first told it his disciples had to come to him afterward to have it explained to them.
http://www.lectionarycentral.com/epiphany5/Sisterman.html
Amen
I attribute the decline of the nation, and world for that matter, to the turning away from G-d. He will turn away from us and hide His face until we return to Him.
Isaiah 1:4 Alas, O sinful nation,
a people laden with iniquity,
a brood of evildoers,
children of depravity!
They have forsaken the LORD;
they have despised the Holy One of Israel
and turned their backs on Him.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide My eyes from you;
even though you multiply your prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are covered with blood.
The Bible is one of our 5 founding documents! The other four are: DOI, Articles of Confederation, constitution, and Northwest Ordinances.
https://www.thelibertybeacon.com/a-revolution-in-the-minds-of-the-people/
Amen, Menagerie.
Menagerie,
Your point is so appropriate. Christian teachings illuminate how we need to strive to value each other more in this temporal realm. We need to exemplify what the light is to others, as we are taught.
Thank you for the reminder and have a blessed day.
Great Post….
I would like to add Revelation 21:8: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
The Bible would seem to indicate that who claim to be of faith yet cower when the moment comes for them to act or state the truth are as bad as the unbelieving, et.al, and will share their fate.
When our nation turned its back on the Word Of God everything began to erode to the lowest common denominator.
Honor and Integrity , Decency and Respect gradually evaporated .
Now A Great Reckoning is evolving behind the scenes in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows . Guided by faith and the wisdom of Solomon . It is time for people of faith to get our hands dirty !
FORGET ME NOT
We truly need to repent and are deserving of God’s righteous judgement. May He have mercy on us all.
Today during our service the priest discussed how salt was used at the time – as a seasoning, as a preservative/protector of the food they ate, as a cooking aid in building a larger fire by throwing salt on it; then compared it to our responsibilities as Christians to be knowledge-seekers, protectors of the faith and pass down this Good News to shine a light into the world that will drive out evil.
Even practicing Christians need to consider the difference between being “righteous” and having “righteousness”.
This is America Died like a fool
2 Sam 3:33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
“The clear implication is that without vibrant Christians, the world is a much worse place.”
Now imagine what this world will be like once the Restrainer is removed and God’s judgement is poured out upon the Earth.
With all the depravity going on already, it boggles the mind how much worse things will get.