Politically Incorrect

I didn’t know it then but about a week ago I wrote in my journal, “ It’s not time to lose heart” … but now it has suddenly become clearer.

There is a charged atmosphere in America.  A fire, a blaze, an anger, a frustration, a disbelief, a sadness, a guilt, a regret, a fear and a line drawn in the dirt of humanity. 

President Obama has mandated that people “claiming” to be transgender will not only be allowed into opposite sex public restrooms but be allowed into our children’s restrooms and shower rooms at school as well.  And those schools that do not uphold to this mandate will have its federal dollars withheld.  Sounds like is blackmail. 

I don’t know how the president of the United States can mandate something like this without the other two branches of government being in agreement.   The three branches of the United States government are to ensure the government is effective and to ensure the citizens’, the rights are protected.  As it looks right now, the government is ineffective at protecting the rights of its citizens and their children.
   

America, are you aware you are becoming dismantled? 

What I find more disturbing is the lack of “difference” I see in some Christians in this matter.  

I may love someone who "claims" to be homosexual or transsexual but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with his or her immoral and unsound lifestyle.  Safe or not safe, what are we "justifying" intentionally or unintentionally by allowing transgender people into the opposite sex restrooms?  

What are we telling our children?

What are we buying into? The bible is very clear that homosexuality is wrong.  We can look at the New Testament and Old Testament and see this.
 

Romans 1 says, God has abandoned homosexuals.  Galatians 5:19 says among other practices, the sexual immoral will not inherit the kingdom of God.   Other scriptures include Jude 1:5-8, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13

We must look at the tactics of the devil (who does exist) and how he finds joy in destroying the family as God has created.

When did homosexuality suddenly become okay? I think people have been desensitized.  They see it on television and social media and the shock has worn off and since the shock has worn off it has now become somehow "acceptable".  If you don't agree, examine your heart.  Have you become numb to this immoral practice, advertising and teaching?
 

Just like all sin, people sin because it becomes acceptable in their lives.  Acceptable sin is then somehow justified by familiarity and soon sin is commonplace like Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Have these Christians, who have accepted sin, let their minds and hearts become inactive in the living word of God and now are accepting the conformity of the world?   They are definitely letting the world conform their mindset.  The world’s ways have lodged in their thinking and they need God to dislodge the blockage in their thinking?

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Ephesians 4:24 says “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Another verse says “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

The flesh likes to do what is easy- it likes to not make waves- but you know Jesus Christ didn’t do what was easy.  He did was right even if it wasn’t politically correct.   

And if we are children of God - we too will be politically incorrect.  This gives me... in a strange sort of way... comfort and solace.   Jesus didn’t fit into the world’s mold and we definitely shouldn’t either… We are to be “a peculiar people” as 1 Peter 2:9 says.

We need to stay alert and awake- not giving into the practices of people who don't know God or wish to honor and/or obey Him.

We need to remember the watchtower in Ezekiel and what God said, “Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel.  Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.  If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to warn them about changing their ways, then they will die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths.  But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will not be held responsible.”  Ezekiel 33:7-9

We are told in the New Testament,  “To put away all falsehood and tell our neighbor the truth for we belong to each other.” Ephesians 4:25

In the book of Acts Jesus tells Paul, “And I will protect you from both your own people and the Gentiles.  Yes, I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.  Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” Acts 26:17-18    

God didn’t save you and I just for us to fit into a world that denies him   Just look at the state of the world… Be an observer.  Look at the weather and the values and morals of people.  Does it not read and fit into the boot imprint of Matthew 24?

Jesus will be coming… We can’t afford to be indifferent.  We must be aware of the foxes that spoil the vine and the slow subtle ways the enemy of our souls works.  We must not run out of oil as the five foolish brides did.

Jesus said “Bless are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

James says “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love Him. James 1:12

And isn’t all about loving Him… think about it.  Glory comes to a people who honor God and His Word but shame and destruction comes to a people when they do not honor God and His Word.  (We see this in Hosea 4:6-7) 
 
If we remain with God we will be politically incorrect.

These Pointless and Senseless Acts of Violence Towards People and God's Children

I know these verses might seem random but they are not.   

We live in a world where I continually have to ask, "What is the logic? What is the foundation of such thoughts?  Has opinion replaced fact or is fact undiscernable to those those who don't know God?  

Now I ask, "What is the logic to this violence?  What is the reasoning?  There seems to be none but blind vengeance.  Drunk with hatred this evil staggers out public and harms and kills whoever might be in it's path. 

God spoke of these things in His Word. He knew times like these would to come.  He knew men's hearts would grow cold and turn to such darkness.  

But what is more alarming is the lack of wisdom/good sense the mainstream media has.  Why would ISIS tell anyone the truth?  They thrive on deception.  Small or large, why does anyone have to settle for such attacks as... "It is just the way things are"? Who settles for such ideas?     

IN a very odd sense these violent individuals are only strengthening those in the Christian faith.  They are only strengthening the Christian resolve.  Christians are holding on less to this life and turning to, holding and trusting more in GOD.  Throughout Christian history faithful Christians (men, women, and children) have been victims to bloody attacks for their faith in Jesus Christ. 
  

  "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it." Matthew 11:12

And when these violent people are killing Christians others are seeing the conviction of their Christian faith even when faced with death.  People are taking notice and people are coming to Christ- they want what these people know and believe and won't relinquish despite their spilled blood that cries out from the ground like Abel's.

Greg Laurie shared a story about a man named Polycarp.  He was pastor of the Church of Smyrna.  He was martyred on February 23, 155 AD. 

"On that day, the public games were taking place, and the crowds were whipped into a real frenzy.  Someone cried out, "Let Polycarp be searched for!"  

The night before, Polycarp had a dream in which the pillow under his head was on fire.  He woke up and told his follow believers, "I must be burned alive."  When Polycarp was arrested, he asked for the privilege of having a final hour to spend with the Lord in prayer.  

As Polycarp entered the Roman arena, God spoke to his heart and said, "Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man."  The Roman proconsul gave him a choice between cursing then name of Christ and making a sacrifice to Caesar, or dying.  Polycarp said, "Eight-six years I have served the Lord.  He has done me no wrong.  How can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?"

When the proconsul threatened him with being burned at the stake, Polycar replied, "You threaten me with the fire that burns for a time and is quickly quenched, but you do not know the fire that awaits the wicked and the judgment to come into everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting?  Come and do what you will."

The crowds went crazy, providing firewood and kindling from their woodshops.  There Polycarp stood, and they set the wood around him on fire.  Amazingly, the fire did not harm him.  It came right up to him and would not burn him, while Polycarp sang praises to God. 

Finally, they couldn't wait any long and thrust him through with spears.  Polycarp showed true courage in the face of true persecution."    

Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior said:

 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell^." Matthew 10:28

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, said:
"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers."

  Matthew 24:9

This violence today is just as irrational as it was back in Polycorp's time.   It was too kill anyone thought less of and doesn't follow and go along with certain religious practices.  Today it is the same but instead of killing for sport they kill for terror hoping it to cause panic, sow distrust, fear and unrest.  These are tactics that come straight from the devil handbook.  This is this pointless violence.  This is senseless violence. This violence has no reward.   It kills many and condemns the attacker to unquenchable flames of hell.  This violence is only a tool of evil.  A tool the devil uses to destroy what God has created and misdirect what God wants for His creation.  The devil manipulates men to destroy men, the creation God made in His own image. GOD sent HIS SON, Jesus Christ, to save and transform humanity from this kind of fallen mentality, this thinking that only separates them from their Creator.

Jesus Christ from whom all things were created through said, "Put away your sword, those who use the sword will die by the sword." Matthew 26:52

MURDER is SIN

God says: "You must not murder." Exodus 20:13 

This is how Jesus Christ, the Creator, spoke to some of religious men who were trying to kill him: 

³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ³⁵ A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. ³⁷ Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. ³⁸ I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

³⁹ “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. ⁴⁰ Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. ⁴¹ No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

⁴² Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. ⁴³ Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! ⁴⁴ For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵ So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! ⁴⁶ Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷ Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

⁴⁸ The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

⁴⁹ “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. ⁵¹ I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

⁵² The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ ⁵⁵ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

⁵⁷ The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

⁵⁸ Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” ⁵⁹ At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

John 8:34-59

    

These violent estranged individuals from God, have not embraced God for who He is but have alienated themselves from God by carrying out these violent acts.  THINK!  Acts of violence never make one right before God. 

 These evil acts are man wanting control. They are placing themselves in God's place.  They are of religion not of GOD.  Has anyone not learned from the past?  This pointless violence comes from the fallen sinful understanding that is idolatry, participation in demonic activities (murder, lies, deceit) hostility, quarreling, jealousy, out bursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, and feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group...) Note Galatians 5:19-21

The word says, "Don't be misled.  Remember that you will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.  But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.  So don't get tired of doing what is good.  Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time," Galations 6:7-9  

 These violent acts of terror are against God and HIS Ways. 

 Jesus CHRIST, Deity, GOD, LORD of lords, Who conquered death and the grave and is Life said,

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me." Matthew 12:30

I know some of these violent people think Jesus was only a good man or a prophet of God but he was MORE then a prophet.

Jesus said, "I am the Messiah!" John 4:26

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." John 11:25

No prophet can promise that! 
Why do I tell you these things? One is remind you of the things Christ said and encourage you.  Two, to reach those who do not know.  That they might turn to God so God can give them living revelation in their heart that these things are true.  

I was speaking to a brother in Christ who used to be entrenched in evil practices.  He was told about Jesus. Curious, he just asked, "Jesus if you are real reveal yourself to me".  And instantly Jesus appeared before him in his face.  Needless to say, he left his evil practices behind and surrendered His heart to the LORD.  Now, years later he is teaching others about Christ Jesus as the Lord leads him. 

Jesus said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day.  With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations,  beginning in Jerusalem:  There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.  You are witnesses of all these things.  And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised.  But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."

For by the Holy Spirit comes living wisdom, resurrection power that continually teaches and transforms the heart to live liberated in God's love.

It is just as the Sovereign LORD spoke to the prophet Ezekiel

"And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart.  And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command."

Ezekiel 36:26-27

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"So we have stopped evaluating other by what the world thinks about them.  Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being.  How differently I think about him now!  What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons.  They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone.  A new life has begun!  All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did.   And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them.  This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.  We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you.  We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!"  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

It takes a honest, humble, strong, discerning person to realize he/she needs God, Jesus Christ.  He is the one who gives you direction and purpose in every good thing you do.

 Jesus said, "God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them." Matthew 5:3

Jesus said, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 

I too have seen Jesus Christ and things I did not think I would likely see until I passed through the veil of this life.  I tell you these things not to boost. I am an ordinary simple person.  A man very unimportant in the eyes of the world.  I share these things in hopes people stop and turn to Jesus so they might be saved and be transformed in heart and mind, and spirit.

Remember what Jesus said, "God bless you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  Be happy about it!  Be very glad!  For a great reward awaits you in heaven,  And remember the ancient prophets were persecute, too."

Matthew 5:11

Again, persecution has the opposite affect of what these violent men want.