After the election, we’re at a distinct turning point in our country. Truth has been revealed, and some are still unable to see it. Don’t look at what’s in front of you; look to the spirit from where all life is established. Now, ask this question: Do we return to our first love, or do we continue on a path that leads to destruction? What do I mean by that, you ask? Let me explain.
Since, well, forever ago, the world has been in a great depth of sin. For thousands of years, the stories, the prophets, the wise of the day have been foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ and His return.
God is a God of order, and He has ordained all the steps of those who are willing to bear witness to His Son. From before Jesus–the embodied Christ–was born into the physical world to well after His death, those stories, the accounts of His existence recited and written down, have endured. He was with God before the world was founded and remains with Him always. This is the circle of life that He never strayed from–His edict of Truth–even as He walked among sinful men.
Jesus was attracted to those who did not know Him yet. Even though those stories about Him were well known then, and now, many still don’t really know Him. By choice or circumstance, their life is made more difficult when relying on only themselves or others. As we see in the news, some pretty nasty things are happening right now in the world. It is not limited to Hollywood but includes those in the higher echelons of all industries and political spheres. The number of disturbing events being revealed in conjunction with those who are intent on destroying the hedge of justice around a man-made system are the same ones hellbent on seeing the Biblical definition of morality, judgment, and inheritance taken down and redefined.
The sad thing is they are caught in this vicious cycle, believing that the threats being cast upon them by these incredulous tyrants of industry and influence cannot be overcome. The people they surround themselves with take on the belief that pleasing others is the standard by which to live. It reminds me of a high school clique whereby if you speak out of turn from what the leader deems as the standard, you are ostracized, made fun of, demonized, and if not repentant to the leader’s correction of your “false belief,” will be threatened with shame and made an example of. Once they have them in this state of fear, they are much easier to control. I chose the word clique intentionally because, even though this could be characterized by such things as Marxism, Fascism, or Socialism, I won’t because, to me, it is more like a child having a temper tantrum and trying to gain control of their emotions. It’s as if the children are trying to run things without their parents’ advice. But Daddy’s coming!
The stakes, of course, are incredibly more substantial in this worldwide “clique-a-fication” that has presented itself over the last twenty years. It’s not new, but I don’t think anyone has seen this sort of intensity before. It has roared into our communities over the previous two election cycles. That’s a big sign that we should be paying attention to.
All of us are going to suffer in this life, some more than others, by directive, but Jesus Christ came to die as an offering to redeem our sinful nature, therefore making way for the Holy Spirit to guide us. In Matthew chapter 13, we see this played out as the sower places seed, which is the word of God, in the ground.
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
Matthew 13:18-23 (KJV)
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Your heart is the ground. Do you hear the word and dismiss it? The wicked one has stolen it from you. Do you hear the word and know it’s true, practice it, but haven’t made it first place in your life, and it fades away when the times get tough, or the cares of this world and deceitful riches become the focus of your heart bearing no Godly fruit? Then the root of the word was not set in you, dare I say, yet. So, how do you cultivate your heart and make it good ground? Put God’s word first! It is the litmus test for all things.
Now, the enemy must FIRST steal the word from you before he can have access to manipulate your emotions and feelings, creating anxiety and confusion and putting you in a constant state of fear. That enemy will come through people you have in your circle, those who don’t know Christ (and even some who do), working with the anti-god spirit, and your own thoughts. Are you tired of that existence? Righteous anger would be helpful here…get a little angry with that spirit of fear. Tell it to hit the road! Say, “I have NOT been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind!” (See 2 Timothy 1:7) Change your circle of friends, talk to a pastor, and maybe find a good therapist who believes in God. You can be on the way to change your life! Even Jesus rebuked Simon Peter and called him Satan because he spoke against the will of God for His life and death. Peter may have strayed for a moment, but the risen Jesus forgave him, and he went on to preach the truth of the Gospel. Just because you don’t understand something you read doesn’t mean it’s untrue. Keep reading it and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Get with that new circle of friends and learn more about it. It will feel strange, as if you are a hypocrite at first, but keep filling your ground, and the seeds sown will start to produce fruit!
Discipline must be engaged for your ground to turn from rocky to fertile. A root only grows after it has been planted, fed, watered, and pushed to the surface. Persecution arises from the word; however, once a root takes hold, no devil in hell can steal away your knowledge of who God is for you!
Thorns pierce. They hurt. They can bring the blood, and they are the stiff part of the stem on a bush or rose. Are you among a bunch of stiff people? If you bring up the subject of the Bible or quote something, do they squirm? Do you get distracted or think, “Just this one time, I’ll take a bribe?” Or maybe, “You can’t go to that place because my friends might say something.” Or even, “I have to do this event because if I don’t, all those things I’ve done that my circle of friends know about will be made public.” Well, my friends, if that hits the mark with any of you, you have some thorns in your life that you need to prune! Cut them off and begin to grow in your faith in the word of God for your life!
Now, let’s talk about some good ground. The more words you get into your heart, the more you will understand. Having a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit and surrounding yourself with like-minded people who also want to learn the word and are dedicated to being a follower of Christ help to keep the soil fertile. That fertile ground produces understanding, and the fruit will come! Jesus was never threatened by being in the presence of worldly people because who He was was not dependent on their beliefs; it was dependent on HIS!
Jesus and those who follow Him believe in redemption. There is no sin too low for Him to bring you out of. No depth He will not descend to bring you back into relationships with Him. He bore ALL of the shame of whatever you did and will be faithful in getting you through whatever trials occur. He made a way for all those who would choose to believe in what He did on the Cross to be free of those past sins and to never remember them again. Won’t you join us on this incredible journey of redemption? Just ask Him into your heart and start today. Seek out those who can help you bring forth all the good fruit from within!
Here is a brief list of some do’s and don’ts to get you started on this journey:
- Don’t be a people pleaser
- Don’t live by your emotions
- Don’t give a place in your life to those who try to manipulate you
- Don’t be fooled by those who THINK they have power over you for past sins. They don’t! Jesus Christ redeemed us and took away the shame!
- Do unapologetically become a friend of Jesus
- Do cast down imaginations and every high thing and everyone that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
- Do find those who will help you on your journey to knowing God
- Do read the Bible every chance you get
- Do speak to the Holy Spirit asking for guidance
- Do work through your emotions with faith in what you are reading. Knowledge will come.
Above all things, place God’s word first place in your life and return to your First Love. The Father is coming, and when He does, the unruly will be dealt with accordingly. No longer can the childish spirit remain. However, the children of righteousness, redeemed from sin, will abide with Him forevermore. Amen.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:1-8 (KJV)
Feature Image: Winter scene with cabin GENAI Text to Image | Scripture quotations are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Bible.
