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What’s Your Part in the Everyday?

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Today I’ve invited my friend and fellow author Cheri Swalwell to share a guest post with you. I know you’ll enjoy it as she asks, “What’s Your Part in the Everyday?” Here’s Cheri . . .

I love the account of Esther in the Bible. Seven chapters weaving a story of faith, courage, and ultimately God’s display of His justice for the Jewish people. People, even nonbelievers, know how Esther was born for such a time as this, (Esther 4:14b). While that is one-hundred percent true, she wasn’t the only hero of the story. Readers remember her bravery and courage to step in front of the king, knowing she could be put to death if he didn’t extend his gold scepter to her, but I believe that act of bravery was birthed in the years beforehand.

The Bible doesn’t go into detail about her childhood except that Mordecai, her cousin, “had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.” (Esther 2:7). Throughout the seven chapters of Esther, we see Esther listening to and obeying Mordecai’s wisdom, (Esther 2:10 and 2:20) as well as Mordecai staying close “to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.” (Esther 2:11). The Bible paints a picture of a loving adoptive father and an obedient adopted daughter.

We’re also told of a time when Mordecai was sitting outside the king’s gate, keeping a protective ear out for Esther, and he uncovers an assassination attempt on the king’s life. “But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.” (Esther 2:22).

When Mordecai reaches out a second time to Esther, this time to reveal Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews, Esther reminds her uncle that if she approaches the king without being summoned, it could be her death sentence. Mordecai’s answer is one many readers are familiar with: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).

Esther then tells Mordecai to pray and fast for three days while she and her attendants do the same. The story ends with Esther setting a trap in front of the king to uncover Haman’s wickedness. But before her trap could be completed, God reminded the king of when Mordecai saved his life. He was so grateful he chose to celebrate Mordecai’s good deed. The final scenes include the Jews being allowed to fight back against the attack set in place by Haman’s wickedness, resulting in Haman and his ten sons ultimately being impaled on the pole Haman originally built to impale Mordecai.

We all remember Esther being born “for such a time as this.” However, let’s not forget Mordecai’s wisdom, love, and dedication to Esther, the king’s desire to honor those who rescued him, as well as the king’s humility to revise the edict he issued under false pretenses. I truly believe that without everyone choosing to do their part, Esther’s moment in history would have been much harder to fulfill.

Obedience in the Little Moments Strengthens our Faith

In December 2019, I received a prayer jar from my Sister-in-Christ for Christmas. I was excited to begin using it at the start of the new year, but felt God was calling me to “pray with a twist.” Instead of simply saying, “God, I need help with …” or “God, please fix …,” I started each prayer request with “Thank You, God, You’re going to heal …” or “Thank You, God, You know the answer to this toughie …”

Fast forward three months and we started the now infamous lockdown. When the general atmosphere of the world turned anxious, I turned to God. Not knowing at that time how long the shutdown would actually last, I felt God telling me to put my “Thank You, God” prayers to the side and change the prayer jar to a blessings jar. I knew God was using this avenue to help my family collect the blessings we saw during this season in history instead of focusing on all they were missing out on or the fear spiraling around us.

I also began to notice various ways people were stepping up and out of their comfort zones. Church members were volunteering at food banks, teachers were riding on school buses to hand deliver food to students who wouldn’t otherwise have a meal, while other strangers started fundraisers to help those in need.

I was still working full time from home, surrounded by my kids in various stages of online learning, and we were taking care of my in-laws, which meant trying to keep germ exposure to a minimum. However, it’s not in my DNA to sit idly by while others serve. My prayer became one of “What part do You, Lord, want me to play in this season of our lives?’ And then I waited.

It Started with a Song and a Prayer

January 2020, I had a close group of friends, all teachers from the same school. The month before the shutdown, a mutual friend and I invited a group of those teachers to our church for a women’s breakfast – a time of eating and fellowshipping together. It was the first time we did that, and we weren’t sure if anyone would show up. We were pleasantly surprised that not only the ones we invited came, but they brought others along as well. We filled two full tables at the event.

It was so much fun! We added another friend to our group that morning, a young mom who was new to the area. When we moved to the sanctuary to begin the service, she happened to sit in the row that had been taken over by all my teacher friends. The best part? She fit right in.

When I asked God above what my part was to play during the lockdown, His answer came quickly. He told me to text a worship song and prayer every weekday morning to each of my friends, including the new mom I had met a month earlier. Even though we couldn’t be together in person, we could still start our day “together” focusing on God’s promises, instead of life’s problems. We could be encouraged to see God in our everyday moments instead of saving Him for special occasions or once a week.

Days turned into weeks; weeks turned into months. The lockdown ended, people reentered the work force and life looked a semblance like it used to. Monday through Friday, I continued to text my group of friends as a way for us to keep growing our relationship with God through praise and worship and prayer. The list grew from ten, to twenty, and beyond.

I chose to text them individually versus a group text, so that if they had specific prayer requests that might be more personal, they didn’t have to worry about the whole group reading about their struggles. The group grew from my teacher friends to include old childhood friends and new friends I acquired through normal interactions. After faithfully texting people each weekday, one ordinary day God took my heartfelt prayer, “What’s is my part?” to the next level.

What started as a way to stay connected during the lockdown soon became a monthly membership to help others experience that same growth in their relationship with God. Every week we read and apply God’s Word (the Bible), sing praise and worship to God, spend time in prayer, and learn about relevant topics from a biblical viewpoint. Altogether, it keeps our focus on the ways He blesses us throughout each and every day, filling our lives as described in John 10:10: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)

In June 2021, JESUS in the EVERYDAY was born. The heart of the membership is to help people recognize Jesus hugs (blessings) throughout their day, celebrating the blessings of God instead of zeroing in on what went wrong. It gives people a chance to grow their relationship with God at their own pace, enjoying the journey instead of rushing through as though it’s a race. It’s a way to arm ourselves with God’s promises and truth before stepping out into the world. It helps prepare us with biblical answers to tough questions to help point our friends and family to the truth.

God’s heart is for His children. He desires that we all accept Jesus into our hearts, surrendering our lives to Him, and be forever together with Him in heaven. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

Some people think the salvation prayer is a “one and done prayer,” but that one prayer is only the beginning. The most important mission we have on earth is to follow Jesus’ example found in Luke 4:43: “But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

What’s Your Part?

Thankfully, the lockdowns are behind us; however, there are even more people who are lost, broken, and hurting than ever before. They desperately need to hear the truth of God’s message of hope and salvation. I want to encourage all of us to ask God in our quiet time “What’s my part?” in helping those who are lost and desperately need to know how much You, God, love them.

I get excited when I think of the endless possibilities of how God will use you to share His good news to this hurting world! Like Esther and Mordecai, everyone remembers Esther and the famous words: “For such a time as this,” but Mordecai’s role in the story was equally important. Ask God to show you what you’ve already been doing to help further His kingdom. You might be surprised at His answer. Maybe it’s the little things you do daily that He is pleased with the most.

I continually ask God, “What’s my part?” in pointing people to Him during each changing season of our culture. Is that a question you’re willing to ask, and then step out in obedience, when He answers?

Come join the monthly membership and our community as we each seek to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. We’re excited for you to become part of our family as we celebrate seeing JESUS in our lives, everyday!

Bio:

Cheri Swalwell is a Christ follower, writer of Christian fiction and nonfiction, Cheer UP Podcast co-host, JESUS in the EVERYDAY YouTuber, and JESUS in the EVERYDAY monthly membership hostess. Visit www.cheriswalwell.com to learn more about the ministry and for encouragement to see JESUS in your everyday life.

Please leave a comment here.

April 21, 2025
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What Is Your Easter Looking Like This Year?

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As Easter approaches each year, our family has the usual conversations about who’s going to host the brunch or dinner and what church service we’ll attend. Who’s up for sunrise service and who wants to sleep in later? You probably have similar discussions.

Our Easter will look different then in the past since hubby is having spinal fusion surgery four days before and might even still be in the hospital on Easter. If not, he’ll be in recovery mode and I’ll be in caretaker mode, but it doesn’t matter where we are or what’s happening in our life physically on Easter because spiritually Jesus is with us everywhere we go. We can worship and celebrate Him anywhere, anytime.

It’s easy to become preoccupied with our traditions: performances, cantatas, pageants, new clothes, family gatherings, decorating the house, egg hunts, and Easter baskets. All good things. Soon one of the holiest days of the year is over. We probably went to church, said a prayer before meals, maybe even read some Bible passages about the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.

But did we take time to praise God for the painful sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and consider how it changed our life? Last week, I wrote a very important blog The Bible Is Offensive to Those Who Tolerate Sin. In the article, and when I posted it on social media, I asked how many of your pastors even talk about sin, which is the whole reason Jesus went to the horrific Cross. Only two people responded that their pastor speaks about sin boldly and courageously. That was disappointing and disheartening to me that so many pastors may say Jesus wants us to turn from our sins but never define sin.  They may venture into talking about salvation this Easter but never mention what we’re saved from.

A Holy Spirit inspired pastor knows exactly how to speak the Gospel truth, especially on Easter when many worldly sinners who need to hear the truth will be attending to appease family members or out of tradition. It might be their only opportunity to be convicted and convinced that living a godly life forgiven of their sins is superior to living a carnal sinful life.

Easter commemorates the foundation of our Christian faith. The Gospel! The Good News! Without Easter, there would be no hope. Easter is the reason we have forgiveness for our sins and the assurance of eternal life. As the Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians:

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Many pastors might read the above passage this Easter while glossing right over the definition of sin. Many people listening might consider themselves “good people,” but never consider that they’re living the sins delineated in Galatians 5:18-21, which would be a great transition for pastors.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Gal. 5:18-21 NLT

Congregants and guests need to hear that when we ask Jesus into our heart and receive the merciful forgiveness of our sins that nailed Him to the cross, we experience a spiritual rebirth. Hallelujah! Then, as we grow in our faith, we need a daily empty-tomb reawakening, not just annually at Easter.

Jesus lives within the heart of every Christian and He wants us to live as if we believe it!

The life of Bible-believing Holy Spirit filled Christians is one of evolving renewal! It’s not once and done when we become a Christian.

We continually cast off old patterns of sinful thinking and behavior as we transition into a richer more fulfilling faith.

But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:8-10

5 Ways to Experience Spiritual Renewal This Easter

1. Renew Your Mind

What we let enter into our mind—positive or negative—controls our emotions, actions, and beliefs. What is bothering you right now? What is seeping into your psyche that keeps you up at night or troubles you during the day? Can you identify it? The news. Politics. Television. Social media. Stock market. Family crises or dysfunction.

Whatever is stressing you, try a mental fast! Free your mind from everything that furrows your brow. You may never want to let those things have dominion over your thoughts again. Admittedly, it could be your job. You can’t just walk away, but maybe you could initiate a plan to find another job more suitable for you. God will guide if you let Him.

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. Romans 12:2

Personal Renewal: God wants us to rid our mind of worldly ways and saturate our mind with His wisdom. Proverbs is God’s Book of Wisdom, so try reading a proverb every day and write it on an index card. When your thoughts begin to drift to things of this world, recite the day’s proverb. If you’re ambitious, read an entire chapter in Proverbs daily and in thirty-one days you’ll have read the entire Book of Proverbs. When you finish, start back at Proverbs 1:1. You can never be too wise!

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.—Proverbs 18:15

2. Renew Your Heart

God created us uniquely with our mind, heart, and spirit intertwined. A renewal of one, affects the other two. A mind change touches our heart and our spirit nudges us to act according to our mind and heart. If our heart fills with compassion for a situation, our mind follows suit and again our spirit reminds us of how God wants us to act.

We are to have the mind of Christ and what breaks His heart should break our heart too.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Personal Renewal: Who could you invite to Easter services? Maybe you’ve asked them to join you at church before and they’ve declined or it’s someone you’re sure would say no. Perhaps your heart has become a bit hardened toward their spiritual future. Ask God for the courage to ask them anyway. This could be the Easter their life changes forever.

If they say no, then commit to pray for them to say yes to God someday soon. We never know when Jesus will come for His people.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

3. Renew Your Commitments

A commitment is a sacred vow, a promise, to honor your word. Commitment often involves a sacrifice of putting others’ needs before your own needs, even when it’s inconvenient or painful.

Our Christian faith hinges on a commitment we make to Christ to follow Him and adhere to His Word, whether easy or difficult. At Easter, we remember the ultimate cost Christ paid on the cross to fulfill His commitment to save a lost world. Now he expects us to honor our commitments to Him and to others.

Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved. Ecclesiastes 5:6 NLT

Practical Renewal: Have you committed to something you wish you hadn’t? We’ve all been there. Learn from it and pray next time before you make a decision; but this time, follow through on your commitment. Backing out of a promise damages the credibility of your Christian witness.

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

4. Renew Your Testimony

There is no greater witness to God’s goodness than sharing what He has done in your life. No one can question your testimony because it’s your personal experience. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) isn’t just for disciples and pastors; it’s for every follower and believer of Jesus Christ. You don’t have to be an evangelist to share your story.

As we mature and evolve spiritually, we retell our testimony to benefit others. You and I are Christians today because twelve disciples obediently followed Jesus’ command to tell the world the Good News. They shared their personal gospel experience with anyone who would listen and with many who didn’t listen.

When we become Christians, our charge is to tell the world why we love Jesus!

Your story becomes your testimony when the focus is on God, not on you. This would be a great Easter verse for a pastor to gently discuss sin and how grace sets us free.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7

Personal Renewal: When you give God the glory for something in your life, you testify to God’s goodness. Your salvation testimony shares your life before Jesus. How He changed your heart and spiritually, maybe literally, saved your life.

God has given you a story to share, so seize every opportunity to tell it. Sometimes God redeems your testimony by surrounding you with people who need to hear your past so it doesn’t become their future.

Who needs to hear this Easter what Christ has done for you?

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

5. Renew Your Soul

Easter is springtime in our souls! God is calling His people into a closer relationship with Him so that we can share Jesus with others who need more of Him in their life . . . or don’t yet know Him. The world is full of unsaved people stumbling in spiritual darkness. God calls every Christian to help those lost in darkness to find their way to the redeeming Light.

When Jesus spoke . . . he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

We need to refresh, renew, and refuel our body, mind, and soul so the illuminating joy of Christ radiates from us!

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

Personal Renewal: Let the songs you sing on Easter, and the messages you hear, revive your spirit and speak directly to your soul. Bask in the glow that Jesus is alive!

If you’re ready to arise and be God’s messenger, start praying now for those divine appointments where God will use you in a hurting and lonely world.

I pray this Easter season finds you refreshed and renewed in your relationship with Christ and the purpose He has given each of us to keep the memory of Easter alive and vibrant, every day in our hearts, speech, and actions. Let us never forget:

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

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April 14, 2025
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The Bible Is Offensive to Those Who Tolerate Sin

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Have you ever been in church and felt like the pastor was talking just to you? You wonder how he knew what you were going through or what sin you were wrestling with in your life. Probably he didn’t know, but God knew. He breathed out the words of the Bible to guide, counsel, encourage, scold, convict, and offer help to those who hear or read it. Hopefully, your pastor was preaching accurately from a passage that spoke to your situation.

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:15-17

The Bible wasn’t written to condone our actions, but to teach us right from wrong and how to lead a holy and righteous life. Since we were all born with a propensity to sin, only the Holy Spirit living in our hearts can help us overcome sin and choose God’s good in our life. Many people are good, but God wants redeemed people, not just good people. I’ll say it again, without God, you can’t be or do good as God defines good. That statement might offend some of you right now so let’s look at what the Bible says.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. Rom. 5:7-9

So you may be wondering if I’m saying that anyone who hasn’t accepted Jesus and received the Holy Spirit will lead a sin-filled life? Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying and that’s going to be offensive to every nonbeliever. Without God, there’s no plumb line of God’s expectations for His people and their spiritual alignment with His Word. That’s why it’s so important when you read the Bible to know the context and whether it’s directed to the believer or unbeliever.

So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. 7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” Heb. 4:5-7 NLT

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. 16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. Ps. 34:15-16

Pastors’ Challenge

Today, many pastors acquiesce to the secular culture’s demands to be “inclusive.” In an attempt to not be offensive, they avoid preaching on biblical sin. The Bible calls that a false teacher. A pastor’s godly commission is to counter cultures’ lies with biblical truth. The righteous pastor tells the truth in love. If he doesn’t share the truth, he isn’t loving his congregation.

A pastor who avoids boldly covering the hard offensive places in the Bible is looking for the congregation’s affirmation not God’s confirmation. You can’t teach the Bible without offending someone. The Bible is clear on what is sinful and why we should strive to not sin. Believers don’t expect our sinful choices to be excused or legalized but instead confessed and forgiven. Unbelievers who might be in the congregation need to hear that Good News and believers need to live by it.

God is not “inclusive.” He’s actually very exclusive. All are welcome to spend eternal life with Him and His Son Jesus Christ, but there’s a qualifier. Only those who believe Jesus Christ died on the cross, rose again three days later, as we will celebrate on Easter, and confess their sins, ask for forgiveness, and turn from their wicked ways will be saved.  (John 3:16)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 6:23

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Rom. 3:23-25 NLT

The entire concept of salvation is confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The word “sin” is used 1,364 times in the NIV Bible translation, but when’s the last time you heard a pastor preach about sin, even though forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith? Think about it. Paul understood the importance of us recognizing our sins.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Gal. 5:18-21 NLT

 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. . . Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. . . 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Rom. 1: 24-27, 29-30

We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. 1 Tim. 1:9-11 NLT

Jesus talked about sin.

He [Jesus] went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23 NLT

Satan is using the secular left to legalize and champion sinful lifestyles and intimidate and silence the church on the one thing Satan uses to destroy God’s civilization—sin. I grew up going to church and I knew from a very young age what was sinful versus what was pleasing to God. In my backsliding days, while I might’ve been resentful of anyone calling out my sin, I knew I was breaking God’s heart because in my heart I knew I was sinning. How many people are sitting in woke churches today living under the lie that if culture says it’s okay and my pastor doesn’t call it wrong, it can’t be all that bad.

Have you heard a message in your church lately on why abortion, the murder of unborn babies, is sinful and wrong? Pastors often don’t teach on the sin of abortion because it might offend someone, so they skip over the Old Testament sacrificing of children to Baal and Moloch. Today, babies are burned or dismembered before they’re even born. With 1 out of 5 pregnancies ending in abortion, there probably will be a family touched by abortion in the congregation, but what if that pastor had been speaking all along about the sanctity of life and why God wants every baby He creates to receive the gift of life. Pastors could be saving babies’ lives. And for those women suffering with the guilt of killing their own child, the pastor could help them find comfort and forgiveness from Jesus. When pastors are afraid to touch that sinful painful subject, babies keep dying and women keep suffering.

Or has your pastor approached the subject in a sermon of why men should not be competing in women’s sports because no man can ever be a woman? Has he talked about what the Bible says about homosexuality, perverse sexual lifestyles, and exposing young children in school to this sin? No, you say. Well, why not? The Bible has a ton to say about it and because pastors don’t discuss it, the number of children experimenting with the rainbow mafia has skyrocketed. Children believe the devil’s lie that they can change their sex surgically or medically, when girls’ genetic XX chromosomes and boys’ XY chromosomes will NEVER change. These children will become patients for life instead of receiving help from Bible-believing pastors, psychologists, and counselors.

Or what about the mutilation and sterilization of children. Has your pastor talked about the deception of parents allowing young children to make such life altering permanent changes to their body that will NEVER change their God-given sex? Someone is probably dealing with this right now in your church.

God’s church can’t and shouldn’t avoid difficult issues. It’s a sin!

I know it sounds like I’m putting the onus for much of the culture’s woes on the church and actually that’s exactly what I’m doing. No one should leave a church sermon with a warm fuzzy feeling that nothing needs to change in their life. That’s a milk toast church. Pastors should be teaching what the Bible says about evil and sin. While it might be offensive to some, God’s Word is the ONLY way to eternal life with Him.

 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Heb. 5:12-14

Many people wrongfully think that politics and spirituality should stay separate and that’s a lie straight from the enemy. Politics has invaded the church by normalizing or even legalizing what we all know is sin. Gay marriage. Abortion. Sexual perversion. Child mutilation. The war against women.

No one is perfect. We see many pastors falling in their personal lives. They’re tempted by sin like any of us. Maybe if they were studying the Scriptures and preaching accurately about overcoming sin, they too would be convicted to live by all of God’s Word. Pastor Jack Hibbs advises pastors, “You don’t avoid the difficult Scriptures, you look for Jesus in them!” The Apostle Paul gave a commission to every pastor.
 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. 28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. Acts 20:27-28 NLT

The Lord appears to every believer through His Word, the Holy Bible, and unbelievers can meet Jesus there. Don’t rely on your pastor; rely on your Savior.  You might be offended by what you read, but God loves you enough to tell you the Truth.

This morning in church, we heard a message on 1 Samuel 3 and we sang in church the old hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” I’m closing with 1 Samuel 3:21 and a stanza from the song.

The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. 1 Sam. 3:21

“My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Please let us know if your pastor helps your church family in overcoming the sins of this world, even when it’s offensive. Leave a reply here.

April 7, 2025
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‘Maybe’ Is Not In God’s Vocabulary!

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I was praying last week with the Jack Hibbs LIFT daily morning prayer, which I’ve mentioned in blogs before, when he said something that caught my attention. He said you won’t find “maybe” used in the Bible. Actually, it’s in there but only three times, and never used by God or Jesus. Twice ‘maybe’ is used as a taunt to deny that God exists in 1 Kings 18:27 and Jonah 1:6, and another time in 1 Kings 18:5 by Ahab saying maybe they can find grass for the horses and mules. That’s it!

So think about that. God is never indecisive, wondering if maybe we should do one thing or another. His Word, the Bible, is always specific, confident, instructive, definitive, and direct. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:15-17

We’re the ones that interject maybes into the Scriptures and question the intent of what God is actually saying. Sometimes we want to give the benefit of the doubt or question His intent, but God says I tell you the Truth and you should absolutely follow it in your life. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

You might question that many people interpret the Bible differently. That’s true. The Bible might speak to each of us differently in our individual situation. But if we rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in exegesis of Scripture in context, and not on what we want the Bible to mean, Christians will usually agree on the interpretation.

A good example of misinterpreting Scripture is people saying that God is the God of love, so you need to love everything everyone does because God loves them. That’s what someone wants the Bible to mean, not what God actually says.

If you counter and ask, “Where does God say, ‘maybe’ it’s okay to sin in this area because I love you?” Of course, they can’t find anywhere it says this because God hates sin. Sin destroys the ones He loves. What God does say is that He loves us all so much, He sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross for those of us who ask for forgiveness for our sins, repent, and become followers of Jesus for eternity. (John 3:16)

When you look at all the red-letter words of Jesus in the Gospels, you won’t find Jesus ever using “maybe.” His words when he preached and taught are full of unqualified, unambiguous, unquestionable, and unwavering wisdom, lessons, and truth to live by.

Jesus didn’t say ‘maybe’ He was the only way to heaven and there could be other beliefs or ways. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 No maybes.

Jesus didn’t say ‘maybe’ if you follow me, you might be saved. He said you will be saved. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John. 10:9)

Jesus didn’t say you should ‘maybe’ repent and turn from your wicked ways. He said you must repent to be His follower. “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:32

Jesus didn’t say ‘maybe’ that one sin will be okay because overall you’re a good person. He said go and sin no more. Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:11

We’re the ones that try to soften the Gospel and Jesus’ own words by interjecting doubt or suggesting that ‘maybe’ Jesus didn’t really mean what He said.

Sadly, many pastors today want to make their congregations feel good about their sinful lives, insinuating that maybe it’s not all that bad if it makes you happy or it’s not hurting anyone. That’s a false gospel by a false teacher.

God is much more concerned with our holiness than our happiness.

Maybe In Our Vocabulary!

‘Maybe’ is noncommittal, non-decisive, and reluctant. Maybe we’ll come to your party. Maybe I’ll read the Bible. Maybe I’ll follow most of what the Bible says. Maybe we’ll go to church this weekend. Maybe we’ll come visit.

The Christian life is committed, decisive, and never reluctant. The antithesis of ‘maybe.’

God is looking for bold Christians who are fully committed and fully decisive in their spiritual and personal life. No maybes about it!

Our family rule at the Thompsons is let your yes be yes, and your no be no. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 

‘Maybe’ and ‘try’ are ways to keep all your options open without making a full commitment. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. Or other times you don’t want to tell the person no, so you use ‘try’ or ‘maybe’. When I hear those two words, it means the person isn’t reliable. They’re not being forthright. I can’t count on them.

 When you ask someone about anything that has a yes or no answer and they answer with “Maybe,” or “I’ll try,” they most likely mean no. They’re just afraid to give the honest answer, “No.”

If someone says for example, “I’ll try to be on time.” I’ll counter with “That doesn’t sound very committed. Are you going to be on time or should I not expect you?” I want an answer I can depend on, knowing that circumstances can change but they’re going to make an effort. Just tell me yes or tell me no, but don’t say try or maybe.

A favorite stall of some is I need to check my calendar, but since most people today have a calendar on their phone, that’s pretty easy to check. I would prefer to hear, “We won’t be able to make it, but thanks for thinking of us.” Then they can always call later if their plans change and that’s always pleasant news.

There are certain situations where we want to pray before committing. That’s often advisable. In fact, many of us can think of a time we wish we had taken time to pray before saying yes. If that’s the case, then give a timeframe where the other person can expect you to respond. Stick to that time commitment.

Do you think that’s too strict or not flexible enough? Well, God is strict in His commands to us knowing that if we follow them with commitment, perseverance, and diligence, we’re going to be a better witness to others and live a fuller life in Christ.

How many of us who are married would’ve answered, “I’ll try” or “Maybe” when the pastor asked if we would love, honor, and cherish our spouse? If we want the ceremony to continue and the marriage to last, we say, “Yes” loudly, boldly, and committed.

Sometimes we say “maybe” because we’re really not sure what we want. It can mean numerous things, from “I’m not sure I want to do this,” to “I want to do that, but I’m not sure if I can” to “this doesn’t sound like how I want to spend my time” to any number of combinations that make us unsure.

Many times, kids that have lived with divorce and are trying to please both parents find themselves saying maybe or I’ll try because they don’t want to hurt either parent by saying no. Or even worse say “I’ll try” or “maybe” to both parents knowing they can’t be at both places. They live with that worry and angst hanging over them because eventually one of the parents is going to be disappointed when they don’t show up. It would’ve been better to tell one parent no but let’s make other plans to get together. That’s a hard lesson to learn.

If we can learn to say no when it’s not a sure yes, there’s clarity for everyone and actually much less stressful.

Like me, most people are looking for truth they can depend on. If we want to be good witnesses for Christ, we need to be the kind of people others can depend on to live by our words. Sometimes, we’re so uncomfortable saying no, we think we need to give long explanations to justify our reasons. That can lead to lying or making up a story. Not necessary. Not godly. Leviticus 19:11 commands “Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”

When you know your maybe really means no, you’re essentially lying to the other person. That’s why “maybe” and “try” are not in God’s vocabulary, but “yes” and “no” are. God never vacillates in the way He wants us to live. He sets boundaries and guidelines for us. We need to go and do likewise.

Freedom isn’t the ability to say maybe. It’s the ability to say no or yes and own it.

Please leave a comment here.

March 24, 2025
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Did You Even Know March is Women’s History Month?

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I have to admit, until I was asked by Crosswalk to write an article on 4 Ways Christians Can Celebrate Women’s International Day on Saturday March 8, I had never heard of Women’s History Month. The media and liberals make a big deal about Black History Month in February, but why don’t we hear anything about Women’s History Month in March? Maybe that’s because it conflicts with “Bisexual Health Awareness Month” also in March. We do need to stop and pray for women all over the world especially right now in the Democratic Republic of Congo described as “hell on earth” with killing and raping of women and killing of Christians.

Women are vulnerable in all countries. Yes, even in America. While we have more freedom and rights than women in Afghanistan or the Congo do, we’re rapidly losing some of those freedoms. However, thankfully President Trump is aware of this loss and recognized Women’s History Month by signing an Executive Order proclamation declaring March 2025 as Women’s History Month! President Trump has many capable and highly qualified women in his Administration. As he signed the EO he said, “This is an honor.”

Most people have forgotten that Women’s History Month began in 1987, but it hasn’t been recognized or acknowledged during the left’s current war on women until President Trump! Thank you, Mr. President.

Women have a history of fighting for equality and constitutional rights in our country. Suffragists fought for women’s right to vote, and a constant battle continues for women to be treated fairly and equally in jobs and careers. But who would’ve ever imagined that in the 21st Century women would be fighting to defend and protect our very existence and definition of a woman?! Or maintaining Title IX to keep women’s sports exclusive to women? We’re going backward in history instead of forward.

The Biden administration promoted and favored a tiny fraction of men suffering from gender dysphoria, or have a perverted fetish, or are so mentally ill they want to use their body to abuse women in sports. We now live in a world where President Trump had to write another executive order “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” to demolish the left’s obsession with perversion of God’s creation.

President Trump legally mandated that the Federal Government only recognizes what God biblically mandated at creation: there are only two sexes–male and female. The executive order also explicitly states, “sex is not a synonym for and does not include the concept of ‘gender ideology.’” 

What we’ve all known and lived by for years that gender is not fluid has been satanically distorted by diabolical political ideology from Democrats and their propaganda arm of the mainstream media. CNN hosts say about the executive orders that, “unnamed scientists, critics oppose ‘new definitions’ of male, female.” They aren’t new definitions; they’re God’s definitions since the beginning of time. He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.” Gen. 5:2

Then at President Trump’s Speech to Joint Session of Congress, we saw the Democrats, including the women and crossdresser Tim McBride (D-Del) dressed in pink, set on their hands with stone faces when President Trump honored Payton McNabb. Payton was a member of the Hiwassee Dam High School girls’ volleyball team in Cherokee County, NC, until a male crossdresser playing for Highlands High School cut her dreams down in September 2022. The male Highlands player, who towered over his female opponents at 5’11,” spiked the ball into McNabb’s face, leaving the then 17-year-old unconscious with a brain bleed, concussion, and permanent whiplash. Payton has brain damage, vision issues, and paralysis on her right side—injuries that prevented her from pursuing her dream of securing a volleyball college scholarship.

Payton has turned a terrible tragedy into a purpose by working hard in recent years to ensure that other women and girls don’t have their dreams similarly stolen and smashed by opportunistic men emboldened by Democrat-championed policies.

After explaining Payton’s harrowing life changing experience by a male, President Trump told McNabb, “From now on, schools will kick the men off the girls’ team, or they will lose all federal funding.” He added that the inclusion of men in women’s sports is “demeaning for women, and it’s very bad for our country. We’re not going to put up with it any longer.”

Yet, the very day before President Trump’s speech, EVERY Democrat Senator voted against moving forward a bill that would codify President Trump’s Executive Order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” It had already passed the House with all Republicans voting for it and all but two Democrats voting against it, even though a supermajority of all Americans—Democrat and Republican—want men out of women’s sports. Yet, a number of Democrat governors, even women governors, are defying President Trump’s executive order and continue to let vulnerable girls be abused by men in women’s sports.

Not only is keeping women’s sports exclusively for women common sense, it’s moral, ethical, and biblical to protect women from this invasion of cowardly, sick, and pathetic men into women’s sports, locker rooms, and private spaces.

God made men stronger with prowess to protect women, not abuse them. Everyone knows a man is physically and biologically stronger, faster, and can physically outperform a woman. Every man that cross-dresses knows that too, and so should every Congress man/woman, Senator, Governor, State Legislator, School Superintendent, Coach, parents, and doctors!

The Democrats, including pink ladies, not only didn’t stand for Payton McNabb, but they also didn’t stand for Laken Riley or Jocelyn Nungaray, both tortured, raped, and killed by illegal alien men the Biden administration and Democrats let into our country!

A Note to Parents

Parents I feel for you. Kids going through puberty do and say crazy things. We all went through it. As hard as it is, parents need to be parents. Kids have learned through TikTok and other social media that all they have to say is that they’re going to kill themselves to get their scared parents to comply. Sadly, kids during puberty are confused and try experimental things. They may start drinking, smoking, cutting, or even turn to drugs. Many times, they want to do shocking things to get attention. Gender ideology has become so prevalent in the past few years because it’s promoted in schools, on social media, the culture, in politics, the media, and peer pressure. It’s become a fad.

It used to be that drag shows were not allowed in public and those who participated were considered what they are, perverted. But suddenly a self-described gay activist Marxist is head of the National Library Association and drag story hour is offered to small impressionable children whose parents take them?!

The gay/trans population is small, but they have a large vocal activist lobby in D.C. and they’re going after the children. Successfully, I might add. Romans 1:10-32, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, and 1 Tim. 1:9-11 provide God’s view of this perversion. Parents’ job is to protect their children from it! The only anecdote is Jesus in their lives. Attempting to do the impossible, change your gender, is NOT normal, mentally or physically healthy, or productive. What the children need is a change of heart and mind.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Pr. 22:6

Sadly, unethical doctors have learned how to do sexual mutilation surgeries and give castrating drugs that make them lots of money. Once you start a precious child down that road, they’ll be a patient for life. Just the words “Puberty Blocker” is a red flag. Our bodies were created to go through puberty. It’s a physical maturing process for both men and women. Trying to stop it plays havoc on a child’s body, emotions, and brain.

They’re not happier after this unethical medical intervention. Look at the numbers of trans who have shot up schools and got themselves killed. The Biden Administration and the media tried to hide this to the detriment of children and parents. Kids aren’t experimentation projects. No one knows the long-term effects of the drugs and doctors downplay the immediate effects. But we do know they have side effects of aggression, anger, depression, violence, and self-destruction.

No mentally healthy male wants to put on girls’ clothes and pretend he’s a girl or vice versa with girls wanting to be boys. These kids need Christian psychological and pastoral help not the indoctrination they’re getting in schools and on social media. Usually, something traumatic has happened in their life and they’re acting out in a way that has now become socially acceptable and even tragically encouraged. We’re seeing a generation of confused children not happy in their own body, and it’s being culturally motivated and promoted by Satan. It’s a demonic lie that you can change gender. You can’t.

If a child says he or she wants to be a horse and run in a horse race, we wouldn’t take them to a veterinarian to start turning them into a horse and enter them into races. That isn’t any more ridiculous than letting boys/men cross-dress and enter into girls’ /women’s sports. In both scenarios, they need to go to a well-researched child psychologist or treatment center, preferably a Christian one. Some of these boys didn’t do well when they participated in men’s sports, so they decide to “identify” as women to play in women’s sports where they take away dreams, trophies, scholarships, and even cause great harm to girls. It’s wrong on every level!

Just like you wouldn’t encourage kids that are on drugs to become addicted for life, trying to change their identity is just another addiction and needs the same kind of therapy and treatment. I don’t know why more people aren’t speaking out about this. Maybe fear. Listen to a detransition interview or whistleblower Dr. Ethan Haim who almost went to prison under the Biden Administration for exposing transgender surgeries at Texas Children’s Hospital after they claimed to have stopped. (Trump’s DOJ dropped all charges against Haim in January 2025).

The detransitioned children say doctors didn’t give their parents any other option but drugs and/or surgeries to try and do the impossible of changing gender when all it does is castrate and sterilize them for life. The doctors didn’t offer counseling or psychological help to work through the issues. They instead scare parents with threats their child will commit suicide, but sadly many who go the attempted “transition” route tragically do just that.

Statistics show higher suicide numbers for kids and adults given puberty blockers or mutilation surgery to try to achieve a biological lie that they can change their gender. Trans surgeries increase risk of mental health conditions, suicidal ideations study | Fox News

What Can We Do to Help Women?

I believe the left’s obsession with favoring crossdressing men invading girls’ sports is because they’ve abandoned a biblical worldview. They’ve abandoned God. They’ve embraced the lie of the enemy and ruler of this worldly culture, Satan. The only hope for them is to repent and run to Jesus for forgiveness and turn away from the lobbyists, doctors, drug companies, organizations, activists, and any wealth they may be receiving from this insanity.

We need to vote the Democrats out of office because their lack of respect for women isn’t their only demon. They want to kill baby boys and girls up through and after birth. They want illegals to roam free in our communities and rob, pillage, rape, and kill girls and women.

It’s the party that’s obsessed with hate for President Donald Trump. Hate causes hearts to turn stone cold. Look at their faces during Donald Trump’s speech and I’m sure you’ll agree they’ve lost their minds and their hearts to the evil one. They’re an embarrassment to everything America stands for and they’ve abandoned women.

Run for office if God leads you. Write articles in your local paper. Speak up for women! Whatever you do, don’t sit quietly by and let them get control again of our beautiful America. Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance of what He wants for you to do in your family and your country.

I hope you’ll also read my article “God Knows What a Woman Is!”

And my blog Who’s Behind the War on Women?

Please leave a comment here.

March 10, 2025
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What Should Christians Do In The ‘Golden Age’?

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At the start of President Trump’s Inaugural address on January 20, 2025, he promised, “The Golden Age of America begins right now!”

The nation would be safe, secure, and prosperous again. Trump also vowed to eliminate DEI and that “Almighty God” would again be honored in America. He has since established a White House Faith Office and created a task force under Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate “targeting of Christians and eradicate anti-Christian bias. At the National Prayer Breakfast in D.C. President Trump said, “Without God, we are isolated and alone, but with God, the Scriptures tell us, all things are possible.”

Trump’s diplomatic goal for our country is restoring an era of American exceptionalism in which the U.S. is an economic powerhouse, common sense the rule, and traditional values centered on God, family, and freedom are celebrated. The Golden Age.

Origins of Golden Age

Golden Age is a term used to describe a period in history where a culture, society, or nation experiences a period of prosperity, peace, and advancements. This era is characterized by significant achievements, significant contributions, and a collective sense of prosperity and unity. Major advances in science, technology, art, and literature often mark golden ages.

Wikipedia describes ‘Golden Age’ as a metaphor for a time considered as a peak in the history of a country or people when the greatest achievements were made. The term originated from early Greek mythology and Roman poets who used it to refer to a time when mankind lived in a better time.

Characteristics of a Golden Age

While there is no strict definition of a Golden Age, it typically exhibits certain characteristics:

• Profound economic prosperity: The era is marked by stable economic growth, trade flourishing, and widespread wealth creation.
• Cultural achievements: Art, literature, music, and science experience significant advancements, contributing to the development of civilization.
• Peaceful relations: There is little conflict or war, with nations and groups coexisting harmoniously.
• Innovative spirit: New ideas, inventions, and discoveries drive progress, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Historical Golden Ages

  • Hellenistic Golden Age (323–31 BCE)
  • European Renaissance (14th-17th century)
  • Age of Exploration (15th-17th century)
  • Golden Age of Islam (8th-13th century)

Recent Golden Ages

  • Digital Age (late 20th century-present)
  • Biotechnology and genomics (late 20th century-present)
  • Space Age (20th century)
  • The American Century, the period since the middle of the 20th century has been largely dominated by the United States in political, economic, and cultural terms and may be taken to represent a golden age of global cultural influence and political hegemony.

To many of us, the last four years under the Biden Administration was a demonic dark age.

  • Our national debt close to bankruptcy.
  • DEI and evil woke policies reigned throughout government and businesses.
  • Murdering babies from conception through birth considered a “right.”
  • Perverted decrepit sexual practices normalized and taught to young children in schools.
  • Lines blurred between biological and biblical definitions of men and women.
  • Children sterilized and castrated with drugs and surgical mutilation.
  • A war on women with men invading women’s and girls’ sports and private spaces.
  • A “new green deal” climate hoax forced on Americans.
  • Government censorship.
  • A lack of diplomacy, military readiness, or supremacy on the global stage.
  • People forced to take an experimental vaccination to keep their jobs or children to attend school.
  • Businesses, churches, schools closed by the government.
  • Terrorists funded, including Iran a country that hates America.
  • Our closest ally Israel snubbed and defunded during their horrific crisis.
  • Our border invaded by illegals, terrorists, and criminals.

I could go on, but you and I both lived through the insanity and tyranny. Certainly NOT a Golden Age. It was a dark, demonic, evil age and anyone who spoke or acted against complying with it was threatened, silenced, censored, or even imprisoned. This and so much more is what the American people voted against on November 5, 2024.

So yes, as we watch all of President Trump’s Executive Orders coming out of the Oval Office reversing the evil of the past administration, it does certainly feel like the dawning of a Golden Age. Many of us wake up every morning celebrating the return to sanity and common sense in America as corruption, fraud, and abuse is discovered and eliminated by DOGE.

Last week, we watched the first Cabinet Meeting begin in a beautiful prayer given by HUD Secretary Scott Turner where he prayed, “Father the Bible says, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord’” and he ended with, “In Jesus Name, Amen.”

What a blessing. What hope. What grace and mercy the Lord is granting America.

In today’s Golden Age, spiritually correct is politically correct. Hallelujah!

But we must remember that as good as this feels, our current Golden Age isn’t God’s future Golden Age. It’s like saying heaven on earth, knowing that as good as it might get here, this isn’t eternal Heaven. 

God’s Golden Age

When I told my husband I was writing on the Golden Age, he said he had just bought a book by Dr. David Jeremiah titled, you guessed it, The Coming Golden Age: 31 Ways To Be Kingdom Ready. Wow, what timing! Notice the word “coming” in the title. While we might be living in America’s earthly Golden Age, and let’s pray it continues, the Lord’s Golden Age is in the future. Dr. Jeremiah’s book is prophetically timed because it was published in October 2024 before Trump’s Golden Age for America inaugural speech.

You won’t find the term “Golden Age” in your Bible, but you will find it inferred prophetically. Let me share a few quotes from the Introduction to Dr. Jeremiah’s book.

“Recently I’ve been digging them up—hundreds of verses about the coming Golden Age, the impending thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on this planet. Some commentators say it is the single most mentioned subject in all of God’s Word. Ten centuries when the world will be peaceful, prosperous, and under the power and authority of Jesus Christ! This Millennium of time is ahead of us. It’s the epoch between our Lord’s return to this planet and the onset of the new heaven and new earth of the eternal age.”

“If you belong to Jesus Christ, you’re included in the future He’s designed. There is a coming Golden Age, and it gets even better after that!”

Dr. Jeremiah describes the timeline before the Millennium starting with the Rapture of the church in 1 Thess. 4:13-18. This could happen at any minute. Maybe even before I finish writing this blog! “The vanishing of millions or billions of people will traumatize the nations, leading to a global power shift and worldwide war (Rev. 6:1-8). A cunning one-world ruler [Antichrist] will emerge, triggering seven years of Tribulation on our planet (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 6-18).”

Revelations 15:1 and Zech. 14:2 describes what Jesus called “great tribulations, such as not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21 NKJV). This will climax in the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16.) “Just when Israel appears on the verge of annihilations, Jesus Christ will appear in the sky and destroy the hostile forces of the Antichrist (Zech. 14:2; Rev. 19:11-16). Our Lord will literally speak the victory, and He will deliver His people.”

Those already raptured will be with Jesus and see Him descend onto the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:11) as He gloriously enters Jerusalem and assumes the reins of world government for one thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6). The Millennium. God’s coming Golden Age.

As Dr. Jeremiah explains, “It’s the kingdom to come, the fulfillment of all the promises God made to Israel in the Old Testament. It’s also the bridge of time that will take us into the eternal enclaves of the new heaven, the new earth, and the everlasting capital of New Jerusalem.”

The Christian Golden Opportunity

The earthly Golden Age for Christians should mean more to us then an easier life where we feel less threatened and more supported. We should take every opportunity to proclaim the name of Jesus to anyone and everyone who will listen, and even those who won’t!

“The time has come,” he [Jesus] said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15

I recently heard a pastor pray asking God that we wouldn’t just experience the next four years of President Trump’s Golden Age, but we would have a Golden Age for the next four generations. I’m not sure why he limited it to four generations, except maybe it synced with four years. Many of us pray the Rapture comes before that.

I agree with those who believe God has granted a reprieve with President Trump. Christianity will be celebrated and not berated or silenced so that reformation and revival can occur publicly and profusely.

God wants as many people as possible saved before they die or the Rapture, whichever comes first. Today, we clearly see many blatantly endorsing and choosing evil. A denial of God. Yet, God wants them saved too. However, if they continue to rebel against Him, He will leave them to their own demise (Romans 1:18-32).

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done . . . They not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Rom. 1:28, 32

The earthly national Golden Age is our Golden Opportunity as Christians to share the Gospel to as many people as possible. Look at unbelievers in your family, friends, neighbors, fellow workers, or acquaintances with a new conviction to spare them from eternity in Hell when they die or experiencing a time when God’s wrath will pour out on the world during the tribulation for anyone left behind after the Rapture.

The thought of this fate is what kept me on my knees praying daily for six years for my daughter, which I describe in Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter. I love her so much. I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, settle for her going through the terrible tribulation, or if she died before the Rapture, going straight to Hell.

There is no second chance to change your mind after death. No in between. No reprieve. People can become believers during the Tribulation, but they’ll be tortured and probably killed by the Antichrist for not accepting the Mark of the Beast. Even today, we hear of Christians in the Congo beheaded for their Christian faith.

You’re probably thinking how did we go from opening this blog with a joyous Golden Age era and ending up talking about Hell?! Because Hell is as real as Heaven. Don’t be fooled thinking everyone who dies goes to Heaven. Only those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior here on earth will be with Jesus in eternity.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell[a] is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matt. 7:13-14 NLT

Sharing the truth of the Gospel is our job as Christians during this relief from governmental persecution of faith. Now is the time to unashamedly tell your testimony that Jesus saves! So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. 2 Tim. 1:8 NLT

It’s no coincidence you and I are living during this earthly Golden Age. God wants us to take advantage of the freedom to spread Christianity. There’s no guarantee it’s going to last four generations as that pastor prayed or even four years. Jesus doesn’t tell us the hour or the day when God says He has had enough. People have had a chance to make their decision and it’s time to take His people home. I’ve given you a lot to consider and pray about. Jesus doesn’t want anyone lost. Let it be said the same of us.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. John 6:39

If you don’t receive my weekly newsletter, you can read the opening article in the February issue, “God Knows What A Woman Is!” here. Also, signup for the newsletter on my website.

Have you read my latest blogs? Make America and You Healthy Again! Or Making America Godly Again!

Please leave a comment here. 

March 3, 2025
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We Need to Outsmart and Out Pray the Devil!

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Today’s Monday Morning Blog will be briefer than usual even though this has been another packed week of events and emotions in our country, I’ve been sick all week. The kind of sick where my hubby willingly had to scrounge up his own dinner while I moan and blow my nose on the couch. I know many of you understand since there are bugs going around that have many of you commiserating with me. And yes, I take a slew of vitamins and elderberry daily and have been doing the iodine nasal spray when I’m around crowds and sick people, but my body was recovering from a skin cancer surgery on my face and I think it was just my time.

So, if you’re sick too or have been recently, you know the drill where you wake up every morning praying that you’re going to feel better and then you don’t. This too will pass. But being sick has allowed me to watch the coverage of many of the Trump cabinet Senate committee “interrogations” in real time and not just clips.

I’ve absolutely been appalled at the anger, yelling, rudeness, attacking, interrupting, lies, taking quotes out of context, projection, hypocrisy, and disrespect spewed from the Democrat Senators against the qualified candidates that President Trump has chosen to work with him in eliminating the atrocities inflicted on our country by the last administration. And here’s the rub. Those screaming Democrat Senators are railing against common sense values and policies that the majority of Americans voted for while voting against the Dem’s unjust woke policies.

Fear is motivating the Democrats hateful unprofessional accusations and verbal assaults. Fear that they’ll be found out for their own actions and personal gain while shamelessly destroying our country. Fear that whatever God is doing in our country will jeopardize their stranglehold on the government. Watching their contorted faces, they looked and sounded demonically possessed. As if they’ve sold their soul to the devil for power, prestige, and position with no real concern for the life of everyday American citizens. I couldn’t help but wonder what type of person votes for these people?

If you watch any of the senate committee sessions, I often refer to as hearings or interrogations, you’ll notice the Democrats were united in their disgusting vile attacks. They had prepared and planned and were unified in belligerent bullying. They’ll also be unified in partisan voting against every qualified Republican candidate who wants to restore power to the people. It was amazing to watch the cabinet candidates for the most part remaining calm and respectful while being verbally assaulted and insulted

The Bible says in Proverbs 29:11-12 NLT “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. 12 If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked.”

Angry lying fools and advisers is exactly what these Democrat Senators portray. Their godless way of dealing with temperament is rooted in pride. The Democrat Senators who can see their grip on power slipping from their grasp weren’t yelling for the benefit of America, but for self-preservation of their party and more important to them, their own personal power. They’ve learned nothing from their loss and what the American people said they wanted in this last election.

The Democrat minority leader Hakeem Jeffries called for violence at a press conference saying that, “everyday Americans are under assault by an extreme MAGA Republican agenda. We are going to fight it legislatively. We are going to fight it in the courts. And we’re gonna fight it in the streets.” Is he trying to emulate President Trump’s iconic, “Fight, fight, fight”? If so, it fell flat. Now they’re going to take to the streets in violence?! How exactly is that going to benefit them or the American people? Another example of “fools venting their anger.”

The new Democrat party leader Ken Martin’s first priority is to set up a “war room” to message against Trump, who he once called a “traitor,” and his posture will be “aggressive against Trump and leading Republicans.“

We need to stay wise and vigilant because we’ve seen that the left does not play fair. These are the same people who mercilessly and unjustly jailed peaceful J6ers. They jailed peaceful pro-life advocates for praying while the Democrat party supports and receives funding from Planned Parenthood that calls “praying violence” and condemns Trump’s pardons of Pro-Life Americans.

The Democrats can’t accept that the MAGA agenda is exactly what millions of “everyday Americans” voted for! Instead, they’re trying to inflict a coordinated systemic attack to block Trump’s nominees to the detriment of the country. They want to delay the government for the people by the people from being able to function. Since the Democrats are in the minority, they’re using rules of the Senate to try to stymie Trump’s agenda. They’re playing a vicious and diabolical game with our government.

A Reoccurring Theme!

The Democrat agenda isn’t about how they can do a better job for our country, but rather what can they do to take down Trump and his supporters. Even Robert Kennedy Jr. in his confirmation hearing pointed to all the Democrat Senators and said, you were all my friends before I supported Trump. Now you’re all against me because you’re against anything Trump does.

They’re blinded by this singular focus as was evidenced with their attempts to take President Trump down before the election. But God spared him from every assault including an assassin’s bullet and Trump knows he was saved for such a time as this. So should we know this as we pray for his protection and godly guidance daily. If God is for him, pity the person who is against him.

As I prayed and pondered about all of this, I realized I was watching the spiritual battle occurring in the heavenlies playing out before my eyes in real time. Satan wants to destroy everything good that God has created from mankind to government to the world. The devil is using lost souls to do his dirty work. All the tragedies we’re watching in shock daily from devastation in North Carolina to apocalyptic fires in California to the horrific plane crashes in DC and Philadelphia to the daily murder of innocent babies have the stamp of the devil written across them.

Sadly, the devil is smarter than most Christians are, even though we know he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Many Christians, including pastors, have actually joined the culture instead of taking the culture back for God. They’ve gone along with tolerating sexual perversion as a person’s “right” while thousands of young children are being groomed on social media like TikTok and even in our schools and surgically mutilated and castrated by “doctors.” If a male decides he’s a female, we let him invade women’s sports, locker rooms, and private spaces and even call him by his pseudo woman’s name and pronoun. We’ve tolerated gay marriage, an abomination to God.

We’ve cried over babies being murdered in the womb but haven’t been willing to join the fight to protect them. In some cases, the Biden government’s DEI programs have demanded compliance and even prosecuted brave people for objecting to evil wokeness.

How Do We Know What to Speak Out Against and Reject?

Answer: Anything that hurts God’s heart! Period.

We need to be as united in truth as the other side is united in lies and deception. We don’t agree with the devil, ever. If and when we do, we give the devil license to unleash his evil decadence and chaos here on earth as we’ve watched our culture deteriorate. Now we have a chance to take America back not only for common sense conservative values and laws, but more importantly, for God’s biblical values and laws. The left is terrified of this, but God is on our side.

There is power in unity, both for evil and good. It’s time Christians stop fearmongering and stand up for their faith. Anyone who is standing with the Democrats who want to go back to the Biden era are like the Israelites who wanted to go back to Egypt where they were slaves after God set them free! We need to stay involved, stay united, serve where we feel led, and pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom. 12:21

Note: I chose the opening picture because it’s snowing as I write.

Please leave a comment here.

February 3, 2025
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Praying for President Trump: A Call to Action

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As you read this blog, you may be getting ready to watch President Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, or maybe you’ve already watched it. Regardless, history is being made as he becomes only the second president in United States history to win non-consecutive terms as we launch into a new era that Trump has called the “Golden Age.”

Most of us would agree that the past four years have been hard, but we made it. I personally can see many reasons that God had President Trump wait until this year to reenter the White House and perhaps I will save that for a future blog. Today, I want to do something a little different and suggest a call to action to pray for success, protection, and wisdom for our new President and all those who will be serving our country with him and his family who love and support him. So, pray with me please and feel free to add any prayers the Holy Spirit brings to your mind in the comments.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come together today using these humble written words and Your Words to praise You and pray for newly elected President Donald J. Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, cabinet members, and additional staff who will be serving the American people in the federal government. And we pray for all their families.

Father, You tell us in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 that You command us to pray for those in authority because it is vital to the success of any leadership, and we want this administration to be successful. You say, I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

As Your followers who want to live peaceful and quiet lives, we pray that our national, state, and local governments would rule with godliness and holiness and seek You always for wisdom, guidance, and discernment in governing.

The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. 11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. 12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. Ps. 33:10-12

So first, we pray that President Trump, his advisers, cabinet, and team would look to You, Lord, as they make and execute their plans for our Nation. That they would humbly and patiently seek Your will and not their own. We trust Father that if they would simply ask You will help them with all the decisions and policies they will be making, changing, or discarding. The king’s [President’s] heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases. (Pr. 21:1)

For those, Lord, who refuse to seek You, we pray for their removal from positions that would inflict anything on constituents which goes against Your Word and Your will. We especially pray for eyes to open and hearts to break for the imperative need for righteous protection of the unborn. The removal of evil teaching policies and sexual grooming in the education of our children and grandchildren and that You, Lord, would be brought back into our schools along with a patriotic love for our country. We pray that marriage and sex would be governed as you designed in creation and not as man has “reimagined” and distorted it.

Lord, Your Word tells us in Proverbs 29:2 that, When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. Lord, we have been groaning now for four years under a heavy burden of wickedness and unrighteousness with evil, lies, and injustice in our government. We identify with Old Testament people as they vacillated between bad and good judges and kings. We praise You and give You gratitude for hearing the pleas of over 77 million Americans who voted for a return to civility, common sense, and biblical principles and values in our country as our founding fathers envisioned in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

We praise You, Lord, that there are some godly people now in positions of authority. We pray not only that they would not bend or break in their devotion to You in all their actions, decisions, words, and policies, but that they would also be a witness of the power of Jesus Christ in their life as they serve along some who may not know you personally. Let the faithful never be afraid to share that their hope, strength, and power originates from You, Lord. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” Matt. 10:32-33)

Please let each official who knows You as his or her Savior remember Your counsel to live by and govern with a biblical worldview and be ready to explain the reasons why. 1 Peter 3:15-16 advises how to do this.  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

We pray Lord that You will protect President Trump from physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual harm. We know that the worst of all the world’s enemies is Satan who prowls around like a roaring lion night and day looking for someone to devour. We’ve watched satanic evil target President Trump in assassination attempts to take his life and lawfare to falsely slander and imprison him. Yet still he has prevailed. We see in his words that he understands it is You, God, who has saved him physically, and we pray he is saved spiritually. Let all the attempts of the evil one against President Trump, his family, his cabinet, and his team bounce off their shields of faith and boomerang back on the assailants. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Eph. 6:16

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Pr. 30:5 NLT

Franklin Graham reminds us that, “As we pray, remember above all that our hope is in the Lord, not men. Only [You] God can save souls and only [You] God can bring revival to the nation—a moral and spiritual transformation that brings stability, true peace and God’s blessings.”

Oh Lord, You never fail and You always achieve Your good and rightful purpose. Let us be people who continue to pray for our president and government not just on Inauguration Day, but every day. Even when we can’t see clearly what You’re doing, You tell us to partner with You in praise, prayer, and purpose. So, we now humbly submit and commit to You that we will do just that to the best of our ability. We will give You all the praise and glory for the blessings You have given each of as American citizens currently and Heavenly citizens for eternity.

“We have no King but Jesus.” John Adams

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chr. 7:14)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer. 29:11-13

Amen

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January 20, 2025
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God, NOT The Government, Controls the Climate!

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You can’t turn on the news today without hearing about the “LA Apocalypse” of wind and fire that has destroyed thousands of homes, displaced over 100,000 people, and taken 24 lives as of this writing. The LA sheriff expects the loss of life count will go up when they’re able to search through the ashes for those who have gone missing. Not to mention the wildlife that couldn’t escape. The pictures we see of charred cars, burnt homes and businesses looks like the fictional movies depicting the apocalyptic end of the world.

Certainly, it could seem like the end of their world to those impacted by these horrific fires with the loss of keepsakes, treasures, possessions, clothes, shelter, homes, and maybe even lives. We need to be praying for the first responders, firefighters, and residents—rich or poor—who only escaped with the clothes on their backs and maybe a computer and pets.

What’s Predictable is Preventable

What has infuriated many watching and experiencing this crisis unfold, is California government’s neglect to prepare the residents and take preventive preparation when the National Weather Service had issued numerous red flag warnings of a dangerous situation brewing. Finger pointing, excuses, lying, and blaming instead of taking responsibility and showing leadership is the government response. There’s an apparent lack of sincere compassion and caring by the governor and mayor whose job it is to protect the residents of California. Instead, they seem more concerned about their own political futures or defending their political agenda.

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Pr. 29:2

Then there’s the liberal politicians in Washington who immediately start touting the climate change hoax as the cause, which helps no one and is a lie straight from the devil.

Remember back in the Garden of Eden where Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the idea that they could be God. That didn’t work out well for them and it doesn’t for us either. No matter how smart or scientific man thinks he is, God created climate, the weather, and the wind. In the Bible, wind is mentioned 247 times and in 41 Books in the Bible. The first time was right after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit after Satan told them they could be like God (Gen. 5).

 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Gen. 3:8 NLT

Winds became violent in biblical times too. For example, Job 1:19, 23; Jer. 4:11, 13:24; Ex. 14:21, 26. And who can forget Jesus quieting the winds with the disciples in the boat during a storm. These might’ve been 100 mile per hour winds too, maybe worse.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:40-41

Wind isn’t new. Seasonal weather changes aren’t new. Fire isn’t new. Sadly, man thinking He can control what only God controls isn’t new either.

What is new is . . .

  • Dry fire hydrants with no water!
  • The LA water chief admitting her work is guided through an ‘equity lens.’
  • The LA fire chief touted as a “lesbian” whose goal is to make the fire department more DEI staffed.
  • The LA mayor being on a junket to Ghana and cutting the fire department’s budget by $17 million.
  • The governor cutting fire management budget by $100M a few months before the lethal fires!
  • Because of budget cuts, using prisoners and firefighters from Mexico to help battle the blazes.
  • The governor sending rain and snow water out to the ocean and shutting down four dams in the state while nearby reservoirs are empty.
  • And on and on…

Over the years, man’s atheistic attempt to corral and control the weather has been called climate change, climate control, global warming, greenhouse gasses, climate crisis, climate emergency, climate breakdown, polar vortex, and the latest “green new deal,” which climate cult alarmist AOC said in 2019 we’d all be dead in 12 years if not followed. Before AOC, others made similar wild predictions that never materialized.

When AOC and liberals first proposed the green new deal, it was considered a ridiculous joke. Yet today, liberal states like California have used it to create an environment safer for fish than for people! They’ve wasted billions of dollars to satisfy environmentalists while not clearing brush, doing controlled burns, logging, or collecting the rain and snowfall God sends to help put out fires.

Man tries to predict the weather that God sends, but that weather forecast can change minute by minute. In the case of California, high velocity Santa Ana winds were predicted in the LA area and winds often lead to fire from fallen power lines or arsonists, maybe even terrorist, who use the winds to nefariously and satanically start fires.

Before moving to Idaho almost 14 years ago, I lived my entire life in SoCal. I’ve experienced earthquakes, Santa Ana winds which I thought was going to rip off my roof the night before my wedding, fires which caused several evacuations in an area where we had a cabin, and mudslides when the rains come after the fires. So, I understand California weather and I know it’s important to vote in government officials who care more about protecting their constituents and the land then the latest DEI or progressive liberal ideology.

Here’s what I also know about God and weather regardless of the state you live in.

  • God created fire and it’s a significant symbol of divine manifestations in the Bible. God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and the pillar of fire led the Israelites by night through the desert, representing the presence and power of God.
  • We see other Demonstrations of God’s power and authority, such as Elijah’s sacrifice and fiery furnace in Daniel, showcase the divine ability to consume and protect through fire.
  • The Holy Spirit descending as tongues of fire at Pentecost signifies spiritual empowerment and the purifying work of God in believers’ lives.
  • The Lake of Fire serves as a cautionary warning for believers and unbelievers, reminding them of the consequences of rejecting God, His Son, and His righteousness.

Everyone Needs the Lord Now More Than Ever! Is God Trying to Get Our Attention?

We’re experiencing weekly, sometimes daily, crises and catastrophes. While many of us remain hopeful that progressive woke, DEI policies, illegal invasion, terrorism, and crime will be contained under a new presidency, only God knows the future. We need to put our trust in Him and not in our government. Government will surely fail us because they often forget they’re NOT God. Listen for the still small voice like Elijah heard after the wind, the earthquake, and the fire.

 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-13

The True Meaning of Apocalypse

Tom Gilbreath wrote in “A Message From HalLindsey.com” On January 12, 2025 . . .

The word apocalypse means “reveal” or “revelation.” We associate the word with massive, fiery disasters because of the horrors described in the book of Revelation. But the first five words of that book tell what it’s really about — “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” 

With the real definition in mind, I hope that Los Angeles and California, along with the rest of America, will view this as a wakeup call. Actor Dennis Quaid, on a local television news report Friday night, said, “I think there’s a spiritual awakening on the other side of this.” May it be so. May there be a real apocalypse — a revelation. May Christ be revealed, and may America see the light.

I wrote this blog on July 18, 2022. Only God Decides the End of the World

Victor Davis Hanson lives in California. Victor Davis Hanson: California’s Catastrophic Wildfires Are ‘A DEI, Green New Deal Disaster’

Pastor Jack Hibbs, I wrote about in last week’s blog 2025 A Year of New Beginnings, that I’m praying with him on Facebook live every morning, was fired up in his Sunday morning message on January 12, 2025. He doesn’t hold back. Here’s a clip of who he thinks should run for Governor in California and LA mayor.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations. Is. 61:1-4

Please leave a comment here.

January 13, 2025
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2025 A Year of New Beginnings!

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Why do we get so excited about celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of the next? Maybe it’s because we have a fresh start to do those things we didn’t accomplish or finish in the past year. Maybe the past year had disappointments and heartaches. Maybe we didn’t finish or even start last year’s goals and we want to try again this year.

Even if the past year was wonderful, we get excited about making new life history. This New Year, we’re excited to have a positive direction change in our nation. We’re glad the blundering administration’s four years are over and we can’t wait for the new competent administration to start. Many people today are counting down to January 20 like they countdown to Christmas. We have high hopes and expectations for President Trump’s promises and plans and his cabinet choices to start cleaning up the carnage left by the failed anti-American, anti-faith, anti-common sense Biden administration.

Whatever our reasons, most of us are ready to “turn the page” of 2024. I’m personally embracing the motto “Revive in 2025.” That was the opening article theme of my December 2024 About His Work Ministries newsletter. If you don’t receive the free newsletter, you can sign up here and read the article here.

Revive Your Bible Reading in 2025

Each of us will determine what we want to revive in our personal life this year. For some, it might be reading the Bible in a year, which is something I’ve enjoyed doing for years. I’m praying for my daughter and granddaughter who are committing to this revival in their life in 2025. Each is using a different reading plan, and I’m cheering and praying for them to accomplish this worthy goal by the end of the year. Their lives are going to be abundantly revived and enriched by what God has to say and show them through His Word. They’re in for a huge blessing!

Some of you might be committing to reading a Scripture a day for 365 days. No matter how you do it, gleaning the wisdom, encouragement, love, and guidance from letting God’s Word, the Holy Bible, speak to you daily will result in a spiritual and personal revival.

I’ve found that changing up the Bible translation I read each year adds freshness. Last year, I listened to the Bible from Genesis to Revelation on my earbuds while working out at the gym. I finished the last chapters at the gym on December 31! Combining physical enhancement with spiritual enhancement put a new kick in my step. I followed the CBN annual Bible reading plan, which I’m doing again in 2025.

There’s still time to start if you would like to read the Bible this year or maybe read the Old Testament or the New Testament.

Revive Your Prayer Life in 2025

At the beginning of 2024, the Lord told me my prayer life was going to deepen. I was curious to know what He had planned for me. Then I became involved with My Faith Votes (MFV) and soon I was enjoying prayer zoom meetings on Monday mornings with MFV action partners from across the nation, and during the week, with our MFV group here in Idaho. What an inspirational way to start the day praying with like-minded fellow conservative men and women as we called on the Lord with our petitions and praises for our country, state, and each other.

Even as I continue praying and serving with My Faith Votes in 2025, God has more for me this year. On December 30, 2024, Hubby and I watched Kirk Cameron’s Takeaways program on TBN. A rerun we hadn’t seen, but God wanted us to see it. Kirk was interviewing Matthew West, a favorite Christian musician of ours who we’ve seen perform in person. Kirk and Matthew’s topic was prayer. Matthew has a new album out “Don’t Stop Praying,” and he and Kirk had an inspirational discussion about prayer.

Matthew West says about his new album: “My new album #DontStopPraying is OUT NOW!! Each song in its own way is inspired by the different types of prayers we find ourselves praying throughout our lives. We pray prayers for strength when we are weak, prayers for a miracle when we need a breakthrough, prayers for purpose when we feel lost. Most of all, I wanted to make a record that echoed the call I have felt in my own heart to hit my knees like never before and never forget that the most important conversation I could have today, and every day of my life, is with the One who made me, knows me, and has the best plan for my life. I hope these songs inspire you to discover for the first time, or maybe rediscover, the power of a prayer.

West is going to share some of his favorite “mission statement” songs on his Facebook page every day in January to kick off the New Year, which I’m going to listen to. He also has a prayer wall on his website.

God was using Kirk Cameron and Matthew West to talk to me about enhancing my prayer life. Isn’t that just like God to show a past episode just two days before the start of 2025! It was obvious that God had new prayer revelations and plans for me in the New Year.

Then January 3, God moved again. He woke me up early, and as I settled into my quiet time chair with a cup of coffee, I turned on my cell phone. Pastor Jack Hibbs was looking back at me on Facebook live. Apparently, Pastor Hibbs had started on January 1, at 5:00 am PT, 6:00 am MT, a 5–10-minute morning prayer group. You can tell he too is just waking up. With tussled hair, wearing a hoodie, and talking softly outside to not wake up the rest of the house, he shares a short devotional and Scripture based prayer. If you’ve ever heard Pastor Hibbs speak, his knowledge of the Bible, no notes, just talking directly to us, is amazing.

Now, maybe you don’t want to wake up that early, and I don’t always either, but he’s recording live on his Facebook post and sharing on Instagram and X, so you can watch it anytime you want. The idea is to start your day praying with him and others. Here’s how he describes it for those who would like to join us.

Beginning January 1, 2025, I invite you to join me for LIFT: Daily Prayer – A Global Prayer Meeting. I will be live on Facebook at about 5 am [PT] for about 5-10 minute daily. These will be rooted in Scripture and prayers for mercy, grace, healing, peace, guidance, and strength.

If you miss the live prayer time on Facebook, it will be there for you to playback at any time. We will also share these on Instagram and X so you can watch and get involved on those platforms. We want you to share these videos and leave a comment with your prayers and prayer requests so that the community can pray with you. Let’s truly make this a Global Prayer Meeting together. See you tomorrow! Here is a link to my page. Please follow: https://www.facebook.com/RealJackHibbs

As I write to you today, we’re only 5 days into 2025, but God’s already showing me two ways to revive my prayer life by listening to Matthew West’s prayer album and starting each morning in prayer with Pastor Jack Hibbs. Won’t you join me.

Revive Your Health in 2025

If nutrition and health is on your 2025 revival list, and you’re excited like I am about “Make America Healthy Again,” you’ll enjoy my latest Nutrition Nook article in Christian Living Magazine, Make Your Body Healthy Again in 2025.

As a former Registered Dietitian, I always say, “Once a dietitian, always a dietitian.” I’m thrilled that the Trump administration will be looking into the thousands of toxins and additives in our foods that aren’t even allowed in other countries!

Also on a side note, did you read the recent report by the US Surgeon General that alcohol has been linked to seven types of cancer? He wants alcohol labeled just like cigarettes, “Alcohol is a cancer risk!” Alcohol consumption is the “third leading preventable cause of cancer” in the country with tobacco and obesity taking the top two spots.

The liquor lobby, manufacturers, and distributors distribute propaganda to the public that small amounts of alcohol are good for your health. A blatant potentially lethal money-making lie. The small amounts of antioxidants found in red wine for example are also found in larger amounts in blueberries and spinach, which are good for you, not harmful.

Alcohol is a toxin and causes inflation. How could it be good for you when besides cancer, it also leads to obesity, lethargy, depression, sleep problems, and addiction?! If you drink alcohol, consider asking yourself, “Why?” With the high cost of healthy food today, maybe your 2025 budget could use the break of eliminating cancer-causing alcohol.

How is God Reviving You in 2025?

What revival plans has God put on your heart for 2025? Please share and let me know.

You can leave a comment here.

January 6, 2025
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