Corrupt character and chaotic consequences

"But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up." 1 Kings 21:25

It's likely we've all experienced a "Jezebel", some maybe more often that we'd like. Let's look at this one chapter and see a few of her characteristics.

Vs 5- She plays off Ahab's emotions
Vs 8- She takes control, taking matters into her own hands.
Vs 10- She manipulates the situation and twists truth
Vs 11- She has others do her dirty work, murdering an innocent man

I encourage y'all to read the full chapter, it's quite intriguing! Over and over throughout 1 Kings 16-21 she causes quite the whirlwind, causes many to stumble and fall as well as murder and taunt those who belong to the Lord! However, in the end we see the victorious strength and power of the Almighty God.

Fellas, be cautious as to the kind of lady you have and hold. Jezebel caused quite the commotion with & for her husband. Ladies, be mindful too of the friends you keep and let close.

Bad character is contagious and is quite destructive. However, theres no evil so great that the Great I AM is not even greater still. His perspective and our focus upon Him always are huge! Will we seek His approval regarding those we allow in our lives?

A moment in the mind

Yesterday my daughter had a bad day at school. When I picked them up she tried to bring her attitude home. After talking through things she said, "I was so mad, I almost said a bad word. I didn't say it though, only in my head."

I thought for a moment & prayed quick before I replied to her. I said, "You know the devil doesn't know our thoughts, but that's where he starts to make us fall. However God does know our thoughts. So, really you thought that bad word between you and Him."

She sat very quiet and quite attentive. I told her it's good she caught herself by not saying it but it's better in life's emotional Rollercoaster to ask God for help. She agreed and we moved on.

I'm reminded of Job as he replied to the Lord. "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee." Job 42:2

"Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off." Psalm 139:2

Today my son started his day much the same, living off emotions. Please keep my kids lifted in prayer. May we be extra mindful all things we "think" we keep to ourselves are actually between us and God. He knows, He sees.

Things are much smoother when keep on our helmet of salvation and are actively "... bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5

When history & modern day collide

In preparation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I went over a history lesson with my kids about his life, how things were in his day as well as his purpose.

We talked about slavery, human rights, civil rights and freedom. Of course we talked about Ms. Rosa Parks too. My kids were in shock at how people of color were treated, but even more than that they were shocked there were laws that made this way of life "okay".

There were many points we talked about but mostly the high cost MLK, Jr. paid. Hate is learned and love requires a sacrifice. Man's laws may say things are good as it was with segregation but not quite so in God's eyes.

Then we talked about a couple modern day laws that are just the same: abortion and the LGBT Movement. Just because majority or man may approve doesn't mean God's laws, views and requirements have been changed to suit society.

Pray for the leaders but if we live for God we must stand as He stands, love as He loves and hate what He hates. As I share these things with you, I'm sure there are many who may disagree but the Lord assures me in His Word, of these simple truth...

Proverbs 17:15
"He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both areabomination to the LORD."

Isaiah 5:20-21
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"

Our country has had many dark days as well as plenty of sunshine. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, it's up to us to see people as people, who all bleed blood red, as individuals Christ lived & died & rose again to save. None are perfect but Him and the greatest way to equality is love, pure love.

Chaos in control

While watching my kids play this weekend, I had to remind myself daughter about control. She loves to be boss and things to go her way. She gets so frustrated when things backfire or don't go as she's planned.

I gently reminded her, "You'll be a lot happier if you don't try to control every detail." She just gave me her famous, "I know" look.

As I spoke with her, the Lord spoke to me. He said, "People do this all the time. Attempting to control things only I can do & change. This is where faith and trust must walk hand in hand. I am able, but faith is required to trust."

So, I dig in the Scriptures and He reminds me of His truths...

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to pleasehim: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:1,6

"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." Psalm 9:10

We can drive ourselves crazy trying to control the uncontrollable or we can seek the Lord's hand in His help in our letting go. Trading our panic for His peace and walking by faith, trusting He has our best interest in mind. Will we let Him do what needs done?

Food and the flu

Food and the flu

Making up my own recipe today, sausage & rice soup. Key ingredients: sausage, carrots, onion, tuscan garlic, seasoned salt, pepper, thyme, chicken stock, rice & LOVE with a side of crackers.

It's so cool how the Lord uses natural ingredients to cure man's illnesses. Praying these basic ingredients help cure my family of the flu bug! As I sought the Lord for answers in helping my family heal, He not only showed me the above ingredients but also this from His Word:

"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is..." Proverbs 15:17

Please join me in praying for my family! I hope they're able to keep all of God's vitamins and nutrients down.

Costly and Contaminated

A couple cool comparisons ... thinking about this verse ...

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:" Isaiah 30:1

Ladies, (who wear or have worn make-up)... have you ever added mascara to mascara? The first time it's applied; it can look quite nice. The 2nd time, it begins to get clumpy. The 3rd time or more it barely looks like accented human eyelashes. Rather, it's more like a sloppy superglue and it looses it's definition, right?

Adding any covering besides Christ's shed blood in attempt to wash away or hide our sin is NO different!  Doing things our own way, resisting God's direction and rejecting the ONLY solution that really works is insane, literally. Why? Because it doesn't work!

It's kinda like telling a lie, then conjuring up another to cover the first one. Then again and again, only each time it becomes a greater tangled web of falsehood.

Fellas, have you ever changed the oil in a vehicle? Adding fresh oil grants greater performance, right? Same situation applies, would it do the vehicle good to run used dirty oil through once more? Absolutely not! Matter of fact, if there's dirt or any kind of metal shavings in that old oil you know it can and will eventually ruin the motor and transmission completely! 

Such simple comparisons, yet bold and profound truths. If we take any advise not written in the Word of God, we choose to seek false "feel goods", that 2 or 3 day old mascara might save some cash immediately but in the long run it will damage the beauty God has placed upon your face. Just the same, taking someone's word that used dirty oil will make your motor run cleaner may end up costing a whole new vehicle!

Truth is, "sin is pleasurable for a time", yes a time. However, that price tag is quite costly in the end. How we choose to live this life here and now determines our eternal destination. Will will live for self in the moment, buying cheap lies that will cost our spiritual lives, ultimately paying the price indulging our temporary pleasures that provoke the Living God to anger, jealously and wrath OR deny the flesh it's temporary dainties in order that we may spend eternity with the King of glory?

Adding "sin to sin" leaves the heart, mind and soul calloused and clumped, corrupt and contaminated... what will the ultimate cost contain for you?

Pass the poop

What would you do if God told you to EAT POOP? Yes, human waste! This is just what He did to the prophet Ezekiel.

"And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight. And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them. Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted... Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith." Ezekiel 4:12-15

Haha, gross, right!?! Thankfully the Lord changed it for His prophet to cow's dung instead. However, what was His point, His comparison in this? My thought was that is offensive! Then the Lord showed me, this isn't nearly as offensive as our sin, transgression & iniquities are before Him!

Wow! Eye opener there! Another thing He pointed out to me was what He allowed His prophet to experience, to endure and feel due to the rebellion of the people. Do we really think because we belong to Him we should escape "offensive" things?