Posted in Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

The DNC ain’t the Boss of Me

This morning I awoke to bits and piece of the Democratic National Convention being covered and shared by Fox and Blaze News. While I’m fully aware that their perspective will be on the conservative side and not in favor of Democrats (nor is mine), that fact didn’t undo what the Democratic Party said. It was slanderous and negative as always, bold face lies and shockingly an attempt to be patriotic, although we know them to be anything but. The icing on the cake was when they had the brother of George Floyd as a guest speaker as if Floyd was a national hero. He was a felon. He did not deserve the treatment he received but he was not a hero or a martyr. Unless drug abuse and robbery is your cause, then perhaps he could be called a martyr. 

While politics are always dirty, the fact that they spent such effort focusing on the negative of the republicans, rather than anything positive on their side, leads me to believe they have nothing to bring to the table. It also causes me to hope that the republicans will focus on the positive and not on tearing apart the man with no mind, and the woman with no morals who are running on the leftist losers. State the facts and move on. Tell me what you have for our country, and tell me how you love it. I need to know somebody in this country has pride in our nation and they’re willing to fight for it. 

I guess Asaph the writer of Psalm 73 felt much the same. 

Discouragement produces Depression

Psalm 73:1-28 KJV

[1] Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. [2] But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. [3] For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [4] For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. [5] They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. [6] Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. [7] Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. [8] They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. [9] They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. [10] Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. [11] And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? [12] Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. [13] Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. [14] For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. [15] If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. [16] When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

Asaph acknowledges that God has been good to Israel. Has God not been good to America? And yet, when Asaph said his feet had well nigh slipped, I get it. The fueling of division, the spewing of hatred and lies, and the justification of violence and the anti God attitude is more than my heart can withstand. I love my country, but I do not like what it has become. I want no part of any of this nonsense. I’m glad I’m not God. I would have already cleaned the swamp with a call to the principalities of the air to wipe the smile off their face and their soul from the earth. And that’s wicked I know, but I just told you my feet have well nigh slipped. 

Encouragement produces Enlightenment

 [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. [18] Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. [19] How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. [20] As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. [21] Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. [22] So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. [23] Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. [24] Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. [25] Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. [26] My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. [27] For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. [28] But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

Please join with me to take Asaph’s words to heart. Pray for the left and leave them to God. He is far better at cleaning the swamp than we are. Regardless of their ignorance and arrogance, we win in the end. They cannot have our victory for it was paid for by the blood of Christ. They can deny God, despise the truth and defend the wicked. But those decisions will lead to destruction. We on the other hand can “declare His works” and do our part, knowing that our end is Glorious!

Amen! 

Posted in Life Inspiration

What attitude are you bringing into the relationship?

ruthlarge

Ruth 4:6

And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

I love the story of Ruth. I have yet to see a movie that could top the truth in God’s word. There’s intrigue, love and war, suspense, but here in the book of Ruth we have the story of my redemption. Unworthy to have been redeemed by God and accepted into the family as an adopted child, an heir to Heaven’s riches. Ruth was a poor Gentile, she brought nothing into the relationship except a good attitude. I hope I have brought a good attitude into my relationship with God because that’s all I have to offer.

Ruth’s kinsman had the right to marry her before Boaz, but because she was a poor woman, and he would possibly have children by her who would take away from his own children’s inheritance he opted out. Praise God my Savior did not opt out on me. Boaz, who loved Ruth, had to have been giddy inside when the man turned her down; Boaz could see the treasure within the woman of Ruth.

She had an attitude of Allegiance

How loyal a woman was she to have stayed with Naomi after their husbands had died. She was facing the worst poverty one could imagine, she was willing to accept by faith that Naomi’s God would see them through. The allegiance in relationships of today is nigh gone, is it not? Marriages begin with an attitude of separation potential, parents turn their backs on children and visa versa, loyalty to the church of God is dependent upon how much attention one gets and the value of your opinion. Oh to have the allegiance of Ruth to say in Ruth 1:16 ~  Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

An attitude of Affection

Ruth simply loved. There was no accolades for what she was doing, she didn’t go into it with attitude she would surely be rewarded, yet that’s what happened. She just loved… she loved Naomi enough to leave her only family. She loved Boaz… In Ruth 3:7-9 we find love.

And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

She truly cared about Boaz and was ready to be his servant. She was following God’s providential guidance that would lead to her care, but she didn’t know that. At this point she was a willing servant. That’s the heart I desire, to to love and serve without knowledge of the end result but wisdom and discernment to understand that God is in it. That’s enough!

I pray God is made a part of your day and mine from start to finish. Thanks for spending time with the Lord and I for this little bit.