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Remembering  911

The beautiful weather was up and down the east coast. New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania skies were blue. I was in Atlanta, Georgia, the day America was attacked and terrorized. The report of the first plane hitting the 1st tower in New York came over the radio as it played talk radio on my truck as I was working. The initial report sounded like another bone head pilot in a private plane. However, the horror of the next moments as the second plane hit and the reports from Virginia were reported as I was unloading my product in a store.

Driving into the parking lot of my next stop, I noticed two men in the parking lot looking up as if they were surprised to see a plane against the blue sky back drop.  The Atlanta airport was not that far from our vantage in southwest Atlanta. I was greeted with the news about the second plane hitting the second tower in New York. The men in the parking lot heard about the unprecedented grouding of all flights in America. I dutifully worked and went home not long after the news of the two other planes crashing.

Once home, my wife was also home. We gathered around a little black and white TV in our bedroom. Looking in disbelief, we watched the buildings fall and the fire burning at the Pentagon. All we keep saying was that “this is unbelievable and surreal.” Before I  got home, I called my sister, who lived in New Jesey.  I talked to her only after calling several times because the whole New York and New Jersey area was flooded with calls. She said she and her family were fine.

The evening of 911, we all were traumatized and already knew the world had just changed as we listened to rescue efforts and conjecture on who was responsible.

What major historical events do you remember?

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Adversity and Encouragement

Two great students Adversity and Encouragement went to the University. Encouragement and Adversity were brothers and left home for the same university. All throughout their childhood the two seem to be exact opposites but they shared in family life with ease and fit right in at home in their mother’s house. Adversity athletic and loud would take on all and every challenge with a power and methodical domination. Encouragement made friends and often would be seen befriending those who encountered Adversity on the playing field. They would be seen rooming together and eating together. Adversity would often disrupt the people who would be with them during meal and in the late evening right before they would go to bed. Their peers often wondered how could these opposites be at ease with each other.

The day came for graduation. Encouragement was atop his class academically arrayed in his graduation attire in his cool demeanor. The whole class was surprised to see Adversity right beside him with just as academic accomplishment coming in second only to his brother. No one had ever met their mother but everyone in attendance had received and invitation by way of an official edict read aloud. “Please accept this invitation to celebrate this ceremony. I am the proud mother of Encouragement and Adversity. Please join us on Righteous road at the intersection of Justice Avenue. Those of you who find me I will hand out Life!” Wisdom was the mother of Encouragement and Adversity. She had taught her sons how to use her (wisdom) to help those who found themselves desiring wisdom.

“I am Lady Wisdom and I live next to sanity; Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street. The Fear-of-God means hating evil, whose ways I hate with a passion- pride and arrogance and crooked talk. good counsel and common sense are my characteristics: I am both insight and the Virtue to live it out. With my help leaders rule, and lawmakers legislate fairly; With my help governors govern, along with all in legitimate authority. I love those who love me; those who look for me find me. Wealth and Glory accompany me- also substantial Honor and a Good Name. My benefits are worth more than a big salary; the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus. You can find me on Righteous Road- that’s where I walk- at the intersection of Justice Avenue, Handing out life to those who love me, filling their arms with life-armloads of life! Proverbs 9:12-21 MSG

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Off The Walls

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He said to me, “Son of man, now dig into the wall and saw a doorway there. Ezekiel 8:8

“Am I only a God nearby”, declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:23-24

I will Strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Revelation 2:23

Yes walls separate and divide, but they are no match to God’s omnipresence. People have been building since the beginning. Much of human glory is seen in architecture. The powerful and privileged have mastered walls and fortifications. The walls of any civilization show what they value. I have the privilege of visiting some upper class gated communities. The scale and beauty of these communities are impressive. However, the stories of people living in such luxury and simultaneously living in a depressed and cornered, precaution us from becoming jealous or envious. Further examination might reveal flaws that remain hidden from the common folk.

Humans have made walls in all shapes and sizes. The walls are effective in keeping other people from invading or occupying. People also build mental walls with the same results of an physical wall. I confess have climbed many physical walls as a youth. Of course they built the walls I scaled to keep people out but I didn’t get the message and went on over. My presumptions as a youth graduated into my adulthood as I attempted to scale the mental walls. This is foolishness of childhood carrying over into my adult thinking. Faith in God ought translate into actions that demonstrate faith, but scaling the mental walls of people is not an act of faith. God challenged me with the above verses. I can trust him with getting me over the walls I need to get over. Perhaps you have been trying to figure out what mental walls you ought scale. My suggestion is ask God to guide you. He is more than able to scale and see through any walls people put up. The problems arise when we presume. People won’t let us in because a many reasons but the walls don’t obstruct God from viewing and even destroying walls. God asked me could I trust Him with the walls. Of course, I can trust God. He showed my actions didn’t line up with my faith. I often scaled walls without a thought of God leading.

Maybe you see the walls people have built and like me want to help destroy the walls so they can live their best life. The walls are an opportunity to pray in faith and be led by the Spirit of God. Let’s keep praying and remaining watchful. God will lead us to glorify Him and help others. Be patient because God may take His time and also get you prepared as well as the person of the wall. P.U.S.H Pray Until Something Happens. Amen.

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Every Little Thing

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“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

“It’s the little things that count”, expressed and quoted in order to help someone gain a better perspective or gain knowledge. Learning about little things often give insight into a larger picture or narrative. Grieving a loved often is accompanied with some little gesture or quirk unique to them that ushers in a flood of memories and emotions. Many sleuth find the culprit with keen observation of the little things. Comedians can turn a little quirk in some ones speech or mannerisms and make us laugh. The little things do make things count, but what does that have to do with giving thanks to God? The little things help us to see the “Spirit” of a situation or person.

May God who is maker of all things great and small grace us with thanksgiving and assurance. The little virus covid is running it’s course through my body; THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER. God has graced me with another day to give thanks. Believing God is my protector and doctor is not enough. We must do our part and eat well be healthy, and don’t violate the tender presence of the Spirit with violence in spirit or body. The challenge is to live for God and with God on His terms. He ask us to trust Him with the eternal flame of love, he gives to all that call on him from their heart.

Often small task can be very difficult if we don’t devote them to something bigger. Taking the trash out or cleaning the floor may be burdensome but keeping the house clean so as to keep us healthy and feeling well is worthwhile. God is careful to give us everything we need to live out a Holy and righteous life. The desire to pursue what God offers is our responsibility. The set backs in our spiritual life are often corrected by our obedience in small matters. The small matter imposes an big shadow over our peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s purpose to stay before God in prayer. Father give us an special awareness of your presence as we attempt to draw near in prayer. Often our lack in motivation is only as powerful as the our last prayer. The thoughts and feelings we all share can over ride the Spirit’s quiet leading. The small quiet prayers silence the voices and emotions from flooding our souls. Be faithful to unload as soon as we sense our spirit being hindered from following God’s Holy Spirit.

Giving thanks to God in every situation is a great place to start our journey of noticing God in the little things in life. If you had a hammer would you us it like the song “If I had a Hammer”, written by Lee Hays and Pete Seeger? Offering what ever we have back to God is an act of faith in God. He will not ignore or such actions and intentions. God is actively looking for our worship and sacrifices. People often over look small things , but God is not that way. I am praying for anyone who reads this, may they experience an outpouring of God’s Spirit. Amen

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Treasure Ain’t Garbage

” but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor.” Genesis 4:5a NIV.

What do we treasure? I know I treasure money and fine jewelry and real estate. I have learned that everything I treasure may not be valued by others. Loved ones may value other things and we learn to place emphasis on those different treasures. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, has rolled of the lips of a whole generation. However, the treasure found in another’s trash rarely looks like trash once transformed into the other’s treasure. Treasure has a way of reflecting the owner or care giver. As scripture points out, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21.

God sees our heart,( the core of our total being), and deals with us according to His knowledge of our heart and hearts potential. He hates half hearted efforts. We can relate. My wife don’t like any half hearted love from me, believe, she let’s me know when I haven’t put any heart in my efforts. Once I break through with a winning effort, I feel we are beating the whole world. The same can be said about giving our best to God and He does acknowledge our efforts. I would guess most any Christian has had such experiences. God gives grace with an special dose of joy. This is God approving of our “offerings”.

Early in my faith I was full of zeal for God, zeal without maturity. This led to false humility and presumptions about God and people. The good times kept on rolling, but they were not true to Jesus and His gentle leading. My ignorance of the Spirits leading brought conflicts. Like Cain in the passage above I was disturbed because God seemed to not be accepting my offerings. I had lost the joy of the Holy Spirit. Blind to my assumptions God quietly withdrew the grace I needed. The interesting thing about the story about Cain and Able was their relationship. My brother and I don’t find ourselves in agreement often, but thankfully we didn’t find ourselves in such a bad state as Cain and Able. The problem with Cain was he didn’t heed the warning of God. The warning came from God who assessed Cain and Ables offerings. Treasure assessment is a skill all of us have acquired. My heart aint linked to any treasure unless I have assessed it worthy of my time and resources.

The sacrifices of praise and worship we offer God are out of our treasures. Unlike people God is keenly aware of our motivation and what we treasure. He is deserving of out best,( treasure), sacrifices. Sacrificing your best cost us. The cost is worth it because God is worthy of our best and more. Cain like myself was found guilty of moving from sacrifice to automated half hearted sacrifice. This looks like trash in the eye of our Holy God. He is not just inspecting our sacrifices for blemishes. He examines our motive and effort. God gave His best for us. He knows what the best sacrifices feel, smell, and act like. He gave Jesus! His eye goes about looking for true worshipers. John 4:24

If you were a King or Queen would you take trash and accept it as treasure? Be mindful God is alive and intimately aware of what we offer. God will allow disappointments in order to correct our worship and faith.

Let’s agree with God and continue to offer the best. The best is still afar don’t lose focus like Cain but do what is right. Genesis 4:6-7

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Leadership Conferences

What makes a good leader?

This is an interesting time of year. Many organizations and churches focus on leadership challenges and development with conferences and seminars. Most of the time, leaders are examples that display their personal standard. The best leaders are letting their followers in on how they are learning to follow a new or vetted process and procedure. Whether the leader is fun-loving or stern makes no difference if they keep the focus on moving forward and don’t hinder those they serve. Ultimate leadership helps others choose higher standards and outcomes.

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Who Is Last?

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“So the last will be first ,and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

Competitors are only concerned with who won. The question of who was last is only relevant to those who have vested interest in the competition. The ones who are first have minimal interest in the story of who is last until they hear variations of the above quoted verse. The focus is reversed and seems fly up in our face ,mocking achievement and common sense. The parable found in the 20th chapter of the book of Matthew told by Jesus causes me to pause. I had the advantage of working for a corporation for 30 years. My experience over those last few years of my career with the corporation has a close resemblance to the reactions the first workers hired. I had expectations of being compensated for my longevity. Thankfully, I was compensated but many of those hired after me got promotions and raises. Many of them had more influence on work conditions and policies. Some had influence and higher earnings almost immediately. I would wine and cry “that’s not fair” (a favorite statement I heard from my daughter in her youth.) She would be correct about her assessment. I would like to think I had correct assessments about the my job as well. However, I had to remind myself what I would tell my daughter with regularity, “life ain’t fair”. You might be painfully aware of this obvious statement but, let’s focus on the author of the parable, Jesus.

Many times in life we can approach God with our “it ain’t fair” ,prayers because He is suppose to be a righteous judge. Yet this parable brings in focus how superior God is to our perspectives. He kept His word he hired and paid everyone what he promised. The greatest thing is God or the “land owner” searches us out and provides all an opportunity. Some came by a late message others by an early message but all were hired by the land owner. The state they all had experienced was unemployment and lack. You may find yourself looking around at your particular circumstances and think you have got the short end of the stick or no stick at all. Friends we must expand our focus to the sovereign God and humbly receive. If you have heard God call you out of the darkness into His light remember. Maybe you have not come to know Him and have found yourself on the corner needing what He can give. Humbly receive it and rejoice in Him.

Once we receive we can work effectively for the land owner. The work and compensation for the work is really an act of charity on the land owners part. The land owner has plans for his land and he is more generous than we might imagine. The market place or the world had left us out. The land owner didn’t overlook us! If you see people who have seemed to become fruitful in the Kingdom of God and yet your fruitfulness only resulted in a long drawn out process praise God for the upstarts because they are proof no one is working in vain.

Everyone can not do the same work. We are all unique for the work the Land Owner has in mind. Some must be first and out front and some must be last and unseen. The land owner is building and great business and the glorious thing is He is both the first and the last. He is our master and king yet He serves us all.

The first place athletes could not compete and organize the sporting events just because they are first. No the last and people who don’t get recognized help make the sporting event happen. Yes, honor the athletes who compete and win but, don’t think for a minute that the last place competitor is doomed or failed because if they hold on they will be first. The land owner has impeccable timing.

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Our Open Book

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“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.” Revelation 20:12 NIV.

The Spirit of God can take us high in heaven and low into the pit. Friends and love ones can you sense the immediate invasion of eternity at the door? The eternal nature of God creates an uneasy feeling, if we think in the natural mind. Anxious thoughts are often heightened based on real or imagined timeline. The infinite God mercifully graces us with time so our minds can better access our desires and priorities. However, our mortality and the coming judgement circle all of our timeline thinking right back to the eternal One. Unbelievers discard the warnings of judgement and this is correct from their point of view because lies never make sense in light of eternity. Truth is eternal. God is so truthful that He is TRUTH. The clock is ticking forward to something BIG. Do you sense it? The bible tells of the coming judgement and how the thoughts and intensions of all hearts and minds with be laid bare for all to see. Revelation 20.

Wherever you are, consider the number of non fiction literature in the world, the algorithms and news articles and social media post about authentic people and life situations. We can learn quit a bit about someone without meeting them in person. Many people will follow and be influenced by strangers. God however is not bound by time space or matter and is the author of all life and is interested in us. He is meticulously keeping a books on all. Revelation 20:12

Wonder what’s in your book? The detail of God’s investigations into our lives is on a level in which the greatest sleuths could never approach. He knows details to the most infinite level, like the number of hairs on your head. Luke 12:7. He knows your thoughts as well. Luke 2:35 I met a person who was privy to what I was doing in a room by myself and he seemed to revel my secret being known, creepy. Thankfully, he is not my judge. God, however, is privy and is our judge. The judgement to come is why many of us become religious. The judgement I sensed from my creepy friend motivated me. I was less impressed with my friends clairvoyance once I got to know him. Does knowing God motivate us to believe and obey Him? Did you meet God and never take time to know your judge? I have appeared before judges in court rooms and never had the privilege to meeting them before I came to court. I would have liked to know them prior to my court date. Imagine my confidence on the stand. Misplaced confidence could be devastating while on trial. Thankfully, I have had judgements that disappointed but didn’t destroy me. Will God disappoint or destroy?

God is merciful and gracious. Jesus came to earth and died and rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven with all power in His hands. He invited us to be part of the family by believing in and following Jesus. Thankfully, God saved me from the wrath of His judgment once I believed. God however is not satisfied with us having a get out of jail free card. He wants our story to be that of joy. The joy of God is found in trusting and obeying. Believer you ought look forward to the judgement because you got to know the Judge and He will fulfill all of His promises. The judgement to come will reveal the conditional promises kept by His children, namely living out your faith in Jesus. However, our gracious God is not a push over. He will not give out rewards if we did not carry out our part in faith. Salvation to all who believe but if your faith does not carry you to service and action it is a very minimal faith and will grant us a minimal reward. We all fall short in many areas and yet we all can participate in the Kingdom of God by putting our faith in action. If we do not live out our faith daily that is wasted time.

I woke in bed and envisioned being before God. The throne was so large surrounded by gray clouds. God was sitting on the throne with a book in hand and I couldn’t see the cover but He was looking intently into the book. He turned a page and then turned another page one after the other. His intense gave fixated on the pages and I was able to see the pages and they were blank. Immediately, I knew the book was the book about my life. The empty pages he was scouring over were the many days I lived without putting Him first. Each page was turned with the same expectant squint. I did not see pages filled with words. I had received acknowledgement for those pages, but I only saw Heaven staring into my blank pages. Like a jilted lover God read my blank pages.

I choose you God forgive me and cleans me.

Friends God is looking for us to choose Him.

He chooses you!

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The Death on a Cross

Death is very sobering thought us who live in relative comfort and stability. My experience with death have a strong influence on how I live. Grieving can change our lives and the lives of others around us. The death of anyone around the world gives insight into how they lived, hence, the mausoleums, grand tombstones and grave yards. The statements of faith and testimonies given at ones funeral give insights into the soul that has transitioned. The ancient world has given great records of their lifestyles by what tombs they have left behind. Watching or reading archaeologist accounts of history show that death was shared in every culture and faith. The monuments to antiquity are being found all over the world. The memorials give stories and insights to what it is to be human in each era and culture. The evidence of man’s unique position in nature are to overwhelming to deny. The intelligence and ingenuity humanity shares today is also proof of all humans being made in the image of God. The most unique artifact and art forms that are celebrated in Christendom center around the cross. The belief of life after death and Godly living center around a simple artifact; the cross. The cross has stood as the most universal sign on Christendom for 2 thousand years.

The belief of life beyond the grave are shared around the world in the artifacts and structures being discovered around the world. Those who have left a record for us to study though these structures and preserved writings deserve our careful observation. We can and should learn from history. The study of history always can cause us to reexamine how we live and what is important to us now. The trash pits and the ornate tombs and palaces studied by archaeologist speak to our common humanity. Christians have continued to study the early church artifacts and writings. The unique finds in Christendom have enhanced and detracted the faith of many. The written record and artifacts will continue to have this effect on the Christian church. The record of the past is an powerful tool by which civilizations and kingdoms have used to govern and advance. I used to believe the civilizations of old only happened in certain areas of the world, but now know that the great structures and cities have been discovered in archaeological digs all over the world. The mystery of lost civilizations is intriguing. The decoding of ancient language and sharing of ancient technology and philosophy continue to influence our modern world. The belief systems of the ancient cultures inspired the art and architecture. The powerful kings and kingdoms were able to govern and keep the people in order to amass such great empires and cities. People no matter where they lived on earth were distinctly different from the animals.

The cross without the image of Jesus on it, just the plain cross, is a point of reference to where my investigation and skeptical view of life came to a new conclusion. The unbelief and questions of the world fade in the light of the cross. The death of our Savior needed no monument because the believer knows the place where Jesus body laid is empty just like the cross that once held his body. The mummies and tombs of the great civilizations of the past are evidence of mankind’s common pursuit the uniquely human desire to know the afterlife and the spiritual life.

The ancient peoples as well as today peoples desire life eternal. The accounts of Jesus appearing to many in the Bible help me to believe, He is the one who did indeed rise from the dead. The church and the monuments that are in memory of Jesus life share the pain of death’s grip. The cross, however, reminds Christians of the prophecy about Jesus before He was born to Mary and Joseph. The cross is where Jesus conquered death and the grave. The cross helps us to investigate the ancient funeral and mausoleum God prepared for Jesus. The cross is the window by which we believers in faith behold the living monument. The cross connects the lest and the lost into relationship with the wisdom of old and the eternal purpose of Jesus life and death and resurrection. The eulogy Jesus could not be expressed in words, but because of His divine nature His memorial on earth must surpass any other monument. Hence, the belief of God in Jesus and the death on the cross is an eternal experience reserved for those who accept the invitation to believe in Him.

The cross is a rugged accursed thing, while simultaneously a blessed window into the greatest feat for all mankind. There are monuments in the Holy Land that lay claim to Jesus tomb but the body of Jesus is not there. Join the church today and believe in the finished work of Jesus and be a part of a building that is not built by human hands, which will never decay or fall in disrepair nor will it’s riches be taken from within. The physical representations of kingdoms and kings are only powerful during the reign of the king. The cross holds it’s power throughout eternity because, ” ..Your throne, O God will last for ever ..”. Hebrews 1: 8b. The monuments of man always show the decay and faulty human condition. The cross stands alone in it’s eternal status and power. The crosses we see may decay in time but the immortal man and message shall stand. I ask you what cross will bring you to believe, will you trust in the cross in which Jesus still sits in agony, or will you join me and take the cross that is standing alone without Jesus on it. Jesus over came the world and the cross could not hold him. Remember the cross had a temporary role on the life of Jesus and it is only to remind us that He finished His ministry in His body on earth by dying on the cross and rising from the dead 3 days later. He is not eternally suffering on the cross. His body did suffer the cross but He has a glorified body now, and is asking us to believe in what he accomplished on the cross. While on the cross he said, …”It is finished with that ,he bowed his head and gave up His spirit. John 19: 30b. The death He died , He died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. Romans 6:10. The cross we wear as jewelry and some to show allegiance to Christianity. Could these crosses represent God being the righteous judge of the whole world since HE offered His own precious blood? Some of these crosses might symbolize our disregard instead of the sacred nature of the symbol of the cross. Have we desecrated the cross once it is used as a trinket on a on jewelry? The people of ancient times never came back and executed justice on those who desecrated and robed their tombs and memorials. God has demonstrated through the life of Jesus that He can and will execute His justice on the world. Please take the plea bargain and confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead and confess your sins and be cleaned from your sins by the blood Jesus shed on the cross for you. The judgment is already on the unbeliever and it is only awaiting the manifestation of the wrath to come.

The nail marks and the scars from crucifixion will be visible on Jesus once He returns. Revelation 5:6,6:15. Those in the family of God will glorify and celebrate the scars, but the unbelievers will suffer regret and shame. The horror of Jesus appearance will torment those who face God’s judgment. Imagine we see Jesus riding on the clouds of glory 5 minutes after we finish our conversation. Imagine the majesty and strength that will be visible. I have seen movies of military parades and coronations of Kings but I imagine the sight of God closing out this age will be more magnificent and scarry then anything witnessed on earth.

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Funny Truth

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God called again, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, ” I heard you call. Here I am.” Again Eli said, ” Son I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” (This happened before Samuel knew God for himself. It was before the revelation of God had been given to him personally. 1 Samuel 3:6-7 msg.

Strange beginnings are all around us. I love the fact that the Bible describes the attitude of the two people in the previous passage. Loved one go back to bed if you have no desire to hear like little Samuel did. I like the fact that Samuel was attentive to Eli. I know I was not so attentive to my father or God. After one time being sent back to bed I would have mumbled, “This cat crazy I ain’t gonna keep asking what you want I know what I hear.” Samuel was observant and humble enough to inquire, 3 times !

Eli was an old man but he was a priest to God. Eli had issues, like many in church leadership today. I am glad to know that in-spite of Eli’s short comings Eli was used in God’s service. That’s funny. Samuel was beginning his life of service to God and immediately he prophesied Eli’s demise.(1Samuel 3:18).

God has a patience with people who misrepresent the church. His patience is not because he is blind to their hypocrisy. No, friend it is for you and I to get a better understanding of our need to honor Him. God can never be totally understood, but we can get better understanding of His view by being obedient. He can call us to strange and even funny situations in order to give us insight. We may disregard the religious people who are in error, but if God is allowing us to live in the same space and time with wicked and perverted people without loving and guiding his children, then God is not keeping His word of staying with us to the end. The lies and wicked desires of the world always find their way into the church. God will continue to love and guide. The issue we have in these times is, how can I attach myself to church folk and follow leaders in my community who are so overtly wicked and perverted. Eli exemplifies the response we ought in the midst of impeachment, racism, sexism, disenfranchisement, exploitation, lies, violence and heretics and the all things similar. He remains obedient to God. Many say they are Godly. Let’s agree with those who say they are godly based on their Bible knowledge. They are pointing to the Bible and testify to the knowledge of God’s written word.

Does the Bible teach knowledge? God is allowing us all to see outer appearances based on our obedience. The world can and does spread propaganda. God desires for us to hear and obey His word. God is not blind to the hypocrisy and evil in the world He knows you and His love is whispering His will. Let’s wake and listen like Samuel did. Often the word of God prompts us in very odd and peculiar situations and times. How is our faith once the adversity or discomfort of relationships bare down on us?

Our situations are not happen stance, but just like little Samuel, God speaks in order to draw us into to listening intently. The disappointments in leadership and family life didn’t stop Samuel. He moved into the new thing God was doing in his life. We like Samuel find many our leaders and mentors lacking in leadership skills that are in step with the holiness of God. The weakness and sin in leadership does not make God impotent. God is moving in the midst of the evil with purpose and power. “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

The bible records the faithfulness of God. God demonstrates His ability to not only save people in the midst of evil and hypocrisy. The righteous often thrive or suffer bringing about greater glory to God. The times we find ourselves in are not without God’s same grace and power. The world is not stable and evil. We must not miss our God calling our names in the still small voice, by which he called Samuel. The courage to say, “Speak for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10b).

Child of God serve God with all you have. The tenacity it takes to maintain communion, with God, will deepen our relationship with Him. Hope you sense the test and pass with A’s. Just like Samuel we find ourselves in a peculiar situation where God is doing a new thing. We must listen and obey the Spirit of the Living God.