Who are your enemies? What is your source of wisdom?

/in /by

gwprayingvalleyforge1Psalm 119:

95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

Who are your enemies?
Who is your provider and protector?
What is your source of wisdom?

As I start each day, I want to ask myself these questions. It is important to maintain the proper perspective and focus in this life. When you stand with truth, those who fear the truth will declare themselves your enemy. When you stand with truth you WILL be attacked. If I forget the correct answers to these questions, I will fight for the wrong things; I will argue with the wrong perspective; I will look to the wrong source. “For God is not the author of confusion,” “He is the Truth,” the scripture tells us. If we seek the proper answers to these questions, then God is our source of wisdom; He is our provider and protector; Our enemies are those who sow confusion and those who believe lies. You don’t have to be evil to believe lies. You can believe lies by following the wrong source of wisdom. But lies are the enemy of truth. We must know that.

I want to always have the proper “lamp unto my feet” to guide my way. I want to be confident that those who wish evil against me will do so because they are serving the wrong source, not because I have strayed from the proper path. God is so good to make us promises to provide and protect us. His Word is a love letter to His children. But just as any good parent, God requires us to live with the proper goals and perspective. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness…” He is a just God and cannot support inequity. We must choose to have the proper perspective. We must choose the proper source.

You CANNOT serve two masters. This is a kingdom decision. Whom will you serve, God or mammon? What will be your choices today?

I Am Not Who I Was.

/in /by

redeemedwsPhillipians 3:

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Are you changed in Christ? Who WERE you before? Who ARE you now?

I was not born a Constitutionalist. I did not live my life with an inherent understanding of Liberty and what is necessary to defend it. I was a “dog and an evil worker.”

I was not raised a Christian. For some, these things will be a stumbling block, so you need to know from me.

I was raised a Democrat. The only thing more evil than Satan was a Republican in my home. There were no choices to be made in voting…straight Democrat party line was the only choice.

I was an environmentalist. An ardent environmentalist. Some of my best friends were members of Green Peace and I supported the WWF and PETA. I was a vegetarian by ideology, not for health reasons, for almost 15 years.

I believed in the “good” of scientific manipulations of food and the necessity of vaccines. Not only believed this, but helped create them when I was a biochemist for Monsanto.

I believed in Global Warming and defended it vigorously. I believed in the Big Bang and openly criticized those who believed in creationism as ignorant and misled.

I believed Government’s duty and purpose was to be a provider for the people. I supported programs that would give the government more control over the people. I even believed a One World Government was the best way to go to ensure “global peace.” I supported the principles of socialism, although I cannot claim to have known at the time it was socialism, per se, that I supported.

I supported abortion and often openly condemned others for being pro-life. I have argued with abortion protesters on street corners and called them names that I am not proud of.

I was not only not a Christian, but I practiced many other religions, including many occult versions. I was bitter against God and felt that only ignorant, weak people needed faith. I was too intelligent and too educated for such a feeble crutch. I was a persecutor of Christians.

I was not born with the knowledge that I have now. I did not wake up one morning with a divine epiphany. I traveled a long road. Learned some hard and painful lessons. My beliefs were challenged and I came to know the Truth.

I came to KNOW “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Cor 3:17
This “creature” was “delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:21
Now I “walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” Psalm 119:45
And I am able to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

All because one day God touched my heart and showed me just how much LOVE I can really know.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18

Are you changed? Can you stand steadfast in Liberty? If you aren’t, you can be. If you waiver, you can stand. You just have to find the proper foundation. That foundation is TRUTH. And HE is the Way!

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

It’s just that easy.

I Am Not Ashamed

/in , /by

not-ashamedwsPsalm 119

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

Walking in liberty is walking in the way of God. It is understanding that Liberty is a gift from God. It is knowing that God is the giver of knowledge, bounty, and peace. But it is also knowing that God is a God of righteous judgement. Living with God’s gifts and bounty always requires a responsibility. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:” Luke 12:48 Will you SPEAK of God’s testimonies before Kings and not be ashamed?

This is not a declaration that the Psalmist will “believe”, or “know”, or “understand.” It is a declaration of ACTION…

“I WILL SPEAK AND NOT BE ASHAMED!”

We lose this walk toward Liberty because we are unwilling to act, unwilling to declare, unwilling to SPEAK, so generations FORGET. To teach and remember where our Liberty comes from we MUST SPEAK!

Our founders knew this, yet we have forgotten. Listen to the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson:

“The God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

Perhaps Jefferson was remarking on the understanding that Liberty as a gift from God requires a sense of responsibility. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Do you cling to God’s word? Do you seek His understanding? Do you walk after God? If not, then you cannot walk at Liberty. The next question will be, do you know that our God is a God of righteous judgement? Thomas Jefferson knew this; this is what he said:

“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.”

I find it no coincidence that our Right to Free Speech is codified in the same Amendment as our Right to Freedom of Religion. As Christians we have a duty to walk at Liberty, to seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then we must SPEAK! Today is a day to review my path. What am I walking toward? What makes me ashamed? I should always be walking toward Liberty. I should never be ashamed of the gifts of God.

Here is my prayer from this psalm:
124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Show Koerner

A Patriot's Guide

/in , /by

my-country-tis-smPsalm 112

1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Saint Francis of Assisi said, “All… should preach by their deeds.” What are you preaching? Contradiction or Liberty? Government dependence or Trusting God? I find it very informative that verses 7 & 8 say, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart fixed, trusting in the Lord His heart established, he shall not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemy.” and the Psalm concludes by saying, “The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away; the desire of the wicked shall perish.”

First, Trust in the Lord. Then you will not fear what ever evil man may have to dish out.

Second, it is the responsibility of the INDIVIDUAL to engage in lending and charity, NOT government. This is not a guide for government this is a guide for MEN. The scripture says to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. Not render unto Caesar what is my service to my neighbor. Charity is a MORAL obligation not a political obligation. Our churches and our Christians have become confused on this issue. This Godly obligation has been delegated to government making our Christians and our churches LAZY and DEPENDENT upon government instead of trusting and relying on God. It is our duty as Christians and good Patriots to take care of our brother, not the obligation of government.

Lastly, our actions determine the results. If we do not trust in the Lord, If we do not operate under this guide, how can we ever expect to see the results we desire? We end up putting government in charge of our moral obligations, trusting government for a work and service to be done through man by the provision of God. We determine government to be our provider, instead of God. If our deeds are NOT as Christians should be, then the enemies will NOT see our strength, they will NOT be grieved, and they will NOT melt away. We WILL be afraid, our hearts will NOT be established. We will NOT see the victory we are promised.

Therefore, until we, as Christians AND pastors, start “preaching” to trust God MORE and rely LESS on government, we are as spoiled children expecting our Father to make things right, when continue to live wrong.

1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

You cannot serve God and mammon; You cannot have victory over the enemies of God’s gifts, unless you are willing to put your service in the right direction. We must defend the gifts of God, not fighting to maintain the gifts of government. If people fought as hard for Liberty, truly a gift from God, as they do to maintain social security, welfare, and other government programs, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in today.

The Price of Liberty, Are You Willing To Pay?

/in , /by

mercy quote wsMatthew 19:

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Our founders pledge Life, Fortune, and Sacred Honor to give us a union with the sole purpose to “Preserve the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

John Adams wrote to Abigail April 26, 1777 and said:

“Is it not intollerable, that the opening Spring, which I should enjoy with my Wife and Children upon my little Farm, should pass away, and laugh at me, for labouring, Day after Day, and Month after Month, in a Conclave, Where neither Taste, nor Fancy, nor Reason, nor Passion, nor Appetite can be gratified?

Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.”

They were building a future where Liberty could prosper. They knew that Liberty was a gift from God, but they knew it came at a sacrifice. Listen to John Adams in 1765:

“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.”

Liberty is a gift from God, but it also requires a sacrifice. Has America become so accustomed to prosperity and comfort to stand for Liberty?

Alexander Hamilton asked:

“Is it not better, I ask, to suffer a few present inconveniences, than to put yourselves in the way of losing every thing that is precious? Your lives, your property, your religion, are all at stake.”

But just as in Jesus’ day, men are too addicted to comfort to do what is necessary for the future of Liberty (Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free).

I still see so many still willing to choose prosperity over Liberty and political party over principles. But it was that way in 1776 as well. Only 30% of the population chose Liberty then, too. Don’t grow dim Patriots. We don’t need a majority, just a tireless minority willing to ignite the bushfires.

I wonder how much we will love our economy when Common Core is brainwashing our children into brownshirts, the State supports the seizure of our guns and the warrantless searches of our property. Perhaps BLM can come her too and take the land from our farmers and ranchers?

Oh but then we will hear, “Don’t be ridiculous, KrisAnne! If they come to get MY (fill in the blank) they will take it from my cold dead hand.” I will say, “yes they will. Because when you had a chance to choose Liberty peacefully, you chose prosperity, security, jobs, healthcare, etc.”

I do my duty to warn you. If you choose to madden on to your own destruction your consciences shall reproach you and your children’s children will curse you.

Choose you this day…as for me an my house we will serve the Lord.

The sacrifice may be great but the reward is 100 fold!

Who is He to You?

/in , /by

Matthew 16:
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

WHO do you say HE is? A healer? A teacher? A savior? A friend? The son of god?

I believe sometimes I forget who He is. I know in my mind, but forget in my flesh. He is not any of those things…He is:

The Healer. The Teacher. The Savior. The Friend. The Son of the Living God.

Most of my discouragement in life comes from lack of discernment and lack of faith. Failing to discern God’s will and lacking the faith to trust in that will.

Our union was established upon the understanding of divine providence. So must our LIVES be. Let us remember what Benjamin Franklin said on June 28, 1787 before the Constitutional Convention:

“Have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it.”

I often forget how He has been there for me in the past. I forget the absolutely miraculous ways He has shown Himself in my life. And then I get lost in what I can and cannot do. My prayer is that I will not forget WHO He is. That I will always remember who I am. And know that He is much better at being God than I will ever be!

Devotion, God is Faithful Even When I'm Not.

/in , /by

tj alter of God wsPsalm 119:

40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

Why do we keep on fighting for Liberty? Why do we keep having faith? Because HE is faithful even when I am not.