Glory in Persecution

 We have been taught that the days would come when Christians will be persecuted for their

beliefs, no matter their Christian religion, and they have. Christians have been persecuted in some countries for decades, and even longer, but in far worse ways than we can imagine. In the U.S., my own religion has seen much persecution in the past, and though it slackened through the years, it never truly stopped. But neither has the Lord's work.

However, there is a persecution problem going on now that should never be.

Sadly, that problem is Christians persecuting other Christians.

To call ourselves true Christians means we are followers of Jesus Christ. It means we believe in Christ, we worship Him, and we look on Him as our Savior and Redeemer. It means that, though we aren't perfect, we are devoted to walking in His ways and obeying His commandments.

I can't help wondering what Christ thinks when He witnesses religions that are supposedly Christian bashing each other because of differences in our beliefs. This is the time when Christians - no matter our beliefs - need to be drawing closer and supporting one another, not in judgement or persecution, but in love. We should be united in our mutual love for the Savior, and that love should carry over to each other. When we persecute one another, we are allowing Satan to use us in his attempt to thwart the work of the Lord, thereby casting aside the influence of the Lord's spirit in our lives.

The day is fast approaching when EVERY knew will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ. I pray that it will not be a day of grudging, but one of pure realization that we are all Children of God, and we are all loved beyond measure.

The Lord is in charge and He will judge accordingly. How grateful I am for that!

To Be His Bride

 Over the past while, I have learned so much about what it truly means to be the "Bride of Christ" and

what it means to fall completely and irrevocably in Love with the Lord - to fall so in love with Him that He and the Father have become the center of everything in my life. I tell the Lord frequently, "I love You so much, and I want to be completely lost in You. I want my whole heart to belong to You. Please hold me close and don't ever let me go."

That is how I feel every minute of the day!

In Hebrew marriages, when the groom's offer is accepted by the woman, she then becomes his bride. Once that happens, she is no longer of her old house. She prepares herself, says goodbye to her old life, and gets ready to move on to a better home.

She is called the Shalom Bride. She has been brought up to one day leave the house she was raised in for a new permanent home, forever attaching herself to the groom.

When we say goodbye to Babylon and the things of the world, we are accepting the bride price the Lord has offered - and paid - and we are preparing ourselves for the coming of the Bridegroom. We are preparing ourselves for our marriage to Him, and the world is no longer our home. When He finally arrives, the marriage will take place and we will be taken to a far better home, one that is more glorious than we can imagine.

But are we truly ready to say goodbye to the things of this world?

Are we willing to say goodbye to our worldly aspirations, our old self, our egos? Are we willing to let go of pride, vain and foolish traditions, worldly possessions, and desires of the flesh? Can we leave worldly burdens behind and let go of our past life. We MUST let go of all of these things in order to fully accept the price that the Savior has paid for us.

To fully accept Him, we must turn away from everything that is not of Him. We must turn away and never look back. We must long for the Lord more than we've longed for anything. Only the things of Him should be precious to us. Only the things that lead us to Him should we treasure.

In Hebrew, not only does shalom mean goodbye, it means hello, too! And every time we say goodbye to things of this world, we are saying hello to the things of heaven. Each and every worldly thing we let go makes room for bridal gifts that the Lord is just waiting to give us when He comes for US, His bride.

And oh, how I long for, and look forward to, my wedding day!

Happy Sabbath!

The Price of Cruel Judgments

During this time of trial (which is only the beginning) I have learned something very

important. It is that everyone has a strong opinion about things that we know far less about than we think. Also, it seems that every one of us thinks that his or her opinion is of utmost important, and only our opinion is right while others are wrong, unless . . . they agree or coincide with our own somewhat.

Because of this, judgments abound, and in the process of delegating truths and errors when it comes to the narrative that is being spoon-fed to the masses, we are placing ourselves in the seat of judgment and relegating the TRUE JUDGE to the back of the FRUITFUL TREE in the pasture while we take our place in the great and spacious building, pointing our finger and laughing at those seeking shelter beneath that TREE.

Why are we doing this to each other? Why are we allowing this separation to occur among us? We are children of a King, royal sons and daughters of God, yet our actions are anything but.

Over the last few weeks, I have seen and heard things and witnessed actions among God’s people that have literally broken my heart. How far we have fallen in six months’ time! How wide the division has grown, and how deeply planted the seeds of contention have been sown! The roots as so embedded that only the Master of the Vineyard will be able to dig them up.

Oh, how I pray to never be a part of the resulting crop of tares that is plucked up and cast

out to be destroyed! And how I long to be bundled in with the precious wheat, to be safely stored up for the Master’s use. This is an endless prayer I carry inside for myself, my family, and all my brothers and sisters of every religion.

I wish with all my heart and every fiber of my being that we could all glimpse the big picture, that we could all catch the vision of the beautiful masterpiece we are a part of.

As I mentioned in my previous posts, God is not the author of contention, and as soon as we allow contention to enter our daily dealings, the Spirit leaves. Once we allow that to happen on our end, we truly don’t have anything solid to stand on to justify our reasons for giving it entrance, nor any power from the Lord when pleading our case. Whenever contention seeps into our hearts, it manifests itself in our thoughts, words, and deeds. So, in essence, the BEST thing we can do is to pluck the seeds of contention before they take root.

I have spent many a night lately crying myself to sleep and praying–crying and praying for my family, for friends, and for my fellow church members, as well as all my brothers and sisters in Christ. The time of preparation is shortening by the day, and instead of using this time to point fingers and betray our neighbors in hasty judgments and criticism, we should be anxiously engaged in spiritual preparation and doing all we can to get our ducks in a row and get right with God.

Because in the end, the opinions and judgments of man won’t matter; they never should have mattered in the first place.

If we have a heart for the Lord, it is Him and only Him, that we will look on as our judge, for He will indeed be our judge, jury, and executioner.

And I pray that the last role will not be needed in my life, or yours.

Much love to you all 

The Wolf We Feed

Yesterday was one of those day when my feelings just ran the gamut, and so many questions about the state of the world and my place in it continually fired through my mind. Then last night, after spending some time opening my heart to Heavenly Father, I was blessed with the peaceful assurance that God is aware of EVERYTHING. Nothing done in secret is ever truly secret, and things done in the dark to divert, deceive and destroy will one day be brought to light.

For some of us, these latter days are - and will continue to be - days of pain, sorrow, fear, and despair. However, for those who are prepared (meaning striving to live the gospel and preparing for every needful thing, both spiritually and temporally) these are -and will- be days of refinement, wonder, joy, faith, and hope. Part of that preparation is remembering that we are not fighting against men, but against the powers of darkness, and a major way that dark power is spreading is by breeding perpetual opposition in the world and in our homes. The great division isn't just about the separation of the wheat and the tares.
In Luke 12: 52-53, we read that in the last days:
"there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."

When it comes to decisions in life, we humans usually act according to our conscience and each person's conscience is different. Something I have learned over the years is when my heart is fixed and focused on my Savior and the things of God, it is God who rules my conscience. There have been times when I've done and said things that have seared my conscience, as have we all, but as I have said many times, constant repentance is key in overcoming my weaknesses and mastering my mind and heart. It is a sometimes brutal and painful process, and it really can be exhausting, but it is oh, so worth it! The more I stay focused and the more I repent, the more I feel my Savior near and the more I can feel His influence in my life. Nothing is more important than that.

Every day at any given time, we have good and evil spirits surrounding us and accompanying us wherever we go, which is why standing in holy places at all times is so important. Right now, my most holy place is my home, because here, I am surrounded by the things of God, and I try to take those feelings with me everywhere I go. But I remind myself constantly that Satan and his minions are always ready and waiting to pierce my peaceful sanctuary, and fear, despair, and harsh feelings of any kind provide the opening that the evil one needs to enter, thereby placing the righteous ones outfield and weakening that protection.

Heavenly Father wants to bless each of His children with a wise heart and I pray for that constantly, to possess the wisdom I will need in forging ahead. But knowledge comes first, and heavenly training in how to use that knowledge (the ability to discern truth from lies) is a must. Then, depending on how we exercise our agency, wisdom is sure to follow.

With all the evil that has been - and is presently being perpetrated on human beings, I have witnessed Ephesians 6: 12 in action:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

We have all witnessed it in one form or another. But I have learned that witnessing it is not as important as how we choose to let it affect us, and being ambivalent and dismissive is definitely not the smart way to handle it. On the contrary, adopting those attributes when it comes to evil is detrimental to our eternal salvation. Which is why it is so important to remain prayerful, especially now, because I don't know about you, but I need the Lord's influence in my life every second of the day. I will forever.

My greatest prayer for each and every one of us on this beautiful sabbath day is that we focus on faith instead of fear, hope instead of despair, and joy instead of sorrow. Yes, we need to recognize the tools of the adversary and the negativity they produce, but we shouldn't feed that spirit.

And may we not allow ourselves to be driven and tossed to and fro by the events and happenings of this world, but seek righteous and truth, and then stand firm in it, steadfast and immovable in the Lord.

Spiritual Blindness and Other Truths

I've spent a great deal of time this morning praying and asking the Lord what He would have me
write, begging Him to lay on my heart something I could say that would uplift and edify. Then my thoughts drifted back to last night and what was supposed to be an evening of celebration of our country's "independence." I sat out on our condo's small patio, praying and thinking as the popping of fireworks sounded near and far around me.

After heeding a prompting from the Lord to sell our house last summer, then renting a basement apartment for six months and waiting for Him to direct us where He needed us next, we were led here to our new little home. However, due to circumstances beyond our control (virus, social distancing, etc.) my husband and I haven't been able to get to know fellow church members and neighbors as much as we would like, and for a short time, we felt a little lost. We didn't know what our purpose was for being here.

We finally came to the realization that for us, this is a place of spiritual preparation. Oh, we have met a neighbor here and there and I still drop off a treat every now and then. We also minister where we can and spend time with our children and their families, but spiritual preparation has taken precedence in our life.

Everything in our world has completely changed, and contrary to popular belief, nothing will ever return to what we've known as "normal" again. It CANNOT. Yet that truth is not what the majority want to hear, and it makes me sad.
Many don't want to hear anything that does not fit in with the current narrative. Some don't want to hear about the secret combinations that are controlling the nations. No one wants to hear that we as a people have been deceived for so long, it has become a dangerous programming - a mindset that we can't seem to break out of. The majority does not want to hear that LIVES MATTER. We can't seem to grasp that God is not the author of confusion and contention, and any time contention enters a conversation, we boot God right out of it. (Think about various Facebook posts). Many don't want to be counseled to trust in God and not in the arm of flesh, because they seem to believe that a college degree, doctorate, money, power, position, or notoriety puts that man's opinion above God's. In fact, that type of faithful adulation turns these very individuals into the gods of this world. And that is on us.

But these are the things I cannot talk about, because mine is not the popular opinion, nor is anyone else's who may share it. There are far more opposing voices that scream a lot louder.

Last night as I pondered all these things, I felt so alone, but I knew that I wasn't. I kept asking, "Father, are you here? Lord, are you here?" And then I sat quietly and allowed myself to imagine Them both saying, "Yes, We are here." I felt comforted. And it is because of that comfort that I am able to share what is in my heart.

"Their eyes are glazed so they cannot see, their minds are incapable of discernment." ~Isaiah 44:18

"Spiritual blindness is just that - an unawareness of lacking discernment in things divine. Spiritually blind people don't perceive the signs of the times or what God would have them do to save their souls." ~ Avraham Gileadi

We have been told over and over to spiritually prepare ourselves and work on truly coming to know the Savior, and in no way is this a post of me calling anyone to repentance. I have enough repenting of my own to do. I just hope and pray that hearts will be softened, and that eyes and hearts will be opened, that we may all come to understand that nothing is as it seems. As I've said before, God knows all. He knows the beginning to the end, and He sees all the lies, deceptions and injustices that we do not, and He will judge accordingly. He loves us more than we know and wants to show us so many truths.
And though He allows evil to reign for this season (in as much as we allow it to), He is always one step ahead and in control. My most heartfelt desire is to be found on His side, at all times walking in His path.
I pray that I will be found worthy.
This is my prayer for all of us.

It is Time!

Contrary to popular belief, we cannot claim to be a true follower of Christ and embrace the things of
Satan. We cannot be good while accepting evil. We cannot attain righteousness and holiness while giving an affirmative nod to Babylon. We cannot profess to love Heavenly Father and His Son while our hearts are welcoming in the evil, treachery, falsehoods, and actions of Satan and his demonic minions. We will never reach heaven while living far below it, fixed and focused on the things of the world.
Those two worlds will never, ever blend, no matter how much we try to make it so in our deceived minds. And ignorance in this matter will never fly with the Lord. We know what He expects of us, and the road to victory in Christ is never smooth. And even with a celestial roadmap, the bumps and bruises are part of the journey.

Still, He guides, and still He continues to give us His words and teachings, and His example to follow. All of these gifts are available to any and everyone who truly seeks them, and who is willing to open their heart to receive them.
It is time to choose a side, because we are RUNNING OUT OF TIME!

From Meridian Magazine

How Much Will You Give Away to Gain Your Righteous Desires?

This is a post by Taylor Halverson that was featured in Meridian Magazine this week. It was on Alma
the Younger, and I loved it so much (because I love Alma more than I can say and he is such a heroic example to me) I just had to share it! He truly was a type of Christ.

What are your righteous desires?

How hard are you willing to work for the realization of those righteous desires?

How much suffering are you willing to endure to see your righteous desires come to fruition and fulfillment?

Alma Gave Away Everything to Bring People to Jesus

Oh how I love Alma! He gave away everything to bring people to Jesus. Alma had achieved all worldly success.

He had become the leader of the Church. He had become the chief judge among the Nephites, the highest political office in the land. He had marched at the head of the victorious army in the Nephite civil war with the Amlicites. And in a face-to-face confrontation in the heat of battle, he had personally fought with and slain the rebellious leader of the Amlicites.

What would we call such a person today?

A hero.
A guru.
Maybe even a god.

And what would such a person receive today?

Honor.
Glory.
Money.
Power.
Prestige.
Fawning respect.

The world at their feet.

Alma Could Have Been Set for Life

He could have retained all power for himself. He could have acquired more lands, riches, power, wealth, and control for himself. He could have lauded his power over others. He could have taken on new titles and plaudits. He could have gloried in himself and his accomplishments. He could have created a cult of personality. He could have lived a life of having others fawn over him and serve his every need and whim.

He could have lived a king. He could have lived as a god on earth, being worshiped by his grateful followers, giving commands and being obeyed in all things, no matter how crazy or egregious his ideas.

Instead, Alma brought God on earth to the people. That is, Alma gave away everything he had to teach people of the reality and truth of Jesus.

Alma Suffered Instead of Living a Life of Ease

Instead of basking in the glories and comforts of his successes “Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.” (Alma 8:10)

Instead of having the people give him shouts of acclaim and honor, he suffered verbal abuse. “Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art high priest over the church which thou hast established in many parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions.” (Alma 8:11)

Instead of living a life of physical comfort, he was deprived. He suffered. His body was abused and bruised.

“Now when the people had said this, and withstood all his words, and reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city.” (Alma 8:13)

Later, he had to watch the atrocious destruction of those he loved (Alma 14:8). He even suffered terrible treatment while in prison (Alma 14).

Despite all this, Alma had an eye single for the glory of God and when the call came to return to the source of his troubles, “he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah [to declare the glad tidings of Jesus Christ].” (Alma 8:18, emphasis added)

Alma Was Like Jesus

In all these things, Alma was like Jesus.

Just like Jesus, Alma left his throne to serve others.

Just like Jesus, Alma was verbally abused.

Just like Jesus, Alma was physically abused.

Just like Jesus, Alma spent the best years of his life seeking to bless the lives of others.

Just like Jesus, Alma prayed, and fasted, and spent his spiritually energies in the service of others.

Just like Jesus, Alma was little regarded by others.

Just like Jesus, Alma was willing to give away his life so that others might live.

I Love Alma and His Example

Alma showed us that even mere mortals can accomplish incredible things when we are focused on emulating Jesus. Alma demonstrated that an eye single to a righteous desire returns a harvest a thousand-fold.

So, what righteous desires do you have?

What are you willing to give away to accomplish your righteous desire?

What are you willing to suffer?

What are you willing to endure?

What will you sacrifice?

What will you consecrate on the altar of God to achieve your righteous desire?