Words Fixed?

The world is still reeling from the presidential debate this past Thursday night in Atlanta. Wow. But as big a news story as that was, I am not going to be writing about it today. You're welcome.

Instead, I was reminded during my reading about who is really in charge in this world and just what we need to do to restore honor and respect to this country that we love so much. The solution is found in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 11. Here's a summary:

1. Love the Lord your God. (v1)
2. Keep His requirements, His decrees, His laws, and His commands. Always. (v1)
3. Observe all the commands. (v8)
4. Love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (v13)
5. Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other Gods and bow down to them. (v16)
6. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds. (v18)
7. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. (v18)
8. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (v19)
9. Write them on your doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (V20)

Verse 22 then says this:

"If you carefully observe all these commands.  . ."

Yes, all these things listed above are COMMANDS from God. How are we doing with those commands? And notice that God says ALL.

I'm thinking that I'm at about 50%, on a good day. Do I have any Bible verses written on my doorframes? Anywhere? Uhh....

Are we teaching God's Word to our children? God is telling US to teach them, not pass it off to a pastor or Sunday school teacher.

IF we do ALL of these things, God tells us that we WILL be blessed. Otherwise, if we don't, we WILL be cursed.

Turn these nine commands from God into a daily to-do list. Can we check all the boxes each and every day? Probably not. That's why we're all still sinners. But we CAN try.

And then we can thank God for Jesus, "who takes away the sins of the world."

Deuteronomy 11

Hate One Another?

If God commands us to love one another, then why did He hate?

“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” - Malachi 1:2-3

And why did Jesus tell us that we cannot become one of His disciples unless we hate our relatives?

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26

A conflict in the Bible? No. But there is definitely something being lost in the translation.

Let's open up an interlinear Bible and find out exactly what the word "hate" really meant back then.

Hate - OT Hebrew = shnathi - "hated, rejected."

Hate - NT Greek = misei - "to love someone less."

Interesting. And just to be clear, God DOES hate things.

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." - Proverbs 6:16-19

So, it's actually the New Testament translation of the Greek that's a little misleading. Luke 14 should actually read something like this:

“If anyone comes to me and does not like father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters less - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26

Jesus really wants us to love HIM more than we love others, or even ourselves. THEN we can become His disciples.

Now that THAT is straightened out, the question becomes "Do we?" Do we really love Jesus more than we love our friends and family? More than we love ourselves?

Ouch.

Do we skip worship because we're "on vacation," or we "have to work?" Do we honor God by living our lives for Him?

We don't want to be rejected by God or even loved less by Him. We need to "examine ourselves. Are we really and truly Christians?

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" - 2 Corinthians 13:5

It's A God Thing

You'll have to pardon me if you hear me laughing at our pitiful country, but I can't help it. It didn't used to be this way. This once was a great country. Powerful, respected, God-fearing. But that's all gone now.

The latest example of our ineptness is the war in Gaza. The United States was always Israel's best ally. The operative word there is WAS.

When the massacre on October 7th happened we were one of the first to speak out against it. 1200 people were killed. But it's an election year, and when Israel struck back at Hamas, suddenly things changed. It became "the poor Palestinians" rather than "the evil Hamas terrorists."

And just as suddenly the United States started meddling in Israeli affairs - withholding aid and weapons in favor of ceasefire talks and aid for the poor, starving Palestinians.

We authorized spending $320 million dollars on a floating pier (pictured above). It was an exercise in futility.

May 25 - aid pier damaged by storm

June 8 - aid pier fixed, making deliveries

June 18 - Columbia University says no famine in Gaza

June 24 - pier broken again, 4 U.S. vessels washed ashore

80% of any aid that actually make it into Gaza went straight to Hamas, Israel's enemy. The rest was sold on the black market to the highest bidder.

Did you catch that event on June 18th above? Columbia University, where they had all of those protests against Israel, published the results of a study they did which said there was no evidence of any famine in Gaza. Somebody's lying and I think it's our government.

One thing wr need to remember in all this - Israel is God's chosen people. God will remember them and rescue them. Remember this verse?

"Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, And whoever curses Israel will be cursed.” - Numbers 24:9

Which brings me to the title of this story - it's a God thing. Why do you think the pier in Gaza has been wrecked twice by storms and ships have been washed ashore?

Most people would describe those occurances as "an act of God." And I would say, "Now you're getting the picture."

Do you believe that God is all-powerful? He parted the Red Sea to save His people. It seems like a small thing to stir up the wind and destroy the plans of someone bringing aid and comfort to the enemy.

We need to remember that the stage is being set for the Ezekiel 38 war. Chess pieces are moving. And it's all according to God's plan.

"After many years I will order him to invade a country where the people were brought back together from many nations (Israel) and have lived without fear of war. He will invade the mountains of Israel, which were desolate and deserted so long, but where all the people now live in safety. He and his army and the many nations with him will attack like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.” - Ezekiel 38:8-9

How amazing it is to be alive at this time - to see Bible prophesy fulfilled right before our eyes. We are blessed indeed!

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD." "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" - Psalm 118:26, Matthew 21:9

Gaza Pier Breaks Apart - AP (May 30th)

Non-Existent Famine - Columbia University (June 18th)

Foreshadowing

The exact timing of the rapture of the church seems to be in doubt. Is it a pre-tribulation rapture? Mid-tribulation? Or post-tribulation? God has already shown us the future. He and His prophets have already told us these things. It's called 'foreshadowing' to a writer. Here's some examples:

Noah and the Ark - wasn't this a foreshadowing of Christ and His church? In order to be saved from the flood you had to get in the ark, right? Well, in order to be saved from your sins you have to be IN Christ. The ark was a foreshadowing of Jesus.

Joseph - he suffered much at the hands of his brothers in the Book of Genesis. But later Joseph saved the entire nation of Israel through that suffering and sacrifice. It was through Joseph that an entire nation was saved. Speaking to his brothers, he said this:

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 37:20 

Moses - another Christ-like figure from the Book of Genesis. Wasn't the entire nation of Israel saved through Moses when he led them out of Egypt?

"Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me." - Exodus 9:1

God's Wrath - Do you remember all the plagues that God sent down upon Egypt and pharaoh in order to make him let his people go? How many of those plagues affected the Israelites? None of them.

"There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt - worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel." - Exodus 11:6-7

"Egypt" are all of the unbelieving people who did not know God. "Israel" are God's chosen people.

God's Wrath did not touch his chosen ones back then and it will not touch his church today. "God did not appoint us to wrath," it says in the Bible. He protected his people in the Old Testament and He protected them in the New Testament.

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9

God is consistent.  He never changes. He has told us from the beginning what it is that He will do in the future. Why don't we believe Him?

"The Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17

"I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.'" - Isaiah 46:10

It will not be long before God removes His people from what He is about to do, and He will do it quickly - "In the twinkling of an eye."

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

The Sign of The Cross

I am reading through the Book of Exodus this morning. Chapter 12 specifically. God lays out His plan to Moses for the liberation of the Israelites (God's people) from Egypt.

"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household." - Exodus 12:3

God is instructing Moses about the very first Passover. God "passed over" His people and did not put to death any first born in the families of those who had blood on their door frames. Remember the word "lamb."

In the new testament we read this:

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world." - John 1:29

That was John the Baptist talking about Jesus.

Now, back to Egypt. Look at God's instruction for where they are to place the blood of the lamb on Passover.

"Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight." - Exodus 12:6

Then this . . .

"Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs." - Exodus 12:7

Take a look at the nearest door in your house. Trace the length of the jamb on the side of the door. You just made a vertical line in the air. Now do the same for the lintel above the door. A horizontal line.

Where have you seen the two motions you just made before? Didn't you just make the sign of the cross? And now God wants His people, "the community," to place the blood of a spotless lamb on it. Interesting.

Why the door? Why not a window? Or the wall? Or the roof? Because doors are where we 'enter in.' In order to "enter in" to God's kingdom we must enter into it through the blood-stained cross. Stained with the blood of a spotless lamb - Jesus. Wow.

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved." - John 10:9

Stories of Jesus like this one are found throughout the Old Testament. More on that next time. For now though, let us praise God for His amazing plan, which He set in motion before the creation of the world.

[Editor's note: I wrote a story on Monday but chose not to share it on Facebook. If you would like to read it you can find it here.]

Here I Am

It all started Tuesday morning. I was on my way to visit a friend and was listening to a sermon about the Holy Spirit. The verse used in the message was when Jesus was talking to Nicodemus in John 3.

"The wind blows where it wishes. You hear the sound of it but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" - John 3:8

(The following is an example of how the mind and heart work when empowered by the Holy Spirit. Please do not take this as bragging. Rather, it is simply an example of the HS convicting a sinner to help someone and give honor and glory to God.)

How can we tell if we even have the Holy Spirit? One answer is found in the Book of James.

"But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." - James 2:18

So, if we are followers of Jesus,  and we are supposed to do whatever He commands us to do (works), what does that look like?

His first and greatest commandment was to love one another, right?

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." - John 13:34

So, how do we demonstrate love to one another like Jesus did?

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." - John 15:3

Are we really ready to love that far? To the extent that we would give up our lives for our friends? Jesus did.

That brings me to the story I wrote a week or so ago about a friend of mine who needs a double lung transplant. AND a new heart. How much do I love my friend? Do I give her one of my lungs?

"Lay down one's life for his friends."

Okay. Do I give her BOTH of my lungs then so that she might live? She definitely needs two. Oh, and a heart also. I forgot about that. How can I possibly do that?

"What does your love look like now, Mr. follower of Christ?" - Holy Spirit

Ouch.

What shoyld I do? 

What would YOU do? 

My friend and I met and talked again on Thursday. I told her I had a few questions about transplants. Here they are:

1. Would she be willing to receive both of my lungs, and my heart, should the Lord take me home?
2. Are the two of us even compatible?
3. How can we set it up so that she is the recipient of my lungs and my heart?

Well, she is willing to receive, so that takes care of #1, but we have to wait two weeks to find out answers to the last two questions. Two precious weeks for my friend.

This all is an example of how God often works. He can bless us and often test us to make sure our faith is strong and in Him alone. And how do we answer HIS questions during our times of testing?

I felt convicted as my mind was driven along by compassion, mercy, and love (gifts of the Holy Spirit). Our choices in life should follow a similar pattern I think. 

The pattern is this: Hearing God's Word, being convicted by the Holy Spirit, and our faith leading to works that will bring glory and honor to God.

That's why we are here.

"And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he (Jacob) said, “Here I am.” - Genesis 46:2

Please continue to pray for my friend and for God's will to be done. Pray for my friend to place her faith in Jesus one day. Thank you so much!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 36:26

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets 

Grace and Mercy

Most of us have had pets in our lives at one time or another. We feed them, we clean up after them, and, in return, they give us unconditional love. Plus a few laughs along the way.

We have had a cat in our house for the past 18 years - a rescued barn cat, living the good life. But that life came to an end this past week. It was hard to watch. Still, through all of his medical struggles, our cat provided something beautiful to watch - my wife, caring for her dear friend, the cat.

The cat's last days made me appreciate my wife even more than I already did. Cleaning up his messes, taking him to the vet, feeding him special food laced with medication.

"That's going to be me one day," I thought to myself. Thankfully I have a loving and compassionate wife.

Watching my wife care for our cat made me think of God and HIS grace and mercy. Even though we are all sinners and deserving of death, God provided a way for us to live forever with Him - the sacrifice His Son offered on the cross - once for all.

In the Old Testament days sacrifices were set up by God (Exodus, Leviticus). They were not meant to pay for our sins, but as a reminder OF our sins.

"It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." - Hebrews 10:4

“Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” - though they were offered in accordance with the law." - Hebrews 10:8

"We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." - Hebrews 10:10

God did not require sacrifice for sins as a penalty or payment, but rather as a reminder OF our sinful nature. Jesus was the sacrifice, once for all.

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." - Acts 16:31

The Bible doesn't say much about our pets going to heaven when they die, but God created them. He saved them from the flood, though not all of them were saved.

It's the same with us humans. We too were created by God. And we too were saved from the flood, but not all of us will be saved. One thing we all must remember:

In order to be saved from the coming wrath, we have to get on "the ark." And the ark's name is Jesus.

When Tragedy Strikes

I woke up this morning to some terrible news. The daughter of one of the youth group kids I love so much was killed in a 4-wheeler accident. What do I even say?

Let's start at the beginning I guess. We live in a fallen world. There is pain and suffering, death and mourning. I get that. But why does it have to touch our children?

One of the 'waypoints' in MY faith journey was the death of another young girl in our community - Cora Jones. Her death was just as tragic and just as hard to understand.

At Cora's death, I was not a believer at the time. I was angry with God so I guess I believed to some extent but there was bitterness in my heart.

"How could God allow such a thing to happen?"

That's the usual question. So, what's the answer? 

The thing we need to remember is that this "life" here in earth is short. It's temporary. According to the Bible we all will live forever. It's just a matter of where - heaven or hell.

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8

So my young friend's daughter is still living. Just not here. Our minds cannot escape 'the here and now.' We are stuck. Unless, we embrace Christ.

Jesus is where we find hope. It is His grace and mercy that gives us that hope. And it is His abundant love that provides all of those things.

I wish my friend was not suffering such a tragic loss. But . . . 

"God works all things together for the good of those who love Him." - Romans 8:28

So the real question becomes, "Do we love Him, and trust Him, and surrender all things into His hands?"

And that is a question we all must answer for ourselves. Before it's too late to change our minds.

Waypoints

When you get to be as old as I am you begin to reflect on your life. Did it have meaning? What did it accomplish? Will anyone remember me after I am gone?

If we look at life as a journey, what will it look like when we get to the end of it and look back on where we have come from?

There will be highs and lows, scars and healings, laughter and tears.

Surveyors have a term they use for readings taken with their instruments along a particular path. It's called a waypoint. 

Waypoint - a point between major points on a route, as along a track. Any mapped reference point on a route that can be easily identified.

Our lives are a series of waypoints. Memories, turning points, major events, are all waypoints in our lives. What are yours?

In the movie The Natural the characters portrayed by Glenn Close and Robert Redford reflect on their lives. Opportunities missed, and mistakes made. But in the end, there they are.

"I believe we have two lives. The life we learn with, and the life we live with after that."

What are the waypoints in YOUR life? How have they shaped you? God uses every part of our lives to speak to others.

How did we handle a certain situation? Would Jesus be proud of us for the way we've treated others?

In Paul's letter to church in Rome He said this:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son," - Romans 8:28-29

Did Jesus suffer? Did He experience both highs and lows while He was here on earth? Did He endured all things for the glory of His Father in heaven?

We are who we are. How can we translate our life's waypoints to bring glory to God?

This life we are living is not just about us. It's about Jesus and how we lived it through Him and for Him.

"For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." - Romans 11:36

Two Lives - The Natural

Only Jesus - Casting Crowns

Ninjas

When our kids were younger they used to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Do you remember the chant at the end of their opening song?

"Heroes in a half shell. Turtle power!"

I looked up the word "ninja," just to make sure my story was headed in the right direction. Here it is:

"A member of a class of medieval Japanese mercenary agents who were trained in the martial arts and hired for covert operations such as assassination and sabotage."

Let's distill that down a bit.

Trained agents. Covert.

Aren't we Christians trained in God's Word? Aren't we agents of the Most High God? Sharing to Gospel to the world?

The definition also mentions "covert operations." We are having to be more and more covert these as persecution of the Church increases. If we say that being gay, having trans surgery, or aborting our children is against God's Word we are ostracized, sued, beaten, or shunned.

We need to be ninjas for Jesus. A ninja has no fear, at least from what I have seen in the movie. And our weapon is a double-edged sword.

"The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword." - Hebrews 4:12

Let's modify that Turtle chant a bit.

"Servants of the Most High. Ninja power!"

Sounds cool. But it's really HIS power. Our job as "ninjas for Jesus" is to love everyone, even when they are hating us. We are to speak the truth, even when we are chastized by family members and friends for doing so.

We have been "hired" by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Shouldn't we then live and act like we belong to Him?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Theme Song

The God Who Stays

What I am about to tell you is a true story, based on real-life events. I testify that these things are true. And also, really quite amazing.

God has truly blessed me by giving many people in my life to love - family, friends, and also youth group kids. This story is about one of those "kids," although many are now in their 30's, married, and have kids of their own.

I first learned of the illness of one of my "kids" through a Facebook post - a fund-raising effort organized to help pay for medical expenses. I immediately sent out a text.

"The kid" and I agreed to meet at a local coffee shop to talk as "what happened" to my friend was too long to type.

[Let me pause here to tell you a few things. 1.) I love these kids, 2.) Prayer is amazing, and 3.) Never underestimate God]

We met, ordered our beveages, and sat down to talk. I heard all about the incredible medical journey my friend was on. It is nearing a very critical point.

Then it was my turn to talk and I asked her some questions about Jesus. That's when something very interesting happened.

A song began to play on the music system as I has sharing the good news. Here's the chorus:

You're the God who stays,

You're the God who stays,

You're the one who runs in my direction when the whole world walks away,

You're the God who stands with wide open arms,

And you tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart from the God who stays.

God provided a perfect soundtrack for His words of truth. Amazing. The song let us know that God will never run away from us, no matter how big our struggles, or illnesses, might be.

What more do we need in tough times than a God who stays with us as we go through them?

"My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9"

That it is!

I'm not sure if my friend fully relies on God or not but Jesus is definitely waiting "with wide open arms." All my friend needs to do is to run to Him. Jesus, and His Holy Spirit, will take it from there.

The God Who Stays - Matthew West

Heavenly Love

No one living on this earth has ever been to heaven, despite all of the books they try to sell us. But it is possible to figure out what heaven will be like just by reading the Bible. Today we will just focus on one aspect of heaven - love.

Before we get started however, let's remember where we are right now, at this very moment. We live in a fallen world filled with hurt, betrayal, cheating, deception, distrust, pain, suffering, sickness, anguish, torment, sin, death and war. Wonderful, right? In heaven, none of these things will be there.

Here's our first clue as to what heaven will be like:

"God is love." - 1 John 4:8

Heaven will be filled with God's love. It will be like sunshine in a cloudless sky afyer a lifetime of storms.There will be NONE of the wordly things mentioned in paragraph two above. Can you imagine what it will be like if 100% of heaven's residents love you? Every last one! Unconditionally and sacrificially, all the time. Forever.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain." - Revelation 21:4

Heaven, and our hearts, will be filled with love. We only get a hint of that love here on earth.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

Think of someone in your life who hurt you. You used to talk all the time but now there's just silence. What happened? Someone removed what once was a loving relationship and replaced it with awkwardness and distrust. Who would do such a thing?

Satan.

(Now THERE is someone you won't find in heaven)

Do you think it's possible to be loved too much? I don't. Let the love pile up in a neverending supply. I think the human heart is capable of holding an infinite amount of love.

Sadly, the human heart is ALSO capable of holding large quantities of hatred as well. While true in THIS world, people with those hearts will not be in heaven. Our faith in Jesus gives us a new heart.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 36:26

It's like the Beatles said, "All you need is love." And where does love come from?

"Love comes from God." - 1 John 4:7

And where is God? Mhmm.🙂

Heaven is going to be wonderful! 

Deja Vu

In the Book of 1st Kings there is a story that seems appropriate for today, given the headlines of this week. It is the story of King Ahab (played by Joe Biden) and Naboth (played by Donald Trump).

Naboth had a vineyard. Today we will call this vineyard 'America,' filled with the American people.

"Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard." - 1 Kings 21:2

Naboth didn't want to give it up because there was a lot of history associated with it. 

"Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”" - 1 Kings 21:3

Ahab was upset. He wanted the vineyard. So he went home and complained to his partner, Jezebel. They were very close. And Jezebel came up with a plan.

Oh, I almost forgot. In today's world, Jezebel is played by Barack Obama.

Anyway, Jezebel's plan went like this.

"Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” - 1 Kings 21:7

Her scheme went like this:

"Seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges." - 1 Kings 21:10

The roles of the two scoundrels are played by Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen.

[How am I doing so far? Pretty accurate, right?]

"He who has ears, let him hear." - Matthew 11:15

"So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them." - 1 Kings 21:11

"Naboth's city" is New York. And "the elders and nobles" of that city are Alvin Bragg and Judge Juan Merchan. There's a couple more scoundrels for ya.

Ultimately, Jaboth was tried, convicted, and sentenced by scoundrels, all at the direction of Jezebel. But the story does not end here.

Later on in 2nd Kings...

"So the young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead. When he arrived, he found the army officers sitting together. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said.

“For which of us?” asked Jehu.

“For you, commander,” he replied.

Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured oil on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the Lord’s people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel - slave or free. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’ ” - 1 Kings 9:4-10

This speaks of a future time. Jehu is Jesus our Lord. He alone will judge those who plot evil and inflict it on the people of this once-great nation.

The only way our country can suvive is by returning to the Lord. We must repent and turn from this evil that is controling it. Only then can we truly become great, again.

So, let this be our prayer....

"Lord, make America great again. Not by OUR will, the will of man, but by Yours. No one comes to power unless it is by Your hand. May righteousness rule over your people, not scoundrels and murderers." Amen.