Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave. . .

There’s a famous quote from one of Sir Walter Scott’s poems – Marmion – that says, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when at first we practice to deceive!” How true this is today! All you need to do is observe all the violence, destruction, and demonic behavior that’s been going on for months in the US and you’ll see how out of control people are. But, it’s about to change – watch and see!

There’s also another expression that fits the times we’re living in. It comes from the 1930s mystery radio program called The Shadow: Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men! And it’s quite evident what evil there is lurking in men’s hearts as you look around at the chaos that’s taking place in many cities.

So, what does God’s Word have to say?

Ecclesiastes 8:8b (AMP) 8  …  neither will wickedness deliver those who are its possessors and given to it.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 (KJV) 13  But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

Here we see that these perpetrators are on dangerous ground. Heretofore the “President Bashers” have gotten away with too much and the Church is fed up with it. They had better straighten up and fly right or they’re going to reap exactly what they’ve been sowing.

Galatians 6:7 (KJV) 7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

It’s the same with the governors, mayors, and rioters who have rebelled at the Word of God. Pay day is coming and none too soon. We as the Church must be vigilant in keeping watch and praying righteous Holy Spirit prayers to protect our country and our President.

Then there was Ananias and Sapphira [see Acts 5:1-11]. They could have kept the money they received for selling their possession. It was their choice. Where they missed is that they lied to the Holy Spirit. They wanted to look like “big” givers without really giving what they purported to do. God always sees what’s going on in people’s hearts. It’s always a heart issue with God.

Matthew 10:26 (KJV) 26  Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Hebrews 4:13 (KJV) 13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Nobody’s going to get away with anything because everything that’s hidden will be revealed in time.

And then there’s Eccl.8:11:

Ecclesiastes 8:11 (KJV) 11  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

We’re seeing this today. The rioters and looters and those causing violence are not being subjected to lawful consequences and they keep doing their evil work. But the end is near and they will reap what they have been sowing!

Ecclesiastes 10:12b (KJV) 12  . . . but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Philippians 1:28 (KJV) 28  And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
Philippians 1:28 (AMP) 28  And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.

Acts 5:1-11

Pamela

Are You Crying & Begging or Believing & Receiving?

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) 6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Philemon 1:6 (KJV) 6  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

How many times have you prayed with someone who is crying their heart out to God, begging Him to answer their prayer? It’s such a pitiful sight because God has already provided the answer to every problem we could ever encounter. So what’s wrong?

What’s wrong is that approaching God in that manner is not only futile but really insulting to God. And we for sure don’t want to insult our Heavenly Father. He’s our Source and He has all the solutions that work. And beside all that, it’s faith that pleases God, not crying and begging.

So often it seems that people think that loud praying, yelling and screaming at the devil, and begging God for answers is the way to go. But it isn’t. And even though we can learn by going the hard way, going the right way is always the BEST way. And that way is God’s way.

So, how do we know which way is God’s way for solving our problems? That’s easy—it’s His Word! The Word of God answers every question we could have and gives us solutions that actually work. Who woulda thought!!!

Of course, experience is a teacher but not the BEST teacher. Who wants to go through “hit or miss” to find out how do something? Go to God’s Word first and the Holy Spirit will reveal the solution about what you’re to do. He’s in you and has all the answers.

Another thing is to pray in your prayer language – in tongues.  That way you’re praying the perfect answer because praying in tongues is praying the mysteries of God. Then pray for the interpretation and God will show you the solution. Remember, the Holy Spirit is your teacher, counselor, and guide. Yield to Him.

There are so many things that come against us daily but if we have the Philemon 6 attitude we can overcome every obstacle the devil throws at us.

 Start acknowledging every good thing that’s in you by virtue of the New Birth and the power of the Holy Spirit and watch your faith soar!

Romans 8:11 (KJV) 11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
John 14:12-14 (KJV) 12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 15:5 (KJV) 5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:7 (KJV) 7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.   

1 Corinthians 14:13 (KJV) 13  Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:2 (KJV) 2  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Pamela

Are There Consequences for Wickedness?

God has a lot to say about wickedness, particularly in Proverbs. He hates wickedness and its evil, destructive ways. Wickedness is the work of the devil, meant to destroy everyone it touches.

 Proverbs 9:10 (KJV) 10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 21:12b (KJV) 12  … : but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
Proverbs 21:16 (KJV) 16  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

As you can see, knowledge of the holy is understanding, and understanding is knowledge of God, His Word, and His things. Those who wander out of the way of understanding remain in the congregation of the dead! What a horrible place to be! No wonder the “liberal left” is so deceived and confused about what the truth is. They’re the walking dead!

Proverbs 14:34 (KJV)
34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Righteousness exalts a nation. Isn’t that what we want? Surely it’s better than wickedness driving a nation! This can also apply to your business, family, social group, and of course, the Church.

Brothers and sisters, we need to get our act together and start being the role-models God intends for us to be.

Romans 2:4b (KJV) 4  …  knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

The world needs to see godliness in us and His “Word in operation. They need to see the “real” Jesus and all the He is. It’s the Holy Spirit Who draws them to the Father but He does it through us.

John 14:12 (KJV) 12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Let’s take our stand and be God’s instruments of righteousness!

Romans 6:13 (KJV) 13  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

— Pamela

Calling Evil Good and Good Evil!

We have seen, in the USA, so much rebellion taking place in 2020. We’ve seen violence, looting, destruction, and all claiming to be “peaceful” protesting! How absurd! Not only that, there are those in position of authority who are condoning and even encouraging such unlawful behavior! That being said, let’s look at what God has to say.

Isaiah 5:20 (KJV) 20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Proverbs 17:5b (KJV) 5  …  and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Proverbs 17:13 (KJV) 13  Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Proverbs 24:24 (KJV) 24  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

Notice that calling evil good and good evil is detrimental to those who are doing it. And that’s exactly what we’re witnessing all around the country. And, to make matters worse, there are those in high positions who are promoting it! To quote the Shadow from the 30s and 40s, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men!”

So what can we do? We can do what’s right because it’s right! We aren’t so numb as to blindly follow the evil ways and actions of those perpetrating them. We need to take our stand on God’s Word and stand up for what’s right. Otherwise by default, we’re agreeing with their rebellion. We need to exercise our constitutional rights and vote bad people out of office and good people in. We need to pray for those in authority – I Tim. 2:1-2 – for God to give them wisdom and strength to overcome the wickedness that surrounds them and fight for our rights.

We are the people of God, called to be victorious warriors, proclaiming His goodness to all who will listen. Time is short, and we have a God-given job to do before we leave planet earth Let’s do it!

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (KJV) 1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Proverbs 17:5b (AMP) 5  …  and he who is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent or go unpunished.
Proverbs 17:11 (KJV) 11  An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Proverbs 17:15 (KJV) 15  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Pamela

Praise for God – the Devil Hates it!

Praising God seems to be a lost art for most people, particularly Christians! We get so busy with the things of this life that we count it great victory when we get through another week, unscathed! Life, according to God and His Word, was never meant to be so hard and all consuming.

Proverbs 13:15b (KJV) 15  … but the way of transgressors is hard.

God says that the way of the transgressor is hard, not the way of the saints. You see, God has a “secret” weapon for us to counter the attacks of the enemy and it’s called PRAISE. Note the following scriptures:

Psalm 8:2 (KJV) 2  Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Matthew 21:16 (KJV) 16  And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Psalm 18:3 (KJV) 3  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

As we praise the Lord, we set ourselves up for deliverance from the enemy because the devil hates when we praise the Lord and flees so that he doesn’t have to endure our praise.

Notice what happened when the Israelites sang and praised the Lord:

2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (KJV) 22  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
23  For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

The enemy turned on each other and the Israelites didn’t have to fight!

What does it mean to praise the Lord? It means to be thankful and recognize Who He is and His majesty. We see how much David praised the Lord in the Psalms.

Talking to God and telling Him how thankful and appreciative we are of all that He’s done for us and for all that He is, is praise.  And, I might add, many answers come to us as we cast our cares upon the Lord and worship and praise Him.

It doesn’t take much to look around and see all that God has done for us. We should be eternally grateful for His grace and mercy toward us!

Cast your care upon the Lord, worship and praise Him with thanksgiving, and watch your focus change and joy come forth!

Nehemiah 8:10b (KJV) 10  … for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Psalm 150:1-6 (KJV) 1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Pamela

And it Came to Pass…

This phrase, and it came to pass, is written many times in the gospels. It came…so it could pass! What a statement! Thinking about it this way will alleviate many fears and worries if you let it.

I am reminded what Abraham Lincoln said, “This too shall pass!” He probably got it from the Bible because God said it so many times in His Word.

One of the things that stirs in me is that in one hour things can change. I heard a man of God say that and it has stuck with me for decades. And, I might add, that I have seen it play out many times in my life and in the lives of others. It came—so it could pass!

2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV) 18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) 13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Brothers and sisters, we need to do our utmost to never worry or stress about anything that confronts us because God has promised that He will make a way of escape for us. BUT, we have to believe Him and rest in His Word.

Remember, fear and worry will negate your faith – cancel it – and it won’t produce your desired results. Stick with God’s Word and watch His miraculous power manifest in your life!

Pamela

What is Going on?

2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV) 1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

All you need to do is to look around you and you can see that we are indeed living in perilous and very dangerous times. And it seems to be getting worse daily. So what is really going on and what can we do about it?

First of all, it’s not our place to pronounce judgment on the evil doers we see perpetrating their evil agendas. But we know One Who is the Judge and we can be sure He will judge righteously.

Psalm 9:15 (KJV) 15  The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
Proverbs 5:22 (AMP) 22  His own iniquities shall ensnare the wicked man, and he shall be held with the cords of his sin.

Notice that the wicked people will ensnare themselves as they try to trap others. This is the Word of God and know for sure that God’s Word is alive and well on planet earth.

As you witness the lies and destruction taking place in the USA (and right before the November elections, I might add), watch and see what happens to the wicked. They’ll trap themselves. Their own evil actions will trap them.

So, what is our part?

Isaiah 60:1-3 (KJV) 1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
2  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
3  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Habakkuk 2:14 (KJV) 14  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Our part as born-again, Spirit-filled, Bible-believing Christians is to continue to do the will of the Lord and let our light so shine that the unsaved will be drawn to Him. We can’t quit or give up just because the devil has raise his ugly head and tried to indoctrinate us with his fear. We are the redeemed and we are overcomers, more than conquerors!

We are the army of the Lord. Let’s do our job!

Romans 8:37 (KJV) 37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
1 John 5:4(KJV) 4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Pamela

Who Determines Your Results?

Mark 9:22-23 (KJV) 22  And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23   Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

The father besought Jesus to help him, if He could. Jesus didn’t even answer that question but rather told the father that it was up to him (the father) what he (the father) would believe. All things are possible to him who believes.

Too many times Christians go to God a-wishin’ and a-hopin’, and a-beggin’ Him to help them. This is not what we’re to do. God is a faith God and everything He does is in and by faith. We’re made in His image and we’re to walk by faith and not by sight. That’s what believing is. We’re to believe that what God has already promised is what He wants to do.

Our part is to believe and receive not beg God. It’s like they’re begging Him to keep His promises! We don’t have to beg Him. It’s His good pleasure to give us the kingdom.

Remember, all God’s promises are YES! It’s never a question about whether or not He will give; He’s already given. It’s a matter of whether or not we’ll receive!

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) 6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) 7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Luke 12:32 (KJV) 32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV) 20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Pamela

Does the Word of God Offend You?

What? How can I even ask such a question? Because many Christians are offended at the Word of God and I’m going to show you how deadly that is.

Mark 4:16-17 (KJV) 16  And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17  And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

Notice that these people heard the Word of God and received it with gladness. But they were not rooted in the Word so when affliction or persecution arose for the Word’s sake, they were offended. Just what does that mean?

The word offended in verse 17 comes from the Greek word skandalon which means a trap, like the one used to trap animals. Obviously this is the devil trying to trap a person so they don’t believe the Word of God.

So how does this happen? Let’s say you are afflicted with some kind of sickness. You pray and pray and nothing seems to get better. People try to tell you that God’s Word doesn’t work and you start on believe them based on your experience. You have become offended and even angry because you didn’t get the results you were expecting.

Or, suppose your Christianity comes into question and you’re called one of those people? Do you take offense? This happened to me soon after I got saved. I was teaching sixth grade and one of my students came to me to report that another student had called me a Jesus freak. He wanted to know what I would do about it. I said, “Tell him thank you very much,” showing that it was an honor that someone noticed my love for Jesus! That’s what you must do instead of taking offense when someone tries to belittle you for being a Christian and taking your stand against the evil that’s being perpetrated upon you.

You see, if the devil can get you offended, he is well on his way to getting you to compromise the Word of God and what you believe. And know this: what you compromise to get, you will lose!

Brothers and sisters, we need to fully commit to standing on God’s Word no matter what the circumstances look like or what people say. God’s Word is true and is forever settled in Heaven.

Psalm 119:89 (KJV) 89  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Pamela

Are You Discerning the Signs of the Times?

2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV) 1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

As someone once said, “It’s later than we think!” And how true this is and getting truer every minute!

So what are the “signs of the times” and should we know them and can we know them?

Matthew 16:3 (KJV) 3  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees and called them hypocrites because they couldn’t discern the signs of the times. So that tells us that we are well able to discern the signs of the times because Jesus would not have rebuked them if it weren’t possible to do so.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV) 1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Yes, brothers and sisters, we definitely are to discern  – recognize – the times we’re living in because so much is happening at such a rapid pace and we need to be aware of it so we can prepare ourselves. And As Rick Renner says, God doesn’t tell us these things to scare us but to prepare us.

Looking at II Tim. 3:1-5 [above], we see that perilous times are upon us. It doesn’t take much observation to know how true this is. Rick Renner defines perilous in the Greek – chalepos – as vicious, ferocious, fierce, unruly, uncontrollable, and unpredictable. Sounds like the days we’re living in!

So what do we do? Read and meditate the following scriptures that show how graciously God has provided for our every need. Our part is to commit totally to Him in everything and watch His glory manifest in our lives! There a many more scriptures but these will get you started.

Romans 8:37 (KJV) 37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) 14  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (AMP) 14  But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,
Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV) 1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Hebrews 13:5b (KJV) 5  … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
John 16:7 (KJV) 7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:13 (KJV) 13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 14:26 (KJV) 26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) 17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

James 4:7 (KJV) 7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) 8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Deuteronomy 28 – all

Last Days Survival Guide by Rick Renner – a must read