Government has an insatiable appetite for power. And dependence on the government is the fuel for this power.

To my point, everything that is happening with COVID19 is to make people more dependent on the government. This is the government’s way of becoming irreplaceable and creating dependency for all of its citizens. Too many have fallen for the lie of putting our hope in the government: “It will save me,” “It will keep me safe,” “We should follow all the rules,” many say. This misguided mantra that runs throughout our culture will cause people to willingly bow down and worship at the altar of safety and security, clinging to their warm government blanket.

Nearly everything we have experienced in this pandemic has been about control and social conditioning. Even the language that governmental officials use is a part of this power play: “Social distancing” is a more palatable euphemism for “Isolation.” “The New Normal” is a more acceptable way to say “Conform to the new restrictions, loss of freedom, and more governmental requirements.” These are simple ways to get us to willingly—even gladly—lay down our arms. Is there any wonder that mental illness and suicide are on the rise, perhaps at all-time highs in some places?

We are being driven apart right in the time we need to come close. They are sowing discord in the place of unity. We need each other at the exact time they are forcing us to consider it harmful to gather. How many of you have felt that—all of a sudden—your neighbors, friends, even family members now seem like enemies to be avoided—literally—like the plague? But all of this is a prerequisite for their ultimate goal: communism. Relying on the government exclusively leads to socialism leads to communism: the ultimate loss of personal responsibility, freedom, and courage.

George Orwell could be writing current events columns for today’s newspapers in his eerily-similar-sounding-to-present-day-reality book 1984. In it he describes how the “Party” gains control:

“… no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.” –George Orwell, 1984

We are seeing this today as power-grubbing politicians make government the center, not God. God has to be the center of your life. It is sad to see so many Christians cower to, even welcome governmental control. All they while they happily give up their God-given freedoms in favor of being controlled by ungodly people who do not have their best in mind.

Take, for example, the Governor’s announcement yesterday; it created mass hysteria. People endured long lines both inside and outside stores just to get a scrap of toilet paper. This was not happening before. People were able to go in get what they want and go home. But with such long lines and panic, she has caused more of the spread this virus. Will she admit to it? No, she always wants to blame everyone else. We have to fight for our rights and freedoms. If we don’t there will be nothing left to fight for. We need to wake up. These new “two weeks” will be the longest ever, lengthening into another 9 to 12 months of lockdowns.

Taking away personal freedom and removing personal responsibility is wrong; and the Church of the Lord Jesus has a duty and responsibility to stand up against this evil and to fight for our religious freedoms. We will be doing that at Legacy. When many churches will falter, we will not. Standing up can be difficult, especially if we have to stand alone. But now it is time to really count the cost of being a disciple. That is what every Christian must do.

Just a Thought,

PSS

There are way too many converts in the body of Christ.

A convert is:

A convert is one who believes in Jesus, but that’s where it stops. They don’t help. They stand on the sidelines and cheer Jesus on. The problem with that is Jesus didn’t come and die for a bunch of cheerleaders. He came and died for disciples. We are called, commanded to go (as you go, as you live your life) make disciples (Matthew 28:18–20). We are not to make converts.

A disciple is:

A disciple is one who is growing, maturing, being a doer of the word; who is striving every day to obey Christ, obey His word, realizing that they will make mistakes, but because they are a disciple, repent and keep on going. A convert is never really seeking God, never really experiencing any real-life change. They want only fire insurance; they don’t want to go to hell. But if that is all it is, they are going to be very disappointed when Jesus comes back and looks at them and says, “I don’t know you!”

A true disciple is:

We must all become true disciples — willing to put aside our wants, our desires, for what Christ wants us to do. We must deny ourselves and follow Jesus, turn from our selfish ways and follow Jesus, put His ways, His will first, regardless of how uncomfortable it makes us feel.

You have to choose: are you going to stand on the sidelines or get in the game and fulfill the great commission to go and make disciples?

Just a thought,

PSS

The Bible teaches us in Matthew 7:21–24 that calling Jesus Lord of our lives is not enough. We must actually do what the word of God teaches us to do.

Do the word:

We are living in some very difficult times — very hard-to-bear times. I believe God can use this to help us grow: to develop our faith in Him and His word if we allow Him to. Only those who do the will of My father (Jesus says) will enter the kingdom of heaven. It’s not the hearers but the doers of the word of God who are blessed, who get to enter heaven.

Only believe:

What we have seen is that people believe inGod but don’t know how to believe God, to exercise their faith. That’s why so many have allowed fear to control them, to dictate whether they go to church or not. It’s funny so many can go to stores shopping, but somehow church is an option. So, they opt out. We either purpose to do what He says or we don’t.

Weather the storms:

Hebrews 10:25 says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. So many have done that. People have said, It is not safe to come and worship God.I thank God those pastors and Christians in Communist China didn’t say that. Their lives are in danger. They will either be killed or imprisoned for their faith. We might catch a virus which for 99.99 % of people is not fatal. These folks put their very lives on the line. I bet Jesus lets them into His heaven because He states in Matthew 7:24, Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.What are we building our lives on — a solid foundation or a foundation of sand that can’t stand against the storms of life?

Let’s allow God to help us build our faith, not shrink back from doing His will.

Just a thought,

PSS

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments (Exodus 20:3-6 KJV).

Compromise:

God and His ways have to be first. When people compromise God’s word it is sin. People who compartmentalize their beliefs have no beliefs. God gave us life, and we should value life. I’ve always wondered how people have the god of a party spirit they put before God regardless of what that person or party believes in.

Big government:

How can anyone who believes in God, loves God support people who believe it’s OK to kill babies, raise taxes, make government bigger? The bigger, more involved government gets in our lives, the less religious freedom we have.

God’s way:

Today is all about light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness, evil and good. This is about being able, or not, to worship God the way we believe the Bible teaches. We really do need to repent of our wicked ways and ask God for His mercy to heal our land.

How can two walk together unless they be agreed?

Just a thought,

PSS

As true believers in the Lord Jesus and the word of God, we must rightly divide the word of truth (2Tim. 2:15). Before that it says, Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.We need to study the word so we know what it really says.

Being deceived: 

During this Covid-19 time, our governor here in NM has complete government control of our lives. It is called communism. Communism takes away our religious freedom and makes the state god. So many so-called Christians are being deceived, siding with government officials over the kingdom of God.

Playing politics:

Seek God’s kingdom first (Matt. 6:33) and God’s ways of doing things. So many talk about Romans 13:1–7 and really have no idea what it means. So, allow me to give you a thought. We are to obey the authorities as long as it doesn’t conflict with the word of God. Their mandates have told us we can’t have church, then we can as long as we don’t pray (chant), sing, and worship our God the way the Bible teaches us to. And what is the response of way too many again so-called Christians? They attack the church because of safety reasons. It is really sad to watch. No governor or government has the right to ever tell us how or when to have church. Fear is a motivator, but not a good one. And the politics that are being played with this are absolutely ridiculous.

Prevailing:

It’s the church that the gates of hell will not prevail against. So, the church must be the light, keep its doors open, and honor God over evil, rich, reprobate people who are being used to destroy everything we hold dear, especially our religious freedom and our civil liberties.

Whose side are you on? That is the question only you can answer.

Just a thought,

PSS