Standing firm in our beliefs, part 1

Let's have a discussion about Philippians 3:1-3 (NLT)

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators, who say you must be circumcised (modern day: "injected") to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God, are the ones truly circumcised (modern day: fully protected). We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no effort into human effort,...

• How does this passage speak to you?

• What objections do you have with this scripture?

• Where is this passage relevant in our lives? How does it make sense?

• What safeguards are Paul talking about?

**I will leave the first two questions for you to answer on your own. One of the amazing things that I find about scripture is the way God wrote the Bible, questions will pop up and there is another scripture you can find to answer it. Not always the case, as God wants us to be diligent in prayer and quiet ourselves to listen to what He has to say; God has a voice! And it is sweet and tender, wrapped in a supernatural gentleness that reminds me of grandma's cooking or, I imagine a grandpa getting down on the floor, though his knees are weak and his body is tired, to play with the grandkids. Or maybe to place the kids on his knee and talk about their day. Great News is God is immortal so His body never tires or has weak knees!

Let's tackle the last few questions. How does this passage of scripture make sense in our current, modern day society? (The emphasis in the parentheses is mine.) Well, let's see... Do you find it strange that many ideas and concepts, even solid facts, seems to either disappear or mean the opposite of what they were? Do you ever feel like there is so much information coming your way and nothing seems right about it? Looks or sounds off? Have you ever wondered why certain people are all of a sudden claiming to have faith and think they automatically have power to lead others (or demand, depending)? There are a plethora of questions to ask but I will refer to the scripture, underlining the fact most people these days don't truly believe what they are professing. These people are wolves (dogs) in sheep's clothing. That is across the board. Not just in Christianity.

I can only talk about Christianity though, as I am a follower of Christ, a believer, saved by grace; pardoned because of the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). If it weren't for God's plan to redeem his creation, we would all be dead. 2 Samuel 14:14 says, "All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, He devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated (estranged) from Him." John 3:16-17 declares, "For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish (die) but have everlasting life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."

Now, here's another amazing thing about God's word. It has plenty of scripture that describes the very things that are happening today as they also happened back when, before, during and after Christ's time on the earth. For example, Galatians 6:12-13 says, "Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised ("injected") want to look good to others. They don't want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. And even those who advocate circumcision (getting "injected") don't keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised ("injected") so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples." Here's one from the Old Testament: Zephaniah 3:1-4:

"What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crimes! No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the Lord or draw near to its God (cross-reference Joel 2:12). Its leaders are like roaring lions hunting for their victims. Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time, who by dawn have left no trace of their prey. Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. It's priests defile the Temple by disobeying the Lord's instructions."

Jeremiah 23 offers sobering insight as well: (Let's start in the 9th verse) "My heart is broken because of the false prophets, and my bones tremble. I stagger like a drunkard, like someone overcome with wine, because of the holy words the Lord has spoken against them. For the land is full of adultery, and it lies under a curse. The land itself is in mourning--- its wilderness pastures are all dried up. For they all do evil and abuse what power they have. 'Even the priest and prophets are ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their despicable acts right here in my own Temple,' says the Lord. 'Therefore, the paths they take will be very slippery. They will be chased through the dark, and they will fall. For I will bring disaster upon them at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the Lord, have Spoken!' 'I saw that the prophets of Samaria were terribly evil, for they prophesied in the name of Baal (Molech, Ein Soph) and led my people of Israel into sin. But now I see that the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! They commit adultery and love dishonesty. They encourage those who are doing evil so that no one turns away from their sins. These prophets are as wicked as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah once were.' Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says concerning the prophets: 'I will feed them bitterness and give them poison to drink. For it is because of Jerusalem's prophets that the wickedness has filled the land.' This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says to His people: ' Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. THEY DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE LORD! They keep saying to those who despise my word, "Don't worry! The Lord says you will have peace!" And those who stubbornly follow their own desires, they say, "no harm will come your way!" Have any of these prophets been in the Lord's presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?'

• Point is, is we are in times where both Matthew 24:23 and Mark 13:22 say "For false messiahs and prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones."

• When things are said more than once, in the Bible, that means if you ignore it, um, well, I really hope you don't because that could cost you your eternity with our Creator. Does God just throw life away? NO! He is a God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and more chances! Only death can separate the chance to get things right. There is always a godly solution to every problem we face. The key is to read our Bibles everyday, pray and allow other believers to speak into our lives. God also speaks through our circumstances. Pay attention!

• The answer to help us safeguard our faith? I already mentioned most but check out Ephesians 6:10-18 for the reinforcing and other tools needed to walk out our faith.

• Bonus scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:4

**In Conclusion**

Our God has never changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We need to be more mindfully to seek out Christ, as he is the Truth, the Way and the Life. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the ways of Christ (and the Father). My concern for all of us is found in John 8:32, where Jesus says, "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Pay attention to people who call themselves leaders in our society. What does God say about their behaviors? Do you act just like them? Can you tell the difference between the truth and a bold-faced lie? How often do you feel like your attention is always being pulled off of Christ? If that is happening, you need to reevaluate your time because trapping yourself in adultery and idolatry is the very first and most important commandment that we all have broken. Doing that constantly creates such chaos in our lives and we walk further away from God and his ways, breaking his heart.

I am calling out interim governor of NY (my home state), Kathy Hochul. She is a Jezebel and a practicing witch, a dangerous woman and she is purposely going into God's house and rendering what isn't hers so she can gain "disciples" and advocates for this plan to murder as many people as possible. Separation of Church and State came from Matthew 22:21 (the whole account starts in verse 15) THE CHURCH MUST NEVER BE SILENCED!!! You know what I'm saying. And I can continue this conversation as it relates to God's word. God is being shut out and it has been time to stand up for the Word of God! 2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and restore their land.

God bless everyone! Lamentations 3:22-23 is my hope and prayer for all of you :)