Two Sides

Let's face it: there are only two sides you can be on in this world. You can be on the side of Truth, or the side of Lies. No middle ground, no neutrality. Why? Jesus Himself made it that way when He claimed, "He who is not for Me is against Me" and "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me." I know there are a lot of nice people out there who wish it were otherwise. They want many paths to lead to the same God, the same Paradise. But that is a lie. It's not just any lie; it is the devil's powerful lie. If you believe it, then you are on Satan's side. You have not chosen neutrality, as you suppose. You've chosen the "father of lies." You have called Jesus the liar instead.

This goes back to what we all may have learned in Sunday School. You cannot say Jesus was simply a good teacher, a good man. He was either a liar, an insane person, or He was who He claimed: the Son of God, the only Way to salvation. It seems to me like a lot of people here in the U.S. have chosen to forget about Jesus. They don't even want to think about Him anymore because they are busy with their selfish lives and ambitions. They are too lazy to think deeply for a very long period of time. Many times, they are the very ones who have unknowingly chosen the side of Satan. Many times, they are the ones who go to church and then immediately start thinking about what they want for lunch afterward, not caring to discuss what was preached. Nothing seems to penetrate their hearts.

That is why i have a very difficult time saying that any person is "nice" or "good." Yes, they can be polite and do things that are good. They can smile and say encouraging words to you. But how are they treating Jesus? Are they for Him or against Him? Are they on the side of Truth or Lies? We need to love all people, whether they love Him or not, but we need to understand that nice does not equal saved. Sweet and smiling and gentle is not the same as being born of God. Those are His qualities and all believers should possess them, but you can smile and do good things and still be doing the will of the devil all the while by denying Jesus as the only Way to salvation.

Let us pray for those we love who don't yet believe this.

Tasty Granola

I thought i had this recipe on here already--sorry to those who were looking for it! But here it is now:) Eat it up. It's good for you!!!

4 c. old-fashioned oats
1 c. almonds, sliced
1 c. walnuts, chopped
1 c. pumpkin seeds
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 c. sesame seeds
1/4 c. flax seeds

Mix all that together.

1/2 c. coconut oil
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
dash of salt

Heat that mixture on the stove. Boil for one minute, then mix it with the dry ingredients. Add more cinnamon if you're like me:)

Pour into two glass cake dishes and bake for 10-15 min at 350 degrees, stirring halfway through.

Immediately when you take it out of the oven, pour all of it onto a cookie sheet to dry. If you leave it in the glass dishes, you'll be sorry....

this is the REAL life...this is not fantasy

I hope that you see life the way i do. It is a WONDERFUL life the Lord has given us. Yet, we experience so many painful things. There is so much sin, so much weakness, so much imperfection and hurt and the list of bad goes on and on. So how can it be wonderful? Because we serve a risen Savior! We have a hope for the future. And when you see everything in light of eternity, those horrible things seem to be such passing trials. Sickness will soon be destroyed. The killers and the violent will soon be brought to justice. Crying, complaining, confusion and the like will disappear. Soon He will wipe it all away and make all things new. And it will be very soon indeed!

I think so many of us don't see life as truly wonderful because we do not see events in light of eternity and His promises (we are neglecting to eat His Word and be transformed in our thinking). We see life as dragging on and on, one continuous trial. We are so focused on ourselves and our sufferings that we are blinded to His beauty. If we would only lift our eyes up and see Him and focus on His plans and His thoughts, all of our own suffering would wither away in His brilliant light!

It's not just thinking of the greatness of the New Kingdom; it is the joy He places in my heart even now. Even in the midst of sorrow, that joy keeps me strong. Believers, rejoice! Why does the Bible so often tell us to rejoice when there is obviously so much going wrong even in the Bible stories? It is a great mystery to those who are perishing, but to those God has redeemed, it makes sense. He is the only Source of joy and gladness, and His joy is so powerful, it has the ability to drown out the painful parts, even now on this wicked earth.

Let's rejoice in Him today. This is a new day. Choose to rejoice and be glad in it. Don't allow your suffering to get the best of you, whether it's physical or emotional or spiritual. Take your eyes off of you and place them on His altar. Bow down to worship your King. Give Him the praise He deserves. It will do you so much good, and it will bring glory to His Name!

I love you all. May His peace be with you.