The Bible continuously and deliberately emphasizes God's unconditional and undying love for His creation, man. It is love neither wasted or unrequited; for God doesn't make mistakes. His plan for His creation and the Kingdom of Earth and Heaven is indeed a masterpiece! 

  

By way of the descendants of Adam and Abraham, we learn about failed relationships between God and man, as well as those that pleased God. These experiences reveal to us the sinful nature of the flesh and what God's creation, man, is capable of doing and has done, because of being separated from God; a separation, which for the spirit of man, began in the Garden of Eden.

This information is elementary to most of us and for many, bears not repeating. Yet, I repeat it for a reason and a purpose.

We also know that God is not without reason or purpose in the Bible's creation, content or direction. Yet, if we understand its purpose, we know that it is not incomplete, unless one fails to see that it's direction is to guide us and reunite us with our Heavenly Father, to be perfected and become whole.

Any outlying or unattached ancient scrolls or books, only go to further prove and substantiate man's need for repentance, redemption and reconnection to His Creator through His Word. They can no better prove the validity of God's Word, or disprove it; for the Truth proves itself.

Through countless examples and testimonies, the Bible has been proven to be effective in its role to compel man to reflect upon his soul and life and be led to seek God's forgiveness and help in living a better life.

God's Word is given to nourish, heal, revive, convict and correct the spirits of the traveling souls, upon this planet.

It gives faith to the faithless; hope to the hopeless; comfort to the dismayed; and love to the lost and unloved in the world. Who are the unloved, in the world? --By our Faith in Jesus Christ, The Children of God; for we are no longer OF the world.

 

THE HEART OF A NATION 

As we witness in the world today, even the poor, sick, homeless, misguided, broken-hearted, ignorant, starving, abused, neglected, prejudice and racist, unemployed, rebellious, violent, incarcerated, disenfranchised and discarded are given a welcome place in the scheme of a world filled with Darkness; for they represent man's weaknesses, greed and folly. The world wants to keep them as they are; for without healing, provisions, opportunities and the Mind of Christ; they are expendable and at the same time valuable assets; for they keep the wealthy rich and powerful; they are a useful tool for politicians; they can be preyed upon and used by the adversary in any number of ways that he chooses as kindle for fires, or to stir up anger, fear, war and strife.

The enemy wants us as individuals, communities and nations, to be void of Light, unable to see the pathway to The Truth, The Way and The Life. It benefits the Adversary to have people and nations with a heart that lives in Darkness so that our mind follows after its ways. Then, it becomes easy to use us as human grenades, to hurl at the unprotected and unsuspecting or to make us human pin cushions, filling our bodies with toxic poisons, to breed fear and terrorism, and to set nation against nation. 
 

So it is, that we all need to be reminded on a daily basis of who GOD is. Why we are here and that our Savior died for our sins that our relationship with God would be restored. Nevertheless, how quickly man forgets WHO created him; WHO is in control; and WHO we MUST be accountable to. How quickly history and our past experiences are forgotten and we quickly align ourselves with and give our allegiances to people in darkness and follow them; following even when they lead us to the gates of hell,

Most of us, who call ourselves Believers would agree with these things. Yet, there is an illness in the land of wide and epidemic proportion. Many stricken by this disease claim to be Children of God, but the heart of the nation speaks otherwise. God is calling us to come out from amongst them. If you truly love God and His Word, you will obey. If you do not love Jesus more than these, if you choose to follow after Darkness and be OF the world, then, you too will perish.

What manner of disease can affect the hearts of the people and spread across a nation? The disease of Pride. Some would say that I have misdiagnosed the disease and it looks more like Hatred. But, the fuel for hatred is pride--a sense of entitlement to be better than and superior to others. 

Now, the ill-heart of some of our nations follow after men and women with ungodly behavior, who have little or no knowledge of God's Word and do not live by His Will and Way; who think it wise to be puffed up before God; who have decided that because of who they are, they deserve to lead and rule. They have decided that THEY are the answer to the nation's problems. God allows this because the people have turned their hearts away from Him and chased after evil, believing man can lift up what God has pulled down. 

The hearts of the people have brought forth Darkness to spawn fear and hatred and they are also blind and will not see, because they are content to grope in darkness. Behold! They believe they have found a champion to spread the darkness in their hearts. Yet, they have put their trust in fear, hatred and enmity and forsaken the precepts of holiness and righteousness. 

Have we not been warned against those who charm us with words and promises that fly out from the mouths of deceitful men with serpent's tongue? For, he is filled with venom and will no sooner take back his word, then, strike and turn upon us.

The heart of a deceitful man claims to have all the answers to our problems, when only God has all the answers. Only God keeps His promises. Only God can make a nation GREAT. A rich and godless nation can never be great in the eyes of God. 

Darkness has come to claim the haughty for the role of the fool and the work of foolishness. God could fill their ears with His Word, which many of them claim to have heard, know and believed before, but still their heart would deceive them, for their ears itch for foolishness, because they are filled with pride and have no room in their heart for love of their brother. 

Yet, you claim to belong to Me, says the Lord, God, Almighty. 

So it is, that we all need to be reminded on a daily basis of who GOD is. Why we are here and of our Savior who died for our sins that our relationship with God may be restored.

Can the faithful and humble make amends? Can they appeal to those who will listen? Will God hear their pleas, chastise and cut-off the wicked?

PRIDE

My Brothers and Sisters, 

Pride involves seeing through our own eyes and not through the eyes of God; for this reason, by ANY definition of the word pride, it does not and can not bring glory to Jehovah God. 

There is a name associated with pride that has forever stained the pages of history with blood, unspeakable cruelty and hatred. Yet, we must remember him and men like him. His named was Adolph Hitler, a German, who sought to make his country great again. He rallied his countrymen together and decided he would rebuild his country upon the foundation of PRIDE. He instilled pride within every German to make them participate and accountable in rebuilding their country, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. 

 

In doing so, pride led him to wage war internally, against fellow countrymen; against neighboring countries and internationally; against godly principles; and against the chosen people of God--the Jews. 

Had he heeded the Word of God, perhaps he would have chosen a better foundation to build upon; for Pride comes before the Fall and his regime did indeed fall. Had he not been filled with so much pride and hatred against the Jewish people, he could have learned from reading about a Jewish King named Saul. He would have seen that pride doesn't carry you too far without killing you and destroying your nation.

However, his heart deceived him, because it was led by pride, which takes instructions from the creator of all lies, Satan. 

We find that every ideology and proclaimed lifestyle that goes against the Will and Way of God tries to build, grow and establish itself upon the foundation of PRIDE! It is no coincidence; for it is the ROOT of their bondage. They believe they can mimic and mock God by claiming their own power and strength, adopting signs and symbols and making them their own. They believe that by using a symbol from God, they validate themselves and their sin. 
 

There are hidden symbols that are disguised or not visible to the human eye. They represent things such as greed, hatred, prejudice, selfishness, rebellion, stubbornness, etc. They are at the root of anti-Christ ideology, and lead people into the bondage of blissful ignorance. They infiltrate places of worship, organizations, businesses and political parties. 

Most people in this type of bondage follow after individuals, leaders, things and ideas of Darkness, not even realizing they have bought into anti-Christ beliefs. They have aligned themselves with that which is against the Will and Way of God, therefore it is anti-Christ. 

We could render sermon after sermon, testimonies and prayers, but, having heard the Word of God, a hardened heart filled with pride would still be unchanged. 

My Brothers and Sisters, it is no secret that man has a deceitful heart, when we separate ourselves from God, which began with Adam. Certainly, our Creator foresaw this weakness and allowed it for various reasons. Let us explore those reasons, which are apparent to us, and dispel the lies that have been attached to them to deceive us and perhaps it will bring us closer to God's thoughts towards nations, who turn their back on Him and nurture hatred.

 

God created us to be dependent upon Him, yet, gave us freewill. Therefore, in order to realize that we need Him, we must be allowed to experience the pitfalls and deceptions in life that can lead us astray, betray us and destroy us.

The compelling message of the Bible is for man to get his heart right in order to have a relationship with God, which can only be achieved through rebirth (transformation), becoming One with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Pride tries to rob God of His Glory and give it to man. When we say we are proud of ourselves or another, without first giving God the glory are we robbing God? Why, of course we are. We can do nothing without God, but the world has taught us to give glory to ourselves, in the way we think, speak, act and feel. 

Now, some would say that being proud of others is a good thing and an innocent gesture, but the enemy is counting on you overlooking the details to edge his way into your heart. 

If we are to bear good fruit, we must recognize what good fruit is. The spoken word has power--power to destroy or build. What are we trying to build with the word pride? --And for whose glorification are we building? 

Every word has a root and origin; a word and language from which it began. Moreover, ever word has a spiritual origin from which it originated. What was in the heart--spirit--inner man of the creator of that word? What spiritual feeling and meaning can we attach it to? Is it attached to Light or Darkness? Was the spirit connected to God? Why has God shown us this word?

Pride is the corruption of freewill. God gave Adam and Eve freewill because of His love for His creation. Freewill helped to make them better caretakers of the earth, to which God entrusted to them to make wise choices for its care. Adam's freewill was tested in his being given the responsibility of naming the animals and caring for the garden and Eve. As a result of freewill, God would not have to tell Adam and Eve everything they needed to do and this was good. It was good as long as they stayed spiritually connected to God.

God gave Adam and Eve responsibility and choices, but along with that came accountability to Him. They had a choice whether or not to obey and given the consequences, if they chose the latter.

Now, God put two trees in the garden, The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. It had to be Him, because He is the Creator of everything. So, it seems that He is setting the stage for, The Plan.

Given freewill and the curious nature of man, eventually, somebody, in the scheme of things, be it man, woman or child, was going to choose to eat from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge.

Be it forever to the disappointment of women, Eve, beguiled by the serpent, took the fall. Yet, Adam's deceitful heart, made Eve the fall-guy, angering the Lord, because Adam failed the accountability test. Nobody likes to be lied to or see someone not own up to their mistakes. Eve did not shove that apple in Adams mouth, or make him chew and swallow it.

Now, there's only so much a parent will take. My mother's response to Adam's behavior would have been:

"Okay, I told you not to do that. Now, you've killed yourself. If you think you're so grown, take your naked self out of MY garden and go take care of yourselves.

Here are some fig leaves to cover your nakedness. You better not take ANYTHING else with you. You didn't make it and you didn't appreciate it. I gave you EVERYTHING, but you're so ungrateful!

You want to listen to somebody else and not me? You think I don't know anything? I'm your mother! I was here before you were. I made you and I'll break you! I brought you in here and I'll take you out! Now, go on out there and see how easy you had it! You don't have any respect for my rules? This is MY garden! You don't have two fig leaves to rub together between you that I didn't provide. Now, GET OUT and don't ever come back here, until you learn to love, have faith and trust in me, appreciate life and what you've been given!

Of course, I'm exaggerating to make a point and we know that the Bible's account of Adam and Eve's exile from the Garden of Eden, was quite different and by no means am I trying to change it, nor depict my mother as an unloving, unforgiving tyrant. The point I am trying to make, is that, God had already been through this pride thing with one of His creations--the angels. 

Acting in the flesh, parents often express their pain and heartfelt betrayal, as anger. Still, this facetious portrayal of God, as an angry mother or father, might help to bring what some call the tragic fall of man, closer to home and relative to our life experiences.

By casting His children, Adam and Eve, out of their perfect home, God was once again using the tough love He had to use with those He cast out of Heaven, who followed after the deceitful and rebellious archangel, Lucifer.

Lucifer, Satan, the father of lies, stirred up trouble in Heaven with lies, keeping the angels at odds with one another and trying to turn them against the authority of God. His lies robbed others of their peace and joy. He continues to do the same thing here on Earth; that is, if we allow him the satisfaction and believe his lies.

Those caught up in the world are easy prey for Satan's lies. They desire the things of the world and their pride tells them that everyone should be equally entitled to them. Yet, there is a reason why God has not made or allowed everyone to be rich and prosperous. He continues to separate the wheat from the tares and try to compel us to FIRST seek the Kingdom of Heaven.

Those seeking to gain our favor and support for the purpose of their pursuits and gain, still continue to try and make the poor and less fortunate promises that they can change things, turn things around and redistribute wealth. Oh, but there was a reason why Abraham would not allow the King of Sodom to make him rich. (See https://https://assets.assets.mytrendingstories.com//article/brown-paper-packages-tied-up-with-string/)

Jesus showed us and told us how difficult it is for a wealthy man to enter into the Kingdom. Still, some rich men think their deeds will grant them access to God and His Kingdom, although, they continue to have a hardened and unchanged heart. 

 

The biblical account of the rich young ruler is an example of how a rich man is reluctant to give his possessions to the poor and follow Jesus. Money, status and power are not easily given up or shared by those of the world; for they lack one thing. It is not the knowledge of God or Jesus, but the love of God and Jesus, which can only come by being made perfect in love through the transformation of rebirth and the manifesting power of Jesus and God's Holy Spirit within. Only then, will sight be restored, hearts changed and a new mind which can no longer be led by the blind will show them the narrow path to the Kingdom. 

They will know the voice of God and the deceiving lies of Satan. They will know Truth for they will know God. They will know that being REAL and that REALITY is realizing that we were created to imitate the holiness and righteousness of GOD and not the darkness of the world, which only exists because God allows it for now. Therefore, it has no reality of its own that is everlasting and its ill-deeds and afflictions will pass away and the wicked who follow after it will be cut off for eternity. Those who look for their reward in the world shall have their reward.

Search your hearts, my friends, if your reality dwells on blame, hatred, persecution, ill-feelings and ill-will toward ANYONE, then, you are living and believing a lie. Untruth is not reality. Mean spiritedness is not reality. They are BONDAGE disguised as power to wield over the flesh of others. They are useless and ineffective to those who do not walk in the flesh, but who have been born again to walk in the SPIRIT. 

The serpent beguiled Eve and made her believe she was entitled to be like God. When God created Adam and Eve, He knew what He was up against, haven chastised and punished the angels. He knew that Pride is the most difficult hurdle to overcome for everyone of us. But, just think of it, God went ahead and created us anyway. God told the angels, "Let us make man."  Not because He was a glutten for punishment and wanted more chaos and rebellion. No! He had something GREATER in mind. He created us to be OVERCOMERS and created a world and conditions to ensure its SUCCESS! GOD NEVER FAILS! We were created victorious! We need only claim our victory by surrendering ALL. Humbling ourselves, bowing to our Lord God and accepting our crown as heirs to the Kingdom. 

 

The majority of us don't see ourselves as being prideful. Yet, when God begins to strip away layers of self, He continuously uncovers a new area in our lives, where we are hanging on to pride, preventing ourselves from growing. 

The adversary can identify the areas in our lives where we are prideful. If we can't identify them ourselves, we need to ask God to show us our pride and help us let go of it, so He can grow us.

Do not let your heart deceive you. Pride is at the root of every sin and bondage. People steal because they feel that they deserve or are entitled. People commit adultery because they feel they are entitled. Even murder and suicide are acts of selfishness to satisfy oneself. 

An addict is self-indulgent, egocentric and selfish. Their addiction may be impacted by unmet or unrealistic expectations, trauma or an inability to cope with the world. However, their choice to use drugs or alcohol stems from believing the lie that this is the way to satisfy their desires to which they are entitled.     
Father, it saddens me that so many leaders see You as instructions on a one-sided piece of paper, with only enough details to meet their own agendas and specifications. It saddens me that they are so blinded that they cannot truly see you as the God of all people. 

They are like the Pied-Piper whose tune is only to attract and lead rats and children. They have forsaken a true relationship with you. Forgive us, Lord.

Father, our nations need leaders. Who will have a heart for all of your people, Lord? Who can truly see past their own flesh and into the hearts of others?

Father, who will hear the harmony of Your Holy Spirit and not just the desires of their own flesh? Who will hear Your Words and really understand what it means to "Be Still and know that I Am God"? Forgive us, Lord.

Father, whose heart is not laden with bitterness and malice towards his brother? Whose heart will truly listen to the cry of the world? Forgive us, Lord.

Theirs is the only voice they hear in the world. They do not hear the voice of Your Holy Spirit. They hoist their anchor and raise their sail, forgetting that it is Your Hand that holds the water at bay and your breath that moves the wind. Forgive us, Lord.

Father, the drum beats, but only a few march forward. Others are stuck keeping time, marching in place, believing they have moved. Their hearts are turned inward, unable to reach out. Their hearts are like hardened ground, unable to absorb the rain that falls, returning it as vapor to the sky. Therefore, they are barren and cannot produce fruit. Forgive us, Lord.

What more can I say, Father? Often, I am downcast because they cannot see You. My heart grows heavy. My shoulders fall. 

They fail to cast Your reflection. Darkness has impaired their vision. They look through broken glass and their vision is distorted; unable to discern Truth. They turn away the physician to drink bitter wine to try and heal themselves instead. They are drunk with self-righteousness. Forgive us, Lord.

Oh, Father, a dangerous game they play with the lives of others, bringing folly upon themselves. Father, compel them to lift up their eyes to the hills from whence their help cometh, lest they be overcome by darkness and perish. Forgive us, Lord.

Set them free from pride, deceit, and unrighteousness. Release them from the comfort of their lukewarm bath of faith and belief and set a fire down in their souls. Give them a new mind and a changed heart. Forgive us, Lord.

Dear Lord, help us to grow. Shine Your Light upon us. Have Your Way Lord. Cast out that which is unclean; jealous minds and jealous hearts; false humility and hypocrisy; stubbornness, lies, deceitfulness, betrayal and control. Forgive us, Lord.

Father, bring forth Your Love and repair the damage. Humble us. Set our eyes upon You. Lead us to repentance. Help us to walk and abide in Your Holy Spirit, with Your Son, Jesus Christ, that we may see clearly. 

Father, our families need leaders. I pray your Kingdom to come to the household where there is no mother or father. I pray your Kingdom to come to the household where the husband and wife are so wrapped up in self that they cannot find true, Godly love to love one another. I pray your Kingdom into the lives of those grandparents, step-parents, relatives, and adoptive parents raising children who are victims of the darkness. I pray your Kingdom to come to the family with no roof over their head. I pray your Kingdom to come to the families torn apart by unemployment, sickness and disease, drugs, abuse, war, incarceration, infidelity, pornography, rebellion, violence and tools of Satan. I pray your Kingdom to come to households held in bondage to pride and self-destruction.

Father, our places of worship need leaders. Lord, I pray for all churches and worship groups, pastors and spiritual leaders. Keep them from the evil one. Open their hearts and eyes. Turn them to you and their calling. Increase the workers in the field. Bring them out of the buildings into the streets, byways, and homes, where your children are being ravaged by sin and darkness.

Kindle a fire in Your leaders that will be transferred to your servants to run with Your vision and bring it into fruition. Kindle a fire in your sons and daughters that the world will see and know that You are an awesome and forgiving God, calling them to repent…change from their ways and walk in the Light. Lord, help them to understand that asking forgiveness is not enough. We must change and separate from that which has caused us to sin.

Father, make us aware of Your power within us, so that through each and every adverse situation, we do not fall to our weakness, but stand faithful and strong in your power and love; giving love to our neighbors and enemy, even when it is not returned to us. Father, keep us pure in heart.

Father, I thank You for Your enduring love that brings us through our hardships and pain. We love you Lord. We thank you. We can never thank you enough. What a wonderful change that has come over us as we grow in holiness and righteousness. You have breathed upon us and a fresh wind has revived our souls. 

Give vision to your prophets; let them prophecy. Let your voice be heard through your preachers. Spread the Light of Truth through your teachers, Ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit in your evangelists to bring in your sheep. Place the armor of righteousness upon your apostles; the humbleness and servitude required for leadership; and the holiness of your presence; so that they may help bring the Body into one accord, to drive out the darkness and reclaim our territory and rule. 

In the name of Your Precious Son, Jesus, Amen.
By the grace and mercy of God,
Your Servant,
Mishael

 
20 And God spake all these words, saying,

2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 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.

5 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;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

13 Thou shalt not kill.

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15 Thou shalt not steal.

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.


 
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.