Gain the Strength to Cope, and Experience Restoration

~ Daily life verse . com

Dear Readers,

At this blog, I try to share valid information that will help people to understand what is going on in the world today.  Most importantly, I (especially!) like to share the Good News of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the world!

Back in the early years of blogging, I attended a Christian based seminar where the instructors (at BIOLA University – Bible Institute of Los Angeles) shared tips on how to run a blog, what to write about (mostly, from the Bible/Christian perspective), how to gain readers, etc.  It was “everything you would want to know” for running a Christian oriented blog.

During one class, I raised my hand to ask the professor his opinion of whether or not it was OK to share Bible/Christian based posts along with criticism about the secular worldviews that continue to try to challenge faith-based posts.  He stated that it might be best to choose between only pursuing Christian apologetics/worldviews vs. additionally discussing worldview criticism and exposing it.  In his opinion, it would be difficult to do both.  Apparently, he meant that it might be difficult to do both at the same blog and at the same time, successfully.

I understood why he believed that.  Years ago, I noticed that the different types of approaches yielded different results.  The sweet Scripture-based blog owners wrote about only the good things that expressed “the fruit of the Spirit” based on Galatians 5.

Galatians 5, however, also shares the reality of “longsuffering” and covers “the works of the flesh” and the evil it spreads. What’s more, those who practice such things (having not been re-born in Jesus Christ) “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Serious topics to contemplate and express on a blog, aren’t they?

Today, it seems that satanic influence in the world and upon people has been ratcheted up; even more so ever since Donald Trump became president.  I truly believe that it’s because people are (knowingly, or unknowingly) being used by the enemy of our souls and his demons to carry out such evil.  Of course, it didn’t start after the election of 2016.  It’s been going on ever since sin entered into the world.  However, in my 63 years on this earth, I see that the corruption has grown exponentially.  It can be very disheartening, to say the least.

Galatians lists them all:

Gal 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[fn] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

Gal 5:21
envy, murders,[fn] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

~Christian statements . com

I prefaced this post with that information because the Bible is true, and Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life.”  No matter what happens in this fallen world, those facts will never change and those who have prayed and repented of their sins, asked Jesus Christ into their hearts as Lord and Savior, and have the Holy Spirit indwelling them can gain the strength to cope, and experience restoration despite all the grief and horror that is going on.

Please read John 16

The last verse is a favorite verse for me.

Jhn 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[fn] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

During the tough times when I become disheartened, that Bible verse brings me back to the purpose of Jesus’ life, death on the cross, and resurrection to life; and the promises that He made to all believers.  The pain and anguish of “Good Friday,” became the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding on Resurrection Day!

I had one of those disheartening moments this morning when I read about:

Hackers are selling babies’ personal data on the Dark Web.

Excerpt:

The personal information of babies is now available on the Dark Web.

Younger children — even newborns — now have a social security number, but they have obviously never made any purchases, which means they have a “perfect” credit history. Hackers sell the information these days with a complete “how to” for the buyer, explaining the steps to file fraudulent tax records or apply for a credit card without getting caught.

I’ve heard about the “Dark Web” before, but never wanted to pursue the information.  However, that link above is safe.  It’s from a Fox News tech site, written back in 2014, entitled, “Darknets: Murky recesses of the hidden web.”

Information like this makes me so sad and angry!  While we tend to enjoy all of the latest technology (and sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs etc.), knowing that such evil exists that is often hidden from the general public is very discouraging.  It’s bad now, so I worry how bad it can get during my sweet granddaughter’s lifetime?!  How will she be protected from identity theft and the filth online?

Months ago, I had a brief conversation with someone who has a relative in the CIA.  He stated that he would recommend never publishing a baby or child’s photo online.  Why?  Because they can take a photo and photo-shop it for very ugly reasons (porn etc.).

All I can do is pray for protection over members of my family and friends!  It is time to do more praying, than ever before!

Luk 11:1
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

Luk 11:2
So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,[fn]
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.[fn]
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.

Luk 11:3

Give us day by day our daily bread.

Luk 11:4

And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”[fn]

Matthew adds:

Mat 6:13
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[fn]

~ Our daily breadcrumbs . com

The most hilarious memes mocking TIME’s fake news “screaming migrant girl” magazine cover

Tired of all of the vitriol, hatred spewed against conservatives and the fake news commentary from exploding-headed liberal liars?  I am too!  Some of it is downright dangerous and scary – like pedo-Peter Fonda and his horrid comments about Barron Trump!

However, when I ran across the following hilarious post (Hat tip to Truth 2 Freedom’s blog) over at Natural News, I laughed so hard! Therefore, I wanted to share it here!

Natural News) By now, everybody knows that TIME Magazine’s “screaming migrant girl” cover photo is yet another blatant media hoax. The girl, who was falsely described by virtually the entire left-wing media as a migrant who was “separated from her mother,” was never separated at all. In fact, she’s part of a relatively wealthy family that had so much money, the mother paid $6,000 in cash to a coyote for transportation to cross the border illegally (That’s more cash than 75% of American families could come up with, by the way.)

The girl was momentarily crying because she wanted her parents’ attention. Go figure. Little girls and boys sometimes cry… who knew? In the hands of left-wing propagandists, however, one crying little girl becomes a national emergency backed by mass hysteria and seething hatred directed at Trump.

TIME didn’t bother to fact check the photo before making it the cover story for their fake news edition that, once again, attempts to blame Obama’s failed immigration policies on Donald Trump:

 

Here’s a short collection of some of the most hilarious memes mocking TIME’s pathetic media hoax. Remember, everything the left-wing media pushes aggressively is staged, faked, hoaxed or otherwise engineered in a dishonest, deceptive way. If you want real, honest news from the independent media, check Censored.news regularly (it’s updated in near-real time).

 

 

 

 

See more news on open borders by reading OpenBorders.news.

[Note:  Be prepared.  On a more serious note, that Open Borders news link has some horrible truth to report, including the following two reports.  Just goes to show that we must be diligent and do our research regarding the illegal immigration situation.  Even more reasons found for building that wall!]

1. 06/21/2018 / JD Heyes

   FACT CHECK: 80% of illegal children trying to enter the United States arrive without their parents… they aren’t “separated” by ICE
2. 06/21/2018 / Lance D Johnson
   Shocking lack of GIRLS among immigrant refugees reveals horrifying truth: They’re raped, murdered, kidnapped and trafficked BEFORE they reach our border

 

Hat tip:  Natural News

Update:  Also see Fellowship of the Minds: Proof that the msms’s news on Trump’s “family separation” is political propaganda

This Powerful Pro-Life Drawing That’s Going Viral Will Stop You in Your Tracks

This graphic has been going viral on many websites, social media sites, blogs, and via twitter and email.

It speaks for itself and says it all.

~ Christine

Post from Truth 2 Freedom’s blog:

Wow. This is heart-wrenching.

A powerful drawing about abortion has been going viral on social media in the last week or so. The drawing shows a fetus grabbing onto a string attached to her mother’s heart while trying to get away from sharp instruments in her womb (you can see it below).

Based on the inscription on the bottom right of the drawing, it appears the drawing may be originally from a Facebook page called NO al aborto, SI a la VIDA. It was posted on that page on June 11th and has so far been shared over 3.7k times. It was quickly also shared on the popular pro-life Facebook page CHOICE42, and has been shared over 12k times from there. It has also been shared on other pages on Facebook and all over Twitter.

The post This Powerful Pro-Life Drawing That’s Going Viral Will Stop You in Your Tracks appeared first on ChurchPOP.

Hat Tip: Truth 2 Freedom’s blog

Jer 1:4
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying

Jer 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Psa 139:13
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.

Psa 139:14
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[fn]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

Isa 49:5
“And now the LORD says,
Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,
To bring Jacob back to Him,
So that Israel is gathered to Him[fn]
(For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD,
And My God shall be My strength),

The Source and Supply of All Discernment

Sometimes I find myself getting into trouble with people who have varying opinions in regards to proper Christian/biblical discernment issues.

For instance. Back in April of 2016, I wrote a post entitled Syncretism Stew. That post has gotten a lot of attention over the past 14 months.

When questions arose several months ago regarding a family issue, all the differences came up in a family discussion about Christian beliefs.

As a Bible-based Berean Christian believer, I recognized the drill. Often, it is people who haven’t studied the Bible who are most critical of those who have, and thus they are labeled as “too religious.” Then, we have the opposite end of the spectrum where we find individuals who celebrate “diversity” to such an extent that they lack any type of discernment regarding genuine Christian beliefs.

When I had the opportunity to share a link to that Syncretism Stew post several months ago, the responses weren’t even dealing with the content. I imagined that many readers in the group text let their eyes  glaze over. Apparently, it was too much information at one time. So, I just shared and described the following graphic:

I added the definition of Syncretism too:

 

Today, via Truth 2 Freedom’s blog, I found a great essay that tells us how to avoid falling into the trap of syncretism.  It involves the need for discernment!

John McArthur’s Grace To You website has a wonderful new post up entitled The Source and Supply of All Discernment.

MacArthur asks:

If you could ask God for anything, what would that be?

Isn’t that a great question?

He goes on to cite what Solomon chose when God asked him that very question!

When he became king after the death of David, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5).

Solomon asked for discernment: “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). Scripture says “it was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing” (1 Kings 3:10).

It pleased God that Solomon asked for wisdom (discernment).  It was an unselfish choice.  People desiring discernment need to “step outside of themselves,” be vulnerable (these days, being vulnerable especially to verbally and even physically abusive attacks), and realize that requesting an understanding heart to judge people and to discern between good and evil will cause conflict!  It’s inevitable!  Especially in today’s world of “anything goes” and if you don’t believe the same way as others, you are labeled as a bigot, hater, mean,  etc.

MacArthur writes:

Modern evangelicalism, enamored with psychology and self-esteem, has produced a generation of believers so self-absorbed that they cannot be discerning. People aren’t even interested in discernment. Their spiritual focus is on self and getting their own “felt needs” met.

Wow!  Is that ever true!  Many adherents of “modern evangelicalism” come from the Millennial generation.  They often fall into such a trap as this and are missing the call for true discernment in how they act with others.  Being “self-absorbed” can often be done with the influence of manipulators.  For example.  Just because someone has a degree in psychology, even a so-called “Christian” based type, does not mean that they will use it properly.  What’s more, someone who claims to have a “light” within them may not be following true discernment, and thus think more highly of themselves which can also lead others astray.

We know that God granted Solomon more than just wisdom.  He also provided riches, honor and long life.  The caveat was that Solomon was to continue to walk in the ways of the Lord.

John MacArthur has excellent advice for us all:

  In the same way, James 1:5 promises us—as New Testament believers—that God is still eager to provide us with the discernment we so desperately need: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Hat tips:

Truth 2 Freedom’s blog
Grace to You

Graphics websites

A Love Without End, Amen

Happy Father’s Day to my wonderful husband!

Happy Father’s Day to my great son-in-law!

Thinking of my own Dad who passed away 23 years ago. Your presence may no longer be here on this earth; however, you will always remain in my heart and mind with love and fond memories! One day, because of the promises of God in Scripture, I know that we will be joyfully reunited in eternity with Jesus!

Our eternal Father is Love, and His love is without end! Many dads reflect that kind of love towards their children on earth. George Strait’s song, “A Love Without End, Amen” is the perfect song to share today!

Here’s a tribute to those special dads in my life! May they continue to be blessed by God and experience the love and joy of family!

Happy Father’s Day to the dads on my reader list, and all dads who may come across this post today on Father’s Day.

The action-movie style trailer Trump says he played for Kim Jong-un.

Published on Jun 12, 2018

Reporters were shown a video ahead of Donald Trump’s press conference in Singapore, which the US President said he had played for Kim Jong-un and his aides toward the end of their talks. It was made by Destiny Productions and was presented in Korean and English in the style of an action movie trailer.

Some good comments:

elmagodelmaryahoo17 hours ago

I think that “peace promo” vids like this, while obviously a bit corny (to us), ARE valuable for Kim Jong Un. After all, Kim has isolated himself from The World Stage AND from The Larger Real World in general now for DECADES, and thus predictably can actually Learn A Lot….. about how “normal people” live!!! As such, the POTUS indeed may be a bit “clever” in “dangling The Carrot” in front of Kim, who 1). obviously has a lot to gain from denuclearization, and 2). potentially / finally becoming an eventually “respected” World Leader. Good Job President Trump…..

mike1 day ago

“To show vision and leadership… or not?” I wonder if the big man wrote this himself

Dennis Vance11 hours ago

Copecetic The image of North Korea with the lights out is the set up: it is the North Korea we know today. The image of the lights coming on in North Korea is the pay off. The first image represents the despair of the past; the second image shows the hope for the future. I have never seen a more powerful nor persuasive image.

Jeremiah Samples23 hours ago

Look I’m one of the first people to criticize Trump but, this is brilliant and its working. We have a real chance to establish peace and bring meaningful development and positive change to North Korea. All of this will go a long way to making the whole Korean Peninsula stable and safe. I for one applaud Trump and I appreciate the dedication he has towards a peaceful solution.

Greg Jones12 hours ago

What an inspirational message to someone whose regime has kept his country isolated from the world for decades… Ronald Reagan was completely lambasted by the media for meeting with Gorbachev… Yet, one of the most beautiful moments in human history happened when he later spoke the words, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”. Trump has a window of opportunity to help bring North Korea onto the world stage. I really hope his naysayers can put aside their hatred long enough to support him in this endeavor… if not for Trump, then for peace itself.

*******

Of course, there will be the constant drone-like comments of hatred by naysayers being spewed at President Trump. They always find a way to twist and trash something that is a positive (in fact, history-making!) occurrence into a negative development.

Let’s not forget Madonna saying that she had thoughts of “blowing up the White House” because Hillary lost the election. More recently, Robert DiNero went on a diatribe of F-word expletives aimed at Trump during another boring Hollyweird “awards” show. Trump gave him a new nickname – PUNCHY! Loved that! Very humorous in many ways.

I tried to go to sleep on the night of the Summit, but this history making event caused me to stay glued to the TV.

In addition to the Summit coverage, I also viewed the emotional interview of Dennis Rodman on CNN. I’ve never been a fan of Rodman (or NBA basketball), but a lot of what he said regarding his friendship with Kim Jong-un, his goal to bring basketball to North Korea (which would hopefully open up communications with the United States and North Korea), made me think differently about the man. Millions of Americans hated him (and spewed death threats at him) for making niceties with the North Korean dictator. However, it turns out that his method of diplomacy, as well as President Trump’s methods, are working out better than what past presidents have done.

I do think that the reports of a nuclear site in North Korea blowing up and imploding upon itself, killing 200 scientists and workers hastened Kim Jong-un’s decision to consider getting rid of the nukes and enter into a better relationship with the leader of South Korea (especially during the time of the Olympics there) and then re-consider his hostility towards America and the world in order to seek a different solution to get the hard sanctions off and get relief for his people.

Granted, there is still a lot of work to be done! However, the historic Summit is IMHO, a very positive, welcomed, and hopeful development for the future of the United States of America and the world.

*******

Also see:

Flashback: Donald Trump Says He’d ‘Negotiate Like Crazy’ With North Korea

Published on Aug 9, 2017

In a 1999 interview on Meet the Press, Donald Trump described how he would handle North Korea if he was elected president.

My Freedom Hymn

This is a really great and upbeat contemporary Christian song!  Play it!  You’ll love it too!

~ Christine

 

Jhn 8:36 – “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Austin French – Freedom Hymn Lyrics

From the album Freedom Hymn (Single)

I push, I pull
Go back and forth finding myself pounding on a locked door
I try to make it out alone without your help
But I know I’ll never win this war
I can never be, never be, free without you
I can never be, never be, me without you

This is the sound of chains breaking
This is the beat of a heart changing
This is a song of a soul forgiven
This is my freedom hymn
This is my freedom hymn
This is my freedom hymn

I breathe the air of freedom in knowing my life
Is better off in Your hands
The past is gone what’s done is done
Now I’m alive
I’m never gonna look back
I can never be, never be, free without you
I can never be, never be, me without you

Who the Son sets

FREE
Is free indeed

Who the Son sets

FREE
Is free indeed
Who the Son sets

FREE

Is free
I’m free

Publishing: Fair Trade Global Songs / AustinFrenchMusic / Foundational Songs (BMI) (admin. at essentialmsuicpublishing.com); Fairtrade Tunes / From The Void (SESAC) (admin. at essentialmsuicpublishing.com); Lost Slipper Music / Prize Pig Music (SESAC). All rights reserved.

Writer(s): Austin French, Kayliann Lowe, Douglas Lowe, Kyle Lee and Jacob Harrison

*******

¶

Gal 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,[fn] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Behind The Song: Austin French Shares The Heart Behind His Debut Single “Freedom Hymn”

This week’s featured song story comes to us from new artist Austin French. We’re excited to share with you the story behind his debut single “Freedom Hymn.”

God moved me and my family to Del Ray Beach, Florida. I didn’t know it, but that city is the recovery capital of the world, and that really changed my perspective on a lot of things. I learned really quickly that the recovery community is raw and real and you have to be ok with not being ok. But in that spot…that’s where people met Jesus. ‘Freedom Hymn’ is a song not just for the recovery community of Del Ray Beach. ‘Freedom Hymn’ is a song for the recovery community worldwide – the church. We’re all recovering from something and we all have a song to sing. John 8:36 says that ‘whoever the Son sets free is free indeed.’ That means we have a song to sing… we have a hymn to sing. We know what the sound of chains breaking in our life sounds like and we know the one who indeed sets us free. We have been set free by Jesus!” – Austin French

Supreme Court sides with Colorado baker who refused to make wedding cake for same-sex couple

The Supreme Court ruled Monday in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, in one of the most closely watched cases of the term. 

In a 7-2 decision, the justices set aside a Colorado court ruling against the baker — while stopping short of deciding the broader issue of whether a business can refuse to serve gay and lesbian people. The opinion was penned by Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is often the swing justice in tight cases. 

The narrow ruling here focused on what the court described as anti-religious bias on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission when it ruled against baker Jack Phillips. 

“The Commission’s hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendment’s guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion,” Kennedy wrote in his majority opinion.  [Fox News website]

As with any Supreme Court decision, there will be people who are cheering this decision as well as those who will be jeering (or, just dismayed) at the decision.

Here is the important part regarding this decision:

Phillips has said he lost business and had to let employees go because of the controversy.

And he has maintained that it’s his choice: “It’s not about turning away these customers, it’s about doing a cake for an event — a religious sacred event — that conflicts with my conscience,” he said last year.

The court in December specifically examined whether applying Colorado’s public accommodations law to compel the local baker to create commercial “expression” violated his constitutionally protected Christian beliefs about marriage.

When “gay” marriage legalization was decided by the Supreme Court years ago, many Christians were concerned that their religious beliefs would be negatively affected.  They were correct!  This is only one case out of dozens that have come up because of the clash between that decision and the deeply held religious beliefs of Christians.

As Jack Phillips reiterated in the article, it was about the event he was asked to use his business talent for, not the people involved!  This is an important distinction and it is my hope and prayer that this ruling will end the bashing and suing of Christian business owners that is going on here in America; and the rights of such business owners will finally be recognized.

I did a search to find the signs that have been placed outside the doors and windows of businesses in the past.  I’m old enough to remember seeing many of them displayed at restaurants and other places of business.

Some of the signs are actually humorous.  “Unless you’re Batman” LOL!

Now, take a look at the opinions in the following surveys.  Can you see the difference in the wording in the second survey (on the right side) vs. what Jack’s refusal at his Phillips Cake Shop was actually about?

 

Please read about Barronelle Stutzman’s case and view the video.

ADF Legal.org: Arlene’s Flowers v. State of Washington | Arlene’s Flowers v. Ingersoll

Barronelle Stutzman, the sole owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Washington, has served and employed people who identify as homosexual for her entire career. Despite this, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Washington Attorney General claim that she is guilty of unlawful discrimination when she acted consistent with her faith and declined to use her creative skills to beautify the same-sex ceremony of a longtime customer, Robert Ingersoll, and another man, Curt Freed.

Did you catch that?  Mr. Ingersoll was a long-time customer of Ms. Stutzman!  This is another case of religious beliefs of a business owner vs. the demands of two homosexual men who want to marry and have a Christian unjustly punished because she will not use her talents for an event that goes against her deeply held religious beliefs!  Please take the time to go to the link and read/view the video regarding the entire story on this lawsuit.

It is extremely sad that this gentle woman is being BULLIED by that state’s attorney general and the ACLU into compliance through an unnecessary lawsuit by individuals who want to FORCE a person to comply with their desires.  It is an example of forced coercion.  Rather than respecting her religious beliefs on this one issue (the two men involved were given kind advice to go to another great florist) they, and the Washington State attorney general as well as the ACLU, would rather destroy this woman’s livelihood in order to get their way!

Excerpt from ADF website:

“You have to make a stand somewhere in your life on what you believe and what you don’t believe,” Barronelle told CBN in an interview. “It was just a time I had to take a stand.”

After hearing about Barronelle’s decision in the news, the Washington State attorney general decided to take matters into his own hands, and sued her. The ACLU followed close behind. Both lawsuits attack not only her business, but Barronelle personally.

Alliance Defending Freedom asked the court to dismiss the attorney general’s lawsuit since he was not personally involved in the incident, and filed a countersuit against him. They also asked the court to protect Barronelle from personal attacks from the ACLU and the state, and restrict the lawsuits to her business, Arlene’s Flowers.

The court ruled against Barronelle and ordered her to pay penalties and attorneys’ fees.

ADF petitioned the Washington Supreme Court to take up Barronelle’s case, and, in March 2016, the court agreed. Oral arguments were heard on November 15, 2016 at Bellevue College.

In February 2017, the Washington Supreme Court concluded that the government can force her—and, by extension, other Washingtonians—to create artistic expression and participate in events with which they disagree.

In July 2017, ADF petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take up Barronelle’s case. We are awaiting the Court’s decision.

Create Freely

Alliance Defending Freedom is here to protect the right of creative professionals to use their God-given talents in ways that are consistent with their beliefs.

Hat tips to all links.

 

Jesus On The Problem of Evil – Stand To Reason

This morning, I read a very hard-hitting essay over at Truth 2 Freedom’s blog regarding the problem of evil in this world.

[Note: Scroll down past the long introduction to read the post]

This problem can often be used by those who don’t believe in Jesus as an excuse, or even the ultimate reason to be an atheist or agnostic in their individual personal beliefs regarding Jesus and God the Father.

Several months ago, a young man (who is not a Christian) attended church with our family.  The pastor had pointed out this portion of Scripture during the sermon:

Jer 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?*

After the service, our guest complained that such a thing can’t be true of everyone, and he objected to the pastor using that Scripture to make his point.

Well, I sympathized with our guest over the harshness of that verse. No one wants to think of their own “heart as deceitful” or “desperately wicked.” To cool the fire of his objection, I shared the next verse with him:

Jer 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.**

The LORD searches our hearts!  So, it DOES MATTER what we hold in our hearts, what we think in our minds, and what we do during our lifetime on this earth!

From Truth 2 Freedom’s blog:

In Luke 13:1–5, we have Jesus’ clearest teaching on the problem of evil:[1]

Jesus’ answer to the problem of evil is that all fallen, unregenerate sinners born in Adam are worthy of death. Whether we die by murder, accident, or disease isn’t anything more than we deserve. It is only by God’s grace that anyone is saved, and it is only by God’s mercy that anyone is kept alive.

What implications does this have for Christian apologetics? At least three:

First, it means that Christian apologists need to take the consequences of sin and the reality of human depravity seriously when addressing the problem of evil.

Second, when addressing the problem of evil, Christian apologists need to present a theodicy that minimally includes the biblical teaching of original sin and human depravity. Why God allows evil won’t make sense unless we have the problem of sin clearly before us.

The subject of sin is vital knowledge…. If you have not learned about sin, you cannot understand yourself, or your fellow-men, or the world you live in, or the Christian faith. And you will not be able to make head or tail of the Bible. For the Bible is an exposition of God’s answer to the problem of human sin and unless you have that problem clearly before you, you will keep missing the point of what it says.

The same is true for the problem of evil. The subject of sin is essential because in raising the problem of evil, the skeptic must put forth an anthropodicy (justification of man) by arguing that man is “basically good” and God is unjust for allowing the suffering and evil He does. In response, the theist must show these assumptions to be false and, in their place, put forth a theodicy (justification of God) that includes evidencing the depths of human depravity and arguing that God has morally sufficient reasons for allowing the evil that He does. Until we clearly articulate and defend the gravity of sin as well as the universal corruption and guilt of humankind, many of our answers to the problem of evil will largely remain unpersuasive.[4]

Third, the present moral and natural evils we see are appropriate segues into our need to practice and preach repentance in light of the final eschatological judgment. Those who experience such evils are not any more deserving. Rather, these disasters serve as warnings to all of us that final disaster awaits everyone who remains hardhearted and unrepentant. Clay Jones concludes,

So when disaster strikes, let us not wring our hands over the mysterious ways of God but encourage everyone to reflect on their sinful and doomed state in hopes that some will escape the Final Disaster that awaits the ultimately unrepentant.

Hat tips to all links.

*******

* Portion of a Commentary by David Guzik

3. (Jer 17:9-10) The folly of trusting one’s own heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.

a. The heart is deceitful above all things: To this point the Prophet Jeremiah has given some reason to be cautious about the inclinations and direction of the heart. He noted how the evil heart of the people of Judah had led them astray.
· Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone followed the dictates of his evil heart (Jeremiah 11:8) · They prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart (Jeremiah 14:14) · Each one follows the dictates of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me (Jeremiah 16:12)
b. The heart is deceitful above all things: Our hearts often deceive us, presenting heart-fulfillment as the key to happiness. What we desire is often not what we need. The advice “be true to your heart” fails when the heart is deceitful above all things.

i. “In the OT usage the heart signifies the total inner being and includes reason. From the heart come action and will.” (Feinberg)

ii. “The pravity and perversity of the man’s heart, full of harlotry and creature confidence, deceiving and being deceived, is here plainly and plentifully described; and oh that it were duly and deeply considered.” (Trapp)

c. And desperately wicked: The heart is not only deceitful, but also wicked – and desperately so. Many have been led to rebellion, disobedience, and great sorrow by following their heart, without challenging their heart and judging it by the measure of God’s truth. “Follow your heart” is poor advice when the heart is desperately wicked.

i. The sense of the Hebrew for desperately wicked seems to have sickness more than depravity in mind. “Unregenerate human nature is in a desperate condition without divine grace, described by the term gravely ill in verse 9 (RSV desperately corrupt, NEB desperately sick).” (Harrison)

d. Who can know it? The heart’s deceit and wickedness are advanced enough that even the individual may not know or understand their own heart, and outsiders have even more difficulty in discerning the heart of others.

** Portion of a Commentary by David Guzik:

e. I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind: Though knowing the heart of one’s self or others is difficult and sometimes impossible, God searches, tests, and knows the heart and mind. It is wise to trust what God says about us more than what we think or feel about ourselves.

i. I test the mind: “A second word is here set in parallel to heart, literally, ‘kidneys’, hidden depths. These, Yahweh assays or ‘tests’…the two terms ‘heart’ and ‘kidneys’ cover the range of hidden elements in man’s character and personality. Nothing is hidden from Yahweh.” (Thomspon)

ii. “The Lord is called by his apostles, Acts 1:24, kardiognwsthv, the Knower of the heart. To him alone can this epithet be applied; and it is from him alone that we can derive that instruction by which we can in any measure know ourselves.” (Clarke)

f. Even to give to every man according to his ways: Because God perfectly knows the heart and mind of man His judgment is true. God knows to what extent the heart either justifies or condemns the doings of a man or woman.

In his commentary, Mr. Guzik includes:

1. 4. (Jer 17:11) The folly of trusting in riches.

2. 5. (Jer 17:12-13) The folly of failing to trust in the God of all glory.

3. 1. (Jer 17:14-17) A prayer for deliverance and defense.

Ultimately, we all need to pray a prayer for deliverance and defense!

David Guzik writes:

a. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: In contrast to the foolish people of Judah who trusted in man, in their own heart, or in riches, Jeremiah looked to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Jeremiah was confident that healing or salvation from the Lord would be true healing, true rescue.

i. It’s hard to say if the healing Jeremiah cried out for was literal or spiritual in nature, and in the bigger picture it doesn’t really matter. Either need is real, and God’s ability to heal both our physical and spiritual need is true and proven.

b. You are my praise: Even in his need of healing and salvation, Jeremiah could praise God, even making God Himself his praise. Though in pride others demanded an immediate revelation of God and His power, Jeremiah was willing to wait and trust in the Lord.

c. As for me: In a series of brief statements, Jeremiah defended and justified his ministry before God. He did this to contrast himself with those who demanded God bring immediate revelation and resolution.

· I have not hurried away from being a shepherd that follows You: Jeremiah was confident in his pursuit of God’s call on his life.

· Nor have I desired the woeful day: Jeremiah spoke much of the judgment to come, but he did not desire it. It was a painful message for him to deliver.

· You know what came out of my lips: Jeremiah could appeal to God as the One who heard and judged his message, seeing that it really was faithful to the voice and the heart of God.

· You are my hope in the day of doom: Jeremiah proclaimed his trust and hope in God alone, not in the folly of most of the people of Judah.