To Discern Evil from Good

In Luke, the Lord rebuked the people for not discerning the times,

Luke 12:54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

It is prophesied that there will be a time before the end of times and the return of Jesus that men will call evil good and good evil.

Isaiah 5: 20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!

Like wildfire, our country is accepting and practicing the act of homosexuality and abortion? Teaching it to our children, putting it in our laws, and preaching it in our churches.

Would that the Lord would give this nation an understanding heart to discern evil from good! That is what the great King Solomon asked of the Lord. The Lord not only gave Solomon wisdom like none other has known, but also riches and honor.

1 Kings 3:5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

What a great blessing to be a jewel of the Lord's! How He loves us and blesses us beyond measure! And, gives to us discernment of right and wrong.

Malachi3: 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. 17 “ They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, " On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18 Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

Sunday's Little Steps

How can one dog get into so much trouble? I let them out this morning and before I even got dressed, Sam had jumped the fence (with her line on) and was now on the other side of the fence trying to dig in the frozen ground to get back in! After getting dressed and going around the snow drifts, I got her on a leash. Both dogs are to stay inside until I can watch them. I don't need Sam going over and getting caught up on the fence!

So I went to check the internet and while I was gone, Sam chewed a big hole in Beamer's pillow and pulled out the stuffing. NOW they ARE going out and not coming back. Since it wasn't suppose to be above freezing, I was going to just let them out for short periods at a time. Now, they can just chill out there. I walked past the window a little it later and the sun had come out and they were both sunning themselves on the deck.

This afternoon I baked cookies and watched the news and a Christian station for a bit. I promised Kathleen cookies tomorrow and I got them all done before the dogs came back in. (Yea!) The drive for a pepsi isn't here today...but I sure am tired. As soon as I hear from the kids, I am going to bed. The dogs are already in. The pillow repaired. We are ready for the night!

The Seemlingly Endless Craving

Have you ever tried to kick an addiction? Its tough. I have been addicted to Diet Pepsi most of my life. The first time I got pregnant I immediately quit drinking pop and smoking cigarettes. I wasn't going to hurt my baby. I did restart both at a later date. I quit cigarettes completely the next time I stopped (although I did puff from my husband's cigarettes a couple of times when we were under great duress.) Pepsi was a problem, though. Its a magnet for me. I'll spend $8 on gas just to go get a drink. Then I will be so mad at myself for doing that.

Not that long ago, I was completely off Diet Pepsi and then one day I was somewhere and all that was available was Pepsi to drink. I thought, just this one time. Unfortunately, there is no "only one time" drink for me!!!!! Now, here I am going through the withdrawal of it again. It is a lot like quitting smoking, if you can get through the first 10 days, you got it made. The first couple days I am like in a stupor, it is so hard to even stay awake or alert. My body is screaming for another drink.

Pepsi and Coke affect my thinking, my emotions and what I do with my life. I will procrastinate on doing things forever, if I have a drink. The little euphoria it brings makes me content and gives a false feeling that all is good. Then when it is over, before long my body is craving another drink.

So, now, Day Three without a Pepsi drink. The groggyness is lifting and I am somewhat normal again. I know that in time, I will reach the point where I will be able to taste a pepsi and not even like its taste.

In the meantime...orange juice, soup and toast, along with good healthy meals for supper. Its time to get healthy, there is a lot of work to do.