WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT CONSCIENCE?

We all have a conscience. You know that "little voice" in your head that gives you convictions and tells you what is right and wrong? For just a moment let me focus on this as it has been in the news concerning the new healthcare law and abortion debate. Did you know that God gave us a conscience? Yes it is true. We know what is right or wrong and good or bad because this "little voice" sort of tells us. Unfortunately our current USA President does not think a Christian should be entitled to his or her conscience. It is God who gave it to us. Galatians 5:1(NIV) says 'It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm then and do not allow yourselves to be burdened by a yoke of slavery.' 

Medical Doctors used to be protected by a "conscience clause" to keep them from doing procedures that opposed their religious beliefs but under the new, deceitfully named the "Patient Affordable Health Care Act", the right of conscience for both doctors, nurses, and Christian businesses,  churches and  Christian people will slowly be taken away. Yes I am not joking!! This is not on mainstream news but it is true! Our religious convictions are under fire, that is why there have been so many lawsuits by Christian groups to get it stopped. Our very freedoms are being threatened. Freedom and conscience are from God, not the government. 

Typical of the government,  much is hidden within this health care legislation that no one knew about and many lies are still being told but as insurance is being cancelled and promises are broken, people are finding out.The government was in such a hurry to control the medical industry and the people, they did all they could to shove this monstrosity through regardless of what "We The People" thought. 

Back in 2010 when the big fight between "We the People" and 535 leaders on the "Hill" ,"We The People"  were ignored. Then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said 'we have to pass the bill so we can read it and find out what is in it." Say what?  In the Bible is clearly says in Proverbs 18:13(KJV)' he that answers a matter before he hears it is folly and shame to him.'  You do not sign contracts without first reading them, so our government should have to do the same. 

What about all the "good" Catholics in Congress and in the Senate, who voted to go ahead and approve it knowing abortion, which their church opposes, was in it?  This is a very  sad time in America indeed. Remember abortion is taking a innocent babies life. 

Concerning the conscience, Acts 24:16 clearly states "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." So we Americans who love God and follow the Bible teaching and have the God given right to have our convictions, are told by our government that that right no longer exists. Hobby Lobby has paid a huge price for standing up for righteousness and their beliefs, something like fines of over a million dollars per day if I am not mistaken. 

This is not a fantasy but is happening here in America. People bury their heads and do not want to know the truth. This is not a Democrat thing or Republican thing but we are talking about a government takeover of the people's rights given to them in the Bible and in our Constitution!! (You can not blame that on George Bush).No matter what anyone says, The United States was founded on Biblical Christianity. When you try to remove God and the Bible, chaos and evil are the result. We in this country are in the midst of spiritual warfare.

God will protect His followers but we are marching slowly but surely into the hands of a tyrannical government trying to control everything we do and even what we believe apparently. We need to use our Bibles more, the sword of the Spirit(see Ephesians 6:17),  and keep the television news off. Psalm 91:5(NIV) says 'You will not fear the terror of the night or the arrow that flies by day.'

The major media will not report the whole story anymore. The ones that do are threatened by the government to shut them down through something called a "Fairness Act". This is an unending onslaught against all that Christians stand for and free speech guaranteed by our First Amendment. Never before in my lifetime have we been under so much attack by our own government that is supposed to be "limited" and to protect it's citizens. I am speaking up for our freedom, which is given to us by God. We have our freedoms now to worship but how long will that last? There has been talk of taking away the tax deduction for charitable contributions as well. Many are unaware of this as evil forces like to keep the masses ignorant. They sneak in and do their dirty work when no one notices or is too busy to care. What happens if they approve gay marriage nationwide and a Christian minister refuses to perform a ceremony as it is against his beliefs? Probably prison time. This is religious persecution. 

Speaker Kitty Werthmann, who I have been fortunate to hear speak, tells Americans of her time in Austria under the Nazi regime and warns America that things happening now in America are very similar to those days before Germany was taken over by Nazi's and Hitler. Why are we too busy to care or too endeared to a party or a race of people to believe it? As for violence and taking away peoples right to own guns according to the Second Amendment, well might I add that guns are not the issue, but the human heart and mind are the issue. Why didn't the leaders in the Senate scream at the video game or movie industry or irresponsible parents who think it is okay to let their children feed their minds with this garbage? Does anyone happen to see the correlation to the problems in America to taking prayer out of the schools in 1963? No, it is automatically blamed on a gun, instead of what shapes the human mind. Philippians 4:8( NIV) tells us 'Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things.'

  Jesus is Lord of lords and he rules from on high. Trust Him but stand up for the truth or fall for lies. There is a saying by Sir Edmund Burke that simply says 'Evil triumphs when good men donothing.' I urge you to make it a daily practice to pray and read the word of God. Do not keep watching news if it is making fearful or angry. Romans 8:31(NIV) says 'If God be for us who can be against us.'  Go out in peace and know God is on our side. Keep praying!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I know there is spiritual warfare going on now in this world. Evil is being confused with good. Wrong is being confused with what is right. Lord God I know you rule from on high and it is not your desire that anyone die but that all come to repentance. I choose to walk in the spirit keeping my mind on heavenly thoughts which is the best cure for anger and hate. Use me Lord to share your love with others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Might I urge you to take a peek at the Presidential Prayer Team website. Click on the link I have provided and check it out. After all, the Bible does tell us to pray for our leaders.

www.presidentialprayerteam.org

BAD NEWS......BUT GOD!

There seemingly is a great deal of fear in many parts of the world today. I know here in these United States citizens are concerned about a government that is out of control and no longer listens to them and fears dictatorship on the horizon. "But we have a Constitution, that will never happen" the uninformed will utter. But this fear is real and is frightening many people. Our balance of power and system of checks and balances is no longer valid it seems.

There is a verse in God's word which I love. Psalm 118:11(NLT) says 'The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?' We know it is not people we are necessarily supposed to be angry with but realize we are in the midst of spiritual warfare. A battle of good versus evil. Satan is having a hey day. He is using people as his pawns to do his evil works and many deceived are falling right smack dab into the enemies trap.

There is so much deception today. People hear something and believe it is true. Only God's word is true, yet today it is being misused and twisted to justify sinful behavior. Hebrews 13:6 also reiterates the same thing as Psalm 118:6 by saying '......what can mere mortals do to me.'

We truly need to not fear and realize God is indeed still on the throne. He is King of kings and Lord of Lords. God has a plan behind all the chaos that is going on. Sometimes He let's humans have their own way and suffer a bit. We choose to not listen, to not acknowledge Him, not keep His word first, well then see what happens. Isaiah 55:8-9(KJV) says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.' God is still God and is still over the entire universe. No king, prince, czar, ruler, dictator, or president controls Him.

Psalm 93:4(NIV) says 'Mightier than the thunder of great waters and mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty.' Meditate on that verse for just a moment. There are things we need to do as well. 2 Chronicles 7:14 should be a very familiar scripture to those who have been praying for America to return to its' Christian roots. 'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' Are we truly doing this? Are we taking so much for granted and so busy with our daily lives that we even bother?

Hard times may in fact be on the horizon. Just remember who indeed is on the throne. Psalm 95:3(NIV) says 'The Lord is a great God a great King above all gods.' There are those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted and have to read their Bible in secret or risk death. We need to cry out to God and repent and ask Him to bring revival.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you for being in control. I realize when we do not listen to you sometimes we suffer the consequences. Lord I ask that you open the eyes of the blind and end the curse that is overtaking the United States. Bring revival to this great land. Turn evil men and women's hearts to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Please check out the following website where you can post prayers and read others prayers:

www.presidentialprayerteam.com

OWE MAN NOTHING BUT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Tax Day in the USA is once again upon us and many may be rushing to get this done and get to the post office in time so they are not fined. Taxes are a part of life. Unfortunately lately our government has taken advantage of the people's money and tried to get it to use on wasteful programs and immoral programs. Never the less as much as we fight it and continue to fight it we have to faithfully pay what is due even if others cheat. Until something changes in the government we are stuck with this. As a Christian we are obligated. Romans 13:7(NIV) says 'Give to everyone what you owe them. If you owe taxes pay taxes. If revenue then revenue, if respect then respect. If honor then honor.'

More than money we are to love. Romans 13:8(NASB) says 'Owe nothing to anyone but to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.' Sometimes it is hard to love evil rulers and leaders who seem to not care about the people that elected them. They use our money only to do wrong things yet we seem powerless. We're still supposed to love them and pray for them.(See link below).

Today do your part to show love to those around you in your smile and in your kind gestures. And the government may irritate you but God is ultimately the one in control so do not worry just keep praying.

PRAYER: Lord thank you that I have money in order to be able to pay taxes. Thank you for the blessings you have heaped upon my life. Help me to remember to love those who I would tend to want to hate. Lord you are Lord of lords and you are in control. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: Please remember to pray for this country and your leaders go to www.presidentialprayerteam.org as a helpful tool to do this.

Note:The past two days I have experienced some technical difficulties. If you did not receive either days devotion you may find them all online at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com