DO YOU KNOW WHAT GOD IS LIKE???

What do you imagine God is like?  As a little girl growing up, I use to sit on the back steps in my parent's back yard and pray to Lord God.  I just knew He was universal to have created everything you are a witness to on earth.  The beauty of the trees, and wind that moves, though you can not see it, mountain peeks, low lying valleys, and just the spectacular form of flowers, fragrance, beauty and grace that they add to our world.  Yes, there is a lot to be thankful for, yet, what is God really like?  Let us discover some of his attributes, and how one can define Him.

Let us first realize that God is uncreated.  Many people can not wrap their understanding around this statement.  He created us, yet He is uncreated.  John1:1,2 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2) He was with God in the beginning.  Here we see that the "Word" that was with God in the beginning is "Jesus."  He was with God in the beginning, and the Word was God.  So now we have Jesus with God in the beginning, before creation; then the parallel which shows us that Jesus is equal to God.  What makes this unique is that God created us, Jesus is not created, He is from God.  "Word" in Greek is "logos" which means the rational principle that governs all things.  Here we see that John is introducing the readers of scripture to the true logos of God, which is Jesus.  Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God.  This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh.  This is why we can clearly speak about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit as three persons in One.

In Matthew 2:23 - The virgin will be with Child and give birth to a Son, they will call Him Immanuel, which means "God with Us."  We have here a new born baby.  Not just any baby but the Messiah.  Notice in this verse we see reference to Jesus as Immanuel, that means (God with us).  Again you see the equal relationship between Father and Son.  In the Greek this is a word called "Ho Theo's" - represents "God" which God is "Theo's" - so "Ho Theo's" means Jesus is "The Almighty God with us.  Jesus states, "Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)  He goes on to further say, "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me?"   These words that have been spoken came from Jesus.  This is why in the trinity or the triune we can refer to God as Father, God as Son and God as Holy Spirit.

God is Omnipotent - meaning He is all powerful.  He is Omnipresence - in your life everywhere.  He is Omniscient - meaning He knows all.  He knows your heart.  You can talk to Him, worship and adore Him all at once for all the provisions He has given you,

Jesus promises to us a comforter.  One that will guide us.  In the book of John 14: 26 - we see that He has provided for everyone the Holy Spirit, that the Father sent in the name of Jesus.  This is the third person of the trinity.  It is the function of this Counselor to teach us all things.  Both Father and Son are involved in sending us the Spirit of Truth.

While God was on earth in the flesh, Jesus, he taught moral and ethical values important for maintaining a Christian life of righteousness.  He raised people from the dead, healed people of leprosy, blood afflictions, illness, both simple and chronic.  He broke bread and feed 5,000 from a basket of a few fish.  He came from God, the Holy Spirit planting the seed in Mary, as God is incarnate and born of flesh, Jesus to bring the world in reconciliation with God.  Jesus taught in the ministry until He knew that in His design plan it was time to return to heaven as the Anointed One.  He was beaten, spit on, mocked, and made to carry the cross that would be His final moments.  He did all this to forgive us from sin.  He died and rose three days later.

God is the beginning and the end, from Genesis to Revelations.  He is the Alpha and Omega, eternal and immortal.  No one can else can take this claim.  He is sovereign.  He is a God of love, agape love.  He dwells within us.  He has made us little Christ to represent Him in His image, holy.  There is no God besides me.  (Isaiah 45:5)

The most important thing to know what God is like is to know "love."  He loved us first.  God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus). (John 3:16)  If you really do not know how to address God, remember that He, being the God Head is the creator of all things good.  He keeps a leash on evil.  As King David told God that he would love Him, it pleased God.  "I will love You O' Lord." (Psalm 18:1).  God wants you to please Him.  Are you?  Now that you know a little bit more about God, know one thing for sure, "There is a God!"  
                                                                               God bless, Deaconess Barb.

BLESSED BE THE PERSECUTED IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER

2 Corinthians 12:7-10,  To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  10) That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight, in persecutions, in difficulties.  for when I am weak, then I am strong.  Human weakness is an ideal opportunity to witness the power of the divine Lord and the effect He has on ordinary people.  Through the conversion of Paul to the revelation of John we see the awesome power of God.  We witness this through changes in people here, today, in this age of accountability.  The Lords grace is made perfect in ones weakness.  Think about this as we visualize Christianity in the most devastating area's of the world, as we bring others to Christ Jesus.  We may not often understand His power that changes ones heart in doing evangelism or missionary work, and we could not understand it in our human nature, yet we feel it, we sense it, because He is here with us.  The enemy of Satan is rampant among our pastors, priest, and clergy servants.  We do not often hear the surmountable devastation his evilness will track, resulting in wayward paths of destructiveness, but it is evident in our society and world view today with idolatry and taking the name of God out of our system and our very hearts, that we know evil is everywhere.  Satan will try any means to keep  the will of God and His design plan from happening, even if it results in  the loss of life  or in  the chaos  of  mass death towards Christan's.  Yet, anyone living in  Christ and doing His work should be  proudly devoted to the only sure truth and trust, the Father gives to us, even as we are being persecuted for it.  It is in those weakest moments that we can rest in our humility and our devastating fear in the Lord our Savior.  Being a Christian and placing charity around the world, even in good works, we will find our self ridiculed for our kindness and hated for our devotion to God.  Paul was feared because he loved to persecute and capture Christians for the kill.  He would go great distances and enjoyed what he did, as it was his duty.  As Paul persecuted Christians, Jesus allowed him to know that he also persecuted Him.  "Why, why Saul do you persecute me?"  You know, the power of the Holy One is life changing, as Paul would soon discover.  He converted to Christianity and was one of the best evangelist for Christ, witnessing first hand Gods love for man and bearing that same persecution he once delivered to others.  Just as false teachers came into Corinth, we must battle those false teachings that consume others and are teaching wrong.  People who do the work of the Lord have a sense of sanctity that is difficult to explain to someone who has closed their heart, which is why Christan's have apologetics in defense of biblical rights where Jesus is often forsakened.  We are a strong religion not trying to take over people but their souls, spirit, in righteousness and with the good news of salvation, so that they can knowingly understand and make the choice in their life, which path they are going to follow.    Many will say the God we represent is a false God.  Yet, our God does not promote killing and blatant murder.  The Father designed each and everyone of us with a purpose.  He is sovereign with an almighty force that is far reaching benevolent in love and in grace.  He brings ultimate joy and comfort to the believers.  Preachers signify faith that is sacrificed and the everlasting heaven to others on a regular basis.  If people want to ride the winds of evil, then they are blinded to the gifts of the spirit for all of humankind.  God put us here to experience this time on Earth and all the wonders of space and His holiness and to please Him.  Nobody knows it better than our church leaders how difficult it is bringing belief to an unjust world, as violence against Christianity escalates.  Yet we have true martyrs in Christ that do this service everyday, not knowing what their tomorrows will bring.  Look at Stephen, for his beliefs, he was stoned.  As sure as Paul witnessed this action, did the Lord make him a righteous man.  Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, thrown in jail, for his conversion to a Christian life.  Paul had a personal relationship with the Lord, that is a life changing event.  This is why people will go out, willing to challenge others, while risking their life in the name of Christ, for the truth, the light and the way.  Persecution is a world devastation.  In the year 2008, 121 believers in Christ including pastors were murdered in India by an anti-Christian terrorist group.  Over 5,000 homes destroyed.  More then 235 homes and places of worship burned to the ground.  In this act of hate, Satan cause, more than 70,000 people left with no where to go.  They were displaced by belief.  They bravely fought against their violent opposition, while boldly shouting out the name of the Lord in the mist of their tragedy.  Evangelist and missionaries  are among some of our hope in pursuing the gospel to others.  In another trying case, the Chinese government wants to contain Protestant growth in their country.  Yet, God shows us that He is on the side of the believer with over 600,000 new Christians in the Vietnam territories alone.  Once people of religious oppression realize the truth, they are willing to live a Godly life for Him.  This is His omnipotent power.  Courageous Christians like these leaders know their place in His heart and it gives them peace in the most outrageous calamities.  God is greater than any police, government or policy.  Though taunted for being Christian and coverting others, His love makes these fearless evangelist stronger than ever to do His will.  In the year June, 2009, the village of Bahmani in Pakistan made news as muslims announced that Christains had insulted the prophet Mohammed.  A mob of about 150 muslims were arranged to set up against the Christians, burning 16 of their homes and damaging 60 other homes pouring kerosene on people and setting a flame to their bodies.  Again in July it was circulated a rumor, that a young Christain man desecrated the Quran by burning pages from the holy book.  This was only a rumor.  This all happened in a village called Korian.  Faithful Muslims heard this and wanted to teach Christains a lesson.  They looted and burned homes once again, to send out a message to the Kafirs, that if they reject the Muslim faith, then they deserved death, and so the violence continues all around the world.  It is the radical Muslim ideology we speak of, the same ideology that drove suicide bombers into an Islamic University.  The same ideology that drove suicide bombers into the Twin Towers, killing thousands, of which most were Christians.  We must remember that a step away from God is a step away from greatness.  We see this growing hatred in a worldview against Christians everday, nevertheless, we do have a growing number of Christians willing to put their life on the line for Christ as He did in salvation for us.   Being a Christian leader is the high call from God, no matter where He sends you or what he has you doing in service.   It is His omnipotent presence in our life that we willingly want to do His will.  Yes, there are too many false religions and false teachers, preachers in the world today that sound convincing but are not doing the Lords work.  These religions give us nothing that we can learn from if our heart belongs to God.  It is for this that the persecuted in the name of the Father do not look for fame or glory unless it is directed towards the Lord, alone.  It is in the times of turmoil and weakness, when our homes are burning and our faith results in assault that Christians doing Gods work around the world know that His grace is sufficient for them and that His power is made perfect in those weak moments, but our love and His never wavers below His grace of righteousness.
                                                                                           God bless, Deaconess Barb

Some difference between the natural body verses the spiritual body

Do we think much about our bodies?  Sure we do!  We think many things like; Am I too fat or to thin, too tall or not tall enough.  How much hair we have and how it looks from day to day?  Our hair and our make-up, clothing, the way one carries their self can portray many unique characteristics about our likes, dislikes, the way we may approach something, like an issue or just that we do not want to be approached.  We are happy, laugh, cry, sometimes out of control.  We may become oppressors of others, inhibited, outgoing, athletic.  Our body engulfs many attributes both inside and outward.  We are men and women who aim to reach the top of our goals.  We push and strive to be better, best, unique and different from the rest of the pack.  We need our 15 minutes of fame.  Often we are unable to control many characteristics or outcomes in our developmental state.  Nevertheless there are things about our bodies, character and attributes we are able to change, yet, are we willing to do so?  We are in the physical body by appearance , and our physical body by what is within us.  Our spiritual body will manifest by the way we carry our physical bodies, our language, temperance, our tolerance.  If you understand God, you will soon understand that there is no war in heaven.  It is contained in love.  This is a love that far out ways the natural state.  You see, God does not care if we are tall, short , fat, smart or dumb, He loves us all.  This is His spiritual body that He has given us.  Heaven holds no place for shame.  It is not a weakened state, a world of time, for it is above all this.  It is the freedom we have in the spiritual body.  We have the ability to put it to good use for all, but man in his natural state can not always keep a rational line on things.  Even the disciples did not understand this concept until Jesus came to them, then did they see with a clear heart.  When your biological body is gone, the freedom your spiritual body will experience will come from ones faith and belief in our Lord God..  We must assume the body as if it is in  it's divine state on earth.  Only then, can we understand what God the Father wants for us.   He came  for us, holy  divine, as a perfect man on earth for the purpose of saving your soul, before  returning to His glory through a  terrible , torturous death.  This is all part of the Lords design plan for you and for me.  So, as we take our life and our bodies for granted, remember, we then take God for granted as well.  Our natural body will one day die off, and our memory will fade out, so isn't good to know that God has prepared the afterlife for our new body, with all new attributes?  1Corinthians 15:35-44   35)  But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised; With what kind of body will they come?"  36) How foolish!  What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.  37) When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just the see, perhaps of wheat or of something else.  42) So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.  43) It is sown in dishonors, it is raised in glory, it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.  44) It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.  We can look forward to the day when we no longer suffer in this, our natural body, and live in our imperishable bodies.  This is only done through our faith and belief in Christ.  So, while we are prisoned in our mortal bodies we are here for the purpose of pleasing God.  The only way to do that is through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Live everyday as if you are in the spiritual body alone, and let your light shine through you.  You will see what a difference you can make in others.  Others will take notice and want the same body you have.
                                   God bless, Deaconess Barb

Is Jesus really God?

A couple years ago while at theology camp a pastor with a doc. degree ask us how many people recite   the Nicene Creed in church.  He was raised a catholic, but later converted to Methodist.  I suppose the reason why he is so knowledgeable is because he ask questions and challenges what other world views have to say about religion. I  do not ever remember the creed being read at any church I attended.  As I took the time to read it, I remember a part of it that said; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the virgin Mary and was made man.  Then I thought of all the people who have challenged me through out the years  stating the question; How can Jesus be God when He was there with God in the beginning?  Jesus can not be God, they are two different beings?  I just don't understand the whole incarnate thing, it sounds impossible, because God is suppose to be all powerful and knowing?  Lets look at John 1:16-18, Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.  17) For the law was given through Moses; ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.  Wow!  What a powerful reading!  Did I read this right?  The bible states "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God.   The bible is God breathed, therefore it is telling me that Jesus is Himself God!  I know there is a God and as Christians you should know the same thing also!  Lets face it, people are motivated into cult's that seem to have the answers to all these questions, by putting a spiritual face on, so not to show their falsehood.  These religions do not believe in all of the bible, or that Jesus is divine, but merely a prophet or a man with incredible intelligence that was well versed.  How can these people then say that they support salvation through Christ Jesus?  The Nicene Creed which I gave you part of, explicitly states that Christ is God, and affirms this full in the deity of Jesus Christ.  Anyone who teaches contrary is teaching heresy.  I do not say tis lightly, but knowing with a heavy heart that there are a lot of loss souls on earth.  Let us begin by revealing several places in the bible which shows us that Jesus is in fact God, which I feel we have already established in  John 1:18.  Unless you believe that I Am, you will indeed die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins. John 8:24.  Jesus said these works.  He is stating here, that those who have not heard, will surely die in their sins.  They will not die because they did not hear the gospel, but rather because they are sinners.  Unless you believe that I Am; If you do not believe that I Am.  He is the Messiah, the truth, He is God.  He is telling the people that He is the I Am.  2 Thessalonians 2:13 - But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through believ in the truth.  It is through His love that we are elected to be saved, from eternity.  This is a part of the salvation that is reserved for every Chrsitian.  It is not His intent for anyone to perish, but come to repentance.  John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God shows us His love as Christ died for the ungodly, undeserving ones.  People are often receptive to hearing the truth, which is that our kindness to others and our giving His truth, this truth  is part of  His design plan and is pleasing to Him.  John 20:28 = Thomas is addressing an answer.  He replies this way; "My Lord and my God."  Notice, he is calling Jesus God.  Jesus did not correct him.   Thomas knew who He was.  Let us take a look at another verse, John 1:1, 14  1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  14)  The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory the glory of the One and Only, who came fro the Father, full of grace and truth.  Now if we go back to the literal Greek, the word "Word" - "Jesus" was their in the beginning.  The word "logos" refers to the pre-incarnate Logos of God - the living word.  Jesus was and is our Living Word, our Logos our God.  The Word was God.  Johns purpose was to establish for all the fact that Jesus is God in the flesh.  There are many verses to establish what the truth is, which is that Jesus is God, but we will finish with Matthew 2:23 - The virgin will be with Child and give birth to a Son, they will call Him Immanuel, which means "God with us.  This references to Jesus, being God with us.  The Greek word "ho Theo's" in this definite article, represents "God", which God is "Theo's" - so "Ho Theo's" means that Jesus is "The Almighty God with us."  As Christians we need to take this information that the bible gives to us and use our extraordinary gifts to enlighten others that  in fact and in truth Jesus is God.  He is our Lord God.  God bless, Deaconess Barb

Joseph did Accept Jesus as his Son

Matthew 1:18-25     18) This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together,  she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  19) Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  20) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  21) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name of Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.  22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23) "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call Him Immanuel" (which means ("God with us").  24) When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary  she gave birth to a son.  And he gave Him the name Jesus.home as his wife.  25) But he had no union with her until        Can you imagine being pregnant by divine grace!  I surely can not, but what a universal blessing to have been given.  You know it is impossible for any women today to give birth without some sort of sexual process.  Whether it is through intimacy or in a peachtree dish, there is something that has to take process first to produce fertilization, making it possible for a female to  conceive.  Many people think that this is just a story, a myth if you will, because the unbeliever can not see that a mighty God who created the earth was powerful enough to have a Son through a virgin birth.  Yet, God is the only power to  be able to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit within a female womb.  No lie is in truth and God is truth, so as Christians then, we must not deny that our Messiah is Jesus.  Many people today who believe otherwise are living a lie.  Isaiah and Micah are books inspired by the Holy Spirit.  They tell about a child being born of a virgin women and being called Immanuel.  (Isaiah 9:6)    There are many places in the holy bible that you can reference many direct or indirect prophesizes of the birth of Jesus.  What a beautif\ul mystery we have bestowed upon us, that now we can clearly say yes, we hold the truth which is Jesus.  Joseph was aware that Mary's pregnancy could cause her death.  It was not unusual in  that time for a female to be stoned to death for this type of situation.  Mary and Joseph had a job to do.  They had the Holy Spirit to guide them, to watch over them, while they dept the Messiah safe.  So why was Jesus born any way?  His name "Jesus" means, "the One who will save His people from their sins."  The special name He has shows us that He was born with a purpose.  How miraculous thta God has everything covered, from the beginning of the world, through this birth and into eternal life.  He has this all laid out for you in the bible.  In Gods design plan, He planned for our salvation through His Son, born of Mary, a sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.  He planned this before creation.  The birth of Jesus Christ was made known some 700 yars prior to His arrival.  You see, the prophecy was already establilished.  Only God can pull miracles like this one off.  No one in human nature has this type of glorious power.Jesus is our propitiation which in the Greek means, God's wrath against man is appeased on account of the death of Christ for our sins.  He becomes our sacrifice.  In removing the dissatisfaction of God with man, He is Hilasmos in the Greek, which comes to us through Gods reverent love and His mercy and righteousness.  This baby Jesus is the property owner of our souls.  He is the only heir to the Father, our grown propitiator and beloved to the Father.  Joseph was made aware of this and abided by the Holy Spirit.  Make no mistake about it, There Is A GOD!  God bless Deaconess Barb.

Can You Hear God's Voice? Are You Listening?

Romans 8:12-14   12) Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  13) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.  14) For those who are led by the sSpirit of God are the children of God.   We, as the Children of the Father, are led by the Holy Spirit.  You see, the Holy Spirit has a function, which is to guide us in our daily walk in life.  We can no see Him, but He is there none the less.  He is the one that keeps us on that straight and narrow path, which leads to eternal life.  We must listen to Him with our heart, for He will guide us to do all things that are good.  Romans tells us that we have an obligation as Christians to be in spirit and not in a sinful way.  One thing that is constant here in our life, is the fact that we are truly failures when it comes to living a Godly life.  Between Gods grace and our Savior, we reach the security of our salvation.  This is something we would not be able to have on our own.  The flesh can not reach that high.  So then we must listen to our heart, because this is the place where you are going to hear the voice of God.  Paul affirms to the Jews and also to the Gentiles, that it is the merciful forgiveness from God and nothing else by the flesh that sin is forgiven.  Now that we have received Him, we need to listen to Him and also to use Him.  He wants us to use Him for the purpose of good.  Fine tune your hearing and listen to the voice of God.  So, you may be asking, "how do I hear His voice?"  There are four practical ways to hear the voice of God.  1)  We must listen to our very own voice.  This is obvious and practical.  It is the images in our mind that we must pay attention to.  Our mind is a powerful and persuasive part of our being.  It produces our thoughts, what we think and all the feelings we have and display.  Your mind wills the flesh.  So if we  us our minds in negative thought, bad things will surely follow.  It speaks the voice of the flesh, and how we approach our life that others will perceive and visualize as of; a product of our imagination.  Now, if we use our mind for good and holiness, then  the thoughts and  use we  have to approach our self, others or  type situations will serve well.  Nevertheless, if we  use our mind and flesh for  a  negative purpose, then this will surely bring us into a sinful nature.  2)   This voice is the one we use to listen to others.  One will say everything in life is fantastic!  You listen to another person and they grieve; for everything is life is terrible!  Here, we can see good and evil working in the world.  The evils of the world is in a dark area, which we allow to filter into our life, if we are not living in the light of the world.  This is where we battle to contrary feelings, opinions and views, which we live with everyday, pitting rational and irrational thoughts into action.  Remember, God is never wavering.  He only has rational thought.  So to hear His voice, one must listen to the rational input and not adhere to the irrational influences.  3)  The third voice is that of the devil, Satan.  It may scare you a bit, for if we are not careful our minds and our lives can be littered with his crafty ways.  He is quite sly, you know.  He can persuade our hearts to do evil, like he did in the garden with Adam and Eve.  He will find a time and a circumstance to sneak in on us, perhaps when we are most vulnerable.  Pay attention, for he speaks to us through the world and media.  He creates worldly ideologies that will destroy our homes, business, and good service, through things like pornography idolatry, immorality, many ways.  Once he is allowed in, he will destroy the very essence of ones soul.  He is the destroyer.  You can though listen to the Light the Truth and the Way and push the devil aside.  Use your entire soul for good, this way evilness has no opening to filter in and destroy you.  4)  Finally, the most important voice to listen to is that of God.  It is the subtle way in which He communicates to you.  He uses the Spirit to speak with us.  In order to hear His voice you must focus on the heart.  Romans 8:7 tells us; Thesinful mind is hostile to God; for it does not submit to Gods law, nor can it do so .  You see, we can not please God in the flesh alone, but in the Spirit that dwells in us.  Once we have Christ, it is important not to push Him away.  We then will live a Godly life of righteousness and listening to His voice in all that we do.  His voice shows in our attributes towards others, to see, to have, to share and to follow.  Man in his irrational thought wants to change the thinking of others.  He will use any means possible to pull us away from the Lord and into the world.  Set your hearing to the fine tune mode and allow the spirit to take presedence over the heart, by listening to the voice of God.     God bless, Deaconess Barb