A Line In The Sand

"A line in the sand" is a familiar phrase to define boundaries made in what a person will, or will not allow in their lives. Nations draw these boundaries also, fight over them, and move them when they change their stance on something or lose the ability to keep and hold that line. Russia and Ukraine are in a critical stand on that issue now-that could grow into a world conflict. This is a season that people should be taking this very serious-and defining their line in the sand now, while they have the time.

In an individual's personal boundaries, it depends on what you decide your willing to put up with from outside forces, or other people who try to force you to do something against your moral or ethical conscience, or abuse you in some way through disrespect, or physical abuse. There's a lot of people who live with no clear borders to their lives, and allow bullies, opportunists, criminals, and abusers of many kinds to run them, and ruin them. Those who are in the apathetic category, are also prone to allow other's to lead them around and govern their lives; it often proves to be a life filled with bad choices, and sad endings.

Watching developments unfold in this country has caused me to do some soul searching again, and make up my mind where I'm going to draw the line in the sand for my life, as it's coming closer to the end of my years. It's a good thing to do this a couple of times through the seasons of our lives; it's a part of "setting ones house in order" so to speak.

One of the benefits of age is being able to look back over our shoulder, evaluate some mistakes, wrong decisions, and the effects other people have had in our life, to help us make new boundaries. Age also gives a deeper understanding of what is truly important, and what isn't.

Looking back, I'm able to see many things I thought were so important then in my youth; were foolish, prideful, shallow and a waste of time. I'm thankful God's allowed me to live long enough to be able to evaluate like this, and make some changes, and ask for the Lord's forgiveness. 

After considerable time pondering this with the Lord, it's come down to three areas that for me, are defining lines:

1. Whatever the world chooses; I choose the Lord.  When Elijah confronted the people and false prophets on Mt. Carmel he said this to them: 
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1Ki 18:21  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 

The condition of this nation, and the world is just as corrupt and drenched in idolatry today as it was in Elijah's day. It makes no difference whether it's in or out of the church; the word of God and faith in the God of Elijah is absent.  I don't care how much money they have, how many programs they are involved in, how many people are in the seats. What's not there is holiness, righteousness, and a backbone to stand against the onslaught of evil that's right out in the open today, on TV, the internet, social media, the school systems, it makes no difference.  You can hold up your bible and say "this is my bible" and say you believe it; really? Tell me where you stand on homosexuality, witchcraft, Satanism, abortion, fornication, adultery, drug abuse, pedophilia, child abuse, elder abuse, euthanasia, polygamy....., etc. Let's hear you read what the bible says about these topics, and preach it as it's supposed to be preached. But, I won't hold my breath; because these false teachers and preachers have long since become apostate. What matters to them is tickling the itching ears of the slumbering sheep and goats they feed on. It's money that motivates these people's teachings and preaching; one day they will answer for it. We are in the days of Judges when everyone did what was right in their own eyes, and this includes the religious crowd.

I already know the reaction to this; "Who are you, hypocrite, your unloving, contentious, and in rebellion." My answer to this is; I'm a blood-bought redeemed child of God, under the authority of Jesus Christ, my Lord-who called me, and all my allegiance is to Him, and His word. I direct my enemies and accuser's to Jesus, and ask you to talk to Him about me, I'd like to hear what He'd say to you. You see, I'm not a victim-I'm victorious, and that victory comes from Jesus Christ. I'm seated with Him in heavenly places-and there's nothing anybody can do about it, neither man or the devil.

As for being unloving; read the words of Jesus in the gospels, when he was talking to those who tried to trap him in his words all the time, and his accuser's-he was worse than me. Love, is like a burning fire in your bones-it's in those who burn for righteousness, and truth-and yes love, but a love unfeigned. I'll let you look up the meaning of that word-and study it.

I've been laughed at, and mocked enough over the years, to the point I've developed a hide like a rhinoceros; I don't care what people think of me. The word of God is the word of God, and it means what it says. If you can't or won't preach the whole counsel of God, you should be honest enough to change your title and just call yourself a motivational speaker, because that's what you are. Stop using God in your money making promotions. No, no one has to listen to me, or God, and it's obvious few do. But, I've read the end of the book, and know who wins in the end. I've paid very high prices over the years in this walk with God, and burned my bridges-I'm going on with Christ, to the end.

There's a remnant Body of Christ, and I'm among them. I choose Christ, and his holiness, whatever anyone else does is up to them. I'll close this topic with a verse you will never hear from the platforms of the mega churches:

1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

2. Just tell the truth. Sounds very simplistic doesn't it. Well open your eyes, ears, and begin to really pay attention to people today. Pay attention to how many times you find yourself being lied to, by people you interact with; business transactions, social gatherings, and everyday activities. The older I get, the more I see the effects of a society that has sunk to levels of degradation in many areas that used to be the foundations of a strong society. Honesty, integrity, being able to trust people when they spoke to you, and take for granted that what they were telling you was true. In the last several years I've had numerous disappointing business transactions, and lied to by those I had to interact with to try to get something accomplished. Tell me, once you've been treated this way, and know you've been lied to, do you ever trust the person or business again? If there is one thing I never want to lose; it's the ability to look myself in the mirror and not be ashamed of what I see looking back at me. I want my life to end at least knowing I haven't knowingly lied to someone, or mistreated them by my actions. Slander and backbiting go in this category also. Jeremiah describes the conditions of many peoples hearts  today.

Jer 9:4  Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. 
Jer 9:5  And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. 
Jer 9:6  Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD. 

There were several occasions when I was growing up, when I'd go my parents and talk about someone to them; my father would look at me and say "If you have a problem with somebody-you need to go to them first, and talk to them face to face, not behind their back. Then, if they keep doing the same thing to you, then come to me or your mother. But don't gossip about them."
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His words, stayed with me, and remain ingrained in my life to this day.

The instruction to us who follow Christ in this world of corruption is to put off the old man and his deeds:

Col 3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 
Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 
Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 
Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 

Try to imagine a world, and what it would be like, to never have to wonder if the person talking to you, is lying to you or not.

3. Walk the rest of this life in freedom and peace; regardless of my circumstances. I may not be able to control the circumstances around me, or what other people do, but I can control myself. I can decide what and who I'm going to allow to influence me. I can take control of myself, and make choices that will honor God, and bring  peace and stability to me. These kinds of choices builds strength of character, and soul. In the end, that's really all that matters. When I stand before the Lord, what have I done with the life he's given me, and how I've taken care of this soul that God created, that makes up my person-hood, and if I've been a faithful servant of His. Nothing else is more important than this.

On a national scale, the drawing the line in the sand is going on here now by many; and it's becoming very apparent.

There are people in high places of power today who are working hard to take away many of the freedoms people in this country have taken for granted. Many are watching the warning signs develop, laws that govern this nation are being corrupted, and the implications are dire. Those who want to dissolve the Constitution are very busy with their agenda, and it will be opposed only by those who see the the truth, that this will mean the end of this country as we know it. Whether there is enough inner strength of true Americans to overturn this Tsunami of socialist propaganda, is a serious question. In watching Canada falling into tyranny, and now Trudeau using tactics of a dictator, it's revealing the direction he is taking-a totalitarian government-and we will see it coming here next. 

Whether this country stands or falls will depend on how we go about it, and if enough people recognize the fact that sin causes judgment from God. This country needs to come back to God, and His word, repent and turn away from the sins that we have allowed to entrench this society. If we don't, this country won't stand. But, with sadness, I realize that the vast majority of the people do not see the inter-connection between the chaos destroying their countries-that it's the result of escalating sin, corruption, wickedness, lawlessness and godlessness. It's the result of many years of rebellion, sin, and rejection of God. We are reaping, what we have sown.

The answer to the countries dilemma is in the scripture verse below:  

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

The question is, will this country as a whole, repent and turn back to the Lord-my eye's and ears tell me no-we are in the end of days. People will get saved, but not on a national scale, I'm praying for the Holy Spirit to reach as many people's hearts as possible, before the Lord returns, and for God's sustaining protection over His people, and to give them strength and courage to endure to the end.

​Whatever other's do, I choose Jesus, wherever He leads. I've gone too far with Him, to go back now.
​I will finish my course-and keep the faith.
​Lorna