There's tendencies that can be seen in people and a society that becomes lawless. The mob mentality rises, and begins to rule; in the streets and communities. The bullies in the school yard, become the bullies in power-and they've learned all the ways to get there.

Those with power and influence use craftiness, and lies to achieve positions, and gain the ability to get people to follow them, and work with them. Truth is twisted and used as fuel to get their way. 

When the mob rules, the victims and those under attack are often falsely accused and provoked to the point of having to attempt to defend themselves. When they do, they are verbally, and physically  attacked, and targeted. 

When the mob rules, brutality and violence are in full swing, and they will justify it. The race issue boiling now in the country is an example of this. These mobs spew hatred, false accusations, and loot and plunder businesses, homes, and shops because of what's in their hearts-sin. The wages of sin, is death.

When the mob rules, it's impossible to reason with those promoting and spewing the hatred-they aren't interested in bringing righteousness, and the rule of law into the situation-they want to tear down, destroy and censor what they don't like, and force their version of what the world should be-and what they are promoting is a twisted perverted version of life. Destroying the basic truths of creation, that there are two genders, male/female is the most blatant example of the level of mental illness rising now, but most of the country is in apathetic slumber. 

The bible gives some examples of mob rule.
In Genesis, Lot found himself dealing with a mob outside his door when he dwelt in Sodom:

Gen 19:4  But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 

Gen 19:5  And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 

The two men Lot had with him were angels that he had invited to stay the night with him. The corrupt wicked men of the town heard of it, and surrounded the house and demanded the two men be given to them, so they could sodomize them. Sodom and Gomorrah were given over to perverse sexual lust.

The bible gives clear instruction on this:
Lev 18:22  Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. 

From David Guzik comm:
"That we may know them carnally: The sin of the men of Sodom is plainly connected to their homosexuality. There is no doubt the Bible declares homosexual conduct is sin (Rom_1:26-28).

i. The Bible condemns homosexuality in the same context as it condemns incest and bestiality (Lev_18:22; Lev_20:13). If we ignore the word of God at the point of homosexual conduct, then we have no standing to say any of the other three sins are sin.

ii. Homosexual advocates have an interest in saying homosexuals are exactly like everyone else, except they love people of their own sex. But when the conduct of homosexuals is observed, this is not the case.

iii. We can bring out statistics on the number of partners homosexuals have: 43% of homosexuals say they have had 500 or more sexual partners in their lifetime. Only 1% of homosexuals say they have had four or less sexual partners in their lifetime. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, 77% of homosexuals say they have met sexual partners in a city park, 62% in a homosexual bar, 61% in a theater, 31% in a public restroom. Only 28% of homosexuals said they had known their partners for at least a week before participating in homosexual sex."

When the mob rules, reason and truth goes out the window. Pride, ignorance, selfishness, stubbornness, and rebellion are on full display. Three articles below give examples of the mob rule mentality, and the influence it brings.

These verses give descriptions of a lawless, proud, society-ruled by the mob:

Jer 5:3  O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. 

Jer 6:15  Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. 

Jer 7:28  But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. 

Rebellion the bible says, is as the sin of witchcraft:
1Sa 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 
See also: rebellion: 1Sa_12:14-15; Num_14:9; Deu_9:7, Deu_9:24; Jos_22:16-19; Job_34:37; Psa_107:11; Jer_28:16, Jer_29:32; Eze_2:5-8
witchcraft: Heb. divination, Exo_22:18; Lev_20:6, Lev_20:27; Deu_18:10-11; Isa_8:19, Isa_19:3; Rev_22:15
stubbornness: 2Co_6:16; Gal_5:20; Rev_21:8

If the verses here are read, and then look around and read the daily news headlines, they tell us the state we are in. What does the bible give for an answer to this?

People as a nation, and individually need to repent, and turn back to God, turn away from all our idols, and do the things that will bring blessings back to the country.

Deu 4:4  But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 
Deu 4:5  Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 
Deu 4:6  Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 
Deu 4:7  For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 
Deu 4:8  And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 

Luk 24:45  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 
Luk 24:46  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 
Luk 24:47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 
Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

The corrupt politicians, and decadence of the country is the result of generations of rebellion, sin, and the mob rule mentality that's in power. Politics cannot save the nation-its the righteousness, or lack of it, that determines it's destiny. This country is collapsing from within, because we have rejected God and his commandments. If the nation doesn't repent, and turn back to God, it will continue to go the way of Sodom and Gomorrah, and reap the same consequences as those cities. The cronies who run this country are Luciferians, they worship Satan. Schools and institutions have banned God, but invited the devil-and he's delighted. There's "After school Satan" in California TV, and he's in full control on the internet. God is going to let people have what they say they want, but if they knew what the end of it was going to be-they'd be crying like the rich man in hell Jesus tells about-who begged for someone to go and warn his family to not come to this place of torment he found himself in. But, right now, people are blind with pride, and wickedness.

Now the rebellion, violence, and wickedness has overrun everything, and the mob is in rule, and we are reaping the harvest.

Watching events as they unfold, I don't know what the outcome will be-but my eyes are telling me it doesn't look good. It doesn't appear to be enough righteous people left to turn the tide that's coming at this country. 

My heart tells me to buckle up, and ride the storm. But, in the end God will have his way. Evil is on a long leash right now, but one day He will say "enough"; and it doesn't look like it's far off.
Lorna Couillard

After a year of Portland protests, activists see no end in sight- This article gives two sides of the issue of racist violence in Portland, which is an example of the problems in cities across the country-a classic example of what happens when "the mob rules".
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2021/05/after-a-year-of-portland-protests-activists-see-no-end-in-sight.html
Excerpt from the article:
"The protests often involve intense, violent clashes between police and protesters. The Portland Police Bureau, whose officers have been clad in riot gear, have consistently dispersed crowds with force, including batons, tear gas and impact munitions. Protesters, who have geared up with shields, gas masks and helmets, have thrown frozen water bottles, fireworks, rocks and eggs at officers.
The protests now occurring have drawn criticism from some city leaders and residents who say participants are no longer pursuing racial justice. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has become a frequent critic.
“There is no excuse for the violence and damage a small group of people have repeatedly brought to our streets,” Wheeler told The Oregonian/Oregon Live. “Businesses have closed, Portlanders have lost their jobs, and our efforts to reopen and begin the work of recovery have been slowed by these people.
“We challenge this group to show how breaking the windows of small businesses owned by people of color, and launching mortars in neighborhood streets, support our community’s shared values and advance the work of reform.”"

Idiots Remove TR Statue- one of the best examples of how far and twisted the left’s manic loathing for America has gone.
https://brandnewtube.com/watch/idiots-remove-tr-statue_nfox9QjYJjm7ifE.html

Hollywood Reimaging Classic TV Sitcoms like "Brady Bunch" With Drag Queen Makeovers
https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2021/06/26/hollywood-reimagining-classic-tv-sitcoms-like-brady-bunch-with-drag-queen-makeovers/

​Fallen Angels Breeding with Humans - Decoding "Manifest" - Star Trek: "Time is Broken" For those who have the discernment to understand where we are on God's calendar, and the workings of those who oppose God, and use sorcery at the deeper levels. This video will give a deeper insight into where we are on God's timeline.
https://www.brighteon.com/f5c8cf5d-3fd3-42b2-a4a6-cc1e763e3463

                                                              PHARMACIA SORCERY
From the beginning, Satan's war on God, and his creation has been escalating. The footprint of Pharmacia goes back to the first rebellion of Adam and Eve, up to this day. Revelation speaks of it's use and effects in the last days.

Rev 9:21  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. 

Easton's biblical dictionary definition:
                                                                      Enchantments
(1.) The rendering of Hebrew latim or lehatim, which means “something covered,” “muffled up;” secret arts, tricks (Exo_7:11, Exo_7:22; Exo_8:7, Exo_8:18), by which the Egyptian magicians imposed on the credulity of Pharaoh.
(2.) The rendering of the Hebrew keshaphim, “muttered spells” or “incantations,” rendered "sorceries" in Isa_47:9, Isa_47:12, i.e., the using of certain formulae under the belief that men could thus be bound.
(3.) Hebrew lehashim, “charming,” as of serpents (Jer_8:17; compare Psa_58:5).
(4.) Hebrew nehashim, the enchantments or omens used by Balaam (Num_24:1); his endeavoring to gain omens favourable to his design.
(5.) Hebrew heber (Isa_47:9, Isa_47:12), “magical spells.” All kinds of enchantments were condemned by the Mosaic law (Lev_19:26; Deu_18:10-12). (See DIVINATION.)

We are now half way into 2021, and seeing the footprint of the Covid-19 implementations being put into place, and the connection of it to the NWO RESET. 

These vaccines are potions, and the use of "certain formulae" as Easton describes them-to achieve the Satanic agenda of depopulation, and getting rid of undesirables. If you or I do not fit into what the elites feel are valuable, or usable-we are the undesirables.

Satan's blueprint is all over the RESET agenda- The globalists see you and I as a commodity, to be used, moved into positions useful to them-as productive workers, or eliminated when no longer useful to them. 

I still remember when it was considered brave and courageous to have ingenuity, and a free thinking personality-that is being targeted for elimination now. They want the hivemind mentality, where everyone believes, and conforms as a whole-they want you to be just part of the herd. It's easier to control people with no independent  thoughts or ingenuity of their own.

Independent, free thinking individual's are now considered "domestic terrorists", and being watched, traced and tracked. Plans by this government are in place to take you out of your home, and put you away if you will not conform, and exhibit what they consider a dangerous threat to their global takeover.
The history of vaccines, the governments planned use of them, and the demonic roots of them are laid out well in the two videos below. They give a good foundation to what the strategies are for their use by the elites and those who hate God, and Christians. 
​
The Noahide laws are going to come to the surface soon, and we will hear more about them being put into practice on a global scale. The second video goes into this, and is to be paid attention to. It is important to know what they have planned for Christians.

The information provided in them takes the masks off of the propaganda and lies being fed to the world by mainstream media-and it's proven documentation. They are well worth the time to watch, and learn from.

Full credit goes to those who did the work, and research to put these videos together, they are well done, and very informative. There is so much information in them, it will be necessary to stop them, and read the research material given, and should be.
Lorna Couillard

THIS IS A SPIRITUAL WAR FOR OUR SOULS (PART 1)
https://www.brighteon.com/5d4a339a-ddb4-4e84-92ae-e85c11d99da0
THIS IS A SPIRITUAL WAR FOR OUR SOULS (PART 2)
https://www.brighteon.com/1f27f267-e631-4d35-bccb-061cb8a40795
RELATED VIDEO: INSTANTLY BANNED ON YOUTUBE: Gain-Of-Function HIV-1 Retrovirus Admitted In Mainstream Narrative- Anthony Patch
Note: This video breaks down what the Covid vaccines are made of, and their purpose. It also shows the mainstream media's narrative and schizophrenic manipulations to get the masses conditioned to take them.
https://www.brighteon.com/7e4b37ad-8e6f-4199-a5d5-a42369a3d250

​This blog is for those weary from the battles against evil being waged today everywhere, and those finding their personal lives turned upside down because of the economic problems. People are losing their jobs, homes, and life may be chaos for you now. God has not abandoned us. The bible gives examples of other's who've gone through the fire of affliction.
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King David wrote most of the Psalms. He sang of his great love and devotion to God with beautiful words of praise and worship. When you read them, he takes your spirit right into the throne room of God, and if you close your eyes, you can share the joy and exaltation that David expressed in them. But, he also wrote many that were cries of heartbreak, sorrow, grief, and yes, even anger. You rarely hear of these from preachers, because they are not popular. But they are in there for our benefit, and learning. When he was being chased by Saul who tried relentlessly to kill him, as well as his own son Absalom. During his lifetime, David did not win every battle, he lost some. But, what did he do? He got on his face and prayed. He asked God to show him why he lost, and what had to be done about it. We are far too quick to just throw up our hands and let the devil have everything. If I fail, I take it to God; and ask for understanding and guidance. We are down here on earth to learn and grow, and learn from our mistakes; even if we live to be 120. Everything we gain and learn here, we will use in heaven some day, I am convinced of this.

When he gave into temptation, and sinned with Bathsheba, what that sin cost him. But, also realize how God forgave him and restored him. (Ps. 51) How his heart was broken when his people spoke against him, and those who slandered him. Some of his prayers against them were hair-raising. It gives me cause to evaluate many of the prayers I've heard today and come to the conclusion that we really need to spend more time in the word of God to know how to pray with power, authority, and confidence against those who oppose us.

Moses didn't want to obey what God called him to do. He tried everything he could to get out of it. When God countered every one of his objections; he finally gave in, but he was reluctant because he knew what he would be facing.

At one point he said "The people you've told me to lead want to kill me!" There was more than one time he wanted to quit, and leave them all. Put yourself in his shoes, would you have done any better?

God allowed Satan to take everything from Job, and kill his children. Satan wasn't through, he challenged God saying if he allowed Satan to bring sickness to his body, he would curse God to his face. God gave him permission, but said "save his life". So, Job sat in the midst of his suffering, scraping off the boils from his skin, while his three miserable comforters sat at a distance in silence for days. But, when they finally opened their mouth, their counsels were full of evidence of their ignorance and arrogance. His wife came to him and said; "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die." Job 2:9
​
Perhaps you can relate to this in your circumstances. I hope you keep reading.

To any onlooker, it appeared that God himself had forsaken Job.

Job's conviction in the middle of this was; Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15

These were ordinary people like you and I. They knew the heat of the battle, and the consequences of sin, and the rejection and misunderstanding of people, even from their own family. They knew about traitors, the Judas' in their life, the fake friends, the tale-bearers, slanderers. They knew about getting attacked physically in their body; being wracked with pain.

What did they do?
They cried out to God. They were honest with him in their pain, in their frustration, in their discouragement, and suffering. They didn't cover it up, they didn't put on their best "happyface", and spew out phony rhetoric. They looked up and poured out their complaints, and told God what they needed, and what they were feeling.

There's times when we are in the fire of affliction, or facing the taunts, and mocking of the devils' crowd, the right response is to look them in the eye, and mock them, and confront their attacks.

When Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he watched them as they cried and called out to their gods to consume their sacrifice-but no answer came, nothing happened. Elijah's response was a teaching for us:

1Ki 18:25  And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 
1Ki 18:26  And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 
1Ki 18:27  And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 
1Ki 18:28  And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 

Wow-what do you think the church people would do today, with somebody like him?....he'd be kicked out and told to not come back. I've been there, and know what I'm talking about.

Elijah couldn't resist mocking these false prophets gone mad in a frenzy, and his boldness bordered on sarcasm. To be "engaged in business", can be used as a euphemism for bodily elimination-going to the toilet. He would never make it on TBN, or most Christian media today-for sure.
​
God wants to mold his people into overcomers. The battle's we face and the scars we acquire are part and parcel of getting there. You will be too, if you just don't quit. Like a poem I read once; "rest if you must, but don't you quit."

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 
See also: Rev_2:11, Rev_2:17, Rev_2:26-28, Rev_3:5, Rev_3:12, Rev_3:21, Rev_12:10-11, Rev_15:2, Rev_21:7; Joh_16:33; 1Jn_5:4-5
Lorna Couillard

There's been quite a bit of flack from the previous blog "Chasing The Wind", I expected it. This is a reply to the critics, who feel what's put here is too tough. I'd have to go a lot further, to match how Jesus preached when he was here. But, I'll go into the word of God and answer the critics, with what scripture has to say about this.

Jesus taught about two kinds of people who served God, those the world applauds and praises, and those who follow Christ regardless of the consequences. 

Jesus condemns the false teachers and prophets.
Luk 6:26  Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 

There's traits to be observed by them, let's take a look at what the word of God has to say about this.

Those who seek to be universally popular. Whoever does his duty will meet those who oppose him. Christ was reviled and slandered. These four woes are addressed to four classes:
(1) Those who worship wealth; 
(2) those satisfied with their present life; 
(3) those who live for present enjoyment; 
(4) those whose aim is human praise and adulation.

Romans gives more understanding:

Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 
Rom 16:18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 

See also: 1Sa_2:12-17, 1Sa_2:29; Isa_56:10-12; Eze_13:19; Hos_4:8-11; Mic_3:5; Mal_1:10; Mat_24:48-51; Php_3:19; 1Ti_6:5; 2Pe_2:10-15; Jud_1:12

By example they show us:
"They do not preach him, but themselves; they do not seek the things of Christ, his honour and glory, the spread of his Gospel, and the enlargement of his kingdom and interest; they seek their own things, worldly honour and applause, riches, wealth, and grandeur; they seek to please men, and so are not the servants of Christ: they introduced the observance of meats and drinks in to the kingdom of Christ, which it do not consist of, and neglected the doctrines of righteousness and peace, from whence springs joy in the Holy Ghost, and so in these spiritual things did not serve Christ; and therefore, as they were not acceptable to God, were not to be approved of by Christian men, but to be marked and avoided:

but their own belly; which they made a god of, and devoted themselves to the service of all their views were to gratify and indulge their sensual appetite. The false teachers among the Jews were particularly addicted to this vice: hence the apostle sometimes calls them dogs, Php_3:2, on account of their voraciousness, and who, in Isaiah's time, were greedy ones that could never have enough, Isa_56:11; and in our Lord's time devoured widows' houses, under a pretense of long prayers for them, Mat_23:14; and were like the Cretians, evil beasts, and slow bellies, Tit_1:12, unwilling to labour, and lived upon the spoil of others:

and by good words, and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple: they were deceivers; they lay in wait to deceive, made use of the hidden things of dishonesty, walked in craftiness, and handled the word of God deceitfully; and therefore to be marked and avoided: they deceived "the simple", harmless, and innocent, that think no evil, nor are aware of any; who have little understanding of things; persons of weak minds, easy to be imposed upon; very credulous, ready to believe every word, so the simple man does, as Solomon says, Pro_14:15; and such false teachers choose to tamper with, and make their attacks upon, being able to gain upon them the most easily, as their father the devil, the old serpent, did, when he first assailed human nature: the "hearts" of these they deceive; they work upon their affections, blind their understandings, impose on their judgments, and corrupt their minds from the simplicity that is in Christ: and this they do "by good words and fair speeches"; either by making use of the words of Scripture, and a show of arguments taken from thence; so Satan cited Scripture in his dispute with our Lord; and so heretics, in all ages, have pretended toil in favour of their principles, by which means they have gained on many to follow their pernicious ways; or by using words and phrases that faithful ministers of Christ use, such as the grace of God, the righteousness of Christ, the Spirit of Christ, but in a different sense; as some among us now frequently make mention of them, when they mean no more by them than the light of nature within them, and the dictates of a natural conscience; or by an elegant style, a set of fine words, a flow of rhetorical expressions, great swelling words of vanity, which such men generally affect, and so work themselves into the admiration of the common people; or by doctrines suited to the carnal minds and reasonings of men, which tickle human nature, and swell it with pride and vanity; as by preaching up the purity and power of it, asserting man's free will, and the strength of it to that which is good; the capacity of man to keep the law, and perform good works; justification by them before God, and acceptance with him, on account of them; atonement for sins committed, by repentance and reformation; that God does not regard trifling things, some sins are venial, and easily passed over; that concupiscence is no sin; God does not rigorously exact duty, he takes the will for the deed, and is merciful unto all, and if but sincere, there is no doubt of heaven; and such men, generally speaking, instead of correcting vice, and reproving men for their sins, connive at them, indulge them in them, soothe and flatter, commend and defend them, whereby they attach them to their persons and interest." John Gill comm.

Now, Jesus had much to say about the faithful servant, it could take a book to go into it, but we'll just look at a few verses in this blog.

Joh 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 

This is Christ's direct answer to the Greeks. His service is to be rendered, not by secret interviews, but by obeying him, for so the word "follow" is to be understood. B.W. Johnson

John 12:26
If any man serve, me,.... Or is willing to be a servant of Christ, and to be esteemed as such;
let him follow me; as in the exercise of the graces of love, humility, patience, self-denial, and resignation of will to the will of God, and in the discharge of every duty, walking as he walked, so in a way of suffering; for as the master, so the servants, as the head, so the members, through many tribulations, must enter the kingdom; to which he encourages by the following things:

and where I am; in heaven, as he now was, as the Son of God; or "where I shall be", as the Syriac and Persic versions render it, even as man, in the human nature, when raised from the dead:

there shall also my servant be; when he has done his work, and the place is prepared for him, and he for that, and where he shall ever abide; and as a further encouragement, he adds,

if any man serve me, him will my Father honour; by accepting his service, affording him his gracious presence here, and by giving him eternal glory hereafter, to which he has called him. John Gill comm.
Going further in this, in Mark 8:34 Jesus speaks to the people (and us)

Mar 8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

Here Jesus signifies that his followers must deny themselves of worldly advantages, monetary gain, and applause, and suffer many things, as well as he. As he faced the soon coming cross, suffering and death-he was telling the people, and all who follow Him, to expect the same thing.

The disciples knew what the cross meant- torture, agony, and sure death. The cross wasn't a religious ceremony-the cross executed people. People who carried their cross on their backs to their death were made to endure the crowds in the streets mocking, throwing rocks and objects at them, being hissed and laughed at-they were a spectacle to the world. They were soon to see Jesus abused and treated just this way.

And, twenty centuries later, after Jesus' death on the cross, the modern preachers, religious crowd, and the world have done a good job of sanitizing the cross. The modern world views just about everything through the lens and glitz of the movies. The disciples were listening to reality, not a movie script.

It is no wonder that so few decided to follow him-this worlds enticements lead the vast majority to follow what the world and the devil have to offer, blindly to their doom. Who wants to follow someone to their death? The prosperity preachers have done a good job of lying to you, and telling you the opposite. Their image of success is the same as the world tells you-if people are following you, giving you money, cars, vacations-you are doing what God wants. They count on the fact, that 90% of you-will never read the bible for yourself, especially these verses I'm giving you now.

John Gill breaks this verse down very well, giving a good picture of what Jesus meant, of what he desired in his followers:

Mark 8:34
And when he had called the people unto him,.... Who, it seems, followed him out of Galilee, from Bethsaida, and these parts; for it was in the way from thence to Caesarea Philippi, that Christ had this conversation with his disciples; who walked together alone, the multitude following at some distance; and the private conversation being ended, Christ called, or beckoned to the people, to come nearer to him: with his disciples also; for what he was about to say, concerned them both:

whosoever will come after me; in a spiritual sense, as this multitude did in a natural one, and which is the same as to be a disciple of his:

let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me; signifying, that his followers must deny themselves of worldly advantages, and suffer many things, as well as he, which he had been but just before acquainting his disciples with; See Gill on Mat_16:24.

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

let him deny sinful self, ungodliness, and worldly lusts; and part with them, and his former sinful companions, which were as a part of himself: let him deny righteous self, and renounce all his own works of righteousness, in the business of justification and salvation; let him deny himself the pleasures and profits of this world, when in competition with Christ; let him drop and banish all his notions and expectations of an earthly kingdom, and worldly grandeur, and think of nothing but reproach, persecution, and death, for the sake of his Lord and Master: and

take up his cross; cheerfully receive, and patiently bear, every affliction and evil, however shameful and painful it may be, which is appointed for him, and he is called unto; which is his peculiar cross, as every Christian has his own; to which he should quietly submit, and carry, with an entire resignation to the will of God, in imitation of his Lord:

and follow me; in the exercise of grace, as humility, zeal, patience, and self-denial; and in the discharge of every duty, moral, or evangelical; and through sufferings and death, to his kingdom and glory. The allusion is, to Christ's bearing his own cross, and Simeon's carrying it after him, which afterwards came to pass. John Gill comm.

See also: Num_14:24; 1Ki_14:8; Luk_14:26, Luk_18:22; Joh_10:27, Joh_13:36-37, Joh_21:19-20; Heb_13:13; 2Pe_1:14; 1Jn_3:16

Whether we be an everyday person, a pilgrim in the world, or a preacher/teacher of the gospel, we will find ourselves an outcast, in opposition to this world, swimming upstream against the tide of the wickedness, sin, and rebellion in people's hearts. Don't expect applause, and if it comes, don't pay any attention to it.

People are fickle. They'll praise you today, and reject you tomorrow-if you say something that goes against the sins, habits, and desires they enjoy in their life. Follow Jesus, wherever He leads. If your called to preach/teach; preach it in sincerity, not seeking the praise of men. Our rewards await us, when this life is done.

My hearts desire is to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant", when the door to this life is closed.
Lorna Couillard

The bible describes the path of the wicked. There's no shortage of this in these last days. As in Jesus' day, they will watch your every move to find a fault, a flaw, a mistake-in order to catch you in your words or actions. These people will set up situations to try to do just that. 

Their life revolves around how they can achieve, and party. The two go hand in hand-the work to achieve is for social status. The partying is to appease the lusts and endless pursuits of pleasure. The end-results of this party life is not talked about, but avoided. The life cycle of the wicked are like those who chase the wind. There's a poem I've written that talks about this below.

Let's go into the scriptures that talk about the life of the wicked. Isaiah gives a graphic picture of the wicked, in deed, and heart:

Isa 48:22  There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. 

Isa 57:20-21  Isa 57:20  But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

Isaiah emphasizes the truth of the fate of those who live in sin and enjoy it for a season. 

In reality, they never know peace, because their minds and hands are working consistently to devise some form of corruption. Everything they touch and try to accomplish comes to nothing, because it is born from evil intentions.
Everything they accomplish becomes a millstone, a heavy burden; and the fruit of their hands comes to ruin.

Pro 4:14  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 
Pro 4:15  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 
Pro 4:16  For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 
Pro 4:17  For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

How many times has this proven to be true, and we've read articles, and news accounts of those who had it all-the millionaires' who seem to have everything anyone could want, but end up losing everything, go bankrupt, and many times end in violent death-because of the wickedness they have been involved in. I never envy those who seem to have everything they want-I realize that it's very likely they've been involved in some shady deals, and have ruined other people's lives to get where they are. All people with a lot of money aren't like this-but many are. 

God tells of their rewards:

Isa 3:11  Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
In essence, the evil they devise for others, will turn and come back to them, multiplied.

Psalm 37 also speaks of the end of the wicked:
In the first verse we are given encouragement, and told how to respond to those who devise evil;
Psa 37:1  A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 
Psa 37:2  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 
Psa 37:3  Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 
Psa 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
Psa 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 
Psa 37:6  And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 
Psa 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 
Psa 37:8  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 
Psa 37:9  For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 
Psa 37:10  For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 
Psa 37:11  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 
Psa 37:12  The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 
Psa 37:13  The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

The people of God need not fret, but can rest, knowing that those who have made it their business to trouble you will get their just rewards-we need not attempt to do anything, He will exact proper justice.
Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

                                                         A SURE CURE FOR FRETTING
This is an acrostic psalm, grappling with the problem of the inequality of human life and the apparent failure of God to reward His servants and punish His enemies as they deserve. Life and immortality, where we know that the balance will be readjusted, had not then been brought to light, and therefore the solution was far harder before the advent of our Lord than for us.
But though the psalmist’s solution is therefore not complete, his teaching of the blessedness of absolute trust in God’s providence is very delightful. Fret not thyself; that is, do not give way to passionate resentment or bitter disappointment. Live in God; find your delight in contemplating His nature and His works; roll on Him the decision of your life-choices; trust in Him to supply all your need and work in your behalf. Be silent and rest.
How dramatically this picture of the happy, restful child of God is contrasted with the wicked and his certain doom-like barren pastures scorched by heat, or thin smoke-columns vanishing in the air! “Wait and trust."  F.B. Meyer comm.

                                                                CHASING THE WIND

The eyes begin to flutter
A beam of light hits the closed lids
It's the morning after the party last night
Funny-can't remember when it ended.

Opening the eyes, the room looks unfamiliar
A faint memory of going along to someone's else's place
"We'll pick up where we left off-my place is bigger"
We picked up and followed along-why not-we had no plans

The booze and weed had already done it's job
We were feeling no pain-and the road was our playground
Tree branches to hang the beer and wine cans on-
like Christmas ornaments
Let's see how deep we can make the ruts and skids-weaving in and out in a snake pattern as we go-Oh, what fun

Now we had more room to keep the party going-and trade toys-both games and people
What a night-it was a blast-just went from one thing
To another-some faded out-we just kept going
Long into the night-until the craving for sleep won
Funny-can't remember exactly when

The aroma of coffee seeps into the room
Yes, time to rouse the body up-get some java-and out to work
earn another payday-to have a repeat of the blast of the past
Yes, it's a rat race, a cycle without an end
The people may be different-and the toys as well-but the outcome is a sure thing

Gazing out the window-eyes focus through the beams of light
watching the branches and leaves bent from the wind-reaching forth-
as if to grasp
But, like the web of this life-reaching in futility-for eternal purpose
Striving forth-but empty handed-chasing the wind

Some images of the results of the party life...