As I mowed my lawn after work yesterday (the day after the massacre that took place in Charleston, SC), more white folk than usual smiled at me. This time, instead of only the husband giving a nod, both husband & wife smiled warmly. Another guy who always walks his dog (who I discern to be a bit behaviorally odd at times) made certain that I caught his warm smile. Joggers who are usually simply concerned with getting the exercise “done” (as I too would be) all looked at me with very warm smiles. (Well, except one overweight guy huffing & puffing one way, who had to walk the rest of the way back.) These acts of kindness are far more tolerable than complete strangers invading my personal space, putting their arm around me to proclaim their belief that “Black Lives Matter”. What I clearly understood was that these desired that I not lump them together with the one of their race who’d bowed his knee to Satan – the enemy of God (who is necessarily the enemy of all who’ve been rendered God’s sons & daughters through Jesus the Anointed One). Nevertheless, Satan is a defeated foe because JESUS defeated him at the cross for mankind’s benefit. Therefore, it’s recommended . . . yea, strongly suggested to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18).

There’s a bottom line to life on earth. Man was created for God’s (always) good purpose; and the devil sends his cohorts to put a stop to as much as a human will allow by taking Satan’s bait. Two voices are constantly speaking to you and I. Awareness of the character of God, Who’ll never tell you to harm self or others (not to be confused with soldiers ordained of God), is to know His voice. Discernment increases as your personal relationship with God the Father through Christ Jesus develops by the powerful teaching of the Holy Spirit. So too, the ability to hear God’s direction on a daily basis for God is for you even in the little things. None is permitted to mock God. Just like those who were first chosen by God became “stiff-necked”, this Nation which chose God has become “stiff-necked” in claiming allegiance to God but behaving contrary to His Will. Our leaders, place one hand on the WORD of God, and with the other hand enact laws clearly stated in God’s WORD as abomination, that which stinks in His nostrils. It’s true that we’re not to judge, yet we are to recognize good fruit from bad fruit. Therefore, it’s also true that sons & daughters of God aren’t obligated to “go along” with anything contrary to the way of God (which includes any aspect of hate). Know that the Sovereign LORD God Almighty is just, and He will indeed judge. God is not dead.