Is it true that blondes have more fun?  It depends on if it is a good hair day!

If I were to tell you that I am a blonde, that is true, for today, but what is also true about me is that my roots grow out brown. Are the facts true? Do the facts change the Truth? An important and interesting distinction! What is actually true about my appearance or character is subject to change.  Just like all people, Christians do change, we age, we change our minds, our likes, preferences and even our beliefs can change… because a human’s mind can easily be persuaded!  Jesus knows us and He knows how the mind of humanity tends to be tickled by the latest news.  When humans disappoint us, we may choose to withhold love and kindness from them, or even avoid them.  The difference between me and ‘Truth’ is that Truth never withholds love or kindness based on human behavior, or for any reason.  Jesus is the Truth and He never avoids us, He loves us even when we fear we have been a disappointment to Him.  As a human what I thought was true about someone may get altered by way of gossip, or hearsay.  However, as a Christian, we are called to be an Ambassador of reconciliation regardless of what we hear about a person.  A follower of Jesus knows that we are all leaders, our light disperses darkness. As we ask, we receive direction, and the Wisdom of God gives us words to speak and actions to take…or He might say “Be still and know that I am God”. Today I was privileged to join in a conversation about the Spiritual battle that is raging right NOW! The nightly news, social media, and many forms of the best technology infiltrates and persuades minds of the lost and the faithful to ask a disturbing question “what is wrong with these people?”. A better question “How can I pray for these people?”  Evil can be seen and heard by just eavesdropping on divisive conversations at a food court, in church, at home, or anywhere that people gather and ‘parrot’ or repeat with cynicism what is on the news…and whose side they are on. Sarcasm or cynicism does not UNITE us in Christ. “they have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.” Col 2:19 —The news is a list of facts about….the latest massacre, who is to blame, and of course a nation’s political polar opposite commentary on those facts. There is a BIG difference between what is TRUE and who is Truth! It is true that I get aggravated at times, that I am opinionated, selfish at times and the list goes on about a truism about me. However, the Truth is, that in spite of all my true short comings, I am beloved of God. I have been chosen, adopted, and grafted “in” with the most High King, Jesus Christ, Who is the Truth, the Way and the Life. My God is the One who holds the entire universe together.“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Eph 4:16. The letter to the Ephesians in chapter 6:10 is a relevant battle plan to prepare US for the vast range of warfare that the Devil cunningly employs today. Paul was using the common reference of Rome’s legions of soldiers walking along the main highway of Ephesus when he spoke about putting on the armor of God so that one could stand against the WORLD powers and forces of evil. Paul’s audience was familiar with the attire of a soldier. Paul was asking them and us to rely on the Truth, on the Messiah, Jesus Christ for our strength. Rome’s soldiers wore a tunic with a 5 inch wide belt that was cinched tight about their waist. Attached to their belt were weapons of destruction. Paul reminded them “For our battle is NOT against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” Eph 6:12 HCSB. The ruler of the darkness is Satan, and his priority is to seek and destroy the faith of the followers of Jesus. Paul warns us to BE STRENGTHENED by the unmatched strength of Jesus — for the victory is held by Who is in us. As we cling to the Truth, and do NOT depart from it…we are blessed. HOW? We are equipped and ENABLED by God to resist the Devil’s deceitful ways during these unprecedented evil days. “Stand, therefore, with Truth like a belt around your waist.” Eph 6:14 – What does it mean to wrap Jesus tight around your waist like a belt? Have you ever seen a mother at Walmart with a leash on her kid?  We are to hold on to the FAITH we have been given, and NOT stray away! Do NOT be persuaded by the Devil to denounce the power of Jesus to overcome this world and the lies that it spreads about the Truth, the Way and the Life. Claim the righteousness He gave you through His sacrifice. Let that Truth protect your heart when insults are hurled. Let your feet be ready to run the race set before you for His glory, the gospel of peace. In every conversation let your lips utter words from the Spirit within, knowing that the FAITH you were given is sufficient to extinguish all that Satan throws at you. Listen to what the Spirit is saying and protect your mind by closing out anything that contradicts the Truth.  Your salvation through Jesus is secure. The Word of God is alive and powerful like a two edged sword, and it slays Satan.  For every trick the evil sleuth plays…he falls flat with a losing thud by just a single word from Truth!  We are NOT sisters and brothers in defeat, but we are sons and daughters of Victory! “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 For we can all laugh at the days to come and praise God because He is on the throne, in charge and coming soon! “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Prov 31:25

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 — Be set apart, give love to all.