Giving God the respect He is due for blessing America
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
This is a video that I posted on YouTube about a dishonored American Flag that I rescued from the side of the road in Alvord, Texas on April 21, 2014 while driving my pest control route.
I would like to see this video go viral... Not so I can merely say that I have a video on YouTube that went viral. This isn't about me. This is about respect for the Colors of the United States of America. Please LIKE, Share and Comment on this video and make sure people see it. I found an American Flag on the roadside in Alvord, Texas yesterday while driving my pest control route. I took it and attempted to clean the flag so that it could fly with honor and dignity and there was just too much mold and stains all over it. I cleaned it as much as I could, folded it correctly and will frame it on my wall. Again, this is not about me. This is a cause much greater than me. This is about respecting the American Flag and teaching our children to do the same!
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Chosing to follow Christ
Though none go with me still I will follow
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
As time goes on in life, people draw a line as to which path they choose. There are only two absolutes in paths. One can either choose to follow Christ, or they choose to reject Him. He told His disciples that if they reject Him before man, He would reject them before His Father in Heaven. That in mind, my path is chosen. I chose Christ on July 13, 1992. I chose Him, not just so I could avoid hell and still live as I please. I chose Him because He chose me first and I saw a need for His intervention in the path my life was going.
Make no mistake about it, because of the sin that I was comfortable in within my life, I deserved hell and condemnation. Had I lost my life in Operation Desert Storm in '91, I would have ended up there. I am now merely a messenger that is on a mission to take as many people with me to the gates of Heaven as I possibly can. I routinely witness to people openly seeking and those that aren't sure what is "up there." God puts them in my life so that I can share my testimony with them so that they will be encouraged to follow Christ as well.
To be successful, I have to be open and willing to be led by the spirit to share with these folks. My life, as a servant to the living God is one that can definitely have ups and downs, but one thing is for sure, God is either walking right there beside me, or He is carrying me. When I am met with an opportunity to witness to someone seeking, I have the ministerial obligation to be as frank and honest as possible. If a person asks me a question, they had better be prepared for the absolute truth from me. Now, I am tactful in my answers, but I am honest as well. I have to be, otherwise I would grieve the Holy Spirit.
Often times when I am blatantly honest, I have been accused of judging someone. Hey, if you ask me about weather smoking is a sin and I say that the Bible says that we are to please God in all things, I'm merely quoting scriptures. If I ask them if they think that God is pleased when they light up a cigarette, that isn't me judging them in a condemning way. They are bringing judgment and condemnation on themselves by getting offended, because they knew the answer before they asked it if they really looked at themselves first.
We often times try to justify our sinful ways by saying, "Nobody is perfect. Everyone sins every day; Christian or not."
To say that is to believe that we can not go one single day without sinning. Let me submit to the reader that this is a lie from Satan himself. If we are in Christ, we are a new creature. Behold, all things are past away and all things have become new. We were baptized into Christ's death and are dead to sin as well. If we are dead to sin, how can we live in it any longer.
Romans 6-
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
As time goes on in life, people draw a line as to which path they choose. There are only two absolutes in paths. One can either choose to follow Christ, or they choose to reject Him. He told His disciples that if they reject Him before man, He would reject them before His Father in Heaven. That in mind, my path is chosen. I chose Christ on July 13, 1992. I chose Him, not just so I could avoid hell and still live as I please. I chose Him because He chose me first and I saw a need for His intervention in the path my life was going.
Make no mistake about it, because of the sin that I was comfortable in within my life, I deserved hell and condemnation. Had I lost my life in Operation Desert Storm in '91, I would have ended up there. I am now merely a messenger that is on a mission to take as many people with me to the gates of Heaven as I possibly can. I routinely witness to people openly seeking and those that aren't sure what is "up there." God puts them in my life so that I can share my testimony with them so that they will be encouraged to follow Christ as well.
To be successful, I have to be open and willing to be led by the spirit to share with these folks. My life, as a servant to the living God is one that can definitely have ups and downs, but one thing is for sure, God is either walking right there beside me, or He is carrying me. When I am met with an opportunity to witness to someone seeking, I have the ministerial obligation to be as frank and honest as possible. If a person asks me a question, they had better be prepared for the absolute truth from me. Now, I am tactful in my answers, but I am honest as well. I have to be, otherwise I would grieve the Holy Spirit.
Often times when I am blatantly honest, I have been accused of judging someone. Hey, if you ask me about weather smoking is a sin and I say that the Bible says that we are to please God in all things, I'm merely quoting scriptures. If I ask them if they think that God is pleased when they light up a cigarette, that isn't me judging them in a condemning way. They are bringing judgment and condemnation on themselves by getting offended, because they knew the answer before they asked it if they really looked at themselves first.
We often times try to justify our sinful ways by saying, "Nobody is perfect. Everyone sins every day; Christian or not."
To say that is to believe that we can not go one single day without sinning. Let me submit to the reader that this is a lie from Satan himself. If we are in Christ, we are a new creature. Behold, all things are past away and all things have become new. We were baptized into Christ's death and are dead to sin as well. If we are dead to sin, how can we live in it any longer.
Romans 6-
It is very possible to go through a whole day without committing one sin. We in and of ourselves can not, but through the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible. And who knows? If we go one day, then work really hard at going two days in a row, before you know it, you have made a habit out of going through the day without sinning. It is very hard and against our nature, but let me remind you, if you are in Christ, you are dead to sin and baptized to newness of life. Reach out and claim victory in Him.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Love languages that break down walls
How we woo the hearts of those we love
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
When we step outside ourselves and take a good look inside our hearts, we can get a great idea of how others perceive our outward expressions toward them. God gave us each little buttons in our senses, that when pushed, others are either let in if they like what they have received from someone, or they can block a person out if what they have received is not pleasant or welcomed. We do a lot of things for one another for show, but when we really break through the emotional inhibitions, we achieve success is reciprocating our true loving feelings for someone.
I am in a McDonald's restaurant right now while I am typing this. I witnessed a man walk up to the counter and absolutely berate a young lady because she wasn't sure what he was ordering. most of the food at McDonald's is specifically made at McDonald's standard procedure, unlike Burger King, who makes their food specifically as the customer orders it. McDonald's is beginning to make variations to their menu selections, but those orders are very few and far between. Everyone who has been to McDonald's knows this.
The man that was ordering spoke very harshly to the young lady behind the counter, as though she were beneath him and ignorant. The very next gentleman who was behind the harsh man in line, told the young lady, "Don't worry ma'am, I will make mine simple and very pleasant for you." As he made his order, the lady smiled and thanked him, instead of cowering away and hoping like crazy she didn't get it wrong.
The two languages demonstrated here of delivery in food orders show the vast difference between selfish, demanding, condescending signs of expectations, and humble, understanding, compassionate display of spiritual understanding. Neither gentlemen even noticed that someone in the background was paying attention. They both did what came natural when met with their fellow man. One was most likely a businessman who has several subordinates under him and is used to exerting his authority with a "yes sir" response. The other simply humbled himself and went out of his way to make the order simple for the young lady.
1 Samuel 2:3
3"Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
Proverbs 8:13
13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs 11:2
2When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10
10Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Proverbs 16:18
18Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 29:23
23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
8The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Isaiah 2:11
11The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
Obadiah 1:3
3The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?'
2 Corinthians 12:20
20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
We should remember that when we exalt ourselves and puff ourselves up to the level of God, we bring ourselves down, because only God is perfect. When we exert our high and mighty position on others because of their shortcomings, we are forgetting that we too are imperfect and make mistakes that could make things not-so-pleasant for others. When we humble ourselves and exalt God in our speech and the way we treat others, we are showing a love language that is approved by God.
When we expect perfection from our spouses and children, despite the fact that we ourselves are imperfect, we lessen the chances to grow in love and understanding with our loved-ones and with God. When we seek the desires of those we love in how we react with them and impact their lives, we have it revealed to us what also woos our heart when we are in need of a special word of affirmation, a touch of gentleness and an embrace of tenderheartedness. That sink full of dishes that are washed after dinner so that the wife doesn't have to, tells her, "Thank you for such a wonderful dinner, relax, I can manage the dishes while you take a hot, relaxing bath.
Giving your husband time out to go fishing or hunting or doing something he enjoys is like telling him, "Go have fun with the guys, I can handle the kids for the after noon, and I trust you.
It's things like this that show love and appreciation that you vowed to one another that goes much farther than expecting more than we give. God hears that language as well and sends blessings that bring out the desire to continue to grow as a steward with the spouse and children that He entrusted us with in the first place.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
When we step outside ourselves and take a good look inside our hearts, we can get a great idea of how others perceive our outward expressions toward them. God gave us each little buttons in our senses, that when pushed, others are either let in if they like what they have received from someone, or they can block a person out if what they have received is not pleasant or welcomed. We do a lot of things for one another for show, but when we really break through the emotional inhibitions, we achieve success is reciprocating our true loving feelings for someone.
I am in a McDonald's restaurant right now while I am typing this. I witnessed a man walk up to the counter and absolutely berate a young lady because she wasn't sure what he was ordering. most of the food at McDonald's is specifically made at McDonald's standard procedure, unlike Burger King, who makes their food specifically as the customer orders it. McDonald's is beginning to make variations to their menu selections, but those orders are very few and far between. Everyone who has been to McDonald's knows this.
The man that was ordering spoke very harshly to the young lady behind the counter, as though she were beneath him and ignorant. The very next gentleman who was behind the harsh man in line, told the young lady, "Don't worry ma'am, I will make mine simple and very pleasant for you." As he made his order, the lady smiled and thanked him, instead of cowering away and hoping like crazy she didn't get it wrong.
The two languages demonstrated here of delivery in food orders show the vast difference between selfish, demanding, condescending signs of expectations, and humble, understanding, compassionate display of spiritual understanding. Neither gentlemen even noticed that someone in the background was paying attention. They both did what came natural when met with their fellow man. One was most likely a businessman who has several subordinates under him and is used to exerting his authority with a "yes sir" response. The other simply humbled himself and went out of his way to make the order simple for the young lady.
1 Samuel 2:3
3"Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
Proverbs 8:13
13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs 11:2
2When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10
10Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Proverbs 16:18
18Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 29:23
23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
8The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Isaiah 2:11
11The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
Obadiah 1:3
3The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?'
2 Corinthians 12:20
20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
We should remember that when we exalt ourselves and puff ourselves up to the level of God, we bring ourselves down, because only God is perfect. When we exert our high and mighty position on others because of their shortcomings, we are forgetting that we too are imperfect and make mistakes that could make things not-so-pleasant for others. When we humble ourselves and exalt God in our speech and the way we treat others, we are showing a love language that is approved by God.
When we expect perfection from our spouses and children, despite the fact that we ourselves are imperfect, we lessen the chances to grow in love and understanding with our loved-ones and with God. When we seek the desires of those we love in how we react with them and impact their lives, we have it revealed to us what also woos our heart when we are in need of a special word of affirmation, a touch of gentleness and an embrace of tenderheartedness. That sink full of dishes that are washed after dinner so that the wife doesn't have to, tells her, "Thank you for such a wonderful dinner, relax, I can manage the dishes while you take a hot, relaxing bath.
Giving your husband time out to go fishing or hunting or doing something he enjoys is like telling him, "Go have fun with the guys, I can handle the kids for the after noon, and I trust you.
It's things like this that show love and appreciation that you vowed to one another that goes much farther than expecting more than we give. God hears that language as well and sends blessings that bring out the desire to continue to grow as a steward with the spouse and children that He entrusted us with in the first place.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
Friday, March 14, 2014
Letting bitterness kill the grace of God
What happens when pride eats away at our hearts
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
Hebrews 12:15 - Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;
God's grace is given to us to make it through the hard times, so that we appreciate Him in the good times. He does this to strengthen our faith so that others may see God's grace working in our lives. When we encounter other people that come in and out of our lives, it can sometimes be a good thing, and it can sometimes be very trying on our patience.
Then there are those that God connects us to in our lives, such as family members, that can push us to our very limit. It's times like that in which we need to remember that we aren't perfect either, and there are times when we have made lives of others hard by our differences. But sometimes, it's easier to remember all of that in hindsight.
Micah 7:5-6 - Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
God's grace extends past the personality differences that have been known to split up families when they grieve the spirit of God and give way to the devil. Bitterness builds up between friends over love triangles, envy over possessions, misunderstood words, and sometimes blunt honesty. When we allow bitterness to come into our relationships, that bitterness kills God's grace. That prideful bitterness is the only thing that we possess that can kill the grace of God; at least as far as receiving it ourselves goes. The good thing is that when we can kill God's grace from coming upon us through our bitterness, we can't stop it from blessing others.
God's grace is a gift. We can either accept it or refuse it. It's like a door. We have to be the one to choose to go through that door, or walk away from it. But one thing is for sure, God's grace is sufficient. Why we would see what is on the other side of that door, when we face it, and reject what is inside holds no logic. An eternity of never being lonely again, and having hope and a solid direction in our lives waits on the other side of that door. A friend that sticks closer than a brother waits on the other side of that door. When we refuse to forgive those who we hold bitterness against, we are basically telling God, "After what they did to me, they don't deserve my forgiveness."
Matthew 6:15 - But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
There is not a greater slap to the face of Jesus, who died on the cross for forgiveness of our sins, than to tell someone that they aren't worthy of your forgiveness. God placed us on this earth together for the sake of relationships and fellowship with one another, and to please Him in all we do. Which would be more pleasing to God; to sever ties with an individual because of something that can be forgiven and moved past, or treat each other with the love and respect that we would want to be treated with as well? As for me and my house, we will please the Lord.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - The Wise Conservative
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
Hebrews 12:15 - Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;
God's grace is given to us to make it through the hard times, so that we appreciate Him in the good times. He does this to strengthen our faith so that others may see God's grace working in our lives. When we encounter other people that come in and out of our lives, it can sometimes be a good thing, and it can sometimes be very trying on our patience.
Then there are those that God connects us to in our lives, such as family members, that can push us to our very limit. It's times like that in which we need to remember that we aren't perfect either, and there are times when we have made lives of others hard by our differences. But sometimes, it's easier to remember all of that in hindsight.
Micah 7:5-6 - Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
God's grace extends past the personality differences that have been known to split up families when they grieve the spirit of God and give way to the devil. Bitterness builds up between friends over love triangles, envy over possessions, misunderstood words, and sometimes blunt honesty. When we allow bitterness to come into our relationships, that bitterness kills God's grace. That prideful bitterness is the only thing that we possess that can kill the grace of God; at least as far as receiving it ourselves goes. The good thing is that when we can kill God's grace from coming upon us through our bitterness, we can't stop it from blessing others.
God's grace is a gift. We can either accept it or refuse it. It's like a door. We have to be the one to choose to go through that door, or walk away from it. But one thing is for sure, God's grace is sufficient. Why we would see what is on the other side of that door, when we face it, and reject what is inside holds no logic. An eternity of never being lonely again, and having hope and a solid direction in our lives waits on the other side of that door. A friend that sticks closer than a brother waits on the other side of that door. When we refuse to forgive those who we hold bitterness against, we are basically telling God, "After what they did to me, they don't deserve my forgiveness."
Matthew 6:15 - But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
There is not a greater slap to the face of Jesus, who died on the cross for forgiveness of our sins, than to tell someone that they aren't worthy of your forgiveness. God placed us on this earth together for the sake of relationships and fellowship with one another, and to please Him in all we do. Which would be more pleasing to God; to sever ties with an individual because of something that can be forgiven and moved past, or treat each other with the love and respect that we would want to be treated with as well? As for me and my house, we will please the Lord.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - The Wise Conservative
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
The Valley of Megiddo
In the Hebrew tongue: Armageddon
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
The Valley of Megiddo, also called the Plain of Esdraelon, or the Plain of Jezreel in in Northern Israel between the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. The battle of Armageddon, according to the prophesy of the Apostle John in Revelation, will be fought in this region. In fact, in the Hebrew language, Megiddo is translated as Armageddon.
All of the world's armies will gather to attempt to overthrow the Antichrist, in which the Antichrist will turn the battle around and wipe the Jews from the face of the earth. From there, Jesus and His armies will appear in the East of the valley and bring judgment to the armies and the Antichrist.
Revelation 16:16-21
As you have read from me in the past, God has a standard that will not be mocked, second guessed or assumed upon without judgment. At Armageddon (Megiddo), God will pour His wrath out on all man-kind for the last time before opening the abyss of Hell and condemning Satan and his demons for all time in the second death. In this same time, all of the people of the history of the world who have rejected God and Jesus, will be cast into the lake of fire after their judgment.
Many say, "A loving God will not send the people He loves to hell."
That is partially true to some extent, depending on one's point-of-view. God does not send a person to hell for no reason. Man is an intruder in hell. Hell was intended for Satan and his demons. However, on the last day at the Great White Judgment Throne of God when each non-believer is judged according to whether or not their name is in the Lamb's Book of Life, there will be people that we know and millions to billions more that will be cast into the lake of fire.
God is holy. He can not be in the presence of sin. Once the church has been called away in the great disappearance (the rapture), their chances of receiving salvation are gone, despite what the movies say. A non-believer, who is dead in their trespasses, will have no other place to go but hell, as their rejection of God and Jesus, the Messiah has condemned them alone. To blame God for their condemnation is to say that He is to blame for the sin in their life.
People, we have to start taking responsibility for the decisions that we make and the paths that we choose to take in life. There is way too much comfort in sin going on in today's society, and way too many people justifying their sin with the philosophy that today's society is different than the society in Jesus' time. Actually, things are really much the same. The quality of life, technology and lifestyles in general have advanced, but there was still a great deal of comfort, self-entitlement and self-centered justification in sin in the mass population back then as well. Granted, there were stiff criminal penalties for some of the lifestyles from that era, which contributes to the loosely held philosophy by many; but the comfort in sin was still present. They have had their time to turn to the will of God. If they failed to do so, they will have to answer to God for their lack of faith in Him.
It is evident, however, that as long as there is breath in a person's lungs, a heart beating in their hearts and life left in their veins, they still have a chance to put their faith in the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Failure to do so, will unfortunately place many people at the Valley of Megiddo for the battle of Armageddon. This is one war that God does not want us as people to participate in, neither does He want us to be in the situation where He has to tell us, "Depart from me, you who work iniquity, I never knew you."
It is not God's will that anyone be lost and condemned to hell. The Bible says, "Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." That scripture applies to all of man-kind. There is none that is alive, will be alive, or ever was alive that was not intended to share in the love, acceptance, and salvation of the Lord as the bride of Christ. We, the church, have the greatest opportunity of all to secure the futures of millions and millions of people for Christ, as the great commission is to "Go into all the world and make disciples of nations."
What is the ministry that God has called you to? What is it's mission for saving people from the lake of fire and empowering them with the word of God to stand against the wiles of the devil and avoid the battle that infinitely belongs to the Lord? Make it a meaningful one and send it to the world around you in such a way that you start out acting locally, thinking globally. It has to start somewhere. Where it goes from there, depends on where you stand in the will of God.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
The Valley of Megiddo, also called the Plain of Esdraelon, or the Plain of Jezreel in in Northern Israel between the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. The battle of Armageddon, according to the prophesy of the Apostle John in Revelation, will be fought in this region. In fact, in the Hebrew language, Megiddo is translated as Armageddon.
All of the world's armies will gather to attempt to overthrow the Antichrist, in which the Antichrist will turn the battle around and wipe the Jews from the face of the earth. From there, Jesus and His armies will appear in the East of the valley and bring judgment to the armies and the Antichrist.
Revelation 16:16-21
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,[a] fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.As you have read from me in the past, God has a standard that will not be mocked, second guessed or assumed upon without judgment. At Armageddon (Megiddo), God will pour His wrath out on all man-kind for the last time before opening the abyss of Hell and condemning Satan and his demons for all time in the second death. In this same time, all of the people of the history of the world who have rejected God and Jesus, will be cast into the lake of fire after their judgment.
Many say, "A loving God will not send the people He loves to hell."
That is partially true to some extent, depending on one's point-of-view. God does not send a person to hell for no reason. Man is an intruder in hell. Hell was intended for Satan and his demons. However, on the last day at the Great White Judgment Throne of God when each non-believer is judged according to whether or not their name is in the Lamb's Book of Life, there will be people that we know and millions to billions more that will be cast into the lake of fire.
God is holy. He can not be in the presence of sin. Once the church has been called away in the great disappearance (the rapture), their chances of receiving salvation are gone, despite what the movies say. A non-believer, who is dead in their trespasses, will have no other place to go but hell, as their rejection of God and Jesus, the Messiah has condemned them alone. To blame God for their condemnation is to say that He is to blame for the sin in their life.
People, we have to start taking responsibility for the decisions that we make and the paths that we choose to take in life. There is way too much comfort in sin going on in today's society, and way too many people justifying their sin with the philosophy that today's society is different than the society in Jesus' time. Actually, things are really much the same. The quality of life, technology and lifestyles in general have advanced, but there was still a great deal of comfort, self-entitlement and self-centered justification in sin in the mass population back then as well. Granted, there were stiff criminal penalties for some of the lifestyles from that era, which contributes to the loosely held philosophy by many; but the comfort in sin was still present. They have had their time to turn to the will of God. If they failed to do so, they will have to answer to God for their lack of faith in Him.
It is evident, however, that as long as there is breath in a person's lungs, a heart beating in their hearts and life left in their veins, they still have a chance to put their faith in the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Failure to do so, will unfortunately place many people at the Valley of Megiddo for the battle of Armageddon. This is one war that God does not want us as people to participate in, neither does He want us to be in the situation where He has to tell us, "Depart from me, you who work iniquity, I never knew you."
It is not God's will that anyone be lost and condemned to hell. The Bible says, "Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." That scripture applies to all of man-kind. There is none that is alive, will be alive, or ever was alive that was not intended to share in the love, acceptance, and salvation of the Lord as the bride of Christ. We, the church, have the greatest opportunity of all to secure the futures of millions and millions of people for Christ, as the great commission is to "Go into all the world and make disciples of nations."
What is the ministry that God has called you to? What is it's mission for saving people from the lake of fire and empowering them with the word of God to stand against the wiles of the devil and avoid the battle that infinitely belongs to the Lord? Make it a meaningful one and send it to the world around you in such a way that you start out acting locally, thinking globally. It has to start somewhere. Where it goes from there, depends on where you stand in the will of God.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
Monday, February 17, 2014
The Valley of Mizpah
The "Watchtower" of God over a divided Israel
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
Genesis 31:48-50
48Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me this day." Therefore it was named Galeed, 49and Mizpah, for he said, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. 50"If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us, see, God is witness between you and me."
Judges 11:10-12
10The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD is witness between us; surely we will do as you have said." 11Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and chief over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD at Mizpah. 12Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, "What is between you and me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?"
Hosea 5:1-2
1Hear this, O priests! Give heed, O house of Israel! Listen, O house of the king! For the judgment applies to you, For you have been a snare at Mizpah And a net spread out on Tabor. 2The revolters have gone deep in depravity, But I will chastise all of them."
Judges 11:29-30
29Now the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, so that he passed through Gilead and Manasseh; then he passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he went on to the sons of Ammon. 30Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, "If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand,"
In Israel's very checkered past, God was witness to dissension, spilt of tribes, brother betraying brother, an entire race disobeying God and breaking their covenant and the ultimate betrayal of His only Son, Jesus, as the Jews called for His crucifixion. The Valley of Mizpah is the region just north of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The tribes of Benjamin inhabited the region of Mizpah.
In scripture, the events surrounding the valley seemed to constantly involve division or separation of tribes through betrayal and a lack of brotherly love for one another, unlike God commanded of them. The valley's elevation at its highest point is 6,047-feet; certainly high enough for it's leaders to watch over the land and maintain the peace of its citizens from attacks from enemy tribes. However, it was the betrayal from within that the people in the region needed to worry about the most.
In that the region saw much division among its people, it was also the place of many a victory over the enemies of Israel such as is spoken of in Joshua 11:7-9
"7 So Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly at the Waters of Merom and attacked them, 8 and the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel. They defeated them and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon, to Misrephoth Maim, and to the Valley of Mizpah on the east, until no survivors were left. 9 Joshua did to them as the Lord had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots."
Joshua was a great military leader of Israel after Moses died and God put him in charge. Joshua also won victories in battle against enemies such as Jericho, Ai, the Amorite kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish , Eglon and Gibeon. God gave Joshua the gift if immortality in battle and allowed him to live a long, successful life as the leader of Israel. Joshua died at 110-years-old.
The battle in the Valley of Mizpah was one of Joshua's and Israel's most celebrated victories. What battles are you facing in life? The Lord of Lords is seated at His "Watchtower" at a point much higher than the Valley of Mizpah, and is ever interceding in the lives of His chosen people, whom He has called and has set apart as a holy race of royalty in His name, for His glory. One might say that the power that He gave Joshua over his enemies, God is also offering to you this very day. It is no accident that you are reading this. God ordains everything that we do for His purpose, in His timing.
Call on God today to help you through whatever trials you are facing. He will help you and keep you from going down in defeat, and under in retreat. God will stand with you, carry you and sustain you as He carries you through it all!
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
Genesis 31:48-50
48Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me this day." Therefore it was named Galeed, 49and Mizpah, for he said, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. 50"If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us, see, God is witness between you and me."
Judges 11:10-12
10The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD is witness between us; surely we will do as you have said." 11Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and chief over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD at Mizpah. 12Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, "What is between you and me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?"
Hosea 5:1-2
1Hear this, O priests! Give heed, O house of Israel! Listen, O house of the king! For the judgment applies to you, For you have been a snare at Mizpah And a net spread out on Tabor. 2The revolters have gone deep in depravity, But I will chastise all of them."
Judges 11:29-30
29Now the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, so that he passed through Gilead and Manasseh; then he passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he went on to the sons of Ammon. 30Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, "If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand,"
In Israel's very checkered past, God was witness to dissension, spilt of tribes, brother betraying brother, an entire race disobeying God and breaking their covenant and the ultimate betrayal of His only Son, Jesus, as the Jews called for His crucifixion. The Valley of Mizpah is the region just north of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The tribes of Benjamin inhabited the region of Mizpah.
In scripture, the events surrounding the valley seemed to constantly involve division or separation of tribes through betrayal and a lack of brotherly love for one another, unlike God commanded of them. The valley's elevation at its highest point is 6,047-feet; certainly high enough for it's leaders to watch over the land and maintain the peace of its citizens from attacks from enemy tribes. However, it was the betrayal from within that the people in the region needed to worry about the most.
In that the region saw much division among its people, it was also the place of many a victory over the enemies of Israel such as is spoken of in Joshua 11:7-9
"7 So Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly at the Waters of Merom and attacked them, 8 and the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel. They defeated them and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon, to Misrephoth Maim, and to the Valley of Mizpah on the east, until no survivors were left. 9 Joshua did to them as the Lord had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots."
Joshua was a great military leader of Israel after Moses died and God put him in charge. Joshua also won victories in battle against enemies such as Jericho, Ai, the Amorite kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish , Eglon and Gibeon. God gave Joshua the gift if immortality in battle and allowed him to live a long, successful life as the leader of Israel. Joshua died at 110-years-old.
The battle in the Valley of Mizpah was one of Joshua's and Israel's most celebrated victories. What battles are you facing in life? The Lord of Lords is seated at His "Watchtower" at a point much higher than the Valley of Mizpah, and is ever interceding in the lives of His chosen people, whom He has called and has set apart as a holy race of royalty in His name, for His glory. One might say that the power that He gave Joshua over his enemies, God is also offering to you this very day. It is no accident that you are reading this. God ordains everything that we do for His purpose, in His timing.
Call on God today to help you through whatever trials you are facing. He will help you and keep you from going down in defeat, and under in retreat. God will stand with you, carry you and sustain you as He carries you through it all!
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
Sunday, February 16, 2014
The Valley of the Shadow of Death
The history behind the metaphor
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
King David wrote hundreds of songs that were compiled into one book of the Bible called Psalms. In the 23rd Psalm, David made mention of the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He spoke about the comfort that he had in the Lord when danger came upon him. When he was a boy, a lion tried to kill him and his father's flock of sheep. Because David trusted in God and took heart against the beast, he overcame the threat of death as the lion fell at his feet. But did you know that the valley that David spoke of was an actual place?
It is believed traditionally, that as Mary and Joseph were traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Jesus was born, that the valley between Jericho and Bethlehem was a spot where Mary stopped to rest as she was weary from travel and very pregnant with Jesus. In fact, she would give birth to Jesus only a day or so later after arriving in Bethlehem. This valley where she rested was the same valley where David tended his father's sheep; the Valley of the Shadow of death.
The name was given to the valley because of the dangers that lurked within the walls of the canyons in the mountain range east of Bethlehem. Many wild, treacherous animals made their homes in the range of mountains. So why would Mary and Joseph travel that path? Why would Jesse have his young son David watch his flock in that region? West of the town of Bethlehem, where David lived, Samaritans robbed and plundered and were a threat to anyone who passed that way. People would have rather have trusted the dangers of the animals than the cunning of the band of thieves that came from Samaria.
David wrote of still waters and green pastures that the Lord led him through. Even though the majority of the land between Bethlehem and Jericho was desert and wilderness with all kinds of dangers around every corner, the peace that passed all of his fleshly understanding came upon him as his faith in God was greater than his fear of the wilderness. No matter what he faced as far as dangers of the world, that peace from his faith in God helped him to press on. Even when facing the Giant Philistine, Goliath of Gath, David showed no fear, but stood with all authority under heaven, given to him by God, as he told Goliath that because he blasphemed God and did not have respect and reverence for the Lord, he was going to fall to Israel. He pressed on and won the fight.
Metaphoric valleys are an every day occurrence in our lives that come upon us and test our faith. God says in the His word that we are to take it as a blessing when trials and valleys come our way, because they are how we grow in the strength and victory of the Lord so that He is glorified. When we try to handle the situation on our own, we fall flat on our faces and run away like a scalded dog, instead of standing in victory and overcoming adversity by allowing God to lead us in our circumstances. And sadly, all too often, we allow our circumstances to dictate our direction in life. Avoiding trials when they come does us no good. Situations don't just disappear when we ignore them. Bills don't pay themselves.
Calling upon the name of the Lord will afford us the victory over our struggles and trials. When we do, He will be faithful to deliver us from evil. We have not because we ask not, or we ask for the wrong reasons. When we pray, we need to pray for God's will to be done, not just pray asking for vain things like winning the lottery or winning the heart of the lady or man that caught our eyes. That might not be what the Lord has for us. When we choose to go around the blessings that God has for us by wanting things of this world, the Bible says that we grieve the Holy Ghost.
Seek the will of God and His righteousness, and He will add it unto you. Pray that His will be done and not our own. Even Jesus, who had every right to ask for what He wanted because of His righteous perfection, asked for God's will to be done, knowing He was facing death of the cross. When we seek the will of God, He will reveal it to us and our reward will be an eternal one.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
by R. Douglass Mahaffey
King David wrote hundreds of songs that were compiled into one book of the Bible called Psalms. In the 23rd Psalm, David made mention of the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He spoke about the comfort that he had in the Lord when danger came upon him. When he was a boy, a lion tried to kill him and his father's flock of sheep. Because David trusted in God and took heart against the beast, he overcame the threat of death as the lion fell at his feet. But did you know that the valley that David spoke of was an actual place?
It is believed traditionally, that as Mary and Joseph were traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Jesus was born, that the valley between Jericho and Bethlehem was a spot where Mary stopped to rest as she was weary from travel and very pregnant with Jesus. In fact, she would give birth to Jesus only a day or so later after arriving in Bethlehem. This valley where she rested was the same valley where David tended his father's sheep; the Valley of the Shadow of death.
The name was given to the valley because of the dangers that lurked within the walls of the canyons in the mountain range east of Bethlehem. Many wild, treacherous animals made their homes in the range of mountains. So why would Mary and Joseph travel that path? Why would Jesse have his young son David watch his flock in that region? West of the town of Bethlehem, where David lived, Samaritans robbed and plundered and were a threat to anyone who passed that way. People would have rather have trusted the dangers of the animals than the cunning of the band of thieves that came from Samaria.
David wrote of still waters and green pastures that the Lord led him through. Even though the majority of the land between Bethlehem and Jericho was desert and wilderness with all kinds of dangers around every corner, the peace that passed all of his fleshly understanding came upon him as his faith in God was greater than his fear of the wilderness. No matter what he faced as far as dangers of the world, that peace from his faith in God helped him to press on. Even when facing the Giant Philistine, Goliath of Gath, David showed no fear, but stood with all authority under heaven, given to him by God, as he told Goliath that because he blasphemed God and did not have respect and reverence for the Lord, he was going to fall to Israel. He pressed on and won the fight.
Metaphoric valleys are an every day occurrence in our lives that come upon us and test our faith. God says in the His word that we are to take it as a blessing when trials and valleys come our way, because they are how we grow in the strength and victory of the Lord so that He is glorified. When we try to handle the situation on our own, we fall flat on our faces and run away like a scalded dog, instead of standing in victory and overcoming adversity by allowing God to lead us in our circumstances. And sadly, all too often, we allow our circumstances to dictate our direction in life. Avoiding trials when they come does us no good. Situations don't just disappear when we ignore them. Bills don't pay themselves.
Calling upon the name of the Lord will afford us the victory over our struggles and trials. When we do, He will be faithful to deliver us from evil. We have not because we ask not, or we ask for the wrong reasons. When we pray, we need to pray for God's will to be done, not just pray asking for vain things like winning the lottery or winning the heart of the lady or man that caught our eyes. That might not be what the Lord has for us. When we choose to go around the blessings that God has for us by wanting things of this world, the Bible says that we grieve the Holy Ghost.
Seek the will of God and His righteousness, and He will add it unto you. Pray that His will be done and not our own. Even Jesus, who had every right to ask for what He wanted because of His righteous perfection, asked for God's will to be done, knowing He was facing death of the cross. When we seek the will of God, He will reveal it to us and our reward will be an eternal one.
R. Douglass Mahaffey - Founder and Publisher of The Wise Conservative
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