John 8:44 CSB “You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.”   

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People who cannot tell the truth to save their lives are children of the Devil just like the Pharisees. They’re everywhere. I was a sales rep who was very skilled at my job. I worked at a Fortune 500 company and trained hundreds of other reps, wrote sales scripts for the company, etcetera. I was a rock star at that place and was treated like one. Going to work was easy, it was like taking candy from a baby (literally). I enjoyed going to work so much that in 3 years I never took a vacation, and we got a week’s paid vacation every 6 months. Then one day God showed me one of the reasons why I was so great at sales, I was a pretty good liar. That’s right, all the sales techniques l studied, utilized, and taught others were nothing more than sorcery and witchcraft. Tricking people with words is witchcraft. And for that reason I was headed to The Lake Of Fire and didn’t even know it. Interesting how when you’re so good at deceiving others you deceive yourself.    

Revelation 21:8 NIRV “But others will be thrown into THE LAKE OF FIRE that burns with sulfur. Those who are afraid and those who do not believe will be there. Murderers and those who make themselves impure will join them. Those who commit sexual sins and THOSE WHO PRACTICE WITCHCRAFT will go there. Those who worship statues of gods and ALL WHO TELL LIES will be there too. THE LAKE OF FIRE is the second death.”   

I repented and got out of sales. Though I’ve struggled at times financially since leaving sales what I’ve gained is worth so much more:   

Philippians 3:7‭-‬8 NIRV “I thought things like that were really something great. But now I consider them to be nothing because of Christ. Even more, I consider everything to be nothing compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. To know him is worth much more than anything else. Because of him I have lost everything. But I consider all of it to be garbage so I can know Christ better.” ‬

Matthew 16:26 NIRV “What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses their soul? Or what can anyone trade for their soul?”   

THE SOUL TRADE   

When I started writing this article, I thought I would be talking about other liars and how terrible lying is until I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit saying, “Talk about yourself; how you were a big fat liar and how you’re still fighting to repent from it.” So here we go:    

I used to also produce music. I had a very short stint in the music business. I’ve been in recording sessions with folks who are in the Rock n Roll Hall of fame (or the Rock n Roll Hall of shame). Back then I thought I was really doing something. Now I know all I was doing was forfeiting my soul. Yep, I wanted to be rich so bad I ignored the Lord and lived for Satan employed in his music business. I made all kinds of music but I believe my specialty was creating those sappy R&B love songs that tell you all the lies you want to hear. Things started moving fast and I began to make connections with very influential people in the business, some of whom you’ve seen on TV (don’t like to name drop). Then one day the clique I was running with made me an offer I had to refuse. Since our last recording session 2 months prior I had repented, I returned to the Lord but they didn’t know it yet (we lived in different states). How timely it was then when I went to the studio instead of us rolling up weed, drinking Heinekens, recording and mixing music as we normally did, they invited me to take part in a seance and, ‘Mix our spirits together,’ so they said. This happened as soon as I walked in the studio. No, “Hellos,” “How was your trip?” nothing! They were all sitting around in a circle, something they never did before and one of them said, “Lenny, we need to mix our spirit with your spirit.” I firmly said, “Lenny don’t mix spirits.” All hell broke loose after that! This seemed to be an initiation for me of sorts but it didn’t go as they had planned. Long story short I barely got out of that room with my life. One of the people at this spirit mixing meeting was my older brother from the same mother, he was also the owner of the record label. I had to hide from him for about 15 years after this encounter because of the money he felt he lost (millions) because I would not produce records for him anymore. When you hang with snakes you get bit. If this story sounds all too familiar get out! “GET OUT! FAST!”    

When you are eager to make money you don’t care about lying to get it or who you hurt in the process. And I know for a fact that my music creation was a very clever way of lying to people. Music can be so influential and deceptive when used the wrong way. Most folks never even detect it. Satan is dancing and singing people straight to hell with his worldwide music industry. He uses people like beatmakers, producers, songwriters, singers, rappers, recording engineers, etcetera to help him do it. All they want is to showcase their talents and get paid for it. But many find out too late they’re involved in something much more sinister. Most of today’s mainstream songs are hypnotic lies from the Devil. Remember, lying equals dying; telling lies, and listening to them.   

TELLING THE TRUTH AIN’T ALWAYS EASY   

I think the hardest thing I ever had to do is tell my wife (ex wife now) about my infidelity. When I became a Christian 27 years ago God let me know that all my sins were forgiven. It was and still is the greatest feeling in the world. There was just one thing left I had to do; God showed me I needed to confess to my wife the times I sinned and committed adultery in our marriage. Not only was this a sin against God it was a sin against my wife and a sin against my own body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Hebrews 13:4) Yes, cheating on your spouse is lying too and breaking God’s marriage covenant. Til this day there’s things I suffer I believe because of committing this grave sin. Yes, God has forgiven me but he still chastises those He loves. Sometimes there are things we all suffer because of our past sins. But I’d rather God beat the hell out of me now instead of sending me there, forever. (Revelation 3:19) All in all God’s righteous judgment is tempered with mercy for those who repent. So let’s be earnest and repent. May we not love to lie. For if we do, we will surely die. 

Proverbs 12:22 KJV “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.”   

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Luke 24:25-31 NLT “Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. [26] Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” [27] Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. [28] By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, [29] but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. [30] As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. [31] Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!”

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Sin has really blinded us. We’re slow when it comes to believing God and acknowledging Him. How often do we worry right after God delivers us from something we had no power to handle ourselves. We’re so quick to forget. This is not good; it has to stop.

It is good to meditate on the many times God has saved us. It is good to remember all those moments God didn’t let the enemy have his/her way with us. We should think about these things often. Then we won’t be so quick to forget. Our hearts will be filled with gratitude, joy, praise, and worship, instead of anxiety and fear. Let us repent for worrying about tomorrow, and trusting in our resources to save us:

Matthew 6:33-34 NLT “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [34] “So DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

THEY WERE TOO SLOW

Too often the Israelites were too slow. Their lack of faith cost them everything. Unbelief is something God really hates. May we not be too slow. This can cost us everything as well:

Hebrews 3:7-14 NLT “That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years. So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’” Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.”

As stated earlier many Israelites lost everything. They refused to repent even after seeing God’s mighty works FOR 40 YEARS, even though they were repeatedly saved by Him. This attitude brought on them a curse forever. Whenever you find yourself lacking faith pray to God; ask for forgiveness, and repent. Ask God to strengthen your faith. I find myself having to do this regularly. I hate when I lack faith in God and His ability to help me. He’s shown me so much over the years. I don’t want to become like the many unfaithful Israelites who died in the wilderness of whom God said, ‘They will never enter my place of rest.'” Let us keep warring like never before to keep the faith. And no matter how bleak our circumstances look let’s trust God regardless. There is a great, eternal reward for all who keep the faith: “We will share in all that belongs to Christ.”

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I Peter 5:8‭-‬9 NKJV “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like A ROARING LION, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

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Ever heard a lion roar up close? I once heard a tiger growl a few feet away from me in a cage. It felt like I was in the back seat of a car pumping loud music with lots of bass that went through my whole body. Only this felt very scary. And the tiger didn’t even roar he just growled. I can only imagine what a lions roar sounds like.

“The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Notice he SEEKS whom he may devour because he cannot devour everyone, only those who fall for his fear trap. Spewing out fear at every opportunity; at the job, through the media, at school, etcetera Satan watches to see who will take the bait, who will become gripped with fear like a deer in headlights. Once the Devil has you there the rest is easy. No wonder Jesus often told his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid only have faith.’ Yes, fear immobilizes a person just like a deer in headlights. He/she is stuck and can’t move. But it’s opposite for those who put faith in God: the deer can move. He/she has power to take that leap of faith out of harms way.

HOW SATAN ROARS

There are times when people will threaten you either outright or subtly. Either way the purpose is the same; to control you with fear. This is really the devil roaring through his children:

Luke 12:4-5 NIV “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. [5] But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

Proverbs 29:25 NLT “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.”

RESIST HIM

Some of Jesus’ apostles were severely beaten by the religious authorities for preaching about Him and were ordered to never speak his name. (Acts 5:40)

Acts 5:41-42 NLT “The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. [42] And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” “

The apostles were not frightened by Satan’s roars, claws, and teeth at the hands of his false religious leaders. They resisted the Devil rejoicing that they had been beaten for the name of Jesus Christ and kept preaching everyday that, “Jesus is the Messiah!” Now that’s how you resist the Devil.😊
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IN CONCLUSION

I could write a book on this subject but in conclusion I’d like to say don’t be bullied by anyone. God did not give us a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7) When scary situations arise and we hold firm we get to see how powerful our Father is. No one can do us anything that God does not allow. May this next passage give you strong confidence whatever your circumstances:

Joshua 1:9 NKJV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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John 6:61 KJV “When JESUS KNEW IN HIMSELF that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?”

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There are certain things the Spirit of God makes us know just like we know our own name. Another word for this is discernment or understanding:

Colossians‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”

That’s the purpose of discernment; serving God, and knowing Him better. There are times God will give us a Spirit of discernment when we are in danger:

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

Matthew 12:14‭-‬15 NLT “Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus. But JESUS KNEW what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them.”

Sometimes God allows us to see danger ahead. Then it’s our choice to act on what we know. If we are wise we will take precautionary measures to avoid harm. But the simpleton will go on blindly as if he/she sees nothing and must suffer the consequences. Sometimes the consequences are staggering.😳 May we not be simple. May we act properly on the knowledge God gives us in ourselves and be safe from harm.😊

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Psalm 37:18-19 NLT “Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. [19] They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.”

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The Lord takes care of the innocent or the upright. Joseph comes to mind when I think of Psalm 37:18-19. Joseph was an upright man yet he spent years in prison for a crime he did not commit. “But wait, I thought the Lord takes care of the innocent?” some might ask. And the answer is, “Yes He does.” That doesn’t mean the righteous won’t experience evil or afflictions. Psalm 37:19 says, “They will not be disgraced in hard times,” Not, “They will never go through hard times.”🤔

While in prison for a crime he was falsely accused of Joseph held on to his integrity. He never blamed God for his troubles and remained steadfast worshiping the Lord. But this wasn’t the only tough time in Joseph’s life. When he was a young boy he was sold into slavery by his brothers!😳 That’s right, Joseph’s own brothers were so jealous of him and his close relationship with their father they decided to get rid of him (so they thought). (Genesis Chapter 37) Betrayed by his own brothers, and now in prison for a crime he did not commit Joseph could have easily given up on life and God. But he didn’t. He worshipped God even more! WHAT A MAN!😊 

God was with Joseph while he was incarcerated and took care of him. He even saw to it that Joseph was put in charge of the whole prison and made everything Joseph did prosper. (Genesis 39:21-23) Later God took Joseph out of prison and on the same day made him the 2nd most powerful ruler in the world!😳 (Genesis chapter 41) And who says God doesn’t take care of the innocent who are faithful to Him?😊

LET’S BE LIKE JOSEPH😊

How do we respond when we are treated unfairly and accused of evil things we did not do? Like Joseph we can learn to respond favorably by remaining steadfast knowing our Father sees everything that’s going on. We can trust that God has us in the palm of his hands and will vindicate us at the right time just like he did for Joseph. We may not become the 2nd most powerful ruler in the world like Joseph did but we have an inheritance that lasts forever!😊 We are coheirs with Christ in the eternal Kingdom of God!😊 (Romans 8:17)

Daniel 7:18,22,27 KJV “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. [22] Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. [27] And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” 

May we remain steadfast, loyal to God like Joseph when we are afflicted by evil and are innocent: 

1 Peter 2:19-20 NIV “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. [20] But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”

And may we draw comfort from Jesus’ words below realizing what this all means: you have an eternal kingdom!😃

Matthew 5:10-12 NLT “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS THEIRS. [11] “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. [12] Be happy about it! BE VERY GLAD! For A GREAT REWARD AWAITS YOU IN HEAVEN. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

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Matthew 18:10 KJV “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven THEIR ANGELS do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

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Little children have their own personal messengers; that’s right, they’re called angels.😊 And they always see the face of God. So why would anyone want to harm a little child? People who hurt children are in big trouble:😠

Luke 17:2 NLT “It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.”

If causing a child to sin is this serious imagine the penalty for forcing them to commit heinous acts against their will? God will bring fiery judgment on pedophiles who do not repent!🔥

Matthew 10:42 NKJV “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

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Genesis 1:7-8 KJV “And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. [8] And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”

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God created waters on earth and waters above the earth, above heaven. This is not a subject often discussed (waters above heaven). I remember learning this as a child. I was also told that God emptied all the waters above heaven during the flood in Noah’s day hence there aren’t anymore waters above heaven. But is that what the Bible says?🤔 No. Listen to what David wrote under inspiration of the Holy Spirit many years after the flood in Noah’s day: 

Psalm 148:4 KJV “Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.”

The Bible says there were still waters above the heavens after the flood in Noah’s day. What’s also interesting is in this passage the word heaven is plural. That means there is more than one heaven and there are waters above them.🤔 Listen to what Wisdom says about the waters above the heavens:

Proverbs 8:27-28 KJV “When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: [28] When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep.”

According to God’s word the waters above the heavens are deep. But how many heavens are there that we know of? From reading the scriptures I’ve learned there are at least 3 heavens. Listen to what the Holy Spirit inspired Apostle Paul to write:

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NKJV “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the THIRD HEAVEN. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into PARADISE and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”

Wow! Paul speaks about being caught up to the THIRD HEAVEN and called it, “PARADISE.”😊This is why I said there are at least 3 heavens. Whether the waters above the heavens are above the first and second heavens separating them from paradise (the third heaven) I cannot say. But I do know that there are waters above the heavens and they are deep waters as the Bible says. 

THE FIRMAMENT IS THE FIRST HEAVEN

Genesis 1:7-8 KJV “And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. [8] And GOD CALLED THE FIRMAMENT HEAVEN. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”

God called the firmament heaven (singular), not heavens (plural). As we’ve seen there is a third heaven which is paradise, which means there is a first and a second heaven. Want to know what is inside of the firmament (the first or lower heaven)? 

Genesis 1:14-17 KJV “And God said, Let there be LIGHTS IN THE FIRMAMENT of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: [15] And let them be for LIGHTS IN THE FIRMAMENT OF THE HEAVEN to give light upon the earth: and it was so. [16] And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. [17] And GOD SET THEM IN THE FIRMAMENT OF THE HEAVEN to give light upon the earth.”

Yes, God created the sun, “the greater light to rule the day,” and the moon, “the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. “And GOD SET THEM IN THE FIRMAMENT OF THE HEAVEN,” not above heaven in outer space. The sun, moon, and stars are in the lower heaven, the first heaven (the firmament). We were taught the sun, moon, and stars are in outer space above heaven. But that’s not what the Bible says. They’re in the firmament the first lower heaven enclosed below the waters which are above the heavens. That explains why some days you see clouds in front of and behind the sun. Clouds are in our atmosphere, in heaven. If the sun was 93 million miles away in outer space like we were taught there would be no clouds behind the sun.🤔 God’s great lights (sun moon and stars) are right above us inside the firmament of the heaven as God’s word says.😊

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