Beware: Fake News

Fake news is the lowest form of journalism known today. Yet print, internet, and broadcast media bombards us every hour of every day, building tension and hatred among people. At best, it divides people, leaving them steaming angry and baffled, as the truth they do know is tested beyond measure, forcing them to settle for what they want to believe. With all that said, who can say they have a handle on any worldly events, or that “my news is better than yours?” Who can possibly form any opinions based on ‘media truth,’ when the news is so tainted, and we are living through what I often call, ‘The Truth Famine?’ It is foolishness to think that anyone really knows the truth these days based on news which is nothing more than hearsay-gossip on a national and global scale. Clearly. There is no room for sanctimony or indignation when truth stands in the balance.

The very existence and prevalence of fake news provokes doubt, disharmony, confusion and rigorous, misguided, unnecessary arguments in the hearts and minds of people around the world. Made up of believable half-truths, frequently laced with bold lies, it sometimes seems impossible to find even a kernel of verifiable truth in all the chaos. Beyond differences in opinion, fake news is actually designed to divide and conquer all who hear, watch or read it. But consider this:

^“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
Romans 16:17 New International Version (NIV)

Sadly, today, in this age of relativism--where there is no right or wrong—where people often seemingly believe their own truth, and there is no absolute truth beyond that. It is refreshing, and necessary to turn to Scripture for discernment and guidance and to regain our moral compass. In fact, ultimately, in my own life, the holy Bible is my sole source of truth. I rarely go by hearsay or read books about the Bible, instead I get into the Word myself to experience it directly first hand and revel in how it applies to today.. I believe it when the Bible says what is holy and what is not. I trust that God is with us all when we seek Him with an open heart. It’s all in there, and I fully trust the authority of the Bible as it is written, anointed, and inspired by God, Himself.

It is my belief that the Bible, through the power of the Holy Spirit, prepares us well for every occasion of blessing and helps us avoid every temptation to sin. It gives us clear guidelines for right and wrong, how to spot good and evil, and how to strive to live a blessed life following God’s will.

Far above the cacophony of clamoring journalists and op-ed gurus. Far beyond the loud debates and unrelenting negativity, there is truth to be found in every circumstance. Perhaps it’s time to turn off the TV and walk away from the internet to seek ever-lasting truth and peace through prayer and Scripture. Maybe it’s time to ‘unplug’ and focus on the love and peace found in Jesus Christ, the greatest hope the World has ever known. Could it be that it’s time to put down our clenched fists, build bridges, and seek peace? Peace in our relationships, peace in the World, and most of all, peace in our own hearts.

Placing God at the center of your truth is something you will never regret. For the only truth I truly know is found in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, the Light of the World!

© Copyright 2018   |   Adele M. Gill   |   Distributed by News Consortium

http://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net 

Bless It or Block It

Greetings from Adele's Inspiration Cafe blog!

Today's post:

Bless It or Block It

‘The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.’ James 5:16

Sometimes we can go it alone, yet other times we need God’s help to face or meet the many challenges that arise in our every daily lives. It is the trusting belief that ‘God’s got this,’ that can make the difference between failure and success, sinking in times of difficulty or tragedy or staying afloat, or just being able to cope. In essence, life happens as it will, but how we respond to every circumstance is a choice…

I think many of us wait until times are dire before eliciting God’s help. Yet, turning to Him in anticipation of trials, great and small, reaps great benefits, and awe-inspiring outcomes. When we pray fervently, and with confidence, placing our cares in God’s hands trusting that all will go well, we are far more prepared for whatever is to come. We are able to hold God’s hand through turbulent storm, turning to Him as the living God who is with us in every circumstance.

Though we are all unworthy sinners, God loves each of us profoundly beyond our comprehension. Striving souls—those who choose to try to follow God’s ways and lead—are the greatest recipients of God’s promises. For God is a generous, loving God of surprises for those who seek Him with all their hearts. He can and will turn every situation for the good for those who seek Him in earnest. An “If and then God,’ He is there for us even and especially when we falter or are hurting and broken. In Holy Scripture He often says if you do such and such, I will do such and such for you. If you humble yourselves, I will bless you. Sometimes we need to pray and step aside so He can do His finest work on our behalf without our interference.

Though fervent prayer does not demand eloquent speech, it is so powerful that it is not to be entered into casually. Instead, we need to specifically and prayerfully ask for whatever we need, and praise Him while we wait for Him to work it all out for the good. Fervent prayer involves praying with humility, sincerity, and confidence with the understanding that God will, one way or another, move on your behalf.

I often pray, “Bless it or block it,” deferring to, and accepting, what transpires from our loving, kind, and merciful God. Like most people, in my humanness, sometimes I am tempted to pray only to ‘take it back’ so to speak, and try to work things out my own way, all to no avail. However, I have found that it is much better to pray and steadfastly depend on God’s almighty, omnipotent, holy intercession. God’s compassion is boundless and unprecedented—and worthy of praise—the cornerstone of fervent prayer!

© Copyright 2018   |   Adele M. Gill

Not All About Us

Adele M. Gill

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."

Psalm 145:17-18[NIV]

Jesus stands in wait to help those who call upon His holy name--especially when we are in most need. He never imposes His Divine Will upon us, but waits for our anguished pleas for help. Reach out to the Lord when you need comfort, guidance, discernment, healing and protection. It is during those times of need that He will stand up on your behalf to defend you, heal you, and walk with you. He will pave the way for you and fight your battles with and for you, if you will just give it all to Him and step aside so He can do His finest work on your behalf. It is during these times that God remains as close as the gentle breeze that surrounds you.

Sometimes we all try too hard to attempt to make relationships and things right in our lives, just the way we want them. In a way, when we interfere with God's plan for us, his working things out as only He can, we impede and delay the progress and blessings He sends our way. Rather, we need to step aside. For given the chance. God will go before us and behind us, and walk shoulder to shoulder with us, as we turn to Him.  He can change the hearts of those who hurt us--even our enemies--ease tensions, and will work all things for the good.

In the face of adversity, no weapon against you shall prosper, when you are nestled in the loving arms of Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our shield. As co-heirs with Christ, we are called to hand over every situation, every hurt, every form of hatred, every failing, and even our successes to Him, and always remember to give credit where credit is due. When we do, well, things just run a lot more smoothly. Hatred and animosity melt away into compassion, even love, and situations change.

For Jesus is not just the Savior that leads us into eternal life when we leave this world in His care; He is our Savior in every circumstance in the here and now. But we must first ask for whatever we need with confidence. We must humble ourselves in His sight, and believe that He is who He says He is, capable of obtaining all good things for us in our daily lives. Like a tangled web of yard, He will pull unravel the chaos in our lives. We need to simply put aside our prejudices and differences with others, and replace them with a longing for His holy Love and almighty intervention.

The truth is, it's not all about us. It's about the loving, kind and merciful God--the Light of the World--and how we try to turn to Him to bring His peace and Light into every situation, every relationship. The best days always start with keeping Jesus central in our lives. He IS the healing Light that repels mayhem, sin and selfishness, and prevents us from trying to fend for ourselves, as He holds the key to our peace and well-being.

(C) Copyright 2018   |   Adele M. Gill

The Love of God for You

^“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.” 

Ephesians 3:18-20

The Love of God—There is nothing like it. Some say God’s love is only for some people. But in reality, God’s Love is available for us all if we but turn to Him. The truth is, in our humanness, we love Him because He loved us first—Sending His Sone, Jesus, to deliver us all from our sins and into His loving embrace. Today’s Scripture reveals the unsurpassed, unconditional Love that God has for each of us. If only we could fathom His love, how different our lives would be!

All other love we experience pales in comparison to God's Love. Who else could possibly love us consistently through all of our failings, mistakes and mishaps? Who else could love us fervently when all seems lost and we are broken, bogged down in the muck and mire of daily life?

In actuality, God stands in wait to hear our pleas for His help, even and especially in our darkest times. And He delights when we turn to Him in prayer to offer praise and thanksgiving for all the blessings He showers upon us at every turn in the road, this journey, we call life. He is the Great Healer. The one who provides relief from our infirmities. He is the one who lessens or heals our physical and emotional pain, gives us a sound mind, and heals every addiction. He is the one who gives respite and comfort to the lonely and grieving; who sustains us through His abundant supply in times of financial need and broken relationships. He is the one who protects, and guides through wisdom and discernment, going before us to pave the way; going behind us to pick up the pieces in our wake. He is the one who makes all things work for good for those who love Him.

For anyone to say they are ‘self-made’ is a fallacy. For we were wonderfully, loving made Him, our Creator, God, the sole source of every blessing. We can do little by our own devices, and should always strive to give credit where credit is due. For when you understand that when you willingly serve the Triune, Almighty God who is all powerful and the very definition of Love, how different your life becomes! He alone is capable of opening the doors and windows to opportunities in your life. He is the true source of healing, humility, compassion, and lasting joy and peace. These ‘fruits of the Spirit,’ are manifestations of the Holy Spirit, coveted qualities in today’s cynical, chaotic World. He is food for those who hunger and thirst, manna in the desert for those who are downtrodden and hurting.

Never intrusive, always deferring to our free will, God is there for you at every turn, standing in wait for you to call upon Him with your anguished pleas for His holy intervention. He is the living God, who will save you from the throes of this world for the asking. Sometimes people refuse to turn to God because of their feelings of unworthiness, but really, none of us is worthy as we are all fallen sinners born to serve a loving God. We are fully dependent on God’s grace to get us through in tough times for the asking, and He does not disappoint! Turn to Him in the big things and little things, Invite Him into your life and it will be transformed for the better!

^“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” Ephesians 3:18-20

© Copyright   2018   Adele M. Gill

http://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net

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