THE MEANING!

There is only one thing I am confident in... not my abilities, talents or stature... not fame or fortune or anything else this world claims brings significance or security and "SELF-worth"... my confidence is in this, "that He who began a good work in me will carry it out to completion... even to the day of Messiah Jesus… so that love may abound in me more and more with knowledge and depth of insight so that I may be able to discern what is best, causing me to be pure and blameless until the day Messiah returns, or He calls me to Himself; filling me with the fruits of righteousness that only come through Jesus Himself — to the glory and praise of God. For it is God who is at work in me to will and to do everything according to His good pleasure and purpose. He is the Author and finisher of my faith”... not me.

It's a bold statement I'm about to make, not because I'm spiritual, but because I know this first hand: I hate this world and the flesh I live in. It is wretched... a beast without conscience... my mortal enemy. It amazes me how often I've thought that I was good, when in all honesty, nothing "good" dwells in me. The prophet said, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" I don't know about you, but when God, who loves me, lets me have a little glimpse of the blackness of my own heart, I realize the gravity and severity of its depravity. It's Deep Space 9... a black hole. The process is without a doubt Divine Shock Therapy for sure.

Most never want to think of themselves in such a way, much less want to see it or face the truth and then have to deal with it. Nonetheless we're all in the same boat.

The longer I live the more I realize that I'm not here for ME! What does it profit me if I gain everything my flesh wants but lose the very thing my soul longs for: life and liberty and peace with God. I'm here for a greater purpose... to lay myself down for others and tell anyone who will listen the great things God has done for me, and how I, who deserves nothing more than His judgment and wrath, have been forgiven and shown great mercy, love and grace.

© 2013 Steven Bliss
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GOD'S EYE VIEW

Having an attitude of gratitude depends upon our altitude. Looking at things through the lens of heaven changes ones view completely. The old saying, "Can't see the forest for the trees" is what I'm talking about... God told Moses, "Come up here!" Moses saw everything quite differently from the top of the mountain than he did on the ground. Having a "God's Eye View" is critical. It's like being in a plane as you descend to you're destination. Everything seems so small, so insignificant and much less daunting. For me, I always look down and think I could just scoop it all up in my hands! Just imagine how the world looks to God, even more, how your personal life and all you face, that feels so overwhelming, appears to Him. No wonder “nothing is impossible for him who believes” and “with God, all things are possible”. It makes total sense when you see things from God’s point of view!

I know for myself, I need a "come up here" state of mind more and more these days. I don't always have it. Up there the air is clear and the atmosphere peaceful and unaffected. My mind, uncluttered and without distractions.

The psalmist had it right when he wrote this simple song calling us all up to a "God's Eye View" of things. I need the reminder. Isaiah said, "Come, let us go UP to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways that we may walk in His paths." How do we go up? Like this...

Make a joyful shout to Yahweh, all you lands! Serve Yahweh with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that Yahweh, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For Yahweh is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100

Today, I'm going up to a higher altitude in order to change my point of view. How about you?

©2012 Steven Bliss
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FACE TO FACE

Death, specifically the destruction of my fiercest enemy, my flesh… will be my greatest victory! The closing of my eyes for the last time will end my struggle and free me once and for all from all that ails me. If I didn’t know the Son of God, I would have ended it long ago, but I will not hasten its arrival by selfish or self-induced means. God’s timing, after all, is perfect. Until then, God has things for me to do.

But there is a longing deep within me for this race to finally end; this battle that rages and its long line of destruction left in its train. For I have tasted of what awaits me; and this world, with all it has to offer, pales in comparison.

For me, there is no morbidity in my desire, only truth and light. My only request is that what is left might be for His glory. That I might accomplish His will, even if it were only an act like Samson pulling down the pillars. I pray my finish would exalt Him and His Holy Name.

There will be much wood, hay and stubble when I stand before Him. Of this I am well aware, yet I cling to only that which saves me, the blood of God's precious Lamb who died for me alone.

I have failed more than I have succeeded, lost more than I have gained, but the thing for which I live and breathe and walk this mortal path is my hope and anticipation of seeing Him who loves me... face to face.

© 2012 Steven Bliss
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WHEN A NATION GOES BLIND

"In the land of the blind, the man with one eye is king." ~Erasmus

America is mostly blind. I know some would argue, but truth be told, this country has all but no vision left whatsoever.

The America I grew up in is dead.

Dennis Miller said it best the other night when asked about his thoughts on America ever getting back on track. He said, "I don't think this comes back during my lifetime (he is 59)... I do believe it comes back the same way an alcoholic who has a brush with mortality will eventually come back... someone will have a stroke or somebody will almost croak from alcohol poisoning physically, and maybe then we pull it back; but this thing is not edging back... the inmates are now subletting the asylum... these are the times that try men's souls but fail to test their mettle!"

I can't agree more... the one-eyed jester is now king and the blind worship the jester because they can't see who he really is.

America the great is gone. She sleeps in the dust like all who have gone before her. You may say, “You're wrong, we're fine. We finally have someone who really understands and cares for us." Well… I will let the prophet Jeremiah speak to that...

“Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear”: “Should you not fear Me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in My presence? But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear Yahweh our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’ Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good. Among My people are wicked men who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch men. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor. Should I not punish them for this?” declares the Lord. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this? “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and My people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?"

I agree with Mr. Miller... America will not recover. America is dark, though she believes she is in the light... but as Jesus said, "If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"… so America has become.

This is a time of reckoning. Groaning and sorrows lie just ahead. There is only One hope, but that hope is not based in perception or imagination, but in truth; not a truth derived from subjectivity, conjecture or relativity, but that which is immutable and never changing, indelible and unwavering…  truth that is eternal. All roads do not lead to Rome, and all good souls do not go to heaven. The guarantee is fixed, “…at the name of Y’shua/Jesus every knee WILL bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Y’shua/Jesus the Messiah is Lord/Adonai, to the glory of God the Father.”

The prophet was right, the traps were set and the snares have all now been sprung. The cages are full. But the saddest part of it all, history once again repeats itself, and once again the die is cast… what must happen, will happen.

© 2012 Steven Bliss
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BREAKING SILENCE

It's time for followers of God and His Son, Y'shua/Jesus, to stop cowering to the oppressors. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. If the Lord is the defense of our lives, of whom then shall we be afraid? Are those just nice sounding words or life to you? These questions need to dominate and overtake our weak-minded watered-down faith. It's not enough to just attend some meeting and say I'm a Christian. We live in the most exciting time and the most dangerous. It's a time for action.

The Kingdom of God is not for the faint of heart. Though you may be comfortable now and say to yourselves that you need to not rattle the cage as it could cause a total disruption to your personal life, but I want to challenge you to something you may not be thinking right now; what you are comfortable in right now, you may not be in the not too distant future. What you possess right now may all be taken away sooner than you think. Starting with your personal rights. Are you ready for that?

We can no longer afford to be timid. We have a responsibility... not whether we endorse this candidate or that, but to the truth that God hasn't saved us just to go to heaven, but because the Kingdom of God is here and now and advancing through those who are willing to lay themselves on the line and stand for what is true and what is holy, we have a higher purpose to bring the Kingdom wherever God tells us to.

Darkness is advancing. Lies are now the truth and truth a thing of the past. Discernment for the masses has gone into hiding. What was once considered immoral and unacceptable now permeates our airwaves, our billboards, our iPads and computers, all forms of communications. Darkness covers the earth like a thick blanket and the only ones who have any power to either stand against it or stop it are the very ones whose voices have gone silent.

Y'shua/Jesus said, "There is no greater love than this, that one lays down his life for a friend." If you are a believer and a follower, where does that statement resonate within your spirit? It is not enough to just be convicted! Faith without action is worthless.

This country was founded upon the principles of freedom as laid out in only ONE book, the Bible. But today, not only has that been challenged and watered down, there are no voices "crying in the wilderness" saying, 'Prepare the way of the Lord'". I have people say to me all the time, "You're so bold... thank you for taking a stand." But the truth is, I am only one voice. There are millions of voices that need to be raised. Millions of those who claim allegiance to Messiah yet remain silent. How can this be? Where are the bold ones? Where are those who would lay it all down to follow Him?

Time is short. America is dying. Stand up and be counted or your voice will not be heard in that day when all you are comfortable in is all taken away because of the silence of the many. Ask the Jews of Germany.

All it takes is one individual, like you, to light a match… each one start a small fire. Each one say, "enough is enough..." "Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world."

All we have is now... that's all we're guaranteed. Stand, shout, and sacrifice! Blessed is the man whose trust is the Lord, for they shall not be disappointed!

© 2012 Steven Bliss
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THE DAY!

Some say its relevance is of no real importance or serious consequence. Others say it's only cultural, while others say it's a nice religious holiday but only for those who keep such things... having no intrinsic relevance in and of itself.

But what if everyone is wrong? What if the whole world hangs in the balance on this day... regardless of race, creed or religious adherence and custom? What if it's the single most important spiritual day in the entire history and existence of man and the world. What if it's the day God Himself calls all men into account; the just and the unjust! What if it's the day that no man, woman, or child will escape; where all will stand face to face with the King of kings and listen to His powerful voice decree their eternal fate! What if, like it or not, an extreme truth is written into the history and existence of the most loathed family of people on the face of the earth (the descendants of Abraham... the Hebrews... the Jews), whose sole purpose is to carry that very oracle of this day to the very end, and to the very moment of its fulfillment? And what if God always intended you to know this truth, as it relates personally to you, yet a fierce enemy with one agenda, that being to distract you and keep you from knowing its significance and importance, wars to keep you blind and ignorant? What if today, this very minute, is the perfect day to surrender and discover the truth, as well as embrace the Lover of your soul who died for you and you alone... and the whole world!

Yom Kippur... The Great Day of Judgement begins tonight! The day all the heavens are silent and the King speaks! Discover it today.

Ketivah veChasimah Tovah (May You Be Inscribed in the Book of Life for a Good Year)

© 2012 Steven Bliss
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THE DEMISE OF DECENCY

What do you do in a world that is upside down, when everything that was once wrong, indecent and immoral, is now acceptable, right and true and you’re considered out-of-touch if you think it otherwise?

The morals of a nation, like an individual, determine its course, whether it reaches for what is high, or salivates for what is low and twisted. Personal morality is a difficult sea to cross when all around you challenges what your conscience tries to repel. There is not a civilization that has ever existed on this planet that hasn’t at one time or another had to deal with this very thing. But now we have something insidious dwelling amongst us. Something that presents itself as beneficial yet is a highway to hell for those whose compasses are magnetically challenged. It’s called the Internet.

How can something so powerful be so destructive at the same time? Ask a nuclear bomb that question. Though it weaves through and connects the mind to the endless possibilities of intellectual prowess, mastery and higher learning in ways never before possible, it is at the same time a gateway to the most debauched information ever known to man. It is a bottomless pit of endless filth that carries the mind away to the extremely bizarre and highly forbidden. Pitch black darkness! It’s no longer a select group of people in a small contained environment sharing educational information back and forth, it’s a cesspool the whole world dips it’s little toes into 86,400 seconds a day anytime they want and without restraint.

The worst part of it all: The minds of children are captured like helpless lambs to slaughter long before their prime. Trash in, trash out. The fastest way to change a society is to alter the perspective of its children. Think about it.

As a nation, and I can only speak for the one I live in, insanity and deception is at levels my 59 years have never seen before. I used to think it would never get out of control, but over the past four years I have been seriously challenged to believe that there is any hope whatsoever for a recovery from what is now accepted as "the norm".

I don’t want to paint myself as being perfect. I’m not. I’ve made my share of serious mistakes and pathetic choices. And the worst have come as a believer in God and His Son that produced nothing but destruction and personal failure. But my conscience has been jerked into reality and my eyes opened wide to the demoralization of the human race. In all our sophistication, we are now acting more and more like Pavlov’s dogs waiting for the bell to ring. Tragically, it creates such a twisted perspective that we act one way for all to see and another when we think no one can. But Someone does see! Sadly, there is more wrong than there is right… more unstable than there is firm. And in all honesty, I believe the financial state the entire world finds itself in is a direct result of its complete moral collapse.

Now many will argue with me on this, but history is replete with this story. In other words, we’re not the only ones this has ever happened to, but we are the only ones this has happened to like this.

When the creature tells the Creator they don’t need His help anymore and they are smarter than the One that created them, the natural protection and covering the Creator provides is lifted, and the results are far worse than any cancer… it is a disease known to man as pride and its end is certain death. Not death from a virus, but the audacity of arrogance… a plague far more lethal than any disease known to man. It is the original death.

The checks and balances are all but gone. They have been replaced with another form of regulation. It’s called liberalism. It uses the deceptive tool of “social justice” to state its cause and plead its case, but its ultimate end is the shriveling of guts and the unwillingness to stand up to the lie until one and all are its slave. It births complacency, and like the rats that followed the Pied Piper, it knows that if you tell a lie long enough, eventually one and all will accept its evil as truth. And that’s where we are.

There is only one way out of this darkness and that is to turn the light on. The only real Light that can dispel such darkness comes from the very One that man himself shuns. But if you open up your mind to the idea of just how far out we have gone, the possibility of clear thinking, and the change that truly matters, is only a confession away. "Today, if My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." His words... not mine.

© 2012 Steven Bliss
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