WHO IS ROBBING GOD?

The basis of this poem was taken from the Old Testament book of Malachi. I have just put the passage to rhyme using as few words as possible of my own.

WHO IS ROBBING GOD?

(Malachi 2:13 - Malachi 3:12)

You come to the Lord’s holy table,

Saying “What a burden,” as if cursed.

You promise to give the Lord your best,

But then you bring the worst.

You flood the Lord’s altar with tears,

And yet you’re no longer blessed,

For you have broken faith with your wife,

You’ve destroyed the family nest.

When wed, the Lord made you one,

Both in flesh and spirit is the wedding.

But you robbed God of the fruit of your loins,

Knowing He sought Godly offspring.

Also, I hate divorce, says the Lord,

And that violence like a garment is worn.

From the harm that is done by divorce,

Many lives are badly torn.

You have wearied the Lord with your words,

They’re as plentiful as dust.

You suggest that I accept evil,

Or say “Where’s a God that is just?”

Would a man rob his God, yet I’m robbed;

Your greed just keeps getting worse.

You rob me through tithes and offerings,

So the nation is under a curse.

In order to always have food,

Bring the full tithe of your offerings.

Heaven’s floodgates will open;

There won’t be room for the blessings.

Pests or vines won’t ruin your crops,

If you will obey and live rightful.

All nations will call you blessed,

And your land will be delightful.

You have said it is futile to serve me,

And therefore, what can be gained?

Now the arrogant are called blessed,

And evil is ever sustained.

But you who revere my name,

And many trials endure,

Shall one day be rich beyond measure;

Your lives will be secure.

So respect the wife of your youth,

And don’t fracture your happy home.

Or you will trade your mansion in heaven,

For the place where demons roam.

Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME

This is a study of the word "shame." Shame is something we all experience at sometime in our lives. Some experience shame more often than others. They may live in a household where they are shamed alot or kids may be shamed at school. This is what the Bible has to say about the subject.

1 Peter 3:16 - keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 4:16 - However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

1 Samuel 20:30 - Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?

1 Samuel 20:34 - Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David.

Psalm 4:2 - How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

Psalm 34:5 - Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalm 97:7 - All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!

Proverbs 3:35 - The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.

Proverbs 13:18 - Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Proverbs 18:13 - To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.

Proverbs 19:26 - Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 25:8 - do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?

Isaiah 42:17 - But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.

Isaiah 45:24 - They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.

Isaiah 54:4 - “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

Compiled by Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

3/27/25

RICH VS. POOR

RICH VS. POOR

Proverbs 22:1
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Job 36:18
Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

Psalm 49:16-20Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
20 People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 62:10
Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Psalm 112:1-5
Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.

Proverbs 10:15
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

Proverbs 11:28
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Proverbs 12:27
The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

Proverbs 13:7
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

Proverbs 13:8
A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

Proverbs 14:20
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

Proverbs 18:11
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

Proverbs 18:23
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

Proverbs 21:17
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

Proverbs 22:1
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:2
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:16
One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Proverbs 23:4
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.

Proverbs 23:5
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 27:24
for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

Proverbs 28:6
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.

Proverbs 28:11
The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Proverbs 28:20
A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 28:22
The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

Proverbs 30:8
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.

Solomon is apparently depressed when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, so when you read his verses, keep that in mind. Even though what he says may not be universal, there will be some truth in it.

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.

Ecclesiastes 10:6
Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.

Ecclesiastes 10:20
"Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say." Have you ever heard the saying "A little birdie told me so." It could be it came from this Bible verse. Sometimes I think there's a lot of truth to this.

Jeremiah 9:23
This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,

Jeremiah 17:11
Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools.

Jeremiah 48:7
Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive, and Chemosh will go into exile, together with his priests and officials.

Jeremiah 49:4
Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’

Hosea 12:8
Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.” (Ha!)

Micah 6:12
Your rich people are violent; your inhabitants are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:24
But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Luke 8:14
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

Luke 12:16-21
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 16: 1-31
Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ 3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ 5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ 7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ 8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Compiled by Becky Wall
beckyowall.blogspot.com
3/23/25

ILL-GOTTEN GAIN

ILL-GOTTEN GAIN

a/k/a Dirty Money

Proverbs 1:10-19
My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.

Proverbs 10:2
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 28:16
A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

Ezekiel 22:12-13
In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord. “‘I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made and at the blood you have shed in your midst.

Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.

Ezekiel 33:31
My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.

Jeremiah 5:27
"Their houses are stuffed with ill-gotten gain, like a hunter's bag full of birds."

Jeremiah 17:11
Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools.

Habakkuk 2:9
“Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!

Micah 4:13
“Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations.” You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.

John 2:13-17 

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Mark 11:15-17
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Matthew 21:12
Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

1 Timothy 6:10 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Titus 1:7
Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

Proverbs 1:19 KJV
So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

They will throw their silver into the streets,
and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean.
Their silver and gold
will not be able to deliver them
in the day of the Lord’s wrath.
It will not satisfy their hunger
or fill their stomachs,
for it has caused them to stumble into sin.

Compiled by Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

2/23/25

THE ATTITUDES IN THE BEATITUDES

THE ATTITUDES IN THE BEATITUDES

Or the B-Attitudes, for they are all Blessed

(Based on Matthew 5, Luke 6+)

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn;

They will laugh once again.

Blessed are the meek --

Those with a quiet spirit.

They will inherit the earth,

And everything that's in it.

Blessed are those who seek righteousness;

A great hunger and thirst they show.

They will be spiritually filled;

Their cups will overflow.

Blessed are the merciful,

For they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For God will see them as worthy.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they will be called children of God.

Their Father will bless and keep them,

No matter where they have trod.

Blessed are those who are persecuted,

Because of their righteousness,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven,

Where God watches over us.

“Blessed are those insulted and persecuted,

And evil words against them are poured.

If those wicked words are because of Me.

Rejoice, for heaven is your reward.

Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

ALIENS AMONG US

ALIENS AMONG US

(Based on Eze. 22:29 & I Pet. 2:11)

There are aliens on our planet,

I have proof that they exist.

Some even walk among us.

It’s true; it’s a fact; I insist.

They may or may not look like us;

Their speech is not the same.

This is not their homeland;

Who knows why they came.

But God instructed long ago:

Don’t mistreat the alien.

His Word tells us to love them;

In fact, some may be kin.

They’re not from another planet,

But they are from another land.

We should be ready to welcome them,

And lend them a helping hand.

This isn’t our home, either,

For Christians are aliens, too;

Think before you alien-ate,

Christ may do the same unto you.

Becky Wall

Note: I don't believe we should mistreat anyone who is different than us in any way. I also know we are instructed in the Bible to obey the laws and to respect authorities. Illegal aliens are not in obedience to God's law or our nation's laws.

Romans 13 :1-5
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), specifically Title 8, United States Code, outlines the legal status of "aliens" and defines those who are not citizens and do not have legal immigration status as being "illegal." It includes provisions related to inadmissibility, deportability, and offenses related to unlawful entry or harboring of aliens. The term "alien" is defined as anyone who is not a citizen or national of the United States. (copied)

beckyowall.blogspot.com

ONE NATION __DIVISIBLE

ONE NATION __DIVISIBLE

The United States of America was once the most powerful nation among nations, including China and Russia. We grew richer and more productive year after year, taking it all for granted. We were known as a Christian nation and our God was questioned by only a few who didn't know God or didn't want to acknowledge He exists. Some blamed Him for all the wrongs in the world. Other gods became acceptable over time. Now they have established themselves and compete with the one true God for position. God is a jealous God and has never allowed other gods to take His place nor will He ever. Therefore, our nation is in a precarious state of impending division. At worst, it could be conquered by another nation. Or the nation could divide, such as what King Solomon caused after allowing the gods of his many wives to be worshiped in the kingdom. (I Kings 11-12) We think that can't happen to us since it hasn't happened to us before, but the Bible speaks otherwise.

Below are verses that indicate how the Lord feels about nations that disobey Him or abandon Him. Even though some of the verses apply to a certain nation, the same concepts apply to our nation and other nations.

“Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, and don't beg me to help them, for I will not listen to you. Jeremiah 7:16

...and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. Jeremiah 18:8

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine... Exodus 19:5

And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you. Leviticus 18:28

But I said to you, “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations. Leviticus 20:24

You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. Leviticus 20:26

What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? Deuteronomy 4:7

You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” Deuteronomy 7:17

Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 8:20

After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 9:4-5

...and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.” Deuteronomy 12:30

For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you. Deuteronomy 15:6

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Deuteronomy 18:9 (This pertains to entering another nation.)

He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised. Deuteronomy 26:19

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. Deuteronomy 28:1

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. Deuteronomy 28:12

Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, and you will wear out your eyes watching for them day after day, powerless to lift a hand. Deuteronomy 28:32

The Lord will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your ancestors. There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone. Deuteronomy 28:36

The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. Deuteronomy 28:49-50

Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. Deuteronomy 28:65

Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. Deuteronomy 29:18

They are a nation without sense, there is no discernment in them. Deuteronomy 32:28

You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you. Joshua 23:3

Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. Joshua 23:7

“The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. Joshua 23:9

He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me... 2 Samuel 22:48

Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. 2 Samuel 22:50

At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the Lord had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger. 2 Kings 17:11 (Idols were erected on high places and the people worshiped them, which made God very angry.)

They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.” 2 Kings 17:15

They worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought. 2 Kings 17:33

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 1 Chronicles 16:24

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” 1 Chronicles 16:31

One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. 2 Chronicles 15:6

He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. Job 12:23

But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike... Job 34:29

The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. Psalm 9:17

Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Psalm 9:19

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:27-28

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭8‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 47:1

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8

He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations— let not the rebellious rise up against him. Psalm 66:7

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. Psalm 67:4

May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. Psalm 72:11

May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. Psalm 72:17

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Ps. 33:12

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Prov. 11:14

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Prov. 14:34

For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Isa. 58:2-3

For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. Isa. 60:12

And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives'--even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal--then they will be established among my people. But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it," declares the LORD. Jer. 12:

...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. II Chron. 7:14

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Fourth of July is the day we celebrate our independence. But "independence" does not mean we stand alone and answer to no other authority. We have stood as "one nation under God" for over 200 years--but that is rapidly changing.

The First Amendment has been newly interpreted to mean that there is a wall of separation between church and state. The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Neither "wall," "church," "separation," nor "state" are mentioned. The intent was that Congress should stay out of church affairs.

The "wall of separation between church and state" phrase was actually penned by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danville Baptists to let them know that no particular doctrine would dominate.

God's intent was never that church and "state" be divided. We have only to look to scriptures such as those above to see God's view. God does not want to be left out of any part of our lives.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Below is an appropriate warning for the state of our nation today. It is taken from Deuteronomy 28:44-50. We too are turning away from God -- no relationship, no obedience, only indifference, apathy, or even contempt.

"The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. 44 They will lend to you, but you will not lend to them. They will be the head, but you will be the tail. 45 All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the LORD your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you. 46 They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. 47 Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, 48 therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. Deut. 28" Does this apply to our nation too? We're on the edge of all of this coming true.

 Verses were from NIV Bible and were compiled and comments were made by Becky Wall

 beckyowall.blogspot.com