Tag Archives: Justice

The Pivotal Turning Point in America

Posted on by yolandaberry
Reply
College students in classroom, Education

This has been a horrific week. For the past few days, I’ve watched countless videos of Charlie Kirk’s debates. I don’t follow politics besides watching the debates prior to the presidential elections. Unfortunately, I have never heard of him until the shooting that took place a few days ago. I’ve been quite numb trying to gather my thoughts on this whole thing.

Freedom of speech will not be silenced due to the lack of intolerance of differences in views, perspectives, beliefs, opinions and values. No one should be murdered for their beliefs or viewpoints. No one should be murdered period. We have witness countless shootings in schools, churches, concerts, major venues, public transportation, and in the streets of our communities.

On the anniversary of 911 this is a tragedy to witness the extremes of the changes that have taken place in America. This is not who we are and not what we stand for. I’m disgusted with the violence in this country. I’m disguised by the celebrations taken place by someone losing their life. This is an outrage and has created a Holy Ghost roar in the Spirit. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Prov 18:21.

In the Last Days, many hearts will grow cold. Lawlessness will rise. In 2 Tim:31-5, it states “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

You cannot silence the Word of God. His Word is a two-edged sword; it penetrates dividing the soul and spirit. joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12

The truth digs deep and gets under the skin and exposes the evil and darkness in people’s hearts.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops! Matt 10:27

We will not bow to fear. We will not be silenced. We will not compromise our faith, freedom, values or political views. This country was founded on Biblical principles, morals and values. Let God arise and let our enemies be scattered. Psalm 68:1

God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.

Nahum 1:1-3

The Lord led me to read Nahum a few weeks ago. Nahum was an Old Testament prophet who has not been mentioned much or at all in church sermons. Nahum pronounced God’s judgement against the nation of Assyria. Nineveh was the ancient capital city of the Assyrian Empire. There was a great rise and fall in the Assyrian nation which was taken over by the Babylonians. In 612 B.C. Nineveh was destroyed as the prophet Nahum warned.

Ninevah, much like today’s modern cities in America, was full of evil, and wickedness just like in the days of Noah. Jonah was called to deliver a message of repentance to the city. Jonah called a fast upon the city of Nineveh. The people were delivered and turned back to God and the city was restored.

5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything: let them not feed, nor drink water: 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Jonah 3:5-10

We are on the cusp of a turning point in America. The warning signs are all around us. Will we stand for holiness and righteousness, or will the hearts of many grow cold and callus as we falter into perverse, wickedness which has taken place in this nation and around the world?

I believe in humanity. I know there are still a multitude of people searching for God and want to get saved and baptized, learn more about God’s character, promises and principles and to do the right thing in their life. There are many others who are living for God and living as an example for Jesus Christ. Charlie Kirk was a great example of this.

Hope is not lost. It is found in opposition, chaos, conflict and strife. We must learn to be tolerant of other people’s differences, beliefs, perspectives and opinions even if we do not agree with them.

Jesus did not come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17 God loves you so much that He gives you freedom of choice. You can believe how you want to believe, however “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [In other words, you choose not to believe] And this is the condemnation that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:18-21

May our eyes be opened, may our hearts receive truth and fresh revelation of the Spirit and may our minds be transformed to the obedience of Christ. Let us carry boldness to stand in our faith, speak truth to the lost and stay prayerful with a repentance heart.

Much like in Nineveh, we must turn our hearts to the Lord to escape the destruction coming upon the land.

My heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Charlie Kirk. He is resting with Lord in peace. To God be the Glory who is found in Jesus name!

Additional Bible Reading

14 If my people, which 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. 2 Chron 7:14

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:2

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18

23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Luke 12:12

19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Eph 6:10-20

4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev 21:4

Ye though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Subscribe to the newsletter sent directly to your inbox for devotional-style encouragement and inspirational messages, purpose-driven tools and resources created for the Body of Christ as well as faith-based entrepreneurs, creatives, personal brands, non-profits and ministry organizations. Stay current with the latest updates and strengthen your walk in the Lord.

Subscribe Now

Discerning the Times: Tilling the Foundation of Our Soil

Posted on by yolandaberry
Reply

Many people feel their voice doesn’t matter. We have an obligation, responsibility and right to speak up when we experience or witness injustice, abuse or mistreatment in our homes, workplace, community or in the world. For far too long, people are silenced, shamed or bullied because of their opinions or beliefs. We should value other’s opinions whether we agree or not. You should, however, use wisdom and discernment to analyze and dissect data or any information you receive.

There’s always something to learn from someone’s point of view or perspective so you should not be so quick to shut them down.

An ignorant man does not take instruction from wise counsel. Prov 12:15

Let them alone; they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into a ditch. Matt 15:14

When you are silenced, your power is stripped away from you. You can no longer communicate or express your thoughts and feelings, exchange information or learn from others. The enemy understands the power of your voice because the Lord spoke the world into existence. [Gen 1]

Your words activate life or death. Whether written or verbal, there is weight in your words. You can transform a person by speaking negatively or positively. Be mindful of the words you speak to yourself and with others.

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a foundation send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. James 3:10-12

We must also protect and secure our history, culture and identity as an individual, society and nation. We must ensure that our history isn’t stripped away whether it be good or bad. For whence a man does not understand his past, he no longer has the ability or knowledge to understand the present. He will not have the ability to understand the foundation or know his origin. He will not have the ability to glean from the lessons learned.

Dummying down or blinding the eyes of a society is dangerous and decreases the diligence, strength and power of a nation. We can’t afford to be silenced. We need to stand in unity for the common good over the tyranny and suppression that has taken over the culture. We can no longer afford to sit idle as a defenseless bystander. We are equip and more than capable to defeat the giants that continue to mock and taunt the foundation of our democracy and values.

May our eyes be open to the truth and may we have the wisdom to discern, question and analyze what we hear. Lastly, may our hands be used to plow the land, rebuild the foundation and repair the damage in harmony for the restoration of America.

If you would like to receive the latest posts, please subscribe for more.

Related Scriptures:

1 Kings 18:21

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

Matt 16:1-4

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

1 Peter 1:20-21

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Matt 23:25-28

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

I Peter 5:8

 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Dan 2:21-22

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

1 Peter 1:2-4

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:20-21

 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Dan 7:25-27

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

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.

Matt 24:12-14

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Additional Reading

Matt 15, 16, 18, 23

Beauty for Ashes: A Global Outcry for Justice and Equality

Posted on by yolandaberry
Reply 
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8

Oh, Nation! Do you hear our voices? Do you hear the cries of the people? The people who are constantly shot and killed on the streets and in their homes of America? The people constantly under assault and persecution for the color of their skin? The people striped of their identity and vandalized of their basic human rights to live free on this earth?

Our cities are burning due to the blind eye for justice. For generations, we have been raped of our humanity and dignity. How long do we have to continue on the same cycle of racism, prejudice, bigotry, harassment, discrimination and ignorance?

Oh, stiff-necked nation, repent for the sins against humanity. Turn away from your idols. Change from your wicked ways, devices and weapons of destruction against the people of color. Have you not learned anything from past generations?

This racist spirit; this racist attitude is a condition of the heart. It is a learned behavior that is passed on like a contagious virus. It is a disease of the soul that has infected every political, educational, judicial, and economical system throughout the world.

Do you not understand there is a penalty? That there is a price to pay for injustice? That you are accountable and responsible for your actions or complacency?

Why did it take cities to burn across the nation to the arrest four white men for the death of an innocent man?

Your hands are bloody and unclean. Your hearts are like filthy rags. Your mind is like a cancer.

We are at a crossroad in America for justice. We can’t go back to insanity. The repetitious pattern of hatred has to be extinguished. The time is now!

This moment is a pivotal point in history. The embedded racial coding throughout American culture is exposed and guilty as charged. Do you realize that there are consequences of an unchanged heart filled with arrogance, greed, ignorance and disobedience?

Oh city of Babylon, judgement is upon you. Purge from your evil ways before it’s too late. Its midnight hour in America and in the world. Extreme measures of correction, action and resolution is the torch that will lead the way out of darkness. The wind of change is upon us.

Will we finally have beauty for ashes?

The message is simple. Love.

I Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Jer 50:23-25

How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!

24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the Lord.

25 The Lord hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord God of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.

Jer 50:26-29

Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.

27 Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

28 The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God, the vengeance of his temple.

29 Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel.

Jer 50:38

A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.

Jer 50:43

The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.

Jer 51:7-11

Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.

10 The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God.

11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple.

Jer 51:17-18

Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

18 They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

Jer 51:43

43 Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby.

Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

8 For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.