What is Your Truth?

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  John 8:32

The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences were written by Martin Luther in 1517 and are widely regarded as the initial catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. The disputation protests against clerical abuses, especially nepotism, simony, usury, pluralism, and the sale of indulgences. It is believed that, according to university custom, on 31 October 1517, Luther posted the ninety-five theses, which he had composed in Latin, on the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg. However, the fact that the theses themselves were posted on the church door is disputed.^[1]

I was reading on a blog the other day that many Christians think they know the "truth" about God and go around telling people what they believe that truth is. The blogger was against this.

I understand what he means. I belonged to a church that said the had the "truth" and then went to a different church for a year. They said the same thing. "We have the truth."  Well, they couldn't both have the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth because they believed different things.

So, what I have always done is search the Bible myself for truth, praying for guidance. When my sister was thinking of becoming a Buddhist I read up on their beliefs. I told her, "If there were no Jesus or Christianity, I would become a Buddhist. I admire a lot in that religion.

When I read books and the authors make claims about what they believe, I look the subject up in the Bible. I don't feel offended when people share their beliefs with me. Actually, I'm really interested. I have laughed inside sometimes at what some religions teach - like aliens coming here etc. However, these people are free to believe what they want and I've never laughed at them openly.

Anyway, this subject brought Martin Luther into my mind. He was the Catholic monk who some say started the Protestant Reformation. He saw the church doing things that were contrary to the Bible. He saw how this was hurting the common people, so he protested. He had no thought of starting his own church. He wanted reform from within, but it didn't happen so he had to leave. He wrote books and pamphlets about what he believed and how the church was wrong.

If God is being misrepresented by someone, then the truth about God needs to be told. Not many will receive the truth, it isn't popular to go against something that has been taught for centuries. But that's okay. Those who are searching and open-minded will study and see for themselves.

Never just believe what someone tells you about God. Search for yourself, pray for guidance and God will lead you. I have studied with Mormans and Jehovah Witnesses and Mennonites besides the church I used to belong to. (Seventh-Day-Adventist)  I have no fear of other's beliefs and I want to hear them. Lay their beliefs alongside the Bible and you will know what is truth.

I Love People Who are Gay.

"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? But those who are outside, God judges."  Paul, 1 Corinthians 5:12,13

I love people who are gay.
I love people who are brown, black, white or whatever.
I love people who live in the Middle East.
I love people who live here in Canada.
I love Asians, African-Americans, Europeans, Africans, Indians, Native-Americans, Australians, Swedes, Americans, and so on...
I love Jimmy Fallon, because he seems to have a loving heart.
I love Bill Mahr, because he is searching for truth.
I love Jon Stewart, because he cares about righteousness.
I love John McCain, because of his courage, even though I don't like his politics.
I love Barack Obama, because his forgiveness and patient endurance reminds me of Jesus.
I love Jerry Falwell because of the school he built that has helped countless young people.
I love Tom Cruise because of his courage and kindness in helping people who were in trouble.
I love Johnny Depp for paying off Nicolas Cage's back taxes. (He paid him back already.)
I love Prime Minister Harper for giving Canadians tax breaks. We needed them.
I love Thomas Mulcair because he cares about the underdog.
I love Justin Trudeau because he is passionate about our country.
I love Winston Churchill because he was so brave and a great inspiration.
I love Martin Luther King because of his courage and loving example.
I love Oscar Wilde because of his honesty, his brilliant writing and especially his book, "Deprofundis," where he tells of his acceptance of Christ.
I love my father, who abused me, but also taught me some good things and gave us kids some good times. He was born from a twisted family and became twisted and I'm so sorry that happened. I forgive him and I love him even though he may never have changed before he died. But maybe he did! Maybe he did just before he died. I would be so happy if that were true.

Love is a funny thing. For years I have prayed to love everyone - all people everywhere. God has been gracious to me in giving me love for people. I'm not all the way there yet - there is still lots of room for growth. I still get angry and still sneer inside sometimes. Gotta keep praying.

As the apostle Paul says, we have no right to judge those people who don't belong to our church.

I see plenty of judging from Christians against people who are gay.

We have no right to do it. We have no right to say they are not Christians. We have no right to fight against gay-marriage. 

When Jesus was on earth, he told the church of his time what their sins were. He did not condemn the Romans, their religion or their government. 

"Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord's help, they will stand and receive his approval." Romans 14:4

Jesus, when he spoke of the Holy Spirit said, "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment."

It seems to me Christians just love to convict people of sin. Especially sins they themselves don't commit. I think the Holy Spirit is big enough to do his job and we should leave people alone except to tell them Jesus loves them. Then let the Spirit do his work.

One last word. God says in the Bible, "I hate divorce." Yet, Christians get divorced just as often as non-Christians. So don't cast a stone if you have even one sin you have committed. Jesus said that too.

Am I Saved?

From the Writings of

Dwight L. Moody

A great many people say, "Mr. Moody, I would like to know if I am saved." The longer I live, the more I am convinced that it is one of the greatest privileges of a child of God to know - to be able to say, "I am saved."

How many people in the church when I ask them if they are Christians say, "Well, I hope so," in a hesitating way? Another class say, "I am trying to be." This is a queer kind of testimony, my friends...

Suppose a man asked me if my name was Moody, and I said, "Well, I hope so," wouldn't that sound rather strange?  Or, "I'm trying to be Moody."

We can rely on what Christ says, "Ge that believes in me will not die but have everlasting life." 

I find a great many people who want evidence that they have been accepted by the Son of God. If you want evidence, take God's word for it. You can't find better evidence than that. 

I believe hundreds of Christian people are being deceived by Satan on this point. They have not the assurance of salvation just because they are not willing to take God at his word. There cannot be any peace where there is uncertainty.

If the Bible doesn't teach assurance, then it doesn't teach justification by faith; if it doesn't teach assurance it doesn't teach redemption. The doctrine of assurance is as clear as any doctrine in the Bible.

Because of my personality and lack of knowledge and faith, when I was first a Christian I could hardly believe I could be saved. I always felt like such a terrible sinner God would never take me to heaven. I know better now and I am learning to trust I will be finally saved and live with God which is my dearest hope.

Laodicea - The Last Church.

In the previous post, I wrote about Christianity's condition just before Jesus returns. This church is called Laodicea. It is a rich and proud church; one that feels no need of God, they are doing just fine themselves.

The most frightening thing God says to Laodicea is, "I will spit you out of my mouth." If Christians don't repent and ask God to help them, this is what God will do. Why would you spit something out of your mouth? Because it is nauseating and repulsive. What a terrible and sad condition to be in. May God help us.

Jesus gives us all a chance though. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Revelation 3:20,21

So, Laodicea has not asked Jesus into their hearts. That is the root of the problem. We cannot be saved or even be good people if Jesus is not invited into our hearts. And these Christians have not done that because they feel no need of Him. 

Is it any wonder the world thinks Christians are unkind and disgusting when some shout, "God hates gays," and so many of them want to cut out welfare, food stamps and government programs for the poor. This is not what Christ did or would want us to do. 

I know there are many true Christians who do want to help the poor. But, in the verses about Laodicea they must be the minority because these verses are speaking of the majority of Christians. May God help us to repent and ask Jesus to come in and eat with us.

Listen to Him!

"If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you." Proverbs 1:23

"For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Prov. 2:6

"Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." Prov.2:9-11

Imagine the God of the universe pouring out his heart to each of us and making his thoughts known to us. When I read this last night I felt amazed by the humble ways of our God and how he loves us. The beginning of Chapter 1 is about the wicked and the evil that they do to others. God is telling them what they are missing by not listening to him. And oh how much they do miss!

What is Living Forever Worth to You?

Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

In ancient days, sometimes a landowner would put his gold in a chest and bury it in his field to keep it safe. If the man died suddenly and no one knew where the chest was it would be forgotten. The man in this story had come across someone's buried gold. He went home and sold everything in order to buy the field.

What must his family and neighbors thought when he gave up all he had to buy this plot of land? Perhaps his wife was angry. Perhaps he had to borrow from moneylenders. We don't know, but we do know why he did it. He knew he would own much more than all he had once he owned the land.

Having the gift of eternal life is like this, Jesus said. It is so important, so valuable, that we should be willing to give everything to have it.

I became a Christian during my first marriage. My husband was angry about it. He told me I should love him more than I loved God. He said our marriage should come first. His mother came over to talk with me about it. She asked, "Why are you willing to risk your marriage over religion? Why do you want to be a Christian?" I was a bit stunned and answered, "Eternal life." I didn't know God very well then, but I did know I wanted to live forever. I didn't want only one short life on this planet and I wanted my children to live forever also. It was worth everything to me then and it still is now.

Do Not Judge Others.

Jesus said, "Do not judge others and you will not be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged."

" Why do you see a piece of sawdust in your brother's eye, but not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck of dust out of your eye when you have a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to take a speck out of your brother's eye."
Matthew 7:1-5


I used to judge people when I was a young Christian. I would say to myself, "I would never do that!" It wasn't long before I realized I had done something worse than what they did! The Lord had to humble me before I realized what a sinner I was and how easy it was to fall.


When I used to go to church there was a lot of judging going on. People would come up to others and tell them they were doing wrong in front of everyone. People did that to us also. Yet, the people judging usually had a spirit of anger as they did this. Which is worse? Me letting my daughter take dance lessons (a no-no in our church) or being an angry, judgmental person who sowed strife wherever they went?

It seems like Jesus is saying too that if you are going to talk with someone about their sin problems, then you better make sure you don't have any. I'm not sure if there is anyone like that! But I think we can present Jesus' life as an example to everyone. We can admit we are sinners too and then point others to him.

A Question for God.

Last night I was at the casino with my mother. I went outside for a cigarette and while I was smoking I asked God, "I love to gamble, I love to drink, I love to smoke and I love to swear (the F bomb). What kind of a Christian am I?"

I didn't really expect an answer. I was just sharing my feelings with him. But he did answer. He said to my heart a verse from the Bible, "But we are saved through faith, and even that doesn't come from ourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, lest any man should boast."

I looked that verse up this morning. It is found in Ephesians 2:8.

I know that few Christians would think I was a Christian because of some of the things I do. But thank God he is different. "For the Lord sees not as man sees. For the Lord looks at the heart." I am so thankful to God that he doesn't judge harshly, that he is merciful, forgiving and kind. Thank you God for loving me just the way I am.

Under God's Wings.

Joyce Meyer wrote this wonderful piece on seeking God. It is found in her book, "New Day, New You."

"But seek first of all His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you." Matthew 6:33

"Too often we spend all of our time seeking God for answers to our problems when what we should be doing is just seeking God.

As long as we are seeking God, we are staying in the secret place, under the shadow of His wing. Psalm 91:2 says, "Under His wings shall you trust and find refuge." But when we start seeking answers to all the problems and situations that confront us, trying to fulfill our desires rather than God's will, we get out from under the shadow of His wings.

For many years I sought God about how I could get my ministry to grow. The result was that it stayed just the same as it was. It never grew. Sometimes it even went backward. What I didn't realize was that all I needed to do was to seek the kingdom of God, and He would add the growth.


Do you realize that you don't even have to worry about your own spiritual growth? All you need to do is seek the Kingdom, and you will grow. Seek God, abide in Him and He will cause increase and growth.

A baby just drinks milk and grows. All you and I have to do is desire the sincere milk of the Word and we will grow. We can never experience any real measure of success by our own human effort. Instead, we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; then all these other things we need will be added to us."

Seek My Face.

You have said, "Seek my face."
My heart says to you,
"Your face, O Lord, do I seek."
Psalm 27:7

How do we seek the Lord's face? By prayer and Bible study.

The Bible says God is our friend. When we have a close friend, we seek their company. We ask them to go to a movie with us, or go camping with us. It is the same with God. We ask him to be with us each day. We tell him what we have been doing and what we are thinking. Yes, he already knows these things, but he wants us to share our thoughts and feelings with him as with a friend.

Reading the Bible can be hard for some people. However, it can be made easy this way. Start with the New Testament, say the book of John, and read one or two verses a day. Think on what those verses are saying and how they could apply in your life. Talk with God about those verses and ask him to help you understand and remember what he is trying to teach you.

So, "Seek the Lord, while he may be found. Call upon him, while he is near."

"For My Mother and Father Have Forsaken Me, but the Lord Will Take Me In.

We have a young girl living in our home because her mother has thrown her out of the house. When I was acting up as a teenager, my father wanted to throw me out (I would have loved it), but my mother wouldn't let him. My grandsons have friends who have been told to leave. This is how the world is sometimes.

Apparently, David's parents turned their back on him. King Saul was looking for David to kill him. He was a fugitive, always on the run and hiding in caves. He took his parents with him, but they must have left David and been angry at him for all the trouble he brought upon him, for in Psalm 27:10 David tells us they had forsaken him.

Then he says, "But the Lord will take me in."

One thing we can count on; the Lord will never forsake us. Jesus says, "Behold, I am with you until the end of time." Matthew 28:20 If you feel all alone in the world, you are not. God is with you, he is only a breath away. Just ask him to come into your life and help you and he will.

Do We Deserve to be Sick?

John Chapter 9.

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?"

Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."

"While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Then Jesus healed the blind man.

While Jesus was in the world he was showing what God was like. He healed every person who asked. He does not do that now. Jesus went back to heaven and he hears all prayers, yet he does not heal everyone now.

My husband has Carcinoid Syndrome, I have fibromyalgia, some people are paralyzed, and some are blind. I have known some Godly women who have died; one of diabetes and one of breast cancer. They both had small children. Many prayers were said for these women. They were anointed with oil, yet God did not heal them.

Sometimes I hear sermons on TV and preachers say that God doesn't want us to be sick. God will heal us if we will only believe. But I disagree. I think the reason God doesn't heal everyone now and didn't heal everyone before Jesus was a man on earth is because if he did - all sick people would come to God just to be healed. No one would die, because if faith can always heal us then we would never die.

We are not sick because of our sins. Jesus himself said this. We are not being punished and God is not mad at us. Jesus said that that this man's blindness was so God's works might be displayed in him. What did he mean?

My husband has been asked time and again why he is so cheerful when he is always in pain and constantly feels weak. This has given him the chance to tell people how God has helped him through his illness. God has given him peace and joy in spite of how he feels. He has learned to lean on God for strength and patience. What Jesus said has happened; God's works have been displayed through his illness.

Many people come to God when they are sick or dying. The pleasures and trinkets of this life pale in comparison to the unknown ahead of them. God can take something negative, like illness, and use it to bring people to an eternal life with him where there is no pain, no sickness and no death. Therefore, God's works are displayed.

Life can make us bitter. Chronic illness can make us bitter. Both my husband and I wish we weren't sick, we have both been tempted to feel angry about it and bitter about all the things we can't do any more. But we have both talked with God about our feelings and he has given us peace and acceptance. We believe God will always bring good out of evil for people who trust him.

At the Right Time.

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a good person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." Colossians 5:6-

The Whole Armor of God.

"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for you feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Renew Your Mind.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Romans 12:2

There is a dynamic principle shown throughout God's Word, and no person will ever walk in victory unless he understands and operates in it: right action follows right thinking.

Let me put it another way: you will not change your behaviour until you change your thoughts.

In God's order of things, right thinking comes first, and right action follows.

"Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind." Ephesians 4:24

These are quotes from the book, Battlefield In Your Mind, by Joyce Meyer.

Joyce helped me so much in my Christian walk. I used to wake up each morning wishing I had never been born. I hated facing a new day with all the problems it may throw at me. I used to ask God to let me die and have some peace.

This was my state of mind when I read this book. I wrote down all her suggestions on how to think differently. I read them every morning and quoted the Bible out loud as she instructed. Immediately I felt better about my life. Soon I didn't need to read the list of instructions, it just came naturally to think right thoughts.

My inner life has changed completely. I wake up happy to be alive. When something bad happens I now know that with God I can face it. I am so thankful to God and Joyce.

Jesus Asks Questions.

This is the last post on questions that God and Jesus have asked people. I conclude with Jesus and a few of the questions he asked.

"Why were you afraid, you men of little faith?" Matt. 8:26

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matt. 16

Faith is important to God. Jesus asked both these questions when he was on the sea with his disciples. In the first instance, they were all afraid of their boat sinking. There was a fierce storm at the time. Jesus was asleep and they woke him asking if he cared they would all die.

Jesus implied a person of faith would not have been afraid. Why? Why does it show faith when you believe you are about to drown and you are not afraid? I think that faith would say, "Trust in the Lord, if it is his will for you to die now then accept it. If it is not his will, no storm on earth could kill you."

The second verse came from Jesus when Peter came out onto the water to walk with Jesus. But Peter looked away and became afraid and began to sink. He looked at the storm instead of at Jesus. This it to teach us to look at God when we are in trouble. If we do, we will not doubt or be afraid.

Saul (later named Paul)was persecuting Christians; he was arresting them and taking them to jail. As he was going to Damascus a great light shone around him, he saw a heavenly person (Jesus) who spoke to him and asked him this question,


"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

Paul had an open mind, he asked, "Who are you Lord?"

Jesus answered, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting."

Paul was converted that day, he repented and became one of the greatest Apostles.

If God ever questions you or I, how will we answer him? Will we be rebellious or will we open our heart to him?

A Question for Isaiah and Questions for All of Us.

Isaiah, like Elijah, was another great prophet of God. One day God took him to heaven and Isaiah saw, "the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted..."

God now asked a question of the ones in heaven, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for me?"
Isaiah answered and said, "Here am I, send me." What a wonderful answer! After seeing the majesty of God, Isaiah must have been strengthened for his great work in giving God's messages to the people of Israel.

Reading through the book of Isaiah, God asks the people many questions. Sometimes questions push us to examine why and what we are doing.

"What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the face of the poor?"
This is an important issue with God; it is mentioned time and time again in the Old Testament and the New.

"To whom will you liken me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One.

"Why do you say, 'My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God?'"

"Is my hand short that it cannot save? Have I no power to deliver?
Behold, I dry up the sea with my rebuke. I make the rivers in a wilderness."

"Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?"

The Lord God wants to talk with people. He doesn't just want a one-sided conversation, he wants us to hear what he says in the Bible and he listens to what we say to him. If we have questions for God, he will answer them. Sometimes, like with Job, he will not explain all his reasons for doing things, but he will show us that he is trustworthy.

God Questions Job.

The book of Job tells the story of a man who endures terrible psychological and physical suffering. God shows us in the first chapter how Satan tells God Job only loves God because he has given him many gifts: children, money, lands, animals, and servants.

Satan tells God if he lets him take away all Job has then Job will curse God and leave him. God tells Satan he can touch everything of Job's but cannot take his life.

When Job loses everything and everyone but his wife, he cannot understand why he is suffering. Job's three friends tell him he must have sinned greatly for God to punish him in this way, but Job can think of nothing he has done. He wishes he had never been born and wishes he could talk with God and question Him.

God appears to talk with Job. He never explains why Job has had these tragedies. Instead, he asks him a long list of questions which I won't quote since there are too many. I will quote four of them.

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?"

"Will the fault-finder contend with the Almighty?"

"Will you really annul my judgement?"

"Will you condemn me that you may be justified?"

God explains his great wisdom and power by pointing to all creation. He is trying to tell Job he knows what he is doing.

Job answers God, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted...Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me which I did not know..."

"But now my eye sees you; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes."

The Question for Elijah.

Elijah was a mighty prophet of God, one of the greatest who ever lived. Yet, even he could become discouraged and fearful. When Jezebel announced she would have Elijah killed he ran into the desert to hide. He ran until he became hungry and tired; he sat under a tree and asked God that he might die, then fell asleep.

God sent an angel who woke Elijah and said, "Arise, eat." When Elijah looked there was warm bread and a jar of water. This happened twice, he regained his strength and went further into the wilderness until he found a cave in which to hide.

Now God himself appeared and asked Elijah a question, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah explained to God all that had happened and told God he was the only person left in Israel who believed in him and they wanted to kill him. But God told him he was wrong, there were 7,000 people in Israel who had not worshipped Baal (an idol that demanded human sacrifice).

He then asked again, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He asked this because he had not sent Elijah into the desert. He had not told him to flee Jezebel. He now told him to return to Israel and Elijah obeyed.

I love how God deals with his people. He is so patient and understanding. "May everything that breathes praise the Lord!"

Questions II

Yesterday, I blogged about how God asks questions. I studied some more and found quite a few more examples.
Most people know the story of Jonah and the whale, but did you know that Jonah was angry with God when he didn't destroy the people of Nineveh? He probably didn't think they deserved to live, and also that he might be thought of as a false prophet.

So God came to visit Jonah and asked him, "Do you have a good reason to be angry?" Jonah 4:4

Isn't it wonderful to see the patience of God. Someone was angry with him, yet God didn't yell or punish, he simply asked a question. And what was Jonah's reply? "I have good reason to be angry, even to death." He was so angry, he wanted to die rather than accept what God had done.

Again God shows patience in explaining to Jonah his reasons.

"Shouldn't I have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who don't know their right hand from their left, as well as many animals?" Not only does God care about the people, he cares about the animals that would have died.

You may ask, "If God loved Nineveh so much why would he threaten to destroy the whole city?" The Bible has long lists of evils that push God to punish nations. The most prominent reason is child sacrifice. In many religions of that day the people laid babies and children on an alter and burned them to death. The other reasons were cruelty to strangers, murder of innocent people, sexual sins, robbing the poor, widows and orphans and not helping those in need. God will let nations go so far, and then no farther.

To those who turn to God, he will gladly accept and forgive. He will give them a new heart that loves to do good and not evil.