For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. – Romans 7:18-20 ESV

Warrior;
There are 2 schools of thought. Man is basically good, or man is basically evil. And your answer is based on your underlying vision. Do you believe God, or do you believe the world? There are so many people who call themselves Christians but yet, they believe what they want to believe instead of what God tells us. We want to march for Black Lives Matter, or for Women’s rights, we want to vote Republican or vote Democrat, people burning down cities and destroying businesses, killing children so as to dismantle systemic racism. We are looking for a FLESHLY solution to a SPIRITUAL problem. “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (Jeremiah 17:9, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 Peter 5:8) The Bible is clear, MAN IS THE PROBLEM. Technically, MAN, our race- we all have three enemies and not one of them is called TRUMP or BIDEN, white people or black people, it’s not the police or BLM. Our enemies are the FLESH, the WORLD, and the DEVIL.

Leader, the worst enemy you have is not your neighbor nor your bill collector, he is not your severest critic nor your most aggressive competitor. The enemy is yourself, he\she occupies the same skin that you occupy, uses the same brain, uses the same hands- the enemy is our flesh. I have met the enemy, and they are LIVING IN MY SHORTS! This is what Paul is talking about above; Consciously I know what I should do, but the ‘programming’ in the flesh makes me struggle at the point of decision. It is interesting how these enemies are identified through the struggles of the Israelites as they entered the promised land in the book of Joshua. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. (Joshua 1:2b-3) J Vernon McGee says that once in the promised land, that these three enemies foreshadowed the same three enemies that we have today as Christians. I love hidden mysteries of the Bible and Dr. McGee says that there is one of those mysteries in the meaning of the PROMISED Land and the first three battles that ensued. First Dr. McGee says that the Promised Land does NOT represent Heaven, like many believe. He says, Canaan represents the place where we should be living down here. Just like the Israelites, we are at choice; we can live in the wilderness, and many believers do, but we are to be living down here in Canaan. The Wilderness is NOT FUN, the wilderness march was not easy. But in the land of Canaan that is where we are blessed with all spiritual blessings. Similar to today, when we walk with God and NOT THE WORLD, we are blessed with all SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS; Peace, love, mercy, Grace, Long-suffering, forgiveness….

Conduit, the only battle that the children of Israel lost in taking the Promised Land was a battle in which the defeat came, not from without but from within. And as God said- where you step, I will give you! In other words, if you want it, STEP INTO IT- ACT AS IF! Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Jericho, Ai, and the Gibeonites, these three enemies prevented Israel’s enjoyment and possession of the Promised Land. The Land was theirs, like many blessings that are ours on this planet, right now but we are not STEPPING INTO because of the FLESH, the WORLD, and the DEVIL. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27) Just Like God’s PEACE is given to us, the land was theirs, God had told them and God gave them the title deed when He said to Abraham: And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. (Genesis 17:8) The three enemies of Joshua represent the enemies of the Christian today. 1– Jericho represents the world. 2 – Ai represents the flesh. 3 – The Gibeonites represent the devil. Today, as long ago, you and I have a threefold enemy robbing us of our possessions: the world, the flesh, and the devil. How do we defeat those three enemies? HIS WORD, HIS BLOOD and sharing OUR WALK. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. (Revelation 12:11) Today consider there are many things far worse than death. In the Covid 19 era, when people will give up their rights, their freedom, and their country- just to keep alive. Without Jesus, all the good you do, just helps people comfortably go to hell. You might get someone free school, or more opportunities in this world, but what are you doing to help them into the PROMISED LAND?

https://omny.fm/shows/like-it-matters-radio/08-03-21-diagnosis-existential-crisis

Today on Like It Matters Radio Mr. Black offers a diagnoses to America’s problems, and the confusion in our heads and hearts. Dr Viktor Frankl came up with the concept of Logo Therapy, sitting in a cell in Auschwitz. Man’s will to meaning, creates a ‘Search for Meaning’. When we don’t know Who we are, then, ‘what to do’ becomes confusing. Tune into Like It Matters Radio for an ‘hour of power’ as Mr. Black discusses; Diagnosis: Existential Crisis.
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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is ja new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ESV

Warrior;
We all have a timeline. We ALL have a PAST, a PRESENT and a FUTURE. As a follower of Jesus Christ, we have the blessing, the gift, the opportunity the RIGHT to start NEW ever day! The prophet Isaiah told us of the NEWNESS of God; Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19) Are you desiring a NEW BEGINNING? Today is that day to start NEW!

Leader, God tells us what He does with our PAST when we step into our FUTURE and accept the GRACE and MERCY of the CROSS! Because HE LOVES us, because HE KNOWS us and because of WHO HE IS- HE LEAVES the PAST and HE IS OUR FUTURE! For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. (Psalm 103 :11-14)

Conduit, IN CHRIST, ever day we have an UP UNTIL NOW opportunity! We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a hold nation, a people for his own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Will you embrace the NEWNESS that CHRIST offers to all who WILL DIE to themselves and accept the NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST? For behold I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17) Today, put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:24) We have a NEW, a BETTER agreement then the sons of Jacob: In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And lwhat is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 8:13, Galatians 3:28) And at the VERY END, which becomes the NEW BEGINNING- God will again remind us of HIS NEWNESS; And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” …”for these words are trustworthy and true.” Start fresh today, BE NEW and ACT DIFFERENTLY- than those who are still stuck in OLD sin, OLD ways, OLD pain, and an OLD COVENANT!

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. – Psalm 19:7-11 ESV

Warrior;
You can tell your relationship with God by your relationship with HIS WORD. If you don’t believe in the Bible, if you don’t spend time in the Bible, if you do not hunger and thirst for the WORD OF GOD, then you might not be a true disciple of Christ. This Psalm was written by a man after God’s own heart. God loves His son, and His Son is HIS WORD. It is biblically impossible to separate the WORD OF GOD, from the SON OF GOD. bible-studys.org says about this Psalm; “David depicted the Lord God as author of both His world and Word in a unified hymn. God has revealed Himself to mankind through these two avenues. The human race stands accountable to Him because of His non-verbal and verbal communications. In the light of these intentions, Psalm 19 eloquently summarizes two prominent vehicles of God’s self-disclosure. First we see God’s General Self-Disclosure in the World (v1-6). The Publication of the Skies (v1-4b); The Prominence of the Sun (v:4c-6). Secondly we see God’s Special Self-Disclosure in the World (v7-14). The Attributes of the Word (v7-9); An Appreciation for the Word (v10-11); The Application of the Word (v12-14).

Leader, there are many different phrases and words used for the WORD OF GOD. “Testimony, statutes, commandment,” and “judgments” are all synonyms for God’s law, the Bible. The connection between the previous verses (creation), and God’s Word here is that as the sun is the centerpiece of creation, so must God’s Word be the centerpiece of believers’ lives. See the play on WORDS. The Sun is the centerpiece of Creation, and the SON is the centerpiece of Creation! Hear the Word of the Lord; Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver. Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. (Psalm 119:72, 127, 130) We must remember the transitive principle. If A=B, and B=C, then A=C. If Jesus is the Word of God, and if the Word of God is the Bible, then Jesus = Bible. If you are NOT IN HIS WORD, then how can you be CONNECTED TO HIM? If you are NOT connected TO HIM, then how can you pretend to WALK WITH HIM? All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Did you pick up the WHY? So that the PERSON OF GOD may be COMPLETE, FULLY equipped for EVERY good work! Hear the Word of the Lord; My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. So now, my sons, listen to me, and do not turn aside from the words of my mouth. (Proverbs 5:1-2,7)

Conduit, It is written: The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) This is why we must eat scripture. Listen to The Word, HIS WORD- read it, study it, consider it, ‘google search’ it! The Word of God REVIVES the soul, makes the simple- wise, causes the heart to rejoice. The WORD is pure, and it enlightens the eyes- makes things make sense, even when they seem chaotic. It is lasting, it is enduring, it is eternal, it is comforting, it is illuminating, it is necessary to make sense out of this senseless time. David compares the Word of God to things that were special in his time, Gold and honey. Gold was precious because it was the highest form of currency. Honey was God’s candy, something to sweeten the palate and satiate the appetite in a world that had few sweets. This is where we EXAMINE OURSELVES. Is His law precious and desirable? (v10). The man of faith can respond only with a prayer that he be kept from both hidden sins (v12), and willful sins (v13); that what he says may be acceptable to the Lord; and that even what he thinks may be pleasing to God (v14). In closing, meditate on the paraphrase of this fine Psalm from the MSG Bible. “The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries. There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray”. That is really the key question today as we examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith- ARE THESE YOUR WORDS, from your HEART?

Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed]. – 2 Thessalonians 2:3 AMP

Warrior;
We must know the Time. If you do not know what TIME IT IS, then you can be like the 5 virgins who were NOT READY, and missed the bridegroom. The Parable of the Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13. “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. “Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. (v1-2) The difference was 5 were prepared, and 5 were not! They did NOT KNOW what time it was! Remember Time has 2 Greek words; Kairos and Chronos. One has to do with the time on your clock, one has to do with the TIME WE ARE IN. We are in the END TIMES. Many are surprised by the rapid decline of America, our freedoms, and our Godly foundation. The TRUE REMNANT of the church is watching the church fall into Apostasy. Proof of that can be found in what is preached in the pulpit. We live in Prophetic times, we are living in the times that the Bible calls, the ‘End Times’, yet only 2% of sermons deal with ‘end time’ prophecy. As a Pastor said, most services are some worship music and then a TED talk. Our pulpits are lacking the teaching of relevant scripture. There is little Eschatology being taught, and even less teaching about the Kairos we are in. We must remember one of the ‘tell-tell’ signs of the Terminal Church is a great falling away from the truth. Apostasy will characterize that last church before the rapture. The Bible says there will be wolves among the flocks, there will be a doctrine of demons. We can call that social justice, Critical theory that begat Critical Race Theory, White Privilege and Black victims, keeping a record of wrong and a pound of flesh. No forgiveness, no turning the other cheek, no Mercy, and no Grace.

Leader, this is why we are called to EAT scripture. When we know what TIME IT IS, then we can have a peace that surpasses all understanding. Hear the Word of the Lord: So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (John 8:31-32, Philippians 4:7) When you know what the Bible says, then you know what TIME IT IS and you can have understanding and be GROUNDED IN THE TRUTH. Because the Bible says that MANY WILL FALL AWAY from the TRUTH! Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4) The Church is being taken over by SOCIAL JUSTICE advocates, that think somehow they are going to have man fix man, and everything will be all better and Justice will reign our land. That is not scriptural, that is NOT possible, and it is NOT our mission. Hear the Word of the Lord; And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. (Matthew 28:18-19)

Conduit, in an April ’21 article on christianpost.com, the WILES OF THE DEVIL is exposed nicely: “’Wokeism’ is far more effective than secularism ever could be because it fills the “God-shaped hole” in our culture. It claims its own interpretation of justice, righteousness, sin, and judgment. Followers find meaning in the ultimate goal of dismantling oppressive power structures to create their utopian society. The ideas put forward by ‘wokeism’ are the exact opposite of what God has spoken over us as children of God. We were created male and female, made in His image with authority over the earth”. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 says, “This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies”. The PULPIT COMMENTARY on today’s verse states: “Except there come a falling away; or, the apostasy; namely, that apostasy about which the apostle, when in Thessalonica, had instructed his readers. The falling away here alluded to is evidently religious, not political. Hence it cannot be the revolt of the Jews from the Romans, or any of those revolts and disturbances which then occurred in the political world. Nor must we conceive that the man of sin himself is here meant; for this apostasy precedes his coming – prepares the way for his advent; it is not the result, but the cause, of his appearance”. Did you read that last sentence? It is NOT the RESULT, but the CAUSE OF his appearance. WAKE UP, ‘wokeism’ is of the devil, it is the DOCTRINE OF DEMONS. Jesus was never at an anti-slavery rally, a woman’s march, or any other SOCIAL JUSTICE CAUSE. The Gospel is about JESUS; His reason for coming, His reason for dying, and His reason for the resurrection. REFOCUS, don’t get caught up in the marches of the WORLD, stay ON PURPOSE- we are on a rescue mission!

And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” – Joshua 7:20-21 ESV

Warrior;
We must understand our patterns. Social media, pollsters, businesses all work hard to identify these algorithms and ACT accordingly so that it is more profitable to their mission. We must identify MAN’s pattern for destruction; I SAW, I COVETED, I TOOK. Whether it is Eve in the Garden (Gen 3:6), or David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2-5)- The pattern is the same. Next we change the meaning of things to fit our B.S; from Adultery to affair, murder to choice, fornication to love, coveted to spoils.

Leader, when we have an FOS (Flesh Operating System)- the pattern is impossible to change. However, when we REPENT to the original GOS (God Operating System) THEN our thinking is transformed and we have a NEW BEGINNING (2 Cor 5:17).

Conduit, Be blessed with the understanding that the reason for your existence is to GLORIFY GOD. Everlasting Life is a gift of the GREAT I AM, that is received through humble acceptance of the BLOOD OF JESUS as the CHRIST, the REDEEMER, the PERFECT sacrificial LAMB! Today, REBOOT to God’s algorithm; See, Serve, Share, Save

Today on Like It Matters Radio Mr. Black talks about the greatest asset of any company, organization, entity.  It is the Hearts and Minds of their people.  We are all made for relationship.  As the Poet John Donne said, ” No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main”. We are part of a TEAM.  We form teams within our family unit, our civic organizations, our church\synagogue\mosque, our work life and in our social settings.  Together Everyone Achieves More, is the proper understanding of T E A M.  Today Mr. Black will be joined by CEO of Eco-tint in Las Vegas, Mike Roades. Mike  is a leader/ business owner who is committed to his team and his team members by using LIM’s Leadership Training.  Mike wants the best for his team at work, and at home.  Hear how the impact of his understanding the whole concept of Team, and what that means- and how it is changing lives!  Tune into LIke it Matters Radio for an hour of Power, as Mr. Black discusses; What is a group of people with a common mission.
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Listen live 11-12 noon CST search Freedom Radio 1570 on iHeartRadio or stream online at Freedom1570.com
For more ways to listen and previously aired shows, go to likeitmattersradio.com
Available on iTunes podcasts 🍎

likeitmatters #talkradio #leadership #motivation #inspiration #education #bestlife #bestyou #growth #personalgrowth #training