2 Chronicles 22:1-4

3-18-19, The pervasiveness of wickedness in our current day society can make even the most hopeful person feel cynical or despairing. Human abortion, trafficking, homosexuality, blasphemy, corruption, murder, the opioid drug use epidemic, and more—every day it seems that evil has modern culture in its grip.
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In the Old Testament we read about King Ahaziah’s brief one year reign he was the son of a wicked King Jehoram [2 Chron 21:12-18] woman who trained him to follow in her footsteps. It started badly and ended even worse, with choices to follow the example of wicked Ahab [his grandfather] (2 Chronicles 22:3-4, 5–6). After Ahaziah's death, his wicked mother, Athaliah, [daughter of King Ahab & Jezebel] claimed the throne and went on a murderous rampage against everyone in the royal family (2 Chronicles 22:10).

3-24-19, Daily Caller -- High-profile Democrats repeatedly promised the public they would see evidence of collusion between President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia. However, special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation found no evidence of collusion or election meddling.
The outrageous Democrat from California Maxine Waters predicted in December 2017 that Mueller’s report is “going to lead right to, not only collusion, obstruction of justice, money laundering.” Swalwell, Schiff and other Democrats didn’t wait for Mueller to finish his investigation to claim that collusion had already been proven; some claimed Pres Trump would see jail time!

Now that Mueller has spent $25+ million and two years rooting around finding nothing; do these government leaders have the moral fortitude and integrity to admit their error and apologize. NO WAY - now they will haul Mueller before their committee! Pelosi convened Cummings, Schiff and Nadler who later held a conference call with Democratic members on the Judiciary panel and reiterated calls for transparency. More here and here

Persecution Hmong, Montagnard Christians in Vietnam
03/24/2019 Vietnam (International Christian Concern) – Christian minorities in communist Vietnam are facing systematic discrimination due to their Christian faith. UN needs to step in to address the issue.

Vietnam: Hmong and Montagnard Christians denied basic civil rights ...
3-24-19, Christian Persecution -- Another example of how the persecution of Christians is often abetted by or even initiated by government authorities and ignored by the world ... ​More here

3-25-19, FrontPage -- In May 2017, The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund  [FCDF] filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on behalf of five families and two advocacy organizations, Citizens for Quality Education and San Diego Asian Americans for Equality against Council on American-Islamic Relations [CAIR], that poses as a Muslim civil rights organization. The legal complaint asserted that the San Diego Unified School District’s “anti-Islamophobia initiative,” launched to fight purported anti-Muslim bullying was actually biased and bullying against other religions.
 
NOTE: In 2007 the embattled CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator in an alleged criminal conspiracy supporting both the Islamic terror group HAMAS in Gaza Israel and the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development. In 2014 the United Arab Emirates designated CAIR a terrorist organization.
 
Charles LiMandri, chief counsel for FCDF said that CAIR falsely claimed that President Trump’s election caused a wave of attacks on Muslim students in the San Diego school district. “CAIR’s insinuation that there are hordes of MAGA [Make America Great Again] hat-wearing students prowling the schools and terrorizing Muslim students is a study in mass deception. … Under the guise of promoting inclusivity, CAIR had unfettered power to target conservative Christian students and smear them as ‘Islamophobic’ if they don’t accept Islam. More broadly, the liberal school board ran roughshod over the First Amendment by empowering CAIR to indoctrinate impressionable children. … This is a tremendous victory against radical Islamic indoctrination in America’s schools. This settlement agreement will serve as a warning to politically correct school boards nationwide to think twice about partnering with CAIR.”

The legal settlement: The US Supreme Court holds that “government must be neutral toward religion; and it may not aid, foster, or promote one religion or religious belief over other religions or religious beliefs.” The California school district must permanently drop the CAIR program and not permit the spreading of Islamic propaganda. School officials must correct the pro-Muslim bias and blatantly disproportionate emphasis on Islamic history in the curriculum; treat each religion with equal respect, with the time and attention spent discussing each religion being proportionate to its impact on history and human development and the material presented in its historical context. Educational materials dealing with religious subject matter.
​“Guest speakers from religious organizations are not permitted to present religious topics to students.”
 
Excerpted full original report here

Historic USA Midwest Flooding: Cost at Least $1.3 Billion
3-19-19, Weather Channel, New evacuations ordered ... officials beginning to tally up the damage from the historic flooding ... Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts told reporters the "preliminary and initial" losses from recent flooding estimated to be $439 million in infrastructure, $85 million in private homes and business losses, $400 million in livestock and $440 million in crop losses.
More evacuations in Midwest as floodwaters head downstream

Let Me Not See Old Age

God grant that I not live to my centenary
When I was young & strong I thought
I knew everything that would be of use to me
Indulged myself as youth is wont to do
I took my simple pleasures casually
But slow advancing age has forced me to
Consider my future path most seriously.
-- D.R.Geraint Jones

End Times Knowledge will Increase

In Daniel the book was sealed - in Revelation it is unsealed.

Daniel 12:4 "Like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”

Revelation 22:10
"Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near.

Arkansas: Public high school teacher uses art project to indoctrinate ...
Mar 1, 2019 - Source: Arkansas high school students use art to learn Islamic faith | Miami Herald ... Public schools and public libraries across the U.S. are indoctrinating ...
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​Teaching About Islam in Maryland School Upheld by Federal Court
Feb 27, 2019 - A number of cases objecting to public school lessons on the Islamic faith and history. 

​Teaching or converting? NJ schools' Islam lessons challenged | More here
Jan 30, 2018 - A mother in Morris County says a middle school social studies class tried to convert her son to Islam. In a federal lawsuit filed Jan. 23, Lawsuit was filed by the Thomas More Law Center, an organization that is critical of Islam and claims a conspiracy by "Radical Muslims and Islamic organizations in America" who they say have "already infiltrated the highest levels of our government, the media, our military, both major political parties, public schools, universities, financial institutions and the cultural elite." The lawsuit claims that the video is "replete with biased, chastising statements encouraging the students at Chatham Middle School ... to follow the Quran and become Muslims." It also cites the final slide of the video, which it says is "a direct and explicit call for the children to convert to Islam." The picture says "May God help us all find the true faith, Islam."
The video, according to the lawsuit, is set to a musical version of a poem called "Qaseedah Burdah", which it says encourages the slaughtering of "infidels."

Joshua 19:35

​​Link to original article
US Secretary of State says Trump sent by God to save Israel from Iran 
3-23-19, In a bizarre interview, US Sec of State Mike Pompeo has suggested that US President Trump was sent by God to save Israel from Iran.

​Israeli control of the Golan wins growing bipartisan
1-27-19, Israel captured the Golan from Syria in the 1967 war. In 1981, the Knesset passed the Golan Heights Law, extending Israel’s “laws, jurisdiction, and administration” to the territory.

Pres Trump Bolsters Israel’s Claim on Golan Heights 
3-21-19, Pres Trump said the U.S. should recognize Israeli control of the disputed Golan Heights territory, delivering a diplomatic win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of a tough reelection race. He tweeted, “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights. And that the territory, which is located between Israel and Syria, “is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!”

Archaeologists uncover gate to biblical city of Zer in Golan Heights 
Jul 8, 2018, The biblical city of Zer during excavations carried out in the Golan Heights was uncovered by archaeologists ... a group of 20 archaeologists from all over the world, together with director of the Bethsaida Project, Dr. Rami Arav, and under the auspices of the Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem, conducted new excavations in two different areas of Bethsaida. The ancient fishing village is mentioned several times in the New Testament as a city where Jesus lived and where he miraculously fed a multitude of people with five loaves and two fish.
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​In 2015 Oil was discovered in the Golan. Report here
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Dozens of such discoveries have been made, giving further proof that every word of your King James Bible is indeed true and trustworthy. More here
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John 1:44, 12:21; Matthew 11:21; Mark 8:22; Luke 9:10-11

So What If Trump “Recognizes” “Israel’s” Annexation of the Golan?
3-23-19, Astute News -- Who really cares what Trump says when nobody’s words one way or the other are going to change the reality that “Israel” probably won’t be dislodged from the occupied Golan Heights anytime soon?

Especially not when Russian troops are enforcing an anti-Iranian “buffer zone” there and Moscow itself strongly suggested that Damascus surrender this territory in the Russian-written “draft constitution” that it’s been incessantly “encouraging” Syria to promulgate since January 2017. 

Words Matter…As Distractions! Practically everyone except for Israel ... are furious about Pres Trump’s announcement that the US will “recognize” Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, but this is yet another example of the “chattering class” thinking that their words will make any difference... The only possible consequence that this decision could have is that it might give Netanyahu a boost ahead of next month’s early elections because he could predictably portray it as a foreign policy success that could be leveraged to woo voters from his far-right rival. Interestingly, his potential victory would also be to Russia’s interest as well since President Putin has met Netanyahu more times than any other leader in the past four years and is known to be very close friends with him.
In fact, the Russian leader just recently invited him to visit to the opening of a synagogue in Crimea, during which time he also spoke a few words of Hebrew in demonstrating his extremely close connection to the Jewish religion that is one of Russia’s four constitutionally recognized traditional faiths. More here
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Pompeo and Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil stood side by side at the news conference, but their statements were contradictory.

​Bassil said he held “constructive and positive talks with Pompeo, but there were differences of perspective with regards to Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a Lebanese party, not a terrorist group, and it enjoys a wide popular base.” More here

3-4-19, Memri, Kandil [1] -- High ranking Israeli officials report that the main accomplishment of Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu's visit to Moscow [Feb 2019] was/is the formation of a working group of Russia, Israel and other nations with a view of extracting foreign forces from Syria. Preconditions exist for such a decision as they strive for Syria's stabilization with the following developments:

• Israel intends to continue destroying Iranian military targets in Syria. Moscow, as long as Russian servicemen are not harmed, will not interfere.
• The terrorists of the Islamic State (ISIS is banned in Russia) are essentially defeated in Syria
• The regime of Syrian president Bashar Assad - with Moscow's support - is embarking on a peaceful existence
• U.S. Pres Trump has announced the withdrawal of his soldiers from Syria with a US peacekeeping contingent remaining to defend the Kurds whom Moscow and Tel-Aviv also support [from Turkey]
• The joint Russia-Israel group can, via political methods (via the U.N., other international institutions, etc.), act in concert against the Iranian-Turkish presence in Syria

• Moscow will need to 'bury' relations with Ankara and Tehran ... as there is disagreement about the Kurds

​Syria: who's involved, and what do they want? 
Apr 13, 2018 - Syria's seven-year conflict simple but misleading ... Together with Islamic terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran and Syria form a self-declared Axis of Evil ... As the ongoing Russian-led Astana peace process ...The Israeli government’s greatest fear is a dramatic regional escalation and the possibility that Syria will become a theatre of open conflict ...

Russia, Turkey, Iran to hold Syria talks in Astana
Nov 18, 2018 - Russia, Turkey and Iran are set to hold a next round of talks on Syria on ... 

Conclusion:

1. Israel and Russia developing a cooperative relationship
2. Turkey under the banner of the struggle with purported Kurdish terrorists covets the occupation of new Syrian lands
3. Iran is present in Syria sort of legally, seeking to strengthen its bases and military facilities there in pursuit of the struggle with the Jewish state [thus] creating regional instability
4. Russia with the prospect of a reduced American presence in Syria has invested significant material and financial resources in that country.

​[1] Reporter Kandil close to Assad leader of Syria - More here 

What is March Madness? 
​3-20-19, NCAA -- March Madness is one of the biggest, most exciting & most fun events in all of sports. In 1939 the NCAA Div I men’s basketball tournament FIRST BEGAN by Illinois high school official, Henry V. Porter. The term 'MARCH MADNESS' began in 1982 when former Chicago CBS broadcaster, Brent Musburger used it. The tournament is comprised of 68 teams; split into four regions of 16 teams each. More here

​Revelation 3:14
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3-22-13, * -- In some churches the preacher says something and all the people say: “Amen!” Or,“Amen brother! Can I get an Amen? Amen anyone?” And on it goes; but The Institute of Biblical Law [p.574]  says the importance of God’s "Amen" was frequently in reference to the law. (Deuteronomy 27:14-15, 26; cp. Nehemiah 5:13)

Jesus Christ is ‘THE AMEN’ of God, because through Him “the purposes of God are established.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

3-21-19, According to The Independent UK government officials in charge of immigration has been denying political asylum to Muslim converts to Christianity; claiming 'the religion is not peaceful.' Most recent is an unidentified Iranian Christian who said in his asylum petition that he converted to Christianity because it was a “peaceful” religion. [Matthew 5:39, 43-45; Isaiah 11:6-10] The UK overseer of immigration approvals said the book of Holy Bible's Book of Revelation is filled with imagery of revenge, destruction, death and violence. 

Nathan Stevens, the asylum seeker’s caseworker, tweeted: “I’ve seen a lot over the years, but even I was genuinely shocked to read this unbelievably offensive diatribe being used to justify a refusal of asylum. Whatever your views on faith, how can a government official arbitrarily pick bits out of a holy book and then use them to trash someone’s heartfelt reason for coming to a personal decision to follow another faith?”

Legal experts say the Home Office is notorious for questionable asylum denials; when Islamic migrants are approved when their 'book' calls for beheading people [and they do!]: Quran 8:12 “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.” 

UK: Muslim 'murdered, mutilated by beheading Soldier Lee Rigby
11-29-13, UK Soldier Lee Rigby - in broad daylight, on Britain street - was run down at 40 mph and hacked to death and beheaded; video was shown to the jury in his murder trial. ​More here

God hears the prayers of those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 34:15: “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.”
Psalm 5:3: “In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Daniel 9:18: “We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.”
1 John 5:14: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 
James 5:16: “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

3-20-19, Fire crews have extinguished petrochemical tank fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company [ITC] near Houston Texas at Deer Park. It began almost four days ago on 3/17/19 cause unknown; investigation underway. 

Harris County Public Health encourages people to contact their health provider if they experience adverse symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness or irritation of eyes, nose and throat among other possible symptoms. Several school districts near the facility have cancelled classes.

The ITC Deer Park terminal began in 1972, currently it has 13.1 million barrels of capacity in 242 tanks. It stores petrochemical liquids and gases, as well as fuel oil, bunker oil and distillates. The terminal has five ship docks and ten barge docks, rail and truck access, as well as multiple pipeline connections. ​More here and here

2 Chronicles 16:9, 25:1-2, 27; John 14:15

​3-20-19, Moody Bible Inst -- Probably every parent of teenagers can relate to this experience: you issue instructions or relay a story, while the teen nods and murmurs “um-hmm” while he/she sits looking at their phone, the parent demands: “Were you listening to me?” “Oh, sorry—what did you say?” Half listening is scarcely better than fully ignoring someone.

We read in the Old Testament of Amaziah who half-heartedly listened and obeyed the word of the Lord. When it was to his benefit, he obeyed the Law or the word of the Lord's prophet; but not fully. [Deuteronomy 24:4,16] Amaziah’s obedience was inconsistent. After he won a victory over their enemies in Seir, he brought Edomite idols back to Jerusalem and worshiped them (Deut 24:14). He would not listen to his counsel and neither would he listen to the counsel of the much stronger king of Israel (Deuteronomy 24:16–20).

Obedience to God's word takes a full-hearted effort; a half-hearted effort is disobedience. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15

The Apostle James tells us to “do what it says” (James 1:22); we must adhere to the wisdom of God's word, or eventually we, like Amaziah, might reject all sound counsel. We must trust in the grace of Jesus our Savior in order to walk in faith and obedience (1 Cor. 15:10). It’s vital to overcome a prideful heart—one that places you above the authority of God's Word. Source

10-25-15, The relentless flow of Muslim illegal migrants to western nations does not stop; their destination is Germany, Scandinavia, France, UK. The vast majority come from: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Eritrea, Somalia and Nigeria. Since the beginning of January 2015, more than 620,000 have arrived by sea alone. Whenever people flee to survive, the men come with whole families: women, children, elders. Here, instead, more than 75% of those who arrive are men under 50.
 
Left-leaning Journalists in Western Europe continue to depict them as "refugees" fleeing war in Syria. The description is false; only twenty-five percent of them come from Syria. The Syrian government sells passports and birth certificates at affordable prices. Many bring new high-end smartphones and large sums of cash, ten or twenty thousand euros. Many have no passports, no ID, and refuse to give fingerprints.
 
In the Muslim world Christians are harassed and women attacked; so at reception centers it is workaday incidents. Rapes, assaults, stabbings and other crimes are on the rise across Europe. In France, where Muslim population in Europe is the highest, the prison population is 70% Muslim. Many European prisons have become recruitment centers for future jihadis [Islamic war criminals]. Muslim riots may occur for any reason: police upholding the law, a Soccer League celebration or in support of a cause.
 
Western European political leaders do not tell the truth about the violence and mayhem caused by the Muslim invaders. They talk of "solidarity," "humanitarian duty," "compassion." Those who rebuilt Europe after World War II thought that an enlightened elite (themselves) could make a clean sweep of the past and build a dream society where peace and perpetual harmony would reign. We now see the horrible results of their thinking:

1. democracy had brought Hitler to power, they decided to restrict democracy
   
2. nationalism was the cause of the war, they decreed that nationalism was harmful
   
3. the cultural identities in Europe had to disappear and they would shape a new "European identity" 

 
Majority of Muslims living in Europe want the application of sharia law and clearly reject any idea of assimilation. They come from countries where Western civilization is despised and where hatred of Jews and Christians is inescapable; so it shouldn't be any surprise that they bring their hateful ideology with them. In all 28 countries of the European Union, birth rates are low among natural Europeans and the population is aging. People under thirty account for 70% of the population, or 350 million people. "Native" Europeans are fleeing; old Europeans are being brutally replaced by young Muslims who proficiently procreate [..] Excerpted full original report here

Italy: Muslim migrant hijacks bus rams bus full of children into cars on highway, sets it on fire
Bring in people who were raised in a culture of violence, you’re going to get this. “Police said the suspect had a criminal record, with convictions for sexual molestation and driving while drunk. He obtained Italian citizenship in 2004. Mr Salvini, the interior minister and head of the anti-immigration League party, asked why a person - 51 children were rescued […] More here and here

Sweden: Serious crimes being committed by returning Islamic State jihadists, Authorities don't know their location
“According to a new investigation, one in three returned Islamic State fighters in Sweden have committed serious crimes after coming back from the Middle East.” Shame on any political leader and authority who does not deal with these facts. No one who is migrating to a Western country checks his deep-seated doctrinal beliefs at the […] More here

Netherlands: Utrecht jihad mass murderer left note saying he acted in the name of Allah
Cue the avalanche of establishment media articles explaining that this had nothing to do with Islam. Or maybe that propaganda barrage isn’t even needed anymore. Everyone now takes for granted that whenever a Muslim commits mass murder in the name of Islam and in accord with its teachings, he becomes ipso facto non-Muslim, and only […] More here

• Friend says Utrecht jihadi “very religious,” three other Muslims arrested in connection to the massacre - Two others have been arrested, and a third person has been arrested as well. So this does seem to be a coordinated jihad plot. In a note, Tanis said he was doing it in the name of Allah. Will the Islamophobia never end? “Brazen Shooting Traumatizes Dutch City, Three Days After […] More here​

​Fox News Hires Democrat Donna Brazile — But Suspends Judge Jeanine Pirro
3-19-19, FOXNews signs former DNC Chairwoman Donna Brazile- yes the one who fed the debate questions to Mrs. Clinton during the presidential campaign ...
Donna Brazile is totally not sorry for leaking CNN debate questions to Mrs Clinton
​11-7-16, WashPost --Donna Brazile, interim chair of the DNC is not apologizing for leaking CNN debate questions and topics to Hillary Clinton during the Democrat primary. Apparently, her only regret is that she got caught.

Homosexuality is a Sin Against God:
​Leviticus 18:22; Matthew 19:4-61; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

3-20-19, Nancy Thorner, Illinois Review [excerpt] -- In today's new world, homosexual people are now labeled LGBTQ - transgender is the 'T.' Libraries permit them to read to children in public libraries in full regalia. They believe their controversial lifestyles will be less shocking and more mainstream if introduced to children at very young ages [like Hitler's brown shirts!*]. Homosexuals demand rights to dress as they choose in the workplace with no questions asked, to use public washrooms of the sex of their choice and to call on taxpayers to pay for hormonal drugs and surgeries to switch sexes.

On Mar 16, 2019 at Stone Church, Orland Park, IL there was a "transgenderism' conference. It was sponsored by the Illinois Family Institute. David Smith opened the discussions by asking participants to call their legislators to oppose the proselytizing of the LGBTQ lifestyle on impressionable school-aged children in the new bill HB 246 [it passed the Illinois House 60-42 now going to the Senate].  [More here]

​Dr. Cretella's remarks and slide presentation excerpt:

• In the past, doctors prescribed therapy to conform children's emotionally disturbed minds to their bodies. Today, doctors prescribe social impersonation, drugs and surgery to conform the healthy body to an emotionally disturbed mind.
• Gender Dysphoria occurs in only 1% of children - 60 - 98% outgrow this feeling.
• Activists lie, frighten and bully parents through statement like these: "You must affirm children's transgender claims of your child will commit suicide" or "Parents who do not accept their child and do not follow the child's wishes are abusive parents."
• Surgeries on children: Girls are encouraged to have double mastectomies as young as 13 years old and genital surgeries on boys and girls under 18 years of age.
• A Swedish 30-year study found suicide rates 19 times greater among adults who undergo cross-sex surgery as compared to the general population.

Douglas Wilson is a Senior Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho and pastor at Christ Church in Moscow said: 

"When it comes to the simple idea of “telling the truth,” I have to tell you that our culture passed that exit some time ago. We don’t just need to recover the practice of telling the truth, we need to recover a universe in which telling the truth is an actual possibility. We no longer inhabit a world in which lies occur (which has always been the case). We now inhabit an imaginary world constructed entirely out of lies, and all the frayed endings of our carnal bundle are starting to snap."

** Nancy Thorner's Full original report here **

California Mandates All High School Students Attend 'Sex Classes' - here

* The Hitler Youth [here]: The most infamous of the Nazi ideology was the indoctrination of children; included many million who also wore uniforms and swastika armbands. By 1939 membership was compulsory for all children: 

1. The German Young People, who covered boys from ten to fourteen
2. Hitler Youth itself from fourteen to eighteen.
3. Girls were taken into the League of Young Girls from ten to fourteen
4. The League of German Girls from fourteen to eighteen.
5. The ‘Little Fellows’ for children aged 6 – 10

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
Ephesians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15; Galatians 6:7; 1 Timothy 4:2

Obama First President Never to Reach 3% GDP
1-19-17, Barack Obama miserable presidency - in 8 years never reached 3 percent GDP and said 2% was the new normal. Ronald Reagan brought forth an annual real GDP growth of 3.5 percent.  [President Trump is now at 4.2%] More here

Mark 10:32; Luke 18:31-34

3-19-19, Archives Oswald Chambers -- At the beginning of our born again (John 3:3, 7) life with Jesus Christ, we were sure we knew all there was to know about following Him. It was a delight to forsake everything else and to throw ourselves before Him in a fearless statement of love. However, as we mature and learn more about the Lord, we are not quite so sure. Jesus is far ahead of us — “Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed.” (Mark 10:32)

There is an aspect of Jesus that chills even a disciple’s heart to its depth making them almost gasp for air. This unusual Person with His face set “like a flint” (Isaiah 50:7) is walking with great determination ahead of me. He no longer seems to be my Counselor and Friend and has a point of view about which I know nothing. All I can do is stand and stare at Him in amazement.

Jesus Christ had to understand fully every sin and sorrow that we human beings could experience; and that's what makes Him seem unfamiliar. When we see this aspect of Him, we realize we really couldn't 'know' Him as He suffered on our behalf. He is far ahead of us; He is God.

The discipline of dismay is an essential lesson which a disciple must learn. The danger is that we tend to look back on our times of obedience and on our past sacrifices to God thinking how strong we are (see Isaiah 50:10-11). However, when the darkness of dismay comes, we will endure til the end as out of it comes the ability to truly follow Jesus bringing inexpressible joy. Source