My View of Life - Never Better!

Remember Who the Real Enemy Is

Principle vs Agenda

With recent political upheavals, principle and agenda have become popular words. However, I've yet to hear the two defined together. I'll attempt to do so. First . . . agenda.

The word agenda has several definitions. The one I'd like to highlight is, "an underlying often ideological plan or program." Two main factors become key: 1) What is the plan or program, and 2) The implementation of said program.

Some agendas are good. Their implementation may be clean and sound, and the end result positive. Others may be to the contrary. The agenda I wish to highlight is the father of negativity and sin. It is best understood through scripture (Isaiah 14: 12, 13.)

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:

Satan's agenda is all power and control to be his--not God's. God, our Father, did not accept his plan and cast him here to earth along with all his followers equaling one third of all the hosts of heaven. They wage their war with all their fury in these last days before Jesus returns.

Huge problems arise when one adopts an agenda for power and control whether it be over the world, a nation, or a smaller entity; and to make this even worse, the scriptures teach it's the very nature and disposition of man as soon as he gets power, to exercise unrighteous dominion over his subjects. Without question, Satan spends tremendous effort on those in power because if he can get them, they can advance his agenda to the masses. In view of world history, we children of God are in real trouble.

Thank God for our constitution. It's only too obvious that it was orchestrated with the very purpose of empowering Americans to act based on righteous principles rather than empowering government leaders.

Power, again Satan's agenda, comes from winning as many as he can to his side--everyone if possible. His master agenda, his secret oaths and combinations, he formulated in the beginning. Obscurity and secrecy identify him. He's the opposite of transparency. Tempting, coercing, bribing, granting favors, buying people, and deceiving are some of his favorite ploys. If one of them gets caught in continuing his lies and deceit, he will make every effort to cover it up so he can continue benefiting from their loyal service. But if they fall, he immediately dumps them for not and moves to another.

If he can't get them to his side they are considered the enemy. He deals in absolutes, "if you're not with us, you're against us." Thus, the person in power, seeking an agenda of more power and control, becomes a great divider--his real enemy becoming those fighting for principle based freedom, and those wishing to worship God.

Lies become the center of all his schemes because they become necessary to advance the agenda against those who disagree, as well as necessary to maintain loyal subjects. The lies are ever so subtle. Many of them are covered with a little good, but when there's a control agenda involved, it's only placed there for the advancement of power.

A quest for power involves attempts to reduce the opposition's ability to fight back, diminishing their number, augmenting their own numbers, taking their opponent's weapons, chipping away at wholesome principles, and taking their money.

Other tactics are empowering other peoples even enemies that will join their cause of power and control, or at least weaken the real enemy which is righteousness. It's a sure bet that they'll turn everything upside down. Things which were once wholesome, good, and true, and now considered, false, bad, and even evil.

And the subjects. The subjects of the agenda must embrace and buy into all the entanglement of the agenda including all the lies, deceit and corruption. In time they become immune to the corruption. They follow glassy eyed, becoming weak, lazy, and ever more corrupt themselves. Without God they are weak. Their quest for power includes putting God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost to the wayside, a move that cannot prevail. Ultimately, his subjects are his slaves, left only to partake of the misery he first placed on himself. It's a gradual process. One that if they had the ability to see their current state at the beginning they would shun it like a nest of hornets.

The real power rests in God. We are promised blessings beyond measure as we apply the principles taught by his Son Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ is principle #1. We cast our burdens at his feet, we call on his universal power knowing he will deliver us as he's done countless times in scripture. We have faith that leads to works. Works of courage, industry, and provisions sufficient to combat the enemy.

We're grounded in the principle of loving our God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, knowing that a foundation in him cannot fail. We love our fellow man. We embrace principles of peace. We don't wish to kill or hurt or diminish anybody. We pray for our enemies, and hope they will see the hand of God in all things and come unto Christ and enjoy the promised peace and security and ultimately . . . salvation. We would not fight if the enemy would let us be free to worship God, enjoy our livelihood, and care for our families.

We strive to lift others as we grow ourselves. Our strength comes from others learning and growing along with us. We live lives of service--always helping, loving, giving, and comforting.

We try with our might to obey the commandments and live wholesome lives. Lives worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost who will always comfort, lead and guide us. We are honest in our dealings with others. We tell the truth, and when we falter, we hold ourselves accountable so that we'll maintain a clear conscience before God and our fellow man. In fact, we believe that repentance is the key to our learning and growth.

Finally, we pour our hearts out to God in gratitude for all he's done for us, and for what he does for us each moment of every day. We strive to be like him, and give of ourselves in a greater cause. We humble ourselves and endeavor to be peacemakers, meek, and lowly of heart, but we do not found ourselves in any principle of weakness. We're strong in righteousness and truth. We raise our title of liberty, and go forth in faith and courage.

Though the enemy seems formidable, they will not prevail. They lack conviction and they lack a leader who will support and love them in the end. The agenda seekers will all one day bow before Jesus, and confess that he is the Christ.

In conclusion, the obvious argument to principle vs agenda is that people are complex. They cover the full spectrum between principle and agenda. True, but there's a pattern, a very predictable pattern, and an easy discernment. The bible in numerous instances depicts the carnal nature of man. Satan and his followers are relentless. If we give in to their temptations, a horrible process begins. One by one he wraps a flaxen cord around our neck. At first it feels smooth and soft and we know we can easily sever it. But, as we allow him to place one after another, they become tighter and stronger until he's got us. Then our fruits are an obvious give-away to those who are worthy of a true spirit of discernment.

Come back! All of us come back that are falling into Satan's trap! Come back all the leaders of this great nation! It"s never too late. Come back . . .

Agenda of power and control or Jesus Christ? It's a no-brainer. I hope and pray Americans will see through Satan's agenda, and apply principles of faith in Jesus Christ in their lives. Just plant a seed of a desire to live righteously, and it will grow. Pray to God that he will show you the way, and he will!

Note: I believe there are leaders in both parties of our government that are becoming ensnared by Satan's enticing to embrace an agenda of power and control with big government, and power to the leaders. People who follow them will lose their ambition, flounder, and become lazy, covetous, and corrupt.

People who follow Christ are blessed in all things both spiritually and temporally. Christ teaches correct principles and lets us govern ourselves. Through this free agency we can come unto Christ, ever learning and growing, lifting and serving others, and finding the peace and happiness he promised us.

Let us pick a leader who is grounded in true, wholesome, and righteous principles. One who loves Jesus Christ, and will base his life on principles, and will shun the temptations of the devil. If we do so, surly we'll all be NEVER BETTER.