The Bible teaches that while humans struggle with uncontrolled thoughts, God provides the Holy Spirit and His Word to help believers gain self-control, viewing a lack of it as dangerous, like a city without walls (Proverbs 25:28). Key verses emphasize actively taking thoughts captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), guarding the heart (Proverbs 4:23), renewing the mind (Romans 12:2), and using spiritual disciplines (like prayer and scripture) to overcome sinful thinking, recognizing that true mastery comes from God's power, not just personal effort.
A Diplomatic Business Turned Godly
By Cliff Tompkins
1/16/26
In my profession of cosmetology, I had to exercise “diplomacy” for many years. I was constantly covering or allowing people to hide behind me in their sickness and in my sickness, so that I could survive, and I had to do a fantastic job with their hair. I’ve been practicing for almost 40 years and I grew tired of doing “hair” over 20 years ago or I should say, I was sick of the games people play, all to make a living in the world of vanity. It wasn’t until I got Covid and long-Covid that I realized, I’m going to die someday and I can’t ask a customer to carry that for me any longer. What I’m saying is that, in the game of tit for tat or you do this for me and I’ll do that for you, my ultimate goal was to hurt someone. I didn’t care, like humanity would say, “abortion is out of sight then out of mind.” Abortion is an excuse in most cases and a tool of Satan himself. That happens when one falls away from the word of God. I can’t say that I could ever hurt anything or anyone innocent, but in all actuality I was just as guilty by harboring my hatred for the wickedness in humanity until the next customer arrives. Shame! It is a vicious cycle that is commonly practiced amongst the majority of humanity in every nation. They call it “survival.”
I’ve been a wayward Christian for many years, somewhere around 1984, that is when I bowed my head with a stranger and I’ve accepted Jesus Christ into my life, a year later I was married and God gave us 2 awesome children, now adults. Throughout my entire marriage, I thought I was keeping a secret inside but only fooling and denying myself the truth. I’m sad to say, my marriage ended in the friendship and the true love of 4, which started with me, through God. Even though I’ve always known that God exists, I could only communicate to him my anger, not knowing much of anything about his word or the true heart felt meaning of salvation. I was only hearing what I wanted to hear, leaving me half empty and half full. I remember very clearly that I blamed God for the problems in my life and I remember looking up and cursing him and sending him the dirty bird in my youth. Even then, God knew my pain and was tolerant of my ignorance, he’s that remarkable.
It wasn’t until recently that I’ve come to this very quiet place of solitude but not until I lost many of my customers to my suffering, long-Covid, and paying closer attention to the troubled times we are living in. It’s now or never as I hear the voice of the Holy Spirit leading me beside the still waters even as the world nears an end as some call AI, friend. AI will be included in the ultimate battle of Armageddon, amen. I still suffer from not being able to understand all of these trials, but I do understand them when I don’t rely on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). It’s my heart that is finally listening and I’m not afraid, I don’t need to blame anyone and the truth is the truth. I long to be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove, that is my ultimate goal.
And, the truth be known with my little hair business, I don’t want customers who come to hide or come for burning vanity. Those days are done, forever. If and when the Lord sends me a new customer, I hope it’s for all of the right reasons. I’m not going to carry anyones cross if they do not know the Lord. I’m strong but still I’m weak. I understand in my head but I’m still learning in my heart and the lessons, in my case require silence from the heart. That is the key, from the heart and not the head alone. If a bird has two wings but one is broken, that bird suffers.
We all are gifted in one sense or another and we are supposed to share those gifts. It was an error that has blinded all of us, causing a greater rebellion and the apostasy that we witness today. So many times we put our gifts down because of our pain and in turn allowing the suffering. When we read and hear God’s word, we can often hear Christ say, “he who has ears” let them hear. Often, we hear but deny the spirit full access in revealing the entirety of healing and growing into the root of God’s word. I agree, the truth is exhausting but when I know the truth, I don’t have to blame anyone or want to hurt anyone and I can rest. It is written, “know the truth and it will set you free” (John 8:32). I can’t explain why I can play a piano and not read music, up to a point, I’m now learning to read music after all of this time, praise God for my sake. That mighty instrument or any instrument is pure gold on God’s pinkies and I mean that with all of the sincerity of the heavenly hosts. Amen.
In Christ,
Cliff Tompkins
How often we are to forgive those that sin “against” us. Christ teaches us to forgive those who sin against us, but also teaches us to be wise like serpents and harmless as doves. Furthermore, a wise person learns the value of forgiveness through faith, trusting God, then works, even as the Lord, Jesus Christ will judge.
When will the anti-Christ rise? Who is setting the stage? According to biblical prophecy and various interpretations, the world will experience unprecedented peril, chaos, and global turmoil upon the rise of the Antichrist. This figure is expected to establish a totalitarian global government, enforcing severe persecution, economic control through a mandated mark, and, ultimately, plunging the world into a massive, culminating battle known as Armageddon.
Global Tyranny & Deception: The Antichrist will appear as a charismatic, peaceful, and visionary leader who solves global problems before revealing a deceptive, demonic character. He will demand worship and control the global economy.
Intense Persecution: Those who do not follow him or receive his mark will face severe, systematic persecution, with many being martyred for their faith.
Catastrophic Events: The era, often referred to as the "Great Tribulation" (a 7-year period, with the last 3.5 years being the most intense), will be marked by natural disasters, wars, and cosmic disturbances.
Conflict with Israel: The Antichrist will break a covenant with Israel, leading to an invasion and widespread persecution of the Jewish people.
Ultimate Defeat: This period of intense peril ends with the return of Jesus Christ, who destroys the Antichrist and his forces, bringing an end to the destruction.
While some interpretations view these events as literal future occurrences, others focus on the symbolic or spiritual dangers of "anti-christ" forces operating throughout history.
A common problem with humanity:
Delusions of grandeur (or grandiose delusions) are fixed, false beliefs that one possesses superior qualities, such as genius, fame, omnipotence, immense wealth, or a special, divine purpose. These delusions are unshakable, even when presented with contradictory evidence, and are commonly associated with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder.
Key characteristics and examples of delusions of grandeur include:
Belief in Superior Ability or Identity: An individual may firmly believe they are a famous historical figure, a deity, or possess superhuman powers.
Secret Relationships: The belief that one has a special, intimate, or influential connection with world leaders, celebrities, or supernatural entities
.
Misinterpreted Importance: The conviction that one is a prophet, messiah, or on a unique mission to save the world.
Impact on Behavior: These beliefs can lead to dangerous, risky behaviors, as individuals may feel invincible or act on their delusions, such as spending immense amounts of money they do not have.
These beliefs are not merely high self-esteem; they are symptoms of serious, underlying mental health conditions, sometimes serving as a defense mechanism to mask poor self-esteem or deep-seated insecurity. Furthermore, those who do not know Jesus Christ suffer this condition, delusions of grandeur!
Trump is not the “actual” anti-Christ, he only wishes that he was. Trump is a master Con-artist. However, like any other anti-Christ puppet, Trump is setting the stage for the Great Tribulation!
As a Christian (like the apostles) we must be willing to die for Jesus Christ! Only God knows when the time of death will take the follower of Christ! Amen.