Monthly Archives: April 2011

“Jesus Stuff” or “Jesus’ Stuff”.

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We serve the Lord Jesus as His people.  But how shall we serve Him?  What shall we do and what kind of people shall we be? 

You have heard many speak of what is called a “Wealth” doctrine (teaching).  In this doctrine we are supposed to experience happiness, joy, an increase of our worldly wealth, health in our bodies, and peace among our family and friends.  Some believe that if Jesus is the Lord of a congregation, we will see great harmony and peace among the people.  And, we understand by this doctrine that if one follows Jesus there will be a sure footed nature to his life.  I can’t see it like that. 

With all that I read and all I experience I have a different view of what it’s like to serve Jesus.  As I embrace His Lordship in my life I find many circumstances where I have to chose to lose.  The happiness those people speak of is not that of laughing and a permafrost smile.  Often it’s a furrowed forehead and a grim bend to my mouth.  I find that giving becomes the purpose of my income.  Had I remained in the world I would gather all I could to spend it on what I want.  But the money now belongs to Jesus.  And my soul continually looks to His face to determine what to do with it.  My body wears out just like the unbeliever’s.  Old age takes over and ravages the youth I once was.  Sickness is still part of my personal experience.  But I embrace these things as part of the gift of life God has ordained in this place of testing.  And, if I look at any serious congregation of “saints” I find constant turmoil regarding the direction and intended use of resources. 

Yet in these things is a great peace, joy and health.  For those who follow Jesus don’t rely on the things and measuring sticks of this world.  Our eyes, mind, and body are set toward the Lord of Life.  We never take our eyes off His leading.  

Let the people of this “wealth” doctrine say what they will.  Let them chase after all the things the world loves.  It’s ok with me.  They would not listen to me if I told them they were wrong.  And If they won’t look into these things on their own, they sure won’t hear my words. 

There are two scriptures that come to mind regarding this post.  One finds it’s anchor in the nature of Jesus’ approach to the things of this world:  

 18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8)

And:

 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4)

What you do about this post is up to you.  Perhaps you agree.  Then scream out your agreement from every possible vantage point.  Perhaps you disagree.  Then keep on going in the direction you’re headed.  I didn’t post this to gain friends.  I posted this to uphold the words of He who can not lie.  The way of Jesus’ people must be walked upon a narrow path.  With every step we take we set the next foot exactly with the guidance of Jesus.  And He has marked it out clearly enough in His word.  And even if a man can’t read, there is the Spirit of God, which is given to us, to guide each moment’s decisions. 

Chase after everything worldly if you wish.  But you should be aware that there is a moment of consequence coming.  God is Holy and will call every man to account for every step, word, and intent.  Why would you risk eternal separation from the God of Life?  There is a cost to following Jesus.  If you look at your life and find that the only difference between you and the world around you is that you hang out with a bunch of people who listen to “Jesus stuff” on Sunday, you might do well to consider your future.

By His Grace.

Plenty vs Want

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Prepare!  Prepare America!  You have lived in plenty by the mercy of God the Father.  And you have enjoyed a luxurious bath in the things of this world.  You have washed yourself in the pleasures of life.  But now you will wash yourself in the plenty of want.  The time is quickly coming when want will out weigh pleasure. 

Your plates have been filled to over flowing with the bounty of the work of your hands.  And now your bounty is being taken from you.  The Lord has spoken from ancient days of the coming want.  Desire will turn from pleasure to food and peace.  When you wake your minds will turn to hunger for the things of the past.  When you live your short days, your hearts will long for yesterday.  When you lay to sleep, your desire will be for the peace you once had and squandered in materialism. 

You have forgotten the way of the Lord, as seen in the men of old.  You have abandoned the will of the Father in Heaven to pursue the works of man.  Though you give your ways the mark of a “god”, you have not chased hard after the Father of Life’s will for man.  And now the collector is at your door.

You cannot pay.  You cannot produce a receipt.  You are to be accountable for your desires.  The enemy has been allowed to eat with you at your table.  He plays with your children.  And you gladly entertain him with all your possessions.  And you purchase clothing for him and all his company.  But you are naked and ashamed before the Most High God. 

Dress yourself with humility before the Most High God.  Approach Him with a contrite heart and a desire to be clothed with the blood of Jesus.  There is no other hope given to man.  Turn from the works of your hands.  And seek the face of the One who made you.

By His Grace.

Mark of the Beast.

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You’ve heard about the mark of the beast.  You’ve heard that it’s not a good thing to receive that mark.  And you’ve likely said to yourself and others that you won’t get the mark!  Really. 

If the mark of the beast were publicised as the “Mark of the Beast” you’d be pretty sure not to get that mark.  Especially if you’ve got your house, your car, your job, your food, and your clothing.  But what happens if all that is taken away and martial law rules the world?  You’re left with no house, no car, no job, no food, no clothing.  And your children are in extreme danger of starving or worse.  What then?

The question won’t be whether or not you’re a strong Christian.  The question will be whether or not the Lord enables you to stand against your own fears.  Then will not be the time to try to stand on your own.  But now is the time to seek the Lord Jesus in your life.  In order to stand against such horrible times and odds, you’ll need to have a seriously strong relationship with Jesus.

I’ve posted some of the scriptures related to this topic below.  May God grant you mercy that you might stand on the day of great trial.

By His Grace.

” It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,  so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.” (Rev. 13: 16,17)

And:

 “9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” (Rev. 14)

The Engine

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On his 12th birthday a boy looked for his Dad’s present at the table.  He sorted them all and found none.  His mind couldn’t believe that Dad would forget him.  So he began to open all the presents.  The party ended with joy for all who were there.  But the nagging thought was, “Where’s my present from Dad?” 

As all the guests left, no one seemed to notice the absence of Dad’s gift.  And the boy watched as Dad walked over to his favorite chair and sat down.  Dad reached for a book and started to read.  Knowing that Dad loved him, the boy walked over to his hero and asked, “Have I done something wrong?”  Dad looked up with a smile and said, “No, of course not.  I love you and think you’re an awesome kid”.

Dad instructed his son to sit down next to him.  After the boy had sat down Dad handed him the book.  “Engines for Dummies” was the title.  Needless to say, the boy was confused.  But Dad patted him on the shoulder and got up.  “Come on, I got something for you”.  They both walked out to the garage.  There on a stand was a V8 engine.  Filthy, was the only word that came to the boy’s mind.  But right beside the engine was a gleaming red tool box.  “This is your project”, Dad whispered to his son.  The boy just looked up at him with a blank stare.  “What am I gonna do with this?”, the boy asked with a slight quiver in his voice.  “You’re going to rebuild it”, replied Dad.  “Let’s get started”.  Open the middle drawer of the tool box and get the brush.  The boy was dazed by the “gift”, but he obeyed.  After about an hour of spraying, scrubbing, wiping, and sweat, the engine looked a whole lot better.  But the confusion wasn’t gone. 

8 weeks later the engine sat gleaming brighter than the tool box.  The boy had learned everything he ever needed to know about how to rebuild a V8 engine.  The boy’s obedience and love for his Dad was met, during those 8 weeks, by a surprising amount of knowledge, patience, and tenderness from his Dad.  Dad stood and stared at the wonderful transformation and smiled.  The boy was proud of his accomplishment.  Yet he knew he wouldn’t have even thought of starting the project.  Everything had been done together.  And the boy knew that he had only been Dad’s hands.

“It’s beautiful”, Dad said.  “Oh Yea!”,  was the reply.  The boy wondered what they were going to do with it next.  He was only 12.  What was he going to do with a V8 engine?  Dad brough out the camera and snapped a ton of pictures.  Some engine, some boy, some together faces in front of the engine, snap snap snap.  After a brief celebration the boy asked, “What are we gonna do with it Dad?”  Dad’s answer was a bit hard to take at first.  “We’re going to give it to that family with the broke down station wagon down the street.  They don’t have a car that runs.  And we’ll help them put it in.”

Both joy and sadness filled the boy as he pondered those words.  All that work.  All that sweat.  All that………..  “Sounds great Dad”, was the boy’s words.  They didn’t reflect what he was thinking.  But he knew it was a good thing to do.  Four days later the engine was pulling a family around where ever they wanted to go.

What’s the purpose of this story?  When God works a work in you, do you really think it’s for you?  And when it’s completed, do you really think you did it all yourself?  And when God tells you to give all glory to Him, do you think He’s joking?  And when He tells you to give it away as though you never had a part in that work, what will be your response?  All Glory will belong to the Father through Jesus His Son.

By His Grace.