Monthly Archives: June 2011

A Test is Waiting for You.

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TEST

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There is a place where we can rest in testings.  Our loyalty will be tested by the Father and Jesus.  And in this testing we are not judged under the law; forgiveness and acceptance is the order of these proceedings.  But there is another testing which has neither forgiveness nor acceptance.  When we are tested by man, we are thrown to the wolves.  The testing of man is a sliding scale of hatred.  We will find ourselves tested if we let it slip that we consider Jesus first in our appreciation of life.  Then we are tested again as we testify to this appreciation.  But a sliding scale is not proportionate to a steady growth.  It’s more like we enter into differing shades of man’s hatred.  It’s not a 1, 2, 3 thing.  It’s more like :

1. we don’t like what you’re believing.  But as long as you don’t voice your belief, we can tolerate you.

2. You’ve voiced your belief in our hearing and we will now push you aside from our “fun”.

3. You’ve continued to, not only voice your belief, but act on your belief in our presence.  We will now try to destroy you because of the testimony you exhibit.

4.  You’ve continued to stand against our social order.  And nothing we have done has caused you to hesitate in the slightest.  It’s apparent you intend to continue down this path of “difference”.  So, as soon as we can find legal means, we will work toward your death.

This “test” of man will be allowed to continue until the Lord returns to establish Peace on this world under His direct control.  This “testing” is allowed because it tests and refines the heart of those who call on the Lord for true life.  Don’t be surprised at the things which encase you now.  But allow yourself to be surprised if you don’t see this progression of hatred coming upon you.  It is an indication that you are not yet where you should be in Christ.  For the Lord has promised that if they hated Him, they will hate you.  And if they desired to kill Him, they will desire to kill His people also.

By His Grace.

Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places.

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An assortment of United States coins, includin...

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I was just talking with a very dear friend about business practises.  One item came to the forefront.  It’s interesting how companies will proclaim how much they love their employees.  And the wise worker knows this is just a store front for profit.  If they were to tell the people, “Hey, we just wanted you to know that we hate having to pay you your wages.  We would just love it if we could get a machine to take your place.”, they would at least be telling the truth.  But how far would that go with relations between employees and the company?  So they have to lie.

What’s interesting to me is how many people (workers) I’ve heard over the years say that they believe the company really loves them.  For some reason, their eyes are blinded to the facts of profit.  And we see this working out today in many activists trying to tear down the oil companies, the insurance business, and hundreds of other issues.  This topic can be turned on its ear.  It is possible for the consumer to lie to the company, “We love you!  I just can’t wait to spend my money on all the “crap” you generate.”  When in fact, it would be better for everyone to live lives of truth and “less”.

It would be better to ignore all this flattery and just get on with serving those who pay you out of an obligation to righteousness.  Why let yourself get sucked into the machine of lies?  And recognize this fact, wherever you find people working toward the goal of an organization, this activity plays out.  This can mean Churches also.  The flattery you hear doesn’t come from God.  And your search for it, let alone your gullible nature, is not from God either.

Curious and curious is the nature of human lies.  If I can get something from you, I’m expected to lie to get it.  And if I tell you the truth, you’ll express your hatred for me in various forms.  Thus the saying is true:  “Let God be true and every man a liar.

By His Grace.

The “Now”.

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crumpled sentiments

This post has the potential to be a “TL:DR” (That’s “too long: didn’t read, for us un-techy folk.) But this potential is at the very core of this post.  If you read it, you’ll be glad you did.  If you don’t read it all the way through, it’s proof that this post is true.

On a date, the man wonders if he should venture a kiss.  Consider the possibilities.  She’ll slap me.  She’ll think I’m too much a weirdo.  She might not like me that much.  It might lead to something sinful.  She might consider honor and patience more important than pleasure.  And on it goes in the man’s mind (That is, a man of conscience and godliness.).

And in all our daily activities we ponder the outcome of a simple action.  Should I do this or that?  What will be the end outcome if I choose this way?   What man or woman can know?   Yet God knows.  Is it possible to learn His perfect will in all things?  According to the Bible, the answer is an absolute yes.  While there are certain things the Lord of Life will never share with mortal man, He is very willing to teach us how to accomplish the best of each situation.  And to put it bluntly, He is very willing to teach us how to what is pure and good, according to His wisdom.

How does a someone begin to appropriate such knowledge from the Lord?  The answer is very simple. Yet the application of the answer is the hardest thing you’ll ever do.  Humble yourself before the Lord in prayer and in all your ways (That is to say, in everything you do, every thought you have, and every attitude and action.).  In every part of you, submit to the leadership and Lordship of Jesus.  Through patience and submission, you will learn more and more of the Lord’s will in everything you approach.

Only God knows the particular order of true success.  He alone knows what is about to happen and what has happened to cause something in the future to line up correctly.  Why would you risk not knowing?  All we have to do is let God be God and become what we were created to be, SERVANTS.  But look into your own soul right now.  Can you see the resistance to being a true servant of God?  It’s there.  Submit.  Ask for help to understand His will in your submission.  And learn to always regard His way as more desirable than your own.  For you know you’ve heard many testify that the Lord is Good.  And the closer you get to Him, the more you’ll learn to agree.

As an example of my own experience in this, I’ve stood on the porch and leaned against the railing, considering what lay before me at the moment.  I don’t try to consider the day ahead or the months and years.  I try to focus on the “now”.  Always, what needs to be done first comes to mind.  Now the test begins.  Will I humble myself and go do that thing which has come to mind?  It’s in this “now” that I find the Lord’s leading.  And it is the “now’s” that make up the overall picture.  Did you see that piece of paper on the floor and notice that it was you who were able to pick it up?  Why didn’t you do what you knew was right?  And so it goes all day long.

Have you heard your mind remember that you should pray?  Can you tell yourself why you didn’t?  Have you heard a thought tell you to call
someone and encourage them?  Can you tell yourself why you resisted and eventually forgot?  Can you explain why you’ve failed to do a
million things you know you should have done?   It’s called rebellion and thus SIN.  Now, let’s be real about this to each other.  Do you really believe such sin will be allowed before the Throne of the Most High God?   And what excuse do you think He will buy when you try to justify
yourself before His Eternal Wisdom?

Learning to do the right thing at the right moment is the very heart of obedience to the Lord’s leading.  And God’s Righteousness is found in doing absolutely everything exactly when it needs to be done.  But trying to do all these things on your own will only lead to obsession.  Listening to the Lord’s coaching is the central key to success in all things.  Jesus is the savior of souls.  And this saving is a “now”.  For all you know, that piece of paper should be left for someone else.  Perhaps it should remain of the floor so that the next person’s
obedience can be tested and proved.  Listen to the Lord!

What would the world be like if every one of us listened to the Lord in this manner?  Why, it would be Heaven, of course.  And this is why
the Lord told us that, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  But only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven.”

By His Grace.

The Testimony of True Peace.

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Those who know the Lord Jesus hold the answers the world is looking for.  Though the world will hate true Christians with a passion, the answer to life rests in the testimony of these people of God.  The sad thing is that the world continues to deny that these people are of any value.  Perhaps this is because of the false Christians, which abound today.

Regardless the reasons why, the testimony of promise will rest within those called by God to wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb.  Want peace?  Want hope?  Want the ability to face the demands of today?  You’ll find the answer in your nearest true Christian.  Ask without judgment.  You’re dealing with another human being.  We are not God.  We just testify to the power of Christ within us.

 

by His Grace.

Wait

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Stones on a Rocky Ocean Beach

Image by epSos.de via Flickr

The Lord gives strength to those who wait for Him.  He is the source of a power beyond the understanding of both the world and His people.  He is able to do far more than we are able to ask.  For He alone lives in eternity and knows the true demands of this place in which we live.

Are you floundering in the Christian walk?  Look to Him and wait.  Speak of your troubles and voice with your bound tongue.  You can’t express your sorrow or confusion?  Speak to Him.  Then wait.  The answer is approaching.  Just wait.  You are not who you were.  And you are not who you will be.  The situation you find yourself in is not eternal.  It has an end!  But He who calls you from Heaven is eternal and has no end.

Wait for the Lord.  Allow yourself the patience required to wait for Him.  Your help is approaching from the distant shores of Heaven.  Pull up a grain of sand and just wait.

 

By His Grace.

A Prayer of Longing

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There are times when we simply can’t see the value of our service to the Lord.  The sadness this short sightedness provokes should never be compared to any sadness common to every man.  It is a sadness the Lord felt as He walked this Place of Testing.  And perhaps, longing, is a better description.  But the longing for one who is deeply loved.  This longing has provoked the following prayer.  May God bless His words inspired by His Beauty.

Lord Jesus, I want to come home.  I know there is work to be done.  Work for Your Glory needs to be accomplished.  You need to work in me.   And I need to work in the world for the sake of Your Holy Name and the souls of the blind.  But I want to come home.

I used to belong here, basking in the darkness.  I used to hate you and my only desire was to be left to my own pleasures.  But You’ve entered and changed all that.  Oh, how happy You make Your people!  How beautiful are the words of what the world calls “doom and gloom”.  You have not given man words to speak of the joys You instill in Your people.  But I want to come home.

I am at a loss as to what to say or do for any one of these who don’t know You.  I speak Your beautiful words.  But they can’t hear.  I show them the hatred for sin You have birthed in my soul.  And they think I am simply an angry man.  Your ways are to be desired above everything in this world, and they ARE.  You have touched my heart with an unspeakable peace and joy.  How deep is the yearning for Your Holy ways!  I have lips, but words fail me.  I want to come home.

But I will stay and love you as from afar.  The sparkle of this world is dimmed to darkness.  The desire to gain what they gain is lost.  And there is no regret at this loss.  You have caused this foolish man to desire what is best.  And all I own is to Your Glory.  I am nothing without You!  And this nothingness causes a vast craving for Your Love.  It is our lot to serve you in this Place of Testing.  And I gladly accept this rule from Your Beautiful hand.  But I want to come home.

by His Grace.