Truth or Dare: Liberals, Moderates, and Conservatives


Crosswalk button ne.

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In the world of politics the title of this post is true.  Those are three categories we could all identify in some fashion.  This is also true in the world of social norms.  Some people will cross the road regardless where the cross walk is.  And they don’t pay much attention to traffic (as long as they think they won’t get hit).  Others will only cross the road if they think it’s something others do rather often.  They check both ways for safety sake.  They consider where they are and try to remember if they’ve seen a dead person on the road where they’re thinking of walking across.  Then there are those who will always use the cross walk, waiting patiently for the lights to change.

Christianity is no different.  There are those who will water down the Bible so that they feel good about themselves regardless what the Scripture says.  They say to themselves (and to God), “My intentions are good.  God will understand my limitations and greet me with joy come the day of judgment”.

There are those who watch the political and social landscape of the Church and adapt themselves to whatever wind of change or norm they perceive about them.  They neither study the Scripture for themselves, nor allow their ears to hear truth.  They’re far more interested in “fitting in”.

Then we find those who have understood their personal responsibility.  They understand that they will be held accountable for every written Word of God.  And they study with diligence.  They encounter a truth and, regardless the social or political makeup of the Church, will strive to adapt their mind and actions to accommodate the demands of God. 

Liberal, moderate, conservative, which are you? 

By His Grace.

Winter 2011


Drifted House

Image by Just Us 3 via Flickr

Those who we regard as “those in the know” say that this winter will be harsh.  The animals seem to agree.  Bugs are more plentiful this spring and summer.  And I felt a tiny bit of stiff water droplets on the porch railing this morning.  Hard winters mean tough times for everyone. 

Add this tidbit of information to the political, financial, and social scenes and you will come away with a sense of foreboding for what might happen this winter.  Gold is soaring upward due to the markets in the world.  Corruption is over running righteousness in the leadership of every organization.  Islam is busy taking over countries which will allow them access to tons of munitions and political clout in the world.  Politically correct speech is demanding an end to the absolute nature of truth.  While investments are losing their value in markedly dynamic free falls, unemployment and foreclosures are continuing to rise. 

This winter poses a serious threat to far more people and families than I’ve ever seen in my life.  Wouldn’t this be the correct time to seek the Lord Jesus?  Wouldn’t it be a great time, this fall, to slam your body to your knees and ask for salvation?  No one boards up a window after the hurricane passes through, in the hopes of keeping the blasting wind out.  Well, not the wise anyway.  Today would be a really great time to seek Jesus.

By His Grace.

Serving the Master


A brick wall

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The great difficulty in Christianity is not performing up to the Master’s expectations; that is, to live the Law of God.  The greatest problem we find is humbling ourselves enough to ask for His power to overcome.  The real and immense barrier to being a productive Christian is pride.

 

By His Grace.

Questions vs. Clarity.


Bronnbach Abbey. Choir stalls by Daniel Aschau...

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There are questions which plague man as he reads the Holy Word of God in the Bible.  There are questions such as this:  “God made the two trees in the garden of Eden.  There was the tree of Life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Why?  And how come Adam and Eve didn’t go over to the tree of life and eat from it?  Why was temptation introduced to them to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil?”

As I pondered these things, it came to me that I have no right to even ask such questions.  It is enough for me to understand the Gospel of God in Jesus His Son.  If God thought, in His eternal wisdom that such questions should have an answer He would have produced those answers in His Bible.  We often ask things too high for us to understand.  And isn’t it our curiosity that we should ponder these things. And wouldn’t the answers stroke our human pride?  Yet, isn’t it our folly that we should waste time thinking of these things when we should be producing obedience through blind faith?   

Who are we that we should think we deserve to know all things?  If we were to come to understand what HAS been given to us, it would be enough.  We question the things of God as if to bring us up to His level.  And we accuse the Lord when we don’t get or have answers as if to bring Him down to our level.  This should not be.  Consume yourself with the things provided and be pleased to know the Lord.  This is enough.  To worship the Lord by the power of His Spirit is enough for any man.  Leave the questions to those who hate Him.  If He wishes to speak to you regarding the things unknown what will stop His will?  And if He desires to continue to hide such things from man, who are we to complain against Him?

He is God.  And He does as He pleases.  His wisdom reaches from before creation to eternity beyond.  Worship the Lord God of all with reverence and awe.  He is a consuming fire of purity, truth, power, and wisdom.  And all who stand against Him will know the folly of their lives.  Yet all who stand with Him, by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice, will receive the gifts He has promised.  Be wise and allow God to be God.  Be wise and allow yourself to see who you are with eyes of clarity.

The book of Genesis is said to have been written by Moses.  These are the words God decided to render to His people.  Who are we to question what God has done by His wisdom?  This is what God provided to us as He marked out the boundaries of His people’s knowledge.  It was enough for them.  It must be enough for us.  And I will point out something of great importance.  Those who received the rule of God through Moses also died in the desert for lack of understanding and obedience.  If you wish to join them, have at it.  If you desire life then accept the limits the Lord has placed on His people.  Isn’t there enough knowledge to eat from what has been provided?  What has not been provided is a source of contention and speculation among His people.  This should not be.  And who among us can know all the  knowledge He has written down for us?  Be humble before the Lord of Eternity and accept what He has given.  That should be enough to consume all the days of your life.

In our sin we desire to have what is not available for us to eat.  Like a little child who wants what is sweet and will refuse to devour what is placed before him.  Man complains that what is given to him is not what he wants.  Ah the foolishness of the pride of man!  He wants peaches while he is commanded to eat green beans.  Learn to obey what is before you.  Then, perhaps, you will be given something sweet.  Only respect the Lord and give Him praise for what He has wisely considered essential for man.

You ask, “Why has this problem or source of irritation been given to me?  Why has it been allowed to fester into some hideous monster?”  Why would you waste your time considering such things when He has provided enough to you that you might inherit eternal life?  Be content with what you have!  It is enough.

 

By His Grace.

Creation to Now and Beyond


The Garden of Eden from the Très Riches Heures...

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Creation to Now and Beyond.

 

Millions have questioned the statements regarding the time it took God to create the universe and the earth.  They suppose that God is limited to our time and resources.  He made the stars.  He made the earth.  He made the sun and moon.  He made the water, clouds, and land.  And He made all the plants, animals, and even man.  He has done this and He did it according to His powerful hand.

Shall you continue to speak of God as though He were limited as we?  Do you know or remember the story we are told of how Jesus calmed the storm?  He spoke to the sea and the wind and immediately there was calm.  He did not let the storm die down while he held on frantically to His people in the boat.  He did not allow the little boat to float in the air while the sea tossed.  And He did not create a bubble of protection around the boat from the wind.  He spoke to the wind and seas and they simply stopped their thrashing about.

The clouds were not permitted to float on in their course as is the nature of things.  And the waves were not allowed to slowly cease their tossing.  When He spoke they simply obeyed.  Shouldn’t this tell us something about the Lord’s power? 

And why did He provide the proof of His Majesty like this?  Was it so those men wouldn’t die?   No!  He is the Lord of Life.  What is it to Him if men die?  They come to Him.  And did we forget that He raises the dead any time He desires?  He did this to prove to them that the Father of all life was within Him, testifying to the Glory that is Jesus.

What do you say concerning Jesus?  What do you say concerning righteousness, holiness, and sin and death?  He was.  He is.  And He will come.  There is life in your hands right now.  And He is demanding that you accept this word of truth: 

He has made you that you might worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  He has provided proof of His Glory all about you.  His demand will remain upon you all the days you live here.  And the demand will be sealed at the moment of your death.  Jesus has come to testify regarding the Father’s will for man.  And this testimony was supported by various signs and wonders, which came from the Father of Life.  For those who believe, Jesus is God.  And He is God regardless of your willingness to believe. 

So why focus on the things unknown or debatable?  Why not focus on what is currently both in your hand to do and that which is demanded of you?

May You bless these words Father.  In the name and power of Your Holy Son Jesus, Your Christ.  Amen.

 

By His Grace.

Being Used as a Warrior


6Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water. 7The LORD said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.”(Judges 7)

There are those who will bow to traditions of men in their pursuit of God.  And there are those who will inspect what is known about God with a keen eye.  Though I will refrain from saying that all who rely on hearsay regarding the things known of God can not belong to the Lord, I will gladly say that those who inspect the Lord’s knowledge with a bend to understanding are those who are used mightily by the Lord.

Though God is quite able to affect His will without the use of men, I find that His desire is to accomplish His salvation of men by using men.  Would you be used by the Lord to help Him in this work?  Then present yourself to the Word of God with a keen eye.  Inspect what you read.  Understand your position in the Word.  And listen to Truth. 

We note that the others were sent home.  They were still His people.  But they were not chosen to fight in the coming war.  Want to enter the battle for souls?  Then follow their example.  It was God Himself who acknowledged that those 300 were fit for battle under His Mighty Hand. 

 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22)

If you would be prepared to serve the Lord then position yourself to do what Jesus said.  The more you devote to Him the more you can be used.  Only, prepare yourself with Truth.  And abandon every possible lie.

By His Grace.