The Craftsman was given lumber.  “Build a room in this place.  Make it solid to stand against the wind.  There will be but one door; the door will be three feet wide and seven feet tall.  There will be no windows.

You will stay in this room and produce for me.  I will provide for your needs.  You are only to open the door when a portion of your project is complete.  I will send a messenger to take the project from you. 

When your time is complete I will take you to my house and there you will finish your days.  I will pay you what is right.  You have my promise.”

The Craftsman looked down at the ground.  He thought deeply about what he was told to do.  The master stood patiently and waited for his answer.

After some time the Craftsman looked up with a smile.  ” I will do as you say sir.”  The craftsman’s voice was soft and full of love.  “You are an honorable man.  You are such a man as can be trusted with my life.”

And so the Craftsman built with integrity, all was done according to his master’s request.  When it was finished his master came in to inspect.  “All is well.  Here is what I want you to make.”

He handed the Craftsman a large book of over 2000 pages.  After putting it down gently on a table, the Craftsman turn and bowed low.  Without a word the master put his hand on the craftsman’s shoulder.  After a gentle and lengthy touch the master turned and left.

Day after day, month after month.  And year after year.  The Craftsman completed each task.  As was prescribed, a messenger would come and knock on the door.  With a happy smile the Craftsman would hand over each project.

Decades passed.  And when the Craftsman eyes would no longer help him, the master came to fulfill his promise.

With all the love and gentleness the master could muster he took his friend to his house.  They arrived at the master’s house together.  A beautiful place has been arranged and a great feast was in progress. There were several thousand guests in attendance.

The Craftsman was happy to see that his master had so many beautiful friends.  “Master I am happy to be here with you to share the joy of your life.  Where shall I stay sir, while you enjoy your beautiful splendor?  I am by no means worthy to attend such a royal feast.”

The master turned to his craftsman with surprise in his eyes.  Loving tears whelmed up in his eyes as he said, “My dear honorable friend, this feast is not for me.  You, my loved one, are the royal master of this house.  These people have come because of your work.  They have loved you from a distance.  As I have promised you so it now is.  You will never again lack for anything.”

By His Grace

I have been told many times to,  “pay attention to what is.”  One type of servant is a gatherer.  He has much territory for that is his work.  Another is a guide.  This one is tethered to his people.  He only needs the territory they hold.  Still another provides maintenance.  He tends to specific places.  The only territory he needs is what fills his hands.

I am learning to stay where I am.  If the Lord wants me somewhere else he will pick me up by my hair and put me there.  In all things he is God.

By His Grace

You have heard it said, “The next time the devil reminds you of your sin, remind him of his fate.”  But the Lord did not call us slander celestial beings without knowledge. 

Instead, we ought to remember the Lord’s words through his servants.  “Resist the devil, standing firm in your faith, and he will flee from you.”

By standing firm in our faith we are set free from accusation.  There is no need to even to address temptations.

Do not be drunk on the power of Christ within you.  Rather, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Remember that even the Ark Angel Michael did not dare to bring an accusation against Satan in a dispute over the body of Moses.  But simply left room for God’s judgment when he said, “May the Lord rebuke you.”

By His Grace

By His Grace

They see me coming and turn their face.  A disease has overtaken me they say.  “There is no cure among men for what ails him.  He is in love with what is not from us.  He is a traitor to his own kind for he testifies against us.  Even the emblem he wears is a testimony against our unity.”  And so they turn their face away from me.

But I will not turn my face away from you.  My God has given even his Holy Son unto death for our sake.  Even while your empty hatred seaths toward Him, he gives command to his people to testify for your salvation.

It is right that you should turn your face away from me.  While wickedness thrives happily in your heart you have no obligation to embrace me.  We belong to two different camps.  I am your enemy but you are not mine.

And you were right to turn your face away from me while the testimony runs from my mouth like a river.  For the testimony He gives his people condemns all live in your camp.

What is the testimony?  “Become a traitor to the camp in which you now live, for with them you will surely die.  There is One who is endlessly stronger and He will win.  For now the door is wide open.   Come see and taste that the Lord is good.  Come into our camp and live with us. There is no death among us, only life.

By His Grace