Take away from before you that plate of delicious food.  Though it sustains for a moment it is rotten and useless.  You have been taught to teach your tongue.  But your tongue has been taught in error.

Place before you the things you consider bitter.  Force your tongue to learn.  In time you will consider what was before delicious as if it is rotten and putrid.

The taste of delicacies in this world of sin is an abomination at the Lord’s table.  From childhood we are taught, from without and within, to enjoy this banquet of corruption and rebellion.  Pleasure is sweet and the aroma captivates the soul.  But this food is rancid it will make you horribly sick;  even unto death.

What is bitter to the flesh is a delicacy of God.  The one who trains himself to enjoy what is good is wise.  There is a banquet table being prepared from which the pleasure seekers will revolt.  Only those who love Him will attend.  And their joy will never end.

By His Grace

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.

By His Grace

It is good to sit quietly by the water’s edge. 

Listen to the onslaught of peaceful sounds.

In it are traceable things to ponder.

For the beautiful voice of Jesus resounds.

His voice is like that of many rivers;

Speaking pictures, concepts and truth.

Not a moment is silent as we sit here and ponder.

His beauty is Fire diverse.

By His Grace

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