Monthly Archives: October 2014

The Illegitimate Son

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What does the world think of Jesus?  If you ask them, you may receive a relatively appropriate and coherent answer.  But if you watch what they do and listen to what they say, you will receive an entirely different response.

To the world, the Lord Jesus is like the ugly, illegitimate child who fell into wealth.  He is such a horror to the family of men that they use his name as a cuss word.  But let a need arise, and they have no shame to go knock on his door.

The way he lived his life is so hideous, that neither he nor followers are welcome at joyous occasions.  And if the name of this illegitimate son is mentioned with affection, the speaker is considered less than sane.

But don’t assume the world has no compassion.  They will often display the book he wrote, as a mother may place a child’s finger painting on the refrigerator door.

He is much like the child of embarrassment.  They will celebrate his birth and death, but they will give no heed to his life.  He was born in the family of men.  But they would really rather just forget about him.

It is actually quite comfortable to men to think that this son is the Son of God.  Better he be loved by God than welcome in society.  “Let’s leave him in heaven, he has no place on earth.”

As for being an illegitimate child, no one can say how this happened.  For at the time of his conceiving, there was no union between God and man.  “It is better”,  they say,  “to simply avoid the entire subject.”

By His Grace

How convenient

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You made fairy tales for the children to believe.  Fairy tales.  They are fairy tales, sir. Lies, if you will.

You convince them of the beauty of riches, elegance, princes and princesses, and happily ever afters.

Then when the crop of children grows old enough to harvest, that is to say when they can get money from their parents, you entice them to give you the money by offering them toys from the fairy tales.

How utterly convenient.  Who’s bright entrepreneurial idea was this? 

Is there some way to justify this?  Is there some preventive means to avoid accusation?  Have you retained a lawyer in heaven to litigate for you before the Most High God?

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  And, “If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

You teach them about Santa Claus.  But you reject the living God in Christ Jesus.  You teach them about witches but you never mention the Holy Spirit.  You teach them about war but you do not teach them about the peace of God.

I bring this subject to the table.  But I am not able  or willing to condemn you.  You taught me well when I was a child.  And so I taught my children.

But God will defend that which is his.  Woe to those to make a profit on innocence.

By His Grace

Happy

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“What makes you happy what do you want to do?”  I have no idea how many hundreds of times that’s been asked of me.

I’ve tried a few times to answer with what’s true.  But that’s not the expected reply.  I assume the questioner thinks I am either arrogant, evasive, a complete social misfit, or just playing stupid.

I. want.  one.   thing!

I want to stop being in trouble!

I say the wrong thing at the wrong time.  Or I don’t speak up when I should.

I’m too overbearing, they say.  I’m too much of a pushover, leaving far too much on the table.

I leave my pen in my pocket when I do her laundry.  So I get in trouble when I try to do something right.

I am completely satisfied to eat a cold can of beans.  So why do people keep asking me what I want for dinner?

No, I don’t want to go out dancing.  Dancing requires a certain measure of joy.  I don’t have it!

On and on the list goes.  Apparently, a never-ending separation from humanity.  And other than the moments of lucid desire for friendship, I’m perfectly happy to remain this way.

What makes me happy?  Let me give the answer that is never understood.  I want to go home.

I want to have the peace of God on me 24 /7.  I want to understand his will so well that I do it without the slightest hesitation, and correctly.  Something I have yet to come close to attaining.

I want to overcome sin in every respect.  That would make me exceedingly happy.  I want to know just what to say to everyone I meet, so that all my speech is seasoned with salt.  That would make me happy.

Am I really such an anomaly?  Is there anyone else out there who feels the same?

I understand why they don’t understand.  I got it.  Let them live as they do.  They will receive no condemnation from me.  May the holy Lord Jesus happily embrace them on that great and horrible day.

All the while I will be, in some measure, unhappy.  I am not who I want to be.  I am not where I want to be.  And this world offers nothing to change my mind.

By His Grace

Freshly Pressed?

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I thumb through “Freshly Pressed”, to see if someone speaks something of value.  All I find are short articles regarding the things of men.  I didn’t stay long there’s nothing on the table to eat.

Some would call me stuck up, arrogant and self-righteous.  To think that I consider what I write to be of more value than theirs.

Okay that’s fine.  Let’s hold up every word they speak against every word the Angels speak.  What’s missing?  Jesus, the Christ of God.

Now who’s train of conversation will last longer, the eternal angels or man who lives but a few years?  Whose words are full of holiness and whose are full of rott gut thoughts?  Whose is the language that will last forever?  Whose string of words will change within an hour?  Who gives glory to God?  Who gives glory to man?  Decide for yourself.

Do you really expect that I should love the things of men more than the things of God?  You would call me names because I do not appreciate what you write.  It was such people who treated the Holy Lord of life like human trash, when he was nailed to the cross.

Write what you will.
You will answer him still.
Account will be given in full.

Accuse has you must.
Ostracize in disgust.
He reigns from His Holy Hill.

By His Grace

Take Back the Land of Hope

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“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Revelation 2:5)

Can you remember?  Can you allow yourself to look back?

Look back to the first time you felt the freedom of a clean conscience.  The time when you decided to take that leap of faith for the invisible God in Christ Jesus.  Simply find the time to remember.

You would have given your very life without the slightest sliver of shame or regret.  In fact, you shoved away many things you held dear for the sake of His Holy Name.   If the world would have let you, you would have held a press conference.  And in your heart you proposed to abandon every wicked relationship.

But three things have happened to you since that moment.  The desire for pleasure has crept in, largely with your blatant consent.

The shame of being different and unaccepted has left scars on your weak heart.  So, little by little, you have compromised.

The diligence of work toward holiness has been diluted by a listless, “do nothing” attitude.  Procrastination began its work in reading the Bible.  Like a toxic mold it spread to your prayer life. 

Primarily, these three things have left you vulnerable  to that scripture above.  Are you satisfied with your loss?  Is your present “best” acceptable in your estimation?  Are you sure the old person you will soon be will have no regrets about your choices to date?

All that is needed is to rekindle what you have lost.

By His Grace

He Needs Your Help

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The promise of God, it’s  deep and it’s sure;
Lasting forever and ever.

To forfeit our standing for smallest of pleasure,
What horrible loss do we suffer.

The power of prayer is cut to the quick.
Our confidence: shattered in place.

All for the sake of a runaway smile;
On a downcast and darkened face.

Our Lord for the sake of the joy set before him,
Endured the cross, scorning its shame.

While man, for the sake of a joy set before him,
Disgraces His Holy Great Name.

Who can speak of reward such behavior does strip?
Who has understood what’s ahead?

The echoes of promise lay shattered and torn,
While our heart is filled up with regret.

Isn’t there something to which you can reach,
Inciting a love for your God?

Avoiding the places that rip you away;
Restraining your feet from the “broad”.

There’s a man who will stand on that Great Holy Day,
And his standing depends on you.

The choices you make for that hope far away,
He’s depending on what you now do.

By His Grace