Monthly Archives: November 2014

Promises

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A man says, “I am a man of my word”.  This one means well, but I would rather be a man of God’s Word.

If I boast that I am able to keep my promises, I trust in myself and I will fail.  Sickness and misfortune, forgetfulness and sloth, crouch behind the corner and wait for a weak moment.   The one who boast in his own ability does not understand his own frail nature.

But if I trust the one who is the Living Word I will never fail.

The man who boast in His righteousness, boasts from the perspective of this world.  The man who trust in God, boasts that God alone is good.

I am a man of God’s Word.  You will find fault with me.  But you will not find fault in the one I trust.  I do not ask you to trust me.  Even I do not trust me!

By His Grace

Embarrassing

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At times I am embarrassed,

That I am what I am.

For I am of humanity;

That fault filled breed called man.

For as my brother’s wayward,

I too have filthy hands.

Let separation be too long,

And I need reprimand.

My brothers of flesh, are just a mirror

Of this God provoked hermit.

Staring at the Son too long,

Anoints with traits but counterfeit.

Attributing His righteousness

To all the men I meet.

I’m often disillusioned,

By filthy wayward feet.

Severity of sin not counted,

I am just like they.

By their mouths and actions;

Their refusal to obey.

Then let this shame provoke

my earnest, thoughtful hope;

And let me remember well.

As I was once like they,

Upon this revelation,

Difference is:

Much harder apart to tell.

By His Grace

To Marvel is no Proof at All

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What value is the man who only marvels at Christ Jesus?  We are told that every man who ever lived will do that.  Even the most vile of humanity will bow his knee and give glory to Christ Jesus.

What can be said of the man who marvels and obeys?  We are told there are few who will ever do that.  What makes the difference between the few and the many?

We can do nothing without him.  And what we do is an extension of who we have become.  What can be said then of the man who marvels, yet becomes nothing?

If I see a king and marvel at the things he has, I need give him no respect in order to marvel.  But if I adore the king, I think it right and just that he should be adorned in royalty.  Yet how can I adore him if I do not know him?

The wicked man may look on the riches of the king and desire them out of greed or envy.  But the righteous servant will love the king, and rightly desire him to be blessed.

The wicked man will be a difficult citizen of the land.  But the righteous man will be a blessing to the one who rules.  True righteousness then, is not a product of citizenship.  True Christianity is not a membership in a club.

As such things are so here, they will be vastly more so in heaven.  If you do not love the Lord Jesus, it would be good for you to fall in prayer and confess.  Let him dress you in love, as he reveals who he is.

The wicked man will never hear, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.  But the one who is taught to love the Holy Lord,  can look forward to such a kiss in his ear.

This transformation is not something a man can conjure up from his own mind.  If that were so, the ingenuity of man would make the few many.  It must be received; it must be revealed from the Lord Himself.

No man has ever truly loved a woman he has never met.  How can a man be married to no one?  But let the man meet the woman who rings true in his soul, and he will love her unto death.  A willing love is provided by true respect.

This provokes the difference between religion and “The Faith”.  This provokes those coveted words from the Holy One on that great day.  This makes the difference between the few and the many.

By His Grace

Respite not Despite

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I have a dear friend who has gone on a cruise today.  She gets tan while I get cold.  But I am very happy for her.

She carries a lot of weight on her shoulders, in her normal routine.  There seems to be no respite from the burden.  But she carries on despite the great troubles.

But when she is offered this few days of respite from the war, she comes back an entirely different person.

In Christ, when we are offered forgiveness, is it sure, and given by the one who is able to give.  He gives this forgiveness of sins for the sake of comfort and increased faith. 

Before it comes (This powerful expression of his love) we hold to our faith, but we are in the midst of a war.  When it comes there is joy.

But here the forgiveness of sins is like the cruise to my friend.  If she went on the cruise and did not enjoy herself, rather worried about the time when she returns, her respite from trouble would be worthless.

Is the forgiveness of Christ worthless in our trouble?

It is meant to build us up and to give us health and joy.  But many, including myself, have reserved their joy for heaven.  They have carried on serving Christ Jesus despite their gloom.  This is not the intent of our Lord.

When you get a warm day in winter, rejoice.  When you get a cool day in summer, likewise rejoice.  When forgiveness comes, with power, rejoice!

Among men it is truly better to give than to receive.  Before Christ we are the receivers only.  Humility breeds joy.

By His Grace

What’s in a Name

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Do you realize there are millions of people who do not know who Isaiah is?  When they see the name Job, they think of employment.  Abel is only what they can do.  Methuselah only hangs around in the English language as an expression of impatience.

Yet these men are with God for eternity.  And every eye will see the one who saved them.  And the willingly ignorant won’t know why.

If you are afraid of men, and keep the gospel to yourself, at least mention such wonderful people.  For without the work of God in them, you would not have the Gospel as you do.

If you find yourself so full of fear that you are too ashamed to speak of Jesus, at least educate.

Men talk about Gandhi, Hitler, Socrates, Plato and other such names.  And there is no offense taken. 

How small is man and how great is Jesus.  Why are we so ashamed of his holy name?

By His Grace

Deep Enough to Dream

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“Deep enough to dream”
by Chris Rice

Lazy summer afternoon
Screened in porch and nothin’ to do
I just kicked off my tennis shoes
Slouchin’ in a plastic chair
Rakin’ my fingers through my hair
I close my eyes and I leave them there
And I yawn, and sigh, and slowly fade away

Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors
I have never seen
Deep enough to join a billion people
For a wedding feast
Deep enough to reach out and touch
The face of the One who made me
And oh, the love I feel, and oh the peace
Do I ever have to wake up

Awakened by a familiar sound
A clumsy fly is buzzin’ around
He bumps the screen and he tumbles down
He gathers about his wits and pride
And tries again for the hundredth time
‘Cause freedom calls from the other side
And I smile and nod, and slowly drift away

Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors
I have never seen
Deep enough to join a billion people
For a wedding feast
Deep enough to reach out and touch
The face of the One who made me
And oh, the love I feel, and oh the peace
Do I ever have to wake up

‘Cause peace is pouring over my soul
See the lambs and the lions playin’
I join in and I drink the music
Holiness is the air I’m breathin’
My faithful heroes break the bread
And answer all of my questions
Not to mention what the streets are made of
My heart’s held hostage by this love

And these brilliant colors I have never seen
I join a billion people for a wedding feast
And I reach out and touch the face of the One who made me
And oh, the love I feel, and oh the peace
Do I ever have to wake up

Do I ever have to wake up
Do I ever have to wake up
Do I really have to wake up now

By His Grace