The Lord! The Lord has done this!
My soul is at home while my body sucks dust.
Where your treasure is, so your heart will be also.
I am a citizen of heaven proclaiming the unseen.
Considered a fool among men, my lips stammer His Glory.
I have seen with my blindness a promise of He who cannot lie.
And my hands reach out frantically to touch the feet of The Righteous One!
No longer do I belong to this world of foolishness and sin.
I am His!
The Lord! The Lord has done this!
By His Grace.
Image by ehoyer via Flickr
When I first began to respond to anti-Christian blogs I would attack what was being presented. I guess I saw their words as the enemy. But two things have happened, through the course of dealing with such words. The most important and transforming experience in these proceedings was the Holy Spirit of God speaking through me. We are told the following: 11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (from Luke 12)
Who are the synagogue rulers and authorities of satan’s push against Christ? It happens to be anyone who will come against Jesus’ people in word or in deed. So I watch what get’s typed in the responses I present. They became far less antagonistic and far less full of me. God does speak through His people. You don’t feel it as a force pouring through your body. He simply transforms your mind to understand the implications of what was presented. So I start typing and just allow the mind to relax. God is in control.
The second transforming experience holds an equal amount of power. I’ve become to see these people as simply a mouth piece of the one who has stood against the Lord from the beginning. They are not the enemy. And their words are addressed by the Lord through me. What is left to me is to recognize that I was once one of them. I used to demean everything holy. I was a trash heap of ruin in a corrupt body of flesh. Running around just looking for a fight.
So when you deal with folk who seem to stand against you, try to remember who’s ultimately in charge. They are going to die just like you’re gonna die. The body wears out and accidents happen. The major difference between the Christian and the man or woman without Jesus is the presence of the Holy Spirit. He is the power of God’s Son set as a seal for those who God is in the process of redeeming. In all things we rest knowing that we are His.
By His Grace.
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This thought has been posted before. I can’t remember where or how long ago. But it’s a thought which bears repeating a thousand times anyway.
It is not appropriate for us to leave doubt in the minds of people as to our salvation. When someone dies, we often will hear, “I hope he’s in heaven now”. I am constantly struck by the importance of our witness in this regard. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone who knew you to be able to say, “I know he’s with the Lord now. Because everything about that man dripped Jesus.”
What shall be our witness? Consider what the Lord said in regard to this: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Luke 13:24) Salvation is not simply asking God to save you through Jesus. If that were so we would see Christians and churches filled to over flowing with horrible examples of the transforming power of Christ. Oh. Wait, isn’t this the current state of affairs in America? Sorry to have offended the majority.
Strive to leave a legacy of God’s work in you. Of all the things you can leave behind, holy living should be our utmost concern.
By His Grace.
“Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” So it is promised by The Lord of Truth and Life. So it is, and forever will be, true. Does that mean we should never speak the truth to those who mock the Lord’s ways? No. It simply states that you will be hated for speaking what is true.
To rebuke those who hate God and deny His Lordship is much like speaking to a brick wall saying, “You are in my way. Move aside.” The bricks will give you the same regard as those who hate God’s ways. I encourage Christians to stand and speak against foolishness spoken by those who are blind. It is possible that the Lord will open their eyes some day. And when that happens, they will remember your words and be ashamed.
Jesus is the redeemer of hearts and souls. For now they stand before Him as a snake in it’s hole; neither lovable nor promising. But I once stood as such also. And now I do see and understand the Honor of God. He is Holy. They, for now, are unholy and godless. Continue to hold out the words of life without shame or fear. This is how the Lord walked among us. And isn’t it our privilege to walk in the same world God was crucified in?
Cowards and the trembling are not useful in the redemption of souls. It is those who will stand without shame who will allow the Lord to venture into the hearts of the ungodly. They will remember your words come that day of God’s appearing. So stand without fear. Speak with the power given the people of God. And do not fear their hatred. They already hate you because you are His. Is it that you fear the appearance of their hatred and mocking? They have no fear or shame before the Most High God now. But the day will come when they will hate their own lips.
Speak and act as those who are not a part of this world’s hatred of God. “Fearlessness is a definite sign of your victory.” (http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/walking-in-a-fearless-life-style-jeff-budzinski-sermon-on-bible-influence-103382.asp) So be filled with the courage of your hope. And do not allow shame to cover the work of the Holy Spirit within you. Stand and speak with full assurance that the words of truth hold the power you have professed. The world will mock you. The world will hate you. Why is that something to be afraid of? Isn’t that what was promised by the Lord Jesus? “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mark 13:13)
By His Grace.
Before darkness, He was.
Before the first star, He was.
Before the first grain of dust, He was.
Before the first hint of sin, He was.
Before Able died, He was.
Before you, He was.
He is, before darkness.
He is, and forever will be.
He is not to be your buddy. He is!
Consider the Lordship of Christ Jesus. Consider and be in awe.
By His Grace.
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Only sounds close reach my flesh.
The older I get the closer they must be.
Yet there is noise upon noise.
The older I get the less I hear
Of the noise the world affords an ear.
It’s the voice of God I seek.
And no ear will serve me well.
Rattle and prattle your wicked noise of hatred.
The din will rouse no saint.
There is a noise of always which rings with joy.
And no clanging will drown it out.
Speak, my Lord, I listen with heart.
Your ways and Your words are so welcome.
Turn back the rustle and bustle.
Let the voice of God stir my soul.
By His Grace.
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
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