Category Archives: Encouragement

The Luckey Ones?

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

The godless think they are enroute to their own pleasure.  They neither consider that God sees, nor that he can do anything about them.  Ignorance and willful abandon are their are gods.  And doesn’t their pursuit of pleasure demand slothfulness?  They obey diligence just enough to get what they want, and no more.  Violence, greed and pride are the mantra of their every step.  Hatred and destruction are their prime reasons for life.  “Destroy your enemy, then you can have their goods.  Love others just enough to steal them blind.

These are real life zombies.  They walk about and do, according  to the rules of death.  But they are not useless, these people of self-will.  God is directing them to the path of his people.  He allows them to float about in reserve until he needs them for his purpose.  Then their path is brought to bear down on his people.

Men and women of The Faith come to believe this is true.  Maturity in Christ demands such a perception.  Righteous obedience to the Lord requires that mindset.  The peace God gives his people proves that His Holy will is being done in all things that come to them.  Nothing, nothing in Christ is arbitrary!

Your path moves in a straight line toward eternal life in Christ.  The wicked mill about in their chaotic endeavors.  Where does your path intersect who?   Think about this with all earnest thought.

Happenstance belongs to those who are godless.  Luck belongs to the dead.  Chance belongs to the groping blind.  But to those who believe by The Faith born from God: “You have intended it for evil, but God has intended it for good”.

Gather your holy wits about you and walk with confidence.  If the Living God is your God in Christ, you have no room for doubt.  If that’s not so, then why does James instruct us to say, “If God is willing”?

(Please don’t let these words sit on my blog.  Have the guts to share them with someone.  Let us do as God commands, “Encourage one another in the Holy Faith”.  Look around.  Who else do you know that speaks words like these?  Why should you share trivia only?  Why not share life?  Or are you really ashamed of me, as I have come to suspect you are?)

Test Yourself

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Either the gospel is true, completely, or it is not.  The gospel says that Christ has come so that his people may become like him.  That’s either true or it’s false.

You will say to me, “Of course it’s true”.  Then why do I see so many, who claim to be Christians, walking exactly as the world tells them to walk?  Why is it virtually impossible to tell the difference between a Christian and an atheist?  Why do these people  love people yet hate the things of the Living God in Christ?

Each person needs to give account of themselves.  Each person needs to stop and take account of the things they do and say. 

Many will think I am judging them because I have said this.  Judge for yourselves.  Look around and observe.  Do you see people who say they are Christians, acting like ambassadors of Truth?  Then of course, look in the mirror.

Would you like a litmus test?  How do you receive those people who speak about God?  Are their words more precious to you than all other people?  If not, do yourself a favor, ask yourself why.

Either our belief in Christ produces the will of God in us or it does not.

People will take what I’ve said here and do as they please with it.  May it please them to please God.

The Price

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There is a price to pay for being stupid, yes.  And as much as we are able, it is good to seek restitution.  Pay back what you owe as best you can.  But some of the things we do are too expensive for us to repay.  What do we do then?

Of all the things we do to others we are in debt to the ears of our souls.  But aren’t we a creation of God also?  And haven’t we done harm to ourselves?  How do you pay that back?

You’re not rich enough to repay everything you’ve done.   Taking money out of your wallet to put it back in your wallet is no repayment at all.  I think this one through. 

To make things right you need a third party who is greatly generous and compassionate, while at the same time being completely righteous and utterly just.  In short, you need someone who is endlessly and eternally rich.

This is what the Gospel is.

God cannot lie.  He said, I will forgive your sins and I will repay.   Only come to me and let us reason together, that we may put a stop to this flood of destruction.  You’ve heard it said that vengeance is mine, says the Lord.  But so is justice, righteousness, mercy, love, and eternal life.

There is great anger in the Lord that he will unleash on the day when he judges all men.  But in this day he is not angry.  This is the day of salvation.  This is the day when he works to secure the hearts and minds and souls of hundreds of millions of people.

If you’ve ever thought something through before, give this one your complete attention.  If possible, give it more thought than you give the things of this world.

People say they want God’s will to be done.  You know what, God wants to make you his holy and righteous child.  That’s what he wants.  If by chance you don’t believe that, then tell me why he sent his only Son to die on the cross.

Ticketmaster

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image

There’s the curtain.  Dazzling red velvet.  It must be heavy, see how lazily it moves as they begin to open it, swaying like waves on the on the open ocean.  Something, something important, is about to happen!  And you, look!  You’re in your seat!

That’s what the dawn every day is.  Yesterday you purchased the ticket to watch the curtain draw back today.  And isn’t the show in full swing! 

Take two steps to the side.  See your life from that perspective.  See, hear, smell, feel, that’s life!  And you’re here!

You are purchasing your ticket for tomorrow, right now.  And at the sum of your days, you will have purchased your ticket for eternity.  Where will you sit?  Will you even be present for the show?

The Eternal Ticketmaster is Jesus.  BELIEVE!

Indestructible!

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Messed up!
So what?
Change it if you can.

Demolished dreams!
So it seems.
Is it more than you can stand?

Better to take the blows.
Those hateful, horrible woes.
Yeah, take it on the chin.
Let Your Life Begin Again!

The Great Expectation

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Waiting for the baby;
The baby yet unborn.
The nursery,
White and glistening,
The future place of home.

Expectant siblings pace about,
Doing all they know to do.
Arms aching,
Ready,
Reaching out,
To embrace the likes of you.

Emerging like your brothers,
With joy,
You’re ushered in!
To spend forever
Dressed in white,
And loving none but him.

(For the children of the Lord)