Category Archives: Encouragement

Words and Actions

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Do the angels in heaven fail to tell one another that they love God?  No they say it in praise to Him openly and to one another.  Is only among men the such words and praise are forbidden.

But who should we align to?  Shall we join men or shall we join the angels in heaven?  For we will surely be among them.  Will it be known of us that we were ashamed before men?

Let us not praise God only with words, but with actions also.  But good actions among men are a welcome addition to society.  It’s the words they hate so much.  And those who keep them to themselves for fear of reproach, prove that they hate those words also.

By His Grace

Foreign Language

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I had been of the persuasion that the Gospel could be communicated in a way that was “less offensive” to the ears of man.  To a certain degree, I still am.  I find that stories, parables, and examples from life, are quite fit for consumption by those who do not have the Spirit of God in them.

But it must be recognized that The Gospel speaks an entirely different language than the language of man.  And why not?  The Gospel comes from Heaven and Eternity.  Man is of time, suffering, rebellion and death.  How can the two speak the same language.

Certain phrases and alignment of words are completely foreign to man.  One such alignment of words is “I love God”.  Now man is quite willing to allow that God is love.  It’s kind of cool to think that there is at least someone who loves.  So they don’t mind hearing that.  But if you tell them you love God, they come unglued.  If they are willing to try to understand what you just said, they might accept it for a moment or two.  But as you show and speak the things of God, that live within you, they will quickly label you a freak (At least in their mind.  And to my experience, they will often let that thought pass through their lips.  I have even been told I am insane for just such an alignment of words.)

So what’s this mean?  It means that there’s a place where hiding your foreign language from man is not reasonable anymore.  You’ve tried to speak to them in their own language.  You’ve spoken things that man thinks are wonderful, wise and beautiful ideas.  You’ve spoken about wisdom, as man likes to hear.  But you see no connection within them yet.  Well maybe it’s time to pull out the “big guns”.  Maybe it’s time to tell them plainly that you love God.  Just be ready.  When you do that, you’ll see their true feelings about the things of God.

Just Slow Down

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Something keeps playing on my mind lately.  It likely has to do with being a truck driver.  But the implications of this thought extend into absolutely every facet of life.

A truck driver jack knifed his rig on ice one night.  His carless driving, in extreme circumstances cost the life of a mother and her baby girl.  I don’t know the outcome of the court case.  But I can assume that the driver was sent to jail on manslaughter charges, at least.

jackknife

(picture is not of the accident I’m talking about)

 

His life ruined.  The family in tears.  The potential of two lives was in the driver’s hands, though he had no clue until the slide began.

Here’s the really painful part.  The next day, the sun came out.  The temperature went from 15 degrees to 45 degrees, within the space of 12 hours.  Within a day the highway was cleared of all signs of the wreck, except for the bent up guard rail.

The implication to drivers is clear.  Just slow down!

The implication to everyone else is, “Just hang on!”

Are you tempted to steal?  Wait till the urge passes, to move your wicked hands.  Are you plagued by sexual desires?   Count off 12 hours before you make that decision.  And how many other “stupid” decisions would have never happened if we had just waited for the “storm” to pass?

Slowing down may mean getting up from the couch, where temptation stews like a pot on a warm burner.  Honestly, in the power of Christ Jesus, it’s that easy.  Without Christ, however, you’re not likely to even be found reading this post, let alone realize there is a way out of your horrible decisions.

The Shameful Difference

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You look at me and complain that I am not “of you”.  I look at you and consider the same thing.  Did you realize that?  Or did you think your view of things so proper that anyone who does not agree should be put to death for the sake of his worthless thoughts?

The entire world does not agree with the Living God’s thoughts.  In fact, you can’t possibly know them.  (So how can you possibly agree?)  Yet the Living God does not throw away His Mercy toward us all; he is utterly unlike the ways of Man.

Look at how you divide according to the thoughts of a man.  Look at how God includes, regardless how we cannot agree with him.

Doesn’t this put us to absolute shame?  Aren’t we, as one, become a worthless product of the Holy Living God’s Holy Desire?

Point the Tip Down!

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Inspect me in your presence.  Grill me with questions designed to test.  Make me speak of The Faith, and surely, in all my words, I will stumble.

I may not say anything false.  But one or two words are sure to come unexpectedly.  They will not be aligned as you have been told they should.  And you will surely label me a heretic.

Or love me as a brother in Christ.  Love me as God has commanded us both to love one another.  Show me the mercy that God has shown you. 

Let me speak of Our mutual Lord.  Let me confess that he is risen from the dead.  Let me confess that he is seated at the right hand of his Heavenly Father.  Accept my confession that my sins are forgiven.  Inspect my actions as well as my words.  And let that be enough between us.  Then we will be brothers in Christ.

Perhaps the Lord has revealed to you something “different”.  Perhaps you have revealed to your self.  Perhaps the only revelation you have is what you have been taught, or what you have read.  What is that to me?  And what does my understanding have to do with you?  Only let us display our faith in that we love one another in Christ.

There are differences that cannot be accepted.  But let those who know better, speak correction in love.   Call them in that they may divide between us.

There are wolves in sheep’s clothing.  But let them speak of the Holy Lord we serve.  In a very short time their error will be seen.  But a wolf will not receive correction.  And he will not strive to listen.  His words are bent toward devouring.  When you are sure of his pedigree, be diligent to see him go.  But by all means be sure.

Valiant warriors on a field of blood point down their swords for a moment.  “Let us not be so quick to shed blood, simply because a man has a foreign tongue.  But let wisdom and holy custom dictate our response.

Then we can be brothers in Christ.  Then we can stand with confidence.  Then we can praise our God together, while the smell of victory floats across the field.”

A warrior is not easily be perceived as a docile farmer.  A liar cannot tell the truth.  And it should be established that a Christian can not hate.

Tired arms raised by souls of steel. 

Hearts aflame with love. 

Praise to our God who set us free. 

Praise to our Lord above!

By His Grace

A Ruse and a Noise

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I have come to perceive that nothing men do in this place of testing matters. 

They can not sin against me, for I am no standard of excellence, and that the Lord has promised me eternal life.

The only thing that will stand forever is the work of Christ Jesus among men.  This matters greatly!

No, there is nothing men do in this place of testing that matters.  All their wickedness will be covered with an eternal grave.  And too, the sins of those who place their trust in Christ alone will be covered over and obliterated.

No, the things men do in this place of testing are of no consequence.  They do not matter.  They are only a ruse and a noise.

By His Grace