Category Archives: parable

VICTORY!

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In the midst of prayer I saw that my mind had wandered to the things of this earth, even while I spoke the appropriate words of God.  I thought, “These are not the marks of an earnest prayer.” After apology and return to earnest prayer, I asked the Lord to teach me what is victory.

He showed me that victory is not only at the end of the race.  She hovers over the runners from start to finish.  With meticulous and unblinking eye, she watches with wisdom as men run.

-Ingenious attire escapes her view.  She watches not but actions.

-Baubles and trinkets, which divert a man’s attention, are not even visible to victory.

-She pays not the slightest attention to those who refuse to run.

-Words spoken are not heard; the doing is observed.  For victory hears only the words of the Holy One.

-Then she kisses her children with a welcoming kiss at the end of their faithful and earnest run.

-Make no mistake, her kiss is a certifying seal.
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He also showed me a man kneeling.  He was before a brilliant and never ending light.  The light shone directly at him and I looked to see how the light shredded behind him as if brilliant silver threads.

“Those are not threads of light.”  I heard my understanding say.  Then I peered more closely at what trailed behind the man.  They were tethers brilliantly shining in the light of God.

As the man stood to raise his arms in praise I watched as the tethers on his back break loose.  But now that I knew what they were, I studied his form more closely.  Almost imperceptibly, his right heel was tethered by a rather large thread.

God sees all these things.  Victory takes note of them.  He who is victorious wins the prize.   Those who compete in error finish in error.

Then I heard, “Fight with vicious intent!  Those who coddle the sinful nature remain tethered to it.  What do you think?  Does victory take note of them?”

A Fillament of God

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Stopping for gasoline in my small country town, I came upon a startling revelation.  As I went in to pay for the gas, I passed a man coming out.  When he saw me he quickly turned his head away from me and down.

I paid for the fuel and walked back to the little truck.  For some reason the man had not left.  Instead he was on his way back into the store.  And so we passed again.

This time the man’s aversion was radical.  There was no question he preferred any place but there.   Frankly, I was surprised he did not turn around and get back in his car.

Neither of us spoke a word, the first time or the second.  His pain was so obvious I did not desire to add to it by saying hello.

I wear a dark blue ball cap.  On the cap are the words “Think Eternity”, and a small cross.  The power of those words and the symbol that accompanies them caused the man his obvious anguish.

As I drove away I pondered the man’s life.  He has friends.  He has relatives.  He has those who love him.   He has a history and a reputation.  In short he has what he considers “a life”.

But if he cannot bear two small words and a symbol on the hat of a man, what will he do when he is face to face with a blazing glory of God?

That man is the most pronounced reaction I have ever seen.  Most people avoid my eyes.  But I have never seen anyone react that violently on the inside.  It gives me cause to ponder who I am becoming, by the strength of God within me.

I am like the filament of a lightbulb.  What chases the darkness away is not the glass.  It is the blazing fire within.

The filament does not perceive what happens beyond its light.  And it does not command or control those who live in darkness.  The filament simply blazes light.  And it does not consider its value.

The value is perceived by he who placed the light.  And it is used by those who live in darkness.

We are the light of the world, by Christ who lives within.  We testify with words and actions.  But the testimony within us speaks soul to soul.

Every tree is shaken.  Excuses evaporate like a drop of water on a hot burner.  And the hearts of men are starkly revealed.

May God receive the bounty that is rightfully his.  All glory to the Father through the Son, by his people and the might of His Holy Spirit upon us.  Amen.

Courageous Vagabonds

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I took my early morning coffee to the back porch which overlooks the woods.  As I stood, I began to be aware of the chirping of Robins, Blue Jays and a variety of other birds.  My memory came alive; I remembered their absence in winter.

Such Birds travel south when it begins to get cold in the north.  There they eat and sleep in comfort.  But has winter dissipates, certain birds return to the north.

Immediately I understood.  God showed me a parable of the gospel.

God has made creation as he has made it.  The birds are given wisdom according to His will, that they may not gather together in comfort and security. 

Certain numbers of birds are compelled to be courageous vagabonds.  They hate the gathering together in warm security and plentiful food.  They prefer an arduous flight north.  They are not like their other brothers of a feather.

As it is among these birds, so it is among men.  God gives wisdom to some and calls them to become courageous spiritual vagabonds.  They cannot stand the mass of men.  They are compelled, by the very nature God has given them, to seek a different place.

They themselves are men.  But there is a distinct difference.  Such “called out” men are not afraid to risk death for what is better.  They do not count themselves as different.  They simply are.

Such things are on display for all men to see.  All creation resounds with the story of Christ Jesus.  Look with understanding and you will see.

Hammer down!

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A young man got a magnificent job offer; great pay great benefits and a great work environment.  The only problem was he had to drive 80 miles everyday across rural country to get to work and back.

On his first day he started to drive and came across a small country town.  He saw the speed limit that said 35 miles per hour.  But he thought, “Its just a tiny town I’ll do 45.”  What a fateful decision that was.  He got about halfway through and was pulled over by the town policeman.

The policeman got out of his car and walked up to the drivers window.  The man expected words and a ticket.  That’s not what he got.

The police officer reached for his gun and put the muzzle against the man’s temple.  With a soft smooth voice and a very tiny smile the police officer said, “You speed through my town again son and I’ll blow your brains out.”  With no other words the police officer just turned, walked back to his car and drove away. 

The man worked for that company for 15 years.  Everyday he worked he had to drive through that town twice.  And every time he went through the town he made sure his car was only moving at 35 miles an hour.

If we would agree with the young man in his response to the insanity of the police officer, why do we not think God is serious?  The wages of sin is death.  Why then do men keep on sinning?

Our holy cup of offering

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“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

A man who loved the Lord took his best cup off the shelf.  He went about his kitchen gathering the best ingredients for a tasty drink.  When the mixture was perfect he set it on the table and waited for his guest.

At the appointed hour his guest arrived.  When he walked through the door the man bowed to his face and greeted the Lord Jesus.  “I have waited for you, Oh Holy One.  Welcome to my house.  I have prepared I drink for you that you may quench your thirst and have what is rightfully yours.  Please come and sit, that we may converse.”

The Lord responded with a smile and went to the table to sit.  He reached out to the glass to receive what his servant had made.  But as it neared his lips the smell of sour and putrid struck his nose.  He gave the man a glance with his holy eyes.  Without a word he stood from the table and left.

The man had given what he thought was best.  But in his corrupted mind he had created a concoction of wicked ingredient.  He could not please the Lord for he did not know what pleased the Lord. 

If we are to love the Lord with all that we are, let us be sure we understand who the Lord is.

Mount Sinai

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Every man has witnessed Mount Sinai.  It stands tall enough for everyman to see.  It is a Holy place.  The peak of which burns intensly with Holy Fire.  Many are drawn to it because of its blazing glory. Do not desire to climb it!

God has called one man to stand near its peak.  He delivered to that man the things he desired to give.  If you climb it you will die.  For the LAW of God makes no room for even a shadow of wickedness.

Read what Moses has brought back.  Consider yourself carefully; can you do the entire law?  Have you done what is perfect from birth?  Can you assail Mount Sinai without failing?  If not you will die.  Everyone who lives by the law will also die by the law.  And no one of blood alone will fulfill the entire Law.

We are of wayward desire.  But the desire at the top of Mount Sinai is perfect, unblemished, without fault, eternal and Holy.  Those who attempt to climb will be destroyed along the way.  You will be chared to fine ashes before you arrive at the Holy Fire.  And the torrent of Holy Wind will blow you away.

There is One who has assailed the height.  There will not be another.  He is the Holy Son of God.  He was with God from the beginning and has known his Father’s ways forever.  Though he is a son of man, he was not so by the will of man.  He alone has performed the law of God perfectly.  And now he sits enthroned at the right hand of God forever.

Without him we are but animals.  With him we become immeasurably more.  And we remember that it is written, “If even an animal touches the mountain it must be stoned or shot with arrows.”  The rock of God’s salvation will crush him.  Or he will die for the piercing guilt he wears. 

Therefore do not attempt to climb Mount Sinai.  Rather approach the mount at its base and plead with he lives above.  He is full of mercy, but he will test every heart.  Leave what is Holy to he who is Holy forever.  Do not presume that you can grasp what is far beyond your reach.  Do not insult the Most High God.

In time, if you persist in service to him, he will grant you the holiness his wisdom dictates for you.  Revere the Lord Jesus!  Humble yourself before him in his Holy Place.   In due time he may lift you up.

Climb the mountain of humility.  Its base has roots in the grave.  Pride is of the grave.  Therefore this mount suits us perfectly.  It is sufficient for a man to climb this mountain. 

This mountain of humility is often unperceived by man.  Pride and desire cloak the eyes.  And there is no blazing glory visible at its peak.  It is not desirable to the eyes and pride of man.  It’s base begins in darkness.  And its peak is in but shadows.  Though it is not perceived by many, it remains the will of God for man.

This mountain is the Mount of Olives.  Here a man comes to prepare himself for death.  Here a man comes that he may be stripped of all that he owns.  It is here that pride is beaten, humiliated, scourged and murdered.  Here a man comes to proclaim the glory of God in Christ Jesus.  Here a man comes to say, “May your Holy you will be done.”  Here a man comes to learn that God alone is good.

Mount Sinai will kill you; soul and body.  The Mount of Olives will burn away your sinful nature, while setting fire to your soul.  It is here that faith finds blazing life.  It is here that man has no glory.  It is here that we find the will of God for all men.

May God grant wisdom to those who read, according to his excellent purpose.