Category Archives: Place of Testing

A Prayer of Longing

by

0


There are times when we simply can’t see the value of our service to the Lord.  The sadness this short sightedness provokes should never be compared to any sadness common to every man.  It is a sadness the Lord felt as He walked this Place of Testing.  And perhaps, longing, is a better description.  But the longing for one who is deeply loved.  This longing has provoked the following prayer.  May God bless His words inspired by His Beauty.

Lord Jesus, I want to come home.  I know there is work to be done.  Work for Your Glory needs to be accomplished.  You need to work in me.   And I need to work in the world for the sake of Your Holy Name and the souls of the blind.  But I want to come home.

I used to belong here, basking in the darkness.  I used to hate you and my only desire was to be left to my own pleasures.  But You’ve entered and changed all that.  Oh, how happy You make Your people!  How beautiful are the words of what the world calls “doom and gloom”.  You have not given man words to speak of the joys You instill in Your people.  But I want to come home.

I am at a loss as to what to say or do for any one of these who don’t know You.  I speak Your beautiful words.  But they can’t hear.  I show them the hatred for sin You have birthed in my soul.  And they think I am simply an angry man.  Your ways are to be desired above everything in this world, and they ARE.  You have touched my heart with an unspeakable peace and joy.  How deep is the yearning for Your Holy ways!  I have lips, but words fail me.  I want to come home.

But I will stay and love you as from afar.  The sparkle of this world is dimmed to darkness.  The desire to gain what they gain is lost.  And there is no regret at this loss.  You have caused this foolish man to desire what is best.  And all I own is to Your Glory.  I am nothing without You!  And this nothingness causes a vast craving for Your Love.  It is our lot to serve you in this Place of Testing.  And I gladly accept this rule from Your Beautiful hand.  But I want to come home.

by His Grace.

While in the Going.

by

0


Jesus

Image via Wikipedia

When I am gone from this Place of Testing.  There will be a few left here who will miss me.  That is the case for most all people.  And I think of what I would like to leave them with (as a last and lasting thought).  It needs to be said that Jesus is able to lead anyone into a life worth living.  Hope is the only thing men have to lean on in both times of trouble and times of prosperity or peace.  This hope, if it is founded firm in the Lord Jesus, will carry anyone through anything.  This is my last word to leave with the ones who continue on in this Place of Testing.  Remember how I lived among you.  I stumbled and clawed my way through this place.  But in the end I found, or more accurately said: was shown) the Lord Jesus.  This is how you should search your way through.  Listen to Him.  Do what He says you should do.  He will lead the willing.  And remember, cowards have no part in the kingdom of God.  Strengthen yourself for His sake!  Eat what you’re given.  And share what you can.  Be His.  This will be enough.

 

By His Grace.

Prayer is a Privilege

by

0


"Praying Hands" (study for an Apostl...

Image via Wikipedia

There is prayer.  For the non-believer prayer is a last ditch effort to avoid an obvious “bad thing”.  For the religious, prayer is a duty that they do not understand.  For the believer, prayer is a wonderous intangible object which causes a glorious transformation.  And regardless of the person’s standing with the Most High God, prayer is the one place where intervention into the situation of man is accomplished.

The non-believer wouldn’t notice if God turned a “deaf ear” to his prayers.  His understanding of the Holiness of God is muted and lost in the blindness of a lack of faith.  But to the believer, a lack of attention from the Father is a jolting reminder of God’s expectations for His children.  The non-believer will not faint if his prayer is not respected or considered by the God of Glory.  But let the Father lack response to the desires of a Christian, and this one will recoil with horror that he has lost something precious.  Panic begins to set in as Christ’s people feel the wall go up between themselves and The Father of Life. 

Prayer is a privilege which can be cut short when our actions do not match the demands of our Holy God.  God allows us to falter.  But rebellion will receive a response; as if to say, “You will not listen to me, therefore I will not listen to you”.  Is God cruel in this?  Never, shall the God of all be cruel!  He is teaching us in regard to what His Holiness is all about.  Accept your state before Him.  Render the respect He deserves.  Don’t consider that you have been slighted.  Prayer is a privilege through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Submit to God.  Submit as a child might when he has been caught in rebellion.  Listen to what you do hear from the times when your prayers bounce back at you.  Your mind will remember certain things which have caused this problem.  Yet I will mention here that there are times when your faith is being tested.  It is quite possible that God is testing your resolve to remain before Him and wait.  In these times, it is more important that you recognize that you are not God.  You are a babe in this place of testing.  He is above all.  And His will is to be done regardless of our perception of things.

By His Grace.

“Jesus Stuff” or “Jesus’ Stuff”.

by

0


We serve the Lord Jesus as His people.  But how shall we serve Him?  What shall we do and what kind of people shall we be? 

You have heard many speak of what is called a “Wealth” doctrine (teaching).  In this doctrine we are supposed to experience happiness, joy, an increase of our worldly wealth, health in our bodies, and peace among our family and friends.  Some believe that if Jesus is the Lord of a congregation, we will see great harmony and peace among the people.  And, we understand by this doctrine that if one follows Jesus there will be a sure footed nature to his life.  I can’t see it like that. 

With all that I read and all I experience I have a different view of what it’s like to serve Jesus.  As I embrace His Lordship in my life I find many circumstances where I have to chose to lose.  The happiness those people speak of is not that of laughing and a permafrost smile.  Often it’s a furrowed forehead and a grim bend to my mouth.  I find that giving becomes the purpose of my income.  Had I remained in the world I would gather all I could to spend it on what I want.  But the money now belongs to Jesus.  And my soul continually looks to His face to determine what to do with it.  My body wears out just like the unbeliever’s.  Old age takes over and ravages the youth I once was.  Sickness is still part of my personal experience.  But I embrace these things as part of the gift of life God has ordained in this place of testing.  And, if I look at any serious congregation of “saints” I find constant turmoil regarding the direction and intended use of resources. 

Yet in these things is a great peace, joy and health.  For those who follow Jesus don’t rely on the things and measuring sticks of this world.  Our eyes, mind, and body are set toward the Lord of Life.  We never take our eyes off His leading.  

Let the people of this “wealth” doctrine say what they will.  Let them chase after all the things the world loves.  It’s ok with me.  They would not listen to me if I told them they were wrong.  And If they won’t look into these things on their own, they sure won’t hear my words. 

There are two scriptures that come to mind regarding this post.  One finds it’s anchor in the nature of Jesus’ approach to the things of this world:  

 18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8)

And:

 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4)

What you do about this post is up to you.  Perhaps you agree.  Then scream out your agreement from every possible vantage point.  Perhaps you disagree.  Then keep on going in the direction you’re headed.  I didn’t post this to gain friends.  I posted this to uphold the words of He who can not lie.  The way of Jesus’ people must be walked upon a narrow path.  With every step we take we set the next foot exactly with the guidance of Jesus.  And He has marked it out clearly enough in His word.  And even if a man can’t read, there is the Spirit of God, which is given to us, to guide each moment’s decisions. 

Chase after everything worldly if you wish.  But you should be aware that there is a moment of consequence coming.  God is Holy and will call every man to account for every step, word, and intent.  Why would you risk eternal separation from the God of Life?  There is a cost to following Jesus.  If you look at your life and find that the only difference between you and the world around you is that you hang out with a bunch of people who listen to “Jesus stuff” on Sunday, you might do well to consider your future.

By His Grace.

Each New Day

by

0


Embracing a new day means opportunity.  We have a chance to think a million thoughts.  We have the chance to do thousands of things.  We get to experience this “place of testing” once again.  And we are allowed one more moment to look hard for the God who created us. 

Embracing the end of our new day means we have opportunity.  We have a chance to look back at the important thoughts we had.  We have the result of thousands of things we did.  We sum up our experience in this “Place of Testing”.  And we are allowed to look back over our shoulder to see if the God who made us was located by us. 

These days will end.  We all die.  And we have the promise, by He who cannot lie, that Jesus will return to gather His people to Himself.  I tell you a truth.  There will be a day of deep regret for most.  They did not consider Jesus worthy of their million thoughts.  They did not do the things God demands of all men.  Their experience of this “Place of Testing” was numbed by materialism, pride, drugs, and all manner of pleasure seeking.  And they will find the God who made them without preparation for that monumental Appearance.

If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?  It’s your day.  Do as you please.  But there is One who owns every day.  And you are treading on His turf.  Consider with a sober mind.

By His Grace.