Category Archives: Service

Self Discipline and Diligence; Fear and Awareness

by

0


If you were compelled to grow a garden instead of relaxing and watching TV, you would naturally develop the self discipline to get it done.  Hunger is a fascinating motivator.

If you had to kill deer in order to have clothing and food, you wouldn’t complain so much about the weather.  You would learn quickly how to track, kill, field dress, and manipulate the carcass.  And the more intense the fear, the less remains would be left in the field.

Instead of being spoiled by central heating, and a fat paycheck, you would have gathered enough firewood for the entire winter.  Your fear of freezing to death would cause you massive sweat in the summer.

The more basic the life, the more likelihood of strong self discipline.  Hunger and survival are powerful motivators.  Fear of starvation and death can make weak people extremely strong.

If freedom was not given to you by legislation, you would have fought tooth and nail to gain it.  The desire for freedom is often stronger than the will to live.  Especially when ruthless men subject your children to violence.

But a consistent freedom requires consistent self-discipline.  The lazy and spoiled simply can’t hang on to it.  All the goodies are given to them for minimal labor and self discipline.  They will surely lose their rights over time.

All these things are true in the world.  They are far more true in the kingdom of heaven and application of the Gospel.  Didn’t Jesus tell us that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled?

The Hungering and thirsting presupposes recognition of lack.  He didn’t tell us that all we had to do was ask and, “whaamo bammo”, we’d be righteous. 

The more stark the reality of a man’s trouble, the more likely he will be to pursue stability with all he has.  And when he perceives his need as greater than anything on this earth can cure, he will chase after God with a feverish pitch.

But how should a person diligently pursue what he thinks he already has?  And isn’t this a problem that has surfaced because the Gospel has become watered down?  Distill all the “flaky fluff” out of today’s Gospel, and you would see an entirely different people worshiping God.

By His Grace

Can You Explain?

by

0


We say with some semblance of a surety, “God cannot lie”.  If that is true, then how can you explain your lack?  How is it that so many have a form of religion but deny the power of it?  You have agreed that God cannot lie!  How then are you weak, O’ Church of the Living God?

You are like those who entered near to the land of Canaan.  You testify that God will fight for you.  But you make not one step toward the war!  With proclamation of great and glorious words, you live a lie

You agree with the Holy words of Christ, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”.  But you are bound up in fear.  Are you able to explain this?

If a man buys a new car, he is filled with pride and tells all his friends about his beautiful possession.  He washes it and waxes it, parks it in a safe place, and takes great care of his great possession.  (Isn’t this true among so many of you?)  With confidence he drives it, for he trusts it with all his heart.  His heart is full of pride and joy as people see what he has.

Great big church buildings!  High-tech fills them.  The seats are plush.  The ornaments of religion are carefully and artistically drawn.  You have agreed with this construction and spent good money to accomplish your desire. Yet every Sunday, without fail, they are filled with people who do not believe!  Can you explain this?

You leave evangelism to those who are professionally trained to do.  Why?  They urge you and urge you to do the same, yet you fear to speak His Holy Name.  Can you explain this?

The power of God’s Holy Spirit and His people has become forced to hide.  There is no difference between those who say they are politically correct and those who proclaim they are Christians.  Those who worship the creation and deny the Holy God his Holy place, are the same as those who proclaim they are eternal beings!  Can you explain this?

I will tell you why these things are so.  But what is done about it is up to you.  You have exchanged the Glory of God for the glory of man.  It is as our truth-filled God has spoken.   “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter”.

It is true, God cannot lie.  Will you take the time to believe his promise toward those who do not love him?  Are you willing to fear God and stop fearing man?  Are you willing to sprout legs and stop being a worm?  Are you willing to soar on eagles wings, abandoning your hole in the ground?  Isn’t the choice entirely yours?

By His Grace

Evangelism

by

3


The day I was born, the day I graduated high school, the days I spent drunk as a youth, the day I accepted Christ Jesus, and every other significant day of my life.

On the days I thought important things happened to me, millions of others experienced their own significant occurrences.  Not a single one of them saw the days I saw.  Yet time moved forward for us all.  The calendar chimed in unison.  But the entirety of humanity saw a richly variegated symphony of experiences.

There is one significant occurrence that should happen to all men.  Every man should be able to say he has accepted Christ Jesus as his Lord.  This is the only common thread we can share for eternity.  How that comes to be is also a richly variegated symphony of experiences.

Now I try to preach about Jesus everywhere I go.  But as I think of the differences with which we all encounter each day, I am struck to remember to let the Lord Jesus speak on his own behalf. 

Who could possibly imagine a single canned gospel delivery for every man?  Each delivery must be tailor-made for the ears that hear it.  What man can possibly do that?

If you plan beforehand what you will say as you testify about Christ, the chances of profitable delivery are significantly diminished.  Bottom line, if we don’t let the Holy Spirit do the will of Christ Jesus in us, we restrict the ears of those who might hear.

Though I cannot condemn the use of gospel tracts, or what is called the Roman Road, it is not wise to dictate what God will say.  Those can only be useful examples.

All the same I suppose it is better to testify than to keep your mouth shut.  Yet to give free rein to God’s lordship over our testimony is best. 

I understand how organized testimonies can help those with a weak faith.  But even as the child grows adept at adult things, I think it is quite possible to overcome fear of delivery.

I have no idea who may benefit from this message.  But I know that the Spirit of God does not dress us in timidity or fear.  True belief in the power of God within us ought to be visible in a boldness, and Godly wisdom. 

While it is true that each of us stands before Christ on our own, it is also true that our opportunity to testify to any one man, may be the slightest of opportunity.  And so we are encouraged to make the most of the situation.

Who can say how God will lead them in any one place.  But let us try to lay aside prepared commercials for the Holy Lord’s testimony.

By His Grace

Without Regret!

by

0


I cannot know the fullness of the Life that lives within the Holy Power of the Holy Living God.  But I can know in part.

What I perceive is beyond the expectations and dreams of man.  If man says something is worthy, God is more.  If man says an action is righteous, God is more.  If man speaks of a life that is worthy to live, God is more.

I can rest assured that the Living God in Christ Jesus is infinitely more than anything of man.  And I can rest in knowing, with great boldness, that the Living God’s Christ is willing to lift me into His Holy Life.

I may not know the fullness of the Gospel.  But I can proclaim with great confidence the things I have heard.  I cannot “do” the Holy Life my Lord Jesus has done.  But I can do the things He speaks to life in my soul.  For His Holy words are living.  They give and grant life wherever they appear.  If I survey my soul’s proof of “Doing”, and find clarity of conscience before the Living God, then I can rightly surmise that I have known Him.  And doesn’t this “knowing” provoke proclamation?

From this wellspring of holy Life, that beauty He has extended within me, I can proclaim with excellent boldness and fearless determination.  It matters not that I am void of full understanding regarding the things of God.  What matters is that I open my mouth and allow the Holy Spirit of God to use my tongue, and this to the Glory of Jesus the Christ of God!

Glorify the Living God, all you who know of His Good News.  Yield up what rightfully belongs to Him.  Give what belongs to God, even your entire life, body, mind, strength, and soul.  What reasoning should we use to excuse our partial and unwilling service?  What regret belongs to us if we hold back?

There is a day, and a day which is fast approaching, in which we will give full account of the willingness we offer today.  Shall we provide regret in that moment, by refusal to serve Him today?  Shall the eternal soul, which belongs to us, despise the choices we make today?

Wouldn’t it be so beautiful if our soul should be able to stand before the Living God’s Holy Son with a fullness of accounting, full of joy, boldness, and surety of accomplishment?  Wouldn’t it be so lovely a moment to hear the words, Well done, thou good and faithful servant.  Come.  Enter into the joy of your master.

How is your soul’s stance not your responsibility today?  What excuse stands well before the Living Truth of God?  Regret is a monster of monstrous proportions!  Why would you capture him and try to make him your household pet?  Don’t you know that a “Regret” will surely consume, without mercy, anyone who desires to tame him?  If this is the case with a single regret, what of an entire herd?  They will surely raze your entire house to the ground!

Miming Christians

by

0


Not one man can “do” Christianity.  If they could, we would call it religion (man’s ways of pleasing his version of God).

Christianity is not a religion.  It is the outcropping that appears from the will of God sent to a man.  It is, for the most part, an involuntary attribute.

Ask any vital Christian why he refuses to shut up about Jesus.  He will tell you that he simply can’t.

We don’t mimic Christian ways.  We become them, regardless our worthless desires to remain among men.

You are Invited!

by

0


It is possible (Very possible) that someone might think to themselves, “I will wait until I am able to consider myself holy before I testify about God’s things”.  When will that be?  What sign, within yourself, are you expecting to find?

Isn’t the Lord of Life worthy of proclamation?  Isn’t the consistent nature of creation testifying about God’s Holy Son, regardless how men use it?  Dirt is still dirt, whether it covers a corpse or builds a brothel.  The stars remain in their place, though no one has embraced one with a massive hug.  Sinful men testify about what is godly every moment of their pathetic life.  Yes, the Gospel is that replete among men.  What right, then, do Christians have to hide the holy word within themselves until they receive a “certain” sign from heaven?

The testimony goes out regardless how His people keep their mouths shut.  And didn’t He testify to this when it was written, “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Why would you let the Glory of God emanate from what is ungodly?  Have you no respect for the One who bought your worthless soul?  Why would you relinquish your place to proclaim, knowing that the proclamation will come from those who display no godly attributes?  Have you forgotten the phrase: “I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”

Grip your fear and unwillingness by the adams apple.  Choke it till it gasps to proclaim.  If fear has you, then go in fear.  If you are unwilling, then drag your worthless butt there.  Proclaim or lose the honor of it.

Listen, my brothers and sisters, we dance before the King of kings.  We live before the Living God.  So what if we’re not worthy to carry holy words!  Neither are they who would so accuse us if we spoke them!

The Gospel is an offence against the pride of man.  How humble would a man be who can’t obey the will of God, yet proclaims His Honor anyway?  Wait for that “something more”, and you will be waiting far past the closing of the banquet door.