Category Archives: Service

Rampant Poverty

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It is true that in this world there are the poor.  It is also true that the world makes much commotion about this.  They fire one another up to eradicate poverty.  But no headway is ever accomplished.  As soon as they release one into productivity, five more take his place.

Unfortunately what is true in the world is also true in the church.  There is a poverty  that cannot be solved with the resources of this world.  And it does not dress itself in visible rags.

Those who are rich in the forgiveness of Christ often seal up their wealth as if it can be stolen.  And I find myself unable to speak of the power of God absent from display in my brothers.

While the world walks about destitute and ragged, many Christians live happy peaceful lives.  While the resources of the world are gobbled up by greed, the resources of Christ are often hidden from the masses by fear.

Does this make sense to anyone?

The world carries on great campaigns to solve a problem that will never go away.  But doesn’t the “Modern” church find itself doing the same thing?

It has become a virtually impossible task to tell the difference between the “good people” of this world and the “Modern” Christian Church.  No wonder the poverty of soul is so widely spread.

A simple question, addressed to every Christian:  “Are those who know you even aware that you are a Christian?”

I guess there is one place of solace.  Both horrific forms of poverty will find their conclusion at the Holy throne of God.

1 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3)

By His Grace

Worthy Servants

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We present what we are given, and in a manner we have received.  As a man combs his hair, because that is how his hair roots were formed, so we are bent to deliver what we have received.

Should a servant go out and attack his master’s enemies?  How should that servant know the subtle knowledge of his master?   A servant is confined to his service.  He is not privy to the upbringing of his master.  He is sent from the room when conversation of importance are held.  How should he know the full wisdom of his master’s business among men?

Wouldn’t it be better if such a servant were to ask his master, “My lord, is there something I might do to help you against your enemies?  Forgive me, but I perceive that they attack your estate with malicious intent.  I owe you my life, for the sake of what you provide for me.  You have my lowly place at your disposal.”

Such a servant will be respected for the sake of his love and dedication.  That servant may never use a sword against the enemies of his master.  But he will certainly be remembered as one who is prepared to render “good” service.

In the same way, should we give counsel to the Most High God?  Shall we determine to attack and devour His unholy enemies?  Such servants of God will find themselves being counseled by Holy Words.  They presume to know what they cannot possibly know.

Each man of God should speak according to the faith he has received.  But let him take counsel as to his position.  Let him draw a distinction between his lowly and restrained state of affairs, and the Eternity that is the counsel of God’s Holy Wisdom to act among men.

Can I make this clearer?  I must ask, and have asked, myself: “What has the Christ of God allowed you to do for His Holy Kingdom?”  I find that this place of testimony is the pinnacle of my service to the world.  But I must also recognize the value of a life lived as a servant to all men.  Even as the Holy Lord Himself is a servant to all creation.

This is the message given to me personally this morning.  “Remember the place you retain.  Take a good look at where you have been summoned to perform.  Be wary of presumption.  Remember what brought you to the place you inhabit in My Grace.”

I share this with you because I am no different from any man.  The temptation to move beyond the Lord’s blessing comes to every one of His servants, sooner or later.  It is good to avoid the tears of regret that will surely come to the servant who presumes to know his Master’s business.  It is best to revel with great joy that we have done the tiny things He has allowed us to do.

Bible Thumpers, and the Like

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Where is righteousness among the people of God?  There are “Bible Thumpers”, yes.  Who am I to say they should be restrained?  Would I stand well in the presence of Isaiah?  Yet, we have an obligation to inspect our service to the Lord.

I know that the Gospel is a very vital offence in itself.  Do we need to be odious to man’s perception also?  Again, however, I am no one to point a finger at my brothers.

It is mine to live as a slave to righteousness.  It is mine to remember my place, for I must testify that I am not where I should be among men.  Sin has brought me to live a life that should never have even known my name.  But I know there are righteous men of God among us.

Let each man do as truth demands.  Let each of us examine our place among men.  And I will enjoin the following, to support this theme:

In the day of Joel, did the prophet refer to what was written before him?  As he spoke the words that were given to him to speak, did he recall words that were spoken to a people who lived before him?  Isn’t it true that Joel spoke from the Living God, as the Living God desired to speak to the people of Joel’s day?

Point to a beautiful prophet.  Show me where their holy accounting mentions that they stood on a stump, thumping the despised Holy words of the past.  Yes, there were remembrances given to the people of each prophet’s day.  But there was also a vibrant and pointed message to the people of their day.  Their message was hated.  But not because it was of a different generation.  It was painfully applicable to the people whose ears heard the message.

I do not desire to step on the toes of any of God’s people.  I simply ask that we examine our testimony.  Are we the ones who are being hated?  Or is it the message of God that incurs abuse?  Let us not give them justification before God for their refusal of the Gospel; “The man who spoke the Gospel to me was filled with unholy comparison and judgment against me.  I found his presentation a hateful and proud dispensing.”

Though there is no place for men to hide from accountability, let us not give them another crutch with which they will find excuse.

From Fear to Boldness

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I just read the post of a person who is nearly beside themselves because they can’t testify regarding Christ.  Limited circumstances are driving them to desperation.

What an amazing disparity between the timid who will not speak, and those who are consumed with the fire to speak.

In myself I found the following to be true.  As I sat in fear, no strength was given to testify.  But the moment my trembling legs took my mouth to a certain place, strength came.  Boldness is given to those who let their faith loose.  Those who bottle it up will be given nothing but sustenance.

What’s this mean to you?  How can I know?  I know what it means to me, and to those tiny ones of Christ who rise to gargantuan proportion.

By His Grace

The Hungry Sea Creature

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2061212_370I woke from sleep this morning, from a dream that most would call a nightmare.  A sea creature had taken to land.  It was a creature who had a taste for man.

I was perched on a narrow outcropping of rocks above the surf.  He was perched along a slightly lower place. With confidence, I challenged his right to hunger for the likes of me.

But, to my horrible surprise, he was able to reach toward where my feet stood.  I was in no fear of being caught.  But as he reached, the rocks beneath me began to loosen and fall into the sea, one by one.

“No need to remain in bed”, I thought.  So I got up to start the day.  It has taken two hours for this dream to find meaning.  But the meaning is more threatening than the dream.

The world moves from one moment to another.  What is past is like those rocks which were falling into the sea.  The foundation that saved me from becoming food, was a place I should not have been. Was I where I should be?  Hadn’t I remained too long in a place that was no longer useful?  If I had moved on from there, I would never had seen that creature.  I would not have been vulnerable.  I would never had known what follows.

God leads His people from place to place.  He is always drawing us nearer to His intended goal.  What we can be, in His Holy Power, lay before us.  What we were standing on, becomes a crumbling foundation.  The past is not a firm place to live. Security belongs to today.

The Living God’s protection applies to the moment.  It does not rest in the future, as some believe in the Gospel.  It does not reside in the past, as many waste away their lives in regret or accolade.  He is the NOW.  Remember, His Holy Name is “I AM”.

Truth For Sale

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There is a distinct possibility that I’m about to lose a new-found friend.  Yet, in an effort to avoid the loss, I’m going to preface this post with a few short words.

This one I’m about to give answer to, is not alone.  He will know who he is.  But I won’t make mention of his name.  It’s not the new-found friend I’m attacking.  It is a certain concept that has gripped the “new” Christian church, with a “Gorilla Tape” grip.

I must also say, that if we bolt and run because someone points out a faulty premise we hold dear, we stood on quicksand long before we heard the correction.  I don’t want any loss.  But I can’t let this slide either.

 

What association does money have with Christ Jesus?  What value does fame have before the Living God?  Nationality is a cause for pride, not a source of godliness.  And if we are not accepted for some worldly division, what is that to us?

You want to write to make money.  There’s nothing stopping you there.  But if you want to make money by writing Christian books, you stand on really thin ice.  “Freely you have received, freely give.”  Anyone recall that?  Did Peter charge the beggar anything to heal his legs?  Did Jesus charge admission for any of His words or miracles?  Are we required to pay anything to receive salvation?  Then why would we use the freely given Gospel of Christ to make money.

To sit and gripe that no one will let you join in this useless profit, is a bewildering sorrow.  Isn’t salvation enough?  Did your nationality come up as you stood to accept the Lord?  Did someone say, “Oh, you’re from ‘this nation'”?  We’re you excluded from the joy of Christ because your skin was a different color?  Wasn’t the Gospel presented to you FREE?  Wasn’t it proclaimed in your native tongue?

You can do what you want.  What’s that to me?  But to make money because of the Son of God?  Aren’t there plenty of other ways to earn money?  Isn’t this world plentiful enough to inspire writings worthy of a couple bucks?

Again, you’ll do what you’ll do.

By the way, there are millions of anonymous writers.  And there are hundreds of ways to spread the Gospel for free.  What counts to you, profit, or the glorification of the Lord who’s Holy Blood bought your joy and inspiration?