Category Archives: Service

The Purging

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There are battles that rage of which we know nothing.  No man has ever heard an angel speak unless he is personally addressed; and that for the purposes of the war in spiritual realms.  The Holy Lord Jesus does not appear to men unless it furthers the means of heaven.  Men are nothing.  Nothing of heaven is for our entertainment.

We are what is being fought over.  And this place in eternity is not for the sake of men.  Is for the sake of the will of God and that for His Son Jesus. 

The man who thinks he is something is mistaken.  While we live in this place we are but pawns in a great contest.  Pride thinks otherwise.  And when this place is over we will take our place as servants of the Most High God.  Man has no individual purpose other than to serve the Lord who made him.

Pride devises a man’s self-importance by drawing on falsehoods.  Such a man thinks he is something because he knows how to tie his shoes.  But God is able to reduce such people.  To doubt that is to rely on the falsehoods the break our souls.

But once a man is in the clutches of the Most High God, he quickly learns the futility of pride.  All things are for Christ, and that to the glory of the Father.

The Lord will purge his people.  He will drive out iniquity.  Then, as it has been written, “You will know that I am God.”  Endure!

Going out

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I struggle hard to get used to it.  When I am not among people the sting fades.  The reality is remembered but the burden is softer.

Prayers are lifted.  Intent is sharpened.  I purpose to do well next time.  When it is time to venture out, desire consumes me to leave myself behind.  But I come along for the ride anyway.

Once with them, blinders of mercy strive to cover their sin.  But their behavior is so blatantly wicked, it is impossible not to notice.

The Lord has taught me his gospel.  And I wear a hat that speaks of eternity.  It is an emblem with a silver cross on a dark blue hat.  The words simply read “Think Eternity“. They see me coming and turn away.

Then the moment comes when conversation is inevitable.  This is the moment I dread the most, for now I will open my mouth.  Just a few words pass and the difference is clear; not only clear to me but brilliantly clear to them.

At some point you see them strive for opportunity to leave.  The simple witness of a man has opened a chasm.  Before they perceive it not.  But now it looms before them, bringing terror.

I did not speak the holy words of Christ in front of them.  That opportunity did not show.  But the views of life within me made themselves apparent.  And the differences between us are stark.

Yes, I dread going out to meet with people.  Not because they are wicked, but because I am such a weak fool.

Christ Jesus within me is strength beyond measure, wisdom eternal, mercy unending.  I look for opportunities to share what is within me.  But opportunity is a fleeting animal.

They are trained to avoid confrontation with the Most High God.  They are trained to love their neighbor by being inclusive and embrace their sin.  They are taught to avoid the confrontation between truth and lies.  And they have learned their lesson very well.

Useless Christianity

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The kingdom of heaven seems infinitesimally small to the man of the world.  What is important to him is to gain the things he can hold.  The natural man has no desire for the promises of God. 

“These are things that have no use among those who desire to be useful.  I would rather profit by the work of my own hands than to become so heavenly minded that I am of no earthly use.”  So says the man of the world.

But the one who enters into the kingdom of God says no such thing.  This one says to himself, “I perceive that men die.  I have faith that God is, and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  Therefore I would rather be your fool among men and embraced by the living God, than to gain 10 pounds of the world’s riches.  I will become so heavenly minded that I am no longer of any worldly use.”

The one who sets his mind on the things of God will be come a son of God.  All the steadfast righteousness of God rises up within the man.  By rejecting the usefulness of the world. The man becomes indispensable to the world.  What the world counts as useless is exactly what it needs.

By His Grace

Stocking the shelves

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“Go out there and stock the shelves.  People are buying stuff and we gotta know what it is so we can replace it!”  The wild eyed store manager was beside himself.  He barked his order to his only employee and the little guy scurried off.

The store manager was busily  pouring over marketing programs when the little dude returned.  “Sir, I looked through everything and found nothing missing.  Everything on the shelves is messed up!  They, like, rummage through it but they take nothing!”  Slowly it dawned on the little guy that’s his job may be in jeopardy.

It seemed like it took a long time for the manager’s eyes to come up out of his work.  When they met eye to eye, the little employee couldn’t understand what kind of message his boss’ eyes were telling him.  Fear, astonishment, peace, and even a hint of joy, all gathered in those tiny pupils.

The managers lips opened like he was going to say something.  But they just drifted back together.  He let his eyes drift back to the papers.

“What are we going to do sir?”  The little guy heard his voice crack.  A tear formed at the edge of the managers eye.  But when he looked up the little employee saw a big smile.  “He’s finally gone mad”, the little buddy thought to himself.

The managers lips opened finally.  But then they would slam shut.  This went on for a little while in rapid succession.  The little guy stepped back a couple of paces from the desk.

“We’re gonna sell selling!”  The words came out rather loud.  “Sounds good sir.  Um, just what does that mean?”  “We’re not going to charge the people.  They don’t buy anything anyway.  Instead will charge the producer for advertising his product.”

“All we have to do is keep track of how many people come and go.  You take notes of what kind of people they are and what they go look through.  I know this is useful to the producer.  Just keep straightening the shelves.”

So it is with my blog.  I don’t sell anything.  Its all free to come and peruse.  What is here is valuable to the One who provides.  He determines what to display.  And the hearts of men are tested.  I just keep restacking the piles of paper

By His Grace

O’ Worker of Death

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By His mercy we are sent.  We are from the wicked.  He dresses us and sends us back.  Even while we serve, he dresses us all the more.  We are no longer from the wicked.  We are now sent from God.

All men are just like me.  Arms, legs, eyes, mouth, head, body, fingers, desires, dislikes, and frailty are the sum of our freshly days.   And they are startled faces touch my heart.

Pity strikes me.  I see the difference because God has shown it to me.  But I dare not let my pitiful eyes close up the word I have been sent to speak.  Where is love to let them die without warning?

This is why they are urged me to be quiet.  “You are just like us why do you speak so harshly?”  With their fleshly eyes they cannot see that I have been sent.  But my soul knows the truth.

Get behind me, you worker of death!  You have only man in mind.  You are my slave you are not my confidant.  You are my body, my sinful nature, and you have nothing to say.

I will have pity on man.  I will speak the words I am sent to say.  With this I love them, that I tell them the truth.

By His Grace

Personal wellness

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I just heard an advertisement on an AM radio station.  They are suggesting we should tune in to the next episode of a teaching.  The episode is sponsored by a Presbyterian Church.

The gist of the teaching has to do with selection of a physical therapist to enhance your muscular structure.  They refer to it as a training in personal wellness.

I have not listened to the program, nor will I.  The focus of the government these days is on personal wellness.  I make it a point not to listen to them.  The focus of the godless these days is on personal wellness.  I make it a point to preach the gospel to them.

Even if the program couches this teaching in Christian thinking they are only duplicating the work of the godless.  What business is it of God’s people to duplicate the teachings of the godless? 
The Presbyterian Church wastes its money, effort and time.  While they should put all their resources into teaching the gospel, evidently they prefer to teach personal wellness of the body.

Precious little time, energy and money is in our hands to dispense.   With so many souls dying everyday and headed to destruction, what right do we have to ignore the gospel?

I know their arguments, they are not shrouded.   “I am my brother’s keeper” is the first.  This is a child of the social gospel which is so prevalent today.  In this gospel, the power of God is minimized.  While the love of man for his brother is maximized.  This teaching turns the gospel inside out.

The twin of this child is the idea that we will lure people to us by tickling their ears with what they want to hear.  The idea is, when we have their attention we can secretly slip in Christian ideas.  And why do they want to keep the gospel secret?

I give them credit for being crafty.  But I give the devil the same credit.  By cloaking some aspect of the gospel of Christ Jesus, they confess their Shame of his glory.  And they strive to avoid the confrontation the gospel will surely bring.  They have introduced their plan.  May it fail miserably.

May the Lord confront them so that they do not share in the sins of this world.  For their efforts do not bring the fullness of God’s glory in Jesus Christ to a world dark and perishing.  They have mixed in poison to the healthy food of God.  May God have mercy on them and confront them in this folly.

By His Grace