Avert your eyes


A man wakes one morning to go and give thanks to God for his quickness of mind.  With all he is capable of, the man realizes that everything he has comes from God.  But even in this realization he is caught.  How do you know you have quickness of mind?

Everything among men is comparison.  I don’t know of one man who can speak without it.  To assess one’s mind and find we have a quick mind, is to compare ourselves with those of lesser quickness.  The man even assesses what he has had to make that judgement.  Perhaps it would be better to simply thank God for the moment of clarity he has allowed you to have.

Our words reflect our attitude.  Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  And I am right to consider this entire article foolish if I think I understand it.  I am attempting to pull in some of the folly that causes so much chaos around us.

When we assess ourselves to have something that others do not, we judge God’s giving.  He has given the living and the dead.  He has given us poisonous plants as well as health giving plants.  He has given places to men that they may live there.  One who lives in the tropic will not do well in the Arctic.  But the place he lives is no less of value.  And men are not to be judged by where they live; whether by mind or by geography.

Where then do we have any right to compare ourselves to others?  Where will bullying find itself before the sovereign God?  Where will the judgment of our brother fall?  How will misguided assessments help us before the Lord and our brother?

Consider the trinkets of man which separate us according to our perceived betterment.  The rich man has, so he thinks himself better.  The poor man enhances his ingenuity, so he thinks himself better.  We say one is mentally retarded.  By that assessment we think we are better.  God has given separation by his wisdom.  Do not consider yourself able to counsel the Most High God.

I will confess that even writing this article I am using comparison between men.  Assessing the situation may not be sinful.  And refraining  from judgement maybe a very fine line.  But the line broadens considerably at some point.  When we recognize the difference let us back away.

Give thanks for what you have.  Practice only that.  If you consider someone else has a need, strive to make sure it is an actual need.  To do otherwise is to place judgement on your brother.

I know this article is difficult.  It seems I have put puzzle pieces together in the wrong place.  But the wisdom of God is greater than man.  And to his understanding we struggle to rise.  Ask the sovereign God by Jesus his Son and he will give you wisdom in these things.

Turn your eyes as you walk by a house at night.  Do not look in their window.  What business is it of yours what another man has or does?  If you must talk with them, go and give them honor by knocking on the door.

In the same way, do not judge another by what you have.  Accept him like he is.  Accept yourself like you are.  Revere God in all your thoughts.  By this you will do well.

I have written this as best I am able.  The Lord has said much better with fewer words.  But this is my house in the night of this world.  I have displayed this in my window.  I know that others look as they walk by.  Knock on my door and ask me and I will try to explain.

What I have written is true.  Perhaps some who read this can do a much better job than I.  But I have done what I am able.  And I thank God for His mercy.

May the God who gives all, also give understanding in these things.

By His Grace

An Unsettling Dream.


"Landscape with the Dream of Jacob"

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Dreams are always of interest to everyone.  Sometimes they mean something specific.  Most of the time it’s wise to consider what we had to eat before we went to bed.

I had a dream just before I woke this morning that has rattled my world.  Yet, in pondering its potential, I have come to a Christian conclusion. 

In the dream I did something.  I don’t know what I did.  But the effects of my action (or non-action) was too much for those who know me to bear.  I heard one person I know say, “That’s it!  I can’t take any more.”  And that person turned and walked away.  The others who knew me followed suit because the first person was more dear to them than I.  Evidently, I had one more obligation to accomplish near one of those who knew me.  When I was finished I asked that last person to help me dump remaining items into a sack.  After some painful deliberation on the part of the last person, he held the sack open for me and left.  I walked out the door into the street and felt the finality cover me like a tidal wave. 

When I woke, I wondered if this were a warning of something to come.  I thought about the Lord’s Right to be Lord God.  That nothing we desire is really ours to own.  In all things God’s will is to be accomplished.  And I accept anything that comes from His hand.  He is God!

Sadness resounds in my soul like a great bell on a hill.  I don’t know if this dream will come to pass.  But it’s caused me to ready myself for anything.  I give up willingly.  In fact, I place myself before Him with eager willingness.  I want God’s will to be accomplished in me regardless the outcome or my perception.

In considering the dream and the possibility that it is a warning of something to come, I am brought to another item of interest.  Many would fight to hold on to their place in this world.  But the servant of God should not be like that.  It is our duty under the Blood of His Son, that we should walk without blaming others for our situations.  I thought of Stephen, in the book of Acts.  He had done nothing wrong.  But the Jews were determined to kill him for his testimony for the Lord.  While they were stoning him he asked the Lord to forgive them, for they did not know what they were doing.  God was accomplishing something wonderful with every rock that impacted his body.  After he said this his soul was taken from his body.  With this in mind I post the following as a testimony to the Glory of God:

Father, You are Lord and God of absolutely everything in heaven and in earth.  Time is yours.  And in this place You have required us to endure testings of various kinds.  It is to You alone that man and angels will answer.  And You demand that Your people walk in obedience to Your Glorious will.  I ask You, Father, to hold nothing against anyone on my behalf.  Everything I have or own is not mine.  They can take nothing from me.  For I give it to You.  Even my desire to be loved is Yours to hold and do with as You see fit.  You are God!  By the Beautiful Name of Your Son Jesus I present this prayer.

By His Grace.

Too Weak to Speak.


Christian symbol: This symbol was used primari...

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I’ve talked to many Christians who think they don’t know enough about their faith to encourage others or convert the unsaved to a faith in Christ.  I was there too.  For many years I didn’t know what to say.  How did I get to the place where I’m creating a blog for the Lord?  I got here by watching others struggle with the truth themselves.  I saw how they stumbled around for the words.  And I was encouraged by their faith.  It’s not that they were able to make a mountain move off into the sea.  They didn’t have the faith to raise the dead or even heal the common cold.  They had the faith that in their trying they would gain from the Lord the understanding and strength to continue.

Look at how you’ve been encouraged by the faith of others who spoke out against wickedness or spoke of what is Righteous before the Lord.  When you begin to speak with what knowledge you do have, you will accomplish at least two things.  You will gain a confidence you didn’t have.  And each time you exercise that confidence it will grow.  And you will encourage others to speak out also.

Many are silent because others have been silent.  I encourage you to do your part to spread the Gospel.  Risk embarrassment.  It’s worth it.  And you’ll never become proficient as long as you never try.

 

By His Grace.

Days


May - Oct 2006 Calendar

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The Lord has allowed me to live 21,142 days.  What have I done with them?  How many more has He in store for me?  What will I do with them?

Are you?


A Solar Flare, image taken by the TRACE satell...

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Are you ready?

Are you watching?

Are you actively working through the Holy Spirit in the Work of the Lord?

The universe will see the Glory of God descend to earth.  The sky will rip open with the Holy Fire of God to reveal the Lord of Glory as He comes to gather His people.

Are you ready?

Are you watching?

Are you actively working through the Holy Spirit in the Work of the Lord?

By His Grace.

Gold Stars and Gold Braids


When I was young, they would reward my good efforts by giving me little gold stars.  Then I entered places where they might adorn my shirt with a button or a little trinket of “glory” as I moved from success to success.  I entered the military.  I received medals for certain accomplishments.  And now I receive rewards from men for doing what they wish me to do according to their standards.

The Lord is the same way.  Though we might or might not perceive it, He allows us to become adorned with certain Glory as we move from learning to learning.  We enter new places of obedience and usefulness as we spend time with Him.  And He is a generous God!  His mercy will be poured out on anyone who earnestly and actively turns from sin and rebellion toward obedience.

He will be praised forever because He is merciful and loving.  It will not be the notches of death He has had to render to the disobedient which will be His acclaim forever.  It will be the loving way He holds His people close to His wonderful heart that will be spoken for eternity.

Subject yourself to His wisdom and learn.  You will move within Him from place to place; from worst to better, and on to best.  Submit and learn to Love in Christ Jesus.

By His Grace.