If a man is a friend of God in Christ Jesus, he will receive from the world the same things God receives.
Count the cost.
Category Archives: the gospel
Is God Just?
I have heard people complain that God is not just. They say, “He put us in this place. He lets us do evil. And then he condemns us to hell.” Because of this, they have even grown strong to say there is no God.
Their answer comes back to them: “You exist as an answer to he who first accused God of being unjust. So this place was made to test the hearts of those who cannot see the Glory of God; that there will be many who love him despite the evil of this place.
Then to seal the answer, God has sent His Holy Son as a sacrifice for everyone who will believe that God is love, true, faithful, righteous, and merciful.
God asks the question of every man, woman and child: “Are you bold enough to believe Me?”
Think it Through
Distraction: a riddle, what does it mean?
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Marvel at the beauty of shadows.
But stay you too far from the light.
And the shadows will overcome you.
They will strip you of all your might.
The soul is like a chameleon;
Dressed in black or brilliant colors.
Of the black ones there are billions.
While the number of brilliant is smaller
Perfecting Afflictions
Ramah: In Biblical, the meaning of the name Ramah is: Elevated, sublime. People with this name have a deep inner desire for love and companionship, and want to work with others to achieve peace and harmony. (It is not a name given by the mouth of man, so much as it is a name given by the horrors of this place.)
For such people to witness the tragedies that come from sin, it is too much. And if the horrors associated with sin come home in a personal manner, destruction has a whole new body.
This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31: 15)
Take away the best of hope from Man, and you will see deep and irreparable mourning. This is the kind of sorrow that is born in the crucible of war. But don’t we also find it in our streets? Isn’t it also in our homes?
Such sorrow does not choose between male or female. Money or social position is no barrier for this kind of destruction. And those who taste this are never the same again.
But this does not mean they cannot have hope. God is able to open our eyes to a hope that is stronger than death; that death which is the end of Man’s greatest possible desires.
Even while we mourn the loss of what could have been, we rejoice inwardly at his Holy promise. He has written perfectly in His Holy Blood. “I stand ready and willing to give you eternal life. I will wipe away all your tears and sorrow. I will give you a joy in your heart that cannot be crushed. And never again will you be disturbed in your place of holy peace and joy.”
Such is the power of the Living God’s promise. Such is the strength of Righteous Mercy. Even those souls, blackened with sorrow, can be filled with joy. They can become useful to Life in this place of death.
I testify that this is true. For I am one of those who has had exceedingly great loss yet has become useful to the Living God’s Great Mercy.
Take heart and understand. Seek the face of the One who has tasted even the grave for your sake. All his servants are broken and shattered in this place of “Perfecting Afflictions”. Where sin was born to take away, Life has come to restore.
Amen.
Fruitless Abandon
With agony of soul, I woke up this morning. I saw God’s desire clearly laid out; “Bring my word to the people that they may have life.”
I looked to the people and saw how they reject this call! I saw how they turn their face from anyone who will be bold in Christ. And the agony grew.
Oh! How much He is willing to give! How fearful we are to receive! All the while, today will end like many others have; fruitless for eternity, filled with fear, perplexed at the growth of wickedness, and resigned to simply endure.
Let everyone examine. Is this right?
Go Down Death
Every day brings more beauty. Every day brings another reason to try afresh.
Wintley Phipps has allowed us a glimpse into a faith that is rare. Come listen to him. Come be encouraged. Come and learn to fear the One who made you. Come and learn what love is.
Words From There 