Tag Archives: Christ Jesus

The Lion

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I dreamed a dream fit for no weak heart.  Yet I woke with no fear or trembling.  Sobriety was in my cup as one may sip his coffee in the morning.  I drank the wisdom of God to understand.

This is the dream:

A lion was loose among men.  In his devouring of men he was noticed.  The marks of his attack were properly identified. 

All men were called up to be on the watch and report.  As if by some means the lion could be captured and killed.

In the dream I had no fear.  I decided to hunt him down myself to see what all the ruckus was about.  Men die everyday, why such an uproar now?

I spied him running from room to room down a long and extensive hallway.  And so I followed as fast as I could.

Finally, in the open space, I found him resting.  With greeting from my mouth, I went over to speak to him.

I asked him why men despised him so, for he seemed such an amiable creature.  He willingly befriended me and took me to his lair.

There we sat, and talked of things.  He even offered me a cup of delightful drink, as we sat and mused together. 
I may have heard what he was saying, but I can’t recall one word.  The actions of another lion caught my attention.  It was then I noticed the bed.

A woman lay on the bed roasted, so that the meat of her body was tender for consuming. 

His companion, another lion, gingerly split the skin and ate.  Noticing the revulsion in my eyes, the lion explained to me that it is a delicacy and very delicious.

But I heard moaning, as if from a deliriously insane person.  I looked and saw that the woman was still alive.  Even though only her eyes could be seen moving.  They were wide open and quickly glancing about, as if one may be afraid for lack of knowledge.

After a while the Lions left, having satiated their hunger.  It was then that I awoke.

No fear attended me, and I did not consider it a nightmare.  Instead I have sought the Lord to understand.  It seemed to me that such a dream cannot have its source in the imagination of man.

In the process striving to understand, certain items of Holy Word have come to mind: define the lion, define devouring, define the amiable one who destroys men. 

Yet I am perplexed by the uproar among men.  Devouring has been a part of man’s experience from the beginning.  Why should they notice now?

The following scripture has fallen into my hand.  Let those who are wise in the Living God’s Christ understand.

Isaiah 59:
11 “We all growl like bears;
we moan mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but find none;
for deliverance, but it is far away.
12 For our offenses are many in your sight,
and our sins testify against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13 rebellion and treachery against the Lord,
turning our backs on our God,
inciting revolt and oppression,
uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice is driven back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets,
honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.”

I will relate no more understanding than this.  For what I have perceived may not be the full.  Yet what I have perceived is too the voluminous to write.

May God show his people what is true and faultless.  May he wake the sleeping.  May He protect and receive the righteous.

Beyond all things of man, may the will of the Living God be done forever.  In Christ Jesus he has secured his salvation.  Though the body is devoured, hope remains.

Yet, let all men worship Him, especially those of The Faith.  Let my brothers and sisters renew the urgent calling within them.  Christianity is not just religious habit.  It is a vicious and vibrant struggle between life and death. 

Let sobriety speak!  Those who count the things of Christ as if they are of this world, will not stand well on the coming day. 

But God is first.  As is the Father, so is the Son.  For the sake of His Holy name, may His will forever be done.

Even so, Lord Jesus come!

By His Grace

The Aberrant Me

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The wisdom of God, now attends my days.  If someone must place a percentage, I confess that the Lord Jesus rules, well over, 90% of my thoughts.  Personally I think that is a conservative percentage.  But the opinion of man cannot be trusted.

He has done all this!  The entirety of the gospel belongs to him.  And from the message of the gospel the ascension from sin has become.

I am not saying I am sinless.  Rather I am saying there is placed a brutal guard over all my thoughts and actions.  And if one escapes, he is captured and brought back for examination.  Execution belongs to the culprit.

Yet more credit belongs to the power of God to transform.  For God instructs, moment by moment, according to His perfect righteous ways.  According to my willing ability to obey.

These things are marvelous, and a very welcome life!  But something “other”, even more amazing, comes to visit from time to time.  And this “other”, is the provocation for this writing.

I am often reminded, by some familiarity, of the man I used to be.  And with stunning clarity,, and regularity, I find no righteousness in my past.  The word “no” has a definitive meaning.

Let any memory come to mind, and my response is shocking revulsion.  At first I am shocked that I would do such things for such reasons.  And then quickly comes the shocking revelation that I am not dead.

We have all heard it said, in one fashion or another, “If it were not for Christ Jesus I would have no life at all”.

If confession were made, most Christians would confess, their nod is without full understanding.  By what they know of Christianity, that saying must be true.  Though they embrace it, spiritual fruit in their life displays their lack.

In this the saying of the Lord is true, he who is forgiven much loves much.  Conversely, he who finds little need for forgiveness, is likely to rely on his own ability.  This one’s love is likely to be split between the Sovereign God and himself.

I do not mean to say this with judgment.  It is simply a fact of life.

But the longer and farther I walk with Jesus, the more alien and repulsive my past becomes.  It can be likened to a virus, which has attached itself to every memory; this lack which provokes amazement.

I pray this has some value to my brothers and sisters, and to those who desire to become Christians.  May every child of God come to abhor who he was.

It occurs to me, that there may be an oddball or two out there like me.  A few who actually desire this place the Lord has brought me to stand.

How can such a one hope to arrive?  The answer is rather simple.  However the journey is anything but.

Give yourself permission to examine every action and every motive you have ever had.  Hold it up as one would a transparency into the light.  Examine it before the righteousness of God.  The comparison will be stunning.

Such a life is not for the faint of heart.  But wasn’t it said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven is forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it”?

By His Grace

Today’s Spartans

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“The Spartans”, refers to a group of warriors from the Greek city of Sparta.  Their vicious allegiance to their country has remained as near myth status even to this day.

Around the year 900 BC, Sparta decided to make an entire nation of warriors.  They would inspect each baby, as it was born, and decide if it was strong or weak.  If it was found to be weak, the male child was thrown outside the city to die.

If it was found worthy to live, the child was raised up until the age of 7, then it was taken and placed in a school of training.

In the school the child was taught the art of war, of ethics, and the elegance of poetry.  By this Sparta transformed its nation into a fearsome foe.  Even one of the poets of that day took note that, Sparta had dropped its walls of brick and made a wall of men.

Consider how many places the name of Sparta is used in sports.  Yet I contend that sports is not the only place where the Spartan rearing is used.

I have seen toys resembling cell phones and computers that are made for newborn babies.  Before a child can understand, he is introduced to a life of technological advancement.

Now please allow a leap of logic in the progress of this writing.

When a man is born in Christ, he is introduced to the things of heaven before he can understand.  He learns the songs of Christ, the words of Christ, the stories of God in Christ, and the behavior of the family of Christ.

If Sparta is renowned to this day for having created a society of warriors, how much more indelible is the family of God?

From the time of Christ to now, the people of God have been subjected to a myriad of humiliating attacks.  At its inception, Christianity was a bloody spot on earth.

Perhaps you have heard of how the Christians were treated in the first few decades.  They were captured and killed, thrown into the arena with wild beasts who would devour them.  They were ripped apart while alive.  They were fastened to stakes then set on fire.  Or all their possessions were forcibly taken from them.

As history moved on, there were other means the world used to destroy Christianity.  Even so Christianity has survived for over 2000 years ( and vibrantly at that).

The power of God, in His people, will not be subdued.  Yet the world keeps trying.

Look at how you treat your children.  Look at the things you teach them before they are old enough to understand.  Look at how you pull them away from the Holy Name of God before their ears perceive the meaning of your sounds. 

Take a look at how you have been ransacked.  Take a look at how the things of God have been ripped from you in the night.  Go in search your place!  Where is your prayer?  Where are the holy words of God?  Where is the power of the Holy Spirit in your house?  Where is the wisdom of God in your children?  Where is the wisdom of God in your elders?  Where is the fearsome independence borne by trust in God?  Where is your Holy faith?  It’s gone! 

The wisdom of Sparta, to raise child warriors, has not died.  And you citizens of the world are not even aware.  You think it great pleasure to introduce your children to the things that capture your attention.  And so you fortify your nations, States, provinces and cities, against the Holy name of Christ Jesus. 

All the while God selects your corrupted children, without asking permission.  He causes them to be his own.  When you perceive that they have been corrupted by holy things, you cast them away from you that they may die.

You have become valiant warriors.  You have dressed yourself, from infancy, to war against the things of God.  You are so indoctrinated with the things of this world, that you think it odd that anyone should stand against your unholy ways.

Yet all men will be brought before the judgment of the Holy God.  As Sparta was eventually thrown down, so will be the training of this world. 

Who has understanding to perceive these things?  Who even desires to understand?  This message is sent out among the people who do not care.  Their eyes and ears are drowned in the work of their own hands.  They are immersed in what is wicked and cannot see.  They have made an entire society of a people who war against God.

Yet if a man perceives what is written here, let him humble himself before God, that his understanding may be clearer.  The salvation of Christ is far more powerful than all the illusions of this world.

By His Grace

The Single Arrow

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A man has only one faith.  It is not possible that he should have many.  For as his faith is pointed, so the man becomes.

Give an archer a single arrow.  Place the target 100 yards away.  Now tell him that if he does not hit the bull’s eye, you will kill him. 

With the target the size of a 25 cent coin, the variable wind and heat, the skill of the archer, and the executioner standing near, the odds are slim the man will see the next sunrise.

Our faith can be likened to the arrow.  In this, every man is an archer.

The man draws his arrow of faith and sets it in the string of action.  He pulls back hard on his bow of hope.  After taking careful aim he lets it fly.  Will it hit the mark?

It depends on what he was shooting for.  The target makes all the difference.  Even the very best of marksman will fail if they do not know where the bullseye is.

How difficult is it to hit the mark for eternal life?  Let everyone understand we are not shooting for a target 100 yards away.  For faith is the substance of things unseen.

Straighten your arrow and point it toward the stars.  Wait until your place on earth points specifically at the Holy Throne of God.  Then at the right moment, and with all your possible strength, release your faith.

What’s the chances it will find the mark?  Will the Holy One watch it skitter across the throne room floor and land at his footstool?

Do we need Jesus?  Go ahead and say no.  If your faith is to find the mark of eternity it must arrive at the footstool of God. 

But first it must travel the length of the sky.  It must pass through the orbit of the moon.  Let your imagination see it whistle through the vacuum of space, to the edge of the universe.  After that it must travel through the very fabric of heaven itself.  Where in heaven, is the Holy throne of the Most High God?

Whats the chances any man can hit that mark?  God has not given men wisdom to write that number.

Does every man need Christ Jesus?  You bet your life we do!

For as the Apostle Peter said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  (Acts 4)

By His Grace

Sweet Dreams are Made of These

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I was at a truck stop scanning in my papers while I listened to a song that was playing.  The song is “sweet dreams are made of these”, by the Eurythmics.

I’ve heard that song hundreds of times before.  But the power of what she was saying dawned on me like the rising Sun.

Everyone is looking for something.  That must mean we are all compelled to search.  And she’s right.

The variety of religions in the world range from obedience to what they call holy law, to the abuse of self and others.  Regardless, men search as a compulsion.  This is proof that there is something to be found.  Even the atheist searchs diligently to disavow the search.  But his activity proves there is something to be disavowed.

How happy then is the one who finds it?  How secure in his way, does his life become?  And what great peace should overshadow him 24 /7?

Christ is the answer.  He is the one that is provoking the search.  The errant things men do are caused by their misunderstanding. 

If you would have what everyone is looking for, search diligently into the things of Christ Jesus.  You are compelled to search. Why not search what is true?

If a man can’t find the truth he’ll create his own series of lies.  But I testify that the Living God is alive among his people in Christ Jesus.

By His Grace

Reading the Bible Cannot Save You

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Living a life provided by us, can only lead to an eternity provided by us. “Unless the Lord builds the house the builder builds in vain.”

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“Salvation belongs to our God and to the lamb!”  This will be the song sung by those who arrive in heaven, dressed for eternity.  It will not be sung by those who think they can save themselves.  No work of man can produce the attire necessary to stand before the Living God.  Simple logic brings us to this conclusion.

As an aside: I met a man who told me he had no time for Jesus.  He said he would take his chances in the Judgment Day.  I will give the man this, at least he was being honest with his folly.

The power of God alone can turn a man from fool to wise.  Those who live in truth before the Holy Lord, will cannot lie.  It is impossible to stand before Him and do anything other than tell the truth.  The perfection of God demands it.  How then can the man who trusts in his own strength sing that song?

I do not write this article to make fun of people.  I write this article that everyone may understand.  From the simple to the great, salvation is extended freely.  Yet only those who humble themselves before the Living God, will find it.

39  “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.  These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5)

No righteousness belongs to man.  If a man is able to memorize the entire Bible, it does not save him.  God does not take pride in such a child.  God in his excellent wisdom has reserved His Holy Son alone, that men may be saved.  The song does not say, “Salvation belongs to those who have saved themselves”.

When the Lord Jesus was with his disciples on the mountain, and was transformed before their very eyes, the Holy Father spoke.  Of all the myriad of things the Holy Father could have said, what did he say?  “. . .This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”  (Matthew 17:5)

God did not say,  “Read the Bible and do what it says”.  The Bible is a written and concrete evidence of the covenant of God toward man.  But the Living God, and His strength to save is, found exclusively in his Living, Righteous and Holy Son.

Pride comes when man thinks he owns anything by his own strength.  But salvation comes when all the man has belongs to God. 

If anything is not of God it will not endure the Judgment Day.  Eternity is Holy.  Nothing will ever be in it but that which is God.

There will be no pride in heaven.  There should be no pride among us here.  If a man thinks he is something, he deceives himself and does not understand the truth.

Reading the Bible, alone, cannot save you.  It is necessary that every man should humble himself before the Living God, and receive the power of his Holy Son’s sacrifice and eternal Kingship.

Find a man who knows the Bible through and through, yet does not commune with the Living God in Christ Jesus, and you will find a man who is full (to overflowing) with pride and false humility.  But living in vibrant fellowship with the Living God’s Holy Son, produces humility, by crushing the pride in which a man trusts.

If still you need proof, read the Holy Law that God gave to his people through Moses.  Now for 24 hours, do that law.  You will find yourself falling short within an half hour.

Those who think they can save themselves by memorizing and understanding the Bible, are like those who live by the law.  Not one man can obey it completely.  And every man who tries will die.  Remember what the Apostle Paul said.  “Those who depend on obeying the Law live under a curse. For the scripture says, ‘Whoever does not always obey everything that is written in the book of the Law is under God’s curse!’” (Galatians 3: 10)

May the Living God grant understanding.

By His Grace