Tag Archives: Christ Jesus

Is it Soup Yet?

by

4


I watched the movie about the Apostle John last night.  And as I suck down on my first cup of coffee I ponder what I take away from the encounter.  Among the things taken from that movie, one item stands out clearly.  There is a people of God who will suffer greatly under the hands which belong to those who worship the beast.  This is why I write.  This is why I pray.  This is why we support and spread the Gospel with vigor.

When I first began to speak for the Lord, it was to simply tell the story in the hopes that others would grasp its meaning to themselves.  But now I see two additional elements.  Now I see the Gospel itself as a defence toward the ungodly; they attack our beliefs and we return with the message of Christ Jesus.  And I see the telling of the story of Christ as a way of encouraging those who struggle to gain a foot hold as they encounter the things which are sure to come because of The Way.

I wonder, am I able to endure what is coming upon the Lord’s people?  I guess the answer is yes.  For He proves to us that He is sufficient for the moment’s cause.  But I am reminded that it is never a bad thing to be prepared for all eventualities.  The lord of flies is after our destruction.  And it is only a matter of time before killing us becomes legal again.  It doesn’t take a prophet to see that society is headed in that way.

The Game of LIFE

by

0


Board for the game Quantum

Board for the game Quantum (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was said, “The game is afoot.”  And we knew the action was about to pick up.  Just what did that mean though?  It meant that someone was to pursue.  Someone was to avoid.  And, usually, someone had been victimized.  Quite possibly someone was either going to die or someone had died.  Regardless the story line, a crime had been committed and justice was employed to rectify the situation as well as it can be rectified.

I find this same concept in the Gospel of Christ Jesus.  We all know what it means to play a game.  And in some games we are the direct players, hide and seek is one which comes to mind.  There are also board games and video games, in which we are simply the ones who manipulate the outcome according to our choices.

This “place of testing” is just that sort (in my understanding).  We are the pieces which are moved from one place to another according to the skill of the Most High God.  He will win.  And He will reward the players according to their submission.  He is not unjust at all.  But in this concept I find myself more willing than ever to submit.

What is pleasing to God is pleasing to all, in the end.  And it is a privilege to encounter this game with a light heart; a heart willing to die for the sake of the pleasure of my God.  I know this is a slightly childish look at suffering for the sake of Jesus’ name.  But it is also a powerful word of inspiration to those who can stomach the reality of their position, plight, and hope.

Pride of Man-vs-Joy of Salvation

by

3


Sculpture - head of Jesus Christ

Sculpture – head of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I step out on the back porch, again, to consider the difference between pride and joy.  Pride is of the flesh.  But joy in understanding the Lord’s ways is acceptable.  While the world walks in darkness there is no time or room for the pride of man; that is to say an internal boasting that I know more than others.  Even in our time of reflection before the Most High God it is wise to consider the difference between the pride of man and the joy that we receive from His Grace.  All of us who come to know the Lord were, at one time, full to over flowing with sin, disgrace, shame, and wickedness of every kind.  It is by Grace we are saved.

I am stunned at the consistency of the war within us.  And I am reminded that, in this place of testing, this war against sin will not cease.  My heart is encouraged to pick up the battle afresh.  To render to God what is God’s while I kill the flesh by the power of Christ Jesus in me.  Never, in this place, will a man be rid of the things that plague his walk with God.  They are at the very door of our house.  As it was said to Cain, it is now said to each of us: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must  master it.” (Genesis 4:7)

So I say with all the saints (those being sanctified, transformed, by the power of God in Jesus), “I will rise in the early morning before it is light.  I will find a solitude among the trappings of this world of chaos.  And I will seek the Lord that I might rid myself of the things that have and will destroy me.  I will raise up to kiss the face of He who has kissed me.  And I will learn from Him to do the perfect will of eternity.  Sin will not have me!  For I am being made a son in the house of my Father.  And all this is to the Glory of Jesus, my Lord, Master, King, and Desire!”

Amen.

Lack of Will = Lack of Productivity.

by

0


Productivity

Productivity (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Lord has given as He pleases to men.  To some He has determined to restrain the mind.  To those He extends a wonderfully beautiful grace.  Yet to most men He has given a full mind, capable of understanding and free to choose what is good or evil.

It is the way of men, in all generations, to do what is partial.  To work, think, will, and choose, with half a heart or less.  We see it appear in the work place.  And productivity suffers as a result.  We see it make itself known in the family.  And parents, as well as children, suffer under an oppression of half heartedness.  And we see this choice to live half-hearted lives make itself known in even the Church of Jesus, the Lord of pure life.   And the testimony of the Most High God suffers under the oppression of this rebellion among men.

I urge all of us, including myself, to consider what you are capable of producing for the sake of God’s grace extended to us.  If your mind works well enough to rebel against what is good, then it also has the potential to obey.  What is it that causes this lack of productivity in the world and in full sight of Heaven?  Is it not laziness?  We prefer to remain ignorant of what is good.  We make that choice with our very desire to be less than what we know is good.  “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17)

Strengthen your will.  Move toward what is good and God will bless you for it.  Every step you take toward His perfection will receive what is appropriate.  God is wise, merciful, yet is judge of all men.  Be wise then and turn away from the slothful spirit that grips all men.  Be diligent.  Become aware of what is right and good, and then do what you know must be done.  There is no other word, given to men, concerning this.  It is up to each of us to work hard to present the Lord with the fruit He deserves on the day He judges His people.  All good things belong to God.  And those who render their lives to the doing of the will of God will not fail to receive what is promised.

Is there something you do not fully understand?  Have you come to a place where what is good is obscured, and confusing?  Then we should pray in these places.  Does anyone rightfully believe that God will restrain understanding while holding us under judgment?  It is not His will that any should die, but that all should come to an understanding of His Holy Will.  He will give you what you need to endure such tests.  But we are not talking of those moments as much as the simpleton ideals of sloth.  If we present ourselves toward what is right, so that we might do it, we will prove far more able to encounter those moments of doubt.

If you stand as one who does not believe, then reach out toward God and believe.  It is for this very reason that you were given life.  If you are of those who believe, yet find yourself less than you ought to be, surrender to what is right.  We are only given this one life to allow our hearts to be tested.  And after this we will give account to Him regarding His testimony in Christ Jesus.  And let us not mistake this:  Right now is eternity.  The future belongs to God.  What has been done belongs to God.  Only this very moment belongs to you to make choices toward what is right and good.   And it is at this very moment that you can choose to do what is in your hand to do.

Do not be fooled by liars.  He who does what is right is righteous.  And He who chases after the things of God receives the blessing of God.  All else will be destroyed.  This is a truth:  Only God and what is His will enter eternity.  All else will cease to be.  Let us all be willing to produce for the sake of His Holy Name.  If you lack willingness then ask Him for a willing heart.  Those who earnestly seek Him find Him.  Those who chase righteousness with half a heart will end their days with nothing.  And those who remain willingly in rebellion will receive the reward which is held in waiting for the destruction of “the accuser”.   What more can be said about this?

By His Grace.

Government Molevolent

by

2


English: Poverty Русский: Нищенство

Image via Wikipedia

A government unchained from the will of the people becomes a government malevolent.  Debate is now swarming around this concept.  In the end we will see a people crushed while the “elite” dine in joy.

Beware.  It approaches even as you breathe.

Do any realize that this statement reflects the end result of satan’s rebellion against God?  Do any understand that this is why God created what we now live?

We are the answer from God to an accusation from the corrupt one.  Jesus was prepared and issued from God’s throne to answer, once and for all, a certain question.  “You ask too much of us.  Who can bear what You command?”

God answered when He spoke creation into being.  From the foundation of the world Christ Jesus was set apart to redeem a people to His Father who would obey regardless the cost.  No one has to understand what Jesus has done to make these things true.  Yet His promise is absolute to all who put their trust in Him.

Countdown to 666, One

by

0


Fol.5. Beginning of the Book of Genesis

Image via Wikipedia

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (Genesis)

It was God who created.  We understand through the Gospel that this God is Jesus.  It was not another creature who made what we know as creation.  In us it is God who compels us from faith to faith.  It is not any other creature who causes us to grow from glory to glory.

Many believe that they will affect a godly life by sheer will power.  This concept does not come from God.  “There is a way which seems right to a man.  But the end thereof is death.”  “Unless the Lord builds the house the builder builds in vain.”  Let us put away all hope that we contain what is necessary to please the Holy Father in Heaven.  Let us humble ourselves before the Most High and receive.  We were created to receive that which we cannot perceive; the Glory of God made complete in man.

And let us remember this:

5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2)

Through the power of Jesus we become one with the Father in heaven.  Is that saying too much?  Is that not the power He has given us?  20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17)

Rise up then, as children of the Most High God.  Take your place which He offers.  Shall a man build the frame of a house, it is not enough.  Let God build the house for you.  Let Him direct and guide you into all truths for the sake of His Glory.

There is a teaching afoot which tells us we have no right to claim the power of God within and through us.  But, to this, we remember another scripture which bears consideration:   1 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

Come apart from the world and allow God to build that which you can only hear.  Let Him prove Himself in you.

Amen