Tag Archives: Christ Jesus

Ignorance Can Kill

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English: An XOXO brand purse.

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A little boy lived on a farm.  One day he came up to his dad and asked, “Dad, is it ok with you if I steal grandma’s purse?”  The dad looked at his boy with a straight face, hiding the amazement within him.  “Why would you ask me something like that?”  The dad asked.  The boy answered, “I was tempted to do it.  I think I even want to do it.  And I thought I’d ask you if it’s ok.”  The boy said.

There are certain things we KNOW God doesn’t want us to do.  How often have I found myself pleading and pleading with God to help me resist temptation.  I would guess others have also.   Here’s the meat of the issue:

Why do we beg for something the Lord has plainly told us is not ok with Him?  And why do we beg for strength to overcome?  The issue here is the begging.  Begging does not have the same strength as a simple belief that God is willing to help.  He has promised to give such things to those who love Him.  It is not His will that we sin.  It is His will to overcome sin.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

He wants us to live life full of “wins”.  And He is anxious (if that is possible) to see that “Winning attitude” appear in all of His children.  Let’s get our head on straight.  Are we so immature in Christ Jesus that we can’t make out the difference between temptation and a test?

REACH!

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Each of us, who worship the Lord Jesus, must seek out the truth.  We seek the truth of the Father that He has revealed in His Son Jesus.  And we seek out the truth of our standing in His kingdom, both in heaven and on earth.  All this seeking begins in faith and ends in faith.  This faith we own begins as a granting of God’s grace to us that we might believe in the name of His Holy Son.  But as we mature in that seed of faith the Father grants, we enter certain understandings. As we grow in the knowledge of our Lord we perceive that we are able to accomplish certain things according to the place we hold among men.

The question is presented to us, even at the first glimmer of our granted faith; “Who are we in the kingdom of Heaven under the Lordship of Jesus, and what is the limit of blessing the Lord is willing to grant us that we might serve Him in the redemption of souls from this place of testing?”

It is no sin to desire to serve the Lord.  Regardless our history, regardless our past willingness to obey His Lovely Commands, regardless our

Jesus

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hypocrisy, fellowship with sin and wickedness of this world, it is not a sin to desire to serve Him.  It is a sin to remain in rebellion to the receiving of the things He stands willing to give His people.  But it can also become a sin to allow yourself to expect that which you are not worthy to bear.

Many assume that they are pronounced as important in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Their assumption can easily be proven false by the fruit they are able to bear.  Some resort to lies, which their wicked hearts make up from their evil desire to be important.  Others proclaim what is true with an authority that they do not own.  And some, sadly, turn away from seeking the fullness of His blessings because they do not believe the Gospel of peace sent from He who cannot lie.

We are cautioned to consider ourselves with sobriety.  And it is not possible to say that with the proper urgency and power of words.  We serve the Living God through Jesus.  We have not come to a man who dispenses the riches of the world as he desires.  God is not a man that He can be manipulated to granting our personal desires, yet so many live as if this were true.

Consider carefully what it is you are asking for.  Consider carefully who you are, who your history has proven you to be.  Are you a man of integrity?  Does your heart allow you to bear the full responsibility of a position in Christ Jesus’ kingdom?  At the same time, let us also consider what we have left in the hand of the Lord.  What has He been willing to give that we have not even asked to receive?  Is your heart clean?  Have you led a life before men that is able to stand up before their prying eyes of hatred?  Are you able to bear the full responsibility of a position in Christ Jesus’ kingdom, but have decided not to receive it?  Have you rejected this position out of a fear of men?  Where is your faith?

Both men, he who is not able and he who is able, sin before the Lord in differing ways.  The first robs the Lord of Glory because he asks for something selfish and that without understanding. This one perceives the Most High God as a simple dispensing machine.  The second robs the Lord of Glory because he fails to ask the Lord for the very things the Lord has been willing to give him for years.  And both rob the people of the Lord at the very time when they needed truth and integrity the most.

Please consider these words carefully.  Let us bring the Lord a bountiful store of gifts on the day of His appearing.  Let each of us seek to serve Him to the fullness of His intent.  And let each of us aspire to that which is holy, lest we fail to grasp the fullness of the life He has granted by the freedom to do what is good.  Remember what our Lord has said, “He who would save his life will lose it.”  Seek what is good; both the restraint of selfish desires, and the sacrifice of life that the Lord commands.

The Mighty Building

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Cornerstone on south side of , located at 3105...

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A mighty building is being constructed.  Brick by brick the building is constructed: soul by soul, work by work.  The corner-stone was laid and by its dimensions the walls jut out and up.  This mighty building is the kingdom of God in Christ Jesus.  And each brick is the soul and work of a man according to the will of God.

However, many are preparing themselves to be part of walls which are attached to the corner-stone yet not according to its dimensions and form.  They construct their lives as they will; not according to the will of God.  And they expect that the wall they are a part of will endure the proof of God.

Picture a four walled building.  Consider that the architect has in mind a four walled building.  Now picture that some construction crews came in and attached a few walls which extend in various ways from the desired plan.  Do you think those walls will be allowed to remain when the architect comes to inspect his work?  Won’t they be torn down?

Why would you desire to live your life according to your own mind?  Why wouldn’t you consult the plan of the One who hired you?  If you were not sure of your contract of hire, wouldn’t you go seek out the one who drew up the plan and ask for direction?  Yet millions continue stubbornly on a path of their own.  Happily they hammer and saw to build what they think will provide a pleasing sight to the God who called them from wickedness.  They will be shown for what their work proves them to be.  And what they have done will be disconnected from the mighty building of God.  All their work will surely be utterly destroyed.  All that will remain is powdery ashes which the hurricane of Holiness from God’s throne will blow away eternally far from His Holy City.

Do not be fooled.  A man reaps what he sows.  God will NEVER be mocked.  A man’s work will be tested against the Holy will of God in Jesus, His Christ.  Wake and consider who’s you are.  Educate yourself by reading the Bible.  Listen to the Spirit of God within you.  Put away pride and humble yourself before the Most High God.  Learn!  Learn!  Learn!  Before you drive one more nail or saw one more board, learn!  Remember, there is a “quitting time”.  The whistle will blow and the time for building will be over.  Surely you don’t want to be found having wasted your time doing what should not be done.  On this earth, such shoddy workmanship would cause great shame in the one who doesn’t follow the plan.  Shame will be the least of your concerns when you face utter destruction.  Come on now, LIVE!

A Citizen of Heaven, None the Less.

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Português: Uma cela moderna em Brecksville Pol...

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An American citizen in prison is still an American citizen.  Though his rights have been curtailed, he is none the less a citizen of America.  And if something were to happen where only Americans would be rescued, he would be rescued.  He is counted among the least of the citizens of America.  But he is a citizen.

I’ve been considering the greatest and least in the kingdom of God.  Who is the greatest is left for the judgment of God in Christ Jesus.  So it is with the least.  But for all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus, salvation is offered.

Now.  I would like to say that if that one who is a citizen in prison would begin to speak out against crimes, he would elevate himself as a citizen.  Isn’t that what early release from punishment is all about?  Though he can never attain any “great” position in America, he can certainly gain some footing in society.

If you are struggling with a horrible reputation before the Lord, I urge you to work toward supporting His kingdom as you never have before.  You have lost something in your weakness.  But the Lord Jesus has never lost anything.  Supporting His name, giving honor to the Holy One of God, and helping to build up His people is the appropriate thing to do at any level in the Kingdom of God.

By His Grace.

The Letter.

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The First Letter

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There is something I feel compelled to address.  I confess that, though I understand the subject, I’m at a complete loss as to how to begin or where to take the reader.  So I will call upon the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus to speak through me in this matter.

 

I came across a letter I had written in my days of abject sin.  As I read it I realized that this was from my hand.  Embarrassment, humiliation, and fear gripped me as I read the words.  In my mind I considered the blessing that through Jesus’ sacrifice the Father would not read this letter to my face.  The letter would have angered me if I had thought it came from another man.  But it was me.

 

Fear swarms like hornets around the heart of a man who comes to an understanding of his own unholy folly.  And while there is comfort in the forgiveness of Christ Jesus, there is still that morbid consideration plaguing the heart in regard to “what if”.  What if I had not known the Gospel?  I would have stood before the Holy Lord of Life and given account of myself naked of defence.

 

I appeal to all who read this to consider what you have done in your life with a sober judgment.  Without the Grace of God in Jesus, you will stand alone against the One who has never broken His Holy ways.  If you are a Christian, consider how precious the Lord’s gift of forgiveness is, that He has promised that those who put their trust in Him will never be brought to shame.  If you are not a Christian, please consider that every idle word you have ever spoken will be brought up before your face.  You will most certainly give account of yourself to a pure and all powerful God.

 

The details of the letter pale against the over riding message of the coming judgment.  That letter is only one of thousands, perhaps millions, of things I would have stood judgment over.  What hope is there outside of the salvation of Jesus?  NONE!

 

By His Grace.

 

Explain This.

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Crashed Toyota Matrix

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A man was in a multi-car accident.  It wasn’t fatal for anyone involved.  But the incident rattled the very soul of each survivor.  Parts of automobiles lay in every direction for 50 yards.  Air bags deployed now lay like fading mushrooms.  Doors sprung open display the vulnerability of the flesh of man.  Tears on the faces of the women, and the wide eyed faces of the men, testify to the shock.

The miracle is that no one was hurt.  Not even a scratch on any of them.  The wonder of their situation began to sink in.  And, as they stood together, one by one they began to laugh.  Six people stood among carnage laughing.  When the police finally arrived, the scene was a bit macabre.  The ambulance and fire crews had no work. Officially, the only work was cleanup and writing.

Later in the month those six people gathered at a café to share their joy at being alive.  As they sat around the table and recounted the possibilities, they began to slowly notice something.  There were no words to describe their encounter.  Each of them could tell their story but what words could describe the shock, horror, fear, and anxiety in those fateful moments?  Language was the barrier which could not be surmounted.  And they eventually sat silent.  Each of them began to break down in different states of tears.  At this point they realized just how alone they were.  Unable to tell the completeness of the story, even to those who were involved, isolation was almost a tangible element between them.  Such violence gone silent.

Though their experience is unique, we all understand the limits we face each day.  I want to tell someone something.  But the words don’t always come out quite right.  And there is always need to clarify.   Yet, the clarification itself isn’t clear!  What frustration!  Yet, what a common bond between lay us all.  Even if we say, “Here, let me show you”.  The message is filtered through the mind and heart of the receiver and the sender.

With this foundation, I present the reason for this entry:

I have warned about the reality of God’s promise to the wicked.  Unfortunately, I haven’t been there to see it happen.  And even if I had seen it with my own eyes, how could I relate it to anyone?  But I believe with a fever that such things are going to occur.  I have also spoken loudly about the promise of God to those who accept the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice.  Though I haven’t received it in full, I believe it with a severe passion.

Like those in the accident, how can I hope to explain what I know to anyone?  Even other Christians are hard pressed to share their experience of Jesus with each other.  And these people have a common bond beyond this world’s perception!  We use words like glorious, joyful, peaceful, amazing, and such.  But none of them can hold even one sliver of a moment in His presence in prayer.  Nor can they relate how amazing it is to experience the reality of His forgiveness after we have knowingly sinned before His very face.  How can any of us hope to convince the wicked of their plight?  It has to be a God thing, this conversation about what is coming.  It is God who communicates the completeness of His promises to each one of us.

Hell is real.  The promise of God to utterly wipe out the very souls of the wicked (history, name, hopes, and work) is true!  But these are just words, aren’t they?  If you don’t believe, what can be said to you?

This post is a venting of frustration.  Because I know that if you don’t believe, there’s nothing more I can do for you.  You will, indeed, experience a horror far more real and lasting than those possibilities of the accident I spoke of. And, if any of them had died, they would still face the Most High God.  There is a “second death”.   Yet, those promises of God to those who believe are to be like the six who survived without a scratch.  There is eternal life!

Consider that story.  If those people realized they couldn’t even share among themselves, how could they hope to explain it to others?  A life shattering miracle happened to them.  But that “happening” is uniquely theirs alone.  Salvation is absolute and real.  And, to those who are actively living under the rule of Jesus, life in the Lord is more real than the things of this world.

Please consider my words.  The accident coming on the unsaved is going to be no accident.  If you’ve read this, it is much like someone having a vision before the drivers left their house, office, ball game, or wherever they began their fateful trip.  And the one who had the vision warned the driver to stay a moment longer.  Would any of those drivers listened to the one who had a stern face?  Would they have stayed a moment longer?  Please consider the promises of God in Christ Jesus.  Come!  Come share in the reality of the forgiveness of God in His Lovely Son.

By His Grace.