Blessed Turmoil Within.


Door in a Wall

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20And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21“Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22“Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23“Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. 24“But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25“Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.

 

Woe to all who call good evil and evil good.  Woe to those who mix drinks with abandon.  Woe to those who do not consider the Holiness of God in their daily doings.  Woe to those who live their lives as if there were nothing beyond this place of testing.  Woe to those who consider the testimony of Jesus as a fairy tale.  Woe to those who make no attempt to grasp the meaning of life on this earth.  And woe to those who, after hearing the message of Jesus, turn from it with shrugging shoulders.

Glory and honor, and promise belongs to those who endure for His Name sake.  Blessed is the man who considers the abject horror of his sins.  Blessed is the man who sobs at what he has done contrary to the Word of God.  Blessed is he who hates his life in this world, yet longs for help from He who cannot lie.  Blessed and filled is he who finds the repentance necessary to secure the forgiveness of God in Christ Jesus. 

And Blessed is the Lord for making this place of testing.  He has set the wall between Himself and us with a firm foundation.  There is but one Gate.  And, as the Lord Himself has said, “Few there are who find it.”

By His Grace.

Refinement Requires All!


cigarette

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What have I learned from the past month?  I’ve learned that if I wish to obey the Lord in certain issues it will take everything I am.

I believed I was told to accomplish a personal refinement.  Through a week and a half I allowed myself to endure for His name sake.  For the next three weeks I suffered under horrible desires.  I watched curiously as my mind and body screamed to partake, lest this refinement became more powerful than they.  Anger, confusion, the seeds of hatred germinating, and complete frustration (almost to the point where I couldn’t control the sound  of my voice betraying my inner turmoil.)

Then finally came the wall.  Continue to endure under this pressure and become an angry man, or relent for a while and regroup later.  I have chosen the latter for a while.  So what have I learned?   Did I give up only to never try again?  Am I under a curse because I wasn’t prepared to endure?  I am compelled by the Love of God in Christ Jesus to say “no.”

I have learned that, while salvation by the blood of Jesus is offered to all who believe, there is an “extra” offered to every believer.  The cost of this “extra” is enormous!  And it will cost us the following:  Dedication toward accomplishment regardless the experience.  Continual honor given to the One who calls us toward what is Holy.  A willingness to suffer beyond our perceived ability to endure.  And, quite possibly, a willingness to abandon our present life’s duties for a season.

I said to myself, “You have what it takes.  Why are you faltering like this?”  But what was I to do with the building anxiety, anger, frustration, and lack of will?  I consider that I might have succeeded if I had just pushed one more day.  But what I have done is what I did. 

The glory due those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb is well earned.  Those who over come will be blessed with honor, as the One who bestows this honor is blessed with eternal joy.  Yet, there will be few who find that honor bestowed upon them.  Why?  precisely for the experience I related above.  The battle is harsh and demanding.  And I now know how horrible the battle can become.  And after typing that last sentence, I laugh at myself.  What do I know of suffering for the sake of His Holy Name?

Father in Heaven; Holy Father of Life and life,  I give you praise for the intense place of testing You have created for man.  And I give You Glory for the Perfection of Your Holy Son!  What wonders and marvelous power He embodies!  That He should suffer without fault in this place where I now walk (or crawl on my belly).  You are Glorious!  And Your way is above us as the farthest star in the universe is removed from the chair I now sit in.  May Your Holy Will be done forever!  You Are God!

By His Grace.

Where do I Stand?


c. 1632

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Many look at the Lord Jesus and say, “That’s nice.”  Most hear of Him and His expectations for His people and turn their heads another direction.  Some hear of the Lord of Glory in Jesus and reach into their pockets to give alms to those who appear to serve Him.  And some study their entire life to learn of His secrets.

But a few will lay down pride and gain in this world to receive the Glory of His promise.  Some have given all they own to be a part of His Testimony.  Some are looking at Jesus and pondering what all this “giving of self” means.  And they are about to cast in all they own to join the Glorious war of God.

Where do I stand?  What have I left that can be thrown down for His sake?  What do I hold dear in this world?  How close am I to being counted as one who threw it all away for His Glorious Name?

To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.   But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.   And who is adequate for such a task as this?  (2 Corinthians 2:16 [the Living Bible])

By His Grace.

A Dream


Old Bottles

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The following is the result of a dream.  May the Lord Jesus dress our hearts and minds to understand.

The metal bottle

I dreamed of those who worship technology.  I saw that they allowed themselves to believe their lies to be truths.  They had invented a program and its implements which would allow them to appear in any form they wished.  Though it was not they who appeared in any form, but their image portrayed through their instruments.  I saw how they could project their image in any manner of state.  Some would fly.  Some would become invisible.  Some would conquer things of imagination.  But none of this was real.  It was a way for people to escape the reality of their situations.  And they embraced it with a great joy.  And this joy washed away every awareness of sin and its consequences.  And through this invention, God and His Holy Commands was also washed away from their minds.  To them, this new experience was worthy of all worship.  And they gave themselves fully to the worship of this invention.  The people who worship this invention will say to themselves, “I will fashion myself after this.”  Or, “I will fashion myself after that”.  But they will forget to fashion themselves after the Holy One of Israel!

In the dream a young girl appeared from an old house, which was built on a small hill.  The woman who stood near me addressed her by a name I had never heard.  The young girl was asked how it was with her.  Her response was that “He is coming home”.  And with that, she tossed a metal bottle toward the woman beside me.  The bottle did not contain anything, for it had no opening.  As the bottle was nearing the woman’s hand, the young girl said, “It is such a shame that he has been bound.  He is not mean as they have said.  But he is beautiful and peaceful.  I’m glad he’s coming home.”  And the woman beside me agreed.

The Warning

Awake!  You people of the Lord awake!  What has come to be is preparation for the stage of the end.  Come out of her, lest you share in her sins.  The world is about to embrace its god.  They will truly believe he is innocent of any evil.  And this lie will propel him to leadership on earth.  They will worship the beast and the image of his name.  For they love all things pleasure, and hate all things Godly.  We are witnessing the advent of the stage on which God’s wrath will pour out.  Awake!

The Lord has sent man a strong delusion, that man might believe the lie of his own works.  Man has embraced technology as if a god.  And he will not turn from this work of his hands.  Remember how it was before all this.  How man was at the mercy of God for the provision of his food and shelter.  Remember how lovingly the Lord of Life took care of His people.  And He even sent rain on the godless and ungodly.  His mercy has no bounds as He provides for all mankind.  And note how His people had no want even in times of horrible persecution.  How cruel the lord of flies treated God’s people.  He was bound and technology took root.  This was done so that the end days would look unlike any other day on earth.  This was done so that those who hate the Lord of Eternity would commit themselves to the way of death.  And this was done so that those who believe the lie would worship this lie, and the father of all lies.   Every man will reap whatsoever he sows.  He who sows deeds in his life to bring glory to the Father of Christ Jesus, will reap life.  Those who sow to gain their own pleasure, will reap their own pleasure.  And when their ability to please themselves is taken from them by the appearance of God, they will have no crop to harvest.

Man has created the implements of this coming war with his own hands.  And these implements will be the source of his own destruction.  Take note how technology has become the religion of the world.  Look how the world is coming together over the works of man’s hands.  Listen to what they are saying.  And take heed that you are not fooled into believing their lies.  Even the President of America has said, “Science will save us”.  And see how millions agree with that statement.  With lies they promote their greedy agendas.  With lies they subject the people of this world.  With lies they gain power toward the coming war.  And with lies they create the weapons of their own death.  Do not join them!  Seek God’s Truth.

Look how God has been pushed away, for man no longer has need of God’s provision. They say that they can save themselves.  This is a lie and man has been instrumental in building the lie of his own death.  And now man is about to embrace another lie, the father of lies.  They will agree that his way is best.  And this is how so many will accept his mark.  They already love the work of their own hands rather than embrace the Lord of Life.  So it will be an easy task now, to turn their hearts toward evil, godlessness, hatred of what is holy and good.   Listen to what is being said.  “Conservative values are ancient and no longer needed.  We have created our own righteousness.  We have no need of Christianity or its people.  We will take what we want from the truth of ages past.  And we will throw away what we do not desire.”  They will choose the one destined to destruction, the one who was bound and is about to be released.  Awake!

Turn to the Lord God Almighty through Jesus His Son and receive the wisdom of His choosing.  Allow Him to lead you into understanding of what is Holy and true.  Turn from the ways of this world and embrace the Lord of Glory.  Awake!  Awake, you sons of the Bright and Morning Star!  The time is near.  It is even at the very door.  Depart from their company, you people of God.  They will receive the mark of he who lies.  And all who are not in the hand of the Mighty God of eternity will join them.  Turn to the Lord of Glory and live.  Turn away from all that is wicked and obey the Gospel of the Apostles.  Listen to the words and repent.  For those words and teachings we received were written by the very blood of He who is worthy to open the seals!  We serve the Risen Lord of Life.  It will be good if we are found serving Him at His appearance.

The Call to Remembrance

Use the tools of this world with wisdom.  But, by all means, embrace the Lord of Life and the message born by those who touched God, in the body of Jesus.  Remember that we are no different than those who walked with Jesus.  It is the lie of this world which has turned our eyes toward something false.  Pray to the God of eternity, the Holy God of Israel, that He might give you legs of Holy Faith and understanding.  If you have legs of flesh, you will not stand.  Now is the time of preparation.  The war is about to be let loose.  When it begins, it will be too late for many to turn.  For the flood of lies will consume all who are not loving the appearing of the Holy God of Life. 

Remember how the people of God were taken care of gently in the wilderness.  As they learned of the power of He who lives forever, they were placed at peace in a place of concern.  He was enough for them.  And He proved His willingness to shield them.  Remember how He dashed the aggression of their enemies.  Remember how He fed them in a place of no food.  Remember how He glorified Himself among them, so that even their clothing did not wear out as they traveled under His hand.  Remember His promises to all who call upon the name of His Holy Son!  And do not forget, lest you begin to treat the gift of God as an unholy thing.  Remember how they rebelled against Him in that place of testing.  Remember how His anger burned against them.  And remember how He redeemed those who loved Him, even unto death.

Be strong and in the Holy Spirit and believe the message preached to you.  Do not turn from seeking His Holiness.  And do not return to folly as He brings you from sin to redemption.  Walk with the Lord of Life now and escape the coming lie.  All who believe the lie will perish.  And all who believe the Son of Life will live.  And this living will be evident as the time of war blankets the whole earth.

 

By His Grace.

“I have said, ‘You are gods.'”


Sculpture - head of Jesus Christ

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Who are we?  Why did the Glorious God of all create us?  We are a jewel in His Majestic Glory.  We are the work of His hand.  Yet the wicked abound.  Even the wicked are created to become sons of the Most High God.  They spurn His rule over them.  They are men of His creation.  But they desire their own desires.  He would have us all desire to serve Him.  And in His service there is no shame nor burden.   With His Word, he proclaims “I have said you are gods.  Yet you will die like mere men.” 

He has set us to live that we might learn from Him.  We are led by the Mighty Hand of God’s desire and Glory.  We are placed in a tent of flesh that we might learn humility and obedience.  Yet men by millions hate His guidance.  They build for themselves every pleasure they imagine.  And the Lord has allowed that they should have their day.   I have heard a man say “Read the books of those who hate the Most High God and His people.  It’s only fair that you read the books of my longing, if you expect me to read and understand the Book of yours.”  And what was the reply of the Lord within me to this man?  “I do not seek to be fair.  I seek the truth of God in Christ Jesus.” 

We are set apart to glorify the Lord of our Calling!  We do not strive under the same dementia as do those who throw away the very One who gave them minds to consider the world around them.  They are lost in a place of testing and can give no answer for their lives.

The Lord will have His day and He will not be put off.   Every man will answer to His Majestic Righteousness.  He has been patient with those who are now His enemies.  He has given every opportunity for them to consider His ways and to humble themselves under His Beautiful Will.  Refuse, you hated of the Lord’s Glory.  For you turn from His pleasure to seek your own.  Refuse and die.  Or choose to accept His gift in Jesus, His Christ, and live.  He offers, with open hand, a peace between you and His Glory. 

May the Lord of Life forever be glorified for the work of His powerful hand in the works of His people.  May His people know who they are and become pleasing to the Lord.  Rise up and dress yourselves with the Glory of God!  You are His sheep.  He has set you to wander in this Place of Testing, that you might learn of His ways.  Jesus has gone before us that we might perceive both the punishment of the wicked, and the reward of the Most High God for those who desire His ways.

By His Grace.

Pop a Pimple.


Pondering the possibilities for me, regarding the will of God for the remainder of my life, I fell upon something beautiful:

I spoke with a man who decidedly hates the word of God.  He suggested that it’s only fair that I entertain the writings of those who would tear at the Faith of God in Christ Jesus.  Without reservation, my response was that I am not interested in “fair” when it comes to dedication to my Lord.  I am singularly interested in His truth.  I have no need for the trash of man.  Such garbage is not for the godly to consume.  And such writings are mere speculation driven by a hatred for God and His people.

The beauty is that God has caused me to desire Him!  Every day, every moment, my sin is before me.  And every day, every moment, the Holiness of the Lord Jesus surrounds me.  What a beautiful pain to endure.  And so it is with all His people.  May it never cease in this place of testing.  May it grow to an uncomfortable level, forcing me to move from sin and into holiness!  And may the Lord of Life find pleasure in His creation.  May He provoke His people from glory to glory, that His Word will find fulfilment as the Transformer of death to Life.

As we might pop a pimple by the use of force from two fingers, may God force sin from our lives.

 

By His Grace.