Tag Archives: Christ

Starving Orphans

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Blessed Are They Who Hunger And Thirst For Rig...

Blessed Are They Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness (Beatitudes #4) (Photo credit: loswl)

There is a place where we were not.  There was a place of eternal peace, unity, and purpose, which thrived heartily under the Most High God.  Then one accused and all that was pure became broken.

Now there is become a place where man is.  And we are created as a garden for the Most High God, from which He comes among us and prepares a meal for His pleasure; a people for Himself.  He sends His servants to cultivate, fertilize, and harvest, at His pleasure and desire.  Miraculous work they perform.  As they cause pleasing plants for their God from a soil what once produced only weeds.  And as they work, God watches intently.  “Will any seek My face?”  Who will turn from the works of their hands and look up?  Who will allow themselves to desire cleanness?  And as they taste the cleaning, who will desire more?

The body is nothing more than a likeness to a shell.  Within the shell is the meat God is intent on harvesting; the will of man is this meat.  And it is this will that God is intent on creating in His likeness.

Man thinks the body is all.  And he praises everything to do with the body.  But such men are blind to God’s ways.  They know nothing of what was.  And they do not consider what they are.  And they miss the mark because they do not consider what He has sworn on oath will come to be.

God’s ways are to be sought after as if a starving man might smell a hot meal in the distant breeze.  His nose is keen to search out what gives him strength.  He takes note of his lack and a deep desire welms up within him to eat what is good.  It is the hungry after God’s ways who receive the good meals.  They thrive where the others do not.  They are well fed and taken care of, as if prized plants in a man’s garden.  They are, by no means weeds.  They are not the second-rate foods which the animals might prefer.  They become the desire of God, even as they are taught to desire Him.

Who, among us, is hungry enough to seek after God’s ways?  Have we tasted a little and pushed the plate away?  Who will surrender all their pride for the sake of God’s desire?  Who will surrender rebellion and discord for the sake of His Holy name?

All good things, within man, come from God.  It is a blessing He bestows upon those who call out to His name with a pure desire to learn from Him.  He is quite able to leave a man blind and worse than an animal.  But He is also quite able and willing that we should eat what is choice from His hand.  A righteous man who turns to pride can be lowered to a fool.  And a fool who turns to God can be raised to a righteous man.

Do not mistake what man holds dear as the end of things.  Only God knows the limits He is willing to cause you to become.  Seek His Holy Face, while it is still called “today”.  For there is a day coming when all that is, according to man, will be utterly destroyed.  And all who have loved this place for the sake of the body will find themselves starved orphans.

To those who surrender to the will of God, are promises untold.  No one has seen or heard what God has prepared for those who love Him.  Learn from Him.  Give up what you perceive is yours.  And take what is His.  “There is a way which seems right for a man.  But the end thereof is death.

There is a place where we “enter in”.  And in that entering we find understanding, holiness, and a willingness to obey the Lord in all His Holy commands.  We learn to speak as if one voice, the message of God to all men.  Those who refuse His call remain in a deep and utter darkness; without understanding, holiness, and the willingness to obey the Lord in all His Holy commands.  They will not enter His peace.  They will be utterly destroyed, as a man might plow under the weeds in his garden.  God has every right to do with his garden as He sees fit.

Join with Him to restore what was once His.  Speak and act as those who will inherit what is good.  For the inheriting begins now, and will become fulfilled at His appearing.  Do not listen to those who leave this inheriting for a time when heaven is reached.  They are speaking foolishness.  God has not promised fulfillment to those who do nothing.  He has made this promise to those who will render their hands to His will NOW.  It is eternally established: He who does what is right is righteous.  And he who is righteous is born of God.  Why would you listen to a man who tells you otherwise?  Only God is Righteous.  And those who take from His table to eat become righteous.  All others are starving orphans by their own choice.  And so they will remain forever.

I have heard many complain that God is unfair.  They say that it is not acceptable that God should condemn all who will not bow their knee to Jesus, God’s Son.  In this they judge the judge, while they sit in the seat of the condemned.  They are foolish men who praise the body and hate the Lord of all creation and heaven.  They will receive the rightful due in the proper time.  And to you who know better, having read and believed, what will become of you for having turned your back?  You did not enter in.  And, even now, you accuse the Lord of lies and injustice.  Folly is yours, for you now hold it tightly in your weak and decaying hand.  But the Lord’s hand is full of eternity, life, justice, righteousness, peace, and Holiness.  He will never fail, as you accuse Him now.

Reach deep and consider what I have said.  Who are we to judge the Gardner?  We are but food for His table.  We are but grapes which will be crushed for the juice within.  But you judge the Lord as if the body were the end of things.  Such behavior will speed these men to absolute destruction.

So be it for all who hate the Lord and refuse to be taught and changed.  Hatred belongs to all who hate God’s ways.  It is all they own now and all they will own for eternity.  They will hate the Lord then just as they hate Him now.  How can they be acceptable?  What will become of those who are enemies of the Most High God?  This is the judgment that has already been rendered from the Throne of the pure judge of all.  We stand condemned before we rise up to accuse.  What utter folly.  What a complete void of understanding and wisdom.  What they now think is overly harsh will become the judgment against them.

The Way

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Iceland - The End.

Iceland - The End. (Photo credit: alicethewhale)

I perceive a powerful meaning today.  I see that “The Way” of Christ Jesus among men is impossible to walk by the will of man alone.  For my brothers and sisters this is understood.  But for those who do not know these things I relay this truth.

For a man to be consumed with purity before the Most High God, and to love his fellow man willingly and quickly, without reservation, is far too much to ask.  On the one hand, a man will become consumed with self as he strives with all his might to obey what is pure and true.  On the same hand, he will be asked to render complete forgiveness to others and that without judging; a sacrifice of self for the sake of others.  What an odd and perplexing difficulty.  Only the “God man” can accomplish this (that man who has surrendered to the will of God and has accepted God’s “terms of peace”).  Only those who have received power from God can make this happen.  A simply religious man will not gain “The Way”.  The Spirit alone gives the strength, wisdom, understanding, and forgiveness from Christ, to accomplish “The Way”.

The world is quite keen to point out these things to Christians.  “You judge me”, they will say to us.  And they count it unfair, even illegal for us to do so.  By this accusation they prove that they know they are condemned.  But they do not understand the difficulty presented to God’s people.  They only respond by virtue of the knife which is thrust through their soul by remarks made against wickedness.

Now I am not advocating that “The Way” is too hard.  Though no man can walk this way by his own power, God has granted the understanding and means to accomplish this.  The primary accusation against God was that He asked too much of His creation.  I am convinced that the primary accusation is the very reason for the entire universe, up to , and including, the death of His Holy Son on a Cross.  And we should never join in that bitter song of accusation against our God.  Instead, we testify that it is entirely possible to walk according to the law of God.  And this appears within us because He has made it possible by the Holy Spirit He has freely given us.

I am pointing this out for the sake of my weaker brothers and sisters.  This article admits that “The Way” is difficult to attain and remain.  This is a testimony from man’s perspective.  It is not God’s perspective.  His expectations upon us are quite clear.  “Attain release from sin by My Son’s sacrifice.  And hold no ill will against those who hate My ways and you”, God could be said to say.

There is a truce to strike between God and man, terms of peace to comprehend.  There is a building to build which cannot be built by our own will.  And anyone who sets out to accuse “The Way” of being too difficult remains in a blind state.  They remain in the state of utter destruction.  It is given to those who have struck a truce between themselves and The Holy God, through Jesus, to live their lives in a manner pleasing to Him.  Those who do not receive the terms of peace remain in death.

You who accuse us of unfairness and illegal activity know nothing of “The Way”.  You simply fend us off from your selfishness by making accusations unfounded.  And your way is not hidden from the Wisdom of God within us.  Instead of accusing you should accept the terms of peace the Most High God has prepared for all men.  Then you would be able to prove what is true.   And you would no longer be at odds against the Lord of Life, or His people.  If you hold us against the Holy Law of God and find fault in us, what will be said of you?  In this you judge us, even while you accuse us of judging you.  God has plainly said that when we judge our brothers we are judging The God who made them.   You walk your way according to your own desire, accusing, finding fault, and carrying on as if there was no judgment.  Surely you will be proclaimed as an accuser.  What, then, will be your plight?  Join us and live.  Come to see the perplexing difficulty, which is “The Way”, for yourself.  Taste and know that the Lord is good.

28 “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and compute the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish the tower, all who see it will begin to make fun of him. 30 They will say, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’ 31 Or what king, going out to confront another king in battle, will not sit down first and determine whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he cannot succeed, he will send a representative while the other is still a long way off and ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way therefore not one of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his own possessions.”  (Luke 14)

Giving Due Where Due is Due

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Perception

Perception (Photo credit: Genna G)

I have often had rather harsh words with atheists.  But I will admit something crucial.  Those who are active atheists are not stupid people.  And though they stand in their life as enemies of the Cross of Christ, they are not my personal enemy.  That is to say, if I met them on the street and we had the kinds of discussions we have here, I can assure you there would be absolutely no physical signs of hatred.  We are enemies of concept, at the least, and of pride, to say the most.

I write this because I know that these men consider what presents itself to their senses.  And they are just as adept at perception of possible lies as I am in the Lord.  The only difference, as the chasm it is, is that they rely on what is seen alone while Christians are able to rely on both the perceived and the invisible.

These men (ok….. and women) are not stupid.  And once they have perceived something worth looking into they will pounce on it like a hungry tiger.  The same vigor they use to fight for the sake of what is perceived is the same strength they will use once they taste a possible truth in the message of Christianity.  And if one of them comes to know the Lord, watch out!  All heaven on earth is about to break loose.

Al, the Christian

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I met a man.  Praise to God!  I met a man of God!  He is not as you would expect.  There is nothing about him that would draw us to him. (doesn’t that sound familiar?)  I mean nothing.  He is not politically, socially, physically, or approachable beauty.  He is not like those the nations clamor after.  Cameras would not do him justice, for they cannot capture the Spirit of God within him.

He is not intelligent as the world counts intelligence.  He is humble, yet he is very sure of himself.  He holds on to absolutely nothing that would appear valuable to those who desire all “new” things.  He is simply a man of God.  And you wanna know something astounding?  He didn’t know it!

I love that man because God is powerfully in him.  He is a brother in every aspect but blood.  I am extremely pleased to have met him and danced that dance of conversation which men of God have together.  He does, thinks, and holds tight to the things we are commanded to accomplish and know in Jesus.

Now, ya wanna know why he doesn’t know he’s a Christian?  You will be astounded at this as was I.  He simply wanted to hear the voice of God.  He has read that scripture, a long time ago, which says that “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”  He said to me that he was not a professing Christian.  But everything he said was absolutely correct.  When I asked him why he thought he was not a Christian, I was amazed at the answer.

In truth he spoke.  And in utter humility before God, he professed that he was not of Jesus’ sheep because he did not hear the voice of God.  I beg to differ, my friend!  You have heard him very clearly for a very long time!  You just didn’t recognize that the voice of God causes a man to do the will of God!  But it is a small thing he asks, such a very small thing.  I remember when I had asked the same thing from the Lord.  And He granted my request.  So, at the end of our meeting, I prayed for him that the Lord would have mercy to allow Al to hear His voice.  Though we cannot force God to do anything, He is more than willing to grant what has been promised.

We parted.  And, for a season, this will be a sad departure.  I will see him again, for he is my brother in Christ.  But I will miss his blazing Christianity!   I went on my way to earn a living so I can support the life God has given me.  And Al went on his way to gain more highway.   Al has no house, car, job, or loved ones to go home to.  Al is quite homeless, and has been so for a great many years.   Al had a very important appointment to keep.   There was a bridge he had to claim before someone else claimed it.  GAD!  I love that man!

Father, please be with my brother with a love that marks his heart with GREAT joy.  In Jesus name I ask this.  And I am absolutely sure You will honor this prayer, for the glory of Your Holy Love Filled NAME!  Praise to God!  All, All, All, praise to God who grows beautiful flowers in a rot infested land.  Amen!

The Idealist

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Immanuel Kant — transcendental idealism ...

Immanuel Kant — transcendental idealism (chart — Polish-language version). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Like you, I have been mocked because I live in idealism.  The wicked scoff and mock us because we desire what it pure and true.  I am not ashamed of this label of an idealist.  I will defy their laughter and hatred!  I will walk according to the promises of God and not in the way of this world!  God is perfect.  And all His people should strive to live perfectly holy lives before His beautiful face.  This striving requires a mind and heart set in the direction of what is ideal.  And it is this very point which is the reason for this post.

Men say, “Only in a perfect world would such and such be true.”  And in this they are right!  It is to this perfect world we set our hearts.  We walk as those who will inherit the promise of God to all His people.  By faith we are given hearts of flesh to replace that of stone which the world uses to mock us.

Every one of God’s people has owned a heart of stone at one time.  But that is not the case for those who are chosen to walk in the power of Christ Jesus.  And so, we are not cruel to those who still stand in the place from which we were taken.  But we are being taught to obey what is perfect; what is ideal.  We are beckoned to reach for holiness.  And our God will not accept a half-hearted attempt. The expectation God has upon His people is called “The narrow way”.  And He has spoken that few there are who find it.  He is right to demand perfection from us.  Just as a horse is not allowed to go where it desires when it pulls a wagon, so too, we are not allowed to pull or push at the Church of God as we desire. Nor are we allowed to add sin, sloth, ignorance, and unholy disgrace to our lives.  He will separate His people from all men.  He will separate those who have from those who have not.  Be wise and learn.  Be wise in Christ Jesus and make a right judgment of yourself.

We are set upon to do the will of the Father in heaven.  And He will have what He desires.  If we continue to rebel at the commands of our God He will make it perfectly clear that we are not in His favor.  It is up to us to search out what is ideal according to the Lord of Life.  It is in this searching (a turning of the heart to desire the things of God) that we find the strength to do what is good and right according to the Lord.  For the Lord has promised that He will dress His people in a Righteousness that is not theirs.  He, Himself, will teach us to obey.  He will write His Holy laws on our hearts.  Simply turn to Him with all your might.

The men of this world wake to consider a list of good things they might accomplish.  And without God’s hand upon them they run about all day long trying to be worthy of this place of testing where they live.  They consider this world as if it were the end judge of their lives.  They even refer to the rocks of this world as a mother.  They do not consider the judgment of God promised for every soul.  Not making any attempt to please the Lord of Righteousness, they stumble in their own righteousness (What an odd thing to say.  But it is a truth of Holy Fire which marks the line between the righteous of man and the Righteous of God.)  This is the difference between the Church of God and the club of “righteous” men, who do as they please according to their own imagination.   They sit together as men who sit in expensive surroundings to speak of what they consider to be good.  They debate what is good as if it were something to debate.

Rise early in the morning, while it is still dark; while the men of this “Club World” sleep.  Appeal to the Lord with a pure heart, one filled with the ideal.  Confess your sins and your own ignorance of what is pure.  Ask His mercy that you might know what is pure, perfect, ideal, and eternal.  And, if you have the stomach for it, ask to DO what is right all the day through.  Be an idealist!  Do not be ashamed of their laughter.  They desire all that is wicked, even to the denial of God’s hand upon them.  They want works that will bring them glory.  But they do not desire to glorify the Lord God who made them and calls them to The Perfect Way.  They eat from His blessings.  They sleep behind locked doors, by His mercy.  And they plot against Him, while He allows their minds to function.  Do not be like them!  Be ashamed of the sin which lives in you as if you were to obey it.  But do not be ashamed to desire perfection, even to the point of ridicule at the mouths and hands of man.

By the Grace of God I have written this letter to my brothers and sisters.  May He bless it with true understanding to all who read it.  Encourage one another, while it is still called “today”.  For we see the end of things approach now.  And we have never been more pressed to do what is Holy and eternally good.  Strengthen one another with all speed.  Light your lamp and be ready with plenty of oil.  For the Bide Groom is about to be dispatched.  He will come to gather His people without the slightest hesitation.  And those who are ready for Him will be ushered into that ideal that they have learned to desire and expect to find.  Those who have not prepared will miss the Glorious “catching up”.  Blessings to all who trim their lamp and hold it high for the Lord and the world to see.

Woe to all who have been lax in preparing for His arrival.  Woe to those who have heard the mocking and said to themselves, “I will mend my ways so that they won’t laugh at me.”  It has been spoken and few respect it:  “You cannot serve two masters!”  Do not let Him catch you sleeping!  Come out from them!  Step quickly as you walk away from their ways.  Do not delay.  The time is ever so very near!  If the Father delays dispatching His Holy Son until after you have tasted “the death of man”, be sure of this:   His coming will appear before your face the split second you have left this place of testing.  Do not allow your flesh to mock this word of urgency.  Listen to the Lord and LIVE!  Allow yourself to become an idealist.

By His Grace.

Fasting?

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Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827): Fast Day

Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827): Fast Day (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Make every effort possible to enter into the pleasure of God through Jesus.  This is not the place for fulfilling all your dreams and desires.  It is a place of testing where God judges the actions, attitudes, thoughts and words of man.

I spoke to a man regarding fasting a while ago.  His immediate response, without hearing what I had to say, was that he was not “into” that fasting stuff.  What will be said then?  If the Lord saw fit to fast for 40 days before He entered His ministry, what reason will we give that we could not suffer loss for a short time?  God is Glory.  And He has presented His perfect example for us in Jesus.  If you see Jesus doing something to please His Father, why not endure the same as you are able?

Fasting is a rejection of food, drink, pleasure, desires, dreams, and hopes.  Pick your proper fast and do it.  Do it so that no one will see but God.  Present yourself before Him as one who desires His will over all the things of this world.  See if He won’t extend a hand of help and grace to you.  But if you never taste these things, you will never know the glory God desires to give you.