Tag Archives: Christian

Breaking the Bonds of Guilt.

by

0


Tameshigiri

Image via Wikipedia

There are men who will tell you that you can control yourself by meditating on your inner self.  While this might be displayed by them under immense controlled moments, they will tell you it takes years of practise to accomplish these tasks.  They break all kinds of materials with their bare hands, feet, arms, head, and legs.  They maintain a peaceful appearance when under stress.  They can accomplish above average feats without flinching.

Does this have correlation to Christianity?  The answer is absolutely.  While it takes years to perfect a body which can endure great stresses and come out the other side unscathed, the Christian can endure from the moment of belief, all kinds of temptations.  Belief in the Lordship of Jesus is key.

Religious people train themselves over years of obedience to rules and ordinances.  Thus they become similar to godly through repetition.  Adhering to knowledge, they adapt themselves to living a good life.  But even a drunk can do this in a moment through the power of Jesus. 

What’s the power Jesus gives to those who believe?  It’s called forgiveness.  When a man meets this forgiveness, there is a power that rings through his soul.  He no longer feels the guilt he once felt.  He becomes free to live!  He finds himself in love with God.  Guilt, having been the barrier to a clean soul, is now transformed into a deep love for the One who was able to judge him to death. 

Such a man will now walk with a steady gait.  Over time, his eyes will brighten.  His tears during prayer turn to tears of joy instead of hopelessness.  He has seen the fires of judgment and walked away a living man.  The power of Jesus is a dynamic transformation from death to life. 

That man no longer desires all the wickedness he once craved.  He sees it as a horrible plight, which belongs to the lost.  He is now free to live a life dedicated to creating and not destroying.  And all this happens in the blink of an eye.  It happens at the moment of belief in the Lord Jesus’ power to save.

by His Grace.

Anger will turn to Rage

by

0


Angry_Bread_Large

I met a young man who is vividly angry at Christians.  To him we are a horrible blight on the world.  And no matter how light the conversation his only response to my words and intent were vulgar and demeaning.

This anger he now feels will be multiplied a million fold when he stands before the Most High God.  For he hated the Lord’s people.  Then he will hate the Lord.  He is now jealous of our joy and peace.  Then, what will be his plight?

 

By His Grace.

The Carpet of Potential.

by

0


White

Image by Tolka Rover via Flickr

Before me lay the day.  It is rolled out in front of me as a clean white carpet.  I have never stepped one foot on this new “place of possibilities”.  And as I look about me I perceive the carpet to extend in every direction for the distance of a day. 

Where shall I set my first step?  How shall I know which direction to begin?  And haven’t I been here before?  I remember the days like this from years and years past.  How they settle against me now.  They are like an army of days of darkness.  I walked about on their carpets as a blind man.  And now they have amassed against me as an army.  They hold in their hands weapons of regret.  They hold my potential hostage, and wait like lions in the bushes to grasp this day’s hope.

I know what I will do.  I will call upon the Lord of Life.  He has in His hand the days of eternity.  He knows the way of each day.  And has seen the end of things from ancient days before.  I will beg His Glory to guide my first step.  I will set my face in the direction of His Holy whisper.  And I will allow the wind of His Pure Flame to direct my strength upon that foot. 

From the beginning, His Son was slain.  He set the foundations of the world with the intent of sacrificing His Son for a people blind, naked, hopeless, and purposeless.  This is the God who now directs the steps I make on this pure carpet about me.  I will walk in the strength of my God.  And I will not be ashamed. 

Rail against me, you days of regret! 

Speak of my failings, go ahead! 

I walk these days without your help. 

For I rest on the Lord of Glory!

By His Grace.

At the Advent of God’s Wrath.

by

0


Burning Castle Before a City

Image via Wikipedia

While I drive the truck around, delivering my loads, I’m constantly made aware of the overwhelming push to own more stuff.   Billboards shout in our faces of how we need this….. want that….. should do this and that….  support this cause….. give money to that…..   And on it goes. 

I get near a television and hear the same things.  Videos shout a constant stream of violence, greed, sexual immorality, pride of man, and the screaming void of godliness.  Man has gained the precarious place of being the number one promoter of every evil thing.  And most folks don’t even notice anymore. 

I live in America.  So I speak as one who lives here.  I’m aware that the internet allows others of other countries to view this post.  And though I can’t speak for their experience, I’d wager it’s the same for them. 

Our awareness of God’s Holiness is almost lost now.  Even Christians are being what is termed “dumbed down”.  Grand religion buildings are taking the place of personal truth in worship of God.  And the people swallow it like honey. 

But God is the same God He was when Enoch was taken from the earth.  He is the same God who condemned the wicked in the flood.  He is the same God who tested Abraham.  He is the same God who sent His Holy Son into this world to become the sacrifice for all mankind.  He is Holy.  And the entire world is busy chasing after evil, wickedness, blasphemy, and rebellion against Him.  There will certainly be a very high price to pay for man as he builds his world without consideration of God’s consistent demand to be holy.

I was struck by a passage last week.  It comes from Revelation:

Rev 18:21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:

“With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22 The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. 24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth.”

Along with this passage there was a celebration in heaven at the overthrow of babylon the great.  God is not kidding around folks.  What is wicked is fuel for the flames of hell.  And to whatever extent we contain wickedness, we are in danger of destruction.  I present this post to urge every man, woman and child to turn away from the onslaught of wickedness.  Turn to God and begin to realize your plight.  We are all liars and fools without Him.  If you don’t agree with that statement, you’re under the spell of babylon’s wickedness.  If we don’t repent of all this day’s evil, we will not be part of the celebration before God.  We will be the reason for the celebration.

By His Grace.

An Unsettling Dream.

by

1


"Landscape with the Dream of Jacob"

Image via Wikipedia

Dreams are always of interest to everyone.  Sometimes they mean something specific.  Most of the time it’s wise to consider what we had to eat before we went to bed.

I had a dream just before I woke this morning that has rattled my world.  Yet, in pondering its potential, I have come to a Christian conclusion. 

In the dream I did something.  I don’t know what I did.  But the effects of my action (or non-action) was too much for those who know me to bear.  I heard one person I know say, “That’s it!  I can’t take any more.”  And that person turned and walked away.  The others who knew me followed suit because the first person was more dear to them than I.  Evidently, I had one more obligation to accomplish near one of those who knew me.  When I was finished I asked that last person to help me dump remaining items into a sack.  After some painful deliberation on the part of the last person, he held the sack open for me and left.  I walked out the door into the street and felt the finality cover me like a tidal wave. 

When I woke, I wondered if this were a warning of something to come.  I thought about the Lord’s Right to be Lord God.  That nothing we desire is really ours to own.  In all things God’s will is to be accomplished.  And I accept anything that comes from His hand.  He is God!

Sadness resounds in my soul like a great bell on a hill.  I don’t know if this dream will come to pass.  But it’s caused me to ready myself for anything.  I give up willingly.  In fact, I place myself before Him with eager willingness.  I want God’s will to be accomplished in me regardless the outcome or my perception.

In considering the dream and the possibility that it is a warning of something to come, I am brought to another item of interest.  Many would fight to hold on to their place in this world.  But the servant of God should not be like that.  It is our duty under the Blood of His Son, that we should walk without blaming others for our situations.  I thought of Stephen, in the book of Acts.  He had done nothing wrong.  But the Jews were determined to kill him for his testimony for the Lord.  While they were stoning him he asked the Lord to forgive them, for they did not know what they were doing.  God was accomplishing something wonderful with every rock that impacted his body.  After he said this his soul was taken from his body.  With this in mind I post the following as a testimony to the Glory of God:

Father, You are Lord and God of absolutely everything in heaven and in earth.  Time is yours.  And in this place You have required us to endure testings of various kinds.  It is to You alone that man and angels will answer.  And You demand that Your people walk in obedience to Your Glorious will.  I ask You, Father, to hold nothing against anyone on my behalf.  Everything I have or own is not mine.  They can take nothing from me.  For I give it to You.  Even my desire to be loved is Yours to hold and do with as You see fit.  You are God!  By the Beautiful Name of Your Son Jesus I present this prayer.

By His Grace.

Too Weak to Speak.

by

0


Christian symbol: This symbol was used primari...

Image via Wikipedia

I’ve talked to many Christians who think they don’t know enough about their faith to encourage others or convert the unsaved to a faith in Christ.  I was there too.  For many years I didn’t know what to say.  How did I get to the place where I’m creating a blog for the Lord?  I got here by watching others struggle with the truth themselves.  I saw how they stumbled around for the words.  And I was encouraged by their faith.  It’s not that they were able to make a mountain move off into the sea.  They didn’t have the faith to raise the dead or even heal the common cold.  They had the faith that in their trying they would gain from the Lord the understanding and strength to continue.

Look at how you’ve been encouraged by the faith of others who spoke out against wickedness or spoke of what is Righteous before the Lord.  When you begin to speak with what knowledge you do have, you will accomplish at least two things.  You will gain a confidence you didn’t have.  And each time you exercise that confidence it will grow.  And you will encourage others to speak out also.

Many are silent because others have been silent.  I encourage you to do your part to spread the Gospel.  Risk embarrassment.  It’s worth it.  And you’ll never become proficient as long as you never try.

 

By His Grace.