Tag Archives: Christian

Put up or Shut up.

by

0


A corrupted JPEG photograph. Result of a photo...

Image via Wikipedia

As I respond to comments, the words sometimes astound me.  I know it’s not me who is responding.  It’s a lead conversation.  The Lord is in the concepts.  And He allows me to interpret what’s being spoken from Heaven.

I posted something in response to a comment today that has really caused me pause.  “If I wanted to tear down any social structure I wouldn’t use a direct attack of hacking limbs or even banishing them from society in general.  I would infiltrate their group, act like them enough to get honors, then allow myself to be seen corrupting their code of honor.”  What shall we say to that?  If this statement doesn’t provoke a serious look at our motivation and “belonging”, we’re in serious trouble.

Christians:  If you find yourself bringing shame to the name of Jesus, you alone will answer for it.  In the mean time you help the enemy block the door for those trying to enter.  And you do yourself untold harm when you appear before Him.  Let me say this please.  And take note that I don’t give a rip what you might think of me for saying this.  If you’re doing harm to the body of Christ in this world, it would be better that you pull away from the body and stop telling people you’re Christian.  At least the Lord would be able to see that you care enough about His honor to suffer loss.  If you can’t keep your lust under control, if you can’t keep your loose tongue sealed behind those quivering lips, if you just can’t seem to stop bringing shame to the Lord, then step away.

Do you think I say this without personal experience in this matter?  I’ve gone through more than a decade of isolation because I saw myself doing more damage than was reasonable.  I know we all slip.  I’m not poking at that.  I’m looking intently into the eyes of those who believe it’s ok to do anything they please or say anything they want, and still allow others to think you’re a Christian.

I could say so much more about this.  But I think I’ve said enough to have my head delivered on a platter by those who hate the Holiness of God. And if you continue to draw a bad name to Jesus, you’ll eventually look much like that picture above.  While you should have been a clear message to the world through your display of Christ, we can’t make heads or tails of your testimony.  And you will be held accountable for all of it.

 

By His Grace.

Time

by

0


Slow Time in Wrist Watch on Dry Leaf

Image by epSos.de via Flickr

You have today.  And even “today” is a generalized word.  You have the “now”.  You do not own what happened.  And you do not own what is to come.  It is like time is a wind which blows against your face.  You have the movement which touches your skin, and no more.  What is behind you only carries your scent.  What lies ahead only holds a promise.  You have the moment only.

Reach back one second and grasp anything.  You can’t.  You have regrets you call your own.  But you can’t hold them in your hands.  And you can’t change their outcome.  Reach ahead and embrace what is coming.  You can’t.  You have promises you can see coming.  But you don’t own them yet.  And the best you can do is prepare to embrace what comes.  What you’ve done is done.  The past is a recorded and untouchable testimony to the life you’re leading NOW.  And the future only promises something is coming. 

But there is something you can do for your “time” situation.  You are invited to own what comes.  You don’t need to simply hope.  I testify to everyone (as do all Christians who weather life in Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit), that you don’t need to encounter life as a rock or a tree.  You can know that what you encounter has purpose and eternal meaning.

Right now, you search yourself for the strength to encounter the next moment.  And you know that you prepare and fight the “now” without a firm grip.  Jesus has done what you are trying to do in your own strength.  And His promise to guide you is real.  The fear of what you’ve done.  And the fear of what is coming are both too much to bear.  You can experience the freedom from fear that you’re holding too tightly. 

Simply turn your life over to the one who has made the promise of eternal life.  He has promised from Heaven and He cannot lie.  You don’t need to be tossed back and forth from what is coming and what has gone.  You can experience the freedom you’re looking for.  It’s found in Jesus, the Christ of God.

By His Grace.

A Test is Waiting for You.

by

0


TEST

Image via Wikipedia

There is a place where we can rest in testings.  Our loyalty will be tested by the Father and Jesus.  And in this testing we are not judged under the law; forgiveness and acceptance is the order of these proceedings.  But there is another testing which has neither forgiveness nor acceptance.  When we are tested by man, we are thrown to the wolves.  The testing of man is a sliding scale of hatred.  We will find ourselves tested if we let it slip that we consider Jesus first in our appreciation of life.  Then we are tested again as we testify to this appreciation.  But a sliding scale is not proportionate to a steady growth.  It’s more like we enter into differing shades of man’s hatred.  It’s not a 1, 2, 3 thing.  It’s more like :

1. we don’t like what you’re believing.  But as long as you don’t voice your belief, we can tolerate you.

2. You’ve voiced your belief in our hearing and we will now push you aside from our “fun”.

3. You’ve continued to, not only voice your belief, but act on your belief in our presence.  We will now try to destroy you because of the testimony you exhibit.

4.  You’ve continued to stand against our social order.  And nothing we have done has caused you to hesitate in the slightest.  It’s apparent you intend to continue down this path of “difference”.  So, as soon as we can find legal means, we will work toward your death.

This “test” of man will be allowed to continue until the Lord returns to establish Peace on this world under His direct control.  This “testing” is allowed because it tests and refines the heart of those who call on the Lord for true life.  Don’t be surprised at the things which encase you now.  But allow yourself to be surprised if you don’t see this progression of hatred coming upon you.  It is an indication that you are not yet where you should be in Christ.  For the Lord has promised that if they hated Him, they will hate you.  And if they desired to kill Him, they will desire to kill His people also.

By His Grace.

The Testimony of True Peace.

by

0


Those who know the Lord Jesus hold the answers the world is looking for.  Though the world will hate true Christians with a passion, the answer to life rests in the testimony of these people of God.  The sad thing is that the world continues to deny that these people are of any value.  Perhaps this is because of the false Christians, which abound today.

Regardless the reasons why, the testimony of promise will rest within those called by God to wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb.  Want peace?  Want hope?  Want the ability to face the demands of today?  You’ll find the answer in your nearest true Christian.  Ask without judgment.  You’re dealing with another human being.  We are not God.  We just testify to the power of Christ within us.

 

by His Grace.

Wait

by

0


Stones on a Rocky Ocean Beach

Image by epSos.de via Flickr

The Lord gives strength to those who wait for Him.  He is the source of a power beyond the understanding of both the world and His people.  He is able to do far more than we are able to ask.  For He alone lives in eternity and knows the true demands of this place in which we live.

Are you floundering in the Christian walk?  Look to Him and wait.  Speak of your troubles and voice with your bound tongue.  You can’t express your sorrow or confusion?  Speak to Him.  Then wait.  The answer is approaching.  Just wait.  You are not who you were.  And you are not who you will be.  The situation you find yourself in is not eternal.  It has an end!  But He who calls you from Heaven is eternal and has no end.

Wait for the Lord.  Allow yourself the patience required to wait for Him.  Your help is approaching from the distant shores of Heaven.  Pull up a grain of sand and just wait.

 

By His Grace.

You Know a Secret.

by

0


You look at me and mock, as though you know a secret.

I am the body of Christ.

You frolic and dance in your festival of sin.

You are the world.

We are all made of flesh, yet a difference remains.

Your mocking is futile and you waste your limited time.

Your eyes are set on what can be seen.

And there is no understanding in your mind.

Yet you mock with limitless hatred for the Holiness of God.

I look at you and wonder how it is you are so blind.

Everything pure and Holy is hidden from your mind.

I look for pity from the depths of my soul.

And I am surprised to find calm and patience where the bag of pity was always kept.

I am not my own.

I have been bought with a price.

And you are not your own.

You are sold as a slave to sin.

I would tell you to look at your plight.

But you cannot see.

O’ Lord of Mercy, we ask your help.

That we might show them their need.

By His Grace.