Tag Archives: Christian

Allowing Time for Change.

by

1


We all have someone in our life who we would love to see grow in maturity, or experience the freedom found in Christ Jesus, or take responsibility for their own actions, or even forgive an offence.    This desire to see positive growth in that loved one is a good thing.  No doubt, in that desire is found everything “good”.  There are even places in each one of us which might draw that same desire for ourselves.  “Oh, I so wish I could just…………….”. 

Will you permit me to ask a really hard question?   What serious change, or radical change, has ever come upon anyone over night?  Oh, there might be realizations that change our direction.  But the really concrete change (so as to never go back) happens slowly.  First we realize we have a problem.  Then we try on different fixes like a child tries on daddy’s shoes.  And finally we find what we know will solve the problem.  But it’s at the last point where we realize how absolutely huge and difficult change is going to be.

Even coming to Jesus with a problem we find the same three increments: realize, try variations, come to grip with the real fix.  Our lives are slow, yet hopefully sure, steps toward what we know is “good”.  I post this because I see a whole lot of people kind of stuck in a mire of doubt and inability.  I absolutely know that Jesus is the answer to any problem you might have going on.  But there’s an element of natural progress that must be embraced.

When we see someone we want to change toward what is “good”, what are we expecting?  If we expect them to just “Get with the program”, we’re bound to be disappointed.  Look at yourself.  What are you expecting?  Since even we can’t change over night, why do we expect it from others?  And what might the first signs of change look like?  The person we are focusing on, whether someone else or ourselves, is already dysfunctional in some manner.  Do we expect the first signs of wellness to appear void of this dysfunctional behavior?

This is what forgiveness is all about.  Openning the door to the sickness. so that when we see change we are willing to embrace it.   And this is why it is said that Jesus offers the fix to our problem.  His forgiveness and teaching are sure, real, and effective.  Let yourself receive forgiveness from Him.  Let yourself receive forgiveness from yourself.  Offer that same forgiveness to others.  This is the beginning of healing for everyone, even YOU.  Put on patience and love as if you were going to a stately dinner.  Wear patience for yourself.  Love without regard to who needs it.  This is the key to healing from wounds too deep to touch.

By His Grace.

Hey, Look at Me! I’m a Grape!

by

2


Let’s put man in proper perspective.  The earth is the garden of God to raise a crop of people who will willingly worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  Often in the Bible we are compared to a crop.  It is as though we are grapes, for instance.  If you have an arbor of grapes, do you wail and cry when you pick a bunch of grapes?  Of course not.  They are designed and grown from your garden to consume them.  They provide something for your body after they are ripe and edible. 

A man of God realises that he is part of God’s crop.  He allows himself to be grown specifically to be harvested.  Harvest for us is the point of death.  It is at that point that God is harvesting our bodies to release the soul.  Ripe would be a term applied at the wisdom of God.  We are harvested when He determines it is time. 

Be careful not to consider yourself as anything more than a plant.  God is, in the end, the One who will decide your use to Him.  He is eternal.  We are the ones who are waiting to die.  That is, to be harvested for His Glory.  “What is man that you are mindful of him . . .”  Worship Him.  Serve Him.  It is for that purpose you were born.  And it is to Him that you will return.

By His Grace.

Cooking While Sleeping.

by

0


No one is useful to a task unless he applies everything he has to that task.  You can’t drive a car well if you’re busy texting.  You can’t do the dishes if you’re playing with the dog.  You can’t mow the lawn if you’re in the basement watching football.  And you can’t serve the Lord of Glory while you’re busy chasing after the things of this world.

To love the world is to be at war against God.  Yet to love God and seek His complete will for you is going to put you at war against the ways of this world.  A person must decide which side of the war is best.  God has said that He wins in the end.  And it will be those who have come under the leadership of Jesus who enter the victory celebration of God.  While the world will bow with perfect tears and sorrow, God’s army will enter with their heads held high and with great joy and singing.

For now we see things turned the other way.  The world looks down on those who serve the One who made us all.  But the day will come when they will be the ones to find their eyes unable to look up.

By His Grace.

Dear World

by

3


Dear World:

I see that you are becoming upset at the current state of your ways.  You witness happenings around you that you consider negative toward your desires.  One might even say that you are pondering your current plight with perplexity.  You want your way with all things as you have always wanted them.  And you have been duped by the witness of your ancestors.  They have handed down to you a testimony of greed, corruption, idolatry, immorality, drunkenness, lies, murder, and a seeking after every form of pleasure.  I know you’re worried about being able to continue this legacy.  And I know that in your heart you have a deep desire to pass this “freedom” down to your great grand children.

I have bad news for you.  What you are witnessing is real.  Slowly, your ways (as itemized above) are stripping your future from your hands.  You will lose everything you have sought to gain and keep.  And you will shed great tears as your desires are taken from you.  Yet, not all is lost.

I have good news for you.  Jesus stands ready to receive your repentant and contrite heart as you lose your precious sin.  He offers you eternally good things to replace the toys you have invented for yourself.  You will lose all those toys.  But what He offers you will never lose, if you take Him up on His offer.

You are the creation of God.  He has given you a body and soul.  He provided a place for you to live that you might seek Him and find Him and return worship to His Holy Name.  But you chose to desire the work of your own hand.  The door is closing on you now.  I know you can hear the squeek of massive hinges as the Wind of God slowly closes your world around you.  Turn and be healed.   Continue to rebel and die.

By His Grace.

Needless Death, Yours.

by

0


For those who harbor hatred and an unforgiving spirit toward anyone.  We are told that if we don’t forgive we will not be forgiven.  And in the way of hatred toward others, God has demanded that everyone lay down hatred as if it were a branding iron in an unshielded hand.   But you might say, “You don’t know what was done to me”.   I would respond, “You don’t know what you’ve done to God”.  In God’s eyes, there is no such thing as an innocent victim.  We might have been victimized by someone else.  But we’ve done our own brand of damage to what is Holy and eternal.

Since our eternal home is dependent on these two terms, wouldn’t it be wise to consider the outcome of selfishness?   Jesus will offer forgiveness till your last breath.  After that you will be held accountable for your own actions.  Accepting His gift now will avoid a needless death; yours.

By His Grace.

ALL

by

0


God’s view of “perfect” has never and will never change.  We are the ones who have trouble defining that word.  And why do we have troubles defining “perfect”.   We struggle with that word because we’ve never seen it.  As He calls us toward His intent for us, let us remember and be assured that God desires what is truly good for us.  He does not leave us alone to figure it all out.  He is actively guiding us into what is “perfect”.  Where most people find failure in achieving what is good is that they take the responsibility of learning on themselves.  They make themselves the teacher.  Again, what does any man know of what is “perfect”?

Jesus walked this world as a “perfect” man.  And even though we might pour over the testimony regarding Him in the Bible, we might still not comprehend.  It is only when we allow Him to become our ALL that we begin learning.  Give Him ALL and allow Him to decide what is good and what is not.  Run the risk of losing it all?  Well yea!  Who knows better what is good, you or Him?  Answer to yourself: Who knows better what is right for me?  The One who made me and everything I’m required to live in, or the one who is limited by skin.

By His Grace.