Tag Archives: Christianity

An Appeal For Prayer

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This picture was found at Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eusebius

I appeal to those who read this blog to consider a request for earnest prayer.  I know God has raised up prayer warriors among His people.  And it occurs to me that perhaps there are a few who read these words.  This appeal is directed toward the salvation of a certain young lady.  Due to propriety, it is not seemly that I should begin conversation with her as such things may be perceived as less than holy intent.  Just the same, it has been on my heart to seek the Lord’s mercy for her salvation.

Please allow me to relate how this soul has risen to my attention as a matter urgent enough to deliver to you.  During prayer one night I was presenting the Lord the list of people He has laid within my reach.  Through one of those souls this girl has been near enough to my life to make me aware of her habits. I had been praying for these souls under two requests, which I had laid out at the start of the prayer.  I had prayed that these might be strengthened in the faith, and that they would increase in holy behavior.

As the prayer moved through I perceived the Lord was willing to receive the words I had spoken regarding these souls.  But when I came to the name of this young woman the receiving was blocked.  It was as if my words were spoken into nothing more than the carpet on which I knelt.  I stayed still before the Lord for a while to consider this.

Weeks later I am convinced that she is in a position vastly different from those souls I had listed before the Lord.  I have since begun to mention her to Him in terms of salvation through His mercy.  And this petition appears to receive His understanding.  But I am still not satisfied that my prayers on her behalf are sufficient.  Therefore I thought it reasonable to appeal to my brothers and sisters for help in this matter.

The Lord has brought to my attention a story which relates this item.  The story is not as short as to incorporate it here in full text.  But I will supply a link which you can read as the Lord directs.  (You will find the story on this link in Chapter 25 of book 3.  http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250103.htm ).  While I recognize that we are not a people who are used to reading many words regularly. A knowledgable approach is recommended when encountering the salvation of souls. This matter is pressing hard against my heart and mind.  Even this morning, I was wakened early by the thoughts of her name before His Throne.  Thus I have come here to appeal for help.

Specifically I appeal for one of our Family to be brought near her to teach her “The Way”.  And I appeal for prayer that she might be released from the family of death.  One without the other is an utterly useless situation.  As you will note in the story related in the link, simple prayer without discipleship or discipleship without prayer are useless in the salvation of souls.  I may pray, but I cannot disciple due, as I mentioned, to propriety.

I ask you then, by the love of Christ among us all, to hold this young soul up before our Father for the saving of her life.  I know there are so very many we could lift up to the Lord so that our time in prayer might consume every moment of our lives.  But please note that I am not in the habit of requesting prayer from those brothers and sisters who attend the words I write here.

May God grant wisdom and impart desire to whom He wills regarding this.  If you are not affected by this appeal, please do not feel compelled.  I would not want to burden anyone with the things God does not set them apart to do on His behalf.  I thank you for your time as you read these many words.  May God bless you for giving your brother a cool glass of water to drink while we travel in this land baked dry by wickedness.

By His Grace.

The Surpassing Great Advent of Wickedness

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Christogram (labarum) with Jesus Prayer in Rom...

Christogram (labarum) with Jesus Prayer in Romanian. Jesus Prayer in Romanian Doamne Iisuse Hristoase, Fiul lui Dumnezeu, miluieste-ma pe mine pacatosul. English translation Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner. This image appears on the cover of all editions of Romanian translation of Philokalia Français : Christogramme entouré de la Prière de Jésus en roumain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I was a child I was taught to respect my elders, be kind to everyone, and consider myself last in everything.  This teaching was taught to the extreme.  By the Grace of God, I have developed out of that harsh treatment (to a great extent).

Being taught by Jesus now, I am taught to respect my elders in the faith, be kind to all while keeping in mind that there is a “justice” in the world, and to consider myself the servant to all men.  This teaching is being taught gently with mercy for my ignorance.  By the Grace of God, I am developing into the kind of man we all aspire to become.  (This is not to my account a righteousness.  But it is a gift from God through Jesus.)  Understanding that none of us can fully attain to the Glory that is Christ Jesus, we are encouraged to emulate the truth He allows us to “hear”.

I am shocked, however, to be witness to a new breed of human emerging on the scene.  People I thought would be steady and mature are beginning to adopt lies to themselves.  They hear some accusation against the righteous and run as a herald.  Foaming at the mouth with hatred of all that is pure, they run head long as servants of demons.  This is not the kind of place I was raised in when I was a child.

The very fabric of the world has changed, as if a blanket has developed a mold.  Young people wear disrespect for truth just as the young of past ages wore truth for the simple reason that they were taught that truth endures.  Older people are the most surprising to me of all.  For after living their lives through experience of lies and truth, they now prefer to spout ungodly lies against everything associated with God.  And I am surprised at how willing they are to put on the clothing of liars and demons.

Though I speak of being surprised at these things, there is no reason for my astonishment at the increase of wickedness among men and women.  We have been warned that such things will take place.  And of “increase”, the wicked will continue to mold their souls till the Lord comes to war against them Himself.

“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” (Rev. 22: 11-15)

This warning remains for all men.  Regardless your background, the Lord does not lie.  If you want to be clean seek the Lord Jesus’ mercy.  If you find yourself unable to care, consider this:  The wicked will not find pity before the Holy Throne of the Most High God if they appear without the covering of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Amen!  Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

Freedom or Oppression

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English: Ballot Box showing preferential voting

English: Ballot Box showing preferential voting (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I got my mail in ballot today.  It’s the first time in my life I will vote.  Yeah.  The situation is that startling and vital.  But what is the situation?

Do we vote to sustain freedom for all people in America?  Or do we vote to limit freedom for all Americans?  I have come to an understanding about this that has rattled my cage slightly.

If Romney wins America is likely to struggle toward the freedom of expression America has always known.  If Obama wins we will continue to lose freedoms, eventually becoming a nation more in line with communism.  Which is better?

You might say that freedom is better, as did I until last night.  Then the Lord showed me the true issue at stake in this election.  The true issue at stake is obedience to eternal life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now I consider how men have responded to the freedom of expression this nation is used to enjoying.  And I consider the nature of men and women who live in communist nations.  I saw how the family in America has disintegrated under freedom of expression.  And I saw how the family is forced to huddle together under the trials of communism.

For the sake of salvation I am forced to tone down my abhorrent thoughts about President Obama’s policies.  But for the sake of the suffering that surely come under his second term, I am forced to lament for the tears that will be shed.

I will vote for every republican I can find on the ballot.  But I know that it will be God who will determine, in His Great wisdom, who will lead this nation into 2013.

By Your Grace, Marvelous Lord, we submit to Your decision with joy.  For we know that all things work toward the good of all who are learning to love You.  By the name of Your Holy Son I post this letter.  May You receive Glory forever by all Your people.  Amen.

A Letter to Freedom Lovers

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Election 2012 button

Election 2012 button (Photo credit: League of Women Voters of California)

You have petitioned for freedom.  How tirelessly you have worked to gain what you are not to have.

College

Jet Skis

Wide Screen TVs

Marvelous luxury in cars, houses, prestige, wine, liquor, beer.

Sports

Vacations

Happy family reunions in exotic places

Innovation upon innovation, medicine, electronics, gadgets of various kinds.

Sunday strolls with loved ones

Tolerance for every thought, expression, lie, or truth.

In short, you have petitioned for freedom to increase the work of your hands.  The regard for Holiness, godliness, suffering that you might learn obedience, reverence for everything Jesus, and locked down defense of God’s Gospel, have not been the central part of your petition.  Do you honestly think, with regard to the things mentioned above that God is slightly interested in allowing this generation to gain what they should not have?

All the while: Billions of His holy people have arrived in His presence void of the pleasures of this world.  They stand praising His Glory and waiting for the culmination of His work in the Saints still struggling today.  Through the Lord’s eyes: His word has been cast among us and billions have listened to the point of “Doing”.  Where is the “Doing” among those who strive to be free to seek all forms of pleasure?

All America poses along the fence of “tomorrow” waiting to see what will be granted to them.  “Freedom is coming”, they say with expectant eyes.  We will gain what we want by vote.  But the Holy Will of God is ignored among them.  Does a student gain a favorable grade by not completing the tasks the teacher grades her students by?  What is highly valued among men is abhorrent in the sight of God.  Likewise, what is highly valued in God’s sight, is abhorrent to seekers of pleasurable freedom.

To the Walls!

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English: Castle Wall Castle wall as seen from ...

English: Castle Wall Castle wall as seen from its walk Framlingham Castle Framlingham Suffolk. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God’s wrath will certainly come upon the wicked of any age.  And there is a purification due all His people.  We read this: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (1 Timothy 3: 12)

These are two points worthy of consideration; that the wicked will suffer under the hand of the Most High God, and that God will purify His people.  I find it interesting that the wicked mock their prophesied suffering, and that many “Christians” ignore the promise of purification.  Rest assured, both are imminent!

Please, my siblings in Christ, consider our state of affairs today.  We enjoy a certain freedom to love God openly.  But we are not guaranteed that this will remain the case.  I do not pretend to know the mind of God regarding the things that will soon appear.  But by the testimony of our brothers and sisters who went before us we see that they were not held exempt from suffering for the name of the Lord Jesus.  Though this turned out to be a blessing to them, fearsome acts were sent against them.

We do not live in a place void of suffering.  And let us not forget what we have been told:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” (Hebrews 12)

Let us not consider that we will be held exempt from suffering simply because we live among masses of men who keep their life of ease.  God is not blind to our situation.  And He is not a man that He should take certain pity in the way of worldly ease.  If this place was built to test the Son of God through suffering, how do we think we will fair?

About 4 years ago, when the Lord had come to again pick me up from horrible suffering, a saying came to me in the midst of prayer.  This saying holds a special urgency today, as it has for every generation of God’s people.  “To the walls!”  Let us climb to the top of our perceived fortifications and listen for the approach of what will certainly come upon us all.  Let us prepare to open the gates for the Sovereign One.

By His Grace.

Of Blessed Understanding We Join the Athletes of the Beginning.

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Eusebius of Caesarea may have continued the Li...

Eusebius of Caesarea may have continued the Liber Pontificalis into the 4th century. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Lord has blessed my heart by bringing an audio file to me.  He is more gracious than we can possibly know.  If all His people were to combine their testimony regarding the Glory of the Lord Jesus (and that to the Glory of the Father) all the melody of sound would still fall short of His eternal beauty.  So I thank you Lord Jesus for Your precious blessings that filter to us through our time in this place of testing.  May all Your people present great glories to You on the day You are revealed in Glory to all men!  Amen!

The audio file is that of Eusebius’ Church History.  The work spans the time from the beginning of the Church to about the year 350 or so.  Up to the end of his account the Church had weathered a few problems within.  But the account tells us that the Lord’s people were blessed to pretty much remain constant in their worship, brotherhood, and display of righteousness.

I suspect that as I finish this “listening” I will search out another work which deals with the subsequent years.  I fear those works that will follow, however.  For it isn’t long in Church history when we find compromise between Church and State.  The results of which attack the Lord’s people from a particularly tender perspective.

How my soul wants to encourage my brothers and sisters to regain, retain, and revitalize our purity and love for the Lord.  But I am at a loss this evening.  Perhaps the Lord will bless us all by words fitting to the surge of dedication this work of Eusebius has inspired.

Shades of persecution have come and gone.  Yet today seems the most hideous of all.  Silent compromise seeps into the very foundations of our identity as “sons of God”.  For the most part the Church has become useless and loved by the world, especially in America.  Each man and woman goes after their own tasks unscathed by physical or financial malnutrition.

One thought runs through my blood tonite, however.  A rather foreboding thought presses against my skin from the inside out.  Is the Church today ready if the impiant (as they were prone to refer to wicked men) one regains his footing against us as he did in the first 1000 years of the Church?  This question is not for me to either answer or speculate about.  It is, perhaps, for us to prove individually as what will be enters the calendar year of its own time.

One possible answer to that question is this:  Prepare in prayer, Truth, righteousness, purity, holiness, bodily control, and consumption of the Word, lest that day (if it indeed comes upon us) encamp around us from the very fringes of the woods which create our present clearing of “peace”.

Watch with all hope.  Hope with eyes that are not of man.  And stretch out the wings of “The Faith” as far as they will stretch.  Get ready to fly by the strength of the Holy Spirit, regardless the necessity.  Only then can we walk toward what comes with the great peace displayed by the millions who have worked in the heat of the day.

By His Grace.