Tag Archives: Christianity

All things Christ

Why I blog

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pen and paper

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Some write in their blogs about themselves.  Their intent is simply to be heard.  Some write in their blogs about various aspects of life.  Their intent is simply to voice their opinion.  Some intend to teach.  Some intend to point at the faults of others, or the system of life we embrace simply because it is the accepted norm.  Some write in their blogs because they are being friendly, or even because they have a specific hatred.  So why do I write in my blog?

There must be honesty in this answer.  So, in certain ways, I must agree with all of the above.  These are motivations for writing.  And I admit that they appear in my blog from time to time.  But they are not the central reason why I write.  More than any other reason, I write my blog as a testimony to the Lord Jesus.   I don’t write to change lives, so much.  Though it would be nice to know that I have been used to help another find a solid relationship with the Creator.  I write about the Lord because I want to leave a legacy on this earth as one who encouraged the hopeless to consider their plight with open eyes.

By HIs Grace.

Agree?

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Photo of the Praying Hands statue in Web City,...

Image via Wikipedia

“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 18:19)

I’ve been in Christian gatherings where a request was presented by someone.  And it was the decision of the leader of the group that we should pray for this request.  Though I had some reservations regarding this request, I did not voice my reservation.  I allowed the people to pray without contention from me. 

I consider this text above.  And I look to some of the things current in my life.  One statement stands out in my mind, as if it were screaming.  God is not stupid.  He is not blind to our hearts.  And He is the absolute authority.  What should I do in regard to this statement (God is not stupid)? 

Should I risk offending my siblings in Christ by voicing my concerns?  Should I politely dismiss myself from the prayer?  Considering the offence such a dismissal would cause, there is only one possible answer: “No.”  And James wrote well, in regard to this.  “. . . judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”  The ones asking for prayer have a valid need.  Just because I don’t agree, doesn’t mean an answer should not come from God.

But should I expect that their prayer will be answered?  Perhaps.  What of the cases which appear between my companions in this life and myself?  When I have a need and bring it to them?   What if they don’t agree with my assessment of the need?  It would be my desire to receive an answer from God.  And an answer which supports my personal view would be nice. 

In the end, I am forced to accept that I might not know the whole implications of what I desire to appear.   So I am forced to accept that the answer to my prayer desire might be “No”.  Humility simply teaches that we are to bend our appreciation of life and truth toward the will of God.  After all, who knows better? 

By His Grace.

A Test is Waiting for You.

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TEST

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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.

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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

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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.

A Prayer of Longing

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There are times when we simply can’t see the value of our service to the Lord.  The sadness this short sightedness provokes should never be compared to any sadness common to every man.  It is a sadness the Lord felt as He walked this Place of Testing.  And perhaps, longing, is a better description.  But the longing for one who is deeply loved.  This longing has provoked the following prayer.  May God bless His words inspired by His Beauty.

Lord Jesus, I want to come home.  I know there is work to be done.  Work for Your Glory needs to be accomplished.  You need to work in me.   And I need to work in the world for the sake of Your Holy Name and the souls of the blind.  But I want to come home.

I used to belong here, basking in the darkness.  I used to hate you and my only desire was to be left to my own pleasures.  But You’ve entered and changed all that.  Oh, how happy You make Your people!  How beautiful are the words of what the world calls “doom and gloom”.  You have not given man words to speak of the joys You instill in Your people.  But I want to come home.

I am at a loss as to what to say or do for any one of these who don’t know You.  I speak Your beautiful words.  But they can’t hear.  I show them the hatred for sin You have birthed in my soul.  And they think I am simply an angry man.  Your ways are to be desired above everything in this world, and they ARE.  You have touched my heart with an unspeakable peace and joy.  How deep is the yearning for Your Holy ways!  I have lips, but words fail me.  I want to come home.

But I will stay and love you as from afar.  The sparkle of this world is dimmed to darkness.  The desire to gain what they gain is lost.  And there is no regret at this loss.  You have caused this foolish man to desire what is best.  And all I own is to Your Glory.  I am nothing without You!  And this nothingness causes a vast craving for Your Love.  It is our lot to serve you in this Place of Testing.  And I gladly accept this rule from Your Beautiful hand.  But I want to come home.

by His Grace.