Our hearts are elevated from the dust of our creation by mere inches. It is by the Grace of God that we can perceive anything more than this dust. If our hearts soar above the dust, its because He has caused them to soar. Our imagination can imagine certain things more than our life. But God promises true life, life removed from this dust.
By His Grace.
Jesus has left us to our own. But He has not left us on our own.
Men speak as men know. Yet there is provoking from Above.
We translate a rose, seen by the eye. Telling of our vision by words of limit.
Yet we know of things our tongues cannot pronounce.
No eye has seen these things. So how is it that we proclaim what we cannot speak?
God has done this. He has created a place where rumors abound.
A great lie has gone forth from ages past. And God has made a place for it to live.
It is as if a puddle of mud has a drop of milk added to it every moment or two.
What fantastic mysteries is this place of testing!
By His Grace.
Why do you walk so softly? And why is your joy not shown? Have they won? Did they stifle your mouth? You fear their ridicule and keep your joy to yourself. Have you asked why?
They protect their sin with a great energy. Look at how they stand against the One who made them. When they keep your mouth shut they perceive a great victory. Yet we know of a day when victory will belong to the one stifled.
Hold your chin up. Straighten your back. Speak of your joy with boldness and accept what comes. How can we think He endured such things so that we can shuffle around like beaten folk? Consider that Day. Let yourself stand before Him and give account of your beatings. How have we suffered for His Holy Name? And what does He ask of us? Perhaps He asks too much. All the more shame to us.
By His Grace.
I look at a tree sway in the wind. It is winter, so there are no leaves on the trees. The tree is 100 ft high and swaying about 15 ft back and forth. I consider the power placed on the roots as this tree sways back and forth. What tremendous pressure is placed on the roots. No man has to climb such a tree very far before he realizes the danger posed to him from the weight added to this pressure on the roots.
I remember that the Church, and even the individual people of God, are considered as branches in a tree. How the world and sin place pressure on the people of God. They buffet God’s people as the wind buffets this tree I see. How the pressure on the roots, Jesus, grows as sin around us increases. And I am given pause to consider how mighty must Jesus’ promises and strength be for the sake of His Church.
“Lord, what kind of tree must You have created here. That we should be able to climb to the top of Your promises and remain in safety. No sins or plots by men can come against You and Your people that would tear at the roots You have created. What kind of tree might You be?”
He replies, “I am a mighty oak. All who are of me can ride the storms with perfect safety.” But does the Church, the people of the Sovereign God, realize who they are? Do we see them living as though they are grown from the roots of a Mighty Oak? No, sadly, we see our brothers and sisters living as though they are simply tiny branches of an over grown bamboo tree. They live as though they are transplanted into a spindly tree and grown in a storm. The fear of breaking is about them like a mist.
Take heart, O’ people of God! You are of the One who cannot lie! He has promised to bring you home. So why do you doubt? Praise Him and accept His Holy will in your life! Rest as did our Lord in the boat! Sleep with comfort in the midst of death and carnage. You belong to the Holy One of Israel, the Mighty Oak of Heaven! Raise up with the strength of those who BELIEVE!
By His Grace.
The whole world strains after a brand of peace and joy. It’s as though they peer over the edge of a railing. Wide eyed and full of anticipation, they look forward to the next “new”. Yet when it comes is their heart satisfied? Let’s say the next new gadget comes out on the market, or the next sequel of their favorite movie. Is there a deep satisfaction when they get to spend time with their next “new”?
Let’s be clear here, I was once part of that straining. I too sought for that peace and joy in the things I could experience. I too complained about the laws of God. It seemed to me that the only thing God wanted was to destroy my straining for peace and joy. And that “seeming” proved to be right. God did, and still does, want to destroy that temporary peace and joy I so longed for. And in it’s place He gave me a peace and joy that lasts. This peace He gives is the very essence of joy.
How I long to share that joyful peace with those who still strain over the railing. I know they won’t understand what I’m talking about. Just as I hated even the mention of God and Jesus, they hate Them too. How do I plead that they will respond? What words or actions can I say or do that they will consider the lasting peace of God?
Billy Graham has spoken millions of words about that peace. The whole world has heard of his name. But where is the great throng which turned from sin to embrace God’s ways? Sadly, there are few who truly embraced his message. So words won’t change the world. Those beautiful words did change thousands of lives. But there remains millions who still strain.
Mother Teresa did many things in the name of her God, my God. And her name is known by the world in a powerful way. But I’ve heard my fellow drunks speak of her name with reverence and contempt. She worked tirelessly to provide for the poor. She did what she could to show the message of peace and joy which comes from God. But where it the great throng which turned from sin to embrace God’s ways? Sadly, there are few who truly embrace her message. So actions won’t change the world. Those beautiful deeds did change thousands of lives. But there remains millions who still strain.
All God’s children hunger for you. They have something precious to share. Please give the message of the Cross a serious consideration. I testify as one who has been transformed from worldly to godly by the power of that Cross. You can too. And I tell you a truth; the peace I found in Jesus is absolutely marvelous!
By His Grace.
Fire, meant to purify
All that my works just cannot buy.
If it’s gold I seek, I testify,
Through heat of trials my faith He’ll try.
He is the fire; that consuming Flame.
And Glory to His Holy Name!
Before His Throne we all will stand.
Shall He accept from a filthy hand?
I need His burning hand anew.
I pray you let Him burn you too.
By His Grace.
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
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