Tag Archives: diligence

The Mechanics of “Gain”

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If we want to accomplish anything, then we go after those things of accomplishment.  If we want to fail we chase after those things that cause failure.  Most people want to gain.  But there are many who have a death wish.   (I did)

I take note this morning that the problem with Society is that they think they can drink from a mixed cup and still get what they want.

They want to live righteously, but they fill their lives with unrighteous things.  They want to be considered respectable.  But they live their lives with a measure of disrespect.

To whatever measure we introduce unholy things to our mind, we will lack holiness.  To whatever measure we dabble in unrighteousness, we will be unrighteous.  To whatever measure we refuse to believe and follow the Gospel of Christ,  to that measure we will fail to be his disciples.

What do we allowed to burn away our days?  On that day we see Christ Jesus, we all want his smile and open arms.  What are we doing to make sure that happens?

Do Not Be Careless

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I have learned the hard way, and often, that if a man rests in this world’s things the flesh will overtake him.  If a man is not diligent to do the things of the Living God’s Holy Christ, spiritual righteousness will not overtake him.  He will be overtaken by utter unrighteousness.  If anyone believes otherwise, I would like him to explain to me Philippians 2:12.

It is important, imperative, to remember:  Christ is the love of God made manifest.  But he is also the manifestation of his Father’s Holiness and Righteousness. 

Do not be deceived by the careless many.  It is the one who does the Father’s will that secures the friendship of Christ.

Marked?

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Do we see what we are?  Or is our brain stuck in religion?  Do we hope for the best while we live in the worst?  Or do we actively search for release?

God will give glory to that which is glorious.  How can we possibly let ourselves be deceived?

Kelly Willard sang a song about willingness, “If you don’t have a willing heart ask him to give you one”.  It is wise to answer now.  Do we even ask for help?

The lumps are coming.  Will you take yours today or receive them in full measure at the coming day of revealing?  If we are covered with shame now, it does no good to ignore it.

Decades ago I read a story of a thief who was caught.  When they put the handcuffs on, he asked the sheriff how he knew.  The sheriff gave him a very odd look.  “Son, you have a birthmark that covers half your face!”

Let’s try hard to find a mirror.

A Word of Sobriety

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To those who think they can do as they please while they bear the name of Christ.

The Living God will enter your sinful place.  His messengers will come among your putrid house of defiance.  The Lord will know what the people do, and he will surely reward with justice.

Have you listened to the lie?  Have you preferred disobedience over righteous humility?  Then do not be surprised when your house becomes desolate.  For the Lord will surely make an end of rebellion.

But to the diligent who resolve to love him and obey His Holy commands.

Do not fear.  The Lord has seen your heart.  It is for joy that He has given salvation.  Nothing that belongs to the Living God’s Holy Christ can taste destruction.  As the grave itself was not able to hold him, so destruction will not touch those who belong to him.

But the Lord will make a distinction.  He will surely divide the people one from another.  Be wise.  Honor His Holy Name and live.  Remain foolish, and you will surely taste his wrath.

Yes Christ Jesus is the Love of God!  But the love of God is directed to what is righteous and true, faultless and clean.  To this he draws us out of sin, and will accept no other engine.

Be wise and live, remain in sin and die.

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  (Luke 13)

By His Grace

Please Hear This

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The Lord reasons with me this morning.  I don’t desire to make anyone feel bad, or compel them to do what they do not find themselves able or willing to do.  But how can I keep this to myself?

How many centuries has our Lord been diligent to save souls?  What great strength of patience and faithfulness has the Lord shown us, as the world rebells against him, and his people so blatantly lack faith?

Then the urgent question comes: Are we, who have received his Great Mercy, unwilling to struggle with him for a few short years?

No one answers to me.  Who am I that I should matter?  But isn’t there One to whom we do answer?  And isn’t the answer found in the doing?

By His Grace

It Shouldn’t Be that Hard

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Wishes are empty and useless.  Imagination is only imagination.  Desire is only desire; if retained as if “Life” desire is useless.

The dishes don’t clean themselves.  The bed does not remake itself.  The broken down car will not repair itself.

Things that are broken, things that are in deterioration, things that are not complete, will not fix or complete themselves.

We may stand still for a moment, wishing things would become useful again.  But they only deteriorate all the more.  It takes action.  It takes determination.  It takes a moment of diligence to repair what is lacking.

If we clean three dishes, the remainder is still dirty.  If we straighten one side of the bed, the other side remains unkempt.  If we wipe a tire clean, the rest of the car remains broken down.  Don’t we all know these things?

How is it then that we don’t apply this to the things of the Living God?  How is it then, that the desire of Jesus, God’s Holy Christ, lacks bounty among His people?

We wish God would intervene.  We wish and imagine that God has caused us to perceive holiness.  And don’t the masses fool themselves because they think that wishing and imagination has done the trick?  Isn’t this why religion is so very empty of the power of God?  Isn’t this why Christians, and the entire world, lacks the vibrant witness of holiness?

We apply diligent behavior to the things we need.  It is because we need them, that is why we work so hard.  Do we think we don’t need the full power of God?

I have witnessed the power of God in the holy Apostles.  I read what they wrote concerning all this.  I have even witnessed the sin that is working so constantly within me.  And I am compelled to believe their testimony.  But what if I leave “becoming” to the whims of wishes and imagination?  I will never “become” the desire of my God.

A man says a quick prayer at the start and end of his day.  Is that enough?  Where is the diligence we witness in those who have overcome?  Do we really think our garden grows so healthily because we offered it a single cup of water?  Can we rightfully expect an abundant harvest?

27 Why do you complain, Jacob?

Why do you say, Israel,

“My way is hidden from the Lord;

my cause is disregarded by my God”?

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.”  (Isaiah 40)

Diligence!  Continuance!  Determined and purposeful application.  Continual prayer.  Continual remembering of the Holy Word, as we have heard it.  These things will produce what is holy within us.

But wishing, imagination, slothfulness and spiritual sleep, these produce the weeds of sin that lay waiting for a chance to sprout.  Sin is diligent, isn’t it?  Look how it patiently waits just outside our door, desiring to have us.  What good will we own when we appear before Him if that is all we allow ourselves to desire here?

Let the sleepy one (the one who allows his soul to sleep) turn on the TV.  Let the lazy desire pleasure.  Let the desire of Christ burn within, and the things of Christ begin to appear.  Let prayer take the place of pleasure.  Let the reading of His Holy Word replace television.  Let the thoughts of remembrance fill us; let us remember His Holy teachings.  The diligent prosper in the things of God.  The others struggle about.  So it is.  So, it can’t be any different.

He who does what is righteous, this one becomes righteous.  Death leads to death.  Why would we believe anything other?  Life from God’s Holy Christ leads to Life.  Either remain in death, or get with the program.