We are a People Set Apart.


Attacks against what is called Christianity will abound.  There is no end of turmoil within the ranks of Christians.  But isn’t this the beauty of what Jesus has done?  He is actively creating a people for Himself.  We should not expect that God’s people are a polished stone in the tumbler of God’s will.  We find our righteousness in Christ alone.  And we await the day when He will grant perfection to our ways, hearts, minds, and desires.

Now, to be sure, we should do all we can to limit our folly for the sake of God’s Holy name.  It would be best to give no fuel to those who would cast accusation on the Church of God.  In our faith we wrestle with that which is Holy.  We are called to completion while we struggle with what is unfinished.  Christians struggle with the same problems as does the world.  The difference is found in the power of God to rectify our understanding.  It is He who guides us into what is right and Holy.  In short, Christians hear the very voice and will of God as He directs His people.  Some hear Him through the pages of His word the Bible.  Some hear Him through that voice which whispers in the inner man.  Some hear Him loudly, often, and surely.  Some simply follow what others are hearing.

We serve the Living God not some set of rules and regulations.  Our faith is built on liquid truth.  This truth is not that which varies according to the will of man.  Our house is built on (not by, or over)  the very river of truth which flows from the Throne of the Living God.  By faith we listen to His voice.  We walk in places where darkness is the only light.  Yet we walk in this darkness with the light of God Himself.  It is in the interaction of the Holy God to a people struggling with the nature of sin that sets us apart from every other creation. 

I know the world can only see what we are by the actions and words we produce.  Evolution is looking for the next stage in development.  Christians are that stage.  We no longer fit into the mold of the world’s expectations.  We are more yet less.  Through humility before the Greatness of God we are being formed into something eternal and beautiful.  And that, right before their very eyes.  What the world sees is chaos and dischord in the Church.  What God sees is a people being transformed.

If anyone wants a better explanation of what Christianity is, they will need to seek the face of the only One who can explain it.  Jesus is willing to lead you to a living faith.  It’s not what we believe that makes the difference.  The difference resides in Who we believe.  And it’s not what we are that stands out so strongly.  It’s who we are becoming that sets us apart.  If you seek Him, you will find Him.  If, indeed, you seek Him with all your heart.

By His Grace.

Soap.


Whatever you do, never get the soap dirty!  Never shower or wash your hands.  Don’t you realize that soap is clean?  Why would you want to apply something clean to something dirty? 

Nothing ever gets clean without some sort of soap.  Noone can become clean without being washed by the blood of Jesus.  Oh, you can clean your body and clothes.  But your conscience and attitude will remain full of evil if God does not clean you by the power of Jesus.

Receive His “soap”: The awareness of sin within you, repentance from what you have done and are doing, accept His forgiveness.  Listen to His words in the Bible.  And learn to listen to His voice within you. 

Soap is designed to get dirty. 

By His Grace.

A Dagger in My Chest


The world and religion seeks peace in this place. They talk great things about how they will rid the world of hatred. What absolute foolishness! While this world is my bedroom I will FIGHT!

Lord, O Great Lord of Life, I ask you to place within my chest a dagger of urgency and boldness. The whole world rages against holiness, even the Holiness of Your Throne. My time is shorter now than when I first began to walk. How I desire to go to war for You. By Your mercy, allow your servant to stand with great boldness. They speak against you when they say they can create peace without You.

 STAND! Take a stand where you find your feet! Look up to the heavens and open your mouth. Rise up and fight, for the time is, indeed, short,

By His Grace.

The War.


All men know war.  From the battle of finding where we left our keys to the carnage of blood on a battle field, all men know war.  But there is a war raging that will not cease until the Lord comes.  You may find your keys.  And there may become a peace treaty.  But all men know war.

Jesus is at the center of this war.  He is the very element of debate, hope, and fear.  Christians debate with non-believers.  Christians hope with a kind of knowing.  And non-believers fear Him and His people.

Enter the war with all you have.  If you hate Him, prove your way as better.  If you love Him, prove the testimony you contain regarding His power within you.  If you fear Him, then go hide in seclusion. 

Today is the day of war!  You cannot escape that reality.  If you doubt my words here, prove them by looking inward.  Can’t you see the struggle regarding Jesus?  I bet two crushed robin eggs you can.

By His Grace.

Why did you come here?


Don’t read this.  I’ve already placed food for you to eat.  But you would have none of it. 

Why did you come here? 

I am like a living corpse.  Men gather to gaze at my blood. 

Why did you come here? 

Were you looking for a righteous man? 

By His Grace.

Excluded from Eternal Life.


Revelation 22:14, 15

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”

I was talking with a friend this morning about why I’m so different than most everyone else.  I don’t get along with those who chose to chat about idle things.  I don’t revel in the media of movies and secular music.  I rarely even listen to Christian contemporary music any more.  So the question came up regarding my distance from the main stream of people.

Consider what that verse says at the last: ” . . . and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”  How many lies can you count in one hour of watching TV?  If you listen to the radio, how many songs and commercials can you count which spout lies or find their basis in anything other than The Holy God of all creation?  Drive down the road and look at billboards.  What do you see?  Can you identify the lies they are using to sell you what they have?

If you don’t think you fall into any of the other categories mentioned in that verse, you likely fall quite well into the round hole of loving lies.  Americans fall for nearly anything these days.   I’m not pointing fingers at anyone here.  I’m just making the point that lies have so built America that it now takes the Holy Spirit of God in a Christian to point them out.

I have no control over what anyone else thinks or loves in this world.  But I do warn, as the Lord has, that anyone who lives like this will not inherit eternal life.   Hey!  Hear me!  You will remain in your guilt if you do not obey Jesus.  What do I mean by obey?   After all, isn’t salvation free?  ok.  here . . .

1. Believe in the promise of God to forgive sins through trust in Jesus, His Son.

2. Obey the command of Jesus to become holy,  even as your heavenly Father is Holy. 

3. The forgiveness and power of Christ Jesus sets us free from the servitude of sin.  We need not carry on as do the un-believers any longer.  And He will hold His people to that.  Pray, and Do, the will of God in Christ Jesus.   If you don’t,  you won’t see the other side of  life after the judgment.  You will be cast away to bear your guilt for eternity.

By His Grace.