Tag Archives: Grace

Here

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Night Sky 5

Night Sky 5 (Photo credit: dgrice)

Here, you dress me.

Here, I submit.

Here, I learn of my sins.

But

Here, I learn of Your mercy.

It was here that I found precious things;

The things that belong to You.

It was here that Your beauty shown in the darkness;

I came to understand lovely things.

Here, I find Grace.

Here, I find Mercy.

Here, my mind is become filled with the Hope that belongs to You.

And leaving Here, that hope becomes mine.

Thanks will roll from my lips forever

Because You were Here.

 

Thank You Lord, because You are Here.

By His Grace.  Amen.

The Convient Conspiracy

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Source of original image Category:Images of th...

Source of original image Category:Images of the United States Congress (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Let us conspire to conveniences.  Let us fabricate with the most expensive materials.  Let us melt down antiquity and build anew.  We have been caught in lies before.  And our desire to secure our own way has met resistance at every turn.  We need an entirely new approach.”

They looked about for materials and ideas.  They have settled on a rather convient approach.  Grace is a solid foundation as well as a sufficient covering.   Not to mention that it requires no effort at all to raise up and maintain.  But to call it by its proper name will not do.  For they have conspired to bring down the Holy language of antiquity.

“Love, yes.  We will call it love.”  Who can disagree?  And let us examine what implements might fit within that definition.  Most convient, this ‘love’.  Most convient indeed.”

Look how they have left off holiness.  Look how they shed righteousness.  Look how they accuse comment as judgmental attitude.  Look now, see them carry a new banner.  Legislation will now enforce love.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

By His Grace.

No Work?

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English: Digital clock of a basic design commo...

English: Digital clock of a basic design commonly found in hotels. Original photo shot by Derek Jensen (Tysto), 2005-September-29. Improved by Althepal using Helicon Filter. category:alarms Category:Tysto-general (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have had words with those who are caught in sexual immorality.  They are caught because they do not love the Lord.  I do not mean that as an accusation.  It is a truth.  For as we love Him, we learn to abstain from the things unholy.  There is a volume to say on this subject.  But who would read it?  If there are questions, I am more than willing to discuss.  I understand the problem.  I know the fix.  And can testify that the Lord is able to redeem.  We do not just cover our sins with Grace.  We are encouraged and commanded to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us according to His Good purpose.

Grace?  Work?  Which one applies?  How about both.  Let Grace cover you as you work for His Glory.  Why is that so hard to understand?

The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”  (Romans 13)

Fear

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Wooden roadways in Montana

Wooden roadways in Montana (Photo credit: N Vision Photos)

I was walking into town one day, in Troy Montana.  As I came into a straight street, I saw a man walking toward me.  He looked dirty.  His beard was long.  His clothes were rag-tag.  And his hair was long.

I crossed over to the other side of the street, as if I would cross the rail yard.  But before the terrain would let me cross the yard, he and I passed by each other.

I was busy trying not to be there.  I didn’t want to talk to him.  All I wanted to do was what I had come to town to do.  But he had no respect for my fear.

“Don’t be afraid of what you don’t understand”, he said to me.  I just looked at him and nodded.  Going on my way as fast as subtle feet of panic could take me.

Are you afraid of what you don’t understand?  Do you fear what the Lord has graciously given me to write?   Do you think that behind these words there lurks a monster of a man?  Or are you irritated that I just refuse to disappear?  I may not be as hideous as you think.  And the words I am given to write may just taste pretty good after all.

By His Grace.

Dear Non-Believer (and other such creatures)

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Funny Chinese Child Playing Boy

Funny Chinese Child Playing Boy (Photo credit: epSos.de)

You approach like a child though you’re mature in your own eyes.  You wear skin just like me.  So, by this, I know your vulnerabilities.  Yet you act as if you’ll never hurt, fail or die.  We both know better, however.  You will, like me, do all three.

I speak of God and you turn your hating eyes toward me.  If I spoke of sin you’d embrace my words.  Doesn’t that tell you something about who you have become?  When you actually were a child such things did not inhabit the dark regions within you.  But you have embraced every lie as you grew up.

Well now you’ve encountered me.  And what should I respond to you?  I will laugh at the lies you think are so powerful.  I laugh because I know the One who is truth.  If I did not know Him I would have no support for my laughter.  But there lies a rub.  What good is it to laugh at you when you are in such helpless state?  Though I know you’re not likely to accept my words, I will explain (with earthly words) the beauty that is “serving the Lord”.

He is tender when we enter prayer.  His manner is humble and accepting.  He does not accept to allow us to remain full of lies.  But His teaching is incremental.  Where we find ourselves is addressed.  And suggestions are given to guide us away from sin.  His commands are life.  But He does not chide us for being foolish.  His words are filled with hope, therefore He is unlike any earthly teacher.

He is truth.  And if we admit our lies, He is faithful and just to forgive us our lies and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  We are allowed to enter into the presence of the Most High God through the effective cleaning of Jesus’ sacrifice.  I know you’ve heard those words before and they mean little to nothing to you.  I got that.  Let me try to put them in terms you can grasp.

The forgiveness we receive from Him is real.  One moment I’m feeling particularly filthy and worthless.  The next moment my soul feels happy and free.  And it’s not for just a moment.  It lasts all the day long.

If I trust Him I don’t need to lock my doors.  Not because He will restrain the thief, though that has been true often.  But because He causes me to cease desire for the things I would normally want to protect.  He causes me to desire the things you and I can’t see yet.   He teaches His people to live as if they are already present in heaven.  And according to the faith I can muster, that becomes the life I lead.

Lots of words my friend, lots of words.  The short of it is, Jesus is worthy of all our attention and devotion.  It’s up to you to respond.   Either you continue to hate Him or strive to learn to love Him.

By His Grace.

Time spent well

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First page of the Gospel of Mark, by Sargis Pi...

First page of the Gospel of Mark, by Sargis Pitsak, a Medieval Armenian scribe and miniaturist (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I do not waste my time weeping for the dead.  Millions more will die before it’s my turn.  That would be a whole lot of weeping.

No, I spend my hours trying to cheat hell of a few souls.  I find this activity far more consuming and profitable than wasting away for what is “A done deal.”

If the dead are with Christ, then they are more alive than I.  If the dead are in hell, there’s no bringing them back, and they are more dead than I.

So I will spend my energy trying to convince others that life in Christ Jesus is immeasurably better, regardless the apparent loss or pain.

By His Grace.