Tag Archives: Grace

All the Way.

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Highway

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You’ve heard it said, “All the way . . .”.  “Pull it all the way out”.  “Take it all the way there”.  The phrase “all the way” indicates completing the task.  In Christianity, we are encouraged to “walk in the way”.  And the two phrases combine to describe the expectations of the Lord for His people.

Walk in the way.  Stay in the way.  And continue until you have reached the end of this way.  Do not let yourself slip to the right or the left.  Do not shrink back from moving forward in the way.  And continue in this manner until you have completed your life.

What is the way?  Listen with all your heart, strength, and soul to what the Lord has instructed His people to be and do.  Read the Bible with a desire to understand.  Pray with earnest honesty to the Lord for help in understanding.  Then practise what you are learning.  Continue in this way for all your life.  It will do you no good to say, “Well, at least I tried a while to follow Your requirements.”  Those who will receive the “Well done, good and faithful servant.”, will be the ones who have applied the Lord’s demands with a continuing effort to please His Holy Will.

Do not let your life become a fool’s work.  Consider both the warnings and the promises.  Consider them all day long and into the night.  Keep your feet from slipping in this world of slick ground.  Corruption abounds.  Don’t let it taint your way.

And a highway will be there;
   it will be called the Way of Holiness;
   it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
   wicked fools will not go about on it.

(Isa. 35: 8)

By His Grace.

“i”

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Death

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If we die tonite, few will cry.

 

We die like dogs; just food for flies.

 

In dirt is where our bodies lie.

 

The bugs and worms, we satisfy.

 

But LIFE demands we testify.

 

Though hopeless masses vent their cry.

 

There’s One who hears and bids, “Come nigh”.

 

“I’m strength enough to change your life.

His name is Jesus.

By His Grace.

Either We Are or We’re Not.

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Open door at Hidcote Manor

Image by Neosnaps via Flickr

Such is the plight of man without God.
That all things real will find no cause.
And what will the outcome of this life be?
It will all hinge tightly on who you say is HE.
It’s the life we lead that names us friend.
And all, that not, will find the end.
It’s those who seek with all their might.
In this dark and sin blackened night.
Who find the hope they’re looking for.
It’s Jesus, who’s the open door.

by His Grace.

Put up or Shut up.

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A corrupted JPEG photograph. Result of a photo...

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As I respond to comments, the words sometimes astound me.  I know it’s not me who is responding.  It’s a lead conversation.  The Lord is in the concepts.  And He allows me to interpret what’s being spoken from Heaven.

I posted something in response to a comment today that has really caused me pause.  “If I wanted to tear down any social structure I wouldn’t use a direct attack of hacking limbs or even banishing them from society in general.  I would infiltrate their group, act like them enough to get honors, then allow myself to be seen corrupting their code of honor.”  What shall we say to that?  If this statement doesn’t provoke a serious look at our motivation and “belonging”, we’re in serious trouble.

Christians:  If you find yourself bringing shame to the name of Jesus, you alone will answer for it.  In the mean time you help the enemy block the door for those trying to enter.  And you do yourself untold harm when you appear before Him.  Let me say this please.  And take note that I don’t give a rip what you might think of me for saying this.  If you’re doing harm to the body of Christ in this world, it would be better that you pull away from the body and stop telling people you’re Christian.  At least the Lord would be able to see that you care enough about His honor to suffer loss.  If you can’t keep your lust under control, if you can’t keep your loose tongue sealed behind those quivering lips, if you just can’t seem to stop bringing shame to the Lord, then step away.

Do you think I say this without personal experience in this matter?  I’ve gone through more than a decade of isolation because I saw myself doing more damage than was reasonable.  I know we all slip.  I’m not poking at that.  I’m looking intently into the eyes of those who believe it’s ok to do anything they please or say anything they want, and still allow others to think you’re a Christian.

I could say so much more about this.  But I think I’ve said enough to have my head delivered on a platter by those who hate the Holiness of God. And if you continue to draw a bad name to Jesus, you’ll eventually look much like that picture above.  While you should have been a clear message to the world through your display of Christ, we can’t make heads or tails of your testimony.  And you will be held accountable for all of it.

 

By His Grace.

Agree?

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

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“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.