The “Now”.


crumpled sentiments

This post has the potential to be a “TL:DR” (That’s “too long: didn’t read, for us un-techy folk.) But this potential is at the very core of this post.  If you read it, you’ll be glad you did.  If you don’t read it all the way through, it’s proof that this post is true.

On a date, the man wonders if he should venture a kiss.  Consider the possibilities.  She’ll slap me.  She’ll think I’m too much a weirdo.  She might not like me that much.  It might lead to something sinful.  She might consider honor and patience more important than pleasure.  And on it goes in the man’s mind (That is, a man of conscience and godliness.).

And in all our daily activities we ponder the outcome of a simple action.  Should I do this or that?  What will be the end outcome if I choose this way?   What man or woman can know?   Yet God knows.  Is it possible to learn His perfect will in all things?  According to the Bible, the answer is an absolute yes.  While there are certain things the Lord of Life will never share with mortal man, He is very willing to teach us how to accomplish the best of each situation.  And to put it bluntly, He is very willing to teach us how to what is pure and good, according to His wisdom.

How does a someone begin to appropriate such knowledge from the Lord?  The answer is very simple. Yet the application of the answer is the hardest thing you’ll ever do.  Humble yourself before the Lord in prayer and in all your ways (That is to say, in everything you do, every thought you have, and every attitude and action.).  In every part of you, submit to the leadership and Lordship of Jesus.  Through patience and submission, you will learn more and more of the Lord’s will in everything you approach.

Only God knows the particular order of true success.  He alone knows what is about to happen and what has happened to cause something in the future to line up correctly.  Why would you risk not knowing?  All we have to do is let God be God and become what we were created to be, SERVANTS.  But look into your own soul right now.  Can you see the resistance to being a true servant of God?  It’s there.  Submit.  Ask for help to understand His will in your submission.  And learn to always regard His way as more desirable than your own.  For you know you’ve heard many testify that the Lord is Good.  And the closer you get to Him, the more you’ll learn to agree.

As an example of my own experience in this, I’ve stood on the porch and leaned against the railing, considering what lay before me at the moment.  I don’t try to consider the day ahead or the months and years.  I try to focus on the “now”.  Always, what needs to be done first comes to mind.  Now the test begins.  Will I humble myself and go do that thing which has come to mind?  It’s in this “now” that I find the Lord’s leading.  And it is the “now’s” that make up the overall picture.  Did you see that piece of paper on the floor and notice that it was you who were able to pick it up?  Why didn’t you do what you knew was right?  And so it goes all day long.

Have you heard your mind remember that you should pray?  Can you tell yourself why you didn’t?  Have you heard a thought tell you to call
someone and encourage them?  Can you tell yourself why you resisted and eventually forgot?  Can you explain why you’ve failed to do a
million things you know you should have done?   It’s called rebellion and thus SIN.  Now, let’s be real about this to each other.  Do you really believe such sin will be allowed before the Throne of the Most High God?   And what excuse do you think He will buy when you try to justify
yourself before His Eternal Wisdom?

Learning to do the right thing at the right moment is the very heart of obedience to the Lord’s leading.  And God’s Righteousness is found in doing absolutely everything exactly when it needs to be done.  But trying to do all these things on your own will only lead to obsession.  Listening to the Lord’s coaching is the central key to success in all things.  Jesus is the savior of souls.  And this saving is a “now”.  For all you know, that piece of paper should be left for someone else.  Perhaps it should remain of the floor so that the next person’s
obedience can be tested and proved.  Listen to the Lord!

What would the world be like if every one of us listened to the Lord in this manner?  Why, it would be Heaven, of course.  And this is why
the Lord told us that, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  But only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven.”

By His Grace.

The Lord Has Done This!


The Lord!  The Lord has done this!

My soul is at home while my body sucks dust.

Where your treasure is, so your heart will be also.

I am a citizen of heaven proclaiming the unseen.

Considered a fool among men, my lips stammer His Glory.

I have seen with my blindness a promise of He who cannot lie.

And my hands reach out frantically to touch the feet of The Righteous One!

No longer do I belong to this world of foolishness and sin.

I am His! 

The Lord!  The Lord has done this!

 

 

By His Grace.

Gruesome!


The Martyrium of the Hippolyt by Dieric Bouts,...

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A woman woke one morning happy with her day.  Considering herself and her life, she was pleased.  By the evening news time, her life was over.  She had become a victim of a hedious crime.  The violent criminal had abused her and dismembered her body.  This crime is gruesome, to say the least.  She did not consider that she would be in the news that night.  To her, all her days lay before her unhindered and full of potential.

Look at the ungodly.  How they consider their days full of potential.  But this ungodly life is gruesome, as was the morning of that woman.  Little do they consider their fate.  For they do not see what lay beyond the grave.  Their plight will be like this woman; happy one minute, then face to face with their nightmare.  Yet the evening news will not cover their plight.  They will appear before the Most High God and become dismembered from His Love forever.  They say, “ignorance is bliss”.  But their way will be shown as false.  And their name will be blotted out of eternity.

Fear God and be wise.  Remain godless and rebellious to His Holy ways, and your end will be gruesome.

By His Grace.

The Noise Not Heard.


Animated noise

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Only sounds close reach my flesh.

The older I get the closer they must be.

Yet there is noise upon noise.

The older I get the less I hear

Of the noise the world affords an ear.

It’s the voice of God I seek.

And no ear will serve me well.

Rattle and prattle your wicked noise of hatred.

The din will rouse no saint.

There is a noise of always which rings with joy.

And no clanging will drown it out.

Speak, my Lord, I listen with heart.

Your ways and Your words are so welcome.

Turn back the rustle and bustle.

Let the voice of God stir my soul.

 

By His Grace.

Blessings Aren’t Always a Miracle.


Replica Danish axe head, Petersen Type L or Ty...

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In my work I often ask the Lord to bless certain things.  The intent is that I might render my employer a good service.  Much like the floating Axe head story.  But often His response is curious, “no”.  Then he whispers to me that to bless the company is to bless its owners.  If they are in His will, then the blessing will flow.  But all things such are done by a wise God.  He alone knows how to redeem.  The strain of this world will pull and pull.  Things break down.  Stresses continue to come.  But He alone knows the heart.  “It is enough that My people work earnestly and with a full heart.  The blessings come as I direct.”

 

By His Grace.

While in the Going.


Jesus

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When I am gone from this Place of Testing.  There will be a few left here who will miss me.  That is the case for most all people.  And I think of what I would like to leave them with (as a last and lasting thought).  It needs to be said that Jesus is able to lead anyone into a life worth living.  Hope is the only thing men have to lean on in both times of trouble and times of prosperity or peace.  This hope, if it is founded firm in the Lord Jesus, will carry anyone through anything.  This is my last word to leave with the ones who continue on in this Place of Testing.  Remember how I lived among you.  I stumbled and clawed my way through this place.  But in the end I found, or more accurately said: was shown) the Lord Jesus.  This is how you should search your way through.  Listen to Him.  Do what He says you should do.  He will lead the willing.  And remember, cowards have no part in the kingdom of God.  Strengthen yourself for His sake!  Eat what you’re given.  And share what you can.  Be His.  This will be enough.

 

By His Grace.