ALL


God’s view of “perfect” has never and will never change.  We are the ones who have trouble defining that word.  And why do we have troubles defining “perfect”.   We struggle with that word because we’ve never seen it.  As He calls us toward His intent for us, let us remember and be assured that God desires what is truly good for us.  He does not leave us alone to figure it all out.  He is actively guiding us into what is “perfect”.  Where most people find failure in achieving what is good is that they take the responsibility of learning on themselves.  They make themselves the teacher.  Again, what does any man know of what is “perfect”?

Jesus walked this world as a “perfect” man.  And even though we might pour over the testimony regarding Him in the Bible, we might still not comprehend.  It is only when we allow Him to become our ALL that we begin learning.  Give Him ALL and allow Him to decide what is good and what is not.  Run the risk of losing it all?  Well yea!  Who knows better what is good, you or Him?  Answer to yourself: Who knows better what is right for me?  The One who made me and everything I’m required to live in, or the one who is limited by skin.

By His Grace.

Earthly Trials We Deserve.


There is a place a man purchases.  For most these places are many.  We forsake the Lord’s commands and reap the situations such forsaking spawn.  A thief, for instance, might well have forsaken the Lord’s command regarding stealing.  When he is caught and punished, it is not likely the Lord will remove the punishment.  Each of us must encounter the results of what we have done in this world.  If we lie to someone and are caught later, we will need to endure the fruit of that sin.

Shall we say that the Lord has forsaken me because I forsook His commands?  No.  Though we are standing trial for treason, we may still have Him by our side.  He will never leave us.  Isn’t that the promise?  Yet He made no promise that everything we do wrong will find good and favorable things at the accomplishment of their end.  He has promised help to do what is right.  But sometimes we must encounter the results of our wrong doing.

What shall we think, then , if we are about to enter a period of troubles of our own making?  Face them.  Enter as a Child of the King.  Humble yourself under the hand of justice and accept what is coming.  It was you who built it.  It will be you who endures the punishment.  He will not leave you during these trials.  But He warned you before you committed the act for which you now pay.

Above all, remember, the Lord of Life is perfect.  Perfectly merciful, perfectly just, perfectly powerful, yet He demands an accounting.  It is no good mark in your favor for receiving the punishment you are encountering.  After all it’s the result of your wrong doing.  But there is a blessing which will help you encounter this punishment with humility and wisdom.  Take what is offered by your God during these times and bear the punishment as a willing participant.  If anything can be redeemed, it is that you will accept God’s will in regard to sin.

By His Grace.

Man is Not Animal.


A dog does what a dog does.  A rabbit, likewise, does what a rabbit does.  Fish do what they were meant to do.  And so it goes through out all God’s creation.  Oh, we can train them to do a few tricks.  But in the end, they are just a dog, rabbit, and a fish.  They obey what God has made them to do.  But what of man?

From the fall of Adam till now, and till God does away with everything wicked, man has hated his Creator.  There have been very few who earnestly desired to please Him.  The vast population of earth has openly hated their God.  I look around me and marvel at how openly man hates God’s name and ways.  And I am perplexed even at the sinful nature in myself which wishes to live without God.

What shall be said regarding man?  Hasn’t it already been said?  The verdict of guilty has ben rendered on all men.  The only way out is the forgiveness of Jesus.  Man is not animal.  God demands that all men turn back to their Creator.  There’s no room for debate about this.  You might debate what I just said, but God doesn’t. 

By His Grace.

The Offense


It is reported that I have offended someone.

 

Hatred drips from muted lips.

Ah, how you hate me so.

I’ve done much wrong and caused you pain.

It’s right that I should go.

Its I to blame for what is wrong.

Though I did what I could do.

In Jesus’ name I bow and leave.

For I’ve offended you.

Lord, heal this breach

By love’s strong hand.

And set the captive free.

And if this world is better off,

I ask that you take me.

 May God judge between you and I. I wrote this poem with a true desire to make things right between us. At this rate, it’s likely I won’t see your face again. Though it doesn’t have to end this way.  The next move is up to you.

 

By His Grace.

You Can’t Get There From Here.


If we walk across a field, we do so by taking one step at a time.  Once we have taken one step, it’s impossible to take it back.  Even if we put our foot back in the same print we came from, we’re not there where we were.  Time has moved on.  We’ve taken a few breaths.  Our eyes have seen things differently.  And we’ve heard that bird chirp while our foot was in it’s new spot.  We have become that new step.  And going back is only going to make us become the one who went back one step. 

This is true of our walk with the Lord also.  When He has shown us a better way, we become one who has been shown.  Doesn’t this sound simple?  And isn’t it like us to think we can go back a little while “serving” the Lord?  But we can never go back.

Many have looked into the Gospel enough to learn that it is going to be a very hard road to follow.  They decided they would just go back as though they had never known about the Truth of God.  But in their going back, they never go back.  They live a lie.  They saw something new.  They tasted the Lord’s way.  They are no longer blind to the Truth.  This is why we are warned so often about falling away.  There is a harsh penalty to pay for those who taste the goodness of God and still chose to live in sin. 

I present this for careful consideration.  If you still read this, you’re still here.  You might have tasted a few things about God.  But you haven’t yet seen His Face.  This is what makes us different from satan.  He was with the Lord of Life, and stood in His very presence.  Yet he chose to rebel.  What was his condemnation is in our favor.  Turn to Him that you might learn to walk in His ways.  Humble yourself before the Lord and seek His forgiveness. 

By His Grace.

Depression


I read many blogs from people who are depressed.  Some are considered clinical in their depression.  To all who suffer with depression I have a note:

I too suffered a great period of depression.  Death and self torture were part of my every waking moment.  So why am I able to cope without all that now?  I often read their blogs and consider what made the difference.  I know it was Jesus who lifted me out of that sink hole.  But if I tell that to you, you think to yourself, “He just doesn’t understand.  He’s just another one of those questionably helpful sort”. 

If telling you what Jesus has done for me would help, I’d spend all my time writing.   But I know it won’t help many who are still in it.  I can’t help you.  The medication won’t take it away, it only reduces the symptoms.  Jesus is the answer you’re looking for.  But I can’t make you believe that.   And certainly, the doctors and even the entire world won’t tell you Jesus is the answer.  So why believe me?  Because I testify that He does help the helpless! 

“You will seek me and find me when you look for me with all your heart, and I will be found by you”.  Right now you have nothing.  What have you got to lose by seeking for His help with all your heart?

By His Grace.