Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

Today’s Spartans

by

0


“The Spartans”, refers to a group of warriors from the Greek city of Sparta.  Their vicious allegiance to their country has remained as near myth status even to this day.

Around the year 900 BC, Sparta decided to make an entire nation of warriors.  They would inspect each baby, as it was born, and decide if it was strong or weak.  If it was found to be weak, the male child was thrown outside the city to die.

If it was found worthy to live, the child was raised up until the age of 7, then it was taken and placed in a school of training.

In the school the child was taught the art of war, of ethics, and the elegance of poetry.  By this Sparta transformed its nation into a fearsome foe.  Even one of the poets of that day took note that, Sparta had dropped its walls of brick and made a wall of men.

Consider how many places the name of Sparta is used in sports.  Yet I contend that sports is not the only place where the Spartan rearing is used.

I have seen toys resembling cell phones and computers that are made for newborn babies.  Before a child can understand, he is introduced to a life of technological advancement.

Now please allow a leap of logic in the progress of this writing.

When a man is born in Christ, he is introduced to the things of heaven before he can understand.  He learns the songs of Christ, the words of Christ, the stories of God in Christ, and the behavior of the family of Christ.

If Sparta is renowned to this day for having created a society of warriors, how much more indelible is the family of God?

From the time of Christ to now, the people of God have been subjected to a myriad of humiliating attacks.  At its inception, Christianity was a bloody spot on earth.

Perhaps you have heard of how the Christians were treated in the first few decades.  They were captured and killed, thrown into the arena with wild beasts who would devour them.  They were ripped apart while alive.  They were fastened to stakes then set on fire.  Or all their possessions were forcibly taken from them.

As history moved on, there were other means the world used to destroy Christianity.  Even so Christianity has survived for over 2000 years ( and vibrantly at that).

The power of God, in His people, will not be subdued.  Yet the world keeps trying.

Look at how you treat your children.  Look at the things you teach them before they are old enough to understand.  Look at how you pull them away from the Holy Name of God before their ears perceive the meaning of your sounds. 

Take a look at how you have been ransacked.  Take a look at how the things of God have been ripped from you in the night.  Go in search your place!  Where is your prayer?  Where are the holy words of God?  Where is the power of the Holy Spirit in your house?  Where is the wisdom of God in your children?  Where is the wisdom of God in your elders?  Where is the fearsome independence borne by trust in God?  Where is your Holy faith?  It’s gone! 

The wisdom of Sparta, to raise child warriors, has not died.  And you citizens of the world are not even aware.  You think it great pleasure to introduce your children to the things that capture your attention.  And so you fortify your nations, States, provinces and cities, against the Holy name of Christ Jesus. 

All the while God selects your corrupted children, without asking permission.  He causes them to be his own.  When you perceive that they have been corrupted by holy things, you cast them away from you that they may die.

You have become valiant warriors.  You have dressed yourself, from infancy, to war against the things of God.  You are so indoctrinated with the things of this world, that you think it odd that anyone should stand against your unholy ways.

Yet all men will be brought before the judgment of the Holy God.  As Sparta was eventually thrown down, so will be the training of this world. 

Who has understanding to perceive these things?  Who even desires to understand?  This message is sent out among the people who do not care.  Their eyes and ears are drowned in the work of their own hands.  They are immersed in what is wicked and cannot see.  They have made an entire society of a people who war against God.

Yet if a man perceives what is written here, let him humble himself before God, that his understanding may be clearer.  The salvation of Christ is far more powerful than all the illusions of this world.

By His Grace

Lamb of God (lyrics)

by

0


By Twila Paris

YOUR ONLY SON, NO SIN TO HIDE
BUT YOU HAVE SENT HIM
FROM YOUR SIDE
TO WALK UPON THIS GUILTY SOD
AND TO BECOME THE LAMB OF GOD

YOUR GIFT OF LOVE THEY CRUCIFIED
THEY LAUGHED AND SCORNED HIM
AS HE DIED
THE HUMBLE KING THEY NAMED A FRAUD
AND SACRIFICED THE LAMB OF GOD

O LAMB OF GOD SWEET LAMB OF GOD
I LOVE THE HOLY LAMB OF GOD
O WASH ME IN YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD
MY JESUS CHRIST THE LAMB OF GOD

I WAS SO LOST I SHOULD HAVE DIED
BUT YOU HAVE BROUGHT ME TO
YOUR SIDE
TO BE LEAD BY YOUR STAFF AND ROD
AND TO BE CALLED A LAMB OF GOD

O LAMB OF GOD SWEET LAMB OF GOD
I LOVE THE HOLY LAMB OF GOD

O WASH ME IN YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD
TILL I AM JUST A LAMB OF GOD

By His Grace

Malicious Shadows

by

0


I cannot blame the Sun

For intensely being bright.

I cannot blame the moon

For shining through the night.

I cannot blame the wicked

For hating what is right;

For embracing all that is not God,

In his blazing Holy Might.

God Himself ordained the Sun

And gave it a place to remain.

The moon remains and serves him well,

Despite its shifting name.

God has given truth to man;

Displayed abundantly.

Account we’ll give on bended knee,

When his face we all will see.

This land is shadow and now proclaims:

“Your wickedness will end!”

When shadows cease and God appears,

No longer means to mend.

Malicious thoughts against the Lord;

A taunting threat displayed.

The great proud smiles of those who hate,

Their filthy lips, like tattered strings;

Unravel and are frayed.

Who has ears to hear these things?

Who has eyes to see?

Let him acknowledge Jesus Christ,

And bow his wicked knee.

Even so Lord Jesus come!

On your own

by

0


What is the difference between the tears a believer in Christ and the godless?  What is the difference when a believer in Christ is afraid or the godless know fear?  What difference is there when the child of a believer dies or the child of a godless man dies?

If you would cry or be afraid or lose your loved ones, why would you try to do so on your own? 

You will cry.  You will be afraid.  You will lose your children to death.  You yourself will inhabit a life of hopelessness.  So what is the difference whether you inhabit that life alone or with the living God’s help?

Do you know what keeps you from him?  Do you know why you reject the gospel?  It’s not because God is invisible.  And it’s not because this world is so wicked.  You simply reject the gospel because you are simply proud.

You have to face life alone.  You exercise faith every moment of every day.  Why not put your faith in Jesus?  Why not allow humility to take the place of pride?

My heart aches for you.  I know what is coming upon the world.  You will cry.  You will be horribly afraid.  You will lose your children and your loved ones.  Some will starve to death.  Others will die from hideous disease.  Earthquakes and Wars will kill and maim at random. 

Why would you face this?  Most men and women will curse God to his face.  Why would you be one of them?  Humble yourself.  Why is this too much to ask?

By His Grace

EEEWWW!

by

0


Have you ever poked a hole in a lemon and sucked the juice out?  Before you read the rest of this you might wanna go give it a try.  It will make you seriously appreciate a strawberry.
_______________

Life is sour.  We can be injured and hundreds of thousands of ways.  And if you let it happen, you can develop a serious distaste for waking up in the morning.

To counteract the natural horror of this place, man has developed a multitude of additives.  If applied correctly, any man may experience a rather pleasant life.

In the end, however, we face the greatest horror of all.  The effectiveness of our additives comes to an abrupt end.  We say we don’t care.  We may wear the additive of “I’m strong enough to deal with it.”  But there will be no dealing with death.

We make plans for a pleasant casket.  Gold handles, mahogany wood, polished stainless steel trim, and fancy white satin, make a real nice last house.  But getting into that sucker is no pleasant task at all.  And once we’re there we have left behind another need for additives.  Nevermind.  You’ll deal with that later.

There is another place where additives are well applied.  And apparently they have some great success in dulling down the sour.  But just as in the rest of life, they do not change reality.  They only change our perception.  And in society, perception is everything.  Just ask Hollywood.

To make sure we’re all on board, please allow me to give you a short tour of some additives.  I don’t have time to write them all, and no one would take the time to read that list.  So I’ll just pick a few at random.

1. Easter has more to do with a bunnies and eggs and candy than the living God raised from the dead.  But it’s not appropriate to talk about such things outside of the church building.

2. If you leave a Bible on conspicuous display people will consider you a good man or woman.  You don’t need to have a clue what’s in it.

3. If you get dressed up real nice, put on a sweet face, talk pleasantly about inconsequential things, and be completely cordial when you go to church, you don’t need to consider the state of your soul or your relationship with the living God.

(I realize that’s a very long sentence.  You can’t see it, but I wear a big sign on my back that says, “Does not play well with others”.)

Water it down.  Water it down!  Water it down, until the gospel has no apparent effect on anyone.  Keep using additives to mask the truth!  We’ll deal with all that when we have gotten into that very tight casket.

Go ahead!  Water down the Lord Jesus Christ!  But the Lord is a consuming fire that no Fire Department in the universe can put out.  But by all means, go ahead and water it down.

By His Grace

“But I love sin!”

by

0


A man may say to me, “God cannot save me.  I am too vulgar.  I am too grounded in the things that are wicked.  I adore the pleasure of the body.  And though I would like to be saved, I cannot imagine why God would want me.  I cannot imagine that he would even want to try.”

My friend, by what you say I see two things.  The first is that you know God is Holy, and that he expects holiness from his people.  And the second is that you do not understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

You understand well enough that you are sinful and hopeless as you live the way you do.  Good.  Then begin where you are.  That awareness is the very first step a man must take.

In regard to the holiness of God we will say these things.  Holiness does not only have to do with righteousness; as if we speak only of judgement.  The holiness of God has first to do with love. 

The love of God is not defiled by opinion.  Nor is it subject to a change in attitude. He is the very definition of all that is pure and lovely. 

If you admire those who are able to love the unlovable, this ability finds its unceasing fulfillment in the love of God.  He loves without ceasing.

Along with this love comes judgement righteousness patience and mercy.  The love of God is what sustains all life for eternity.  If there is the slightest lack in the love of God eternity will cease.  So we are able to trust without fear.  God is love and he is eternal.

In regard to the gospel we will say these things.  What you lack is what you desire.  What you desire has come to us long before you were born.

Jesus is the perfect representation of the love of God.  God’s love compels him to be merciful.  Just as surely as his love compels him to protect eternity from wickedness.

God has sent His Son to be the sacrifice for all who desire life.  Those who run to him will be transformed.  God’s love has so desired you that He has given his son over to death for your sake.  How precious then are you?

For now, you perceive the love of God as law and judgment.  But if you are willing, he is willing to show you differently.  This is why it is written, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”  That it’s all God requires from you.

He has heard your confession of sin.  He knows that you love wickedness more than life.  And his love has already provided you what you need.

Approach him with these truths that you have told me.  Do not be so ashamed of your ailment that you refuse to go to the doctor. 

He has it in his hand to be able to heal you and cause you to become a righteous man.  He is willing and able to teach you how to live so that your life is pleasing to God the Father.

The wise will understand what has been written here.  Reach deep within yourself and find strength.  Do not look for strength to be a righteous man.  Simply look for the strength to fall to your knees in prayer. 

For now you stand with pride.  That is the strength that will lead to death.  But a humble acknowledgment of these things will lead you to life.

He is waiting for you.  He is not waiting to judge you.  He is waiting to help you. 

I will add this.  You see that I write these things.  You consider that I am a godly man.  But you do not know who I was.  If any man was evil I was his equal, quite likely even more so.  What I have described here is the very path I have taken.  And over the years this is what I have come to be.

Not one ounce of my strength was spent to arrive in this place.  The only model I have fun is to retain a desire for righteousness.  Everything good that I have has been given by Jesus the Son of God. 

If you will only trust him you will rise far above the place where I stand.  This is the firm and trustworthy promise of the Most High God in His Son Jesus his Christ.

By His Grace