Tag Archives: Jesus

Behold! I am to Blame

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Finger pointing

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“Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.”  I believe this.  I know this puts all the burden on us to obey.  But God’s grace covers us while we struggle with our failings.  He calls us to a life free from sin.  But covers us while we accomplish.  He is not unjust in His judgment of us.  We are indeed the ones at fault.  But look at His love to lift us from death to life.  I can’t blame anyone or anything for who and what I am, or was.  Accepting this is fundamental to salvation through Jesus.

Today’s teachings in the world speak of us as victims.  God does not look at His people like that.  He rightly judges us guilty.  Yet He offers a way out.  Jesus never taught that we were victims.  He taught that we were sinners from birth.  How often he told us to repent of our sins and live a life pleasing to His Father in Heaven.  Today, we hear that we can’t hope to rid ourselves of this burden of foolishness.  It was not so in Jesus’ teachings.

I am the one to blame for all my sins.  Jesus is the One who forgives them.  Forgiving them does not mean they didn’t happen.  And forgiveness doesn’t mean that I am innocent, or that I am a victim of things beyond my control.  “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.”  Live with that truth or suffer as a victim.  Fight against what does not please the Father, or suffer the life of a sinner.  He gives us everything we need to over come.

By His Grace.

The Conspiracy of God.

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English: John the Baptist baptizing Christ

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Men who do not know or love God will think that God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are in a conspiracy to destroy them.  They perceive that there is a war between God and man.  This perception comes from observing the wickedness in the world and the corrupt nature of death and decay.

They are wrong.  Indeed, there is a conspiracy from the Holy Trinity.  But it is not against man.  It is against sin.  The beautiful thing is, man is invited to join God in this war.  You can make your mark on the book of life by accepting the leadership of Jesus, the Son of God.  He will count you as one of His own.  He will dress you in fine clothes fit for battle.  And He will endow you with the weapon of The Holy Spirit.

Again I say, this battle is not a conspiracy against man.  It is a battle against sin.  If you want to die, just keep what you already have.  If you want to live, approach the Lord of Life in the name of Jesus.

By His Grace.

A Dream

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English: At work in the metal shop making engi...

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I had a dream that the Lord Jesus came to a place on earth in my time.  He came to a place where men worked with metal.  Other than that, I don’t remember a whole lot about the dream.  But I am struck by something important.

The Lord was very intent on doing whatever He came here to do.  He didn’t come to sign autographs on pictures or baubles and trinkets.  He didn’t come to be lauded as the Lord of Life.  He came to accomplish something the Father had sent Him to do.  He had little to say to anyone.

I am struck (once again) by the single-mindedness of the Lord Jesus.  He lives forever to do the will of the Father in heaven.  We are told that He is not a respecter of men.  Which means that the Lord Jesus will never consider the will of anyone as more important than the will of the Father.  It is to our advantage to remember that with a great clarity.  It is not we who manipulate the Lord.  It is our duty to obey in all things.  We are the ones created.

I believe it will be the unity of the Father, Son, and Spirit that will amaze us on the day we see Him face to face.  The Lord is Holy.  That is to say, He is set apart for the purposes eternal.  Though He works with us in our daily lives, He is completely focused on what is perfect and will last forever.

For now we see people dividing the Scriptures as they please.  They pray and speak as if they have some special in-road to the Lord Most High.  In a sense, the Lord laughs at those who make such claims.  For the desires of God are not like the desires of man.

By His Grace.

A Time of Clarity

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This picture shows an instance of the Sun’s “lifetime”.  That flare will soon be swallowed back into its place of origin.  Yet, the picture is proof of a moment extraordinary.  It is the same with man.  There are moments of clarity and beauty rarely matched in his lifetime.

How beautiful is the Lord Jesus.  For He gives portions to men.  “Portions of what”, you may ask.  Jesus gives portions of heavenly understanding to men.  Who has seen the Lord?  Who has entered the throne of the Glorious Father of Light?  And who of those have returned to speak of that encounter?  In the lives of men, the Lord quickens the heart and mind to understand His ways.  And I know that there was a place where He did that for me.

I give the Lord Jesus Glory for His gentle kindness, to allow me to see for a time.   I was shown understandings of the nature of man and God the Father.  It was the Lord who bathed me in mercy that I might perceive things of salvation.  Thank you Lord for that moment in my life.  May Your Holy Will be done forever.  And may Your people praise you with exceeding great joy!

Amen.

The Hope of Rahab

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Rahab and the Emissaries of Joshua

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As we live our lives under the rule of Jesus, we are brought from understanding to understanding.  We are always growing in our knowledge of the Love of God.  And everyone of us who are learning to love Him have a testimony to share.  For this reason I drop this tidbit of words for the sake of His Glory:

We hear of how we should strive with all our might to obey all His perfect commands.  And it is impossible to remove any of them from before us.  There is, however, the element of humanity and sin within us.  Though He sets us free from the necessity to obey the sinful nature, we all find ourselves engulfed in evil foolishness from time to time.  This is something the world can’t understand.  They will say, “How can the people of God act so lawless from time to time, yet speak of a life free from ungodly actions?”  This is something rather odd, I readily admit.  But I submit the following for consideration:

Rahab, the harlot, was promised salvation because of one action.  She gave save harbor and escape to the men of Israel when they came to spy on the land they were about to conquer.  The Lord said that she would not be forgotten for this action.  It was in the identification with His people that she warranted being counted among them.  Though most of us won’t risk our lives in defending the Gospel, it is important that we recognize that the Lord is just and will not forget our sacrifices, words, actions, and intentions regarding His Holy people.

I encourage you who strive against great odds.  Many of the Lord’s people come from horrible backgrounds.  And shedding some of those styles of living is extremely hard to do.  Many will never completely rid themselves of these hedious problems before they are in His presence.  But we should strive, above all else, to remember that the Lord is Love, compassion, forgiving, wise, and Holy.  It is the Lord who will be glorified on the day of His appearing.  Man will never receive the same level of glory as will the Lord.  So we rest in that confidence.   This is why we serve Him.

I hope this gives hope to those struggling against despair.  Keep that confidence you had at first.  It is Jesus who saves from first to last.

By His Grace.

What’s that Light???

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Star symbol; full star.

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I step out this morning.  It’s cold and a bit breezy.  I should have worn a coat.  But it’s ok.  I won’t be out here for long.

I look up at the sky.  The morning sun is making a difference in the appearance of the stars.  And it occurs to me how the stars dim as the massive ball of fire called our sun comes into view.  Not one of those stars actually dims.  It is the brightness of the Sun to us that causes them to fade from view.

So it is with Jesus.  We do our work under His Glorious rule.  And we continue to work as He allows and directs.  But as we are working, the Lord appears in the midst of our work.  Without our knowing or will, the Lord becomes MORE than we.  This is a sign to us of what will happen when eternity breaks through time.  So, it is wise for us to remember that it is the Lord Jesus who will Blaze with Glory.  We are nothing more than servants of righteousness.  Yes, we have His promise that we will be given more on that day.  But we are simply men.  We are blessed to know His Holy Name.  And we are blessed to serve as we do.  But the one receiving the blessing is always lesser than He who gives it.

By His Grace.