“Blessed is the man . . .”


Psalm 1, Verse 1 and 2 in Biblia Hebraica Stut...

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I used to think that a man could consider himself blessed by God if he did certain things which pleased God.  I equated “blessed” with God being thankful for our work/s.  And to a small (very small) extent this might be true.  But I remember that nothing we do actually pleases the Lord.  “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”  (Isa. 64:6)  So I am forced to reconsider what blessed means from God’s point of view.

Psalm one says, “Blessed is the man who . . .”.  And the psalm goes on to describe what this man’s blessing will manifest itself as.  The blessing is not a future promise as much as it is a present and real way of life.  The Lord causes a man to become what He desires.  Man did not know to do good.  It was the Lord who caused the man to do good.  There will be no boasting before the Most High God that a man has done a good thing.  God prompts us to desire Him.  We react with some action, according to our personality.  He rewards that reaction with another prompt.  And so it goes as we develop the fruit He desires to produce on us.  Eventually we are to become holy, even as our heavenly Father is Holy.

If you do not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the mockers, then the Lord has caused you to be like this.  Perhaps you thought or think that you choose to do these things.  But you are blessed by God to bear His desired fruit.  So praise Him, for this is your function.  Humble yourself to worship Him.  For He has been kind to you.  He has allowed that you should not be a fool in your actions.  He has blessed you.  You have not become a righteous man on your own.  You did not desire to serve Him or read His word on your own.  It was His Spirit which has brought you to this place you now live.  So render to God what is His due.

By His Grace.

From Thought to Thought.


The human brain

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What does the mind do when I’m not looking?  Listen to what’s being thought.   We are told to bring every thought under our control.  It’s not like I can stop the thoughts from coming.  But I can certainly nip them in the bud.  I see a person.   What thought responds to my eyes?  Does it need to be smashed by the self control Jesus affords me?  I see a commercial on TV or a billboard.  What does that sight inspire?  If it’s not a godly thought or response, then I need to address it immediately.  For it’s in the thoughts that a man begins a sin.  And if I can listen to what I’m thinking I have a better chance of avoiding great saddness later.

 

By His Grace.

Hidden Messages All Afoot.


February 25, 2010 - Walking Feet

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I see the people moving with no noise of their condition.  Concealed beneath the flesh they wear is the condition of their soul.

I wish that they would speak what their heart is holding tight.  At least then I would know just what my lips might say.

“God bless you”.  “Prepare to meet the God you think doesn’t exist”.  That sin you harbor with delicate wanting is wanting to destroy you”.  “Yes!  Jesus is Lord of Lords!  And you are my brother or sister!”  “You didn’t mean to do what you did.  Why are you holding on to your guilt so hard?”

What are you feeling, you people of flesh?

Refinement? Not Likely.


Cross on Week Down to the southeast of Chagfor...

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Today’s world has:

toasters, ovens without firewood, central air, cars, cellphones, TV, computers, high rise office buildings, asphalt roads, fashionable clothing, industry out the wazoo, and “refined” politics (if that’s not an oxymoron).

The day of Jesus’ visit to His creation had none of these things.  So some have said that the world is a better place.  Some have even gone so far as to say we no longer have need of a God who has become useless and ancient.  And in this foolishness they have dismissed the need for a savior.  For, after all, look at how wonderful man has become.  Fine.

But just mention the Christian faith in any circle today other than a church and you’ll get the same response Jesus and the Apostles got.  Try it, just for kicks and see.  Nothing has changed in the basic nature of man.

I posted a remark recently about how I live among a people who would gladly re-crucify the Lord of Glory.  And if any of these God haters ever read my posts they would balk at that statement.  But I speak the truth in this regard!  You think because you have all these human refinements that you are different people than those who lived in that day?  Ok.  Tell me then.  How do you treat the Lord’s people when they open their lips in public and praise the Most High God for what He has done in Jesus?  And if we are strong enough in His Love to continue to escalate the speech, we would endure beatings and imprisonment.  Death seems to be off the table for now.  Society has moved beyond that implement of hatred for God’s people, for now.

You are the same people!  You hate what is good and cling to what is evil.  As the Lord has said, “Woe to you”.  You attack public displays of prayer with a vengeance.  Some have even pointed out how “un-Christian” that is.  They say we should pray in secret and not parade our faith like that.

Well, I will speak with open heart about the Lord.  I will act according to the knowledge He has allowed me to own.  I will point out your faults before Him.  And I will not stop because you consider me a fool.  You might say that Christianity should not be offensive or a disruption to society.  You stir up rebellion and violence simply by trying to sweep the Living God under your filthy rug of human interest.  You, yourselves, are violence to the Most High God!  For you gladly live in the world He has created without giving Him the worship due His Glorious name.  You are to blame for the death and sickness you now blame God for foisting on man.  And, unless you too repent of all your evil, humble yourselves before the Lord of Life, and accept His singular method of entering life, you too shall die like those who caused the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

By His Grace.

Freedom?


Freedom

For all of you who hate the Lord because you think He is unjust or unfair in His dealings with man.  You think He has no right to wage war against the godless.  Or you think death is unfairly dished out to some.  Or you attribute sickness and death to man without regard to the feelings of man.

You should consider something.  The freedom you wish will never come to you.  You won’t ever get loose from His mighty hand.  You are locked in a battle for your soul even now.  The freedom you seek is not complete.  Even now, you have a place in your life where you’re not allowed to enter.  There is an aspect to life where you’re not allowed to go.

God is.  And He will not be denied.  His people speak His name and praise His name and ways.  And look how you hate them.  The freedom you seek already had a place where there is no freedom at all.   He will never cease being.  And His people will never cease speaking His wonders.  So rail all you will to have the freedom you think you have now.  But what freedom is there that includes a place that is not free?

 

By His Grace.

Acknowledge His Ownership.


KJV Bible

Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness so that you will earn praise or even anger from men.  But in all ways please the Lord who made you.  And do not refrain from speaking out in regard to the sinfulness of man.  We are put in a serious condition by these words:  ” “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”  (Matt. 10:32)

What is it to acknowledge?  Accept or admit the existence or truth of.  And what is it to disown?  Refuse to acknowledge or maintain any connection with.

We either stand with the Lord in this “Place of Testing”, or we stand against Him.  Speak without shame.  For you are bought with the price of the Blood of God’s Son.  Recount your excuses on paper.  Look at them and consider rendering them to the Lord when you meet Him face to face.  And consider that while you’re telling Him why you didn’t speak up, you’ll be noticing the scars on his hands and feet and the hole in His side.

by His Grace.