Tag Archives: Jesus

Comparison of interest

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I remember how it was before the Lord opened my mind.  I cared very little about what I did as long as others didn’t punish me for it.

There seem to be a particular delight in speaking of things that were righteous, joking about them to make them unholy.  The more vile the more delight, and I rarely lacked friends to enjoy it with.

It seemed that joy came from the base things not the basic things.  Wouldn’t one expect that of an evil man.

But the Lord appeared and gave that man a different tongue.  Where the tongue had enjoyed what is sweet to the flesh, such things now became bitter.  And if by chance I could stomach the taste, the Lord changed my heart along with it.

There is a food for the soul which the body knows nothing about.  Many men have fasted for weeks; while their heart feasted on a great banquet.

Where before nothing was forbidden, now only certain things are acceptable.  But it is no loss.  The fact is, what is now less is far more satisfying than all that was.  And shame has made way for peace.

All of this has come to be because Jesus first loved me.

By His Grace.

A reflection of Fog at Twilight

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“In Him we live and move and have our being”.

“Now we see as through a glass darkly”.

I speak but I am limit.  I understand but only through destruction.  I use words but they are limited by my vocabulary.  And if I happen to say the right things would I perceive it? Could you hear it?

Before “this” was, there was more.  When this place is gone, eternity will lack nothing for its demise.  What was before is living and cannot die. What will be is the same as what was.

” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever”.  “Those who put their hope in Him will never be ashamed”.

We who place our hope in him were not, now we are and we will never die.  Perhaps you think this is too much to say.  God does not lie and God has promised this.

By His Grace.

I wonder

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When a man comes to Christ Jesus the guilt of his wrongdoings can flow through his mind more quickly and more consistently than the very blood flow through his heart.  Remorse can flood the man’s sense of history.  And there is a very distinct desire to be able to be go back and right the wrongs.

The reason I speak of that is because I was considering the state of affairs in Detroit Michigan.  And I wondered if the liberal politicians, corrupt leaders, and greedy workers, have considered their part in the state of Detroit today.

I wonder because, with Jesus my conscience will not allow wickedness to live in me without guilt and shame.  But I wonder if these men consider what they have done and feel remorse.

They have stolen and plundered from Detroit whatever piece of the pie they thought was fair.  And they would tell you, if you ask, that they only played the game according to the rules of the day.   A sort of, “Well, everyone else is doing it”.

I have to admit that if it hadn’t  been those certain people who destroyed detroit, the destruction would have come anyway in different names.

But do these people ponder what they have done?

Reasons Provoke Specific Actions

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Motivation,  that’s what matters.  A man dives into a shelter for a reason.  The reason comes from his perception.

The Lion hunts where prey are less likely to be watching.  He is motivated to do this for ease of kill.

A people with nothing to fear are either utterly delusional,  or are willing participants in their death.  It is the wise who seek shelter against dangers.

Jesus offers that singular shelter.  Consider it, my friends.  Ask and He will show you what all this means.  Fail to respond, and you will shake limbs with the Lion.

By His Grace.

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

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“Why, I remember you when you were just a boy.  You couldn’t even tie your shoes.  And you’re gonna give me a ticket for speeding?  You ought to learn some respect for your elders son”!

I don’t know where, but I’m sure that has been said thousands of times to thousands of men.  And why not?  Men do it to God all the time.  Why not do it to men?

A man is given authority to accomplish the will of leaders in society, and evil hearts have utter contempt for him.  Others, on the other hand, respect the uniform, position and instilled authority.  It is rare to find that respect among those who knew the man before he was given such power.

“Only in his hometown, among his own relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor”, said Jesus.

“Jesus”, people say.  “Isn’t that the name of the one the Christians worship”?  Or the people say among themselves, “Jesus, isn’t that the babe in the manger in the Christmas story”?

Familiarity breeds contempt.  But only among those who are only willing to accept others according to their own perception.

If you limit Jesus to His earthly persona, you will hate Him.  But if you give thought to His rightful claim as the Son of God, you open the door to eternal life.  Quite the vast difference in outcome, isn’t it.

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And He was amazed at their lack of faith”.  Doesn’t that sound like familiar territory?  Isn’t that the America most have come to know, trust and love?  So, “America” has become their replacement for God.  We could then conclude the nationalism is god to most Americans.

Yep, familiarity does breed contempt.  What will be the likely outcome?  Answer that yourself.

Just as an aside: I was raised in America. I have run around in its streets. I have been part of celebrations. And I have been taught her standards. You could say that I am familiar with America. But, after learning about the Lord Jesus, I have developed a certain contempt for America. Perhaps it shows………..

By His Grace.

Strive to Remember: A Moment Continuum.

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I have a scar on my wrist.  It’s small now.  But I remember how it came to be.  What I don’t remember about it was the measure of surprise and pain at its arrival.

I had hired on to catch chickens one night.   They warned me about the claw on the rooster’s leg.  And I understood what they meant.  But what they couldn’t help me understand was how fast and empty of pity he would be.

It was quick and bloody.  But time passed anyway.  This scar remains to remind.  And, after 40+ years, I remember.

Sins have left their marks also.  Most of them don’t make themselves available to the senses.  But they have a way of reminding.

Lots of failures came and went.  Lots of victories have come and gone.  But there is a singular “moment continuum” which we should strive to remember.  That day when Jesus appeared.

Like the man of the tombs, I have been rescued from unseen forces.  I listened to evil and followed hard after it.  In fact I had become quite evil.  Even among evil men I held my own.

But Jesus passed by one day.  Chains were broken.  Clothing was issued.  Words of peace and righteousness were exchanged.  And those who knew me saw a new man appear.

I tried to go with Him.  But I couldn’t keep pace as a result of the scars.  So I strive to remember that “moment continuum” .

He was near and caused a holy change.
He is near and fans the flames.
And He has promised to take me into His kingdom.
So I do what comes as natural as once did sin;
“I strive to remember that ‘moment continuum'”.