Tag Archives: Jesus

A Summation

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Germany and the allies fought to the death.  And anyone who capitulated with the enemy, on either side, was shot dead where he stood.  I mention this because there are places where compromise is not an option to either side of a war.  There are those who are given as ambassadors to present an offer of peace between the forces.  But for the most part, compromise is never a welcome ally in war.  And a soldier on the ground, in battle, should never compromise.

It is said to us that we do not war against flesh and blood in the propagation of the Gospel of the Lord.  But we war against things unseen.  However when we are presented with those moments of non-compromise it is astounding to witness how hard a rock the human heart can become.

Now, I don’t understand all the dynamics of that spiritual warfare.  What I do know is that when I encounter a hardened heart it is to a man that I address my words.

There are some who absolutely refuse to surrender any morsel of ground in their rebellion.  And I find these sort in the camp of atheists.  I have made up my mind to be quite brisk with them.  It does not do either of us any good to patronize the other.  We are of vastly different fathers.  Though Jesus teaches me to try to inject reason, I find their responses quite vile and insulting.  They are on the attack because they think they have something to gain by waging war against God’s people.  It as if they are pure animal now.  And having smelled blood they will stop at nothing to kill what is true and pure.

You think this is too harsh a statement against them?  I don’t.  I have had enough encounters to solidify my understanding.  The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  And who can bring reason to a fool?

What is odd about their stance is that they will certainly give account of themselves.  They refuse to listen to reason yet they accuse God’s people of that very crime.  It’s a done deal with me.  No more kumbaya with atheists.  From now on I will point them to the Lord.  They argue with me to no effect.  So why argue at all?  Not one encounter with them has proven profitable.  Not one.   No more compromising language.  No copitulation with the godless.

I will gladly speak to you who hold God so in such a vulgar contempt so as to say He does not exist.  But do not expect a warm welcome here.  By your choice, I will say it again, by your choice we are at war.

Pride of Man-vs-Joy of Salvation

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Sculpture - head of Jesus Christ

Sculpture – head of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I step out on the back porch, again, to consider the difference between pride and joy.  Pride is of the flesh.  But joy in understanding the Lord’s ways is acceptable.  While the world walks in darkness there is no time or room for the pride of man; that is to say an internal boasting that I know more than others.  Even in our time of reflection before the Most High God it is wise to consider the difference between the pride of man and the joy that we receive from His Grace.  All of us who come to know the Lord were, at one time, full to over flowing with sin, disgrace, shame, and wickedness of every kind.  It is by Grace we are saved.

I am stunned at the consistency of the war within us.  And I am reminded that, in this place of testing, this war against sin will not cease.  My heart is encouraged to pick up the battle afresh.  To render to God what is God’s while I kill the flesh by the power of Christ Jesus in me.  Never, in this place, will a man be rid of the things that plague his walk with God.  They are at the very door of our house.  As it was said to Cain, it is now said to each of us: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must  master it.” (Genesis 4:7)

So I say with all the saints (those being sanctified, transformed, by the power of God in Jesus), “I will rise in the early morning before it is light.  I will find a solitude among the trappings of this world of chaos.  And I will seek the Lord that I might rid myself of the things that have and will destroy me.  I will raise up to kiss the face of He who has kissed me.  And I will learn from Him to do the perfect will of eternity.  Sin will not have me!  For I am being made a son in the house of my Father.  And all this is to the Glory of Jesus, my Lord, Master, King, and Desire!”

Amen.

Take IT!

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Sarah Trimmer

Sarah Trimmer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To my brothers and sisters:

A question was posed to me.  And in truth I was asked to answer.  “Have you taken all that the Lord your God is willing to offer you?”  What was proposed is a consideration of His promise.  And the question is raised as an answer to prayer.  This question is poised every time we enter prayer with the God who cannot lie.

What has He promised His people?  Isn’t it true that He has said that all who enter the Kingdom of Heaven will do so without sin?  Isn’t it true that no man will see the face of the Father without holiness?  Isn’t it true that it is God’s will that no man should perish, but that all should find eternal life in His Son?  And isn’t it true that those who believe will know that they have eternal life; that this joy of truth should abide in them so as to cause laughter, joy, love, mercy, wisdom, understanding, and a certain doing that belongs to the holy family of God?

Each of us answers this question with truth, no matter how we lie to ourselves.  God sees all.  God leads His people in power and truth.  We do not serve Him out of a silly religious practise.  Religion is what we do as a result of His blessings.  But we yearn to approach Him with the same dedication to truth that He presents to us.

I urge us all to consider where we stand in our belief.  And I beg that we all consider that we serve the Living God who raises the dead.  Take His promises!  Enjoy forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus.  But let us not leave anything on the table as we march into eternity.  Let us consider what He offers to all His people.  And let us allow Him a great bounty from His patient labors.

Amen

The Fog of Clarity

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English: Fog in Wayanad

Image via Wikipedia

There is pride of man.  Do not mistake to think you can be rid of it here in this place of testing.  It lays just at the door step of even prayer.  Hideous in nature, it waits for opportune moments to rise up and cloud your judgment before the Most High God.

But there is a confidence born of faith in the Son of Man.  We rise up to become what we are designed to be as we come to the Lord in prayer.  This confidence presents itself as an abiding joy.  What man can know the difference as long as pride hides in the shadows?

The Lord knows the difference.  And He alone is able to show a man what is true in this matter.  Confidence against pride, we present ourselves to the Lord.  And walking away from our time of prayer we somehow know that there are two who vie for our attention.  May God shed light on this to all His people.  It is not His will that we grovel in our prayer, but that we stand with a great confidence before Him.  It is also not His will that we abide in the pride of man; that we should know the knowledge of what He has given us to know and consider ourselves above one another.

In this matter there is a fog of clarity in those who worship the Lord through the power of Jesus.  We know, yet we are not sure.  Again, may God present understanding to our hearts.  May we learn that subtle difference between pride of man and The Pride of God.

Amen.

Government Molevolent

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English: Poverty Русский: Нищенство

Image via Wikipedia

A government unchained from the will of the people becomes a government malevolent.  Debate is now swarming around this concept.  In the end we will see a people crushed while the “elite” dine in joy.

Beware.  It approaches even as you breathe.

Do any realize that this statement reflects the end result of satan’s rebellion against God?  Do any understand that this is why God created what we now live?

We are the answer from God to an accusation from the corrupt one.  Jesus was prepared and issued from God’s throne to answer, once and for all, a certain question.  “You ask too much of us.  Who can bear what You command?”

God answered when He spoke creation into being.  From the foundation of the world Christ Jesus was set apart to redeem a people to His Father who would obey regardless the cost.  No one has to understand what Jesus has done to make these things true.  Yet His promise is absolute to all who put their trust in Him.

Folly Goes to Church

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English: Church of Holy Wisdom, Thessaloniki

Image via Wikipedia

Folly goes to the church building dressed in fine clothes.  He attends the service provided.  He even takes part in the pageantry; making nice to all that is expected of him.  He dresses himself in humility for a time so that all men might understand that folly is acceptable.  Then he retires from that “holy place” sure that he has accomplished his duty to a “holy practice of men”.

One hour or a lengthy two are given as payment for the activity of the week.  He has bought forgiveness and given thanks.  In his eyes he is a rich man.  And people speak well of him because he presents himself for what is right.

Through the next 6 days he does as his heart seems best to do.  He is a religious man.  And he perceives that his religion will keep him well before the eyes of the Most High God.  What he does is based entirely in his understanding of what he heard, what he saw others do, and the praise of his friends.  All is well in folly’s world.  He is free to raise a family as best he can, for he has interpreted Scripture through his own understanding.  Indeed, on earth all is well for folly.

Wisdom goes to the church building dressed in knowledge he does not own.  He attends the service with great joy, as one might feel when coming home from an extended trip.  He is part of the pageantry, for he understands that it is for the good of all that he brings his soul to be accountable for what God has done within him. And “to the building up of others”, wisdom applies his worship.  His clothes of humility are his shining skin, and is never removed.  Then, when the service is over, he presents himself to the God he loves that he, by all means, might serve eternity in this land of shadows.

One hour or two are to him but time spent serving the God who never sleeps.  And payment cannot be given for what he has received.  He has accepted the forgiveness offered him with a contrite heart; knowing all too well that God is the riches of all things.  Whether people speak well of him or beat him about the head, it makes no difference.  For he obeys what he is ordered to accomplish for the glory of He who calls him heavenward.

Through the next 6 days he listens intently to hear what must be done.  And he perceives that he has entrusted his mind, heart, body, and soul, to He who is able to keep him until the day appointed.  What he does is based entirely on the “wisdom he has received”, and those four words are the fullness of his name.  All is well in wisdom’s world, for he is a citizen of a distant country whose language he is learning to speak.  He raises his family as the Lord of Life prescribes.  For the Scriptures have laid out clearly what is good and pure.  Indeed, on earth and heaven, all is well in Wisdom’s life.