Tag Archives: Living God

Religion

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Who accomplishes the will of the Living God?  Isn’t that the one who is constantly looking to him for direction?

To what direction should we look, since no man has ever been in heaven?  Doesn’t it require a deep and living friendship with the Holy Son of God?

And how should we be friends with one we cannot see or meet?  Doesn’t it require faith from God?

What faith can a man have in mere words?  It is required that God should give life to those words within us.

Religion by itself, produces nothing but its self.  But the faith that God gives spawns a religion all on its own.

People, you have it backward.  You present your religion is if God should honor it.  But such procedure comes from the imagination of man.  If it is not of God and from God it will be eternally destroyed.

No man can become anything more than his religion dictates.  And how very few even aspire to that.  But religion that is spawned from heaven, aspires toward heaven.  And once a man is caught up in the things of the Living God, he can no longer aspire to less.

The religions of man lean toward pride.  The religion that God grants leans toward complete humility.

We are what we eat.  Bake cow pies if you desire.  I will be satisfied with nothing more than the manna from Heaven.  And this, not from my righteousness, but it is the gift of God, lest any man should boast.

By His Grace

Defining “The Difference”

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Yesterday morning, I drove to the garden supply to gather some things.  As I drove, I found myself filled with a different perspective.  The beauty of Spring overcame my mind.  I saw the houses, lawns, people, even the shining aspects of my truck, as though they were worthy of “righteous” praise.

I have not had that perspective for years.  The difference between what has become my perspective in Christ Jesus and what is the perspective of man, was astounding.  It scared me to witness my thoughts turning from what is holy to what is obscene before the Most High God.  (It is possible that the reader might raise an eyebrow at that last sentence.  But bear with what is written here, that understanding might surface.)

In writing this post, I am reminded of the words of Jesus.  In regard to my experience yesterday.  “He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.'” (Luke 16: 15)

How can I relay the difference between what is holy and what is common, to those who do not believe?  By His Grace, I have become a man who sees the things of this world as an enemy to the soul that belongs to the Christ of God.  How can I help others perceive the things of this world in the same light?  If the war of Christ has not become the primary resident in the soul, the things of this world will appear as a friendly.  We either gravitate (learn to live) to the battlefield of Spiritual Difference, or we continue to live in the encampment of the enemies of God.

The draw of man’s things is powerful.  Powerful enough to cause men to demand the death of Jesus.  Powerful enough to entice men to spit on the crucifixion of the Holy Son of God.  Powerful enough to draw a soul away from Christianity.  And powerful enough to retain eternal hold on any soul who does not seek the face of the Living God continually.  Even the slightest withdraw from the Holy things of Christ, is enough to unveil the desires of the flesh.

Let me try to convince the reader (If indeed, there is the slightest desire to disbelieve these words.)

There was a man who starved himself to death, some time ago.  I don’t remember his name.  I don’t remember his cause.  He is simply gone.  All I remember is that there was a man who did this in the last 20 or 30 years.  He was an American.  That’s all I remember.

But see how useless his life was.  I do have the sense that his plight was not provoked by Christianity.  It was some political miscarriage of injustice.

He is gone now.  What was written about his “statement” would be difficult to find.  Even the memory of him is obliterated by the demands of this Place of Testing.  His family may know to remember him.  But the fabric of America doesn’t even think about him.

But what should a man of Christ expect, as he works out his salvation with fear and trembling; knowing that it is God who works in him, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (From Philippians 2: 13)

The things of this world are obliterated from the memory of man, as time moves from one year to the next.  Even if it is written down, either on a headstone or in a book, our provocation to live and do comes to nothing.  But the things which are done in a man, by Christ Jesus, are retained forever.  They take their place as living testimony to the Righteousness, humility, godly doings, and hope that remains in this place of testing.  Not only that, but they take their place in Eternity.

Either we endure the “warfare within”, that is caused by conflict between the things of God and the things of man, or we suffer the futility of life that comes from living the things of man.  I will add, I would not have known the difference in perception if I had not become accustom to the things of the Living God’s Christ.  I have to admit, the difference in perspective is enough to frighten my soul.

I guess it’s up to the reader.  Do you even know that there is a difference between the perceptions of the flesh and the things of God?  Do you even know there is a war to be fought?  Or have you never tasted the perspective of Heaven?  This place of testing is a passing ruse.  Heaven is the eternal perspective.  Those who have never tasted the things of God, are helpless to remove themselves from the things of man.

I testify that there is, indeed, a radical difference.  Those who will live eternally, will be incapable of memory toward those who do not join them.  The Glory of Christ will overwhelm His people.  The doings of those who remained in this place of testing, enjoying the things of man as if they were worthy and eternal, will be obliterated.  All their days will come to NOTHING.

Destruction of Christ

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You want to destroy Christianity.  You want to wipe out the name of Jesus from every square inch of this planet.  It would give you great joy if the name of Jesus ceased being given to the new-born.  Yes, I do understand your desire.

But your desire is filled with ignorance.  (please understand the true meaning of the word “ignorance”.)  Two things you do not know.  You do not understand the depth of your wickedness, for your estimation is held from the expectations of faulty men.  And you do not understand the height of joy that could be yours, as it is now among so many, who thrive with joy while they live their days along side you.

Forgiveness of your sins waits for belief to dawn in your frozen heart.  All you need do is ask, and the Lord will look into your will.  All you need do is ask in a continuing belief, and He will grant you that same joy.

Your desire to tear down Christ is understandable.  Because you know that you are at fault.  But you don’t understand that those who love Him were at fault before they asked also.  And you don’t understand that if you received your desire of destruction of Christ’s message among you, your life would cease.

For the Living God has placed all life squarely under the control and dissemination of Christ.  You desire what you will never have.

This message is true for two things.  That you desire the destruction of Christ among you, and that the very breath of your lungs comes from Him, these are true.  It is also true that you are invited to join Life.  Will you look into these things?

God’s Presence

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One day, when I was in college, I was called in to a certain teacher’s office.  Another teacher came to sit with us two.  A question was asked.  I don’t remember the exact phrasing, but it sort of went like this: “What makes you think that God appears to men today?”

I was relatively young in Christ.  And I don’t remember my response.  But in retrospect, I am still amazed that these two should ask such a thing.

It was a Bible College!  It was a popular Christian College on the west coast.  Yet there were two teachers there who did not believe in the living presence of the Living God.

I was stunned by the question, I do remember that.  I was angered that such people, in such a position of ability, should even dare to challenge one of their students with such a foolish and unbelieving question.

I could not give powerful answer on that day, I do remember feeling rather weak before their “mighty” minds.  And I do remember how I relegated their teachings to “small” after that day.  I had doubted their power in Christ before that.  That doubt only grew from then on.

But doesn’t the question remain?  And isn’t it asked by far more than two unbelieving teachers in a Bible College?  There are millions of “Christians” who have wrestled with this very question in their heart for years.

The answer does not appear in physical proof.  It comes to us by faith.  Yet, I can testify that the power of the Living God does rest upon those who believe.

We hear the Word.  We believe the word.  And as we apply that belief to our life, the Living God moves in.  The more we turn to that belief, as our singular power to live each moment, the stronger is the presence of God.

The answer to their question is something like this:  “If God is not willing to reside within His people, then everything you stand for is a blazing lie.  Everything you’ve taught is worthless trash.  Therefore, your position, title, and all the money you make here, is stolen.”

I wish I had said that.  I wish I had sealed my lips after speaking it, got up from my chair, and left them to ponder.

Truth For Sale

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There is a distinct possibility that I’m about to lose a new-found friend.  Yet, in an effort to avoid the loss, I’m going to preface this post with a few short words.

This one I’m about to give answer to, is not alone.  He will know who he is.  But I won’t make mention of his name.  It’s not the new-found friend I’m attacking.  It is a certain concept that has gripped the “new” Christian church, with a “Gorilla Tape” grip.

I must also say, that if we bolt and run because someone points out a faulty premise we hold dear, we stood on quicksand long before we heard the correction.  I don’t want any loss.  But I can’t let this slide either.

 

What association does money have with Christ Jesus?  What value does fame have before the Living God?  Nationality is a cause for pride, not a source of godliness.  And if we are not accepted for some worldly division, what is that to us?

You want to write to make money.  There’s nothing stopping you there.  But if you want to make money by writing Christian books, you stand on really thin ice.  “Freely you have received, freely give.”  Anyone recall that?  Did Peter charge the beggar anything to heal his legs?  Did Jesus charge admission for any of His words or miracles?  Are we required to pay anything to receive salvation?  Then why would we use the freely given Gospel of Christ to make money.

To sit and gripe that no one will let you join in this useless profit, is a bewildering sorrow.  Isn’t salvation enough?  Did your nationality come up as you stood to accept the Lord?  Did someone say, “Oh, you’re from ‘this nation'”?  We’re you excluded from the joy of Christ because your skin was a different color?  Wasn’t the Gospel presented to you FREE?  Wasn’t it proclaimed in your native tongue?

You can do what you want.  What’s that to me?  But to make money because of the Son of God?  Aren’t there plenty of other ways to earn money?  Isn’t this world plentiful enough to inspire writings worthy of a couple bucks?

Again, you’ll do what you’ll do.

By the way, there are millions of anonymous writers.  And there are hundreds of ways to spread the Gospel for free.  What counts to you, profit, or the glorification of the Lord who’s Holy Blood bought your joy and inspiration?

Proper Living Praise

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Oh, Holy Living God!  What thanks belongs to You.  What praise comes from those You have set free by the Holy Blood of Your Holy Son!

What words will man summon that correctly and fully give You praise?  His mouth is full of failing, even such men of faith.  The words we know cannot fully allow proper praise to become.  It is required.  It is given; this life of the Living God.  Only by the doing of Your Holy Living Will, are our words profitable before Your Holy Face.

By our ignorance we have spoken those things which should never be spoken.  But You have secured that living hope.  You direct, to salvation and restoration, that which has been broken; even Your Holy Law among men.

I will praise You with words and doings, directed by Your Holy Spirit.  Then You will have what is rightfully Yours.  Then alone will Your Holy Son be Glorified among Your people.

We wake from sleep, both that of body and that of darkness of soul.  To come to You and confess, that we might receive the joy extended from Your Holy Living Love.

Be Glorified among Your people, O’ God of Life!  Raise us up for Your Holy Name.  Raise us up for Your Holy Love.  Raise us up in the Holy Joy that belongs to You alone, Lord, Master, Giver of Life.  Let Your Holy Son consume us with desire, that desire that causes us profit.  You alone are Profit.

May Your Holy will live among Your people in great strength and continuance.

The day will come when we are filled without seam or relenting.  Let us taste what this means, even now.  Let us become, that You might have the sweet odor of obedience to life among Your people.

Praise the Lord!  Give Him praise with fullness, those who have seen what is Holy from the day of their creation.  Let all God’s people worship the Living God’s Holy Son with abandon born of His Holy gifts.  He has never asked too much.  He has always given what is sufficient to accomplish His Holy will.  He will never cease to give in this manner.  He alone is Holy, Holy, and Holy!  He alone is LIFE!

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty.  Who was, is, and is yet to come.  Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb.  For He has secured joy eternal for all who will be willing to listen and become!  Glory to our God forever, and this through His Holy Son.

In Jesus, the Christ of God, these words are brought together.  In Jesus His Holy Son, praise of life issues from His people.  Words of praise flow.  Doings of obedience for the sake of Love flow out.  Mighty, among men, are those who are purchased by the Blood of the Holy Lamb of God!

Amen, Amen and Amen.