The Old “New Age”


The man of the tombs was set free. The people marveled when they found him dressed and in his right mind. But do not mistake their marvel for a willingness to love. No, he spent the rest of his days in this world abandoned and despised.   

When he was full of demons they tried to bind him but he broke the chains and was set free from their bonds again. But now they find him weak. Now their despising is a raging fire. Now he can receive their pent-up vengeance. Don’t bother to think they had mercy on the man.  

As they realized that he had become like them, their widened eyes became squinted in anger.  Amazement quickly turned to thoughts of murder.  

He was not loved when he was unlovable. They could find no strength to love him when he became sane.  


But where is he now?


Despite all the world’s favorable words and intentions, they do not know what love and mercy is.  

Purpose 


The river of will from God does not cease to flow simply because the man to whom it was sent says “no”.  Without judgment, it moves on to find another.  God’s intent will be done.  

But what loss is there to the many who said no?   Name it.  


Those who said “no”, do not know what profit they might have received.  How can they know the immense loss they keep from the lack of exchange?

Familiar Words


In just a short while you will not be here on this earth.  Ask any older person, they never thought they would be as old as they are.  Ask them again, they’ll tell you they regret a number of their choices.  Then press them about what’s absolutely going to come.  If they’re honest, they’ll tell you they know their soul will go back to the one who made it.  

Newsflash!  You’re going to die.  

Extra! Extra!  It will be done to you as you have believed and done in your life.  

Unspeakably astounding proclamation: God has prepared a way to make your death awesomely joyful!

Commentary:

Most people are going to regret their choices for eternity.  What about you?  Do you know what God has done for his glory in Jesus, his holy and righteous son?   I can’t urge you strongly enough, dig into it before your final day arrives.  

There’s no need for you to be filled with regret for eternity.  God, in Jesus, can make your life righteous and holy.  You do not need to appear before God covered in shame.  Believe the gospel and live!  Ignore the message, and you remain like you are forever.  

The Path


There is a path 

Upon which there,

No sin can ever walk.  

Truth alone resides there on,

Refusing 

Useless talk.    

Upon that path the Lord himself,

Traverses at his leisure.  

Displaying God the Father’s will,

With His Glory,

Seeking pleasure.  

The proud stand clear and

Yell to Him 

Too hear

Their just and honorable cause.  

He pays no mind.  

Leaving them behind,

Intent with eyes for loss. 

He does not rest.  

Seeking for the best.  

To deliver wondrous hope.

The broken, 

twisted, 

Bent,

Sorrowful few.  

He’s looking, friend,

For hearts to mend.  

He’s looking for

Me and you:

The purpose of his Holy Mind,

The penitent few to find.  

Be bold!

Behold!

Approach and know,

The Living God is kind.  

Love is Life


Two roads diverged, in a vast wilderness. From the womb they went separate directions. Unknown to her, the mother gave birth to a broken heart.  

One was full of love and nurturing, and never ceased to be straight. As soon as it could stagger, the other road turned a crooked difference away.  


Mama and her son.  


From time to time the roads would intersect. But the traveler wore a knapsack full of deviance. Worn and tattered as it was, he had no intention of laying it down.  


When he would come near, mama would speak with every resource she had. “I love you. Come home and love me.”


Sometimes he would stay. But he never could love his mother. Eventually he would go back on his crooked path. Eventually the flood of tears would come to mama.  


Again and again and again and again, sorrow broke her heart.  


The mother died alone. A few decades later, the son also died. Estranged in life, estranged in death, estranged from each other for eternity.  


The horror of this story dragged on for 40 years. And the horror of the story is forever written in stone.  


How many billions of times must this story be written!

……………………………


The point of the story may be hidden from most who read it. If you understood it before now you are one of the very few.  


Nothing can change the will of a man to love. No words, no deeds, no pleading, no promises, no rewards, nothing. If a man will not love willingly he will not love at all.  


And if anyone had told the man, “You should go home and love your mother”, he would’ve been filled with indigence. Isn’t pride lord over deviant hearts?


Isn’t this the plight of our God? So willing to embrace ALL humanity. So deeply craving to be loved, so that he can give Life. But in almost everyone, he is considered a last resort. He’s just a place of warmth, security, familiarity, food, clothing, and trinkets.  


He promises eternal peace to those who love him. But like the man who could not love his mother, greed for the things she would leave him when she died is not the same as love while she was living.  


There are no words I can say. There is no deed I can do. There is nothing outside of a person that can change the will of anyone to love God. We either love him or we don’t. And if we don’t we never will.  


No promise of reward, no threat of destruction, no encouragement from our brothers, nothing. Salvation to glory forever rest in the will of every person. God is willing, are we?


And by this I am struck with amazement, even in myself.  


“Many are called but few are chosen.”

Do It!


You may say in your heart, “I’m ready to start talking about Jesus every opportunity I get”.  But if you haven’t been doing it, you and I both know the reason.  You’re afraid of what people will say about you.  You’re afraid you’ll lose your job.  You’re afraid you’ll lose your friends and your social position.  You’re afraid your family will suffer. 

Now, for the sake of argument, let’s just say you and I sat down together to discuss this.  In the course of conversation, you made it clear that you think you’re ready.  You’d have to excuse me for not getting all excited.  If you were ready you’d already be doing it.

Count the cost.  Once you begin there’s no turning back.  And I know you’re aware of that.

Count the rewards.  Once you begin,  God will bless you in his work.  He will give you things to say.  He will give you specific things to do.  He will fill your heart with wondrous things, and his blessings will be a natural overflow that you won’t be able to stop.

Let’s say you lose your friends.  If they don’t love God, weren’t they lost already?

Let’s say you lose your job.  Do you really think God can’t provide what you need?  Isn’t that the very reason you say you’re a Christian in the first place?

And you see how my excitement dwindles quickly.  You know, the problem is not that people are afraid.  The problem is who and what they love the most.