Tag Archives: Pain

Who is This Jesus?

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Who is this Jesus?  He was made heir of all things by the Living God.  He was given the status of Son by the Living God.  He was taught by the Father how to create all that is created.  He has loved righteousness and hated wickedness.  And so He was elevated to the status of God Most High.  He is the radiance of God’s Glory; the exact representation of God.  He is the spoken and speaking Word of God.  Who is this Jesus?

The world thinks of Jesus as a little baby.  And in that form He is conveniently small and insignificant.  Yet that is not the Jesus of God’s understanding.  He is a prophet to some, yet that is not the Jesus of God’s understanding.  He has been with the Father from the beginning and will remain with Him forever.  He is the redeemer of men; causing them to become holy as the Father is Holy.  Yet the world sees Him as a nuisance. 

We will see Him as the One who endured GREAT pain for the sake of His Father’s will.  When we see Him, He will be dressed in absolute Glory.  For now many see Jesus as an irritation.  On the Day of God’s Wrath, we will see Him as He is.  No longer will men doubt.  No longer will they rail against righteousness.  No longer will they kill, maim, chide, and relegate God’s people to obscurity. 

The wicked will perish like a ball of cotton in an intense flame.  They will scream with terror at the prospect of their fate.  And they will hate Jesus with an eternal hatred.  I do not wish anyone to endure what is coming for the wicked.  Please consider what He is.  Consider with a great trembling.  You are about to meet your maker.  His name is Jesus.

By His Grace.

The Next “New”

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The whole world strains after a brand of peace and joy.  It’s as though they peer over the edge of a railing.  Wide eyed and full of anticipation, they look forward to the next “new”.  Yet when it comes is their heart satisfied?  Let’s say the next new gadget comes out on the market, or the next sequel of their favorite movie.  Is there a deep satisfaction when they get to spend time with their next “new”? 

Let’s be clear here, I was once part of that straining.  I too sought for that peace and joy in the things I could experience.  I too complained about the laws of God.  It seemed to me that the only thing God wanted was to destroy my straining for peace and joy.  And that “seeming” proved to be right.  God did, and still does, want to destroy that temporary peace and joy I so longed for.  And in it’s place He gave me a peace and joy that lasts.  This peace He gives is the very essence of joy.

How I long to share that joyful peace with those who still strain over the railing.  I know they won’t understand what I’m talking about.  Just as I hated even the mention of God and Jesus, they hate Them too.  How do I plead that they will respond?  What words or actions can I say or do that they will consider the lasting peace of God?

Billy Graham has spoken millions of words about that peace.  The whole world has heard of his name.  But where is the great throng which turned from sin to embrace God’s ways?  Sadly, there are few who truly embraced his message.  So words won’t change the world.  Those beautiful words did change thousands of lives.  But there remains millions who still strain.

Mother Teresa did many things in the name of her God, my God.  And her name is known by the world in a powerful way.  But I’ve heard my fellow drunks speak of her name with reverence and contempt.  She worked tirelessly to provide for the poor.  She did what she could to show the message of peace and joy which comes from God.   But where it the great throng which turned from sin to embrace God’s ways?  Sadly, there are few who truly embrace her message.  So actions won’t change the world.  Those beautiful deeds did change thousands of lives.  But there remains millions who still strain.

All God’s children hunger for you.  They have something precious to share.  Please give the message of the Cross a serious consideration.  I testify as one who has been transformed from worldly to godly by the power of that Cross.  You can too.  And I tell you a truth; the peace I found in Jesus is absolutely marvelous!

 By His Grace.

Holy Fire.

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Fire, meant to purify

All that my works just cannot buy.

If it’s gold I seek, I testify,

Through heat of trials my faith He’ll try.

He is the fire; that consuming Flame.

And Glory to His Holy Name!

Before His Throne we all will stand.

Shall He accept from a filthy hand?

I need His burning hand anew.

I pray you let Him burn you too.

By His Grace.

Watchman, What is Left of the Night?

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“Watchman, what is left of the night”?  The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.” (Isaiah 21: 11, 12)

We wait as men condemned.  We search the sky for the appearance of He who never lies.  The world has condemned all who would be godly in Christ Jesus.  Yet we know we live as free men.  We do not want death to come upon anyone.  Yet the Lord of Glory has proclaimed, with absolute justice, that death will come upon all who remain in wickedness.  It is not ours to condemn anyone.  But it is our glorious duty to proclaim that message along side the message of hope.  For what is hope without the horror of death?

May we not forget His promise against all that is corrupt.  We hear the “good news” being spread all about us.  But it seems that many forget why we call it “good news”.  God is just and perfect.  He demands all people everywhere to turn from wickedness and seek holiness.  He has given His Son that all who desire might find Him and receive the power to become God’s people.  Yet the world invents their own brand of religion to cover over their wickedness. 

Here is only one warning among many.  There is darkness about them.  They cannot see what is coming and will not inquire.  Yet the darkness only hides the approach of   The Day of Judgment.  Darkness which envelopes man does not cancel or delay God’s Day of Truth.  Read this with wisdom and consider that it remains before all men as a truth which will not be taken out of the way.  

Mock, if you desire.  You do only yourself eternal damage.  Laugh and ignore, if that is what “floats your boat”.  It’s not my concern, but you will be concerned.  God is true and will keep His Holy word to accomplish an end to the wickedness of all men.  And what God promises comes true.  We can consider what God has promised as though it already is. 

   “‘The end! The end has come
   upon the four corners of the land!     The end is now upon you,
   and I will unleash my anger against you.
I will judge you according to your conduct
   and repay you for all your detestable practices.
   I will not look on you with pity;
   I will not spare you.
I will surely repay you for your conduct
   and for the detestable practices among you.

   “‘Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

(Ezekiel 7)

Though you did not ask me, I told you.  Though you did not seek, you were warned.  And was the warning necessary?  God has said that no one will own an excuse before Him, for all His Glory is displayed about men every day and every night.  There are days which will come and you will doubt His promise of “The end”.  Yet that day is coming.  Day will come, yet so will the night.  And then the sky will be rolled back as a scroll and you will see Him who you do not desire.  It will not go well for anyone who is not sheltered by the power of Christ Jesus toward holiness.  Prepare today and do not put this off. 

By His Grace.

Choose! Today is the Day of Testing.

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Unspeakable is the desire that all people would turn to their creator, the Father of Jesus; the Living God.  I look about and see such great wickedness in this world.  I am told of the Day of the Lord, which is surely coming.  My heart aches to lead others to He who is eternal and does not lie.  Yet, as Isaiah said, “Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” 

Which one of you will join me as the word of “calling” goes out?  Who will stand with the God of Glory and speak that word of warning?  There is no end of increase to the sins of men.  And every day dawns with more and more, wicked and wicked, lifting man instead of his God.  Every day the call goes out to all men to repent and seek righteousness through the forgiveness offered by Christ Jesus.  But so very few even open their ears, let alone turn from wickedness.

Holy God, these words are presented for Your Holy Glory.  You alone know the heart of the one who presents them here.  Yet it is Your heart these words uphold.  It is Your way presented.  Glory, all Glory belongs to the Most High God!  Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty! 

Prepare, world.  Set your feet strong in your way, for the day is soon coming when the very ground on which you set your feet will be shaken and removed.  Set your mind and heart on the things of sin and wickedness.  Pervert the ways of God’s Holy name.  For this is your day.  But remember with sobriety, God’s day is soon coming also.  He sets His Holy feet on the ground of eternity.  And where His feet stand will never be shaken. 

He has spoken and has set a day for all to come before Him.  He has moved among us and His Christ has been revealed.  It is God who will be forever praised because He has done for man what man could not do for himself.  His hand has offered redemption, yet who has ears to hear?  His Holy throne is established and will not fail.  Yet man will falter and fail.  Why would you die?  He has done all He is willing to do by His wisdom.  Turn to your God and live.  Turn to the Holy name of Jesus and find life. 

Oh, World, you speak of “religion” as though it were an answer in many forms.  Yet God himself has set Jesus as His doorway into eternity.  You who speak the name of Jesus and mingle with idols, beware!   It is not idols and false Gods which will save you on that day.  Horrible!  Horrible!  What great horrors await those who reject the Living God!  Joy!  Joy!  What unspeakable joy awaits all who humble themselves under God’s Holy hand and receive His word of life through Jesus.

By His Grace.

The Pain We’ll Never Know

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Build a house on your property.  Build it to your own dreams.  All the windows just the right size and pointing to just the view you had in mind.  You used the certain cedar you wanted, and the house smells Wonderful!  When you walk from one end to the other, there is nothing about this house that doesn’t meet your joy.  All your dreams and hopes are finally come to fruit.  It’s a beautiful place and you’re perfectly happy with what you’ve accomplished.

Now it’s time to invite your loved ones to come see it.  When they arrive they too are astounded at the beauty of the place.  There is a great joy because you finally get what you’ve dreamed about for so very long.  After a joyous celebration in the back yard, and many trips from your friends into and around the house to marvel at what your hands made, the guests filter home.  You are left alone in silence with your wonderful peaceful accomplishment.  And, finally, you’re happy.  To bed you go.  Your first night’s sleep in your dream house.  Oh it’s not possible to explain the joy you feel.

You wake up the next morning and stare at the intricate hand work of your bedroom.  “Beautiful”, you sigh.  After getting dressed and enjoying that exquisite view out your bedroom window, you skip down the stairs to make a pot of coffee.  “What’s that smell?”  It’s not cedar.  There’s an odor you can’t identify.  At first it’s so unexpected to your senses you think it’s a sweet smell.  But a second whiff and you realize it’s such a foul smell that your brain couldn’t identify it.  “Wow, that’s nasty”, you think to yourself.  But you just can’t find the source.  Something’s wrong with your dream house and you can’t find it.

Weeks have passed and your dreams have become shattered by that smell.  Now a green fungus has begone growing on the walls.  At first you thought it was just a dust.  You’ve worked at it for a while now and made no progress.  You took it on the chin at first.  Thinking to yourself, “I put a lot of sweat, blood, and sleepless nights into building this place.  I’m not gonna let a little smell and a speck of mold destroy my dreams.”  But no matter what you do you can’t get the place clean.

One day, months later, you come home and put your hand on the door knob.  It doesn’t turn.  You can’t even get into your house without breaking something.  You’re locked out of your dream.  Hours you’ve spent trying to figure out what’s wrong.  But you find no solution to the problem.  You can’t even sit on your porch swing to ponder what to do, because that mold is all over everything now.  Your legs lose their strength to walk down the steps into the yard.  Your hands drop in a great experience of depression.  And you stand under a tree, staring in disbelief at your shattered dream.  The work of your hands, the pride of your whole life, is destroyed.  How deeply sad you’re becoming as you realize it’s over.

There’s not much choice now.  And your mind begins to realize the full extent of the problem.  “There’s nothing left to do but burn it down”.  Tears begin to flow.  And soon you find yourself sobbing without shame.  Sadness has broken your heart.  “It’s over.”

How does God feel when He looks at us?  We are the work of His perfect hand.  He made this place for His joy.  And now we’ve become so very corrupt and foul.  He tries to enter our lives and we refuse Him His joy.  It is the heart of God that has been wounded.  It is perfection and eternity that is locked out of our lives.  And we did it.  It was not His desire that these things should be. 

By His Grace