Tag Archives: Peace

Happy

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“What makes you happy what do you want to do?”  I have no idea how many hundreds of times that’s been asked of me.

I’ve tried a few times to answer with what’s true.  But that’s not the expected reply.  I assume the questioner thinks I am either arrogant, evasive, a complete social misfit, or just playing stupid.

I. want.  one.   thing!

I want to stop being in trouble!

I say the wrong thing at the wrong time.  Or I don’t speak up when I should.

I’m too overbearing, they say.  I’m too much of a pushover, leaving far too much on the table.

I leave my pen in my pocket when I do her laundry.  So I get in trouble when I try to do something right.

I am completely satisfied to eat a cold can of beans.  So why do people keep asking me what I want for dinner?

No, I don’t want to go out dancing.  Dancing requires a certain measure of joy.  I don’t have it!

On and on the list goes.  Apparently, a never-ending separation from humanity.  And other than the moments of lucid desire for friendship, I’m perfectly happy to remain this way.

What makes me happy?  Let me give the answer that is never understood.  I want to go home.

I want to have the peace of God on me 24 /7.  I want to understand his will so well that I do it without the slightest hesitation, and correctly.  Something I have yet to come close to attaining.

I want to overcome sin in every respect.  That would make me exceedingly happy.  I want to know just what to say to everyone I meet, so that all my speech is seasoned with salt.  That would make me happy.

Am I really such an anomaly?  Is there anyone else out there who feels the same?

I understand why they don’t understand.  I got it.  Let them live as they do.  They will receive no condemnation from me.  May the holy Lord Jesus happily embrace them on that great and horrible day.

All the while I will be, in some measure, unhappy.  I am not who I want to be.  I am not where I want to be.  And this world offers nothing to change my mind.

By His Grace

The Trauma of Human Tranquility

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I have heard so many say that they just wish all this drama would go away.  What they usually mean is the turmoil between people.  And they’ve even made cutesy names for those who can’t seem to be at peace; names such as “Drama Queen”.

I will thoroughly agree that it would be good if the trivial anxieties were put a side for what is real and true.  But I have to differ with the majority of the populace who look for peace and tranquility in this place.

Think of all the money that is spent trying to find peace and tranquility.  Think of all the productivity that is lost because men try to escape the reality of life.

Their brother did “this”.  Their sister did “such”.  Their enemy pursues them, and they’ll tell you about it.  Men talk behind their back, but don’t they do it too?

The rich go on vacations, and buy expensive toys.  The poor get drunk or turn to drugs, or violence or more. 

So the rich are known as righteous, because they afford all the things the others cannot afford.  See how division grows like mold.

Why then do men strive so hard to find tranquility and peace?  Every day and night the rich and the poor are pestered by a drama they choose to ignore.  If they thought they had trouble in this place, they are destined to encounter more.

The Holy Spirit of the Living God calls out to the minds of men.  “Come gain eternal wisdom, and leave these things behind.  Come worship the living God in Christ.  In there, is peace for your mind.”

But in our worship of the Living God, another drama appears.  Our sins go with us, and we find ourselves full of holy fear.  Isn’t this where men turn back, refusing to come near.

Return then, to the drama of your flesh.  Spend all your time and money trying to cover it up.  You will die in drama, and then face the living God.  You will drink from that bitter cup.

There is peace to be had, but its mixed with fear.  For He’s Holy, and Holy, and Holy!  No sin can be brought near.  How then can peace be upon us, when we hold what we call dear?

You fight a losing battle, all of you make your own peace.  There is only one place to find what you seek.  All men will be salted with fire, whether or not they come for release.

His name is Christ Jesus, the Holy Son of God.

By His Grace

The Common and the Holy

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What’s wrong with the words we use in common speech today?  A great deal is wrong with the words we use in common speech today.

American society is no longer built on the Bible’s vocabulary.  It is built on what is common to man, not on what is Holy before God.

I don’t point this out to make accusation.  I point this out as a matter of fact:  That if I am to speak of the things of God, I must use the vocabulary of man.  It makes no sense to send a man who speaks a certain language and expect foreigners to understand him.

So if I talk about the things of God, I run the risk of ignorance on the part of the listener.  Therefore it is good, sometimes, to paraphrase until a man’s soul strives to understand.

But there are also times when the only words that are of any value, in explaining the things of God, are the very words which God has given to us.  One such word that falls, if you will “to the dirt”, between the things of God and the things of man, is “rejoice”.

Show me a place on Twitter or facebook where “rejoice” is used regularly.  Point to conversation, and show me where two people have used the word regularly and with understanding.  Though it is a simple and self explanatory word, people simply don’t use it.

But in the things of God, it takes first place.  I rejoice at the righteousness of God!  I rejoice at his excellent and unexpected mercy!  And I rejoice that his promises are true and faultless!  I rejoice continually, that my sins are forgiven before the Living God; in Christ Jesus my Holy and Faithful Lord!

How many times I have tried to explain this, and realize I have not found the means to communicate.  Even when I speak to Christians, who know these things, there is a lack of evidence that they understand.  For their lives only reflect a certain portion of such rejoicing.  How then can I expect to relay these things to a people who do not know their left from their right.

But I will testify of what is true.  And by the truth, I am forced to use the word “rejoice”.  (I suppose I could use the word “elation”, but how is that any more common than the word “rejoice”?)

I ask forgiveness from those who do not understand its value.  But it is the only word English has, to properly describe the joy a man experiences at the forgiveness of his sins.

I understand the righteousness of God, because I have read it in His Holy Word the Bible.  I see that I am not able to uphold his Holy Law, for I stumble around as a man in the dark when I try to do it.  Fear becomes my best friend, and drives me to seek His mercy.

So, by “The Faith“, His Holy Word teaches me.  I approach him in prayer with confession.  To my complete amazement, the Sovereign God reaches down to touch me with forgiveness.

With understanding comes a volume of tears.  And when I rise from prayer, confidence fills me, where there was fear before.  I am forgiven of my trespasses, and find the strength, to strive after his Holy Law again.

Who can explain this mystery?  I look within, and find myself void of proof.  I can tell you it’s true, but I cannot prove it.  I am forced to display what God has done in me.  And you are forced to judge rightly according to what you perceive in me.

Is there love?  Yes.  Is there patience?  Yes.  Do I display a hatred for the things of man, while I love the things of God?  Yes. Is there knowledge of His Holy Word?  Yes.  Is there a desire to do the things of God rather than the things of men?  Yes.  Has his love made me different than other men of this world?   The answer is yes.

The forgiveness of God produces these things, which are called fruit.  And it is these things that God is looking for in his people.  “Does the man believe, to the point that he has changed.”  This is the summation of God’s intent.

Without such fruit in a man, he cannot say he has understood the forgiveness of God.  But when the forgiveness of God comes, as I have described, there is a rejoicing that does not cease.

Rejoicing in God is a never ending, that is to say eternal, gift that we give back for the love he has given.  We are forced, by our love, to worship Him with truth, and joy, and desire to do righteously.  What better word might someone use than “rejoice”?

The absence of this word, among the people of America, tells me that they have not received forgiveness for their sins.  Others may say, “This has to do with a lack of Bible knowledge.  It is simply a lack of vocabulary.  Teach them, and they will own it”. 

How can I possibly own what belongs to God unless God gives it to me?

I do not perceive that America lacks vocabulary.  For they talk incessantly between one another.  And they seem well enough able to understand, for they respond in great volume.

Bible language has to do with Bible things.  Bible things have to do with the Living God in Christ Jesus.  Those who do not know the vocabulary of the Bible, do not know the living God.  For the words of the Bible become a living testimony in the one who receives forgiveness of his sins.

I understand a debate that may form by what I just said.  But I ask you to leave it where it is, that men may ponder this in their soul.  If men see us debate the issue they will leave the job to us.  What good is then accomplished?

Carrying His Cross

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I would live alone in a cave, deep in the woods.  That would be my choice were this world the end of my life.  For anxiety fills me when I am near my brothers of flesh. 

I am not anxious because I am afraid.  I become anxious because they are anxious.  Questions do not pester them.  And answers, not requested, elude them.  I become anxious, for the living God within me demands testimony.

So if given my choice, I would remove myself from them.  But their anxiety leaves me no choice. 

The very things that God has shown me, force me to desire to stay.  And this desire is stronger than my own. 

In this, those I meet are neither righteous nor wicked.  They have simply appeared beside me along my way.  And I will speak.

The message of God within me is a thriving holy crop.  And I will gladly offer a bounty to the hungry stranger.  I must refuse to eat alone.

I toil in the garden all day long, sweating neath the Blazing Sun of his  Righteousness.  Weeding my garden with the tools of judgement, restraint, and mercy.  Forgiveness carries the living water.  And his crop grows taller everyday.

I will not go seek the place of peace in this world; the peace as my flesh defines it.  For the Holy Lord of Life has set me in a place.  His love calls sweetly, and I will obey.

What is it to me that anxiousness should fill my heart?  It has replaced terror and confusion.  I will not return. It will not leave though I swat at it as flies. 

Embrace it I must.  Embrace it I will.  Shall I throw down my cross seek peace?  NEVER!

Curious and Curious

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I find it curious, this attraction sin.  People strive so hard to live at peace.  They do not necessarily try to live at peace with one another.  But everyone wants what they want.  And they don’t want to be bothered about keeping it.

What is curious to me is: Peace is only found in making peace with God.  Peace of any other sort is just a temporary bandage on a gaping wound.  So why do people choose to remain his enemy?

I assume they not only want peace, they want the freedom to do as they please. 

Hmmmmm.

Panic Polly

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Who was Polly that they should associate her name with such a horrible condition?  She certainly must have been one nervous individual.  I doubt you would have had trouble pointing her out in a crowd.

Are you one of those who worry about everything all the time?  Can you name one miracle that you have brought about by worrying?  Likely not.

More than likely, the only thing your worry has established is some sort of illness; fibromyalgia, ulcers, nerve bumps, hair loss, constant anger, some kind of drug addiction, and the like.

You learned to ride a bicycle; sometime after you had learned to walk, of course.  You learn to read, or you wouldn’t have a clue what I’m saying.  Overtime you built a fair vocabulary.  You learned some social graces (Even if the only place they are acceptable is some sleazy bar.)

If you learned all that, then you can learn to stop worrying.  Especially if you begin to believe the gospel of Jesus, the Holy Son of God.

The gospel is important to everyone, for it is the key to eternal life.  But not just so we can float on a cloud in play a harp.  The gospel is important for the sake of righteous living, in eternity and now.

By the gospel my conscience is clean.  Not that I am without sin.  But his forgiveness is real enough to make a drastic difference in those who believe; they experience a peace they can’t define, they’re not easily rattled by danger, and they usually sleep pretty good.

By the gospel I am taught.  Not only do I learn what God expects, but the Holy Spirit reminds me moment by moment.  By this I have an opportunity to do what is right all day long.

By the gospel I am told that God will take care of me.  So as I find myself able to believe, I find worry and anxiety dissipate rather quickly.  It is impossible for God to lie.  And he sealed his promise with his Son’s Holy Blood.  I’m thinking I’m standing on pretty firm ground when I believe he’ll take care of me.

And most importantly, by the gospel I know I will have confidence before the Holy One when I leave this place.  Now some folks might not put that together.  So for the sake of the few I will explain.

If you wear anxiety like a warm coat in the winter now, what do you think you will do when you stand before his blazing glory without the confidence of faith?   How will you believe your sins are forgiven?  How will you be sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

Believe in the gospel and you will find yourself living at peace.  Choose to remain in disbelief, and you choose to live with in the negative consequences of anxiety.  And by that you are threatened to bare those consequences for eternity.

I do hope this has been helpful to at least one if not a few.

P.S.
The word “efficacy” is often used in medicine.  By that word doctors, define the power of a medicine or procedure to do what it’s supposed to do.  I tell you that the efficacy of Christ Jesus and His gospel are perfectly powerful.