Tag Archives: Place of Testing

Comfort

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I awoke during a storm.  And wrote the previous post.  As I pondered the situation developing and sensed the urgency, the Lord revealed the following to me.   I post this for my own memory.  But it is useful to all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

“You have spoken [in buttermilk80.wordpress.com].  Whether they listen or not is up to them.  Your name is written in My presence.  You do not work for salvation, rather you work for your place.  Consider what you have from Me.  And hone what is within you.”

May God be a shelter and warrior for all who trust in His Holy Name.

By His Grace.

Tornado

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My heart is concerned.  The warnings have been coming that something bad is developing for America.  I fear the storm is here.

A tornado doesn’t “just appear” from nowhere.  There is a lead up to it’s presence.  The wind, clouds, rain, and pressure increases.  Then you hear the tornado approach.  So it is with the troubles of this generation.

The forecasters have been speaking loudly of a trouble coming, such as has never been.  And most people pay no heed.  But as surely as when the tornado appears and there is no remedy, so it is with the appearing of trouble.  No man will withstand what is coming.  And even those who embrace the Lord’s protection and Holy guidance will quake with the sight of it. 

Open my heart, O’ Lord of Life.  Open my eyes and ears to perceive what is coming upon man.  Let me live aware of Your judgments.  And prepare me for what is surely coming.  I see the clouds gather in dark formation.  I hear the thunder of lies roll through mankind.  I see the trust given to flimsy materialism, and false religion.  And few take warning.  Hide me in Your powerful hand and be my shield. 

By His Grace.

I’m sorry Lord.

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I’m sorry Lord, for the place we have created by the works of our own hands.  We have said, “We don’t need You now.  We have technology”.  We set our feet against the pull of Your Love.  We resist to the point of our own death to jerk loose from Your mercy.  The world has chased lies in lew of truth.  And we are proud that we have become independent of God.

Lies are the rule of the day.  Men create laws so abundant that even the most lawful of men can be caught as a law breaker.  America has become filthy with lies and pride.  You pulled your hand back from protection, and we ran head long after a president who would promise the fulfillment of our desire to break free from You.  And now look.   Lies are all that spew forth from the mouth of the leader of this, once great, county.  Where truth was the foundation of this place, now we pronounce a liar as the greatest among us. 

I am sorry Lord, for the horrible filth we have desired to become.  You remain pure and lifted up above the sins of these people.  And all your judgments will be pure. 

Please have mercy on those who desire to be ruled by Your ways.  Protect and guide those who desire to live. 

By Your Grace.

“Jesus Stuff” or “Jesus’ Stuff”.

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We serve the Lord Jesus as His people.  But how shall we serve Him?  What shall we do and what kind of people shall we be? 

You have heard many speak of what is called a “Wealth” doctrine (teaching).  In this doctrine we are supposed to experience happiness, joy, an increase of our worldly wealth, health in our bodies, and peace among our family and friends.  Some believe that if Jesus is the Lord of a congregation, we will see great harmony and peace among the people.  And, we understand by this doctrine that if one follows Jesus there will be a sure footed nature to his life.  I can’t see it like that. 

With all that I read and all I experience I have a different view of what it’s like to serve Jesus.  As I embrace His Lordship in my life I find many circumstances where I have to chose to lose.  The happiness those people speak of is not that of laughing and a permafrost smile.  Often it’s a furrowed forehead and a grim bend to my mouth.  I find that giving becomes the purpose of my income.  Had I remained in the world I would gather all I could to spend it on what I want.  But the money now belongs to Jesus.  And my soul continually looks to His face to determine what to do with it.  My body wears out just like the unbeliever’s.  Old age takes over and ravages the youth I once was.  Sickness is still part of my personal experience.  But I embrace these things as part of the gift of life God has ordained in this place of testing.  And, if I look at any serious congregation of “saints” I find constant turmoil regarding the direction and intended use of resources. 

Yet in these things is a great peace, joy and health.  For those who follow Jesus don’t rely on the things and measuring sticks of this world.  Our eyes, mind, and body are set toward the Lord of Life.  We never take our eyes off His leading.  

Let the people of this “wealth” doctrine say what they will.  Let them chase after all the things the world loves.  It’s ok with me.  They would not listen to me if I told them they were wrong.  And If they won’t look into these things on their own, they sure won’t hear my words. 

There are two scriptures that come to mind regarding this post.  One finds it’s anchor in the nature of Jesus’ approach to the things of this world:  

 18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8)

And:

 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4)

What you do about this post is up to you.  Perhaps you agree.  Then scream out your agreement from every possible vantage point.  Perhaps you disagree.  Then keep on going in the direction you’re headed.  I didn’t post this to gain friends.  I posted this to uphold the words of He who can not lie.  The way of Jesus’ people must be walked upon a narrow path.  With every step we take we set the next foot exactly with the guidance of Jesus.  And He has marked it out clearly enough in His word.  And even if a man can’t read, there is the Spirit of God, which is given to us, to guide each moment’s decisions. 

Chase after everything worldly if you wish.  But you should be aware that there is a moment of consequence coming.  God is Holy and will call every man to account for every step, word, and intent.  Why would you risk eternal separation from the God of Life?  There is a cost to following Jesus.  If you look at your life and find that the only difference between you and the world around you is that you hang out with a bunch of people who listen to “Jesus stuff” on Sunday, you might do well to consider your future.

By His Grace.

Each New Day

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Embracing a new day means opportunity.  We have a chance to think a million thoughts.  We have the chance to do thousands of things.  We get to experience this “place of testing” once again.  And we are allowed one more moment to look hard for the God who created us. 

Embracing the end of our new day means we have opportunity.  We have a chance to look back at the important thoughts we had.  We have the result of thousands of things we did.  We sum up our experience in this “Place of Testing”.  And we are allowed to look back over our shoulder to see if the God who made us was located by us. 

These days will end.  We all die.  And we have the promise, by He who cannot lie, that Jesus will return to gather His people to Himself.  I tell you a truth.  There will be a day of deep regret for most.  They did not consider Jesus worthy of their million thoughts.  They did not do the things God demands of all men.  Their experience of this “Place of Testing” was numbed by materialism, pride, drugs, and all manner of pleasure seeking.  And they will find the God who made them without preparation for that monumental Appearance.

If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?  It’s your day.  Do as you please.  But there is One who owns every day.  And you are treading on His turf.  Consider with a sober mind.

By His Grace.

The Place of Shadows.

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He prepares a table for His people in the midst of their enemies.

What we are and what we have belongs to Jesus.  This is not eternity, though we float under His gaze.  This is the place of shadows.  What we see, hear, taste, feel, and think are but shadows of what is True.  There is a place of Truth.  And to that place we all will enter.  Right now we live in a place of testing.  Do you love God and His things?  Or are you taken in by all the shadows.  Do you love the world more than you love God?  If so, you will be horribly disappointed when you appear before Him.

Repent of all things ungodly and seek His lovely face while you live in this place of shadows.  If you wait till death it will be too late to prove your allegiance. 

By His Grace.