Tag Archives: praise

Abrasive Consistency

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Some people think I think too highly of myself because of all the things I write concerning God.  Not only do I not think too highly of myself, I’m hardly worthy to be called a Christian.

By speaking so much, they say I try to elevate myself.  And their judgments are made to drag me back down.  (I would think that if someone is trying to elevate themselves, they would not speak consistently of someone else.)

There seems to be a disparity here.  What if I really am no one in Christ?  What if I’m just an average man who sees something beautiful in God?  What if, at best, I am only an average Christian?  Wouldn’t that be what they are actually trying to say?

I do find it interesting, that those who try to drag me back down, do not step up to speak themselves.  So if I am, at best, an average Christian, or even a hypocrite, as they say, who should step down and who should step up?

And with all the time that is spent trying to drag me back down to the place they think I belong, they would do better to assess the words I write and consider their own standing in Christ.

But isn’t this what every vocal Christian finds to be true?  The moment we praise God with an open heart, the entire world gathers together to shut us down.

Its not that they offer anything better or different.  They simply don’t like hearing about the Living God’s Holy Son.  And they really can’t stand it, that one of their own, loves God more than Man.

If I’m wrong about these things, I do sincerely apologize.  But I see nothing, in the fabric of Man, to say these things are not true.

By His Grace

Thankful Children

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10,000,000 people are told the Gospel, only a thousand believe and receive eternal life.  Perhaps thousands more understood it.  But only a handful have believed with all their heart.

The message of God goes out freely and like a flood.  Many souls are washed by the message, but so few love their new cleanliness.  In the Gospel we read that there were ten who were cleansed of leprosy.  But only one returned to give thanks.

It is so simple a child can do it, and frankly folks, that’s exactly what it takes.  The mind of an adult only wants more; he has been spoiled by pride and greed.  But the heart of a child is elated at the smallest token of love.

Let me ask the Christians, “Where is the proof of your thanks?”  I am not insinuating that you are thankless.  I’m simply asking where the proof of your thankfulness lays.

Perception, that’s what it is.  That’s what steals the bold testimony of Christians to the world.  “God promises me eternal life, but if I tell this to others they will hate me.”   Is the promise of God so ineffective?  Is the promise of eternal life really such a trivial matter?

With all the strength my mind can muster, I cannot understand why Christians are ashamed to share the Gospel.  I surmise that the answer must be found in the perception of God’s promise.  “Thank you Lord for giving me eternal life.  Please excuse me now while I go join the world in its celebration of futility.”

I sat here this morning for nearly an hour, frustrated that I could not reach more people with the message of God.  That’s all that consumes me!  It’s no pat on my back, the blessing of God is that great!

And I am only speaking of the reality of eternal life.  I have not yet begun to speak of the beautiful things he has rescued me from.  And I’ve made no mention at all so far, about the billions who never heard the testimony from a Christian.

Nine of the lepers simply disappeared into society.  But one came back with a full expression of shameless thankfulness.  Did the nine ever speak again of their former shame, and how God had released them?  Who knows, there is no written record of their testimony.  But I think the story might have ended differently, if all ten had returned with shameless thanks.

But of the one who returned, we can surmise, he could not shut his mouth.  Where is the Christian who cannot conceal the Gospel of Christ?  Where is the one who is not ashamed of the love that God has given him?  It’s easy enough to find 10000 who have decided to keep it to themselves.  All the while, the world spirals out of control.

By His Grace

Honoring HIM, Thus Entering IN.

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The Lord Jesus spoke His Holy Father’s name by doing His eternal will.

As the Word of God has done, so will do His faithful few.

Let us pray.

Let us learn.

Let us praise Him.

Let us sing to His Holy Honor.

Let us remember, as if we reattached an arm.

But above all things, let us speak His Holy name by the “doing” of it.

The Lord says,

“These people come near to me with their mouth

and honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

Their worship of me

is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” (Isaiah 29: 13)

It is not profitable that we should speak His Holy name by the use of our lips only.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”  (Matthew 7)

Why should those who read the words of this servant, not see his face on that Holy Day?  Why should we not congregate around the Holy One with joy?  Is it right that anyone who hears the words He gives me, not be with me in eternal joy?

He does not ask too much.  He provides everything we need to enter into His Holy joy forever.  If we do not have, it is because we will not retain.  But if we will become diligent, we will enter in with an inexpressible joy.  Fear nothing!  He is willingly with you.

Regret is a Monster Yet Unseen

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We arrive before Jesus, happy, elated, driven to praise!  Then at the judgment, many point to Christians and say, “They never told us”.

Now we know the Father will respond, “You never asked”.  But what happens to our elation, when we realize we could have made the difference for so many?

The Lord continually teaches me to minimize regret.  How can I help my brothers to do the same?

Why do we fear?  Why are we shy with the truth of God?  Is it possible, I think no one notices?

By His Grace

Mr and Mrs pryde

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“I feel bad about Who I am.  There is something lacking in the praises to me.  I am gorgeous and beautiful!  Why then, do all not bow down when I arrive?”

And so the flatterer was born.  His Father was the Most High God.  But those who raised him up were called Mr and Mrs Wrongful and Ignorant Pryde.

What a couple they make!  How righteous and perfect do they first appear.  But spend a moment with them in conversation, and the reality of their hatred fills the air.

Men can come and go from their presence, as they please.  But to be reared in their house is a sentence of death. 

Nothing satisfies the Prydes more than dreams and ambitions of being God himself.  But even if it were possible for God to step aside, would they find the comfort of their thrones pleasant?

If these are your parents, it would be better for you to go live in the streets.  It would be better to die of starvation, than to live in the house of Lies.

Truth and humility live in the place of suffering.  Opulence and plenty fill the house of Mr and Mrs Pryde.  Every day and night they entertain many.  And flattery caps every conversation.

But Truth and Humility make their home in the open spaces.  They carefully teach all their children to endure.  They speak joyously about the things of eternity.  They never cease to praise their Father in heaven.  And holy respect caps every conversation.

They are from the lineage of reality.  Trustworthy and dutiful parents, they are adored by all their children.

Who are your parents?

By His Grace

Purposefully Single!

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The choir sings, while one sings alone.

The preacher preaches to hundreds,  while one bows in the dust alone.

So many are witness to each others worshiping soul.

While the single one grapples with truth before the master of it all.

“16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen”  (2nd Timothy 4)

By His Grace