Tag Archives: Religion and Spirituality

Too Much to Expect?

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Where are the teachers of the Lord?  In this whirl wind of lies, deception, redefinition of words, abominations, immorality, idolatry, and chaos, where is the word of those who have lived within the will of God all their adult lives?  I’m looking for the wise among man who can lead others away from the brink of destruction.

Are we, as a nation, sealed now in the corruption of sin?  Is there no voice from the righteous people of God against these things?  Where is the concerted attack against media from the Christian community?  Where is the righteous word against lies?  Why does the Christian community, as a whole whisper like this?  While sin is consuming our nation, is there no one who will stand up like a pillar of fire and spout the truth?  Or have we become so comfortable in our little lives that we won’t step forward?

I know, and so do you, that anyone who raises his voice against the folly of this nation will be set on like a baby among hungry wolves.  What a precious opportunity to shine for the Lord.  I am a fool redeemed.  Where is the righteous man of Christ?

A Summation

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Germany and the allies fought to the death.  And anyone who capitulated with the enemy, on either side, was shot dead where he stood.  I mention this because there are places where compromise is not an option to either side of a war.  There are those who are given as ambassadors to present an offer of peace between the forces.  But for the most part, compromise is never a welcome ally in war.  And a soldier on the ground, in battle, should never compromise.

It is said to us that we do not war against flesh and blood in the propagation of the Gospel of the Lord.  But we war against things unseen.  However when we are presented with those moments of non-compromise it is astounding to witness how hard a rock the human heart can become.

Now, I don’t understand all the dynamics of that spiritual warfare.  What I do know is that when I encounter a hardened heart it is to a man that I address my words.

There are some who absolutely refuse to surrender any morsel of ground in their rebellion.  And I find these sort in the camp of atheists.  I have made up my mind to be quite brisk with them.  It does not do either of us any good to patronize the other.  We are of vastly different fathers.  Though Jesus teaches me to try to inject reason, I find their responses quite vile and insulting.  They are on the attack because they think they have something to gain by waging war against God’s people.  It as if they are pure animal now.  And having smelled blood they will stop at nothing to kill what is true and pure.

You think this is too harsh a statement against them?  I don’t.  I have had enough encounters to solidify my understanding.  The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  And who can bring reason to a fool?

What is odd about their stance is that they will certainly give account of themselves.  They refuse to listen to reason yet they accuse God’s people of that very crime.  It’s a done deal with me.  No more kumbaya with atheists.  From now on I will point them to the Lord.  They argue with me to no effect.  So why argue at all?  Not one encounter with them has proven profitable.  Not one.   No more compromising language.  No copitulation with the godless.

I will gladly speak to you who hold God so in such a vulgar contempt so as to say He does not exist.  But do not expect a warm welcome here.  By your choice, I will say it again, by your choice we are at war.

Filthy Rags to Glorious Riches

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U.S. Marine sits in a foxhole and points a mac...

U.S. Marine sits in a foxhole and points a machine gun towards Beirut, Lebanon, in the distance (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jeffrey Frankel is attributed to the following saying:  “They say there are no atheists in foxholes.”  Now I don’t care one whit what atheists think of me posting that saying.  It has been determined that “A fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'”  And who would consult a fool for wisdom?  Only another fool would do that.  I have been a fool.  But in respect to the reality of there being a God, I am no longer such.  And this preamble brings me to the meat of the post.

If God is called on in times when troubles escape our ability to cope, then why isn’t that same power effective in the smallest detail of our lives?  Why do people leave God when things go well enough?  He has told us that every good work we do on our own is as filthy rags.  Then why don’t we believe Him in that statement?

Seek God for absolutely every directive.  Look to Him for every thought, duty, emotion, sickness, and healthy moment.  This is the will of God for man.  It is this very point where millions have missed the blessing of the transforming power of God.

Pride of Man-vs-Joy of Salvation

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Sculpture - head of Jesus Christ

Sculpture – head of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I step out on the back porch, again, to consider the difference between pride and joy.  Pride is of the flesh.  But joy in understanding the Lord’s ways is acceptable.  While the world walks in darkness there is no time or room for the pride of man; that is to say an internal boasting that I know more than others.  Even in our time of reflection before the Most High God it is wise to consider the difference between the pride of man and the joy that we receive from His Grace.  All of us who come to know the Lord were, at one time, full to over flowing with sin, disgrace, shame, and wickedness of every kind.  It is by Grace we are saved.

I am stunned at the consistency of the war within us.  And I am reminded that, in this place of testing, this war against sin will not cease.  My heart is encouraged to pick up the battle afresh.  To render to God what is God’s while I kill the flesh by the power of Christ Jesus in me.  Never, in this place, will a man be rid of the things that plague his walk with God.  They are at the very door of our house.  As it was said to Cain, it is now said to each of us: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must  master it.” (Genesis 4:7)

So I say with all the saints (those being sanctified, transformed, by the power of God in Jesus), “I will rise in the early morning before it is light.  I will find a solitude among the trappings of this world of chaos.  And I will seek the Lord that I might rid myself of the things that have and will destroy me.  I will raise up to kiss the face of He who has kissed me.  And I will learn from Him to do the perfect will of eternity.  Sin will not have me!  For I am being made a son in the house of my Father.  And all this is to the Glory of Jesus, my Lord, Master, King, and Desire!”

Amen.

Night is Obliterated, Thus Folly Walks in Broad Daylight.

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Español: Vista aerea de la población Taritari,...

Image via Wikipedia

Standing with coffee in hand.  Perched on a porch in the early morning light I stand.  “Who are you?  What do you have to say for yourself now?”  The question is posed by He who does not lie.

A moment of silence while the mind considers what is, as opposed to what used to be.  Tracing steps between, the answer comes voluntary from lips without warning.  “I am born of God.”

What I was before is held up for inspection; shadows of what is now.  They, which consumed my way before, cannot be seen for the brilliant light that now shines within.  As if a man would determine darkness by shining a light to find it.  They are, yet they are not.  God has done what man could not do.

As the night is obliterated by morning’s sunrise, so my sins and folly are replaced by that which promotes growth.  Now a man walks with sure feet, though he still might not know where he is going.  In this, folly walks in broad day light.  God has come upon me.  And the denseness of sin is replaced by a faith which knows.

The Fog of Clarity

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English: Fog in Wayanad

Image via Wikipedia

There is pride of man.  Do not mistake to think you can be rid of it here in this place of testing.  It lays just at the door step of even prayer.  Hideous in nature, it waits for opportune moments to rise up and cloud your judgment before the Most High God.

But there is a confidence born of faith in the Son of Man.  We rise up to become what we are designed to be as we come to the Lord in prayer.  This confidence presents itself as an abiding joy.  What man can know the difference as long as pride hides in the shadows?

The Lord knows the difference.  And He alone is able to show a man what is true in this matter.  Confidence against pride, we present ourselves to the Lord.  And walking away from our time of prayer we somehow know that there are two who vie for our attention.  May God shed light on this to all His people.  It is not His will that we grovel in our prayer, but that we stand with a great confidence before Him.  It is also not His will that we abide in the pride of man; that we should know the knowledge of what He has given us to know and consider ourselves above one another.

In this matter there is a fog of clarity in those who worship the Lord through the power of Jesus.  We know, yet we are not sure.  Again, may God present understanding to our hearts.  May we learn that subtle difference between pride of man and The Pride of God.

Amen.