Tag Archives: Religion & Spirituality

The Sand Storm

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A sandstorm (Haboob) approaching Al Asad, Iraq...

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Few who read this, including me, have ever endured a deadly sand storm.  But many have stood on the shore of the ocean and felt the sting of sand as the wind drove it like needles onto their skin.  So I ask you to imagine a storm of sand such as is in the great deserts.  An all-consuming froth of tiny grains of rock blacking out the sky and choking the life out of any animal or man caught within it.

To open your eyes in such a storm is to become blind.  To leave your ears uncovered is to dig sand out of them for days.  To allow yourself to breathe it in is certain death.  For once the tiny rocks enter they will not be expelled.  The storm will fill every possible crevice of your clothing.  And your sense of direction will be obliterated.  If you care caught out in the open you are dead.

This world is so filled with corruption, greed, hatred, envy, immorality, and godlessness, that it is a constant sandstorm of wickedness.  And the death of those who think they live there is a blindness to the Lord of Life.  They cannot see for their eyes are caked with the unholy.  They cannot hear because their ears are impacted with lies.  They have no breath of eternal life in them because there is no room in their lungs for His breath.  The wickedness of this world has filled every possible crevice of their lives.  And they cannot tell you the way home.  While in this state of affairs, they are dead.  They are not walking dead.  They are already dead to the Lord.

He alone is able to rescue from this storm of death.  And all who allow their hearts to call out to Jesus for help will receive it.  The more you call, the more you will receive.  For the Lord is merciful, patient, and gentle with those who desire to live.

By His Grace.

Proof.

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c. 1632

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What shall be said?  The proof of the Lord is within me.  And there are thousands who demand that I provide this proof for them to examine.  I will say this:

I have not received the raising of the dead from the Lord.  I have not touched a man and made his injury healed.  I have not raised an iron axe head from the bottom of a river.  I have not built an altar and watched the fire of God consume the offering and the water.  I have not walked on water.  I have not walked through the sea on dry land.  My clothes have not been turned whiter than any laundry can cause them to be.  I have not been in prison for the name of the Lord.  And what I have not done is far greater a list than what I have accomplished in His name.

Does that mean I do not have His blessing?  Look at the words of this blog and make up your own mind.  I am not a smart man.   But my God is all wisdom.  He has done all the things I have not, in the way of righteousness.  And He is quite able to do far more than I can ever think to ask of Him. 

One thing I have done that gives me pause to gasp.  I have believed on the One and Only Son of God, Jesus!  And this is all I need.  Let them ask for proof from me.  I will render the answer by saying that the Lord is Good, His promises are true, there is no shadow of turning in Him, and that He has prepared the Way for anyone who will risk all to follow Him.  There is your proof.  Give all you have to Jesus, venture to believe with all you are.  Submit to the Lord of Life, and remain under His Lordship.  Then, after 30 years, come back and tell me I have no proof at all.  And if you do not do this, then you have no right to challenge my proof.  The evidence is time, humility, and service to the Lord God.  If you want it, there it is.  Prove me wrong!  The burden of proof rests on the head of the accuser.

By His Grace.

NOW!!!!!!!!!!

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Infant enjoy

There is a great gladness among those who have been blessed to know the Lord.  This gladness does not come from ourselves.  And it can not diminished by anyone who rails against the faith.  This same gladness has allowed many men to face horrible conditions and survive with praise and joy on their lips.  Though the world may take the life from our bodies, they cannot touch this joy!   They were torn apart by lions, but gave praise to God.  They were sawn in two, yet praised He who Lives Forever!  Prison could not stifle their lips!  Death has no hold on those who are His!  Sickness and trouble are not tools of sorrow for those who believe Him.  Poverty and lowly position are not to become your master.  You are a child of the King of Life!  Stand with strength and muster your heart to believe!  You Are His!

The Lord has sworn an oath by Himself, and we know the Lord cannot lie.  He alone will redeem His bride.  And everyone of us, who are called by His name, will receive the joy that is His.  This receiving is not waiting for us when we arrive in heaven.  It is present NOW, if you will but receive it.  This joy is the power to overcome every possible trouble we encounter.  And fear is not from God!  Fear is the expectation of punishment.  And those who believe by the power of Christ are not taught to fear.  Timidness is not from God!  Strength and joy are the gifts He gives.  He calls us to stand like men and women who believe.  And what He demands He also gives the strength to accomplish.   God does not lie!  What He says is true.  And it will be accomplished!

Strengthen yourself.  Believe Him!  Lift up your head and receive His presence.  Why would you grovel like a worm when you know He has promised so very much more?  Bow to your knees, yes.  But do so with a glad heart, willing to listen and believe.  It is not His desire that His people be cast down.  This is to show doubt.  Do not doubt the Lord God Almighty!  He did not send His Son so that we could question His intent.  Believe and be saved!  And as you believe allow the Lord to be true within you. 

SHOUT WITH GREAT GLADNESS AND VIGOR!  YOU BELONG TO THE GOD OF LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By His Grace.

How Can I Come to Know the God You Serve?

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c. 1632

Image via Wikipedia

You are the one who asked, “How can I come to know the God you serve?”  I understand your earnest question and I will provide you an answer.  I don’t know who you are.  I don’t know where you have been or what you have endured, good or bad.  But I tell you a truth, none of those things matter.  Though they make you who you are today, I know that He is able to make you into who you are not today.  Yet, isn’t this why you asked?

The Lord has remained hidden from man because it is His desire that all who seek Him should approach their search through faith.  We are expected to believe God.  And doubt, though part of our long lists of sins, will never be a welcome visitor in His presence.  Read the Bible.  Pray for the wisdom to understand.  Believe what you read.  And respond with actions you know are necessary. 

This is your answer.  Did you expect more?  Are you looking for something you can do to gain what you do not have?  You will find nothing in you that’s acceptable to the Lord of Hosts.  This ownership belongs to Jesus alone.   And if the Lord, Himself, were to ask you to do something at the top of your ability you would strive to do it.  Why then, shouldn’t you be willing to simply believe Him?  This all He asks, for He will never allow any man to claim that God owes Him anything.  God alone will receive praise forever.  And man will be the one to give that praise. 

You do not answer to me.  I am no one to answer to.  You will answer to Him alone.  And what you do with this answer is between you and the Lord.  He is enough to secure your eternity.   He is willing to walk with you right where you are now.  The question is not, “Is God willing to love me?”  The question is, are you willing to believe what He has already promised.   And if you can’t believe, at least tell Him about it.  Begin somewhere.  Or you go nowhere.

By His Grace.

To Remain or to Depart?

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Georg Gsell. "The Apostle Paul."

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The Apostle Paul said that he was torn between wanting to be with the Lord and recognizing that to be with the people was more important.  And his conclusion was that he would remain with the people for the sake of their benefit in the Lord.  I understand that quandary.  And I see his reasoning in this matter.  To be with the Lord is a sure thing for those who are called by the Lord as His people.  We only have a limited time to infect others with the message of God.

Yet I also see why he desired to be with the Lord.  This place is not our home.  And the desire to go home is intense.  And there is another aspect of this which bears mention.  The Lord said what was true when He said that a prophet is not accepted in his home town.  It is the nature of men to exclude the title of holy from any who’s history is presented to their memory.  That is to say, if a few people know my history, they will never accept the words I now speak on behalf of the Lord of Life.  To them, I am simply a fool who thinks too highly of himself.  And this will be the case as long as I am in this place of testing.

But when I am not here for their fingers to point at, what is left behind has the potential to become something far more than it could have when they knew me.  Now I appear as a fool.  Then I will become part of those who have passed through.  And in the end, what I leave behind becomes greater in their eyes.  What a curious but true phenomenon. 

So I desire to leave this place.  Not because I am sick of the “crap”.  Because I know that these words will gather more power when I am not here for them to accuse.  While I am still here, pride will reign more than service, both within me and within those who read these words.  When I am with Him, there will be no more opportunity for pride, neither in me nor those who read these words.

So I desire to leave this place.  In the Apostle’s condition, his remaining was well founded.  For he had lived a life worthy of living from the beginning.  From my condition, I have not.  So, for the benefit of those who might read these things, I desire to leave this place.

By His Grace.

The Peace of God is Given to Those Who Love Him.

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Peace

Be careful with your words.   Do not proclaim peace to those who have no peace with God!  The Lord did not come to bring peace to the wicked.  He came to bring peace to those who obey the calling.  He offers hope to the hopeless.  And those who take His Great gift with gladness and joy; those who render themselves to the Holy Will and Majesty of God through Jesus receive the inheritance of peace. 

But to those who remain in rebellion and curse the name of the Lord Jesus remain in destruction.  Do not proclaim “Peace. Peace.” To those who hate the Lord God of Life!  Proclaim destruction for the enemies of God.  This is their lot.  And this is their choice.  What God offers is not the peace to do as you please.  He offers the gift of teaching, leading, and life to those who turn to Him and away from their sin.

The rebellious continue toward death.   Do not be fooled by the proclamation of peace to the wicked.  Be wise and consider the Holiness of God.  “And all who call upon the Name of the Lord must turn away from evil”.  The promise of God has two sides, peace and destruction. 

It is the false prophets who proclaim peace where there is not peace.  Do not be of their number!  Count your days and be wise.  The Lord searches the whole world and hears every word of man.  He listens to the whispers in the inner room.  And He takes note of those who proclaim His truth.  Be wise.  Learn His Truth and live!

You say, “They will not hear such a message.”  Why should that surprise you?  Haven’t you read the Scripture and learned how they rebel and accuse against those who speak that word?  Do you count the mercy of God so lightly that you would allow them to utter lies through your own lips?  To the wicked is destruction, not mercy! 

Have respect for the Lord!  Have a trembling love toward the Lord who has proclaimed death to the wicked.  He Himself has proclaimed this.  How should His servants speak what are not the words of the Lord they serve?  Do not fear them.  Fear God.  Speak what is true and do not listen to the lies of this world.  Listen to what they say, “God will forgive us through Jesus, for this is what His servants are saying.  Though we remain in our sins, the forgiveness of God will be shed upon us with great joy.  I am a fool and I revel in my foolishness, for God will save me despite my ways.”  And with a slight of hand they turn the truth of God into a hideous lie! 

Lies and Lies are being broadcast today, as they were from times gone past.  Do not stand with them.  Separate your message to the world.   Destruction walks in this world without equal or hindrance.  Do not be like them.

I will say what the world has come together to call a joke:  “The end of things is nearer now than when we first believed.”  Be wise.  Wake from the sleep of world peace.  Consider the Holy God’s promises.  And do not allow your lips to join in the song which brings death.  STAND!  We will be judged for every idle word we speak.  Why would you allow your troubles to grow?  We are either of He who Lives and is True, or we are of he who will writhe in pain for eternity.  Choose your destiny.  It is the Lord or it is death. 

You who are timid are not firm in your understanding regarding the Gospel.  Fortify yourself!  Isn’t the Bible before you?  Isn’t prayer within you?  Didn’t your ears hear?  Then where are your lips?  Learn to reach deep.  Speak with the boldness, the promises of He who cannot lie.  The rewards remain; death to the wicked and hope to those who obey. 

By His Grace.