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
I am always amazed when it appears. For the greater part of my life I never even knew it was.
It is a pain that does not have words, even from the one who has it. Instead it is audibly expressed in sighs and moans. There are no words given to men to describe its origin.
The heart aches, and there is no medicinal cure. The pain remains, though there is short lived relief.
Doors are barred shut! Pride takes his stance against humility. Wounded and hardened hearts refuse the salve that can heal them.
This remedy I carry. Yet who will even ask? And when it is offered it is refused without thought. An up right palm says “;No”.
If even one asks and receives there are billions more waiting. So it was with the Lord, so it is with him now, so it is with me.
Today there is a sadness over me. People who know me know I am a Christian. And they know that I am not ashamed to speak of my love for the Lord Jesus. Yet not one of them comes to ask. I have taken this sadness to the Lord. He reminded me that this is the case between man and animal. Even though a man means no harm to the wild birds, not one will come to him because fear. This is the fear that was instilled in the animals at the sin of Adam.
Does this mean that the Lord considers the wicked as mere animals? The answer is yes. Isn’t this the charge against us all if we remain outside the Lord’s provided salvation in Jesus? Yes. There is transformation from animal to man. But few challenge their own fear. They know they do not have peace with God. Yet they encourage one another to remain in fear by making up stories.
Does this knowledge help my sadness? In an odd way, yes this does help. Because it defines the reason for the cause. But the pain of watching them contrive a false sense of security abides. All the while I am among them and can reveal true security.
They speak of money, knowledge, social position, angel worship, every religious ritual known to man, and entertainment, as if they hold the key to the complete security of eternity; that security which blots out all fear. Every lie born from the imagination of man receives great praise or even debate. All the while they purposely ignore the Lord Jesus and His people who hold the Gospel within them. So this sadness continues, yet is abated a bit.
There is a place a man purchases. For most these places are many. We forsake the Lord’s commands and reap the situations such forsaking spawn. A thief, for instance, might well have forsaken the Lord’s command regarding stealing. When he is caught and punished, it is not likely the Lord will remove the punishment. Each of us must encounter the results of what we have done in this world. If we lie to someone and are caught later, we will need to endure the fruit of that sin.
Shall we say that the Lord has forsaken me because I forsook His commands? No. Though we are standing trial for treason, we may still have Him by our side. He will never leave us. Isn’t that the promise? Yet He made no promise that everything we do wrong will find good and favorable things at the accomplishment of their end. He has promised help to do what is right. But sometimes we must encounter the results of our wrong doing.
What shall we think, then , if we are about to enter a period of troubles of our own making? Face them. Enter as a Child of the King. Humble yourself under the hand of justice and accept what is coming. It was you who built it. It will be you who endures the punishment. He will not leave you during these trials. But He warned you before you committed the act for which you now pay.
Above all, remember, the Lord of Life is perfect. Perfectly merciful, perfectly just, perfectly powerful, yet He demands an accounting. It is no good mark in your favor for receiving the punishment you are encountering. After all it’s the result of your wrong doing. But there is a blessing which will help you encounter this punishment with humility and wisdom. Take what is offered by your God during these times and bear the punishment as a willing participant. If anything can be redeemed, it is that you will accept God’s will in regard to sin.
By His Grace.
Who is this Jesus? He was made heir of all things by the Living God. He was given the status of Son by the Living God. He was taught by the Father how to create all that is created. He has loved righteousness and hated wickedness. And so He was elevated to the status of God Most High. He is the radiance of God’s Glory; the exact representation of God. He is the spoken and speaking Word of God. Who is this Jesus?
The world thinks of Jesus as a little baby. And in that form He is conveniently small and insignificant. Yet that is not the Jesus of God’s understanding. He is a prophet to some, yet that is not the Jesus of God’s understanding. He has been with the Father from the beginning and will remain with Him forever. He is the redeemer of men; causing them to become holy as the Father is Holy. Yet the world sees Him as a nuisance.
We will see Him as the One who endured GREAT pain for the sake of His Father’s will. When we see Him, He will be dressed in absolute Glory. For now many see Jesus as an irritation. On the Day of God’s Wrath, we will see Him as He is. No longer will men doubt. No longer will they rail against righteousness. No longer will they kill, maim, chide, and relegate God’s people to obscurity.
The wicked will perish like a ball of cotton in an intense flame. They will scream with terror at the prospect of their fate. And they will hate Jesus with an eternal hatred. I do not wish anyone to endure what is coming for the wicked. Please consider what He is. Consider with a great trembling. You are about to meet your maker. His name is Jesus.
By His Grace.
Why do you bring this “Jesus” to me? Why can’t you leave me alone? I was doing just fine with these lies I hold tight. And your words only tear at my bones.
I bring you great peace but the cost will be great. You will stand before Him one day. I bring you His word from the lips of a man, so that you won’t have to stand on your own.
He’s promised a day when all men will bow low. And no lie can stop it from coming. He urges us all to turn away from those lies. And embrace our failing here.
Yet you shed great tears because you find in me no solace. I pick at your peace without mercy. You wiggle and squirm on your throne built of dung. But the truth still rings in your ears.
Look how you slept, how you fitfully slept. The message I bear is not tame. You’ll feel so much better if you will humble yourself. And accept His most Glorious Name.
By His Grace.
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
My new buddy
Stubborn And Courageous Adventures Reflecting the Father's Heart to The People.
History Repeating Chronicles
Words From There 