The Vengence of God


Leaving room for the vengeance of God can be a bit of a task.  You may be in pain or you may be lacking something you thought was yours.  So where is God?
He never moves.
Man’s expectations are like a shotgun blast.  We expect everything and get nothing.  The problem is not with God.  The problem lays sweetly nested in our greedy Hearts.
There is a response from God that we could always expect …to receive.  I would guess in matters of vengeance very few ask for it.   Fewer yet recognize it when it appears.
The following Scripture should give you a hint.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
The vengeance we seek might come in the Salvation of the one we blame.  How horribly disappointing for some.

Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about.


There’s so much to say and learn and study about the gospel. You could read a certain passage in the Bible 500 times, and time 501 you would come up with an entirely new insight.

That’s the way it was for me when I read about the crucifixion of Jesus this morning. Just when you get to the point where Jesus dies, hundreds of holy men come out of their graves and go through the city.

Before my mind could go with Jesus into the grave to wonder what happened there, my eyes and feet go with these men into the city!

Their salvation was proved to them they were raised from the dead and they will never die again! They have what we pine for. No longer do they work out their salvation with fear and trembling.  They are before the Lord forever.

And because of their witness, I am set to the task again to consider, have I secured the salvation I so dearly desire?

Do you think it’s odd to hear a Christian question his salvation? If you think its odd you are not familiar with the following verse:  “Make every effort to enter for many I tell you I will try but will not be able to”.

Bottom line response from the reading this morning: I am pleased and shocked and terrified and put to sober mind to reconsider my salvation.

A reason we can all understand


George didn’t want go to go the family reunion with his parents this year.  He was 18 now, and completely able to cook for himself.  His dad thought it would be a good oportunity for his awesome son to prove himself before having to strike out on his own.  Mom thought differently.  Go figure.

Mom reminded George about all the wonderful people that would be there, no effect.  She mentioned the zip lines, water park, and fishing boat.  Still nuttin.  She tried that ole mommy standby guilt trip.  George just laughed.  Then mom pulled out the big gun.  “Your great uncle George will be there.  He’s flying in from Russia tomorrow”.  George had heard great stories about the man he was named after, but he had never met him.  This announcement caused George to pause and consider.  But, in the end of consideration, selfishness won.  George waved goodbye as his parents the next day.

There’s no need to tell you about the things George experienced while his parents were gone.  You see, George is determined to become “someone”.  So his exploits alone would be quite bland to most.  No headlines here folks.  However, when mom and dad came home they had exploits enough to make up for George’s monotone life. 

Seems uncle George was a massive hit at the reunion.  He showed up in a limousine.   He had 5 body guards, 2 male attendants, and a helicopter flew in just in case something pressing came up.

Uncle George split the darkness around the camp fire with tales of war, intrigue, customs of Russia, and all these tales were made to come alive by the man’s marvelous accent.  What a time his parents had!  And they talked about it for hours. 

They told their son that “he” had asked about him.  And when they explained about the need to go it alone, Uncle just got this weird little smile on his face.  “I was in great hopes of meeting the boy.  I have some gifts I wanted to give him personally.  And I have purchased some land in his name.  No matter.  I will hopefully meet him some day”.

It didn’t take but a moment for the regret to sink into George’s heart.  But it took some years to depart.  His uncle was killed the next month in a political assassination.  The gifts, gone.  The land, gone.  But, most of all, the great man George never met, gone.

What does this story mean?  It means, simply, that we talk and talk about the glories of Jesus.  But you’re intent on staying here.  There is one twist, however, that can’t be made from the story.  You will see Him.  But you won’t be allowed to enter if you don’t accept His gift by faith now.  Won’t you PLEASE come with us as we assend the Hill of the Lord!

By His Grace.

The Command of Yearning


It has been popular to attribute the entirety of salvation to the work of God.  In one fashion this is absolute and true.  For He alone is to be desired.  He alone is Righteous, pure, and eternal.  What lacks, quite often, in this formulation of thought regarding the entirety of salvation, is the work of man.

It is reserved by the Rule of God that man should play an essential part in his own salvation.  It is given to man to yearn for God.  This is the part we are commanded to play in the salvation of our souls.  And this is the very part that is horribly lacking among men.  If it is commanded and is lacking what shall be the outcome of those who rebel against this commandment of God?

Men prefer to yearn for the things of this world.  These are lazy in their approach and shall not receive blessing.  And because of this worldly yearning heaven will not be granted to them.  The Righteousness of God does not inhabit the wickedness associated with the things of this world.

Therefore let us put aside all the yearning after the things of this world and fall on our faces to learn what it means to yearn after the Holiness, Righteousness, Purity, and Godly Love which waits to embrace every soul who will humble themselves and seek His face with that commanded yearning.

An Appeal For Prayer


This picture was found at Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eusebius

I appeal to those who read this blog to consider a request for earnest prayer.  I know God has raised up prayer warriors among His people.  And it occurs to me that perhaps there are a few who read these words.  This appeal is directed toward the salvation of a certain young lady.  Due to propriety, it is not seemly that I should begin conversation with her as such things may be perceived as less than holy intent.  Just the same, it has been on my heart to seek the Lord’s mercy for her salvation.

Please allow me to relate how this soul has risen to my attention as a matter urgent enough to deliver to you.  During prayer one night I was presenting the Lord the list of people He has laid within my reach.  Through one of those souls this girl has been near enough to my life to make me aware of her habits. I had been praying for these souls under two requests, which I had laid out at the start of the prayer.  I had prayed that these might be strengthened in the faith, and that they would increase in holy behavior.

As the prayer moved through I perceived the Lord was willing to receive the words I had spoken regarding these souls.  But when I came to the name of this young woman the receiving was blocked.  It was as if my words were spoken into nothing more than the carpet on which I knelt.  I stayed still before the Lord for a while to consider this.

Weeks later I am convinced that she is in a position vastly different from those souls I had listed before the Lord.  I have since begun to mention her to Him in terms of salvation through His mercy.  And this petition appears to receive His understanding.  But I am still not satisfied that my prayers on her behalf are sufficient.  Therefore I thought it reasonable to appeal to my brothers and sisters for help in this matter.

The Lord has brought to my attention a story which relates this item.  The story is not as short as to incorporate it here in full text.  But I will supply a link which you can read as the Lord directs.  (You will find the story on this link in Chapter 25 of book 3.  http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250103.htm ).  While I recognize that we are not a people who are used to reading many words regularly. A knowledgable approach is recommended when encountering the salvation of souls. This matter is pressing hard against my heart and mind.  Even this morning, I was wakened early by the thoughts of her name before His Throne.  Thus I have come here to appeal for help.

Specifically I appeal for one of our Family to be brought near her to teach her “The Way”.  And I appeal for prayer that she might be released from the family of death.  One without the other is an utterly useless situation.  As you will note in the story related in the link, simple prayer without discipleship or discipleship without prayer are useless in the salvation of souls.  I may pray, but I cannot disciple due, as I mentioned, to propriety.

I ask you then, by the love of Christ among us all, to hold this young soul up before our Father for the saving of her life.  I know there are so very many we could lift up to the Lord so that our time in prayer might consume every moment of our lives.  But please note that I am not in the habit of requesting prayer from those brothers and sisters who attend the words I write here.

May God grant wisdom and impart desire to whom He wills regarding this.  If you are not affected by this appeal, please do not feel compelled.  I would not want to burden anyone with the things God does not set them apart to do on His behalf.  I thank you for your time as you read these many words.  May God bless you for giving your brother a cool glass of water to drink while we travel in this land baked dry by wickedness.

By His Grace.

Notes From Reading “The Shepherd of Hermas”


English: The Lord Jesus Christ in the image of...

English: The Lord Jesus Christ in the image of Good Shepherd. Early Christian trsdition of symbolism. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am reading “The Shepherd of Hermas”.  I have stumbled on a few thoughts regarding “The Faith” and “The Way” that are worthy of note.  May the Lord of Life impart understanding through these words.

There are men in whose life righteousness has been King.  And there are those whose life has been dimmed by sin and a certain broken consistency with righteousness.  To the former, in Christ Jesus, is the prospect of salvation and glory.  To the latter, in Christ Jesus, is the prospect of salvation and far lesser glory is the prospect of their faith.  To each eternal life is offered.  The righteous will seal their identity in the body of Christ if they remain consistent to the end.  The wayward soul may attain to salvation in Christ Jesus if they will mend their pace toward attaining what the righteous own by their consistent actions of godly living.

What aspect of “The Faith” remains upon each group is that each is encouraged to add to what he already has attained.  What man can muster the measure of righteousness which the Lord Jesus held from birth to death?  So we encourage one another to add to their testimony all things good and sure.

In one way, I cannot help my brothers more than to render these words of hope and encouragement.  Yet, by my own appropriation of righteousness, it is possible to impart some worthy provocation toward what glory the Lord will give to those who practise righteousness.  That is to say:  If I live out the truth of Christ in my own life I can leave a legacy of example.  And in this way we are more effective in encouraging one another to a living faith.

And I am made aware of another aspect of “The Way” which we hear little about.  Salvation is not found in knowledge.  Rather salvation is found in “The Doing” of what is pure and right. And as we do what we are told more understanding will be given to us.  This understanding is said best by the Lord Jesus, as spoken by the “New Living Translation”:  “Those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (Matthew 13:12)

Many seek to understand the greater things of God.  They perceive that if they understood more they would, naturally, become more adept at doing the things of God.  While Godly knowledge is good to own, there is an obvious tendency for knowledge to “puff up” a man’s perception of self.  It is better to be lacking in knowledge of revelation while doing the things of God, then to be over filled with pride for that which adds very little to a man’s obedience to the commands of Christ Jesus.

May the Living God bless these things for the sake of His Holy name to all people who desire to please Him.

By His Grace.