Religion vs “The Faith”.


The difference between a true Christian and one who is only a religious Christian is that religion talks “about” God.  The true Christian will find their feet taking them right into the consuming fire of God’s presence.   While the religious recite the words of others, “The Faith” causes us to utter the words of the Holy Spirit as we seek His beautiful face.

Religion speaks about the experiences of those who have tasted the actual presence of God.  Much like the reading of a true story can inspire the reader, so these people find inspiration from the testimony of those who experience His Holy presence.  But “The Faith” is not like that.  “The Faith” is built by presenting one’s self to the very eyes of God.  Submitting to the judgment of God in every nook and cranny of one’s life. 

There is a serious and distinct difference between religion and faith.  And it is wise to seek the latter.  The world chides God’s people because of the former.  Consider, with sobriety, which you are.  If you are in “The Faith”, you know it.  If you’re only playing Christian, you know it.  Every man stands before the Lord God of Eternity, naked and laid bare.  Everything we are is plain to God.  Why would you play with eternity?  This is a place of testing.  Every heart will be tested.  And every heart will be judged according to God’s Holy judgment.  Take seriously what He says.  There is nothing trivial about the judgment of God.

By His Grace.

Blessings


Beware of those who tell you that God will bless the faithful with the things of this world.  The more important issue is not ownership of anything the world offers.  The important issue is the believer’s obedience to the will of God.  Holiness and truth are the marks He is directing His people toward.  In the process, He might have mercy to allow you to own certain things.  But when you search for the “blessings” the world calls blessings, you search amiss. 

Consider the Lord Jesus.  Look at how He owned nothing the world calls blessings.  He desired to know and do the will of His Father.  Submit yourself to the will of God regardless the outcome here.  Is it too much to ask that His people suffer for 90 years?  He offers eternity to those who do His Holy will. 

By His Grace.

Salt and Ice


The world is growing colder to the will of God.  And in the end we will see that coldness increase.   What should a man of God desire then?  How will he resist becoming cold to God’s will as the world around him freezes deeper?  Here are some isolated thoughts regarding this coldness. 

It is given to man a certain part of truth that he might give it to others.  I present these things for someone else to expound on.  I am not receiving the ability to put them together in a “fluid” state (no pun intended).  I encourage the one who is blessed to assemble them to do so.  I would love to read how they fit.

Pure water freezes at 32 degrees.  But add salt and you can extend water’s resistance.  The more salt you add the more resistance to freezing.

The Lord Jesus refered to truth as water.  A Spring of water welling up within a man is the work of the Holy Spirit leading us to holiness. 

He also speaks of the need for us to have salt in us.  We are encouraged to have salt in our speech.  This salt is the Gospel.  We are to testify of God’s words often and with boldness. 

Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt.  That is, there was no water in her testimony.  Though she was leaving the judgment of God, she did not desire His will.

I want to have God’s will in my life.  I desire to know the Gospel (both the warnings and encouragements of God’s word).  I desire to resist this “Coldness” the world is headed to.  So the more salt within me the better. 

I consider the effect of salty water as it resists the cold.  And I’m put in mind of a burning desire to receive the will of God.  Now my mind turns to a question.  What is the melting point of salt?  I find it melts at an astounding 1545 degrees.  What cold could freeze such an intense heat? 

Father, Your Holy Name is from ages past.  Your truth remains unmovable and sure.  It is Your will that can withstand the blast of cold hearts.  The sin around us grows colder and colder to Your will.  Certainly, there will come a time when You rise from Your Majestic, pure, righteous, and Holy Throne to judge the world for all it’s sinfulness.  I beg Your perfect mercy, that I might not succumb to this coldness.  But allow that I should burn with intense salt of truth.  Let the water of Your Holy Spirit fill me with desire to serve the Living God.   You have chosen Your Son Jesus as our shield in the day of judgment.  He is our shield even now.  We desire Your will above all else.  Not because we are righteous men and women, but because it is Your will to separate a people to Yourself.  You are God!  And there is no one like You.

By His Grace.

This Place of Testing.


How amazing is the Lord Most High.  We consider our world as though it has always been.  For we only know of this place.  But I ponder that this place has a place of origin.  It began somewhere.  This causes me to ponder why.  God didn’t need to make us, or did He?

Eternity was rolling on.  Then at one point, God said, “Let us make man in our image”.  Why?  I’ve come to call this world a “Place of Testing” for this reason.  I’m not a smart man.  And I can’t remember everything I read or write.  But I rely on a general body of knowledge for the following.  Perhaps a scholar can add the pointed scriptures to support what I’m about to write.  I’ve written about this before.  But it just blows me away to consider the Greatness of God in this topic.

There was perfection from eternity.  God had created what was Good.   Since there’s no lie in God, no lie was in creation, until. . .  There was an Angel who thought he knew better than God what was good.  Rather than have to explain to an innocent creation what a lie was, he created a world of choice.  A people were given the choice to follow what is Good or chose to disobey. 

God is just.  Along with creating this place of testing, He also chose One to redeem those who would certainly fall to disobedience.  The only thing which marks us as able to be redeemed is that we are blind to the Glory of God.  But God is also going to put an end to the liar and all his ways.   And this is what we speak today.  Repent and seek the Redeemer.

There is a whole lot more to this story.  But with this as the basis, I find a great responsibility to seek Him.  He began this place.  He will end it.  Those who spend their life serving Him by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice will receive a certain reward for their loyalty.  Those who follow after the lie which started all this will receive a certain reward also.

I’m sure I’ll write more about this later.  But my meager mind runs out of words quickly. 

By His Grace.

Praise Him!


All you of flesh, praise the Most High God!  It is He who has made you.  It is He who has made this place of testing!  It is His hand which has given you breath.  Praise Him with all He has given you.  Turn to Him and give Him the fruit of His doing.  It is God who will be praised forever.  Why wait to begin?  Why would you hold what you cannot keep? 

Turn to Jesus, the Christ of God.  Praise Him, for God has lifted Him to a Glorious place.  It is He who speaks on your behalf.  It is He, even Jesus the Christ, who speaks in your favor.  Turn to Him who can rescue you from the bonds of this wicked place.  Praise Him and give Him your service, for He is worthy.

By His Grace.

Serve God


If you want peace, serve God.

If you want prosperity, serve God.

If you want your family back, serve God.

If you want righteousness, serve God.

If you want hope, serve God.

If you want eternity, serve God.

If you want power, serve God

All other paths but Jesus lead to death.

 

By His Grace.