Life Happens - 2014-04-05 06:40

We all know there are things that need to happen in between the desire and completion.  But if all things go well, we can expect to be able to refer to our tasks as if they have already happened.  In a perfect world this would be the case, wouldn't it?

Well, there is a perfect world, my friends.  And the One who dwells there is faultless.  Bad things never happen to His plans.  When He says something will happen, it absolutely will.  When we consider His promises we can refer to them as if they have already come true.

The promises of man are not like this.  They are but hopes.  They are assurances of intent.  And the one who lives as if his desires can be so reliable as to consider them complete before they have begun will suffer.  He is like the one spoken of in Isaiah 44, "Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself. . ."

Place no trust in man's promises.  Understand that he intends to do good.  But his intent has no strength of surety.  Place all your trust in the Living God's words.  His words are life.  When He speaks, life happens.





Above it all - 2014-04-05 18:02

Twelve disciples, a little fishing boat, a raging sea, and a Lord who is above it all.

No one has ever witnessed such a thing before.  Not only did the Lord walk on top of the sea, he walked on top of a raging sea!  It happily resided in his heart to show his disciples something from heaven.

The disciples of Christ, a boat of grace, a ragng sea of wicked men, and the Lord is above it all.  Who could guess?  Even angels longed to look into these things.

The people of God, tiny piece of wood in the shape of a cross, a raging torrent of holy law, and the Lord Jesus who is above it all! 

How could this be?  He was crucified by those who kept the treasury of law.  Dressed in blood among a murderer and a thief.  The righteousness of God murdered as a law breaker.  For this reason Jesus is above it all.

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”  (Matthew chapter 14)





Play day, everyday - 2014-04-05 20:16

I don't want to see a show of hands.  I'm not interested in a 2000 page spreadsheet.  I don't want to talk to a statistician.  And I don't particularly have a craving to see someone respond to this post.  But I wonder how many people realize they're being played.

From the time you were born until the time you die, somebody or something is playing you.  You got needs, and your basic necessities are often played against you.  You got wants, and there is a variety of enemies arrayed against your desire.

Now it's pretty easy to go through and make a real thick book describing all of those things.  But you already know about how the world plays you.  You're even aware of how you play yourself.  At least you should be.

But not many people are aware of a certain group that plays people 24 /7.  They're a forgotten clan.  Virtually the only time they were even mentioned is in some Hollywood horror movie.  So when I call them what we know them to be I'm going to get laughed at.  I don't particularly care.  I'm not gonna let ignorance play me.

I'm not here to spook people.  I'm trying to draw attention to a fact.  You can't see them, hear, taste, smell or touch em.  But I can tell you demons are a big part of the corruption in this world.

I don't care what they look like.  And I'm not here to call em out so we can have a squabble.  I'm just bringing up an age old truth.

If you don't believe in them, then you don't believe in the gospel of Christ Jesus.  So this whole article won't do you any good anyway.

They were pretty healthy when Jesus was here with us.  So let me ask you a simple question.  If they're not still here where'd they go?    You think they went to some distant planet for a vacation for a few thousand years?   You are more Looney than me if you believe that.

They whisper to you, and you think you just had a thought.  They watch for opportunity to destroy you.  They don't spit vomit.  And they don't make your eyes bug out.  They simply enhance your own wicked desire a thousand fold.  Whatever chance you had to be a righteous person is thrown right out the window.

If you don't have Jesus as your Lord, a rock-solid prayer life, and habits that reflect holiness, you'll have no way to defend against them.  They'll tear you down like a tornado and there won't be any rising.

If this is the first time you've heard any of this you're probably........  Dunno.  I have no idea what your response might be.  But I can assure you with absolute certainty, you've been played by demons.  And if you scoff at this you're likely being played right now.

If you believe what I'm saying, this is likely to get you angry.  If you don't believe, what's that to me?  You won't be able to tell the difference between a normal day or a played day anyway. 

But if realizing this makes you a little hot headed, don't waste your time on a rant.  Simply turn your attention to the Lord Jesus Christ.  He's been watching the whole scene all along.  He's more than able to set you free from being played by demons.





Choose to do right - 2014-04-06 09:34

A couple of decades ago I was sitting in a college classroom.  The topic of discussion must have been effects or morality.  And I remember telling my classmate that, "If a man knew the full punishment for his wicked behavior he would choose to do what is right."

My classmate disagreed with me.  He was sure that the wickedness of man could not possibly do one good thing for the right reason.  I knew when he said that that he had not understood my statement.  But it would have been a useless argument.  For I confess I did not fully understand it myself then.

But with years behind me I have come to understand it more clearly and still agree that, "If a man knew the full punishment for his wicked behavior he would choose to do what is right."

Isn't that what we experience when we really give full credence to the sacrifice of Christ Jesus?  To the measure we understand we are compelled to serve Him righteously.

And I understand my classmate's position.  Man is wicked to the core and hopelessly destined for death.  But my statement did not say the man would be righteous.  It said he would choose to do what is right.

The only resource I have to prove my statement is true is what is found within myself.  It was so with the Apostle Paul also.  We cannot look at others and divide this quandary.  For when we look at them for this reason we find ourselves judging them.

I do find that I choose to do what is right.  And my desire to choose finds the sacrifice of Christ for its engine.  So I strive all day to choose what is right.

Come nightfall however, assessment directed backward shows me I failed miserably.  Many times a holy depression encompassed my heart.  "How can I find myself so desirous to do what is good for the sake of my Lord,yet fail so horribly as if on purpose?"  Isn't this the very question so many of us ask?

While the world will not even recognize that there is such a thing as sin, Christians come to know it as a Being.  To the Christian, who struggles so desperately to do what is right, sin is a living breathing animal within us.

What is the answer to this?  It is that the law of God is righteous.  It is that we are the ones rightfully condemned to death.  It is that the hope of the gospel is all the brighter because of this understanding.  And the glory of Christ is unsurpassed.

Only he has conquered sin.  He is the mercy of God in which we can fully trust.  We can trust no man nor even ourselves.  But we can put complete trust in the one who has overcome.

Choose to do what is right.  By all means make your choice and obsession.  But recognize that you fight against a living organism of rebellion. 

This brings up an interesting topic that I am not worthy to address.  We are commanded to be holy, as he who calls us is holy.  Yet we find ourselves living in far less. 

What shall be done, what shall be said?  I smell the answer.  I perceive there is a conclusion to this difficulty.  But I have not yet laid hold of it.  If I address this now it will not be complete any more than my statement 20 years ago. 

For now I rest, as should be for all, in the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.  I rest in his ability to save me.  I rest in His promise that there is a place where this living and breathing wickedness will be stripped away never to rise again.  All the while I will force myself to choose to do what is right.

The following is from Romans chapter 7.  I thought it would be good to include the transcript of the Apostle's understanding.  May the Lord grant us mercy that we can understand this personally.

Prayers are lifted.  Intent is sharpened.  I purpose to do well next time.  When it is time to venture out, desire consumes me to leave myself behind.  But I come along for the ride anyway.

Once with them, blinders of mercy strive to cover their sin.  But their behavior is so blatantly wicked, it is impossible not to notice.

The Lord has taught me his gospel.  And I wear a hat that speaks of eternity.  It is an emblem with a silver cross on a dark blue hat.  The words simply read "Think Eternity". They see me coming and turn away.

Then the moment comes when conversation is inevitable.  This is the moment I dread the most, for now I will open my mouth.  Just a few words pass and the difference is clear; not only clear to me but brilliantly clear to them.

At some point you see them strive for opportunity to leave.  The simple witness of a man has opened a chasm.  Before they perceive it not.  But now it looms before them, bringing terror.

I did not speak the holy words of Christ in front of them.  That opportunity did not show.  But the views of life within me made themselves apparent.  And the differences between us are stark.

Yes, I dread going out to meet with people.  Not because they are wicked, but because I am such a weak fool.

Christ Jesus within me is strength beyond measure, wisdom eternal, mercy unending.  I look for opportunities to share what is within me.  But opportunity is a fleeting animal.

They are trained to avoid confrontation with the Most High God.  They are trained to love their neighbor by being inclusive and embrace their sin.  They are taught to avoid the confrontation between truth and lies.  And they have learned their lesson very well.

Then we are given what is true, from He who is above all these things.  Now we are condemned if we do not choose.  Let a man ponder this.

Who should know it in this place of enticements?  How should we even know to look?  We should be satisfied with greed and death.  We are, however, anything but satisfied.  Let a man ponder this.

It is odd to a man that he should consider greater things than what he has.  He has only weeping and anger, frustration and loss.  He has only toil and trouble all his days.  How is it then that he should consider something more?  Let a man ponder this.

Man says to himself, "Why am I here?  Why are my days so filled with anxiety?  I no sooner release myself from the jaws of a lion, and the snake bites my heel.  It is senseless to live.  The only pleasure I can find is what I can take."  So he gives himself with abandon to take all he can.  Let a man ponder this.

Let a man ponder that he desires.  Let him wonder of the source.  Why not die and be done with this place?  This world and we are hopeless and void of help.  Indeed, let him consider this quandary.

God has spoken us a place to live.  There were two trees in the garden.  Take note that the tree of life was not a consideration of temptation.  It was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that caused the downfall.  And to this tree the woman was drawn.  Let a man ponder this.

It was either the result of a compulsion to do what is right because of my position in this world, or that I found an opportunity for gain.  Therefore no man is righteous.  And all of his righteous acts are as if filthy rags.

But for the mercy of Christ Jesus' sacrifice, I would have been among those who are gathered up and tossed without care into the bottomless pit.  No scream to save you.  No pleading to soften the blow.  No anger can touch the one who has judged you rightly.  Down you go, hopeless and destroyed.

As in my days of complete destruction, now there comes upon me days of building and hope.  I had listened to my own advice; directed by avarice and desire.  Now the Lord teaches me to listen and to do.  And I see that what he builds is lasting, good, and full of purpose.

I did not know, but neither did I ask.  There was no reward for the man I used to be.  Death without mercy nor consideration was mine.  I had no defense nor was I likely present justification on my own behalf.  This is the sentence to all who reject the mercy of God in Christ Jesus.

Come and taste that the Lord is good.  All who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.  Such is the promise of God to all men.  He cannot lie and he has sealed his word with the very blood of His Son.

Meek and humble, he works, diligently and without ceasing, for the sake of those who call on his name; that they may learn to love him and do the will of his Father. Trustworthy is one of his names.  Anointed with the oil of joy he rules with righteousness, wisdom, compassion, truth and justice.

He is forever standing ready to do the will of the Father.  In the twinkling of an eye his obedience is absolute.  Perfect!  And at the appointed time he will receive the command of his Father to put an end to this place.  He will not delay.

He alone has walked this place in which we live and succeeded in obeying every command of the Sovereign God.  He is, therefore, to be called Faithful.  In every way he is the perfect representation of the Most High God.

What then is to be said of how the world treats this magnificent Lord?  They give him no praise or Glory.  Instead they use his name in jokes, wicked exclamations and derision of one another.  They create their own religions for the exclusive purpose of blotting out His Majesty.  Though many adore the celebrations of his name they give him no honor, for their lives are a reflection of his enemy.

He will judge his people.  He will purify and teach.  No one will come to the Father but by him.  His people are taught to obey his every command. While the world treats him as the worst of possible men.

What has he done that you hate him so deeply?  Have you even asked that question?  Why do you use his name as an expression of disbelief?  Why do you dishonor God by dishonoring the Son?  All the while you think you are a good man.

Where is holiness?  You say you love him.  Where is the proof in your heart that you have had communion with this Son of Heavenly Royalty?  You will think that I judge you simply because I asked.  But examine yourself and give answer to He who lives forever.

Where is the deep and abiding  desire to do what is right and holy and pure and true?  Examine yourself.  For you will surely be examined.   And the examiner will examine you with absolute truth.

Do you retain the right to be a minister of your life?  Are you your own judge?  Are you satisfied with the perfection you have attained?  Will the Most High God be satisfied with your compromise?  Is your temple of holy service constructed of rotten cardboard?  Will such a structure stand the torrent of Holy Fire on that fearful and terrible day?

Cease your heckling.  Clamp shut your lips lest you are called before God.  Put your pride to death by the power of Jesus the Son of God.  Submit to his rule and learn what is true.

Consider the majesty of Christ Jesus.  This day, and what days you may have left in this place of testing, are the only moments you will be given to come to terms with God's chosen salvation.  Before you accept the Lord Jesus you are already condemned to death.  The choice belongs to you. 

Rise up and consider.





Patience and passion - 2014-04-08 18:39

Below is a section from John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.  I have read this book a few times.  But something new strikes me every time.

I have been writing lately about how the world will suffer due to their lack of generosity toward the Lord.  I dare say brother Bunyan has done a much better job than I.

All who chase after the things of this world, as if their true love, will abhor what is God's.  The things of this world will rot your soul as you stand before the Most High God for the sake of judgement.  Beware, be warned and be wise.

God has called one man to stand near its peak.  He delivered to that man the things he desired to give.  If you climb it you will die.  For the LAW of God makes no room for even a shadow of wickedness.

Read what Moses has brought back.  Consider yourself carefully; can you do the entire law?  Have you done what is perfect from birth?  Can you assail Mount Sinai without failing?  If not you will die.  Everyone who lives by the law will also die by the law.  And no one of blood alone will fulfill the entire Law.

We are of wayward desire.  But the desire at the top of Mount Sinai is perfect, unblemished, without fault, eternal and Holy.  Those who attempt to climb will be destroyed along the way.  You will be chared to fine ashes before you arrive at the Holy Fire.  And the torrent of Holy Wind will blow you away.

There is One who has assailed the height.  There will not be another.  He is the Holy Son of God.  He was with God from the beginning and has known his Father's ways forever.  Though he is a son of man, he was not so by the will of man.  He alone has performed the law of God perfectly.  And now he sits enthroned at the right hand of God forever.

Without him we are but animals.  With him we become immeasurably more.  And we remember that it is written, "If even an animal touches the mountain it must be stoned or shot with arrows."  The rock of God's salvation will crush him.  Or he will die for the piercing guilt he wears. 

Therefore do not attempt to climb Mount Sinai.  Rather approach the mount at its base and plead with he lives above.  He is full of mercy, but he will test every heart.  Leave what is Holy to he who is Holy forever.  Do not presume that you can grasp what is far beyond your reach.  Do not insult the Most High God.

In time, if you persist in service to him, he will grant you the holiness his wisdom dictates for you.  Revere the Lord Jesus!  Humble yourself before him in his Holy Place.   In due time he may lift you up.

Climb the mountain of humility.  Its base has roots in the grave.  Pride is of the grave.  Therefore this mount suits us perfectly.  It is sufficient for a man to climb this mountain. 

This mountain of humility is often unperceived by man.  Pride and desire cloak the eyes.  And there is no blazing glory visible at its peak.  It is not desirable to the eyes and pride of man.  It's base begins in darkness.  And its peak is in but shadows.  Though it is not perceived by many, it remains the will of God for man.

This mountain is the Mount of Olives.  Here a man comes to prepare himself for death.  Here a man comes that he may be stripped of all that he owns.  It is here that pride is beaten, humiliated, scourged and murdered.  Here a man comes to proclaim the glory of God in Christ Jesus.  Here a man comes to say, "May your Holy you will be done."  Here a man comes to learn that God alone is good.

Mount Sinai will kill you; soul and body.  The Mount of Olives will burn away your sinful nature, while setting fire to your soul.  It is here that faith finds blazing life.  It is here that man has no glory.  It is here that we find the will of God for all men.

May God grant wisdom to those who read, according to his excellent purpose.





Occupation - 2014-04-09 09:51

The Apostle Paul made tents.  The Apostle Peter was a fisherman.  There are not many of God's people who inhabit glorious occupations.  And those who do are often assailed with temptation and corruption.  They are humble occupations which often provide for humble men.  For it is God's will that his people become servants.

All day long people are irritated at big trucks.  They occupy their space with formidable threat. The trucks obscure one's vision.  They always seem to be in the way.  You know sooner navigate around one truck and there appears another.  They are slow.  They are fearsome in their size.  When it rains they spew bath tubs of water on your windshield.  And when they blow a tire it seems all hell breaks loose.  Why would anyone not be frustrated by big trucks?

One would think that big trucks are an unholy aberration; frustration sent among men from the very bowels of hell.  In a large part men have no idea how correct that is.  In the beginning it was not God's will that's such things should be.

But do not judge the driver by the frustration he leaves in his wake.  And do not judge him when you see him dismount from his Stallion of Steel.  He is shabby in appearance; not at all the mountainous and evil man you presumed.  He is an emblem of surprise; that such a man should cause such havoc in your life.

All the while you are frustrated and on the verge of anger, you envision some hideous monster behind the wheel.  Surely he is full of hatred.  Surely he has no kin.  His mother was a rock in the forest.  And his father was but a needle pine.  He is a troll among men; a demon filled and pitiful excuse for a man.  No decent man would cause such pain.

I am a truck driver.  I take note of your fear and anxiety all day long.  I see that you are impatient.  I see that in your impatience you have no regard for law.  For you push with all your might just beyond what is lawful; that you may vanquish this enemy of rubber and steel.

But mercy attends my hands.  The Son of God sings beautiful things to my soul all day long. I spend my hours with no radio playing.  No one to speak wicked things to me.  And my days end as did the days of the Apostles'; in prayer of praise and thanks to the one who has delivered me from incident or injury to others.

I know you cannot help the way you feel.  Life demands a great deal.  But the next time you are navigating around a truck, consider that one of them contains the Holy Word of God.

A man who loved the Lord took his best cup off the shelf.  He went about his kitchen gathering the best ingredients for a tasty drink.  When the mixture was perfect he set it on the table and waited for his guest.

At the appointed hour his guest arrived.  When he walked through the door the man bowed to his face and greeted the Lord Jesus.  "I have waited for you, Oh Holy One.  Welcome to my house.  I have prepared I drink for you that you may quench your thirst and have what is rightfully yours.  Please come and sit, that we may converse."

The Lord responded with a smile and went to the table to sit.  He reached out to the glass to receive what his servant had made.  But as it neared his lips the smell of sour and putrid struck his nose.  He gave the man a glance with his holy eyes.  Without a word he stood from the table and left.

The man had given what he thought was best.  But in his corrupted mind he had created a concoction of wicked ingredient.  He could not please the Lord for he did not know what pleased the Lord. 

If we are to love the Lord with all that we are, let us be sure we understand who the Lord is.

For now we live in confusion.  But how does that compare to, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  how should we say our questioning is just?

For now we look to die.  But how does our death compare to that which was foretold; Not a bone will be broken.  He will make no complaint as he is led to slaughter.  And, to rise into immortality in three days?

We worship the Son of God for he is a utterly unlike us.  His faithfulness to the Holy Father is without fault.   Our righteousness is by faith alone.  But the righteousness of the Son of Man has been from the beginning, unblemished.

For now we have nothing to offer that belongs to us.  Every good thing we have is given from above, full of Mercy and Grace.  How shall that compare to the sacrifice of our Lord?  He has given that which has belonged to him from eternity, and that for the sake of his enemy.

For now we see as through a glass darkly.  But then we will know fully and be perfected by the strength that is Jesus, the Christ of God and our Lord.

Let us free ourselves from all that is unrighteous.  For now, let us worship Him in all that is true that he may then receive what is rightfully his.  Let us renew an earnest heart, for the sake of our appearing before Him.

By His Holy promise we shall be perfected.  Even though, for now, we stumble about as blind men in a freshly plowed field.  We trust, and rightly so.  For Christ Jesus has earned the right to sit as King of Kings!

Countless horde, await your day.  Sleep your restless sleep.  Your time has come to an end in the midst of your desire.  Warned, you continued on, mindless of what was coming.

Now what is your complaint?  Will you complain that your dreams have been stolen?  Will you desire vengeance for the plans which never found root?   Will you complain regarding your current home; the darkness of your grave consumes you.

Those who remain in the Land of the Dead morn your passing.  But they will soon join you, it is inevitable.  These, who still strive against the Gospel of Christ, make their plans just as did you.  They live as animals waiting for the slaughter.

"More grass,
more water,
more steps to take.
More air to breathe,
more sleep to take."

To whom do you address your complaint?  Do you despise the world because it did not give you your desire?  Do you blame death because it has brought you to his house?  Did you not know it was his intent?  So now your dark heart, in your dark home, rails against the Land of the Dead?

Perhaps your greed provokes jealousy.  For God lives in his brilliantly lit Palace of Righteousness.  All the while His Holy Law has placed you where you are.  Stripped of your gain he has said,