Reflecting upon Paul’s wisdom, knowledge, power and dedication causes one to a desire to emulate his walk.  Seeing how John and James spent days upon end sitting at the Lord’s feet, listening, praying and working makes me wonder how I could be after such time with Christ.  Elijah’s fealty, Isaiah’s truth, Moses’s strength all give me pause seeing how inconsistent my walk, frail my breath and short my arm.  And I weep to be faced with the opportunity to express courage as Joshua or faith like Stephen.  Oh and father Abraham to believe so deeply in the Lord’s promise that he would offer up his precious son.

These thoughts make me shiver and drive me to my knees but what quickens me and takes the breath from my pride is the thought that nothing else matters but Jesus.  I am to imitate Him and learn from the mistakes, victories and trials of His disciples but I am not to try and be like them, but like the Lord.  All these men, and women had one thing in common they tried to be like Him.  They trusted Him, loved Him, worshiped Him and followed Him to that one death which faces each of us on our path to the everlasting.  They had the unique understanding that there was nothing else as important, no other challenge as grand no other pursuit worth every ounce of spirit.  They wanted to be like Him and some made a pretty strong stand wouldn’t you say?

It does not matter what others believe, what others fear, say or accomplish.  It matters only that I do what the Maker of every universe programmed into my spirit.  That I fulfill my quest, not that it measures up against someone else or that there are two brothers that are better than I at being compassionate, patient and gentle.  I just want to be like Him.  To know that what I have done needs no explanation.  I want to be true, right, honest and pure because that is what He is like.  I want to defend the weak, pick up the discarded and pray for the misunderstood.  Though I love you my Lord’s Saints that love began when He first loved me and I understood how to love Him.  I wish for you all the success that the Lord may bestow upon you in this life and the next, but I could give a hoot if I am doing a better job than any of you.  I just want to be like Him.  For me that is Holy Grail, my quest, my wish.  Praise the Almighty God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob in the Glorious name of Jesus Christ the Lion of Judah, my King.  Amen.

Why do those who perform acts look to Christians for condoning or condemnation?  If they understood the commitment to which we find ourselves allied, they would understand that we can provide neither.  We are not the world’s judge nor do we have the right, power or freedom to condone sin and wickedness.  To those who would have me encourage their salacious behavior I tell you that the Lord has directed me to love you but revile your sin.  And for them who would ask of me condemnation for their acts I tell you there is only one Judge, one Law, one King, one Righteous Maker who presides over all.  He is so clear on this edict that He will not even let me judge myself, never mind project that condemnation upon others.

Why is it so hard for people to make the mutually exclusive analysis where my love for you is separate from my abhorrence of your sin?  I can love you and hate what you do.  They are separate thoughts on my part.  This desire to lump them together is merely used to condemn me while somehow providing mild catharsis for your wounded constitution.  Remember receiving condemnation from me is neither something I am capable of providing nor can I tolerate, condone, permit or honor your wicked behavior.  These are two things you must receive from someone else.  As Christians our opinion is clearly written within the covers of the inerrant, infallible, Holy Spirit inspired Word of God known as the Bible.  I recommend you read it and you will find, love, acceptance, fairness, righteousness, peace, wisdom and eternal salvation from the condemnation of your own heart.  I want to help, aid, support and encourage people not condemn them, but that is exclusive from my responsibility to avoid and where necessary point out self-destructive action.

I give to you warning and encouragement both born of love, my love for my Creator and my love for you.  Do what God commands because He commands it and has the right to do so.  Do not look to me for condemnation nor provision for your sin, because I can provide neither.  Come to the Lord Jesus before the time to do so has passed.  Please don’t condemn my fellow Christian’s because they cannot give you what you seek.  Praise God in Jesus’ Name.

Talk about it.  As in intimidation and victimization, avoidance is just another instrument in the ill-prepared, man’s bag of conflict resolution tools.  Similarly effective at shutting down relevant or undesired conversation, dodging unpleasant subjects, and by stretching out the posterity of personal ignorance.  Though this never really solves anything it is a classic mechanism for delaying maturity.  Unfortunately, this ploy is tantamount to proxy condemnation for the believer.

The LORD does NOT allow FENCE sitters where the Truth of Christ is concerned.  Avoidance of acceptance, surrender and direction for a Christian brings the same punishment as will an out-right disbeliever.  In fact, I propose that an unbeliever, mocker or wicked man possesses exponentially more dignity in his resolve to stand for what he believes in, which just happens to be nothing but his own interests.  Whereas a Christian who avoids relevant conversation and duty is a turncoat, liar and more the snake than any other.

Here is the irony of the week; I asked myself yesterday, “What are the questions that I don’t want to be asked”?  The answer was disconcerting to say the least.  I confess my sin, I do not pray, do not give, do not love, do not forgive and frequently do what I know to be wrong just to suit my own desire.  I am rebellious to those the Lord has placed over me, disobedient to the Word and frankly have more energy for serving my flesh than I do the tasks to which God has designed me.  I speak flippantly, walk rashly and trample the sensitive cares of many of God’s children.  I ask forgiveness where I have none to give and expect God’s blessings where I have operated under poor assumption.  In the short of it, if not for the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, I myself would be nailed directly to that rugged cross for crimes of which I AM GUILTY.  Praise God He has provided a sacrifice to buy back my unworthy soul from eternal separation and agony.

Avoid avoidance like the plague that it is.  Be of good courage and strength as the Lord bids us.  Take the high ground and fear not those who can kill the body.  Speak the truth, to yourself first and then it will be easy to be honest with the world.  Love yourself enough to take your own medicinal criticism and encouragement.  Stand and He will fight for you.  Do not sneak, do not run, do not waver, dodge or relinquish your commission.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul as you love no other and love your brother as you yourself would want to be loved.  Standing on the sidelines is a coward’s method for admitting guilt.  We love you Lord Jesus.

The Holy Spirit placed something on my heart today while reflecting on the circumstances surrounding our Lord’s last moment on Calvary’s Cross.  The two thieves represent the two sides of humanity with Christ their intercessor hanging between them.  One man accepted his fate, knowing himself rightfully condemned and seeking no forgiveness for his actions nor release from the inevitable separation from God.  In fact he was already distanced, veiled and lost, not being capable of cherishing the opportunity to speak directly to his Maker.  The other understood and without baptism or ritual found entry into paradise by his repentance and belief.  Yes, even on the Cross the Lord taught a perfect lesson of choice even to the last breath our fate is not yet determined.  However, some will look upon this and call this fatalist or predetermination in that one could see the other was blind.  Just because the Lord stands outside of time and knows what I will do before I choose to do it does not mean that He made the choice for me.  I am free to choose life or eternal separation from those that I love and await me at the Lord’s Patient Throne.  The Lord will not bear with humanity forever, so I pray that as the thief on the Cross you lay down your pride, ignorance and stubbornness and ask Him for salvation.  You will not be denied nor will you be disappointed.  Paradise lives here and is coming nearer each day.  Praise God in the Holy, Mighty Name of Jesus Christ the King of Everything.

This no precise machine designed for statistically programmed functionality.  This is no piston, cam driven appliance hewn for calculated work.  We are not silicon fashioned plasma factories prepared to produce data or spew unrefined information.  You are not a repository of closely permuted variables and malleable characteristics.  We do not somehow get life right or do it “correctly”.  This thing called life “is its own meaning”.  The messiness, the imprecision, the inherent fallibility within the human paradigm is exactly what makes beings so loveable.  God could have created machines but that was man’s imperfect work.  Instead He made Madge and Bill and Tom and Tess, oh what a glorious representation of His glory, each of us.

Delight in their frailty, take heart from our strength.  Reflect on his wisdom and learn sympathy from her sensitivity.  Be provoked by the incessant questions of the young and rebuked by the unavoidable truth of the aged.  Love, because that is what sets us apart from metallic componentry.  We are grand because of our relationship to He who made us.  A God so infinite in His understanding that he constructed us beyond mere machinery into mysteries of organic chemistry coupled with engineering mastery.  We the anomalies of this universe in our resemblance to Majesty and our affinity for sublime.  In our choice we demonstrate our efficacy.  In our kindness we demonstrate sacrifice and ponder the origin of our internal prompting.  In our freedom we understand allegiance.

You could have made us into anything, but you chose this glorious combination of imperfection and wonder.  Thank you Father for letting me be a human and allowing me for the briefest of moments to delight in the miracle of birth, living, decision and passing.  This gift of Your Living Breath, breathed into what may have been naught but dirt at its beginning but promises to become something refined in its conclusion.  Praise Your Holy Name Father in the Glorious Name of Jesus the King of All Creation, thank you Holy Spirit.  Amen.

In my interest of providing excuses for my inaction or disobedience, I complicate and obfuscate the duties which I am expected to perform.  Telling the Good News of Christ is simple and “any” attempt by “any” person to complicate the process is merely deception and misdirection.  And we all know who the chief deceiver is, the Lord Jesus rebuke our accuser.  Discipleship is easy work, deciding we are going to get off of our posteriors and do it is the real battle.

Tell your story.  The process looks something like this; “I was in pain, addicted to this or that with a horrible life and nothing but despair to look forward to.  Each day I cried out in sadness, seeking anything that would release me, even temporarily from the crushing weight of reality.  When I reached bottom, on a day I clearly remember, I cried out to Jesus Christ for salvation, and He answered my cry.  He came into my life and brought light where there was darkness, joy where there was pain and power where there was weakness.  I turned away from my sin and the voice of this world and the devil and now only hear the voice of God, directing me, shaping me, leading me to life everlasting.  Jesus saved me and here is the most wonderful thing of all, He can do the same for you.  Jesus came to Earth and lived a perfect life, then gave up that life in order to pay for your and my sin debt.  He purchased us back from slavery to sin and the devil so that we could once again have a relationship with God.  Jesus rose from the grave and now sits in Heaven awaiting the day when He will return for His church and He wants to come here for you.  Will you let Him in to your life so that He can save you and give you new life, love, joy and freedom?  I pray that He shows you this truth.”

Pretty clear and simple, right?  What you do now determines your treasures in heaven.  I recommend you get off your spiritual duff and get in the game.  Try the above process and I guarantee you will lead people to the Cross where they too will meet the Lord Jesus.  Have an excellent day my Brothers, Sisters and Friends.  In Christ Jesus I pray for you great blessings this and every day.  Amen.

Come along love lay down that travesty.  Put aside the nightmare and follow someone who truly knows and loves you.  Waiting patiently, knowing fully that at some point your burden will become more than you alone can bare.  That is the point at which you will seek and find and know.  Dabbling with oil lamps, rubbing them with all your might, hoping some mystic character would relieve of your agony, you found nothing but unfulfilled ambition.  There was no hope, only desperation, so odd brothers and caring sisters were sent to gather you from the arms of those eagerly promising empty dreams.  He wept at your sadness, and each time you dwelt alone in the dismal darkness of your utter grief, someone sat with you.

My heart is only an ember and I love you so much it hurts.  How than must God feel as He peers into your melancholy?  The hope is in realizing His forgiveness, love and eternal blessing.  There is shelter, there is a place to deposit the objects of your guilt, pain and remorse, there are hands large enough to contain your misery.  His shelter is complete, His breadth immeasurable and His love for you uncontainable.  His name is God, Creator, Father, Lord and He is always there for those who believe.

You have been disappointed so many times that you have become jaded in your disbelief.  There is one Rock that shall not be moved, One Lord that shall never lose faith, One Truth, One Dream and One Love.  Isn’t it time to rest in the shadow of His countenance and the Comfort of His Counsel?  Never give up to this world, but when you feel that you must, give up to the one who will fill you with New Life, Joy and Strength to weather any storm.  Jesus The King who for our sake put aside Glory to buy back each one of His lost children by laying down a perfect life as ransom.  Praise You Lord, there is no one like You.  Amen.

How am I speaking and listening to the Word and to people?  If faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of the Lord then listening is the key to faith.  Demonstration of that faith and use of my authority in Christ Jesus requires speaking the Word of God.  How am I speaking the Word to others and into this world?

Each sin is preceded by a thought.  Just as we are commanded to take every thought captive in order to prohibit the consequential sin, I must ask of myself, “Am I conscious and training myself to think before I speak?”  Do I have residual guilt due to “offhand”, flippant, insensitive or cruel speech?  Am I attentive to the most dangerous weapon I have in my arsenal, my words?

This concept is instrumental in understanding the power of God’s Word, the fact that our words are the most powerful thing we have in battle.  Through the improper wielding of our own “spiritual sword” we see just how overwhelming the Word may be to this world.  Unlike the Sword of the Spirit of God’s Word, we cannot cleave soul from spirit, separate bone from sinew or clarify deception from truth just through the utterance of our words.

However  we must remember that we are the vehicle for the purity, clarity and power of the Lord’s Word to this world.  Therefore I must be a proper steward of the mechanism for dispensation of God’s Wisdom.  I must be attentive to the appearance and worthiness of my mouth.  If I am a dirty pitcher, an oily vase or a filthy glass how then will the water I dispense appear or taste?  Lord let me not pollute Your Word with my own bitterness, impurity or unconsciousness.

Give me an open ear for the clarity of Your Word.  Let my faith grow to the fullest by the hearing of Your Truth.  Revise my thinking and active speech so that I never taint any meaning Your Word intends.  Let me be cautious with the steel of my own spiritual sword.  Remind me of the respect necessary to wield such weaponry.  Give me truth, life and encouragement.  Praise You Father God we await the sound of Your thunderous voice.  In Jesus’ name I ask forgiveness of my poor listening, improper thoughts and offhand words.  Thank you for this day that You have made.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/just-thinking/player/fox-theatre-qa-part-3-of-3-278837.html    ARMOR UP, Standing in the face of overwhelming difficulty requires hope, faith, trust and courage which all require preparation.

http://www.israelunitycoalition.org/news/?p=8098  Please read and understand what confronts Israel and the west at this historic and Biblical juncture.

Look at this wounded world.  Even in its poisoned state it still manages to reflect God’s Beauty, Glory and Majesty.  Sin has reached its pinnacle.  Greed gropes for the last few breaths, steals from hungry mouths, wrapping children in the dusty cloths left from cleaning up after the unbridled festivities of  the wealthy.  Water pushes evidence of the seas illness upon the shores while nuclear scientists quake in silence realizing Pandora’s foolishness.  Tyrants wax their half-mouth grin as teeth clench behind eyes filled with conquest, slavery and history’s mark.  We think that we have pushed God from the stage.  We think that we are in charge, yet we cannot even balance budgets, maintain our relationships or be good stewards for the land we claim to dominate.  Sickness, war, famine, pestilence, weather’s fury and drought are normalcy in these days of man’s splendid reign.  If they will not admit their origins from the Creator then they will admit their end under His Just and Final Judgment.

If you see something different, some successful solution to our obvious direction, then speak up.  Tell me of the lilacs bloom and peace between men pent upon each others destruction.  Explain to me how to feed the malnourished masses, the thirsty throats and the diseased.  Describe for me how our current arrogant leaders will somehow lay down their ambition in humble sacrifice for those who follow.  Lay out our promised future, with homes for the exploding population where their waste will not pollute the very land which feeds them.  Tell me how we curb the ferocity of the exponential increase in weather’s violence, taming earthquakes, hurricanes and rising seas.  This is a fool’s errand to dis-inform your citizenry.

There is no other answer but to humble ourselves before God and ask of Him salvation through the ruler of creation, Christ Jesus.  Have mercy Father, let the blind seek you in renewed understanding, wisdom and piety.  Praise You Lord Jesus, OUR KING FOREVER.  Amen

Where scripture is concerned, does interpretation matter?  Do I have the unmitigated gall to believe that the Almighty appreciates even an iota my ability, or flippancy to postulate on the meaning of the Gospel?  My read is that the Lord will judge each of those who add to or take away from the Bible.  Is that not, in fact why he was so angry at the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  Man’s desire to justify, condone or assign his own rights, behaviors and authorities has consistently aroused anger from the Lord.  Who am I to think that God would use me for anything but evil if I were to misquote His Divine Word or mutate its meaning to make a solid conversational, ideological or sociopolitical argument?

The Lord made me for His good pleasure and gave us the Word in its perfection to guide us to the truth, not as a means to solidify our own aspirations or position as most-honored, sapiens.  For example, I heard a pastor the other day state that “he thinks” that God had Mary Magdalen be the first to find Jesus in order to demonstrate that God thinks women are equal to men.  I can see no other purpose for such a statement than to curry favor with women within/without the congregation.

Let me not be judge of this pastor but rather call him to task with reflection upon God’s word on this and other subjects.  We ought not take liberties where the Word of God is concerned.  The practice of minimizing scripture is a long-term and devious craft fulfilled by chipping away, bit by bit at the foundations of God’s teaching.  We did not end up in our present circumstances overnight but rather as the outcome of a “progressive” inch by inch course variation from the Lord’s path to truth.

God’s love for me does not translate into permission to speak for Him when His word is indelible.  My opinion truly matters very little, Ah but my willingness to believe and surrender to that very same Word accounts for everything.  So, by all means declare the Word of the Lord, boldly, with clarity and passion, but be extremely cautious about interpretation.  And that goes for you most scholarly gentlemen especially.  Arrogance, pride and self sanctimony have led the strongest into iniquity’s snare.  I pray for all of us in these most evil days of wide-spread and socially acceptable wickedness.  The Lord will neither apologize to Sodom nor Gomorrah, he will simply deal with like in kind.  He is Just and The Lord our Righteousness (YHWH Tsidkenu) is the name of His Holy City to Come.  Praise the Almighty Father, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

But Lord, I was just about to …….  Are you praying for the Lord to return or not?  If you are like me there is an internal struggle.  Sometimes it goes away and I can be certain for moments, days or weeks that I am looking skyward for the signs of Kingdom’s Come.  However, honesty calls me to say that there are moments I find myself saying Lord if you could only wait until after “this” happens.  And other times, I selfishly want rapture to come to get me out of here so I don’t have to face the wrath of the lamb or the coming days of Jacob’s trouble.  This is weakness, lack of faith and attachment to worldly treasure/outcome.  Wow, I know that these words sting, but why shouldn’t they be said, especially when I am the topic of criticism?

The simple fact is that I was made to do the Lord’s work, period.  I was not designed and breathed to life to serve my own interests, financial and otherwise, but rather to fulfill particular aspects of the Lord’s plan.  Yes, I am to have a life of abundance as a bi-product of living for the Lord.  He made me, then saved me, then remade me and continues to bless me with growth, pain and joy.  This is no longer my life.  I am a slave to righteousness, purchased by the blood of an innocent man, who coincidentally was also God.  Yes I can be thankful that blessings of wealth, health and prosperity come  my way as result of obedience, but those things were not made to be my purpose.

Father, episodes, predictions and circumstances of Your Word are patently clear.  A discerning man, looking at the sky sees the coming storm on horizon and calls his family to preparation and shelter.  Why then do we dally as Christians.  What is this delay, this desire to overlook the signs or forestall the inevitable and imminence of Your rapidly, approaching return for the church and judgment.  Let me reach a few Lord and then let them look to Your Word and Prayer for confirmation, and then cause them to take that message to other saints.  This world is going away, whether we will admit it or not.  The evidence is transparent and substantial.  I bless Your Holy name and seek to live a life driven by the sweet song of Your melodious whisper.  Let us be found doing Your work when you come.  Praise Jesus as God the Father and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

http://www.israelunitycoalition.org/news/?p=8080  Evidence, exhibit One

http://www.israelunitycoalition.org/news/?p=8068  More, How much do we need before we draw conclusion?