Can you stand still for as long as it takes?  Could you spend forty years in the desert only to be called to lead a gathering of miserable, rebellious, complaining people back into the same desert for another forty years?  Could you go willingly into captivity and there so shine that the leaders of two empires choose you as their Chief of Staff?  Would you go into that same captivity knowing that you would never again see home?  Would you have what it takes to preach the gospel in the desert for one hundred twenty years all the time constructing a ship when those around you had never seen the rain?  Could you joyfully sing in captivity, changing hearts and leading those around you to Christ all the time knowing that death awaited you?  Would you call out the church for its departure from scripture with full knowledge that they would burn you at the stake for proclaiming the truth?  Will you proclaim your faith in The Lord Jesus Christ when your farm, life and family hang on the balance of your weighty words?  Would you refuse to move until you heard from Almighty or one of His Angelic messengers?  What form of patience do you possess?  Is it the type that hungers and thirsts for the Word and can go forty days and forty nights without sustenance?  That is the will that I seek.  It is not a thing of self, because I cannot possess it.  It is a thing of God which overcomes all that is in this world through the shed Blood of Christ, our Love for Jesus and the strength of our testimony of children of the Almighty God, sealed by Spirit and hidden with Christ in God.   There is no one worth Praising but You Father, in the name of Your Only Son, Jesus, I pray this great day which You have made.

Pondering God’s love.  A quizzical thing.  Why us Lord?  I turn my mind inside out looking for a smidgen of understanding, and come up empty.  I have seen men do some nice things, some unselfish acts, even some instances where people have reflected “some” Godliness.  I have seen dedication to the common good, sacrifice for the poor and conformance to limited righteous ideals.  I have seen small church bodies whose abundant giving was magnified to create enormous impact for the Kingdom.  I have seen courage in the midst of overwhelming difficulty even to the point of death, but none of this rises to the level of sufficient explanation for our deserving the Love of Almighty God.  Especially considering the depth of our offenses the magnitude to which we have been provided for, protected and forgiven.  None of what we have done begins to explain that the unfathomable reasoning behind love for an undeserving species.

Akin to the most common unbeliever question, “If God is Almighty and Sovereign why would he allow evil or bad things to occur in the world?”.   You see these questions cannot be understood or even ventured without the benefit of humility.  To reflect upon the supernatural reasoning requires “super” (above), “natural” (mortal) inspiration.  Searching a print out of code may be interesting, but without the key, the primmer it is unsearchable.  Without God’s assistance these questions are unanswerable for man.

Why then did He implant them within our mind, why are we encoded with an unquenchable desire to seek Him out?  Even the most devout atheist seeks the same answers.  These questions are only answerable through a “living”/”active” relationship with Almighty God.  A relationship where the individual may receive direction, insight and understanding of those things beyond him or herself via the internal/external Voice of God.  A relationship, that is not governed by our explanation of that which we cannot explain.  A relationship with rules that supersede what we want.  A relationship defined by the Divine, fulfilling the purposes of the Divine, so that we may interact with the Divine.

The joyous revelation of the mystery is that these things are “knowable” through the access provided by a Loving God.  He has given us an open door to visit with Him, for the purposes of fellowship, education, protection, counsel, intercession and discipline.  You see I cannot understand those unknowable questions through either my own reasoning or through my demanding answer.  I must first comply with the rules of the Almighty God who designed not only the mortals but also the process by which our questions are answered.  For He alone has the answers to the questions that we have been asking, forcing us to come to Him for resolution of our yearnings.  The satisfaction we seek is possible through relationship with Almighty God.  Thank You Lord for Loving us so much that You even provided a path to resolving our most pressing interrogatives.  You are Awesome and Divine.  Please show me Your Ways so that I may live this life to its fullest.  Jesus Be Praised.

Befriending darkness are we.  State by state we comply with the root of wickedness in our okaying what the Lord has labeled abomination.  These are difficult times where we find ourselves having to stake ground for things with which we cannot possibly agree.  There is no ambiguity in the Lord’s proclamation regarding our immoral behavior and service to those idol’s of self-direction.  Judgment, this will be the key word when reviewing this nation’s future.  The limits of acceptable speech have been stretched to include the truly evil.  Love has been forgotten, replaced with social approval.  Truth has been trodden and its place a fashionable, bronze statue of our erected, manly worship.  We have abandoned reason and common sense wondering clumsily into to a clearly labeled minefield.  God help those who unwittingly are drawn in to the area of impact, but most of us know the price of our national decisions.  We cannot plead negligence for we have been clearly told.

The remnants of a once great nation rapidly spill down the raceway toward abandon.  Our defeat has not been brought about by enemies external but through festering illness within our own flesh.  We are nearing the point of implosion where people are forced to defend themselves, not from opinion but from real assault upon life, liberty, limb and Faith.  Our watch posts have gone unmanned and as we turn to deal with our own wounds our patient foes will clamor over the walls of our once safe kingdom.  Prepare, protect and pray for God’s mercy on those who will not respond.  Come soon Lord.

He demands I look away from the ideas which drove a lifetime.  A lifetime, of dedication to fulfillment of the internal drives to get, obtain, use, possess and stimulate.  A lifetime, which to most could be perfectly rewarding when viewed through global, national or certain philosophical norms.  A lifetime, although even when philanthropic carried with it a choice to forgo the promises of the unseen eternal residence with God.  Could I truly stand being dirt poor, diseased, cast out, alone or hated if it meant that at the end of that unbearable living I would sit at the feet of The Father, known, loved, perfectly engaged?

opendoorsusa.org

This is not easy, this life.  There are Brothers and Sisters who are fleeing for their lives at this moment knowing that their decision to follow Christ will bring punishment if not death to their loved ones.  What then can I do to support their brave and courageous decision?  Shall I stand up to politician, asking that monies be dedicated to protecting their rights?  Absolutely.  Shall I attempt to raise awareness of their plight while alerting the world to the rationality and the sound reasons for such dedication?  Absolutely.  Shall I shine His reflected light for those who would find route to the skinny path leading them away from the broad, well-traversed road to destruction?  Absolutely.  Shall I give whatever it personally takes to feed, shelter, encourage and edify them as they run toward eternity?  Absolutely.  What will it cost me in this life time to see as many of them join us in the next?  If I am fortunate and true, Absolutely, everything.

He is worthy of my praise and my service to His children.  Glorious God, Glorious God, Almighty for ever and for ever.  Jesus, Lord.

Why does it make us queasy to speak about blood?  Why are Hollywood, the news and those pent on violence dedicated to desensitizing the globe to the sight of its crimson majesty?  What are we without it, lifeless?  What are we because of it, forgiven, cleansed, family, separated from most mammalia by its warmth.  That is why Jesus gave His blood for us and promised even the wicked, salvation if they should depend upon  His sanguine sacrifice.  There is no greater gift a man can give then to shed his blood for humanity.  This is the God we serve.  A being so powerful that He could voluntarily make Himself susceptible to sin and death, just to fulfill something that could not have otherwise been accomplished, bringing man back into His presence.  How can God die?  Out of His Will to spill His own blood for humans.  Do not blame the Romans, the Jews, the arrogant or the weak.  For this was the Lord’s plan.

Do not be misguided in your pursuit of Glory.  There is nothing new under the sun as Solomon stated through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  This includes any steps you or I might take to delay or defeat the enemy’s intention.  This has already been accomplished, completed, done.  satan and his armies are simply a corpse in its death throws after being administered the judgment to which they are headed, the Lord Jesus rebuke him and his followers.  This was fulfilled through the Awesome Blood of God being brought into this world as the antidote to sin and death.  One drop was capable of creating/destroying worlds, one milliliter worth a trillion stars.  A liquid so strong that it reaches back and forward through the span of time to make right what had been violated by rebellion.  A God so wonderful that instead of condemning everything, wiping the slate clean and remaking the universe, chose to give us the gifts of forgiveness, mercy, patience and Almighty Grace.

I cannot open my mind wide enough to begin to comprehend the breadth of this salvation, no wonder the angels remain in awe.  Did you ever stop to think that God “existed” for eternity before He even created satan and the fallen?  And that when he created these beings he knew exactly every step that they would ever take throughout their entire existence.  Yet He still offered them “free will” to choose right.  Do you begin to see the Love that our God possesses?  He creates things even when He knows that they will oppose Him, and He does it out of Love.  Humility is too weak a word.  Praise Him in all His infinite Love and Grace, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

We ask for hope yet we refuse to provide evidence to those around us.  We pray for peace, yet we cannot even bring harmony in our own hearts and families.  We long for the Lord, yet we will not visit with Him daily as He lives within our current reach.  We look for love instead of giving it, seek bounty when we will not feed those in need and ask for forgiveness while grudge rules our seared conscience and lock down hearts.  If the root qualifier for answered prayer were we get only what we first give, what then would be our daily actions?

Determine to live full of things which you seek and understanding will most certainly change.  Plant the seed of grace by telling people the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ.  Nothing planted, nothing harvested.  We are rapidly entering a decade that will remake the face of humanity.  Take a moment to reflect on this previous ten years and you will see two things; that the speed of change is intensifying as Daniel prophesied and there are few things that have remained the same in that time frame politically or sociologically.   What this means is that fewer people will be able to keep up with the impacts placed upon their lives and will be seeking guidance, solace and relief.  The personal impact of each “Spirit Filled” believer upon the salvation of mankind will rapidly spike.  We must be ready for this time when we can be so effective for the Kingdom.

To that end I will be posting a series of discussions/studies/recommendations to help isolate, modify and enhance those areas where we collectively may need some assistance or encouragement.  This series will be entitled, “Perform what you Practice” and is based upon some disciple preparedness work I have done with Brothers and Sisters throughout the United States.  Please assist me in any way to help the body prepare for what is unmistakably the most important time in man’s Biblical history, the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the enormous harvest of saints in anticipation of His return for His Church and His Reign.  Glory be to God and may He provide for all of your spiritual, emotional, physical and financial needs in your Kingdom efforts through His riches and Glory in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

We have all heard not to ask the Lord for patience, because the process to being equipped with this Spirit reflecting characteristic is seldom painless.  Most of us pray under our breath for things like humility, selflessness and long-suffering knowing that we should be demonstrating these traits in our Christian walk but that fleshy voice saying, “Wait a minute you might be taking this a bit too seriously”.  “He did not say that you will most certainly not bare the fruits of the spirit if you are not conformed to Christ”.  “You in fact are already made in His image and these are just trifles that are unnecessary now that you have Grace”.

Sound a bit familiar.  The enemy is always plying his wares against us even in the most subtle formation.  Remember we are called to vigilance and readiness.  Remaining willing to the Hand of the Master, to mold us into His likeness requires doing the tough work of confessing our sins, repenting and surrendering our lives to be shaped.   One of those “not so thrilling” occasions to learn some humility came my way today.  My first reaction was to get all huffy about losing this or that I had desired, but several minutes down the road, I realized that the Lord had rapidly answered my prayers.  You see I prayed for humility, very recently and if you scan back in this blog you would see that request.  Well should I be surprised that the Almighty God who loves me dearly brought me the opportunity for that education in short order.  Who says that prayers all take a long time, or counsels people that it is in “His timing”?  Well this time it was in His timing and boy that meant right away.  He must have really thought that I needed this.  But ouch it stings especially when it’s good for you.

Father I cannot do this on my own and left to my measure of character and peace, I will invariably leave destruction in my wake.  Thank Christ I am not alone through this scary life.  My Father is with me, closer than a friend, who will never leave me.  I have been abandoned by the best of them, those even who proclaimed undying vows of friendship and commitment, just as He said that they would.  But I will never be alone and maybe I can be there for those who have gone their own road and are in need of encouragement, safety and love.  I thank you for that Love, Lord without which I would never even ask for the lessons.  Praise Your Mighty Name.  Amen.

Just as I thought following Your wishes I find my way to wonders beyond my own repair.  Every care I have entered in quiet moments to the Father though many in tearful whispers, spoken into my hands were understood and answered.  My failures are but the rock strewn hills I must climb to reach a better view of Glory.  There is no other life for me but in service to the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.  I was made for this.

Teach me to be kind, and reconsider my rebuke or slow forgiveness.  Show me the ways of mercy, acceptance and joy without respect to natural limitation.  Guide me to understanding of my true citizenship and show me how to love my Brothers without restraint, complaint or requirement.  As the dawn approaches from its patient rest, I find myself considering things beyond this precisely crafted script.  What is to be of me at the foot of a Throne where I might behold the Voice of Thunder?  How will my ears find that mesmerizing sound of praising saints and angels entwined in honored worship?  Will I be consumed or will there be yet a yearning to speak with him perpetually?  How will I serve?

My footsteps here fall fainter each turning of the sun.  I have less impact for my intentions and my head is full of calling, heraldry and pregnant thinking.  Veils are stripped or torn asunder, revealing something I hoped for but never expected.  Prayers for this nation provoke my tears, pleading safety and comfort for the elderly, sick and dying.  Seeing children in their special light brighter than the day.  Thank you Lord for the opportunity to make some things right before they fester.  I praise You with all my heart and song.  God be blessed in the resounding Name of Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory.  Amen.

It is hard to see those imperfections so close to the surface, ready to skew the conversation, dim the light or taint actions which should be representative of Christ.  Try as I may I continue to fall short of the ambassadorship to which I’ve been entrusted.  It is not within my authority to condemn myself for such inadequacies, because the Lord will turn my paltry action in some manner to good for His Kingdom.  I tire though of always making a mess of things when there is so much good to be done and so many times that I could bring Him glory through my righteous walk.  Too bad I have to see these frailties before I can beg the Lord to remove them from my core.  But that is part of being thankful in all things is that somehow seeing my wickedness and shortcomings provides me new humility where previously I had deceived myself with inordinate pride.  God I thank you for the corrective assistance you are about to bring about in my life.  Wash me, renew me, reshape me to Your Image.

Do I love those who do me wrong?  This is a task nearly beyond human capacity, yet available to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  It is not me but He who loves.  Do I forgive freely without some benefit to self, I think not?  Thankfully, He gives me the grace to accept the words, “I’m sorry” and free someone from the lasting bonds of guilt and grudge.  Do I overcome the sin in my life through my testimony, the blood of the Lamb and my Love For Christ?  None of this work that has been done within me can be even partially attributed to my good intentions or work.  Yes I am amazed from where He has brought me to where I presently stand.  It confounds me why He would love someone this much, especially someone that continues along the same path of frailty, time and time again committing the same annoying mistakes.  God I thank you that You see something in me that is worth such sacrifice for if it were within me to judge this world and myself, I doubt that I would show such mercy and grace.

My heart yearns for You Lord.  This world has grown cold and colorless in its lustful lack of love for life.  How can my enemies be given such freedom to wreak havoc on humanity?  Is it because You love them still and are hoping that somehow they will turn their hearts back to righteousness?  I feel for them in the infinite loneliness of worldly fulfillment.  Never feeling full, grasping for gasping moments of impurity and firing receptors.  Fireworks and false facades, springing up from buildings designed by the foolhardy built upon the rumbling loam of lands easily shaken by storm.  When will they be sifted?  How long can dust and sand support the weight of human indignity?  When will You save us from ourselves?  Lord, forgive my impatience, perhaps you wait for me to tell that one last person of Your Love and Grace.  Nevertheless come soon Lord Your bride awaits.  Jesus a Glorious Name.  Amen

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/01/13/us-france-gaymarriage-idINBRE90B0IL20130113  What is happening in France that people are taking such a stand?  Did you know that the French also answered a request by the people of Mali, in North Africa to combat the growing terrorist structure in that country.  Have we become so disinterested in world affairs that we won’t even speak up in support of the stand that these brave souls are taking?  They obviously have found the courage to overcome the unwritten laws of “political correctness” in order to have these debates and take necessary actions to question some government positions.  Do we now see France as the leader of the free world?  And as we retract our head into our shell, do we now expect that France will combat terrorism, protect our children and defend our right to free speech and self evidence?  Wake up my Brothers, my sisters, my friends.  The sculpture of world structure is being chiseled before us as our tools lay idle.  Do we not wish to have a say in how this world will look?

http://youtu.be/IkRxTa1a7qc  Who is correct, our President, who has emphatically stated to the world that this country is not a Christian Nation or the evidence which is so readily available to the contrary?

We have sat long enough upon our pride, upon our security, upon our complacent unwillingness to disturb our own established wealth and comfort sense.  Our way of life has been ebbed, misconstrued, challenged, maligned and misrepresented to a nation crying out for the safety and security intrinsic to the constructs of this once God blessed nation.  Idle worship, idol worship and ideal worship have found substitutional grandeur on the altar of a nation that has become unacquainted with their Creator.  The Lord calls us to stand with faith and courage in the ominous shadow of enemy siege, yet we have sat, stooped, cowered and fled when we should have stood our ground for Righteousness’ sake.  The answer to this unmitigated surrender, ironically is not to stand or remain in repose but to firmly deposit the weight of our collective faith upon our knees at the foot of that Old Rugged Cross.

The only way forward is to take a step back and redirect our steps to the skinny path.  This broad avenue, illuminated in gold brocade and the roars of onlookers has an eternal destination irrevocably separated from God.  Appearances have fooled the fancy and the famed throughout history but a poor man knows the heart of a generous man shines through all shrouds of false pretense or hypocrisy.  We have survived and prospered and been globally admired as a nation of people unwilling to follow that conformist’s road, yet we have fallen in lock step with those who ignore the missteps of historical consequence.

Let us define ourselves by our ability to foresee the destiny of current trajectory and re-chart our heading toward those things which are right and true.  Let us look to the promise land to which God has told us focus.  Let us admire Christ and conform ourselves to His likeness.  Let us be different as this is what made us great from the outset, our belief in something greater than self, something incorruptible by the greeds and ambitions of foolish folly.  Let us fall upon the Rock of Ages for salvation, sustenance and again embrace our national identity as a people fully capable of justice, mercy, grace and faith.  All that makes us great we borrowed from Almighty God and made it our own.  We should not sell our heritage for shadows, our bounty for vapor and sensory fulfillment.  Our birthright is eternity there is nothing of greater value.  Choose Love, Choose Life, Choose Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, our King.  Amen.