LAST DAY

Hear the Word of God. Salvation is not a toy, a label, a clique, a cult or a dream. It is ending the War between you and God. It is forgiveness for all that you’ve done and will do. It is not a doctrine of doing some great deeds to earn God’s Love. It is done by God not by you. Your responsibility is to believe, truly believe and walk as if you truly believe that you could never and can never save yourself from death, hell and the things to come. It is a total belief even in moments of doubt that God is the only way to escape the chains of this life found in our sin against Him. God sent His Son to live the life we must suffer through and do it perfectly then sacrifice Himself, voluntarily to pay the debt incurred by our sins. This gift is the only thing that separates one man from the next. When we choose to accept that gift we are now protected, changed, born again of Heavenly seed to withstand all the assaults of evil with courage and a certain understanding of our everlasting life to come.

Now the hard part. We cannot clean ourselves of the poisons and filth of this world. It is something once again that may only be accomplished by God, through His indwelling Spirit and the Constant/Continual relationship between Him and each believer. We are here to suffer the tests of this fallen world and in so doing see the remaining defects of sin within our Earthly bodies to offer them daily before the King to have them removed as dross from purifying metals. Yes, some day, that wonderful day we will be cleansed completely and receive our Heavenly Bodies in glorification, the moment Christ removes us from this world to be with Him forever. Many believe that this represents rapture and the Bible is very clear just as the Old Testament was very clear that the Messiah would come to Earth Twice. There is no other currently known and understood way for the obedient church to be removed before the dispensation of Wrath and judgment upon the wickedness of Earth’s Dwellers. There is no other way to present an environment so dangerous and desperate to force all who remain conscious to make a decision for or against Christ.

Why do we always push things to the point where we are forced to consciousness? Well, in my words it is my own propensity towards pride and disobedience. Somehow though it is a foolish position with no supporting evidence I believe that I know better than the scripture and the Word God placed upon my heart. For some reason I crave the sinful realization of the momentary sensory fulfillment found in adoration of my sin. I want what I want when I want it how I want it disregarding the logic and inescapable import of God’s Will upon me. What is coming is inevitable. What is coming is coming soon. Believers and unbelievers alike must face the same fact in the absolute primacy and imminence of Christ’s return. We must either decide to obey and follow the direction of His indwelling Spirit or choose to go another route. As a believer the joy found in obedience is righteousness and certainty in the dispensation of God’s Power found only in the Holy Spirit. It is a seal against the wiles of the enemy and a sureness found in the understanding, knowledge, love and faith in Jesus Christ and a protection against the dangers of false doctrine or deception. For those who do not believe or choose to disobey and backslide it is an inclusion in the reward of the Earth Dwellers and those predetermined for everlasting separation from God in the Lake of Fire.

The choice is yours, the days are upon us whether you see, don’t see, heed of don’t obey. This naturally then is nearing the end of the time of preparedness offered all men. The days of decision and action based on belief or the days of self-service and idol worship to fulfill the quests of the fallen heart within our mortal man. It is a time that most will never even consider using wisely, sparingly and urgently to get right with God. That is why God’s prophetic word says the before He returns the Spirit of Elijah will come calling us to a righteous walk and returning our hearts to the Father. The time of the Covenant fulfillment of the Jews is nearing where they will find Grace in the Holy Spirit. For that time to arrive the time of the Gentiles must he completed. We are in that time. Therefore this is the last call for all men to make a decision for or against Christ or remain indifferent which will accomplish the same as an adverse choice of Grace. There is no escape but God through Christ in the Holy Spirit’s Power. There is no other decision as important. There is no other time to make that choice and find yourself prepared for Christ’s retrieval and return for rule and reign. There is no other message more important or worthy of action. This is the day for which each of us was made. How will you spend your last days?

Here and there

Make the mistake, see disparity turn to clarity or a silencing of Spirit. How unfortunate and blessed to have the trials and mistakes. Why I must make the error before learning from it or experiencing the chastisement of the Father, I have not yet understood. For now I continue to walk and err, then see the price of my failure, disobedience and wild heart. I pray for a day where I may do the right thing before God and man, separated from my wicked heart and inadequate understanding of heavenly character and fulfillment of God’s Will before my own.

Father, thank you for showing me that I may confess before you the clarity of the man I have yet to become. I do not want to travel the broad boulevard of contempt and disrespect for your Grace. However, I see the poisons and worldly taints remaining in the rising dross as I am super-heated prior to its removal. Thank you for crucible of this world and its pull upon my soul, may your Word and Spirit separate the Spirit from it, that I may live eternal free from graft and sin.

You are my destination. I will be found at the moment I am told to rise from my face, prostrate before your Glorious Appearing. For now I am lost with the hope of Your Spirit’s guidance into the knowledge of the truth I must acquire in readiness. Forgive me over and over it appears that I may someday walk the skinny path with no regard from the Broad boulevard of this world’s ambition. May your Spirit counsel me and the body help me to become steeped in Faith and knowledge of you that my unsalted soul be riven from the cleansed man before you. Help me as I struggle to do those things beyond my present capacity, that someday I may arrive and be able to feed myself the bread of Your Word.

Cry out, Go Back, kneel

When my own eye offends do I strike it free as God suggests? What of my own evil, my thistles, briars and thorns? What self control have I exhibited that man or Brother would find solace that the impossible is being done? What obedience that my own heart is true? How many have I slighted, ignored, never shown love and how often have I gone to great strides to find my own way resolved? When is it time to expect God’s accountability for actions or inaction as a measure of unbelief/disobedience? What is hate for God but continually doing that in which He demands abstinence, repentance and transformation?

At what point were Moses and Aaron left out of His Divine Rest and entry into the Promise Land? When was Moses too angry or in perpetual refusal to lose his rage in exchange for apology and peaceful council? What makes us believe that God will not treat us in the same fashion with unresolved disobedience or lack of contrition in transformation? Do we believe ourselves greater than Moses, perhaps due more leeway as we have Grace or perhaps are we the same exact people seeking to continually do that which God hates believing ourselves somehow safe from His Wrath in eternal redemption?

We as men have come down to the last days. The last opportunities to get it right and when we mess up repeatedly we are squandering perhaps the last few opportunities to do what God directed. Does that frighten you? It scares the skin off of me, yet I still find myself willfully, brazenly, unwisely expresses the same covetousness and desire to sin for gratification of the eye and pride each and every one of these valuable last days. How can that be when I know the consequence? When I know that being left behind for wrath or deserved chastisement is virtually upon us? What makes me any different than the heroes gone before, better men than I?

I cannot efficiently express the depth of my shame in haphazardly or even clumsily walking into the unavoidable weight and gravity of my own sin. It is not as if we do not know what will befall us or that somehow we can claim some excuse. These are not those times and we are not children who may simply take the slap on the wrist or find solace and forgiveness in our tears. This is for everything. No looking back. No second chance as the one that I received when Jesus heard my cries to be removed from the cages of my past. No this one is on me, a foolish, arrogant mess of my own creation from which ought not expect relief or freedom. Folks it is time to do or not do according to our fear and reverence before God Almighty. This is the time of fearfulness in those who are not walking the path upon which God bid them travel.

Three-fold cord

When Spirit speaks. No time for indecision. Choice is inexorable. The moments beckon. The World or whatever is to be revealed around the bend of mountain or sky. Will there be excuse, regret or unspent wish and want? At the footstool all beyond escape’s finger.

Not meant to push, suggest or dangle. Simple offering of this and that. The bird in hand demands cleaning. Far enough from camp silent. Tears rescind navigation. Until the morning of hope recalls the reason for the journey. Not looking for a place in sky command, just rest.

Husband of house. Waiting until perusal is squandered. Two truly different walk ways. One unknown but certain. The other certain but arresting. Are we meant for sand and loam? Or to dutifully dig deep for stone beyond the touch of time and space. Determined at beginning.

There is no remorse for course chosen, of course. For in duty and want we find ourselves complete. At the moment of revelation poison was evident. No testimony or justification could wash away the tar. This road is the light yoke which He bore. Place in the throng.

Not sent to be the teacher or recall simple words of self propagation, but the annals of a story when told sets free those who mind the Master. Be who you wish to tell Him you were. For this decision was made at the moment I was drowning and He lifted my head above surface.

Thought

It’s okay to stumble along the way.

Standing is not walking. It is preparation for departure or resistance to enemy advance.

In the meeting of my mind and words there was a flurry of wings and a fair amount of birdly tweets and chant repeats saying something about bells. The swells fell upon our sails threatening to rip the cotton stitching. We looked to deep and sky wondering if tomorrow would ever peak above horizon.

In the burning sands our wishes finally melted into little glass crystals smashed upon the rocks at three paces. The shattering harp called our hearts back to promise and a joint repair of all things wounded, rotten or shredded. In the fury of the spinning clock we marched because running seemed frightful and remaining still was ill advised.

The artillery found my ears ready for another blast. Seeing lips moving. Knowing the silence a long forgotten friend our constitution crushed in the battery of unending report. We were torn and drawn to quarters looking to the moon as alternate escape for we had lost the path to success in our current understanding and predicament.

The tears would not heal the chastening cacophony and thunder. In thrills and shaking spines we leapt from stone to shore hoping that the ground would not remain indifferent. our footing found nursery rhymes and ballads sworn for generals and men of valor, but nothing solid remained especially within our plummeting stomachs.

Courage left. It escaped with the wind at dawn, cold, tired and bereft of anything resembling honor. We fought on not to live but to show them the fury of our expiration. In fighting we found the peace that had escaped us in squabble. We were now men with nothing, having fought for naught with no intention or good ideas to support our continued effort.

Again I charged the mountain telling it to remove itself and find the bottom of ocean’s deep. It answered in laughter claiming something about knowing Paul, but wondering who sought to order its displacement. In folly I stood and railed against the whispers of dawn. Claiming the pinks and blues of daylight were laughable reminders that we had lasted in continued pursuit of man’s greatest folly.

What beauty has been or that which etched upon the board of memories ripe? What leeward pause interrupted our bad or indistinguishable contemplation? What rage employed found launch with the armaments of wonder? No drawing board only blind, berserk madness mixed with proclamations and commitments to love and ever after. In repose we delighted.

How frail the measures of man’s achievement. How dim the light of altered creation within the aspirations of the puny and brutality of the large. How false the honesty and covenant of men who knew not the Love of God. Into what abyss may we drop these things to see them gone forever? Into what fiery inferno may we find them destroyed never to be consoled or brought to light or conversation? At the end of whose dream will they lay unfettered and unfulfilled for reason?

Look my heart is no man’s or woman’s dream. It is the fire sparked by the fears and promise of everlasting. There is no right or wrong when plunging into the hot and cold waters of experiential recasting. What I am I always was made new by the fires and furnace of a hand beyond my own control. I am and will forever be an outcome of His wanting. To rage or remain silent on the hills, valleys and sands that temper my condition for existence and aspiration to spend a long day with God.

here and there

In beauty find you damsels deep, locked away in frozen keep? With leg and chain and wind swept mace all the years shown upon your face. Each slip or thought may be the last, way before the die are cast. Simple says as simple does why and when or just because.

Frame and reason prayers and doubt what has this fighting been about? Walk joyous in the midst of rage just for daylight to turn another page. Each tear or scream each prideful thought cast the walls of prison bought. Way too easy, way to cheap, it’s just too far to make the leap.

In math and figures find our fears, quietly waiting all these years. To surprise and shake then stretch and shape what we sought to gain escape. In white we find all colors pure leaving darkness alone unsure. To this day we lay our claim tomorrow objects and thinking same.

No place to run or best to hide, with mountain high and chasm wide. For soon He’ll return to snatch His Bride. Many lost and none were tied. Unto the Lord I must confide. I truly sought the winning side. Unto His Hand my Soul abide. For times we fought and tales that lied. For my neighbors cow that I twice eyed. He alone is left to decide.

Painted

Found out as my own fool. Laughing when things get serious, the clown reveals sleeves full of fake flowers and funny faced encouragement. Pulling rabbits and painted scarves from a hat way too large for simple cranium. Piecing together the ramblings and testimony of a man who has no conscience of the road ahead, never mind the road behind.

What does a man say to himself when he realizes his own vapid activity? Where nothing is lost because it was never found. Where darkness is simply an aid to conceal the lack of light in the cage of hopelessness. What does a prince of an imaginary kingdom proclaim to keep his subjects from the knowledge of his lack of talent, purpose and worthy thought?

Who are dreamers if not men who have no capacity at rational concept who then venture into the land of the imaginary campaign? What caution is spoken when dangers are ill perceived and timing is absent at the outset and the ending? What does a man say when the only phrases available are filled of folly and ridiculousness? Sans destination.

To what bank of fortunate memories is he led to find the experiences and epistemology requisite to recovery, endurance and triumph over difficulty? Are dumb men as myself doomed to repeat their babbling brook of nonsense indefinitely for all the tribe of worthy men to see? What trees may be felled to feed the dying and unsurveilled? What bait may be offered to lure those seeking the honey sweet kindness of a man absent understanding?

From the ridiculous to false pious you vacillate. Hoping by chance to rest upon virtue or character. Finding nothing in the coffers of honor and density, you spout vapor and dust. What is achieved in the lengthy day of unshod attempts at trail navigation? Each slip reminder, each failed footing bringing the party closer to descent. What is found with no knowledge of that which could possibly have been lost in the first place?

Muster

Most of life is showing up prepared to take action. Sponsored by commitment to a set of ideals garnered from perspective decisions about your view of the importance of life, well or poorly lived. There is no tomorrow for those who live for today. For only in promise of something greater than this moment are we found hopeful of a better day to come. The rest will consume, condemn and consummate the pleasures, treasures and measures of the moment. For eternity must be denied if all our value is placed upon what my hand may build or capture. Stuck in this moment ignores the fact that all things change, the foundation of promise.

Where did we start? Where do we plan to go? Who will we have beside us? How adept and equipped are they to individually and corporately face the deceptive challenges of our spiritual enemies? Who do they believe themselves to be? What value to they place in trust of their family, friends and faith? Who are our heroes? What do we do with our assets? What is our shame? What are our fears? What are the towers we seek to climb? Who speaks clearly of our perspective? What is at the end of this struggle for maturity, safety and compromise? What is the perfect relationship?

Are my dreams leading me to God’s achievements that bring glory to Him alone? Do I contemplate hate or longing indicating the seeds of internal wounding? Am I filled by the Spirit as God has instructed I should be? What compels me to take the next summit? What breathes air into my lungs when I feel claustrophobic, captured or have my wind knocked out by troubles? What brings me peace? Can I generate it on demand or is it a scarce gift of moments in praise? How long does it take me to recover from loss? For whom are my tears released? Is it all about me or those around me, even those I hope to know?

There are illogical benchmarks in performance that must be reckoned. If I am told to go yet spend my time assuring and observing the comforts I’ve erected what then is my truth in obedience to calling? And knowing that my love for my Maker may only be demonstrated in that obedience, how then may I justify satisfactory or committed performance to my ideals? Things have to make sense and most times we spend our time looking for the proper excuse or explanation of our disobedient stance or deceived understanding. Aren’t these two the original sins of six thousand years ago that got us removed from the Garden? Are we trying to find our way back? Or are we neglecting, ignoring and failing to understand the basic ideas of grace?

Across

Abnormal indecision. Calculus removed. Equations throughput, only set aside in hold of the things about to occur. What is the color of your true horizon?

Do stars inhibit interstellar travel. Gateways of interaction both physical and thought. Polar necessities. Into the waves we plunge, washed clean of alternatives.

What then happens when a choice is made, a date set a path selected? Is transformation normative? Do hue, view and history make up man?

The things that we are about to know will make all of this unimportant, except as steps leading to next platform. We will be becoming the future.

And for those who seek not the hand before them. Believing themselves an extension or completion in and of themselves. Why are all things tethered?

This emotion is not my answer, but guidance in valuation. What then are words that we repeat those which give us confidence or authority? Existential.

The Queen pondered the implication of her trappings. Ordering lesser men into battle comes with a finite set of consequence. We must altogether accept or deny.

Trust is hope. Belief in a list or subsequent set of outcomes that have no logical underpinning except the promise given. We will reside in the storm rejoicing.

Instant

You don’t know what prompted you to listen until you heard the call. Nothing else will ever suffice, no nothing matters at all. You cast away indifference and a boatload of your things. For happiness and heaven and what the Gospel Brings. You try and try much harder until you understand that it has nothing to do with effort but to respond to His Command. So, you tactfully argue, wrestle and withstand. To get all your prayers answered in reaching all you’ve planned. But surrender is quite different than the world tells us all. No child starts running or walks before they crawl. To find the will of Father, Holy Spirit and the Son its less about where you going than where you’ve first begun. Conducting the same experiment the same manner as before, will simply give you the same struggles, same frustrations and same war. To reach the greatest meaning to reach the highest highs is to surrender to the savior all the outcomes you’ve devised. For He alone knows the places and the achievements you will see for who the Son sets free at first indeed eternally will be free.