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.

Neither do alternative explanations for the history of humanity nor the man centered, false-peace oriented theories of a egalitarian future hold any water.  God created the world, you know it, I know it and no amount of political gerrymandering, motivational speaking or impactful media campaigns will change the facts.  What these do accomplish is changes in perspective, disinformation of the masses and creation of false senses either of fear or security.  After all perspective and perception describe the lenses, or self defined parameters by which we interpret incoming stimuli or data.

If a well funded group of radicals, of any variety, is determined to promote the acceptability for any particular act they must first change society’s perception of that philosophy/practice to the opposite of its current polarity standing.  For example; communism was vilified in the United States for so long that people were actually jailed just for the mere suspicion that they may be involved in any participatory group supporting this ideology.  It is a failed experiment that does not stand up to historical analysis or empirical documentation, yet our children speak of it as if it may be our next “great new” solution.  Our perception has been altered, and it was done by a dedicated group of idealists who understood that in order to achieve their ends, however damaging or unrealistic they must change the perception of their political constructs and alter the perspective of our youth toward this failed experiment.  Unfortunately, they were right and we see evidence splattered across our media daily.

What is really at stake in this current debate centered climate?  Unfortunately it is the same deception versus truth argument permeating Man’s history.  There are only two sides and one celebrates, seeks and sponsors truth, justice and a God centered perception of the universe and the other upholds ideals of unbridled self-actualization, power and elitist indoctrination of common citizenry.  The battle has never changed merely the players.

These things must and will come to pass because it is God’s Will and plan for humanity materializing before global eyes.  We bemoan this or that person being put in charge of this or that asset, when if we look to their motivations we see that they are the exact characters necessary to usher in the change which God foretold.  God is in charge and all things serve Him, regardless of perspective or perception.  In the end which appears not far off all this will be revealed even to the most deceived characters.  As the Lord spoke the Truth will indeed set you free, however it will also incarcerate you if you do not heed its warnings.  After all Truth is the only thing which is free of the controlling guidelines of perception.  Praise God in All His Glory.  In Jesus’ Name.

Blessings can be totally scrapped.  God intends for all of us to do pivotal things in advance of His Kingdom.  I believe that my greatest regrets will be when He shows me what I could have done had I listened and readily obeyed.

Solomon was truly blessed.  Yet he refused to listen to all God had said to Him and because of it at the end of Solomon’s rule, the Lord divided the tribes of Israel between two would-be-rulers.  Jeroboam and Rehoboam, neither of who followed the Word of the Lord, nor for that matter listened to those respected advisers attempting to offer Godly council.  Instead these two men served themselves and false gods, choosing to squander the blessing God had selected them to receive.  I believe that the Lord selects us each for a blessing and then we choose to follow His direction or give up that blessing in exchange for truffles, treasures and party hats.

It began with Adam and continues with each one of us.  The saddest thing is that unlike Adam we have already been washed by the Precious Blood of a Spotless Lamb.  Our dilemma is tragic.  That we now choose sin and disobedience over grand duty to Kingdom is truly heartbreaking.  I see myself daily, pass up opportunities or too-quickly put myself in tandem with an unrepentant sin, effectively negating the Grace I know God has stored up for me.

Is it really that tough a decision?  Is it really that simple, choose God or the world, sin and the devil?  Lord, let me choose right.  Wash me of any unrepentant or hidden sin.  Don’t let me hold even a vestige of desire for the lesser life promised by this world.  Give me the strength and presence of mind to choose correctly when given the opportunity to rise above and willingly give my back, mind and heart to Kingdom Work.  Please don’t let any of us be like those two young men who determined to serve themselves instead of step forward into their Grace-Filled destinies.  Thank you, Lord Jesus.  Father God what You have constructed is a masterpiece beyond comparison.  Amen.

Wrestling with Spirit of God must be done, especially in circumstances where you cannot surrender to His Love, Wisdom, and Counsel.  Do not depart, though avenues of escape will taunt you throughout your journey.  For they lead to wondering, contrivance and craftiness in Nod or other cities of men.  Lay hold of your righteous blessing and if you must question God, do not let Him go until you have received the price of strife.  For the Lord wishes that you were cold or hot but to stay lacking belief or direction is a fate worse than departure.  At least the departed have made choice through belief in self, satisfaction and satan.  They know whom they serve.

I pity the lost in their abandon but feel greater sadness at those who are unwilling to stand up and voice their discontent with an Almighty God that loves them enough to listen to such inquisition.  That plight is one for which I will fight.  I cannot stand idle in faith while those around me squander power, authority and fulfilled existence at the expense of cowardice, indecision or doubt.  Do not expect to remain in my sphere and not be prompted, prodded, pushed or contested.  For I too have struggled with God and He won.  I carry with me the dislocations of my contention but I never let go until receiving His Blessings of Grace upon my life.  Although, I highly recommend surrender over strife, if the choices are sitting on the fence in noncommittal tepidity or wrestling with the Almighty, then I council you to fight with all you are worth.  To Him be the Glory, Honor, Praise and Service.  He is my God and I His man.  Thank You Father in the name of Jesus I pray for those who have yet to see Your Truth.  May You have mercy on us all.  Amen.

Father, I cannot begin to enumerate the times I have violated my conscience and clearly sidestepped, avoided, circumvented or just plain disobeyed Your commands and will for my life.  A life which, You created, You saved, You own, and for which You provide sustenance, water, air, warmth and shade.  If there ever was a child who has looked into his Father’s face and arrogantly waggled his fist it has been me.  There is nothing I own, No skill I do not owe to Your grace, no place I can truly count as mine, even my understanding of love was born when I first encountered Your Heart.  The weight of my guilt was too heavy for me to carry one step further into life, so You took it away from me.  There is nothing I have done physically, morally, philosophically or otherwise that could have purchased, earned or bargained for such kindness.

To say that because I believe in You and Your love for us grants me this abundance, bounty, forgiveness and wisdom is far too large and wonderful a concept for my tiny mind.  I say that I am grateful, but that is fragile.  I say that I love You but we know how weak my love has been.  I say that I will serve You but all indications are that I do this for myself.  I say that I believe yet hold on to my sin in direct contradiction of such understanding.  I say that I walk by faith but will not take the first step toward darkness even though my torch gleams.  I am thankful that none of my salvation depends on my worthiness, practices, righteousness or honor because of these things I am in short supply.  Give me true humility Father, the kind which calls me to love the unlovable simply because it is that which You require.  Teach me to give freely, wash my conscience so that I may be free to follow You in Faith, Love and Truth.  How is it that You love me when all I appear to do is fail?  Thank You for always letting me get back up to try again.  Jesus My Lord, Amen.