Tag Archives: Christian

Settled

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If the Nation of Israel could lose the covenant promises made them by God, then every Christian would be in the chaotic position of unassured salvation.  Each of these is a preposterous idea, as neither is based upon our own performance, worthiness or works.  These are promises made by a Sovereign God to created beings of His choosing.  We did not earn a position of favor within relationship to God, we were given grace, such grace that has been made available to every man and woman.  The Jews were given a promise, and the power of the promise transcends whatever any created being, angel or man, thinks about it.  God will continue to love, direct and deal with the Nation of Israel, just as His Spirit indwells each Christian, guiding, teaching, shaping and directing each of us through sanctification.  God does not depend in any manner upon my opinion of His plan.

Are you prepared for the imminent arrival of Jesus Christ?  It is coming you know, when, none of can be certain, but that is irrelevant.  We are simply to consider it imminent, and in so doing be vigilant in our preparation as if it may very well occur tonight.  What does it mean to be prepared for the arrival of Jesus Christ?  Is it the same thing to each of us, or are there different preparations specific to each individual?  Just as none of us will be made worthy by our own works, each of us has the same level of performance requirements in preparation for God’s Glorious Appearing.  That should not be confused with each person’s purpose or calling.  We must have oil in our lamps, be sealed by the Holy Spirit, committed to following Christ, having written His Word upon our hearts.

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

One of us preached and you believed.  It is irrelevant again who it was that planted the seed of God’s Word within the soil of your spirit, the fact remains that someone told you of Christ’s life, death and resurrection and you made decisions based upon your subsequent considered decisions regarding that hearing of the Gospel message.  That is the work of preparation, learning our own testimony, knowing and loving Christ, enough to share His truth with each new person to whom we become acquainted.  Surrendering ourselves to His shaping hand of sanctification through continual and perpetual acknowledgement of and repentance from sin.  Preparing ourselves to spend eternity with a Righteous, Holy God.  Turning and keeping our vision toward heaven, in full knowledge that our blessings, salvation, protection and peace come from God and God alone.  No one may remove my salvation from me just as no one may cancel the promises God has made me through His Word, just as no one may free me from the loving obligation of being found doing the work He has prepared for me to do since before the beginning of the world.

Lord I thank you that there are many things in this life that must ponder, but that does not include Your intentions for my life or my eternity.  I am persuaded, assured, settled to the inevitable and imminent revelation of Your eventual plan for humanity.  I pray that I keep my heart, my mind and my hands to the tools of Your work.  Give me the strength to follow through where my own flesh and will is insufficient.  I love you Lord.  In Jesus’ Name.

Called out, not counted out

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The enemy wants us divided, on the sidelines, fearful, apathetic, defeated, our joy elusive if not eliminated.  The word for church in the Greek, which is a very specific language, means “called out from to”.  We as the church are called out from the world and called to relationship with the Lord.  The enemies of God are clever, crafty and talented at deception and subterfuge.  In the third century AD, the devil wisened up and made Christianity the state sponsored, inclusive religion, tolerant and accepting of all rituals, even those associated with Pagan worship.  This effectively neutered the church for well over a thousand years, until revival again called revisionists “out of the church to repentance and re-dedication to the Lord.  Unfortunately, God’s enemies outlive the short term lives of humans, so over time, this vigilance necessary to remaining a “called out body from the world to” allegiance and service to God has weakened.  The church has become infiltrated, tolerant, impure and poisoned by worldly beliefs, rituals, attitudes and unbelievers masquerading as the saved.  The question now becomes what shall be done about it?

For the short term, those who see this quenching of the Holy Spirit, this departure from the path to purity and accepted worldliness as a call to condemn church leaders.  This condemnation has done even more damage to unstable church foundations and ostracized, banished or rendered impotent those voices and energetic believers who would help heal and reinstate the church to its pure calling.  Again, the enemy is clever and plays to the natural weakness and blustery tempers of men, casting us in to the exact unresolvable conflicts that solidify our worldliness and infection.  What is truly needed now, and I hear this calling of the Holy Spirit within my own heart, is that those called out must become ambassadors themselves, imploring, praying and calling the remnant of the church to re-dedication to the Lord.  This is a difficult process, but logical and consistent with the Word of God, as we are called to loose those worldly characteristics of brawling, argument, discontent, condemnation, anger and critical spirits.  We must individually decrease if the Holy Spirit’s characteristic fruits are the increase.  The day will never be won with my own skills, attitudes, abilities and treasure.  The victory will be the Lord’s and I must dedicate myself to getting out the way, allowing God to rule and reign through the vessel of my worldly body.  I believe that those called out or admonished to a return to true Biblical Christianity, must now become the Diplomats required to awake the church for harvest work.

Many claims and few points for evidence require that I must make a better case for my supposition.  First, I see very few members of my church, or any church in our region, serving the poor, orphaned, sick, elderly and widowed.  Very few members of our church will venture outside to disciple to the lost, whether reaching them at home, public gatherings in neighborhood hot spots.  Complacence, solidarity and fellowship have become the mantra of the church, thinking itself comfortable, contented and Holy, residing within the segregated body of loving believers.  Daycare, basketball, camps and single day missions have replaced the true work of hospice care, healing, public heraldry for Christ and care for those who have not.  We have collectively become a worldly business that displays the name of Christ without the Holy Spirit in residence.  But this issues cannot and must not allow us to become divided, for the assets, the bodies, the workers remain within the body of Christ.  Leaders, must not become rebel and effectively eliminate their efficacy by simply becoming angry and unforgiving of the “church”, replacing the true enemy with our contempt and condemnation of the church.  Judgment is the Lord’s prerogative, we should remain aligned with the duty of love and leadership through encouragement.

Lord, give me the capacity to convince.  Allow me to exalt Your Holy Name, knowing that if it is your will the increase, the magnet, the people, the provision will be provided through Your Graces and, riches and Glory in Jesus.  Let me not be waylaid, led astray or deceived into prattling about the circumstances or details.  Give me an eye pent on eternity.  This is not our home, this is my workplace.  Let me do great work so that when I come home it is for rest alone.  Give me a heart for the lost, sick and dying, giving them a glimpse of Your Glory so that they may turn away from impending precipice.  Silence the enemy in my head, unless it is for Your good pleasure and my correction that You have allowed him access to my life.  Praise You Father, Bless You Father, protect Israel Lord, turn our hearts to You, allow us to see and crave humility in service to Your Glory.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.

No Doubt

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No one appears to wish to speak the truth because it will commit them to subsequent action, so we bob, weave, delay, obfuscate and banter, hoping that the obligation falls from our doorstep.  Men are not the difficulty here, but the spirits driving their blood thirstiness.  We as Christians must stand together in prayer and join the battle to intercede for the souls of men.  This war will not be won by men, nor by the realm of fallen spirits but by God as He gloriously appears as He promised.  Our job is clear,  to love, to disciple and to forgive those who trespass against us.  That does not mean we must be victims, though all martyrs will be avenged by God, we are being called to stand in this the most important hour of man’s existence, the time preceding the return of God to Earth.

I do not care that our administration refuses to declare the reality of our circumstances for I am not bound, nor limited by their inabilities.  Israel is rapidly approaching an hour of great trial and God demands that we bless them or suffer the implications of our cursing.  Christians, have been warned by Christ Himself that this world would hate us, it is our inheritance for resemblance to God.  None of this is in any manner a surprise.  We did not know which form the evil would assume in attempting to thwart God’s people, but we always knew these days would come.  I do not care if Muslims declare their culpability or deny their alignment with the current torrent of evil, for this is not the great commission.  I fear for them that they will be separated from God for eternity without coming to a saving knowledge of Christ.  Isn’t this our charge, to honor God, even in the moment of our potential doom, praying for mercy and forgiveness for their souls.  That is what Stephen, a layman did, that is what Paul an Apostle did, that is what the Lord Jesus demonstrated upon the cross as He died for all creation.  The time has come where we will need to be strong and courageous in our vigilance, relying upon faith in God for salvation, protection and judgment.

Things are out of kilter because of sin’s grip upon humanity.  It’s bonds are increasing as we collectively and culturally edge further from the foundation of the Rock of Ages, Almighty God.  It is not science which breaks down, it is not gravity’s power eroding, but the spiritual constraints which morally guide us as a nation.  We have become something other than the simple folks yearning to be free, trusting God to deliver us from tyranny.  Our guidance is weakening as we frequently turn to the insufficient wisdom of man to free us from travesty.  Yet, this in itself, is tantamount to sufficient evidence of God’s existence, as the further we travel from His shadow the greater the tears in our protective hedge and cultural fabric.  We are spiraling, in fear, flirting with economic disaster and courting despots because we refuse to return to the one solid foundation available in this chaotic universe.  To those who would harm the innocent, remember their blood cries out to God for vengeance.  When their blood is found on your hands, upon your soul, it is to God you shall answer.  Men may cower, refuse or lack diligence in dispensing the justice you seek, but Almighty God shall draw all men before Him where ever last line of history shall be justified.

If we do not fight evil it shall certainly progress, but it shall eventually be rooted out by God.  If we do not obey our calling, God’s Word will certainly be shouted by the rocks and trees for His plan will be executed regardless.  If we do not speak for truth, it shall not be tarnished by our cowardice, but remain pure, honest, righteous and true, even in defining our shame.  If we do not pray, the Lord will still bring every knee to bow and every tongue to confession.  If we will not shout the name of Jesus, His name shall be exalted by every created thing among us.  Our God has chosen us for service, it is an honor to be called the sons and daughters of God.  Stand and be of good courage, knowing beyond any whispered doubt that God shall fight for us and prevail over the hosts of enemy minions.  In the end I pray that we all be found with smiles upon our faces, knowing that we showed up and trusted God for the miracle, strength, courage and provision to win this, the greatest fight man has ever ventured.  Praise God in the Name of Jesus Christ the King

Don’t fear this

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The Lord did not give us the spirit of fear but of love, power and of a sound mind.  This buoys us to the overwhelming pressure of fear paralysis, inoculates our minds from imaginary energy sucks, drives or influences and inures us to the use of fear in bullying unbelievers to salvation.  Certainly our senses of danger may be properly employed to warn of us of impending harm, but this is not the spirit crippling fear that calls us to abandon ship or flee our posts in utter despair.  We were meant to see fear, name it for its origin and then overcome its oppressive influence through faith, prayer and trust in God.

Face it, our enemy is thoroughly capable of destroying, deceiving and devouring each of us.  If not for God’s Divine protection we would most certainly be consumed in the devil’s quest to steal our lives, joy and eternal blessings.  However, take joy in that fact for it is not me that the devil fears, but Christ who lives in me.  Although he may deceive into believing my own inadequacy, my own unworthiness and my own lack of power, potency and protection to overcome his legions, this is all subterfuge, as though these all be true none of them is truly important.  For it is Christ who is worthy, Christ who overcomes the power of the devil, death and Hades and also Christ who strengthens/protects me.  Praise be to God that I am not waylaid by the grand deception that it is my strength, worth or ability which sustains me to stand in battle.   I have the power of the Holy Spirit to guide, prepare, arm and sustain me to complete any task which God has allotted for His Good purpose.

Please don’t fear me and if you do please let it be God’s Holy Word of correction spoken through me as vessel to which you pay homage.  I am a man, crafted of dirt as Adam but remade in Christ to become something beyond my own capacity.  My job is love, not fear, hate nor conquest.  Yes, I pray to take back lands ceded to the enemy by our lack of vigilance, but the power to overcome this usurpation is always that of God.  His Word is true, so let mine also reflect that justice.  I seek to capture your heart through care, win your allegiance through prayer and effective modeling and serve you in  those moments of greatest need.  Christ showed us the way when He washed the Apostle’s feet, for ours is the pride of service in reverence to our King.

Folks in coming months and years the enemy would have us palsied in overwhelming fright.  Darkness seeks to expand its domination of this world, knowing fully that time is short and Christ’s return approaches.  We must prepare our minds and hearts for these weighty impacts, remembering God’s word regarding the origin of fear.  We are to be strong and courageous, ever vigilant in our memory of the God we serve.  Christ died on the cross for all mankind, but many will resist belief and be indwelt by the unholy spirits of fallen.  We must not fall pray to their deceptive recommendation or twisting doctrine.  They will always seek to pollute that which is divine, so learn the Word of God, repeat the Word of God, brandish the Mighty Double Edged Sword of God’s Holy Word and the enemy will flee, himself in fear of Christ and the eventual judgment to which all wickedness approaches.

God has already overcome fear.  Let it not enter my ear, my thoughts or infect my heart, for I was not made for such things.  Stand with me Brothers and Sisters, hand and hand, side by side, singing hymns and songs of God’s Glory, even as we pass through shadow.  Know God, fear Him who might damn souls to eternal fire, but pay no such heed to other created beings,whether angel, man or other.  We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  I prefer love, for fear is not within me.  Praise God in Jesus Mighty Name.

Who decides

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The problem with man self defining limits of morality, corruption, behavior and law, is that the bulls-eye becomes mobile.  Is there one person that we could look to with the “appropriate”, socially acceptable list of human behavior, one upon which all of society would affirmatively agree?  That is what the great law school’s did back in 1872 and America has been screaming down the slippery slope of relativism ever since.  During that time we were told that the Bible would no longer be used as the definitive guide to arguable law that it instead it would be replaced as guide, by the history of man kind.  One man’s immorality is another man’s daily devotion for we do not all serve the one God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  Some serve the dark and would legalize things that most of us would immediately condemn.  The problem is that these people now have control of our educational system, our courts and our media.  Who can tell me that they will not use their position of influence to change the moral topography of America’s societal norms?

We cannot remain on this ethical relativist footing for the ground is malleable.   The basis for determining what is right and what is wrong is now a prize for the best argument.  In effect we have left our moral determination up to the best lawyer with the greatest political or monetary backing.  That is not the intention of America’s founding, that our stand would be daily defined by mood, lobbyist or worse yet nobility.  We the people, stands for the collective determination about a set of “self evident truths” to which we all agreed.  Our moral, and ethical standing must not be up for compromise, revision or bargaining chips.  We must return to an agreed upon standing based upon the only immutable truth in this world or the next, The Word of Almighty God.  Without an immovable, unchangeable truth, we remain on a platform doomed to continuous movement, impossible to pin down.

That is why America’s existence is doubtful for there is now a population of ethical relativists large enough to drown out the voice calling us to return to the absolute surety or our dependence upon Divine guidance.  All around us they call us to a Morpheus future where everyone will define legality by what satisfies each man’s lusts.  Thanks be to God, this is a sign of His imminent return, for the requirement for Him healing our land shall not be met as those who call themselves by His name will never now humbly repent.  America may go away or be transformed into a quasi socialist dictatorship, but God still remains on the throne and His truth shall never be changed by the vileness of man’s sinful and self-serving passions.  There is an immoveable truth America, written for all to review in the Word of Almighty God, given us for direction, correction and guidance in our battle for purpose and understanding.  I implore us a return to reason in our constant vacillation to the solid footing of God’s Word as law, grace, prophecy, praise and security.  To God be the glory of our lives well lived.  In Jesus Name.

Hands too small

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The pain available for consumption in this wretched old world is too much for me.  Lord is nothing Holy, nothing sacred, sacrosanct or treasured anymore?  Must all be trampled underfoot or reduced to grime and ashes?  We see word twisters, and faith changers pushing ideas designed to trap simple folks in an indecent quest for “identity”.  The caps, boundaries, laws and guidelines have either been torn down, forgotten, ignored or corrupted so that all contemptible pleasure is permissible if done in the name of self expression or actualization.  The pinnacle of human resolve has been reduced to things of low character, golden trinkets and burnished medallions of lowly character and dismay.  Our children follow heroes who threaten, burn, kill and mutilate the innocent, counting themselves wealthy for ill gotten gain.  I will not mourn this world when you remake it, I shall not miss them, but for now I will bask in the remaining light of Your Glorious Spirit bidding make disciples of men, leading them away from the precipice.

Father, I long to spend time just being with You.  Just breathing, listening, watching and following every gesture, each word.  The gum has lost its flavor and though I have not lost my salt, I wish that the dish were finished.  Father, how long must the weak, orphaned, sick, hungry, thirsty, miserable and dying suffer their misfortune?  Will You not set them free and avenge their travesty, soon?  Forgive me for asking Father, but will I ever have that kind of patience?  The kind that You seem capable to displaying for millennia upon millennia, piled up through the ages.  What have we done that could make You wish to wait out our folly?  I pray to have a heart that sees us worthy in the end, for now I see nothing but disobedience, mockery and self concern.  Will I resemble Your Son enough to be recognized as Your child or must I continue to dissatisfy?  Frankly I am bored with my attempts at measuring up for they always fall short, even my grandest and most well thought efforts.  This thing, salvation, must be Your work for my own will forever be inadequate to this tasking.  Praise and bless Your Holy Name that it is Your design and not mine.

This world does not impress me, but You love it so and that is all that matters.  I love people in those moments when I see Your face kindled in their eyes, when their hearts reach out to the needy for the asking.  They may forget me, sometimes I wish that they would so that I might rest.  But Father, let anything that I do remind them so that they never forget You for even one moment.  My legacy is the child who needed love and encouragement and I happened to be there by Your Good graces to pick him up and send him on his way.  My victory is hearing the name of Jesus upon the lips of a young women we all thought lost forever to wickedness, deceit and foreign plunder.  My agony those lost to false teaching’s siren, leading them away from freedom and eternity.  Grant me those people who might be saved by our collective ministry, that I might someday look upon their faces in your presence, knowing I had some small part in making You smile.

I’ll meet you there

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The thing that I love the least about you are your accomplishments.  I am proud of the work you have done, but that does not gather my love, only attention.  This world has convinced us that we must measure up, and if we haven’t done everything to stay in stride with peers then the sum total of our lives will never really matter when the chips are tallied.  It is beyond me to declare that this is falsehood, for it is what you believe.  As such it is the reality which guides, controls, governs and constrains your self-image, emotions and sense of achievement.  Telling you that it is not true will only close your ears to the Wisdom of God and I do not wish to undo any good that He has done in your life by shutting down your listening channels.  I would ask you to remember the feeling of accomplishment, the charge, the upside and next time you feel it, measure exactly how long it lasts.  If they have subscribed to truth, then it should fill you up indefinitely, unlike a drug which must be continually ingested to maintain, increase or recover that “rush”.

I love you for all the things that you are not.  You are not too proud, walking in self-oblivion, blinded by your own image.  You refuse to mock God, although you have never surrendered to Him, you see the wisdom in not taking the chance of angering the creator.  You are not callous, forgetting and overlooking everyone around you in their moments of extended agony, simply to maintain your own sense of well being.  You are not cruel, believing yourself elevated over those who have been created for their own purpose.  You are not hateful, twisting your spirit into knots with enmity of your fellow humans for whatever it is that they will do, not do or become for you.  You are not a fool, and you listen to reasonable discussion, even when it is something for which you have little consideration or perspective.  You do not look away from your gifts but use them to the best of your ability, although they are primarily utilized for your own gratification, amusement and edification.  I love you most, because God cared enough to send His son to retrieve you from certain damnation, by dying upon the cross for each of your sins.  It may seem odd to you for someone to say that they love you for the things that someone else has given you, but if you think on it for a bit it will all make sense.  For God gave you life, breath, health, wealth, the capacity to think, talents, conscience and love.  So you are the sum total of everything God has done for you and that is why I love you.

How then can I love you now, when I see you in misery, incapable of sharing your heart for fear of appearing misguided?  Don’t you know that there is a solution to every problem?  Unfortunately for your reputation the answer to your current dilemma, is God.  I do not wish that you would try every other available solution as physical scientists have confined themselves to doing.  I know that you will have to try them all, I just pray that the time goes swiftly and that you come rapidly to the eventual conclusion; God has always been the only answer to the problem of your fulfillment.  It makes sense to go to the creator of any system, engine, product or artifice when seeking resolution to efficient tuning, calibration and longevity.  That is why God is the only answer, for He was there at the beginning of all things, speaking us into being, encoding our DNA with purpose, function and operational parameters.

I do not love your folly, I do not love your sin, I do not love your rebellious or stubborn nature, but those are characteristics or actions they are not you, unless you allow them to define your existence.  I do not wish to change you, but I do wish that this life does its work and gives you the impetus and experiences necessary to bringing you into inevitable questioning and discussion regarding your God given purpose.  That is where our roads converge, that moment when the words I have offered will somehow make sense and lead you forward into an active search for Almighty God.  I look forward to that day and cherish it before it has even come, for I love you enough to wait upon God.  In Jesus Holy Name I pray.

Balancing act

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Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God: and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when His is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.  And you know that He is manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.  Whoever abides in Him does not sin.  Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.  Little children, let no one deceive you.  He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.  He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil  1 John 3:2-8

It is hard to say to someone who does not have a relationship with God, “My Dad owns the cattle on a thousand hills”.  How am I  to express the joy which surpasses all understanding without sounding like a nutcase, or worse yet some sort of disconnected braggadocio?  This is where most of my friends just try and blend, covering their light with a hat or poncho, hoping desperately that no one discovers they are Christian.  I guess the logic is that I have things covered and relations with the world are tolerable, so I will just keep things friendly, waiting for that golden opportunity to share my testimony, when the light, weather, timing and wind are just right.  Need I poke holes in this perspective?

If I don’t tell them will they know?  Perhaps it is the great big, “I walk with Jesus” on the front of my hat that gives me away?  Can the average unbeliever, who knows just enough about Christians to think them all hypocrites, absolutely see that I am a believer without me ever discussing my walk? Is it essential, to the world, that we be known as Christians?  Do people avoid you because they are so afraid of having a discussion about faith, then they probably know you’re a Christian?  Do they dislike you without ever having the opportunity to know the first thing about your life or personality, then they probably know that you’re Christian?  Do they try and provoke you into making intolerant statements about homosexuality, sin outside of marriage, abortion or mock Jesus to see if they can make you lose your cool?  Then they most likely know that you are Christian.  Do they come to you when tragedy strikes or their lives are out of control, seeking a little encouragement and direction?  Do I represent righteousness in all things, at all times?

There needs to be clear evidence of our faith, especially if our discipleship plan requires that an unbeliever come to us for the good news.  Let’s face it, even with that clear recognition of our Christian Faith, it is highly unlikely the lost will come to us for testimony.  Most of the time they will go out of their way to avoid that type of conversation, unless we give them reason otherwise.  That is why it is such a balance this life we have been commanded to live.  We must risk the repercussions of discipleship, especially with those with whom we have consistent and regular contact.  The Lord said that friendship with the world is enmity with God, so we cannot simply hope to keep things copacetic.  We are ambassadors for Christ and just as any envoy worth their salt we must prepare for and capitalize upon every opportunity to effectively share the Gospel.  We don’t know when the opportunities will either run out or pass us by.  Perhaps the one time that you demanded purity of yourself, will have the greatest impact on the world around you.

I hope that your lives bare fruit, resembling the characteristics of the Holy Spirit.  I pray that unbelievers seek you out in those moments where their soil is prepared for the seed of God’s Word.  I hope that they consider you “the Christian in the room” when it comes to questions of Righteousness and opportunities to defend the Faith.  But remember Jesus is God, and He still went out on the road looking for contact with unbelievers.  He never stayed at the synagogue, or at home, or simply cohabited with friends because that is not where unbelievers reside.  We must stay vigilant in our quest to fulfill the great commission.  It requires that we remain prepared and at the ready for opportunities to lead others to Christ.  It is a balancing act this relationship with the World.  I pray that you have considered and prayed about the right balance between walking in faith and simply residing in the grace of your own salvation.

Pursuits

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Do I really want to continue in my sin, resisting or dismissing the Holy Spirit’s conviction, knowing the glory of what God has promised if I repent and follow Christ?  Can I justify my argument with God, for that is what my disobedience, resistance and denial have become?  Do I truly wish to be back in a conflict with God, having been redeemed and set right with God by Christ’s sacrifice.  Wouldn’t I rather bask in the lack of condemnation afforded those of us who have accepted our walk with Jesus?  I am sorry folks, I will not be able to fulfill your dream for my life as this one is meant for service in God’s Holy Name.  I must forgo your approval as I know that it entails winning all the silver, gold and accolades available to worldly men.  That is not my destiny.  Would that I could fill your eyes with joy at my care for the sick, lost and dying, but these things do not impress you.  To me these things are my greatest joy, to know in some manner I have lent honor to God’s glory in an effort to the love those whom He created for salvation.

How about you?  Are there behaviors to which you know you should not be participating, yet you avoid detection, accountability or surrender in an effort to squeeze a bit more from the apple of life?  What price the guilt which burdens your heart and mind, for you know we can never fully lock it away in a vacuum?  How good would it feel to lay down your arms, trusting in God to relieve your burden?  What prize is so valuable that it would be even minutely worth the loss of God’s blessings or sustained reward?  Can you let go and if not will you lay down your pride for a moment knowing that you truly need some help to break free?  You have never been alone.  There truly are people, opportunities and paths to take that safely lead away from danger, directly to His waiting arms of peace, security and hope.  Do you have the courage to embrace a destiny which has no comparison to those satisfactions available in worldly pursuits?  You were fearfully and wonderfully made for a specific and unique purpose to the fulfillment of God’s Supreme Glory.  A pursuit that will bring you “complete” satisfaction absent in this vaporous existence.

I do not wish to cry the long heard sobs of a man realizing that he missed his calling by choice.  When I look in to those eyes of Glory I want to see that I utilized every ounce of God given grace to reach for the stars.  That will be my reward, having lived a life without regret associated with missed opportunities whether by neglect, decision or inaction.  How do we reach the pinnacle of God’s intention for our lives.  That is our journey through study, prayer, relationship and trial, following Christ down the path of fulfillment.  Where will yours lead?  I do not know but I am certain it will be exciting, rewarding, difficult and yes, entirely worth the effort, investment and work.  Praise God for the purpose He designed specifically for you.  That simple concept continues to amaze, that He would craft each of us, with our unique fingerprints, gifts, DNA and attitudes to fulfill some particular aspect of His plan for humanity.  Oh what a wondrous God that we serve.  In the Name of Jesus, the Lord.

http://www.wnd.com/2015/01/statue-of-bibles-joseph-discovered/  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of the Lord, but it is nice to see that some people are still pursuing truth.

http://www.wnd.com/2015/01/daniel-websters-prediction-for-america-coming-true/

Embellish Mints

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/01/15/boy-who-came-back-from-heaven-going-back-to-publisher/?hpid=z5  Why the lie?

Why do people continually add to or take away from  the inerrant, infallible Word of God?  The name precludes the rationality in doing either, does it not?  Wasn’t the model of the Pharisees, who added to and the Sadducees, who took away, clear enough teaching for us?  At least this youngster had the sense to atone for his mistake.  Now that he has begun to fear God, I understand his panic.  Will the publisher, who some assert, even the child’s mother, now face legal action for profiting from a lie?  Who knows, I consider two things to be of much greater importance; how many people were led astray to false belief after reading the book and why are we so susceptible to “sensationalist” testimony without confirmation against Biblical accuracy?

Both of these questions relate to the same failure, that our population is for the greatest part, Biblicly illiterate. We lack the discernment which only comes as a gift of God from studying to show ourselves approved.  Lacking such discernment we swallow the apple in its entirety never stopping, as a Barean, to pray about, confirm or test any testimony/information against the Scripture.  It is easy to be led astray if you do not first know how to read a map.  This type of craving for extra-Biblical fiction is part and parcel of what it means to be a wicked generation, seeking signs and miracles, lacking faith in the completed work of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the Cross.  We ought to be super cautious, especially in these, the last days to verify all to which we are exposed, making sure that it matches Biblical Truth.

Perhaps we will make use of this lesson, considering how many people were willingly and easily duped into worshiping this story as gospel?  I don’t know.  I forgive them, for they have not taken time to understand how Grace, Awesomeness and Glory incumbent to the True Story of Heaven.  God doesn’t need anyone to expand upon His perfection.  Sure we may attempt in our own frailty to explain the Scriptures in a way that more readily grasped by our current audience, but that must always be done with great fear and sensitivity.  The Gospel message is already perfect in its creation, intention, structure and capacity to transform lives.  It is the living Word of God Almighty and should never be superseded by man’s written wisdom for this is anathema.  Those who trifle and present an alternate testimony than that of the Gospel should beware the damnation that comes along with such attempts.

If it isn’t in the Bible, I don’t want it.  If the Lord doesn’t say specifically that it brings glory to His name by me possessing some character, reward or idea, than I plain and simply don’t want or need it.  I pray that none of us suffer the foolish assuredness of being wise in our own eyes.  I never read this book because I don’t believe that anyone has gone to heaven, except those few Prophets and Apostles that have been shown visions of God’s Presence to share with us, that we might know the future.  Two things that will protect us from false teaching and potential conflict with God; Learn the Word and use its truth to judge the validity of everything that may pass before your eyes, in this world.  Stop looking for signs and miracles because it has already been stated in God’s Word that the anti Christ will be given the capacity to perform them.  Maintain diligence, remain in the Word.