Tag Archives: Jesus Christ the King

No longer

Posted on by
Reply

Seeing beyond the lumber in my own eyes.  My view is skewed, fractured and diffracted by my own shortcomings.  How can I look upon myself in the way in which the Lord sees me?  Knowing I am sealed by the Holy Spirit of God Himself, saved by the Christ of God.  How would I be changed if I could see His righteousness lain upon me, covering my sin with a purity?  How then would I gaze upon you with eyes set for Glory, knowing your sanctification assured?  Lord, that I have the eyes to see beyond the dirt, mire and grime camouflaging the external vessel to see the flourishing soul within.  How then would my attitude be changed and my kindness altered to see Christ in those around me?  Do I have ears to hear the Word that the Lord has preached or will I remain focused on the siren call of discouragement, bidding me abide in this world and not in Christ?  How then may I begin to resemble Almighty God if I do not first look upon others in a gentler light?

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the Father.  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  Galatians 4:1-7

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-25

The Spirit of the Son is in each of us, crying out to a Father from whom we had been estranged, lost, destitute, without hope or joy.  Hallelujah, it is Christ that saves each of us redeemed to God in kinship with the Lord.  We may now equally look upon those in Christ as Family, rejoicing in their individual walk toward eternity.  May we unite in our shared devotion to God, writing His commands upon our heart in tune with the Spirit living within each of us.  What then might we accomplish if we look upon each other in a new way, free from condemnation, reflection, refracted vision and criticism.  Renewed by the encouragement of our own hearts made new.  How then would I personally view defeat in its impossibility being so perfectly aligned with God, equally with Family in love, victory, hope and fulfillment?  How then would the definition of the impossible be forever transformed?

 

Embellish Mints

Posted on by
Reply

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.

About face

Posted on by
Reply

Perhaps I should care about the new, ten-million dollar building that Christians have collectively erected, with its stained glass, fine carpet, gyms and modified sound system.  Maybe I should be excited about the state of the art day care center, with the integrated message system telling parents when there are difficulties.  Perchance you should have captured my enthusiasm about the Church sports facility so that we can customize the Word of God in a palatable method, packaged for disinterested nexters.  Maybe I should be overjoyed that our pastor’s new book is selling off the shelves or we’ve gotten the movie rights to the next big Christian Thing.  I promise to share in that excitement, if you can but answer me, how are we training our parishioners to make disciples, or take in orphans, assisting the elderly, sick or dying to come into the shelter of Christ?  Or maybe we should meet in the local high school for church and send the ten million dollars for a new building to persecuted Christians in their defense of the faith?

I hope that you will forgive me, but I don’t want to go to Rome and gaze upon the religious artifacts and creations of man in his quest to become worthy of God or worse yet upstage Him.  I am certain they are beautiful, but is there a chance I could stay home take care of the homeless and send the money I would have used to a pastor bringing folks to Christ on the front lines.  How far we have wondered from the Lord in our attempt to modify His Holy Word so that we can have our cake and eat it too.  I do not wish to argue with folks who are entirely comfortable being fat dumb and happy going to church once a week, Bible study occasionally and dropping a few dollars in the offering.  That was not what Christ asked or commanded of us.  We have forgotten whom it is that we serve.  And the reason we’ve forgotten is because we have sauntered away from the greatest relationship that we will ever have, a living dialogue with Almighty God, exchanging it for worldly pursuits.  Christianity is a transformation not just a life style.  If I am not so completely captivated and excited by the opportunity to share the Truth and Good News of Christ then I either have relegated the truth and good news to a lesser part of my life or I never had it in me from the outset.

My forgiveness has certainly been challenged, as I have been given excuse upon excuse or chastisement for asking my fellow Christians to share in Harvest Work.  It is now at the point where they do not wish to have the conversation, lacking sufficient or new excuse, that they simply avoid me or spread awful rumors hoping I will simply, “go away”.  I am sorry that you have been convicted by the Holy Spirit’s Voice calling you to mission.  Wasn’t it you who came to the Pastor just last month, desperately inquiring, “why God hasn’t shown you His Will and Purpose for your life”?  Is it perhaps a possibility that you have no new revelation because you have failed to answer the calling He placed upon you when you first came to Christ?  We cannot selectively determine to follow Christ, the choice was first made when we accepted Him in to our lives.  Why else do you believe that Christ has told us this “wicked” generation will receive no other sign then that given to Jonah in the belly of whale for three days?  Don’t we get it, he is saying the sign you will get is that He wants us to do what He directed us to do, to the point where He will pursue us and capture us in the belly of a whale if necessary to changing our attitude to obedience.

Lord, awaken our hearts to the work which must been done while the light remains.  Take from us the driving desire for comfort and self gratification that cause us to ignore the needs of the poor and fatherless.  Father give us a heart to serve our first calling of discipleship, leading all who will hear to Jesus.  Forgive me if I have been too harsh in my call to action, for I know that you love them so.  Praise Jesus.

One day’s prayer

Posted on by
Reply

More than enough.  Manna from heaven.  Sufficiency, abundance, I shall not want.  Father forgive me for never completely understanding, relying upon Your Faithfulness or walking wanton.  Forgive me for all the times that I have gone to church to fill myself up, to be seen or to share out of a heart to be known for my own qualities.  Forgive me for passing up Divine Appointments as if they were optional or infinite, missing those precious, expiring moments to tell people of Your Awesome Love.  Father, let me walk as if I had the food which never perished, the overflowing waters of Your outstretched Love that will never let me go thirsty.  Let me give without even a moments thought of receiving.  Let me fully believe that the new dawn will bring a fresh allotment of Your care and sustenance.  Allow a new understanding of abundance, so that I may give freely with no thought of exhausting supply.  Magnify the little I have so that others might be fed to fulfillment and see your Glory in the giving.

Lord allow me to never rearrange the furniture as the ship is going down.  Give me a heart for rescuing the lost, fatherless, dying, sick and disenfranchised.  Lord let me resist the wiles of the enemy, nattering that I should hold grudges, remain envious or judge the motivations of others.  Let forgiveness be the bell of my heart, such that no one ever need ask.  Let there never be question as to whom I serve.  Allow me to be a repeater, echoing your light across the darkened hills, so that all might find their way beyond a meeting at the cross.  Take from me the defiant, false hope of my own self-reliance, for in such moments I am made both weak and susceptible to the temptations of a desirous heart.  Let me taste of Your victory, knowing that I served Your Good Will for this life and Your Kingdoms Call.

I am but one man, but so much may be accomplished in my simple prayers as they pass before You in faith.  I know that You see me, hear me and guide me, let me maximize this access by bringing my prayers before Your waiting ears.  Give me the desires of Your heart and not my own which might be spent upon frivolous ideals.  Let me work seamlessly with my Brothers and Sisters to bring about something beyond my own capacity.  Forgive those who have sought my harm, turn their works to good so that they might be changed.  Let me be pensive, serious and thoughtful but also light of heart, eager to encourage those around me through laughter and good care.  Let me never forget for one second that You are there.  Father, give me sufficient courage, hope and assets to be equal to any task You set before me this and every day of this life You have given to me.

In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, forever and forever, amen.

Emerging into light

Posted on by
Reply

What do you do in the dark that you would not do in the light of day?  Am I a different person in the silky camouflage of night?  What scatters in my own life each time the light is shown in to crevice, cupboard, closet or action?  Have I given over control to God the secret spaces of my life or am I effectively compartmentalizing aspects for which I have no excuse, no remorse or no desire to relinquish?  What am I unwilling to expose for shame, or blame or potential damage to my cherished reputation?  Can I truly know humility having never lain bare these protected facets of my life?  What then does it mean to be a follower of Christ?  Is there a specific or implied trust between He and I which demands release of this obfuscation, diversion or out right concealment?

How forceful is my own resistance to the changing Hand of God’s Almighty Spirit in my own life?  Am I truly willing to subject my entire set of actions/history to the defining edge of God’s Two Edged Sword?  Would my sinews, spirits and truth continue following such review?  I cannot safely say that on that day I look into the eyes of fire that there will be little left to be burned up.  For I have seen my own frailty, my disobedient heart and rebellion and found that left alone it will fester, propagate, linger and continually poison my innocence.  Can I develop an intentionality consistent to bringing down the footholds of powers and principalities for injustice within my own heart?  What manner of terrorism exists within my own disobedience to God?  How might I find peace until these shameful dis-congruent aspects of my own personality have been subjected to the cleansing blood of Christ through the light of His Word.

I cannot love the actions of men which do not stand up to the Gospel.  There is no will, no desire, no inclination to become apologist for these inconsistent unsaintly thoughts or actions.  I pray that I surrender to God, absolutely, voluntarily, all compartments of my life, especially those for which I have shame, reluctance and denial.  There can be little if any progress forward in the battle for truth if I am unwilling to come to the knowledge of the truth regarding my own earthly performance.  Father, let me see every truth, even the putrid and cancerous that lay hidden in my own psyche.  Once I have seen, repented of and accepted these truths, please cleanse me and remove them from my soul.  Let me judge myself by your word instead of projected such judgment upon men of the world.  Let me be found righteous by Your Word, blameless, spotless, resembling Christ.  Let me wear His righteousness in faith for the world to see in the light of day and the dark of night.  Let me walk by faith not by sight to the Glory of Your Holy Name.  Jesus Christ is King.

Offered and accepted

Posted on by
Reply

Searching for an emotional prompting, a sign, an image that will somehow erase doubt about the existence of God.  This is the inherent difficulty and ironic dilemma associated with charisma and religion.  Faith is simply that component which does not require proof.  My faith rests upon something greater than the proofs, equations and calculations of this universe because it has been erected upon the rock which supports all creation.  However, the calculations, science, temporal physics and atomic structure will never “disprove” God for these things were all His creation from the outset.  As with man how can any formulaic deconstruction of a created being result in any other evidence but a path leading to its creator?

I believe that God has provided more than adequate clarity regarding His existence, His plan and His sovereignty, a fact that frees me from the charlatans and emotional masseurs endemic to false and charismatic teachers.  I am not looking to “feel” a certain way when I worship, with the exception of being authentically thankful for all that God is, has done and will continue to do for us.  I am not seeking miracle to reassure me that God is still there, I simply know it, just as any man knows God exists looking upon a child or a butterfly.  I am not seeking Divine revelation for He has already given such in His dynamic, infallible and inerrant Word.  I will not find “enlightenment” through some mantra-laden, drug induced or meditative trance for this is simply me seeking to join the enemy in becoming a false god.  God has told us what was, what is and what shall be, we have only one decision, to accept and believe or deny and resist.

We have been told that the pursuit of happiness is a most noble goal, I beg to differ.  Happiness is self defined, self maintained, fleeting and steals from us the energy/focus requisite to serving others to the best of our abilities.  My happiness having no other source of fulfillment other than “my” own immediate or lasting gratification is simply based solely upon “my” defined universe, meant for nothing other than serving me to the exhausting of my sensual desire.  On the contrary we are offered lasting peace with God through acceptance and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are offered a new heart, a refreshed understanding and a “circumstantial or sensory” freedom allowing us to be joyful, thankful and consistent even in the midst of happiness-denying chaos, pain, sickness or temporary loss.  What would it benefit me to be entirely sensory fulfilled and “happy” if that pursuit even minutely resisted the larger Truth of God, subsequently turning me over to the imaginary and contrived science of a false, self defined, self maintained illusion?  I neither require or demand that God continue to prove Himself nor do I desire to create a universe in which I am the master and commander.  For me it is simply fulfilling to serve God, in His definition and direction of that service, accepting the features, benefits and rewards of that service for His Glory.

Do not be led astray, this continual global pursuit of immediate gratification is the enemy’s doctrinal mantra.  I cannot serve myself or this world and continue to serve God.  I love people and wish them harmony, peace and abundance, but I will not forsake God to achieve that end.  We need to be okay with God being in charge in order to see that Him being in charge is the best thing that ever happened to humanity.  Trying to adjust, jury rig or rewrite the realities of a created universe simply results in the nullification and acceptance of abundant joy and possibility of that which Has already been perfectly created by God.

Thank you Lord for offering ample proof of Your existence, love and sovereignty through the Truth of Your Word and the world You created.  I pray that everyone give up the battle which has been ended by the redemption of Your Perfect Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ.  I pray that people lay down their arms, embrace that peace and formulate an eternal, prosperous, fulfilling relationship with You.  Send us no miracles Lord for we have already received the greatest miracle of all, a Savior, who redeemed us to You for eternal relationship.  I ask for millions of faithful workers for the harvest, that You open the eyes of those who would be set free and have mercy upon those who would not.  In Jesus Mighty and Precious Name.  Amen.

A measure

Posted on by
Reply

They would have me look to my failures as a measure of this life lived.  That is not how God looks upon each of us.  If He looks upon me, with perfect knowledge of every thought, every dance, every excess and victory and still loves me, then why should my failures matter one iota?  There are none that may proclaim themselves a more harsh critic of my performance than me.  Just as Paul lamented his continued sinning even when he knew the right thing to do, I cannot believe some times the thoughts and actions I still find myself undertaking.  Glory be to God that it is His prerogative to allow me into heaven, because if it were up to me I certainly would never be found worthy.  I am so sad for the failures that have caused harm to others or brought dishonor to God’s Holy Name.  For them I am truly sorry and ask God’s forgiveness.

I do not belong to this world, to the enemy or to false idols, I have been set apart for God by my belief in Jesus Christ the Son of God.  That does not allow me special exception to sin as I please, precisely the opposite, it means that I should know better having been freed by sacrifice.  It does however allow me some measure of confidence in the knowledge that God knows I am going to continue to sin and has provisioned Grace sufficient to cover my future sins.  I hope they are not as immeasurable as I’ve imagined them.  Can you imagine what it would be like to be saved by Grace and then be committed to living a life of perfection when all you’ve known in continual mess up?  Thank God He knows us better than we know ourselves and has provided His Holy Spirit as Counselor, Guide and Teacher to show us the way to sanctification and holiness.

The Lord has shown me that the price of my sensitivity is an open, tender and vulnerable heart.  Today I learned how cruel others may be when they feel the pressures to change and I am the obvious target of their rage as I seek to help them traverse the divide.  My tears are medals showing the price of my humanity, and the wounds I suffer now only bring me closer to the Almighty.  They do not know what they are doing, often they are defense mechanisms brought to bare from childhood to protect themselves from the brutal hazards of youth.  If I may navigate my way passed these defenses by help of the Holy Spirit then I may be granted the opportunity to plant a seed of God’s Loving and reviving Word.  Some times the battle is not simply fought for protection of the city it is undertaken for the sake of doing something right.  In my case I do not seek to drive back enemies but to win the right to plant crops for God’s Harvest.  Thank you for the work Father.  There is so much to be done, I pray for more workers for the harvest, dear, dear Lord.  In Jesus Name.

The Power

Posted on by
Reply

I wish to do my best to get along in peace and harmony with my Brothers and Sisters, but how is this possible when the bulk of them refuse to follow Christ?  Father show me the way to be a good leader in sponsoring, encouraging and motivating Christians to “Walk” their walk with You.  Give me a heart for patience, especially at these Bible studies where so many simply wish to present themselves in arrogant regurgitation of Your Word with no substance, or function, obedience or execution.  The Church has lost the power to convert by power of the Spirit as happened after Pentecost, because we have lost focus on the Holy Spirit, the being of Eternal Power.  Let us remember the Word in our quest to become “authentic”.  1 Corinthian 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.   Authentic Christianity is born of the Spirit, having the gratitude, humility and responsive faith in God to model the gifts of “the Spirit” to a world by healing, loving, helping, liberating and dispelling powers of the armies of darkness.

Maybe they are insecure about the things that must be done, thinking themselves inadequate to the tasks set before them?  To that I say, I love you Brothers and Sisters and you have allowed the enemy to trick you into thinking that you were capable of doing what God wanted you to do from the outset.  Power of the Holy Spirit is just that, an indwelling of the Spirit of God that allows us to do the impossible.  As scripture states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.  It is the power of God that satan fears, having known defeat by the work of the Lord Jesus and the restraining Hand of the Holy Spirit indwelling each Christian.  We were never meant to be adequate to the task, that is why it is so important to be entirely dependent upon God for deliverance, power and courage to do what must be done.

Do we wish to stand and watch as God’s Holy Name is mocked in perpetuity, on the news, in our streets, even in our homes?  This is not something that we were meant to stop, but I know who has promised to judge them for their mockery, The Lord God Almighty.  I know the power He meant for the church, to heal the sick, the blind, the lost, the lepers and the incarcerated.  We have forgotten our legacy, as the ambassadors of Christ and indwelt of the Holy Spirit of God.  We have allowed ourselves to become corrupted by this ungodly world, in things we see, experiences we taste and the quests we pursue.  We have willingly put aside the Will of God for our lives as secondary at best.  The only way to victory is through the Holy Spirit of God.  Shall we plead with Him to come back into our churches or leave Him outside the very church He empowers?  What have you personally done to invite the Holy Spirit inside your life, your home, your church and your job?  Our only option is prayer, for in our clear dependence upon God He will show up in Power, and Great Glory.  Isn’t that what we have been craving, waiting and wishing for throughout these millennia?

I am sorry for my words Lord.  The only Words that matter are Yours.  I am sorry that I have been so weak in wielding the awesome power of the Holy Spirit.  Lord show me the way and I will stand there as conduit for Your Might and Glory.  Father, hear our prayer and allow Your Spirit to once again inflame the hearts of all Christians, giving them power to show Your Might to this unbelieving world.  Lord let them mock You no longer.  Let us understand the gravity of Your standing patience and the comprehend the reason for Your long suffering of/for mankind.  All the Glory to You, in Jesus Holy Name, Amen

Eternal

Posted on by
Reply

Endless, enduring, ceaseless, perpetual, having no beginning or end and everlasting; these are the parameters within the promises of God.  How does it feel to be impervious to the kidnapping grasp of false hosts, as it is said in the Word of God, John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”  What confidence is bread in the deeper understanding of our eternality?  Is there any other freedom than that prescribed by the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus?  Can this world make me any promises that do not pale in comparison to eternal salvation?  What security may we as believers possess through faithful reliance upon these promises?  Where might I find additional encouragement in my quest to build faith in those promises?

John 6:27
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

1 Peter 1:5
who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Isaiah 27:3
I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.

Jeremiah 23:4
I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.

John 6:37
All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

John 6:39
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

John 10:29
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

John 17:2
For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

1 John 1:2
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

1 John 2:25
And this is what he promised us–eternal life.

1 John 5:11
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

I put my faith in the Rock of Ages.  Timeless expectations of an immutable God.  There is nothing else upon which I may similarly and justifiably depend, for all else changes, ebbs, flows, decays and transforms.  This must be taken with caveat that we must also begin to comprehend God’s judgment through this changeless qualities.  God must follow through with His Plan, His Will, His coming judgment as it is part and parcel of His endlessness, in that He is faithful to complete that which He began.  Do not sit precariously upon the double edged sword of God’s Love and His Promised Wrath.  He is Holy and we must begin to investigate this reverent perfection in order to comprehend His fairness, in justice and truth.  The Lord may not tolerate, excuse or overlook sin, for to do so would countermand all His promises and His timelessness.  There is only one way, which He has provided to be “washed clean” of the sin debt (death) to which we found ourselves aligned, that is repentance, belief and reliance upon the Life, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as propitiation for that debt.

That perfect sacrifice was sufficient to quiet God’s pending wrath for them who would believe and to those who will not accept Jesus they have willingly accepted His judgment.  This is the nature of a perfect God, for all things will be done judiciously, as He foretold through by the ministries of His prophets.  There will be no improperly tended judgment to those who are innocent, there will be no mistaken pardon, no punishment undeserved, for God wishes that “all would come to the saving knowledge of the truth”.  I fear God’s perfection in that it assures that I will get exactly what I deserve, but I am also humbled by His Saving Grace in that I will instead receive shared inheritance with Christ for my repentance, belief and faith.  This is the contradiction of man’s twisted thinking.  We believe that we may free ourselves of a pending judgment by the supposed works of our own lives or perhaps avoid God’s judgment by simply dismissing His existence.  These are both foolish positions demonstrating a lack of eternal understanding.  Until a man meets Christ He cannot understand eternity?  For in eternity we truly understand the implications of our belief, actions and commitment.  I sinned so I was eternally guilty, but praise be to our immutable God, that He has pardoned my eternal obligation through the blood of His sacrifice.  His forgiveness is my new eternity and for that I cannot begin to express my gratefulness through the words of mortal men.

Follow Him

Posted on by
Reply

Had I tasted victory, despair would be too sour to capture my taste.  Had I known peace through prayer, anger and the world’s molestation would own me not.  Had I dreamed in a glimpse of eternity, the past and present would make sense as a parts in the sum of the whole.  Had I known the truth, lies would have lost all adhesive quality in my heart.  Had I seen love, then my kind whispers would chase hate and fear to the darkness of their origin.  Had I seen the face of God, my joyous reward would be complete.  How then does a hypocrite profit when none of these inspiring influences have overwhelmed such that all else becomes dim?

It is not about religion, it is about following Jesus in truth, serving God in love, obedience and purpose.  It is not about the holiest man having been inserted between each of us and God for there are no barriers to majesty and no man who is free of sin but the Lord Jesus.  It is not about emulating the deacons, pastors and princes for each of them struggle alone in the dark asking God for guidance and forgiveness.  It is not about being alone because my vision of perfection somehow excludes those who are dirty, messy, poor, sick or confused.  It is about Love and only Love.  A Love so kind and deep that it overlooks imperfection, struggle and brokenness.  It is about following Jesus Christ, calling upon the Holy Spirit in power to sanctify each of us making us more like Christ then when we began.  It is about the walk, with purpose, truth and intention, demonstrating love for God as evidenced through action, not to win some prize but knowing the prize has already been given and works are a natural part of thankful joy.

I do not want to be like my pastor, I want follow God.  I do not want God’s power, I want to use it to the Good Will of His Glory, Majesty and Love for mankind.  I do not want to be congratulated for my prowess, gifts or faith, unless it is from the mouth of Jesus welcoming me home to His Presence.  There is no defeat now but not loving as God has directed.  I must have Love, the Love of God, nothing else matters.  Forgive me Father for pursuing any side road that does not lead directly to Your Righteousness.  May my heart, life and words always be true to my quest of following You.