Tag Archives: Jesus Christ the King

The primed pump

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As Autumn begins to show its color, I am again reminded, that seasonal changes are always preceded by a palpable cooling/warming wind.  They are never the abrupt surprise we often hear in dramatic exclamation.  Their coming is recognizable well in advance of an icy or sweltering noon.  I know so many unbelievers who have come to me with questions regarding the apparent Earthly and Heavenly signs which recently have become so discernibly frequent.  It is always a spirited conversation as together we recall many warnings that I gone relatively unnoticed, but were each more ominous in declaration than those previous.

False teachers, pestilence, wars and rumors of the same, extreme self-concern, apostasy of the church, increased proclivity to wickedness and un-restrained behavior, earthquakes, natural occurrences, episodic chemistry both within Israel and Biblical prophesied Middle Eastern Nations, economic inconsistency, rapid travel to and fro, increasing access to knowledge are all notable to believers.  For a refresher spend a moment and read the 2Timothy 3-4, scan through the book of Daniel, Isaiah or Ezekiel and you will soon see the truth in our present epoch.

However the point or intention of this passage is to remind us that we heard the whispers, predictions, warnings, signals and possibilities of this time in history, yet in our own self interest chose not to attend.  This inclination to worldly attachment and interest is no longer just a simple obstacle to faithful maturation, but now is itself a blindfold to preparation for the Lord’s imminent arrival.  It is all well and good to see the coming storm, even telling others to be cautious, but only those who move their families to the safety of a waiting basement where goods and clean water have been stored will escape its formidable wrath.

This is an example, for although good physical preparation may in fact include material supplies, preparation for Christians is done in the heart and mind.  Have you accepted Jesus as Lord and savior having confessed and turned away from your sin (repented)?  Have you abided in Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify you, remaking you in God’s Image?  Have you believed in the Holy Word of God and walked in such a way that demonstrated your obedient love for God through adherence to His commands?

The stakes in these times are immeasurable.  Ask yourself, if I am wrong in my Biblical assertions how does it damage you to prepare for the Lord’s arrival?  Then ask yourself, if I am right in all that I have warned you, what then is the Price of ignoring or disbelieving my heraldry?  Do you know what will happen here, on Earth, during the tribulation period?  Do you know what happens to believers during that time?  Do you know the glorious ending to the triumphant Plan of Almighty God?  If you don’t know the end you are in for a wonderful surprise as you learn of God’s victory and eternity spent with Him, without sin, war and death.   Don’t you want to believe in what you know instead of “kind of” knowing what you believe?

Do nothing because I recommend it.  My words only beseech you lovingly to scour the Bible looking for truth, asking God for the guiding counsel, to teach and reveal all the evidence necessary to aligning your heart with the Holy Spirit.  Fill your lamp with oil in preparation for a swift night travel, as necessary.  Heed the signs of the coming season so that you are not surprised or dismayed at its arrival.  I believe God’s Will to be Holy, Righteous and True.  I believe that nothing but the Blood of Jesus Christ may free us from the prison of our sin.  I believe that the Holy Spirit lives within each believer Guiding, Teaching, Directing, Loving and Hoping we each are prepared for those things that shall and must come.  I pray for your health, wealth and the same for your families this and each day until the Lord Jesus arrives, because after that day our worries shall be made nil, and our prayers delivered face to face with the Lord.

Mumbles and money

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Money and mouth are synonymous.  What is this unique relationship that equates cash, commitment and communication?  Is it related to Biblical references regarding “treasure” and the motivations of the heart?  Why does what I do with my money so closely define and reveal the true alignment of my faith and belief?  Does true belief require a willingness or propensity to align treasure with pursuit, affinity and inclination?  Is investment or donation of our monetary instruments active representation regarding the depth of our faith in a particular ideology or person?  Would I ever give money to someone or toward some movement without adequate belief in the righteousness or purpose of that person or passion?  If your experience is similar to mine you will find the greatest arguments, especially with Christians who don’t tithe, surrounding the dispensation of funds toward the church, the needy or to protect the defenseless.

Self is the most powerful tool that the enemy possesses, perhaps providing the most complicated irony for man, that we actually are our greatest enemy.  Whenever there is a conflict between what God has told me is righteous living and what my heart/mind says is right I should be extremely concerned and diligently cautious.  One cannot both say that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and also disagree with how that Word applies to the responsibilities in my own life.  This is a direct conflict with God and remains, the “slippery slope” toward backsliding into renewed conflict with the Almighty.  If I believe that God is sovereign over all things, “including my own life” then my financial actions will substantiate that reality.

The Bible says that I should be open to the motivations of giving freely of my abundance, then any argument I present to the contrary, as to why I shouldn’t give to a particular person, thing or cause is frankly an obstacle to my relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.  For example, Christians give me significant flack each time I give to a homeless person, who may or may not be an alcoholic or drug addict, because they believe that I should question the motivations in this needy persons request.  Two things; God told me to be cautious about judgment and I believe that He owns everything that I have.  I believe that giving them money gives me the opportunity to speak with them about Jesus while demonstrating an authentic desire to love them the way that I would like to be loved.  I cannot help to remember that when I was homeless, disenfranchised or downtrodden, I really hoped and prayed that someone would care enough to tell me I was valuable.  How then can I remain clear of conscience in “not giving” my tunic/jacket when someone asks for my shirt.  Should I remain secure in the knowledge, “that the Lord will provide for all of my needs according to His riches and Glory through Christ Jesus?”  The real question is “what do I believe and do my subsequent actions demonstrate a correlation with that belief?”  If my actions don’t match the proper answer to that question then I really should be cautious to avoid conflict with Almighty God through serving my own understanding.

Lord teach me to be an excellent steward of all that you’ve given.  Please do not allow my own selfish desires to bring me dangerously into conflict with Your Word.  Let me give freely and joyously to the things that benefit Your Glory and Exalt the name of Jesus above every name.

Fear, the sign of imminent Hope

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Father the time of fear has arrived.  I see the bulk of humanity embracing negativity tortured by the burden of predictive circumstance.  Lord, this must be calm before the storm, a perfect time for people to cry out to God and receive forgiveness, hope and peace.  Pestilence is frightening, but we who take stock in the inerrant Word of the Gospel find peace in the foreknowledge of what must come.  War is devastating, even the rumor of clashes possibly involving nuclear armed nations rocks the stability of every global member.  We who hold to the Truth that is Jesus Christ take faith and peace in that we know these to be signs of God’s imminent return.  Financial loss raises the specter of homelessness or scrounging.  The four horsemen are being announced, the signs posted for all who have eyes and ears to hear to prepare, the time of choice is nearing completion.

Soon only those who walk by faith will have cause for hope and security, the rest will look to a charlatan for their sustenance.  Do not be caught by the greatest deception to be perpetrated in the history of mankind.  Place your hope, trust and faith in the Lord God Almighty, by accepting Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind.

Lord let us walk in joy, mindful of those who mourn, fight hysteria and worry.  Give us a Power in Spirit not just Word, such that Your Light is visible to all.  Let us walk into the hysteria, bringing peace and calm to the roiling seas.  Let us be of good courage, Knowing emphatically that Your Word is the only Truth.  Let us separate soul from Spirit with Your Powerful Word, forcing principalities to flee before Your Sovereign Command.  Give us a special understanding of hope, kindness and love so that we point them to Your Word as source of all abundance, blessing, hope and protection.  May they find peace in Your Shadow.  Praise Jesus Christ, King of Kings, every tongue confess and every knee shall bow in realization of His Name.

Waiting

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The difference between positive and negative attitude is most often determined by our capacity to remain patient.  It is often a gradable measure of maturity.  As we grow older, grow in our faith and become less self interested it is notable that believers become increasingly more tolerant to the idea of “Waiting Upon God”.  Should we then expect that if we are not progressively becoming more patient in our faith that there is, indeed, something wrong or absent in our Christian walk?  I will not make a definitive pronouncement, but I would point you toward a review of all the heroes of the Bible to see that the common theme of their sustaining faith was a willingness to wait on the unfolding of God’s Will in their lives.  Waiting upon God is in effect a testimonial of our dependence upon His timing, His Will and a mature understanding that just because things don’t necessarily go our way, they may in fact be being used for the Good of the Father’s Plan.  Patience is one of the qualities of the Holy Spirit, and it is very difficult to master, that is why we need His help, encouragement and filling to achieve.

We are not children.  We must make an active choice in attitude in our determination on facing the daily challenges of this world.  I have yet to hear one person say that this world is going in a good direction, though some of my faithful Christian friends do agree that it is progressing perfectly on the road to God’s unfolding plan for humanity.  If things are not going as we wish them to go and one of our greatest challenges is that of establishing/developing commensurate patience necessary to waiting on God’s unfolding plan, then the challenge is quite clear.  We must collectively, as a body of believers work with each other to assist in the development of patient, positive waiting attitudes, “knowing” that God remains on the throne.  Remember this world looks upon us as a reflection of God upon this planet.  I am willing to bet that He would want us demonstrating a willingness to wait and depend upon His Will.

I love people.  I do however struggle with liking them when I see how poorly they behave or treat others.  Lord teach me to be more patient with people, understanding their human struggle.  Show me the way to demonstrate your love for them so that they begin to understand our great need for dependence upon the Holy Spirit.  Praise You Father for allowing me to go through this crucible of life.  I love You for shaping me and remaking me in Your image so that someday I might be free of my feet of clay.  I so look forward to tending the garden or taking care of those entrusted to my care.  Whatever job I am given I know that it has been specifically designed, prepared and is waiting for me.  Jesus Christ the redeemer, the savior, a name to praised in all the world.

The Light of Christ

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This is a faithful saying:  For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.  If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.  If we deny Him, He also will deny us.  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.  NKJV 2 Timothy 2:11-14

Isn’t it great that no matter how well rested, prepared or talented I am I always eventually reach the limits of my own capacity to provide or execute?  If I were limitless in my own abilities I would never tap into the infinite authority, provision and endless strength of the Lord God.  Additionally, each time I do become empty, weary, negative or deflated, I am reminded not to reside in my own authority and resources.  I am also brought into immediately reflection regarding my motivations, whether self or God’s glory.  Again, God has designed his beloved in such a manner that we will naturally become dependent upon Him.  This brings me faith and peace, for even as I tire, I know that if I am pursuing His ends then He will “ALWAYS” provide the path and the means toward completion.  For thanks be the God, the world does not depend upon my righteousness, faith or endurance, but on that of the Rock of Ages.

So many people are tough on Peter for his failings and speaking blunders.  A lot of this was justified, but we owe to Peter’s failure the pain and reminder to never make that horrible mistake ourselves.  Peter’s thrice denial of Christ solidified the horror in our own hearts when confronted with our own disaffiliation.  Peter was passionate, and he may have been foolish, but he also went to his death, martyred for the name of God in Christ Jesus.  When next someone makes fun of Peter remind them of the faith he eventually demonstrated for the Lord.  The Lord warns us to be diligent and mindful less each of us fall when we think that we cannot.  Caution is fear tempered by wisdom.

I will endure because I want that more than anything, and I pray that God sustains me in the hour of my trial so that I remain a good steward of my blessings and challenges.  I will reign with Christ because that is what He promised, blessed to be an emissary of God.  I will endeavor to not be ashamed before God by reading, meditating, practicing and spreading the Righteous Word of Almighty God as He has commanded.  After all it is His authority, His life, His patience, His faithfulness, His truth and His sacrifice that governs my thinking and my actions.  Praise God at the top of my lungs to all in hearing’s distance.  Jesus is King of Kings.

Without end

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Lord, I looked around and realized that things are just as in the time of Noah.  Those filled with the Spirit are looking skyward waiting for the restraining Hand to be removed.  People are frantic, but not enough to delay the party or dinner bell, let the merriment continue.  Why do I mourn for a people who are so frantic in fear that they must escape reality at all cost, even if it means loss of freedom, hope, dreams, wealth or health?  I thought to explain the seriousness of their circumstance but then I realized that everyone, but me, was laughing.  Laughing at the rising tide of God’s swelling wrath, set against restraints that only time can see.  I trembled for a moment, working out my salvation in my brain and heart, reassuring myself once again of faith, trust and dependence upon God through Jesus.  All at once I wept, knowing that they could not see, for the time of allowance had dwindled and the white horse approacheth, God’s restraining Hand had been withdrawn for a time of deception then judgment.  Wrath was upon them all.  God protect those who will come to knowledge of the truth.

Signs are signs, regardless if you’ll heed them.  People are hungry so go ahead and feed them.  On fishes and bread or a pocket full of wisdom.  When daylight is done you’ll realize how you’ve missed them.  Pray sleep and to rest my bosom be committed.  My room in this mansion has already been outfitted.  So Father, take my worry, my pity and concern.  Save them from the fire that will never cease to burn.  Forgive my allegiance to all that soon must pass, my folly and false worship each blatant or inane trespass.  And lead me not to evil, let me hide in Your great wake, give me a heart for reason, for the truth and nothing fake.  Protect my fellow humans if they will humbly seek Your face.  Kindly whisk them away from chaos which must occupy this space.  Eternity and in worship our time shall never end, spending daytime to infinity with my God, my Dad, and Friend.

Contentment

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Peace from God and all His blessings, may they keep you warm through the cold and dark of night.  He loves us you know.  He sees each of us in our own circumstances, taking the time, in His omniscience, to walk through this life individually with every single person that has ever been born.  All of us have been offered a relationship with the maker of time and space.  Each of us, so incredibly important to Him that He made specific plans, attempts and dispatched uniquely-employed messengers to provide us ample opportunity to choose wisely.  Resisting such kindness, care and dedication is almost unimaginable, but He also said that He loves us enough to allow us to choose something other than His will for our lives.  I am content in His love and the knowledge that this Earth is my training ground, an opportunity to learn to love and be loved with the ominous specter of impermanence spurring me to make good use of my time.

You see it is no small thing to know that the King of all universes knows me by name and cares for me each moment of my life.  I have a cornucopia of hope, residing in my bosom, assuring me that no circumstance is outside His Will.  This world and death have lost their control over my internal topography.  Certainly, I am affected by pain, by joy, by love, by wind and rain and sea, but they are additions, improvements, enhancements given me on my journey to see the King.  This world shall not take my life, I give it freely at the time of His choosing, so that I may enjoy that rapturous moment in recognizing His Glorious face.

I too have loved this world, with its crimson, its thinkers and its skies, its dreamers, its children and its silver haired know-it-alls.  I have been shown the good and the bad and I cried, tears of joy and of agony.  I have known evil, seeking its own fulfillment, searching for all that it may consume, but I have known that even that served the purpose of God.  Young men have told me their visions and old women their hopeful dreams.  This life has been lived with purpose, hope and a knowledge and discernment of joy, song and worship for a King who is truly worthy of everything that I can possibly give.  In that loss may not exist.

The Lord is my strength, my hope and my strong tower, I shall not be moved for my feet are rooted firmly in the Rock of Ages the foundations of time and space.  I serve the Lord God Almighty, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.  Forever and ever amen.  Jesus be praised.

Increasingly

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Adversarial, precarious, divided, confused, dangerous, distant, unpredictable, contagious, remote, bleak, desperate, juvenile, twisted, corrupt, insufficient, mindful, satisfied.  Which of these words describes your opinion of the current global circumstances?  Is there a common negative overtone or implication consistent to these modifiers?  Are there any of the words that simply do not fit with your evaluation of the present situation?  Do you know where in the Bible to turn for a review of what God says will be happening in the world as the day of judgment draws near?  Do you have an internal repository of peace and hope regarding our collective global future, perhaps an academic ideology that portends the perfect mixture of doctrine, politics and humanistic resolution?  Most of the people I meet are frankly concerned and many spend great amounts of energy/time staving off hyperventilation or panic.  Is there a sure fire method to maintaining peace in the midst of this obvious flux?

We as Christians should know.  You see people are going to turn to us, increasingly, for direction, question and understanding as they try to make sense of this planet unraveling.  Are we able, willing and ready to show them realistic direction and rapidly pull up specific Word of God to support our understanding and account for the peace that we possess?  I am certain that at this moment we may not be sufficiently prepared, but as the last days unfold we should be feeling the increasing call of the Holy Spirit, tugging upon our hearts.  I implore my Brothers and Sisters to incline their ears to the voice of God speaking in that quiet place of divine relationship.  People are becoming “increasingly” agitated and in need of appropriate and gentle guidance, empathy and direction.  We will be the ones to provide that light as they naturally pursue their maker in quest for salvation and succor.  Please open your hearts to Jesus.  Count upon His promises and stand on their firmament and solemnity.  Stand ready to gather crops as the harvest time approaches.  For the time of planting, watering and fertilizing will soon be finished.  I love you and pray for your encouragement, abundance and protection in the Holy name of Jesus Christ the King.

Blasphemy, corrupting God’s Holy Word

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What I think, really doesn’t matter.  By opening any statement about God’s Word with, “I think” is accepting direction from the navigators of doom.  God’s Word is complete, effective and faithful to produce protection, change and yes even miraculous occurrences.  It does not need my embellishment, opinion or revision to make it so.  For this reason, teacher’s job in Christianity comes with sufficient warning and weight of additional Sovereign judgment.  We must be extremely cautious and apprehensive about adding our own twist, (satan’s specialty), to what God has already provided in perfection.

The Holy Spirit inspired the writing, preaching and delivery of this documented Word, thus corruption of this divinely inspired document is in effect, blaspheming the Holy Spirit.  My job is to love Him with every ounce of my being and love you in the way that He loves me, which is how I wish to be loved.  It is not my job to take God’s perfect Word and redefine, re-write or polish it to make it palatable for my specific audience.  If I may encourage you by building you up or constructively pointing you to God’s Word for support, prayer, reproof or guidance then I have acted as appropriate disciple.  My desire is to become like Him, not to replace Him.  I do not wish to be God, I have enough trouble being a decent man.  I would rather be innocent and unaware of good and evil, protected in the garden by a Loving Father, then to be harried by reality and the nagging weight of my sinful ambition.

God has given freely, so should I.  God has taken great patience with my continued hard head and heart, so I should take whatever necessary time to assist those entrusted to my care.  God has given me a perfect Word, and has made His Spirit available to me, at all hours, to provide insight and wisdom where questions remains.  God commands me to be faithful, for without faith I cannot please Him.  The Lord directs me to complete dependence upon Him for every good thing, why then would I need somebody’s interpretation of Divine Scripture.  That just doesn’t make sense.  God did not direct men to depend upon the divinity, sovereignty and authority of other created beings, in fact, He directed the opposite.  After all it is not what “I think” that matters.  Lord give me the understanding and the presence to rightly divide Your Word so that I neither add or detract from its perfection.  In Jesus’ Name

He promised

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Psalm 18 NIV 1-3

I love you, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. 

It begins with love for God.  These promises, He documented for the ages, set forth a dependance upon something entirely reliable, unshakeable, beyond worldly corruption of truth.  All else may disintegrate, devolve, demolecularize or crumble into utter decay, this foundation shall remain unchanged, unwavering, untarnished by the ravages of science or age.  When challenge or fear of death grips your heart and narrows thinking turn to the Lord and be renewed.  Depend on the cornerstone which shall not be moved, displaced or shaken.  As in the beginning, God, so shall the end be.

This week the world trembled, a shaken river reed, blowing in cadence to the dissonant rhythm of time and humanity.  It would be norm for calm to be absent in life, in heart, in home but those who call themselves by the name of God are unmolested.  Enemy worshipers have forsaken truth and sought to dispel the very thing which brought life to man, for the Holy Spirit of God may not be displaced by any power or principality.  This hurts my heart for man and makes me cry out to God asking for his judgment upon this travesty.   What a patient God we serve, who could allow this mockery to continue for as long as necessary to welcome all who will enter the Kingdom.  This level of patience astounds me, but makes sense for the unshakeable Hand of God.

There will be a time soon coming where the restraining Hand of the Holy Spirit will loosen its grip to allow for the spiral of worldly turmoil to reach max velocity.  Until that moment we are held safely in the Hand of God, to be removed from chaos at a time of His choosing.  For eternity I depend on this promise of God’s faithfulness, not on the flimsy pronouncements of man.  God is my redemption, my rock and my truth.  He shall not be moved and that gives me a courage beyond man’s understanding.

Praise God in the great name of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.  My brother, my friend, My God.