This life, this one-way road, gives us one opportunity to get things right.  Some have concocted fairy tales to appease their terrible fright, allotting themselves thousands of chances to get it right.  Others are encumbered with the awful burden of measuring their goodness, needing to do one more good deed before time is up.  Some solve this collective dilemma by denying the existence of God, for if He is not there then there is no requirement to believe or be judged.  Others give into the merciless flesh, practicing every manner of sin attributable to man, hoping to remain aloof of reality.  Most of us realize the preciousness of life is that there is only one, and that so short.  Praise be to God, He has given me the opportunity to be free from sin’s burden, so that I may live this life in the knowledge of victory, never worrying what shall be done with my mistakes.

All things worth pursuing require the investment of time, treasure, maturity or sacrifice.  None of us wish for second best, though some times we settle for it or it becomes the only/best option as the sum of a string of poor choices.  But this realization is always accompanied by regret.  Certainly we may convince ourselves to be settled, or relatively happy, but all the time knowing that we somehow missed the true mark.  Isn’t it worth it to wait for God’ very best, giving everything we’ve got to reach the pinnacle of our probable/possible existence?  I don’t want regrets and each time that I settle for that which God did not intend for my life, I am always burdened with the reminder that I settled for less.  I pray to God that we all have the patience, courage and strength of character to pursue only God’s Will and wait on His Blessings.

Just as in free will, I suspect that life had to be designed this way to make it so valuable, it is crucial to value each passing moment with a knowledge that it will never be lived again.  I went to India and I was astounded that people just stepped over, ignored or mistreated the unfortunate or homeless.  They explained that the karma of their last life made them deserving of their current state, so everyone was justified in ignoring their plight.  How cruel we may become in freeing ourselves of guilt and obligation.  This life is mine, and I am solely accountable for my actions and inactions.  The inactions are often more painful than wrong actions, because I can be forgiven for making a mistake, but I will never see the opportunity to complete a missed divine appointment.  God let me be present in both mind and body for those appointments You have set before me.  Let me leave no stone unturned when it comes to my opportunities for message and ministry.

Time with You.  Spent in quiet.  Moments where troubles, thoughts, complications surrender to relationship in peace.  Questions asked, prayers extended, worship offered and blessings granted.  What of this thing, this kinship, permission to approach the King of the Universe as if we have known each other since birth?  How does this permeate my expression, my character, my resolve and determination?  Could even the greatest brigand, thief or deceiver convince you that your Father has disowned you?  Especially, when His written decree is there for you to gaze upon, know and remember.  Father, You are what this life has always been about.  Forgive for the moments when circumstances have convinced me otherwise or grabbed my attention, for a moment taking my gaze from concentration upon You.

What more precious than this time?  Time to be washed of worry.  A period of light which no darkness may dispel, nor effect.  The warmth of redemption and sanctification, being sharpened for battle, leading to everlasting peace among nations.  A King, worthy of every breath.  When foolishness is resolved, leaving its nonsensical mockery forever silenced.  The day when we need never worry for the well being of children.  For it shall come, just as the peace washes over each of us in prayer and time spent in presence of the King.

The Lord has told us all that we need know, through His prophets via the scribes He chose to document His Word.  What does it all mean practically?  How am I supposed to make use of a document so large, so difficult to sift through or understand?  I sympathize with those who do not know where to begin not with them who are using a falsified complexity, which does not exist, to avoid learning scripture.  The Bible gives me comfort, joy, wisdom, ideas, direction and correction, each day.  It allows me to remain secure when hanging by a thread and find my way in the darkest night.  How do I make sense of the old testament in such a way that it applies to what is happening in this day and age?  I don’t think to hard about what I am reading, simply choosing by faith to accept it as fact.  I approach it in the following three step process.

The simplest way I seek to utilize the Bible is by first looking to the “model” of the people He chose to use in demonstrating His Love through the Word.  I then look for the “mystery”, that thing that I was meant to learn from reading, praying upon and contemplating the text.  Finally, I take steps to place into action the things I learned from reflective study, asking the Holy Spirit to intervene and “mature” me in my walk through faith.

Model; Abraham.  Abraham’s experiences with God delivered a road map by which to navigate the dangerous roads of this life.  He was a gentile, born in a Pagan land, chosen for his ability to believe as well as present the model of every Christian to follow.  We have all come from the land of unbelievers, just as Abraham, and through choice, belief and faith have now become God’s beloved.  Abraham was commanded to leave behind everything he knew, that God would show him where to go.  This is required of all believers as we must depart from the known, worldly practices and beliefs trusting God that we will be made new, directed and cared for by grace.  Abraham is a perfect model of the acquisition and practice of faith in the Promises of God.  Like us he continually made mistakes and repented, got up and renewed his faithful walk with God.

Mystery; Legacy.  Abraham’s legacy is Christ and the salvation of humanity through the creation of the Jewish people, leading to the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as payment for a debt all of us owed but none could pay.  His faith the mystery we were meant to grasp in our human intention for no one may please God without it.  The mystery of Abraham’s blessings and challenges are modeled to represent how each of us must walk through life, keeping close to God, while understanding the impact of wandering from Him.

Maturity; Peace.  God meant for believers to be at peace, here on Earth, just as He is in heaven.  This peace only comes from understanding, having been washed in the Word long enough to arrive at a robust and trusting faith in the promises of Almighty God.  What then shall I take, this day from counsel and private time spent in the Word of God.  I shall take assurance in the maturity of peace that is afforded me as a gift from God through Christ Jesus.  Maturity often means listening to my brothers and sisters in faith, knowing that God will use them to sharpen, reprove, move and encourage me.  This is the peace of God which Abraham has shown us through His walk with God.  A promise of salvation, redemption and peace with God through belief in and a walk with Jesus Christ.

http://www.wnd.com/2015/02/ronald-reagan-prediction-coming-true/?cat_orig=diversions Lost in the darkness of man’s ego maniacal quest for world domination.

Splitting hairs appears to be the enemy’s bait for Christians.  For example, If I am convicted of a crime is condemnation always warranted?  Certainly not.  And in our case the Bible is very clear on there being no further condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1.  So, although the Holy Spirit may “convict” us of a sin, whether action or inaction, we shall never suffer the condemnation deserved for that guilt pronouncement.  The enemy will seek to distract, deceive and convince you that these two words mean exactly the same thing, thus trapping you in perpetual, self unforgiveness.  I need to give up on imagining myself without sin for the rest of this life.  That is not to say that I should not try with every ounce of my being to emulate Jesus, but I must also understand the nature of sin, the flesh and the devil.  Just as every other saint I am going to continue to make sin mistakes, being chastised by God’s Holy Spirit for each misstep.  I must not exacerbate this frailty by aiding the enemy in convincing me that I am therefore condemned for each of these mistakes, requiring Christ to be crucified all over again at each failure.  I am free in deed, which means that I am not going to suffer God’s condemnation, wrath or judgment, no matter how many times to Holy Spirit convicts of necessary change.

I will continue my vigorous attempt to present my body a holy sacrifice, prepared, useful and pleasing to God’s Good Will.  Justifying the enemy’s accusation of me is not my job.  If I am deserving of the enemy’s critique, no matter what is said, then it is God’s prerogative to chastise me for that deserved judgment.  My Father is the only one I either need trust or be concerned about.  Pleasing man or living up to the false pronouncements of deceitful spirits is frankly, not my concern.  God looks at me and sees Christ living here.  What more need I understand?

We must be of sound mind and body, especially in precarious times such as these, the last days.  I say the last days, not to raise someones ire regarding prophetic timelines, but because the last days started the moment Christ rose from the dead.  I believe, there is no “if” about God’s forgiveness, you either have it or you don’t.  Truly believing God’s redemption, justification and sanctification, requires an adherence to a forgiveness imputed to our account, covering every pronouncement of guilt.  Otherwise how could it wash us clean to be ready for a lifetime spent in eternity with a Holy and completely righteous God?  Christ become all sin, so that all might be set free.  He didn’t just cover the really bad ones for believers, rather all of them.  Why then waste a moment of contemplation or aid to the enemy by believing a voice of condemnation, potentially paralyzing us from our faithful walk with the Lord Jesus?

It there were an award for the amount of times you have either failed or been told that you failed, I certainly should be a contender.  Each day, I seem to fall short of what I should be doing for God, My Wife, My Family, My Friends, The Church, My Country and a host of others to whom I have a duty of sufficiency.  Lord, you have seen me struggle to change in my own “newest resolution” and fall flat on my face the first opportunity in which it becomes necessary to exhibit patience, gentleness or other spiritual fruits.  I just thank everyone I know for being so patient, gentle and kind with me in allowing me to continually fail at every attempt.

But still God loves me, I don’t how, why or even if it makes any sense at all, I just know that He does.  If God can love a screw up like me, walking with me in patience through my repetitive slew of failures then He ought have no difficulty in loving you.  We must have hope, not in ourselves, for my behavior and scorecard demonstrate the foolishness in that idea.  We must have hope in Him, waiting, crying, failing and screaming at times,  but always somehow knowing in the back of our dilemma, that God is quietly at work.  I have lost hope in my ability to grow my way out of my own problems, but He has never once left me there in my ridiculousness.  He has always brought me the next person, experience, job or thought with just the right information, energy or provocation to get me to the next step.  I don’t know how He does it, but somehow He manages to drag me to the next destination or draw me there with shiny objects.

Father, I apologize for my screw ups that have shamed you in any way or hurt anyone, especially those I love dearly.  I wish that I were a finished product, but alas, we both know that just is not going happen this side of paradise.  Father forgive me for hurting those around me.  Teach me to be more gentle, especially those who do not need the impetus of a ton of buffalo chasing them around.  I know that I will not learn until You teach, I just pray You find the time to teach me and that time is soon, because I am certain my friends and family are ready for the buffalo to depart.  Walk with me Father, hold my hand because so often I do just because I do not know what to do, so I just do something.  Guide me to the understanding and patience to be a much better husband to my wife and a Brother and Friend to those around me.  In Your Name I pray Lord Jesus.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—- Epehsians 6:11-18

What is courage but the ability to stand on our feet and do what must be done, when to do so potentially causes us loss, harm or significant discomfort?  Surrender is not paralysis, but voluntary dedication and conformity to the things of God.  Granted, this life is often disheartening, especially to those of us who do not posses the means to buy, manipulate or simply excuse ourselves out of unpleasant circumstances.  What then is within my authority, but the idea of choice given me by God’s free will gift of mercy and grace.  I am free to do what I can to make a difference in my own life and that of those around me, simply by doing what can be done, when it may be done.  For I could equally choose defeat, fear, discouragement and inefficacy.  But my hope is not in my own performance, but a dependence, a full measure of reliance upon the indisputable nature of Almighty God to come along side me and do what I cannot to the Glory of His Good Will.  If I have enough faith and courage to do what is within my own strength, then perhaps God will bring me through unscathed.  At least I will know that I did what could be done instead of giving up.

I may not have amassed power or authority in a wealth of influence, but neither am I powerless.  My armor is that of the righteousness, faith, truth, peace, salvation and Spirit of Almighty God.  My defenses are as impenetrable as the Lord allows.  No weapon formed against me may prosper.  For when the enemy looks upon me he sees Christ.  So, if I do receive any suffering, loss or damage brought by those who would wish me harm, it is for my edification to the purposes of God’s Great Glory.  It is within my strength to determine that which is within my own ability and surplus to perform then take said action in timely manner, leaving the rest to God.  Never should we fall pray to the charade or paralysis of fear, residing determinately within the protection of love, power and of a sound mind.

Friends, we see the desperation and uncertainty endemic to this fallen world.  Just as in steering to avoid accident, we must not focus upon the object of our potential collision but rather upon the avenue of free passage.  Our vision should be locked upon Christ as the path, the door, the way through this tragic, finite and short term passage on our homeward journey.

The emotions of life are real.  Perception is key to determining our perspective.  If we believe that life, and its incumbent obstacles render us helpless or that they are insurmountable, that is certainly what we shall believe.  For belief is the seed which blossoms in faith.  If we are to arrive at a greater measure of faith then we must first make conscious determination of what it is, exactly that we believe.  Either we accept the lies and controlling influences of worldly despair or rely upon the Word of God in hope and guaranteed victory.

As with every thing in this life there really are only two positions.  Many would minister in the support of greyness, hoping to bend the principles of light and absolute truth.  Purity does exist, no matter how many argue for pollution or conceptualization and approval in a man made god of human idolatry.  We must not fall in folly to the relativist concepts of a world that wishes to rationalize, excuse and explain away wickedness.  For there is only one truth and I in my limited authority choose to believe in the immutable things of God.  Lord give me discernment and wisdom to see the steps which may be undertaken in my own capacity, let me take them then give me the patience to wait there in faith for your arrival.  In Jesus Name.

Needing the Lord Jesus in the midst of crisis is expectedly understandable.  Reaching out for our creator when things are beyond our control or coping capacity makes sense.  But what is this internal mechanism to cry out for the Divine when things are overwhelming, that appears encoded in our Spirit, or the scientists, DNA?  Do you call upon the Lord in times of trial, or have you begun to praise Him, worship Him and petition Him when things are in ordinary state?  What is that prompting mechanism which supersedes all other requirements, calling you to your knees in humble prayer before the Lord’s Throne?  I hear nonbelievers cry out to God, or evoke His name, in moments of passion and pain.  Even they know He is there, although they deny Him in all other moments, because it is frankly easy to ignore the Lord when things are quiet, calm and copacetic.  I submit that it is equally easy for Christians to walk away, distant or irrespective of the Lord unless we have made a voluntary commitment to write His Word upon our hearts.  Ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit once may not quench His voice, but do it continually and you will eventually find yourself holding the steering wheel of your life when it is God alone you wish to be the driver.

What then may be done in my effort to relate to God through Jesus each moment of this life?  How about asking Him for this relationship through prayer?  That I believe would be an excellent start to a lasting relationship.  Look the Lord does not neglect us, if there is distance, it is always us who fostered that separation.  The Lord, our Loving Father, only backs away from us when it is necessary to our growth or discipline.  He wants nothing more than to walk with each day sharing direction, wisdom, hope and love.  Why then would I shun these enormous gifts?  That my friends is the question of the day.  For what inside a man could prompt him to step away from the wonder, sustenance and peace afforded by a continuous relationship with our Creator?  I can think of no good thing.

Father, thank you for ending the war with humanity.  Thank you for your loving desire to walk with us through this entire life, guiding, instructing, shaping, conforming us to Your likeness, Will and Plan for each of us within the tapestry of life.  Lord take from me my wandering heart so that I never step away from Your Goodness, Mercy and Grace.  Forgive me the times I have taken back the reins of my own life thinking or imagining that somehow I know better.  Thank You for always taking me back and allowing me to find my way back through repentance, forgiveness and prayer.  Protect those who do not possess the wisdom to understand their own folly.  In Jesus Name I pray.