He was a mere twig in an dry place. “We saw Him, and there was nothing in His appearance to make us desire Him, or feel attracted by Him.” He is disesteemed and vacant from men, a man of anguish and knowing grief. He was scorned and valued not.” Isaiah prophesized the coming Messiah in this way. but, “It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.” Corinthians teaches of His imposing death and consequent “sowing” in the ground — and then: “The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” Jesus, would Himself teach us, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but…
Category: <span>Walk, for Christians</span>
I have good news and bad–First the bad. Angrily driven, my hatred propels me to unprecedented heights of mischief and pain-inflicting. Then, righting my wounded soul by raucous revenge, I hurt that which has so damaged my cause. My deeds are done. My world of entitlement returns for my enjoying. Who cares if my methods were not exactly legal? “The end justifies the means;” because power has been regained. Yes, power. To manipulate, to steal, to wield the axe of “freedom at everyone else’s expense.” Question? When the rambunctious radical gets what he or she so desires, what now drives him? When revenge finds its sweet release, do revengers turn into happy caring individuals again? I think not. Their ugly self-validated, psychologically justified souls, have spilled over for all to see. These have played the “hate card,” the same card that we all could play, but have dared not, as…
An age, a great block of time of almost 2000 years, will soon end! The dispensation of the grace of God runs from the time of Christ’s 33 year earthly visit, till His return. This specific age features a specific management, oversight, or administration — of God toward mankind. Paul the Apostle referred to this era as: ( the mystery of Christ) in other ages it was not made known unto the sons of men, is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Gentiles can become fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel: Paul’s purpose in the time-block: to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery: that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold…
Much of mankind would never think of defeating sin in their own heart. Their rationale argues for its impossibility, sin powers its way. They feel, “God could never hold us responsible for our capitulations to such a force as sin.” In failing often, their heart hardens to the fight, then gives way to justifying their actions. As many join them in their new justifications, the lobby grows strong. The kingdom of darkness joins them, providing carefully constructed rational statements, (lies) to enable the downward spiral. With doctrines of demons, the need for God and Church dissipate. Christ and His glorious triumph over sin finds no consideration amongst those embracing the attractive suicide-bent. Their lives may experience some repercussion, but they press forward. Their martyrs carry the torch, as the masses blindly follow, hoping it all to be true. Friends, let us never forget that our old selves died with Him.…
Grace ain’t a leg to stand on — but comes running when all legs to stand on break. When all legs flounder, cannot hold up, fizzle and flop.. then comes grace. Grace exists the magic which changes hell to heaven, guilt to confidence, hurt to help, shame to innocence. Grace — “loves’ perfect transporter” — never fails. No not once! Yes, grace-upholden people fly without merit as a leg. If merit defined equals “the substance of a legal case apart from matters of jurisdiction, procedure, or form,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ then the rational thinker feels this should be enough. For example, “Johnny kicked his brother, but because he is mostly a good boy, we will excuse him this time.” He was having a bad day, he was defending himself, etc. etc. That’s not grace. But, we must think in terms of “core:” That which determines composition, the conducting wire in an electric…
We watch and pray. The whole time trying to connect the dots, or piece together the significance of current events. Again and again we find solace in our God, who defines the immediate. Moment by moment we proceed, and that with patience. Revelation 14:12 speaks to us, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” This statement is made in the wake of the announcement: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 14:8 In this passage a great city pushed forward “fornication” to the point of infecting all nations, and so bringing God’s wrath on all. (the whole world?) “…and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of…
We saw the body of Christ — standing, singing, moving, walking — and yes, praying. We went on the prayer walk at the D.C. Mall. The question came up to me at the onset of the march; would we walk and observe or would we pray? There was prayer, much prayer. Tears welled up in my eyes as our Vice President spoke and prayed to start us off. We were instructed to connect on our cell phones with the March leaders. For our little group, however, it did not seem to work. We were on our own with God and each other. He was enough. Along the 1.9 mile course, which became 3.8 miles because of zig-zagging, hundreds of small groups stopped, circled and prayed together, sometimes raising holy hands and praying out loud. Here was a group from a certain church, their Pastor was leading them, then a group…
We must be clean to be wise, so says James 3:13. We must be clean to love, 1Timothy 1:5. David washed his hands in innocency, and so compassed the altar of God. Jesus washed the disciples feet, He declared them “clean every whit” in John 13:10, “clean” in John 15:3. “Clean” is a state of grace, a state designed by mercy, a purged state washed by the blood of Christ and entering our soul by the Word of God. Because of the radical nature of “clean” Old Testament Lot is declared righteous in 2 Peter 2:7-8. Yes, the same Lot who pitched his tent toward Sodom, Genesis 13:12, who refused to leave Sodom at it’s judgement, Genesis 19:18, and committed incest with his daughters, in Genesis 19:36, Peter declares righteous. Saul had the kingdom torn away from him in 1 Samuel 15:23. as Samuel announces “…he hath also rejected thee from…
On this years Labor Day, I can only think of one laborer; our Merciful Savior. He came in the volume of the book to do the will of His Father. He finished the work that was set before Him, and faced a bloody cross and death. Do any of our “works” compare with His? His was “vicarious.” “performed or suffered by one person as a substitute for another or to the benefit or advantage of another.” Not like working for our families, friends, or government which deserves commendation when we do it, but He stood-in as a substitute for a deeper need, the redemption of our fallen souls. Without His work, a sacrifice which led to His death, all of our works would merit little — a few dollars and perhaps a good night’s rest. Yes, a few hours of peaceful mind often appears inviting, as life offers little rest.…
“Sin does not overcome the blood; it is the blood that overcomes sin.” Lewis Sperry Chafer Sin comes touting a broad range of particulars, all originating from the ugly self-life of man’s cursed nature. Sin weighs in as big, monstrous, hideous, shocking, diabolical, subtle, sleazy, rebellious, or a thousand other dank and dark labels. Go ahead, name them all. Sin abounded.(pleonizo). It increased as the law stealthily came along side to do it’s magnifying function, blowing up the picture of dread for all to see — sin just got uglier, filthier, more and more “unforgivable.” Friends, every self-righteous bone in every human body has just gone into “judge em” mode; fully, violently, quickly! Off with their heads, they deserve to die! Then weighing-in, we see the precious shed blood of Christ; big, great, strong ?– excelling in power ? No, Jesus was “crucified in weakness.” He despised the shame. The “rich”…