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…
Healing at the Cross Posts
The snow fell stilly on the frosted ground . The warm 33 degree air welcomed us to wonder at it, to frolic in it, to savor the beauty of it — we rejoiced at its purity and cleansing effect. It was the last Christmas celebration — an occasion for those ‘loving His appearing’ to remember Him, His birth, incarnation; God born a man! Soon we would transfer to where He is, and then new celebration would outweigh any previous, a thousand to one. Regardless, this last Christmas carries infamy. Haters of Christ have notified the world — Christmas will no longer be celebrated — it is against the law. Yes, Christmas offends too many world-citizens and must cease. Just as the Christ Child was brutally extinguished a short season after His birth, so, now His memory must be erased also. We eat our ham and applesauce with sobriety; we refrain…
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…
“And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.” Genesis 9:20-23. Shem and Japheth went backward and their faces were backward — in order to not see their Father’s nakedness. A strange picture, but apparently necessary to avoid seeing their father in a precarious way. What can we learn? We must turn ourselves in such a way to not see certain forbidden things. Why not just close our eyes? Not enough — blindness to the entire world of sense perception…
“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.” Matthew 9:10 Publicans, who were often of their own Jewish people, were the collectors of tax. The Jewish people of Jesus time hated paying tribute money to the Romans. “So Publicans were accused, sometimes correctly, of being: of “great detestation.” “people often of abandoned character,” “oppressive in their exactions.” “associated in character with thieves and adulterers; “profane.” “lacking honesty and moral integrity” material rapists — lacking restraint. They indulged in vice. The Religious Pharisees also accused Jesus of being a friend of these, “publicans and sinners.” Indeed He sat with them. And ate with them. Jesus list goes this way: gluttonous Winebibber Friend of sinners Friend of Publicans Blasphemer Judging by their appearance, the “all knowing” Pharisee conjured and surmised many things. Lets borrow some…
The downhearted must find grace to help in time of need. — a lash or rope to frap a floating boat to a secure dock. Boats can be carried by wind or current and so the soul of man. Hebrews 4:16 speaks of a grace to help “let us retain our acknowledgement.” — of what? Of our permanent attachment to our High Priest and our God. Hebrews 4:14 teaches. How? By realizing the nature of our High Priest, and what He has done. He is of sympathy with our feebleness — He knows our form of conception, He remembers us as “dust.” He was pierced — thrust into our abject human sphere to taste all, including death; and so identifying in utter compassion, with our broken souls. Our time of need aligns itself not just with failures, lapses, or sin. No, it can mean for us a daily essential, a coming…