Value

Value. Such an underestimated foe. Such an underestimated friend.

Value is perceived from where we are. But memory and hope are unique perspectives of their own. They are shadows and sunshine to an otherwise grey and obscure life.

If we are only people of the present then we are pitiful indeed. And if as a “present” people, we are locked in the things that were, we are more than pitiful. Then we live as if we are mortally struck with horror that tomorrow will be like all the rest of our days have been. Thus many live their lives void of any hope.

But time is not complete without what will be. What will you be is the driving source of life. It is hope. We cannot be complete without hope. The greater the hope the more vibrant the life.

Without Christ we can only hope that we will somehow survive each day. But with his promise we are infinitely more and set free to live.

In a variety of ways God has said this, “In my son, what I have been is yours, what I am is yours, what will yet be is yours”.

The enemy wants to lock you in hopelessness. He tears at your mind, heart, body and soul by distracting you with futility. “Lock them in uselessness, lest they look up and be released.”

Look up. Fix your whole being on the promises of God. Let yourself be consumed with Christ Jesus. Be released.

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Tools of the Trade

A curious observation:

The Romans were fixated on death. It was their form of authority, entertainment, and motivation to do what is right. Prosperity meant mingling of blood and money.

For the most part, today’s society is fixated on peace and longevity. It has to be said that they worship these. The majority of people don’t worship God they worship their own tranquility. Prosperity means apathy and money.

Still the world is no better off, because the presence of God is ignored just like it was in the days of Rome. The soul is only considered for the betterment of the man.

The tools of the trade have changed. But the trade remains, glorify Man.

Give?

Is it possible that the best thing we can do for the children of the world is to give them what they want? They want freedom to be godless. They want freedom for the pursuit of pleasure. They want a certain legality for all their miss guided desires. They want to imagine there is no heaven or hell. They desire that there is no consequence to a godless people‘s existence. They want to be their own gods.

God tells us the world will certainly gain all it has desired and fought against him to keep. The deep-seated hatred for all that is true and good will eventually consume the people.

It will happen. It will come to pass that the world will be immersed in the worship of demons. Here is the question: does the beginning of that immersion begin today?

Personally, I think the beginning of that immersion is when Christ’s people are taken from this world. See how the stage is being built.

For now we stand against them by doing and saying the things of our God, Christ Jesus. See how vigorously they fight against righteousness, self discipline, purity and godly justice.

They will eventually get what they want. They will be ecstatic when they win full release. Though we can say with confidence they will rue the day of their “success”.

Above Our Ability

Christianity is singular. Meaning by necessity it has to stand apart from everything on earth. Just as everything on earth has a beginning (a threshold) to its place. As you approach, it is not then all of a sudden it is. So what is the threshold of Christ in us?

Spurgeon points at it with this:

“Genuine, spiritual mourning for sin is the work of the Spirit of God. Repentance is too choice a flower to grow in nature’s garden. Pearls grow naturally in oysters, but penitence never shows itself in sinners except divine grace works it in them. If thou hast one particle of real hatred for sin, God must have given it thee, for human nature’s thorns never produced a single fig. ‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh.’”

Insatiable Demand

Every law ever instituted by man is meant to curb his rebellious nature. But no sooner are laws instituted, and we find people inventing ways to satisfy their longing for selfish wickedness.

To point this out is likely useless. Consider this example: speed limits are set to protect the people from simple errors. But unless the policeman is visible, the people will speed 5, 10, 15 miles over the limit.

Crime is not limited to those violations of law that can land a man in prison. Look down the road considerably farther. God is Holy and Perfect. If a man will break a small law of humanity, he is already willing to break God’s laws in heaven.

God has set the boundaries of his law to protect perfection.

What does this mean to us? With a little bit of thought, the meaning becomes glaringly obvious. The more we think about it, the more terrifying is our insatiable demand.

Who is bold enough to receive God‘s righteous restraints?

Destroyed From Within

Sitting here this morning thinking of the things in America. I am amazed. That the voices of divisive ignorance are so loud. I am astounded. That there are so many who agree with this divisiveness. They say yes to the “spinners”. The leaders do not fear death, they fear the volume of stupidity.

Still, the destroyer is not satisfied. For America still has soundness in her bones.

It is like the garden that was planted is being overrun with fools whose hands are full of seeds from weeds. What they are planting is not edible and it surely chokes out the food.

I just shake my head in dismay. The streets are becoming populated with screaming insanity. The homes are divided before the child is born. Righteous wisdom is refused.

What then is to be the outcome?