War With Halloween?

 I suppose everyone has moments when they just wish they could stop doing what they do and just rest. Doing a blog is one of those things you can just stop. I mean, it’s not my job. I don't get paid or anything like that. The outlet of words just sometimes gets blocked. All the while time's a rolling on; I was depressed beyond belief and could hardly talk about it or explain it. Finally someone noticed, an old friend, I asked for prayer about it and prayed myself.  In the meantime, I just waited. While waiting I finished reading Leviticus, Isaiah, Peter's letters, and a few of Paul's. I even finished reading Steve Farrars' “Finishing Well,” a mans kind of book—the godly man. Now I'm even reading a classic, CS Lewis' “Mere Christianity.” Yet, while I wish I could say, “It’s restin’ time.” But it’s not like that, at all.

You see we are in spiritual war. Some don't realize it or care. Most people, even Christians, are simply unaware. Which seems odd especially around Halloween where “evil” is celebrated. That's another subject, perhaps for another day. Anyway, powers in high place don’t like it when we stand against darkness, especially the darkness it our own soul. But, we have powerful weapons. And, ultimately we know Jesus overcame the world and everything in it that would bind us.

Here's a few verses to chew on, but while you're reading say a prayer for me. Perhaps I'm overly sensitive, or too messed up, or have seen, did, and sinned too much--but not too much for Jesus! So while I'm kind of stuck in some consequences of my own messes and even some I didn't create; I know a God of grace and mercy and I'm not to proud to ask for prayer.

In fact, prayer is one of our tools.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil's evil tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world's darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.That is why you need to put on God's full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. Accept God's salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God's people.

Also pray for me that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret of the Good News without fear.”
Ephesians 6:10-19 NCV

See how these verses are related. It's important to both know we are in war and to know our tools are not like the worlds.

“We do live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights. We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places. We destroy people's arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NCV

Redeem our time Lord, help us take captive the wild thoughts of the past. Help us move past any condemnation of the enemy and celebrate your grace. Redeem even Halloween, You made everyday good, help us not buy into the world's view of a tainted man-made holiday. Take it back, help the church take it back! We Pray in Jesus name. 

Amen

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Buy the way, this is my 100th post. For me doing anything a 100 times is a celebration! I guess now it's officially a habit.

Knowing God

Though I rarely read a book other than the Bible, I do read a few. Most often these books still are on biblical topics. Other than music, I've got a one track mind: knowing God. And, thankfully, music, in all forms can be used to glorify or worship God (there is a difference—listen to the words from your favorite music). Well, here I am side tracked, sorry. Before I buy anything, I usually peruse parts of the book to see if they are worth reading. I’m your typical guy, I read for information, NOT entertainment. Being this way, most often I read the end of the book first. If the writer’s conclusions or exhortations are strange or unbiblical, I leave the book alone. If they are correct, I buy it or mentally notate it for future use. I even did this with the bible. I read the ending several times as a kid,. It blew me away! Heaven’s the reward or the of punishment hell!? Both conclusions beg a question, why? Well, I could write all day just on that. Read the “Book” (the bible) and see why. Though difficult at times, it works on your soul! By the way, it’s the way know God, but only through His Spirit. If you are not reading the word as a Christian, you are not growing, you are in stasis*.  If you are a Christian and not doing the “Word,” we are self-deceived (ouch!), read James 1 near the end.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

* sta·sis/ˈstāsis/

Noun:

.                         A period or state of inactivity or equilibrium.

(I looked it up to get it right)

²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

James 1:22-25 NKJV

The Quiet Heart

Worn out, my heart quiets. For while I enjoy the serenity only the Lord can give. While the peace He gives last through any situation, still moments come and go. Soon I'm interrupted. It’s time to plunge the toilet again. A task my wife can never do! I guess it’s time to do the husband thing.

                

Moments later Super-plunger to the rescue! 

What is love? It’s doing the task at hand, among other things. It’s Jesus dying on a cross, because it was a job no one else could do. Love is taking care of the practical things that have eternal consequences. Love is telling the truth, when it may hurt. Love is, as one author, Nancy Missler, described it making “contrary choices.” Love is what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13, the famous "love" chapter. Ultimately, John, the disciple Jesus loved, introduced us to the concept and fact: love is of God and God is love (1 John).

But get this, Paul tells us in, Colossians , that Jesus created all things, and that they (all things) were made for Him. So, God—Jesus—created humanity, yet made a contrary choice against self preservation. Yet in love for you and I, He laid His life down for our sin. A far greater sacrifice than me plunging the toilet in my moment of serenity!

Well, I'm done typing for awhile. I'm off to make more contrary choice of and for love in action. Beneath are the verse references:

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

 ¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 

Colossians 1:15-7 NIV

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:16 NIV

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 NIV

Moving Forward

We always move forward, if only in time.

Sometimes we fall backwards, but He picks us up out of the slime.

Without rhyme or rhythm God wipes us off; and with Him we dine.

O God of great glory who created us! You live outside of our limited minds!

Praise our Father! He faced and fixed our trespasses,

Hallelujah, we’ll sing for all time.

He is most faithful, because He is kind!

* This is a side note mom is ill. My mom, my favorite faith saint and faith reader of my stuff, had a heart attack. Please pray for her. Thank You! Gordon
She's doing great! Thanks for more time with here Father.

Do Life Right

As I do this, I can't say if it’s good or bad. My mom likes it; I suppose that’s good enough. I’m discovering just how selfish I am. What I mean is I am consumed by myself (I'm alone too much) and obsessed with God’s word. I can't say if this is normal, but it definitely isn't godly. I try and filter my life by God’s word, and I self-judge by it. Sad to say, I’ve came up wanting. I know everybody is a sinner. But, I am both disgusted by and yet attracted to sin. It’s our two natures at war. I put to death the old-man, only to see him again when shook up. My old pastor used to say, “The old man is never so dead it can't be resurrected on a moments notice.” That was Al Moody, just to give him credit. I've found this saying true, and perhaps that’s why Paul said, “…I die daily….”

 Anyway, as I've been reading Isaiah, one verse is haunting me. A friend of mine says I just should relax and enjoy God’s grace. I do love His grace, it’s the only reason we are saved. Yet, I want to live a holy life, not for salvation, but for service. An ordinary vessel is for common (secular) use.  A holy vessel is for special use. Here is what Paul said to Timothy

 ²⁰ In a large house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also things made of wood and clay. Some things are used for special purposes, and others are made for ordinary jobs.²¹ All who make themselves clean from evil will be used for special purposes. They will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work.

 ²² But run away from the evil desires of youth. Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts.     2 Tim 2:20-22 NCV

I want to do life right, well, what’s left with it. I’m a slow learner, but, I want to please Jesus.

Here is that verse haunting me:

¹ The Lord said, 
    "How terrible it will be for these stubborn children.
    They make plans, but they don't ask me to help them. 
       They make agreements with other nations, without asking my Spirit. 
       They are adding more and more sins to themselves. 

Isaiah 30:1 NCV

Perhaps we should pray about our plans

Intrigue Again

Youngsters, unaware, pray they’re unaware

Intrigue compels them, sucking them in with tricks and shows

Gaps of years, jump forward in time

With the tick of a clock, another time

Intrigue again, puberty is near

Heightened awareness, fallen fight or fixed faith?

An infinite Wisdom, drawn once again

Mixed up signals clouds the perfect, though He draws me near

Teenage revelry, passive rebellion concealed, keeps the fight within

Torn and broken family, is He really near?

Friendship and His comfort, something new is near

Wedding bells, I’ll try it, faith full grown, I know He’s hear

Love despite all hardship, blessed for years

Work for Him? There’s a fight

Trust Him fully and completely? It’s another planet, I’m never there

So, He moved me quite slowly, just a bit by bit

Fulltime family, two children here, part-time ministry frightful love

Interrupted by a burden, I can’t bear it; He helps me fight my fear

Deceived by complications, put down the ministry, I’m sinking here

Clouded foggy decade passes, wasted years

Pain fights daily inside me, but Christ draws me near

His word works inside me, bring me to tears

The lamb put on His shoulders, He holds me near

His word washes right through me, cut sin inside me, I know He’s near

When battles rage within, I can hardly hear

But with Christ fighting for me, nothing can keep me from Him, I’ll be there

The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us. Everything God made is waiting with excitement for God to show his children's glory completely.

Romans 8:18-19 NCV

Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can troubles or problems or sufferings or hunger or nakedness or danger or violent death?

Romans 8:35 NCV

Isaiah

Here are just a few gems out of Isaiah 41-43. Let God speak to you:

Who has controlled history since the beginning? 
    I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning, 
       and I will be here when all things are finished." 

Isa 41:4 b

…don't worry, because I am with you. 
       Don't be afraid, because I am your God. 
    I will make you strong and will help you; 
       I will support you with my right hand that saves you.

Isa 41:10

 ¹³ I am the Lord your God, 
       who holds your right hand, 
    and I tell you, 'Don't be afraid. 
       I will help you.'

Isa 41:13

…do not be afraid even though you are weak as a worm. 
    I myself will help you," says the Lord. 
       "The one who saves you is the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 41:14 b

 ⁵ God, the Lord, said these things. 
    He created the skies and stretched them out. 
       He spread out the earth and everything on it. 
    He gives life to all people on earth, 
       to everyone who walks on the earth. 
 ⁶ The Lord says, "I, the Lord, called you to do right, 
       and I will hold your hand 
    and protect you. 

Isa 42:5-6a

…"Don't be afraid, because I have saved you. 
       I have called you by name, and you are mine.
 ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. 
       When you cross rivers, you will not drown. 
    When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, 
       nor will the flames hurt you.
 ³ This is because I, the Lord, am your God, 
       the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 

Isa 43:1b-3a

¹⁰ The Lord says, "You are my witnesses 
       and the servant I chose. 
    I chose you so you would know and believe me, 
       so you would understand that I am the true God. 
    There was no God before me, 
       and there will be no God after me.
 ¹¹ I myself am the Lord; 
       I am the only Savior.
 ¹² I myself have spoken to you, saved you, and told you these things. 

Isa 43:10-12a

All verses are from the New Century Version

Yahweh's Word

My words’ come and go, but His will never fail.

The Word passed down from the beginning and will last through all eternity.

The Word never comes back void; it will always complete our Gods purpose.

The ‘Word of God’ is complete and it is unique, so will you please take a look?

If deserted on island and I only had one book, I pray it is the Bible God’s only holy book.

The soul fades away, if we just admire it and skip our time to read it,

But read please with care and caution, its edges are sharp, and it cuts on purpose..

The Word, it finds our motives, it make us fear and hope.

In the Word, there is always comfort.

In His Word, you'll find He stores away all our stores away our tears.

Yet, what most amazing is that the Word of God took on flesh.

The Logos, our God almighty, the Creator of all is the Christ, the Savior our all.

Yes the Word is from Jesus, our King of kings and the LORD of lords.

His Word you find words that can save you, but if you ignore it condemns you to hell.

Jesus and His Word, tells our future like its history.

Our fate, though our mystery is written in its pages.

The Word brings us eternal life—Jesus and it is found in a written record.

For the Word is His-story, so read the end of the book.

Will you read His Word? Will you take a look?

Trending Now

What’s trending now?

Sesame Street hides the Dark Knight in time

Jay-z’s lost his beat, bett-da go back to da Sesame Street

Medicare is broke, why do we act so stoked?

Einstein’s letter, E=mc squared, do we even care?

My Smart phone is toast, why I've I been na boastin'.

My Honda's da recall ? No! I ain’t walki’, dis ain't goin’ na wooork.

I know these words came out in stupidity. The trends on Google, Yahoo, Bing searches and the rest stir no interest in me. Millions of people simply follow whatever’s popular. But who defines popularity? Who guides its course? Think you know? Who’s the prince and power of the air? (Eph 2:2) Who pulls the strings in the puppet masters show? Who’ll be disgraced when the world really knows?

Someday a veil will lifted and everyone will know.

“Those who see you stare at you,
    they ponder your fate:
“Is this the man who shook the earth
    and made kingdoms tremble,
 the man who made the world a wilderness,
    who overthrew its cities
    and would not let his captives go home?”

Isaiah 14:16-17 NIV

Celebrate Jesus

Think about the blessings we have in Christ. If you read Psalms you'll see the book ends in celebration. Psalm after Psalm praises His name. Yahweh is holy. He lives outside of time, but for us He stretched out the Universe and the heavens themselves speak volumes. Looking at the stars tonight, I stood in awe of His glory.

Who could make the heavens?

Who could stretch out the stars?

Who?

Our God!

He made our galaxies near and far. Yet we are the apple of His eye. We are but a vapor and spec in time and have access to talk to and commune with our Father. In Christ we sit in the center of His will and Earth is our playground. In Christ we are heirs to more than we can think or imagine.  One look at the Hubble telescope images and we can see the expanse of His glory. Wow! Then on the opposite side of the spectrum are the codes in the seed and our DNA. I speculate that as science is able to look deeper and into most minute particle, they will look to no end in unraveling Gods workmanship. Our God is bigger than we think, holier than we can Fathom, and most generous in His love.

What are His wonders stored up for His children?

As mighty all His creation may be, He loves us, why?

Perhaps it is as simple as our earthly relationships. We love those that love us, even when they fail us. Our Fathers love is boundless. Think of it. Sin separated us from the one who gave it all to Adam and Eve. The Earth groans because of our broken relationship. And to fix our sin problem, the Father sent His Son, Jesus. As Adam and Eve sinned, they realized they we naked. This was the first religion of sorts; they covered themselves with fig leaves. We have a fig tree and those leaves make you itch like crazy. In there evening meeting with God, they were unacceptable in His sight. To cover them temporally and animal was sacrificed and the skin of the animal covered their naked bodies. The bible declares without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

Though you or I wouldn’t die for another—unless we love them—Jesus did. He took that penalty for all who would call on His name. And that’s something to celebrate. Nehemiah said this:

 ¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Then looks at the Psalms, just a couple.

148

¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above.
² Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
³ Praise him, sun and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens
    and you waters above the skies.

⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for at his command they were created,
⁶ and he established them for ever and ever—
    he issued a decree that will never pass away.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,
⁹ you mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
¹² young men and women,
    old men and children.

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
¹⁴ And he has raised up for his people a horn,
    the praise of all his faithful servants,
    of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 149

¹ Praise the Lord.

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

² Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
    let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
³ Let them praise his name with dancing
    and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
⁴ For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
⁵ Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
    and sing for joy on their beds.

⁶ May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,
⁷ to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
⁸ to bind their kings with fetters,
    their nobles with shackles of iron,
⁹ to carry out the sentence written against them—
    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150

¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
² Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
⁴ praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise theLord.

Praise the Lord.

NIV

Father we celebrate Your loving kindness towards us. We thank You for forgiving our trespasses. But, mot of all, thank You for Jesus.