VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: Settling Down With Jesus ...!!

A-form O' Godliness
Intellectual Religion
Supposed Hope
AND
Facing Ruin
Used To Be My Perfect Companions
BUT
That Was Back When My Name Was
Heart Not Cleansed!

I Used To Talk The Talk
BUT
I Didn't
Couldn't
Walk The Talk!

Pray Tell, Why Not?!

Well ... It Is Like ... Well ...

Oh ... .

He Couldn't Walk And Chew Gum!

His Walk Was A Lie!

His Talk Was All Head Space!

He Was Going To Fry!

Oh, My!

Surely, You Lie!

What He Said Was True!
I Was Going To Hell!
I Held A Season Of Life's One-Way Ticket
Until The Day
I Landed On My Butt
AND
Struck Hard
My Hard Head  -
It Was A Very Bad Day!
I Cried! I Cried!

We Can Well Imagine!

Having Always Had The Inclination
To
- With Brain Capacity -
Intensely
Everything Intellectualize
I Found Myself
Incapacitated
Barely Able
To Move More Than My Eyes!

You Had been Given Right Proper Time To Think!

Trying To Talk Hurt!
Thinking Hurt More!
My Mind Had Struck Me!
It Was Being A Gully-Bore!

My Mind Kept Hitting A Particular Grove
AND
Refused To Let Me
- In Peace -
To Have A Good Snore!

Peace?! What Peace?!

Exactly!
Of Peace I Had None!
Then
The Dear Savior Came A-Calling
AND
That Interview
Was
- Of Necessity -
Not Fun!

There Were Statements Like:

• Deal Truly With Your Own Soul!
• Be Earnest!
• Be Persistent In Prayer!
• Ask For The Renewal To A Right Spirit!
• How Long Are You Going To Keep Running Away?!

I Was In A Straight Betwixt Two!
I Was Between A Rock
AND
A Very Hard Place!

Flesh And Eyes?!

Yup ... Flesh And Eyes!
AND
Don't Forget
I Was Also Warring
With ...

 ... THE PRIDE OF LIFE!

We Know!
We've All Been There!
It's The Great Test
That All Men Must Face!

Jesus Faced It
And So Will We
And With Grace
- The Power To Face It -
We Shall Overcome
As Valiantly Did He!

I Wrestled!
I Fussed!
I Waffled!
I Cried!
Life's Things Were So Nice
AND
Shiny
AND

To Give Them Up
- THEORETICALLY -
I Thought Without Them
I Would Die!

DING, DING, DING!!

Theory vs. Practice!

12 Rounds For The Win!

Mash-up And Buy-Back
Were Ghoulishly Cheering
BUT
I Saw The Sacrificed
AND
Still Living Jesus
On My Right Wing!

Yeahhhhhhh!

The Faithful Wing Man
Is Our Lord Christ!
His Life Death Living
Tells Us That
By Obeying And Trusting God
We Will Survive The Bitter Strife!

Well ...

My Life Depended On The Win!

I Was Not Going Down
By Default!

In Wrestling With Jesus
I Had Read The Back Of The Book
So
For Life Through Self-Death
Was The Only Way For This Fight To Be Fought!

Isn't It Wonderful?!

It Is!
When You Know You Can't Lose
When You Know That Holy Blood
Earned For You
The Great Win
You Will Put Your Head
On The Life Line
Knowing That
If In Christ You Die
In Him
You Again Will Live!

That Fight Was Brutal!

Satan Threw Everything At Me ...

Sinner

Liar

Thief

Cheat

Faithless

Useless

Unclean

Unwanted By The Lamb

Unworthy

Disgraceful

Lost

Rejector Of Grace

Selfish

AND

A Few Horrible Ones More!

Tears Were Running Down My Face!
I Was Blubbering!
Then I Saw Jesus!!
Love Is In His Face
He Held Up His Hands!
Light Shone Through The Holes
AND
For New Love Of My Now Master
In His Power
Through Love Returned
I Cried:

Create In Me A Clean Heart

Oh, God

Renew A Right Spirit Within Me!

Satan Of My Life Let Go!

Then ...

I Heard My Self Saying
What I Was In My Spirit Hearing ...

Jesus, I Come!

You Promised Not To Cast Me Out!

Bless Me To Do Thy Will!

The Lord IS My Shepherd!

I Shall Not Know Want!

Father, I Cast My Cares On You

For I Know You Care For Me!

Lord, I Confess My Sin!

You Are Faithful And Just -

Forgive Me

And Cleanse Me From All Unrighteousness!

Lord, I'm Coming Home!

Draw Me Nearer!

Jesus,
I, My Cross Have Taken!

I Am Thine, Oh Lord!

Guide Me, Oh, Thou Great Redeemer!

No Turning Back!

Lord Jesus, Plead For Me!

Mine, Mine, Mine!

Jesus Is Mine!

Suddenly ...

I Realized
The Adversary Was

- For The Moment -

Gone!
The Accuser Of My Brethren
Had Been Vanquished
By The Word Of The Holy God On The Throne!

I Rejoiced In My Redeemer
AND, THEN
He Firmly Cautioned Me:

Be Sober! 

Be Vigilant! 

This Is Not Time For Sleep! 

Your Adversary The Devil

- As The Roaring Lion - 

Is Ever Looking

For A Straying Sheep To Eat!

Be Instant

And

Constant

Ever Be In Prayer! 

Call On Me!

Call On Me!

Call On Me!
 I - For You - Care!

Do Not Doubt! 

Do Not Be Double-Minded

And

The Devil Won't Be Able

To Put You In His Mouth!

The Holy Spirit Is Here

To Comfort Guide

Teach And Chide

And

The Holy Angels

To Influence You For Good

And

To Protect!

Call My Name

When You Petition The Father! 

Remember

I Have Paid Your Eternal Expense!

Friends,
I Do Not Say
That Since Then
Life Has Been Easy
For That Would Telling An Untruth
BUT
The Lord
My Savior Redeemer
Is
From Me
Just A Prayer Away!

Temptation Is Rife!
Deceits Flow Like Spice!
Evil Is A War Horse
BUT
I Ever See My Jesus
Branded
With The Marks Of The Cross

That Gave Me New Life!

I Am Satisfied
With My Jesus!
I Am Trusting Him
Day By Day!
I Am Determined To Arrive
At The Gates Of The City
AND
To Hear MY Beautiful Savior Say:

Welcome Home, My Child!

Welcome Home! 

Enter In!

The Feast Is Prepared!

Many Times
Satan Has Had Me On The Ropes!
Many Times
He Butt Me Like A Wild Goat! 

Many Times
Many Times
I Felt A Goat Horn In My Rear
BUT
Thank God Almighty
I Trusted In Christ Jesus!
I Obeyed What He Said
AND
I Did Not Walk In Fear!

Jesus Had Given Me
A Lil' Some'ing Some'ing
That Is Called Daily Grace

AND

Daily Faith

Plus The Good Word Of Truth
AND
Thank God For Jesus
I Threw It Often
In Old Satan's Face!

I Hold On To My Jesus
For Dear, Dear Life
AND
Come Hell And High Water
Jesus Christ IS Mine

AND
I Have In My Grasp The New Life!

I Feel Like Praising
Praising, Praising Him!

Thank You, Jesus!                                             
Glory To God In The Highest!                 
We're Fighting The Good Fight!

By God's Grace

We Shall Attain The Reward!

In The Fulness Of Time

We Shall Be Forever Shuck

Of

That Decimating Old Fraud!

Amen, Lord!
AMEN.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: THE WORD OF GOD - Truth OR Dare?!

What Does A Faithful Christian Do
When
A Beloved Pastor Has Lost His Way
Through Apparent Indifference
To The Truth?
When
Visible Indifference To The Truth
Is Besmirching What Was Once 
A Committed-To-Christ Life?
When
Getting On With The Business Of Life
Is Seemingly Preferable
To Engaging In What Can Only Be Considered
Standing Up For Christ's Life?

Are We As Saints Of The Lord
Permitted To Say Which Part Of Christ's Words
- Christ's Character -
Should
- For Worldlings' Peace -
Be Set Aside?

Are We As Striving Christians
Equipped
To Tell The Living Eternal God
That His Commandments
Statutes
Laws And Covenants
Are To Be Set Aside
IF
In The Present State Of Things
They Will Roil The Prevailing Tide?

Are We Men?
Or
Are We God?
Are We Seeking Favor
Or
Are We The Ones Rewarding The Lord?

Can We Tell God
Where He Hid The Foundations Of The Earth?
Can We Go To God's Storehouses
AND
Send Snow To The Deserts Of The Earth?

Can We Heal Our Own Backslidings?
Can We In Our Own Grace Abide?
Can We Duel With The Devil
AND
Can We Raise Up A Soul Who Has Died?

Are We God?
Are We Men?
Do We Need The Savior?
Do We Need Angels Our Person's To Defend?

Who Are You?

I Am A Mere Mortal!
I Am A Child Of The Great King!
I Know My Need
My Limitations
I Know That I Cannot
As A Known-Natured Sinner
Stop My Self
The Eternal God Not To Offer Offence
BUT
I Have Taken The Lord As My Shepherd
AND
I Have Chosen In The Presence Of God To Abide!
I Have Decided To Follow Christ Jesus
AND
I
From His Face
Have Chosen Not To "Hide!"

I Can Say
That I Cannot Save Myself
AND
I Am Not Going To Try
For I Know That I Need The Redeemer
AND
It Is He Alone
Who To Heaven
Can Get Me Inside!

So ...?

The Bible Says
That In The Last Days
Men Will Not Abide Sound Doctrine
AND
Will
- From The Truth -
Fall Away
So
It Is Imperative
That As True Believers
We Harden Our Resolve
To Stay Upon The Glorious King's
To Eternal Life Highway
If We Desire To Fly Through The Skies!

Let Us Pray For Our Straying Brethren!
Let Us Lift Them Up To The Throne Of Grace!
Let Us Petition For Them To Humble Themselves
Before God Almighty
AND
That They Permit Him To Change Them
To Walk Faithfully
Upon The Straight And Narrow Way
Before They 
- Without Hope -
Die!

As For Ourselves
Let Us Not Get Complacent
Lest We Think We Stand
AND
Instead
We Spectacularly Fall!
Lest We Guide Others Into The Kingdom
AND
We Do Not Make It There At All!

Look To Your Selves, My Brethren!
Let No "Good Man" Be Your Strong Arm!
Let The God Of The New Jerusalem Temple
The God Of The City Of Zion Grand
Be To You
Your All And All!

Men Are Weak!
Men Are Liars!
Men Are Notable For Lighting
Old Satan's Fires!

Do Not Be Deceived!
God Is Not Mocked
AND
If Once Faithful Men
Against God
Commit Iniquity
Their Past Good Works
Won't Get Them Into The Golden City!
They'll Be Outside
With The Whoremongers
The Dogs
Sorcerers
And Those
Who Hate Christ The Lord!

Just Remember
My Brother, My Sister
It Is The Eternal God
Who "Wrote" Down The Words:

"Work Out Your OWN SOUL'S Salvation!"

Fear And Tremble!
That Is God's To You
Emphatic Word!

It Is Time

To Become

Bereans!!!

HAPPY SABBATH + PRAYER: Lord, Let Your Grace Be Ever Sufficient ...!

Heavenly Father,

I Come Before You

As A Child Beloved

Of

The Holy, Gracious And Giving 

Loving And Faithful Father!

Hear My My Prayer, Lord

And

Do For Me

What None But The Holy God Can Do!

Lord,

Please Help Me To Keep An Easy Hold

Upon The Things Of This World

So That I Do Not Make The Great Mistake

And

Give Them What Is More Than Their True Value

And, Thereby

Become Unwilling To Let Them Go!

Lord,

I Beseech You

In Jesus Christ's Name

To Help Me To Place A Death Grip

On All Things Eternal

So That In The Great Day Of Decision

The Only Choice Left To Me

Is

"Father,

I Am Yours!

Keep Your Promise - Save Me!

E'er I Die, Raise Me!"

Father,

In Working Faith

I Willingly Choose

To Live For My Lord!

In Your Proffered Grace

I Look To The Day Of Reward!

In The Mercy Purchased

By Christ's Precious Blood

- Spilt -

To Ransom Me

I Accept The Heavenly Provision

Of

Glory Waiting For Me!

I Cannot Now See My Jesus

Except With The Hope In My Heart

And

I Beseech You, Father

Please Help Me

So That My Hope For Glory

Because Of Circumstance

Does Not Depart!

Help Me Not To Live By Eyesight

Hearing Ear

Nor The Emotions Of Feeling!

Help Me To Trust

The 

"Thus Saith The Lord!"

So That

For Love Of My Lord

In The Great Day

I Shall The Proclamation Of Peace

Be Hearing!

Father,

I Do Not Pray For Me Alone!

I Pray For All The Brethren

Those Near

Those Far

Those Who Soon Will

The Promise Of Eternal Life

- By Your Call -

Will Be Claiming!

I Pray For Those

Who Are Straddling The Fence

Seeking The Sign

Beloved Of The Faithlessness Generation

And 

I Beseech You

Have Mercy, Lord!

Open Their Eyes

And

Let Them See What Will Be Lost

If They Reject The Lord

And 

Their Call To Salvation Refuse!

Pity Them!

We - The Children Of Faith - Plead For Them!

Father,

I Pray From Those

Who Flatly Refuse Your Grace

Who Love

And

Are Beloved By The World

And Who

- Through Their Dread Influence -

Draw Away Souls

Beloved

And

Paid For

By Jesus Christ The Lord

And I Plead

And Beseech You

To Interpose Yourself

To Break The Demonic Connection

And

Bring Living Light

To Remove The Benighting Shadows

Of Satan's Pulsating Dark-Night Light!

Father, 

We Are A Weak

A Dying Race

A Wicked People By Nature

That That Wicked Satan

Desires From Your Sight To Erase!

Help Us!

Father,

I Am

We Are Your Children

And

We Are Asking, Please

Reverse The Curse In Each Willing Heart's Life

And

Place Our Sins On Satan's Deserving Head!

Please Grant Unto Us

The Promised Win

In This Bitter Strife!

Father,

I Choose Christ

And

All The Beloved Likewise

And

As Faith-Carrying Citizens

Of The Kingdom To Come

Please Hedge Us In

Protect Our Faith

And

Keep Us In Your Care

So That We Do Not Shipwreck Our Faith

And Be To The Lord Christ

Cast-Out

By Disgrace!

Oh, Lord

Let The Saving Grace

Of The Eternal God Of All Graces

Be Ever Sufficient For Us

Who Do

And

Who Will Believe

Honor

Trust

Worship

And

Obey The Lord Christ!

Please Pour Out Your Holy Spirit

And Also Bless Us

With The Promised Protection 

And

The Influence For Good

Of The Holy Angels!

This, Father

Is Our Heartfelt Plea

In The Only Name That Matters

Jesus Christ The Lord!

We Love You, Father!

AMEN.

Man Is Made In God's Image! - The P. M. S. Nature

The Eternal Blessing God Made Man
In His Own Image!
Man Was To Walk Alone
All One
(At One)
With His Creator-God
BUT
Sin Intervened
Compliments Of The One Who Hates
AND
Who On Greed
AND
Lust Feeds
AND
That Is Why All Mankind
A Loving, Redeeming, Savior
Desperately Needs!

From The Hand Of The Maker
Man Had The P.M.S. Nature
That Is
The Physical
The Mental
The Spiritual
Nature Of The Maker
Which Would Have Permitted Him
To Continually Grow
AND
To Advance
AND
To Become Like Unto His Maker
The Longer That He Should Live!

Man Was Not Made To Die!

Enter ... THE DRAGON!!

Satan - By Sin -
- With Sin - 
Is Recreating Man
Is His Very Own Image!

God Forbid!

Perish The Thought!

Sadly, Brethren
This Sad Story
Is Tryingly True
AND
It Is To Our Benefit
To 
- In And Of Christ -
Learn The Facts True
Through And Through!

If You Trust Jesus Christ True
You Can Disappoint The Adversary
By Giving Him
The Get-Thee-Behind-Me-Satan
Thus-Saith-The-Lord Shoe!

Think Of The Time
When Peter Confessed Christ's Divinity
AND THEN
In The Next Breath
Wanted To Protect His Lord
From Engaging His Mission's Strife!

Jesus Spoke
Not To Peter
But To The Adversary
In Between Them:

Get Out Of My Way Satan
So That I May Speak To Mine Own
Face To Face
No Blockers In Between
Willing Them To Walk Their Own Way
To Walk Alone!

Almighty God
- In Christ - 
Was Self-Denying!
Satan Is Not - Cannot!
All God's Children
Must
- Like As Did Christ -
Practice
Self-Abnegation
If
From Sin And Satan
They Will
To The Day Of Redemption  
- Saved -
Arrive!
We Must Depend Upon The Lord Jesus Christ!

Lord, Haste The Day!

Christ IS Our Anchor!
If We Lift Our Cross
As He Asks Us
We Will His Crown Of Life Wear!

When We Follow The Master's Living Example
AND
Ever To The Great Father Repair
We Can Rely Upon His Input Of Strength
So That We May Reject The Devil
AND
Avoid His Delicately Placed Snares!

Jesus Christ
Gave Us An Example Of Perfect Obedience
AND
He Gives Unto Us
The Power
That We May
The Holy God Obey!

Friends, Brethren,

There's No Need For Circus Acrobatics
Nor Devilish Contortions
If We Will
- By And In Jesus Christ's Faith -
Just Humbly Say ...

• Yes, Lord!
• I Believe!
• I Will Follow Thee!
• Lord, Your Blessings I Gladly Receive!
• Lead Me, Lord - I Will Follow!
• Teach Me, Lord - I Will Pray!
• Bless Me, Lord - You Are My Answer!
• Take Me, Lord - I Am Yours To Command Today!

Preach It, Brother! Preach It!

If You Are A Wanderer
Looking
For A Safe
A Secure Home
Remember
I Beseech You, Remember That
"Jesus Christ Is The Answer!"
He Is The Corner Stone!

Don't Be A Foolish Builder
AND
Reject Jesus The Christ
Because
Without Him
There Is No Foundation Laid
That Is Not Laid Upon Him
That Will
- In The Day Of Discovery -
Survive!

A Man Saves Construction Costs
When He Committedly Builds On The Lord Christ!

A Sure Foundation
Withstands Any And All Upheavals!

Indeed!

Brethren,
I Beseech You
To Trust God For Your Building Construction Materials
AND
I Guarantee You
- On The Strength Of The Eternal Word -
- On The Character Of The Everlasting Father -
- On The Word Of The Living God Which Cannot Lie -
That No Bad Bricks
In Your Life
Can Ever Be Laid!
Only Needful And Necessary Bills Will Be Supplied!

All Things Work For Good ...!

Indeed! Indeed!

Let Us Recite Our Memory Verse:

The Only Man

That Jesus Christ Cannot Save

Is The Man

Who Will Not Believe That

Jesus Christ Saves!