Pride Is Poison + PRAYER: Father, Please Help Us To Humble Ourselves!

It Is Significant To See Righteousness And Unrighteousness

Faithfulness And Faithlessness 

And 

Pride And Humility 

So Starkly Compared And Contrasted! 

Beloved, 

We Are To Live By Faith 

While Lovingly Humbling Ourselves Before The Lord Christ 

Who Will Lift Us Up In His Day Of Appointment 

Just As He Lifted Up Jacob, Joseph, Job, And Moses! 

We Are Not To Lift Up Ourselves 

In Pride And With Arrogance Like Lucifer: 

It Didn't Work Out For Him 

And

It Will Not Work Out For Us! 

We Love To Say With The Worldly-Wise That 

Man Appoints And God Disappoints 

But 

If We Look Closer

We Will Clearly See What Manner Of Defeat, Disaster

Destruction, And Deviltry Exists 

When Man Appoints Man

And 

Man Anoints Self! 

The Humble, Faithful, Servant Of God

Is

Always A Blessing To Mankind!

Pride Is Poison 

And 

Self-Aggrandizement Is Terminal Disease 

And

Neither Has A Place In The Heart Of 

The Committed-To- Christ Christian! 

Dear Ones, 

The Only Lifting Up We Should Be Doing 

Is 

Lifting Up Our Souls To The Lord

Lifting Up Our Hands In Worship And Praise

Lifting Up Our Brethren

And 

Lifting Up Our Bibles And Our Spoons 

As They Convey To Our Bodies 

Our Very Necessary Daily Food! 

Pride Decimates! 

Faith Elevates 

And 

Humility Opens The Flood-Gates Of Blessing! 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, 

Please Help Us Today

To Humble Ourselves Before You On Earth

Your Footstool

So That You Will Lift Us Up To Heaven

Your Throne

On The Glad Day That You Have Set! 

Amen!!! 

HAPPY SABBATH + EXERT YOUR PRIVILEGE: Wrestle With Your Lord!

Strangely, We Can Always Find Time To Gossip

To Cuss-Out People

To Belittle People

And

Even Find Time To Tear-Down Our Own Selves! 

We Say That We Love The Lord Christ

And 

Most Assuredly Know That 

He Answers Humble, Heartfelt, Prayers Of Faith 

And Yet

With The Myriad Needs Known Abundant In This Mortal Life

We Dismally Fail To Make Good Use Of

Our Access To The God Of Grace

The King Of Glory 

And

Sunnily Neglect To Reach For 

The Extended Hand Of Help And Healing That

Is

Always Just A Prayer Away! 

We Rob Ourselves Of The Grand And Glorious Pleasure Of 

Grasping The Great Good Given To God's Faithful People

Because 

We Find Time To Talk Turkey And Baloney

Instead Of Truth And Blessing! 

Beloved, 

Our Priorities Are Skewed! 

Our Interests Are Pitiable 

And 

Even Downright Lawless 

Because

We Are Short-Changing Ourselves By Neglecting Our Prayers 

Aka Our Intimate Moments With Our Forever Friend

Our Father In Heaven! 

Remember, Remember

Don't Ever Forget ...

There Is Much That We May Receive From The Hand Of God 

But 

Will Not Receive 

Because 

We Do Not Ask For Our Godly Desires Through Prayer! 

Prayer 

Is As

Opening Your Heart As To Your Very Best Friend

So, Pray

  Ask In Faith

    Believe The Preserved Word

      Persist In Prayer

        Trust The Giver

          Align Your Desires With The Word Of God 

And

              Keep Your Hand Out ... And Your Heart Open! 

The Lord Our God Ain't A Lying, Dying, Man

And

He Doesn't Bad-Talk Us 

For Asking For His Good And Perfect Gifts

As He, Himself, Has Asked Us To Request: 

He Cherishes The Gift Of Our Trust! 

Let's Stop Starving Our Own Souls

And

Militantly ... But Humbly ... Get The Business Done!

Prayer Is An Oasis

So, Pray, Pray, Pray

And

Infinitely Enjoy 

The Fabulous Feast Of The Forever-Blessed!

Do A Jacob

And 

Wrestle With Your Lord

And

Get Yourself

Your Free Name-Change!

HAPPY SABBATH: Deal!?! No Deal!

Future Good
And
Momentary Indulgence
Were Squaring Off!

At Stake ...

A Mess Of Red Bean Stew
Against The First Born's Birth-Right!

The Struggle Was Real ...

Physical Hunger ... Against Spiritual Longing! 
Love Of Almighty God ... Against Self-Love! 
Rush To Idolatry ... Against Walk To Salvation!

The Result Of The Tussle
Will ... Forever
Change The Earth!
The Struggle Is Still Going On!

The King Of Love
The Good Shepherd
- The Lord Of Life - 

The Angel Of The Covenant

The High Priest Of Our Profession

The Creator

The Redeemer 

Our True Friend  Was Watching!
He Is Still Watching ... Today!

Imagine ... If You Will

Twins!

One, Smooth Studious
Careful Caring Devoted
- A Homebody Farmer Shepherd - 
Longing For The Priesthood!

The Other, Irreligious
Hairy Wild
Reckless Indisciplined
Interested Only In Wealth 

Power
And
Unrestrained Freedom!
There Is Nothing New Under The Sun!

Theirs Is A Collison Of ... Ideals
With
Eternal Implications!

Somebody Is Going To Cry Crocodile Tears
And
Somebody Is Going To Have To Run

Far, Far, Away!

Sin Does Not Pay! 

Jacob Was Righteous: He Loved The Son Of Man! 

Esau Was Wicked: He Loved Mammon!

Jacob Wanted To Serve The Lord For Heavenly Reward! 

Esau Wanted To Be The Lord Who Rewards! 

Jacob

- By Deceit -

Tried To Help The Lord

And

Ended Up Running Away

His Life To Keep!

For 20 Years

He Looked After Greedy Uncle Laban's Goats And Sheep! 

Esau Tried To Help Himself

By Trivializing His Birth-Right

And

In So Doing

He Brought Forth The Idea Of Planned Fratricide

To Regain What He Had Held 
With A Careless Hand Light!

Be Ye Warned ... 

We Do Not Help God

By Doing Wrong To Gain The Right! 

All We Get For Our Base Endeavors

Is 
Upon Our Prosperity A Blight

And

All Who Will To Serve The Almighty

Should Take This Revelation To Heart

And

Trust The Eternal God  ... In His Providence

His Timely Blessing To Impart!

Believe It ...

The Lord's Ways Are Right! 

His Timing Is Never Late! 

Carnality Can Never Bless Divinity

So Do Not In That Diabolical Play 

Choose To Participate! 

Heads Up ...

Those Who Are The Blessed Of God

The Heirs Of His Sure Salvation

Will

Must

Wrestle With The Lord

In The Dark Night Of Despair

If

It Is Their Soul's Desire

To Meet The King Of Love In The Air!

Repentance Is A Blessing ... 

We Must Confess All Our Known Sin! 

We Must Repent Of The Sordid Past! 

We Must Accept And Stand On The Promises Given 

And

Declare Our Allegiance To The Promise-Keeper

And

Being Humble

- Of A Contrite Spirit -

Deliver Up A Broken Heart

And

Command The Blessing

From The Now Christ-Regenerated Heart!

Brethren, 

We Must Not From Right Paths Ever Depart! 

Be Ye Warned ...

Please Don't Be An Esau

Living Like A Louse

Doing What You Will

Of Earthly Power Being Carnally Jealous! 

Seek After The Things Of God

Trusting Him For You To Do

And

Don't Be Licorish For

The Readily Available For The Asking

But Oh, So, Pricey

Delicious-Smelling

Sure-To-Be-Tasty

Red-Bean Stew

That Will Your Birth-Right Cost You! 

What A Savior ... 

Let The Lord Lead! 

Carnal Lust 
Is 
Satan's Prized Steed! 

Please Do Not This Race Horse Feed

And

You Shall Not The Prayer Of Remorse Need! 

Let The Lord Of Glory Lead!
His Back Is Broad!
His Shoulders Strong!
His Blood Efficacious!
His Wisdom Eternity Long!
His Promise Is Certain!
His Faithfulness Sure!
Victory Over Sin Is The Promise
And
His Way Is Certain
Because
He Has The Cure!
He Is The Door!

From Sin To Salvation: Making The Right-Turn Off Self!

Present Life Was Walking On The King's Highway!
He Had Stepped Off The Road To Destruction
And
Had Made The Right Turn Off Self
And
Jumped Over That Pleasant Brook Called Selfish Desire
And
Was Seriously Seeking The Savior!
He Is Climbing Higher And Higher!

Saved By Grace Through Faith 

Is 

His New Companion
But
Past Life
- In Alligator Fashion -
Is Dogging His Steps!

Now ...

If You Are A Bible-Reading Christian
It Has To Be Obvious To You That
Accuser Of The Brethren's Sticky Fingers
Are All Over Past Life's Actions!
He is Acting Like A Read Cad!

Present Life Had Not Wanted To Give Up Past Life
Because
He Had Been Such A Comfortable
Known
Easy-Going Quantity!
What You Saw Was, Well, What You Saw!

Past Life Was Handsome In A Funny Way With
A Cleft In His Chin
And
Boasting A Firm, Square, Jaw!

Past Life Was - Is - A Slob
A Sloth
A Sinner Bold With Eyes Squinty
Heart Cold
Legs Crooked
And
Ears Out Of Tune!
He Laughed Like A Loon!
He Could Make Music With Two Silver Spoons!

Past Life Had Lost His Pick
When Present Life Had Met
Old ... Always New ... Truth For The Ages!

Truth For The Ages ... 

What Can I Say About Truth For The Ages!?!
Truth For The Ages Just ... Is!
He Doesn't Change!
Won't Play Dress-up!
Stands Firm Against The Wiles Of The Devil!
Can't Be Coerced!
Won't Be Threatened!
Will Not Run!
Won't Turn Aside To Fables!
Is Not A Partner With Sin
And
Is Always At War With Deceit! 

He's A Straight Arrow 

Positioned Always At The Draw!
He Has No Flaws
And
Wisdom Is Ever At His Right Side!
He Offers Everyone Going To Heaven
A Freed-From-Sin Ride!

The Ride Is Not Always Comfortable
But
Arrival At The Posted Destination Is Sure 

And
The Way Is Secure!

Severed Ties ...

From The Time Past Life Realized That
Truth For The Ages Was Wooing Present Life
He Made An Emergency Call To His Family
Those Agents Of King Fraud
The Adversary Of The Lord Christ
And
The Pretender To The Throne Of The Holy God!

Connections ...

The First One To Answer The Call To Arms Was
Debilitating Doubt
The Darling Of Damnation
She Who Made Lot's Wife Look Back
She Who Made Eve With A Serpent Talk Back
She Who Made Cain Choose To Obey God According To Self
She Who Makes The Unwise Place The Word Of God
On The Out Of Sight Shelf!

I Should Let You Know That
Once Debilitating Doubt 

Is 

In The Game
- To All Intents And Purposes -
De Dog Dun Dead!
Game Ovah!
Put De Sod Pun De Duppy!
He Ain't Coming Back!

The Harpies NOT The Harpists ...

The Legion Of Doom Was Rejoicing
Because
A Child Newly Lost To Them Was Soon Returning Home
Until ...

Persevering Faith Of Jacob
Unyielding Persistence Of Elijah
Love Of God Abides
Available Grace
Free Mercy
Unwavering Trust
Forgiveness For Confessed Sin
Godly Sorrow
And
Godly Fear
Wrapped Their Gentle, Loving, Arms
- Strong In The Lord Christ -
Around Present Life!

The Lion, Raging, Roared!
Roared!ROARED!

Oh, For A Faith That 

Will Not Shrink ...

Present Life Was Shaking But Resolute!

Black Tar Balls Came Flying

AndSerpentine Darts Started Stinging!

Soon Enough ...

"The King Of Love My Shepherd Is!"
Singing In Present Life's Voice
Is Heard!

Old Deads Were Being Raised Up!
That Is That
Past Life Was Being Thrown Up In Present  Life's Face
And
This Continued Unabated
Supposedly Creating Doubt In Present Life
Until Faith Is The Victory That Overcomes The World
Was Seen Holding His Hands
Patting His Back
Kissing His Cheek And His Forehead
And
Feeding The Soul Of Present Life!

He Cried Out ...

Heaven With Jesus Christ Is My Soul's Sole Goal!
I Can't Fix My Past Life
But Jesus Christ Can!
I've Given Jesus My Confession
And I've Uttered My Heartfelt Repentance
And My Joy In Jesus Is Full

Because
It Can't Be Begged Bought Bartered Nor Sold!

My Present Life Is In My Hand!
I Have Choices!
I Have Chances!
I Have Hard, Unpopular, Decisions To Make
And I Will Tell You, Fellow Travellers, That
By God's Great Grace
With Strength For My Journey
And Courage For My Way To Take
The Holy Spirit Of The Living God
Will Help Me 

The Right Decisions To Conscientiously Make!

The Past Is In God's Hands!
The Present Is In My Hands
And
- By Invitation Issued To Him
By My Will Free -
The Heart Of My Maker
My Lord, God And King
And
Not Some Damned-For-Eternity Fake
Who Is A Smooth Operator
And
The Lake Of Fire Undertaker!

Yesterday Is The Past: I Can't Go Back!
I Won't Look Back!
Tomorrow Is Not Promised
But I Shall Live With Hope!
Today ... The Present ... Is A Gift
And
With The Lord Of Life Guiding My Path
I Shall On, In ... With
The Rock Of Ages Live!

I Looked Inward ... Rottenness!
I Looked Around ... Urge To Sin!
I Looked Up ... Heard The Call To Salvation
And
By Gentle Persuasion
Holy Ministration
Heavenly Food
Undying Love
Blessed Hope
And
The Beloved Truth For The Ages
I Stand Before Almighty God
Convicted Of Sin
Convinced Of Righteousness

From The Ways Of The World Turned AwayHaving Godly Sorrow For My Own Sin
Holding The Lord Of Glory In Godly Fear
And
Marching Militantly To Realm Zion
Knowing That With
The Persevering Faith Of Jacob
The Unyielding Persistence Of Elijah
The Integrity Of Joseph
And
The Servant's Attitude Of Jesus The Lord Christ
I Shall Be The Over-Comer
In Resisting The Demonic Device!
I Shall Live The Eternal Life!

The Way Home To Glory Is Not Easy!
The Fight For Life Is Not Short!
Satan Is Ever My Adversary
And
Jesus Is The King In My Heart
And
By His Grace
Through My Working Faith
I Shall From Henceforth
From His Riven-For-Me Side
Never, Ever, Depart!
My Plowing Is Not In The Dark!

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH : Putrid Peas Produce Punishment Not Profit!

                                                                                 Popularity!
                                          Position!
                                 Perks!
                    Prestige!
Putrid Praise!

The Deadly Peas
Seem Able To Cause
Formerly Right-Thinking
Right-Living
Men And Women
To Sell Their Birth-Right
For A Bowl Of Red Bean Stew!

If We Look At Esau
We Will Know The Obvious Outcome
As We Read The Declared Word Of God:

I Have Loved Jacob

But

Esau I Have Hated!

Will You Sell
Your Eternal Birth-Right
Just To Eat
Dry Bread And Rancid Bean Stew
So That You May
Freely Fraternize
Unfettered
With The Idolatrous Crew?!

Will You Live
By The Sight Of Your Blind Eyes
Or
Will You Live Right In The Sight Of Him
In Whom Eternity Abides?!

Why, Oh, Why
Are We So Short-Sighted
So Easily Blind-Sided
By The Putrid Praise Of The Benighted
Multitudinous Know-It-All Crew?!

Do You Care?
Will You Dare
To Walk Without Fear
Under The Guidance Of Him Who
All Our Burdens Do Bear?!

Won't You Trust The One Who
Sacrificially Cares For You?!

Please Say:

Lord,

You Are My Portion Forever

And

I Will Follow Your Word?!

Please Say:

Draw Me Nearer, Lord! 

Let Me With You

Walk In Accord! 

Take My Hand

And

Guide Me Safely Home

To Beautiful Beulah Land!

Brethren,

Our God Holy Is Able! 

Our God Eternal Is True Truth!
Our God Omniscient Is Omnipresent
So
Trust Him
- He Is Omnipotent -
AND
There Is No One
That Can Stop Him
From Truly Blessing
AND
Taking Total Care
Of
Believing Me And Believing You!

Lord,

In The Name

Of

The Holy Jesus

Please

- We Beseech You - 

Help Us To Make You

Our Blessed Portion

From

This Day

This Hour

This Moment On 

AND ... FOREVER!

AMEN.

Night ... Is Coming!

“[T]he noon of the papacy was the midnight of the world.”

—J. A. Wylie, The History of Protestantism, b. 1, ch. 4.

Whether I Live Or Die
I Stand In The Lord Christ!
I Will Not
- By God's Grace -
Fall ... Again 

For Satanic Device!

Satan Is The Liar
The Enemy Supreme
BUT

My Hold On Things Temporal Is Lean

AND
With Christ
As My All In All
Heaven At The Last
Will Be Mine
Because
Of Sin
I Am Clean!

Jesus Is The Author
The Finisher Of My Faith
AND
If I Secure My Trust
AND
Rest In Him
Salvation For Me
Will Not Be A Bust!

Paul The Apostle
- In Absolute Faith -
Declared:

"To Live Is Christ ...!"

Meaning
To Know Christ
To Hold To Christ
Is To Truly Have A Life
Hence
To Really Be Alive
Is To Live For Christ
AND IEven I
Having Escaped The Active Sinners Domain
Can Now Say
Without Fear
Without Contradiction
My Life Has Begun Again
ANDBy God's Grace
In Jesus' Faith
My Living
From Henceforth
Shall Not Be In Vain!

Brethren,
Let Us Hold On To
The Persevering Faith Of Jacob
AND DO NOTOf Jesus Christ Let Go!

Let Us
With The Consistent, Patient Persistence Of Elijah
The Name Of The Holy God
Valiantly
Uphold!

Our God
Is Faithful!
All Of God's Promises Are True!
A Home For Each Saint
Is Prepared In Glory
AND
The Eternal God
Is Waiting
Into The Blessed Home
To Welcome Me And You!

Let No One Kill Your Hope
For
Your Hope Is A Tree
Which Promises A Great Harvest
IFIt Is Well Manured
AND
Tended
With Faith
Constantly!

Accept From No Man
Supplements
For Instant Growth In Christ
For There Is No Such Growth
In The Almighty God's Realm
AND
Such
Is A Satanic
Salvation-Raping
Blessing-Denying
Device!

Brethren,
I Can Prove What I Am Saying
AND
I Point You To The Inspired Word:

AND
I Now Sincerely Ask You:

How Do You Get
Instant Growth
To Come Out Of Work
That Requires Godly Fear And ... Trembling?!

We Are Called To Be Like Jesus

Therefore:

Again ... The Master Said:

"WORK!"

Work Is Effort
AND
Of Duration
Long
So
Do Not Listen
To The Devil
AND
His Minions
Who
Write And Sing
The Obstructionist's Song
Desiring
With Bold Pleasure
To See You
Into Hellfire
Fall
Headlong!

Grace Is A State
Not Just An Instant
AND
Hurry Up!

Please Move Along!
Grace Is A State Of Being
Believing
Living
Doing
AND
Securing
AND
In Christ Jesus
Walking
In Patience And Faith
The Rest Of Your Life Long!

I Am Pleading, Dear Brethren!
I Am Begging You, Please
Trust In The Lord Always
AND
Do Not Take Out
On Earth
A Forever-I-Shall-Live-Here Lease!

Heaven And Earth
Shall Pass Away
BUT
The Word Of The Living God
Shall Forever Stand!

The Devil Is The Liar Always
AND
So Are They
Who Are At His Right Hand
Luring
Alluring
Teasing
Tempting
Beguiling
Defiling
Corrupting
AND
Benighting

AND

Jesus Christ's Faith Fighting!

Remember:

Just Because A Coin Is Shiny
It Does Not Mean
It Is Good Coin Of The Realm
So, Please
Do Not Grab At Mere Morsels
When For You
Because Of Faith
A Grand Banquet
Is Prepared!
Jesus Christ IS At The Helm!

Do Not
Fence Jump!
Fence Straddle!
Fence Lean!
Almighty God
Prepared For Us A Hedge
Of True Protection
AND
Inside Of It
The Water Is Living
AND
The Pasture Is Ever Green!

There Is Oil To Anoint Thy Head!
Your Cup Of Blessing Therein
Ever Overflows
AND
For Good Measure
Goodness And Mercy
Shall Surely Follow
In The Kingdom Of Grace
Which Leads To The Kingdom Of God's Glory
Where
- Having Kept Jesus Christ's Faith -
You Shall Live
FOREVERMORE!

Brethren,
Take Your Stance
AND
Stand ... For Jesus
AND
By So Doing

Live ... With Jesus
FOREVERMORE!
This - Of You -
In Jesus Christ's Name
I Implore!