COVETOUSNESS: Guard Your Heart!

Eye Onde Prize

Covetousness

Greed

And

Malicious Intent!

The Big Guns!

The Warriors Who For A Nickel

Are Willing To Have Their Desires Bent!

Sorry To Tell You

But

I Believe It Is In Your Best Interest To Know

That When Your Eyes Are Looking Down

And

Around

Your Heart For Things Abundant

Will Always, Always, Grow 
In The Strange Manner Called Profound!

It Always Starts In The Heart:

Eye Onde Prize Is The Upstart!

When He Is In Charge

You May Be Sure That Greed ... For Ungodly Gain

Will Always Follow

And

If Greed ... For Ungodly Gain ... Is Let Loose

You Can Rest Assured That

Monsieur Le Covetousness

He Who Likes To Ooh, La La

Is

Going To Go To Bat

To Get That Which He has No Right To Want 
To Place In His Cavernous Back-Pack!

Wanting Is Good ... Within The Proper Channels!

Coveting Good Things Is Good

For That Is How We Climb Up Higher

But

When Your Wanting Steps Outside The Boundaries Marked

And

You Invite That Heathen ... Malicious Intent

To Do A Do In The Dark

You Have Overstepped The Mark

And

You Are In Danger Of Getting Upon Your Character

The Mark Of The Devil

Him Who Did And Does His Dirty Deeds

Under Cover Of Dark ... ness!

To This Day

He Has Not Yet His Perfidy Confessed

And

He Believes That All His Machinations

Are Truly A Stellar Success!

People,

The Self-Delusion Is Real!

Malicious Intent Is A Notorious Gully-Boar

Who Believes With All His Being That

His Forays With Speed Into Greed

Are His By Right

Because

Of The Little Thing Called I-Need
Aka I-Want!

You Own It: He Wants It!

You Won't Surrender It: He Will Take It Away!

He Gives You A Choice:

Give Me ... Willingly

Or I Will Take it Forcefully

Or

If It Is Your Desire To Aggressively Protest

He Is Willing To Snuff Out Your Life

Sacrosanct In The Eyes Of The Lord

But 

A Thing Of Nought

In The Eyes Of His Boss-Man
Satan, The God-Fraud!

Ungodly Actions Have Consequences! 

Need An Example!?!

Prophet Balaam Wanted To Curse Israel 
To Get Himself King Balak's Coins!
The Lord God Almighty Told The Greedy Prophet "No!"
Ungodly Covetousness Told The Prophet "Get!" 
Ungodly Covetousness Won
And Anon

Balaam Ended Up Showing Balak

How To Make Israel Sin 

And

To Incur The Wrath Of The Living God!

Thousands In Israel Died

And

As To Be Expected

Greedy, Covetousness-Laden, Balaam 
Also Paid With His Life:

By His Receipt Of The King's Coins

His Covetous Life Was Not Extended!
Sin Really Makes Man Blind!

King Ahab Was A Petulant Child When Crossed!

He Wanted Naboth's Vineyard

And

The "No!" Answer Made His Cross!

He Went Off His Food!

He Sulked Like A Toddler

And

His Wife Being A Heathen

Thought Nothing Of Having An Innocent Man Murdered!

Ahab Got Naboth's Vineyard By Fraud
And
Dogs Licked Up King Ahab's Blood

And

Dogs Ate Queen Jezebel, His Viciously Cruel Wife!
Covetousness Is A Butcher Knife! 

King David Knew Better

But

His Eyes Made Him Believe That

The More Beautiful Bathsheba Was Much Better For Him

And

Covetousness Turned To Adultery
And

Adultery Turned To The Murder Of A Best Friend
And

Death Was Visited Upon The Innocent Child
His Ill-Conceived Seed! 

The Harvest Of Known Sin

And

Blood Never Left King David's Household

For As Long As He Did Live!

He Loved The Lord!

He Repented Of His Sin!

He Was Forgiven Of His Sin

But

That Did Not Mean That

The Grapes Of Wrath That He Had Planted

Were Not Going To Be Harvested!

Four Of His Sons Died ... Three Cruelly:

Bathsheba's First Born Son ... Unnamed:
The Lord Took Him! 

Amnon ... Covetousness, Lust, Greed, Gone Wild:
Raped His Sister

And His Brother, Absalom, Had Him Murdered! 

Absalom ... Who Coveted King David's Throne:

Slept With His Father's Concubines

Started Civil War

And Was Executed By General Joab

And

Adonijah ... Who Coveted King Solomon's Throne ... Twice

Thought To Get The Throne ... The Second Time

By Asking His Brother For His Father's Widow
His Body-Warmer, Virgin-Wife, Abishag!

King Solomon Had Him Executed!
Deceit's Profits Are A Demonic Device!

Judas Iscariot Coveted Power

And

Actually Thought He Could Circumvent

The Sovereign Will Of The Eternal Holy God!

He Made A Pact With Death

Made A Deal With Priestly Powers

Sold Gold To Buy Silver

And

Spilt His Guts Over A Roman Road
For All Of His Troubles!

Judas Received What He Would Never Spend

And

He Shall Never Ascend The Heights Of Him

Whom He Believed He Could Manipulate

And

Who For 30 Silver Pieces

To Wicked Men He Sold!

Sin Is Called Sin For A Reason!

Sin Only Profits For A Season!

The Reasons For The Season

Is Called By Many ... Legion

But

That Legion Is The Legion Of Doom

Which Shall Never Reign

But

Is Eternally Condemned

And

Consumed!

Covetousness Starts In The Heart!

Unchecked

Covetousness Will Never Depart

Until It Has Sliced, Diced And Spliced

And

Delivered Up Its Host

Unto The Damned One

Who Shall Soon Be As The Dust Of
Burnt, Burnt, Toast!

Covetousness Does Not Profit

And

None Who Indulge In This Dastardly Disease

Shall Ever Get To Sit In Heaven

Or

Bow Before The King Of Love

In Perfect Peace!

Don't Give In To This Known Gross Sin, Please!

THE SWEET PSALMIST'S WORDS: Reading Between The Lines!

Okay, Brethren!
Today We Shall Go Deep
And
We Shall Try Valiantly

To Hear What It Is That King David
Is 

Really Telling Us About This Great God 

He Worshiped And Faithfully Served!

Let's Read KJV Psalms 86 Verses 1-5

To Get The Feel For The Heart Writing The Words

And

Then I'll Give My  Verse By Verse Take On It!

1 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: 

for I am poor and needy.

I Believe That The Shepherd, Psalmist, King 

Is Pleading With And, Obviously
Believing On The Lord
And Comforting Himself By Praying Thus:

God Of Earth And Glory,
I Know You And I Need You Now, Today!
I Know That You Are Listening
So Listen To Me Again, Please!
To Your Willing Servant, Please Draw Near!

You Are Rich And Have Blessings To Give

And I Know That You Can Provide What You Know I Need
And I Need What You Alone Can Give To Me!
I Trust You!

2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: 

O thou my God, 

save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

I'm Not Just Asking You To Keep My Mortal Body!
I'm Asking You To Save Me From The Second Death
Because You Are My God
And I Have Chosen To Live The Holy Life
That You Have Commanded Me To Live

And Have Provided The Means With Which

I Can Be Successful! 

Lord, 

I Am Actively Doing What You Say!
I Am Available To You
And I Am Willing And Able Always 

To Serve You With Love And Diligence!

You Are Worthy Of My Service
My Faith And My Worship
Because You Have Proven To Me, Personally
That You Are Almighty God ... And Able!

I Can Close My Eyes In Vulnerable Sleep
Knowing That With You I Am Safe

And Knowing That You Will Never Deceive Me
Your Humble Servant Who Is Walking By Faith
And Not By Lying Eyesight!

3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: 

for I cry unto thee daily.

We Have A Relationship, Lord!
I Deserve Justice But Because I Know Your Character
I Am Pleading For Your Gift Of Mercy
Because I Acknowledge The Sins That 

I Have Committed Against Your Holy Name!

I Am Broken!
My Heart Is Contrite!
I Repent!
I Cannot And I Will Not Hide From You!

We Commune Every Day About Everything!
We Share Intimately!
I Tell You My Dreams, My Hopes
My Triumphs
My Failures
My Sorrows, My Shame
And You Correct, Direct, And Protect Me
And You Lead Me
Showing Me How, When, Where To Walk
How To Go Out

And How To Come In!

See, There Are Tears Coming From My Eyes
Because Our Communion Is Not Superficial!
I Know That You Feel What I Am Feeling!
I Love You Till It Hurts!

I Know That You Love Me Sacrificially

And Will Prove It In The Day Soon To Come!
I Worship You!

4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, 

O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Dear Lord,

You Bring Me Joy!
I Humble Myself Before 

So That You Do Not Have To Shame Me!

I Find My Pleasure In You!
Do It Again Today, Please! 

Raise Me Up

For All I Can Is Make The Effort To Walk Toward You:
Receive My Life And Make Me Like You! 

I Have No Being Without You!

You Are Above!
I Am At Your Footstool
And I Am Grateful For Your Condescension That 

Permits Me To Your Holiness
To Draw Near

And Without Ungodly Fear!

5 For thou, Lord, art good, 

and ready to forgive; 

and plenteous in mercy 

unto all them that call upon thee.

Dear Master,
I See And I Appreciate Your Character!
I Am Blessed And I Know It!

What Wondrous Love This Is

With Which I Am Covered! Why Do You Love Me So!?! 

This Is Perfect Love! 

I Am Amazed That The Holy God
High And Lifted Up
Jealous For His Name
Not Excusing The Guilty
Is Ever Willing To Forgive 

The Repentant Sinner Like Me
Who Chooses To Call
Not On A False God
- A Dumb Idol -
But On The Glorious God
Who Sees, Knows, Was, Is
Ever Present, All-Feeling And Eternal!

You Are Good!
You Give Good Gifts!
You Bless

And Glory, Hallelujah, Lord
You Forgive!

Brethren,

King David Actively, Personally,

Intimately Knew His God
His Master
His King
And 

His Heart Was Glad!

We Are Instructed To Speak To The Lord
As To A Friend
A Trusted Companion
Whilst Never Forgetting That He Is
The Holy God!

I Sincerely Urge Us To Approach With Love

And

Be Humbled By

And

Grateful For 

The Privilege Of Personally Knowing Him

And

Having Him Be An Active Participant

In Our Daily Lives!

Speak The Truth For He Knows Your Thoughts
Your Actions
And
Is Aware Of All Your Motives!

The Lord God Almighty Is Available And Able ... Willing
And Ready To Help You

And

Just So You Know Who Your Best Friend Is:

He Creates

And

Though He Takes No Pleasure
In Such A Strange Act

He Destroys

And

Surprise, No Surprise
He Loves You ... And Me, Too
Personally!

Any Thoughts About What We Have Covered Today!?!

I'm Sure That I Speak For Everyone Here
When I Say:

I Desire To Know The Living, Holy, God
In The Same Personal, Intimate, Frank Way
That King David Knew The Lord
His Almighty God!

AMEN!!!

Brethren,

We All Can Be As King David Was!
He Knew That To Know Almighty God
Was To Have A Real Life
And
Not Just An Existence!

When You Sin, Confess And Repent!
When You're Happy, Rejoice In The Lord!
When You're In Sorrow, Cry Unto The Lord!
If You Love The Lord, Tell Someone!
If You're Just Glad To Be Alive
Bless The Lord With Your Praise

And

Just Because The Lord Is Our Shepherd
Our Hope, Help And Salvation
Pray, Pray, Pray ...!

... All Day And Every Day
No Matter What Others May Think
Do Or Say!

Praying Is One Of Our Choicest Blessings!

Praying, Beloved, Keeps Satan At Bay!

Praying, Beloved, Keeps Us Shut In With The Lord!

HAPPY SABBATH + There Is No Default Good Position!

Okay, People!
Settle Down!
We Have Decisions To Make:
Drink The Water Or Drink The Cool-Aid!

Go To The Rock Or Go To Rock!

Eat Flour Cakes Or Eat The Bread Of Life!

Exist
Or Have An Abundant Life!

Run With Satan
Or Walk With Christ The Lord!

These Are All Simple!
Nothing To Make Your Tremble!
Get The Facts!
Weight Your Options!
Make Your Decision
And
Live With The Consequences!
Your Answer  ... Your Decision
 Has Eternal Implications!

Remember ...

There Is Nothing 
And 
No One
- Spiritual Or Mortal -
That Can Make Your Decision For You
Or Can Force You To Make Your Decision
Based On Their Desire!

Do You Understand!?!

Yes, But ...!

First Mistake!

But, But ...!

Second Mistake!

I Give Up ...!

Third Mistake!

Awww, Come On!
This Is Not Fair!

Neither Is Life!
Get With The Program!
Jesus Christ 
Is
Love, Light And Life!
Satan 
Is 
Darkness, Death And Destruction!

With Christ, There Is The Strait And Narrow Way!
With Satan, There Is Broadway And Own Way!

With Christ, The World Will Hate You
And
Dismiss And Ill-Treat You!
With Satan
You Are The World!

With Christ, Heaven Awaits The Faithful!
With Satan, Damnation Awaits The Faithless!

With Christ, Faith Is The Victory
And
We Have Victory Over Sin, Self And Satan
And
We Carry Christ In Us
The Certain Hope Of The Glorious Tomorrow
With All The Saints And The Angels
At The End Of Our Mortal Life's Journey!

With Satan
Doubt And Disbelief Are Daily Deliveries
And
There Is No Hope When One Comes
To The End Of This Life's Journey!

I Ask You, Again:
Do You Understand!?!

Yes, I Do!
Now, May I Ask A "But" Question!?!

You Certainly May!

But Why Do We Have To Make A Decision!?!
Almighty God Is Good!
Why Can't He Save Us Just As We Are!?!

Bradley, I Am Certain That You Know The Answer
To That Cutting Question!

Yes, Sir!

Would You Care To Share With The Rest Of Us!?!

Sure!
Let Me Answer The Question With A Question:

Does A Wife Know That She Is A Wife
Without The Public Declaration Being Made!?!

Do You Have A Job At A Corporation
Unless You Sign The Contract Saying
You Are Hired, Your Job Title, Your Salary, Etc..!?!

Can You Drive A Vehicle Off The Lot
Without Displaying Your Driver's License
And Having The Proof Of Purchase
And The Keys For The Particular Vehicle!?!

Brethren,
Remember This Statement Made By General Moses:

Who Is On The Lord's Side

Let Him Come To Me!

Remember This Statement Made By General Joshua:

As For Me And My House

We Will Serve The Lord!

Remember These Statement Made By King David:

The Heaven's Declare The Glory Of God

And The Firmament Sheweth His Handiwork!

I Waited For The Lord

And He Inclined Unto Me!

The Lord Is My Shepherd

I Shall Not Want!

Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet

And a Light Unto My Path!

And, Then, There Is King Solomon:

Let Us Hear The Conclusion Of The Whole Matter:

Fear God, And Keep His Commandments

For God Shall Bring Every Work Into Judgment

With Every Secret Thing

Whether It Be, Or Whether It Be Evil!

The Bottom Line, Therefore
Is
Declare Your Hand!
State Your Allegiance!
Recognize Who Has The Final Say!
Stand Up For Your Champion!

And

In Your Assigned Lot
At The Great Day Stand!

By The Way
No Declaration Is A Declaration
Against
The True And Living God!

There Is No Default Good Position!

You Must State Clearly
- To The Court Of Heaven -
Who Has Your Heart
Who Holds Your Hand!
Who Holds Your Heart
Who Has Your Hand!

Thank You!

Thank You, Bradley!

Brethren, 

Not To Trivialize The Matter
But
To Prove The Point
When You Join A Club, A Sports Team
An Association, A Church Group
You Are Quick To Let The Whole World Know
To Whom 
And 
With Whom You Belong
And
You Are Exceedingly Vocal About It!

Does Not The Lord Of Life Deserve The Same
And
Better!?!

Sin Stains: Salvation Builds Saints + PRAYER: I Confess My Well-Known Sins, Father!

Disappointment, Denial, Distress, Delay
Hope, Help, Folly, Fear
Salvation, Grace, Mercy
Peace, Rest
And
Importunate Prayer
Stood Around The Old Saint
Who Knew The Stain Of Sin
But
Having Given Self To The Savior
Was Walking Boldly In Him!

Hear Her ... In The Power Of Tested Faith, Speak:

My Eyes Saw Expressed Lies!
My Ears Felt The Burn Of Hate!
My Body Was Headed To Lost Man's Fate
And I, Having Lived For Self
By Self
Outside Of Self-Denial
Had To Face The Fact Truthfully That

- At Last -
I Was On Trial!

How To Go Forward!?!
Do I Dare Look Back!?!

I Remembered Righteous Lot's Wife
And Said To Myself:

"Don't Do That!"

I Remembered King Saul
King Solomon
King David
Apostle Paul

And I Thought Of Doubting Thomas
Who Was Rebuked By Jesus Christ The Lord!

I Thought Of High Priest Eli
High Priest Prophet Aaron
Judge Priest Prophet Old Samuel
And That Is When It Dawned On Me
Why Those Who Were Saved, Were Saved
And Those Who Were Lost Were Surely Bound For Hell!

For A Moment
I Indulged Rationalization:

I Was No Bigger Sinner Than Yon Brother Sister!

I Tried Justification:

What Did He Want From Me
Who Was A Mere Child Of The Dust!?!

I Next Tried Fatalism:

What Must Must, Must Must!

And, Then
- Resigned To Reality -
I Tried Confession

Repentance

Contrition:

PRAYER:

Father,

I Confess My Well-Known

Well-Loved Sins! 

I Give Them Unto You

For I Know To You

They Are Truly Heart-Breaking!

They Have Been Unto Me

Body Blows

Well-Able ... Unchecked

Surely To Destroy My Soul

And, So, I Surrender

I Repent

I'm From Sin Turning Away

And I Am Making A Covenant With You

To Walk In Your Holy Light

Committed To Your Eternal Cause

To Love You First

To Trust You To Heal Me Of All My Flaws

To Rely Upon You For The New Heart Of Flesh

To Talk With You About Everything

To Stay On The Path That For Me You Prepare

To Destroy All The False Gods That

From You Would Take Me Away

To Bless You With My Faithfulness

To Tell The World The Gospel Truth

And

To Live And Die By The "Thus Saith Lord!"

To Be With You Always In One Accord!

Father,

I Am A Sinner-Saved

A Child, Blessed

A Servant, Favored!

Help Me To A Spiritual Success

Looking With Wisdom Upon The Things Of My God

And Desperately Despising

The Things Of Satan, The Arch-Deceiver

That Bold Liar, Murderer

He Who Desires The Appointed Worship Of

The One Eternal Holy God!

I Am A Child: Lead Me!

I Am A Servant: Dispatch Me!

I Am A Student: Instruct Me!

You Are My God!

I Know That You Sacrificially Love Me

And, For This

It Is My Desire

To Covenant With You ... By Sacrifice!

And, Father

If It Is Your Desire Of My Life

- With You Leading The Way

And Holding My Hand -

I Am Willing To Be A Sacrifice For My Lord!

You Have Promised Me Eternal Life!

When I Die ... In Jesus Christ

I Will Get Up

And Rise Up To Him

When He Comes

To Forever Share His Glorious Life!

Father,

Please Help Me To Prepare

To Dare To Share ... Without Fear

The Truth That Unto Man Your Word Declares!

Help Me To Hold You Always In Godly Fear!

Brethren, The Christ-Like Life
Is No Cake-Walk
No Walk In The Park
No Clown Car Funny!

Desperation Wants To Dance In Your Head!
Defeat Wants To Take You To Bed!
Distrust Wants To Encourage You It's Cake To Eat
And
Gainsaying Wants You To Milk Its Teats

But

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

Thank God For Christ Jesus Who
All Our Sorrows Know:

We Have The Comfort Of
The Holy Spirit Of Truth
And
The Advocate With The Father
From Whom No Created Being
Can Ever Cut Us Loose!

Whatever Your Sorrow
Your Pain
Your Shame
Your Need
Your Worry
Believe, Love, Trust
Honor, Worship
And
Enduringly Obey!

Let No Creature Shake Your Faith:

The Word Of Almighty God

Is Eternal

Is Perfect

Is True

Is Blessedly Good

For Me And For You! 

Start From A Position Of Power:

Almighty God 

Is

Faithful!
His Word Cannot Fail!
Praying In Faith Is Powerful!
Jesus Christ Is Coming To Earth Again!

Working Faith Can Move Your Life's Mountains

But

Doubt ... By A Lifetime's Labor
Will Never Get A Mountain 

To Walk Away Or Move Around!

Brethren, Beloved

My Charge To You Is This:

You Don't Have To Follow 

Where The World Blindly Leads!

In Faith, For Love, With Hope
Follow Jesus Christ
Who Is The Way
The Truth For The Age
The Light Of Life
The Life-Giver Of Man!

Please, I Beseech You
Accept The Offer Of Life Everlasting
By Accepting

And

Attaching Yourself
To The Lovingly Extended All-Powerful Hand!
You Will Rest Finally ... And Forever
In Beulah
- The Beautiful Land -

Where The Water Of The River Of Life 

Is 

Ever Sweet!

JUXTAPOSED: From Bold Sin To Sure Salvation

Shepherd-General Moses And Shepherd-King David
Committed Murder!
Shepherd-General Moses And Shepherd-King David Loved
The Holy God!
Shepherd-General Moses And Shepherd-King David
Were Not Motivated
By Neither Money, Access Nor Power!
They Wanted
- They Whole-Heartedly Desired -
To Walk Always With Their Lord
- The Holy God -
And
To Achieve The Heavenly Reward!

From Lowly Station

Even Unto Kingly Power

Their Portion Was With The Eternal God

And

They Chose To Escape The Realm Of The Fraud

And

By Their Choice

They Received Blessings So Grand

That No Man Can Ever Replicate!

They Trusted Almighty God For Salvation

And

Not "Fate!"

Look At The Champions Of The Faith ...

We Would Do Well
To Look Towards  ... Ourselves
And
Back At The Servant Of God
And
The Man After God's Own Heart
And
In So Doing We Shall See That
Those Of The Eternal God's Camp
- Once Truly Converted 

To The Loving Lord's Faith - 

Will Not Willingly Be Caught 

With The Mortifying Evil Disgrace
Who Takes Sadistic Pleasure
In Creating Real Havoc
All Over The Place

And
Among The Human Race!

Gifts That Keep On Giving ...

Grace 

Is 

The Gift Of The Living God!
Almighty God Treasures Utilization Of 

The Daily Infusion Of Jesus Christ's Faith! 

Jesus Christ's Faith 

Is 

The Currency Of The Glorious Kingdom
And
The Glorious Kingdom 

Is 

Prepared For Those Of Working Faith!

Falling On Free And Freely Available Grace 

- By The Personal Exercise Of Daily Faith -
Is
Never, Ever, Out Of Place!

When You Know You Grow ...

When You Do Wrong ... Confess And Repent!
When You're Chastised ... Accept And Learn From It!
When You Learn From It
Renew Your Commitment To The Holy God
And
Walk Right In His Sight
And
He Will Take Care Of You!
"Set Your Heart's Clock"
And
Daily Depend On It

Because

Your Soul's Salvation
Is
To His Loving A Heart
A Very Special Delight! 

Pride Is No Panacea ...

Please Do Not
- By A Vain Show Of Pride

Doubt And Arrogance -
Your Own Soul's Prosperity Blight!
Walk Always In The Living Light
And
On The Day Of The Lord's Own Appointing

You ... Glorified
Immortalized
Incorruptible
Shall Take The Eternal Life Flight
To The Land Of No Night!