COUNTING COUP: Counting Costs

The Lord Chose Me

So I Choose The Lord

And

By His Great Grace

I Shall No More Associate With The God-Fraud!

Jesus Christ Made Sacrifices

To Make It Possible For Me ... For Us

To Appear Before The Throne Of Grace

But

Before That Will Benefit Us

We Must Give Up Everything

That Engenders Our Disgrace!

Everybody Loves To Prate About Winning

About Their Counting Coup

But

I Suggest To Us, Dear Brethren

That Counting Costs 

Would Be Better For Me, For You!

Sacrifice Is A Bad, Bad, Word

According To Those Who Know Not Christ

And

These Are The Very Ones Who Reject Introspection 

And

Fall For The Always Charming

Demonic Device!

What Is Counting Coup!?! 

Good Question! 

Counting Coup Is Tallying One's Victories Over A Personal Enemy

At The Risk Of Injury Or Death! 

Problem Is That Many In The Mortal Strife 

Believe That That Works With Satan!

They "Play" His Game 
And 
Don't See Visible Injury Or Suffer Immediate Death 

So They Dare To Think That They Have Won Something! 

Self-Deceived Is The Worst Kind Of Deception! 

Willful Ignorance Leads To The Lasting Curse!

Jesus Christ Had To Die To Save All Mankind

So What Makes Us Think That 
We Wouldn't Have To Definitely Die To Self 
And 
Decidedly Die To Sin

If We Are To Enter The Living Kingdom!?! 

Brethren, 

Jesus Christ 
And 
Personal Sacrifice Are Synonymous! 
We Are Regenerated Christians
And

The Regenerated Christian 
And 
Personal Sacrifice Should Also Be The Same! 

That Is A Hard Saying: Who Can Bear It!?! 

Since You Ask
Jesus Christ Is Blunt About It:

Travelling To Heaven 

Is Not 

Cheap Or Easy! 

Costs Are Incurred 
And 
Expenses Must Be Paid

But 

Not With Man-Generated Currency! 

We Who Faithfully Follow The Lord Christ 

Must Choose To Endure All Things

And

Give Up Everything

If 

We Will Enter The Holy City! 

Everything!?! 

Everything!
Every Single Solitary Thing As In

Possessions, Position, Property
Privileges, Passions, Pursuits
Progenitors ... And Progeny!

It Has All Got To Be Given The Kibosh! 

We've Got To Let It All Go! 

Jesus Christ ... Our Jesus Christ

Gave Up Glory

The Loving Community Of His Father 
And 
The Heartfelt, Constant, Adoration Of The Holy Angels

His Crown

His Throne

And

His Very Life's Blood

To Purchase For Us The Pardon That Leads To Eternal Life

And 

There Will Be No Doubters
No Fence Jockey 
Nor Wafflers In Heaven! 

Beloved,

Turning Back, For Us, Is Not An Option: Heaven Is Home! 

We Have Joys Forevermore To Enjoy 
So Giving Up What Will Burn Is Necessary:
We Can't Have Both! 

We Must Commit Wholly To Christ Jesus 

To Be Eternally Blessed! 

Without This, We Will Not Know Everlasting Peace! 
To Gain The Hereafter
The Fleetings Thing Of The Here And Now Must Be Released!
From Sin And Self, We Must Cease!

Faith, Beloved
Is 
The Victory Which Overcometh The World!
Your Daily Gift Of Daily Faith ... Utilized
Pays The Daily Operating Costs 
For Heaven To Be Realized!
Work Your Faith
And
Your Faith Will Work!
Think About It ... And Decisively Act
And
Don't Look Back!

Contrition ... Pardon And Peace!?!

... And They're Bold Sinners!

Does That Mean That You're A Timid Sinner!?!

Uhh ... Umm ...!

Listen To Me Carefully, All Of You!

I Am A Sinner!
You Are Sinners!
We Are All Sinners
So Do Not Take Pleasure
In Pointing Out Another's Disgrace ...!

... But ...!

... There Is No But!

The Only Difference Between THOSE Sinners
And
US Sinners
Is
That We Have Chosen To Acknowledge That
We Are Sinners
And
That We Need The Savior

Which Is Something That They Have Not Done!

The Operative Words In All Of This Are
Chosen ... Choice
Acknowledge ... Recognition
And
Need ... Necessity!

One Thing That We Should All Bear
Is
If You Do Not See Or Feel Or Have The Need
Meaning
If You Don't Acknowledge That You Are A Sinner
Meaning
That You Don't Recognize That You Have A Problem
And
Are A Known Condemned Sinner
Needing Saving From - Not In - Sin
You Will Never Choose To Seek After
The Savior ... Our Only Savior
And
- I Can't Overstress This -
Satan, Old Experienced Deceiver Satan
Will Trip You Up
24/7 365 Days A Year
366 Days In A Leap Year!

Lord Almighty!
He Really Doesn't Take A Vacation!

He Can't Take A Vacation!
He Only Has A Short Time To Be The Adversary
The Accuser Of The Brethren
To Do The Dog
To Be The Raging Lion
To Be The Piercing Serpent
To Be The Heel-Biter
Before
- For Once And For All Time -
Jesus Christ The Savior Of Every Man
Turns Out His Light
Crushes His Head
Burns His Vile Body
Until He Is Completely Consumed
Rendering Sin A Thing
Never, Ever, Ever
To Rise Up Again!

I Look Forward To That Day!

It's All Well And Good
To Say You Look Forward To Satan's Demise
But
That Will Only Happen
If
With The Lord Christ
To Eternal Life You Rise!

Do You Truly Know Yourself!?!
Do You Recognize That You Are A Sinner!?!
Do You Acknowledge That Only Jesus Saves!?! 

Do You Know That No Demon
That Not Even Satan Himself
Can Overcome A Sinner-Born

And

Now Repentant, Who

In Child-Like, Simple Trust
Casts Himself, Bodily, Boldly
Upon The Lord Jesus Christ!?!

The Lord Cannot Save ...!

... Anyone Who Is Not An Acknowledged Sinner!

No Sin ... No Salvation!

Better Put
No Acknowledged Sin ... No Required Salvation!

In Short, Brethren
No Contrition ... No Sorrow For Sin
No Pardon
No Peace
No Soul Relief

And

Damnation Going Unto
And 

Coming Up Out Of The Grave!

Oh, Dear!
That Doesn't Sound Healthy At All!

Couldn't Actually Be Healthy Either!

What We All Need
Is
New Mind
New Heart
New Motive
New Life ...!

... Create In Me A Clean Heart, Oh, God ...!

... And Renew ...!

... And Renew A Right Spirit ...!

... People Need The Lord!

Teach Me Thy Way, Oh, Lord!
Lead Me Gently Home!
Feed Me!
Guide Me!
Chide Me, Dear Lord
Because
Dying In Sin
Is 

A Luxury I Cannot Afford!

Do The Math ...

Only A Step To Jesus
Is 

All That It Takes To Be Cleansed!
Only A Step To Jesus
And
The Life Lived In Sin Comes To Its Just End!

Trust And Believe!
Walk Right And Receive!
Cast On Christ Your Sin Today
And
Wing Your Way To Glory
After Enduring All For Him
One Bright And Glorious Soon Coming Great Day!

So, Brethren
What Do We Now Say!?!

Do Not Indulge In Own-Sin Self-Pay!

Get Thee Unto Jesus And Say:

Lord, 

I Come To You Confessing

I Am A Sinner Each And Every Day!

I Sin By Word 

By Thought

By Deed

And I, Contrite

Willingly Acknowledge That

You Are My Savior

And

It Is You

Your Forgiveness

Your Blessing

That I Sincerely Need!

Please Hear My Prayer!

Dear Lord, 

Please Take Me Over! 

AMEN.

Pray, Pardon, And Purity + PRAYER: You Are My Light, Lord!

Brethren,

It Is Time For A Different Approach

So

Don't Just Pray For Pardon For Sin!
Pray For Purity Of Heart!
Pray The Promises Of The Living God
AND
Ask For The Indwelling Of God's Holy Spirit!
He Is Faithful!
He Will To Your Soul Impart!

Why Be Forgiven Of Sin ... Today
AND
Look To Sin
Today Tomorrow?!
Ask For The Peace That Passes Understanding

AND
For The Repair Of The Soul
AND
Trust In The Word Of God
That Leaf From The Tree Of Life
AND
By God's Grace
Make Heaven Your Soul's Sole Goal!
Get Off The Shoals Of Life
AND
Walk To The Rock To Be Broken!
Be Bold!

Let Christ ... The Answer
Answer Your Call!
Let Him Be Your Sin-Bearer!
He's Already Paid For You To Be Saved

For
God The Father Laid The Sin-Burden Of Us All Upon Him

AND
Only He Can Negate The Effects Of The Fall!

Know This Of A Surety ...

One Day Soon
Jesus Christ, Triumphant
Is Returning To This Blue Ball
AND
Only Those For Whom He Is Savior
Lord God
King And  High Priest Installed
Shall Rise Up
When He Calls
AND
Go Up To Glorious Heaven
Where Is Prepared
A Banquet For The Blessed Redeemed
One And All!

I Tell You The Truth ...

A Pure Heart Is A Thing Of Beauty
An Item Most Precious
AND
Only Those Who Possess This Heart
Shall See The Everlasting Father
The Prince Of Peace
The Conquering King
In Peace
AND
Shall Possess The Kingdom Of Light
AND
Hear The Courts Of Heaven Ring
To Their Eternal Delight
In The Land Of No Night!

Brethren,
This IS Worth The Fight!

PRAYER:

Come Into My Heart, Lord Jesus

Root Out Sin And Self From Me!

Impart To Me Of Your Sweet Spirit

To Guide Chide Lead Teach

And

Feed Me!

I Desire To Be Like You, Lord!

Walking With My God

And

Doing The Blessed Will

And

I Beseech You

Thou Master Of The Waves

Bid My Very Soul

In You

To Be Still!

You Are My Light, Lord

My Love

My Life

And

It Is You

In Whom Is My Relief

From Sin, Self, Sorrow

From Sadness

And

From Woe!

 

It Is From You, Lord

That I Accept The Truth

In The Beautiful Rainbow

And

The Promise Inscribed In Blood

The Comfort Of The Holy Spirit

And

The Protection Of The Holy Angels

Who Work For My Salvation

At Your Request

Thou God Of Hope

The Bearer Of Truth

Who Is Everlasting Love And Life!

Your Word, Lord

Is Sharper

Than Any Two-Edged Sword

And

It Is The Mighty Cleaver

That Will Separate

The Regenerated Soul From Self

And

Sure Disaster

And

I Beseech, You

Thou King Of My Life

To Do All For Me

That Only The Holy God Can

So That I Will See

The Place Prepared For Me

In The Most Glorious Land!

Heavenly Father, 

In Jesus Christ

Is My Joy

In Living In This Vale Of Tears

And

It Is In His Holy Name

That

I Pray For Faith

And

Plead For Grace

And

Hallelujah Blessings!

I Desire To See The Dear Face

And

Of The Water Of The River That Gives Life 

I Desire To Have A Constant Taste! 

AMEN.

WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION: The Record Keeper Of Life!

Amazing, Ain't It?!
A Stickler For The Rules Of Man
AND
A Rabid Breaker Of The Laws Of God!

Every Day It Is The Same Story!
Follow The Rules
AND
You Shall Prosper
AND
Yet
Theirs Is The Life Of:

Do As I Say Not As I Do!

Ramone, Please Stop
AND

Listen To Me!

Who Is It That Sits And Reigns
On The Throne Of Your Heart?
Who Is Your Comfort
In Life's Storms
AND

When Days Are Dark?
Who Is Your Protection?
Your Guardian?
Your Guide?
Your Stay?

Who Will Be Your Paymaster
When The Eastern Sky Shall Roll Away?

Keep Your Eyes
On Christ

AND
On Christ's Reward!
Please Do Not Fall
For The Distractions Of The Wilful Fraud
Whose Sworn Task
Is To Deflect The Light
Shining
From The Throne Of Grace
To Your Soul
AND
To Embitter Your Life
With The Minutiae Of
Fading Dying Mortal Life
So That You Can't See To

AND
Can't Walk
The Narrow Path
The Straight Way
In Jesus Christ
That Leads Those Children Faithful
Unto Eternal Life!

But, But ...!

You Are Not A Goat
So Stop Butting Around!
You Don't Wear Mime Paint
So Don't Act The Part Of The Clown!

Do Not Be Wilful!
Don't Walk In Your Own Way!
Live For The Commendation
From The Lord Christ
Who
- Even Now -
Is Heading Our Way!

Jesus Gave Us A Road Map
A Guide Post
A Light!
He Gives To Us Water
AND
The Bread Of Life!

Jesus Gives To Each Believer
An Angel Excelling In Strength
To Be Our Life Companion
To Help Us
AND

To Influence Us For Good
AND
To Protect Us
Until Life Be Spent!

Please Do Not Fall
For The Distractions

AND
The Drifts
Instigated By The Devil!
Keep Your Eyes Fixed On Jesus
AND
The Eternal Prize -
Home In God's Heaven!

You've Got Grace!
You've Got Hope!
You've Got Pardon For Sin!
Live Your Life For An Example!

You Know Truth

So Plant The Seed!
Someone Else May Water
BUT GOD- In His Time -
Will Give The Increase!

Do Not On The Way Falter!
Grow In Grace! GROW!

Man May Walk!
Man May Talk
BUT
Man Cannot Save His Own Soul
No Matter How Much They Squawk!

The Day Of Decision Is Coming
Every Man For Himself
So Do Not Neglect Your Duty
By Neglecting To Do
The Good That You Can!

Do Not Your Righteous Soul Vex

Over What Others Don't Do!
Look To The Son Of God
Jesus Christ
The Son Of Man

Who Is Coming To Judge You!

Refusing To Do Good
Neglecting To Do Right
Are The Same
As Committing Sin
AND

The Truths Of God
Forsaking!

Live Right - You Will Be Unpopular!
Let Not Those Who Desire The World
Stop You From Walking Faithful

AND

True
In The Sight Of The Holy God!

If You Go Against God

In The Day Of Christ's Coming
Your Soul Shall Be Quaking!

Do All For The Glory Of Your Lord!

Work Faithfully For Your Earthly Pay Master
AND
Do The Will Of The Lord -
He Has Perfect Records!

Man Rents Your Skills - That Is All!
Let Him Not Kill Your Love For God

AND

Don't Let Him Cause You To Be Marked

For Ill

In The Sight Of The Holy God!

I Guess ...!

Don't Guess!

I Now Truly Know
That I Need To Live For My Lord!

Amen, Brother!

Keep Your Eyes ...

...On Jesus!

HAPPY SABBATH + Professors Professing Profession Not In Their Possession!

I Professed Religion
AND
Religion Placed Me In A Church
BUT
- Truth Be Told -

My Character Shows
If 

I'm To Christ
Connected Or ... Not
AND
Determines Which Residence
- For Eternity -
I Deserve!

Church-Character
Or
Christ-Connected
Potato Tomato
Vegetable Fruit
I Say The Prayers!

I Give The Offerings!

I Pay The Tithes! - God Owes Me!
I Did Not Enter A Crap Shoot

So

When I Die - I Fly!

Hold Up, Big Man!
You Sound Like You And God Does Pitch Marbles!
You Must Be Drunk
For
You Are Beside Your Self!

The Only Thing God "Owes" You
FOR YOUR SINSIs A Six By Nine Grave
AND
At The End Of Time
A Permanent Bath
In The Fire And Brimstone Lake!
Are You Working For The Fake?!

But, Wait Though!
Why You Had To Go There?
You Can't Tek A Joke?
Your Sense Of Humor 'Pon A Lunch Break?!

I Have No Sense Of Humor
When It Comes To My Soul
AND
Neither Should You
IF
Highest Heaven 

- With The Lord Jesus Christ -

Is Your Goal!

I Used To Be Flippant
In Matters Of Faith!
Character Was An Alphabet Letter
AND
Lunch Was The Time For Grace!

Mercy Was An Old Slave
AND
Love Drove A Bank's Truck
AND
Jesus Was That Spanish Man
Who At The Store Sold Brooklax!

But ...

As Fate ...
Sorry ...
As The Lord Would Have It
I Met The Real Jesus
- Last Name Christ -
The Son Of The Father
Who Broke Satan's Trick Dice
AND
I Do Not Fear To Tell You
That I Have Been Changed
For
I Took Of Christ's Salvation
For A Repentance 

AND

Confession Exchange!

Sure You Did!

Brother, You Make Keep Your Skepticism
For
What I Say Is True!
Jesus Christ Set Me
On The Right Path Straight
AND
If You Let Him
He'll Give You A Fix-up, Too!

Jesus Took All The Garbage I Had!
He Forgave Me My Sin!
He Gave Me Free Grace
AND

True Mercy
AND

Set Aside For Me
In Heaven
- God's Home -
A Personally-Prepared Place!

I Have Invited The Holy Spirit
To Abide Within Me
AND
Though Facing Fierce Opposition

I Am Letting The Holy Spirit Have His Way

AND
Jesus Christ's Character
Is Being Revealed In Me!

I Now Have A Teachable Spirit!
I Approach The Living God As Would A Child
ANDI Am Determined
In The Tents Of Wickedness
Nevermore To Abide!

God Is Good All The Time!
All The Time
- Thank God -
God Is Good
Or I Would Not Be Here
To Tell You How I
In The Faith Of Jesus
With The Comfort Of The Holy Spirit
AND
Under The Protection Of The Holy Angels
The Devil Withstood!

There Have Been Good Days
Bad Days
AND 

Days Never Likely To Be Called Best
BUT

Thank God For Jesus

AND
His Saving Grace

I Will Never The Stench Of Hell Ingest!

Christ In Me
IS
My Hope For Glory
For
I, Humbled
Believe The Gospel Story!

I No Longer Play Church
Nor Practice Feel-Good Religion
For
The Oracles Of God
The Word Of Truth Does Proclaim
AND IHaving For Myself Read It

AND
Am Reading It
Will No Longer The Name Of God
Profane!

Please, I Beseech You

Make Christ Your True Portion
AND

Never Again
By Deliberation
Or Jest
His Holy Name Disdain!

I'm Sorry!

Dear Lord,

I Am Sorry!

Please Forgive Me My Sin

And Make Me Anew!

Please Remove My Stain

And Erase My Record

The Evidence Of My Shame

For

In The Name Of Jesus

I Humbly, Humbly, Plead!

AMEN.

DEVELOPING IN SIN: Arrested Development

I Met Salvation
On The Way
To Committing Sin
AND
I Met Comeuppance
On The Road To
That's Not The Way To Walk In!

I Had Walked Right
In My Own Sight
Leaning
Unto My Own Understanding
AND

I Paid Homage To
Do What Thou Wilt
AND
Soon Found Out That
My Soul Was Fair To Dying!

I Was Vain!
I Was Petty

AND
Pretty Arrogant 'Tis True
BUT
I Was No Different
From Harry Sally And Lou-Lou
Who
Talk Right
Live Wrong
Speak Lovingly Of The Lord
AND
Drink Of Life
With That Vile One
Gone Wrong
Who Works For The Very Devil
While Strenuously Conducting The Sanctuary Choir
At The Quarterly Service Of Song!

It's Amazing When You Don't Eat Pork
BUT
You Sell Your Pigs
To Fine Market
When You See Ada
Pushing Bread-Cart
AND
Fallen From Grace
Stepping High
Like Nothing Wrong
With Her Hand In
I Got This' Right Side Back Pocket
AND
Insult To Injury
You, Yourself, Realize
That Sam Couchie And The Duppy Doomed
Because
The Sermons Long Preached At Fancy Church
Was Lamb's Milk
Laced

With Magic Mushroom!

Well, Well, Well!
What A Fine Pass
We Have Arrived At
Going Real Fast
Forward
In A Vehicle
Apparently
With No Brakes
Or Reverse
BECAUSE
Brother Fuzzy
Sister Squeeze
AND
Hold Me Tight
Liked To Frequent Jezebel's Amply Stocked
To Overflowing
Spiritual Fornication Table
Which Always Sent Out Doggie Bags
To Regulars' Friends
Family
AND
Of Course
All The Members Of The Members' Churches
Whether In The Church Physical
On Video, Internet
Radio Or Cable!

Wait A Minute!
I Thought We Talking 'bout You?!

We Were
AND
We Are!
It Is All Pertinent!

Do You Know
How Far The Wind Can Reach?!

Huh?! No ...!

All You Know
Is It Passed By You
Sitting In A Motor Vehicle
42 Months Ago Last Spring
AND
"The Message" Still Getting Air-Play
For It Has Got Rhythm
AND
Nebuchadnezzar's Sound Of Music
Is Riotously
Thrillingly
Pulsating!

Wow! The Wind Does Indeed Talk!
Live And Learn!
Live And Learn!

I Don't Know About You
BUT
I Was Once A Fool
Who, In Essence, Said
Acted
Pretended
That There Is No God
But
In The Day With Comeuppance
First Words
Out Of My Mouth
Were:

God Help Me!
Please, God?! Help Me!
I'm Dying!
My Life Is Going South!

Isn't It Amazing
When Party Lights Are Illuminating
That Your Life Is On A Chill Pill
AND
On The Groove
Your Heart Is Pulsating
That When Apparent Death
Is Toward You Walking
You Automatically Know
That It Is
The Light Of Life
For Help
You Should Be Calling!

Been There!
Done That!
I Had A Season Ticket
To Death By Degrees
AND
Found Out
The Hard Way
That Sin ... The Disease
Does As It Darn Well Does Please
UNLESS
AND
UNTIL
Christ The Cure
Knocks At Your Heart
AND
You Willingly Open
AND
Invite Him
To Enter Through Your Unblocked Front Door!

I Know!
He Knocked!
I Answered!
We Sat Down To Eat!
It Was A Simple Supper
BUT
God Be Praised
It Was Sweet, Sweet!

There Were No Babylonian Wines!
No Pharisee Leaven!
No Look-Back Salt-Licks
AND
No Fig Trees Around Found Barren
BUT
There Was
Bread Of Heaven
AND
Water
Flowing Freely
From The River Of Life
AND
The Touch Of The Master's Hand
AND
The Comfort Of The Holy Spirit Thereafter
AND
The Protection Of The Holy Angels
Because
I Had Set The Table For Our Meal
With Choicest Confession
AND
Repentance!

I Suddenly Found That

I Had No Time For Hold Out
Hold Back
Nor Keep It In!

I Served Up Of-Sin: A Gully Washer
AND
Christ The Cure
Provided Full Cleansing
Made Up Of
Pardon For Sin
Peace That Endureth
Grace For The Day
Faith For The Way
Love Without Limit
Mercy For Me
AND
A Drop Of The Blood
Of The True Sacrifice
The Son Of The Father
Jesus The Christ
The Only One Holy!

And, Then ...

There Was Rejoicing In Heaven
The Strains Of Which
Man Has Never Heard
Over The Lost Sheep
Found
Repentant
Returned
To The Safe Fold Of God!

I Will Say This
Brother, Sister
It Was All Done
Not A Moment Too Soon
For
Liar The Lion Was Raging
Licking His Lips
For
Hell Had Mutton Stew
Fresh Killed
On Decimation Mankind's
Unchangeable Price Fixe Menu!
He Was Aiming For His Fill!

Too Bad For Him!
I Was Safe
In The Arms Of Jesus!

Sooooo ...

What's Happening Now, My Friend?!

I Read Old King James
For My Self -
A Thus Saith The Lord
Is My Guide!
God Said It!
I Believe It!
In Heavenly Love
I Sincerely Abide!

I Offer Up Myself
A Living Sacrifice ...!

... I Know! Right On!

... It Is My Reasonable Service!
I Worship The Lord Of Life
With Delight
AND
My House
- No Longer On Sand -
But On The Sure Foundation
Is Being Rebuilt
In A Peaceful Glade!
I No Longer Sing The World's Favorite Song!

Storms Of Life
Winds Of Strife
AND
Calls To Flesh
Come In Abundance
BUT
Truth Is Bought!
I Sell It Not
AND
Wisdom
Is My Shop Attendant!

The Grace Of God
Constrains Me
To Not Become Self-Willed!
I Stand Up For Jesus Christ
I Obey
I Trust My Life
To The One Who Gives
AND
IS
Life
AND
By Striving For The Mastery
Praying - Spirit Leading -
I Cannot
By Powers
Principalities
Wickedness In High Places
Nor Satan Himself
Be Overthrown!

In Jesus
I Shall Not Make Shipwreck Of Faith
For
There Is Waiting For Me
- In Heaven -
A Sure And Certain Place!

Thank God For Grace!

Thank GOD For Grace!