Showing posts with label Temptations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Temptations. Show all posts

Monday, July 25, 2022

DOUBT DESTROYS: Look Up To Jesus Christ With Hope ... And Live!




We Love To Sing "All The Way My Savior Leads Me!" 
But
In The Midst Of Daily Trial And Constant Temptation
Necessary Test And Internal Torment 
We Suddenly Forget Who Is The One We Call Savior
And 
The Prophesied And Blood-Promised Destination 
To Which We Are Being Led! 

Beloved, 

Satan The Adversary Is The Liar: 
Jesus Christ Our Savior, Our Creator
The Holy God
The Only Wise God
Is 
The Truth! 

We, Even When We Have Been Unfaithful To The Faithful One
And 
Have Gone A-Whoring After 
The Truthless And Useless Things Of This Life
Have Abundantly Seen The Providences
The Wonderful Provision And Saving Graces Of 
Our Blessed Jesus! 

This Present Time, Dear Ones
Is 
Not The Time To Become Faint-Hearted
Denying
And 
Doubtful About The Goodness Of Our God! 

I Pray That We Will Stand With The Brave 
Knowing Jesus 
And 
Telling The World That It Is He, Alone
Who Always Saves! 

Doubt Destroys! 

Look Up To Jesus With Hope ... And Live!
















Wednesday, July 13, 2022

You Can't Take Off Your HAT!?!




Brethren, Beloved, 

How Well Are You Wearing Your HAT!?! 

I Do Not Wear A Hat! 

If You Knew What Almighty God Knows
You Would Wear Your HAT Humbly And Thankfully
Giving God His Praise For What He Is Accomplishing In Your Life! 

I Don't Wear A Hat!

You're A Christian Aren't You!?! 

Yes, I Am! 

Then You're Wearing A HAT ... A Customized HAT! 

What Are You Talking About!?!

I Am Talking About HAT 
Aka Hardships, Adversities, And Temptations! 
Every Committed-To-Christ Christian Has That HAT! 

I Wish Someone Had Told Me This Earlier! 

Why!?! 

So That I Could Just Take It Off And Be Free! 

Oh, Dear!?! 

What Do You Mean By "Oh, Dear!?!" 

I Mean That You Can't Take Off Your HAT! 
Your HAT Is Necessary For Your Everlasting Salvation
Your Present Peace
Your Hope
And 
For The Anchor That Secures You To The Rock Of Our Salvation 
In These Times 
Living With This Untoward Generation! 

Oops! 
It's My Turn To Say: "Oh, Dear!" 

You're Welcome! 

Thank You Kindly! 

Please Remember That Your Custom-Made HAT 
Is 
Removed By Your Master-Maker
Healer-Sealer
Hope-Help
And 
Savior-Sanctifier
The One You Trust Who Is The Truth: 
Draw Near To Him! 

Peace!















Saturday, November 13, 2021

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH + MAKING THE CHOICE: Heaps Of Cash OR Hope For Heaven!?!






Of What Are You Made!?! 
... And ... 
Is What You Are Made Of Causing You 
To Respond To The Call Of The Master For Good Or For Ill!?! 

Beloved, 

The Sun, The Son, Shines Upon The Good And The Evil 
And 
The Outcome For Both Is As Different As Night Is From Day! 

If You Place A Candle In The Sun
The Candle Melts! 
If You Place Soap In The Sun
The Soap Hardens! 

Why The Divergent Response!?! 
Is There Favoritism Involved!?! 
No! 

When We Are Seeking After Christ 
And 
His Righteousness 
With The Desire To Be Like Christ
Willing To Embrace Him And His Ways
We Willingly Give Up All That Defiles Us 
Or Weighs Us Down 
Or Stops Us From Being Free In Jesus! 

When We Want The Lord's  Blessings And Benefits 
Minus The Trials, Tests
And 
Overcoming Temptations 
Even Unto Getting Rid Of Inappropriate Associations
Bad Habits, Attitudes, And Ideas
And 
Unprofitable Ideals
We Become Inured, Hardened, To The Truth! 

Like The Rich Young Ruler
We Turn Away From The Master Who Loves Us 
And 
Return To Our Treasures
- Which Will Turn To Dust
And Testify Against Us In The Judgment - 
Because 
That Is What We Choose To See
Choose To Acknowledge
Choice To Desire! 

Short-Cuts Are Usually Long 
And 
The Quick Way To Riches 
Is 
Usually The Leisurely Path To Damnation!

Set Sights Secure Seats: 
Of What Material Are You Constructing Your Long Home!?! 

Jesus Christ, Alone
Can Change The Heart Of Stone Into The Heart Of Flesh 
So Let Us Dare To Let Him Make Us Anew This Very Day
The Day Of Salvation! 
Please Do Not Harden Your Heart!

Going To Almighty God's Heaven
The Long Home Of The Eternally Blessed
Is
A Personal Choice! 
Please Choose To Cooperate With Christ! 
Peace! 






Sunday, February 28, 2021

TEMPTATION: You Know The Devil's Devices!







There Is No Sin In Being Tempted
But
There Is A Problem With 
Being Regularly Tempted By The Same Sin!

Falling Into Divers Aka Different Temptations 
Suggests Onward, Upward, Mobility In Our Christian Growth! 
All Christians Must Grow Up In Grace!

Beloved, 

Nobody Plans To Fall! 
Falling Happens When One Is Unaware Of A Pitfall
Is Careless About One's Surroundings 
Or One Just Loses One's Balance! 

We Are Warned Of The Devil's Devices 
And
We Know 
And 
Should Be Within The Hedge Of Protection That 
The Lord Provides For His People! 

When We Find Ourselves Being Tempted By 
And
Giving Into The Same Temptation 
And
Committing The Same Sin Repeatedly
We Need To Take Stock Of Our Thoughts
Look At Those With Whom We Are Walking
And
Reevaluate Our Commitment To Christ 
And
Our Growth In His Grace! 

The Temptation
That Is Not
Forcefully Resisted
The First Time That It Appears
Comes Back Harder And Harder To Resist
Each Time That We Fail To Overcome It!

Think Carefully ...

A Healthy And Fit Person Crawling Like A Baby 
Has A Problem Which Must Be Patiently Corrected 
And
Likewise The Christian Who Is Not Forcefully
Patiently, Prayerfully
Daily Conquering The Minor Temptations 
To Grow Strong Spiritual Muscles 
To Deal With The Major Temptations Known Up Ahead! 

Be Wise ... 

Don't Play With Temptation! 
Chop Off Temptation's Head By The Word Of Truth
And
Stay Constantly In Prayer:
Take Your Burden To The Lord
Pray For The Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit
Take The Living God At His Holy Word
And
Dare To Walk ... Enduringly ... In Unfailing Faith!
Jesus Christ ... Alone ... Saves!


Your Temptation
Is
Dressed To Thrill You!
Have A "Thus Saith The Lord"
At The Ready To Decimate It!





Friday, February 28, 2020

HAPPY SABBATH + Unrepentant Sinners!?!


Image result for happy sabbath


Brethren,

Pay Very Close Attention!

A Sinner Is How You're Born!
A Disobedient Sinner Is Your Preferred 
Dare I Say Chosen, Lifestyle! 
Problem Is, Though
A Disobedient Sinner
Willful By Choice
Is
Nothing More Than A Traveller's Five-Pack Of 
Cheap, Easily Replaceable, Disposable Razor Blades!

You're Useful As Long As You're Usable!
Lose Your Edge
Your Willingness To Disrespect
Doubt, Disobey, Denigrate, Disbelieve 
Disparage, Deny, Defy, Dishonor Your Creator
Savior, Redeemer, Judge, King
Lord, God, Healer, Sealer, Teacher
Provider, Sustainer, Protector
And
You Lose Your Pick ... With Prejudice
And
Unfortunately For You
Your Christ-Bought And Paid For 
Very Expensive To The Father, Life
Becomes A Cherished Prize For The Devil
He Who Started The Carnal Strife! 

A Willful, Disobedient, Sinner Is A Fool! 
His Actions Say That He ... Indeed 
Believes That There Is No God
Or Better Put
No God Almighty Who Has Control Over His Life
Or His Ability To Remain Alive 
By His Own Power And Choosing! 

An Unrepentant Sinner Is An Even Bigger Fool
Because
He Believes The Lies Of The Devil! 
He Purchased The Bulk Pack At The Five And Dime
At The .99 $cents Store
And
He Is Doing His Utmost
To Open And Explore The Enveloped Door! 
To Him ... Sinning Is Not A Chore! 
To Him ... Every Hit Is A Major Score! 

We, Faithful, Obedient, Believers Have The Savior! 
His Name Is Christ Jesus! 
Those Ignoring Him Do Not Make His Less! 

We Have The Adversary! 
His Name Is The Devil, The Dragon, The Serpent, Satan! 
Those Acknowledging Him Do Not Make Him More! 

We Have The Certain Hope! 
It Is Called Free Salvation! 
It Is The Gift Of One Short Lifetime! 
Ignoring, Rejecting, And Refusing It Makes You Less
But
Acknowledging, Accepting, Appreciating ... Utilizing 
And 
Realizing Its Potential
Makes You More And Better Every Day:
Salvation Is The Work Of One's Short Lifetime! 

Humble Yourselves!
Pray Always!
Turn Away From Your Sin
And
The Lord Will Hear From Heaven
And
Being Faithful And Just
He Will Forgive You Of Your Known Sin
And
Will Heal The Land That Is Your Troubled Life! 

But How Can I Be Land When I'm A Human!?! 

Good Question! 
Please Refresh Our Memories While You Answer This Question:

What Did Jesus Christ Use 
To Create Adam On The Sixth Day Of Creation Week!?! 

Oh, That's Easy! 
Jesus Used The Dust Of The Earth! 

And What Do We Popularly Call The Dust Of The Earth!?! 

Dirt! 

And Where, Pray Tell, Is Dirt Found!?! 

On The Ground, On The Land ...! 

... Please Don't Stop Now! 
What, Then, Is Your Life!?! 

My Land! It's My Land
And I Have To Work It Properly
If I Desire To Have A Bountiful Harvest Of Good Fruit
If I Desire To Go To The Father's House With Jesus! 

So, Do You Desire To Go Home To Be With Our Jesus!?! 

You Know That I Want To! 
I'm Just Weak, Is All! 

That's Good! 

Whaaat?!?! 

If You're Weak 
And Humbly Acknowledge It Before The Lord
And Sincerely Ask For Help
Jesus Christ Will Give You Of His Strength
Because 
You Choose To Be One Of His
And
He Takes Good, Loving, Faithful Care
Of All Who Are His Own Children ... By Sacrifice!

What Do You Mean By Sacrifice!?! 

I Mean That You Give Up Your Willfulness! 
Give Up Your Waywardness! 
Give Up Lying, Cheating, Stealing
Fornicating, Adultery, Drugs, Alcohol
All Of Whatever Wrong Habit
Behaviors, Tendencies, Indulgences
That You Cultivate, Practice, Publish And Purvey 
And
Take On Christ's Life Of Obedience To The Will Of The Father! 
Give Up Walking As One Own-Way!

Jesus Christ Says:
If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments! 
He Also Says Do Good And Be Blessed! 
He Also Says Trust Him ... And Obey! 
You Must Walk In The Light That Is Life
And
To Do That
It Means You Must Come Out Of The Shadows
Out Of The Darkness! 

All Of The Lord's People Are Children Of The Light!

Indeed!
They Choose Not To Walk In The Darkness
And
All Of The Things They Do
Are Open And On Display 
Before Almighty God, His Holy Angels And Men! 

We Do Not Fear Reproof Because Our Deeds Are Not Evil! 

Beloved, 

Here's A Thought For Us, All, To Chew Upon:






There Is No Sin In Being Tempted: 
The Sin Comes From Yielding ... Giving In ... To Temptation! 

Our Own Jesus Christ Was Tempted With The Same Temptations 
That All Mankind Must Face And Overcome: 
The Lust Of The Flesh 
The Lust Of The Eye 
And 
Lord Help Us All
That Bug-Bear The Pride Of Life! 

Jesus Christ Overcame Them All With 
"It Is Written...!" 

Knowing And Obediently Using 
The Word Of God ... Our Sharp Sword
Will Lead To Our Acquiring The Crown Of Life 
Which Jesus Purchased For Us At Infinite Expense! 

The Lord Provides Our Way Of Escape
From Our Every Temptation So Remember Three Words:

  • Jesus Christ Saves! 
  • I'm Not Alone! 
  • Resist The Devil! 
  • Endure All Things! 
  • Acquire The Crown! 

Jesus Christ
Is
The Word Of God: Learn Of And Trust The Word
And 
Thrust Your Sword Into Satan Joyfully! 
Untold Blessings Await Us!
Here's To Wonderful Peace!


 

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

CHOOSING SATAN OR THE SAVIOR: You Cannot Be Forced!

Beware The Handshake
The Pat On The Shoulder
The Kiss On The Cheek
The Knife In The Back
From The Friend Who Is Foe
The Foe Who Is Fiend
The Merciless Adversary
Whose Heart Is Devilish ... Unclean!

Look Up To Jesus
The Author ... The Finisher Of Our Faith
The Giver Of Good Gifts
The Lord Of Creation
The God Holy Whose Words Are Ever Plain
Who Blesses
Who Rewards
Whose Tongue Is Not Forked
Who Heart Is Pure ... Wisdom
Who Love For Us ... To Save Us
Caused Him To Earth To Come Down!

One Is Light, Love, Hope, Truth, Righteousness!
The Other Is Darkness, Hate, Despair, Lies, Unrighteousness!
The One Who Is Light 
Is 
Love Offering Eternal Life
In The Mansions Of The Blessed!

The Other Who Is Darkness 
Is 
Hate Offering Eternal Damnation
With A Christless Life As A Precursor
To A Godless Death
Leading To Condemnation
And
The Prophesied Damnation
And
Eternal Separation From Him Who
Paid With His Holy, Blameless, Life
To Rid Our Souls Of Known Sin's Shame!

Jesus Loves Us 
Died To Save Us
Lives To Save Us
And 
He Saves Us!
Satan Hates Us
An
Works To Destroy Us

And

We Have The Choice To Make
As To Whom We Shall Follow!

Will You Choose Life As Found In Christ Jesus
Or
Will You Choose Death As Found In Satan
And
From Which, Friend
There Is No Coming Back To Living Again!?!

Live As One Forgiven
And
Living For Jesus Christ
And 
Die As One Faithful To Jesus Christ
And
Rise To Live ... To Eternally Live
With Jesus Christ The Righteous Judge
The Conquering King!

Live In Sin For Satan
And
With Sin Unconfessed
And
Unforgiven
Die Willfully Unrepentant For Satan
And
Rise To Die Again ... Damned
Eternally Separated From The Lord Of Life
Jesus Christ The Lord 
The King Of Earth And Glory
The God Of Creation
Our Only Savior!

The Decision Is Yours ... Alone!
You Cannot Be Forced!
You Cannot Be Coerced:

You Will Be Encouraged To Deny Self, Sin And Satan
And
To Choose Life In Christ By Christ
Through The Holy Spirit Of Truth

And

You Will Be Sorely Tempted To Exalt Self
And
To Deny Jesus Christ's Personal Sacrifice For You 
And
Denigrate His Power To Save You
By The Adversary Of Souls, Satan!

You Will Be Tempted
But
Never Beyond Your Endurance To Resist
When You Reside In The Lord's Camp
Because
With The Temptation You Receive
- Which Is Common To Man -
The Lord Will Provide You With A Way Of Escape
So That In Triumph ... Against The Merciless Adversary
You May Victoriously Stand!

Brethren, Beloved

Be Wise Unto Your Own Soul's Salvation!
Grace Is Free!
Mercy Is Free!
Salvation Is Free!
Faith Is Free!
Forgiveness Is Free!
Blessings Are Free!
Heaven Is Free
But
To Get To Hell
You Will, Personally, For Your Own Ticket
With Your Own Blood
Your Purchased Soul
Have To Pay!

When We Don't Know Who Jesus Is

We Also Do Not Know Or Appreciate
The Blessings And Privileges Available To Us
Or Are Able To Utilize The Gifts Of Love
Presented To Us For Our Own Soul's Salvation
By Available Grace
And
Free Mercy
Compliments Of The Lord Christ
- Almighty God With Us -
Who Is For Us!

Choose Life ... In Jesus Christ!






Wednesday, April 20, 2016

CONFESSION: Through It All ...






God Knows
I Have Been Disobedient
Recalcitrant
AND
Obdurate
AND
He Knows
That I Have Hates
And - Often - Would
If It Were Possible
His Word Of Condemnation For Sin
Obviate!

That's Sinner-Me Talking!

God Knows I Have Pet Peeves
Pet Sins
AND
Petty Ways
AND
God Knows
There Have Been
Numerous Times When
I've Been Too Angry
To Calm Down
AND
Say To Him My Prayers!

That's My Willful Self Talking!

BUT ...

Through It All
Almighty God Knows That I Love Him
Even On The Days When I Go Out
On The Limb
Brittle
Cracking
Over  The Dry Lake
Refusing The Call
To Turn Back
Lest I Fall

AND ...

Even In The Day
When
Tormented By Terrors
By Life's Inadequacies
When The Way Forward
Looks Backward At Me
AND
I - In My Distress -
Repent
AND
Call Out To Him
Knowing Truly
- In My Own Deceitful Heart -
That The God Of Heaven
IS
God
The Only God
The ONLY GOD ... Worth Serving!

This Is This Sinner-Saved - By Grace - Rejoicing!


Thank You, Father
For
Your Blessing On Me!
I Love You!



Saturday, March 26, 2016

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: PRAYER: ... For A New Heart!





Dear Father,
I Desire Of You As I Pray
A New Heart
Pristine As The New Day
Holding
No Envy
No Malice
No Hatred
No Greed
No Bigoted Intentions
No Corruptions To Feed!

No Gluttony
No Guile
No Penchant For Pride
No Possibility For Base Passion
No Smells In The Nose That Will The New Heart Defile!

No Ning-Nings
No Nudges
No Sarcastic Forays
No Listings
No Lustings
No Angry Displays!
Lord, Please Help Me Keep That Satan Away!

Lord,
Just Give Me A New Heart
New From Your Heart
That Will Honor Your Presence
Is My Humble Pray!
Lord, Set Me Apart!

I Love You,  Lord!
Help Me To Love You Aright
In The Day Light 
and
Through The Dark Night!
Through Wins and Loses
The Fights 
and 
The Flights
Until The Dawning Of The Glorious Coming
Of The Living Holy Jesus' Light!
AMEN.