PRAYER: Father, Seal Us For The Strife!

Lord, 

Have Mercy On Us Who Care!

Have Mercy On Us Who Pray!

Have Mercy On Us

Who Look For The Day

When The Great God Of Glory

The Conquering King

In Splendor And Beauty

In The Eastern Sky

Shall Appear!

Father Most Faithful

In Truth 

I Come Before You

Saying The Name "Jesus!"

For I Am Petitioning You

For Favor

For Blessing

In Love 

And

With Trust

Please, I Beseech

Harken To The Words

Of This Child Of The Dust!

I Am A Mere Mortal

Approaching Unto The God

That Is Consuming Fire

Knowing

That Without Jesus

My Position Would Be My Funeral Pyre

But

Jesus Christ

The Beloved

My Accepted Savior And Lord

With His Innocent Blood

Made Provision For Me

So That I Can To You

Reach Higher And Higher!

I Am Human

A Creature Of Unclean Lips

Unclean Hands

Impure Thoughts

Deceitful Heart

And

I Sin Against You, Father

In Thought

Word

And

Deed

And

Often Behave

As One Who Knows Not

That I Have The Need

To Confess My Sin

To Repent Of Evil Ways

To Plead For Forgiveness

To Walk In Narrow Paths

And

To Abide In Straight Ways!

Father,

I Need Your Green Pasture

I Need Your Oil To Anoint My Poor Head!

I Need The Still Water Of Life!

I Desire The Bounty From You

With Which Only The Faithful Are Fed!

I Desire The Protective Services

Of Angelic Companions

Who Excel In Strength

And

I Desire The Peace

That Passes Human Understanding!

I Desire To Reside In Your Tent!

Father,

My Father

I Do Truly Love You

Even Though There Have Been Times

When I Have Acted

As Though I Do Not Know

Or Own You!

Forgive Me! - I Am Sorry!

I Hang My Head In Great Shame

For I Repent

Were It Possible

In Sack Cloth And Ashes

For The Many Times

I Have Brought To Your Holy Name

Great Shame

For I Did It Profane!

Father,

In This Hour

I Do Not Ask For

Bread

Shelter

Shoes

Or

Clothes

For

With Yesterday's Blessing

I Already Have Those!

My Petition

- By Faith -

Is For Today's Measure Of Increase!

I Need

Faith For My Journey

Grace For My Head

Mercy For My Person

And

To Be Holy Spirit Lead

Even As I Am Comforted

That My Redemption

By Christ's Salvation

Is Just Up Ahead!

Father,

I Covet That One Thing

That Many Men

Many Bright Minds

Totally Discount!

My Heart To You

Is Totally Open!

Fill Me From The Fount

That Fount Of Every Blessing

The Fount That Is The Rock

The Rock That Is My Salvation

For Which Striving

I Am Ever Under Attack!

Father,

I Need The Promised Protection

You Ordain For Those

Who

- By Your Leading -

Will Follow You

And Grow

And

Continue Growing In Grace

And Keep Walking

Going To The Eternal City

At Which Entrance

They'll Have The Right To Enter The Gate

And

Will Never From Your Lips

Hear:

"No, I Know You Not!

Away From Me, Go!"

Lord,

My Heart Is Full - Fill Me!

My Faith Is Strong - Strengthen Me!

My Will Is Yours - Take It!

Sin Has A Hold On My Human Nature - Break It!

Father,

I Accept The Wedding Invitation

And

I Truly Love The Wedding Garment

Which

To Me, You Do Provide!

Help Me To Keep It Spotless

So That In The Great Day

- From Your Majesty -

I Will Not Run To The Rocks And Hills

Beseeching Them

My Vile Personage To Hide!

Lord,

I Am Coming Home

With My Jesus

And

I Am Giving To You My Will

And

My Way

And

I Fully Expect You

To Make Homecoming So!

I Am Determined

- By Your Provided Grace -

To Cooperate With You

So, Please

Help Me To Remember

The Living Word

So That I May Thrash The Evil One

With A

"Thus Saith The Lord!"

And

Chase Him Away

From Outside My Door!

Remember, Lord

The Lost

The Lonely

The Demon-Possessed

The Devil-Oppressed

The Beguiled

The Benighted

Even Those Who Are

Devil-Worshippers

Proudly Foolishly

Coined And Styled!

Remember, Lord

Your Faithful

Your Grace-Filled

Your Fearing, Caring, Few

Some - Even Now - Already

Persecuted

Prosecuted

Tormented

Imprisoned

And

Being Murdered

For You

And Your Holy Word

Immutable

True!

 

Father,

We Believe

We Love

We Trust

We Honor

We Worship You

And

We Obey

And, Lord

Please

In The Name Of The Holy Jesus

Seal Us For The Coming Conflict

And

For Our Sakes

- As You Promised -

Shorten The Day Of Jacob's Trouble

For The Elect's Sake

And

By Your Will

And

In Your Known Way

Hasten, Lord, Hasten

The-King-Is-Coming Day!

Until Then, Lord

Defend!

We Love You

And

We Bless You

And

Ask You With Humility

In Jesus Christ's Name

Our Few Petitions

To Grant

According To Your Pleasure

And

In Your Way!

AMEN.

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!!!