From This Moment On ...! + PRAYER: I Cannot Live Like This ...! Lord, I Love You!

I Had In My Heart
A Little Jesus
AND
I Had In My Heart
A Lot Of My Self!
There Was A Battling Raging
AND
Each Desired The Other
To Take A Knee
On The Back Shelf!

I Often Talked A Walk
I Was Not Walking!
I Often Walked A Talk
About Which I Was Uncomfortable To Enthusiastically Speak
AND
This Was Making My Life Uncomfortable
AND
I Really Needed Heavenly Relief!

PRAYER:

Lord,

I Can Not Live Like This Any Longer!

Please, Do Something For Me!

Open My Eyes

My Ears

My Heart

My Head

Grant Me Understanding!

Lord, God Almighty

Please Grant Me Some Relief!

I Did Not Hear A Stern Voice Speaking!
I Did Not Even Hear A Soft Voice Whispering Inside My Head
BUT
With The Passage Of Time
I Noticed
That Past Pleasures Seemed Asinine
AND
I Was More Toward Faithfulness
To God's Ways
Steadfastly Inclined!

Nonsense Made No Sense!
Defiance Was No Defense!
Recalcitrance Made Me Seem Dense
AND
I Was Studiously Eager
To Get Off
The Waffler's Shaking Fence!

I No Longer Found Pleasure In Waywardness!
I No Longer Found Pleasure In Walking The Contrarian Way!
I No Longer Found Pleasure
In Arguing For Both Satan And God
AND
Finally Recognized
Realized
That I Did Not At All Like Trying 
Against God
To Be In The Right!

Prayer Changed Things!
I No Longer Wanted With Jesus Christ
A Mere Fling!
I Wanted A Commitment!
I Wanted To Belong!
I Wanted To Be With The Lover Of My Soul
AND
I Wanted The Relationship
To Be Permanently
Enduringly
Forever Long!
I Wanted Us!
I Wanted In Him To Never Grow Old!

PRAYER:

Lord,

I Love You!

You See 

Know

My Heart

Better Than I Do!

Please, Won't You Take Me 
In Your Loving Hand

And

Be To Me
My All And All?

When I Ignore You

I Feel Scattered

And
Bereft!

Please, Hold Me

Enfold Me

Keep Me Close

To That Sacrificial Heart 

In Your Spear-Pierced Side
That Sin Cleft!

Forgive Me

For My Myriad Follies!

Forgive Me

For Giving In To My Lying Wants
Adjudged To Be My Needs

But Was Indeed My Gross Greed!

Forgive Me

For Doubting Your Living Holy Word!

Forgive Me

For From You Looking Away!

Forgive Me

For Giving Place To The Devil!

I Am Sorry, Lord!

Forgive Me!

I Beseech You, Please

Is My Penitent Heart's Humble Pray!

From This Moment On

Help Me

In You

To Be Strong!

Give Unto Me Music

For My Satisfied-With-Jesus Song

So That

In The Day A-coming

I May Joyously Sing 

With The Redeemed

In The Overcomer's Glorying Throng!

Thank You, Lord

For Hearing And Answering My Prayer

Presented In The Name Of My Lord

Jesus Christ The Righteous
In Whose Faith I Live
And Breathe!

AMEN!

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: Dangerous Ground

It Is A Dangerous Thing
To Willfully Choose
To Denigrate God 
AND
His Holy Word
Just Because
It Is An Intellectual Pursuit
AND
It Is Dangerous, I Tell You
To Believe
That You Are Protected
By Your Scientifically-Inspired
Engineer-Designed
Non-Stick aka Teflon
AND
Fire-Proof Suit!

Man Is Not Destroyed
For Not Believing The Truth!
Man Is Destroyed
For Choosing
To Believe The Lie
That Satan
- He Of Gross Malice -
Is Serving Up On A Gold Chalice
Surrounded By Incense Odors
Covering The Stench Of The Decaying Bodies
- Of The Souls Forever Lost To Jesus Christ -
That Build His Palace!

Truth Is Truth!
It Needs No Polish
No Color
No Spin!
All That Truth Requires
Is Faith 
AND
Belief 
In The Word
- The Character -
Of The Holy One Speaking!

Start From A Position Of Strength
Believe He Is
Trust That He Will
Walk As If He Is Doing
AND
Soon
In His Faithfulness
You Will Be Partaking!

I Beseech You, Dear Ones
Beloved Of The One Who Died!
Trust Not In Academics
Nor In Pastors, Preachers
Popes, Priests, Princes
Presidents Nor Parliamentarians
Merchants Nor Traders
Monied Storytelling Nor Illuminated Elite
Who For Mammon
Do Enthusiastically Lie!
Nor Mommy Nor Daddy
Neither Friend
Family Nor Foe
Who
Following The World
The Living God Decries!

God Said!
Believe It!
He Created Us!
Honor Him!
He Preserves Us!
Bow Before Him!
He Bought Us!
Walk To Him!
He Calls Your Name!
Don't Balk! Just Go!

Wickedness Is Easy To Do!
Righteousness Requires Strength
So Ask The Living God To Help You!
Live For The Lord
For He Is Returning To This Earth Very Soon
AND
Who Knows?
It Could Be A Bright Morning
A Dusky Evening
Or The Very High Noon!

Selling Your Soul

For Merchantable Goals

Is A Game

That Has Hands

That Always Will Fold

So ...

Trust Your Soul

To Him

Whose Breath Made You

A Living Soul

To Him

Who Has Fire-Tried Gold

That Will Never Turn Rancid

Nor Valueless-Old!

*********

Faith - Just Like Prayer

Changes Everything!

HAPPY SABBATH + Where Is The Everyday Thanks?!

Confession

Is Good For The Soul!

Unrepentance

Makes The Sinner Most Bold!

Comeuppance

Has For Herself A Lofty Place

AND

Life

Has An Uncanny Knack

For Dealing Disgrace 

To Those With Pride

Sowed

In Their Heart

And

Marked

On Their Face!

Food Shelter
Clothing Peace
Happy Children Health
License Land Lease
Work Water
No Sorrow To Bear!
Walks Through Willfulness!
Of Pettiness
AND
Foolishness
I Even Had A Substantial Share!

Thoughtlessness
Stinginess
Wildness
Waywardness
Faultlessness
Of Recklessness
I Can Tell You
I Spared Not A Tear!

You Could Have Been Dead!

Dead?! Me?!
You Must Be Kidding!
The World Was My Oyster!
My Life Was My Pearl
AND
I Wore It On A Gold Chain
AND
I Treated The Living God
As One Does A Churl!

But ...

The Day Came ...

...  And Someone Said:

It Would Be Better 

If People Would Try To Give God "Thanks!" 

On A Daily Basis 

Rather Than Waiting 

Until There Is Food Involved!

And Then ...

Contrary 
To My Perfect Conception Of My Life 
Comeuppance Was Glorified ...!

And I ...!

You Should Have Heard Me Praying:

Dear Lord,

Let Me Give You

Thanks And Praise Today

For I Don't Have Tomorrow

Far Less Next Week!

I Don't Know 

How The Tide Of My Life Will Turn

Or That I Will Be Able To Utter 

Even A Tired Mouse Squeak!

Father, My Heart In Me Burns!
Forgive Me For Taking The Life You Gave

And Doing As I Well Pleased!

Forgive Me For Eating My Daily Bread

Without Feeling The Desire To Say In Gratitude:

Thank You, Lord, For Filling My Need!

Lord,

I Have Been A Total Ingrate

Taking Your Bounty For Granted As I Overfilled

My Overflowing Plate!

Please

Accept My Contrite Heart's Apology!

Please Forgive My Descent Into The Realm Of Satan

That Greedy Reprobate

And Help Me To Walk

According To Your Calling

And Doing It Now

Rather Than When It Is Too Late

And

I Am Forced To Say:

Lord, Please Save Me Now!

Thank You For The Tears That Flow!

Thank You For The Grace You Bestow!

Thank You For The Mercies

Seen And Unseen
Known And Unknown
Unexpected And Unappreciated

And

Thank You For Christ's Sacrifice

That Makes This Wretch

By Confession

And Repentance

Forgiven

And

Clean!

It Is Good To Give A Gift 
Of Heartfelt Thanks
And Glorious Praise 
Unto Our Almighty God!
Amen!

Indeed!

Let Us, In Heartfelt Appreciation

- Today And Every Day -

Thoughtfully Say To Him 

Who Daily Provides:

"Father,

I Give Unto You My Heartfelt Thanks 

For All My Blessings

Even Though Your Giving

Is Not Dependent Upon My Thanks!"

PRAYER: I Desire Of You, Lord...!

Oh, Lord

I Come With A Thankful Heart

For The Myriad Blessings And Bounties

You Unstintingly Bestow

Being Glad To Know My Jesus

And

Pleading For Help

The Holy Way Never To Depart!

Father,

I Pray For Enough To Be Sufficient!

I Pray Not For Plenty To Be More!

I Desire Contented To Be My Spirit

And

I Pray For Continuing Guidance 

To Make It Through Your Front Door!

I Pray For Hands That Are Giving!

I Pray Not For Hands Always In Receipt!

I Pray For A Comforting Spirit

And

For The Spirit Of Willingness

Ever Ready To Help A Brother Sister In Need!

I Pray For The Spirit Of Discernment

To See And Accept The Plain Truth

And

To Detect And Deny The Petticoated Lie!

I Pray For A Heart That Is Loving

And

A Tongue Not Given To Uttering Fables

So That I Won't Have To Eat Crow And Humble Pie!

I Desire Of You, Lord, Your  Wisdom

And Pray For Understanding To Be Attached

And I Pray That The Knowledge 

That I Acquire

Is Williongly Used

To Bless Those With Whom I Come Into Contact!

Lord,

In All Of My Praying

My Asking

Pleading

Desiring

Beseeching

I Pray To Ever Hear

That Beautifully Still Small Voice!

Please Quiet My Ears

Against The Clamor Of The World

And Help Me My Busyness To Still

So That My Soul

The Holy Spirit May Renew

And With Heavenly Good Things Fill!

I Pray, Lord, For The Blessing

That Will In The Day To Soon Dawn

Cause The Storming Warriors To Know 

Your Living Word Abides In Me

And Marks My Clear Path To Zion's Holy Hill!

Let Your Peace Envelop

And Hope For Surpassing Glory

My Longing Heart Fill!

Father,

Grant The Faithful

The Hopeful

The Heeding

And

The Obedient

The Promised Resources

Sufficient For Each Day

And

Strength For The Journey

And

Courage For The Way!

May Wisdom Walk With Us

And

Grace

Mercy

And Goodness, Too

So That We May Be 

Ambassadors For Jesus Christ

Displaying Your Workmanship True!

Oh, For A Heart

To Please My God

And 

A "Thus Saith The Lord!"

To Chase Away The Cruel Fraud!

Let Me Walk In Righteousness

Ready Willing And Able

Jesus Christ To Confess!

Let Me Be True

To Your Call On My Life

Ever Denying The Liar

As I Utter Words The World To Bless!

I Love You, Lord!

Please Accept My Prayer

For

In Jesus' Name I Plead And Stand,

AMEN!

It Stands To Reason!

False Gods Aren't True
And
Imitation Gods Aren't Real
And
Neither To The Life Adds Substance
But
Substance They Will Take Away!

Truth Needs No Spin
But
Lie Is Always In Need Of Polish
And
Spinning A Polished Lie To Manufacture Truth
Shows That We Are Of The Clan Called Foolish!

A Fool And His Money Are Well Spent!
A Wise Man Never Goes
Where He Is Not Sent
And
He Is Never A Fool
For
To Him
Money Is Solely To Be Used As A Tool!

Common Sense Is Not A Common Thing
And
A Sad Bird Will Not A Happy Song Sing!
Night Needs A Light
And
Faith Depends Not A Sight
And
To Gain Victory In Jesus
Is The Christian's Willing Fight!

Reward Is Not Given
For Work Flawed
And
Cats Can't Scratch Without Claws!
Beauty Does Not Say Brain
And
Missing Wind Can't Spin A Weather Vane
And
Painting A Leopard
Won't Make Him A Tame House Pet
On A Dog Chain!

Jesus Christ Willingly Died
To Save Men!
Devouring Satan Walks About
Like A Lion Roaring!
Satan's Roar Rattles Man To The Core!
Jesus Christ's Call
Points Purchased Man
To The Open Door
But
Neither One Can Force Man's Decision
Of That
You Can Be Sure!

Peace Is Like A Calmly Flowing River!
War Is Like The Hurricane-Buffeted Sea!
Hope Is Like Oil On Water
And
Everlasting Help Comes 
From Him Who Created Humanity!

Dishonoring God Brings Disaster
And
Ultimately - Unrepented -
Eternal Death!
Jesus Christ Is Not Our Foe!
He Placed The Covenant - The Beautiful Rainbow
And
He Is Coming For His People 
This, Too, Is Sure
AND
There Will Be An Unimaginable 
Heavenly Pyrotechnic Show!

Remember 
That Satan Is The Black Jaundiced Liar
But 
That Jesus Christ Is Faithful And Just
And
Our Faith In Him Is A Critical Must!
Soon
Satan Will Be Under Our Feet
Having By The Eternal God
Been Consumed
So Let's Not Over His Petty Annoyances
In Our Lives Lived For Christ
Fret And Fuss!

HEAVEN IS HOME: Don't Crave Riches That Will Rot!

Self-Denial Is A Blessed Thing!

Repentance Is Good For The Soul!

Living Off The Profits Of Sin Is No Blessing!

Unconfessed Sin Is Sin Unforgiven!

An Unbelieving Man
Is Like A Car On Hub Caps Driven!
AND
A Believing Man Is As The Rain Upon The Earth
By Our Heavenly Father  Lovingly  Given!

The Unbelieving May Seemingly
Be Temporally Blessed
With Backpacks Of The Earth's Bounties
By Carrying The Unwieldy Weight Of Sin
Upon His Chest!
His Few Troubles Seem Surmountable
He Appears To Live The Life Of The Blessed
AND
He Intimates That He IS The Darling Of God
AND
Yet ... At Night
He Get's Neither Peace Nor Sweet Rest!

By Contrast
The Faithful Believing
Oft' Seem To The World
To Be Cursed!
There Is Evil Surmising Against Them
AND
Their Temporal Progress 
Seems To Always Be In Reverse!
To Outsiders
Their Prosperity Seems Blighted!
They Don't Glory In Things As Others Do
BUT
They Always Seem To Be Satisfied
AND (Shock)
Happy To Boot!

They Don't Walk Around Uttering Popular Mantras
Boasting Of Living On Ascended Bright Plains
AND
They Don't Take Pleasure In Things Trivial
Speaking Loftily
Like Those By Their Own Hand Self-Made!

The Believing
Faithful Friends Of The Holy God Of Heaven
Bow Humbly Before
Jesus Christ Their Lord
Who Paid For Their Redemption
So That They Won't Perish
In The Raging Sin Flood!

They Recognize Their Dying Condition
They Know That They Own Nothing By Which
Of Themselves
They May Be Saved
AND
They Believe The Words Of Their Master
AND 
WILLINGLY CHOOSE
By Perfect Love
To Be Wholly Enslaved!

They Recognize
That Their Life Is As A Crucible!
They Know That They Are Not Their Own!
Their Trials Are For The Perfecting Of Their Character
AND
They Trust Their Maker
Savior
Redeemer
To Get Them Safely To The Heavenly Home!

They Know Not To Hold Tightly
To Things Perishable!
They Know That Prayer Is The Royal Telephone!
They Know That Faith In Jesus Christ Brings Victory
AND
They Know That With Jesus Christ The Shepherd
They Do Not Ever Walk This Earth Alone!

They Confess 
AND
Repent Of Known Sins To The Father!
They Thrive In Their Faith
In The Lord Jesus Christ!
They Trust In Their Lord
For Their Daily Provision
AND
Rest In Peace And Safety At Night!

The Faithful Know
That Those Who Will Reach Heaven
That Celestial City 
Which Will Be Their Eternal Home
That They Must Be Purged 
Of Self
AND
Of Love Of Corruptible Things
AND
Must Have No Truck With The Fraud!

They Know That They Must Be Molded
In Character Like Christ Jesus
AND
They Must Daily Resist
Rebuke
AND
Reject Satan
AND
All Known Demonic Device!
They Lean On The Lord!
They Heed The Spirit's Call!
They Permit Themselves To Be Influenced For Good
By Holy Angels
AND
Humbly
Reverently Bow Before The All-Seeing
All-Knowing
Ever Present
Always Available Holy God!

Faith Is Their Victory!
Hope Is Their Holding Chain!
Grace And Mercy Are Their Prized Shackles
AND
Love Of The Lord Christ
Is Their Controlling Reign!

Their Lives Are Not Measured By Bank Balance!
Their Success Is Not Measured By Earthly Gain!
Their High Elevation Is Not Determined By Proximity
To Ungodly Men
AND
Their Peace Is Not Marred
By Earthly Mayhem!

Their Eyes Are Gazing Toward Heaven
Even Though Their Feet Be Fixed Upon The Earth!
Their Hands Are In The Hands Of Jesus Christ
AND
Earthly Failures
Don't Put Their Faith
Into Automatic Reverse!

We -  Faithful Followers -
Trust
Our Heavenly Father!
We - Having Reasoned With Him -
Believe
AND
Trust Him
To Honor His Holy Word!
We Hold To The Covenant
That Says There Is A Prepared Home For Us
In The Glorious Kingdom
AND
Summarily Reject
The Machinations Of Wilful Fraud!

We Know
Our God Is The One Faithful!
The Healer!
The Sealer!
The Helper!
The Hope!
The Only Friend True 
AND
We Desire To Attain The Promise
AND
Receive
The White Robe
The Gold Crown
The New Name
The Victor's Palm
AND
The Incorruptible
Immortality, Too!

So ...

Please Don't Pity Us
For Lack Of Positions
AND
Possessions!
We Do Not Envy You!
We Desire Only What Jesus Christ Has For Us
AND
We Pray!
How We Pray!
That You Would Receive Jesus Christ
Who Has A Personal Blessing Of Provision
AND
Heavenly Possessions
Waiting
Just For You!

Won't You Join Us

As We Walk

The Narrow, Rocky, Road Home?