Let Your Light Shine!?!

Brethren,

I Am Crushed!
I Am Offended, Sad, Perturbed And Seriously Bothered
By Something I Saw Today
And
I Pray The Lord For Help For Those Involved 
And 
For Us Who Observe These Things!

Today, I Was In A Business Establishment
Seated, Having Been Seen
And Awaiting Continuing Service
When Two Adult Females And A Small Child Entered!

The Little Child, A Girl, In Pink
Soon Came To Where I Was And She Started Singing
"I Don't Care What They Say ...!"

Okay!

She And I Soon Started Playing "Peekaboo, I See You!"
She Was Cute And Precocious ... A Live Wire!

In Her Constant Perambulations
She Went To One Of The Ladies
Who Were Both At The Counter!
She Touched The Lady And Said:

"Daddeee!"

My Ears ...!?!

I Reserved Judgment
Considering ... I Don't Know What
But
She Came Back Over And We Started Our Game
And, Again
She Went To This Lady  
And
This Poor, Innocent, Child
Called This Lady: "Daddy!" ... Again
And 
The Lady-Daddy Answered Her ... Again!

Lord Jesus, Save Us!

Just Repeating This Is Making Me Feel Ill!

How!?!
Why!?!

I Want To Know To What End This Is Happening
To That Poor Little Child!?!

These Are Questions Needing Answers That
Only The Lord In Heaven Can Provide!
All I Know Is That I Was Made Very Sad
By What Was Occurring In That Business Place!
Nevertheless, Apropos Nothing
The Two Ladies Were Polite And Soft-Spoken
And The Little Girl Seemed Well Care For
But ...!

... But What Of That Dear Child's Spiritual Growth!?!

While It Is A Good Question, Beloved
I Simply Have No Answer
And
That Is Making Me Very, Very, Sad!

Brethren,

We See Worldly People Doing Worldly Things!
Isn't It Fair To Also Say That 
Worldly People See Us Professing Christians 
Doing Things ... Sometimes Ungodly Things
But, Hopefully
More Often Than Not
They See Us Doing Good And Godly Things
While We Walk Under The Blood-Stained Banner Of
Jesus Christ The Lord!?!

I Would Sincerely Hope And Pray That
My Christian Example, Plainly Displayed
Would Cause Anyone Who Sees Me
To Ask Themselves A Question ... And Ask Me, Too
To Tell Them What Makes Me Different
And Also Question Themselves 
About Why Our Lifestyles Are Different And Divergent
And, Thereafter, Seek The Savior!

The Bible Says
Let Your Light Shine!

The Bible Says That We Are A Spectacle 
To Angels And To Men!

The Bible Also Says
Live At Peace With All Men Where Possible
And That Can Be Somewhat Difficult
When Our Lifestyle Confronts Their "Lifestyle!"

Any Professed Christian 
Seeing Everything That Is Wrong With The World
And
Is Comfortable With What Is Wrong With The World
And
Is Walking This Life At Peace With The World 

And 

Causing No Offense
- By Their Professed-Christian Practiced Lifestyle -
To Those Who Know Not Jesus Christ The Lord 
Those Who Don't Care To Know Jesus Christ The Lord
Those Who Cannot Be Bothered To Know Jesus Christ The Lord
Those Who See No Profit In Knowing Jesus Christ The Lord
And
Those Who Know The Profit In Knowing Jesus Christ The Lord
But
Enjoy The "Profit" And The "Benefits" Of 
Living In Known-Sin Better

Seriously Needs To Do An Inventory 
And 

Reevaluate Their Commitment To Almighty God! 

Our Christian Walk Should Be Such That 

We Are Able To Live With Hope 
And 
Pray With King David

Asking The Lord To Be Our Shelter 
And 
Defence Against Our Known And Rabid Enemies
Who May Hate Us Because We Live Right
By The "Thus Saith The Lord!" 

By God's Great Grace
Let's Bravely Shine Our Lights In This Dark World 

And 

Leave The Consequences To Jesus Who Alone Saves!
Sometimes The Only Bible That A Person Reads
Is
The Life That We, As Professing Christians, Lead! 

Whatever Happens
Let Us Not Compromise Our Faith
To Make "Friends" In This World!" 

Indeed!
Let's Pray And Plod On!

Let's Do The Good We Can
For Whom We Can
When We Can
Where We Can
And 
Always Remember That
Only Jesus Christ Saves!
We Must Seek After The Good Of Our Fellow Man!

AMEN!!

My Father Is Omnipotent ... And He Cares For All His Own!

My Dear Father Lives In Highest Heaven!
He Tells ... Promises ... Me That I Shall Not Want!
My Dear Father Is My Deliverer And My Provider
And
I Do Whatever He Says That I Must Do
So Please Do Not Come To Me With
You Perpetual Case Of The Can'ts!

The Conditions That I Must Meet With My Dear Father
Are Simple, Easy, Ones ... For Those Who Choose To Believe:

• Obey And Pray
• Watch And Stay In The Fold
• Become Familiar With The Living Word
• Do Not Follow The Multitude To Do Evil
• Do Not Doubt
• Give No Place To The Devil
• Resist The Devil
• Do Not Fear
• Practice No Guile
• Let My "Yeah!" Be "Yeah!" 
• Keep All Of His Commandments
• Look Unto Jesus The Author And Finisher Of My Faith
• Be Kind And Do Good
• Wait Patiently On The Lord
• Plead For The Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit
• Be Baptised
• Deny Self
• Be Of Service
• Love Almighty God
• Love My Fellow-Man
• Don't Dig Graves For Your Adversaries
• Speak Peace
• Do To Others What You Want Them To Do To You

And

• Remember That A Meek And Gentle Spirit Turns Away Wrath!

I Could Go On But I'm Sure That You Get The Point!

My Father Is My All In All!
In Love, He Beckoned To Me 
And 
In Gratitude, I Answered His Call!
I Accept That My Life Is My Own
But 
Not To Do Whatever My Flesh Requests
And
For The Very Reason
I Have Chosen To Give Back To My Dear Father
The Sovereign, Free Will And Free Choice
That He Gave Unto Me
And
The Path That I Walk Which He, Alone, Makes Straight
And
I Choose To Listen To The Still, Small, Voice Of Truth
Truth For Today ... Always Today
And
I Hold On To The Extended Hand Of Help
With Living Hope
Even As I Lean On The Everlasting Arm
Even As I Shelter Under His Wings
Even As I Rest On His Breast
Listening To The Holy Heart Which Broke
And
Died
With And For Love For Me!

I Believe My Dear Father
And
I, By His Grace
Intend To Endure In This To-Everlasting-Life Race!
My Father Promises That For Me ... In Heaven
In His House
There Is A Personal Place!
I Shall Not His Holy Name Disgrace!

We Who Love The Lord Christ 

And 

Believe The Living Word Of The Eternal God Of Grace

- Who Is Almighty To Save - 

Have No Reason To Walk The Earth 
In Fear Of Anyone Seen Or Unseen! 

Holy Angels Excelling In Strength 
Are Our Appointed Guardians 

And 

They Are Faithful To Their Mission 
To Protect Us Who Are The Inheritors Of 
Christ's Purchased-For-Us Salvation! 

Whatever Terror Assails You

Please Remember Whom It Is That You Serve

And 

Pray In Your Daily Gift Of Faith For That Day

- Nothing Wavering - 

And 

Go About Your Daily Business Boldly! 

Brethren, 

Please Fortify Your Mind 
By Reading The Living Word Constantly 

And 

Give Jesus Christ Your Fears: 
He Gives To You His Perfect Peace!
For Your Purchased Soul He Sacrificially Cares!

REJOICE: Jesus Christ Utterly Saves!

I Went Before The Lord Of Life

Covered In The Death That Is The Wages Of Sin

Pleading For The Promised, Offered, And Available Grace
And
Confessing And Repenting Of My Known Disgrace
And

He Who Is Hope, Help And Sure Salvation
Grandly, Gently, Joyfully ... Lovingly
Invited Me To Enter Into His Warm, Welcoming, Embrace

For Healing

For Cleansing

For Blessing Most Profound

And

In The Rapture Of Willingly Given Forgiveness

I Broke Into Glad Song!

Before My Lord, I Humbly Stand

Cleansed From Sin! 
I'm A New Human With A Heart Of Flesh

A Tongue To Speak Peace

Ears No Longer Tickled

And

Eyes That See Truth Most Clear!
I Stand Before My King Without Fear!

I Now Have A Heart Willing To Praise My God!

I Now Have A Cleansed Tongue Able To Condemn Sin, Self 
And 
Satan The God-Fraud!

I Now Have Unstopped, Listening,
Ears That Know The Lord Of Glory's Truth

So That I Can Recognize The Adversary's Lies

And

I Now Have Cleansed And Focused Eyes That 
See The Holy God 

Who Is Guiding Me To The Great Reward!
He Heard My Humble Cry!

Lord, 

I Have Placed My Hand In Thine!

Please Go Before Before Me:

Please Keep Me In Line

Inside Your Hedge Of Protection

Under The Shelter Of Your Wings

Inside Your Strong Tower

In Your Heart Which In Love For Me Sings!

I Love You, Lord!

Please Bless Me!

Please Increase My Faith!

Please Pour Out Of Your Sweet Holy Spirit

Upon Me

And

Please Take Me To The Water

To The River Of The Water Of Life

When Ends The Carnal Strife

And

Begins The Day That Is

The Start Of Our Eternal Life!

I Am Redeemed!

We Who Have The All-Seeing

All-Knowing, Ever-Present, Holy God

For Our Guide Through Life 

Do, Indeed, Have Very Good Reasons To Rejoice 

And 

Shout For Joy! 

We Are Able To Close Our Carnal, Fallible, Eyes 

And

Through The Eyesight Of Holy Faith

Follow Jesus Christ 

On The Road That Will Always Lead Us Safely To Safety 

And 

Ultimately 

To The Eternal Home Of The Forever Blessed! 

We Are Ground Doves 

But 

Our God Is The Eagle With Aerial View 

Who Ever Takes Care Of 
His Believing, Trusting, Obedient Children!
Brethren, That's Me And You, Too! 

Keep Your Heart In The Faith Of Jesus Christ

And 

Dare To Rejoice In The Lord Always!
Jesus Christ Utterly Saves!

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: The Spaz

You Should Have Seen Them

Proud

Given Unto Folly

Weak-Kneed

Gimpy-Eyed

And
That Particular One Called Spasmodic Prayer

Full Of Fits And Starts

Given To Prayer Only Over Problems

But

Having No Time For Praying

When Life Is At Ease
And
Never Realizing That 
It Is When The Life Seems Most At Ease
That We Need To Pray The Most! 

On The Other Hand ...

Meet Christian Life!

Christian Life As We All Know Him

Is

A Dedicatedly Praying Person

Or
- To Be Exactly Honest -
At Least He Was Until

The Unfortunate Experience Called

Time And Circumstance!

It Was Like This ...

His Circumstance Was Tough, Hard

Untenable

And

The Time To Get Relief Seemed ... To His Carnal Mind
- Once Thought To Have Been Regenerated -

Unconscionably Long

Because 

Christian Life Had Pulled A Peter!

Christian Life Did The One Thing That 
No Obedient, Watching, Working, Waiting 
Wise-Unto-Salvation Believer In The Efficacy Of

The Innocent-Blood Sacrifice Of Jesus Christ The Lord

Should Ever, Ever, Do!

Christian Life Did The Unthinkable!
Christian Life Did A Hard Blink
And
Christian Life Looked ... Down ... And Around!

He Broke The Link 

And

He Looked Away From His Lord, His Master

His Hope, His Help

His Only Savior

And

Aided By Time, Unchained, Unchecked 

Circumstance ... That Heathen That Tries Men's Souls

That Raging Opportunist 

Bit Him Really Hard On His Behind-Him

And

Into The Drink ... Poured By Unfettered Time 
Which No Created Being Can Tame

He Started To Sink!

Christian Life Then Added Insult To Injury

And

He Did The One Other Thing That 
He Should Not Have Done:

He Didn't Do What Peter Did!

Peter Doubted And

  ... Started To 
       ... Sink 
            ... Into His Circumstance
But

Peter Remembered To Whom He Was Travelling

And

Being Wise ... Unto His Own Soul's Salvation

And

Remembering The Example Clearly Set For Him

By The Very One Who Told Him

To Make The Impossible-For-Man-Alone Journey

He, By Faith, Prayed ... Cried Out

And

Was Saved And Blessed!

Warning, Warning, Warning ... 

Anything Practiced Enough Becomes A Skill
And
At Its Performance
The Performer Becomes Adept!

See To It

That To Sinning

You Do Not Adapt!

Christian Life's Engine 
On The Railway To Heaven Started Slowing

Started Hiccoughing

Started A Regularly Irregular Schedule Of Runs

Started Doubting The Map

Started Questioning The Architect

Started Embracing Doubt Readily

Started Disengaging Faith Frantically

Until ...On A Downward Spiral

He Invited That Generator That 
Is 
A Heavenly-Current Drain

To Take Up Residence In His Insides! 

Christian Life ... By Constant Association 

Constant Indulgence

Constant "Oh, Taste And See ...!"

Became What He Was Eating

And

In Short Order

He Unveiled To Angels And To Men That

He Had Become ... Oh, The Shame Of It All
Spasmodic Prayer

That Weakling

That Wastrel

Who Took His Father's Substance

And 
Is Gone Off To A Far Away Land!

Let Me Repeat:
Oh, The Shame Of It All!

As We All Know

The Sweet Life Of No Prayer ...!

... You Said He Was Spasmodic Prayer Before!

Beloved, 

For Your, Our, Future Reference

Spasmodic Prayer And No Prayer

Are One And Same Thing

Because

They Sow The Same Seeds

And

They Reap ... With Our Willing Aid

The Self-Same Harvest Of Reward!

That Behavior Does Not Bless Us

And

Worst Yet

It Neither Pleases Nor Glorifies

Jesus Christ The Lord!

When We See Our Need For Christ

We Bow Our Hearts In Prayer

But

When We Trust Our Self We Should Fear

Because

We Walk Into Satan's Big-Able, Wide-open
Geared To Disobedient-Self

Snare!

I Thought We Were Talking About Praying!

The Christian Life

Which Does Not Include Prayer

Constant Prayer, Instant Prayer

Importunate Prayer

Regular Prayer

Prayer Of Faith

Prayer Of Thanksgiving

Prayer For Blessing

Prayer For Self

Prayer For Others

Prayer Just Because

Is

A Disobedient, Selfish, Idolatrous, Life

Walking Aggressively On The Quick-Sand Of 
The Carnal, Godless, Life ... And Fettered, Finite, Time!

Fettered And Finite!?!

Wasn't It Unfettered Before!?! 

Oh, Yes!

For Us, Time Is A Gully Bore! 

In The Heavenly Dispensation

Time, For Man, Is A Circumscribed Door!

Time Says This Much ... And No More

So Far ... And No Further!

It Is Leased And Locked

And

Personally Deeded And Loaded!
You Will Be By Time And Circumstance Goaded!

Consider A Bottle Of Soda Pop Well Shaken 
And 
Unceremoniously Uncapped

Which Contents Will Emerge 
Under The Force Of Pressure

Like A Pipe That Bursts!
You Can't Do The Reverse!

The Picture You Paint Is Not One That I Like

Because I Know From Personal Experience That
A Christian Life Without Prayer

Is A Life Lived All Over The Place

Chased And Caught

Caught And Released

Until He Who Is A Christian

Living The No-Prayer Christian Life

Becomes A Christian ... Not! 

A Nought!

How Could He Be So Foolish!

Why Don't You Ask Yourself

How You Could Be So Foolish!?!

Me!?!

Yes, Me!

Oh, Dear!

We Are All Guilty!

Guilty As Sin!

Guilty Of Sin!

More Prayer, More Power!

Less Prayer

And
It Is A Given That
Before Satan, You, Me, We Shall Cower!

The Thought Of That 
Just Makes My Stomach Turn Sour!

In That Case
Let's Exercise Our Privilege Of Praying

So That Against Sin, Self 
And 
Satan The Damned

We Shall Be Most Daring!

Hip! Hip! 

Hooray! 

 

HAPPY SABBATH + Dare To Testify Of Almighty God's Amazing Grace!

... But When I Came To Christ Jesus
I Still Held On To Sorrow And Hurt ... Like A Crutch
And
He, Speaking Softly And Tenderly Asked:

I Have Need!

Will You Give That To Me!?!

I Was Stunned, Amazed
Fearful Even
But
I Saw The Love In His Heart In His Eyes
And
Heavenly Light Shone On Me
And
I Recognized That His Love For Me
Made Sin, Self, Sorrow, Pain, Shame, Hurt
Recognizable As The Thing ... The Crutch
That Was Preventing Me
Preventing My Desire For Him From Rising
And
I Said: 

Yes, Lord!

He Said: 

Give It To Me

And

You'll Have Something Much Better

To Replace It!

I Didn't Even Think To Ask 
What It Is That He Is Going To Give Me!
I Just Simply, Forcefully, Said:

Yes, Lord!

You May Have It!

He Smiled At Me So Joyfully
And
I, Relieved Of My Burden
Cried Happily:

I'm Free! I'm Free!

Your Love Lifted Me!

I Feel ... I Know ...  I Am So Happy!

He Said Gently:

Happiness Is To Know Your Savior!

My Heart Said:

Happiness Is ... The Lord!

Having Relieved Myself Of My Burden
By Releasing It To My Lord
I Walk The World A New Person
Disconnected From Satan The God-Fraud
Who Couldn't Make Me Do Anything
But
Who Would By Deft Insinuation
Cause Me To Think In Avenues 
Guaranteed Not To Satisfy
And
To Unconsciously, Unwisely, Cherish Doubt
And
To Walk In Ways That 
Did Not The Lord Of Life Glorify!

Let There Be Praise ...

Those Days Are Done: I Trust The Lord!
I Know The Truth For This Age!
The World's Great Wits Are No More My Sage!
I Look At And Choose To Live In The Good Book!
I Act Upon A "Thus Saith The Lord!"
I Repair To My Master
My Lord And My God
And
Glory Be To The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
With Jesus Christ The Righteous  
Nothing Is Impossible
And
With Jesus Christ As King Of My Life
Eternity Is My Time
And 
My Time In Eternity Has No Limit!

What A Wonderful Change Was Wrought
Because
I Stopped Looking In At Self
And
Started Looking Up To The Creator Of
Heaven And Earth
The Seas And The Fountains Of Water
The Visible And The Invisible World
And
Ceased From Walking Wild And Willfully
With The Heading-For-Damnation
Wild Goat Herd!

The Lord Handed Me A Lamp
Which Gives Me Light To Light My Life
To Mark And Make The Way To Truth Plain
To Plainly Speak Righteousness
So That I Do Not Indulge In Things Profane
Profaning His Name
And
Causing Him Unnecessary Pain!
By His Great Grace
I Will Not Crucify Him Again!

I Trust The Lord God Almighty
Just And True
Giving And Forgiving
Blessing And Revealing
Providing And Chiding
Leading And Feeding!
I Am A Blessed Child Of The Eternal King!
I Have A Song Of Praise To Sing To Him!

Believe Me When I Tell You Plain:

Jesus Christ Utterly Saves

So Choose To Be Grateful And Thankful

For Free Mercy

And

Available Grace

That Has No After-Taste!

Only Jesus Christ

Can Cause A Repentant Sinner

To Win In The To-Eternal-Life Race!

Trust Him Implicity

Even If You Can't

His Hand Of Help Trace!

 

 Brethren,

Please Remember, Remember
And
Don't Ever Forget That
There Is Nothing That We Can Do 
That We Can Do Without Jesus Christ The Lord! 

There Is No Place That The Lord Can Bring Us To 
That He Cannot Carry Us Through

And

There Is No Hurt Or Sorrow That He Cannot Heal! 

His Grace Is Sufficient

And 

His Mercies Are Never Stale 

Because 

They Are Ever New 

Fresh From Heaven's "Bakery!" 
Jesus Christ's Love For Us Will Never Fail!

Please Give Thanks To Our God With A Grateful Heart! 

He Loves You: Love Him Fearlessly! 
He Is Our Only Peace!
His Love For Us Will Never Cease!