HAPPY SABBATH + WRESTLING: Winning!

... And I Shall Wrestle With The Lord Christ
Just Like Jacob Did
And When Like Jacob
I'm Asked To Let Go
For The Time Of Worship Is Come
I Shall Not
Until He Shall Bless Me!
I Shall Be The Champi'n!

You Are Right About Being
A Champi'n
For A Champion You Are Not!
Christ Created You!
You Can't Win In A Wrestling Match With ... GOD!

Oooh, I Can Feel 

A Withering Response Coming ...!

You Puny Human!
You're Puny Because Of
Dare I Say It?! 

Yup!

You Lack Working Faith!
You Read The Words
But You Don't Believe
And That Is Why You And I
Cannot See Face To Face!

Salvation Is Free
Free To All Who Believe
BUT ...!

THERE IS NO BUT IN SALVATION!!

Why So Loud, My Brother?!

There Is Indeed
A Big BUT In Salvation
For
Even Though Salvation
Is A Free Gift Of Faith
Faith Is Expressed
BYObedience
ANDObedience Requires Work
So, Therefore
There Is Work For
AND
To Be Done By
All Who Believe!

We All Need
A Faith That Works
BY Love

And, Then
Like Jacob
We Shall Have Power
With God
AND
With Men!

You Can't Prove That!!

Calm Down Or You'll Pop A Vein!
I Can Prove It
AND
I Will Prove It!

Fact:

The Hands That Grab Hold Of Christ
By Christ's Gift To Us Of Faith
- As Expressed In The Plain Promises
In The Word Of Truth -
Cannot Be Made To Release Their Hold
Except By Christ's Incapacitating Force!

Come On!

Faith Is Just A Word!

If You Say So!

Who Did Jacob Wrestle? 

Jesus!

Who Won The Fight?

Jesus!

You Are So Right
BUT

Oh, So Wrong!

Huh?!

You Need To Stop Thinking Physical!

Explain That!
I Dare You!

Jacob ... By Faith
Took A Hold On The Giver Of His Faith
Which He Had Received 20 Years Prior
At His Journey
To What Would Be
His Ultimate
- True -
Salvation!

I'm With You ... So Far!

When Jacob First Left Home
His Man-Brand Was Supplanter!
Usurper!
He Was A Considered A Thief
A Liar
A Deceiver!

Then, He

- By Dream -
Saw Heaven's Gate
With Angels Ascending
Descending!
He Called The Place
- Which He Subsequently Anointed -
Beth-El
Aka The House Of God
AND
There
HE, Jacob
Made A Covenant With The Lord!

Jacob Repented Of His Known Sins
AND
Was By Life
Severely Tested
AND
Cruelly Tried!

BUT ...

On Receiving The Call
To Return To The Promised Land
Before He Could Enter The River Of Baptism
To Enter The Land Of Milk And Honey
The Land Of Rest
- Clean -
He
- In The Midnight Hour
Of All Mankind's Distress -
Had To Fight
With The Supposed Adversary
Approximately ... To The Death!

The Supposed Adversary Of His Body
Turned Out To Be
The Very Real Savior Of His Soul
AND
In Remembrance
AND
In Belief
Jacob ... In Working Faith
Strove To Save His Body
AND
Did, Indeed
Save His Own Soul!

Remember That
His Covenant  With God
Was Made
As He Was Going Away From Home!

I'm Not Yet Convinced!

How Did Jacob Become Known As Israel?!

He Won The Battle
And Jesus Changed His Name
After ...!

After, After, After ... What?!

... After Jesus Injured His Leg
To Force Him To Let His Savior Go!

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!
Bingo!!!
We Have A Touch-Down!

God's Covenant 

With Jacob
Was Made On Jacob's Way Back Home

To The Promised Land!

His Name Was Changed
To Israel
Because ...

... Because As A Prince
He Had Power
With God
AND
With Men ... And Prevailed!

  

So ...

Did I Make My Point?!

You Know That You Know That You Did!

Very Good!

A Firm Faith Wrestles With The Lord
AND

Prevails!

Just So You Know
All The Faithful
Must Wrestle With The Lord
BUT ...!

You And These Buts!

... But They Cannot
- Will Not -

Win
In Their Wrestling With Christ
IFThere Is Unconfessed Sin
Aka Unforgiven Sin
In Their Lives!

It Must All Be Placed On The Altar Of Sacrifice!

Jesus Christ
Can Only Save Those Who
Follow All The Directions
That Will Cause Them
Heavens Pearl Gates
- By Right -
To Walk Through!

I Hear You

And I Now Truly Believe!

We Must All Get Fighting Fit

If We Will

In The Great Day

Enter In The Eternal City

And At God's Welcome Table Sit!

Amen, Brother!

AMEN.

Faith Is A Gate!

My Path May Lie Through The Desert!
My Path May Lie Through The Sea
BUT
The Path That My God Leads Me
Is The Path That Is The Right One For Me!

In My Dependence On My God
I Must Exercise Real Faith
AND
Though Lying Sight Says:

"That Path Is Impossible!"

Living Faith Says:

"Get To Stepping Now - Don't You Dare To Wait!"

Faith Is A Gate Open
Ready
For The Believing One To Walk Through
Looking Neither Left Nor Right
Nor Waiting
To See Who Else
Is Going To Walk Through With You!

Father,
I Believe In The Word Of My God!
I Depend On The Daily Ration Of
Grace And Faith
And
I Depend On Him Who Leads Me
To Also In Love
Carry And Feed Me!

Lord,

I Do Not Involve Myself In Things High
Or Things Above My Pay Grade!
I Am Satisfied With My Jesus
And
Desire To Do What He Asks
As He Says!

Let Me Not Question With Arrogance!
Let Me Not Walk In Pride!
Let Me Comport Myself As One Faithful
And
Help Me Not From Truth To Backside!

Father,

Let Me Not Wait With Reservation
Until All The Uncertainties Of Life Are Set Aside
For Therein Is Destruction!
Therein Is The Word: 

"I Have Jesus Christ Denied!"

For
I Thereby Show
That I Trust My Own Understanding
And
I No Long Safe Harbor descry!

I Am Satisfied!
I Am Contented
And
I Am Walking As One Free
And Yet 

I Am Also Walking As One Captive To The God
Whose Spilt Blood
Paid For My Pardon
On The Day Of Final Decision
On The Mount Called Calvary!

I Will Follow Christ, My Savior
Knowing Not
What My Lot May Be
BUT

In Faith
I Shall Surely Follow
For
He Alone
Is The One Who Paid
From Sin
To Free Me!

PRAYER: Lord, Let Not My Heart Be Barren Land!

Oh, Father

Help Me To Bury

The Good Seed Of Your Holy Word

In The Prepared Ready And Waiting

Ground Of My Heart!

Oh, How I Pray

That My Ground

Is Not Barren Land

But

Good And Fertile Soil

Hungry

To Accept The Abundant Water

Of The Holy Spirit

And

That I May Be In A Place Where

The Holy, Healing, Healthful, Son-Light

Will Abundantly Cause

Your Precious Seed In Me

To Germinate

And Grow

And Leaf

And

- Constantly Watered -

By That Gracious Spirit

To Bear Precious Fruit

- And In Abundance -

All Suitable

For The Welcome

And

Banqueting Table Of My Lord!

Father,

I Look With Faith's Longing Eyes

And

Hope's Yearning Heart

To That Glorious Day Of Rejoicing

In The Beautiful Land

Of

Peace And Rest!

What A Day That Will Be!

My Eyes Have Not Seen!

My Ears Have Not Heard

But

My Belief And My Love

And

My Precious Faith

In The Surpassing, Unfailing

Faith And Righteousness Of My Lord Christ

Paints The Scenic And Lofty Panorama

Without Height

Without Depth

Without Width

Without Distance

Outside Of Time

Devoid Of Scope

And

Reveals Our Achieved Hope

And Points

Ever Points To More

In The Realm Of Eternity!

Let My Faith Become Sight!

I Desire To See My Savior

The Lord

My Forever Friend!

I Desire To Live With Him

In The Peaceful Land

Where Decay

Cannot Offend!

I Desire To Hear From His Lips

The Real Story Of My Salvation

The Story That Shows

All

That I Could Not Know

But Which Was Wrought

For My Good

And God's Glory -

I Want To Bless My Faithful Lord's 

All-Hearing Ears

With The Song 

Of

My Then-Forever-Clean Heart!

In The Meanwhile, Lord

In This Realm That Hosts Night

Please 

Prepare My Heart

Tune My Voice

Embolden My Spirit

Ever

Always

To Sing Your Glorious Praise!

Help Me To Keep

A Song Of Zion In Heart

A Word Of Truth In My Head

A Healing Balm In Hand

A Soft Word On My Tongue

Heavens Light In My Eye

And

My Foot Permanently Placed

On The Path To Paradise

Praying

Ever Praying The Promises

And

Trusting In Him

Who Gives The Beyond Understanding

Peace!

I Love You, Lord!

AMEN.

CHRIST: Crisis!

In A Crisis
If You Know
Who
Where
When
Christ Is
You Will Stand Firm
No Matter Who
What
Is Raging!
You Can Fight That
AND
Win Bliss!

You Shall Wear
The Glorious Crown!

Man, Please!
When Has There Never Not
Been A Crisis?!
And That Christ
He's Been Coming To Help
For Ever!
I've Been Hearing That
Since I Was Knee-High
To That Old Grass Hopper!
You Taking Bare Rubbish!
You Need To Hush Your Flapper!

I'm Sorry My Brother!
I Cannot Do That!
The Day Is A-Wasting!
Christ The Lord
Is On His Way Back ...!

More Rubbish!
More Rubbish!
That Book That You Read
Says No Man Knows The Hour
And, Obviously
That Lord Christ's Traveling Speed!

Sir,
I Detect Much Sarcasm
In Your Tone!
I Shall Move Past That
And Deliver The Message
Sent By My Master
Telling You
How ... To Get To
The Everlasting Rest Home!

Jesus Christ, Our Master
Was Never Elevated By Applause!
He Was Never Dejected
By Disappointment
Nor Censure
Nor Did He
From Doing The Will Of God The Father
Take Vacation
Nor Pause!

There Was Great Opposition
Cruel Treatment
Even Attempts
- Before Time -
To Shorten His Life
BUT
He Was Ever Of
Good Courage
He Trusted His God
His Father
To Get Him Through The Strife!

Christ Left For Us
- His Followers -
An Example
To Keep
To Follow
Unto Life
BUT
Many Hold A Profession
No Occupation
A Followship
No Fellowship
Anxious Spirits
Troubled Hearts
Timid Minds
Lights That Don't Shine
AND
In The Day Of Their Visitation
They Are Quick To Condemn God
In Christ
As Having To Them
Never, Ever Be Fair
Been Kind!

The Lord Is Our Shepherd
He Leads To Pastures Green
He Leads Us Beside Waters Still
He Restores Our Souls
With Good Food He Fills!

Brother!
Sister!
What Is The Point Of
Following The Leader
When You Don't Believe

AND
You Won't Do What He Says
When You Think You Know How To Fix Him
When You Know His Walking Path
Is The One Wrong!

Why Do You
Eat What Is Offered At His Table
AND
Steal From His Money Bag?

Why Say
Lord, Teach Me!AND
When Corrected
Run Out
AND
Sell Him
For A 30-Piece
Sanhedrin Silver Blood-Money Bag?!

Jesus Calls Us Because He Loves Us!
He Desires Us To Walk In His Ways!

AND
He Has Not Set For Us

Or Before Us
A Path That Cannot Be Trodden
Nor A Victory
That We Cannot Taste!

If To You
Jesus Christ IS Savior
Redeemer
King
God
AND
Leader
Friend
Take Firm Hold On The Hand
That He Is Extending
AND
Say:

My Soul, Hold On!
Jesus Saves From Here To Life's End!

Jesus Saves But ...!

There Is No "But!"
Jesus Saves 

ANDYou MUST With Him
Cooperate
IfIt Is Your Desire
To See The Eternal Kingdom!

Jesus Calls - Answer!
Jesus Gives - Take!
You Pray - Jesus Answers!
You Do Wrong - You Will Be Corrected
AND
As Necessary
You Will Be Chastised!

No Good Father
Leaves A Child To His Own Devices
Neither Does He Permit Him
To Live His Life In
By

AND
For
Lies!

If 

You Choose
To Follow Jesus
Choose To Follow Him
All Day!

AND

In All Ways!

Choose To Trust
That Where He Is Leading
Is The Best Place
For He Alone Knows The Way!

Please Do Not Compare
The Lord Christ To Others
That Worship Nonentities!

Our God
Is All Seeing!
All Knowing!
He Is Self Existent!
He Is The Eternal!

AND
In His Hand

He Holds Eternity!

I Declare Unto You ...

Trust Is Not Half-Way!

Faith Is No Half-Day!

Mercy Is Not Some-Day!

Grace Is Not Play-Play!

Truth Is Not Assayed!

AND

Hope Is Not Over There!

Our Hearts Know The Truth!

God IS Love
Is What Our King James Does Indeed Say
AND
Jesus Christ
- To Heaven -
Paid For Us
Our Price
To Get Us A Home There! 

But ... But ...!

But But What?!

The Pastor Says ...!

Ahhh, Yes!
The Pastor Problem Rides Again!

When Last Did You Read
For Your Self Your Bible?
When Last For Your Self
Did You Pray To The Lord?
When Last
For Your Self
Did You Ask The Lord To Guide You?
When Last
For Your Self
Did You Ask The Lord
To Protect You From The Fraud?

When Last Did You Close Off Your Self
From The Clamoring Around You
And In Your Own Soul

Commune With Your Lord?

AND
When Last
Did You Sing A Song Of Your Praise
Giving Grateful Thanks
To The Holy God?

Money Can't Save You!
Friends Can't Save You!
Position Can't Save You!
Preacher Teacher Priest
Need Saving Themselves
So They Can't Save You
So ...It Is Left To Us

To You
- As The Good Book Says -
To Work Out Your Own Soul's Salvation 

With Fear And Trembling!
It Does Not Say
Throw In The Lot With The Group!
You Walk The Path Alone!

Friend,
The Best Friend Ever
That A Man Has
Is Our Lord Christ
The Son Of God
The Son Of Man
Who For The Prize
- Our Salvation -
Despised His Shaming
AND 

Worked Out For Us
The Way To The Heavenly Home!

Let Your Own Soul

- By Faith -

Gaze In!

Let Not Your Eyes
Nor Your Feelings
Create For Your Self
A Self-Filling Whole!
Hold On To The Faith
The Living That's Our Gift
From Christ Jesus
ANDYou Shall Live
Not Merely Exist!

Onerous Lectures
Convoluted Directions

AND
Speculations 

Bearing No Specificities
Are The Work
Of The Very Devil
Encouraging Man
Into The Ways Of God
To Dig Deep!

Well ...

If God Said It!
Then Believe It!

If God Says Don't Do It!
Then Don't!

God Says Turn Away
From The Ways Of Death
AND

Come To Jesus The Christ
For
In Him
There Is Everlasting Life!

Surrender Your Self
Unto Your Savior
AND

Do Not Look Back
At The Things Left Behind!

Look Up To The Lord!
Trust His Hand Of Blessing
AND

Provision
For In Him Is Found
Your Heavenly Reward! 

Brethren, Beloved ...

Do Not Tempt God!
Do Not Lean Unto Fables!
Do Not Be Double-Minded!

ANDDo Not Waiver As The Sea!

Please Set Your Heart
On All Things Eternal!
He Who Clothes The Grass
With Pretty Flowers
Is The One
Who Watches Over
Provides For
Blesses
AND
Is Coming Soon
To Take Home
Me And Thee!

Look To Jesus!

Love The Lord!

And

Follow His Leading

For

At The Last Trump

Heaven Is The Reward!

 

HONEST MEN: Guilty ... As Charged!

If The Load Of Sin

Is Off Your Back

Why Are You Still Bending?!

I Have A Friend
Who Is My Companion!
I Have For A Champion
He Who Is My God!
I Have The Savior
Who Is My Redeemer
AND
The Giver Of My Life
Is My Rock
Against My Accuser
The Foul-Minded Fraud!

IF

We, As Honest Men
Would Daily Think Upon The Divine Sacrifice
We Would Not Walk Around Behaving
Like Angry Bloodsucking Hog Lice!

We Would Say 

- Without Fear Of Contradiction -

With All Power And Might
That We Are Legitimate Children
Of The Great King
BUT
Sorry To Say

It Is Oft Quite Plain
That We Do Not Know

The One
Of Whom We Are Speaking!

I, Myself
IF 

I Am Honest 

This Day Must Utter:

Guilty ... As Charged!

For I, Too
Have Often Forgotten My New Pedigree
AND
Have Gladly Permitted
The Old Man
To Triumphantly Lead 

AND

Squeeze Me

Making Feel Yesterday's Shed Load!

I Agree With You
For I Am Guilty Of That, Too
But What Do You Offer Up
For A Solution?!

In All Honesty

I Say That We Could All Do

With A Daily Dose Of

I Am Thine, Oh, Lord! 

And A Daily Dose
Of Confess And Repent
BUT
All Done Without It Being A Hair Shirt
AND

Walking About Looking Grieved
AND

Being Morose!

Really?!
Why Do You Say That!

If You Are Happy

For Free Salvation

Praise The Lord!

Hallelujah!

If You Have Accepted

The Gift

Walk About In The Wrapping!

Thank You, Jesus!

The Living Word Says ...!

The Living Word Says
That All Men Sin
AND
All Men Sin
By Thought
By Word
By Deed
AND
Paul The Apostle
Said That He
- A Totally Surrendered
Soldier For Christ -
Died Daily
For He Wanted Nothing Between His Soul
AND
His Savior!
He Lived For His Lord
AND
Everything Else
Was ... Dung!

I Hear That!

Can You Imagine
A Man Like That
Who Had Met The Savior
AND
Had Committed His Life
Saying:

The Thing I Should Do I Don't
And The Thing I Shouldn't Do I Do?!

And Exclaiming:

Oh, Wretched Man That I Am!

Believe You Me
I Can Totally Relate!

I Am Right There With You!

You Know
There Was Much
- And Still Is -
In The Idea Of
The Daily Sacrifice
BUT

Without All The Blood
AND

The Burnings!

Type Met Antitype
In The Ultimate Sacrifice 

On The Cruel Cross
Which Sacrifice
Pays
For Our Confession And Repentance
Giving Us The Free Offer Of Salvation!

I Don't Understand ...!

Okay!
Would You Crucify Christ Afresh?!

Whaaat?!
What For?!
No!

Who Would Do Such A Thing?!

You!

Me?!

Me!
You?!Yes ... Us!

But, How?!

You Are Forgetting Already!
By Thought!
By Word!
By Deed!

Let's Come From A Different Direction:

What Is Sin?

Sin Is The Transgression Of God's Law!

What Did Jesus Come To Do?!

To Die For Our Sin - Once For All!

To Reconcile Us To The Father!

What Put Christ On The Cross?

God's Love For Sinners!

Who Is A Sinner?

I I Am Am!!

Man, We Really Need To Change!

Yes, We Do!

We Really, Really, Need To Up Our Game!

We Need To Look Up!

IF

Salvation Is Free!

Pardon For Sin Is Free!

Faith Is Free!

Grace Is Free!

Mercy Is Free!

And

Heaven Is Free!

And

You Have Accepted The Gift

DROP THE EXCESS BAGGAGE

And

Walk In The Confidence Of Christ

For

You Are Free Indeed!

PRAYER : Lord, We Are Waiting ...!

Father,

I Desire To Daily Rely Upon You!

In My Heart

I Rely On You

And

In My Living

I Am Relying On You

For

This World Is Not The Place Called Safe!

I Need You, Lord!

I Am Thankful

That I Know You, Lord

And

I Thank You For The Grace Provided

Through Faith

That Causes Me Not To Fear!

I Am Grateful For This

For I Could Be Staring At The Walls

Afraid To Close My Eyes In Sleep

But, Instead

I Am Able To Rest

In Perfect Peace

Safe

In The Arms Of The Good Shepherd

The Faithful Keeper Of Humble Sheep!

I Know That I Am Blessed!

Lord, I Give You Your Praise!

Father, 

I Beseech You

That In Mercy

You Pity The Poor

Continue To Love The Lost

And

Comfort The Crying

And

Discipline The Lying!

Please Teach Those

That Are Of Tender Years

Be It In Mind Or Body

And

Humble The Brash And The Bold

And Care For The Dying

And Seal The Saved Soul!

Father,

Please Lift Thou Up The Fallen

And Call The Wanderer Home

And Bless The Believer

And Let Our Faithful Prayers

In Your Heart

Be At Home!

I Pray For The Peaceful

I Pray For The Proud

I Pray For Those Persons

Who Know Not The Comforting Shade

Of The Day Cloud

Nor The Comforting Light Of 

The Pillar Of Fire

And

Those Who Walk In The Desert Of Sin

Alone Attacked

Molested Tormented 

Weary

Wandering Wondering

Worrying

Defenseless

Afraid

Asking

Is There No One To Save?

Is There No Comfort Before The Grave?

Is There No Water Of Life?

Who Will Save?

Who Will Save...?!!

I Pray For These Afflicted Ones

That You Will Bless Them With

Opened Eyes

Unstopped Ears

Willing-To-Be-Lead Spirits

And

New Hearts

That In The Love Of The Holy Beat!

Please Bless Them With Restful Sleep!

Please Grant Them Hands That Reach Up

Eyes That Look Up

Feet That Walk The Straight Path

Onward And Up

And Senses Tuned Up

By The Spirit That Gives Life

So That These, Too

Can Be Safe

In Him Who Is Ever Able

In This Life Of Strife!

Lord, 

Let Not Our Strivings

On The Upward Way Cease

Even When We Are in Deepest Grief!

Let Us Catch The Faith-Glance

Of The Heavenly Land

So That Our Souls

By You Are Bolstered

Comforted

Even As That Wicked Satan

Over Our Supposed Terrors

Trials And Troubles

Do The Devil-Dance!

Father, 

In The Name Of Jesus

With You

We Sue For Peace!

Please Keep Your Blooded Promise

And, By Appointment

Grant Us Relief And Release!

Father, Beloved

Faithful

Kind Just True

Thank You For Your Sufficiency!

Thou Art Holy

And

We Honor

Bless

And Worship You

Who Is The One God Eternal

Blessing

Unfailingly True!

In Mercy, Lord

Please Haste The Great Day

For

We Are Waiting For Our Redemption

So That We May Forever

In Triumph

Worshipfully

Celebrate You!

We Love You

And

Plead All In The Name Of

Jesus Christ The Righteous! 

AMEN.