VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: The Mind Matters ...!

The Word Of God

Is Not A Buffet

Where You Pick And Eat

According To Feeling

And

How Much Of Self

You Want To Pay On The Day!

The Word Of God

Is More Than

Necessary Food And Drink!

To Truly Benefit

You Must Eat And Think

And

Think And Eat ... And Think

And Swallow!

**--**--**--**--**

 I Want Nothing To Do
With This New Bobble-Head-Inducing Preaching!

Hear! Hear!

The Fair Preaching Of The Word Of God

Should First Appeal To My Intellect!

It Should Then Tug At My Emotions

And

Being Convincing

Solicit For Jesus Christ

The Control Of My Will!

When Preaching Appeals Only

To My Emotions

My Intellect Exits Stage Right

And

The End Result Of That, My Friends

Is

My Will Walking Wildly
Blindly

Into Darkest Night!

The Mind Matters!

The Will Wanders!

The Emotions Run Wild!

So,

It Is Necessary

- Truly Necessary -

If 
Faith Is To Take Hold

That My Mind Be Engaged

For Truth To Reach 
And 
Breach My Soul!

The Living God Eternal, Said:

Come ... Let Us Reason Together!

The Lord Of Light And Life

Appeals To My Mind

Where, With Him

I Can Come To A Conclusion

And Say

Father,

Thou Art Holy!

Though Art God!

Though Art Divine!

Emotions Are A Runaway Train

When The Intellect Is On Vacation ...!

... And The Intellect Sleeps On In Vain

As The Will Indulges In Spiritous Libation!

A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste!

It's A Shame To Place The Will In Disgrace!

It Is Said That When The Emotions Run Riot

Then

Satan And His Kind

Ride Rough-Shod Over The Man

Making Him Behave Like The Fool

The Directionless Idiot

A Three-legged Two-Footed Stool!

Look At It This Way ...

Jesus Christ Is Building Places
In His Father's House

For Us Who Choose To Believe The Living Word! 

Should Not We

- The Believing Ones Faithful -

In This The Sojourner's Hour

Then, By God's Grace
Build Righteous Characters

That The Lord Christ Will Gladly Receive?!

I Agree!

The Words Of God
- Truth Delivered Truthfully -
Are Our Character's Building Blocks!
If The Blocks, The Word
Is Faulty
Appealing Only To Emotions
Which Deliver Sensations
We Are Going To Be In Serious Trouble
If The Lord, In Mercy, Doesn't Help Us!

We Are Going To Be "Enjoying"
A World Of Hurt!

Perish The Thought!

Brethren,
We Really Need To Expect Better Of
Those Delivering The Word Of God
Expect To Do Better Ourselves
Expect To Live Better By The Grace Of God
And
Ever Always
Desire To Reach The Blessed Land
Wherein Is The Holy Son Of God
The Son Of Man
The Living God
Who, Alone
Can Save Sinful, Dying, Man!

Preach, Brother!

Bottom Line ...

We Are Living In Perilous Times
And
I See No Reason Why
We Should Be Saying
 "Yeah!" And "Amen!"
When The Preacher Teacher Speaker
Is 
Merely Delivering Sugar Shots 
And 
Not The Strong Meat Of 
The Power-To-Change-Lives Word 
To The Firm Believers In The Lord Christ!

There Is No Need, No Cause
Nor Reason 
To Reason Over Sugar!

Sugar Is Just A Sweet Treat! 

Sugar Melts!
A Sugar Rush Is Attained!
No Health Is Gained
Just Fat Aka Sin
To Be Restrained!

A Man's Gotta Chew On The Meat Of The Word!

When The Carnal Mind Meets Heavenly Meat
It Has The Desire The Meat To Eat
But
To Eat The Heaven-Sent Meat
Carnal Mind Must Thoughtfully, Thoroughly, Chew
- And Swallow -
If 
One Will Live The Life In Christ Called New
In The World Tomorrow!

Is Your Mind Totally Engaged

When

You Hear The Word Of God!?!

*****

Is The Word You Hear

The Word Of God

Or

The Opinions Of Man?!

Can You Discern The Difference?!

*****

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

Please Hear Our Prayer!

Please, We Beseech You

Grant Unto Us

Spiritual Discernment This Day!

Help Us, Lord

To Hear

See

Understand

Accept

And

Live

According To

The Unadulterated Word

So That We, Believing

Loving

Trusting

Hoping

Obeying

Praising

Worshipping

May Depart The Goat Herd
To Be Led By The Good Shepherd
Who Leads The Sheep
To The Safe Fold!

Please Bless Us
With Clear Eyesight

True Hindsight

And

Pure Foresight

So That We May Reject

Soul Blight

And

Accepted In The Beloved

May

- In The Day Appointed -

Rise Up To The Land Where

There Is Peace
And
No Night!

We Love You, Lord!

We Bless Your Holy Name
And

We Humbly Ask For These Mercies

In The Name Of Jesus Christ
The Only One Righteous!

Please Cause The Holy Spirit
To Fall Upon Us!

AMEN.

HAPPY SABBATH + Sin's Pressing In BUT ... I'm Pressing On!

The Half Had Not Been Told
But
There I Was Seeking After Christ
And
His Righteousness!
I Wanted Eternal Life In The Safe Fold!

As Directed

I Had Considered The Things That Were
True Honest Just Pure Lovely

And

Those That Had Had A Good Report
And
I Had Arrived At Salvation Station! 

I Had Checked In My Heavy Bag Of Sin
And Eagerly
- Though Somewhat Anxiously -
Had Taken My Seat
On The Glory Bound Local! 

I Had Thought To Catch The Glory Bound Express

But

I Soon Discovered That I Had Been Laboring 

Under A Bit Of Misinformation!

Fact Is ...

There Ain't No Glory Bound Express ... Ever!

It Was An Uncomfortable Beginning!

The Seats Had Nary A Cushion
And
The Floor Had Gravel For The Repose Of Your Feet!

You Should Have Seen My Shocked Face!

Let's Get This Straight, Up Front ...

Neither Those With High Minds
Illuminated Aspects
Worldly Heels
Nor Unshod Feet
Will Survive The Journey!

You Cannot Be Double-Minded!
You Cannot Have Itching Ears!
You Can't Have Beams In Your Eyes!
But
You Must Go To The Rock ... And Be Broken!

And

That Be-Broken Business 

Causes Many To Get Off The Train
Because
They Much Prefer Walking Right
In Their Own Eyes!

Yesterday ...

I Arrived At Higher Ground!
I Was Truly Pressing On!
New Heights Were Coming Into View!
I Was On
The Upward Way
In The Land Who Knew
That The Lord Himself Drew!

Right Now, Though ...

I Am Famished!
It Was Time For A Repast
And
The Servers Came Rolling Out!

Yeah For Sustenance For The Weary Soul!

The Good News Concession
Blessed Be The Ties That Bind
Was Serving "Love For Sure"
"Truth In The Inward Parts"
"Holy Host Power""Bread Of Life"
And
"God's Love We Deliver!"

Pergamum By The Prince Of Persia
Was Serving Up "Love Yourself!"
"Self Adoration"
"Do What Thou Wilt"
"Me, Myself And I"
And
"About Face!"

For A Moment
- A Fond-Memory Moment -
I Gazed Hungrily At "Self Adoration!"
It Used To Be My Favorite Pie!

I Shook Myself!

Memory Faded!

And
The Moment Passed
And
I Gazed Lovingly At The Good News
And
Emboldened With The Instilled Confidence Of 

Jesus Christ's Faith
I Ordered One Of Everything!

I Knew That I Couldn't Eat It All
In One Go
But
I Was Preparing For A Siege
Which I Had Been Warned
Was Sure To Come!

I Had Been Told That ...

In The Art Of War
Preparation ... Is Key!

In The Realm Of Faith
Obedience And Trust ... Are Key!

In The Land Of The Blessed
All Sins Are Confessed!
Sorrow For Sin Expressed!
And
All Those Who Had Leaned Firmly On The Everlasting Arms

And

Endured All Faithfully
Experience ... In The Fullness Of Time
Eternal Bliss!

I Desire The Bliss!
The Bliss Comes From The Christ!
I Need The Christ
In Whom Is No Demonic Device!

Suddenly ...

I Hear The Cry:

Soul-Searching Ahead! 

Soul-Searching Ahead!

In Unfeigned Humility
I ... Knowing My Need

Bowed My Head
And
I Cried:

Search Me, Oh, God

And Know My Heart Today!

Purge Me With Hyssop And I Shall Be Clean! 

Wash Me And I Shall Be Whiter Than Snow! 

Cast Me Not Away From Your Presence! 

Create In Me A Clean Heart, Oh, God!

Deliver Me From This Body Of Death! 

Be Thou My Vision!

I Will Behold Your Face In Righteousness! 

Lead Me Gently Home, Father!

I Love You! 

Hear My Prayer

And

Guide Me, Oh, Thou Great Jehovah!!

Light Shone!
There Was Sunshine In My Soul!
I Was Praising, Praising, Praising The Lord!
I Was Headed Toward The Great Reward!

Hallelujah To The Lamb!

I Tell You The Truth ...

The Lord Is My Light!
He's My Joy!
He's My Song!
By Day, By Night
He Leads Me Along!

There Is One Thing That 

I Need To Remember Though ...

On The Narrow Road To Surpassing Glory
Damnation
Is 

On Either Side
Flashing Bright Lights
Tawdry Nights

And
Self

Self-Aggrandizement

Self-Satisfaction!

And, So

For My Own Soul's Sake

I Got On The Prayer-Phone
AndI Spoke To The One Who
For Me
Did Atone! 

I Was Comforted
For
I Am Told That
A Child Of The Father
A Sheep Of The Fold
A Lover Of Jesus
Does Not Travel Through Life
Through Tribulation
Alone!

I Gloried In The Cross!
I Hailed The Lord Of Life!
I Blessed The King Eternal
And
I Believe Truly That
Our God Is Able

That
The King Of Kings
The Lord Of Lords
Was Not
Is Not
Cannot Ever Be
A Fable!

I Desired My Seat At The Lord's Welcome Home Table
But, For Now
I Am Satisfied To Be Known Of The Lord
For
The Day Is Fast Approaching When
I Shall Know
Even As I Am Now Known
For
I Shall See My Jesus
Just As He Is
In All His Glory!

I Shall See The King ... Someday ... Soon!

My Journey Is Ongoing!
More About Jesus I Am Knowing!
Almighty God
His Truths Are Bestowing
And
Blessings Abundant
Daily
I Am Knowing!
In Truth, I Am Growing!

Sister Susannah Testified!

Sister Susannah Is An Overcomer

And

She Has A Word To Share With Us, Brethren!

Sister Susannah!

Amen!!!

Brethren Beloved,

May The God Of All Graces

Bless You And Keep You

In His Always Able

Always Available Care!

Peace Be Upon You!

The Lord Is My Shepherd

And, Therefore

I Lack Nothing!

I Came Into This World A Despised Person
And
To Tell You God's Honest Truth

That Is Exactly How I Expect To Leave!
Not Because No One Loves Me
But Because I, To Christ Jesus
- Like A Limpet -
Do Cleave!

I Am Not Sad
Distressed Nor Dismayed, Brethren!
Jesus Christ
Is 

My Savior
My Family
My Friend

My Lord And My God

The Author Of My Salvation

And

The Capstone Of My Hope
And
I Know That He Daily Walks With Me
And
Will Be With Me
When To My Long Home
I Do Go At Life's End!

Jesus Walks With

And
Jesus Talks To Me!
He Is With Me
Wherever I Go
And
When I Do Wrong
He Does Not Desert Me
He Lovingly, Patiently Shows Me
The Straight Path On Which I Should Go!

I Can Get Mad
Become Sad
Run After A Fad
And 

Jesus, Constant
Is 

The Restraining Hand!

Jesus Christ Saves!
He Loves

He Blesses
He Cares
He Shares

He Provides

He Guides
And
He Healed And Heals Me Of My Fears
And That, Brethren

Is 

Why I Declare Before You This Day:

Jesus, Loving Jesus, Kind

You Are My Master

My Lord And My God

And

I Trust And Worship You!

Please Let My Heart

To You

Be Ever Inclined

For

I Do Not Desire Self

In My Life To Shine!

I Do Not Desire The World!

I Desire

Accept

And

Hold Tightly To My Heart

Your Free Salvation

For

I Desire Permanent Residency

- Full Citizenship -

With You

In The Sin-Free

Happy Glorious

Heavenly Realm

With The Eternal God

- Visible -

At The Helm!

On You, Lord

I Gladly Humbly

- With Lively Hope -

Depend!

You're My Friend ... To The End!

AMEN.

Brethren,

This Life Is For A Time!

Sorrow Turns To Joy In The Morning!

Tough Times Don't Last!

Prosperity Does Not Save!

Earthly Power Does Not Protect

And

All That Denying The Lord Does Is Damn Your Soul

So

Let Jesus Christ Take The Wheel

And 

Do Not On Your Emotions Lean!

I Beseech You, Therefore

Please Do Not Let Humans Be Your Strength!

I Pray That Almighty God Will Be With You

And Bless You Richly!

Thank You For Listening!

The Subsequent Silence Was Profound.

God: Fallen Man Or LIVING GOD!?! + PRAYER: Father, I Accept The Precious Gift ...!

If The Holy God
Were Wholly Man
He Would Exact Trifles And Trinkets
From The Puny Human
But

The Living God
Is

The Eternal God Of All Grace
And

Has A Special Place For All Who Choose
To Be Holy, Faithful And True
By Setting Aside
That Which Brings
A Life Of Real Disgrace!

The Living God Feels Sorrow
For Those Who Choose 
To Walk In Their Own Way
- That's Me And For You -
AndHe Does All In His Power
To Lead Us Into His Light
Save
Make The Decision For Us! 

We Must The Self Fight
Battling Courageously With Will And Choice
If 
We Are To Emerge
From Sin's Raging Night!

Think About It ...

When The Gospel ... Of Truth
Is 

Set Aside
Religions, Religiosity And Religionists
Proliferate
AndAll Who Do Not Know Their Creator God
Find Themselves Eating Off Any 
And
Every Plate!

The Question Is Asked

And

The Answer Must Be Given:

Who Satiates Your Soul?!

Is It The Man Who Role-Plays God

Or

The God-Man

- Fully God, Fully Man -

Who ... For Our Souls' Salvation

Did ... On Trial

Uncomplainingly

Uncompromisingly

Unapologetically

Stand?!

Is Your God At

Or

In

Your Right Hand?! 

Is Your God, Fallen Man

Or

Is Your God
The Almighty God

The One God
True And Faithful 

And
Known To Be At Home

On Heaven's Table Land

Preparing A Place For You

Where

Only The Redeemed Of The Omnipotent God

- Unspotted With Sin -

Shall ... Glorified

Stand!?!

Will Your God

- In The Hour Of Your Trial -

Plead For You!?!

PRAYER:

Blessed Lord,

Shepherd Of The Sheep

Master Of The Wind

And

The Waves

And

Provider Of All Good Things

I Worship You!

Please Free Me

From

Being A To-Sin Slave!

I Give You My Will!

Please Make My Way Clear!

Father,

You Are Ever Faithful

And

Your Every Word Is Truth

And

I Bow Before You ... Believing

Trusting You

Obeying You

Worshipping You

Following You

Guide Me Safely Home

For

I Accept The Gift Given

Which

By Your Suffering

Did

For My Personal Sin

Atone!

I Honor You, Lord

And

I Accept The Extended Hand

For

It Is My Soul's Sole Desire

In Your Holy Truth

Always And Forever

Rooted And Grounded

Faithfully

Hopefully

Willingly

Unswervingly

To Stand!

You Are My Rock

My Righteousness

And

My Reward!

You Are My God

And

I Give You All The Praise!

Please Accept My Offering

For

I Give It, Humbly

In Jesus Christ's Holy Name!

AMEN.