LENTEN MEDITATION 38 ~ ~ ~ REAL GRIEF

LENTEN MEDITATION 38 ~ ~ ~ Do We Cause The LORD Grief?


And grieve not the Holy Spirit of GOD,
whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30

As a rule, we Christians who are serious followers of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, do not practice those grievous sins listed both before and after this verse.

However, there are other ways we can grieve HIM+ and His+ HOLY SPIRIT. Do we lag behind when HE+ shows us what to do? Do we put off dealing with certain habits which are not necessarily sinful... yet those habits still are not really sowing to the Holy Spirit? Do we turn a deaf ear when HE+ gently calls us to prayer, to slow down, to get still before HIM+ ?

Do we who-ought-to-know-Our-LORD-better ignore His+ calling to do certain things, hoarding our time, our energy, and our effort for more temporal duties? Don't we know yet that HE+ will provide our every need for time... for energy... and for strength for whatsoever HE+ calls us to do?

What are we hoarding our time from... Is it a daily quiet time? Is it a hidden time of intercessory prayer for people who do not know us and wouldn't care for us if they did? Is it a preferance to be active, to produce something visible, that makes us expend our energies in those arenas, instead of sitting still before The LORD for a time?

Do we hoard our time and limited energy to spend it on socializing ... instead of meditation time on and with The LORD? Do we hoard our time and energy, keeping it away from the LORD, so we can get our housework done... our children fed.... our public jobs taken care of ? Yes, all these things are GOOD DUTIES to perform, but are they ever too much with us?

David Bercot, of Scroll Publishing and the Society of the GOOD SHEPHERD, once printed a story about a poor family who had a pig, a sow. During prayer, the man of the home promised The LORD to give HIM+ one of the litter of piglets, should the sow produce a litter. In due season, the sow produced a fine litter of piglets, 7 in all. But soon afterwards, one of the little piglets died. The man became distraught. His wife asked him what was wrong. He said, " A terrible thing has happened. The LORD'S pig died!"

Yes, when we must cut out something, or cut back somewhere, we will likely cut out time, money, effort , or energy from The LORD'S program or kingdom. We will get our sleep. We will get our food and gasoline. We will be certain to get to our job on time... but we seldom serve The LORD with such rigor.

More's the pity, this condition called being human. Why can't we serve The LORD with as much vigor, as much endurance, as much singleness of eye as we serve our employer? The LORD is certainly more to be trusted... more to be honored... and more worthy of faithfulness.

Yes, let us STOP PUTTING EVERYTHING ELSE BEFORE The LORD. Our jobs will get done, our houses cleaned, our children fed if we make the sacrifice to put HIM+ before all these necessary responsibilities.

If we so will to do this, HE+ will provide the time, energy, effort and money... and then, ---bless His+ dear, dear heart--- HE+ will credit it to our account!

Gracious Heavenly FATHER,

I come to THEE saddened by all the times I have grieved Thy Spirit. I am sorry for causing THEE sorrow. I am sorry for the times I have disappointed THEE and that THOU hast been made to labor with my stubbornness.

I do love THE, O LORD. Help me to point my face toward THEE and move into Thy will, knowing THOU wilt provide the wherewithal needed to accomplish it. I’m sorry for the times I have hidden myself from THEE and wouldn’t make the effort to do what I knew was Thy will… in prayer, in intercession, in quietude. I pray these things in the name of Thy Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST, Who+ delighted to do Thy will, O FATHER.

In the name of The FATHER, The SON, and the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.

Amen

+ + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 37 ~~~ KEEP CUTTING !

LENTEN MEDITATION 37 ~~~ Keep Cutting !
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.13.2008



Let us hear the Word of The LORD JESUS CHRIST once more:


And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off:
it is better for thee to enter halt into life,

than having two feet to be cast into hell [Gehenna, Gk.]
the fire that never shall be quenched:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out:

it is better for thee
to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye,
than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire,
and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good:
but if the salt have lost his saltness,
wherewith will ye season it?
Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Mark 9:45-50

Have you ever wondered why The LORD gave the explicit instruction to the Israelites concerning who could NOT serve in the Tabernacle/Temple worship? In Leviticus 21:16-24, The LORD instructed Moses that no-one with any bodily infirmity or handicap could officiate in the Tabernacle or Temple worship. That man could not offer the sacrifices, nor the bread, nor enter into the Veil, nor come nigh the altar. He could, however, eat of the bread.


Now we know the GOD of all compassion and mercy would never discriminate against persons who were handicapped or limited in body or mind. Indeed, HE+ is of tender compassion with those who are encased in such prisons within their bodies. HE+ promises His+ children wholeness of mind and body, upon Resurrection, if they enter into His+ Covenant through The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

But why would HE disallow those handicapped persons (Israelites who were already in His Covenant) to officiate in worship ceremonies, to perform them before all the people? Did HE think the worship service would be too marred by someone who stuttered or who moved with a limp or whose crippled arm couldn’t handle the sacrifices rightly? NO.


Let us remember here what GOD, the GOD of hope, told Moses: See that you do everything exactly As I have told you. It was to be done with strict exactness because it was a pattern of things in the Heavenlies. [See Hebrews 8:5 and Exodus 25:40].


In the Heavenly Kingdom, there are no handicaps, no lameness, no bodily limitations of form nor mind. The pattern was established to bring forth hope of the coming promise, the coming kingdom, in which there will be NO HANDICAPS !

Thus, when the handicapped person saw the worship service done by persons who were “whole,” they could take heart that some day… yes, GOD is faithful… some day they too would be whole. That day was a day of hope for them. The pattern of things to come was intentionally set before them.

This is why Our LORD said, “ It is better to enter into life halt or maimed or having only one eye,” than to practice sin and miss Eternal Life in the Kingdom of GOD. Once we enter into Life in the Kingdom of GOD, the Resurrection, there will be no handicaps. Our severed hand or foot and our missing eye will be restored in His+ Kingdom.

However, if we continue to practice sin, we will enter into Gehenna, even having all our body intact; our whole bodies, souls, and minds… with which we practiced sin… will do us no good in Gehenna, where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.


Dear Gracious and Life-Giving Heavenly FATHER,
I come to THEE this day with the burning desire to cease from all sin, all Self-centeredness, all thoughts unworthy of Thy SON JESUS CHRIST. Help me to move from Self-indulgence to a life centered upon pleasing THEE. I Thank THEE for the hope of Eternal Life through Thy Beloved SON, the worthy Lamb of GOD, Who taketh away the sins of all the repentant, both handicapped and whole alike. LORD, let me never, ever out-live my love for THEE.

This I pray, in the name of The FATHER, of The SON, and of The HOLY SPIRIT, both now and forever.
Amen
+ + +.

LENTEN MEDITATION 36 ~ ~ ~ Cut it Off

Lenten Meditation 36 ~ ~ ~Cut It Off
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.12.2008


For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name,
because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you,
he shall not lose his reward.


And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in
me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and he were cast into the sea.


And if thy hand offend thee,
cut it off:
it is better for thee to enter into life maimed,
than having two hands to go into hell,
into the fire that never shall be quenched:


Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Words of The LORD JESUS to His+ Church, recorded in Mark 9: 41-44

Has anyone EVER heard a sermon preached on this passage? Growing up Methodist, I never did. Furthermore, in subsequent years, attending Presbyterian, Assembly of GOD, Episcopal, Evangelical, Anglican, Charismatic prayer groups, and even popping into a Roman Catholic service once in awhile… I never heard these 4 verses touched upon… even in Sunday School.

In 26 years of serious church attending before I was regenerated, I never heard these words of JESUS read nor addressed from the pulpit. Growing up, we were not excused from the sermons of the minister to go to children’s church. Rather, we were taught to sit quietly and listen.


And, more’s the pity, after I was regenerated, I never heard these words of JESUS read nor addressed from the pulpit for approximately 33 years.[1]

And if thy hand offend thee,
cut it off:
it is better for thee to enter into life maimed,
than having two hands to go into hell [Gehenna, Gk.]
into the fire that never shall be quenched:


Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

We know The LORD JESUS never spoke a frivolous word. We know HE+ spoke those things necessary for our salvation. We know and have the confidence that HE+ offered to rescue everyone from eternity in hell: HE+ wanted no-one… not even the worst of sinners… to be placed in hell. It was originally designated for fallen angels, not for man.


If our hands do things to make us stumble, sin, or fall away from The LORD, HE+ tells us to do the worst thing possible to that hand: CUT IT OFF. That is how serious sin is, in His+ eyes. The consequences are unthinkably dreadful. Eventually, the sinner will end up in the Lake of Burning Fire… Gehenna… as found in Revelation 20:14, the second death. That is where the devil, the beast, and the false prophet are thrown, Rev. 20:10.



How should we then live?



We had better live in a state of repentance. We had better take His+ words seriously. We had better monitor our thoughts, words, and activities through the eyes of Him+ with Whom+ we have to do.


Dear LORD,

I Thank THEE+ for giving me Thy HOLY SPIRIT; O LORD, take it not from me when I don’t listen! Have mercy upon me. Help me to receive Your blessed conviction for sin. Send it forth to me before worse happens. Help me by Thy Grace to take seriously Your words and Your work and forgive my light-heartedness about them. Help me to deal with my body in such a way that my flesh knows my spirit will not indulge its whims and whines. Help me to live out my salvation daily for the glory of GOD… and escape the fires of the second death.

O HOLY FATHER, I ask these things in the name of Thy Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST, in Whom+ THOU was well-pleased, and in the power of Thy Blessed HOLY SPIRIT. Amen.











[1] Now in my 60’s, I have heard a Bishop at All Saints Church in Rome, Ga. gallantly address these warning words of CHRIST JESUS… and he addressed them not only to his congregation but also over the airwaves in his radio broadcast.

LENTEN MEDITATION 35 ~ ~ ~ My Tongue

Lenten Meditation 35 ~ ~ ~ My Tongue
for the Year of Our LORD, 3.11.2008



Come, ye children, hearken unto me:
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.


What man is he that desireth life,
and loveth many days, that he may see good?


Keep thy tongue from evil,
and thy lips from speaking guile.


Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous,
and his ears are open unto their cry.


The face of the LORD is against them that do evil,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
Psalm 34:11-16




The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth,
and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 34:17:18

Dear Heavenly FATHER,
I come to you, ashamed of the works of my tongue. Help me to lay to heart the words of Thy Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST. HE+ has told me that from out of my heart come the words on my tongue. Help me to think on things rightly, so as to give glory to THEE+ … and not to mine own opinions nor hurts, imagined or perceived. Cleanse my heart of uncleanness. Then I can proclaim truthfully with the Psalmist: O LORD, open THOU+ my lips and my mouth shall proclaim Thy+ Praise, not mine.

Unto You, Holy FATHER, through Your Beloved SON, our LORD, in the strength of Your Blessed HOLY SPIRIT, our Advocate, now and forever, unto the Ages of Ages. Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 34 ~~~ Our Thinking

Lenten Meditation 34 Our Thinking…
for The Year of Our LORD, 3.10.2008

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are righteous,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

Philippians 4:8



O LORD, change my thinking.
Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 33 ~ The Lighthouse

LENTEN MEDITATION 33 -- The Lighthouse
for the Year of Our LORD, 3.9.2008


If we say that we have fellowship with him,
and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.
I JOHN 1: 6-10

This brings to mind the familiar old Lighthouse Story. This story is about a haughty and arrogant commander of a Navy battleship. On a foggy night, he accosted what he thinks is another ship. A terse argument broke out between them via the communication apparatus: each wanted the other to change its course so they wouldn’t collide. Finally, there was not much time left before a certain collision. But the arrogant commander, flinging out his degree of rank and great accomplishments, totally refused to change the course of his battleship, saying , “You change course!”

Then came the awsome answer:
“I AM THE LIGHTHOUSE.
YOU CHANGE.”


We had better change course. The LORD is not moving… and neither is His+ standard of holiness found in His+ Word.

In the Name of the FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.

LENTEN MEDITATION 32 To Train for the Fight

Lenten Meditation 32 ~ ~ ~ Train for the Fight

Through circumstances I could not control, I got involved in watching a ROCKY movie... the prize-fighter. Of great interest was Rocky's massive training program. It was intense. He pushed his muscles and endurance literally to the limit. I winced.

I could hardly take the boxing ring scenes. I watched in horror as Rocky received a brutal beating, blow after blow. He got up from each knock-down and lunged full force into the fight. Why?

Rocky endured both the rigorous, unrelenting stringencies of his training so that he could WIN THE FIGHT. Getting beat up during the fight was simply a by-product, a minor hindrance (as Rocky saw it), to the process of WINNING.

Now why would I, a slight bit of a person, need to see that movie? I thought. I'm certainly NOT interested in training for the arena... or any fight.

So... that is when The LORD started speaking to my heart about it... about training for the fight.

HE+ pointed up the intensity of Rocky's training. Massive, enduring, all-consuming training. Rocky did nothing and ate nothing except what was conducive to building up his boxing skills... his boxing strength... his endurance in the arena. All fluff was removed from his life while he CONCENTRATED 100 % on his training. He focused on one thing and one thing only: THE BIG FIGHT. Rocky was single of eye.

"Now," The LORD said, "that's what I want you to do."

I became instantly sobered and ... gulped. I am not a fighter. This kind of fight entails putting to death the Self, big-time. No more petting myself. No more allowing myself treats. If Rocky could do this for his prize, why cannot I do this for mine?

The Apostle Paul did it. We have the same HOLY SPIRIT. We have the same LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. We have the same amount of victory allotted for us as the Apostles and other martyrs and confessors had.

There simply is no excuse. We do not want to fight the biggest battle, the biggest hurdle in walking with CHRIST JESUS... ourselves.

Let us fight the GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. Let us join our hearts with the Apostle Paul and learn to live this out:

But what things were gain to me,

those I counted loss for CHRIST.

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things loss

for the excellency of the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS my LORD:

for Whom+ I have suffered the loss of all things,

and do count them dung,

that I may win CHRIST,

and be found in HIM+,....

That I may know HIM+,

and the power of His+ resurrection,

and the fellowship of His+ sufferings,

being made conformable unto His+ death;

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Philippians 3: 7-11, excerpts

LENTEN MEDITATION 31 ~ ~ ~ Our Labor

Labour not for the meat which perisheth,

but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life,

which the SON of MAN shall give unto you;

for HIM+ hath GOD the FATHER sealed.

John 6:27

+ + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 30 ~~~ Through it All

LENTEN MEDITATION 30 ~ ~ ~ The Repair of the Broken

~ ~ ~ or, We Are All Required to Walk
…even in the midst of our difficulties.

Sooner or later, we all have ENORMOUS hurts or difficulties. They come to Christian and non-Christian, alike. Deaths, bodily sickness or injury, divorce, loneliness --- deep, gut-wrenching loneliness--- every human soul knows these heart-aches in one way or another. And then, when joy is finally gone, comes the worst: what is life all about, anyways? And for some, is it worth the struggle?

Our LORD JESUS tells us to walk with HIM+. HE+ does NOT tell us to be joyful. HE+ does tell us to offer up thanksgiving and praise of Who+ HE+ is in the midst of these griefs. Like Job, we recognize His+ Sovereignty at all times and in all circumstances. And then, we are required to walk with HIM+… in as much obedience as if the hurt had not happened.

As we walk with The LORD JESUS through these gut-wrenching sorrows, HE+ comforts us. HE+ also corrects our vision. HE+ corrects where --- or in whom--- we have put our trust. The Psalmist correctly states:

Whom have I in heaven but thee?
and there is none upon earth
that I desire beside thee.
Psalm 73:25

Our LORD JESUS gently but firmly corrects our heart. HE+ corrects the direction we have been leaning. If we have been leaning on things of this life for our happiness, then HE+ will correct that. Temporal things--- earthly security, houses, lands--- are worse than temporary: they are deceitful security… houses built upon the sand.

If we have been leaning on others as the source of our joy, then HE+ corrects that.

Elderly parents, aunts and uncles, will indeed pass away. Brothers and sisters will go at their appointed times. Sometimes spouses are taken. Sometimes the treasures of our hearts, our little ones, are returned home to Their Heavenly FATHER.

We cannot stop these sorrows from occurring.

HE+ wants our primary heart to be with HIM+. There should be nothing greater living in our hearts. HE+ corrects that, in the midst of these common human griefs, and we see our error.


If our job security goes or sickness or disease robs us of our earthly strength, HE+ corrects us here, too. HE+ wants our labor to be in HIM+ and for HIM+. Many a saint has discovered the quietness--- and power--- of the prayer closet while having severe physical limitations to endure daily. With no hope for recovery, they learn to lean on JESUS for their hope. Their strength becomes perfected in their weakness because of JESUS. Their whole identity changes…which is the goal.

HE+ is good at changing our self’s identity from worldling to being CHRIST’S man or woman. HE+ will use whatever means is necessary to do this.


If we walk with HIM+ through these distresses, we discover something grand: we become whole again. HE+ brings healing and joy back into our hearts, no matter what the sorrow, if we walk with HIM+ and remain obedient to His+ Word through these awful human woes.

The LORD JESUS is not unmindful of our sorrow, for HE+ was the king of human sorrow. It is not un-ending comfort and compassion that we need, though; it is healing. Yes, JESUS does have un-ending comfort and compassion for His+ followers, and furthermore, HE+ gives it to us freely and abundantly.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it
more abundantly.
John 10:10


But… we must receive His+ correction in order to be healed.



Furthermore, when we go through the healing that obedience to His+ Word brings, His+ love, comfort, compassion, and tremendous JOY will be poured upon us. Yea, His+ very Presence will be there and the sorrowful torments will flee away. We will not have to work at being joyful; HE+ will send it.




As HE+ corrects us, HE+ tells us to bring the needs of our hearts to HIM+ and to HIM+ alone. We take the demands off of others to “be there” for us. We learn to relate to others through CHRIST and for His+ Sake… and for His+ Sake alone.

This is so that they too might come to know CHRIST JESUS our LORD… so that they too might be released from the torments of darkness … so that they too might go forth and bear witness of HIM+ at all times and in all places.

We take to the cross our own emptiness for CHRIST JESUS to fill, not to others. And then, we will be ONE with HIM+.


In the Name of the FATHER, The SON+,

and the HOLY SPIRIT.

Amen.

+ + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 29--- Accounted Worthy

Lenten Meditation 29 ...Accounted Worthy to Obtain That World

for the Year of Our LORD, 3.5.08

And Jesus answering said unto them,

The children of this world marry,

and are given in marriage:

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world,

and the resurrection from the dead,

neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Neither can they die any more:

for they are equal unto the angels;
and are the children of God,

being the children of the resurrection.

LUKE 20:34-36

The LORD'S comments and explanations were in response to the clever Sadducees' questions about "...whose wife was she... in the resurrection... after seven brothers had her to wife ?" HE+ told them their error and set them straight about how it would be in the Resurrection. HE+ will set us straight, too, if we will receive it...

LENTEN MEDITATION 28 ~~~ Iniquity of My Sin

Lenten Meditation 28 ~ ~ ~The Iniquity of My Sin
for the Year of Our LORD, 3.4.2008

I acknowledge my sin unto THEE+,
and mine iniquity have I not hid.
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD;
and THOU+ forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 32:5




Gross injustice and wickedness… is the definition of iniquity.
An offense against GOD… is the definition of sin from Webster’s[1].
The violation of Divine law, going out of bounds or limits…
is the definition of transgression.




Our sin is a stench in His+ nostrils.

Furthermore, The LORD does not play “favorites” among His+ children. When we come to grips with this truth, we develop a healthy fear of The LORD: what HE+ has done to others who did not take His+ Word seriously, HE+ will do to us. The same standard is put upon each one of us and that standard does not bend. This standard is CHRIST JESUS and His+ Holiness… without which no man shall see The LORD.



Acknowledging our sin pleases The LORD. Admitting that our offenses are always done against HIM+, even if others are involved, is truth. As soon as we are aware… as soon as conviction falls upon us for serving Self… we do not run AWAY from GOD but rather run UNTO the LORD.

We do not hide our sin nor do we cloak it with an excuse. We simply and honestly admit it. The LORD knows what we’ve done anyhow; it is from ourselves that we are hiding it or dissimulating.

Thus, admitting our sin is the first step. Then we must go one step further and recognize our iniquity, our lack of innocence, in what we have done or thought.

Our iniquity shows itself when we know better, but go ahead anyhow and do things that are wrong. When we persist in holding opinions contrary to HIS+ word, this constitutes gross wickedness because stubbornness is as the sin of iniquity and idolatry. (I Sam. 15:23)

We have all tasted the loving-kindness of Our Savior. When we refuse to issue that same forgiveness and loving-kindness to others who have offended us, we are in trouble with GOD HIMSELF. (See the prayer The LORD taught His+ disciples when they asked HIM+, “Lord, teach us how to pray.” Luke 11). We have transgressed His+ Holy law of forgiveness… to forgive as CHRIST has forgiven us.

We simply cannot afford to sin against GOD. We cannot afford to practice stubbornness in any area. We cannot afford to excuse ourselves when we persist in our own thinking regardless of what The WORD of GOD says plainly.


HE+ will richly pardon and forgive us if we come clean before HIM+. HE+ will forgive, not only the sin itself, but also the presumption, the stubbornness, the taking advantage of His+ Grace and the violation of His+ Person… when we confess our sin and the iniquity underneath our foul behavior.


But, be careful. GOD cannot be tricked nor mocked.

Even honest confession and admittance of sin can be perverted by our deceitful, human hearts. Here is a true story. One man defiled his marriage bed by bringing other women into the place reserved for his wife. After many struggles, a divorce ensued. In time, this wayward man grew lonely for more stability, a home with a decent wife, and his children. So, he repented and wanted to “return home.” Yes, his repentance was for destroying the marriage and sinning against his wife and children.

But unfortunately, he only wanted the home to be regained for himself. He did not want The LORD JESUS to rule his life nor did he want to promise to abstain from affairs. This is not true repentance. This is expediency. He was ready to make only the outward changes to remove the press of being uncomfortable. Worse, he demanded his Christian ex-wife to take him back into the marriage bed because it was “the will of The LORD.” But the marriage covenant had been broken.

Yes, she forgave him but did not take him back into the covenant relationship of marriage. He hadn’t become that new creature in CHRIST yet. He refused to enter into the covenant of CHRIST and therefore, she could not be yoked unto someone outside of the Covenant of CHRIST. The marriage would have still been unclean. Wise woman!


Dear Gracious Heavenly FATHER, in the name of Thy holy SON JESUS CHRIST I come to You. I confess my sins and abhor the iniquity of them. Keep me from presumptuous sins. I am sorry for taking advantage of Your Goodness. I am sorry for persisting in my thoughts when I do know better. Forgive me for my stubbornness and let not any Self-will take root in my soul.

Now unto HIM+ Who+ is able to do abundantly above all we ask or think, I offer up these my imperfect prayers.

In the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT. Amen.
+ + +



[1] All definitions come from Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, based on Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (A Merriam-Webster Dictionary) , 1965. Lenten Meditation

LENTEN MEDITATION 27 ~ ~ ~ Well Done

LENTEN MEDITATION 27 ~~~Well Done!
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.3.2008

And so he that had received five talents came
and brought other five talents,
saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents:
behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

His Lord said unto him,
Well done, thou good and faithful servant:
thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents:
behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

His Lord said unto him,
Well done, good and faithful servant;
thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Matthew 25:20-23

Talents, money or other items of value, come to us from the appointment of or will of The LORD… for what do any of us have that we did not first receive? Not one baby is born on this earth “owning” anything, even babes born into the richest families. The riches must be given to him.

Furthermore, if we have put forth labor and time to hone a skill, develop an ability, or earn money… where did we obtain the eyesight, the hearing, the strength of body and mind, the wherewithal… to accomplish anything? For behold, it is written:

All things come of THEE, and of Thine own have we given THEE.



Let us therefore remember that naked we came from the womb and naked shall we return to the dust. Let us become true stewards of ALL those items we possess that we cannot keep nor take with us… those items of earthly value and ONLY earthly value. Let us become a funnel through which these goods and valuables pass… from GOD’s provision through our hands to further His+ Kingdom in some way.


Let us take stock of our abilities, our labor, and our time that we may use these to also further His+ Kingdom, according to His+ leading. They too will flee away as swiftly as the weaver’s beam moves.

Let us so live our lives so that we might hear those words in our own ears:

Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Enter thou into the joy of Thy LORD !

In all, let us make certain we REMEMBER that we are servants… and Whose+ servants we are… and to Whom+ we must give an account of the goods entrusted to us.

Dear Heavenly FATHER, unto Whom all hearts are open, all desires, known… I thank THEE for life and for every breath I take. I’m sorry for my selfish existence. Please forgive me for keeping your goods for my life. Help me to re-commit my valuables… my goods, my labor, my time… unto THEE to be used to further Your Kingdom. Teach me how to be a steward of all these things you have entrusted me to handle for your Glory.
Thank you, dear LORD, for leading me in this. Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 26 ~ ~ ~ At Prayer

LENTEN MEDITATION 26 ~~~

QUIET BROTHER AT PRAYER

To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

LENTEN MEDITATION 25 ~ ~ ~ A Worthy Walk

For the Year of Our LORD, 3.1.2008

Let us learn,

strive,

endeavor,

make the effort,

set the priority,

run as though to win the prize

~ ~ ~ to reach the mark of the HIGH CALLING OF GOD

IN CHRIST JESUS, our LIFE.

This is not an option; it is our love's work... our bounden duty... a duty borne out of a heart of love for our LORD and Precious Savior JESUS CHRIST.


It is not works for Salvation; it is works AFTER Salvation, that we might be known as children of GOD. These works should be the fruit of our union with CHRIST JESUS, not only our determination. The LORD'S Grace is sufficient to supply our every need. Indeed, His+ strength is made perfect in weakness. None of us are lacking in weakness ! Thus, if yielded unto HIM+, none of us should be lacking in perfect strength, right?

Let us be mindful of the Apostle's words:

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful in every good work,

and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,

unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.

Colossians 1:10,11


Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and
unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every
one of you, as a father doth his children,
That ye would walk worthy of God,

who hath called you unto his
kingdom and glory.

I THESSALONIANS 2:10-12

O LORD JESUS CHRIST: Help me to walk worthy of You, unto all pleasing, that my basket of offering may be full and without blemish when I stand before the Great Judgment Seat of CHRIST. Help me not to take advantage of Your kindness and long-suffering. Help me to grow up, in THEE+, and become a mature, responsible Christ-bearer, before GOD and man. Help me to become a workman unashamed, both rightly dividing the Word of Truth and rightly applying it to my life. I praise THEE and worship THEE, O HOLY FATHER, with all that is within my little heart. Grant Your strength to be made perfect in my weakness... through Your Beloved and Obedient SON JESUS CHRIST... in the power of Thy Blessed HOLY SPIRIT. Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 24--Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the LAMB that was slain...

to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honor, and glory and blessing!

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth,

and under the earth, and such as are in the sea,

and all that are in them, heard I saying,

Blessing and honor , and glory, and power,

be unto HIM that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Amen.