Our Christian Heritage

The heritage of the saints is no small matter. It is truly great.

Although we may be called to good in the seemingly little (like give a cup of water), we are called to do great feats as ambassadors of Christ - we represent the King of Kings, we speak on his behalf, we offer his hospitality, we model his way of love, and we stand for his government here on earth. We are to bring the good news, not simply good intentions, whereever we place our feet; whether this be at home or on foreign soil.

So good intentions are not enough. We must be faithful to the task. . . in the little and in the knowing of the greatness of our God and of his Kingdom.

WARNING: There is a coming judgment of the Nations !

Matthew 25: 31 - 46
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say tho those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

To which kingdom do you belong? God's or the world. Sheep or the goats. On the right hand of God or the left. Blessed or accursed. Those who do or those who don't (incl. those with some good intentions).

This teaching is hard!
. . . so iMustAsk myself about today:

am I offering the excuse I meant to call you?

Sacred Echo

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light;
and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.
Matthew 10: 27

• Are you listening for God's voice?

• Are you speaking ALOUD His Spoken Word to you?

This is why I chirp from the housetop: to proclaim the glory of the King; to make known his commandments. I rejoice at the sound of his voice.

Plain Art

Senseless Slaughter

Jesus makes a way
to avert sudden destruction
from s.enseless s.laughter

Sacred Moments

Because God is Holy Holy Holy there really is a sacred moment of sharing in Christ's sufferings every time a believer ministers directly unto the LORD.

To begin: It is like when you bind the wound of another, you are doing it unto him through a physical act of love (Matt 25: 40). So too when you find a tangible way to help bear the burdens of another in love (1 Cor 13: 7), you are participating in bringing forth God's plan and purposes in their life. Rightly so, these physical-tangible deeds are noteable ways in which we may seek to fulfill God's commandments to actively love Him and to love others too (Matt 22: 37 - 40). Accordingly, we should ascribe greatness to his name because he daily grants to every human being an opportunity to show their love for him and others.

To continue: There is a lesser known privilege granted to the saints who love God first, above all else: that is to physically and tangibly suffer for the LORD (Phil 1.29). Yes, it is power of God at work inside them to willingly suffer on his behalf. This is no small feat inside the kingdom of God but born out of a great love for him, a genuine gratitude for his sacrifice, and a thankful heart for the gift of substitutionary atonement.

To explain: It is Jesus who suffered and died. He literally bore on his body all our sin, transgressions, pain, afflictions and disease (Isaiah 53: 3 - 5) in a physical-tangible way. On top of that he holds first hand knowledge of all our personal woes for he was despised, scarred, scared, scorned, rejected and more. How else can it be other than his act of substitutionary atonement deserves all praise, his perfect love demands our affections, and his wounds our tender human attentions. Therefore, let us not deny his personal need in this hour by turning a blind eye to his sufferings or deaf our ears to his cry Why have you forsaken me? . . . Ah! Do you hear the hammer even now, nailing his precious hand to the cross? I do hear that resounding throng of a hammer pound. It is nothing less than a direct blood-shedding blow taken on my behalf. Do you see him hanging on the cross with eyes of sorrow and his head hung low? I sometimes do when others are around reveling in lesser glories of mere human success. Quite truthfully he longs and patiently waits for my silent fellowship with him alone.

To encourage: Go ahead and take another sacred step forward. Go directly to him. Cast your eyes upon him for a sacred moment alone . . . you'll find hind in the Holy of Holies and just past the veil of focusing on temporal things. It's your calling, your walk of faith, and your heritage to minister directly to the LORD.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2: 9

To commission: Now go forth knowing Jesus Christ paid the price for you (Rom 5: 8). Nothing can separate you from the love of God and loving him (Rom 8: 35 - 39). Like the priests who have gone on before, you are invited to enter into the Holy of Holies and minister unto him. He likes to hear your praise and your small voice reminding him of what he has already done. Speak the truth in love to others. Speak the truth in love to Him -- for this sacred moment is hidden in Christ and meant to be found.

God Never Fails

Whenever Moses spent significant "quiet" time with God he began to reflect the glory of the LORD. And through every desert place of adversity, wherever he walked, Moses learned more fully the undenying fact that God is FAITHFUL!

Do you regularly spend face-to-face time looking into the eyes of your maker?

If not, please take time to examine each benefit . . . for as you spend real quality time gazing-up at Christ you will begin to shine like the stars, become more fully formed into his image, and reflect God's faithfulness?

Therefore, since He is FAITHFUL in everything (whether good, bad, or ugly), I too want to be faithful in all that I can. Good intentions are no longer enough for me. I want to do great feats for kingdom - - in and through every opportunity that God allows to cross my path - - and at the end of the day I want to look in the mirror and rejoice.

My cheer: I'm beginning to resemble him because he's always on my mind.

Short Course on Intercession

Biblical Text: Genesis 26 - 36
Main Character: 'the supplanter'.

His story goes something like this:
Jacob, when young, took advantage of his brother.
He crafted 'such a deal!' not to look like a steal, but instead of giving to others he chose to grab at a chance to make some wealth for himself.
The hidden cost was priceless; something money can't buy.
Something God calls precious; plus what is true and wise?
The way of brotherly love.

Don't you see the 'poor'[-idge] intentions had he?

1. Desiring wealth over love.

Don't you see what is hidden?

1. He gained earthly goods but lost brotherly love.
2. He got rich but it cost him everything; becoming emotionally broke.
3. He found wealth but lost relationship.

So What Now? I need my God to intervene.

Begin with Confession

Forgive me Lord for deceiving others. Forgive me Lord for lies. Forgive me Lord for seeking my own advantage. Forgive me Lord for greed. Forgive me Lord for hating my brother. Forgive me Lord for fearing for my own life!

2 Chronicles 7: 14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Follow a Truly Reformed Model of Pleading Prayer
Pray God's spoken word to you; speak aloud his guidance and clear direction. Humble yourself before him and tell of all his mighty deeds. Seek the Lord and make plain your requests. Remind God (and yourself) of his good promises.

• He is faithful to bring it to completion.
• He is not a liar.
• Every word of God proves true.

Genesis 32: 9 - 12

And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me,'Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,' I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. Yet you have said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.'"