One Eye, One Horn, Flying Purple People Eater

"We finally found people we were comfortable with and that were comfortable with us". REPENT!
"When the church became too worldly we decided to do like they did in the early church, and start kind of a communal type of community of folks that believed the same way we do". REPENT!!
"I love Gospel Music" ...where do you go to church? "Oh I don't but there are enough churches in our town to suit just about anyone's taste". (but not his). REPENT!!!
How about we get together on Sunday for a simple time of Song and Bible sharing? "We have so much to do, it is just not part of our schedule". REPENT!!!!
How about we just do church like we always have and not be concerned about our inability to connect with people on a level that makes God's Love... make sense? REPENT!!!!!!!
ONE EYED -- limited peripheral and circumspect vision - focused on self want and need.
ONE HORNED -- Self is our king -- "ME" reign forever!
FLYING -- no time for others.
PURPLE -- Crowned and robed King!
PEOPLE EATER -- devouring and excreting people (fairly disgusting but if you get the picture you
may catch the rest of this week's thought). - they are only part of our lives until we have no use for them.

Revelation 2: 12-17
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, (Ms..."perhaps"- for love of reward) who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, (Victor's over people - People Conquerors) which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, a and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

There are hidden treasures within this passage in Revelation - describing not only the historical Church,a Church age, but also "church/personal" characteristics that can can devastate our walk with Christ and the lives of others:
Balaam --- this is related to a belief that "perhaps" God doesn't really mean what He says and this hinges on our comfort.
Nicolaitans --- an attitude that values people with no consideration for their value to Christ ( use an abuse).
Repenting of these (repent means that that we turn from the "perhaps" and the "abuse" and allow our minds to be subject to His Word... Agree with God!

This agreement --brings the following:
1. He provides "New" strengthening (Manna) "what is it" from Him...His mercies are new every morning ... sustaining food for the Soul.
2. He gives you a White Stone --- this is the stone that establishes his Choice for YOU.
3. In this Choosing -- He provides a fresh Name that out of His love for you ... He calls you.

PEOPLE called by His Name ... let your hearts and minds rise up to His desire for you.
Love God, love people ... hate sin.
Don't become a purple people eater ... please.
You are called for better things!

HLFA
Jeff

check the youtube below.
http://youtu.be/X9H_cI_WCnE

Christian Car???? Christ's Care for You.

I wonder if my car is a Christian Car? It doesn't curse or swear, It doesn't drink booze or do drugs, it never has entered a bar or seen an x-rated movie, It is kind to all its passengers, it has a 5 star crash rating - ready to protect me, It plays Christian CDs and Christian Radio Stations, and is always willing to take me to church (even carries my Bibles)...So far this is fairly typical stupid thinking, but even more stupid than this is for me to drag Jesus' Name through the mud of my disappointment with the way He is "Supposed" to take care of me...

I am pretty good at whining and complaining and rarely good at asking, I'm even better at blaming instead of truly seeking, and when I do FIND... I lack gratitude because I deserve it, because I was knocking, wasn't I???

Troubled to the max? Life got you to the place that you are ready to explode? Cry out to Him ... really cry out... and expect his answer through His Word.

This was a rough week for me. I was carrying a burden for my wife that was about to kill me (I was even feeling it physically). While driving in my car (the best way to drive) early Friday morning alone (no other passengers) --- I screamed (yep, a full bodied, blood curdling roar) out to Jesus for help (kind of shocked myself) and then went on with my drive and day without much thought for the incident.

However; Friday night He began to open the Word to me and Saturday A.M. was "bucket dumper".

What about His care for me, my wife , for you, for those who he ransomed with His blood?
Hang on, and before you read on,
PRAY .... PRAY (stop -- don't pass over this part) ... PRAY.
In Ephesians 5:27 - Paul describes the love of a Husband for his Wife by Looking at the love of Christ Jesus for His Church (Those called out to be His) this Love that He actively bestows on us day by day. Moment by moment - breath by breath care:

"That He might present it (his Wife the Church) to Himself"
     He presents us to Himself, He pulls us near, He supports and stands beside us;
"a glorious church, "
     He holds us in His highest esteem
"not having spot, "
     He provides advocacy so that "no spot", no fault, no moral blemish will be levied to our account.
"or wrinkle",
     And when He rescues us, His gentle hand doesn't cause damage, wrinkle or bruising.
"or any such thing;"
"but that it (she) should be holy"
     We are set apart with as "cherished"; with full "life purpose" because of His eternal desire is for us.
"and without blemish".
     From Him, we will never receive disgrace, insult or censure because He jealously defends our reputation.

Sorry this may be heavy to read, but if we understand these things we will begin to truly live in Him in all His fullness. Truly live that abundant life He offers... HE IS OUR EVERYTHING!

HLFA,

Jeff

Flash Forward for Others

Several years ago, after a time of prayer for many of the folks that we were ministering to, and searching His Word, we wrote a scripture song to the passage below. Every time I sing this song it seems to allow me to identify with a deeper understanding of the suffering of others as well as the my own suffering. In studying the Psalm in its entirety, we realize that David's submission to His own suffering, and offering his suffering as a sacrifice for others ("for my sake") allowed Him to walk prophetically in the sufferings of Jesus. Hundreds of years before the Cross of Christ, David would identify so closely with that suffering that God would allow a "flash forward" inspiration to flow through David's thought and words. Take a little time and read the entire Psalm and see the foreshadows and striking beams of light that flow through the passage.

For now ... with out the Musical accompaniment this is the way the Words flow in the song:

Psalm 69:1-3
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I sink in deep mire,
where there is no standing:
I am come into deep waters,
where the floods overflow me.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I am weary of my crying:
my throat is dried:
mine eyes fail
while I wait for my God.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

Here comes the right heart attitude towards our own suffering (soak on the next verse):

Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake:
let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

When you are reaching out in prayer for His help in your suffering ... stop ... pray for others. Allow the "flash forward" inspiration of His goodness to flow through your thoughts, your words, and your actions. Let his life - live through you.

Others.
HLFA,

Jeff

The "Be" Should Have Been --- "Been"

Did you find the BE that should have been a BEEN in last week's HLFA?
(go back and read it so you can say yes).

Here comes a reflection because of it.

In A Shattered Visage, a book-length emotional rant against atheism, Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias puts forth the following assertion:
The words of Augustine are most appropriate: "You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee." Or, as Pascal(1623-1662) put it, "There is a god-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, and only God can fill it." [p.89],..

The Song writer Plumb, made this phrase of a "God Shaped Hole" a fairly popular buzz phrase.

Nothing wrong with the "God Shaped Hole" in a devotional sense for the one who is already quickened, but it may lose its accuracy when it is trying to straddle the lost and the saved and the backslider and all the ramifications of the life and world we live in.

The statement below is a speculative devotional thought based on the reversal of this philosophy of the "God Shaped Hole in the heart of men".

Since the Fall of man there has been a "man shaped hole" in the Broken Heart of the God that created him. "Adam where art thou?" God was heard to say in the garden. Sin totally kept that hole disappointingly empty(actually both holes) ... But Jesus removed the sin situation preparing the way back into God's heart.

There is enough scripture between these two philosophies to keep discussions heated and hearts on fire long enough to bond them and become more fully devoted to our Lord and Savior.

Key this week ... Jesus suffered enough ("It is finished") ... quit wasting time in eternity beating yourself for things He took the beating for and rest in His Grace and trust in His Love.

Isaiah 40:27-31
Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest,
          --- "Why do I talk like this?"
O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD,
          --- God doesn't have time to care about me, I'm too insignificant.
and my judgment is passed over from my God?
          --- When it comes to my deliverance, God somehow misses me.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,
          --- Did God repeat himself? ... I better listen intently here are the facts:
that the everlasting God, the LORD,
          --- He is our never-ending help.
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
          --- He created and set us within the boundaries.
fainteth not, neither is weary?
          --- Our neediness doesn't wear Him out (though our fake "I'm OK" may).
there is no searching of his understanding.
          --- The depth of His understanding goes beyond our comprehension.
He giveth power to the faint;
          --- He gives Himself to support our frail efforts ti live.
and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
          --- He is our Strength even when we have none.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary ,
          --- Our youthfulness doesn't guaranty stability of strength
and the young men shall utterly fall:
          --- The young have pressure limits too.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

When trust our delays, setbacks, movements ahead, plans, hopes, fears, stresses, joys, past failures, present stumbles, and future unknowns to the focused powerful care of our Loving God .... we will revive, we will stand ready, we will run, we will walk ... in His Strength. Rise up!!!

HLFA,

Jeff