Insurrection

The beating, indispensable heart of the bible is the gospel of Jesus. Sinners that we are we have the wrath of God upon our heads, we are slaves in need of freedom and only Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life could satisfy God's holy demands, and for the joy that was set before Him Jesus endured the cross and took upon Himself our sins and the punishment of death that came as a result of our wicked abandonment of the holy ways of God. Jesus died for all then He came back to life for death could not hold Him, and in doing so He destroyed the power of sin that was holding captive God's children and He provided for us complete forgiveness and obtained for His chosen ones an inheritance into the family of God that will last for an eternity. Such is the unimaginable gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a gift that so displays the majesty of God's grace that it is utterly incomprehensible in its magnitude.

And yet, I have listened to many preachers and teachers of the body of Christ who tell the stories of the bible and quote the scriptures some with eloquence others with force, but very few embedded and centered in the gospel of Christ, consequently, they lose their power as their words build sand castles that fall from lack of a strong foundation, buildings with no cornerstones. I pray that as preachers we won't stray down paths that lead others to beautiful insights and compelling illustrations that have no staying power and just like a gorgeous rose with time lose all their loveliness. Let's be bold, let's be faithful to our Lord's mission, "To seek and to save that which was lost." Let us say with the apostle Paul, "But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

There is a battle that rages inside of me to the deepest parts of my soul, and this war will not end this side of heaven. Satan is after me, and the world is enticing and my lower nature constantly desires evil things that are in direct conflict to the Word of God. In which camp do I reside? To whom does my loyalty extend? There cannot be a dozen choices, rather only two: the path that Jesus Christ purchased for me or the path that I wish to purchase for myself.

Odd to live an entire life in honor and glory to someone else. Strange that I would not come first in my own life. Curious that by dying to my self-sustaining wants and desires that I would find life, and a life that is complete and joyous and eternal at that. But, such is the way of my Lord. He gave His life that I may live my life through Him and in doing so bring glory to His holy name. This makes no sense outside of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ enlightening me to the mysteries of God and His majestic ways. Personally, I would have thought up a different way to reach my children and this is precisely the reason I need a Savior, for my ways are selfish and cheap, but God's ways are lovely and come at an extreme cost. Nothing is wasted and in loss there is gain.

So, since my loyalty is aligned with Jesus Christ, and in His camp I reside then I must fight, and this fighting will be bloody and violent, and I will be injured frequently and yet victory is assured. May I always stay close to Him, and though I be wounded and tired may the joy of the Lord be my strength and may my sword never seize to kill those things that oppose my Savior and His righteousness. To my last breath may I glorify the Lord and magnify His holy, holy, holy name.

Godspeed.

I want more than anything to honor and glorify Your holy, holy name my dear Jesus. I thank you for lifting me out of my self-made clay and washing away the filth that covered me leaving no stains. I deserved death and eternal torment but You, dear, dear Jesus gave me life and that eternal. There is no repayment there is no paybacks You give all and that freely.

Oh that I would spend the remaining time I have on this earth ensuring that I please You. Help me to perform the work of an evangelist to be fruitful in and out of season. God grant me the privilege of winning souls and reconciling Your children back to Your holy heavenly arms. Lord Jesus, all for You.

The Showdown

It was January in Abeline

and I was a looking for a fight

I was a gunfighter then

young, mean, ugly and full of spite.

"Anybody bold enuff to come out here?"

I yelled in the middle of the street

my right hand a straddling my peacemaker

my breath smelling homemade whiskey sweet.

For the longest time I stood there in silence

no man a daring to make a move

when out from the church come a little ole lady

dressed from head to toe in baby blue.

I said, "Ole lady get back inside that church

you aint capable of being my rival."

She said, "Guns have I none

but I'll fight you to death with this here bible."

"Bible!" I laughed.

"Are you telling me that's all you got?

well Missy, I'm ready for a showdown

throw it in the air and I'll give it a shot!"

That frail little lady just smiled a big ole smile

then she opened that little black book

and for thirty minutes she stood in the street and read to me

and brother that's all it took.

She told me of the love of Jesus

and how He died for me on a cross

she said He could wipe away all my sins

and that I was prideful and I was lost.

Well I cried and fell to the ground

and asked Jesus for a brand new heart

and in an instant my gunslinging days was over

and God showed me His grace and gave me a new start.

Ten years have past and I'm still thankful

for the woman that fought me with staff and rod

Lord bless her for looking past the drunken outlaw

and seeing instead a child of God.