The True Tough Love

Loving your enemies can be the most difficult.
It is the tell-tale sign of the follower of Christ.
He was crucified by enemies,
forsaken by His own
yet providing,
through the cross,
a way to life for all who hated Him.

What a turn for those of us that hope in Jesus.
He is on the Throne
in heaven and in the heart
of those that see this irresistible Love
which will be proclaimed
until His return for those who would have Him.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Cr&c=5&t=KJV#vrsn/14

Uriah: Friend or Fool?

Uriah would be counted a fool in our day. A warrior gets leave from the battle to enjoy time with his wife but he chooses to sleep alone under the stars as if he were with his men in the field. He was not available to fight alongside his men, but his heart brought him there in spirit. That might be described as love for his men. Oddly enough these same men, under orders, abandoned him to die alone on the battlefield, all this in order to hide the sin of King David and Bathsheba. Hmmmm… this sounds a bit familiar. I’m sure some might think this a coincidence. If you look, you’ll find a number of these “coincidences” throughout the “Old Testament.” It is, for me, the tapestry and song of redemption woven by God (YHWH –just so there is no question as to Who) foretold to the world for all men. Uriah died in battle for those he loved. Another came willing to die so that we might live.

We are a people who like to take chances. Why is it so difficult to take a chance on God and His plan of redemption? Why does God want to pay the ransom for you?

One: You don’t have enough to cover it.
Two: You’re not even sure that you’re lost (partly because without Him you’ve got lots of company).
Three: Originally, you were His (Yes the Creator). One benefit of redemption is being freed from the fear of death, something that is before us all.

We have a friend like Uriah in Jesus. His heart was for us even before we let Him in. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=5&t=KJV#vrsn/8 ).
He went to the cross to die, opening the door to life for us who would believe that He was payment for our sins (this won’t help you if you think you are sinless http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=3&t=KJV#vrsn/23 ).
The battle for you was done and finished at Calvary. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=5&t=KJV#vrsn/12

Faithful friends who do things from the heart with no visible benefit for themselves are rare. Do you want a friend like Uriah, whose heart is for you? I know I don’t deserve it, mostly because I could never (on my own) be that kind of friend. Could I ever be that kind of friend? Thank God there is no way to earn this Love (there are no braggarts in heaven). I can demonstate love to those Jesus died for so that they might live http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Jo&c=4&t=KJV#vrsn/9 .
Any friend of Jesus is a friend of mine. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Jo&c=4&t=KJV#vrsn/11

You might just call this and “old-fashioned” love song. We have this friend in Jesus. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=15&t=KJV#vrsn/13

Go ahead take a chance and learn of Him. You can start with the Gospel of John. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=1&t=NIV
Then, find yourself in the company of others who trust in the Savior and His word.

Bottom line

There is a problem when you decide that there is no God. It creates a kind of vacuum that just begs to be filled.

Wait, no one to answer to except me, sounds good eh? Yeah, I’m doin it my way (not yours) Frank. I’ll go where I want, say what I want and after I die I’ll be happy, because………… Wait a minute. Something’s wrong here. In my world death doesn’t exist, or at least I don’t think about it. I’m not so sure being my own god is gonna work. I was kinda hoping I had more time. It keeps on slipping into the future (unfortunate advertisement campaign song; used by the United States Post Office done by Steve Miller). How do you manufacture time?

What a glorious day it will be when you find out the only thing holding you back from eternal life has been you! This God you did not want has been preparing for your arrival for many years. He even has road maps and people pointing the way (Check out http://www.realradioactive.org/ or http://www.leadingtheway.org/site/PageServer?pagename=listen_default ) His invitation continues to be open. His mercy endures forever; however, your time under the sun does not. The door is open now but will close soon, if you stop breathing,… even sooner. You’re free to choose (God is more “pro-choice” than those that claim the title). He is gentle and won’t force you (whereas some religious might) to love Him.

Bluffing in a card game only works on those who get intimidated/convinced that you’ve got a better hand than him. You’ve got to admit your hand is somewhat lacking compared with God’s. Take a good look at yourself. Are you really all that? If your answer is yes, then maybe you are a god. Your kingdom awaits; make the best of it when your time under the sun is up.

This was written to let you know that there are choices and it can never be said you did not know God YHWH had left the light on for you (get it? Light, ha!).

Just in case you haven’t made a choice yet and while there is still time, it’s Jesus that does the work. Ask Him to show you this life He has for you (where that mercy endures). He hears and answers. He did for me. I’ll stick with Him.
Try reading the Gospel of John (http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=1&t=NIV ); it’s a good start on getting to know the most important person you will ever know in your life.

Free to choose, free is good and the only string attached is God’s Love.

Uncle Samson?

Jdg 14:4 "His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel."

I believe there is no real mention of the United States in the Bible. With specific places and times regarding prophetic events (verifiable after it happens) the Bible is silent about the land I love and call home. It makes me wonder. Could America be shadowing the life of Samson (strong and able, protecting his people and still losing his way)?

Jdg 16:1 "Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her."

Something drew him to Delilah, nothing dangerous about her, yeah. Maybe Samson should have listened to his parents when he first began looking for the right girl?

Jdg 14:3 His father and mother objected. "Isn't there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?" they asked. "Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?" But Samson told his father, "Get her for me! She looks good to me."

I guess his strength was not an issue for him. He always had it. He probably thought it belonged to him. It took some sad turn of events to bring him back to the source of his strength. We can all take some advice here and be sure to be thankful to God YHWH for what we have. We should be aware of where we come from (our history). The future is still subject to our choices.

Jdg 16:28 “Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, "O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God,…”

You really should read it for yourself.
Start here: http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jdg&c=13&v=24&t=KJV#comm/24

I hope America’s story is not like that of Samson.
America,
blessed America,
don’t turn your back on God
or His beloved Israel, please.

Gen 12:3 "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Grace to Endure

Without going through the valley how would we ever know the peace (Shalom) that passes all understanding. The people of America, for the most part, have been excluded from such. This is because there are numerous ways to avoid difficulties here. It may be through drugs, diversion through excitement, running away to avoid or the always encouraged me-first mindset.
Putting God to the test on whether His word is true, proving that He is watching over you, means you have to stay with it until He says so. Third world countries are blessed, go figure choices are limited. If you are breathing, if you are reading, if you are hoping, then the race is not over.
While swimming underwater, you get to a point where you think you need to come up for air. But you can take one more stroke. Like I heard at a “Promise Keepers” rally, take one more stroke.
What better place to put your faith, but in the God that hears and by the testimony of many, He answers.
The worst thing about us in the western world is that we have many options for escape and our society encourages the total absence of pain & suffering. Figure it out It is tempting to believe. If you do, you truly are suffering and looking for a way out. Just the anxiety alone of this not being fulfilled is painful. This is a dangerous place to be. You have the choice to do so, but if you are the one leading yourself, get real, do you know where you are going?
Hold on. Take one more stroke and trust in God. You’re not done yet and yes, it is hard (Thanks Pastor John Torres http://www.goodwillchurch.org/?pageType=sub&pageID=62#/our-pastors ). Don’t let hoped for prosperity and avenues of escape rob you from knowing a Merciful and Rewarding God, to whom we call out as Abba Father. He has not let you down as much as by not trusting, you, have hindered His complete, all-encompassing answer. One, that you, by your wisdom or strength could have never envisioned.
It’s not over. Waiting hope, take one more stroke and then breath in the life God (YHWH) has called you to.

How do I love Thee?

There are some wonderful stories about how a wealthy man seeks after a wife, but wants to be sure that he is loved because of who he is and not his money (Coming to America (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094898/) . At some point my friends would laugh and say, “who cares, you got the girl.” I guess that is true except that he was not after a girl, he was after love. Girls, available because of money, are not a sure bet, as betting goes. Nothing is sure, but there is always someone with more money and then where would the girl go; follow the money. The one sure thing is that you are you, and as unique as a fingerprint. You stay even if the money goes, or for that matter even if the entire economy fails. Playing a pauper to examine the sincerity of a prospective love is another old story, told in many different ways.

I fell in love with my Savior at a young age. There was a real force telling me, that what I knew of Jesus, was just fantasy (schools, today’s philosophy, etc.) Many years went by with me not paying much attention to right and wrong, just whatever felt good. Finally I came to my senses with the help of people who were not afraid of the Gospel and was welcomed once again back home. My Father in heaven, YHWH, waiting for me with open arms (Hmmm.. another old story?) No strings attached.

I was soon introduced to the prosperity gospel. Even though I am prosperous in many ways, I began to feel that I was missing something. I began to look for riches that would testify of the hand of God in my life. I know that it must sound reasonable to some of you. Even though prosperity is something that the Lord wants for His children, it really can not be the focus of your relationship with Him.

Like the man searching out for a wife that will love him, so seeks the Lord for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. The time (if there is any time in eternity) God and His beloved will spend together is more than a lifetime. At some point I realized my error of focus. Oh, how I insulted God by basing things from the earth (which are not eternal)as markers of my relationship with Him.

When all is taken away, do you love God? Is He what you are after? Are there any strings attached? These were, and are questions I ask myself often because I dare not hurt the One I love.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15) and praise Him (Ps 71:14)!

Old story? Maybe.

Everything seems to be going so well. People chasing me are far behind. The legs are holding up good. My breathing is under control, considering. No hills on the horizon. Got it made.

BAM!

What’s that?

THE RED SEA?

OH NO!

No place to go. I’m trapped, can’t go back, too far to swim across (wish I had taken “Water Walking 101”).

You guessed it, I was on my way out from the bondage of sin, being led by the Word of God, doing what I was supposed to and still ended up stuck on the shores of the Red Sea.

Does red have some significance? Never mind.

That trapped feeling is something I think many of us have in common.

Somehow, this shore shows up in my travels more often than I like to admit. Hmmm… Like the one I see now. I’ve been here before. Yes. The last time, I built my house just over the hill. God has been holding my enemies at bay (God is so patient). I became content to live on the shore of the sea that God wanted me to cross. The time has come once again for me to choose. Do I trust God or believe what I see as an impossible situation and let it remain impossible. There really is only one answer. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exd&c=14&v=1&t=KJV#comm/15

Feeling trapped? You’re not the first. Choose wisely. The map is the same (some names were changed) and so are the directions.

Old story?

You think?