SWEET SURRENDER, SWEET JESUS

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The Bible is a book of war. “The Lord is a man of war” (Ex. 15:3). Heaven is a realm of war, as well as the earth. “And there was war in heaven” (Rev. 12:7). Jesus is a man of war. “Think not that I am come to send peace of the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Mat. 10:34). “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them” (Rev. 17:14). David was a man of war. “Thou (Absalom) knowest thy father (David) and his men that they are mighty men, and thy father is a man of war” (I Sam. 17:8). David faced Goliath and took his sword. He was a man of war before he met Goliath. David is a type of Christ. His followers were men of war. “And there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker” (II Sam. 3:1). The sons of God follow a man of war! Thank God! as the battle rages the Christ within is waxing stronger and stronger, and the kingdom of the flesh is waxing weaker and weaker. So shall it be fulfilled — the natural man shall be subjected to the spiritual, the flesh shall be ruled over by the spirit, and then shall we see “all things in subjection under His feet” (Heb. 2:8). (author unknown)

All the violence, from the Amalekite baby dashed upon the rocks, to Jesus at Calvary, to the first church martyrs. All sacrificed their lives, that we might know "the Kingdom of God is within." The great and last war is fought within and blessed is the man, with a soul, that has raised a white flag in sweet surrender.

Jesus is Victor. When He rose on the third day, Jesus made death, and all the enemies of our soul His footstool. Those enemies aren't outside, they are within and how very few know this.

With the world in travail, many today are involved in eschatological discussion, searching for apocalyptic signs, to know how and when it will all go down. I personally have not time for discussions of eschatology except to proclaim, I have met the risen Christ and Jesus is Victor. He has taken my rebellious soul captive and laid it to rest in Love. That is my "apocalypse" and my eschatology is "only an eye for Him." Today, I no longer even bother to follow Jesus, for He has swept me off my feet and now He carries me as His surrendered captive in Love.

Ah, Sweet Surrender, Sweet Jesus. For me, they are the same.

Jack

WHAT DO THE STARS TELL US

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In the summer, I love to look up at the stars in the night sky. Partaking of such a heavenly view, I find myself raptured by the random and prodigious thoughts, giving rise in my mind. I even enjoy more, the the rare occasions, upon which I write of the discoveries, scientists have made as they have searched the heavens. With that, allow me to share the thinking of a couple of familiar characters, as they gaze the night sky.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert. After they got their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep. Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says, "Kemo Sabe, look towards sky, what you see? "

The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars."

"What that tell you?" asked Tonto.

The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, "Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What's it tell you, Tonto?"



"You dumber than buffalo. It means someone stole the tent."

BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US

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"Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He is Himself the way." Barth

To those liberal Christians, that look beyond Christ, I sometimes want to scream. "DO YOU EVEN KNOW HIM?!" This outrage arises from the very Truth, that above all, Jesus embodies the nature of intimacy in God. God through Jesus, saves all of men. He saves all men, one soul at a time, giving all of His love and all of His life, personally, to each of us.

It seems my outrage turns to sorrow, knowing, the soul that looks beyond Jesus, for his or her needs, has not been made aware of God's intimate care and affection through Jesus, yet.

"We love because he first loved us." 1Jn 4:19

Wesley writes, " We love him, because he first loved us - This is the sum of all religion, the genuine model of Christianity. None can say more: why should any one say less"

The paradox is, that while Jesus died for the whole world, He gave His life for me alone. Those that constantly liberalize Christianity, to where it has no bounds, know nothing of the nature of God's intimacy revealed through Jesus. I am sorry, they do not know this. I, however, am joyous that one day they will. With that my initial outrage turns to sorrow that is finally tempered with joy.

I hope you spend some time alone with Jesus today, and come to know, how very special you alone, are to Him.


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FREE WILL MEETS YOU WON'T

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FREE WILL, listen to it's vain voice:

"I WILL ascend into heaven, I WILL exalt my throne above the stars of God. I WILL sit upon the mount of the congregation... I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds; I WILL be like the most High." Isaiah 14:13-14

I saw that scripture rendition of Isaiah. on Roach's new paper and put it together, with some emphasis, while also adding the state of man's vanity. Elwin also succinctly writes of man's mythical free will:

"Such madness makes man's will more sacred than God Himself."

The belief in "free will" comes from the vain spirit, that is ingrained in man. Eventually, we are made to fall by God's hand, that we might recognize our vanity, along with our overwhelming futility. We come to see our true state, as being descendant from the first Adam.

"For the creation was subjected to vanity and futility, not of its own will, but by reason of Him who subjected it, in hope." Rom 8:20

Yes, FREE WILL eventually receives a vanity crushing YOU WON'T, served up as humble pie, by our creator. Oh my, I well know the taste of that bitter meal. O Lord, I indeed do!
Today, that which was once bitter has turned into pure sweetness, and rest to my soul.

When we finally recognize God's absolute sovereignty, we do find glorious rest. We also become a new creation, after the likeness and substance of the Last Adam, our Christ Jesus. Bless His Most Precious and Holy Name!

Just thought to share a new way of illustrating the frustration, that man is born into, that he might know God. The old maxim, "experience is the best teacher" rings true. We must experience the opposing natural carnal nature, with which, we are able to measure, appreciate and hold Holy, the spiritual nature of God. Following our frustration, we are relieved, as we recieve the call to share in the Divine Nature. First the natural then the spiritual (1Cor.15:46).


Jack