Here Comes THE JUDGE

“Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.” Psalm 35:24

Asking GOD to judge me is a mind boggling thought.  Especially if I’m going on my own merit.  However if I’m trusting the righteousness of CHRIST in my stead, I am perfectly content with the statement.“Judge me, O LORD my God”

Being in the will of GOD is what keeps the believer on the sure road to happiness.  Even though the believer is kept by the righteousness of the SON we are judged by GOD concerning the things we occupy ourselves with in our present state.  Making sure we are doing what GOD expects of us is of the greatest importance.  When we are in the will of GOD we can say as David did, “Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness”

Giving the LORD the final say on judgment assures us of perfect peace.  Taking things into our own hands brings swift defeat.  GOD only judges a righteous judgement and leaving it to Him instead of ourselves stops the mouths of fools. “let them not rejoice over me.”

My mind says judge.

My heart says no.

I want vengeance, 

But to GOD I’ll go.

I’ll let Him judge

And I’ll keep still.

I’ll do my part

And stay in His will!

“Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8

Just Look

I was encompassed by GOD’s creation.

I was overwhelmed with what I saw!

I saw the mountains and the valleys

And the beauty of the draw!

I saw the green fields of the prairie

And the desert sand dunes fair!

I saw the splendor of the gulches

And the streams split them there!

As I looked toward the sky,

Painted in pastel blue.

I saw brilliant fluffy clouds

Such beauty to pursue!

I saw the snow that caped the mountains.

I saw the wind that blew the trees.

I smelled the freshness of the evergreen.

I saw the flowers and the bees!

As I looked toward the waters

I saw the vast and the slight.

The oceans and the lakes

In the morning and the night.

I saw the sun rise in the morning

I watched it set in the eve.

Only GOD could have done this!

Just look!  Don’t be deceived!

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17  

Another Good Morning

As the sun rises at the break day,

I hear the birds singing

As they go along their way.

With joyful hearts they fly,

Chirping as they go.

This warm awakening from the LORD,

Is delightful to my soul!

The morning sun wakes the flowers

And they begin to bloom.

The daisies peddles begin to dance 

And there is no need for gloom!

The streams begin to glisten

With shinning pebbles below.

Everything is so refreshing

It brings gladness to my soul!

The grass begins to grow

As the sun wipes the morning dew

Like rising little fingers

Pointing up to You!

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”  Genesis 1:31
       

He Holds my Hand

I am weak but feel the calling.

My hesitation is appalling.

Do I trust in GOD unaided?

Why myself, have I hesitated?

In my weakness I do subside.

Desperate thoughts not justified.

But the One that gave the call

With all my trust I will enthrall.

The victory comes with no surprise

When trusting CHRIST, fears vaporize!

Stepping out by faith can overwhelm and frustrate us if we try to analyze the calling GOD has placed on our lives!  Faith is always the victory!  Reaching out to the invisible GOD and knowing He will grab your hand is all the power we need to accomplish anything!

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Go Tell Them

“Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Mark 5:19

Joy comes to my heart when I hear the testimony of someone that has come to know CHRIST as their Savior.   Recently I heard the testimony of Louis Zamperini from a Billy Graham video.  As I watched my eyes filled with tears, I just couldn't hold them back.

This evening Jacque and I were watching a movie where a drunk lost his family and all he had, and then found his hope in JESUS.  When it showed him calling out to GOD, my heart was breaking with the same joy!

A testimony of your transformation does many things but two stand out to me tonight.  1. It speaks of the wonderful forgiveness and grace a person can find in JESUS.  Especially to those that have never tasted such grace!  2. It speaks to the heart of those of who have tasted GOD’s grace and reminds them from where the love of GOD has brought them!

While people debate on how we are to win souls, JESUS said, “Go tell them”.  No formula, no theological discussions just, “Go tell them”!  No class needed, but it doesn't hurt, just, “Go tell them”!

There is but one qualification!  You must have a testimony before you can testify.  The best solution for this is, get one!  Call out to GOD!  If you have one and are not using it you are not doing what CHRIST told you to do!  “Go tell them”!

There is a joy that fills my heart

When someone comes to JESUS.

Hear the words they speak to Him

They break sins hold to pieces! 

To see the change so instantly

Delights the eye that watches.

A frowning face turns to smiles

And begins to sing sonatas!

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30-31

Legalistic or Dogmatic

It was suggested to me the other day that I was a legalistic in my Christian walk. I think because of my old fashioned Baptist way. I don’t mind being called a dogmatic person but I take exception to being called legalistic.

I really try never to give the wrong impression concerning clean Christian living. I’m not better than anyone, I’m simply a sinner saved by grace through the sacrifice of JESUS!

But to live by the principals of what we are taught in the Word of GOD is not legalism, it’s following the example of CHRIST! Not bending to liberalism and new theology is not legalism; it’s called taking a stand!

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13

It is never legalism to follow the writing of Paul in the above and below verses. But to be dogmatic concerning them is the only “acceptable” thing to do. It is only “reasonable” that the true believer should do their best to be made “instruments of righteousness” which GOD has called us to be!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

On a SONny Day

Another cold day has come.

It’s gloomy and the sky is gray.

Will the Sun come today?

You seem so very far away!

I look toward the darkened sky.

And my wish seems to go awry.

Yet my hope still comes to me

I know someday the Sun I’ll see!

The Sun never says good-bye.

It’s beyond the darkened sky!

Light still comes with radiant beams.

It lights the hills and calms the streams!

This picture is of the SON of GOD

Whose bright Light is not a facade!

He is all that He appears to be

Full of Glory and majesty!   

I know one day the clouds will clear.

On all but one on which the SON will appear.

When out of all this darkened space

I’ll see my JESUS so full of grace!

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” Mark 13:26

The Jesus Tree

A few years ago we had some logging done on our property in Deer Park, Washington.  There were two very small and scrubby Tamaracks close together.  The logger tried to convince me to get ride of both of them but because I like this beautiful tree, and for that matter all trees, I decided to keep them both.

Today I and my faithful dog “Bug” went to now what is my son, Jonah’s property and I was taken back by the beautiful gold color of these now much bigger Tamaracks.  I’m thankful I hadn’t cut them down when we logged!   

As I looked at them I wondered what the Lord had to say to me through these trees. He began to touch my heart.  This is what I saw!

The tallest of the trees was straight and high, it seemed perfect!  I saw Jesus!

The smaller one that was crooked at the bottom and deformed, I saw me!

But what was so special was noticing how the “Jesus tree” was pulling the “me tree” toward Him!

“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.” Matthew 12:33

The Redeemer Divine!

 “He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” Psalm 22:8

Such blasphemy was done

On that dreadful day!

They were blinded and cruel

In the words they did say!

If Jehovah is your Father

Then let Him come now.

Let Him send His angels

Then we will bow!

Where is this power

That you spoke of?

Where is this strength,

You claimed from above?

Has it left you now,

In your time of need?

Did your Father forget,

You were of His seed?

Then they were bewildered,

By the last words He spoke!

Saying, “Father forgive them”

They must have thought,

He misspoke!

But no He didn’t

This Savior of mine!

Always loving and forgiving,

The Redeemer Divine!

The sad fact is the same blasphemy continues to this day.  People have never stopped speaking lies about Jesus.  Laughing at Him, mocking the things He taught and using His name in vain!

You see it everywhere.  In conversation between people, in music, radio, television and in print!  You see it in the news, in the books we read and the movies we watch! 

How heartbreaking it must be for Jesus to see His own disciples allowing their flesh to accept such filth instead of refusing to be apart of it!

And the worst place of all it is seen is in the church!  Oh I know I’m not going to make many friends by this statement but the truth is the truth and sometimes it can look very ugly. 

There are many false prophets that fill our pulpits!  “Wolves they are in sheep’s clothing” “Clouds that carry no rain” “Whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.”

These agents of the devil tickling the ears of the weak that have not established themselves in the Word of God!  They mock the very truth and draw many to their false teachings that mock the Living LORD!  

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

While He was Mocked, We were Redeemed

“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,” Psalm 22:7

This is the Savior as He went to the cross!

They laughed and they jeered and words they did toss!

As they mocked, they made faces and remarks so unkind!

How could this happen to this Savior of mine?

Cruelty unheard of, they pulled out His beard!

They spit upon His body while all of them cheered!

They parted His garments and put on a scarlet robe.

“Come down if your King” the Savior was told!

Not a chance would He do that, although this power He possessed!

He became sin for all mankind; with this end He was obsessed!

I am never able to leave our wonderful Savior on the tree!

For on the third day He Arose for you and me!!!  

“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,” 

Matthew 27:39

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Crimson Worm

“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” Psalm 22:6

Who was this worm the reproach of men?

Despised by all when He came!

Not a Rabbi or a leader.

He held no office of high estate.

He was just a carpenter’s son!

The rebuke of men He came to save.

His Father turned away from His sight!

Undeserving of this dreadful state,

This worm for us did fight!

He was just a carpenter’s son!

For me and all, this worm did crawl

To the top of Calvary’s Hill!

Lifted high above the others there,

Took our place and did His Father will!

He was just a carpenter’s son!

Like the scarlet worm that clang to the tree,

To bring life to her own!

The stain she left was crimson red,

They lived and she went home!

He was just a carpenter’s son!

Now this Worm of low estate is lifted high above!

With a name above all other names!

King of kings! Lord of lords!

He was just a carpenter’s Son!

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:15-20

I found it very difficult to think of the LORD as a “worm”!  However in this verse we can see the miserable state Christ was in and what He became to satisfy our sin!

I would never consider my LORD as a worm but I am so thankful He expressed His love for us and gave up His glory for such a worm as I!!!

A Thought and a Prayer

“They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.”  Psalm 22:5

God hears our cry from any distance.

He is omnipresent in His existence!

Every thought every word, mental or spoken.

He comprehends and His promise is unbroken!

Believe and accept the promise He gives.

Your answer is ready the response is His!

While others may laugh and think you are weak.

God has answered your prayer and now you can sleep!

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” Proverbs 3:24-26

GOD’s Instrument

“Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.” Psalm 22:4

In all our troubles, if we will just trust.

Leaning on GOD is an absolute must!

Never can we waver or cast aside,

In the promises of GOD we must abide!

Just look at the others He used by the way.

God’s power and might kept them from going astray!

He used the weak and made them strong.

Not by their power, GOD led them along!

If you think you have power and strength on your own,

You are foolish and misguided, look to GOD’s throne!  

There is no greater joy then to give GOD His free reign.

His power magnificent and release from all pain!

Just walking in JESUS brings such delight!

No wonder or worry as you walk in His light!

There is this unspeakable joy that comes to the one that allows GOD to use them.  There is a feeling of you doing things that you understand was impossible to do on your own and yet they are accomplished through the power of GOD!  You become GOD’s instrument and what could be greater then that?

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9

Because GOD is Holy

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3

Because GOD is Holy,

He purifies the soul!

Because GOD is Holy,

He makes the sinner whole!

Because GOD is Holy,

He answers all our prayers!

Because GOD is Holy,

He loves us and He cares!

Because GOD is Holy,

He guides us by the LIGHT!

Because GOD is Holy,

He removed our need to fight!

Because GOD is Holy,

He takes away my fear!

Because GOD is Holy,

He fills our hearts with cheer!

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;” 1 Peter 1:15

Because GOD is Holy,

Let us love Him with all our care!

Because GOD is Holy,

JESUS we will share!

The “I AM” GOD!

“O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.” Psalm 22:2

There is a mistake we often make,

Thinking GOD doesn’t hear.

As if He is to busy

And that He really doesn’t care.

With GOD there is no time.

And nothing He doesn’t know.

There is not a word He does not hear!

GOD is at all times in the flow!

This is why He told Moses,

When he asked Him for His name!

You can call Me “I AM”!

I always stay the same!

Time has no limits

On The “I AM” GOD!

He is always in the present,

Wherever you may trod!

Every prayer we pray

Is answered at that instant!

By faith we understand,

GOD’s promise is sufficient! 

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

Where is GOD?

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?”  Psalm 22:1

Oh my LORD provide the words

That I can express this thought. 

Why ONE would die for my sin

My righteousness He Bought!

He knew the price He would pay.

Yet on this path He went.

Forsaken by the Fathers care!

His life for me He spent!

Even as He groaned within,

By the pain He would endure.

His only thought was you and me,

He took our sin and made us pure!

When ever you feel down and think you are not being heard by God.  Think of JESUS and what it must have been like for Him. 

There have been times in my life when I have cried out to GOD and asked the same question JESUS did, “Why have You forsaken me”? 

The Father didn’t forsake the Son but renounced our sin that He had taken on!

No sin goes unpunished and no prayer goes unanswered when it is through Christ! 

Answered Prayer:  Death-Burial-Resurrection - JESUS SAVES

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12