The farmer's estate auction

It was our interest in a service truck that took me to a farmer's estate auction yesterday. By mid morning a middle aged man came by the vehicle we were standing next to. With his hands in his hair then raised up to the air in frustration, he yells out, "I can't --- believe this!"

He aimlessly wondered the rows of tractor trucks, trailers and heavy farming equipment in disbelief. He had lost his father and his family was selling 3 generations worth of hard work, blood, sweat & tears. 

The man walked over to me and began talking about his family's brief history. He assured my father-in-law & I that he personally helped maintain the vehicles, schooled us on their age & conditions. 

Saddened myself over his grief all I could say was "I'm sorry for your loss". His whole demeanor changed. His frustration was still there but a bit lightened it seemed as he looked amazed a stranger would care. 

See I understand his pain to a degree. I've lost my Dad too. This man had no choice as to the decisions made in his Father's estate. I didn't either. It's grievous to see what things boil down to after someone passes away. 

A legacy was sold and not much more than monetary gain would be left. Memories remain and always will be. Truth is, we are all born into this world naked and will take nothing with us when we our time on earth is through. 

Is it any wonder why Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21

We didn't get the service truck but a reminded lesson I regained. Things are just things, it's people that matter. I have no idea if the man who passed knew Christ but when our final breath is drawn that is the only thing that counts. 

After all, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

Blinded eyes & hardened hearts

"...Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not." Isaiah 66:3-4

"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." John 12:40

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:13-14

When the Bridegroom calls

When the Bridegroom calls

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." Matthew 25:3-4,8-9

There's a form of dependency the 5 foolish virgins had; a sense of entitlement. They weren't prepared yet desired oil from those who were. 

Many today are claiming Christ on the coattails of those who truly follow Him. They want what the true believer has without the commitment & infilling of the Holy Spirit. Our society has grossly fed into this "something for nothing" mentality. 

When Christ returns, He will separate the wheat from the tares; those who are His and those whom He knows not. To know Him and He know us is personal. It's a sacrifice, a choice & desire. 

We can't walk for another person, nor can anyone walk for us. We must each prepare! When the Bridegroom returns, will you be found with enough oil in your lamp?

Forsake the pig pen!

"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:10

The prodigal son chose his own way over what was preplanned for his life. He thought he could do better on his own. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way..." Isaiah 53:6

After ending up alone and hungry with the swine he saw his need; he saw his depravity! He knew his father's servants had better than he. 

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." Luke 15:20

If you've ended up in the pig pen, it doesn't matter how far you've gone your own way, it only takes 1 step to return to our Heavenly Father. 

You can come home! Just as the father hugged and kissed his long lost son, so will the angels of Heaven rejoice at the Heavenly Father's embrace of you! 

Will you wallow in the muck, mire & filth of the pig pen or will you return home and regain your robe of righteousness in Christ?

Boldness to Stand & Speak

"Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?" John 7:25-26

I believe one of the characteristics of Christ is His boldness granted by His Spirit to speak. 

The apostle Paul after describing the importance of the Armor of God says, "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:19-29

This too should be our plea! We are living in a time where evil is called good and good is called evil. Majority disagree with the Word of God being complete as a whole. 

We, in Him, must do all to stand in these last days; despite rejection, mockery , persecution and man's opinion. 

We must stand for Truth! John 17:17 says, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:13-15

The pure unedited unadulterated Gospel is Truth! May Jehovah Jireh, the supplier of ALL our needs grant us His BOLDNESS to stand and boldly proclaim His Truth in these last fallen days! 

"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven..." Colossians 1:23 

Therefore, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" 2 Timothy 4:2-3

Will you stand or will you compromise?

One body, useful & purposeful

"And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king." 1 Kings 1:32 

Think about this... King David was a man after God's own heart, deep love, respect, reverence and honor before Him; as well as constant communion. He was after the heart of Jehovah! 

Yet even being so, he was still surrounded by those who were like minded. Here, he called for the priest and the prophet. 

Lately I've wondered "why"? Why did he still need these people being so close to the Living God? 

The answer: 

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." Romans 12:4-6

You may seem "alone" in your walk or calling, yet The Lord will bring those whom you will need to fulfill His Will and complete His tasks. 

Neglect not so great companionship nor the words given by these to share. We, in Christ the Messiah, are of one body, useful and purposeful for His Kingdom, glory and gain! 

"For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." Romans 12:24-26

King David, high in stature and still humble in service, knew the value of those who helped him in his walk with The Lord. 

How do you view other members of the same body? Are they warmly received or bitterly rejected? 

Despite the sifting, will you stand?

A message of HOPE!

In times of trouble, you're not alone. 

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31-32 

The enemy is doing all he can to steal our joy, rob our hope and misplace our focus! 

So many are enduring situations they've never thought they'd find themselves in... Sorrow, sadness, deep pain, heartache, grief, etc. in great magnitudes! God knows our trials, temptations & sufferings...

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15 JESUS RELATES because He HAS been there too!!!

Cry out to Him, even if there are NO words. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:27-28

"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Revelation 12:12

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13

There IS hope IN your situation... IN CHRIST alone! Will you lay your troubles at His feet?