You Gotta Be A White Turkey

We have wild turkeys here on the creek where we live, apparently they’ve always been here roaming the valley. And as far back as anyone I’ve talked to can remember there’s always been one, just one white turkey. I feel like that white turkey. I’m here in this place, this world but I am not part of it. While most people are watching American Idol I’m watching a Bible study on YouTube, instead of listening to popular music I listen to Bible study audios, instead of talking about the latest news, trend, etc. I talk about God’s grace and how Christ’s death on Calvary paid for all our sins, His burial removed them and His resurrection the third day justifies us before God. He paid it all and it is finished. I talk about how to study the Bible rightly divided and why it matters. I do these things because they are what this verse is talking about, because I can’t not do them anymore. It doesn’t make me popular,or particularly well liked, in fact it has cost me friends even family because everyone gets tired of me not just agreeing with their religianity or bapticostalism. So I feel like that white turkey, I stand out like a sore thumb right now when everyone around me looks basically alike. But just like that white turkey in blends in winter snow, I will blend in with the rest of the saints in the Body of Christ when we are gathered together with Him in the air one day. That’s gonna be an awesome day cause I’ll be out of this world that praise God I don’t belong to anymore.

Starting Here…

Do you ever look around you, really notice it all? All the places, things, people! Most of them are lost as a golf ball in high weeds you know and don’t even realize it. Many have never heard of God, Jesus and grace much less the gospel of the grace of God, others think they are saved because they go to the right church, did the right activities, participated in required ceremonies and rituals, prayed the right prayer, paid the right amount, etc. but they are just as lost as the other guy. They are all taking a fast train to hell and a lake of fire that’s gonna roll into the station at full speed. That’s the vast majority of people we encounter each day you know. What if we made it a point to tell just 1/4 of the people we encounter each day about Christ and what he didn’t them. What if we loved them as He does, loved them enough to ask hard questions, face awkward moments head on and preach the gospel of Christ’s death burial and resurrection to just one in four people we have contact with each day. I bet we change the whole world, at least for that one person who hears, who believes and becomes the newest member of the Body of Christ.

It doesn’t have to be hard you know. I worked at memorizing some key Scriptures that explain why we all need reconciled to God, how He made the way for that and what that way is. Then I spent a few minutes coming up with a general line to reach out to everyone I encounter. For me it’s this:

I ask everyone I talk to: telemarketers who call, cashier’s at the store, restraunt workers, passersby, doctors and their staff. It’s even my closing signature for my email and my voicemail message. That’s all it takes and sometimes they hear me, ask questions, want truth. Sometimes the person I ask directly doesn’t answer or brushes me off but the man in line behind me calls out to you with tear filled eyes thanking me because he needed to hear those words. He had heard it but was struggling, he’d fallen off that old wagon and was hurting and those words of live and life and hope gave him strength, reminded him he’s loved by the very Creator of the universe who died for him, for his sins, took his place and was saying believe in me and what I did for you, how much I love you and I will give you life in me. Because someone on Earth loves every person they encounter just a little fraction as much as Christ does then maybe the body will get one member stronger. That’s what Paul did and we all can too. We all encounter people each day in our lives, the world is lost and needs Christ, we have to share Him.

We Ought…

I just have a simple passage tonight brothers and sisters in Christ to remind Us allas members of the body how we ought to be conducting ourselves based on who we now are in Christ. I need this reminder just now, I have not been as kind and patient or serving as I ought the last few days. I have suffered physical and emotional infirmities that I have allowed to take precedence over keeping my eyes on Christ and resting in Him allowing Him to mold and shape me.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”  (Ephesians 4:29-32)

Note the phrasing in verse 32 – it is a beautiful reminder of how we ought to be one towards another as members of the same body as shows so perfectly that we are forgiven because of who God sees when he sees us. He sees His precious Son not me, and nothing I can do ever could accomplish that but only what Church did on Calvary.

Whatsoever State I Am

I have written often of trials, Buffett it’s, tribulations and persecutions lately and how we as the body of Christ are able to persevere and overcome them through the faith and strength of the One who has us forever gripped in His grace, Christ Jesus. This is in part because my family has been enduring increased trials of late and therefore I have spent much time in prayer and seeking God’s strength, wisdom and guidance as I walk , actually somedays it feels more like a dragging crawl on my face than walking but that’s usually when I try to do handle it on my own. I find quickly that on my own I can’t, today has been that kinda day. But when I seek my Savior’s arms, wounded for my sins and weakness, but always willing to bear my weight and carry me in love as He guides me and teaches me how to be ever more like Him I grow and next time I am able to bear it through who He is and what He has already done for me.

“The trial of your faith.” — 1Pe 1:7

Faith untried may be true faith, but it is sure to be little faith, and it is likely to remain dwarfish so long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: tempests are her trainers, and lightnings are her illuminators. When a calm reigns on the sea, spread the sails as you will, the ship moves not to its harbour; for on a slumbering ocean the keel sleeps too. Let the winds rush howling forth, and let the waters lift up themselves, then, though the vessel may rock, and her deck may be washed with waves, and her mast may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway towards her desired haven. No flowers wear so lovely a blue as those which grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam so brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky; no water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity. Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness had you not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God’s strength had you not been supported amid the water-floods. Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too.

Let not this, however, discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials enough without seeking them: the full portion will be measured out to you in due season. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have; praise him for that degree of holy confidence whereunto you have attained: walk according to that rule, and you shall yet have more and more of the blessing of God, till your faith shall remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.

— Spurgeon

Walk In Him

“So walk ye in him.” — Col 2:6

If we have received Christ himself in our inmost hearts, our new life will manifest its intimate acquaintance with him by a walk of faith in him. Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry out into practical effect that which we believe. If a man walks in Christ, then he so acts as Christ would act; for Christ being in him, his hope, his love, his joy, his life, he is the reflex of the image of Jesus; and men say of that man, “He is like his Master; he lives like Jesus Christ.” Walking signifies progress. “So walk ye in him”; proceed from grace to grace, run forward until you reach the uttermost degree of knowledge that a man can attain concerning our Beloved. Walking implies continuance. There must be a perpetual abiding in Christ. How many Christians think that in the morning and evening they ought to come into the company of Jesus, and may then give their hearts to the world all the day: but this is poor living; we should always be with him, treading in his steps and doing his will. Walking also implies habit. When we speak of a man’s walk and conversation, we mean his habits, the constant tenor of his life. Now, if we sometimes enjoy Christ, and then forget him; sometimes call him ours, and anon lose our hold, that is not a habit; we do not walk in him. We must keep to him, cling to him, never let him go, but live and have our being in him. “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him”; persevere in the same way in which ye have begun, and, as at the first Christ Jesus was the trust of your faith, the source of your life, the principle of your action, and the joy of your spirit, so let him be the same till life’s end; the same when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and enter into the joy and the rest which remain for the people of God. O Holy Spirit, enable us to obey this heavenly precept.

— Spurgeon

Only One Life…

This poem by C. T. Studd certainly brought conviction to my heart. I pray my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ that your hearts may be touched and strengthened by these words.

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, “twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee

He Supplies

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:19)

I’ve read that verse so many times since I was saved, I always liked it but never fully got it until recently. Over the last few weeks God has proven that truth to me over and over again. He has moved in our lives in ways that utterly defy explanation other than God. His grace has been more than enough, with every trial and temptation he has provided the way of escape. I have come to a deeper understanding of Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me.” I truly can, I can face any challenge, conquer any attack and rest securely knowing that it is not me doing it but Christ in me! Alone I can do nothing but succumb to temptation, sin, weakness and death. Alone I am a jacked up, broken, mess. With Christ I am a blood bought and redeemed spirit filled daughter of the one true King! My identity is not in me but the one who lives in me, the one who made me, the one who saved me. My identity is in Jesus! I thank God for that with every breath, every heartbeat, and that is what I need most.

But that’s not the only needs he meets, he also meets my physical needs as well. Obviously he provides for the sparrows and even more so His children. He is a loving gracious Father and his mercies to usward are boundless. It truly astounds me sometimes just how He meets our needs, showing up and showing out in ways that only the almighty God of glory can! It drives me to my knees in tears of praise and thanksgiving when I really think of how abundantly, incredibly, lavishly God provides for me and you.

As you lay down to rest or go about your day take note of all the ways God is meeting your needs and praise Him!

On Mine Arm

I love the hymn “Everlasting Arms”, it’s truth and the necessity of leaning on those arms that will never fail and grow ever stronger as I am weaker is something I face daily. If I forget that I am only strong in Him, only able to overcome and persevere through Christ that lives in me then I stumble, fall, and yet my sweet Savior picks me up all bloody and bruised brushing me off binding my wounds and carries me safely through the trials as He has promised.

“On mine arm shall they trust.” — Isa 51:5

In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is on its beam-ends, and no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone! There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father’s arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to any but his God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time. Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives thee to thy Father! Now that thou hast only thy God to trust to, see that thou puttest thy full confidence in him. Dishonour not thy Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that thy God is worth ten thousand worlds to thee. Show rich men how rich thou art in thy poverty when the Lord God is thy helper. Show the strong man how strong thou art in thy weakness when underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in thy weakness, and magnify his might in the midst of thy distress. The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye. May the Holy Spirit give you to rest in Jesus this closing day of the month.

Sufficient Grace

“I am a poor wayfaring stranger, this world is not my home.”

How the words of that song echo the cry of my soul. This world is not my home, praise God that it’s not. I have an eternal home in heaven with my sweet Savior the maker and Redeemer of my soul. I look forward to the day my race here is run, the fight is well fought and won, my earthly course is finished and I am called home where I hear those words my heart longs to hear “Welcome home, well done good and faithful servant.”

My soul is often drawn of late to thoughts of home in heaven of late. Maybe it’s because I know that had God’s hand not been on me the day my car was hit I would be in eternity now, maybe because since then I have been under serious spiritual attacks by that ole deceiver trying to cause me to stumble in my walk. I have felt as if Satan was buffeting me from all sides, it has wearied me greatly but done the opposite of what ole Slewfoot wanted. Instead of stumbling and giving in to the trials and temptations, lies and distractions he has thrown at me I have fallen in Christ’s arms, giving up my will to His and resting in Him. I believe with all I am that His grace is sufficient His great wondrous strength will carry me safely through each and every struggle in this world when I rest solely in Him to do so. Trusting in his faithfulness and his eternal grip of grace that can never fail!

Think about it for just a second. The Creator of all things both in the heavens and earth loves us so much that He became one of us, but perfect where we are just jacked up messed up wretched zombies, our sins drove the nails into Him that held Him to the cross where he paid the price for us! He died so we don’t have to! The God of all glory put on meat to live in our dirt and die for it, because we are broken sinners separated from Him by our brokenness, but by His blood we are healed, whole, forgiven! Praise Him, forgiven! Child, there is freedom from all of it. Our sins past present and future are forgiven and we are free for ever! That’s love that’s grace that’s our hope our promise our life! My life! I am forgiven and my home is not in this world anymore.

Read over the following passages and let these truths fill your heart and soul with the joy only Christ can give. Rest in our precious savior my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ as we travel through this world as wayfarers on the way to our home with God!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. 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 12:7-10)

“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 12:2)

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”  (Romans 8:18-19)

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

“The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”  (1 Corinthians 15:47-58)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”  (Ephesians 1:3)

Merciful Mercy

God has, much more abundantly than I can scarcely fathom. His richness of grace and tender mercies are the resting place for this weary soul. I can only praise and glorify Him as I rest securely in Christ to carry me along my rocky, narrow path to the mountains of my heavenly home. I like that publican cried “God be merciful to me a sinner” in heartbroken anguish of my soul and my sad tearstained eyes were turned to a wooden cross stained with the Holy blood of Christ where the mercy I so desperately sought poured out upon me at Calvary! Praise Him my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ tonight that it has poured out upon you as well and give Him all honor and praise and glory for the mercy he has bestowed through his grace. Then share that grace with another crying dying soul seeking hope, love, life, mercy.

This selection from Spurgeon tonight further reminded me of the forbearance and grace I have in Christ.

“Have mercy upon me, O God.” — Psa 51:1

When Dr. Carey was suffering from a dangerous illness, the enquiry was made, “If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text for your funeral sermon?” He replied, “Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, ‘Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.'” In the same spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:

WILLIAM CAREY, BORN AUGUST 17th, 1761: DIED – –

“A wretched, poor, and helpless worm

On thy kind arms I fall.”

Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honoured of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all others that they are men at the best. Empty boats float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We have need that the Lord should have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preachings, our alms-givings, and our holiest things. The blood was not only sprinkled upon the doorposts of Israel’s dwelling houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes into our holiest things, the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy be needed to be exercised towards our duties, what shall be said of our sins? How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious to us, to restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice!