I've never written any narrative style before, so bear with me. All I get are images and scenes and am told to put to words that which I see- so here goes!
............................
He stormed around the room in confidence and a sense of victory. He knew this one was his. He had an airtight case, completely waterproof- there was no escape for the vermin he’d take down today. This was his field, his game, his mantra- there was no one sneakier and more deceitful in getting the information he needed to put these foul creatures away and reveal how there was no one better than he.
“What are your charges?” asks the Judge, seated high as ever bearing the indestructible understanding of perfect justice and holding a wrath more dreadful than any could dare imagine. He could play with that justice bent this time- he knew it would be the downfall of these things the Judge Himself had confessed a love for. Why He loved them it the accuser did not know, what he knew was that the sense of perfect justice carried by the Judge would certainly be the end of that love- He could not go against His nature.
“I bring against this man the most heinous acts imaginable, sir,” he responded, “There is nothing this man is innocent of- as you will see from the record kept since his birth.”
Indeed it seemed true. Here was the evidence, the proof needed to seal the weak man’s doom. Adultery, slander, malice, rage, hatred, anger, pride, disobedience of every kind was strewn around the room with perfect recollection by this accuser as if he’d been there himself.
“There is nothing which he may claim innocence of,” he chimed with a smirk, “By your law he is unpardonable. There is no hope for him! He is putrid and filthy! The stench of evil is on his breath! I know you see the evidence is more than satisfactory for a verdict of ‘guilty.’”
As the Judge looks on at the accuser, knowing full well all things were possible, a new question comes from his lips, “Where is the defendant now?”
“The defendant?” the accuser wonders aloud, “He is still down there now pretending to be something new and something different! I’ve seen him with my own eyes. He wants to change his identity, but we know the truth- you have the evidence before your very eyes! That man is guilty and you know it!”
The Judge stands with a smile, “Call the defendant in.”
Silence.
All is still once again.
Silence still.
Why?
What has happened.
No one enters.
There is nothing spoken in lieu of such an odd circumstance.
The accuser looks around with a look of wonder… the Judge looks to the door with a look of understanding; He’s seen this before.
The silence breaks- a messenger arrives.
He carries an envelope and delivers it to the defense gathered on behalf of an absent man.
“What nonsense is this!” cries the accuser, “There is no man alive allowed to dismiss himself from his own trial! It is time to face justice!”
The judge calmly accepts the envelope from the defense and opens it.
He reads to Himself.
The accuser awaits the fruit of his labor, how long had he been snaring and trapping this man? Too long it seemed, now it was time to claim his prize and send another of these ignorant and weak fools to their true death by his hand. He would claim his glory yet…
The Judge stands abruptly and declares, “What I hold in my hand is a Death Certificate in the name of the accused. There is no doubt that there indeed once lived a man by the name accused. His life and deeds are most well known among his own family and indeed there he claimed no identity of innocence. However, the truth of the matter is that the accused has been dead for a number of years and no longer bears judgment under his own name. The proof of justice lies in this document, signed by his own hand with the truest knowledge that he would live a new life, a life neither of his own making nor standard. He has traded his very life for the life of righteousness and faith. His life is hidden in Jesus, whom you well know as too already died. There is therefore no condemnation or accusation for the dead and redeemed! Their life is of no concern to you, oh accuser, at this time, the man you bring these charges against is already dead. All charges are hereby dismissed- to be destroyed for all time, for justice declares that there can be no accusation brought against a dead man!”
He addresses the accuser finally, “It would do you well to bring charges against one legally chargeable, Lucifer, these things are foolish and laughable at best- who ever heard of accusing or even condemning a dead man?”
…………………………..
Romans 6-9
Colossians
Galatians 2
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
October 8: Hold On
Dear you,
Sometimes I can’t believe we’ve come this far… you are so close. I can see it coming, but I’m afraid at what it’s going to be like for you. I pray for the ease of it all… I don’t want it to hurt, but I just know it’s going to. I want to hold your hand through it- but that is what He is for. I miss you and really it’s coming on soon. It’s going to be messy- I just know it.
He won’t give up easily… that’s why, no matter what he keeps lying and deceiving and telling you all the crap that still isn’t true no matter how many times he says it. Do you realize that? He could speak a lie to you one million times and that still wouldn’t make it true- don’t let him use that trick on you, please. So many are rallying for this fight for you… so many that I can hardly believe my eyes. My heart is blessed at the sight of an army on the rise… rallying to set you free. Dad is behind this one. His hand is all over it- if you don’t believe me, just look at who He’s sending.
We’re nothing special, not charismatic or popular, more often we’re unnoticed and very quiet, introspective and self-condemning. We know we’re nothing on our own and we’re out only for His glory. We’ve got nothing to offer but what has been given to us. We’re nothing attractive or inspiring, but we love you as He does and that’s why He’s given us the weapons and the message. So we’re coming because He called us. That’s who He’s sending. That’s His army. We are His people. We look just like Him. We’re going to fight, pray, bleed, scream, weep, love, and preach just like Him and perhaps one day we’ll die like Him too. We do this to glorify Him and bring you freedom.
The time is coming on and it’s coming fast. It’s closer than ever and you know it. How do you know it? Because the lies are coming on harder and harder and harder. The chains are being thrown on in greater strength- he’s tightening his grip, isn’t he? Doesn’t that tell you something?
He’s scared. He knows we’re coming and he can’t harm the already dead.
Look for us on the horizon, brother.
Listen for talk of our approach, sister.
The banner has already been raised and our weapons already forged.
We march soon.
Do not give up.
You are loved.
By me.
By us.
My Him.
It’s true.
No matter what he says- it’s true.
Hold on.
Love,
Me
Sometimes I can’t believe we’ve come this far… you are so close. I can see it coming, but I’m afraid at what it’s going to be like for you. I pray for the ease of it all… I don’t want it to hurt, but I just know it’s going to. I want to hold your hand through it- but that is what He is for. I miss you and really it’s coming on soon. It’s going to be messy- I just know it.
He won’t give up easily… that’s why, no matter what he keeps lying and deceiving and telling you all the crap that still isn’t true no matter how many times he says it. Do you realize that? He could speak a lie to you one million times and that still wouldn’t make it true- don’t let him use that trick on you, please. So many are rallying for this fight for you… so many that I can hardly believe my eyes. My heart is blessed at the sight of an army on the rise… rallying to set you free. Dad is behind this one. His hand is all over it- if you don’t believe me, just look at who He’s sending.
We’re nothing special, not charismatic or popular, more often we’re unnoticed and very quiet, introspective and self-condemning. We know we’re nothing on our own and we’re out only for His glory. We’ve got nothing to offer but what has been given to us. We’re nothing attractive or inspiring, but we love you as He does and that’s why He’s given us the weapons and the message. So we’re coming because He called us. That’s who He’s sending. That’s His army. We are His people. We look just like Him. We’re going to fight, pray, bleed, scream, weep, love, and preach just like Him and perhaps one day we’ll die like Him too. We do this to glorify Him and bring you freedom.
The time is coming on and it’s coming fast. It’s closer than ever and you know it. How do you know it? Because the lies are coming on harder and harder and harder. The chains are being thrown on in greater strength- he’s tightening his grip, isn’t he? Doesn’t that tell you something?
He’s scared. He knows we’re coming and he can’t harm the already dead.
Look for us on the horizon, brother.
Listen for talk of our approach, sister.
The banner has already been raised and our weapons already forged.
We march soon.
Do not give up.
You are loved.
By me.
By us.
My Him.
It’s true.
No matter what he says- it’s true.
Hold on.
Love,
Me
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Re: Belief
To the Redeemed,
I find that truth is indeed powerful and amazing and I’m finally beginning to believe God when He says things. The problem that He has revealed to me though, is this- I have to believe everything He says, not just what I agree with already. Isn’t that difficult?
I feel like I can believe God very readily when He claims a truth about Himself. It’s easy, natural even, to read scripture and simply say, “Absolutely God! YOU ARE GOOD!” or, “DEFINITELY GOD! YOU ARE JUST! I LOVE YOU!” I believe Him when He claims truth about Him.
The issue is that I don’t believe Him when He claims truth about me. When He tells me what is true of me. As sinner, I argued that I was clean. Now as one redeemed, I argue that I am unclean! How confounded are the ways of the human mind and how convincing the lies of the Devil! WE MUST BELIEVE GOD!
Do not read this with the wrong perspective- there has been a redemptive work in my life that has really changed what is true of me. The conviction of God is a revelation of truth, but the empowering of God is just as much the same revelation. Conviction brings repentance which brings redemption that demands consecration which paves the way for empowerment- all are based on the same Truth of Jesus.
Scripture tells us of our own natures everywhere! Of the nature we have prior to being renewed by His blood and life and of the nature we have after that reality is new as well. Do we let ourselves be defined by who we USED to be? Disagreeing with God in the ideas and claims that He has made regarding what we are like now? Obviously repentance, redemption, and consecration are necessary to come from the truth that tears down what does not belong to the truth that builds up what does. But how often have we let our growth or walk stop after who we used to be has been put to death? There is a resurrection that must take place! That resurrection is a new person, the life of Christ in us and it brings with it new truth claims for God to make about us! He says to His people that we have authority, that there is a baptism of His Holy Spirit to be encountered, and that we are light, salt, aliens, strangers, and warriors. Do I believe Him when He makes truth claims about me, or just about Him? Do I know myself better than He does? I think not.
This has been hitting me pretty hard and I want to know- how are we living? We believe what God says about Himself… but there is no One who knows us better than He does. He knows what He’s talking about when He makes claims about us. I have to believe those too… and the hardest part is that fact that belief requires action. So not only must I believe what He has told me about Himself and about me, but I must live that truth.
Does this makes any sense to anyone else?
..........
Romans 6-8
1 John 5
Galatians 3-5
I find that truth is indeed powerful and amazing and I’m finally beginning to believe God when He says things. The problem that He has revealed to me though, is this- I have to believe everything He says, not just what I agree with already. Isn’t that difficult?
I feel like I can believe God very readily when He claims a truth about Himself. It’s easy, natural even, to read scripture and simply say, “Absolutely God! YOU ARE GOOD!” or, “DEFINITELY GOD! YOU ARE JUST! I LOVE YOU!” I believe Him when He claims truth about Him.
The issue is that I don’t believe Him when He claims truth about me. When He tells me what is true of me. As sinner, I argued that I was clean. Now as one redeemed, I argue that I am unclean! How confounded are the ways of the human mind and how convincing the lies of the Devil! WE MUST BELIEVE GOD!
Do not read this with the wrong perspective- there has been a redemptive work in my life that has really changed what is true of me. The conviction of God is a revelation of truth, but the empowering of God is just as much the same revelation. Conviction brings repentance which brings redemption that demands consecration which paves the way for empowerment- all are based on the same Truth of Jesus.
Scripture tells us of our own natures everywhere! Of the nature we have prior to being renewed by His blood and life and of the nature we have after that reality is new as well. Do we let ourselves be defined by who we USED to be? Disagreeing with God in the ideas and claims that He has made regarding what we are like now? Obviously repentance, redemption, and consecration are necessary to come from the truth that tears down what does not belong to the truth that builds up what does. But how often have we let our growth or walk stop after who we used to be has been put to death? There is a resurrection that must take place! That resurrection is a new person, the life of Christ in us and it brings with it new truth claims for God to make about us! He says to His people that we have authority, that there is a baptism of His Holy Spirit to be encountered, and that we are light, salt, aliens, strangers, and warriors. Do I believe Him when He makes truth claims about me, or just about Him? Do I know myself better than He does? I think not.
This has been hitting me pretty hard and I want to know- how are we living? We believe what God says about Himself… but there is no One who knows us better than He does. He knows what He’s talking about when He makes claims about us. I have to believe those too… and the hardest part is that fact that belief requires action. So not only must I believe what He has told me about Himself and about me, but I must live that truth.
Does this makes any sense to anyone else?
..........
Romans 6-8
1 John 5
Galatians 3-5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)