Personal Thoughts
May 28, 2011
Quick Update
Working on updating the Messages area. Some have commented on not being able to read them, so we are making them available in HTML format. If you want to print and share them the DjVu format will still be available. In the future we may replace the DjVu with PDF format.
One day I hope to share the experiences of the past several years. Painful as they are, it should bring a measure of comfort, if I can ever put into words these experience. Pray for us as we seek the face of Jesus, and let us know how we can pray for you.
much love,
- anthony
January 3, 2009
Why Call Me Lord?
"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" 1
Is it true in our hearts that familiarity breeds contempt? Do we trudge through our quiet times, slogging through the Word as a book we know too well? Or do we allow the Holy Spirit to arrest our minds and convict our hearts of our cold and callous ways?
"Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." 2
We can not expect stability in our walk with the Lord until we are coming to Him afresh daily, receiving the commands he has spoken and doing them. Let's not pretend we have a mandate from the Lord, when our lack of power is proof we are not doing that which is clearly revealed in the Word of Jesus Christ. Following our understanding of His Word is not as important as seeking Him to know what He meant and how He wants us to apply it.
A sampling of texts to prayerfully fathom deeper.
"Take no thought for your life..." 3
"Love one another; as I have loved you..." 4
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel..." 5
Thinking is not doing. Talking about or even planning to do something does not equate to doing anything! Not even praying about something being done, or for someone who is doing something will not make up for our doing what only we can do.
We are His chosen vessels for this time. We have sat long enough at the feet of those who have gone before us, and now they rest with the Lord. Surely you can see the dark times we live in. We must arise after prayer and do what we have found in the Word of Jesus Christ.
Will you answer His call for this generation? Now is your time to stand up and declare to the Lord, "Here am I; send me." 6
1. Luke 6:46
2. Luke 6:47 & 48
3. Matt 6:24 - 34, Lk 12:22 - 29
4. Joh 13:34 & 15:12
5. Mark 16:15
6. Isa 6:8
November 1, 2008
Are you the Fig Tree?
"He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." 1
Jesus prepares us, He prepares our way, He provides all we need, He is all we need! We must bear fruit . . .
"Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!" 2
Do you think this is a game? Do you think you have plenty of time? Maybe you think He delayeth His coming?
Jesus is ready now...
He is expectantly looking at you ...
Will He find fruit?
1. Luke 13:6-9
2. Mat 21:18 - 20
January 20, 2008
Get yourself ready!
Now is the time to return to your calling, no more compromise. What you are doing is not enough. The sun has set, and darkness envelops all around us. In Jesus we are the light illuminating His Way, unless our lamp flickers and dims for lack of oil.
"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land--against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. 1
This is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: "Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done-- burn with no one to quench it." 2
Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the LORD. "I will save you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel." 3
Christ Jesus is looking for those He can count on in the coming days. Will He choose you?
1. Jer 1:17-19(NIV)
2. Jer 4:3-4 (NIV)
3. Jer 15:19-21 (NIV)