Poema 115

Do I really need to tell you?
If God has made you awesomely, what is my mortal word?
The sun shines no less brightly if I wear the darkest shades.
And, liberty not taken, neither hinders nor affords
Vicissitudes regarding you and all your splendid charms imbued
Inherently with autumn hues and scent of ambergris,
Of pine, and moss, and morning dew upon a dale so green
And whispering, ever faintly.

In the background of pure minds
Are all the things you are to Him whose smile you satisfy.
So be not bored my love, my friend, for truth is not denied.
I’ll wait for you, forever now; this love I cannot hide.

For God has placed it deep within and thrown away the key.
No mountain, sea, or ocean shall prevent our wedding day.
Sleep on, sun shining brightly; burn on to meet the night.
I know I need not tell you this, my honest pure delight.

In Christ you live and move and have your being all in Him.
To me you are a dream come true, forgiven, new, and free.
And so I find myself now highly favored to the core, and
Existing in His mind with you, one flesh forevermore.

© 2009 Brian L Hunter 

www.ministryofwritinghelps.com

#WritingHelps

Poema 113

Slipping, gripping, and dipping
Into the outer realms of sensuousness, you find
The honey-pot of enticing nastiness seems sweet
Until the bill comes due and you're left wanting wine.

But then, you say, your heart is good and sweet.
You're numb from being broken, lost, and crying.
You're dying breath by breath with no retreat.
And love, the dream, has left you deaf and blind.

But wait; your chariot is yet to come
And cart you off to lands before unseen,
Where you'll be safe from all your past mistakes
And love divine shall make you ever clean.

Oh sleep today, perchance to have this dream.
While dangers of the night predict your doom,
There is a Savior praying even now for you.
Accept and know He's right there in the room.

And so from wallowing in sinful pride,
The Lord's corrective lenses show the light.
Where thirsty travelers meet with living water,
And selfishness moves towards abundant life.

© 2009 Brian L Hunter 

www.anointedwritenow.com

#WritingHelps

Poema 49

Static, isolation in the afterglow of glory.

I've been with Him again and felt the flow of life’s purest perfection.

In the rain of effervescent joy, propelled to praise and bliss so intimate,
I'm gleaning in the fullness of the light. God's presence?

Worship? Who can fully comprehend the infinite measure of love's perfection (1 John 4:8)?

Exhaustively? Intrinsically? I know. Convinced there's only one presence that caresses every fiber of my being.

Who should I be? Who have I been? How can I persist when today is just tomorrow’s yesterday?
Renewed, transformed, I contemplate the manner in which this moment within encompasses eternity like a magnificent hologram.

He looks at me, His countenance brighter than a thousand infant eyes.
I’ll never understand just what He sees in me.

I could have been who I thought I was. But now, progressively more conformed to His image (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18) despite myself, and looking desperately into the perfect law of liberty (James 1:5), I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, whose love has rescued me (2 Corinthians 5:21).

© 2009 Brian L Hunter 

www.anointedwritenow.com

#WritingHelps

Hip Hop Gospel

“And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” (2 Samuel 6:14)

Wearing a priestly garment, the king forgot about who and what he was in the flesh in order to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Hallelujah! God could care less about pomp and circumstance. Therefore, traditional religiosity does not move or impress the Ancient of Days. In fact, when we are prideful, we are, in fact, attempting to steal His glory which He will not share (Isaiah 42:8). Give it up, ye who are frozen in self-righteousness, hoping to be seen, and desperate for a pat on the back. Repent! Worship the Lord your God (Exodus 23:25). “I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.” (Psalms 71:22)

“I said a hip hop,
Hippie to the hippie,
The hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it
To the bang bang boogie, say, up jump the boogie,
To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.” (Sugarhill Gang, 1979)

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.” (Psalm 37:4) Hallelujah! 

© 2013 Brian L Hunter
http://www.anointedwritenow.com/

Who is God?

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)

What the world definitely does not need is a second coming of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 22:29). The first round was quite enough. Thank you. Heartless, self-righteous judgment and condemnation is not what the New Covenant through the Blood of The Lamb is all about (Romans 8:1-39). Fighting words? Really? Whether I refer to God’s Word as the Torah, the Bible, the Word, God’s revelation of His mind to man, or Jesus has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the intimacy of my relationship with Him. Coincidentally, He answers when I call whether I refer to Him as Yeshua, Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, God in Three Persons, Messiah, YHVH, Yahweh, Yeshua Ha-Mashiach, Ancient of Days, El Shaddai , or Jehovah. While people devoid of the mind of Christ are busy pointing fingers and arguing over divisive cultural facts and denominational insecurities which are entirely insignificant in the schema of God’s redemptive work, Satan, the author and finisher of the works-based salvation concept, is laughing his way all the way to hell with the souls of many and having his way in the world. When will we wake up and begin to participate in an answer to the prayer Jesus prayed in the seventeenth chapter of John’s gospel (John 17:1-26)? God’s people are one people. “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (Galatians 5:1 NLT) Selah.

 
Note: I admonish true disciples not to be enslaved by translations. "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do." (1 Timothy 1:4) This initial post has been a response to http://www.logosapostolic.org/bible_study/RP506JehovahYahweh.htm Please remember that we cannot believe everything we read on the Internet. :)

© 2013 Brian L Hunter

Expository Preaching?

“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?” (Romans 10:14)

Of politically correct humanist self-sufficiency couched in Darwinian overtones and faith flavored promises of going to the next level regarding profundity and wealth, I shall prove to be rather ignorant. I come not with enticing words, three points and a poem, nor a fundraiser in the form of a theatrical performance. No. I fear God too much to allow the world to classify me as a preacher by today’s standards. Just call me Brother Brian if you please. For preaching of the highest order, I would direct ones attention to the oratory of John Chrysostom, other Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers willing to be burned at the stake or thrown into the lion’s den rather than recant their testimony of Christ as Lord, and Jonathan Edwards.

Concerning modern expository preaching, I would also caution us that it is possible to go completely overboard with exposition for the sake of exposition even when based upon thorough and defensible exegesis. Reason, even when doctrinally sound and theologically relevant, cannot save, heal, deliver, or set any captive free from sin. Personally, I will always tend to reject an argument that is mean spirited or made by an individual or group claiming absolute moral and intellectual superiority. In this regard, I cannot imagine that I am altogether different from most people. The question then arises, “Is it Christ or the preacher that is being lifted up?”

We are not angels, saints. Therefore, the mechanics of our communication can easily become more important to us than the power, love, and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) meant to be conveyed by our singular message of hope, the kernel of which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). We can therefore, much like the Pharisees, “err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29) Has God made us to be ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit? Yes! For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life (2 Corinthians 3:6). Shame on us, if, by way of arrogance and pride, we work against the abundance of life that is the inheritance of all those who are in Christ. Let faith and not condemnation come when we have spoken.

 © 2012 Brian L Hunter

Fighting

"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:11)

They will pick a fight with you (Proverbs 13:10). Not because they don't love you, but because they feel overwhelmed by loneliness, imaginary rejection, pain, discontent, and spiritual frustration. Faith seemed ineffective to them. Therefore, like Abraham, they chose to try plan B. In this case, plan B turned out to be aggravating you in order to get your attention. http://www.anointedwritenow.com/#!form/cyd6

Furthermore, as it seemed to them that God was indifferent and unmoved by their incessant bellyaching, murmuring, negativity, and complaining, you, my friend, have been chosen as the next top supermodel in America most accessible and seemingly available to be terrorized by their nightmarish brand of charming annoyance and attempted manipulation. You are it. Congratulations! Yet, do not take the bait of Satan! http://www.anointedwritenow.com/#!form/cyd6

Bring the matter to a conclusion. Stop the madness now, tell them to talk to the hand if need be, and preach them awake with the Word of the only living God (Matthew 4:1-11). Hallelujah! Bless His holy name! He is attentive to hear the cry of all who fear Him (Psalm 34:15), intimately know His name (1 Chronicles 16:8), and hope steadfastly in His goodness (Psalm 25:3). 

http://www.anointedwritenow.com/#!form/cyd6

© 2012 Brian L Hunter

Turn

"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." (Psalm 34:14)

Thank God for forgiveness because offending people most often seems to be what I do best in this life. Can I get a witness? If not for the fact that God has called those who trust wholly in Him and His goodness to prove true love by keeping no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5), we might have long ago succumb to reasoning which suggests that we must be the only ones who have ever sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). However, such vain imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5), though dramatic and good for reality show ratings, are anchored neither in the day to day experience of mature believers bearing spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) nor in the Word of God which testifies against those who think of themselves as wise (Isaiah 5:21). http://www.anointedwritenow.com/#!form/cyd6

When we arise from our knees with open arms and repentant hearts of thanksgiving to receive new mercies each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), having been purged with God's hyssop (Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:16-18, John 1:29) and cleansed by the washing of His Word (Ephesians 5:26), we cease to carry the burden and stigma of yesterday's hurt, suspicion, pain, misfortune, guilt and regret.

What a wonder fresh bread is (John 6:35) to those who hunger and thirst after God's righteousness (Matthew 5:6), having realized that all the righteousness within themselves is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). All of our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. Oh yes! There is peace in the realization that we can lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us in order to run with endurance the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2). Hallelujah! Bless the holy name of Jesus! 

http://www.anointedwritenow.com/#!form/cyd6

© 2012 Brian L Hunter

Prayer Requests

If you don’t want to pray, that is between you and your God. “But, as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15) Successful servanthood requires obedience. Paul was a bondservant of his Lord Jesus Christ and Paul asked for prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, and 1 Thessalonians 5:25, to mention just a few instances. James 5:14 instructs believers to request prayer and James 5:16 tells us that it is proper for us to pray for one another. One major problem we have in Christ’s church today is a malformed conformity to the world’s duty of independence. Too many Evangelicals think they can, or must, make it as a lone wolf.

The enemy of our souls delights to convince us that we are individual “super-Christians” whose faith is strong enough that we dare not need anyone else. In fact, the climate is now such that we look and talk down to anyone showing any signs of struggling in his or her walk with God, even if they don’t ask for prayer. Such a church does not resemble the Body of Christ which was purchased with His blood and called to watch and pray until He returns. In the seventeenth chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus prayed that we, His church, be one.

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:20-23)

Ephesians 4:16 says, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Speaking of Christ, our redeemer, Ephesians 2:21 goes on to say, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

In conclusion, Christ’s church is not contained within any number of walls. Many argue against ecumenism because denominationalism has somehow taken precedence over Scripture. If we are not one body, we are not one church in one Spirit. Therefore we are neither in The Word nor are we His. I will pray for you all and continue to ask for your prayers to include me. Am I also called to pray in my secret closet? Absolutely! I must meet my Father in the secret place and travail in prayer. However, Matthew 18:19 informs me that there is another dimension added so “that if two of you (us) shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they (we) shall ask, it shall be done for them (us) of my (our) Father which is in heaven.” If we heed God’s Word in its entirety, we shall be prosperous and have good success. (Joshua 1:8) Here is to our success.



© 2007-2010 Brian L Hunter

Hated

Why Jesus was and is hated (John 15:18) is simple; as Gabriel pointed out, " And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19) I agree the best defense as to why the Bible is true to you is because of one person; Jesus Christ. Is the gospel more difficult to believe or somehow less credible than evolution as taught to us in our schools? Bridgette, I applaud your citing of John 14:6 because a 100% error free knowledge of who Jesus Christ is predicates wisdom and salvation. Drug addicts and alcoholics have to hit rock bottom in order to know Jesus as a deliverer. Some will first come to know Him as a healer. Humanists must "meet" the Savior on their own Damascus road and our apologetics must be that signpost for the way to the Lord. Remember that before the term Christian was coined, discipleship was mereley called "the way" and believers were called people of the way. I think it is a more fitting nomenclature because acceptance of John 14:6 defines who and what we are as disciples of Christ, that is of course, "if we have love one to another." (John 13:35) Love is the box often left unchecked on our Christian identity cards and so many fail to fully qualify...

Godlessness

I have read concerning the dilemma of atheism that “The atheist can’t find God for the same reason a thief can’t find a policeman.” Atheists and humanists tend to cite human suffering as the wellspring of their lunacy. “If there is a God (See Psalm 14:1), how could he allow earthquakes, murder, poverty, tsunamis and cancer?” The humanist generally refuses to discuss anything he or she considers to be without merit and Scripture is at the top of that list. The bedrock of humanist reasoning is diversion and the art of inquiry. Genesis 3:1 and Matthew 4:3 give witness some of Satan’s favorite questions. In sales we learn that the person asking the questions is in control of the meeting. In witnessing to atheists and humanists it is imperative that we engage them in the questions all religions seek to answer. Opening with Bible thumping will fall on deaf ears.

Sisyphus

Today is just tomorrow's yesterday reaching for a possession yet to come. In Christ we live and move and have our being now, while existing beyond the realm of time or mere historicity. My soul is steadfastly anchored and, despite the gray hair and the feeble knees, I press even more zealously toward the mark for the prize today as when I first held fast to this rock. As often as I am filled with God’s Spirit, is as often as I need another filling. As often as I reach the pinnacle of experience concerning the bliss of His merciful grace, I am just as constantly brought face to face with my need for more of Him. Whereas Sisyphus pushed the rock upwards in futility, I advance, being completely in the rock that pushes me, towards an inheritance gained by many stripes and the precious blood of the Lamb of God as He endured the Cross for my sake. So pressed upon am I by the tremendous weight of the glory my eyes have yet to see, that I can hardly contain the anticipation here and now. I can only respond with progressively more worship, obedience, submission, and adulation. Lord, please let it be done unto me according to the Word you have breathed forth from the beginning.