“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
I have alienated some ministries by posting what I have written about
politics being a divisive (Contrary to the spirit of John 17:21) topic
to be preaching in this already politically and racially tense time.
Especially considering America's brief history which is full of hatred,
social inequality, and institutional
injustice by design, I would personally avoid such topics and seek to
concentrate more upon the infallible Word of God and the unity therein
commanded much more so than espousing my opinions of other people while
standing behind the sacred desk. Please forgive me, Almighty God, for
the discord I have sown and the relationships I may have strained. Lord,
please help me to keep my mind stayed on You instead of so much
attention to politics, the opinions of people, and the other things of
this world in Jesus’ holy name. Like John Lennon said, “all we are
saying is give peace a chance.” We all must follow our own inspired
convictions of just what promoting peace entails. I already know that I
am an unconventional lunatic and therefore I have taken great pains to
explicate this caveat.
Please pray for me that God's peace and
wisdom will prevail in all of the relationships adversely affected by
the impertinence of what I have published on my personal Facebook page.
Please let forgiveness be found in Your church, Almighty God. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, loving and hoping in all things 1 Corinthians 13:7-8). Amen and amen.
© 2009 Brian L Hunter
www.anointedwritenow.com
#WritingHelps
Brian L Hunter is a ghostwriter, editor, literary critic, self-publishing consultant, music educator, and freelance writer. ~ The Ministry Of Writing Helps www.koalendar.com/e/meet-with-brian-l-hunter
Showing posts with label racism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label racism. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
More Exaltation of God Above Politics
Considering that family members no
more than two generations removed were enslaved, raped, and treated like cattle
under the first fifteen presidents of the United States of America, countless
African Americans yet trusted God's Word rather than openly disrespect the
office of the US presidency. My prayer
is that some people would keep this in mind before failing to bridle their
tongues and offending people who differ no matter what the differences may be
(James 1:26). Jesus prayed that His beloved be one as Father and Son are one
(John 17:21). The secret ballot policy in America respects this prayer whereas openly
sharing my political views from every mountaintop, especially from the pulpit,
runs counter to God's will. May the grace of our Lord be with you all, regardless
of political affiliation, now and always in Jesus' name.
Disclaimer:
Brian Hunter has not posted such maniacal ideas anywhere except on his
very own blogs and social media pages (See Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and hence they are neither meant to be accepted
doctrine, verified by any other human being within or without organized
religion, agreed with by friends, or rubber-stamped by any person living
or dead.
© 2009 Brian L Hunter
www.anointedwritenow.com
#WritingHelps
© 2009 Brian L Hunter
www.anointedwritenow.com
#WritingHelps
Monday, January 21, 2013
Are We Instruments of Faith or Fear?
“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.” (Ephesians 4:29)
Is what we are saying,
communicating, or about to suggest encouraging anyone's faith, or, is it merely
political hate speech designed by Satan to incite division and more of the
same? But the Lord said to Samuel,
“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people
look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:1). The hate speech
of some self-proclaimed disciples of Jesus Christ within the last few years is
so faithless that what they say makes some wonder whether they truly believe
God is sovereign and omnipotent. Peter’s dialogue betrayed him and the
deceitfulness thereof was counted as a denial of Jesus as Savior (Matthew
26:73). Is my conversation today full of grace (Colossians 4:6) or hatred? Like
oil and water, the two cannot be mixed and qualify as righteousness. I may not
know much, but I do know that God was still God even during the Holocaust in
Nazi Germany, slavery and the violent enforcement of Jim Crow laws in the United States, and
the premeditated mass murder perpetrated on September 11, 2001. I trust in God
infinitely more than I will ever trust in any politician. Therefore, “I will
both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in
safety.” (Psalm 4:8) Who is so much more worthy of conversation on this or any
other day? I am talking about God who alone is sovereign and omnipotent, the
author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). Who are any of these other
uncircumcised Philistines? Ask Chuck E. Cheese and I if we care. Selah.
Note: This post was written in
response to unnecessary and unproductive negativity expressed by subversives
using social media to perpetuate divisiveness during the second inauguration of Barack
Obama on January 21, 2013.
© 2013 Brian L Hunter
Monday, December 24, 2012
Election 2012 Facebook Ugliness Response
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
I can remember studying The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette when I was a teenager. Two topics are considered by diplomats to be unfit for discussion in social settings. Those two topics are religion and politics. Offering my political opinion openly in the marketplace or at a formal dinner party would not be completely unlike eating meat that had been sacrificed unto idols (1 Corinthians 10:28). I would undoubtedly be offending someone by doing so. Should such be named among us? Does such unite us? Nay, I would think my concentration would produce better fruit (not bitter) by focusing on that meat Jesus spoke of having that the disciples knew not of (John 4:32).
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
I can remember studying The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette when I was a teenager. Two topics are considered by diplomats to be unfit for discussion in social settings. Those two topics are religion and politics. Offering my political opinion openly in the marketplace or at a formal dinner party would not be completely unlike eating meat that had been sacrificed unto idols (1 Corinthians 10:28). I would undoubtedly be offending someone by doing so. Should such be named among us? Does such unite us? Nay, I would think my concentration would produce better fruit (not bitter) by focusing on that meat Jesus spoke of having that the disciples knew not of (John 4:32).
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
American Shame 2012 Part 3
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” (Romans 14:1 ESV)
Are we praying, or whining and complaining? If the church would get up, stand up, and obey the Word of the Lord rather than arguing with the world and spouting political opinions as if they matter, then, for example, millions of our young girls wouldn’t be so likely to consider having abortions. Trees cannot be cut down from the top and neither can unrighteousness. Unless you affect the root, you may as well save your energy and your outrage for more productive activity such as prayer and preaching the Word of God in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). Jesus, in the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel of John, prayed that we, His disciples, be one as He was one with the Father and vice versa. Is sharing my political opinion and my judgmental outrage about government’s ungodliness lifting up Jesus and drawing all men unto Him, magnifying the Lord, or exhibiting faith in God’s sovereign omnipotence and trusting wholly in His ability to perfectly care for me? I pray for higher heights and deeper depths of faith to become evident in my walk and in my talk...
Are we praying, or whining and complaining? If the church would get up, stand up, and obey the Word of the Lord rather than arguing with the world and spouting political opinions as if they matter, then, for example, millions of our young girls wouldn’t be so likely to consider having abortions. Trees cannot be cut down from the top and neither can unrighteousness. Unless you affect the root, you may as well save your energy and your outrage for more productive activity such as prayer and preaching the Word of God in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). Jesus, in the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel of John, prayed that we, His disciples, be one as He was one with the Father and vice versa. Is sharing my political opinion and my judgmental outrage about government’s ungodliness lifting up Jesus and drawing all men unto Him, magnifying the Lord, or exhibiting faith in God’s sovereign omnipotence and trusting wholly in His ability to perfectly care for me? I pray for higher heights and deeper depths of faith to become evident in my walk and in my talk...
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Dark Places, Empty Spaces, and Presidential Races in 2012
We see in the Gospels that Jesus often met the
misguided good intentions of the Pharisees with compassion and disdain,
only to be set upon by the same religious elite with burning eyes,
crass insinuation, and outright mockery as foreplay which led ultimately
to plots of conspiracy, false witness, and murder. God, The Ancient of
Days, was in mid swing reconciling fallen man to himself through the manifestation
of His Word become flesh, Jesus Christ The Anointed One and His
Anointing. Hallelujah. Can there ever again exist a more horrifically
tragic transmogrification of irony, evil self-aggrandizement, and
hypocrisy as that which was demonstrated by the scribes and Pharisees?
It remains a mystery how Christ could be simultaneously fully God and
fully man - the hypostatic union to reference the proper Christology.
Yet, like a kernel of wheat destined to be made broken bread (John 6:35,
Matthew 26:26) and like a lamb born to be led to the slaughter
(Jeremiah 11:19, Isaiah 53:7), Jesus Christ laid it down, giving up the
ghost in the very prime of His human life here on this earthen soil.
I too, in 2012, have witnessed horrifically tragic transmogrification of irony, evil self-aggrandizement, and hypocrisy not unlike that which was demonstrated by the scribes and Pharisees long ago in a galaxy not so far away. I have seen people bend and twist their theology and doctrine to make it line up with their prejudices and fears. Multitudes this year walked by sight rather than by faith while being swept up into emotional political hurricanes and mob mentalities which all could have been much more God glorifying than they shall, years from now, turn out to be in the final historical analysis. Periods of America’s churchy past are far from scripturally sound and this year revealed much guile in us which was the opposite of spiritual fruit. God’s true church, just as it was during the not so distant and extremely profitable era of American slavery, is indeed invisible. Thank God for zealous abolitionists. However, in terms of representation in American churches, righteousness was quite the minority then as is the case this very moment. Some still wonder if Heaven will be segregated. We have heaped shame upon ourselves in abundance, Heavenly Father. Please help us, Lord God Almighty, to see ourselves the way You see us and not through phantasmagorical rose colored glasses like we apparently see ourselves as though we have not sinned and You are a liar (1 John 1:8-10).
You have not called us to win any popularity contests, Lord. The truth always has and always shall either make us mad or make us glad. Such is the nature of conviction, Holy One of Israel. Righteousness shall never sit on the fence. There is no in between. There shall be no co-mingling of funds so to speak. I suspect my friends list shall dwindle not many days hence after the transparency with which I have herein had the gall to express myself. And, oh my goodness, has this American actually had the nerve to play the race card as we have so benignly classified such blood forced verity? Has another figurative Native American actually had the nerve to cry foul from the Trail of Tears? Yet, being neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, I am completely unconcerned how I appear to people who can neither create nor destroy my life. “It is too late baby. Now, it’s too late,” said Carole King some forty one years ago. Whether it is regarded as diatribe or ballyhoo, my cat is out of the bag. Praise God! I am but a foolish thing of the world if I confound but one wise man in this day and age.
Fortunately for the faint of heart, like a bear, I am entering hibernation now with these keystrokes. I am not boring as some have surmised. There should be some humor evident in whatever this communication is ultimately classified. Genuine friends will love me hereafter regardless of what I think out loud. All may take solace in the fact that I shall not soon be heard from again. I need a season of quiet reflection, perhaps a month, perhaps longer, in which to dream of a kinder, gentler America than this year has fully disclosed. We are a nation of brilliant rain men. Idiot savants rule us. I would imagine at least one someone out there shares this sentiment. I want my imagination to run wild having been fed a steady diet of God’s Word, the whole counsel of God, and nothing but the truth.
Therefore, help me, God is my prayer. Make me a thousand times more loving, forgiving, and compassionate than I am. Help me to wash away all the pain of my experience thus far so that all that remains in me is what You shall use to glorify Your holy name, Lord Jehovah. Hallelujah! I am excited about the new things around the corner of my life in Christ. I anticipate sharper senses, keener insights, and greater discernment through which You shall be glorified and exalted. Purify my thoughts, oh Lord. Strengthen my resolve to present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto You. Please do not allow me to be conformed to this world, oh God. Help me to be transformed by the renewing of this mind so that I may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will which originates in the thinking of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost who agree wholeheartedly in Heaven as one . Hallelujah! Smile graciously upon and bless exceeding, abundantly, each and every soul who spared the time to read this inconsequential post during my hiatus. Thank You that I can hear You more clearly now, Lord. If I never do this again, please let me serve You more obediently with the greatest sense of purpose imaginable. Let me take everything as seriously as I have taken music all of my life thus far. Let me gladly give up Facebook altogether if that is what You call me to do in this hour, Lord. Considering what You have done and continue to do for my benefit, I will gladly change my life for You, Almighty God. Help me to decrease so that You may increase in me for the rest of my days in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
I too, in 2012, have witnessed horrifically tragic transmogrification of irony, evil self-aggrandizement, and hypocrisy not unlike that which was demonstrated by the scribes and Pharisees long ago in a galaxy not so far away. I have seen people bend and twist their theology and doctrine to make it line up with their prejudices and fears. Multitudes this year walked by sight rather than by faith while being swept up into emotional political hurricanes and mob mentalities which all could have been much more God glorifying than they shall, years from now, turn out to be in the final historical analysis. Periods of America’s churchy past are far from scripturally sound and this year revealed much guile in us which was the opposite of spiritual fruit. God’s true church, just as it was during the not so distant and extremely profitable era of American slavery, is indeed invisible. Thank God for zealous abolitionists. However, in terms of representation in American churches, righteousness was quite the minority then as is the case this very moment. Some still wonder if Heaven will be segregated. We have heaped shame upon ourselves in abundance, Heavenly Father. Please help us, Lord God Almighty, to see ourselves the way You see us and not through phantasmagorical rose colored glasses like we apparently see ourselves as though we have not sinned and You are a liar (1 John 1:8-10).
You have not called us to win any popularity contests, Lord. The truth always has and always shall either make us mad or make us glad. Such is the nature of conviction, Holy One of Israel. Righteousness shall never sit on the fence. There is no in between. There shall be no co-mingling of funds so to speak. I suspect my friends list shall dwindle not many days hence after the transparency with which I have herein had the gall to express myself. And, oh my goodness, has this American actually had the nerve to play the race card as we have so benignly classified such blood forced verity? Has another figurative Native American actually had the nerve to cry foul from the Trail of Tears? Yet, being neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, I am completely unconcerned how I appear to people who can neither create nor destroy my life. “It is too late baby. Now, it’s too late,” said Carole King some forty one years ago. Whether it is regarded as diatribe or ballyhoo, my cat is out of the bag. Praise God! I am but a foolish thing of the world if I confound but one wise man in this day and age.
Fortunately for the faint of heart, like a bear, I am entering hibernation now with these keystrokes. I am not boring as some have surmised. There should be some humor evident in whatever this communication is ultimately classified. Genuine friends will love me hereafter regardless of what I think out loud. All may take solace in the fact that I shall not soon be heard from again. I need a season of quiet reflection, perhaps a month, perhaps longer, in which to dream of a kinder, gentler America than this year has fully disclosed. We are a nation of brilliant rain men. Idiot savants rule us. I would imagine at least one someone out there shares this sentiment. I want my imagination to run wild having been fed a steady diet of God’s Word, the whole counsel of God, and nothing but the truth.
Therefore, help me, God is my prayer. Make me a thousand times more loving, forgiving, and compassionate than I am. Help me to wash away all the pain of my experience thus far so that all that remains in me is what You shall use to glorify Your holy name, Lord Jehovah. Hallelujah! I am excited about the new things around the corner of my life in Christ. I anticipate sharper senses, keener insights, and greater discernment through which You shall be glorified and exalted. Purify my thoughts, oh Lord. Strengthen my resolve to present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto You. Please do not allow me to be conformed to this world, oh God. Help me to be transformed by the renewing of this mind so that I may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will which originates in the thinking of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost who agree wholeheartedly in Heaven as one . Hallelujah! Smile graciously upon and bless exceeding, abundantly, each and every soul who spared the time to read this inconsequential post during my hiatus. Thank You that I can hear You more clearly now, Lord. If I never do this again, please let me serve You more obediently with the greatest sense of purpose imaginable. Let me take everything as seriously as I have taken music all of my life thus far. Let me gladly give up Facebook altogether if that is what You call me to do in this hour, Lord. Considering what You have done and continue to do for my benefit, I will gladly change my life for You, Almighty God. Help me to decrease so that You may increase in me for the rest of my days in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Saturday, November 3, 2012
2012 Election Shame 3
“Why
do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your
brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it
is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and
every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an
account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one
another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (Romans 14:10-13 ESV)
Kings, Republicans, and Democrats shall all pass away. However, there is still something about the name of Jesus. Let us not love the glory that comes from any man more than the glory that comes from God (John 12:43 ESV). Why then, should I allow my opinion about any political candidate or issue to reveal anything but faith in God? If, rather, my opinion reveals fear, strife, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, or disturbances (2 Corinthians 12:20), then, though I should be praying for those my opinion condemns, I would do well in the sight of God to press my own way to the altar and weep for the sins of us all. Have the words of my opinionated mouth and the meditation of my heart during this election always been acceptable in God’s sight? It does not take much effort to assemble a lynch mob on either the Republican or the Democratic side of the political fence. I ask now, as I examine my own wicked ways (Romans 3:23), who is on the Lord’s side (Exodus 32:26)? Is my opinion salt and light to the world? Does my opinion point to the fact that God is in control and that even Satan must obtain His permission to sneeze? What does my opinion reveal about my theology and my faith? Selah
Kings, Republicans, and Democrats shall all pass away. However, there is still something about the name of Jesus. Let us not love the glory that comes from any man more than the glory that comes from God (John 12:43 ESV). Why then, should I allow my opinion about any political candidate or issue to reveal anything but faith in God? If, rather, my opinion reveals fear, strife, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, or disturbances (2 Corinthians 12:20), then, though I should be praying for those my opinion condemns, I would do well in the sight of God to press my own way to the altar and weep for the sins of us all. Have the words of my opinionated mouth and the meditation of my heart during this election always been acceptable in God’s sight? It does not take much effort to assemble a lynch mob on either the Republican or the Democratic side of the political fence. I ask now, as I examine my own wicked ways (Romans 3:23), who is on the Lord’s side (Exodus 32:26)? Is my opinion salt and light to the world? Does my opinion point to the fact that God is in control and that even Satan must obtain His permission to sneeze? What does my opinion reveal about my theology and my faith? Selah
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Racism Trumps All Issues in 2012 Election
I
try not to post anything political on my page because I trust in God,
not in governments, the wisdom of men, or what fear and hate mongering
owners of the media outlets tell me I ought to trust in. Fear equals
unbelief and such is not my inheritance as a child of The Most High God
who reins far above all principalities and powers. We would honor God
more by ignoring the political divisiveness that
is breeding hate among the so called church in America during this
election. Where is the grace in our conversation? What does the world
now see in us that is any different than what they see in those who do
not know Christ in this hour? Why can't we simply vote our own
conscience privately as the country's forefathers intended? "Out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Matthew 12:34) I'm not for
any political party. I am for Jesus Christ and Him crucified. We have
the right to free speech. Yes indeed we do. However, when it comes to
speech that falls short of proclaiming the preeminent sovereignty of
God, I question whether His rights are being championed in the
conversation. "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise." (Proverbs 10:19) Scripture
mandates that I vote, not hate nor speak hatefully... Is my speech
therefore hateful? I need to examine myself to see if I and my free
speech are indeed in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Peace and love to
us and all glory to God. The world is watching and we need for them to
see the light of Christ, not a spirit of fear which pushes people away.
We can vote for whoever we want to vote for in private. Yet, with our
freedom of speech, are we lifting Jesus Christ up by loving our neighbor
into God's Kingdom? Or, God forbid, do we seem more interested in our
opinions and judgment of those who do not recognize the love of God in
us? We do not need to fight God's battles. God is omnipotent and wholly
sovereign. We do, however, need to obey God's new commandment. "That you
love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
(John 13:34) If we are honest with ourselves, do we feel the love of
Christ when we read some of the things we have written about candidates
during this presidential election?
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Monday, October 29, 2012
Harsh Realities of Facebook Friendship #1
“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 clamor, 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)
All have fallen short of the glory of God. Although I have fallen far short of the mark in regards to producing thoughts entirely free of corruption, I have pointed no one on Facebook to myself but to Christ only. In fact, I have often admitted to being an idiot. The proof is documented in black and white and available for the entire world to scrutinize. Having incurred wrath and condemnation as a result, I have made an observation and it may be mine alone: A true friend will never need to question our integrity. This is a sort of litmus test of the type of intimacy which defines true friendship.
All have fallen short of the glory of God. Although I have fallen far short of the mark in regards to producing thoughts entirely free of corruption, I have pointed no one on Facebook to myself but to Christ only. In fact, I have often admitted to being an idiot. The proof is documented in black and white and available for the entire world to scrutinize. Having incurred wrath and condemnation as a result, I have made an observation and it may be mine alone: A true friend will never need to question our integrity. This is a sort of litmus test of the type of intimacy which defines true friendship.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Election 2012 and Weepy, Snow White's 8th Dwarf
“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)
Speaking of men who cannot seem to hold their eye water, I have discovered an eighth dwarf. Snow White never met this one. His name is weepy. He seems to be addicted to worship and the presence of the Lord. If Jesus is indeed his example, I am tempted to envy such a soaking of the proverbial handkerchief myself. What burden moves him to tears? It certainly is worth a bit more contemplation on my part. I may eventually be led to conclude that big boys do indeed cry. I have often wondered what else the world may have lied to me about? Maybe I shouldn’t believe everything I see on television or read in the newspaper after all. Thank God He has given me so much relevant reading and thinking to do. I thank Him even more for sending His Holy Spirit that I may be moved to tears by the truth of which and of whom He does testify. Selah.
Speaking of men who cannot seem to hold their eye water, I have discovered an eighth dwarf. Snow White never met this one. His name is weepy. He seems to be addicted to worship and the presence of the Lord. If Jesus is indeed his example, I am tempted to envy such a soaking of the proverbial handkerchief myself. What burden moves him to tears? It certainly is worth a bit more contemplation on my part. I may eventually be led to conclude that big boys do indeed cry. I have often wondered what else the world may have lied to me about? Maybe I shouldn’t believe everything I see on television or read in the newspaper after all. Thank God He has given me so much relevant reading and thinking to do. I thank Him even more for sending His Holy Spirit that I may be moved to tears by the truth of which and of whom He does testify. Selah.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Break Me
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71)
Graciously break my legs as you see fit, Great Shepherd of the Sheep (Hebrews 13:20). By the time my leg has healed, I, your precious lamb, the lamb you loved enough to sacrifice your only begotten Son, will have learned to stay nearer my God to Thee. Hallelujah! Do not allow me to lean to my own understanding, oh Lord (Proverbs 3:5). Perfect my trust in You today. Convict me when I rebel against Your instruction if indeed Your Spirit is within me. Help me to more diligently examine myself to determine daily if I remain in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). It is so easy to follow my own way. My own way does not bother me like the inerrant two-edged, cutting truth of Your holy Word. I am comfortable left to my own wisdom. Therefore, provoke me to holiness by discomfiting this flesh which prefers the stable sameness of self-centered stagnation. Upset this flesh and move me toward the light, Your light (Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12), Almighty God. Hallelujah!
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Graciously break my legs as you see fit, Great Shepherd of the Sheep (Hebrews 13:20). By the time my leg has healed, I, your precious lamb, the lamb you loved enough to sacrifice your only begotten Son, will have learned to stay nearer my God to Thee. Hallelujah! Do not allow me to lean to my own understanding, oh Lord (Proverbs 3:5). Perfect my trust in You today. Convict me when I rebel against Your instruction if indeed Your Spirit is within me. Help me to more diligently examine myself to determine daily if I remain in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). It is so easy to follow my own way. My own way does not bother me like the inerrant two-edged, cutting truth of Your holy Word. I am comfortable left to my own wisdom. Therefore, provoke me to holiness by discomfiting this flesh which prefers the stable sameness of self-centered stagnation. Upset this flesh and move me toward the light, Your light (Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12), Almighty God. Hallelujah!
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Unbelief, Racism, and the 2012 Presidential Election
“So
we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze
on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be
gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians
4:18)
Government can work to protect our stuff. However, what we possess, our rights, our homes, our cars, our jobs, and the like, are temporal. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Irrational fear reveals deeper issues such as unbelief, as though God is not sovereign, faithful, or able to deliver on His exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Shame on us if we nullify faith in God - no matter who, what, where, or when government succeeds or fails. We seem to be more concerned about eating whole foods in the natural than we are about believing in the whole truth, the whole way, and the whole life (John 16:6). Let faith reveal our hearts, not hatred and bigotry. All of my hope is in things eternal. Lord, let not my faith fail me in this hour. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, realizing that I need Thee every hour. Amen.
Government can work to protect our stuff. However, what we possess, our rights, our homes, our cars, our jobs, and the like, are temporal. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Irrational fear reveals deeper issues such as unbelief, as though God is not sovereign, faithful, or able to deliver on His exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Shame on us if we nullify faith in God - no matter who, what, where, or when government succeeds or fails. We seem to be more concerned about eating whole foods in the natural than we are about believing in the whole truth, the whole way, and the whole life (John 16:6). Let faith reveal our hearts, not hatred and bigotry. All of my hope is in things eternal. Lord, let not my faith fail me in this hour. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, realizing that I need Thee every hour. Amen.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Our American Stuff
“So we don't look at the troubles we can see
now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the
things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will
last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Government can work to protect our stuff. However, what we possess, our rights, our homes, our cars, our jobs, and the like, are temporal. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Irrational fear reveals deeper issues such as unbelief, as though God is not sovereign, faithful, or able to deliver on His exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Shame on us if we nullify faith in God - no matter who, what, where, or when government succeeds or fails. We seem to be more concerned about eating whole foods in the natural than we are about believing in the whole truth, the whole way, and the whole life (John 16:6). Let faith reveal our hearts, not hatred and bigotry. All of my hope is in things eternal. Lord, let not my faith fail me in this hour. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, realizing that I need Thee every hour. Amen.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Government can work to protect our stuff. However, what we possess, our rights, our homes, our cars, our jobs, and the like, are temporal. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Irrational fear reveals deeper issues such as unbelief, as though God is not sovereign, faithful, or able to deliver on His exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Shame on us if we nullify faith in God - no matter who, what, where, or when government succeeds or fails. We seem to be more concerned about eating whole foods in the natural than we are about believing in the whole truth, the whole way, and the whole life (John 16:6). Let faith reveal our hearts, not hatred and bigotry. All of my hope is in things eternal. Lord, let not my faith fail me in this hour. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, realizing that I need Thee every hour. Amen.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Friday, October 26, 2012
Another's Well Being?
“His secret, inner heart will become
known, and so he will bow down to the ground and worship God, declaring,
"God is truly among you!" (1 Corinthians 14:25)
When our genuine concern for another’s well being is no greater than the concern a virus has for us when we have by it been infected, then the egocentrism of humanism becomes clearly evident. If our agenda runs contrary to the Word of God and His love then our thinking will breed mischief. Oh, we will smile while we wield the weapons of our discontent. Nonetheless, by no fault of our own thanks to Adam, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34, Luke 6:45). A human being, like any other creature, will become extremely defensive seeking to kick, scratch, and claw his or her way out of the perceived corner of endless potential threats. Unfortunately, misperception developed as a survival mechanism over the course of enduring the hideous abuses indicative of mans total depravity can cause the wounded to then become the violator.
When our genuine concern for another’s well being is no greater than the concern a virus has for us when we have by it been infected, then the egocentrism of humanism becomes clearly evident. If our agenda runs contrary to the Word of God and His love then our thinking will breed mischief. Oh, we will smile while we wield the weapons of our discontent. Nonetheless, by no fault of our own thanks to Adam, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34, Luke 6:45). A human being, like any other creature, will become extremely defensive seeking to kick, scratch, and claw his or her way out of the perceived corner of endless potential threats. Unfortunately, misperception developed as a survival mechanism over the course of enduring the hideous abuses indicative of mans total depravity can cause the wounded to then become the violator.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Pawns
“For when for the time ye ought to be
teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first
principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of
milk, and not of strong meat.” (Hebrews 5:12)
We must refuse to be offended, manipulated, or baited into a fight with any pawn of the enemy just now and we must also not be coerced into silence simply because our accusers ha
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
We must refuse to be offended, manipulated, or baited into a fight with any pawn of the enemy just now and we must also not be coerced into silence simply because our accusers ha
ve found strength
in any common consensus. We mustn’t mind at all being branded as hateful
for merely speaking the truth of God’s Word when we have not spoken on
our own authority. To be offended by the Word of God is a good thing if
it brings about a change of direction. Conviction is evidence that the
Holy Spirit is present and actively working on one’s heart. Hallelujah!
We should be happy then to be hated for such a cause, that the will of
the Lord be accomplished in the life of even one of us who would have
continued on stagnant in immaturity and nursing wounds and offenses of
which we refuse to let go.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Election 2012 Encouragement
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
No matter who runs the local Seven Eleven, the Board of Demons (Deacons), or the country, God is still sovereign, omnipotent, faithful, long-suffering, merciful, and on the throne. Hallelujah! Neither Ghost Busters, presidents, businessmen, nor Wall Street can deliver us. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7) My Savior left me His peace (John 14:27). Like the infants in the nursery, I should be at rest in a bed of grace prepared for me. Hallelujah! I certainly don’t have time to fret about polls. God is in control, saints. He never slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:1-5) and He is not on vacation. I promise. Better yet, He has promised. I can honestly say, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25) Hallelujah! I can either be a faith baby or a cry baby. However, I cannot be both.
No matter who runs the local Seven Eleven, the Board of Demons (Deacons), or the country, God is still sovereign, omnipotent, faithful, long-suffering, merciful, and on the throne. Hallelujah! Neither Ghost Busters, presidents, businessmen, nor Wall Street can deliver us. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7) My Savior left me His peace (John 14:27). Like the infants in the nursery, I should be at rest in a bed of grace prepared for me. Hallelujah! I certainly don’t have time to fret about polls. God is in control, saints. He never slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:1-5) and He is not on vacation. I promise. Better yet, He has promised. I can honestly say, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25) Hallelujah! I can either be a faith baby or a cry baby. However, I cannot be both.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Food for Thought (Not for the sensitive...)
Please allow me to ponder out loud. Mormonism doctrine has historically promoted hatred for the decedents of Ham (Genesis 9:18). What of the English word ‘black’ and its etymology? Part of the Merriam Webster definition: “indicative of condemnation or discredit ” Has this contributed to the systemic brainwashing of Americans generation after generation?
So many powerless evangelicals in 2012 who proclaim to be disciples of Christ seem to be completely unaware of their inbred racism and the offensiveness of their seemingly inherent if not merely institutionalized and learned hatred for the first American President of obvious African descent.
I think a little sensitivity training may be in order for the church at large. Corporations have realized the benefits of diversity training for employees. Why is the church so far behind? For further cogitation see:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=black
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30F17FB385E15738DDDAE0894DF405B8984F0D3
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
To The Remnant
"But
if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the
LORD, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out." (Numbers
32:23 NLT)
Question: Though you profess to honor "the way, and the truth, and the life," (John 14:6), yet enjoy the fruit of a poisonous worldly tree, once you have benefited so greatly from the lies necessary to perpetuate the illusion of your righteousness, why then would you ever want to surrender to truth? I reckon that a snake does not cut off it's own neck, naturally. However, just as sure as a viper must rear it's head in order to strike, so shall your sin find you out. To the remnant - selah.
Question: Though you profess to honor "the way, and the truth, and the life," (John 14:6), yet enjoy the fruit of a poisonous worldly tree, once you have benefited so greatly from the lies necessary to perpetuate the illusion of your righteousness, why then would you ever want to surrender to truth? I reckon that a snake does not cut off it's own neck, naturally. However, just as sure as a viper must rear it's head in order to strike, so shall your sin find you out. To the remnant - selah.
© 2012 Brian L Hunter
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