The Whole Truth

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” (1 Peter 3:18-22 ESV)

If we water down the truth of the gospel so that we please each and everyone, we become servants of Antichrist. Though such enticing words of man’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:4) are always politically correct, likely to charm filthy lucre out of unsuspecting rattlesnakes, easy for lynch mobs to focus their hatred and rally around, and meticulously fashioned into their own zealous form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5), these words prove nothing more than the cunning artistry of Beelzebub who is the father of all lies. Such deceit will always help one grow in popularity. People are more likely to return phone calls, respond to emails, and comment on social media posts when our message is so homogenous that not one heart is convicted or motivated to repentance and godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10).

I am not willing to take a chance on winning the world’s approval lottery while failing to fulfill the function for which God has called me. If I wear the moniker of trouble maker, then all is well. As I am delighted when God opens doors of opportunity, so shall I be thrilled when He closes others. I am learning to let go when God says let go. The only real gain in this life is from Him, through Him; and, to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:36).

Therefore, I do not believe in chance. I believe that the full gospel of Jesus Christ, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of God’s Word “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Hallelujah! My hope is built on nothing less. Hallelujah! My conscience is therefore clear because my righteousness, my godliness, is not my own. I have believed and shall hereafter believe in the promises of my King, Jehovah. Bless His holy name forever and ever. Amen.

“ No victor believes in chance.” (Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844–1900 German philosopher)

© 2009 Brian L Hunter 

www.anointedwritenow.com

#WritingHelps

Passion as Persuasion

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

What we are thinking about reveals the truth of what and who we believe. If we argue to justify ourselves and our ideology rather than to exalt God’s sovereign omnipotence, shame on us and our passions. Passion can lead to segregation, hatred, and murder when the object of passion is anyone or anything other than God (1 John 3:15). “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Is our treasure earning interest today, dependent upon the political and economic systems of this world? Are we more passionate about our rights than we are about God’s Word and the prayer Jesus prayed for unity in John 17:21-26? Are we more passionate about our possessions and prosperity than we are about who and what Jesus represents to mankind (Hebrews 1:3)? Help us to make You the center of our lives, Almighty God. Help us to make You our passion in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Passion persuades.” ~ Anita Roddick (1942-2007) English entrepreneur and activist founder of The Body Shop

© 2013 Brian L Hunter

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/

Silence My Mind

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Proverbs 18:2 ESV)

Lord, help me to be constrained by Your perfect love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) so that I may bridle my tongue (James 1:26) on this worship holiday. Let me close my ears to the things of this world just now and magnify You far above all principalities and political powers (Ephesians 6:12).

England Dan and John Ford Coley said in their 1976 hit “I'd Really Love to See You Tonight,”

“I'm not talking 'bout moving in,
And I don't want to change your life.
But there's a warm wind blowing,
The stars are out, and I'd really love to see you tonight.”

Oh, that I could see You tonight and every night, Almighty God! Thou hast created the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and there is nothing too hard for Thee (Jeremiah 32:17). I desire that You renew and forever transform my life through Your Word instead of allowing me to be conformed to the thinking of this world, oh God. You have created all things, the sun, moon, stars, and the wind. I would really like to see Your face right now. The only topic on the daily news which exalts Your glory instead of man’s shame is the weather. Help me to keep my mind stayed therefore upon You today in consecration. If never again I open my eyes to the things of this world, Lord, help me be able to say that on this day I did not fail to speak as though the good news of Your sovereign omnipotence actually outweighed all the bad news in world events. Thank You for eclipsing every lesser light and concern with the immeasurable weight of Your glory both now and forever. Hallelujah! Draw me nearer and help me to remain silent, Almighty God. Help me to shut up and dissolve into You, Blessed Redeemer.

If Nineveh is in ruins and someone must mourn for her, need it be me, Lord? Need it be now? I am a man of unclean lips, I stutter, and many are angered by my every word. Some would have You, Heavenly Father, choose sides and alienate a portion of those for whom You gave Your only begotten Son’s life. Help me to remain silent about the crimes committed against You while the conversation rages on, focused on the infinitely lesser crimes of man against man as though You were not sovereign. Help me to brace myself for the hatred and isolation that accompanies exalting Your name above all else in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

No Appreciation Necessary

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Whatever one’s contribution to a truly intimate and reverent time of worship, physiological appurtenances and feelings of déjà vu aside, regardless of theological camp, denominational enclosure, age, or gender, a person must eventually weigh the experience against the sovereignty and omnipotence inherent in God’s glory.

In spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Reminiscent of something akin to an Elvin Jones or Tony Williams rhythmic etude or improvisatory utterance upon a drum kit, I would imagine my own contribution from behind a battery of percussion at times must seem unintelligible, foreign, and even extremely bizarre by some standards. Yet, as the little drummer boy in the popular Christmas song, I bring my offering. Any sound I coerce from such basic and archaic apparatuses as drums and cymbals is my humble offering unto the King of kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah! Oh, what a range of frequencies is the sound of many waters (Psalm 93:4, Revelation 1:15, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 19:6) and simply the blast of God’s holy nostrils caused waters to be gathered, piled up, and consumed (Exodus 15:8, Job 4:9). Just as the feminine is suggested in the masculine, so is violence existent and inherent in the sublime beauty of grace. Hallelujah! Alas, once again I have thought too much and worshiped too little. Perhaps, one day, thinking, doing, and being may perchance be melded into one glorious act of exaltation.

I am content to be completely insignificant in this life. I am but a worm! All of my hope is in things eternal, Almighty God. Lord, please perfect that which concerns me, the good, the bad, and the ugly, so that I may walk more consistently in the Spirit than ever before. Let Your holy Word have free course in me, working in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Help me to remain ignorant enough of my many flaws to be ever more cognizant of Your infinitely glorious perfection in Jesus’ mighty name.

“First and foremost I am a drummer. After that, I'm other things... But I didn't play drums to make money.” (Ringo Starr -quoted in The Big Beat by Max Weinberg, 1984)

Help me to be who You most desire me to be so that I may be my utmost for Your highest in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sov’reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Refrain:
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!” (At the Cross, Hudson, Isaac Watts, pub.1707,ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqMgYbQhcvs

© 2013 Brian L Hunter