You can’t predict tomorrow and your yesterday’s are gone.
All you control is time you have today.”
–Red Steagall (“Failure”)
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.
–Psalm 37:39 (NASB)
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There’s a solitary rider trailing me,
I know he’s out to bring me down, Like he did to so many of my old friends,
But somewhere up ahead, just a silhouette on the sky with my back to the setting sun
I’ll make my stand.
Now this shadow that I can’t seem to shake is not flesh and blood,
This is a stranger each man faces in his own mind filling him with fear and doubt
And behind it all is that old outlaw Time.
Now as I go along he steals from me my way of life, my woman’s love, my peace of mind.
If I could see him I’d hit him, if I could reach him I’d kill him,
That old outlaw Time.
I’ll make a stand, go against any man, and I’ll beat his hand or he’ll beat mine
But there’s no way to win, no way to win against that old outlaw Time.
–Bob Nolan
Time! We’re allotted only so much of it. Everyone on the face of the earth has twenty-four hours in a day, sixty minutes in a hour. Most people will spend more than one-third of their life sleeping. So what happens to the rest of the time?
What did you do with your time last year? What is used to profit the kingdom of God, or spent on the kingdom of self? Time is one of those precious commodities that we have been given by God and yet we so very often don’t think of Him when we live it. How we spend our time is one of the things that the Lord will judge us for. He will look at our lives to see if we have been good stewards of the time He has given us.
Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.”
–Revelation 3:2-3 (NASB)
Wake up! Redeem the time for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Be alert, be mindful of how you use your time in 2022; that includes not only the year, but each day and every hour of that day. Use it wisely, use if for the Lord. Make yourself a better person, do good, and be faithful to the One who has given you eternal life. The days are truly evil and you are disillusioned if you think they will get better. The only thing, I repeat, the only thing that will make the days better is for a national repentance, an awakening back to the truths of God’s Word.
Yes, Time is an outlaw that gains on all of us. If you don’t think so take a glance in the mirror. How’s the figure? How many gray hairs can now be counted? Crow’s feet at the eyes, and on I could go with the things that Time has brought about. Some have lost loved ones and you are alone due to time. Time is sometimes subtle and sometimes a raging storm, but either way there is nothing we can do about time except live it the way that the Lord would have us to do. Yes, we all have twenty-four hours, sixty minutes, but only God knows the length of time we have on this earth. Use is wisely for His glory so that time will not matter and you can live in eternity with the Lord, the Giver of time.
Month: January 2022
Echoes From the Campfire
You can’t change what you have to face in life, but you can choose to face it with grit and faith.”
–Cliff Hudgins (Viejo and the Hunted Ranger)
“Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
–Titus 1:9 (NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19
A new year… a new year of troubles or a new year of victories? Much of the time the choice is ours. Troubles will surely be there, but do you go through them in the confidence of the Lord? That is the key. He is there! He is always there with you despite what is going on. Our job is to obey, be alert, guard the truth in the midst of the evil of the day. Do not take the time lightly, for the days are indeed evil. Repentance is needed. How many need to repent to turn away the judgment of God I do not know, but that is the only way to avoid the evil that is to come. No, I’m not being a prophet, I’m just reading the Scriptures, and I know that the Christian life is and has always been one of conflict.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
–Ephesians 6:12(NKJV)
One of the ways in which we can be victorious is first of all to realize that we are in conflict, in a real fight, not only for our lives here on earth but for our eternal destiny. Choose this day, now in 2022, whom you will serve. My daughter told me of a family who report they are Christian and they have for the first time ventured out to a store in two years. Two years! That is paranoia, that is being controlled by the system of this world. God wants us to be victorious in our faith, not to cower in our homes. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be cautious, but we need a real trust in the Lord, and I think more is to come. There is talk in some places of forcing the vaccine. Where is common sense, where is common decency?
The devil wants you to live in fear. And, I will ask if you live in fear, then where is your faith? The world is out there all the time. How much attention do we give to it? How much time do we spend with the world and its system of evil? I am always reminded of the Shorter Westminster Confession: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever.” Is our fear glorifying Him? Is our compromise and curiosity a means of glorification? Is our complacency about life and they way we go about living glorifying to God? We are to glorify God in every way conceivable and the world is everything that tries to prevent our doing that.
The world is something that we have to reckon with outside ourselves. Our prayers should be: prevent me from attractions and temptations–things that appeal to us that draw us away from God. Let me not live in fear, but walk in this life in the boldness of Christ.
“The world is opposed to God in its outlook, in its mind, in its mentality, in its own wisdom–worldly wisdom. It is against God in its faith, in its own understanding, in its intellectualism that would banish God and ridicule the Cross and the blood of Christ, especially because it does not seem to be philosophically sound–all that is as much the world as the life of the gutter.”
–D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
The world would ridicule the Christian. It would isolate us, it places peer pressure upon us, it might attack our job security, it may be a physical condition, ailment, or virus that is used to put pressure on us and persecute us. The world is wise in its own eyes and cares nothing or very little about what God’s Word says, so don’t be duped by those who would mock God. Stand firm, guard the truth, and have faith in God.
—————————————
How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19
A new year… a new year of troubles or a new year of victories? Much of the time the choice is ours. Troubles will surely be there, but do you go through them in the confidence of the Lord? That is the key. He is there! He is always there with you despite what is going on. Our job is to obey, be alert, guard the truth in the midst of the evil of the day. Do not take the time lightly, for the days are indeed evil. Repentance is needed. How many need to repent to turn away the judgment of God I do not know, but that is the only way to avoid the evil that is to come. No, I’m not being a prophet, I’m just reading the Scriptures, and I know that the Christian life is and has always been one of conflict.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
–Ephesians 6:12(NKJV)
One of the ways in which we can be victorious is first of all to realize that we are in conflict, in a real fight, not only for our lives here on earth but for our eternal destiny. Choose this day, now in 2022, whom you will serve. My daughter told me of a family who report they are Christian and they have for the first time ventured out to a store in two years. Two years! That is paranoia, that is being controlled by the system of this world. God wants us to be victorious in our faith, not to cower in our homes. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be cautious, but we need a real trust in the Lord, and I think more is to come. There is talk in some places of forcing the vaccine. Where is common sense, where is common decency?
The devil wants you to live in fear. And, I will ask if you live in fear, then where is your faith? The world is out there all the time. How much attention do we give to it? How much time do we spend with the world and its system of evil? I am always reminded of the Shorter Westminster Confession: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever.” Is our fear glorifying Him? Is our compromise and curiosity a means of glorification? Is our complacency about life and they way we go about living glorifying to God? We are to glorify God in every way conceivable and the world is everything that tries to prevent our doing that.
The world is something that we have to reckon with outside ourselves. Our prayers should be: prevent me from attractions and temptations–things that appeal to us that draw us away from God. Let me not live in fear, but walk in this life in the boldness of Christ.
“The world is opposed to God in its outlook, in its mind, in its mentality, in its own wisdom–worldly wisdom. It is against God in its faith, in its own understanding, in its intellectualism that would banish God and ridicule the Cross and the blood of Christ, especially because it does not seem to be philosophically sound–all that is as much the world as the life of the gutter.”
–D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
The world would ridicule the Christian. It would isolate us, it places peer pressure upon us, it might attack our job security, it may be a physical condition, ailment, or virus that is used to put pressure on us and persecute us. The world is wise in its own eyes and cares nothing or very little about what God’s Word says, so don’t be duped by those who would mock God. Stand firm, guard the truth, and have faith in God.
Echoes From the Campfire
I’ve got to realize that I have myself to contend with up here.”
–Zane Grey (Under the Tonto Rim)
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
–Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
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“Let us live this one day well!”
–Joseph Alleine
There is something to be said about making a plan for the year. That gives you a goal and something to go by. There is equally nothing wrong with making resolutions, but not in mocking them. They are not made to be broken, but to be kept and there should be some forethought before making them. However, with the year plan in mind do not forget the day. Live this one day well. Put your plan into action this day. Keep your resolutions this day.
Do not forget that this is the day the Lord has made–we are to rejoice in it, not tomorrow or next week, or in June, but today. Be fully engaged each and every day, but most importantly this day. Live your life for Him today in the fullest capacity possible. Trust Him today and serve Him to the best of your ability today.
Study, read, meditate upon God’s Word. Tough times are ahead and we must have God’s Word in our heart. It helps us not to sin against Him; it helps to guide our footsteps.
Pray often, not in arrogance or in a demanding way, but as the Father’s child. Know the Word and we will know better how to pray appropriately. Prayer should start with the fear of the Lord, reverencing His holy name, and remembering Him for Who He is. Pray often for friends and family.
Whether we find ourselves in the midst of a terrible storm of nature, or a pestilence like this virus, or some other ordeal or obstacle that is placed in our lives do not forget that He is your Father and that He has everything under control. He is not going to leave any of us helpless, hopeless, or lost. He can and might calm the storm, but whether He does or not He there with us. The boat may rock and shake, but the Lord is mindful of us and our situation.
Yes, my friends–live this one day well. Then when tomorrow becomes today, live that day well. One day at a time, one hour at a time, one step at a time. I am reminded of the old song by W. Elmo Mercer:
“Each step I take my Savior goes before me,
And with His loving hand He leads the way.
And with each breath I whisper ‘I adore Thee;’
Oh, what joy to walk with Him each day.
Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground He ever leads me on.
Until some day the last step will be taken.
Each step I take just leads me closer home.”
—————————————
“Let us live this one day well!”
–Joseph Alleine
There is something to be said about making a plan for the year. That gives you a goal and something to go by. There is equally nothing wrong with making resolutions, but not in mocking them. They are not made to be broken, but to be kept and there should be some forethought before making them. However, with the year plan in mind do not forget the day. Live this one day well. Put your plan into action this day. Keep your resolutions this day.
Do not forget that this is the day the Lord has made–we are to rejoice in it, not tomorrow or next week, or in June, but today. Be fully engaged each and every day, but most importantly this day. Live your life for Him today in the fullest capacity possible. Trust Him today and serve Him to the best of your ability today.
Study, read, meditate upon God’s Word. Tough times are ahead and we must have God’s Word in our heart. It helps us not to sin against Him; it helps to guide our footsteps.
Pray often, not in arrogance or in a demanding way, but as the Father’s child. Know the Word and we will know better how to pray appropriately. Prayer should start with the fear of the Lord, reverencing His holy name, and remembering Him for Who He is. Pray often for friends and family.
Whether we find ourselves in the midst of a terrible storm of nature, or a pestilence like this virus, or some other ordeal or obstacle that is placed in our lives do not forget that He is your Father and that He has everything under control. He is not going to leave any of us helpless, hopeless, or lost. He can and might calm the storm, but whether He does or not He there with us. The boat may rock and shake, but the Lord is mindful of us and our situation.
Yes, my friends–live this one day well. Then when tomorrow becomes today, live that day well. One day at a time, one hour at a time, one step at a time. I am reminded of the old song by W. Elmo Mercer:
“Each step I take my Savior goes before me,
And with His loving hand He leads the way.
And with each breath I whisper ‘I adore Thee;’
Oh, what joy to walk with Him each day.
Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground He ever leads me on.
Until some day the last step will be taken.
Each step I take just leads me closer home.”
The Saga of Miles Forrest
You look to be deep in thought, Miles,” came the voice of Doc Jones as he pulled out a chair to sit with me.
I looked over at him, ready to get up for coffee when Molly came around with a cup for him and refilled mine then she sat down with us. “Ah, you know me Doc. Just ponderin’ last year and wonderin’ about what’s ahead. Not worried mind you, just thinkin’.”
Molly gave a little laugh, “No, he lets me do all the worrying.” Doc chuckled along with her.
“Well, you and Charlie did well with that last gang. Three dead, two wounded, and you brought the bank’s money back. That’s what I call good work,” uttered Doc after taking a sip of the hot coffee. “If you hadn’t pulled that piece of steel from the one man, he’d be dead by now. As it is he’s fighting infection now, hopefully he’ll pull through.”
I was shaking my head. “With the gatherin’ for Thanksgivin’ they thought they pulled the perfect holdup. Fortunately much of the townspeople were here and none were hurt,” I said then smiled. “They didn’t know much to do with dynamite. It’s a wonder they didn’t blow the whole buildin’ down.”
Doc grunted before replying. “We found pieces of the safe throughout the lobby, in the wall, in the ceiling, in the counter. They were lucky that only one of them was hit by the flying debris. By the way, when is the trial?”
“Judge Klaser is out of town visiting relatives, isn’t he?” asked Molly.
“Yeah, it won’t happen until he gets back and I’m not sure when that is supposed to be. Charlie complains about them takin’ up cell space and eatin’ on the county’s expense and Lucas isn’t too keen on being their babysitter,” I responded smiling.
“The one I worked on was Rich Samuels. He didn’t say much, pretty somber as I sewed him up.”
“From what they told me, they were part of the Cloyd Martin gang. Biff, his younger brother, is the other one down at the jail. He’s the one I shot in the hand forcing him to drop one of the satchels of money. The other two men were Les Fuller and James Polque. I have a poster on Polque for murder in Louisiana and Texas.”
“One thing for sure,” Doc stated, rubbing his chin then wiping his mouth with his fingers. “That Biff fellow won’t have much use for that hand anymore. The bullet hit dead center and splintered most of the bones in the hand.”
Molly had been listening as she sipped her coffee. “Shame, that folks go bad that way. I don’t really understand why.”
“Men’s hearts are bent on evil,” I replied. “Unless they find Christ, there is no hope for them. Now, I’m not sayin’ that they’re aren’t good folks who don’t serve the Lord, I’ve known several, but they still need a heart change.”
Doc grunted while Molly swirled the last little coffee remaining in her cup around. She reached over to pat my arm. “At least you made it back before Christmas.”
Christmas had been good. The last couple of years Molly and Marta along with Emelda helping cook made handpies and little burritos then went through the poorer areas of town, the barrio, and to the jobless miners to hand them out on Christmas morning. Then Doc and Edith, the Golds, and the Ramirez family joined us for dinner at the diner. This year Rev. Chapman and his wife Betty joined us. I enjoy the time, even though I’m a person who normally likes to be alone. Days like Christmas make me a little melancholy and I contemplate like I was doing before Doc came in.
“So when’s the trip?” questioned Doc.
I gave him a puzzled look. “Trip?”
Molly laughed, “He’s forgotten already.”
Doc scowled at me, “You promised Alejo and Enrique that you’d take them hunting. So, I’m asking when are you going?”
I had forgotten about it. I twisted the end of my moustache then blurted. “Next week if the weather holds.”
Doc and Molly looked at each other then both started laughing. I thought about what I had said and didn’t see much humor in it.
Molly then got up to check the coffeepot on the stove behind me. “I need to see how much coffee there is in the big pot in the kitchen and make some more for this one. The noon rush will be starting. I told Marta to take off to spend some time with Charlie and not to come in until 11:00.”
She had just walked with the coffeepot back to the kitchen when through the entrance walked Lucas…