Thinking was something I worked at like a prospector washing out gold. I’d take me a brain full of the coarse gravel of ideas and sift it down until the gold remained. Only sometimes I worked a long time and came up with no color showing at all.”
–Louis L’Amour (The First Fast Draw)
“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”
–John 9:4 (NKJV)
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One of my Mom’s favorite sayings was, “Have to go to work, gotta make a dollar.” Mom loved to work. She liked to be around people so most of her jobs in her lifetime dealt with the public in one form or another. My Dad always said that the most important thing that his Dad taught him was to work hard.
Now I’m not saying that there aren’t people in this world that don’t know how to work, or don’t work hard. It used to be engrained in our national ethos–the Puritan Work Ethic. All work came from God, thus we should do that work to the best of our ability for Him (see Colossians 3:17,23). However, there is a large segment of society that have forgotten this truism. They bounce from place to place, or they depend upon handouts (and I’m not talking about the homeless). Somewhere along the line we have not taught our children the importance of work and of doing things with quality. So many things are now done haphazardly. There is a glut of mediocrity in the world.
There are laws of sowing and reaping in the natural world just as in the spiritual world. “There are certain laws that govern success in the kingdom of grace as well as in the kingdom of nature, and you must study these laws and adapt yourself to them.” (Catherine Booth) Things must be done right and in order. It would be foolish for a farmer to try to reap before planting. It is silly to sell a garment that wasn’t made according to pattern. The same is true in the kingdom of God. People take time to learn their professions, they spend hours working in training, but somehow in Christianity we think all will come instantaneously. Catherine Booth stated, “For in their work for God, they would not seem to think it worthwhile to take the trouble to think and ponder, to plan and try to pray and to wrestle with God for wisdom.” No wonder so many fall. No wonder when those that fail don’t bother to get up and try again.
God expects you to be developing–growing in grace. To those He has given special talents He expects them to be used for His glory and the kingdom, and He will hold you responsible. He holds you responsible, also in the manner in which you use your time. There should be something developing throughout the day, throughout your life. Does that mean you are not to rest? Absolutely not, but rest from what? Rest from your labor. Far too many people rest from their rest. They move about aimlessly and they will have to give an account.
Ask yourself what you are doing with your time, your money, your effort and energy, your family and relationships, your influence. When you make plans, no matter what type, do you take God in account in them? Is He included? Which son will you be like? The Father told two sons to go out to work. One said, “I will not, then changed his mind and went out to work. The other told his Father that he would work, but then did not fulfill his word. (see Matthew 21:28-29) In these last days of time, not only work hard for the Master, but begin to work if you are not already doing so. Also, make sure that you are doing the work properly and with the Lord in mind.
Author: Ira Paine
Coffee Percs
The beans were good, the coffee better, and he divided a chunk of sourdough betwixt us.”
–Louis L’Amour (Tucker)
It was a good trip, Pard. We had a little cabin up on Little Pine Creek in northern Pennsylvania. The wife was able to see plenty of relatives and we broke bread together. I don’t think it was sourdough, but the fixin’s were good, just the same. Plus on our little trip we sat by the fire and drank plenty of coffee. Yes, it was a good trip.
A person just never knows what next week might hold for them. Why there could be an unexpected obstacle along the trail or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Not sayin’ there is, for I’ve been there a couple of times and there weren’t no gold, or else someone had already come along an’ swiped it.
Speakin’ of not knowin’ what may come along just think of the President and his wife. All should be prayin’ for them instead of playin’ the devil. My mercy, it’s a real shame when folks are laughin’ and hopin’ the President dies. That goes to show yuh the state of our country. Shame, real shame.
That son of that preacher Billy, Franklin, has said it right, “President Trump will stay President until God’s vision is complete.” Now what that is, I don’t rightly know, but His plan will come to pass. Pard, we need to be prayin’ for the man, his wife, and the country. The Lord is bringin’ His will to pass, yuh better put worldly things aside and be trustin’ in Him.
Yeah, I know, my coffee got cold, but I’ll get a refill. In fact, I’ve got some coffee from Canada on the trip, no bad, at least the way I fix it. Don’t yuh go traipsin’ around in a stew all week, be trustin’ in the Lord. Be alert, keep yur weapons handy, and be sure and check yur cinch before mountin’!
Vaya con Dios!
Echoes From the Campfire
Like so many, he wants something for nothing. But nothing comes free. One way or another, everything must be paid for.”
–Elmer Kelton (Texas Standoff)
“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
–2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)
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Isaac Charles Parker was one of the most renown members of the court system in our history. He acquired the moniker, the “Hanging Judge.” His court was extremely busy with over 13,480 cases in his time on the bench over Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Judge Parker sentenced 160 of these to death with 79 of them being executed; the others had the sentences either commuted, pardoned, or died in prison.
I will not go into any cases or the character of the Judge here, that is for another time. He was a fair man, yet firm in regard to the law. He stated, “I do not desire to hang you men. It is the law.” He declared the law determined the fate of the men after they were convicted of their deeds.
The Law is harsh and has the distinct purpose of guiding lives. Its purpose is to dictate boundaries and provide safety for the citizens. The Law of God is very similar. No one can keep it and its purpose is to show us that we sin. Man is a transgressor of God’s law, therefore what are we to do? Throw ourselves on the mercy of the court, for we cannot do that with the law. The law points out our transgressions–guilty as charged. The verdict is death.
Paul declares, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23, NKJV) and therefore, “the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23, NKJV). There you have it again, the verdict is death. What can we do? Is there no hope? Ah, but there is; there is eternal life. Continue with Romans 6:23, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The purpose of the Law is then to show us that we are sinners and that there is the verdict of death looming over us, except for the sacrifice that we have been provided through Jesus Christ. Right now there is an escape from the death sentence and that is to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. Recognize your guilt, repent, and ask for His forgiveness. He was given by the “Judge” for this occasion–to redeem us from the sentence of death.
How many people refuse the pardon offered by a judge? How many of those in Judge Parker’s court said, “hang me! I deserve to die!” How many of them would refuse to accept, if the judge said, I give you grace; you are pardoned? Right now, God is offering grace so that when we stand before Him the verdict is not death. Right now accept Him, grace and pardon are there. Refuse and when you stand in the courtroom of heaven at the Great White Throne Judgment there final verdict will be death–death everlasting.
Now is the time–heed the call.
Coffee Percs
My fire was dying but the coffee was still hot. I drank another cup and then stretched out on my bed and slept like a baby.”
–Louis L’Amour (Passin’ Through)
Mornin’, Pard, come on in an’ join in this joyous day. What’s the occasion? Why my ol’ gizzard is just a bubblin’ with joy. With you showin’ up, and the coffeepot full, and the Lord smilin’ down on me, what else is needed?
Sure seems like the world has gone mad. No, it doesn’t seem, it has. It is just a show case, a display, of what is to come. Hatred, my mercy, have yuh ever seen the like. Lack of respect, lack of a work ethic, things are just goin’ to mess, but still, through it all, my ol’ gizzard is smilin’. Yes, I know, wearin’ a mask one can’t see my fantastic smile.
But even with the mask coverin’ the face, there is the feelin’ of weariness, of despair, of hopelessness that permeates the country. Why, Pard, just look at the despair that is causin’ all those riots. Hopelessness held in will result in a scream. Add to that, hatred and yuh have madness. Drink yur coffee, Pard, while I do some philosophyzin’. Let chaos come, for that is what the Antichrist will come out of and that means the Lord’s return will happen.
Now, with that, Pard — say, ain’t that coffee good this mornin’? Mmmm, yep, I’m smilin’ deep inside, for I’m lookin’ up. In the midst of the madness I believe the Lord will be headin’ back this way for us. Yuh just have to stay ready. Say Pard, how ’bout a round of “I’ll Fly Away”?
Maybe next week I’ll have a story for yuh as we’re headin’ for the hills of Pennsylvania. There’s a cabin just waitin’ for our appearance. Yuh stay strong an’ happy, Pard. Be alert an’ check that cinch.
Vaya con Dios.