— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear Soldier,

We’re sometimes asked to share more of our day-to-day, 34-year faith walk.  Admittedly, we goof at times, but for us to publish something requires Spirit prompting and prayerful confirmation.  Though tears aren’t imperative, they often flow in the process.  “Walking it out” derives from all three.  We pray it will glorify God and steel your resolve to boldly pursue Jesus ... to (fully) surrender your life to Him.

For a born-again, there is no recourse and unbelief is indefensible at the Judgement (Bema) seat of Christ (2Cor 5:10).  Christianity pivots about faith, earnestly obeying God and following Jesus.  However, there can be no effectual faith without divine enablement ... the awesome, love and mercy-born, monumental though oft-maligned ... abundant grace of God.

Walking it out

How born-agains become followers of Christ.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves ... we walk by faith and not by sight." — 2Cor 4:7; 5:7

In Iraq’s Ur last week, a 110 degree wind was blowing talcum-fine dust but respite was had in an archeological dig where we virtually touched an eight-foot layer of alluvial sand and clay laid down by the Great Flood some 4400 years ago.  Ur’s Ziggurat was visible in the northwest and on the southern horizon, humanity’s birthplace in Eden could almost be seen.

Though not actually there, we visited through the senses of one who is, plus Halley’s Bible Handbook; through trusted witnesses.  It’s (drum-roll, please) how born-agains become followers of Jesus: by relying on God’s trustworthy Word and the Spirit’s witness.  By grace through faith, diligently putting scripture into practice ... trusting Him over our five senses.

Temptings of mammon

WARNING: if you even think about thinking
the following is to garner praise, we will pray
frogs into your bed and lice in your rice!

After 6 months of trying to sell the motor home and van, the RV sold on my 34th spiritual birthday.  Well ... not quite; they cancelled at 11:59.  However, 3 weeks later, it sold again.  For $1000 more!  This time we had an air-tight contract and deposit.  Oh man was I happy (in spite of allowing eight days for them to complete the sale). They were SOLID.

But three days later, another buyer offered $6075 more for BOTH the RV and our van.  Three times he invited me to his bank for the cash, though I’d told him of the pending sale.  I suggested he place a deposit should something unforeseen happen.  Declining, he said he’d made plans for a Tampa trip the next day to buy one — though preferring ours.  (Oh Lord; he wants both vehicles at a great price and it’s cash now.  What do I do?  I  c-o-u-l-d  sell it, then return the other’s deposit ... but, but I’d given my word).  A cross-road.

“Tell ya what,” I tendered, “I’ll call those folks to make sure they’re still solid, and get back to you.” I did and they were.  So, I painfully tossed the bigger catch back, very aware it cost $6075 to follow the covenant-keeping ways of God; to choose His over the world’s.  It’s called picking up your cross and dying to self.  Yeah, it hurt.  With due regard to the jewelry folks, the cross isn’t just a pendant, it’s an instrument of painful death.

Ah-ah!  Applause will net you frogs and lice.
I did it because I’m a born-again coward!

Er, ah ... but there’s more.

Within 72 hours, the “solid” buyer defaulted, the “big catch” was caught and God’s way got very costly.

Er ... and a bit more.

Calling attention to the deposit forfeiture default clause netted nothing but name-calling, character and faith defamation ... plus legal threats.  Efforts to help them understand the great loss their action inflicted, only produced a “that’s life” response and more name calling. (“Oh GOD!  I’m offended!  Did you hear what they said about me and my faith ... in effect ... about You?!”).

Of course I prayed!!!!!!!

Had I heard God?  Weeell ... sometimes I struggle to discern flesh from Spirit — especially when (stupidly) offended and my dear bride is in pain (for weeks) awaiting money for oral surgery (5 days ago we went for broke to have it done; one more “God” story!).  So, there exists a proverbial Mexican standoff, during which I’ve investigated their variable excuses for defaulting.  All bogus.  They are clearly at fault and we’re justified; right in the world’s sight, but, no peace (I needed an Isa 30:21).

TA-DAA!  Yesterday, while Diane and I were at different locations and after having no related discussion, the Spirit nudged us separately.  The outcome?  We’ll not keep the deposit.  Aaahh ... His Peace.  It appears God isn’t quite finished with this matter.  Stay tuned for another episode.  (Now ... praise Him hilariously!)

Trusting the unseen

We’ve known people to die because of erroneous faith perceptions and since it is critical, God’s people need have a scriptural view.  Therefore, let it be understood that:

The Christian life is lived by implicitly
trusting our unseen Lord, not by
mastery of observable circumstances.

It’s not so much a matter of what does or does not happen to each of us.  It’s how we respond, that molds character and impacts spiritual growth.  We can face life in our own strength (while piously claiming otherwise) or we can trust God’s Word and guiding Spirit.  We can reason and work only in the visible, hands-on-natural, or venture into the unseen realm of let-go-and-let-God.  There’s an invisible His-Way/My-Way intersection thru which all regularly zip to and fro.  Yet, many dash about, ignoring natural and spiritual safety rules: we do NOT first look both ways.

Dead men follow Christ

To the Galatians Paul declared: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20 KJV).  The Amplified Bible puts that confession this way: “I have been crucified with Christ — [in Him] I have shared His crucifixion; it is no longer I who live, but Christ, the Messiah, lives in me, and the life I now live in the body I live by faith — by adherence to and reliance on and [complete] trust — in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Paul exhorted the Ephesians: “Strip yourselves of your former nature — put off and discard your old unrenewed self — which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion.  And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind — having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.  And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:22-24).  To the Corinthians Paul proclaimed: “Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ, the Messiah, he is (a new creature altogether) a new creation; the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away.  Behold, the fresh and new has come!” (2Cor 5:17 AB)

We MUST accept that our old man died when we were born-again so that Christ in us can progressively be revealed.  We put off the old, put on the new, then pick up our cross and follow Him.  For sure, we can bet our lives on the certainty of God’s Word and Spirit’s leading (Ro 8:10; Col 1:27; Mt 16:24).  THIS is how born-agains become “followers of Christ.”

His way or My way?

OK; it’s Monday morning.  Sunday’s Church boost has past as I now stare into the bathroom mirror: the day’s first crossroad.  Is it, “Good morning God!” or, “Oh gawd, it’s morning!”? Soon, I must jam the brakes because a car passes on my right, then cuts me off.  A crossroad.  Is it, “Lord!  protect that driver and those around him” or, #@$%& ?  Will I trust God, or live by my own strength ... in the flesh?

So goes the day, week, month and LIFE ... one crossroad after another.  Ongoing opportunity to look both ways before proceeding.  His Way or My Way?  Will I use the plastic, or wait on God?  Do I trust the News, or His Word?  TV or prayer?  Click this icon, or that one?  Bad news or Good News?  Of course, all these piddling choices prepare us for the biggies.  It follows: if we can justify and rationalize the little ones ...

Please, pleeeze hear the same Spirit Who urged Paul to exhort ... "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: "Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith" (Col 2:6,7a; 1Jn 2:6).  Said “faith” is not about mastering circumstances, but trusting God and walking in His Spirit.  THAT'S how to become a follower of Christ.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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