LONGING TO FLY

As I was walking through the forest green
By chance I came across the strangest scene
Two caterpillars talked of taking flight
But absent wings brought only fear in sight.

Twas then I saw them climb a large oak tree
Two leaves became their hope for liberty.
They fanned the leaves to soar the azure sky
But gravitation almost bid them die.

Just then by chance they saw a butterfly
Who said that just like him they too could fly
But they must choose the path that leads to death
For freedom's birth comes only through a chrysalis.

At first the cost was far too much to bear
The path from death to life did not seem fair
But crawling on the ground was not the way
And so they yielded to its call that day.

In time, their tomb revealed a miracle
The caterpillar's crypt gave way to wings
And there above the trees I saw them fly
While lifting praise to Him Who dwells on high.

But then God's voice spoke clearly to my heart
"True freedom comes to those He sets apart."
So when my yielded will was lost in Him
His metamorphic work freed me from sin.

Now grace bids me to fly and gives me wings
So I can soar above the lure of earthly things
And share the News from Him Who reigns above
That those enslaved by sin can find God's love.
--B. Pent

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT- Matthew 6:19-24

The Sermon On The Mount is God's instruction manual . His desire is for us to live a full and productive life. "I've come that you might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:19) To be blessed and be a blessing depends on who is in control because "no one can serve two masters" (v.24). In salvation we transfer ownership. "Sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace? (Rom.6:14). Yet, the lure of our old nature under Satan's control is not easily understood or fully acted upon in our new nature. That is what sanctification is all about! We are saved from the penalty of sin at the point of conversion but we are being saved from the power of indwelling sin throughout our earthly pilgrimage. One day we shall be saved from the very presence of sin at death or when Christ returns. Meanwhile the struggle continue (Gal. 5:17). What are the principles Jesus outlines under His management.
1. A Simple Strategy (vs.19-21) "lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth"
Jesus warns us that the lure of materialism will enslave the heart, the mind and the will. Treasures stored just for yourself is subject to decay, loss or theft. Is Jesus advocating monastic poverty? No! But He is trying to get us off the old treadmill of worrying about money, clothing, and storing up selfishly for our self. Verses 20-21 reminds us that under His management we are children of destiny and our investments of time, talents or possessions shared in kingdom ministry become"treasures in heaven".
2. A single Focus (vs.22-23) "the eye is the lamp of the body."
These 2 verses explain the meaning of verses 19-21. The "eye" is an illustration of the heart. What is the thing that takes up all your time, energy, and attention? "As one thinks in his heart, so is he." When I was 19 years old I began having trouble with my vision. I could not see at a distance because I was near sighted. Glasses gave me back the full range of vision. "If the eye is good (meaning clear or single) the whole body is full of light." Jesus wants His children to have a clear and full vision of who He is and how he wants us to live our our Christian lives.
3. A Superior Manager (v.24) "no one can serve two masters"
This word "master"is (Gr.) "lord" and refers to a slave owner. A slave owner has total control of the slave. The old Slave owner keeps us in bondage worrying about ourselves, what we can accrue, accumulate and keep for the here-and-now. But we eventually die and leave it all. Our new Master frees us from the tyranny of self-indulgence "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed" (John 8:36). He then invites us to become His stewards so that he can authenticate through us the validity of Christianity to the unbelieving world by the way we love, forgive, and freely share in the lives of others. Joshua 24:15 should be our testimony: "choose this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

THEN FREEDOM CAME!

Once I stood in grave clothes
Bound by sin and shame
Then the voice of Jesus echoed
"Loose those bands!" then freedom came.

All at once my chains were broken
Satan's power no longer ruled
Sin had lost its claim upon me
On redemption's Rock I stood.

Heaven's Light burst all around me
Sin's dark shadow hid its face
All the past was now forgiven
As God's fullness took its place.

Then the shouts of victory sounded
Songs of praise were lifted high
As the blood of Jesus conquered,
Hallelujahs filled the sky.
--B. Pent