Happy Halloween

I think it’d be good if we got terrified of a Holy thing. Think about it. There’s an entire industry out there solely off our cheapened desires for a scare.

Regardless, Satan has and is going to continue to make these Apocalyptic films, as absurdly outlandish and horrifically hopeless they are. Why then does such garbage thrive? Perhaps deep down we are all panting to become that “last days” generation – and yet I believe that panting immanence itself could be changed into scoffing if we are giving ourselves to lesser indulgences.

Do I dress up for Halloween and watch movies like Cloverfield? I dunno that’s not really my point, but I would like to see a John the Baptist during this darkened holiday season. Blessed are those who hunger to hear the fear of the LORD.

The Glory of the Cross

And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5

God made everything on the earth to work together only for me and Him to walk together in agreement. Such a statement’s entirety is not relied upon the truth that I’m predestined for awesome things in His will. At the heart of it all, I am fashioned for His unending, glorious delight (Ps 16:2, 57:2).

Through the unsearchable depths of the cross, God displayed Jesus for His progressive fame into the earth. In loving gaze and profound whisper, my heart is stirred by the Father’s statement to bring everlasting glory unto Self through resolute selflessness, as demonstrated in His crucified Witness (Jn 12:32-33). Of all the ways our Master Creator could reveal Himself, none was found better than His own life. While in my transgressions, He loved me and gave Himself for me. Every painful movement of His marred figure against that stained beam was for even just one bewildered, proud sinner. I could imagine Jesus pleading in intercession, “Father, grant him unto Myself! I yearn for him to be presented before Us in the Beloved forever and ever.”

It is inaccurate to define the glory of God from beholding the glory of humanity as we see. God’s majestic, unapproachable glory is humility. The One, whom upholds all things and is without beginning of days, sets Himself in human capacity upon a cross as a curse, manifesting the exacting infinitude of His eternal glory in a mere three hours. Therefore, God has captured eternal adoration in a fading moment of time before all of the timeless years that were, are, and are yet to come. Jesus’ kingdom, glory, and splendor exhibited at the cross is certain. Every created human will bow forever before the worthiness of this Man.

The cross is truly the lowliest humiliation and loftiest exaltation of created order, demonstrating unto all spiritual principalities and humanistic rule the unstoppable surge of the authority of God into the earth. Perhaps I’ll never understand the fascinating mystery of God’s incarnation unto flesh or the fabrications of His guarantee of the resurrection unto me by His Spirit. But in deep solace, I accept His plan in marvel, possessing mysteries yet only discovering one – Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

In noble victory sits your King upon His throne – a wooden seat to keep Him until His heart overflows.

The Harmony of Predestination and the Freedom of Will

“If God rules His universe by His sovereign decrees, how is it possible for man to exercise free choice?  And if he can not exercise freedom of choice, how can he be held responsible for his conduct?  Is he not a mere puppet whose actions are determined by a behind-the-scenes God who pulls the strings as it pleases Him?…Man’s will is free because God is sovereign.  A God less than sovereign could not bestow moral freedom upon His creatures. He would be afraid to do so.” -A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy

Many times in the Old Testament, God’s elect would cast lots, and on whichever the lot fell, the decision was presented without any personal choice (ex: Jonah 1:7).

The last time casting lots was issued for decision in the Bible was during the election of the twelfth apostle (Acts 1:26).  After believers received the baptism of fire at Pentecost, casting lots seemed to fade as men and women began to intimately discern in the Spirit…but there is always an exception rule, and thankfully, I’ve stumbled upon the best of both worlds.

Paper. Rock. Scissors.

Through the utility of this game, we not only have the power of predestination at hand, but we are also allowed to still maintain our freedom of will in the valley of decision.  That is, we inevitably fall into God’s pre-determined choice while at the same time we actively participate with our own personal, voluntarily choice.  If you ever find yourself in a crisis you just can’t discern with confidence, pray with a witness, and on the count of three: “paper. rock. scissors.“

**this article was not written solemnly, and the author is not responsible for any contemptibly foolish, silly, or inappropriate choices one may religiously perform.