REMOVING THE ORNAMENTS

by

THE ORNAMENTS OF OUR INNER MAN

OrnamentsBy Ken Blue

“And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.” Exodus 33:6.

Over the years Christmas has been a wonderful time of reunion with our children and grandchildren. Joyce and I would locate a tree, perfect in shape and height for the occasion. We brought it in and position it in its assigned place. It stood for a few hours or days, without any ornaments or decoration. It was free of the trappings that were about to use to transform its exterior.

The ornaments were brought out of storage, and the process began. Little by little and one by one, the accessories were added. In time, the tree took on a different appearance. That which was common and natural was now masqueraded to represent that for which it was never intended.

Israel spent four hundred years in Egypt. They had adopted their culture, their dress, their gods and their morals. God brought them out of Egypt to Sinai in order to transform them into a holy nation. Not only did they need re-educating, they also needed to strip themselves of all Egypt’s external ornaments in order to worship God in Spirit and truth.

We must ask ourselves; what ornaments do we need to get rid of before coming to worship God? Many of the ornaments are toward the bottom of the tree and inward. These are anger, wrath, strife, lust and adultery. Further up the tree, you will find pride, haughtiness, arrogance, conceit, and self-centeredness. May God help us to remove all these distractions from our inner man and serve Him with a pure heart.

JESUS WEPT

by

JESUS WEPT
By Ken Blue
(Here is a poem I wrote several years ago right after my mothers death)

I preached a funeral sometime ago for someone unknown to me.
I chose a text, found a poem and rehearsed the eulogy.

I preached a funeral sometime ago for someone unknown to me.
The mourners sat behind the veil, their faces I could not see.

I preached a funeral sometime ago for someone unknown to me.
I expounded my text, quoted a poem and read the eulogy.

I preached a funeral sometime ago for someone unknown to me.
The mourners wept, I excused myself to collect my clergy fee.

I attended a funeral the other day of someone beloved to me
A text was read, a poem said, then the eulogy.

I sat behind the misty veil where many a mourner had sat
I needed a friend to hold my hand, but no comfort did I get.

I stood beside the casket numbed, my loved one’s face to see
This mourner lingered, the Reverend left to collect his clergy fee.

He had no time for a tender smile nor extends a compassionate hand.
I went my way that lonely day a wiser, better man.

I thought of a funeral of a former day in the town of Bethany
Veils could not hide the pain inside from the Lord of Eternity

Beneath the stone a loved one lay, in swaddling clothes he slept.
It was not for him, but for them our dear Master wept.

Jesus wept when He saw their sorrow, He groaned when He saw their pain
His love to all was evident, His compassion He could not refrain

“Dear Lord may I through compassionate eyes see the others’ needs
May my heart do its part as my lips do their deeds”

I preached a funeral the other day for someone unknown to me
I choose a text, selected a poem and did it prayerfully

I preached a funeral the other day; mourners’ faces from view were kept
But Jesus knew and He saw through the veil and so we wept.

By Ken Blue 8/5/00

OUR BEST ≤ 0

by

OUR BEST ≤ 0
By Ken Blue
“Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:5.

It is difficult, if not impossible for us to accept that there is nothing good in any of us. We believe there must be something deep inside that is noble and acceptable, at least, some of the time. But, the writers of the Scriptures contradict those self-righteous thoughts, and your own experience will confirm this truth when you are brought face to face with God and self.

The best example of this truth is Job. Humanly speaking, Job was better than the best. Even God attested to his character. But, the issue before God was not how He saw Job, but how Job saw himself. It is one thing to give mental assent to the indictment, but quite another to experience and feel the weight of the truth. Have you come to the place where you know that your best is corrupt? If not, you do not understand God or yourself.

Job said, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6. There is a world of difference between hearing and seeing. We have heard, but do we see? Peter confessed this when he said, “When… he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8. Paul acknowledged the same truth. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing…” Romans 7:18.

Blessed is the believer who has been enabled by God’s Spirit to experience this truth. The process is painful and fearful, but the realization is liberating and wonderful. The outcome is one that casts the believer wholly on the mercy and love of God. So, accept the fact that your best is less than vanity and allow it to teach you God’s wonderful love and grace.

JOSEPH, THE SERVANT

by

JOSEPH, THE SERVANT

SLAVERYBy Ken Blue

“He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Psalms 105:17.

If I were to sum up the life of Joseph, it would be, “He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost.” Joseph was a son who was deeply loved by his aged father and was destined by God for future greatness. However, before the greatness could be manifested, the testing of time must do its refining work. “Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.” Psalms 105:19.

Joseph was a godly young man, and he was sent to do his father’s bidding. His brothers hated him, and as a result of their envy, they sold him into slavery to Pharaoh. However, because of his commitment, he faithfully served God and his Egyptian master. His servitude and attitude did not go unnoticed by Pharaoh, and he was entrusted as his chief attendant. Nevertheless, his loyalty and godly character was once again rewarded by deceit and lies. Pharaoh’s wife falsely accused Joseph of sexual advances, thus Joseph was locked away in prison; but God was with him.

The keeper of the prison saw the honesty and goodness of Joseph and put him in charge of the prisoners. Two prisoners dreamed dreams which Joseph correctly interpreted. Three days later the interpretation came to pass. Joseph asked the butler to remember him and speak to Pharaoh on his behalf. The butler forgot him and said nothing. So, Joseph spent two more years in prison for a crime he never committed. He was tested a total of thirteen years before he was promoted to perform God’s purpose!

In addition to Joseph’s ability to interpret Pharaohs dream, we see him display great patience as he suffers for righteousness. He never complains nor displays one moment of bitterness, and when he speaks, he shows wonderful compassion for others. He was loyal to his master. He refused to sin against man or his God. Through it all, he patiently serves and waits on God.

You know the purpose and outcome. God used Joseph to save and care for a seed that would become a great nation, through which the whole world will be saved and blessed. God may not have as lofty a goal for you or me, but rest assured, God does have a plan for you. Scripture is clear, the greater the task, the greater the test. So, cheer up Christian, your greatest days of service may still be ahead.

MS. RATCHET JAW

by

MS. RATCHET JAW
      By Ken Blue

I encountered a lady the other day
Her verbosity left me in a daze
I tried to say a word, but would not be heard
She blasted me with every verbal phrase

She’d ask me a question and answer it quickly
She had no time for silence or pause
I said; as I held my head
“There’s something wrong with her jaws!”

A sky scraper was burning across the street
A mother and child leaped to their death
But, Ms. Ratchet Jaw never saw,
Nor did she stop to take a breath

Al-Qaeda bombed the Twin Towers
The buildings came tumbling down
But she was on a roll and would not be told
“It’s time to get out of town!”

Black clouds gathering in the sky
A freeze blew in on the wind
But Ms. Racket Jaw waited for the thaw
And started all over again

In one day I learned world history,
Wind velocity and criminal law
And she was unaware that I was even there,
And I learned it all from Ms. Ratchet Jaw

Some are predestined to listen
Others, predestined to talk
So if you’re inclined toward peace of mind
Beware with whom you walk
By Ken Blue 4/13/2006