They Will Not Depart

 Below is a story about my Dad and a man whom we both had the opportunity to work for together.  There are some scriptures that seemed to be personified by the story; a few Godly points of benefit.

Proverbs 18:24 KJV A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

A Golden Opportunity

Victory of war in 1945 was bitter sweet.  Some soldiers had to assimilate back into civilian life with new challenges from war wounds, lost of sight and loss of limb.  But for the majority, who returned unscathed, it was a new lease on life and a time of revelry greater than the return from the First World War. 

It was in that jubilant time that fourteen year old Ed found his first real job working as an usher at the Mont Clare Theater, in Chicago. In those days, theater owners typically contracted with a food concessions company to run the theater, although they had to directly hire a union motion picture operator to run the film.  The Irving Davis Company hired Ed and he reported to a manager named Paul Wald.  The motion picture industry was booming; Returning "GIs" were getting reacquainted with their sweethearts and all forms of entertainment were in high demand.  With this surge of business the concept of fast food was born out of the theater concessions, and menu options grew beyond candy, popcorn and soda.  Food of all types became a celebration.

Gus the Union Motion Picture Operator in Franklin Park, IL

As he graduated high school, Irving Davis himself took an interest in Ed and made him a manager over all of his theaters after Paul had taken a position with a new company called Federated Vendors.  Fast food was needed in factories in order to keep workers at their peak and close to the assembly lines.  America was in its prime in the 1950s.  Vending machines and Industrial Plant Feeding (cafeteria) grew.  Soon Paul needed an assistant at Federated so he hired Ed away from Irving Davis.

Ed Blake talking with an employee, Phyllis, whom he later married

Together Ed and Paul made a great team; Paul did the purchasing and Ed managed the operations.  Federated Vendors grew by leaps and bounds through the 1950s and merged in 1964 with another company and went public on the New York stock exchange to form Servomation Corporation.  By 1974 they were in all 48 states with over 200 branch offices with 200 warehouses/delivery centers, and regional directors.   The headquarters of the corporation was in New York City but the Purchasing and Accounting Office remained in Chicago as a subsidiary company, Servomation Supply.  Paul was President of Servomation Supply and Ed was V.P. and General Manager. 

It was at this juncture that another fourteen year old kid named Tom found his first real job working for Paul Wald.  Being Ed Blake's son, he had to work twice as hard as anyone else.  That summer he learned everyone's job as he filled in for each person who went on vacation.  Unfortunately anything that Ed couldn't get anyone else to do, Tom got stuck with it.  Of course, Tom is none other than yours truly.

When a new CEO took the reigns of the Corporation in 1975, he moved the entire operation to Greenwich, just out side of New York City across the Connecticut border.  Paul moved with the company, Ed turned down the transfer and left Servomation.  And so after twenty five years of working together, Paul Wald and Ed Blake went separate directions.  Being the stoic pillar of strength, I never saw my father cry, but he must have in some private place cried buckets of tears for a man who had more influence on his life than any other man he ever met.  So Dad; I cry for you and for Mr. Wald for the friendship you lost and honor your entrepreneurial spirit for what you did build!

Mr. Wald retired within five years after moving with the company to Greenwich and my father went on as VP and General Manage of another Chicago based company until he retired and then passed away at age 63.

Psalms 37:23 KJV The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Growing up in a household of faith has to be the greatest of all of my blessings.  The teachings of my youth have shaped my life in the LORD and have brought me to this juncture in life.  My father set an example of Christian dedication, loyalty, the old fashioned hard work value and honesty; these he did in the LORD.  Toward the end of his life, he was a dual career pastor and we had the opportunity to share the same pulpit for five years as associates in pastoral ministry.

Proverbs 22:6 KJV Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

When God calls multiple generations into ministry, the churches that those ministers serve receive an added blessing.  There is a credibility given to the Christian way of life that is beyond words.  A dear pastor friend of mine; shares his pulpit with not only his son, but with his two grandsons as well.  This speaks to the glory of God!

As parents, we are entrusted with God’s children for just a very short time.  Make sure that you do all that is in your power to lead your children to the LORD.  If they are grown; still pray for them and lead by example; always keeping the door open for God to call them through you.  For parents of little children and young couples contemplating a family; realize that there is no greater investment than your children.  Train them up in the LORD and when they are old, they will not depart from it!

Victory is not lost

Twenty five years ago a friend looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Blake, someone has convinced you that failure is an option!  Failure is NOT an option!”  America once strutted with pride on her victories; but our last victory was World War II.   Since the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri; September 2, 1945; America has not tasted lasting victory.  The Korean War and the Vietnam War both programmed the American people to accept losses.  The victories of first Gulf War along with the second Gulf War; were not lasting and now Afghanistan and Iraq have become a second Viet Nam theatre that are sapping the spirit of the American people.

Today in the news, our nation is in grave financial crisis.  Social Security along with many pension funds; are on the verge of bankruptcy!  Unemployment is at a staggering high.  Everyone knows that the statistics in this area are far from accurate and are contrived from a method that does not reflect the true picture.  Divorce is at an all time high along with living together outside of marriage.  Combine these two facts together; is there any wonder why the American family is irreparably broken?  People don’t marry because they are defeated!

Signing of the Mayflower Compact

Awake America and claim the victory in Jesus Christ.  This country was founded on Christian belief.  Our first settlers, the Pilgrims, came over on the Mayflower.  Before they were allowed to embark on passage to the New Land; they had to sign a contract called the Mayflower Compact.  The compact stated that they were making their journey for the Glory of God and the Advancement of the Christian Faith! 

‘Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia…” Mayflower Compact

Twenty-first Century America has deported Jesus Christ and expelled these two tenets; 1) For the Glory of God; 2) For the Advancement of the Christian Faith!  William Bradford would be shocked and appalled; along with all of the other signers of the Mayflower Compact; to see the nation built on their colony; forsake all that they believed in and for which they risked all. 

Our country once stood proudly as a Christian Nation; but now we have forsaken God and His law of righteousness.  We have traded the blood of Jesus for sexual perversion, freedom and license to sin.  God’s patience is wearing thin with America and all of once Christ professing nations like Canada, Great Britain, Ireland and all of Western Europe and many other nations and people around the world.  God has always offered His people the same promises.  His people started with Israel; but through Jesus Christ; has been extended to all who profess His name!  A Jew today; that is to say the people of God today are those who have been circumcised of the heart; baptized with Spirit and Fire; with the Holy Ghost!

Romans 2:29 ESV But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

All of the Christian denominations believe in their heritage from Christ through the Jewish people of Israel and claim Abraham as the father of their Faith.  To the liberal world of Christendom, Christ the LORD has a contention with them; those who have denied his WAY and have perverted His teachings:

Jeremiah 7:23-24 ESV But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.'  (24)  But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

The LORD has always wanted the best for His people; but He requires obedience to His WAY, TRUTH and LIFE!  He says to all backsliding Christians; those who have departed the faith once given; REPENT AND TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS!

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The LORD is ready and waiting for His people to pray and turn to Him; but He is not going to wait for ever.  Your opportunity to get right with God is fast coming to a close.  Now is the time to prepare and be ready.  As it has been stated in this blog before; “the cemeteries are filled with young people who did not know that it was their hour!”  Forget the alarmists, the modern day Nostradamus addicts who suffer from “prediction addiction.”  No one will ever know the hour of the return of Jesus Christ and no one knows the hour of their death!

Matthew 25:13 ESV Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The original Greek for the word, “WATCH,” means to be awake and to be vigilant.  That means to be anxiously and eagerly prepared; keen; acute, and attentive to your “life in Christ!”  You don’t want to be living apart from Christ at your death or at His second coming and no one knows which will come first for them.  We all must live every day as if Christ may come any moment, but also as if we will die of old age at 105!

Jesus wants us to succeed in our Christian walk.  He wants us to be in His eternal Kingdom and to receive an eternal reward.  Jesus has promised the victory; He is the mighty God and our high tower of strength, power and courage.  Christ assures us an abundant life; but we must live in Him; not apart from Him!

Isaiah 54:17 BBE No instrument of war which is formed against you will be of any use; and every tongue which says evil against you will be judged false. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness comes from me, says the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The victory is yours if you want it!  We all need to embrace a victor’s attitude!  Turn away from sin and embrace Jesus Christ and His WAY of life and the victory is yours!

Lack Wisdom: Ask

A quote from author Pearl S. Buck appeared on my desktop this morning.  Her classic novel, The Good Earth; was a very power story of life in turn of the century China.  She was the daughter of missionaries to China in the late 19^th through early 20^th century China.   She saw first hand the hardships and sorrow of the Chinese people.  A child of a household of faith, she saw the many dimensions of suffering.

 

There is an alchemy in sorrow. It can be transmuted into wisdom, which, if it does not bring joy, can yet bring happiness.  Pearl S. Buck

Alchemy is the process of transforming something common and ordinary into something special; a transmutation (a total change in its nature).  From her life as a daughter of missionaries to China; the spiritual transformation of the Christian life is the basis of her statement.  From my life’s experience; there is no greater joy than that which comes from turning sorrow into joy in the LORD.  It is an inner happiness that no one can destroy.  Pain and suffering develops steadfastness; not merely a waiting in patience; but a standing strong in the LORD; endurance.  We are able, because we know that all things work for good in the LORD!

Romans 8:28 KJV And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Faith in that promise gives us the strength to endure everything and anything that comes our way because we are called according to His purpose.  Our suffering is not in vain nor is it more than we can bear!

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (bear it).

The way of escape does not come immediately, but in my experience; more toward the breaking point.  This is how God stretches us so that we can grow!  Every weight trainer and body builder knows that our muscles need to be stretched to the point of tearing, but not ripping apart; if that muscle is to regenerate stronger; so is it with our spiritual character.  Psalm 74 says don’t turn back in shame, but let the needy praise the name of the LORD!

Psalms 74:21 ESV Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.

When we are stretched by God, we can see joy in it because we know that there is a great benefit to the challenge.  If we merely suffered; for no reason and for no gain; we would be most miserable.  Trials build our endurance which is making us more perfect and lacking nothing!  Christ is perfecting us!

James 1:3-4 ESV for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  (4)  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Our lives are unrefined gold that are being refined in the fire; in the furnace of trials.  It is the only way to build for the future; for an eternal future.  The only gold that you will take with you into the Kingdom of God is the gold of your character!  We are here to grow in the knowledge of God; understanding of His WAY and wisdom to prepare for the everlasting Kingdom of God.  It is a life of faith; living in the Spirit; in the Holy Ghost.

KNOWLEDGE + UNDERSTANDING develops WISDOM that leads to FAITH

We can’t live without FAITH which comes from the WORD of God.  Reading and listening to the Bible daily; internalizing it and making it engrafted on our souls.

Your Strength Is Perfect In All of My Weakness

Reviewing our lives; during the thirty five years since we saw each other in high school; my wife said that it was apparent that as challenges brought my physical life down; God was building a spiritual life in His service.  God’s hand was on both of our lives in parallel.  We had a friendship that had connected us in my freshman year and her sophomore year.  Looking back, we both see that the hand of God kept us apart to prepare us for His ministry at this time now.  Fourteen months ago, the Lord reconnected us and we were married October 23, 2010.  This past year has been the greatest physical and emotional challenge because of my health crisis on April 3^rd when an infection nearly took my life.

Doctors first braced my new bride of five months for my death.  When God saved my life; the doctors brace her for my life on kidney dialysis as the infection had completely shut down and seemingly destroyed my kidneys.  Then God healed and restored my kidneys.  The doctors then braced her for me never being mentally functional because of what they believed was severe brain damage caused by the infection.  God intervened and my mind is just fine. 

After one complete month in the hospital and another complete month in a rehabilitation facility; followed up by a complete month of home physical therapy; normal activities have been added back little by little and my life has been restored nearly 100% of where it was before this crisis.  This last major health crisis caps ten years of chronic, sequential diabetic complications that have kept my life shackled to hospitals, surgeries, physical therapy and home health nursing for the past ten years.  Tom Blake has been greatly diminished through it all as Jesus Christ has been magnified.  This is the way it is supposed to be.  There is a praise chorus that rings daily in my ears, heart and mind. 

Lord I Am Broke and My Life, Is In Pieces but Your

Strength Is Perfect In All of My Weakness

This song is recorded on a video by Indiana Bible College and is a much anointed offering to God and you can view it and enter the anointing at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSUu3H3rFQQ&feature=BFa&list=PLE211B7CE716E9CEB&lf=plpp

It is impossible for God to work with us in our carnal, self sufficient mind.  We must willing become broken for Him; allow ourselves to die to our old self; old ways of thinking and acting.  The more we surrender to this, “break and remake process;” the more Christ is magnified in our lives.  It is a slow transformation process that will take us from mortal sinful man into the eternal marvelous light of the throne of Jesus Christ; where we will be pillars in His presence in the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul fully realized this process as he was given a thorn of the flesh; that as far as we know; was never taken from him.  It was left there, as a reminder to keep him close to Christ who said; ”My grace is sufficient…”

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV (7) So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.  (8)  Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  (9) But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul embraced the challenges of Christ and entered the transformational race perfection in Christ Jesus our LORD.  He died daily to the “old man of sin,” and fought the good fight until his last breath.

1 Corinthians 15:31 KJV I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  (7)  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  (8)  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

It has been my life’s purpose to preach Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected; the pioneer of salvation for us all.  No greater love live in me that for His appearing; being dedicated to the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God in its fullness.  My life has been and continues to be a living sacrifice as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ.  He is made perfect in all of my weakness.

Stand Strong For That Which Is Right

September 14, 1930 was Election Day in Germany.  Adolf Hitler, through the aid of his campaign manager Joseph Goebbels, had master minded one of the most infamous political campaigns in history.  The timing was perfect; the people were in the grip of crisis and wanted fast solutions at any cost.  Hitler gave the people a tangible target for the cause inciting a unified response of the people.  Their economy was thrown into the Great Depression along with the rest of the world as a result of Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929, when the markets collapsed on Wall Street.  Winning 107 seats in the German Reichstag; these newly elected Nazi deputies entered the Reichstag for the first time marching in together.  Wearing Nazi uniforms.  When the role was called they answered, “Present! Heil Hitler!

From his first ranting speeches after the Great War along with the release of his book, Mein Kampf in 1925, Adolf Hitler turned German sentiment against the Jewish People in jealousy and anger.  What many don’t understand is that the Jewish people have always lived as one big family (descendents of Abraham) and they hold their wealth among themselves.  Orthodox Jewish People tend to buy only from Orthodox Jewish People, although they will sell to Gentiles.   Today, many Americans have a similar sentiment for any foreign nationality that sticks together and helps their own from their country.  Resentments can run deep against people who are willing to come to our country and sacrifice to help their own people to get established in America.  We forget that America is a melting pot of nations and there is truly no indigenous American except the Native Americans.  We are jealous of the Hmong, the Mexican; people from India and Pakistan, Africa and Asia; who pool their resources, sacrifice and buy businesses.    There is strength in helping your own people and sticking together; it is profitable and it is good.  The blessing of unity is precious.

Psalms 133:1-3 ESV A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!  (2)  It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!  (3)  It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

The Germans of the Great Depression era had such sentiments of jealousy toward the Jewish People.  One young orthodox Jewish man named Waldstein saw the proverbial hand writing on the wall and could foresee only trouble and possible atrocities that lay ahead for the Jewish People, and he decided to take his family and flee Germany in 1931.        

Praying three times a day is expected of orthodox Jewish men and so it was a routine for young Waldstein.  On a train that was also transporting Nazi soldiers; he knelt down and prayed with Nazi officers across the aisle.  He didn’t just knell and pray, he wore his yamaka (small Jewish skull cap) and his tallit (Jewish prayer shawl).  His wife and two sons were with him; one which was just an infant.  They ultimately reach their destination in America and found their way to Chicago where they had relatives.  Throughout his life he lived close to the Temple and practiced his orthodox faith.

To his disappointment, his son’s were too young to remember or understand the peril of their escape.  The pursuit of riches in America left little time for Temple services.  But as adults the two sons honored the old man on the Jewish High Holy Days and would go to temple, even though they would sit in the back where they could lean against a wall and sleep.  They changed their name to Wald trying to hide their heritage.  The old man just shook his head.

First their mother passed away in her early eighties.  It was then that the old man began to spend most of his days at the Temple, until he suffered a heart attack and ended up in the hospital.   With oxygen, heart monitors and IV lines attach, the old man insisted on getting out of bed to knell on the floor and pray three times a day in honor of the three great patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  His faith was firm.  The hospital staff would fight with him, but he would yell at them and say, “If the Nazis didn’t keep me from praying, you sure won’t!”  And so the staff relented in honor of his age and conviction.  He was soon released and went home.  One day, he quietly died in his sleep.

The greed of the wealthy suppresses the needs of the poor and working class people.  The top 3% on the income scale own 97% of all of the wealth of our country.  This disproportion of wealth, in pre-war Germany allowed a mad man with radical ideas; to rise to power because the people were in fear financially.  They needed a scapegoat for national and world problems.  Hitler targeted the Jewish people.

Luke 10:7 KJV And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Jesus Christ said that the worker is worthy of his wage.  As we celebrate this Labor Day weekend; let us count our blessings of abundance.  Let us also examine our own attitudes and life styles.  Do we promote unity that builds our community?  If we are a supervisor, manager or business owner; are we fair in our dealings with our subordinates?  Are we cultivating an environment that nurtures people and spurs them on to be their best; rewarding their accomplishments?

When we are greed driven and selfish; it effects those around us and especially if we are in an authoritative position.  Conflict starts with one person and spreads like a cancer.  When the Great Depression hit, people failed to pull together.  The results led to a world in conflict with hatred and jealousy.  Peace and unity starts with one person as well.  We each need to take responsibility to build the community around us.

In the Arms of Angels

Belle Richards was 8 years old when her father told her that she would have to be left behind to look after her baby brother Joe; a toddler too small to go on the family outing to harvest gum from the trees.  She had looked forward to this outing as it was an annual event when the sap would run from the trees that could be collected, saved and used as chewing gum.  She had prepared a picnic lunch and also a snack.  She was devastated to find out that she was not going to be able to go.

As they rode out of sight, Belle started to analyze just exactly what her father had said.  He basically said that she had to look after her brother Joe.  The gears of her mind started to turn and she convinced herself that she could take Joe with her and that they could walk to the picnic and they could join the rest.  She knew a short cut and though her father told her that she was never to go through that area, she had convinced herself that her father and the rest would be happy to see them.

The area was off limits because of loose and falling rocks.  When the two of them got to a point where the path was covered with loose rocks, she looked at her two options of taking a risk or turning back.  With Joe in her arms, she took the risk and no sooner was on the loose rocks when they gave way.  They started to slide to what she believed was going to be their death.  Saying a quick prayer of repentance and help, they quickly came to an abrupt halt and found themselves back on the path facing home.  Belle didn’t know what had happened and she never told anyone about what had happened.  Joe was just a toddler; and he was too young to tell anyone.

This escape from death was a life changing event for Belle.  She began to study her Bible and pray daily as she never had before.  She devoted herself to God.  Many years later; as a young woman, she was on a group mission’s trip; when her brother Joe became gravely ill.  In his deep sleep, from taking some very strong medicine, he relived the near death experience at the rock slide.  He told the complete story of what had happened and how two angels had picked up him and Belle and saved their lives.  Later, when he was awake, he had no recollection of the event.

When Belle returned home her father asked her if something had happened years ago by the forbidden rock area.  She asked him why he was asking.  He recounted Joe’s story and thanked God for saving his two children’s lives.  This is a true story and is available on DVD:  In the Arms of Angels also called A Pioneer Miracle.

We can all be grateful for the protection of God’s angels who look after us and our children.  The angels are ministering servants of the heirs of salvation; whom we are.

Matthew 18:10 ESV See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Hebrews 1:13-14 ESV And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?  (14)  Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

To God, we are all His children and He looks after us as a mothering hen holds her young under her wings.

Luke 13:34 ESV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Unfortunately, we do not always yield to God and allow Him to help and protect us.  It is easy to want to be independent and to lean upon our own understanding instead of relying upon God.

Proverbs 3:5 KJV Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding..

God wants us to trust Him as little toddler Joe, trusted his big sister.  He was young and innocent; too young to talk and too young to know that he should have been afraid.  Little children are naturally trusting.  That is the way that God wants us to be; trusting.

Matthew 18:3 KJV And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Once we get old enough to reason, the devil goes to work on us as he did Eve in the Garden of Eden.  We start to figure out how we can outsmart authority; first with our parents; then with our teachers.  Later on, we are argumentative with our employers; civic and church leaders.  Our pride and arrogance leads us into sin.  This can be said from my own experience with dealing with my own carnal human nature.  It becomes necessary; as Paul said that we die daily to the old man of sin (1 Corinthians 15:31).  King David declared that the sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51).  As Christians, we are ever on a path of transforming our human nature into the Nature of Jesus Christ.  This should be continually in our hearts and minds.  Focus on His Holiness!

Leave it all behind

Picture a family that lived the simple life of nomadic shepherding.  They were grandparents, children and grandchildren numbering around seventy people in all, including servants.  A famine forced them to leave the lands of their heritage and settle into a foreign land.  Their traditions were established by a patriarch named Abraham who had long since gone to rest with his ancestors.  This family was chosen by Almighty God to be His people; called for a special purpose. 

In a world where everyone was pursing their own desires and making their own plans; God chose Abraham from among the heathen; from a family whose business was the manufacture and distribution of manmade gods.  Idols for every occasion and every need were the craftsmanship of Abraham’s father and family.  Then one day, God talked him.  At the time his name was Abram, which the LORD Himself latter changed to Abraham.  God told Abram, to pull up his stakes and go!  He told Abram, “Get away from your family; start walking and I will show you where to go!”  This was no ordinary man to drop everything; pack up his household and move into the wilderness to be directed by God.  With his wife by his side he followed God into the unknown.

Genesis 12:1-3 KJV Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  (2)  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  (3)  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

When Abraham’s grandson Jacob was required to pull up stakes in a similar fashion; they too journeyed into the unknown.  This was all part of a divine plan.  These seventy some people all carried the standards and values that God had instilled in Abraham; worship of the one Almighty God and Him alone and observance of the Sabbath day.   The promises given to Abraham also burned in their hearts; but the more they increased in numbers and generations; the more those promises faded as they became an enslaved people in Egypt.  Four hundred and thirty years passed before their deliverance was given.  The Israelites left Egypt as their ancestor Abram had done; walking into the wilderness to be led of God.         

Exodus 12:40 KJV Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

It is no different for us today as God’s people.  At some point you were called by God.  He spoke to you and said forsake all and come follow me.  Even if you were reared in a household of faith; there came a time when you had to answer the call.  If you have not surrendered to God as Abraham did and as the Israelites did; leaving all behind to follow God; to follow Jesus Christ; then you truly are not the Christian that Jesus himself was calling when He called His New Testament people.  Jesus’ call then is no different than His call today.  He commanded total devotion; to be number one in the lives of His followers; then and now.

Matthew 8:21-22 ESV Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."  (22)  And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

Luke 14:26 CEV You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.

Israel left Egypt with a mixed multitude.  These were not Israelites, but those who chose to go with them and to be with them.

Exodus 12:38 KJV And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

The Christian Church today has a mixed multitude.  These are people who are pleased to fellowship with us and may even worship with us; but they take no responsibility for their calling in Christ.  They profess Christ with their lips and follow the world with their feet.  We are all known to God by our fruits, the works of our lives.  We can fool the world around us, but God knows the heart.

God called Abraham out of pagan idolatry to a life of transformation into Holiness.  We are called out this sinful world to be transformed into Christ; into Holiness!  God accepts us as we are; but He doesn’t expect us to stay that way.  We will have to account for what we have done with our calling and all that Christ has entrusted in our care.  Some professing Christians will face damnation.

Matthew 25:30 KJV And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The church is not a social club to make us feel good.  It is not a place that we go to for 45 minutes to an hour to appease a mythical god just incase he may be real and we don’t want to totally alienate him.  Friends, I have known many congregations over my 52 years of life and my 38 years in Christian ministry; their numbers would total around 7,500 professing Christians.  Less than 10 percent are actively living out their calling in Christ!  Actively living out your calling means; tithing all of your resources; your time (2 ½ hours a day) as well as your money; plus giving on top of that.  It means becoming the church, not just going to a building; it means living in a prayerful state, not just praying a; “lay me down to sleep prayer;” it means becoming the walking and breathing WORD of God and not just occasionally cracking the cover of your Bible. 

The rewards are great and so must be our sacrifices.  Most Christians treat salvation as something of little to no value.  For houses, cars, recreational activities and sensual pleasures, people give their life’s blood!  Jesus gave his life’s blood for you and for me.  It is our reasonable service to give ours for Him.  Become a living sacrifice for the LORD today; this moment, now. 

Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING and into His courts with PRAISE.  Lay your life on the ALTAR OF SACRIFICE and die to sin and the world.  Be WASHED IN THE LAVER OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS and EXAMINE YOUR REFLECTION in its pool.  BEAT YOUR PRAYERS FINE and offer them up as SWEET INCENSE TO THE LORD.  Enter the HOLY OF HOLIES and kneel before the throne of the LORD With Your Whole Heart, Life And Being.  Do this with love, joy and peace IN THE BOLDNESS OF LIVING FAITHFULLY IN THE HOLY GHOST! 

Time may be shorter for you than you think.  The cemeteries are filled with people who knew not their hour.  For them, Jesus Christ has already returned.  Their lives are sealed in Christ or in damnation.  The signs of the end time may be upon us.  No one knows the hour of their own death and no one knows the hour of the LORD’s return.  Live every moment ready for both and live life to its fullest in Christ now!  Your salvation depends upon it.