ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTE
Scripture: "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world...But of the Son He says, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom...For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it." Hebrews 1:1,2,8 and 2:1

When humanity is Deified [made to be gods], and when Idolatry is made normal, and when unfounded Entitlement thrives, the person, community, or even nation, will D-I-E. It is a slow death by a thousand cuts, often with the spoiled fruit of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. These are but vapors. Nothing becomes good, absent the full equation of life which is constructed of both Righteousness and Love, God being the bringer of both, and defining both. Summarized, we have this from the book of Judges at its ending: "In those days, there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." [Judges 21:25] Sounds a bit like 'now'. [hear the steps of that ol' golden bull?]
The Bible in contrast says "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not unto Your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct Your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6
Diversity without love prompts animosity, contempt, envy and alienation; without righteousness, it breeds chaos and destruction through the efforts of fallen man. The peace of God saves and is saving. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. He is "the Prince of Peace". Him, and Him alone. Love shown and known will birth unity from diversity. The love and holiness of God, and the risk and benefit of freedom can be understood 'at Calvary'.
Absolute Inclusion is a myth, unless truth is sacrificed. Truth, by its very nature excludes some things, leaving those other things to be untrue, the pleasing as well as the wacky lies.
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world..." He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me." [from John 8:12, and 14:6] And the psalmist shares this with us about God's Word: "Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them. The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." [Psalm 119:129-130] We are hard-wired for the 'wonderful'. Accept no substitutes. Equity, artificially assuring equal outcomes, disallows one's unique God-given design, freedom, capacity, trajectory, growth-velocity and appointment in favor of earthly social or political engineering.
God [here pronounced 'Gawd!], has materially brought all into nuthin, surrendering it all to be appreciable by His gifted attributes of language and listening to us creatures, allowing it transmissibility to both page, and spirit, through called-out ones to speak it and write it. In this context, equity is but an attractive shackle. Let grace be our chains!
Disease? Fear? War? Confusion? Distress? Death? Loneliness? Each has an answer in Jesus. Sin? The answer is in, and of Jesus. Now is the time for each holy 'yes', and every righteous 'no'. Now is the time for the love of God to show in His people. It is time to stand. What need be our 'hope and plea'? You know the hymn. Accept no substitute.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please lead we all sons and daughters across these forthcoming chapters of our histories. Bless us now, upon the blessing had, that our flourishing reveals Your Son in us. Lead us to 'look and live'. Let our heart's gaze be dominated by Your Word, and let the details of our appetites' shine Jesus' light. Have Your way Lord, now and evermore. Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington
The Bible in contrast says "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not unto Your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct Your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6
Diversity without love prompts animosity, contempt, envy and alienation; without righteousness, it breeds chaos and destruction through the efforts of fallen man. The peace of God saves and is saving. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. He is "the Prince of Peace". Him, and Him alone. Love shown and known will birth unity from diversity. The love and holiness of God, and the risk and benefit of freedom can be understood 'at Calvary'.
Absolute Inclusion is a myth, unless truth is sacrificed. Truth, by its very nature excludes some things, leaving those other things to be untrue, the pleasing as well as the wacky lies.
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world..." He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me." [from John 8:12, and 14:6] And the psalmist shares this with us about God's Word: "Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them. The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." [Psalm 119:129-130] We are hard-wired for the 'wonderful'. Accept no substitutes. Equity, artificially assuring equal outcomes, disallows one's unique God-given design, freedom, capacity, trajectory, growth-velocity and appointment in favor of earthly social or political engineering.
God [here pronounced 'Gawd!], has materially brought all into nuthin, surrendering it all to be appreciable by His gifted attributes of language and listening to us creatures, allowing it transmissibility to both page, and spirit, through called-out ones to speak it and write it. In this context, equity is but an attractive shackle. Let grace be our chains!
Disease? Fear? War? Confusion? Distress? Death? Loneliness? Each has an answer in Jesus. Sin? The answer is in, and of Jesus. Now is the time for each holy 'yes', and every righteous 'no'. Now is the time for the love of God to show in His people. It is time to stand. What need be our 'hope and plea'? You know the hymn. Accept no substitute.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please lead we all sons and daughters across these forthcoming chapters of our histories. Bless us now, upon the blessing had, that our flourishing reveals Your Son in us. Lead us to 'look and live'. Let our heart's gaze be dominated by Your Word, and let the details of our appetites' shine Jesus' light. Have Your way Lord, now and evermore. Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
1 Comment
Amen!