Shaking Hell

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Hell trembles and is shaken

As we put on the armor of the Lord

And the chains of sin are broken

By the edge of the Spirit’s sword

We are all familiar with the admonition to “turn the other cheek,” and to “seek peace.”  True and faithful Christians and those of other religions generally hold to these principles.  However, there comes a time when, as Ezekiel prophesied, “Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none. (Ezekiel 7:25)

God, Himself, has set forth principles upon which His beleaguered righteous children should draw a line in the sand, and say, “No more.”  It may be that we are in such a time, as the forces of darkness and terror inflict pain and death on innocent people regardless of nationality, race, or religion.  Such terror knows no boundaries, no ethnicities, and no sanctities.

While nations may rightfully take up arms in defense of life, liberty, and the pursuit of all things good and righteous, we, as individuals and families, may want to also adopt a more offensive posture.  However, our Christian values and beliefs often result in us adopting purely defensive postures and behaviors that keep us spiritually safe.  Hence, we have the pervasive instruction to repent, to shun evil, stay within the protective walls of the gospel – to avoid war, bloodshed, and disavow the doctrine of an “eye for an eye.” Generally, the history of mankind as particularly noted in the scriptures show the wisdom of such defensive strategies.

However, sacred works also prescribe the necessary prerequisites when it becomes necessary to take to the field of battle. In other words, there are things which God and His prophets prize above all – even life.   William E. Berrett, a noted writer, said it this way, “Notwithstanding the horrors and evils of war and the beauty of peace, there is a greater purpose in life than merely remaining peaceful. Life calls for growth of the soul. Opportunities for growth arise only where man retains his freedom, his free agency, his right to live, work, and worship according to the dictates of his own conscience.”  

When these eternal values are threatened, then fight we must.  However, like it has always been, the tactics and the weaponry have more to do with the powers of light and truth, and faith and obedience than upon guns and bullets.  Indeed, as the scriptures make clear, light and truth are the most potent of all weapons for the mass destruction  of the forces of darkness and evil.

The scriptures do provide individuals and families with instructions for fighting and taking the offensive.  The Apostle Paul after ensuring our defensive posture by  encouraging us to put on the “armor of God,” speaks offensively of the “sword of the spirit.”  Here again is what he said,

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”  (Ephesians 6:11-17)

Our meditation, “Shaking Hell” reflects on the need to act against the forces of evil using both defensive and offensive strategies.   And it reminds us that:

The powers of hell are shaken forever

When testimony and faith remain firm

And we, by grace and works endeavor

To serve God and His salvation affirm

 Shaking Hell

Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men….  Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ….

 Book of Mormon   Alma 48:17, 13

The powers of hell are shaken forever

When testimony and faith remain firm

And we, by grace and works endeavor

To serve God and His salvation affirm

Yea, the devil will never have power

Over the hearts and souls of men

For his minions will run and cower

As we free ourselves from sin

Hell trembles and is shaken

As we put on the armor of the Lord

And the chains of sin are broken

By the edge of the Spirit’s sword

We shake hell to its foundation

As we choose the Savior’s grace

And heaven rejoices in celebration

As we receive the Heavenly Embrace

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

The Justice of Self-judgement

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

There is much written of God’s judgement

But, in truth, there may be a harsher judge

Whose assessment may cause the greater lament

And whose intimate knowledge we can’t begrudge

We all know the phrase, “He is his own worst enemy.”  It is often what we do to ourselves that define who we are – not other people or situations.  Our moment-to-moment decisions create the cellular transactions of body and spirit that refine and define what think, what we feel, and what we do.  These choices define our character and, in the end, become the evidence of a life well-lived or a life sadly wasted.

We, then, are our own judges in the sense that we are agents unto ourselves – making both right and wrong choices.  It is us who will present our body and spirit before the judgement bar of God. It will be the cumulative decisions and transactions of our lives that will be placed on the altar of judgement.  In this sense it may be that, between God and us, we might be the harsher judge – for we will have created the evidence that will judge us.  It is us who are often more inclined to sense our weaknesses more than our strengths.  We, who often judge ourselves so severely, appear less inclined to accept God’s grace than He is to give it - for He sees perfectly and knows not only who we are, but who we were before this life, and who we will be in the eternities.

Because of the justice of our own self-judgement, it is important that we choose the right in our daily transactions.  For whatever we choose, it becomes part of our temporal record on judgement day – the record known as “the Book of Life.”  The atonement of Christ affords us the opportunity to have the undesirable parts of our record expunged and eliminated as if they never existed.  Application of the atonement is a process of repenting and changing our thoughts, feelings and actions. It is a choice and an important shaper of character on our path to perfection.  Following the example of Christ, we can grow by obedience to God’s laws. The writer of Hebrews stated it this way, “Though he (Christ) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;  9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;  Hebrews 5:8-9.  Though sinless, yet He too had to allow the choices in His daily life to shape His divine and perfect character. 

Our meditation reflects on this aspect of judgement – the impact of our moment-to-moment choices that define us and ultimately judge us before the final bar of judgement.  Thus we reflect on “The Justice of Self-judgement.”

This is the justice of our inner self-judgement

Unrepented evidence in determining our fate

But the atonement redeems if we only repent

Or, our deeds will betray us at judgement’s gate

The Justice of Self-judgement

And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.  And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil.  …. For behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.  Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will, may walk therein and be saved.

Book of Mormon   Alma 41:3-8

There is much written of God’s judgement

But, in truth, there may be a harsher judge

Whose assessment may cause the greater lament

And whose intimate knowledge we can’t begrudge

For all our thoughts, and feelings, and actions

Leave their telltale marks in the body and mind

A history of behavior in cellular transactions

A record, of sorts, by which we are defined

Thus, we become our own judge and jury

By what we choose - either wrong or right

Choices that imprint on us evil and hell’s fury

Or, choices that infuse us with truth and light

This is the justice of our inner self-judgement

Unrepented evidence in determining our fate

But the atonement redeems if we only repent

Or, our deeds will betray us at judgement’s gate

For the decrees of God are unalterable

He judges by how we have lived and behaved

But invites all to repent and sit at His table

There to be redeemed, sanctified, and saved

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Seeds

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

The seedling word that is good and true

Enlarges the soul as it swells and consumes

A compounding of light will then accrue

As flowering faith grows and blooms

 Seeds are often sacred symbols of life and its continuity.   Each spring we testify of our faith, our obedience, and our testimony of the continuity of life by planting seeds.  There are both seeds of the earth and seeds of the body wherein life is renewed.  Likewise there are spiritual seeds which follow the same pattern of renewal in our souls. 

As in physical seeds, so it is with spiritual seeds – there are good and bad seeds.  When sown, they each renew their inherent properties.  Hence, as attested by the scriptures, bad seeds bear bad or no fruit.  Good seeds, with proper care and nourishment, bear good fruit.

The history of mankind is but one story after another of the sowing of seeds, both good and bad, and the consequences thereof.  One might ask, “Why sow a bad seed?”  Bad seeds are not always visible to the eye.  To determine whether or not a seed is bad, one must perform a test to see if there remains in the seed life-giving elements.

As the spiritual seed and offspring of Heavenly Father, we too are subject to the laws pertaining to seeds.  To determine if we will grow and produce good fruit, we are tested in numerous ways.  When we accept Christ and His covenants, we receive the promise of becoming His seed – His children.  “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.  ….and his seed shall inherit the earth.  Psalms 25:10-13   However, for those who deny the Christ and His covenants, the Psalmist writes, “… the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalms 37:28

The following meditative verse speaks of these matters especially as they pertain to the soul.   In this we implore:

May the Master Gardner be our example

 As we plant seeds in the garden of the Lord

May our seedling souls grow full and ample

Full of faith with life eternal as our reward

Seeds

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed.  Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Book of Mormon    Alma 32:28-33

There are good seeds and bad seeds

Which get planted deep within our souls

Differing seeds produce differing creeds

Differing creeds produce differing goals

The seedling word that is good and true

Enlarges the soul as it swells and consumes

A compounding of light will then accrue

As flowering faith grows and blooms

This faith, while not a perfect knowledge

Brings forth fruit after its own kind

For us to partake, enlarge and acknowledge

That it is good fruit for the soul and mind

Now, let us try this grand experiment

To plant good and true gospel seeds

Seeds of faith to support and supplement

Our testimonies and supply our needs

May the Master Gardner be our example

 As we plant seeds in the garden of the Lord

May our seedling souls grow full and ample

Full of faith with life eternal as our reward

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Counsel with the Lord

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings

That He may direct thee for good

And watch over your comings and goings

With God with us, evil may be withstood

As a professional counselor for well over 40 years, I have been continually reminded of the often tragic results when people grow up disregarding the ancient instruction, “learn wisdom in thy youth.”  Of even greater importance is when people neglect to, “counsel with the Lord in all thy doings.”

In today’s world Godly wisdom and counsel seem often absent in the affairs of men. Hence, we wander to and fro and are, “…tossed by every wind of doctrine.”  Disaster lies around the corner when we start to rely on personalities and pundits rather than principles.  This is never truer than at election time, regardless of the country or the politics.

We see more and more people becoming dependent upon the opinions and persuasions of others rather than relying on God, or even doing their own “homework” to study out problems, seek for answers through study, meditation, and prayer.  God has given us the companionship of the Holy Spirit to be a guide, comforter, and counselor – but only if we are worthy and receptive.

Today’s meditative message reflects on the counsel to “Counsel with the Lord.”

Counsel with the Lord in all thy ways

And He will bless thee forevermore

Worship Him in prayer and praise

Embrace His embrace at Heaven’s door

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Counsel with the Lord

O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.  Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.  Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Book of Mormon  Alma 37:35-37

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings

That He may direct thee for good

And watch over your comings and goings

With God with us, evil may be withstood

Cry unto God for all thy support

Unto Him let thy thoughts be directed

Let the Spirit be thy guide and escort

As thy walk with God is perfected

When thou riseth up or liest down

May thou be in His constant care

May thy decisions be wise and sound

And thy judgments righteous and fair

Counsel with the Lord in all thy ways

And He will bless thee forevermore

Worship Him in prayer and praise

Embrace His embrace at Heaven’s door

Larry Doyle Crenshaw