Defending the one true hope

Dear christian, imagine a scene with me 

of millions... no billions.. of lost and sick people roaming the streets of one large dank city. 

There are beggars, hungry and thirsty.  But then a great king decides to intercede.  He brings meals for many of these beggars in great numbers through servants that he sends from a distant land.  They begin to trek new meals for millions once, twice, sometimes even more than this a week.  But then word breaks loose...  Some of those who are coming are poisoning the food, not only poisoning children, mothers, but teaching them to not truth the other men-- giving them heroin, krokodil, you name it, to knock off the pain.  These men are dressed in similar uniform and look like king's servants.  The only way to tell that they are different is by their conduct and their beliefs.  

My friends, consider this; we are these poor and hungry.  

Like in Matthew 5 and Luke 6 where the beatitudes lay out how the poor in spirit and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied.  Jesus comes and feeds us; this is why he said to peter, if you love me you will feed my sheep.  The pastor is like a chef or servant of the king who hand delivers meals.  While God is the provider of every bit of it.  But understand, the impostors are false teachers, those who spread false teachings.  Those of you who think that a false teacher will have devil horns have not examined scripture.  False prophets/teachers WILL be among us and we are warned of them, if you can't think of any, then you've probably been fooled by one--they will resemble and attempt to act like a sheep, but are not one.  

If you think by being a fluffy christian who would never consider anyone false no matter how abhorrent their beliefs are to that of Christ's as long as they proclaim faith-- do not be fooled-- you are excusing and helping the issue.  You are like a poor person who attempts to help the spread of the damage.  You cause real life spiritual damage and it is dangerous.  If you're own family were being poisoned-- would you warn them?  I would hope so--then why do you strain from warning what Jesus considered to be His actual family?  Or ignore the possibility or not examine.  If you had a life threatening disease and a man off the street said he was a doctor... would you examine to see if he knows what he is talking about?

How can we ever claim to love our brothers and sisters in Christ if we avoid and neglect to examine Spirits as scripture tells us to?  We show our lack of love for others in caring more about being approved of by them and spoken well of--than when we are willing to dig deep and really see--does this individual have the Jesus of scripture?  If you know they could be poisoned and killed and you say nothing, or decidedly neglect to look further into it-- are you a murderer also?

Jesus was  not the squishy God man that many make him out to be, no he was the same one who meticulously sat down and made a whip to drive out those abusing the temple for the gain of money and dishonoring God's fame.  Do you care about God's fame like that?  I'm not saying go whip people or anything-- but I mean-- with desperation, and urgent prayer-- does it break you?

Can you relate with the protective sentiments of a dog as John Calvin did when he said, "A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent."
God is a lion and does not need you to apologetically perfectly defend him-- nonetheless, this reveals our love for truth, for God's worship, and secondarily for the love man who is perishing and the only hope for them.

My friend, we ought to love our enemies as Jesus taught, and to pray and bless those who persecute us.  And you have to use great discernment in informing others of false beliefs and be very careful not to make a final judgment on someone's soul.  Just made stern warnings about calling someone "raka" or fool and possibly being in danger of hell fire ourselves.  So we ought to have carefulness and discernment with the fear that the almighty most High God is listening to your words and indictments.  We want to be careful not to cause gossip, bitterness, or dissension.  Though sometimes we cannot control how other react when we have shrived in every way for peace and love and forgiveness between them.  But nonetheless, this should not stop us from prayerfully seeking deeply to follow God on the right path and protect ourselves and others of falsehood.  Especially when it touches the fundamentals of our faith and the good news.  Remember that if they defile the good news of Jesus then they are destroying and taking away  THE ONLY chance of HOPE for people.  You understand the radical depth of that statement?  There is only one way and if that is defiled then they are essentially pulling the IV out of a dying man or the plug on a man with an iron lung.  It is the only hope we have--we cannot compromise on the gospel, and issues of lesser importance we should still be careful as to keep unity and love yet also striving for truth.


You think you are protecting and loving a person when you are being cool and fun with them, but if you know they are in error, then you could actually be causing more harm than good.  It seems nice on the outside, but it is almost like Dennis Rodman playing nice with Kim Jong Il and ignoring the great magnitude of devastation he has caused.  Yes we should love and seek for even the worst to come to know Christ but when you defend false teaching or POST-MODERN, nobody is really wrong sentiments-- you are able to under God's viewing help cause men to be caught in spiritual bear traps.  You are walking their legs right into the bloody mess.  But you just don't want to hurt their feelings.  No, sometimes this is the best thing in the universe for somebody.  You may not want to hurt a child's feelings but if they ask to play with the butcher's knife you better fervently though understandingly say no, and explain and hide the thing from their touch.

Genuine love... what it looks like according to well... scripture
(another view on the verse with the pipes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXmnL5Ovgzg)

There is a such thing as a righteous anger.  "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," --Ephesians 4:26
There is a such thing as being angry and loving.  But this is in context with not having nor holding bitterness towards others.  So contextually this cannot be about being angry towards somebody.  But rather anger towards evil and sin.  While loving individuals.

Do you believe in a sissified Jesus?  Does your Jesus look like this guy?

No one wants a monster being created going around attacking everything... it is very important to conduct yourself with,
Gently and with love, and with patience, seeking to understand and to walk with the utmost humility... seeking to take the logs out of your own eye, in order to take out the sliver in someone else's.  We must be a people who are desperate for humility and tenderness; and to

2 Timothy 2:25

English Standard Version (ESV)

25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

MAY GRANT... through gentleness...  this is a big lesson

to test your own motives, do you have an unhealthy fascination with controversy, do you like arguments, do you like challenges--be VERY careful then...you could be in sin with wrong motives... do not let yourself become calloused or embittered, or even to neglect examining yourself as well.  Or to test everything and worry and not trust God with anxieties or leading you.

Also, remember to have discernment in if it is a woman or man, the relationship, are they your pastor, are they your parents.  Scripture gives guidance in how we honor or speak, or conduct ourselves with different people.  The best bet is to always put yourself lower, and always to be slow to speak and loving and trying to understand their perspective.


There are some out there who have truly called out the wrong people, and have elevated themselves and spiritually abused others through calling something out-- I'm sure even I have been harsh and wrong many times with all of this... but we must be willing and able to say sorry to seek forgiveness and be humble hearted.  Slow to speak and quick to listen--- a hard lesson to learn for some of us, like me.


But even though the prosperity gospel is not true
or whatever false gospel or idol that is promising hope for you--if you are caught in this.. it is not true godly hope...If you are struggling with this transition... the hardship of it all, trust in His character, love, and that He can carry you through this.

2 Timothy 2:16-18

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

Don't allow the coddling of godless chatter either... GIVE IT NO ENTERTAINMENT.  If it's false and scripture is clear.  Then don't entertain lies in your heart.  But if scripture is pointing something out then consider it.

What is nicer?

Paul says that false teaching is demon doctrine. Why do you coddle demon doctrines as though they were compatible?  Don't mix dung with cake

Rebuking Joel Osteen

Renew your mind from the typical presentation of Jesus and update to a fuller picture

God is symbolized to be like a lion, lamb and dove.  If you love the squishy soft lamb but hate the lion... then you hate the full picture of God and therefore never loved the lamb because they are one in the same.  Likewise if you only love the lion but you don't love the lamb--then you missed Jesus!  There is a full picture as to who He is.  And if you forget about the person of the Holy Spirit then you missed it again also!






Another overlooked section of verses... 1 Corinthians 5 and understanding the idea of judging.

1 Corinthians 5 calls us to judge those inside the church, meaning to discern.  How can we help others if we are not able to say, hey man, I noticed this repetition in your life and because I love you and I am just as sinful of a man I just wanted to point you to Jesus on this issue--and I can be there for you too.  Not gossiping but one on one helping this brother out.  We can't do that or rebuke lovingly, without the ability to make, well, a judgement.  This isn't saying, well you are never necessarily among the elect... well we don't know that.  Or not saying, you're an idiot.  Because well, even if he is now, he could change tomorrow... so its not who he necessarily IS.  So we must be careful in this.  Nonetheless we are actually called to lovingly discern and help each other out and be there for each other.


stop judging me you bigot!... said the person who began to judge the judger.
Instant hypocrisy.

Historically, no one wanted to step up and hurt Hitler's feelings by admitting that he was actually quite wrong.

When Churchill made a truce with Hitler, he allowed him the time and ability to create and empire of destruction.

When the U.S. chose to stay out of the conflict an think about themselves alone and their walk...

The empire and damage only got worse.



How is this happening around us?  Are their loved ones, friends, family members who are running towards a cliff and are going to suffer for it if something doesn't change?

Even if you are hated, stand for what is right, do so humbly, and lovingly, willing to hear others out and not making assumptions as to their beliefs immediately.  But do not stand around as people out there are stealing the only source of life from those who need it and thirst and hunger.  Do not think Jesus does not see your omission.  If you've screwed up in the past, then its okay, through faith, that too is lain upon Jesus.  But through the Spirit you can find repentance and growth in this.

Satan is called the father of lies, do not be a co-worker of Satan's.  Love the truth.  Hate wicked beliefs, not people.  (Don't forget though, Jesus was a man full of both truth and also FULL of GRACE).


Wishy washy christians are ambassadors of Christ who let demons walk in freely and wolves.  Undiscerning fluffy puffy christians are like warriors without weapons who show the enemy where the backdoor is.  Like gatekeepers who let anyone through.  The "nicest" of them all could be nothing more than someone seeking man's approval over God's loving themselves more than their fellow brother, or their approval over their own soul.... and be a killer with a happy smile.  Let us press on to know Christ, gazing up on Him, loving one another through Him in truth and grace.

Stay and Wait

Going through some confusion... some doubts... struggles, don't know where God is?


Please stay and wait, trust Him, he is able to get you through this,

There is nothing like this love:

But you think to yourself... you just can't do this, Dude, you don't know what I've done, you don't know my sin, I just never stop with these thoughts.  I keep going back, I hate it.  I can't stop.  Don't trust in the law, don't trust in doing good... you cannot.

You actually literally CANT do what God does.  You can't lean on him properly, you can't do anything properly.  Just give up, give it to Him.  Trust this God of infinite love:

The power of forgiveness

Isaiah 1:18

English Standard Version (ESV)

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
    they shall become like wool.

Dear friends... let this one sink in...

Colossians 1:13-14

He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of his dear Son,  by whom we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.

"He rescued" --not you-- Not your works being good enough, not your choice to leave darkness, no, He alone rescued you.

John Piper - Should God Forgive a Child Molester? (5:41 mins)


It surpasses cultures, and peoples...

Promised I wouldn't tell

Her audience of one.

If God is just

how can He forgive you?

Consider this....

Proverbs 17:15

English Standard Version (ESV)

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

God does not sin in forgiving us because he places justice upon another.
And then he changes us from a heart desiring wickedness to a heart desiring God's will, and sees His son's righteousness and not ours.

Matt Chandler - Forgiveness

Hebrews 8:12

English Standard Version (ESV)

    

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,

    and I will remember their sins no more.”

                       Can your gospel transform a terrorist?  --Thabiti Anyabwile
Are you angry at the terrorist or do you see this in yourself?
Do you only see the atrocity of Hosea's wife prostituting herself,
or also the tragedy of this being a representation for you?

Mark Driscoll - What forgiveness is NOT

Can you forgive?

Please consider this.. No picture to entice you, but still very good.

Unforgiveness -- Tope Koleoso

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Klns5Vdz0Xc

Daniel 9:9

English Standard Version (ESV)

To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness,
for we have rebelled against him

He is faithful to forgive

A need for weakness

To start off, and to get you saturated into the subject matter, here are some short but very relevant clips:

You are TOO strong (6: 24 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlCGdm6MocI

This is one of my favorite sermon clips (2:58 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBYsWwk2410

We need weak men and women (1:13 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im3MbJaiXf8

In preaching we have so much weakness (3:04 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QiykX8AP6U

Sharing your faith... and weakness (4:14 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2sd7RrpccQ


Mark 2:17
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The church is not a display for the righteous; but a hospital to the poor, sick, needy, and thirsty of heart.  And oh am I thankful, what a pitiful man I am without Jesus, what a broad-shouldered savior I have.

Our westernized and independent culture teaches us that we need to be self-reliant.  We often even see more women in church than we often see of men, why?  Our culture teaches men that masculinity means not having to say sorry, not being weak or regretful, but self-dependent, and stoic/emotionless.  A strong man in the world is much more willing to fight than to lay down his life for another.

Proverbs 16:32

English Standard Version (ESV)

32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

But scripture is clear that Godly strength is not self-reliant but weak.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

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. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God's power is made "PERFECT" in our weakness.  Do you view your own weakness in this way?

God defined strength is weakness.  Its all upside down!
Why is it strength to be weak?
1.)  God's power is glorified because it is shown to be sufficient for your weakness.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBYsWwk2410 (2:58 min.)
2.)  We can do nothing by our own power so when we are in Christ we can be full of power from Him.
3.)  It takes strength to stand out from the pack and to be eaten alive by the hearts of men.
4.)  Everyone in reality is weak, so the only ones who do not admit that they are weak are in fact the weakest because their pride holds them back from admitting reality.  The strongest are those who in their humility can admit the breadth of weakness that
5.)  When you are "strong" you steal from the glory that is not rightfully yours.  You take glory for your power which was in fact given to you.  So it is true strength to give that up to God because you are fighting for His glory.
6.)  If a king has warriors, to serve the king is an incredible and righteous honor.  There is no greater honor than to be esteemed and loved by the king.  If the king knights you and calls attention to his warrior then you are the epitome of strong.  Yet when people do not recognize their weakness what they are doing is calling themselves kings, as though they have power.  Instead we should see ourselves as servants only doing what the master orders.  But even of earthly kings, being a servant to one who is so high and being a soldier of a great king is an amazing and indescribable honor.  Think of how much greater this is to be servant, messenger and warrior for the greatest king in all limits of existence and beyond.  So how do we glory in weakness?  Because you are a fighter to the allegiance of the Most High King.  There is no greater honor to man.  To admit and own your weakness before God and to be armored and trained by Him instead flips upside down and makes you into mighty warrior.  How backwards, yet how beautiful and true.  Why serve a lesser king, why make ourselves kings?


When you take the reigns of self-reliance... you are really doing this:

And then your sin and satan comes by and goes... oh look at that haha:


                          SMASH!!                          

We are like Nibbles from Tom and Jerry trying to fight back a Satan who is much bigger than us, sin that is much bigger than us, and a world to which we have no power:

Psalm 95:6-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
7 For he is our God,
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    and the sheep of his hand.

The image of falling down and bowing before the king remind me of the scene in Lord of the Rings where they bowed before king Theoden of Rohan (one of the last kingdoms of man left on the earth), here is a scene where he is restored, it gives me goosebumps--notice the bowing to honor his majesty and rule:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KK2hN_MYuI

And in movies like starwars, the apprentices bow to their masters.  We have a great master to whom trains us and teaches us.

Malachi 1:6

English Standard Version (ESV)

6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
(note by dude: Now that we are in the new testament there is no need for priests anymore because we have Christ... but pastors and priests are different things.)

But are we not powerless to change our lives apart from Christ, or powerless to work?  Grima Wormtongue and his deceitful lies seem to remind me of demons and Saruman as a higher authority (scripture does say that there are authorities and rulers, Eph. 6:12) and Sauron as Satan himself.  Though in this clip he is telling the truth about us... like gandalf we now have Christ living in us and we can do all things as Philippians says through Him who strengthens us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBGWtVOKTkM


  Its not... I can do a bunch of stuff in my own strength that God provided and so you shape everything now start working your hardest.



And think... we are to be glorified one day and given CROWNS... we are so unworthy (no wonder people will cast their crowns before Jesus in great numbers).  RW Glenn once asked in a study on Hosea (http://christmycovenant.com/?p=10032  it is a good read!), if we are offended by God's righteous judgment and the idea of eternal hell and the brutality of it... but then he asked, if you are as offended by the idea of God's mercy?  It should offensive just to think about.  It truly is startling that even though Jesus has sufficiently bought everything for us, that in the end he honors us.  Even his honor is a gift.  Our works were all gifts so how can we receive any credit whatsoever.  The truth is the credit isn't ours and yet we are loved, honored, and cherished.  It reminds me of this final scene where the true king is finally restored (remind you of something!?) and the hobbits are honored:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URmQXIeVpN8

Now do we deserve to be bowed to more than Jesus BY NO MEANS, certainly every knee will be bowed to Jesus and not to us.  But this still expresses this same scandal that Jesus, the rightful deserving king, would give crowns to and honor his servants.  Praise be to God:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URmQXIeVpN8

The crazy thing about this scene is that we are the image of the fighters/friends and the wife.  We are the bride of Christ and the friend of Christ.  If you do not think of yourself being bowed to but rather think of this scene in terms of God's glory and how he glorifies us though we are undeserving this can bring you to tears.  Do you know who you are oh son or daughter of God, don't you know that we will judge angels?

A warrior bride we are!
  

We are at war




Before we become a warrior of God's we surrender before Him:

Luke 14:25-34

English Standard Version (ESV)

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

                      (only 2 mins.)                                          

And none of us have enough to follow Him.  We must surrender!  Wave the white flag... I can't do it!
This is how we join this king's army. His terms, are to give up our very lives for Him because He is a worthy treasure above and worth everything.  Give up, quit working by your own strength.

We often make a huge deal out of the fact that Peter denied Jesus 3X's and certainly this is a huge deal!!  It ought to be made a huge deal of, especially at his crucifixion, and having spent so much time with him.  But how can we read this and distance ourselves and make the same mistake that peter made. As Peter told Christ that he could never deny Him, but do we not act as though we could never do this either.  But apart from the grace of God and His sustaining power--we are just as susceptible.  By God's mercy we are kept from doing this.  And by Jesus' mercy so was Peter kept by God, because he had prayed for Peter that he would not lose faith.

Luke 22:32

English Standard Version (ESV)

32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Jesus expected his fall and even said it would happen before it did, then he prayed for his ability to repent back to Him.  Like us, God knows our faults before they come and is already calling us back and strengthening us.  And those of us who are in Him and do indeed come back have already been forgiven.

 But we think to ourselves I would never do what Peter did though.  But how many times do we deny him seemingly subtly around others when we downplay how much Jesus means to us in front of others, as though he is just an ornament in our lives instead of the very sustenance of our lives.  How often does this happen?!  You aren't even being threatened by the worst torture known to man and we do this in the pettiest of things.  You may have denied Jesus hundreds of times more than peter without even realizing it.  Now it is important for me to make a distinction between ultimately denying Him and doing so as a sin that is not of our desire but something we have repented of.  When we deny Jesus in front of others he says that we will be denied by Him ultimately.  But why did he not do so to Peter?  Because he sinned, he actually truly was one of God's children and the proof of this was that he was repentant.  But to live a life of denying Christ even in the more subtle way could reveal something in your heart... either you are embarrassed and ashamed of the gospel to which Paul said that he was NOT ASHAMED of the gospel because it is the power of life.  Or you do not actually love Christ and have not actually changed by His power... or you do not fear him which could be a sign of not knowing him, or you have sinned and truly do love Christ and therefore it breaks your heart and if you had the power you would always never deny him even in the subtlest of ways.  So you are growing unto holiness and growing in not even in the slightest denying him.  But we should fear denying Christ before others, he used very strong language about such a thing.  Nonetheless, if you have, like Peter--He strengthens his children unto the end and he can take you back and is calling out to you--come back.  Or perhaps you are already back to Him and are covered in shame--if you are shrouded in shame, know that he has bore into himself even our GUILT.  You may say, how so?  Did you know that there used to be a guilt offering that was done distinctly and separately from the sin offering?  Jesus' sacrifice covered our guilt as well as our sin.  He was the ultimate sacrifice.  What a loving God we have.



We have a need for reliance:




But do not forget where that resilience comes from...

John 15:5

English Standard Version (ESV)

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Time and Pressure

Devil Sold His Soul - Time and Pressure

Here is a song that I have currently been digging.  I can feel the distress of that picture and of that title.  Life picks up and it can be almost unbearable sometimes.

Here are the lyrics:

The passing of our time; we borrowed our own fate
You hurt for nothing in your own mind
The walls are closing in and I can hardly breathe
You cannot hold onto my soul, bearing down

My heart grows darker, my arms grow weak
and I won't be able to see
No matter what they say
they can't explain, they cannot see my eyes
While hiding what I have left you'll be my light
My arms grow weak, my arms grow weak

Lost; my heart grows darker
I set my sights too high
How can you think with the truth ablaze
Making up an excuse to rationale the wrong
Your lack of thought will not break me down
But you don't even realize the cost

You take my arms, you take my light
You don't know how this feels to be so alone
You take too long to see that this is wrong
Just ignore all the sleepless nights
we'll break them all.

The first half of the song seems to build up like a man on a voyage over the sea.  Before it hits there is a slowing down of everything almost like the calm before the storm but it is not quite calm but filled with anticipation.  Make sure not to miss the thundering bass, that almost sounds like thick ropes on a boat tightly straining.  The man on the voyage like the picture on the ablum/video cover--eventually, in my mind, is lost at sea in the middle of the night.  Then comes my favorite section of the song around 3 minutes in when the guitar seems to fall lopsided like the tall waves throwing you through the night as a frail boat.  I picture the slow drum beat like repetitive lashings on a man who is naked on his knees in the dark with his hands over his face and tears emptying through his fingers.  The background guitar feels as though it is ever swirling, like the twisting of a whirlpool or an undertow that relentlessly and emotionlessly smashes over and over against the walls of the pier.  The slow transitions of the lead guitar feel like an arm adorned in gold and jewelry pointing down, attacking.  Or like golden lighting in the sky.

Who cannot at some point relate with those lyrics?  We all can feel crushed, and as though life is a swirling vortex of unrelief.

Caleb and Sol - Afloat

This is a song with a similar water theme about staying afloat but leaning on Jesus in those times.  I can really relate with this song and the feelings in the Devil Sold His Soul song.

But going back to the song before.  Think of how perfect the band title and song title and lyrics are to the hardships of the christian life.  To follow the way of evil, which is our own way not God's way, the way of satan-- we forfeit our soul.  Yet, when we are under grace there is mercy and this mercy is so great that it is sometimes almost insulting/appalling to think that God forgives us sinners.  "Time and pressure" in the title is so relevant to my life even now.  The continual pressure over so much time begins to wear and tear at us.  We must be rejuvenated by God.  He lives in you believer, go to Him who lives in you and walks with you.
Now on the lyrics,
"The passing of our time; we borrowed our own fate"Though the passing of time is important.  The great puritan Jonathan Edwards who greatly esteemed God and lifted Him up and fought dearly for His glory with every inch of his life that he could muster.
Here is Edwards on the subject of just how precious time is and how we should avail ourselves to every moment so as to not waste them but to turn them to God's glory and to fight for availing each opportunity to share our faith or to speak up.
Jonathan Edwards - The Preciousness of Time http://www.apuritansmind.com/puritan-favorites/jonathan-edwards/sermons/the-preciousness-of-time-and-the-importance-of-redeeming-it/
And here is a talk by Steve Lawson about Jonathan Edwards, explaining some history on him, and his views about time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtMuaAOecV4
Yet I find it very important to remind you that though the passing of time is important to use for God's glory; do not worry!!  Jesus said worrying is a waste of your time even (how about that for ironic--and it is ironic that this can make us worry even more).  

Luke 12:25-26

English Standard Version (ESV)

25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

It is pointless to worry about time because you have no power in it, you can do nothing about it.  Jesus ups the ante to our lack of control-- you can't even do this "small a thing," (which is a small thing for GOD), we cannot control this.  But our days are written and given to us by the Lord.  

Psalm 139:16

New International Version (NIV)

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

All of our days were written beforehand and formed "for me."  "Written" in God's book of life!  God new me before I was born in and out and not only set love upon me and you, if you indeed are a believer!  He has "ordained" "all" of our "days."  Let this comfort you, he knows and understands everything going on in your life and has a love that surpasses every detail future, present, or past.

Wait... but I don't believe you... okay, then here:

Ephesians 2:8-10

English Standard Version (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
There it is again!  "Beforehand."  "No on may boast," why not?  For we are HIS workmanship.  HE DID IT through you.  All of our good works are him working in and through us.  Our evil works--that was you and me.  "God prepared" all of our good works "beforehand" AND "that we should walk in them."  So, why do you worry restlessly, he is the one who works in you to do good works.  Yes, we need healthy reminders of the importance of doing these works, but do not get caught in that.  Do not forget the reality of the fact that God is the one who works, let it humble you.  Also, did you know that the anxiety that comes from not trusting God is actually considered to be a sin?  Rest in Jesus, take every opportunity that you can, and when you screw up--take it to Christ, rest in Him yet again.  Rest, have joy in Him.  Lean on Him and His power not your own.  No wonder you're worried; you think you can control more than you actually can.  Don't get me wrong, God is an active God, and mourns with us and celebrates us; EVEN SINGS and DANCES OVER US!  (let that sink in)   And we certainly need to choose to follow Him each day; the question is how are you doin' that?  By your arm of flesh?  My friend, is his arm too short for anything?  Never.  Do not worry about the countdown of time.

Your working is not your own; this is a beautiful short message on this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EEPQ5bc_yE

Philippians 4:4-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God,which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.(dude guy's emphasis)

Think on this here, the beginning speaks about the preciousness of time, but then this is contrasted by God's power.  It starts off... THE LORD IS AT HAND.  Whoa there that is hefty.  Think of that.  Let your reasonableness be known--people are watching me?  Everything I do is at hand!  But then look at that contrast; "do not be anxious about anything."  Okay God, how do you expect me not to be?  I can't do that.  That is exactly right though.  "But in everything by prayer."  By prayer.  But what if I don't pray enough.  My friend even your prayers are not enough:

Romans 8:26-27

English Standard Version (ESV)

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
(dude underline)

The "saints" here refers to anyone who is a believer.  The catholic lie that some people are more worthy for heaven is abominable at best.  But look here, we are too weak even to pray, yet he will intercede for us when we go to Him, he will translate.  I can't tell you how important this verse is for me.  How vital this is for me and my walk.  I would worry up a storm, I would not get through a day if I didn't know that God could take care of it all, knew it all, was in all control and power.  How could you be?  If he didn't know all things, how could you trust Him.  And if He couldn't move men's hearts, then why pray for people to be saved?  Why pray for anything changing, men can all do what they want.  If my prayer was all on me--I'd become the legalist the quickest I can tell you that.  I would begin to trust myself and not Him so easily.  How come?  Because there are so many things I want to and need to pray for when I pray.  I could spend days trying to get it all down, but after that it would be time to pray it again.  Thank God that He understands.  

1 Peter 5:6-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.(dude guy's emphasis)

Not only does he understand, but he also cares.  He cares for you--that is the very reason that Peter through the Holy Spirit gives for casting our anxieties upon Him.  He care about them.  What a relief!  What good news.  My petty problems, so small compared to eternity, yet He cares for me.  Cast them.  Have you ever thrown a person off a cliff but kept a leg as a souvenir?  I hope you aren't casting people off of cliffs, but you get my point.  When you cast it to Him, trust Him, trust that He will take care of you and that it is now in His hands and that He has heard you.

Why do this, Hebrews helps with that:

Hebrews 11:6

English Standard Version (ESV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

How completely satisfying
to turn from our limitations
to a God who has none.

A.W. Tozer
"we borrowed our own fate"
I love this part of that same first line.  Yes, you and I who are in Christ... we BORROWED our own fate.  Jesus' imputed righteousness upon us.  We have borrowed the glorification and resurrection of Jesus.  His righteousness is shown before the Father in our place.  Now how stupid is it to try to earn your own righteousness when the perfect one is already shown before the Father's face?  But when we are believers we do not continue in sin because we have true affection for Jesus, if not, your not a believer!

"You hurt for nothing in your own mind"
Isn't it true that we can feel like this sometimes?  We can't feel as though it is all pointless.  But let me tell you this is a lie from the pit of hell.  Your sufferings while in Christ are not a waste.  I am strengthened, and brought to joy by this song, please take the time to hear it:
We only deserve hell, punishment and everlasting suffering-- yet He lavishes us in mercy.  Though He sometimes allows us to suffer, we suffer with Him and grow in knowing Him deeply in intimacy.  God is close to the brokenhearted as psalm 147 says.  Go close to Him in your suffering.

"The walls are closing in and I can hardly breathe

You cannot hold onto my soul, bearing down

My heart grows darker, my arms grow weak

and I won't be able to see"

Satan feeds us the lie that God cannot hold onto our souls, and that everything in this unbearable cycle is only going to destroy us.  No there is hope and God can hold you up.  This is not reasonless hope.  Nothing can separate you from the love Christ, go to romans 8, there is so many reminders of this, and also in psalm 139 again.  "Lost; my heart grows darker"

And is this not true either?  When we are astray from Christ our heart grows darker and number.  This is why we must fear leaving His side.

"How can you think with the truth ablaze

Making up an excuse to rationale the wrong

Your lack of thought will not break me down"
The truth ablaze!  I love that.  With the truth on fire in our hearts.  How on earth can you claim the have the truth in you and then make up excuses to rationalize your wrong doings?  This seems to be a moment where the voice of the lyrics seems to be turning around.  There is fight still in him--in us.  Does Christ still live in you?  Then there is fight in you.

"But you don't even realize the cost

You take my arms, you take my light

You don't know how this feels to be so alone

You take too long to see that this is wrong

Just ignore all the sleepless nights"
And the barrage of lies continue to rain down.  Jesus who took on flesh knows what it is like to be in our shoes.  He lived tempted by everything you and I have been tempted with.  This is part of how we grow in intimacy in suffering--we are reminded that we have shared in His sufferings.  He understands whatever you are in.  The ignored sleepless nights.  This is something I need to even tell myself: He has seen them.  And God does know the cost, he even warns us of what the cost is and warns us to even count the cost!  But nonetheless the heartfelt lament is heard, and God still comes to rescue those who come to Him, who fear and adore Him.  But we come to do those things by His working.
 Psalm 56:8

English Standard Version (ESV)

8 You have kept count of my tossings;
    put my tears in your bottle.    Are they not in your book?

He has kept count and gathered our tears and remembered it all.  He cares for you, he is not forgetting you in this.  Even Paul fought with sleepless nights, and restless toil in 2 Corinthians 11.

And then comes the final lament:

"we'll break them all."
We truly do break all of these good gifts, over and over.  But hallelujah to His high and holy name.  He makes all things new.  His compassion is new each morning, and his grace is new each day.  He does not grow weary loving you.  We may break everything we touch but he heals and rejuvenates everything He touches.  If he lives in you, how much more does can He heal?  Perhaps distance was never an issue for God, but intimacy wise.  We WILL break them all.  How much more does this turn you to love?  Oh how brilliant He is to love such wretches and bestow such mercy and truly change us.  

Relax, rest in Him; your soul with its worries are pouched in the hammock of His arms.