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Writer's pictureJeri Lynn

Charmed…

Updated: Aug 3, 2023



It's easy to sing the hymn “I Am Resolved" and think we've found no charm in select and visible worldly delights. Usually we hear preaching about the world’s delights being smoking, drinking, drugs, "women," and money, etc… and those are correctly described. But what about the worldly delights within the church house and in vocational ministry?


Where Jesus is not lifted up above the efforts and traditions of men...


Where positions and programs are promoted more than prayer and the presence of Christ...


Where the spirit of the Lord is overtaken by the spirit of man...


Where the image keeping matters more than honest transformation into Christ’s image...


I have deceitfully been charmed (won over) by some of these "sheltered from the world" worldly charms. I am resolved no longer to linger… charmed…


Some synonyms for "charmed" are attracted, beguiled, won over.


Alert: the Enemy is a sly fox. He is a manipulator and gets people who are sincerely seeking the Lord by twisting the truth ever so cunningly and in the guise of growth.


After veering away from truth at even a one degree angle, the path becomes the norm and the truth is far away.


When destruction comes on this well beaten path, we cannot even see back to the Bible because we think we're "doing" the work.


We cannot pause for evaluation or directions lest we not "build the wall" with our name on it (in the name of God.)


We flounder and flail in order to force God (so we think) to bless our own road which appears to be like the other ones we've been charmed by and dream to copy.


From the hymn "I Am Resolved" come these words:

"I am resolved

No longer to linger

Charmed by the world's delight

Things that are higher

Things that are nobler

These have allured my sight.


I will hasten to Him

Hasten so glad and free.

Jesus - greatest highest

I will come to thee


I am resolved

To go to the Savior

Leaving my sin and strife

He is the true One

He is the just One

He hath the Words of life.


I am resolved

To follow my Savior

Faithful and true each day

Heed what He sayeth

Do what He willeth

He is the living way.


Words by Palmer Hartsough

Music by James H. Fillmore

-----


When truth is revealed by His Spirit,

Linger not in the muck of charms,

Listen only to the voice of Jesus,

Live in His grace; rest in His arms.


Jesus is real. He is worthy. He is true.

Resolve to live in truth, not enemy lies.

For what charm is valued greater than

Christ Himself ~ our highest prize? ~jlw

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