"Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross"

"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood.  This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'" (1 Corinthians 11:25)

 

We are currently in what the Church calls "the Lenten Season."  Some people criticize Lent because it is "not in the Bible."  There are a lot of good things we do which are "not in the Bible."  The historic Church believed it was important to prepared for Passion Week and the solemn remembrance of two of the most triumphant days in human history, the death of Jesus, Good Friday, and the resurrection of Jesus, Resurrection Sunday. 

 

It is fitting to have a period leading up to the pivotal Event of human history by fasting and "remembrance."  The word, "remembrance," in our text is not "memorial," in the sense of honoring some fallen hero.  It is a reminder, bringing to our mind, keeping before us the Savior's Person, His suffering, death, and resurrection.  It is as the hymn writer says of the Cross, "Bring its scene before me."  It is not just during Lent which Believers in Jesus do this.  Many take of the Bread and Cup every day, a sort of daily "Lenten season," because "as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." 

 

        "Near the cross!  O Lamb of God,

        Bring its scenes before me;

        Help me walk from day to day,

        With its shadows o're me.

        

        "In the cross, in the cross,

        Be my glory ever;

        Till my raptured soul shall find

        Rest beyond the river." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want this not just during Lent, but every moment of every day!  Amen.        

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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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"You Shall His Name Jesus, For He Shall Save...."

"....And you shall call His name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins."  (Matthew 1:21)

We all have our ways of trying to be "savior," but as hard as we may try, you and I just cannot do this.  Salvation needed a "lamb...without
blemish."  Humanity has never encountered such a "lamb" apart from Jesus Christ.   

This "season" is always a deepening reminder of just what Jesus Christ came to fulfill, the Law and the Prophets, the promise that The Coming One would save people "from their sins."  The only part of the Covenant of Salvation which you and I must fulfill is obedience, "But as many as received (lay hold of) Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name," Jesus. 

Jesus came to save you and me.  You and I cannot do that, though we all have our ways of saving attempts.  Jesus has "laid hold" of You and me.  All that remains is, "I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Jesus has also laid hold of me"- to save me from my sins, that I might walk in those "good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Father, in Jesus' Name, do it, I pray.  Amen.
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By the way, I see that my blog is making its way onto other links and expanding our reach to people.  Some use them to criticize, some to promote further the Gospel, Jesus Christ.  "Whether in pretense or in truth" the Word, Jesus, is reaching more than we realize.  With your help and prayers, we will continue.  Who knows how far we can reach into the lives of people who are without Jesus Christ.  We keep going, because "We've a Story to Tell to The Nations."  Please pray with us that the Scripture will be fulfilled in us, "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2



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Fact: You Are In Prison

"Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner...."  (Hebrews 13:3--Amplified Bible)

 

The root Greek word for, "remember," means more than just, "call to mind."  It means, "to reward."  It means to do something, to live "as if you were in prison," right there with them------------------- because you are.  "Remember," is an action word, not a sentimental word.  The KJV translates the latter part of our text, "as bound with them," literally, "in union with them."  It reminds us that you and I, because we are fellow members with them in the "Church of God," are in that prison, right there, right now. 

 

I know and know of people in prison in America who are Believers in Jesus Christ.  I don't know of any, however, who are in prison because of Jesus Christ.  They are in prison because of a pre-Christ life, and, of course, we should "remember" them.  But many, in this very moment, are suffering in prisons and prison camps around the world as John on Patmos, "for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ," and, I have been strengthened over the years by their testimonies which reflect that of the Apostle Paul's- "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus...." 

 

We have been serving such Believers and attempting to walk in our text for over 40 years.  It is the call of the Church; therefore, it is my call; it is your call.  When you hear of another's suffering, that tug at your heart is the Holy Spirit saying that you are involved in that suffering, and when we respond, we "share the sufferings of Christ."

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, work in me that I may reflect remembering and "rewarding."  Amen.

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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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King Jesus Is Marching-- Can You Hear The Sound?

"Oh God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness, the earth shook; also the heavens dropped at the presence of God; Sinai itself at the presence of God, the God of Israel." (Psalm 68:7 & 8-- Interlinear Bible)

 

This is the legacy you have today "going out" in the world.  Some Hebrew scholars say that the word, "before," indicates that the Face of God went before His people, even on their faces!  No wonder "the earth shook."   

 

I experienced something of this literally many years ago.  An unbeliever told a mutual friend that he experienced the ground shaking as I walked by.  I wasn't aware of it, neither were the other Believers present.  Why?  We didn't make the ground shake.  It was the Presence, the Face of Jesus Christ Who shook the earth.  I believe it was "signs and wonders" to that lost soul.  Jesus was saying to him, "I am here.  You can be with Me also."

 

Many times over the years you and I have probably "marched through the wilderness," unaware that the Lord Jesus Christ was on that march with us, in us, showing His Face, causing the earth to shake and those mountains to drop.  And it all happened "at the presence of God, " Blessed Trinity, manifested in Jesus Christ.

 

Here's a little "thought for the day."  If you run into someone who looks at you a little strangely, it just could be that Jesus has put in their ears "the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, deliver me from thinking that man was just having an hallucination or something.  Give me ears to hear the sound of Your marching before me today.  Amen.

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I sent another devotional today.  You can access it at:

http://apfdevotionals.blogspot.com

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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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If You Understand "His Ways," You Will Understand "His Acts"

"He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel."  (Psalm 103:7)

 

The modern Church takes "sound doctrine" and theology far too lightly.  Believing wrong will lead to acting wrong.  It is unavoidable.  Theology is not a bad word.  It is, by its very definition, the "study of God," the study of "His ways."  Many Christians today know "His acts." They have little understanding of "His ways."  This is why Barack Obama is the American President. 

 

God makes "known His ways" in The Logos, The Word, Jesus Christ.  When I was in graduate school, the subject of "logos theology," fascinated me and I spent most of my elective courses studying it.  I was glad to find that my interest in the subject was not some whimsical pursuit.  I discovered that this theology was central to the Church in the first three centuries, and that Logos Theology was the key to defeating the false teaching of that period.  It is still key to defeating false teaching, wrong thinking, and wrong acting.

 

As I read our text the other day, I realized that it has a direct connection to "Logos Theology."  You may recall that logos means, "a discourse, a reasoning, a motive, communication."  Vincent says that logos "...signifies both the outward form by which the inward thought (ways?) is expressed, and the inward thought itself."  In the Logos we see His thoughts, "His ways," the very Heart of God.  In Jesus Christ we see this to the degree we can in this life.  We see "His ways," in His coming, His teaching, His servanthood among men, His death, resurrection, ascension, soon return, in His Very Life.  Understanding "His ways" will give greater understanding of "His acts."   

 

An early mentor of mine through his writings, E. Stanley Jones, once made a statement which to many may seem too radical, but which to me expresses the absolute centrality of "Logos Theology"---- "If God is not what I see in Jesus, then I'm not interested"-------------------  But He is, and I am.

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "show me Your ways [so] that I may walk with You."  Amen.

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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make meals for under $10.