Watchman

Watchman
Sentinel

Friday, June 5, 2009

Obey And Expect Nothing

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and evil men."  (Luke 6:35)
 
"Love,..do good,..lend,..expecting nothing...."  Quite a contrast to much of the religious teaching today.  "Give and expect," is the theme.  Many religious folk give to their churches and charities because they "expect"----well, a tax credit, for instance.  The airwaves are full of, "Sow into this ministry and you will get whatever your heart desires.  Jesus said that our love, doing good, and lending should be in the "atmosphere" of, "expect nothing."  I wonder how many would go back to a church meeting where they said, "Live obediently in Jesus Christ---------------  'expecting nothing.'"
 
"Give and it shall be given to you," yes.  "Bring...into the storehouse... and...I will...open for you the windows of heaven," of course.  There is no contradiction here, but our text is the revelation of a servant which you just do not find very much today.  Jesus gave us the true spirit of a an obedient servant in the parable of Luke 17, "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?  I think not.  So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants.  We have done what was our duty to do.'"
 
Oh, Father, in Jesus' Name, may I have such a heart towards You!  Amen.
***************************************
I suggest a great prayer for you.  Go to: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
for a copy of "The Litany of the Precious Blood."
 
 
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Posted by at

Thursday, June 4, 2009

"From Death Into Life" (Part I)

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in (literally, "entrusts his life to") Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."  (John 5:24) 
 
One of the most ominous signs I ever saw was at the famous Checkpoint Charlie border crossing in Berlin--- "You are now leaving the American Sector."  When I crossed that barbed wired, concreted, automatic weapon-ed, guard tower-ed barrier, I was crossing into a "death" system.  It was a Christless political and economic system which persecuted and imprisoned Believers in Jesus Christ, a system which did everything from the basic Marxian philosophy, "Religion is the opiate of the people."  Yet this is exactly where the Obama Administration is taking America.  He has denied America's roots in Jesus Christ and the Scriptures and apologizes for the very country which has kept "the world safe for democracy" for nearly 65 years.  I shorten the quote of Santayana, "Those who forget the past are condemned...."------------------------- period! 
 
No, this is not a pretext of our text.  When our Lord Jesus speaks of, "death into life," He is not just speaking of salvation from sin and the fires of Hell, a solely going-to-Heaven Christianity.  Jesus is not a compartmental savior.  When Jesus spilled His Blood at the Cross, he took you and me  "from death into life."  And this "right of passage" is not just for individuals.  By His Blood, and let me make this point perfectly clear, Jesus can take even nations  "from death into life."  Jesus sent us to "make disciples of all nations," not just individuals.  People may attempt to put a Sunday-school-religion limitation on the Gospel all they wish, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is very political.  "King of kings and Lord of lords," right? 
 
I suggest that churches reevaluate their mission statements, because this is where history is headed--  "And the government (Hebrew, "empire,") will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor (Hebrew, "one who resolves"), Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince (Hebrew, "captain, chief, general, governor, keeper, ruler") of peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom (I love this word, "Empire"), to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever."  All individuals and nations who surrender to Jesus Christ and this Isaiah, "God-Breathed" Word shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." !! 
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to believe for a new "reformation" in the Church which will bring transformation to the nations.  Amen.      
**************************************
*    I am preaching this weekend in the CCE services
*    You are not receiving good news if you don't go to:
 
 
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Posted by at

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

"If the Foundations Are Destroyed," We Can Be "Repairer of the Breach"

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the [unyieldingly] righteous do, or what has He [the Righteous one] wrought or accomplished?"
(Psalm 11:3-- Amplified Bible)
 
The answer is quite simple----- absolutely nothing!  This is true of both men and nations------------ and families and churches and schools, and...............  Take away "the foundations," and all is lost.  Go ahead, preach, teach, spend millions on Christian media, pray against it, make macho declarations, etc., all are useless------- "if the foundations are destroyed."
 
The Bible declares very clearly: "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."  Paul warned the first century Church, "Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it because it will be revealed by fire...."  And be very sure of this; "....the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is."  It makes absolutely no difference if your church has 30,000 members or 30.  When the fire comes, and come it will come, only those who are as the "man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock," which is Jesus Christ and His Words, will stand.  
 
Thus says the Lord, "It is inventory time in the Church.  You have given priority too long to the super structure, and have neglected 'the foundations.'  That which has been 'destroyed' can only be rebuilt when 'the foundations' are strong.  Dig deep.  Check your foundations.  Make repairs.  If you must, dismantle all super structure to get to those "foundations."  Then, 'those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.'" 
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, I want nothing less than this word to be fulfilled in my life.  Amen.
****************************************
 
      
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Posted by at

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

When Times Are Tough, What's The First Thing To Go?!

"Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 'Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?'" (Haggai 1:3)
 
(Now no one get paranoid.  This is just in my regular reading the other day.)  Some regular viewers of Christian television have told me that there are a number of prominent ministries which are no longer on the air in the Pittsburgh area.  I have heard too that there are many ministries which have had to cut back in their services because of the economy.  It would be good for Believers to take a look at the first thing they cut when times get rough.
 
In our text, we see that the Jews were taking good care of their own private houses, but the House of the Lord lay "in ruins."  There was no, "Oh, I understand.  Times are tough and you must make choices as to which bills to pay."  Rather, the Lord God told them, "You have planted much but harvested little....You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst....Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes." (NLT)  This sounds like the headlines in today's media.  Could the reason be that America is in this most embarrassing situation because of its abandonment of our heritage in Jesus Christ, His Kingdom, and His Words?
 
Too many in the modern American church have been acculturated to live by, "Seek first your own survival, and you will survive."  It is incumbent upon every Follower of Jesus to live by His "God-Breathed" Word, not the foul breath of society.  Jesus said it very succinctly and clearly, and it applies to individuals, congregations, businesses, and nations alike.  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."  
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, Blessed Holy Spirit, convict me any time You and Your Kingdom are not my priority.  Amen.  
***********************************************
Be sure to see the prophetic video at: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
 
 
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Posted by at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Blog Archive