"Scatter the Nations That Delight in War"

"Rebuke these enemy nations....Scatter the nations that delight in war." (Psalm 69:30, NLT)

David is described in Scripture as, "a man of war."  David's reign in Israel was fraught with wars and peril, but he was victorious over his enemies.  "I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed."  The result of this life style was a free and peaceful kingdom for Solomon.

It is the reality of life, whether some are willing to admit it or not, that if any people are free today it is only because people fought and won wars.  The war protesters of the 1960s could protest the war, but they were only able to do that because people fought wars and won.  I cannot think of a major war in American history which, if we had lost, we would still be a land of freedom.  America's loss in Viet Nam was not due to the soldiers in the field.  It was the criminal behavior of politicians who were indecisive and allowed the military to fight with only a portion of its capabilities.  America lost the will to continue, and left.  The enemies left behind in Korea and Viet Nam were not strong enough to pursue us to our homeland (9/11/2001?). That was not true, however, of the British, the Mexicans, or the German.  If the United States had lost those wars, we would not be flying "Old Glory."

The Bible declares, "The LORD is a man of war."  In Psalm 2 our Father says to the Son, Jesus, "Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.  You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel."  Centuries later, in this time/space world, we see our "LORD" Jesus Christ warring through the temptations and attacks of Satan through the Garden, the trials, the Cross, the grave, the resurrection, right into the Throne room of the Universe so that you and I could be free from sin, death and the grave to "reign in life" in His free and peaceful Kingdom. 

Beware of the deception of "feel-good" theologians.  They ignore the fact that there is just no peace and freedom without pain, suffering,
and death, whether warring against "these enemy nations...that delight in war," or Satan and His demonic forces.  We simply cannot compartmentalize life.  No matter what the conflict, victory in any "realm" is only in Jesus Christ.  The Bible declares, "No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength...."  We will win only because, "The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly."  So, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done with love."

Father, in Jesus' Name, keep me from compartmentalizing life.  Amen. 
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

The Church Being The Church

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
(Galatians. 6:2)

I read a, "thank you for your love and support," from a member of our congregation this morning.  It was a demonstration of the Church being the Church.  This is a fulfillment of our text.  It is a testimony to any local church when the world observes the Body of Christ, "bear one another's burdens."  Whose burdens are you bearing today?

Frankly, the world is not impressed when a person bears the burdens of his "physical" family.  "Do not even the tax collectors do the same?"  But when the unbelieving community observes the Church caring for the Church, there is a modern fulfillment of the Word of Jesus, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  It is not, "By your worship, preaching, missions activity, giving to the poor, etc."  All this is expected of "Church people."  But when the world sees love, not just in word, but in deed, for "one another," they just may want to come and see what is the reason for this.  

There are, however, many organizations, religions, etc., which demonstrate "love" and "care" for "one another."  This means nothing for salvation or eternal life.  It is only when all of this is done, "in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him," that keeps everything we do as a local church from just being another lodge.  I can remember liberal theologians in my seminary taking great issue with me on this point.  They were just humanists.  Humanitarianism is not the love of the Church.  "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith [in Jesus] working through love [in Jesus]."

Congratulations, CCE, you are doing the work of "faith working through love--bearing one another burdens."

Father, I pray that my personal life will reflect the example of my local church family.  Amen.
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*     Please don't forget to pray for my mission, October 16 through 25
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"God Is...Very Present"

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  (Psalm 46)

As I read our text this past Saturday morning, it was as though the Blessed Trinity shouted in my heart-------- "VERY PRESENT."  Such a familiar passage, yet so much is taken for granted, so much presumed. 

"Very:"  It is a translated Hebrew word, which, when used with other words, is "intensive, superlative."  It is a word of "vehemence," i.e., "marked by forceful energy, intensely emotional."  The Word of God is speaking to you and me today with great "forceful energy" and intense emotion, "God is...VERY PRESENT."  The word, "very," is translated elsewhere as, "diligently, exceedingly, fast, good, greatly, louder, mightily, so much, utterly.....It is from an unused word meaning to rake together, a poker for turning or gathering embers."

"Present:"  It means, "to come forth, to appear, exist, to meet, be present."  Whenever an organization calls the roll of members, the response is usually, "present."  That is what the Living Triune God is saying to a begging-for-His-Presence" Church today-- "PRESENT."  I Am here; I never left; I Am, and I AM...VERY PRESENT."  He cannot be any more, "present," than, "VERY present."  He cannot be any more, "present," than, "intensely emotional, diligently, exceedingly, fast, good, greatly, louder, mightily, so much utterly"--------- "present." 

Such richness in the original languages, so much energy, so much stirring of dying embers in a Believer.  When the fire of hope, faith, and encouragement seem to be dying, the Holy Spirit, in the "God-Breathed" Word, our Lord Jesus, says to you and me what He said to Timothy so long ago, "fan into flame the gift of God which is in you."  The Blessed Trinity is using a Divine "poker" right now, right there, to turn and stir those embers, which perhaps because of unanswered prayer, sickness, financial woes, family issues, are slowly dying.  But,
"God...our refuge and strength is VERY PRESENT," God, revealed in Jesus, is, as the Psalm later declares, "The Commander of the armies of heaven."  This is Jesus Who promised, "I will never, no never, positively never leave you nor forsake you."  If there is any problem with "Presence" today, it is not in the Godhead; it is in the faith realm of the Church.  "God is...VERY PRESENT help in trouble," in the good times and the "bad," in the meetings and in your home, in the times of "prophetic intercession" and in the office.  Wherever you are, He Who Is, "I Am," is Also---------------------"VERY PRESENT."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You that You Are Whom You say You Are. Amen.
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2