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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tomorrow Is America's "Thanksgiving Day"

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18-- NIV)
 
"Always-- continually--in all circumstances....This is God's will...."  These words do not consider special days.  They consider a special relationship.  That relationship is with and in Jesus Christ.  Special days are primarily for religious people to feel good that they are doing something nice and religious.  I have always enjoyed Thanksgiving Day, the time with family, the great food.  But you and I were never intended to be special "day" people. We are called to be, "always" and "continually" and "in all circumstances" people. 
 
Tomorrow is America's "Thanksgiving Day."  It was finally declared as a regular observance by the great American President, Abraham Lincoln, and it's declaration came right in the middle of the War Between the States (Civil War).  How appropriate to our text.  Perhaps many were saying in 1863, "Give thanks for what?"  But Black Americans in particular tomorrow should offer a hearty Thanksgiving for the thousands of men who gave their lives fighting to rid America of slavery. We should all give thanks for the succeeding 100+ years struggle of both Blacks and Whites to rid water fountains and restaurants of the disgraceful and shameful, "Whites Only," signs.  I suggest that most have never thought of such a "Thanksgiving."  
 
Tomorrow as you give thanks with family and perhaps others, just take a moment to reflect.  If you do, thanksgiving will have no difficulty in coming.
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I will "always" and "continually" and "in all circumstances" thank You.  Amen.

 


When in 1910, Peter Torjesen, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Great "Because"

"I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications." (Psalm 116:1)

The psalmist says that he loves "
the Lord because...."  We all have many "becauses."  But the Bible is clear.  Loving God and our fellow man needs no "because" other than the command of the Living Triune God.  I love Jesus Christ because I am commanded to.  I love you because I am commanded to.  Now if that sounds cold, it is only because Hollywood, Cole Porter, or the Beatles got to you before the Word of God.  Any love based on any reality other than the command of the Word of God, Jesus Christ, is shaky at best, doomed at worst.

Let your, "because," of what you feel, do, and say be the "
God-Breathed" Word.  Jesus did not say, "A new feeling or a new option I give you."  It is, "A new command I give you."  The command of Jesus Christ to love will keep me in love far longer and better than any love which you or I or any love song can come up with.  Love is a command, not a feeling.  If a feeling accompanies love, great.  But if, as the song says, "The Thrill is Gone," love will nonetheless abide and endure.

This day will bring opportunities to put this theology to the test.  The Word of God will stand that test.  Any other interpretation of love or attempt at love and loving will simply fail.  I believe it is, "
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock...."  Now for a little poetic license"------ and when the feelings leave, when people greatly disappoint me, when they abandoned me and do terrible things to me, the love of Jesus in me will "not fall, for it [is] built...on the Rock."  Dear Fellow Follower of Jesus Christ, do not try to keep yourself in your love for anyone.  "Keep yoursel[f] in the love of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, it is only Your Love which "
never fails."  Keep me in Your Love.  Amen.
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Prophetic News:          www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com 

In 1910, an 18 year old Norwegian, Peter Torjesen, "when he heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words,'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Monday, November 23, 2009

"Lay Aside" The "Biofouling" of Life

"....Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us...." (Hebrews 11:1)

A "National Geographic News" article written some years ago referred to barnacles as "biofouling."  It "speeds corrosion and increases drag resistance, reducing speed and maneuverability....Any surface that is submerged in seawater could be fouled."  You and I are "submerged" in the sea of life, and the barnacles of that sea are all around.  How is your "speed and maneuverability" today?  Check below the surface.

The Hebrew Epistle was written to Hebrew Believers, not some lost unbelievers, and the exhortation to them is for you and me today.  Our journey through the "sea" of life will find our "ship" gathering "biofouling" barnacles.  The Bible says, "
He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."  Covering sins, as with barnacles, just secure their grip.  Confession and forsaking of sin through the cleansing Blood of Jesus Christ, delivers us from "corrosion and...drag resistance."  When we are so cleansed, we can then walk in a measure of Malachi 4:2, "You will go out and leap like calves released from the stall"--------------- increase our "speed and maneuverability?!?"

Father, in Jesus' Name, Some times I feel the "corrosion and...drag resistance" of life.  Thank You for the Blood of Jesus Who delivers me from both!  Amen.
***********************
Prophetic News:          www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com

In 1910, an 18 year old Norwegian, Peter Torjesen, "when he heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words,'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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