Why Do People Stumble in Life?

"They stumble because they are disobedient to the word...." (1 Peter 2:8, NASB)

After our son, Stephen, died, I could have stumbled.  But after six weeks in a sort of "catatonic" state, the Lord Jesus spoke to my heart and said, "You can sit here the rest of your life and pity yourself; or you can get up and follow Me."  By His Grace, I did.

People who stumble, backslide, or just quit cannot blame pastors, false prophets, parents, discouragement, or their lot in life.   If we believe our text, "....They stumble (backslide, quit, give up) because they are disobedient to the word." 

It is just a recurring theme in the Bible, isn't it?  "I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.  When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built."

Father, in Jesus' Name, keep me from making excuses.  Amen.
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When Peter Torjesen, "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

A Pattern For Our Daily Walk

"Don't listen to Hezekiah when he tries to mislead you by saying, 'The LORD will rescue us!'" (2 Kings 18:34, NLT)

 

I'm sure you have heard such from family, so-called friends, co-workers, etc.  What are you doing, believing all that nonsense?  We know better than you, you poor thing.  Get out of medieval mythology and join the enlightened Darwinian age.

 

Hezekiah was one of the most obedient kings in Israel's history.  One of his crowning moments was his destruction of an old "revival" symbol which the Israelites were found worshipping generations later (18:4).  There came a time, however, when the reigning "super power" came against him and threatened to take Jerusalem captive.  The dialogue between the pagan king's ambassadors and Hezekiah's men gives insight into the battle raging in the world today.  We see in Assyria's challenge a pattern which we find today in the present world system, in all those who oppose the Reign of Jesus Christ in the earth and our lives personally.  First, the pagan ambassador said that the Assyrians could defeat anyone who came against them (v. 21).  Second, he challenged the "anointing" of Hezekiah (v. 22).  Third, he ridiculed the Jews (v.23).  Fourth, he said that he was told by the Lord to go up against Jerusalem (v. 25).  And fifth, he revealed who he really was (vv. 33-35), i.e., There is no one like me.

 

The challenge of Rabshakeh to Hezekiah is a pattern of the world's attempt to conquer, not only men, but also nations.  Be on the look out for such challenges in the coming days, nationally, internationally, and personally.  First, just as King Sennacherib, the enemies of the cross of Christ make claims of invincibility to intimidate you.  Second, they challenge the authority of the Church, the leaders, and even the "God-Breathed" Word.  Third, they are masters of ridicule.  Fourth, they claim, "The Lord told me."  Fifth, sooner or later, I guarantee, if you and I have ears to hear and eyes to see, they will be exposed.  "But they won't get away with this for long.  Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are...."

 

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, may Your Word always be my instruction.  Amen.

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When 18 year old Peter Torjesen "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

Jesus, My "Saving Health"

"Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (Psalm 43:5)

 

I use as my basic translation each day the NKJV, and it, along with other translations I have consulted, translates the Hebrew word, "yesh-oo'-aw," as, "help."  The KJV, however, translates the same Hebrew word, "health."  Something very interesting here.  The same Hebrew word is used in Psalm 67:2 and is translated, "saving health," in the KJV, and, "salvation," in most of the others.  Now I know the word contains all of the concepts in the various translations, but why did the KJV translators choose, "health," and, "saving health?" Were they less "sophisticated?"  Or, could we say, they were just less affected by the trends over the centuries to "spiritualize" the Scriptures and, hence, remove them farther from our day to day nitty gritty life?!?  As a friend of mine would say, "I'm just say'n."     

 

I can tell you that my testimony "bares witness to" the, "health," and, "saving health," interpretation.  As our little boy, Stephen Paul, was nearing the end of his all too brief sojourn here 40 years ago, what was going on in my life was simply not healthy.  I felt as though I were on a slippery slope to nowhere.  I felt weak, not only spiritually, but also physically.  You have heard people speaking of walls closing in on them?  Well, there I was!  Then Jesus, Oh, our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ, The Eternal Self-Existing One, the One of Whom the Bible says, "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily," Whose very Flesh and Blood is my, "food indeed,.. and drink indeed," spoke, revealed, came to me, however one could describe it, and, "brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God...." 

He is, indeed, "the health of my countenance and my God," the, "saving health among all nations."

 

Andrew Murray once said of Jesus, "He is all that God has to give, and is the assurance that it is given." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, without You I would be an absolute zero, but I thank You that in You I have Your, "Health," Your, "saving Health."    Amen.

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When 18 year old Peter Torjesen "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

Wrong Blog Site on Today's Devotional

News, Commentary:        www.apf327.blogspot.com

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When 18 year old Peter Torjesen "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

"War Broke Out in Heaven"

"That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 troops.  When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere."  (2 Kings 19:35, NLT)

 

I determined some time ago that I would share my daily devotionals with you based on my regular daily reading schedule.  That is why some days have me covering texts which are "difficult," at least in the sense of what most of modern Christendom deals with. 

 

One cannot read the Bible and escape the fact that it covers the history of warfare.  It started with Cain and Abel, and, just look around the globe today; you will see its continuation.  I just read this morning on the BBC site of the war going on in Nigeria between Christians and Muslims.  Recently over 500 Christians were hacked to death by Muslims welding machetes.  This should not be a shock.  Christians have been involved in war throughout the centuries.  The Crusades, I might add, were not all bad!  And, Americans particularly can be thankful for those who were willing to give their lives to defeat tyranny and allow us to enjoy the freedom we have today.  America was not founded only in the proclamation of Jesus Christ and the prayer meeting, though that is indeed the foundation of our country.  America was established and has been preserved in the "Word and prayer"-------------- and, the sword, in the blood of those willing to fight.  Nations of the world today have absolutely no idea how many times throughout history, "That night the angel of the LORD went out...and killed...'Assyrian' troops," the ancient equivalent of those throughout history who have been intent on destruction and ruling the earth. 

 

Then, there is the final battle between the forces of Satan and the forces of our Lord, Savior, and King, Jesus.  All of the so-called "end time" prophecies point toward that War.  "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail.... And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.  Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet....These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." 

 

I exhort you to, "put on the whole armor of God," and not to fear the end of the "beast" and "false prophet."  We are of those who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes," and, "shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads."

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Even so...."  Amen.

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News, Commentary:    www.antipas327.blogspot.com  

 

 

When 18 year old Peter Torjesen "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

"He Who Has An Ear, Let Him Hear"

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."  (Revelation 3:22) 

 

The last days of the quarter and I am in, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-- things which must shortly take place."  The, "must shortly take place," has always been a stumbling block to skeptics-------- in and out of the Church.  They are the ones to whom Peter refers, the ones who ask, "Where is the promise of His coming?"  I dealt with this constantly in seminary.  It has been two thousand years, the reasoning would go, since these words were first uttered.  The first century church was just mistaken.  The things prophesied did not, "shortly take place;" hence, they would say, "If you believe this, you are just as mistaken as those Christians in the New Testament."  My dear friend in Jesus Christ, it can be a frightening thought, but you and I will have to make our own decision as to what and whom we believe. 

 

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."  Jesus utters this seven times in Revelation 2 & 3.  And, they are "God-Breathed" Words which are for all Believers throughout the centuries.  In every letter to every local church in Revelation 2 & 3, I can see some of myself.  People who read the Bible with selective "hearing," those who just read favorite texts over and over, or believe that some passages are for them while some are for others, will inevitably miss a "word" that could change them dramatically.  Whether a passage is a rebuke, warning, instruction, promise, comfort, words seemingly just for Jews, pagans, or the "early Church," I view them as, "life to those who find them, and health to all their whole body."  I just want to, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God...." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, if there is a grace to hear, I ask for it.  Amen.

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News, Commentary: www.antipas327.blogspot.com

When 18 year old Peter Torjesen "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