"Weapon in One Hand and the Bible in the Other"

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

 

The word for the phrase, "run swiftly, " means, "to spend one's strength in performing or attaining something-- to incur extreme peril, which requires

the exertion of all one's effort to overcome."  Now--------

Note a portion of an article by Gil Ronen:

"'The IDF sees the Bible as a guide in the deep and practical sense of the word,' IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said Wednesday in a meeting with participants in the International Bible Quiz for Youth. 'It is no accident that the IDF swears in its soldiers with a weapon in one hand and the Bible in the other – a custom that reflects the uniqueness of the IDF and the deep bond of the Jewish people to the Book of Books,' he added." 

 

Obedience to "the Book" always determined the success or failure of Israel.  You will recall the charge of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:46 & 47, "Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law.  For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life."  Yet in the time of Josiah the king, when Hilkiah the high priest found the "Book of books," the context reveals that "the Book" had shrunk into insignificance.  "Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, 'Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.'  And Shaphan read it before the king.  Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.  Then the king commanded....'Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.'" 

 

The only people or nation, "whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper," are those who, "in His [Book] he meditates day and night."  Beware those TV preachers which are always telling you that giving them money will bring you prosperity.  Tithes and offerings are central to the Covenant People, but not foundational.  Only the "Book of books" is that.  Jesus said, "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier of the law: justice and mercy and faith.  These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone."  The only way you and I will do the, "ought to have done, without leaving the others undone," is when "the Book" is, "your life."  Let's "run" with Him.    

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray, "that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified...."  Bless the IDF.  Amen.

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When 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

"....To Stir You Up By Reminding You...."

"Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually. (Ps. 71:3)

In Jesus Christ, "resort continually," is now, "Abide in Me and I in you." 

Back in the 1970s we had a man come to Christ who had a lot of problems.  One day no one could find him and I went out to look for him.  I found him walking along the road heading to our church building.  I stopped and asked him what he was doing.  He said he had to get to the church, that there was no help for him anywhere, only in the church. By that, of course, he meant the building. 

Many people today are like that, only a little more sophisticated.  They talk about "soaking," "getting into the presence," etc.  I have affirmed the Biblical principle many times before.  You will never be any closer, "soaking," "getting into the presence," than right there right now.  Of course you probably don't "feel" all the cliches now, but that does not change Who the Blessed Trinity is.  "I am, that I am."  When you and I surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ, a great reality took place, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God."  Jesus says, "....A slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever."  Brother Lawrence called it, "The Practice of His Presence," viz., the reality of His Presence, acceptance of His Presence.  He gave his life to get that reality into his spirit.

Father, Son, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are ever present, abiding, right there, right now, meetings, highway, hospitals, prisons, among the poor, third world nations, board meetings, Capitol Hill.  Oh, yes, indeed He is, no matter what the inferences from religionists.  The great reality of life in Jesus Christ is that He will never be any nearer, any closer, any more "present" than right now, right there for you.  Feelings, spiritual experiences will come and go.  Jesus Christ does not.  Here is a collage of the Words of Jesus.  "Come to Me, all...Abide in me, and I in you....I will never, no never leave you nor forsake you.'"

Just before His ascension, Jesus said to His disciples, "I am with you always."  The word translated, "with," literally means, "with, after, behind."  Glorious.

Father, in Jesus' Name, again, continue to write Your Word in my heart.  Amen.
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When an 18 year old Norwegian, "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

"'It Is All Right,' He Said, 'I am Here! Don't Be Afraid.'"

"If it is You, command me to come to You....So [Jesus] said, 'Come.'"  (Matthew 14:28, 29)

 

The context says, "Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves....But Jesus spoke to them at once.  'It is all right,' he said, 'I am here!  Don't be afraid.'"  At this point in his walk with the Savior, Peter had little idea of what the Bible calls, "the deep things of God."  He just knew that the safest place in the storm that night was not in the boat----- It was on the water.  And, as time went on, it became more and more clear to Peter that Jesus was offering humanity a Reality which they had never encountered.  "Follow Me," "Come to Me..., I in you and you in Me." 

 

Popular modern religion tells us to look within.  One of the early Eastern religionist said, "What is important is not to follow anybody but to understand oneself.  If you go into yourself without effort, fear, without any sense of self restraint, and really delve deeply, you will find extraordinary things; and you don't have to read a single book."  In stark contrast is The Word of God, Jesus Christ, "Follow Me....Search the Scriptures.... They testify of me....You are complete in Him...." 

 

Before this day is over, you and I will have another opportunity to choose, "Come to Me," or to ourselves, or someone else.  Personally, I have written on my heart that I have no answers, no power, no inner strength to deal with life.  I am not too proud to embrace, "It's all right....I am here!  Don't be afraid."

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, may the, "washing of water by the Word," "penetrate" my heart.  Amen.

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When 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

"Mercy And Truth...Preserve Him"

"Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!" (Psalm 61:7b)

 

"Mercy and truth," are interwoven.  Both, "may preserve him!"  One without the other, however, may destroy him.  "Mercy triumphs over judgment," but not over truth.  The translations which say, "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth," are correct.  The Greek construction contrasts, "against the truth," with, "for the truth."   

Truth cannot be changed.  Judgment can.  Truth is the "immovable object" against which there is no "irresistible force."  Everyone wants mercy, but few want truth.  Yet our text indicates the relationship of the two.  Maybe the reason men cry so much for mercy is that they walk so little in Truth.  

The popular quote, "It is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission," is the modus operandi of pop Christianity.

 

One of the most powerful dialogues in cinematic history is from, "The Godfather III."  In irony of life, Michael approaches a cardinal in the Catholic Church about corruption in the Vatican.  The Cardinal begins the dialogue with an illustration.  He takes a small stone from a water bowl and breaks it.  He points out that the stone has been in the water for a long time, but the water has not penetrated the stone, "Inside it is completely dry."  He then says, "The same thing has happened in Europe.  For centuries they have been surrounded by Christianity, but Christ has not penetrated, Christ doesn't live within them."  It is still true today.  With all the confessions, indulgences, absolutions, catechisms, all the worship, dancing and shouting, all the praying, all the prophetic declaration, all the good works------------------------------------ "Christ has not penetrated."     

 

Our Lord Jesus Christ asked Father to, "Sanctify them in Your truth.  Your word is truth."  It is Truth which saves me and sanctifies me.  Of course I need Christ's mercy at all times.  Most of the time, however, mercy is what I need when I fail to walk in Truth.  To many it sounds so "compassionate" to speak of mercy, and so harsh to speak of truth.  I confess, I need all the mercy I can get, but so of truth.  The summation of our text for me is---------------- "Mercy and truth preserve [me]."

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am continually amazed at Your Word, "lamp to my feet, light to my path."  Amen.

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When 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

Holocaust Remembrance Day

" 'For I, Myself, will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem,' says the LORD.  'And I will be the glory inside the city....Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.  I will raise my fist to crush them, and their own slaves will plunder them.'  Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me....Be silent before the LORD, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling." 

(From Zech. 2, NLT))

 

Anyone who has seen photos of German cities, circa 1945, knows that one would be well advised to take the Word of God seriously.

 

Over the weekend, we heard the news out of Poland that one of Israel's greatest supporters died in a plane crash.  Yet at the same time I read more news about America's President and his attempt to destroy Israel (See today's Blog).  Obama is standing with Israel's enemies, and in doing so he really is standing with them, not only against Israel and the Jews, but against the United States of America.  If America continues on this path, the 1945 photos of German cities could be twenty-first century photos of America's cities.  The American President, with the approval of the American people and constant urging of his staff, continues to make decisions which attempt to weaken Israel, and in doing so has set America on a perilous path. 

 

Yet Followers of Jesus Christ need not be partakers in the sins of nations.  If we take the Word of God seriously, then in, "the Day of Judgment," we will be as Noah in the flood------- "and the Lord shut him in."  The Blessed Trinity will protect us, provide for us, all the Obedient to Jesus Christ, those born of the Spirit, delivered from the fires of Hell for a place in the, "many mansions."  When we believe and surrender to the Word of God, Jesus Christ, we are as the Hebrew text describes, "pupil of His eye," not only the center of His "gaze" and affection, but also the center of His Will.  I can think of no greater security in these perilous times.

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I am ready for the time of Your, "springing into action."  Amen.

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When 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

"Educated From Childhood...to Say 'Never Again'"

Shoah Remembrance Day Ceremonies Begin
by Gil Ronen

The official events commemorating the Holocaust or Shoah – the systematic slaughter of the Jews in Europe in the course of World War 2 – began at Yad Vashem at 8:00 PM Sunday.





After more than a millennium in which they lived in Europe – often persecuted, sometimes thriving – the Jews of the continent were rounded up systematically by Germany and methodically put to death. For years before their annihilation in death camps too ghastly to imagine, they were starved and humiliated, yet they managed to put up a fight in places such as the Warsaw and Vilnius ghettos, and even inside the death camps of Sobibor, Treblinka and Auschwitz. 

German soldiers and their collaborators in France, Poland, Rumania, Hungary, the Ukraine and elsewhere in Germany's temporary "Third Reich" empire were responsible for some of the worst atrocities on record, against a people who were unarmed and without a state of their own. A race theory was propounded and anyone with Jewish ancestry was reviled and persecuted – as were gypsies, homosexuals, and the mentally and physically ill.

Two thirds of Europe's Jews, 6 million victims including 1.5 million children, were murdered by the Nazi regime which feared them more than it did the world's most formidable armies. Trains carrying Jewish men, women and children to the slaughter received priority over those shipping men and arms to the front even when Germany's military situation was deteriorating.

65 years after the liberation of the last death camp, the Jewish people in Israel alone numbers over 5.6 million strong. Its army is feared throughout the region and is said to be armed with the world's most potent weapons. The grandsons of Holocaust survivors are its generals, educated from childhood to remember the horror and to say "Never again!".



Jews rounded up for transport to slaughter.



IAF F-15D over Auschwitz (file)
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When 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