"We Went Through Fire and Water; But You Brought Us Out"

"You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment." (Psalm 66:12)

I was in the middle of working on today's devotional, when an e-mail arrived telling of a 16 year old who committed suicide.  His grandparents are involved in prison ministry.  My heart sank, and just sat here, uttering some kind of prayer.  I know the depths of weakness, fear, helplessness at the loss of a son. 

Many think of the story of Job at such a time.  He lost all of his children, his business, his possessions.  His "friends" came and the best thing they did was, "sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great."  But as religious people are want, they began to philosophize with Job as to why such tragedy had come upon him.  Chambers comments, "Job replies, 'I am facing things you have not begun to dream about; why don't you either plunge into the deeps with me, or else keep silent....'  A religious view which causes a man to deal only with the shallow side has the ban of finality about it."  Our "religious view" does not just deal with "the shallow side" of life, though many have such an anemic religion.  History and the testimonies of millions who follow Jesus Christ attest to the unequaled power of the Living Triune God to bring, "us out to rich fulfillment."

I did not change our text when I read of the sad news.  The Word of God speaks so deeply of His great power on behalf of His people, that even when, "men ride over our heads," even when we go, "through fire and through water," Jesus Christ, the Rock of our Salvation, has power to bring, "us out to rich fulfillment," literally, a place of "saturation."  The deepest sorrows of humanity can never go to the depths of the Love of the Blessed Trinity revealed solely in Jesus Christ, nor His grace, nor His mercy.  Try this today from The Message:  "He pushed us to our very limit, road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place."  I bear witness.
    
Father, in Jesus' Name, do for the family as You did, have done, and continue to do for me.  Thank You, Amen.
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*     New Prophetic News @:                              www.apf327.blogspot.com
*     New Update From Jerusalem Watch:          www.apfjw.blogspot.com

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

Make Absolutely No Mistake: THIS IS THE REAL ISALM

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.  I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:1-4, NIV) 

"Al Shabaab Militants Execute Christian Leader in Somalia:
Islamic militants have recently killed another leader of the underground church movement in Somalia....Eyewitnesses said that after a two-hour battle, al Shabaab took control of the Xarardheere area where Nur lived.  The militants then went from house to house looking for enemy fighters when they arrived at Nur's home.  Sources said that upon finding Nur, one of the militants remarked, "Oh! This is Yusuf, whom we have been looking for," before they executed him with bullets at close range.  Nur is survived by his wife, Muna Sheikh Farah, and three children, ages 11, 9 and 7."

These are not "militants," nor revolutionaries, nor "freedom fighters."  These are, "the enemies at the gate;" and, my friend, they are at the gates of your nation and your city also!  The so-called "moderate" Muslims are not really Koran-believing Muslims.  They are like far too many Christians, who give lip service to the Bible but neither read it nor live by it.  These are the most dangerous of Muslims and Christians.  They give the appearance that their respective religions are something they are not. 

Every morning the first thing I see on my desktop computer is a Nasa photo of the earth from a lunar orbit.  It reminds me of just who you and I are---------------- and Who Jesus Christ is.  Jesus is King of that little blue and white marble I see ever day; therefore, I despair not, "And He shall reign forever and ever!"  Would you join me in praying our text for the "suffering Church" around the world, particularly for Nur's family?!?  Also, I pray for the nations, "He will give a longing for justice to their judges.  He will give great courage to their warriors who stand at the gates."  In Jesus' Name!
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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

Heart Faith-- Mouth Confession

"For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." 

(Romans 10:10, NLT)

 

The previous verse of our text reverses the order, "confess with your mouth...and believe in your heart...."  Biblical faith is heart faith, a heart faith which starts, "by confessing with your mouth," the Word of God.  Any other attempt at a "faith life" will fail.  The assumption that you and I can believe with our heads/minds is preposterous.  I challenge anyone's attempt to describe God.  If one does try, you will listen to the most philosophical gobbledygook any can offer.  "How unfathomable...are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceble (mysterious) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!" 

   

Heart faith is an acceptance of the Word of God, Jesus Christ, and "everything (or, the "complete") which proceeds from the mouth of God," regardless of our ability to fully comprehend that, "everything."  You have heard people say, "Just accept it; trust me."  Well, that is exactly what God is saying to you and me right now, right in the midst of what is facing men and nations.  Reality tells us that you and I do not understand the complexities of life--------- and neither does anyone else!  Preachers may act as though they do, but they need the same heart faith which is available to you and me.  When it comes to "believing God," the playing field is level.

 

Heart faith is not gooey emotionalism, not brainless, nor anti-intellectual.  It is, "the depths of God," which was imparted to man in creation.  Yet what man lost in the Fall can be "regained" in the Cross of Jesus Christ.  The psalmist said, "Unite my heart to fear Your name."  The word for, "unite," means, "to become one."  When our hearts are united in the Heart of Jesus Christ, we can have the heart faith which, "believes to righteousness."

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "unite my heart," to and in Your Heart.Amen.   

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*    Two articles on today's Jerusalem Watch Blog about Jerusalem Day

      Celebration    www.apfjw.blogspot.com

*    Also, new article on:    www.apf327.blogspot.com 

 

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

"He Uttered His Voice"

"The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted." (Psalm 46:6)

 

The word for, "moved," in our text means, "to waver; by implication to slip, shake, fall, be fallen in decay, be out of course."  We don't have to just look at the world in our life time to see this.  Observe the history of the world.

It is the wonderful truth of the Economy of our Father---- "His Voice," is Jesus Christ.  Though some sophisticates may think such, this is not oversimplified theology.  "His Name is called The Word of God," and whenever the Living Triune God speaks it is the Sweetness of the Breath of Jesus Christ.  After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples were born of the Holy Spirit, the Breath of God, by His, "voice."  It is written, "Then He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"  Oh, the Blessed Trinity, Mystery of mysteries, Life of life, Joy of joy.  Jesus, "breathed... and said," and the Holy Spirit imparted, came to live in the lives of those very frightened, bungling, doubters (sort of like me). 

 

The Word/Breath of Jesus heals, delivers, sustains, encourages, and more, "the earth melt[s]"-- such power in such speaking.  If we listen carefully today, the "Voice" of God will melt the demonic forces attempting to discourage and defeat us.  Of His Voice, Psalm 29 says, "The voice of the LORD is over the waters....The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.  The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon....The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness....The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth...."  Then the great finale-- "The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, and the LORD Jesus Christ sits as King forever."

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I just thank You for all of this.  Amen.

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I will be preaching in the CCE meeting this coming Saturday evening, 5/15

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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

Oh, America, America!-- Come to Christ

"And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say,'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners." (Luke 7:34, NLT)

 

The President of the United States of America has nominated a homo sexual, anti-military, advocate of abortion-as-contraceptive person to the Supreme Court.  America just keeps sliding downward.  I know some think I am too critical, judgmental, "Hellfire and brimstone," a sort of "glass-half- empty" type of person.  Many like to remind those of us whom they consider fire-breathing, nineteenth century revivalists, that Jesus was, "a friend of sinners."  I guess they get that from our text----------- even though that's not what He said. 

 

Without argument, Jesus loved humanity as none else in history.  Indeed, "God is love."  Jesus said the kindest words the woman taken in adultery ever heard, "Neither do I condemn you."  Yet He did not stop there.  He manifested Father's Love when He said to her, "Go, and sin no more," or, "Go and don't let it happen again."  The latter is much more difficult to accept.  After all, who wouldn't join a "movement" which just declares, "We don't condemn you?"  It sounds so loving.

 

The reality of life, however, which much of religion ignores, is that all sin has consequences, has judgment, has penalties-- "Be sure your sin will find you out."  The most loving, and I mean, most loving life style of anyone is that which demonstrates and encourages in others to, "go, and sin no more," to, "pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord."  Why not?  The Word of God says, "What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed?"  The answer is, nothing.  I'm sure the Samaritan woman would agree.  I know I do. 

 

1 Corinthians 1:30 gives us the cause and affect of the Cross.  In contrast with "another gospel" being offered today, the Word of God describes wonderfully here the Gospel of Jesus Christ--- "But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin]."  I'll take This Gospel!

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, may You, my Righteousness, reign in me.  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