"Rise Up My Love...And Come Away"

"He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love....My beloved spoke, and said to me: 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.'" (Song of Solomon 2:4, 10)

 

Yes, in the midst of battle, in the midst of oil spills, in the midst of looming war in the Middle East, and in the midst of that personal struggle right now, "Rise up My love...and come away." 

 

Okay, guys, get over it.  This is not just "chick stuff."  This is for you and me.  The, "banner over me [is] love," includes all, no one left out, no one too "tough," no one too macho.  No warrior can endure without Christ's, "banner over me."  So, hey, tough guy, King Jesus is saying to you right now, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away."

 

After my reading in the Song of Solomon this morning, I read the following headline,  "Crown Princess Plans to Marry Commoner."  Well, by dear fellow lover of Jesus Christ, that about sums up the Book.  The "Crown Prince" of Heaven, at a point in human history, decided that you and I commoners, objects of His Eternal Love, were "ready."  The invitation did not come from you or me, or from some deep longing cry of humanity, or from, "Oh, the human race is really in trouble, so I had better do something."  The plan to wed humanity to Himself in the Blood of the Cross of Jesus Christ was in the heart of God from eternity.  And the call to join the Bride of Jesus Christ, to walk in forgiveness of sin, deliverance, healing, eternal life, "all the fullness of the Godhead," in Jesus Christ is to every kindred, tribe, tongue, and nation on Planet Earth.  "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!"

 

So right there, right now, regardless of your present state, I implore you to hear our Lord saying to you, "Rise up, my beloved, my fair one, and come away.  For the winter is past, and the rain is over and gone.  The flowers are springing up, and the time of singing birds has come, even the cooing of turtledoves.  The fig trees are budding, and the grapevines are in blossom.  How delicious they smell!  Yes, spring is here!  Arise, my beloved, my fair one, and come away." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, by Your grace, I will.  Amen.

**********************************

If you did not receive yesterday's devotional, go to:

        www.apfdevotionals.blogspot.com

If you do not see the latest devotional there, just scroll down to the "archive" section and click on the most recent week. 

When Peter, 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

"It Just So Happened"

"For behold, Your enemies make a tumult....They have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more'....They form a confederacy against You....Deal with them...."  (From Psalm 83)

It "just so happened" this is the 17th of the month.  It "just so happened" I read our text this morning.  It "just so happened" I saw the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel hate demonstration today.  Right, like it "just so happens" that you and I live in a world of hate, hatred for Jews, for their Land and nation, hatred for the Church, and for everyone who loves the Holy Trinity, Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit. 

Our text was written as early as 2800 years ago, yet it is as though one is reading the Washington Post, Berlin Morgenpost, or Herald Tribune.  I am continually amazed just how "relevant" is the "God-Breathed" Word.  While professional religionists attempt to limit the Word of God to their kingdom building, Jesus, Word of Father, just keeps revealing His Eternal plan and purpose to those who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts/minds upon which He can write His Word-- "[He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth."  No one or nothing on earth or in the heavens can frustrate His "Plan!"

There is a cry-out prayer in verse nine of our text, "Deal with them;" and that He will.  But most of the time through the centuries God has dealt with His enemies through His People.  We can sit and debate this fact, some may not like this fact, some may call for the "separation of church and state" to keep us out of "politics," and societal-cultural- ethnic strife, and wars between nations---- but, alas, all to no avail. 

I am currently rereading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christ the Center.  It is a series of lectures which he gave at the University of Berlin in 1933, the year of the rise of National Socialism.  Bonhoeffer was only 27 years old.  What a genius in grasping the struggle between the Church and state.  It is absolutely the best on the subject I have ever read.
You know the life of Bonhoeffer, early on believing Christians should stay out of "politics," confined to "parish work," yet later on involved with the Abwehr in the plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler.  Sit in our morning devotional chairs all one may; you and I will indeed be involved one way or another in the events which are escalating.

I confess an anger when I viewed the video which I sent to you, and the prayer of our text came to my lips, "Deal with them."  But along with this prayer came a concern for the salvation for the Arab-Islamists which are driving, and seem to be leading, the global hatred against not only Jews, but also you and me as Followers of Jesus Christ.  And, as you and I, they need the same Precious Blood of Jesus, Forgiveness of sin, and names written in, "The Book of Life."  May God have mercy on us all! 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that not I but that You, "Deal with them."  I pray I will, "be willing in the day of Your power."  Amen.

When Peter, 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

"Behold, the Day of the Lord is Coming"

"Behold, the day of the LORD is coming....For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem....Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.  And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east.  And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west....It shall come to pass in that day that there will be no light; the lights will diminish.  It shall be one day which is known to the LORD-- neither day nor night....And the LORD shall be King over all the earth.  In that day it shall be-- 'The LORD is one,' and His name one."  (From Zech. 14)  

 

Among other passages, I am in Zechariah.  Our text is at the same time exhilarating, exciting, and frightening.  It speaks of the close of this age, and the Second Coming of Jesus, our King.  There are just some things which none of us fully understand, but Praise the Blessed Trinity, the service of the Holy Spirit is to, "teach you all things."  He came to, "convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment," and to, "bring to []our remembrance all things that [Jesus] said to [us]."  The Holy Spirit keeps the obedient in The Father and The Son, Jesus Christ, and in His Words.  When I yield to the Holy Spirit, I will know what I need to know, will do what I need to do, and be kept from, "the paths of the destroyer," as "that day" approaches. 

 

All who have received and walk in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, have all the "anointing" we need to walk victoriously in these days.  But remember Sampson who walked presumptuously in his anointing.  How many times Delilah said, "The Philistines are upon you, Sampson"?  The great, strong man of faith and anointing would arise and defeat the enemy.  But one moment of compromise, one moment as, "Esau who for one morsel of food sold his birthright," and the enemy conquered.  "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you."

 

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat....Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness....Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter).

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your keeping power.  Amen

************************************    

 

When Peter, 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

"Measuring...Comparing"

"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves.  But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."(2 Cor.10:12)

As I approach the end of the quarter, I recently read our text.  This is indeed a bad practice.  Yet it happens with too much frequency.  It is also the reason so many people are not "themselves."  They don't value the unique work which Jesus Christ has brought about in their lives; therefore, they preach like others, testify like others, use cliche rhetoric, sound like others, attempt to live like others.  The motive is clear and simple; they want to be accepted in certain circles.  This is the "bad" aspect of our text.  But there is a good sense of "measuring" and "comparing."

Every time I see my "mail signature" at the bottom of my composition, I am deeply moved--- and convicted.  While I can engage in the practice mentioned in our text, and come off looking like a relatively accomplished disciple, that does nothing for me as I "stand" before the Savior.  The attempt to best others is not the life of the Kingdom of Heaven.  But, the, "working out," of the Hebrew text, "Remember those who led you, who spoke the Word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith," well, that is a very different matter.  Peter Torjesen's, "and my life," "spoke the Word of God," to me.  I have considered, "the result of [his] conduct," and I greatly desire to, "imitate [his] faith."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "and my life" to You.  Amen.

**************************************

News, Updates: www.apf327.blogspot.com

Prophetic Video: www.antipasprayerforce2.blogspot.com

Devotional Archive: www.apfdevotionals.blogspot.com

When Peter, 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

"Your Way, Your Salvation"

"God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be know on earth, Your salvation among all nations." (Psalm 67:1, 2)

My Dad had a number of prayer groups in his weekly schedule during his last pastorate.  He would always close one of them with our text.  He was indeed a global Kingdom man.  "That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations."  He lived this.  I have never met a soul winner like him. 

Notice that our text speaks of, "Your way," and, "Your salvation."  So much of Christian "activity" over the centuries has been our way and our salvation.  The Church cannot make the Way of Jesus Christ, "known on earth," without a thorough, regular study of and submission to the "God-Breathed" Word.  The attitude that we are mature and already know all that has led to much parochialism in the mission of the church.

"God be merciful to us and bless, and cause His face to shine upon us," today as we live for Jesus Christ, His Church, His Kingdom, and all in such a way, "that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations."  Amen.
******************************
Please pray with us concerning our next mission
www.apf327.blogspot.com

When, Peter, 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