"They Chose New Gods, War Came...."

"When they chose new gods, war came to the city gates, and not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel." (Judges 5:8, NIV)

How many times in our lives, "war came...and not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand...?"  We seemed to be at our spiritual pinnacle, yet defeat still came, excused as "burn out," a "valley," or whatever else we use to attempt to disguise the fact that we, "chose new gods."  Each day is a new call to, "choose for yourselves this day."

This is a warning to all individuals and nations throughout history.  No matter how "mature" the Believer, how far the extent of the "ministry," how adored and revered by the masses, or those in our local churches, no matter the might of a nations military, economy, or intellect, if we choose, "new gods," all the "claiming," all the "declaring," all the "worship," all the high tech weapons of mass destruction, nothing can save us from, "not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand."  

Our text reveals and history affirms that there is no defense to people who, "chose new gods."  Wars have come and gone, and so have those who were participants, victors and vanquished alike.  Indeed, "the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."  And stand they will who stand on, "The Word of Our God," Jesus Christ, those who reject, "new gods," those who, "choose for yourselves this day," and every day, and every moment of every day, Jesus Christ as Savior, Master, "King of kings and Lord of lords."

Father, in Jesus' Name, You see the multitude of gods before me.  This day, anew, I choose You.  Amen.

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PM Netanyahu coming to DC next week.  See related articles at:  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

Thought I'd Give You a Break

Thought I'd give you a break today.  Yesterday's devotional was a little long and intense.  "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," especially for the next week.  Violence is erupting all along "the front."

Woody

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

Teach----- What? Disciple to------ What?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them...." (Matthew 28:19)

Various sources tell me that the Greek word for, "disciple," means "literally, 'a learner.'  The verb means "to train (develop) in the truths of Scripture and the lifestyle required."  And here we have the key to, "the Faith of Jesus," as opposed to churchianity----- "the lifestyle required."  So I ask, To teach them what? to train them in----------- what?

Bruce Shelly, in his book, Church History in Plain Language, writes, "On 4 July 1776, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were appointed as a committee to prepare a Seal of the United States of America.  Various suggestions were offered.  Franklin wanted a design featuring Moses.  In the background, the troops of Pharaoh would be seen drowning in the Red Sea and the message would read: 'Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.'  Jefferson suggested that the Seal show that the children of Israel in the wilderness were 'led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.'  Shelly later gives a "rough translation" of the "Seal--found today on United States currency: 'one out of many--(God) has smiled on our undertakings--1776--a new order of (or for) the ages.'"  These men, though one may question their religious beliefs and whether they knew it or not, were discipling a nation.  

There was a debate in pre Revolution New England between the Puritans and others concerning the involvement of Christians in the political arena, a debate which has raged especially since the Reformation, which incidentally will celebrate its 500th anniversary in just six years.  But how can one read the Bible and come to a "separation of church and state" conclusion?!?  You cannot separate the Blessed Trinity from any aspect of human life.  The moment you do, all you have is an isolated, irrelevant, feel good, "promise box" religion isolated to church buildings, the purpose of which is to keep God somewhere in the universe, anywhere, just not involved in a self-centered, personal-agenda-pursing life, out of the corporate, education, entertainment, and political arenas of men and nations.  This smacks in the face of, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them...." 

The dominant mission of the Church of Jesus Christ is in the world, not in church buildings; it is in government, education, in entertainment, in the business community.  Why?  Because those are arenas in which most people live.  The reality is that much of church-going America has relinquished those arenas to the perverted of society.  History reveals that the Puritans desire was to establish "the holy commonwealth, the true Bible society, in England and America."  If I am committed to the reality that the Bible is the, "God-Breathed," Word, that we are called to, "disciple (teach, train) all the nations," what other course can I take? 

Father, in Jesus' Name, deliver me from any trace of provincialism.  Amen.

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Two New Articles on the dangers facing Israel in the next few days:

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

Jesus: "I Take Your Sin"--Mohammed: "YOU Take Your Sin"

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 5:1)

A key difference between, "the Faith of Jesus," and Islam is that in the former, "Jesus Paid It All."  In the latter--------------- you "pay it all." 

Mark, one of the speakers in the BEE Conference in Romania, has lived in Indonesia for over 21 years, working among Muslims.  He said there is a verse in the Koran which says, "'They shall fight in the name of allah.  They shall pay with themselves and thereby gain heaven.'  Muslims believe that is the Bible message.  'Rejoice in the bargain you have made....Work and you will be saved....You will either slay or be slain.'"  He said islam teaches that "the only assurance to gain heaven is to die in jihad.  If you die in jihad, you can take 72 persons with you."  The "religion of peace" teaches that you and I, Jews, and all who do not follow allah and mohammed will go to hell.  mohammed said that "even some Muslims go to hell until their sins are burned up."  Mark said islam teaches that allah "has bought from the believers their lives and property.  They are slaves.  Their bowing-in-prayer position is the same as a salve.  I have never seen a happy Muslim."     

We know that Jesus took Hell for you and me; Jesus took, "our sins in His Own Body," so that not one Follower of Christ will go to Hell.  You and I need not fear the fires of Hell, because, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them...."  Romans 5 declares, "....While we were still sinners, Christ died for us....So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men."   

In 1964, I heard Charlie Stivers sing, "I've Anchored My Soul in the Haven of Rest."  I shall never forget that evening.  Of course I have seen Jesus in the face of thousands of Believers over the decades, but for some reason, that night has always stayed with me.  Maybe the fact that Charlie was 92 years old and had seen many a storm, yet the Light, Jesus, was still shining brightly.  Oh, Father, may it always be so in me.

Father, in Jesus'Name, grant that I may continue in faithful praying for Muslims, and for those who have come to You in Jesus from islamic backgrounds.  Holy Spirit, release rival fires throughout the Muslim world!  Amen.

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New Article at:     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

Freebie Thought (Devotional Coming Later)

"Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!"  Well it has!!  "When God brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad." (Psalm 53:6)

They do and they are!  In just a few days, Jews in The Land and those who love King Jesus and His City will be celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel.  This Psalm has been being fulfilled for 63 years!  So I sing: 
   "O Zion, O Zion, that bringest good tidings,
   Get thee up into the high mountain;
   Jerusalem, Jerusalem that bringest good tidings,
   Lift up thy voice and be not afraid.
   Lift is up be not afraid, lift it up be not afraid,
   Say unto the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God,
   Behold your God, Behold your God!"

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

"This God is Our God For Ever and Ever"!

"As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever." (Psalm 48:8, NIV)

This Psalm is more about, "the city of the Great King," than I ever realized.  Father declares, Jerusalem, Mount Zion is, "His holy mountain," and is, "beautiful in its loftiness (elevation) ,.. the joy of the whole earth."  Now most people of course do not consider it such---------- but they will!  The Word declares, "it is impossible for God to lie."  So I guess it really does not matter what the growing influence of Islam on American universities is shouting, or how the humanists who control the world's media attempt to deceive.  Truth is, Jerusalem is, "Beautiful for situation," and, it is the will of, "Our Father, Who art in heaven," that Jerusalem be, "the joy of the whole earth; therefore, I say to, "the whole earth"------------- "take heed." 

To the Covenant People of our King Jesus Christ, I say a similar warning, "Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them," mainly, the god of gods, the Devil who began his attack on humanity with the words, "Did God really say?"  I tell you, this question is what drives today's schools at all levels, from kindergarten to graduated schools; it is the driving force of the entertainment industry, and, my Fellow Follower of Jesus, it dominates the work place.  

The choice is, therefore, before you and me today and always, until Jesus comes in the clouds of glory, Whom/whom do we believe?  The answer will determine the "spirit" of global missions; it will determine how we live, and, it will determine the outcome of the foreign policy of nations, "When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.  Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor."  Take warning, you nations of the earth.  Come against, "the City of the Great King," and you will suffer the same end as those described in this Psalm, "You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by the east wind."

Dear Believer, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," but do not fear for Jerusalem.  "God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be her fortress....God makes her secure forever"!!  And never forget; the God Who has done such is He Who, "....is our God for ever; he will be our guide even to the end." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, just continue to, "Glorify Thy Name in all the earth."  Amen.

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Great article on Israel's 63rd Independence Day at: 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