What Are Your Expectations? (June Schedule Below)

"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes and love to be saluted [with honor] in places where people congregate and love the front and best seats in the synagogues and places of distinction at feasts." 

(Luke 20:46, Amplified Bible)

I have noticed over the years that, "the best seats...and the best places," in church meetings always go to the leadership and the "guest speakers."  Personally I have no problem with that.  The problem is, however, according to Our Lord Jesus, when people "love," "like," "desire," and/or expect, and get offended if they don't get, "the best seats...and the best places."  

Someone once told me of some guest speakers who come to their meetings and expect a certain quality of hotel rooms, certain temperatures for the saunas, etc.  Now if a group of people want to give me their "best," I have no problem with that, and accept it graciously.  But if, as my wife and I once experienced in Czechoslovakia during the communist era, are given a very old room with no private bath, and a "necessary room" which was an outdoor toilet actually in a room in the house (you can possibly imagine what that was like), we made no complaint and were not offended.  We were there for them, not for any luxury they could give us.

Our Lord, while walking this earth in the flesh, was entertained by Zacchaeus and Lazarus, and most likely treated to some of the best which Jews in Israel at that time had to offer, and I'm sure with no more enthusiasm for serving and graciousness and love than when he encountered the widow at Nain, the leper, or any of the poor in Israel.  This is not easy for those who, "walk according to the flesh."  It is a delight, however, to those, "who walk...according to the Spirit."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Holy Spirit, help me to continually see that all I have and receive is from You, whether a Hilton or Motel 6--- and be just as thankful for both.  Amen.

* I will be preaching in a church meeting in Ohio, June 5

* Meeting with representatives of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, and other religions, June 12

* DC Prayer Mission, June 15

* Meeting with InterVarsity Workers whom we will be supporting, June 22

* Deep Prayer Concern For Israel in the Next Few Days:  www.apf327.blogspot.com

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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

"Now When These Things Begin to Happen, Look Up...."

"This is the vision that Isaiah...saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house will be the highest of all-- the most important place on earth....People from all over the world will stream there to worship."  (Isaiah 2:1, 2--NLT)

I have sent the whole article which I receive from Arutz 7 to our blog-- www.apf327.blogspot.com

It contains articles about some great discoveries in Israel as well as PM Netanyahu's continual statements of commitment to a unified Jerusalem.  One article reveals some interesting facts about Jerusalem.  In 1948, Jerusalem had a population of just 82,900, "but by the end of 2010, there were 789,000 residents, approximately 10 percent of the entire population of the state."  Jerusalem is now the largest city in Israel, in size and  population.  Another reveals that tourism in Jerusalem reached "an all-time record, with 2,788,000 tourists arriving in Jerusalem from all corners of the globe-- an increase of more than half a million compared to the previous year."  82% of the tourists coming to Israel go to Jerusalem, "the city of the Great King," Jesus.  "The total income of Jerusalem-based hotels in 2010 stood at...$450 million.  Jerusalem was also elected as #13 in Trip Advisor's 2011 Most Desirable Tourist Attractions-- that, from a total list of 337 global hot spots."  My very dear friend in Jesus Christ, you and I are watching our text fulfilled right before our very eyes.

So---- do not be concerned with all the deceptive highlights on CNN, MSNBC, BBC, and all the other "C's".  KING JESUS IS COMING, and His Word to you and me is, "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that you have allowed me to see these days.  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

"Make Sure"

"For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God...." 

(1 Kings 11:4, NASB)

Solomon, who reigned over the greatest extent of the Jewish Kingdom, who gave us The Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and the Proverbs, ended his life building altars to the gods of his many wives.  I once traced the life of Demas, whom Paul mentions in three different epistles.  I was hoping that, "Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world," was not the last time Paul referred to him, but, alas, it was.  His forsaking was due to his love of, "this present world."  My Dear Father, may it never be!

Every time I come to our text I experience, "the fear of the Lord."  Sorry, but I am not in the camp of the "Oh-don't-worry-about-it."  Well, it is not a worry; it is a, "take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come upon you unexpectedly."  Better men than me, "having loved this present world," turned their backs on Jesus Christ.

We cannot speak with certainty of the end of Solomon or Demas or those whom we have known to take a similar route.  But even if they are in Glory, is that the way any Lover of Jesus Christ wants to "go out?"  I am not sitting on some "judgment throne" here against any person who has gone that way.  But there are the continual exhortations, the encouragements, the warnings of the, "God- Breathed," Word.  "Choose you this day," is not just an altar call; it is a daily call.  Solomon would have done well to make this a daily conscience decision. because if you let too many days go by without a determined, "choose you this day," you could make some very wrong choices.  

"Choose you this day," in that call is the possibility of staying daily in Jesus Christ, daily relying on Jesus, daily clinging to Jesus, obeying Jesus.  Maybe my Grandfather knew something so many today do not know, when, at just fourteen years of age, he responded to the altar call every night of a two week revival meeting!  Maybe he was doing what the Bible says to us all, "....be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall"!! 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray I will, "be all the more...eager to make sure...."  Amen.

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New 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

"A Great and Effective Door Has Opened to Me"-- Now What?

"For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." (1 Corinthians 16:9)

What Follower of Jesus Christ does not know this to be true?  "Great and effective door"[s] bring, "many adversaries."  The enemy of mankind does not slumber nor sleep, because he knows that, "He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."  The greater that, "great and effective door," the greater the, "many adversaries."  This is war.  

People who seem to live without, "many adversaries," are probably those who are not entering that, "great and effective door," which our Lord Jesus has opened to them.  The battle reveals just how much you and I are in the quest for souls and, dare I say, the anointing upon us.  

One possible application of our text could be that if there are, "many adversaries," in your life today, there must be, "a great and effective door," somewhere for you.  Keep your eyes open.

(I have been invited to a meeting with Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Mormons, et. al. Sunday June 12.  Today's text was in my regular reading for yesterday, and today I received the invitation.  I guess I really have no choice.)

Father, in Jesus' Name, grant me grace each day to see that, "great and effective door."  Amen.  

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News, Commentary:   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