Radical Or Normal

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

Anything, "not according to Christ," whether worship, prayer, preaching, missions, any good works, or whatever, is absolutely fruitless.  It is vain, "philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men,..the basic principles of the world...."  Some may say this is too radical for today's world, but I say that today's world is not my authority; my authority is Jesus Christ, revealed in the, "God-Breathed," Word, indwelling each Believer in the Holy Spirit, the One Whom Father alone honors and glorifies.  Anything, absolutely anything in which mankind is involved which is, "not according to Christ," will not stand.  The Bible reveals the life of the person who is, "....according to Christ."  Such a person, "....is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock."

Such a life is only "radical" to a person who does not know Jesus Christ and, "the Words of God."  To us who daily surrender our lives to Jesus, whose lives are built on the Rock, Jesus Christ and, "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God," this is quite "normal" living. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I really ask that today everything I think, say and do is, "according to Christ."  Amen.
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Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
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

A Prayer For You, Me, Leaders

(From Der Spiegel)

"For the king trusts, relies on, and is confident in the Lord, and through the mercy and steadfast love of the Most High he will never be moved....For they planned evil against You; they conceived a mischievous plot (devised wicked schemes, NIV) which they are not able to perform." (Psalm 21:7 & 11, Amplified Bible)

While the promises here are to, "the king (who) trusts," and the, "planned evil," is against the Lord God, Biblical Theology teaches us that all whose trust is Jesus Christ are the benefactors of the promises, "he will never be moved."  And, when our enemies plot and, "devise[] wicked schemes," against us, those plots and schemes are such, "which they are not able to perform." 

This is the reality in which we live.  The Bible teaches us from Genesis to Revelation that we are in a daily battle with those who plan evil against us and, "devise wicked schemes," to destroy us.  Some will say, "But this battle is, "not against flesh and blood."  Yes, but one thing is for sure; much of the scheming and plotting and devising is carried out through that flesh and blood who are willing participants in the Enemy's desire to destroy the People of God.  If people read, listen to, and watch current news, this truth will be evident.  Righteous people are the object of vicious attacks.

I pray today's text for Rick Santorum, a Republican candidate for President of the United States of America.  The attacks of the Enemy, Who has many, many willing participants in His evil purposes, will be endless.  I have met Rick and know him to be a Believer in Jesus Christ and His Words, the Bible, a man who greatly desires prayers on his behalf.  There is and will be a target on his back which is very large.  I pray for him as I pray for you and me today:
Father, in Jesus' Name, I believe that since Rick Santorum, and my friend and I trust in You, "through the unfailing love of the Most High," none of us will, "be moved/shaken, " that, even though the wicked, "devise wicked schemes against You," and against us, "The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him (us) from stumbling."  Amen.
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For your consideration, an interesting historic perspective entitled, "The Genocide Doctrine: www.apf327.blogspot.com  

Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.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

The Biblical Medicine For Anxiety

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7)

This is one of the most familiar passages to Followers of Jesus Christ; it is medicine for the, "anxious."  Can I paraphrase here?  "...In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving"----- pray.  This is the best "prayer seminar" we could ever attend.  A look at the words translated, "supplication," and, "requests," reveals that what the Holy Spirit is saying here is, "in everything by prayer and prayer,..let your prayers be made known to God." 

What would happen to the "mood-drug" industry if those who claim to be, "born again," would obey today's text, if we would just keep in mind that, "prayer...with thanksgiving," is not a religious exercise for the "quiet time," or opening of meetings.  Prayer is nothing less than communion, intimate, loving friendship in the Living Triune God of the universe.  I still remember that time in my life when I asked the Lord why He places so much emphasis on prayer, and the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, "Because I like you."

Our text reveals that if I neglect to pray, I forfeit, "the peace of God...through Christ Jesus."  If someone claims to have "peace" who does not pray, it is not, "the peace of God...through Christ Jesus"; it is counterfeit peace.  "The peace of God," is only, "through Christ Jesus," in Christ Jesus, because of Christ Jesus.  The Bible says, "For He Himself is our Peace," and according to verse 7, our non understandable peace.  I maintain that if we understand the peace we have, it is not His Peace.  His Peace, "surpasses (transcends, exceeds) all understanding."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for all You are and do which I cannot understand.  Amen.
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Two very timely new articles at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.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"

The Year of the Kingdom

"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!'" (Matthew 3:1, 2)

I have said and written this many times before, but I must repeat it.  The first public words of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ were, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  This is not to minimize His purpose to, "upon this rock I will build My Church," or, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  But we are not commanded to, "Repent," just to improve our life, nor are we told, "You must be born again," just to go our own way with our blessings and build our own kingdoms.  The new birth and water baptism enables us to see and enter the Kingdom, to become citizens of that Kingdom and members of the Church, the Body of Christ.

I have confessed that I did not speak of the Kingdom of Heaven/God much when I was a young minister because of its highjacking by the Jehovah Witnesses.  That was dumb, I admit it.  My Dad, however, was a Kingdom man.  I remember seeing one of His calling cards as a young boy.  It had the verse, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness...."  What a great mentor and example.  Later, I was to get connected with men who were early leaders of the renewal, but later shunned because of their emphasis on the, "Kingdom of God," or as one described it, "The Government of God." 

Talk of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven is not popular among most people because it speaks of government, laws, organization, requirements.  Most people want a religion of John Lennon's "Imagine," a life without any heaven or hell.  But though a whole generation was duped by this own eastern religion views , the truth remains for all generations until Jesus' Second Appearing, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  No one can frustrate the Kingdom, replace the Kingdom, or destroy the Kingdom, because, "Thy Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom," (literally, "a Kingdom of all ages") and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations."  Daniel told an ancient king, "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and that kingdom shall not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever."   

Father, in Jesus' Name, give me a greater understanding of Your Kingdom, which I pray, "Your Kingdom come.  Your will be done in earth as it is in Heaven."  Amen.
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Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

Build up of rockets facing Israel: 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

"The Presence of the LORD--------Rest"

"And God said to Noah, 'The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.'" (Genesis 6:13)

It was only Noah and his family who emerged from the ark unscathed by God's global judgment on humanity.  They had become utterly hedonistic, humanistic, self-centered.  Perhaps Genesis 4:16 best describes the condition of humanity in those days, "Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden."  The name, "Nod," means "wandering," taken from a word which means "vagrancy, aimless fugitive."  What a perfect, albeit, sad commentary on the human race without, "the presence of the LORD...." 

Genesis 6:8 tells us that, "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD"; hence, he was the one chosen to be the literal human root of the new humanity.  His name means "rest," and "rest" is exactly what God intended for His Creation, "In the beginning."  Temptation came, however, and sin/rebellion followed, and all who came from Adam and Eve were destroyed in the flood, except, "Noah," who, "found grace."  It was Noah who was literally to be at the heart of humanity's "second chance."  Yet history reveals just how miserably again man failed.  

But the mercy of the Living Triune God, "is from everlasting to everlasting," and, "when the fulness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."  Now, those who are redeemed by the Blood of Jesus Christ are Father's sons, a part of His Family, His Church, His Kingdom, forever forgiven of sin and delivered from the fires of Hell.  

Noah ("Rest)" is a type, a foreshadow of Jesus Christ Who invited all humanity, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you ad learn from Me...and you will find rest for your souls."  Now, in Jesus Christ, humanity can leave that, "land of Nod," the land of vagrant, fugitive wandering, and no longer be, "out from the presence of the LORD," but rather, be a part of those, "who have believed...enter that rest...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Jesus Christ, my Rest.  I pray for my rest in You to be an example and inspiration for others.  Amen.

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Unreached Peoples: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

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