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Watchman
Sentinel
Friday, April 27, 2012
There Is More For Us Then We Receive
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:4)
There have been some Jews whom I have met who believe Isaiah 53 refers to Israel as a people. Indeed, it may have some application to the Jewish People as a foretype or foreshadow of Jesus, but there is no doubt in me that the text is speaking of "the suffering Messiah." Who else could fulfill such a cosmic struggle for humanity?
The literal words for, "griefs," and, "sorrows," are quite specific in the Hebrew, i.e., "pains," and, "sickness." In response to a question of mine, an Old Testament professor once told me that the Jews don't speak in abstract language. The Hebrew in our text is very specific. Jesus took our pains and sickness, which are common "housemates" of grief and sorrow. Jesus took them, He took them, as Peter said of our sins, "Who bore our sins in His own body on the tree." Everything that is out to destroy you and me Jesus destroyed in His Cross, in His Blood, in His death, in His resurrection. Why do we accept as inevitable so many of life's attacks when the Word of God declares that Jesus took them for us? It is indeed one of the epic battles of faith and belief.
Are you suffering griefs, sorrows, pains, sickness? Join me today; let us, "press on, that we may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of [us]." Isaiah 53:3 says that Jesus was, "a man of sorrows" (our sorrows) and acquainted with grief," and it was all for you and me, for all humanity. I have a renewed faith today which comes from these Words of God. Why do we allow the Enemy of our souls to put on us that which Jesus Christ has taken off? He bore so much of what we accept as inevitable. Let us covenant together to renew the battle. Do not limit this great commitment to some limited religious realm. Jesus has done and is doing so much more for us than most can imagine and believe for. Let's change that--------- starting today!
Father, in Jesus' Name, You have done and do so much that I have not received. I repent and press in. Amen.
****************
Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
There have been some Jews whom I have met who believe Isaiah 53 refers to Israel as a people. Indeed, it may have some application to the Jewish People as a foretype or foreshadow of Jesus, but there is no doubt in me that the text is speaking of "the suffering Messiah." Who else could fulfill such a cosmic struggle for humanity?
The literal words for, "griefs," and, "sorrows," are quite specific in the Hebrew, i.e., "pains," and, "sickness." In response to a question of mine, an Old Testament professor once told me that the Jews don't speak in abstract language. The Hebrew in our text is very specific. Jesus took our pains and sickness, which are common "housemates" of grief and sorrow. Jesus took them, He took them, as Peter said of our sins, "Who bore our sins in His own body on the tree." Everything that is out to destroy you and me Jesus destroyed in His Cross, in His Blood, in His death, in His resurrection. Why do we accept as inevitable so many of life's attacks when the Word of God declares that Jesus took them for us? It is indeed one of the epic battles of faith and belief.
Are you suffering griefs, sorrows, pains, sickness? Join me today; let us, "press on, that we may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of [us]." Isaiah 53:3 says that Jesus was, "a man of sorrows" (our sorrows) and acquainted with grief," and it was all for you and me, for all humanity. I have a renewed faith today which comes from these Words of God. Why do we allow the Enemy of our souls to put on us that which Jesus Christ has taken off? He bore so much of what we accept as inevitable. Let us covenant together to renew the battle. Do not limit this great commitment to some limited religious realm. Jesus has done and is doing so much more for us than most can imagine and believe for. Let's change that--------- starting today!
Father, in Jesus' Name, You have done and do so much that I have not received. I repent and press in. Amen.
****************
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
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Decision: "Vanish Like Smoke," Or, "Last Forever"
"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail." (Isaiah 51:6, NIV)
The NLT says, "....My righteous rule will never end;" the ASV says, "....My righteousness shall not be abolished." Notice the contrast between the Creator and the creation. Creation, "will vanish like smoke,..will wear out like a garment,..die like flies." The Creator and all that is His, "will last forever,...will never fail,..never end,..never be abolished."
This time through Isaiah I have been noticing the great promises of, "the Word of God," Jesus. Yet time and again, the people rebel, think He has abandoned them, give up. All this does is affirm our text. Mankind left to himself, mankind refusing to believe and act on the promises of The word of God, "will vanish like smoke...." Mankind believing, receiving, obeying, dwelling, abiding in the, "The Word of God," Jesus Christ, has a different end----"will last forever,..will never fail"------------ because He never fails.
This is true of men and nations. History proves that any nation, people group, or individual which leans to human understanding, refuses obedience to the "God-Breathed," Word, "will vanish like smoke." The majority of Americans, however, do not believe this. They believe America's power of the last century is forever; so they vote, raise families, conduct business in rejection of Jesus Christ and His Words. Who needs Him? The Supreme Court in 1962, 1963, and 1973 made decisions in the same thinking, decisions which sowed the seed of vanishing smoke, worn out garments, and dead flies.
Those who are of the, "never end,..never fail,..never abolished," people pray, work, vote for their "earthly" nation to come under Christ's authority. But their hope and allegiance is another Kingdom, another Nation, a new "people group." Their identity is no longer based on race, gender, or "national origin." Their identity is centered in Jesus Christ, under His Kingship, citizens of His Kingdom. Such will never, "vanish like smoke," but rather, in Jesus, "last forever."
Father, in Jesus' Name, life proves that without You I, "vanish like smoke." Surrender to You proves that in You I, "last forever." Amen.
*****************
Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com ;
The NLT says, "....My righteous rule will never end;" the ASV says, "....My righteousness shall not be abolished." Notice the contrast between the Creator and the creation. Creation, "will vanish like smoke,..will wear out like a garment,..die like flies." The Creator and all that is His, "will last forever,...will never fail,..never end,..never be abolished."
This time through Isaiah I have been noticing the great promises of, "the Word of God," Jesus. Yet time and again, the people rebel, think He has abandoned them, give up. All this does is affirm our text. Mankind left to himself, mankind refusing to believe and act on the promises of The word of God, "will vanish like smoke...." Mankind believing, receiving, obeying, dwelling, abiding in the, "The Word of God," Jesus Christ, has a different end----"will last forever,..will never fail"------------ because He never fails.
This is true of men and nations. History proves that any nation, people group, or individual which leans to human understanding, refuses obedience to the "God-Breathed," Word, "will vanish like smoke." The majority of Americans, however, do not believe this. They believe America's power of the last century is forever; so they vote, raise families, conduct business in rejection of Jesus Christ and His Words. Who needs Him? The Supreme Court in 1962, 1963, and 1973 made decisions in the same thinking, decisions which sowed the seed of vanishing smoke, worn out garments, and dead flies.
Those who are of the, "never end,..never fail,..never abolished," people pray, work, vote for their "earthly" nation to come under Christ's authority. But their hope and allegiance is another Kingdom, another Nation, a new "people group." Their identity is no longer based on race, gender, or "national origin." Their identity is centered in Jesus Christ, under His Kingship, citizens of His Kingdom. Such will never, "vanish like smoke," but rather, in Jesus, "last forever."
Father, in Jesus' Name, life proves that without You I, "vanish like smoke." Surrender to You proves that in You I, "last forever." Amen.
*****************
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
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
"I Will Not Forget You" (The Word of God, HImself)
"But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.'" (Isaiah 49:14)
If anyone knows anything of Jewish history, one could, in a human rationale, understand the assertion in our text. For the vast majority of Jewish history the Jews have found themselves in great suffering, and no matter the goodness of the Living Triune God, the conclusion of most has been, "But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me.'" This statement is the bedfellow of the question, "Why did God allow this?" The question, "Why?" puts me in the driver's seat. It makes me the determining factor of life, the "lord" of my life. Unanswered "whys" affect relationship with Jesus. They are the root of doubt and reservation, preventing a person from absolute trust in Jesus Christ----- in everything.
I sat across from a classmate of mine last August at our high school's 50th reunion who knew of the loss of our son, Stephen. She said, "My only question was, 'Why?'" There was utter confusion in her expression, a "how-could-God-allow-this" look. Something happened that did not permit a response from me, but what if I had said, "I don't know?" How does such a response affect people? How does such a response affect you today? How many things have happened in your life for which you, in all honesty, have no answers, at least answers which satisfy. One commentary on God's response to Job's queries said it was a response "which answers nothing------- and everything." The answer was, can I use a vernacular here?--- "This is beyond your pay grade, Job." In essence, "Job, you can understand so little of My Universe. Why attempt to understand this?"
I have met so many people in my life time who have made the same assertion as our text. For far too many, the "whys" have led to, "The Lord has forsaken me." Maybe the words were a little different, but the the great "whys" of life, the unanswered questions for so many lead to the inevitable end, "I give up; I quit." There is no reason for such an end.
The truth, the "answer," if you will, in such times of despair as recorded in our text is in the following verse. "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. You and I have a continual choice. Look for answers that come from ourselves or others, or from Him Who is, "The Word of God," even Jesus, the Christ: "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I receive and accept Your Words over all others; You, "will not forget [me]." Amen.
***************************
If anyone knows anything of Jewish history, one could, in a human rationale, understand the assertion in our text. For the vast majority of Jewish history the Jews have found themselves in great suffering, and no matter the goodness of the Living Triune God, the conclusion of most has been, "But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me.'" This statement is the bedfellow of the question, "Why did God allow this?" The question, "Why?" puts me in the driver's seat. It makes me the determining factor of life, the "lord" of my life. Unanswered "whys" affect relationship with Jesus. They are the root of doubt and reservation, preventing a person from absolute trust in Jesus Christ----- in everything.
I sat across from a classmate of mine last August at our high school's 50th reunion who knew of the loss of our son, Stephen. She said, "My only question was, 'Why?'" There was utter confusion in her expression, a "how-could-God-allow-this" look. Something happened that did not permit a response from me, but what if I had said, "I don't know?" How does such a response affect people? How does such a response affect you today? How many things have happened in your life for which you, in all honesty, have no answers, at least answers which satisfy. One commentary on God's response to Job's queries said it was a response "which answers nothing------- and everything." The answer was, can I use a vernacular here?--- "This is beyond your pay grade, Job." In essence, "Job, you can understand so little of My Universe. Why attempt to understand this?"
I have met so many people in my life time who have made the same assertion as our text. For far too many, the "whys" have led to, "The Lord has forsaken me." Maybe the words were a little different, but the the great "whys" of life, the unanswered questions for so many lead to the inevitable end, "I give up; I quit." There is no reason for such an end.
The truth, the "answer," if you will, in such times of despair as recorded in our text is in the following verse. "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. You and I have a continual choice. Look for answers that come from ourselves or others, or from Him Who is, "The Word of God," even Jesus, the Christ: "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I receive and accept Your Words over all others; You, "will not forget [me]." Amen.
***************************
Read of coming chaos in Iraq: www.jerberwash.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
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
"My Comfort In My Affliction"
"This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life." (Ps. 119:50)
The 24th of the month, so it is Psalm 119. It is my life's testimony, everything the psalmist says, all the promises, the prayers, the affirmations therein. I learned this in the "school" of suffering and pain. I was a young pastor in seminary when we lost our oldest child, Stephen, at the age of 4 years, eleven months; I had no strength, no words to say or pray, no comfort, no, "life." It was not some stubborn, "Well, no one is going to comfort me in this. My pain is too great for anyone to understand or help." No. There was no thought process; I was too weak to be stubborn or proud. It was as though all life had been drained from me. Then came, "The Word of God," Jesus, and His, "All Scripture is God-Breathed." The Breath of God entered me in a continual flow of His Words, day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute. Jesus, Word of our Father, fulfilled our text in me, "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."
People may think I put emphasis on the Scriptures at the expense of prayer and the ministry of the Church, the People of God. I do not. Prayer is a little child coming to Father, perhaps crying, pleading, yes, even confessing, declaring, interceding, "mak[ing] your requests known." But prayer does take "work," effort. I was in a meeting with an internationally known Bible teacher about 10 years ago. When he heard what I was doing in Washington, DC, his response was, "Prayer is hard work." Yes, prayer initiates in God, is energized in the Holy Spirit, and is aligning ourselves with His purposes. But it still requires effort. As for the Church, I cannot put too much emphasis on and thanksgiving for the Members of the Body of Christ, for the support, prayers, and fellowship. This is not "either or." But to me, what is so powerful in, "the Words of God," is that they come entirely from Him.
Can you not see today the tremendous power in that reality? No possibility of "the flesh" involved, no strength needed to utter or even "think" something, just, "....Your word has given me life." In Psalm 119:130, the psalmist says, "The entrance ('unfolding') of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." One Hebrew scholar says that the sense is, "Thy words as a doorway." What a great reality, "a doorway," into His Very Life. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." The confession of my faith and desire today is Psalm 119:97, "O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I repeat the words of the psalmist, Your Words, "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life." Amen.
****************
Please note the very large and influential Unreached People Group today:
www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
The 24th of the month, so it is Psalm 119. It is my life's testimony, everything the psalmist says, all the promises, the prayers, the affirmations therein. I learned this in the "school" of suffering and pain. I was a young pastor in seminary when we lost our oldest child, Stephen, at the age of 4 years, eleven months; I had no strength, no words to say or pray, no comfort, no, "life." It was not some stubborn, "Well, no one is going to comfort me in this. My pain is too great for anyone to understand or help." No. There was no thought process; I was too weak to be stubborn or proud. It was as though all life had been drained from me. Then came, "The Word of God," Jesus, and His, "All Scripture is God-Breathed." The Breath of God entered me in a continual flow of His Words, day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute. Jesus, Word of our Father, fulfilled our text in me, "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."
People may think I put emphasis on the Scriptures at the expense of prayer and the ministry of the Church, the People of God. I do not. Prayer is a little child coming to Father, perhaps crying, pleading, yes, even confessing, declaring, interceding, "mak[ing] your requests known." But prayer does take "work," effort. I was in a meeting with an internationally known Bible teacher about 10 years ago. When he heard what I was doing in Washington, DC, his response was, "Prayer is hard work." Yes, prayer initiates in God, is energized in the Holy Spirit, and is aligning ourselves with His purposes. But it still requires effort. As for the Church, I cannot put too much emphasis on and thanksgiving for the Members of the Body of Christ, for the support, prayers, and fellowship. This is not "either or." But to me, what is so powerful in, "the Words of God," is that they come entirely from Him.
Can you not see today the tremendous power in that reality? No possibility of "the flesh" involved, no strength needed to utter or even "think" something, just, "....Your word has given me life." In Psalm 119:130, the psalmist says, "The entrance ('unfolding') of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." One Hebrew scholar says that the sense is, "Thy words as a doorway." What a great reality, "a doorway," into His Very Life. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." The confession of my faith and desire today is Psalm 119:97, "O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I repeat the words of the psalmist, Your Words, "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life." Amen.
****************
Please note the very large and influential Unreached People Group today:
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
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Monday, April 23, 2012
58trojan23 sent you a video: "In Remembrance (Devotional at the End of the Clip)"
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"Do Not Move (Another's) Boundary Stone"
"Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless...." (Proverbs 23:10, NIV)
"Do not remove a boundary marker" (CEV); "Do not remove the ancient landmark" (Amplified); "Do not cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers" (NLT).
There are many "spiritual" interpretations of this text, but some times such interpretations just take people from the "real world."
I once read that it was a practice in ancient times to move a person's boundary stone a little at a time so that, over time, they could steal much of a person's property (any application to modern geopolitics is up to you). Our text is a reminder of a couple of things in Biblical Theology about which modern liberal religionists try to deceive the unthinking. First, private property is a Biblical principle. Communism mostly, then socialism, then perverted other various political philosophies advocate the moral superiority of common property, translated in more historically recent terms, "state owned." The only difference between "state owned" and private property is who owns the property. The assumption of the "left" is always that the "state" (which is they themselves) is the most prevailing moral authority in a given society. "The state" knows best, is the most fair, morally superior to any other, will redistribute wealth fairly. And the inevitable will follow; it will punish people for making too much money and award people who don't.
I cannot tell you how many gullible "christians" I have met over the years who believe that communism/socialism is the best "if worked right." How do you "work right" that which is opposed to the Word of God?!? There is a stupid (sorry) assumption that there are hidden in every people group an inherently righteous people. If we would just elect them, let them run things, everybody would have work, all human needs would be met, everyone would be content. The intent of such philosophy is to eliminate Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. The command in our text is, "Do not remove the ancient landmark." It is a sin to take what belongs to one and give it to another. If it belongs to me, I am the one accountable to our Lord Jesus Christ for what I do with it, not some "state."
Second, I give you a teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Then he ordered, 'Take the money from this servant (who did nothing with what he was given) and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver' (not the one with 4). To those who use well what they are given even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." (From Matthew 25).
Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me if I have ever removed an, "ancient landmark." Holy Spirit help me to always do something with what I have. Amen.
"Do not remove a boundary marker" (CEV); "Do not remove the ancient landmark" (Amplified); "Do not cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers" (NLT).
There are many "spiritual" interpretations of this text, but some times such interpretations just take people from the "real world."
I once read that it was a practice in ancient times to move a person's boundary stone a little at a time so that, over time, they could steal much of a person's property (any application to modern geopolitics is up to you). Our text is a reminder of a couple of things in Biblical Theology about which modern liberal religionists try to deceive the unthinking. First, private property is a Biblical principle. Communism mostly, then socialism, then perverted other various political philosophies advocate the moral superiority of common property, translated in more historically recent terms, "state owned." The only difference between "state owned" and private property is who owns the property. The assumption of the "left" is always that the "state" (which is they themselves) is the most prevailing moral authority in a given society. "The state" knows best, is the most fair, morally superior to any other, will redistribute wealth fairly. And the inevitable will follow; it will punish people for making too much money and award people who don't.
I cannot tell you how many gullible "christians" I have met over the years who believe that communism/socialism is the best "if worked right." How do you "work right" that which is opposed to the Word of God?!? There is a stupid (sorry) assumption that there are hidden in every people group an inherently righteous people. If we would just elect them, let them run things, everybody would have work, all human needs would be met, everyone would be content. The intent of such philosophy is to eliminate Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. The command in our text is, "Do not remove the ancient landmark." It is a sin to take what belongs to one and give it to another. If it belongs to me, I am the one accountable to our Lord Jesus Christ for what I do with it, not some "state."
Second, I give you a teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Then he ordered, 'Take the money from this servant (who did nothing with what he was given) and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver' (not the one with 4). To those who use well what they are given even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." (From Matthew 25).
Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me if I have ever removed an, "ancient landmark." Holy Spirit help me to always do something with what I have. 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
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
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