"I Must Also See Rome" (Paul-------- and me)

"Paul purposed in the Spirit...to go to Jerusalem, saying, 'After I have been there, I must also see Rome'" (Acts 19:21).

I read this last evening and was reignited.  Some people think the only reason Paul wanted to see Rome was to prevent having to stand trial in Jerusalem and risk a possible early execution; not so.  This declaration of Paul is well before the, "I appeal to Caesar," statement he made before Festus.  Paul had his eye on the Capitol of the Empire.

No one can doubt the aggressive tactics of the Early Church, i.e., AD 33- AD 313.  They ransacked the Empire with this Jesus. A representative of Rome described the essence of the Empire's dilemma to another official when he spoke of Paul's trial before him, recorded in the Book of Acts: "Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:  But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive."  What powerful "preaching" was this.  This message, This Jesus brought Rome to her knees.  I really don't care what other historians say about decaying from within, or the rise of the Germanic barbaric hordes.  The Church of Jesus Christ won the day.  

With all this in mind, with this encouragement from the Holy Spirit Himself, I am planning, therefore, a mission to Berlin/East Europe and Jerusalem this Fall.  It is my call.  I have a missionary friend who travels about every month in the year to various places around the Globe.  I have been going on the average of twice a year.  Maybe it's finances; maybe it's age, but I refuse to surrender to either------------

and so should you.  The days are short; the task is monumental, but the destiny of millions of lives is at stake.  Be faithful where you are, as were those in Ephesus, Corinth, Thessoloniki, and other more obscure places in the Empire.  Their combined prayers, giving, going, being salt and light reach right into the "Palace" (White House?!?) of the mighty Roman Empire.  It can happen again, here in the US and every continent and Island of the sea.  Please do not succumb to those who say this is Post Milennialism.  It is not.  What it is, on the contrary, is obedience to the Great Commission/Command, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...."---------- 

(take over)   

Father, in Jesus' Name, grant grace, strength and everything I need to do everything You command.  Amen.

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More info on this Fall's mission coming over the weekend.

Be sure to see my "shorty" on today's theme on my Facebook Page

Also Embarrassing Article at: 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

"Anxious Thoughts Multiply"--They Can Be Neutralized

"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul."  (Psalm 94:19, NASB)

Permit me to begin today's devotional with an e-mail I received this morning from South Africa. The sender said that a South African Follower of Jesus with whom I roomed while serving with the IDF, forwards each day's devotional to him.  He said, "which I find very uplifting."  What an absolute privilege (and corresponding responsibility) to serve a part of the Church in South Africa.  I also have friends whom I have never met personally, but share with daily, in Central Africa.  This is all because of the modern marvel of the Internet.  I am absolutely delighted to have such regular contact with Brethren, people who, along with you and me, are a part of the Glorious Triumphant Church of Jesus Christ (sorry, got carried away.)

Our text today speaks of, "Anxious thoughts."  You have probably noticed in your life time how they tend to,"multiply".  It may begin with just one thought, maybe even "out of nowhere," but then it seems to act like the ameba, just keeps multiplying and multiplying.  The best antidote to, "anxious thoughts," multiplication is, "Looking unto Jesus."  As Theodore Monod wrote, "Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life."  "Looking unto Jesus," stops the multiplication process.  When the first anxious thought arises in the day, "Looking unto Jesus," will meet it head on.  Instead of, "anxious thoughts," there are, as the kids' song says, "Jesus thoughts," and what blessed thoughts there can be.  Thoughts turn to Jesus, Who He is, What He does, where I am "headed" in Him.  "Looking unto Jesus," takes me out of myself, where, "anxious thoughts multiply," and into Him, where they are neutralized.  They do not originate in Jesus, so why not live in Him Who is the Destroyer of, "anxious thoughts"?  

Anxiety is rooted in unbelief/disobedience.  Now some do not like to synthesize unbelief and disobedience, but the Bible does, everywhere; unbelief is the opposite of faith.  So today, "When my anxious thoughts," begin to, "multiply within me," or you, we have a medical cure, "Looking unto Jesus"----- ph=7.

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Don't forget to check us out on Facebook

A very sobering read, Transcript of The Nuremberg Trials of the German Judges: 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

This Will, "Save Us," My Friend

(For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver, The Lord is our King; He will save us"...." (Isaiah 33:22)

I wrote on my Facebook page today, "I guess that just about covers the three branches of government."  It does.  This is the Reign of Jesus Christ throughout history.  Man has had a choice to submit to the reign of Christ, or the reign of man; God has apparently allowed this.  But the day is coming and, "This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out.  Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11, NLT).  And not only is, "our salvation...nearer than when we first believed," so is the coming judgment on all humanity.  Jesus tell us, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  All the nations will be gathered before Him," all the nations, people groups, those who submitted their lives to King Jesus and those who did not. 

Note in our text that the Government of God provides all which the Framers of the American Constitution believed were necessary to "form a more perfect government."  Where do you suppose the more "in tune" among them got this idea?  There were real Believers in Jesus Christ in the early days of the American struggle.  Their faith and submission to the Reign of Jesus shaped this nation, argue though many may.  But this governmental principle in our text is not only for nations; it is for humanity in their small, daily, personal lives.  The governmental principle of the Kingdom of Heaven/God will save nations.  The governmental principle of the Kingdom will save you and me, save us in That Day, "Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth" (Jesus).

Father, in Jesus' Name, what a glorious Kingdom, Government, and to think, It is all on your Shoulders----------- Glorious.  Amen.

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Preaching in "Good Shepherd Church" Meeting, July 29, 10:15

War Criminals Still Being Apprehended: www.jerberwash.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

"They Have Said," But It Won't Come to pass

"They have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'" (Psalm 83:4)

Well, that plan hasn't worked.  "They," have been saying this about the People of the Blessed Trinity since man's creation.  The Jews are now, yes, right now as I write and as you read, the most powerful nation in the Middle East, and the Church is still declaring to the nations the reality of the Universe, "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteous He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns....He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God ....And the armies in heaven...followed Him on white horses.  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.  And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.  He Himself treads the winepress of fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."  The end of the, "They," is sealed.

Our text is warfare 101.  God told Satan that the Man would, "bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."  Yes, Jesus died that you and I may live.  But, praise Him, "Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign."  Now while Satan's "head wound" has not finished him, the Bible tells us that some day, "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.  And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."  So, you see that the, "Come, and let us cut them off," people are on a sinking ship.  As for you and me?---  "Now I saw a new haven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  Also there was no more sea.  Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband....God Himself...will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  Hey, any, "They," people out there, Come on board.

Father, in Jesus' Name, Your Word is a glorious, "lamp to my feet and light to my path."  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

"Take a Load Off"

"Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation." (Psalm 68:19)

Other translations reveal the depth of those, "benefits."  The NASB says, "Who daily bears our burden," and the NLT says, "For each day He carries us in His arms."  

This past weekend I was with friends whom we have known for over 40 years; the time was refreshing to me.  But this past year has been a difficult "season" for them and the members of their congregation because of the loss of two of their men.  Today's text was the Psalm reading for the day I arrived at our friends' house; how appropriate for those who have suffered such a great loss.

I have testified to this many times and will continue to do so, because it is my most powerful, miraculous, lifesaving testimony.  I am thankful, of course, that I was born of the Spirit and baptized in the Holy Spirit many decades ago.  This all Believers in Jesus Christ have (or should have) in common.  Our individual testimonies, however, may vary as widely has there are people in the Church.  I can tell you that our text has been the sustenance of my life for over 42 years.  Now some may say, "Hasn't it been our testimony since conception?"  Yes, it has.  But as with so many of our testimonies, we were not aware of the power of the Living Triune God in our lives until something happened, for very many, some catastrophic happening.

To anyone who, "has ears to hear," Jesus is still saying, "Come to Me you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest....For My yoke is easy ('light, not burdensome, easily managed (carried)' and My burden is light," i.e., "useful, gentle, pleasant, kind."  This is Who and what we have in Jesus.  This is the life of a trusting, Believer, trusting Follower of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Even though life seems to shout in defiant denial, life in Jesus Christ can be, "easy... and light."  Now don't get all argumentative on me; didn't we just both read that somewhere?!?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for me and all our friends today that we will walk in  Your, "benefits,"----------------- Your, "arms."  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