Only "Common People" Hear Him "Gladly"

"The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.  I have seen a limit (literally, "end") to all perfection; Your commandment is exceedingly broad." (Ps. 119:95, 96)

Notice the contrast between, "Your testimonies,"/"Your commandment," and, "the wicked,"/"all perfection."  Yet when faced with attack and the, "end of all perfection," the psalmist's refuge is, "Your testimonies," and, "Your commandment."  The best defense and offense against, "to destroy me," is, "Your testimonies."  And when, "I have seen [an end] to all perfection," I find in, "Your commandment," unlimited resource. 

In the notice I received today about an "Unreached People Group," among the Tibetans, I read that "Buddhism is a strong, integral part of the self identity of most Tibetans."  Okay, so the whole quest for "self identity" or "completion" is apparently not just a Western phenomena.  The report also related that "the Paris Foreign Missionary Society evangelized the area in the 1880s.  In 1905 Tibetan lamas [in Southern Khampa] killed all the French missionaries and the head of Father Dubernard was hung on the monastery gate, and several Christian families were shot."  Our text must have deep significance to the tiny minority of Followers of Jesus in Southern Khampa, whom, "the wicked (still) wait for me to destroy me," and where, "I have seen a limit to all perfection."

People who say that they cannot identify with the Bible have a real "identity crises."  I used to think that about the Book of Psalms---------------------- until I got a little of life on me, a taste of reality that I was either too foggy or too untried to see.  Now The Psalms, indeed, the whole Bible, is my official Prayer Book.  Those who say that they cannot identify with the Bible, or that "it just doesn't speak to me," or "it's out of date," or, whatever, just will not accept the reality that, "The Word of God," is too real for them.  John's Gospel declares that The Incarnate Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, "knew (knows) what is in man."  This is one of the reasons, "the common people heard Him gladly."  They were desperate, knew of their need, and wanted God's help.  The self righteous, on the other hand, when our Lord "read their mail," were filled with rage that someone could look into the very depths of their hearts and see who they really were.  This was all rooted in God's love for them, but they could not see that; hence, they rejected Jesus. 

The Word of God is an "X-ray" into the heart and mind of man, an "X-ray" Who reveals and heals at the same time.  If you and I want "the Great Physician's" help, then we will come to, "The Words of God," which are, "life to those who find them, and health (remedy, healing, medicine) to all their flesh."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am one of, "the common people," and I hear You, "gladly," because I need you desperately, "Your testimonies"/Your commandment."  Amen.
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* Every Day You can Read of Unreached Peoples:  www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
* In just a little over two weeks, "David's Tent" begins just outside the White House.  Please pray.
* Beginning next week, 9/12, Conference Call Prayer will be on Wednesdays

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

"Your Commandments...Make Me Wiser Than My Enemies"

"You, through Your commandments (Word), make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me."  (Psalm 119:98)

God's, "commandments...are ever with me."  America as a nation cannot say that.  This is the reason for the spectacle of the last few days----------------- and the stupidity of so many Americans.

Most of the pundits are praising Bill Clinton for his speech at the Democrat Convention.  Clinton was the first baby-boomer elected president.  He beat out two World Two veterans (92, '96).  America chose "pretty boy Floyd" over its heritage.  Clinton was caught lying about his affair with a young girl.  The last time I checked, lying under oath is a federal felony.  Yet Clinton is the most popular former US President abroad, and still gets women to swoon over him in speeches which are just charlatan based.  Most of the press, who love him and cannot heap enough praise on him, is full of debauched humanists who come off to most as very smart, and it was these who led the worship of yet another deceiver.  They are dumb, however, by Biblical standards.  The worst offender in the biased, pro murder, anti-Israel category is MSNBC.  They received the top rating for the DNC coverage, beating out CNN and FOX.  Another sign of the times is an ordained United Methodist minister was the "platform drafting committee chair."  This is the platform which affirms same gender marriage and Obama's approval of late term abortion/murder of the unborn.   If it is only, "Your commandments, make me wiser," then these are very dumb people.

Why has America become so dumb?  America has taken, "Your commandments (Words)," out of its "public" schools and life.  When that happens, you have what Biblical Theology simply calls, "the fool."  The Bible says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'"  That is what the Democrat Platform said.  It does not matter the talk, the degrees, the accolades, they are still, "the fool."  

Jesus is, "made to us wisdom from God."  Resist Jesus Christ, and there is just no, "wisdom from God."  And if it is not, "from God," guess what is the source.  Job gives an accurate description of our discussion today.  "But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his....Yes, strength and wisdom are his; deceivers and deceived are both in his power.  He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools."  You and I need not be in this category, if we live and declare with the psalmist, "You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I need You and, "Your commandments."  Amen.

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CONFERENCE CALL PRAYER TONIGHT, 19:00

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"Faithfulness...To All Generations" (This Includes You)

"Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides."
(Psalm 119:90)

I think I am subtly trying to get through Psalm 119 so that I don't bore people.  But every time I try to "advance" more quickly in the Psalm, I come to another verse which just imparts so much life to me.  I don't know how many are making this journey with me, but I am enjoying the journey very much.  No one and nothing can encourage, uplift, and give hope to anyone as can, "The Word of God," Who is Jesus Christ and everything/word which proceeds from His Mouth. 

Most people have regrets in life, decisions they wish they could change, people offended who will never be reconciled, vocational choices, etc.  It seems to me that we all have a choice.  We can fret about life, or embrace life.  We can bemoan what we did that we should not have done, or did not do what we should have done.  There is nothing we can do about that; it is done.  The Faithfulness of Jesus Christ is eternal; so, there is no reason to doubt, "Your faithfulness endures to all generations...."  Every generation, every person, every people group has had sin, mistakes, regrettable decisions.  But every generation has had, and still has, the opportunity to walk in the faithfulness of Jesus, Who and which, "endures to all generations." 

It is okay to look back on our lives.  It will give us a greater and greater sense of just how much and true is, "Your faithfulness endures to all generations."  But in that process, we have a call to a greater
gaze, "Looking unto Jesus,..Who for the joy that was set before Him endured...."  And there is much, "joy...set before," you and me today----------- if we will only look for it.  Yes, there are joys in our past, but the greater and greatest joy is still to come.  While there is much occurring right now on the global scene which is causing great consternation for many, our text declares, "You established the earth, and it abides."  And it will--------------- until that day when He Who, "established," it will return to establish, "a new heaven and a new earth...." 

My desktop photo is the photo of the Earth taken by the Apollo 8 crew in December of 1968, a little blue and white marble, suspended in space, traveling at about 67,000 miles an hour around a star, a journey which takes a year to complete!  The photo is at the same time a little frightening and faith inspiring.  He Who put it there is faithful, "to all generations;" therefore, "it abides." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, Your promises just keep making my days.  Amen.
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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

To Believe Or Not To Believe-- That is the Question

"Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven."  (Psalm 119:89)

"Settled," here means, "fixed, set," or, in the vernacular, "a done deal."  In legal terms, a settlement is "a resolution between disputing parties."  A settlement is also "a place where people live."  Either way, both definitions apply to the human condition.  Anyone who receives and believes Jesus Christ, "the Word of God," the matter of sin and forgiveness is settled.  Also, man can give up "disputing" God.  And to anyone who receives and believes Jesus Christ, there is just no better place "where people live."  All this we can build our lives upon, because, "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven."

The NIV says, "Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."  So many people have fixated on "faith teachers" over the last few decades, as though they came up with something new; they did not.  If anyone would just have believed our text, or the Bible in general, there would never have been a need for a "faith movement," a "prayer movement," or a "worship movement," or a "father of modern missions."  The Church would have been walking in all of the aforementioned ever since Pentecost, or, one further, from the beginning.  Everything to do with you and me, and all humanity, for that matter, comes from believing or not believing, "Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven."  This has nothing to do with "answered prayer."  To use the vernacular, "This is a done deal."  The Word is settled, and that settles everything.  The Living Triune God is Eternal; therefore, His Word is Eternal.  "In the beginning was the Word/Jesus, and the Word/Jesus was with God, and the Word/Jesus was God."  This is the Word about which our text speaks.

What is before you today, the rest of the week?  What is causing anxiety?  As the clothing brand states, "No Fear," because, "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven," in Earth-------------- in my life.  We need not pray for Him to fulfill His word to us.  All, "is settled."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I accept; therefore, I believe, "Your word is settled."  Amen.

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* We have three men who have committed to "David's Tent" on November 3.  What about you, man?

* If you wish to contribute to my participation in "David's Tent," anything I receive above the expense for September 24-October 1 will go towards my staying longer.

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

Psalm 119 "Series"

"Let the proud be ashamed, for they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; but I will meditate on Your precepts."  (Psalm 119:78)

The word translated, "proud," means, "arrogant, presumptuous."  The word for, "falsehood," can be translated, "deception, lie."  Might want to avoid such.

"The proud," are prone to, "falsehood," because their opinion of themselves cannot be sustained with truth.  It is always "higher" than the reality.  Never trust a proud person to treat you truthfully, accurately.  Only those in Jesus Christ and His Word can avoid treating people, "wrongfully with falsehood," because they are those who, "meditate on Your precepts."  Life's "theme" for the Follower of Jesus is His Word to us in John 15, "Abide in Me, and My words abide in you...."  This is the best protection against, "wrongfully with falsehood."

I am in Job at this time in the quarter, and always find the young man, Elihu, an interesting person.  

Youthful spirituality can be very arrogant, not to mention, presumptuous.  We know that at the end of the book of Job, God only deals with the "three friends;" He makes no mention of Elihu.   Elihu should have gotten the "message."  When God dealt with those who accused Job of sin, he was not even mentioned; he was ignored. What a "statement" to him.  The Word of God said to one of the friends, "Eliphaz the Temanite, 'My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.  Now therefore,'" well, demonstrate repentance.  If Elihu was paying attention, I trust he got in on the repentance. 

The so called "three friends" and the presumptuous young Elihu, spoke, "wrongfully with falsehood."  In short, they didn't know what they were talking about, even though as one reads the Book of Job, it seems as though the four say good things from time to time.  Apparently with God, if I mix "good stuff" with falsehood, a lie, the "good stuff" is cancelled.  Best be careful with our words, acting as though we always can have an answer for everyone.  This is quite different from being ready to, "give a reason for the hope that is in you."  The context of that famous passage is sobering and at the same time cautionary: "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR...."

Trust only those whose words which come to us, "in Your precepts," and which we give only, "in Your precepts."  This is not going around always quoting chapter and verse, "Bible thumping," as some call it.  It is more a "spirit" of the Word of God reigning, written in our hearts and minds.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for a life style of, "meekness and fear."  I want to only trust, "Your precepts."  Amen.

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* Thursday, 19:00:  Conference Call Prayer Time (Contact us for Codes)
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* "Man Up" mission to "David's Tent," November 3.

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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