"Zeal Without Knowledge"-How About Knowledge Without Zeal?!?

"My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words."  (Psalm 119:139)

Literally, "My zeal destroys me..."  I can understand the feeling to some extent, but there is also a caution here to us zealots.  I have written before that when people say someone has gone through "burn out," they were not doing the work of Jesus.  The work of Jesus Christ does not "burn out."  Neither can we say His work,"destroys me"; only, "wood, hay, and stubble," burn, and only Satan destroys.  But zeal for, "Your words"?  How can one be too zealous for, "The Word of God"?  Oral Roberts once said, "What people call fanaticism today, was common life in the Early Church."  Grant us, Lord, that "common life."

I want to share something with you from a sermon of the great American Evangelist, Dwight Moody.  He shares that someone once said to him, "You are too zealous.  You do more harm than good.  There's such a thing as having too much zeal."  Moody goes on to say, "Have zeal, if it is good zeal.  I would rather have zeal without knowledge than knowledge without zeal.  Don't let these conservative men scare you out of your wits.  Zeal without knowledge!  I pity those men who have great knowledge and no fire back of it.  If you've got your head full of knowledge, get up and go."

The word for, "zeal," in the Hebrew and Greek mean, "jealousy," or, "jealous."  The call today is for the Church to be zealous, "jealous," to guard with faithfulness and sobriety the Gospel and Words of the Kingdom.  Too much of Christendom has, "forgotten Your words," and they will accuse you and me of too much zealousness.  As for me, I pray for a, "zeal has consumed me," in God's sense, a zeal for, "The Word of God," Who is Jesus Christ, and His, "God-Breathed," Words.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to discern between zeal which destroys me and zeal which serves You.  Amen.

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I will be in Washington, DC for Yom Kippur this year.

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

"Establish My Footsteps"

"Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me." (Psalm 119:133, NASB)

There is a definite "cause and effect" in Psalm 119.  Every prayer, every declaration is integrally related to the, "Word of God."  Today's text reveals how commitment to, "The Word of God," yields victory over sin, "Establish my footsteps in Your Word...."  Romans 6 reveals that sin seeks, "dominion over you...."  The Holy Spirit tells us, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." 

In Psalm 65:3, David declares, "Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them."  Iniquities will, "prevail against me," if, "my footsteps (are not) establish[ed] in Your word."  Yet anyone whose, "footsteps," are established, "in Your (His) word," knows that, "You will provide (has purchased, finished) atonement them," all my sin, always.  In and through the Blood of Jesus Christ, "....We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."  In Jesus, His Blood, His Cross, His Death, His Resurrection, His Ascension, His Soon Appearing, "we now have."  To people who think our "faith" exclusive, it is not.  "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink'"-----------"anyone."  That is all that anyone on Planet Earth needs to find, "the atonement"-------- "thirst."  When a lost soul surrenders to Jesus Christ, the prayer, "....do not let any iniquity have dominion over me," is answered.  This is victory, my friend, the ultimate, glorious definition of victory. 

When we sin, make mistakes, falter, etc., doubt as to our salvation can be a very real evil.  Yet doubt will only defeat today that person whose, "footsteps," seek establishment elsewhere.  If, however, our desire, commitment, life style is, "Establish my footstep in Your Word," then doubt will not prevail.  A life established in, "The Word of God," Jesus Christ, and His, "Breathed," Words is a life whose, "footsteps," are those of total victory.

Father, in Jesus' Name, while so many seek to establish their footsteps in so many offerings of man, I pray, "Establish my footsteps in Your Word."  Amen. 
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* You will discover the truth about the recent attacks on our Embassies in the Middle East if you read the article on our Blog: The Middle East Riots are "NOT ABOUT A MOVIE":   www.jerusalemberlinwashington.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

"It Is Time For Action"

"Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated Your instructions." (Psalm 119:126, NLT)

How so very timely, and in this hour of global chaos, He is acting.  "Evil people," the world over and since the Garden, "have violated Your instructions," but there is a global expression of, "evil people," which in a global age is bringing the world, yes, to Armageddon.  A rendition of our text could be, "Lord, it is time for action."

Some were disturbed that yesterday I prayed for the attack on the US Embassy in Cairo.  I did not pray for people to be injured or killed, and thank Jesus that did not occur.  But later in the day we heard of the murder of four of America's diplomatic mission in Libya.  This will spread.  Notice the increased tension between Israel and America, most poignantly, the American President and the Israeli Prime Minister, while the Islamists of Iran are plotting the murder of world Jewry and the submission of the Planet.  The Bible describes our text and the world condition further in Psalm 82:5, "They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable."

The only stability is The Word of God; but you know that.  Some may ask, "Well then, why do you keep repeating that over and over."  Simple; "....Evil people have violated Your instructions," and they will continue to do so, day after day, year after year, until, "the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ."  So as long as the world violates, "Your instructions," the Church needs to ceaselessly remind them of the, "Words of God," Incarnate in Jesus Christ.  It is a battle, a constant, never ending battle between the Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light, the former led by Satan, the latter, by King Jesus.  Some may grow weary of God repeating Himself; I do not. I am very thankful for the constant flow of His Words to my soul, writing them and Him in my mind and heart.

In the midst of an unstable world, we have Father's love, security, protection, guidance, direction, "Let not your hearts be troubled."  His Word is a constant repetition of this.  I say with the psalmist the words in the verse following today's text, "Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes than fine gold!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, in the midst of an unstable world, I thank You for Your repetitive Words.  Amen.
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CONFERENCE PRAYER CALL TONIGHT:   19:00  

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

Eleven Years Later--"Your Testimonies," Still Has Answers

"Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart." (Ps. 119:111)

I take, "The Word of God," King Jesus, as my, "heritage forever," because He has taken me forever.  By His Blood, our Lord Jesus Christ, as the hymn declares, "purchased my salvation on Calv'ry's tree."  And I want to constantly affirm that His "breathed" words are synonymous with His Person; there is no separating One from the Other.  Jesus and the Breath of His Words Is my, "heritage forever," for many reasons.  By breathing His Words into me so long ago, He took a heart full of sadness and despair, "and put a new song in my mouth."  In the midst of suffering, Jesus and His Words became, as I had not know Him before, "the rejoicing of my heart."

This is September 11, 2012.  Eleven years ago, the reality of Islam reared its very ugly face, and its purpose, from its founding over 1500 years ago, its declared war on the Jews and Western Civilization, which would centuries later include a "newcomer on the block," a nation and people group which would be the first to recognize the newly form Nation of Israel, the nation which would prove to be Israel's strongest ally, and the nation which would come to personify to Islamists the world over, "the Great Satan," that purpose has not changed one iota.  I have sent to you and posted to our Blog two excellent articles which help, in some degree, to understand just what was and is behind the Arab/Islamic World's hatred and continual warfare against "the infidels"-------- and the very pathetic response by governments around the world.  The present American Administration has pulled troops out of Iraq and pledges to lead NATO out of Afghanistan within two years.  The poor pathetic bureaucrats do not realize that this war is over 1500 years old, and will continue until the Second Appearing of King Jesus to put a stop to all of this.  To stop now is to admit defeat, or even worse, a sympathy with Islam's war of global takeover, which was once stopped at the "gates of Vienna," but is now in a resurgence not equaled in its past.  Do not think the statement, "sympathy with Islam[]" as absurd.

Sun Tzu, a Chinese "high ranking general" in the 6th Century BC, once said, "If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."  Most world leaders have little knowledge of or concern for world history.  If they did, their policies would be very different.  America is leading the pack in this neglect.  Because of this blindness to history, and because of the proverbial "political correctness," America knows "neither the enemy nor [it]self."  America has lost its identity, its Christ-Given purpose for its founding in the first place.  And because of this, the nation which attempted to exclude Jesus Christ from its "public" school system, the nation which within just a few short years of that decision lost its first war, the nation which has killed more human beings than Hitler and Stalin combined, has become more than ever a confused nation.  I say with the Ancient Greek maxim, America "know thyself."  The Suda, "a tenth century encyclopedia of Greek knowledge, says: 'the proverb is applied to those whose boasts exceed what they are, and that 'know thyself' is a warning to pay no attention to the opinion of the multitude.'"

I, therefore, conclude with Paul's admonition to Timothy, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."  Wait a minute, are you saying that if we just pray right, "we may lead a quite and peaceable life...?"  I don't know; am I?

Father, in Jesus' Name, only You can help me to know "the enemy [and] myself."  That is why I am devoted to You and, "Your testimonies," and that is why I have a, "rejoicing...heart."  Amen.

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* Read, "Eleven Years of the Same Mistake":  www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
* CONFERENCE PRAYER CALL WEDNESDAY, 9/12, @ 19:00

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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

"The Government Is The Only Thing We All Belong To""

"I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts."  (Psalm 119:99, 100)

This may sound like arrogance to many.  To me, it sounds like faith based on the Truth of the Word of God.

DNC Video: "The Government Is The Only Thing We All Belong To" Video that played during the DNC includes the line "The Government Is The Only Thing We All Belong To" (September 4, 2012).

The above 17 second video reveals the direction in which America seems to be headed; it is rooted in classic communist collectivism.  I am not saying the America we have known for almost 250 years is going or gone, but the "jury is still out."  In just a few short weeks, America's destiny could be determined as rarely before. 

There is a growing number of people who will vote for and believe anyone who promises them "a better life," a cure to their economic/survival woes, and continual propagation of victims verses victimizers;  sinners need someone more sinful than they.  Americans of all races, genders, religions, economic and educational status are just as gullible as any people group in history to someone who can inspire them as a great charismatic figure---------------- sort of like the Beast, the False Prophet, and the Anti-Christ.

Today's text stands in stark contrast to the get-it-all-now world view.  According to our text, "understanding," does not primarily come from, "all my teachers," or, "the ancients," but, "Your testimonies," and, "Your precepts."  Of course, Biblical Theology teaches us that we need, "teachers," and, "the ancients"--------------------- but not to the exclusion of, "Your testimonies," and, "Your precepts."  Yet this is exactly what has occurred in most of modern Christendom.

Our Lord Jesus Christ birthed the Church, "the Body of Christ."  He prayed that we, "all may be one," just as He and Father and Holy Spirit are One.  Some political and social philosophies, however, have perverted, distorted, and bastardized the corporate beauty of the Church.  But all who trust Jesus, cling to Jesus, rely on Jesus, follow Jesus, those of us who abide in Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit know better, not because we have greater I.Qs, but, "because I (we) keep Your precepts," and, "Your testimonies."   

Jesus said and still says to the World, "If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."  During the Charismatic heyday, especially in America, most used this this promise of Jesus to get their personal miracles.  Okay, that is not excluded.  Yet the final victory is to those who can say with our text, "Your testimonies are my meditation," and, "I keep Your precepts."  When such commitment dominates every detail of our lives, we can be assured that we will be kept from, "the paths of the destroyer."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I ask that I be kept from the seductive evil of the global anti-Christ system, the deceptions, the lies, the seduction of what sounds good, but what is from the pit of Hell itself.  I thank You for Your Words today that, "I have more understanding than..........because."  Amen.   
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* November 3: Men's Day in "David's Tent" in DC. 
* October 17:    Men and women mission to David's Tent.  Please let us know if you will participate.