"Restless Wander[ing] On The Earth"

"....I will be a restless wanderer on the earth...."  (Genesis 4:14b, NIV)

The human race has been searching for Eden ever since it chose to leave.  Someone might say, "We didn't choose to leave."  Yes we did.  The moment the decision was made to believe someone other than The Word of God, the human race began a journey as Cain, "a restless wanderer on the earth."

This is the lot of those who choose their own way rather than Jesus Christ, Who alone is, "the Way."  Yet it is not just the "way" of the unbeliever.  I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ when I was a young boy, but that does not mean I don't know the horror of, "a restless wanderer on the earth."  It doesn't take much, a little rebellion here, a little self-will there, and we are left to ourselves to find our way.  Okay, so maybe it doesn't seem to be a lifetime of restless wandering, but when I surrendered my life to Jesus, at that moment I stepped into eternity, and I can say that the consequence of disobedience has an "eternal feel" to it.

It is not a pleasant feeling at all, this, "restless wanderer on the earth."  It is a feeling of being lost, alone.  I wish to avoid it like the proverbial "plague," because that is exactly what it is, a disease, a sickness which destroys life.  In Jesus, though, the wandering ceases.  I am at rest, "focused," if you will, in His purposes, His will.  Our Lord Jesus Christ understands perfectly, "a restless wanderer on the earth."  Hebrews 4:15 tells us, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." 

Jesus still says today to me, to you, to all humanity, with the Authority, Compassion, and Love of the Godhead, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for saving me from a life as a, "restless wanderer on the earth."  Amen.
************************
Iran Still Defiant:  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

Still Learning

"All things I am strong for in the One Who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13, Greek Interlinear)

The context is interesting because it reveals that the provision of our Lord Jesus Christ is so integrally related to His Church, "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content...."  Here we see a great principle for our walk in Christ Jesus and His Church.  The word for, "content," in one sense means, "self-sufficient."  It is that sufficiency which is in Jesus, and because we are in Jesus and He is us, we can then speak of, "self-sufficiency."  The adjectival form means, "content in the sense of being satisfied because living in God's content (fulness).  This inward sufficiency is as valid in 'low times'...as in 'high times.'"  And who cannot identify with "low times" and "high times."  But the, "care for me," came through the Church at Philippi.  Sarah and I have been living in this principle for over 48 years; I, for 69+ years. 

I shared this a long time ago, but it bears repeating because of today's devotional.  In our first parish, Sarah and I had a salary of around $330.00 per month.  Because of a realignment of charges in late 1966, we lost two of our smallest congregations which accounted for about one third of our monthly salary.  It was a bureaucratic oversight I'm sure, but nothing was done or said about our loss of the salary.  Now I could have contacted our Conference Superintendent, but for some "reason" we didn't panic.  At the same time, I had been a part of a local Christian Businessmen prayer group which met on Saturday mornings at 07:00.  The manger of the local J. C. Penny's came up to me the next week after we lost the salary from the two congregations and gave me a check for $30.00.  Each Saturday morning for the next 5 months he gave me a $30.00 check, which more than covered what we had lost.  "I don't know why I am doing this," he said, "but I will continue to do this as long as the Lord says."  Five months later the denomination added another congregation which paid more than what we has lost.  The following Saturday, after the new addition to the charge, the Penny's manager came up to me and said, "Well, it's over, isn't it?"  We shall never forget, how the Lord Jesus Christ wrote on our hearts, "All things I am strong for in the One Who strengthens me."

Furthermore, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content," because the Lord our Contentment, our All Sufficient One, has proven, "This inward sufficiency is as valid in 'low times'...as in 'high times.'"  It was not, however, in some "vacuum."  It was through the faithfulness of Brother Fletcher that our Lord Jesus Christ provided for this young pastor's family, who was buying a car, paying parsonage utilities, paying college tuition and books, travel, groceries, etc.  "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And he who sat on him was called Faithful and True"-------------------- "I have learned."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I have no reason whatsoever to doubt You.  Thank You again and again.  Amen.
*********************
We have had a cancellation for the "David's Tent."  If you are interested, there is still room.

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

I Am Still Learning

(We are out of state so the timing of the devotionals has been a little late.)

"All things I am strong for in the One Who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13, Greek Interlinear)

Our text is still "staying" with me; "I have learned."  Most people do not want this process; I'm not sure I do.  Yet, as I wrote yesterday, Peter did not "learn" faith on the Mount; he learned it in the storm.  It is the same for you and me.  I know now in a way I could not have known it prior to June 1970, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."  Also, "I have learned, "Jesus, "will never leave [me] nor forsake [me]"------- because He didn't and hasn't.  I went through the storm.  "I have learned," these promises of Jesus Christ in a way which I could not have known it in the Wednesday evening Bible Study, not just facts on a page, but as Paul said, "written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart."  I believe this is in part, at least, what our text is speaking about, "I have learned."  Now let there be no misunderstanding; the death of our Son, Stephen, was not the last storm, but neither was it the end of Jesus' Faithfulness: "I have learned."

You may be in the midst of a storm right now.  Don Basham once said that "the thing about storms is they don't last forever."  Sometimes you may feel as though they do, or have.  But "forever" is an interesting word, "He who believes in Me shall never die."  This is a "forever" promise.  Even if it seems as though that "storm" is a never-ending storm, it will end.  Just as Luther said of Satan, "his doom is sure," so is the doom of the storm.  So rejoice today that you have been with Jesus, "on the Mount," and even though, just as the disciples, you and I have to go back to the valley of the demon possessed, there is also the wonderful assurance, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou," Lord Jesus, 'The Shepherd of the sheep,' art with me....You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...."  Let the feast continue!

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to embrace the storm as well as the Mount.  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

What Are You Learning?

"All things I am strong for in the One Who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13, Greek Interlinear)

The NIV says, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  What is the, "this"?  In the verses just prior to our text, the NIV says, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."  Yes, this is a principle for all of life, and underlies all promises in the Bible, "I have learned." 

"I have learned"--- If one reads the Bible carefully, this is how all of us grow into Kingdom behavior; we learn it in life's experiences.  I can say without a doubt that this is how the great and wonderful promises and principles of the Kingdom have been written in my heart and mind, "I have learned."  We do not "learn" the Bible in a Bible study class or preaching time; such gatherings give us His Words.  "I have learned," comes in life's experiences.  Peter did not learn faith on the Mount of Beatitudes.  He learned faith in the storm on the lake.

Today is another day, another week.  Hopelessness and drudgery face most humans on the planet.  But to those who are in Christ and He in them, there is anticipation.  Every day is another day of fellowship in the Godhead, fellowship of peace and assurance, new horizons of prophetic revelation, never a dull moment in Christ.  For our friends in Eastern Europe and Africa, the sun is already beginning to set.  But no matter where we are on Planet Earth, no matter the time zone, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever."  Your yesterdays, today, and forever are full of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, His words of unspeakable comfort, plans for our lives, direction, provision.  As the years go by, we come to "understand" more and more, "All things I am strong for in the One Who strengthens me." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, one thing I ask for beyond all others, that I learn Your Words.  Amen.
***********************
* Van already full for mission to "David's Tent" in Washington, DC, October 17
* Men:  We still have room for the November 3 mission.  Be sure to let us know if you are interested; we have 4 places left

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