Blessed "Madness" (Borrowed Computer)

"....that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead....Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are deside yourself!  Much learning is driving you mad!'"  (Acts 26:23, 24)

Wrong, Festus.  It was not, "great learning," which brought Paul the encounter with Jesus.  Neither was it, "great learning," which brought him to belief that Jesus would, "rise from the dead."  This is acceptance of the Word of God, in our case, the written Word, and in Paul's, the testimony of those who were eyewitnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus.  

Too many who think they live by faith are really living by reason.  This is why, as the hymn writer says, "doubts arise and fears assail."  It can not be overstated: Doubts, fears, unbelief come because people try to reason God, reason His Word, reason the Blessed Trinity, yes, reason life.  It will never work.  So many "Christians" are frustrated, continue to argue and attempt to reason people into accepting Jesus Christ and entering the Kingdom.  Everyone needs some sort of Damascus Road encounter.  Maybe it is not a voice or a blinding light, but it is nonetheless revelation, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in Heaven." 

If you and I are going to overcome in these days, we will do so only by, "....My Father Who is in Heaven."  When we live in this "mode," we too will be called, "mad," but what blessed "madness."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You have called me to a life, "but My Father Who is in Heaven."  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

"Then The Sign of the Son of Man Will Appear in Heaven"

"Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."  (Matthew 24:30)

We are in Grand Rapids, MI., to attend Acton's Annual Dinner.  The main speaker is Eric Metaxes, author of, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.  I am sending a video of his speech which he gave at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast last February.  He has quite a history and boldness, especially in the light of his audience.  You should find it most interesting.

This morning, I watched a little of a History International program.  The program was about Nostradamus, a person who made predictions about the future, which seem to me at times subject to very speculative interpretation.  People have wondered as to whether he was a true prophet.  He was not, but I will not go into that here.  Our text, however, is from The Prophet, our Lord Jesus Christ.  He speaks of "the last days." He tells us, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."  Remember, the very nature of deception is the containment of truth, otherwise, it would not be deception.  It is important to understand what we are able to understand, that which the Holy Spirit shows us in the, "God-Breathed," Word.  Beyond that we get into very dangerous "waters."

The early creeds stated that Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead.  Beyond that, they remain silent, maybe for good reasons.  You and I are commanded to, "Go...into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."  Jesus tells us in Matthew 24, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."  It seems to me that the closer we get to, "a witness to all the nations," the closer we will be to, "and then the end will come."  Maybe we should be watching and participating in this rather than speculation as to who is the anti-Christ, False Prophet, Beast, etc.  Biblical Theology teaches that all in whom Jesus Christ lives will recognize what they need to recognize.

So today, I look for opportunities to, "preach (proclaim, share) the Gospel to every creature," and be, "a witness to all the nations."  Then when, "the end will come," I will be ready for that Great Day, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray to understand what You expect me to understand, no more, nor less.  Amen.
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"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

The Cure For Complaining

"They did not believe His word, but complained in their tents...."  (From Psalm 106:24, 25)

It is simple.  If I don't, "believe His Word," I will complain.  The word translated, "complained," means, "murmur, whisperer."  Notice it is under the breath, not outward so much as inward.  In many ways it is the worst of rebellion.  If someone stands face to face with me and complains, criticizes me, at least I know they may be interested in some resolution to a conflict.  But people who murmur, whisper, are underhanded, set on their own ways and will, want no resolution.  Most often they are angry people, angry with God, angry with life, and and angry with people who seem to have a better life.

"Believe," in Biblical Theology means to obey.  Biblical believing is not a full "scientific" understanding of God's words and ways.  Rather, it is an agreement with His Words and a life which acts upon those Words.  No one in all human history ever understood the mystery of God's universe and the "extent" of His Greatness, the Godhead, Three in One, Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  Any who start or try will be found a fool.  "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice," and, I might add, everything else.

Jesus came to you and me when we were Hell-bound, lost sinners, and as Ephesians says, "having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."  Jesus did not so much ask people to understand what He was about as to obey what He was about; "Come to Me," and, "Follow Me."  If you and I believe and obey this Word, there will be no, "murmur[ing], whisper[ing] in their tents"--------- just, "the sound of rejoicing."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the greatest "antidote" to complaining the world has ever encountered, "[Your] Word."  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

Who In Your Life Determines "How The Sporting Field Is Measured"?

"We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.  Our fathers...did not understand Your wonders; they did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, but rebelled...."  (From Psalm 106:6, 7)

In the mid 1930's, Hitler made plans for a stadium which was supposed to be the largest in the world.  When Speer approached him at one point in the planning, he informed Hitler "that the measurements of 'his' playing fields did not match official Olympic dimensions.  But Hitler was unconcerned and retorted: 'That's totally unimportant.  The 1940 Olympics will be taking place in Tokyo.  But after that they will be held for all eternity in Germany-- and in this stadium.  And it is we who will determine how the sporting field is measured.'"  Such arrogance and triumphant thinking is in most Americans of recent generations.  Before 1963, all teachers read the Bible every day, and all children in America listened to the Bible every day.  But, America "grew up," got passed ancient "mythology," and decided that, "it is we who will determine how the sporting field is measured."  Do not think for a moment that such arrogance will not meet the same end as Germany. 

You and I, my friend, are not of such as long as we, "remember the multitude of Your mercies."  As we walk in Jesus Christ and He in us, as we feed on Him, which I interpret largely as reading and obeying His Words, we will survive those things which are surely coming upon the Earth.  Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  Overcoming power and victory is not in me; it is in Jesus Christ; and as long as, and only as long as, I am in Him and, "[His] words abide in me," I will continue to overcome.

The arrogance of America and the nations is just increasing.  I have heard that so-called Christians are still vacilating as to whom they will vote for in the coming elections; they would not be if the Word of God ruled in their heart rather than "it is we who will determine how the sporting field is measured."  Yet you an I do not have to partake of the sin of any nation.  The challenges and battles will be many, but staying true to Jesus and His Words will bring us "the inevitable victory, so help us God."  All around us today are the forces of, "it is we who will determine...."  As long as in you and me is the life style of, "nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done," we will endure and overcome, "to the end."

Father, in Jesus' Name, in the midst of an arrogant specie, I deeply throw myself at Your Feet.  I pray I only submit to you to "determine how the sporting field is measured."  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