An Ancient Prayer Walker

"And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire."  (Nehemiah 2:13)

Nehemiah was a "prayer walker."  His on site observation gave him insight as to the needs of the situation.  I know people say, "Well, I don't know why you have to go to such and such a place.  Can't you pray for those situations from your own house."  Of course you can, and of course you do.  But there is something about being "there" which the alternatives just cannot accomplish.  You have heard and probably uttered the statement, "I never forget a face."  That is not really something to be proud of.  We all remember more what we see more than what we hear.  So, if you remember someone's face but not his name, this is the reason.  "On site with insight," is more than just a clever phrase, because though we may hear of needs and situations in far away places, there is nothing like being in those places to pray, according to the will of God.  Regardless, the Bible is full of such people as Nehemiah.  I have personally recognized the validity of, "view[ing] the walls...."  Those who invest in what we are doing are investing in such mission ventures.

Right now, we are praying about a possible similar mission to Bosnia.  Much of what Nehemiah describes in our text is true of Bosnia, "....walls...broken and its gates which were burned with fire."  The devastation and atrocities of which we heard back in the 1990s is an ever-present reminder that autocratic despotism and evil did not die with Stalin and Hitler.  Similar atrocities are right now in progress in Sudan, Syria, North Korea, and many other places in the earth.

Nehemiah went to observe the situation in the Capitol City of the Jews.  Today, you and I are called in Jesus Christ to see as Wesley stated, "The World is my parish."  We celebrate this Christmas Season and every Christmas the great giving act of the Blessed Trinity, "For to you is born...a Savior Who is Christ the Lord."  This Savior, Jesus, is the Savior not just of Jews or Americans or Africans or Asians.  He is the Savior of the whole World.  Now, as citizens of His Kingdom, our King Jesus is still commanding us to, "Feed My sheep," wherever and whomever they may be.  Prayer and investing resources is a double-edged sword in the battle for the hearts and minds of mankind.  Consider such opportunities during this season of gift giving.

Father, in Jesus' Name, give me strength, health and grace to continue to, "view[] the walls... which [are] broken down and...gates which [are] burned with fire."  Amen.
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2013 Missions:  Berlin, possible mission to Bosnia
January 16:  Briefing on Jerusalem, Berlin, and Albania Mission.  Contact me for time and place

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

"Love...As I Have Loved...."

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."  (John 13:34, From today's Gospel reading)

It is not, "A new option I give to you."  This is a command, not a feeling.  I may not always "feel good" about a person, but I have no option but to love that person. 

But then Jesus goes further and states, "as I have loved you,..love one another."  The, "as I have loved you," is giving of Himself, ultimately demonstrated in The Cross.  Love is giving.  Most people love on the basis of feeling, on the performance of the other.  In the Untied States the divorce rate among first marriages is 41%, among second marriages 60%, and third marriages 73%.  This tells me that once the search for "better" begins, once the search to recapture that "old feeling" takes over, it accelerates.  Of course there are "legitimate" reasons for divorce, but most have no legitimacy; they are feeling based.  Anyone who lives life based upon feelings is setting himself up for major life disappointments and instability.

As we gather with family and friends this Christmas Season, may our Lord Jesus keep us ever mindful of this: No matter what a person does, or who they are, you and I have no choice, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."  Now if anyone is tempted to say, "O, that command is among Christians," then, "Love your neighbor as yourself," ruins that line of thought. 

If Jesus loved you and me on the basis of what we have done/do, or who were are, well, we would be finished.  But He does not.  He loves because, "God is love."  It's as though He cannot help Himself.  Love is the Person of Jesus Christ. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I still need to learn so much about love.  I know that only in You can I, "love...as [You] have loved [me]."  Amen.
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Go to:  jhs58.blogspot.com  only if you don't want truth.

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 Condition of "The City"

"....Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?"  (Neh. 2:3, from today's Reading in the Law-History section of the Bible)

On a test I once took, my "primary gift" came up as "pastoral," and my "motivational gift" as "prophetic."  I told the person who gave the test, "That's almost 'irreconcilable differences.'"  To which he replied, "I'll pray for you." 
And I knew why.  A problem with "prophetic" people is the tendency to criticalness, negativity, come off as mean-spirited, well, need I say more?  Okay, but once people work their way through such personality flaws, they also need to see and hear the word of the Lord in the "prophetic people."  Our text today is such a Word. 

I have lived through most of what has been called "The Charismatic Renewal."  My journey in the "renewal" began in 1964.  I saw the refreshing, innocent, though not naive "spirit" in most people and gatherings.  But as the years went by, two things became more and more apparent to me.  First, "the place of my fathers' tombs,' which I liken to the historic, orthodox, "faith of Jesus," substantiated by the great "Church Fathers" of the Church and the Creeds, was taken over by many who had no knowledge of Biblical Principles, no knowledge of Church History, in short, they were as our Lord Jesus says, "....they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves."  Second, eventually neophytes began to emerge and dominate in many circles, not only as "members" but also as "leaders."  The latter became responsible for what emerged in so many places, "lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire". 

So, I say with Nehemiah, "Why should my face not be sad," for such perversion.  Now, I would be more than glad to have a gathering with any and all who would like to discuss what to some might seem as an over-stated and know-it-all attitude on the contemporary Church.  Yet while I do not advocate inordinate introspection, I do advocate what Paul told the Corinthian Church, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves."  I read our text earlier today, then read a devotional of Oswald Chambers.  "....Your message as His servant is merciless insistence on the one line, cut down to the very root, otherwise there will be no healing.  Drive home the message until there is no possible refuge from its application.  Begin to get at people where they are until you get them to realize what they lack, and then erect the standard of Jesus Christ in their lives...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the hymn writer, "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord....I love Thy Church, O God."  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

You Can Survive-- I guarantee It

"....I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.  And they said to me, 'The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach.  The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.'  So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."  (Nehemiah 1:2b-4)

The Jews have been hearing such news for centuries.  They have had and have enemies many, and even "friends" have many times attempted to frustrate the purposes of God for the Jews.  Every American Administration, while being a friend to Israel since the establishment of the modern State of Israel, has also been one of the largest obstacles to the purposes of Jesus Christ for The Land (I can give so many examples).  It really goes without saying, however, that no nation has ever stopped the purposes of Jesus Christ.  All those who have tried throughout history are now history themselves; America cannot be far behind. 

Many Followers of Jesus have found themselves in such a state as described in our text, "survivors who are left...in great distress and reproach."  Life seems to be as Jerusalem in our text, "broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."  Yet today Jerusalem is a thriving metropolis, beautiful, expanding.  And I tell you with absolute certainty today, my friend, this is awaiting you.  It may not seem so now; you may be barely surviving, "in great distress and reproach.., broken down, and...burned with fire," but as my reading today in Malachi 4:2 declares, "But for you who honor me, goodness will shine on you like the sun, with healing in its rays.  You will jump around, like well-fed calves" (NCV).  Now, all humanity has a choice today, what and whom are we going to believe, circumstances? any present, "distress and reproach"? or, "You will jump around, like well-fed calves"?  Whatever we are going through, this day is assuredly coming for us. 

Do not succumb to, "Well, all that pie in the sky by and by may be alright for some, but I need help and deliverance now."  We do.  But the reason the Jews have survived as a People Group and have seen the restoration of their nation in these latter days is that through the centuries they did not allow, "distress and reproach," to defeat them.  They always have bounced back, kept fighting, kept the Passover, and have kept passing on from generation to generation the faithfulness of the Lord God, "So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."  And the Lord Jesus Christ has, "brought us out...of the house of bondage," and continues to do so to this very day.  As James 5:10 says, "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience."  In it all, they proved to be, "more than conquerors."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me if I have ever demanded special treatment.  Amen.
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Be sure to check the articles on Romania and North Korea at:    jhs58.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

"Liberty"-- For What? To do What?

"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."  (Galations 5:13)

As this quarter comes to a close, I read this familiar passage.  Most people think of, "liberty," as a license to do anything, any time, as in "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  The Bible says no to this interpretation.  "....Liberty [is] an opportunity [to] serve...."  I might say that then, and only then, will one find "life, liberty, and...happiness."

Most humans throughout history have used liberty only to serve themselves.  The kings of Europe and Czarist Russia might still have descendants as heads of state if they had just served others rather than themselves.  I could say the same about the Catholic Church.  But, alas, the leadership of the Church in the 14th to 16th centuries chose to be served rather than to serve.  Could they not have at least considered 10 of Luther's 95 Thesis ?!?

Jesus told the disciples that He was among them, "as one who serves."  Today's later New Testament reading had me in Revelation 14, "Then I looked, and be hold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown...."  Then I look in Luke 2 and see this same, "Son of Man," in an animal stall, a far cry from the golden palaces of ancient kings, "You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger," sort of like this one:

Yes, my friend, the scene may have looked very similar to this one. 

Yet from the Throne of the Universe, surrounded by cherubim and seraphim, the angelic hosts, safe from the very precarious fragility of earthly life, to the manger of Bethlehem He came, surrounded by lowly shepherds and animals, lying there that night just like this baby; "Only His great Eternal Love made my Savior go."

"Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I desire to more perfectly manifest the Babe of Bethlehem.  Amen.
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Briefing on recent mission, January 16th, 19:00.  Let us know if you will be attending. 
       

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...Forgot"

"The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.  They did not keep the covenant of God; they refused to walk in His law, and forgot His works and His wonders He had shown them."  (From today's Psalm reading, 78:9-11)

This is the end of all nations and individuals who are as, "the children of Ephraim."  No matter how charismatic the individual, no matter how powerful the "super power," when, "they [do] not keep the covenant of God," and, "refuse[] to walk in His law, and forg[e]t His works and His wonders He had shown them," there is absolutely no doubt their epitaph will be, "turned back in the day of battle."

The fall of the "American Empire" is accelerating at an ever increasing rate.  The most significant cultural change began in the early 1960s, sparked by the Super Power's outlawing of the Words of God and the Prayer of Jesus in its school system.  Regardless of the ever-present evil in any culture, even from inception, the United States of America was dominated by Christian Principles for nearly 200 years.  The 1960s witnessed an unparalleled break with the past, and I can tell you that the news report, which I have sent separately, is just another indication that the Anti-Christ spirit is growing in its influence and power.  Political correctness, which is just code for rejection of Jesus Christ, His Church and Kingdom Reign, will be at the center of America's downfall.  The accompanying article is just an example of what is coming to America, and no administration in our history has so facilitated the rapidity of Evil's progress as the current administration.

For those who may follow us on Facebook, I am trying to relate issues of prophetic importance without unnecessary editorializing that might give "opposition" excuse to not read what I post.  I'm attempting to be more as our Lord commanded, "wise as serpents and harmless as doves."  I am attempting to use whatever means our Lord Jesus Christ gives me to convey what prophetic insight He gives.  There is much in the so-called "left" and "right" which has nothing to do with the Reign of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.  I encourage all today to keep this in mind.  One of the reasons I quote Bonhoeffer so much is that I believe he was a twentieth century man who saw this.  We are not members of the Left or Right.  We are members of His Body, the Church.  This will increasingly be a difficult "membership."  

If you are a "New Year's Resolution" person, I encourage you to commit to reading through the entire Bible in the coming year.  If you are a "favorite portion," I encourage you to stop this selective obedience, which is really selective disobedience.  These are increasingly difficult days.  Some of the great personal trials which many of you are going through are personal manifestations of the cosmic struggle between the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness.  But we are, "more than conquerors through Him Who loved us," and still so very, very much loves us.  May it never, ever be said of you and me that we, "turned back in the day of battle.., did not keep the covenant of God;..refused to walk in His law, and forgot His works."  Rather, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, only You and Your Words, in the power of the Holy Spirit can so keep me.  Amen.
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Date of Mission Briefing:  January 16.  If you want more info, let us know.

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

Woody has shared a Huffington Post article with you

As I was saying............

Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/13/mount-soledad-cross_n_4439327.html

Sent by Woody

"A Psalm...In The Wilderness"

"O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my flesh thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water."  (Psalm 63:1)

I read two articles today about two of "my" countries, North Korea and Romania (You can read them by going to our Blog listed below).  While North Korea is still under a dictatorial, communist regime, and still rated as the number one persecutor of the Church, Romania has for 24 years been a relatively "free" and open democracy.  The article which I read, however, reveals some disturbing trends in Romania.  This battle is not over, my friend. 

Our text is just one of many Biblical passages which the suffering Church has been praying for 2000 years, yes, 2000 years.  Even though Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire after 300 years of persecution, those who have been committed to Jesus and His Words have never been free of persecution, albeit, the forms of that persecution have varied from generation to generation and from nation to nation.  Frankly, when the US Government stood by as a court in rebellion to Jesus Christ outlawed His Prayer and His Words in the State School System, I personally saw it as an attack on me, and a very real persecution of the Church.  Further, I used to, with some regularly, go into state high schools in the various parishes I served and spoke of Jesus Christ and gave invitations to receive Jesus.  I am not allowed to do that now.  Nearly 17 years ago, a pastor was put in prison in Lynchburg, VA. for passing out tracks on a public sidewalk to high school students.  I went to visit him in prison, but was not allowed to see him!  Maybe a reason we are not persecuted as much as Believers in other countries is that we have learned a "safe" version of Christianity. 

It is obvious that I have been sharing my daily journey through the Psalms with you.  I noted again that the title to this Psalm is, "A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah."
Or we could say of this Psalm, "A Psalm...in the wilderness...."  Before I knew of any suffering, the Psalms were a sort of enigma to me.  After Stephen died, they became a most treasured possession.  And what about you today?  Are you in need of, "A Psalm...in the wilderness..."?  I pray the Bible continually for North Korea, Romania, and all of the countries I have visited in my life time, including Iran and Morocco, the latter, by the way, is also on the world wide persecution list.  But I also pray the Bible for you and me.  I don't say this very often, but if you are going through a "wilderness," let us know so that we can pray through the journey with you.

When Brother Andrew and I were writing to each other every month, he would sign his letters, "Yours in the fight."  Nothing has changed.  You and I are "in the fight."  We engaged in this fight the moment we opened the door of our hearts to Jesus Christ, and, "....I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me," became a reality in us.  There are an estimated 400,000+ Followers of Jesus going through unspeakable suffering in North Korea.  You may be going through suffering also, but do not compare your suffering with our North Korean Church.  Suffering is suffering, regardless the source, the "type," etc.  Yet in it and "through it all," anyone may pray, "O God, You are my God....My soul thirsts for You...."  To which He always responds, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart ('his belly, innermost being') will flow rivers of living water."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that there is no wilderness without water while I am in You and You in me.  Amen.
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jhs58.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

You And I Are Never Alone Nor Forgotten

"You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle.  Are they not in Your book?  Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; this I know, that God is for me."  (Psalm 56:8, 9--NASB)

When we are "wandering," we are usually alone; this is a sad state.  At some point during, "my wanderings," David asked the Lord to, "put my tears in Your bottle," and, "in Your book".  You and I can be as sure of this Father's Love as we are sure of anything.  I wonder if one of the reasons our Father, "puts my tears in [His] bottle," and, "Your book," is that some day He will show us just how faithful He always was to us, even when we could barely believe He was "there."

Psalms 50-60 are Psalms which reveal some of David's great struggles in his sojourn, struggles of adultery, murder, pursuit of his enemies, God seemingly abandoning his armies.  These Psalms reflect a human being at his most basic loneliness, the loneliness brought on by sin, by victimization, by spiritual "desert wanderings."  Remember his cry in Psalm 22?- "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?  My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night but I find no rest" (NIV).  Now most "spiritual" people never want people to know they have gone or are going through such a time.  Then I guess David was not spiritual.

"My enemies," will always attempt to take such times to defeat us, to get us to doubt the keeping power of and in Jesus Christ.  Yet with David you and I can, should, must always affirm that which is truth, no matter if the whole of life seems to conspire against it, "....THIS I KNOW, THAT GOD IS FOR ME."  David gave us the foundational reason for this confidence in the final verses of the Psalm, "In God, whose word (Who Is Jesus Christ) I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can man do to me?  I am under vows to you, my God....For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."  My dear sibling in Christ Jesus, "If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us ALL THINGS?  What a rhetorical question.  "If God is for us," i.e., if we are in Jesus and He in us, then no one can be, "against us."  Moreover, in Jesus Christ, the Living Triune God, "will...graciously give us all things."  There you have it, my friend------------------ the rest of your life is covered!

Father, in Jesus' Name, let me never forget that You are, "for me."  Amen.
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If you are interested in a briefing of our last mission, let me know; I will send details.

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

In Jesus Christ There Is No Tottering, No Shaking, No Slipping

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved," literally, "totter, shake, slip."  (Psalm 55:22)

The word for, "cast," means, "throw, fling."  Go ahead today; "cast (throw, fling) your burden on the Lord Jesus Christ," right now, right there, in the midst of whatever.  In other words, get rid of it.  It is not yours; it is Jesus Christ's.  Matthew 11 tells us that Jesus later told humanity, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden."  The word for, "heavy laden," is the same root word for, "my burden," of which He later speaks, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  It is as though Jesus is saying to humanity, "Exchange your burden for mine.  Mine is not like yours.  '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.'"  Our burdens do not give us, "rest for your souls."  Neither are they, "easy and...light."  They weigh us down, immune to all man's attempts to lighten them, to get rid of them.

What a "close" to my Psalm reading today.  The day before me, not knowing what the day will bring, and Our Father in Jesus, Word of the Father, speaks His invitational, comforting Word.  He is saying right now the same Word to you, no matter what your time zone, no matter what the circumstance in which you are reading this, The Blessed Trinity, "shall never permit the righteous to be moved"--------------------to totter, to shake, to slip." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for, "He shall sustain you," that You, "shall never permit [me] to be moved."

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

When Man Is A Beast

"A man who is in honor (esteem), yet does not understand is like the beasts that perish." (Psalm 49:20)

The word for, "beasts," in our text simply means, "animal, cattle."  Not at all flattering to a proud race, nor an acceptable concept for "nice" religious people.  The word for, "perish," is also translated elsewhere as, "undone," a description of the human race without our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Most people do not believe our text.  Most people whom man has honored, held in high esteem over the centuries are people who come under the category, "yet does not understand."  They were/are folk heroes, people whom unregenerate man need for heroes, yet they are people who have rejected Jesus Christ and are, "like the animals that perish."  They are the, "does not understand," of humanity. 

In John 9 we read of a blind man who was drilled by such people as to how Jesus healed him and why the blind man believed in Jesus.  His response did not and does not satisfy those who are, "like the animals that perish."  Of his encounter with Jesus the blind man said, "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."  His contemporaries wanted what most people want today.  They want answers/responses which satisfy their "intellect," their understanding, what "makes sense" to them, what their limited minds can grasp.  In short, if it doesn't make sense, reject it; they are, "....like the animals that perish."

The, "understand," of the blind man was the, "understand," of relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship of faith which says, "I believe You, Jesus." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, My, "understand," is You alone.  Amen. 
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Be sure to let us know if you will come to our Berlin, Albania, Jerusalem briefing on January 16 at 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

"One Thing I Have Desired"?

"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."  (Psalm 27:4)

Every month when I read our text I ask the question, Is this the, "One thing I have desired of the Lord"?  You and I do not have, "the house of the Lord," as a building.  We do not have a temple building.  What we do have is, "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you...?"  We have Jesus, "Christ in you," in you and me, in the Church, "which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

Where are you today, in an office, your house, a coffee shop with WiFi?  It really does not matter if you and I are in Jesus and He is in us.  Right here, right now with me and in me is our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is the most comforting reality of the universe.  Humanity desires many things, but for you and me there is only, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple." (KJV)

Father, in Jesus' Name, if this, "One thing," is not the reality in my life, help me make it so.  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

"All the Ends of the World Shall Remember and Turn to the LORD," Jesus Christ

"All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD:  and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.  For the kingdom is the LORD's: and He is the governor among the nations." (Psalm 22:27, 28--KJV)

Literally, His is the, "dominion, the rule, the reign, among the nations."  Every time I read our text it is a "worship experience."  It thrills me to know that King Jesus, the Christ, the One of Whom the song says, "Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given!  Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!  Oh, come, let us adore Him...Christ the Lord," this Jesus, as the Creed says, "who for us men and our salvation, came down and was incarnate," is the One of Whom our text speaks, The none other than, "the governor among the nations."

The global scene just keeps deteriorating.  I sent a 33 second video of an interview with two members of the US Congress to my Facebook page.  It was interesting to see a high profile Democrat and Republican agree on this.  America currently has, however, a president who thinks his charisma and charm will bring global peace.  I wrote on the Facebook site, "'In God We Trust' is on our currency.  I suggest it be in our hearts," and not in some promise-everything leader or leaders.  Every person, "among the nations," should keep this in mind.  If we do not, fear, despair and cynicism will rule in the hearts of people.

But be of good cheer today, Fellow Friends, "of the Bridegroom"; our King Jesus Christ, "is the governor among the nations."  We pray for our national representatives to come to the submission in our text, the submission to Jesus Christ and, "remember and turn to the Lord."  Then, instead of fearing truck bombs, we will fear Him Who Alone Is, "the Governor among the nations."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Arise, O God, judge the earth!  For it is You who possesses all the nations" (Psalm 82:8, NASB).  Amen. 
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Read the reason Hillary will lose the election at:   jhs58.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

Are You, "Instructed Concerning the Kingdom of Heaven"?

"Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."  (Jesus)

Much of the history of Christendom is a selective history.  By that I mean we tend to obey, "the words of God," which we want to obey, and disobey those which we do not want to obey.  This of course is no religion at all except the religion of pick-and-choose, a religion of one's own creation, a religion of convenience, a religion which is drawn upon only when I need it.  This is not, "the faith of Jesus."  This is the faith of me, "the opiate of the People."

If I am, "instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven," I will not live like this.  As one example, I will read Leviticus as regularly as I read John or the Psalms.  I will read Ezekiel as regularly as Ephesians.  Thus, I will be, "like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."  Yet for far too many there are seasons, or for some, all their life, in which they live in a sort of desperation for, "things new."  This is in some measure what Bonhoeffer was referring to in the quote I shared yesterday:  "Our quiet reflection on a section of Scripture may yield astonishingly fresh insights.  It more often yields the familiar.  This should not be seen as a problem....Hearing God's message again and again may not arouse our excitement, but it may sustain us in the walk of faith.  Moreover, the old needs to be frequently reappropriated, for it is easily forgotten or lost."

Of course we know that there is more to walking in Jesus Christ than reading the Bible, but I submit to you that life, "concerning the kingdom of heaven," begins in, "The Word of God," Jesus and His Words, "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God...."  Before man "prayed," He heard the Word of God.  Before man married, worked, before the People of God did missions, helped the poor, evangelized, worshipped, did anything, He heard, "The Word of God...Whom God has sent [to] speak[] the words of God."

Have you "forgotten or lost" anything which Jesus has sown into you?  Are there, "things...old," which have been sacrificed to, "things new," things which you need to, "bring out of [your] treasure"?

Father, in Jesus' Name, show me anything which I have neglected which I greatly need.  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

A Prophetic Word for the "Now Church"

"Then He said to them, 'Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.'" (Matthew 13:52)

From time to time my favorite "devotional" people, Spurgeon, Chambers, and Bonhoeffer, have something I pass on to you.  Today is such a day.   

The following thought from Dietrich Bonhoeffer is so timely for especially those who consider themselves "mature Christians."  And, it is a word to the charismatic community, who has for decades propagated, whether knowingly or not, the stigma of walk-only-in-the-new-and-exciting revelation.  I have noticed now for some years that even great songs which were sung as recently as 10 to 20 years ago are no longer in much of Christendom.  Old is not good.  Everything must be "up-to-date."  The same "spirit" is at work in people who rarely read the Bible.  To them, it is repetition after repetition.  No, it is not; it is the very Breath of God Himself.  I pray if you or anyone you know is in any of the aforementioned categories, you will receive a word, based on our text, from one of the great Churchman in Church History.

"It is not necessary that we should discover new ideas in our meditation.  It is sufficient if the word, as we read and understand it, penetrates and dwells within us."  (From his work, Life Together)

"Our quiet reflection on a section of Scripture may yield astonishingly fresh insights.  It more often yields the familiar.  This should not be seen as a problem.  Our life needs maintenance as much as it should experience bursts of creativity.  Hearing God's message again and again may not arouse our excitement, but it may sustain us in the walk of faith.  Moreover, the old needs to be frequently reappropriated, for it is easily forgotten or lost.  Thought: That which we repeatedly think about and embrace as truth will become an integral part of our lives." (Bonhoeffer)

Father, in Jesus' Name, keep this thought ever in me.  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

The Word of Christmas

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in thee last days spoken to us in His Son...."  (Hebrews 1:1, 2)

The carol declares that it was "on a cold winter's night."  We don't know about that, but we are eternally thankful for that night whatever the temperature.  "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night."  Our text declares that the night time "appearing" was really a "speaking"--- and what a "Word" is Jesus.

"....At various times and in various ways," the Living Triune God had spoken to humanity.  But in the Babe of Bethlehem He spoke the "final" Word.  He was, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."  Now, you and I and any of the human race who so desire Him may receive Him.  The carol says, "No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in."  Meekness is the key in our relationship in the Godhead.  "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,"----------------------- and everything which comes, "from the hand of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the speaking Babe of Bethlehem.  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

American "Thanksgiving" Declaration of a Great American President

If you have never read Abraham Lincoln's declaration of a National Day of Thanksgiving, I very highly recommend it.  For those of you whose homes are in other nations, this is the National Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America.  The following is the original declaration by the great American President, Abraham Lincoln, which made the last Thursday of November the national "Thanksgiving Day."  How I pray for another such President.

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By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.  Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

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 Heart of God From Eternity

"....to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect." (1 Corinthians 1:17)

It's obvious, not just from today's text, but from the Bible in its entirety that the Cross of Jesus is the central theme, the focus of God's Word to humanity.  And if I preach or teach, if I write a devotional, or even if just in the course of daily life someone walks away from me and says, "My, how wise he is," or, "how clever he is," or, "how eloquent he is," I have failed as a witness to Jesus Christ. 

When we read the Gospels, there is no doubt that the whole narrative reveals Jesus' ultimate goal was Jerusalem and the cross.  Too much in Christendom today is a me-centered gospel, a gospel of you can do anything, just believe for it, you are wonderful, etc.  Of course, "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners," but Jesus did not save us by making you and me the focus.  He called people to, "Follow Me," not, "I'll follow you."  And where does the, "Follow Me," lead us?--- to the cross.  It is well deserving of repetition, and if he was not the originator of it, nevertheless I first heard it from my Dad: "The Cross was in the Heart of God from eternity."  What an absolutely marvelous reality, even though I cannot fully grasp the dept of its meaning.  The Cross of Jesus was in the Heart of the Blessed Trinity from eternity.

The song writer said, "At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light...."  And we not only "first [see] the light" at the cross of Christ, there is a real sense in which we can say that we "first" see Jesus Himself.  If I see a "Jesus" other than Jesus of the Cross, I am not seeing Jesus.  Our salvation, which includes healing, deliverance, preservation, peace, joy and so much more is a salvation only from the Cross of Jesus.  All that we see Jesus doing in the Gospels is in the shadow of His Cross.  It is only in what some call "the Christ Event," in the Cross of Jesus that the Living Triune God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit came to you and me---- to all humanity, and can I say?- Still comes to us.  When our Lord said, "take up the cross," He was commanding us to die to everything in my life that was before Him, and everything in my life which still tries to rule in me "after" Him.  It is a glorious invitation to total identity with and in Him.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "bring it's scenes before me."  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