"Inherent Power"

"For our [preaching of the ] glad tidings (the Gospel) came to you not only in word, but also in [its own inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction and absolute certainty [on our part]." (1 Thessalonians 1:5, Amplified Bible)

The NIV says, "....not simply with words but also with power...."

During the Cold War, the US and USSR struck fear in the world because of the potential for a global thermonuclear war.  The might of either military could have leveled the Earth.  An attorney at Nuremberg referred to the German Army of WW 2 as the "greatest fighting machine since Alexander The Great."  The power of one is virtually gone, the other greatly reduced, and the other unwilling to use it against global suffering.  Power is a very relative term.

Our text speaks of, "word," and, "power," and we can have one without the other, that is, if the word or words are not in, "The Word of God," Jesus Christ.  The Amplified has a great interpretation here.  The word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, "[its own inherent] power."  History has proven, and I have specific cases, that carnal people, great preaching people, great charismatic people, people who seem to be the epitome of spirituality yet living double lives, can all preach the Gospel of Jesus and still people "get saved," receive Jesus, are baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed, etc.  Why?  "The Words of God/The Word of God," has "its[/His] own inherent power." 

It is a most fearful reality to those who live double lives; The Gospel will be The Gospel, will produce the saving power of the Living Triune God in all open hearts who hear, regardless of the messengers, regardless of the behind-the-scenes shenaniganes of those in churches or independent "ministries."  So, there is a warning here and encouragement here at the same time, a warning to all who seem to have great "results" and "success" in their churches and "ministries" yet are not walking in obedience to Jesus Christ, and encouragement to those who pray for the nations.  The former will be judged at, "the Judgement Seat of Christ," the latter will continue to see many come to Christ, and in, "That Day," come, "bringing their sheaves with them"!

Father, in Jesus' Name, it is so wonderful to know that the Gospel of Jesus has, "its own inherent power."  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

Security Blankets

"For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me."  (Psalm 44:6)

This can be easy to say, yet how easy it is to deny by our lives.

You will recall the incident in the Book of Joshua where the Israelites were going against Ai.  Now remember, these were the same people who told Joshua that they would always do everything the Lord had spoken to Moses, i.e., that their trust should be the Lord God Himself.  Now the intelligence said that Ai was a small, relatively weak community; therefore, the conclusion was, "Not all the army will have to go up,.. for only a few people live there."  They thought they could handle the situation quite easily.  Rather, they ran with their proverbial "tails between their legs."  How many "little things" in our lives, are they to which we respond, "No problem; I can handle this."  Historically we can look at Rome, which "lasted for a thousand years," and which  trusted in bows and swords.  All that is left is ruins for tourists to photograph.  Their bows and swords are now nothing but rusted archeological finds.

No one was any better with a bow and sword than David; his reputation as a warrior substantiates this.   Yet David testifies that in no way would he, "trust in my bow, nor...my sword [to] save me."  The key word here I believe is, "trust."   Why is it, though, that so many of us who are mediocre with the "bow" and "sword" nevertheless depend so strongly on them?  How many "bows" and "swords" have we used in our lifetimes to, "save me"?  Some of them were obvious; others were not, yet they were there, always contending with Jesus Christ, Who alone can save, rescue, deliver, heal.  Doctors and pharmacies are perhaps some of the most powerful "bows" and "swords" which we use.  Now they are not the problem.  The problem arises when they become, "I will...trust in...."  The Bible tells of King Asa, "in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians."  You could get the idea here that the physicians were not the problem.  The problem was his, "trust in." 

The word translated, "trust," can mean "confidence, security."  Remember Linus and his blanket?  If it were ever taken from him, he went into panic mode.  One of our children had the proverbial "security blanket."  It was always with her.  There was a soft, smooth binding around it which she loved to hold against her face.  What/whom do you and I hold against our face?  If it/He is Jesus Christ, if Jesus is our confidence, security and trust, then we can be confident and will be secure.  If He is not, "my bow, nor shall my sword save me."  If Jesus is the One, "I trust in," however, "no weapon formed against you shall prosper."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that those things in which I find some help will never be my, "trust in."  Amen.
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Stats on Planned Parenthood's 2011 accomplishments:
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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

Suggestion For Why God Does Not Speak to Us Audibly

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." (Psalm 37:7a)

I was praying this morning and the thought occurred to me again, "Why doesn't the Lord speak to us audibly."  Now the more spiritual among us will say that is immature or even ridiculous, the answer-for- everything people will, well, have an answer.  But an interesting "response" came to me.  What if God spoke audibly to everyone on the planet?  Say there are 25 people in a given office space and all are Followers of Jesus Christ.  If they are like Brother Lawrence and are attempting to "Practice the Presence of God," they would all be communing with the Lord and the Lord would in turn "talk" to them.  Can you imagine the confusion of that setting?!?  Take the communing in the malls, or the prayer walkers, or the church services.  Hey, wait a minute; who would need preachers and teachers?  Or, how about this?  God could just sort of thunder words which the whole world could hear, maybe place speakers all over the planet.  Not a very intimate fellowship.  Okay, I'm finished with that.

I was reading in Psalm 37 today and, as I have said before, the Lord Jesus was repeating the same words to me which He has been repeating to me all my life; even as an infant I was hearing these words from my Dad around the house or as he preached and taught the Scriptures: "Do not fret...nor be envious....Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord....Commit your way to the Lord....Rest in the Lord."  Now some might say the reason He "repeats" Himself is that we are all stiff-necked or just never quite get it.  I offer another reason.  Every time I read the "God-Breathed" Words it is an "infusion" of the very life of God Himself, constantly flowing, sustaining, preserving.  It is not so much that people "just don't get it," as much as, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing..., and is a discerner...."  It is like a surgical "procedure" releasing the very life of Jesus Christ constantly, if we so choose (I have at times played Scripture at a low volume setting on our computer all night-- don't say it). 

One of our neighbors is on a constant oxygen flow; he would probably die if not.  I never see him without it.  We humans cannot live without oxygen.  Nor can we live without the life-giving, life-sustaining power of Jesus Christ, "The Word of God," Word of Father, "Word of Life."  So I encourage you to keep reading the Bible, though you may have read completely through it many times.  Yes, we may gain more understanding, but perhaps more importantly, we will gain more Life.   It is not the repetition of ideas or even principles, but rather as the breathing process.  Jesus, the Bible tells us, breathed on the disciples and they received the Holy Spirit, Who Himself is the very breath of God.  "And so it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being.'  The last Adam a life-giving spirit." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I just thank You for however You do Life.  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

"An Everlasting Dominion Which Shall Not Pass Away"

"I was watching in the night visions, and behold One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven!...Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,...an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away....I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came to possess the kingdom." (From Daniel 7)

"....a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High...."  This is our inheritance in Jesus Christ.  This is what is before us.  No matter what you and I are going through right now or will go through during this sojourn, the great Eternal Word has declared to all who trust Him that it will be okay; "a judgment [will be] made in favor of the saints of the Most High,"------------- in your favor, dear friend.

Every time I go through Daniel the Lord is telling me that things will get better for those who obey Him, but for much of humanity, they will get worse.  Whatever the details surrounding the close of the age, my Dad would often say that God put Noah in a safe place before the Flood.  He will do the same for you and me as we are in "the Ark of Safety," our Lord Jesus Christ. 

There are many variant theories on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  Over the centuries and indeed over my life time I have heard many and participated in some of the discussions.  I have known some relatively famous preachers and teachers who have reacted towards "escapism" by denying their own spiritual heritage.  I will not.  The Bible is full of references to the Second Appearing of Jesus.  I have said before, moreover, that the early creeds of the Church only say, "from thence He will come to judge the quick (living) and the dead" (Apostles Creed); "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead" (Nicene).  This is fundamental to the Faith; this is fundamental to a lasting hope and victory in life.

Whatever the time frame and exact scenarios surrounding the Second Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us that, "....if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  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 (the "rapture") together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord."  This will take care of this day, I assure you.  Let Him and His promise take care of yours.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You are preparing for me that day when I, "shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet [You]."  Amen.
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Read about "The Real Mohamed Morsi" and the current US Administration has in store for him:
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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