Another Thought

Yet maybe that is indeed what Job's "friends" were, "sorrow-bears!"

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

Yes, I Caught the Mistake!

Of course the word is, "sorrow-bearers."

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

"Sorrow-Bearers"

"Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive Him; on the left hand when He is working, I do not behold Him; He turns to the right hand, but I do not see Him." (Job 23: 8, 9- from my daily reading in "Wisdom Literature" section of the Bible)

Bonhoeffer said that Martin Luther translated, "Blessed are those who mourn," to mean, "Blessed are those who are the sorrow-bearers."  Job's "friends" knew nothing of being "sorrow-bears."  They could only judge and condemn.  And this, my friend, is the reason most do not, "confess your faults one to another."  They fear at best judgment, or at worst, rejection. 

You have probably experienced at some time in you life what Job describes in our text, though others may not have known or know.  It's okay; you do not have to try to fool me nor impress me, moreover, and by far, not our Lord Jesus.  Bonhoeffer wrote in his work, Life Together, "Christ opened up the way to God and our brother."  If you cannot share your deepest struggles and burdens with someone, we are not walking in the "life together," the "Church Life" to which Jesus calls us. 

Bonhoeffer once said, "The disciple-community does not shake off sorrow as though it were of no concern of its own, but willingly bears it."  What a challenge.  Yet this cannot be done on my own; only, "Abide in Me, and I in you," can do this.  And may I add, only honesty and openness can enable others to be "sorrow-bearers" with you and me.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for those who have been "sorrow-bearers" to me.  Holy Spirit, help me to be a better "sorrow-bearer[]."  Amen.
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Will be out of town for a little over two weeks, but intend to keep in touch.    

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 Have Been Issued a Summons

"Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." (Jude 1, 2)

The word translated, "called," here means, "summoned, invited by God to an office or to salvation"!  This is unbelievable for the "natural" mind.  The Eternal One, Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit, the Blessed Trinity, Ruler, Sustainer of the Universe and all humanity, "Alpha and Omega," in reality, with no beginning or ending, This Glorious God came to you and me one day and actually, "called," us, "invited, yes, "invited," us and summoned us to be a part of, "a Kingdom of priests," actually summoned us to be a part of His Family, His Church, citizens of His Kingdom.  Now just for a moment think again about this.  You and I, "are called, invited, summoned by God the Father," an invitation from the very "Throne Room" of Heaven to Himself.  And just in case we may think we may fail in our calling, He adds, "preserved in Jesus Christ"! 

Humanity is in a sort of "prodigal" role.  The Bible says Jesus created us, "All things were created through Jesus and without Jesus nothing was made that was made....For by Jesus all things were created....All things were created through Jesus and for Jesus."  But something went wrong.  Man made a decision.  We decided that we could run things better, not only in our own lives, but in the affairs of nations.  This "Garden" decision led to rebellious disobedience, which in turn led to what we see in the world today.  Yet the "prodigal" may and can come home again.  While it was man's decision to leave, "the Garden," The Living Triune God "invites" and "summons" all humanity back to the Master's House, invites us, summons us to the banqueting table, "Come and dine, the Master calleth."

To all humanity, the old hymn expresses it well,
    Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling (inviting? summoning?)
    Calling for you and for me;
    See, on the portals He's waiting and watching,
    watching for you and for me.

    Come home, come home,
    You who are weary, come home;
    Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling (inviting/summoning),
    Calling, O sinner, come home!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that this poor sinner came home.  Amen.
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Clip of Antisemitic TV series: 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

"You Are A Letter of Christ"

"....Known and read by all men.., you are a letter of Christ...."  (2 Corinthians 3:2c 3c, NASB, from today's Epistle reading)

What can one say about this?  Whether I speak or whether I just appear at a place of business, the market place, with family, it does not matter.  Scary as it may sound and be, "....Known and read by all men.., you are a letter of Christ...."

I quote again, Francis of Assissi, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words."  The average "evangelical" usually finds this offensive because it sounds like a "good works" gospel.  But it is.  You cannot read the Words of Jesus without encountering "good works."  Of course repentance and receiving Jesus as King and Savior is the "first" act of faith/obedience.  But good works are the "proof" of just a commitment.  When the young man asked Jesus about eternal life, Jesus' first response was, "If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."  When He then told the young man, "One thing you lack," He did not go on to say, "By the way forget those commandments I just mentioned.  All you really need is a short prayer and eternal life is yours.

Many of those who are great talking evangelists are poor "letters."  I sometimes wonder about myself.  It is not that the world can sit in judgment on us.  The Bible tells us that the person surrendered to Jesus Christ, "....is judged by no man" (1 Cor. 2:15).  Yet the question is, What do people see of me?  How do professed Christians treat their fellow workers, their family members, etc.?  There is no doubt that many non Christians treat people better than those professing to be "born again."  As James says, "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way"!

Why don't we just make a resolve today that we will do all we can to reflect the "acceptance," the love, the holiness and compassion of Jesus Christ.  There is the King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, and The Message Bible, the New International Version.  May the Holy Spirit ever keep us mindful of the (Your Name Here):_______________ version.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray those around me read a good letter.  Amen.
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Fall Mission to Berlin and Jerusalem:  October 27-November 26

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