"The Lord Shall Bless Thee Out of Zion"

"The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life." (Psalm 128:5)

A lot of people looking for a "bless me" devotional might not get too excited about our text.  Why did/does it bless me so?  Perhaps it is because I love Jesus Christ and Everything which has to do with Him, His Church, His Kingdom, yes, His Universe, He Who lives and reigns eternally in Our Father and Holy Spirit, "world without end.  Amen."  Which reminds me, "But Israel shall be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever....Unto [Father] be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen."   

Our text speaks of "geographical" blessing, "out of Zion"; but it is more, of course.  Zion represents God's Authority, His Reign.  Zion, if you will, is the "Capitol" of the Kingdom.  No one fully knows the future administration of King Jesus concerning Zion/Jerusalem, but we do know Jesus said, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together,..and you were unwilling....I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'" (This is the exact way it is written in the NASB.)  The meaning of, "....you will not see Me until," means, "but be sure; you will see Me again."

Sarah and I are planing to be in Jerusalem from November 10 to 14, even though we still have to work out details about her Mom.  As I read our text today I had a renewed "possessiveness" about Jerusalem.  The only, I repeat, only reason some group is claiming the right to Jerusalem is that they want Jerusalem only so that the Jews cannot have it.  That won't happen.  Jerusalem, "is the city of the Great King," Jesus The Christ.  Every time you hear or read of Jerusalem in the news media never forget that!  Even though we read in the Bible of the, "New Jerusalem," and, "the Jerusalem which is above," these references do not negate King Jesus' plans for His City, our City----- my City.

I encourage you to expect and receive today Christ's blessing, "out of Zion."  Along with such great blessing, "claim" with me that we will, "see the good of Jerusalem all the days of []our life", individually and as His Church.  To see, "the good of Jerusalem all the days of []our life," is integral to our good.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for blessing me, "out of Zion."  Whatever that fully means, I accept your "City Blessing."  Amen.
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* Sarah and I continue to serve our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church with the free will offerings of His People.

* Revised Fall Mission Schedule: October 27-November 23

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 Probably Don't Have to Go Out and Buy This Prayer Book

"So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever." (Psalm 119:44, NKJV, which is my "default" version)  "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts."  (Psalm 119:45, NIV)

Notice the connection between, "I will walk about in freedom," and, "I seek Your precepts."  The former just will not happen without the latter.

Psalm 119 is full of declaration-worship and supplication praying; it is good to "do" both.  Declarations here are not so much declaring what we want, rather it is a worshipful affirming of the Faithfulness of, "The Word of God," Jesus.  This month's journey through Psalm 119 was particularly blessed.  Allow me to share briefly some verse examples of the "types" of communion with our Living Triune God which I experienced.
Declaration-Worship:
    1.    "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might no sin against You." (11)
    2.    "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven." (89)
    3.    "You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word." (114)
    4.    "Your testimonies which You have commanded, are righteous and very faithful." (138)
    5.    "My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes." (171)   
   
Supplication:
    1.    "Deal bountifully ('bestow on, do good') with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word."             (17)
    2.    "My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word." (28)
    3.    "Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments." (66)   
    4.    "Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant.
            Let Your tender mercies come to me that I may live; for Your law is my delight." (76, 77)
    5.    "Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me." (133)

Okay, just a little example of praying through Psalm 119.  But as with the entire Book of Psalms, as well as the entire Bible, there are prayers for every "occasion," every heartache, every triumph, every desire, every decision, every......................


Father, in Jesus' Name, today I ask that you, "Direct my steps by your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me."  Amen.
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We have booked our flights for this Fall's Mission.  I don't want to publish the particulars here because the devotionals go to our Devotional Blog. 

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/Whom Is Your "Delight and...Counselors"?

"Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors."  (Psalm 119:24)

In our deepest hours of need, in our moments or "seasons of distress and grief," only His, "testimonies," His Words can bring, "delight," and, "counsel[]."  The word for, "delight," is from another Hebrew word which means, "enjoyment, pleasure."  The word for, "counselors," is from a root word which means, "advise, plan, purpose."  The, "delight and...counselors," of our text are far beyond a mental comprehension.  Too many people read the Bible for mental comprehension.  Likewise, they don't read the Bible because they cannot mentally comprehend it.  Yet there is impartation in Scripture which cannot be comprehended.  This is good.  The reason is that you and I simply cannot comprehend/understand most of what we experience in this life.  Most stumble over the "whys" of life.

When we lost our son, Stephen, "understanding" was not foremost on my mind; survival was.  How could I get through the day----- and night?  How could I go on?  The answers did not come to my mind.  While the "delight and... counselors," of Jesus could not be felt, they were/are, nonetheless, imparted.  Jesus sustained me and continues to sustain me in His, "Testimonies,...my delight and my counselors," i.e., His, "enjoyment, pleasure, plan, purpose."  There is just no other way to walk in these apart from the Word of God.  

Far too many in Christendom neglect the Scriptures, the, "God-Breathed," Words.  They substitute meetings, conferences, books, Christian Television, praise and worship, etc.  It just simply will not work.  The aforementioned are, or can be certainly, integral to our walk in Jesus, but they can never, no positively never replace His Words, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."  Mankind will have none of either apart from His, "Testimonies."  In His Words, however, all mankind will find, "You will show me the path of life ('plan, purpose'); in Your presence is fullness of joy ('enjoyment'); at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the sustenance in Your Words.  May I and my friend here fight through the many temptations to neglect Them/You.  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

"Share...in the Sufferings For the Gospel"

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  Therefore...share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God...." (From 2 Timothy 1:7, 8) 

"Power and...love and...a sound mind," will overcome fear every time it raises its ugly head.  And, if we are to, "share...in the sufferings for the gospel," with anyone, only the Holy Spirit's, "power and...love and...sound mind," will enable us to do so. 

The following is today's prayer on the prayer calendar of Open Doors with Brother Andrew: "Pray for the underground church on the Comoros islands which is made up mostly of men.  Because of the lack of female believers, many young men have no hope of getting married and having families."  Several things stood out in this request.  Firstly, "the underground church," is still in places most may not think of.  Secondly, this "underground church...is made up mostly of men," which is unusual in the West.  All you have to do is go to a prayer meeting to see what I mean.  Thirdly, "no hope of getting married and having families."  Among other things in this situation is the Enemy's attempt to cut off the future of the Church in the Comoros Islands. 

So here, in the Comoros Islands, is another example of the need of, "power and...love and a...sound mind."  The previous verse of our text says, "I remind you to stir up (literally, "fan into flame") the gift of God which is in you...."  I pray this for those young men of the Comoros Islands.  I pray this for you and me today, "Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you."  Then no matter the, "spirit of fear," no matter what hopelessness the Enemy may bring our way, we will be empowered to, "share with (all who have gone before us and all who are now) in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for the suffering Church in the Comoros Islands, the young men who see so little hope on the horizon, and for all who are reading this and may be downtrodden,

"Be Thou My Vision."

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

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

Your Invitation Has Been Sent

"The he said to his servants, 'The wedding is made ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.  Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'" (Matthew 22: 8, 9)

From what I can tell, they were not worthy because they just refused to come to the wedding.   Unworthiness is based on my lack of response, not on some whim of God.  The whole parable indicates that anyone "found" is eligible for the wedding, which includes you and me.  I have been invited to the wedding of the Son.  Whether I commit to "go" or not determines my worthiness for other "invitations."

You have your wedding invitation too.  The context says that some of the excuses included, "But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business."  In other words, what they had was more important to them than what Father offers in Jesus.  Be very careful that whatever you are involved in right this moment does not become an excuse for missing the wedding.

The song says, "What a day that will be," and indeed it will be.  With wedding guests from, "every tribe and tongue and people and nation," we will sit at the Banqueting Table with and in Jesus.  There's no indication how "long" will be this feast, probably forever.  Think of it, a continual feasting with and on Jesus our King and Savior.  Whatever the details, I will just be eternally thankful that I was invited, have been provided the acceptable, "wedding garment," and a seat.  Any other questions people may have matter little; the invitation is sufficient.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for inviting me.  Amen.
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* If you will commit to this Fall's Mission expense, let us know.
* Sarah and I appreciate ongoing prayer for decisions concerning her Mom.
* Please continue to pray for Marlis.

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