"I Am Coming Quickly...To Give...According to...Work"

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with me, to give to every one according to his work."  (Revelation 22:12)

Evangelical/charisma is so concerned with "justification by faith alone" that it has over the generations made very little emphasis on works.  I have had some attacks over the years in pastoral ministry with some of those fanatics, people who are a part of a group which checks the "shibboleth" of their own "tribe."  Such people want the, "My reward," but do not want, "according to...work."

The challenge for us in the coming year is to examine ourselves, "according to [our] work."  Salvation by faith means salvation by obedience, not salvation by, "now repeat after me," or just "declare."  As we close another quarter, close another year in our time/space existence, I pray that you and I give ourselves to the words of Jesus and not our historic "shibboleth."  Our reward, Who is Jesus Christ, is promising us, "I am coming quickly." 

Maybe there is a very real sense in which there is an, "I am coming quickly," now, a "fellowship" in Jesus which we can know now, in this very moment, a fellowship, an intimacy which is to those who live not just by declaring, but by what 1 Thessalonians 1:3 calls, "the work of faith," a faith which is,"according to his work."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your Words which keep me from me, and keep me in You.  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

"....Go Forth and Skip...."

"For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff....But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.  You will tread down the wicked."  (Malachi 4, NASB)

As an amateur historian I do not deny the past, and as a "prophetic" person I do not deny the future.  We do have a past, and we do have a future.  I will not, however, be enslaved by either.  I am a person now of the Eternal One, Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  There are occurrences in my past which I regret, and those in my future which could give me serious concern, certainly uncertainty.  But the reality is that regrets of the past and uncertainties of the future do not defeat the "eternal" person, the person who is safe and secure in Jesus Christ.

Our text speaks of who we are and of "What"/Whom we have in Jesus, while also speaking of those whose trust is they their selves.  "....the day is coming...."  This is Biblical Theology; this is the prophetic Word of God from Adam to the close of the Age, a day which is referred to as, "The Day of the Lord"---- and it is fast "approaching."  Those who are proud, on the other hand, who are, "the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff."  They will be consumed in, "the day.., burning like a furnace." 

Rejoice in our Lord Jesus Christ, my friend.  Our "future," our eternal reality is, "....You will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall," or, "you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves" NIV), or, "leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture" (TLB).  Have yourself a skipping, frolicking, "leaping with joy," 2015.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for my friend and me that we have a "Your-Kind-of-New Year."  Amen.
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Plans are coming together for the March Mission

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

"As He IS, So Are We In This World"

"My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh shall bless His Holy Name forever and ever."  (Psalm 145:21) 

Two other times in this Psalm David uses the phrase, ".......forever and ever."  It is a phrase of our time/space existence and thinking.  The life which those of us have, "who follow the Lamb wherever He goes," is not really, "forever and ever," nor, "everlasting," in the sense we think of it, viz., ever lasting.  "This is how God loved the world: He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  The Greek word translated, "everlasting," in The Authorized and many other translations, is literally, "eternal."  It is a whole "different" dimension, "existence."

We are facing a "New Year" in our time/space existence, in our understanding.  But in Jesus Christ our entire life now is, "eternal," no new, no old, no beginning, no ending, no start, no stop, no "come into His presence," no leaving.  When we receive Jesus, we are as Jesus because we are in Jesus and Jesus in us, "Before Abraham was, I am."  In Jesus the same is true of us now.  Not, I was nor shall be, but I am; I am an eternal "resident."

Life in 2015 is not beginning, nor ending, but, "I Am, Who I Am."  In Jesus, in our, "new creation," life, there is no "New Year," nor Old Year, just "Now Year."  Okay, maybe I'm over working it, but I have great peace in knowing that the moment Jesus entered this very body, soul and spirit, I "stepped" into Eternity.  Happy Eternity.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You tell us, "....as He is, so are we in this world."  Amen.

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Please say a pray from time to time for our upcoming Mission.

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 Thought And Prayer For Christmas, 2014

"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb....They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads....Then he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true....Behold, I am coming quickly!...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last....And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.'  He Who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.'  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus."  (Revelation 22)

I have heard good news and bad news during the past year, but I have never heard any better words than the words of our text.  If any person on the planet reads and hears these Words of Jesus, receives these words, trusts these Words, that person will overcome in the coming year, indeed, the remainder of his/her life on what someone once described as, "this tortured planet."  All I can do at the end of this quarter's reading is to pass on to you the hope, strength, empowerment, sustaining power which has kept me all my life, but especially over these last 45 years. 

It was the day after Christmas, 1969, that we noticed something was wrong with Stephen.  Six months later he was no longer with us.  Pain, agony do not describe me, and the battle still continues.  But I have a continual choice, as do you; believe The Word of God, Jesus, or believe our helpless, powerless, inability-to-cure feelings and circumstances.  I keep choosing The Word of God, Jesus.  Your choice will determine your defeat or victory.  Choose wisely.

So here we are; the "last" Words of the "God-Breathed" Words of the Scriptures.  Regardless of the events of 2014, regardless of what 2015 holds, and regardless of the past years of our lives, these "final" Words of the Godhead can be nothing but comfort to the hungry soul.  One can choose the words of humanism.  I choose, "the Words of God," incarnate in the Babe of Bethlehem, Jesus, the Christ.

Here is a prayer, confession, and declaration for you and me.  It is a claim and promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, and surely came to pass in The Baby, Jesus, on that first Christmas night:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, For the Lord has anointed Me to...comfort the brokenhearted....He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come....To all who mourn...He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteous, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory." (Isaiah 61, NLT)

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Blog:  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

"Our Father Who Art in Heaven"-- And in the Manger

"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?  The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father Who dwells in Me does the works."  (John 14:10)

Literally, "....I do not speak from Myself, but the Father dwelling in Me...."  The, "I," is a continual, "we," as in what Jesus a few moments later said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."  I think it can be accurately stated, therefore, that Father was in the manger at Bethlehem that "cold winter's night that was so deep"--- Blessed Trinity.

When I was 19, I summed up a two week Bible school session with third grade boys, "God's best gift to us is Himself in Jesus." (Those boys would be 60 today)  I taught them that God the Father and God the Holy Spirit were not somewhere it Heaven in the vast Universe watching the events of that "birthday" night, nor for the succeeding 33 years.  Rather, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself."  Quite frankly, I think there has been far too much emphasis over the years of the Father "turning His back on Jesus" when Jesus was on the Cross.  So much misunderstanding of God Himself is due to erroneous theology spun by those who are selective Bible readers.  

If the Church is going to do as Jesus said, "....all should Honor the Son just as they honor the Father...," the Church needs to realize that God, Whom we proclaim to the world, is not a God removed from the world, from the daily struggles and battles of humanity.  Father and Holy Spirit were, "in Christ reconciling the world to Himself," and is continually, "in Christ," saving, reconciling, healing, delivering us all, i.e., all who believe Jesus, trust Jesus, surrender their lives to Jesus.  Separating Father and Son gives the impression to the world that there was and is this aloof, sort of angry "god" who would never stoop so low as a manger, as a Roman trial, as a cross, or as in, "I call you friends"----- but He did; He does.  We can say categorically, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock," is a Trinitarian invitation.

Christmas is "merry," because the Living Triune God of the Universe is the Living Triune God who answered the prayer expressed by the song writer, "O, come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Immanuel."
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, what an absolutely wonderful, marvelous, joyous "Holy Family."  I pray that all who have no family will embrace Your Family, and help me to embrace them.  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 Lesson From Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

"He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent away the rich empty-handed." (Luke 1:53)

This is a part of Mary's response to the news of, "the Coming One," Jesus.  She realized that Jesus would be the One Who would, "fill[] the hungry with good things," and everyone who rejected Jesus, He, yes, even life itself would, "sen[d] away...empty-handed."  Every Christmas Season we watch some of our favorite Christmas movies, "A Christmas Carol," among them.  Ebenezer Scrooge is a classic example of a very rich man, viz., rich in money, yet who had been, "sent away...empty-handed." 

I took particular note this year of a portion of the dialogue between Marley and Scrooge.  At one point Marley says to Scrooge, "O blind man, blind man! not to know that ages of incessant labor by immortal creatures for this earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed.  Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness.  Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunities misused!  Yet I was like this man; I once was like this man!"  Scrooge replies, obviously seeing himself in Marley's statement, yet attempting to divert the "conviction," "But you were always a good man of business, Jacob."  Marley replies, "Business!  Mankind was my business.  The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business.  The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

If I can perhaps pray something this Christmas Season for you and me, it would be that we walk in what Jacob Marley did not see in this life.  Be conscientious in business and life's endeavors, yes.  O, but may we never be as Jacob Marley and Ebenezer Scrooge, who gave themselves to only what benefited them.  May you and I have an "Ebenezer Scrooge" experience, a conviction received and a repentance walked in, a continual life of repentance, a life which lives, "Search me, O God, and know my heart," a life for others, for the poor, the objects of injustice and the selfishness of mankind, a life so lived that many may see, receive, and follow Jesus Christ. 

I just may make, "Mankind is my business," my New Year's resolution.

Father, in Jesus' Name, 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

"If We Walk In The Light As He Is In The Light"-------- No Problem

"If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.  If anyone serves me, him My Father will honor."   (John 12:26)

He was "born" to lead.  You and I were born to follow.

Try this: "If anyone serves Jesus, let him follow Jesus; and where Jesus is, there Jesus' servant will be also.  If anyone serves Jesus, him/her...Jesus' Father will honor."  By the way, the word, "honor," here does not mean as in puffing up.  It means, "I value at a price."  O, Father, may it be!

When we were wondering about the call to Berlin in 1998, our text is the verse which came to me.  It is as though Jesus were saying to me, "I have many friends, sons and daughters, and servants.  I am many 'places' for them.  For you, I am in Berlin."  Now some would have some theological questions about this, to which I am open to discuss.  But the reality of this verse, a verse which I read at least every quarter, can not be challenged, nor taken from me.  Do you have such "words" from our Lord Jesus?  Are you walking in a, "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me"?

Now this is not an "isolation" teaching, nor a "seek-your-own-unique-ministry" word.  You and I are not individualists in the American or humanistic sense; we are members of Jesus' Church, the Church of which He said, "I will build My Church," note, "My Church."  In his Life Together, Bonhoeffer says, "Thus all singing together...must serve to widen our spiritual horizon, make us see our little company as a member of the great Christian Church on earth....Whether our church is large or small, it represents only a tiny part of the Church on earth."  I did not go, and do not go to Berlin, nor Washington, DC, nor North Korea as "my ministry."  Wherever you and I go, how and whom we serve, it is, yes, as a "tiny part of the Church on earth," but nonetheless as a member of Jesus' Church.  This of course does not in any way diminish the importance of what we do as individuals, rather it greatly magnifies our "work."  I pray that you and I always remember that we are an integral part, one with Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, in His Church.  All of us who are following our Lord Jesus Christ, members of His Church, can say with Nehemiah, "I am about a great work."  It's a "following-Jesus" work.

You may feel alone today and relatively insignificant as a Follower of Jesus, such a small "cog" in a great "wheel."  We are small, but think and worship for a moment on our text, a Word of Jesus to you, right there and wherever you live and work.  Today I can hardly think of a greater reality, following and serving Jesus, serving His Church, serving the World.  Those who are such have Father's approval and approbation, "I value at a price."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I greatly desire Your, "I value at a price."  Amen. 
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Will be in DC again next month, and are targeting Berlin/East Europe for March of 2015

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

If You Need Gladness, Ask For It

"Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift my soul." (Psalm 86:4)

The NASB says, "Make glad the soul of Your servant."  It's a real problem for many people this time of year, so much hub, bub, so much fussing and fretting about parties, gifts, traveling, etc.  I really don't think that you and I can be, "glad/rejoice," if the gladness and rejoicing is not from and in Jesus.

Oil prices are plummeting, Russia is sliding into economic chaos, and North Korea is at it again, while many Americans are cowering in fear.  Yet anyone whose trust is Jesus Christ can pray with the psalmist, can pray "expecting" that Jesus will, "Rejoice (make glad) the soul of Your servant."

There are times when a person feels the need for such a request; gladness and rejoicing seem to have slipped away.  The prayer is in the "God-Breathed" Word.  Pray it.  Pray it often.  The hymn says, "In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief...."  How?  My soul "has often found relief" in Jesus, in our communion, His very Presence with and in me. 

There is "relief" today from whatever is the opposite of, "rejoice," and, "glad."  It is nowhere, it is in no one, but Jesus.  Nestle. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, You are my rejoicing and gladness.  Amen.
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Brief note on yesterday's DC Mission:   jhs58.blogspot.com
Use Google to access the site.  I noticed today that Yahoo doesn't take you there.

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

"Fools Gold"

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever....Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."  (John 6:51 & 8:51)

I read this every quarter and never grow tired of the "voice" of Jesus to me. 

We hear much of depression, particularly this time of year.  Depression is a disease of me-ism.  Now I do not for a moment take it lightly; I have seen what it does to people.  But I can tell to you that when we think of ourselves we can very easily get depressed; when we think of Jesus, His Words and great Promises, we can very easily get blessed.

If depression ever reared its ugly head in my life, I could always trace it to thinking about me, usually what I did not have or was not "experiencing."  This will lead to divorce in marriages, estrangement from family, friends, and just deeper and deeper depression.  There are many drugs out there upon which millions of people around the globe are depending.  Whatever those medications do, they are like the "fools gold" of the old West America.  One of the realities of "fools gold" is that it will be attracted by a magnet.  "Real gold," however, "will show no effect when placed next to a magnet."  Interesting.  When we are "attracted" by some thing which we do not have yet greatly desire, we are drawn to it like a magnet.  The only problem is that when we analyze it, as the analysis of fools gold, we discover it is not "the real thing;" it's unreality.  Chasing unreality will feed depression.  Such a life style will find us attracted to that which is false, worthless, empty, unfulfilling.

There is a "magnetic" effect in unreality.  The sin nature will always desire something more which we do not have, but greatly want.  When Jesus said, "if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death," the word for, "see," means to "contemplate, gaze on for the purpose of analyzing."  This is promise of great deliverance from uncertainty, fear.  Yet we can also say that if we, "contemplate, gaze on for the purpose of analyzing," Jesus Christ, we will not, "gaze on," that which feeds fear, anxiety, depression.  Quite simply, when you and I, "....fix (gaze) our eyes on Jesus," they cannot be "fixed" or "gaze" on anything else.  Jesus' Person, His Power, Presence, release, "joy unspeakable and full of glory."  This is "gold medicine."  All else is "fools-gold-medicine."

Father, in Jesus' Name, You and Your Words are my continual deliverance.  Amen.
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Please pray for tomorrow's DC Mission.  I will be getting back fairly late.

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

God In A Feeding Trough

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, 'God with us.'"  (Matthew 1:23)  

The Baby in the manager was, "Immanuel, God with us," no more, no less, and there is a very real sense in which it cannot be "more or less."  There is nothing "more" than God Himself, and there is nothing "less" than a helpless baby, a baby lying in an animal's feeding trough (somehow "manger" does not sound quite as lowly).  This is how the Living Triune God chose to reveal Himself fully to the human race, "How silently, how silently, the Wondrous Gift is given."  As someone has once said, "God became a baby."  This is Christmas.  This is a "Very Merry Christmas."

This time of year has so many different "challenges" for so many different people.  It is a sad time for those whose remembrances of "Christmas Past" are not good.  I propose to those who are enslaved in sad memories to think of "Christmas Future," the "Second Great Christmas," if you will, "that Day," of which the Bible speaks when our Lord Jesus will appear to all, not to be debated, but as in, "every eye shall see Him."  Whatever your past Christmas', whatever your present Christmas, your future "Christmas" is even better.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."  Amen.
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Please pray for the DC Mission, December 17 

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

"From HImself" To You and Me

"Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner'....I and the Father are One."  (John 5:19 & 10:30)

As far as I can see in various sources, the most accurate translation of John 5:19 is, "....the Son can do nothing from Himself...."  This is a very different meaning than, "of Himself."  The latter implies that the Son can do nothing in His own power; the former reveals the relationship within The Blessed Trinity.  I believe, "from Himself," reveals the submission relationship within the Trinity.  Their "heart" and "mind" is One, as in, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One!"  Just a reading of the whole of John 5 substantiates this.

Note another example.  In John 8:28 we read, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things."  Yes, you guessed it; the Greek word for, "of," is the exact same word translated, "of," in 5:19 by most current translations. But notice what the NASB does with John 8:28, "....I do nothing on My own initiative...."  In other words, in accurate Biblical Theology, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in union.  The Interlinear translates the same Greek word in 5:19 and 8:28 as, "from."  Again, such a seemingly "small" change in wording can give an entirely different "concept."  I believe our Lord is saying to us that I and My Father are One in such a way that everything we do as well as "everything" we Are is One. 

At best, translations are tainted, i.e., it is very difficult to just allow the Bible to be the Bible without our tainted ability to accept some Biblical concepts which just seem to be beyond our comprehension.  Please forgive the theologian in me, but I believe that what we have discussed today is of primal importance in our relationship in God as well as our relationship in the Church and the world.  Now I know that some may be thinking, "What kind of devotional is this?  It does not help me with what I am going through."  Yes it does, because only the right belief about Jesus will enable you and me to make it through the sojourn of this life.  I greatly regret how current Christendom has marginalized Jesus in "worship songs," in the message of modern Christendom, and by far, far too many individuals.  This is cultural curse, not the Biblical, "faith of Jesus."

I encourage you to read and read again, over and over the Bible.  You will see that what the messenger told Joseph is the Foundational Truth of the Universe, "'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.'"  Which means, Jesus Christ is "God with [you]"!  Merry Christmas.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much that You have told me that it even goes further--- You in me.  Amen.

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DC Mission, December 17

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 Have Been Given a "Burden"------ To Give Back

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

The margin of the NASB says, "Cast what He has given you."  Sort of changes our old concept of this verse, doesn't it?

Maybe there is a connection here with what Jesus told us, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  It seems to me that the guarantee, "He shall never permit the righteous to be moved," is to those who have received that which Jesus has given us, then give it back to Him.  Notice key words and phrases in the Matthew text quoted above:
    "Come to Me"
    "I will give you"
    "Take My yoke" (Literally, "heavy burden")
    "Learn from Me"

The call to follow Jesus is a call to, "My yoke," and that, "yoke," is a heavy one.  Just a few moments of considering Jesus' commands, observing Jesus' life in the Gospels and it does not take a "spiritual genius" to see that this, "burden," this, "yoke," is heavy, one which no one could/can ever carry.  In short, you and I just cannot live the life to which Jesus calls us without casting (or, "to fling, cast away") that, "burden/yoke" back upon Jesus.  In reality it is casting ourselves upon Jesus, "Lead me to the rock That is higher than I."

Now the "how-to" I really cannot say.  Perhaps we can start with, "Lord Jesus, I cast what You have given me upon You."  This is an act of surrendering all that Jesus has given us, through His grace, to Him alone.  Jesus told us to, "Abide in Me."  I simply know no other way of life.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I, "cast my burden upon," You.  Show me more and more just "how" I can do this.  Amen.
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I will be in Washington, DC, next Wednesday, December 17, praying on site.  Also at 17:00, I will be attending a Helsinki Commission (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) seminar on the issue of human rights in Belarus.

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 the Shadow of the Cross

"For the redemption of their souls is costly...." (Psalm 49:8)

So humanity might as well accept it.  No Gates Foundation, no Rockefeller, no $400,000,000.00 lottery winner could ever pay for our redemption.  There is just no price of any form of currency which could express, "....the redemption of their souls...."

This is Advent, the season someone has described "as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas."  Jews who took seriously the ancient Words of God lived in "a time of expectant waiting and preparation" for the coming of The Messiah, "the Coming One," Jesus.  Simeon was looking for Jesus; Anna was looking for Jesus (Luke 2).  Abraham knew Jesus would appear (John 8).  Moses and Elijah knew Jesus would appear (Luke 9).  Then on that glorious night, Jesus did appear.  Basically, the angels told the shepherds, "He's here!  Glory in the highest."

And our text tells us something about Jesus' appearing.  The angels declared to the shepherds, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior Who is Christ the Lord."  Jesus appeared as Savior, King, Redeemer, "For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins" Romans 11).  The Manger was in the shadow of the Cross.  In fact, Jesus' whole sojourn in His 33 years in The Land, walking as, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," was one tumultuous journey to the Cross, the Tomb, and Resurrection, then to "return" to, "The Most Holy Place," as our, "Great High Priest," and in it all, to take us with/in Him.

"Why should I fear in days of adversity, when the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, even those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches?  No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him-- for the redemption of his should is costly, and he should cease trying forever----." (Psalm 49:5-8, NASB)

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your, "Unspeakable Gift."  Amen. 
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I plan to be in DC next Thursday, December 17.

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 BRANCH!"

"Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH!  From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the Lord....He shall build the temple of the Lord.  He shall sit and rule on His throne; so He shall be a priest on His throne...."  (From Zechariah 6:12 & 13)

"Behold...!  This is a call to behold Jesus.  He, "is the BRANCH!"  He is such, not because He is a subsidiary, but because, "He shall branch out...."  He will fill the whole earth with His manifest glory.  Perhaps one way the prophet saw that Jesus would, "branch out," was through the Church, "Go into all the world."

Notice too that Jesus will not only, "build the temple," but He shall also, "bear the glory...."  Jesus is the "focal point" of our worship, and if anyone does not see that, it is their loss.  Jesus, "shall sit and rule on His throne," and Jesus, "shall be a priest on His throne."  Jesus is our Ruler and, as Hebrews tells us, our "Great High Priest."

Now this is an Old Testament prophet, and we know that his words were all fulfilled in Jesus, "the carpenter's son."  This is nothing short of, "to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness."  But, nonetheless, this is fulfilled; this is global and universal reality; and this is of What and Whom we a part. 

Rest in our Peace today, Who is Jesus Christ.  Much of the future tenses of the Old Testament have become present tenses in Jesus.  "Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever.  Amen."--------- always has been, always will be.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I offer all glory and honor to You.  Amen.
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Please pray with us about our next mission.  I also will be going to DC next month.

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

"Delight" Comes From the Heart

"I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:8)

Why do I think that I could only do the will of God when, "Your law is within my heart"?  I am really not sure that, "delight," in the will of God is my "natural" inclination.  I suspect that the degree to which I give myself to the Words of Jesus is the degree to which, "I delight to do Your will...."  The Words of God reveal the blessing of living in the will of God, and the curse of living outside the will of God.  Both are great motivators in doing His will.

Perhaps a life style so common in Christendom, a life style of selective Biblical reading, is the reason there is so much of self initiated, selective giving of ourselves to the work of the Kingdom.  I cannot trust that I am doing the will of God if I do not have the revelation of the will of God, which is revealed in the Words of God.

I suggest today that if we want a life which demonstrates, "I delight to do Your will, O my God," that we get more and more of His law/word, "within my heart."  Jesus, the Word of God, reveals the power of His words when He said, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."  If delight in Jesus and His purpose in the earth are to be my life, then I think, "Your law is within my heart," will be a "prime mover."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I ever, "delight to do Your will."  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

It's Yours To Claim

"He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.  He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me."  (Psalm 18:16, 17)

When they are, "too strong for me," I just need to remember and be reminded that they are not, "too strong for," our Lord Jesus, "a very present help...."

I have a simple recommendation today: Read Psalm 18 and claim it as your own.  Pray it; declare it; live it.  You may/can, you know, "Christ says 'Yes' to all of God's promises.  That's why we have Christ to say 'Amen' for us to the glory of God" (2 Cor., CEV), and, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us..., that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus...." (Gal. 3)  If any would disagree with the application of these Scriptures to my suggestion about Psalm 18, we could discuss it.  I believe, however, that God in Christ has shown humanity just how Magnanimous He Is.  Nothing we need is left out.

So again, read and pray Psalm 18.  It's yours and mine.  Then face that, well, whatever.  It is no match for you in Jesus Christ.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I do claim all David claimed, and thank You that You said I could do 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

"....I Will Always Remind You.., Even Though You Know"

"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have."  (2 Peter 1:12, NIV)

I want to share with you what I read yesterday from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together.  Yes, it is always good to know that some great people in Church History and you think alike.

"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.

"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 many 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."

Anyway, how could Jesus' voice, His Words every grow old to those who love Him?

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your continual Word.  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 Power of "One"

"For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14)  "For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy." (Amplified Bible)

There you have it, my friend, "a single offering," or, "one offering...."  As the hymn says, "'Tis done--- the great transaction's done, I am my Lord's and He is mine," and all, "by a single offering," Jesus Himself.  There is just nothing more to do.

As I read Hebrews this quarter I was again blessed, convicted and encouraged, yes, all at the same time.  For instance, how about this from the KJV translation of 8:10, "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts...."  Notice not "on," but, "into...and...in."  All the work Jesus does in you and me is, "into...and...in."  No more "outside" religion, no more, "What would Jesus do?" as though He were 2000 years removed from us.  Jesus' Law- Word, Jesus' Life, the Presence of the Blessed Trinity Himself is in, I repeat, IN those who have received Jesus and surrendered their lives to Jesus.

One and only, "one single offering," this is what the Bible calls, "the faith of Jesus."  No religion in the world, neither now, nor ever has given mankind such a sweeping forgiveness for sin, given us a, "completely cleansed perfected...consecrated and made holy," life.  I could not, I cannot, nor could I ever earn, work for, or be worthy apart from Jesus for, "so great a salvation."  Yet here He is, dear Follower of Jesus.  Here today, afresh, anew He is reminding you and me just Who we have in Jesus Christ, One Who Alone has done for us what none other could ever have done, "BY ONE SINGLE (solitary) OFFERING," Jesus has done it all, and all to bring us into Father, into Son Jesus Himself, and into the Holy Spirit, and, think of it, the Living Triune God, "into," us.  And all by ONE, ONE, ONE. 
 
No wonder that John Burton wrote in 1803:
"Holy Bible, Book Divine,
Precious Treasure, Thou are mine."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for my, "One Offering."  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

Lost In "The Crowd"

"And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd...."  (Luke 19:3)

Have you ever felt like Zacchaeus, lost, "because of the crowd"?  From what is, "the crowd," keeping you today?

The crowd hindered Zaccaeus, "for he was of short stature."  He was not something which most around him were; hence, he was cut out, kept back, frustrated, had to make a way of his own.  The latter, by the way, can be a very dangerous mode if one then withdrawals himself for a remedy; but not this little man.  He looked at his circumstances, his physical limitations, perhaps even his low esteem in the community because of his employment, and pressed in all the more.  Never allow your, "short stature," to keep you from Jesus. 

The "end" of the story is, "Today salvation has come...."  And this, "salvation," in our Savior and King Jesus Christ does not come and go.  Forgive me for being a "repeating machine," but we do not "get into His presence."  We are His Presence, Jesus living, abiding, never leaving us.  Never forget what the Bible says of you and me, "....but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end."  Do not let, "the crowd," and its erroneous theology keep you from Your joy, peace and victory in Jesus, "A VERY PRESENT HELP." 

Most likely you are not now in some "church gathering" as you read this.  You may be in your house or place of employment.  I cannot say this enough, Jesus Christ, Sustainer, Preserver, Deliverer, is in you right there, right now.  You and I do not have to go anywhere to enjoy His "Presence."  You and I, indeed the Global Church of Jesus is where and in whom Jesus dwells (John 15); therefore, keep in Jesus, "looking to Jesus," and trusting Jesus, "Today (continually, moment by moment) salvation has come to [you and me]."  Let the, "crowd," come and go; Jesus never does.

Thought:  If you encounter another Follower of Jesus today, it is an encounter of one Child of His Presence encountering another Child of His Presence.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that, "....salvation has come to this house," never to leave.  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

"....But You, Lord...."

"Lord, how many...!-- But You, Lord...." (Psalm 3, NIV)

David is saying to God that he has, "many...foes!"  He is saying, "How many rise up against me!"  He is saying that others say of him, "God will not deliver him."  In short, "I have many who oppose me, are against me; I am in deep trouble."  Then he says, however, "But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head."

It really sounds quite simple, doesn't it?  The world around you is falling apart.  Maybe you feel as though you are falling apart, feeling deep down that you are all alone, perhaps even have those who mock, or at least seem to mock you in your devastation.  "The sweet psalmist of Israel," came to the conclusion which is open to and for us all, "But You, Lord...."  Yet while the words seem simple enough to read, hear, and say, the application, the out-working, the written-on-the-heart can be another battle all together.

I encourage you today to renew your faith in, "But You, Lord Jesus, are my hope, my stay, my life," or as David later declares,  "....my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in Whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."  If you find it a fight to say such words, go to His Word, read, confess, shout if you have to, but as Paul said, "Hold fast (or, "take possession of") the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is Faithful."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for my friend that if they are in a battle, in depression, discouragement, even the object of mocking, that they know of a certainty, "But You, Lord are a shield around [them, their] glory, the One Who lifts [their] head."  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

Something "Blacker" Then "Black Friday"

"Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4, NASB)

Every quarter when I read 1 John 3 I am struck with the reality of sin and how much the Blessed Trinity hates sin.  Verse 8 tells us, "....the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."  Here we see that sin is, "the works of the devil", and Father does nothing less than, "destroy (those) works"...; and why not?  Sin destroys you and me, and Father will not permit anything which destroys His Children.  He, "was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself," to free us from the slavery of sin as well as forgive our sins.

1 John 2 tells us plainly Jesus' purpose for us, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin."  Yes, He goes on to say there is forgiveness, "if anyone sins," but there is a very real sense, "that you may not sin," is equally important as the forgiveness of sins.  Sin does something in you and me that forgiveness cannot erase. Yes, we have fellowship in the Godhead, but the damage is done.  Sin destroys something in us any time we yield to temptation.  We will sin, but we must do all we can, draw upon all the Grace of Jesus to stop the cyclical, "practices sin...."  We do not worship it away.  We do not pray it away.  And no one can preach it away.  We can only stop it away.   

I have no doubt that in modern Christendom sin is taken far too lightly.  The Bible teaches us that those who, "practices sin," are, "sinners against their own souls."  We not only sin against God, but also ourselves.  I know most do not hear this today.  I just pass on to you what I have been reading, and what I have been reading are the very, "Words of God," the Words which are, "God-Breathed." 
   
    "Breathe on me, breath of God,
    Fill me with life anew,
    That I may love what Thou dost love,
    And do what Thou wouldst do.
   
    Breathe on me, breath of God,
    Until my heart is pure,
    Until with Thee I will one will,
    To do and to endure.

    Breathe on me, breath of God,
    Blend all my soul with Thine,
    Until this earthly part of me
    Glows with Thy fire divine.
  
    Breathe on me, breath of God,
    So shall I never die,
    But live with Thee the perfect life
    Of Thine eternity."-------
In Jesus' Name, Amen.   

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Another perspective on the Ferguson Riots @:    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

A Brief "Thanksgiving" Holiday Thought

"If is it possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."  (Romans 12:18)

Phillips' says, "As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone."  This means "the good, the bad, and the ugly."  Apparently, however, it is not, "possible," to, "live peaceably with all men," but it does, "depends on you," and me to make every attempt to bring peace into every situation.

Some today in the US will be gathering with family and friends, etc., some of which will not know our Lord Jesus Christ and will be "war-makers," i.e., argue at every point, take an opposite opinion, in short, just be negative in any way they can.  That is not our Lord Jesus Christ; that is flesh unbridled.

So, as an encouragement to all of us who claim to Follow Jesus here in the US on this Thanksgiving Day, "As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone," Believer and nonbeliever alike.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to so live and sow.  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

Tomorrow Is The Thanksgiving Holidiay in The United States of America

"I thank God--- through Jesus Christ our Lord!"  (Romans 7:25a)

Thanksgiving in the United States of America is not giving thanks into the nebulae of the universe.  I have much to be thankful for.  Ultimately, however, only One to be thankful to.

The original intent was expressed by George Washington in his decree in 1789, "to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God."  This was the first national govenmental declaration of a special day of Thanksgiving.  It was and is a giving of thanks to God Himself for the nation, the blessings, and the undeserved mercies He has shown us throughout the generations of our nation.  By the way, I do not buy for a minute that the World War 2 generation was "the greatest generation."  Every generation had its greatness, from the first pioneers to the present, generations of self-sacrificing, country loving, and most especially, the William Penns, the Wesleys, Whitefields, Edwards, Finneys, who laid the foundation of Jesus Christ in our nation's founding, and others who gave so much that I and my fellow Americans have what is still a great country.  We have great sins for which repentance is a constant need, e.g., the First Nations Peoples, slavery.  But I could make a case that even with those sins, so much has been turned to good.

"After their first harvest, the colonists of the Plymouth Plantation held a celebration of food and feasting in the fall of 1621.  Indian chiefs Massassoit, Squanto and Samoset joined in the celebration with ninety of their men in the three-day event" (Archiving Early America).  Would to our Lord Jesus Christ that such comradery would have continued, and may Jesus help you and me to do all we can to right those wrongs.  Yes, there are many sins of America, but personally, I am thankful to have been born here.  I say again what many do not like to hear and think is too nationalistic--------- but it's true.  If it were not for the United States of America, despotism would rule the world.

As those of us who are US Citizens gather with family and friends tomorrow, I pray we are thankful to and for Jesus Christ, "King of kings (and nations) and Lord of lords."  Not only Americans, but the whole world might as well join in the Thanksgiving to and for Jesus, "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You.  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