"....The Arrogant...Stray From Your Commands"

"You rebuke the arrogant ('insolent, presumptuous') who are accursed, those who stray from your commands." (Psalm 119:21, NIV)

This is Psalm 119 day of the month.  Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, not the replacement of it.  The rejection of this fundamental truth has led to some of the most atrocious tenets and acts in human history.

First of all, I remind you that centuries before the First Crusade, Arab Islamists were invading Europe.  So (those who are always talking of the Crusades as some totally evil endeavor), don't give me that poor-Arab Muslim-sympathy stuff.  But, having stated that, there were perversions of The Faith of Jesus during some of the Crusades by, "those who stray from your commands (words)."  Secondly, "replacement theology" is a direct result of, "those who stray from your [words]."  Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to  them."  I can give more examples, but suffice it to say that, "....the arrogant... are... those who stray from your commands (words)."

Last evening at our mission briefing I shared a little about a book I am currently reading, Betrayal: German Churches and the Holocaust.  I can tell you that without exception it is the "darkest" book I have ever read.  It speaks of a group of people in German Protestantism who called themselves "German Christians."  How they perverted and distorted Biblical passages and Biblical Theology to justify their support and compliance with National Socialism is almost beyond belief.  Let me share something I read about them on the Holocaust Museum Site: "Historically the German Evangelical Church viewed itself as one of the pillars of German culture and society, with a theologically grounded tradition of loyalty to the state.  During the 1920s (note), a movement emerged within the German Evangelical Church called the Deutsche Christen or 'German Christians.'  The 'German Christians' embraced many of the nationalistic and racial aspects of Nazi ideology.  Once the Nazis came to power, this group sought the creation of a national 'Reich Church' and supported a 'nazified' version of Christianity."

There are still "nazified version[s] of Christianity."  They have different names, but the spirit and intent of them is the same.  My intent is never to make anyone unduly suspicious and thereby elitist and isolationist towards other Followers of Jesus; if someone is looking to justify such a lifestyle, they really need no "confirmations."  But this caution does not eliminate the need to, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  He devoured millions in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s.  God help us all. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, by Your Holy Spirit, keep me, "in the faith"----- and out of, "the lie."  Amen.
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Bosnia/Berlin Mission, May, 2014
Example of today's devotional 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

"....As A Hen Gathers Her Chicks Under Her Wings...."

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...." (Matthew 23:37, NIV)

Two things came to me this morning.  While praying, I said to our Triune God, Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit just how dependent I am on Him.  Then I thought, Everyone who has ever lived on Planet Earth has been and is totally dependent on Him in Jesus.  As the Bible says, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (literally, "Preeminent One") over all creation.  For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things and in Him all things hold together."  The hymn writer said, "I Need Jesus."  I wonder if he and we realize just how "much."

Later, when I read today's Gospel reading, our text, it occurred to me that Jesus "feels" this way not only about Jerusalem and the Jews, but also about you and me and all humanity.  I have no doubt that our Lord Jesus Christ is right now saying to every person, people group, tribe and tongue, "[Humanity, America, North Korea, Congo, Columbia, Iran], you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.  Look your house is left to you desolate.  For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"  There is no doubt that Jesus is revealing in this cry not only how much He loves us and cares for us, but the implication of the very real fact that we need Him.  Out from under His, "wings," we are nothing but a doomed species.

What love and compassion and Family and provision for everyone do we have in Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us that He is, "no respecter of persons," that, "this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  The Living Triune God, Great Provider, Great Protector, "underneath are the everlasting arms," has great loving and powerful, "wings."

Father, in Jesus Name, May I never ever resist Your "gathering."  Amen.
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*    Planning the 2014 Bosnia/Berlin Mission for May
*    Al Qaeda Makes Attempt on US Embassy in Jerusalem:   jhs58.blogspot.com
*    Will also have some video from the North Korea Mission tonight at briefing    

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 You Walk Through the Fire, You Will Not Be Burned" (Jesus)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."  (Isaiah 43:2, NIV)

God had demonstrated this truth at the Red Sea many generations before.  While I have never crossed a "sea" as the Hebrews did, I have been, "through waters...and...rivers...[and] fire...."  So have you.  Sometimes it is good to reflect on those "waters, rivers, and fires."  I can think of several, yet here I am.  This is God speaking, the Word of God, Jesus, the One Who enabled David to say by faith and experience, "....Though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Today you may feel as Peter who at one time walked on the sea, yes he did.  Ultimately, however, while looking at his "impossible" circumstances, i.e., "Hey, I can't do this," he began to go under the water.  And when he began to go under, as we inevitably all do from time to time, he cried out to Jesus, "Lord, save me."  Jesus did.  It was a simple cry, a simple "prayer," we could say.  Yet a few words in desperation-faith can accomplish more than the most well thought out, prepared, sophisticated prayer.  "The rivers...will not sweep over you."  

When I was in elementary school, the local high school had a typical "fight song."  One phrase said, "although our foes be large or small, Somerset High will win over all, as our loyal team goes marching onward to vic-to-ry."  Well, my friend, "Although our ("waters, rivers, fires") be large or small," in Jesus Christ, you and I "win over all."  Now, "Onward to VIC-TO-RY!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I trust You in all "waters, rivers, and fire."  Amen.
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"Civil War Spreads Alone Israel's Northern Borders"--- Read 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

"From Prison to Praise"

"Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you.  Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress....But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations....In the course of my life He broke my strength; He cut short my days....In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.  They will perish, but You remain....the same, and your years will never end." (Psalm 102, NIV)

Yes, this is all from the same Psalm.   The depths of despair can lead to the heights of worship--------- that is, if we do as the Hebrew writer said, "Consider Jesus."  This was the victory of the psalmist.  With the Lord Jesus as, "The Lord is my Shepherd," He looked at his life at times and did not deny or allow himself to get in some falsely religious, charismatic la la land.  There were times when things were, quite frankly, bad.  Yet in the midst of everything, "But You, Lord, sit enthroned forever....In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth...."  He was in effect saying, "I need help in this desperate situation, but because I know You are the Alpha and Omega, because I know You not only, 'laid the foundations of the earth,' I know that You laid the foundation of my life.  Everything else may perish, but I know that I will not, because You said, 'Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) will never perish but have eternal life.'"!!

If you are going through a difficult time in your life, you are participating in what millions upon millions have participated in for millennia.  You are not alone, nor are you abandoned.  Many of those millions thought they were because they were as Ephesians 2 says, "without hope, and without God in the world."  You are not.  Our Lord Jesus promises us all, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."  Now some over the centuries have argued with this, given examples of what they think disproves this, and have turned back to their old life because "this just does not work."  But I have confidence in you that you will not succumb to the Devil's lie of, "Has God said...?"  Yes, He has.  You and I know this today; the psalmist knew it.  And because he was confident in the Living Triune God, he could admit that life was tough at times, even confusing.  But he also could and did affirm, even though he was, "in distress," the Blessed Trinity, "will arise and have compassion." He said that the day would come when, "The nations will fear the name of the Lord [Jesus Christ], all the kings of the earth will revere Your glory.  For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in His glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their plea."  Rejoice today, my friend.  As you are all Jesus Christ's, all of Him and His is all of yours.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for such wonderful Faithfulness and Promises.  Amen.
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*  Ill advised (stupid?) diplomacy makes the United States of America one of the main "facilitators" in global Christian persecution.  Read about it @:    jhs58.blogspot.com
* Be sure to read our Facebook posts

* Mission to Berlin/Bosnia could be in May of this year.  Please pray with us about this.

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 Consider My Life Worth Nothing To Me."

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace."  (Acts 20:24, NIV)

Many people can misunderstand, "I consider my life worth nothing to me," as some sort of perverted, religious aestheticism.  It is not.

As you know, I usually share a text from my regular daily reading for the daily devotional.  I have been reading through the Scriptures in the NIV this quarter, and when I read, "However, I consider my life worth nothing...," today, I had to ask the question, Really?  Most of us do everything we can to preserve ourselves.  This causes stress in ourselves as well as in our relationships.  Now Paul was not revealing some "poor self image."  He was simply declaring his absolute loyalty to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.  The reason for his, "However," is in the previous verse, "prison and hardships are facing me."   

I have referred before to the person who said, "My business is to extend the Kingdom of God.  I only cobble shoes to pay the expenses."  I discovered that it was William Carey, later to become the great missionary to India.  What is there about a person whose life is so captivated by Jesus Christ that he could say such a statement, or, " I consider my life worth nothing to me..."?  Such a person has encountered Jesus in a very real, "deep," and intimate way.  Religion to such a person is not an addendum to life, i.e., something to help them through "trials and tribulations" only, and then rail on God when things don't go their way.  Rather, it is a personal relationship with the Living Triune God in Jesus; nothing is more important.  Jesus Christ is their life's Foundation.  I say, "Nothing is more important," not to say that living in Jesus and for Jesus is an exclusionary life.  When one truly surrenders his/her life to Jesus, that person in reality becomes a "person for others," as Jesus said to those First Century disciples, "I am among you as one who serves."  The message was clear: "And so you will be to others."   

It is a blessed life which is a serving life, a life which thinks of others, cares about others.  In the process we can then say in all sincerity with Paul, "However, I consider my life worth nothing," i.e., that old life of satisfying the flesh, of "protecting" oneself, or "playing it safe," or that life of "you have to take care of number one."  Rather, it is the life described by the song writer, "All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give."  What precedes the, "However," of your life today?

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me by your grace and mercy to consider, "my life worth nothing to me."  Amen.
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* Blog Site:   jhs58.blogspot.com
* Briefing on last Fall's Mission, January, 23 at 19:00, Katie Burt's house.

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