"Eyewitnesses"

"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word."  (Luke 1:1, 2--NIV)

Everything you and I believe we received from, "eyewitnesses."  If people do not believe the Good News, Jesus Christ, they do not believe these, "eyewitnesses."  I was in seminary with some of these, "Did Jesus really say that?"  Or, "That is probably what they thought He said," or "They probably editorialized what He said," or, "What we have was written long after Jesus spoke; how do we know that is what He really said?" blah, blah, blah (excuse my unprofessional response).  I find it quite interesting that most people will accept the, "eyewitnesses," accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, but not the, "eyewitnesses," accounts of His resurrection.  This is based-on-the-believable history-acceptance. 

Our testimonies too are, "eyewitnesses."  Remember the old saying, "A man with an argument is no match for a man with experience."  You know, "O that; that went out with the First Century." Then why do I pray in tongues?  "Well," as John MacArthur would tell me, "you poor misguided soul, you are living in error."  Well, this "poor misguided soul" went into a phone booth in Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, just a few days after Christmas, 1969, after hearing the news that Stephen had a brain tumor, and for 5 hours all I could do is pray, not in, "my understanding" (because I had no understanding) but, "in the spirit."  As eyewitness, Paul, said, "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful."  And I can tell you that my, "my mind is [still] unfruitful," when it comes to coping with what happened on that day so long ago---- and to this day in dealing with our loss.  

Our faith is based on the, "eyewitnesses," accounts of the Bible, our belief, trust that the Bible is the very Words of God.  If people do not believe this, they do not have faith, no matter what they may claim.  The Bible tells me, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ," and, "the Word of Christ," has been communicated by, "eyewitnesses."
Continue to go forth, eyewitness.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for all the, "eyewitnesses," who have passed on to me-----
You.  Amen.
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* Mission to Berlin and Bosnia, May 1-20
* Prophetic articles and commentary 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

This Is A "Top To Bottom" Faith; Therefore, No Fear

"Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who...serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord...." (From Hebrews 8: 1, 2--NIV)

Here are some thoughts on Hebrews after this quarter's reading: 
Hebrews is a Bible summation.  It was written to Hebrew Believers, whom some today might call, "Messianic." Historically, however, they were just like you and me, Followers of Jesus.  My race or ethnicity does not define me in Jesus, His Church, His Kingdom; my obedience to Jesus does.  But I think the Godhead was communicating to the Jews that they should be "leading the way" to Gospel proclamation, for, as our Lord Jesus said, "Salvation is of the Jews."

We could say perhaps that Hebrews reveals the "unfolding" of Biblical truth, revelation.  Hebrews goes clear back to the creation of the Universe, back to Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek, and what Stephen in the Book of Acts referred to as, "the Tabernacle of witness in the wilderness," and in that, "Tabernacle of witness," Hebrews reveals the person of the Christ, Who He Is, what He does, and for whom He does it, "Now the main point of what we are saying is this:  We do have such a high priest, who...serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord," and it was, "set up by the Lord," to bring us into Himself and, "the household of faith," aka, His Family.  

Hebrews tells us, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."  Hebrews tells us that no one can enter the Presence of God just any way he chooses.  Hebrews explains what God told Moses in Leviticus 16:2, "The Lord said to Moses: 'Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark...."  Hebrews reveals the fulfillment of "Tabernacle Life," when the Holy Spirit tells us, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus," not by worship, not by prayer, not by some song leader hype.  My invitation to Presence is, "by the blood of Jesus," and only, "by the blood of Jesus." 

I just read in Mark yesterday that when Jesus died on the Cross, "the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom."  Notice, "from top to bottom."  Or, "from top (God)," and, "to bottom (me)."  God did it, not you nor I.  And because our Salvation is a "top-to-bottom" Salvation, I need never doubt it. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You that You "started" all of this, not me; therefore, I know there is no end.  Amen.

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Along with articles on our Blog, I am adding some of my own comments on current events: 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

When Compromise Prevails, We Don't

"But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Migiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land." (Judges 1:27, NIV)

"....The Canaanites were determined...," which indicates to me, the Hebrews were not.  They had the command of God to go in and conquer the land, occupy the land, live in it and enjoy the fruit of it.  Yet there was an indication of trouble earlier in the chapter, "The Lord was with the men of Judah.  They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron."  O, I get it; God cannot deal with, "chariots fitted with iron."  What "chariots fitted with iron" have you yielded to today, chariots which seem just too powerful, unbeatable?  There is the phrase, "He wanted it more than the others."  Now while genetics also play a part in athletics, "determined," many times rewards the winner.  I remember when they used to say that 75% of football was above the neck.  Interpretation: Attitude usually wins.

"....for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land."  From what I can gather, the word/phrase, "were determined," has the sense that they would do whatever it took to stay in their possession.  Who could possibly doubt that the Enemy of God and his creation is also, "determined," will do whatever it takes, whatever is within his/their power to do to keep you and me from, "to live in that land."   Now Jesus defeated him and the, "principalities and powers," in His Cross and Resurrection, "It is finished."  So, if you and I are not winning in the battle of life, we are not walking in "the finished work of Christ."  We have surrendered to the intimidation of, "chariots fitted with iron."

The verse after our text says, "When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely."  Sometimes that just seems to be the easy way out.  Now God commanded the Jews to drive, "them out completely."  But when the battle became too difficult, took too much effort, the Hebrews gave up and settled for "coexistence."  The Canaanites were more, "determined to live in that land," than the Jews.  This does not work.  It was the gods of those very Canaannites which most Jews finally worshiped and served, and we are in the same danger when we "settle" for less than what Our Lord Jesus promises/commands.  We cannot wear out and accept anything less than the full purposes, obedience to the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Bible, history, and experience reveal that when compromise prevails, we don't

Father, in Jesus' Name, show me any "determined" deficiencies.  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

What Are You Pursuing?

"Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, NASB)

How we finish is equally important as how we begin.  The next verse says, "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God...."  Apparently that can happen.

Our sojourn in Jesus is full of Bunyon's "City of Destruction," "the Slough of Despond," "Mr. Worldly," etc.  How we navigate these obstacles will determine our end.  Now I know this sounds like we can lose our salvation.  I must admit that I have been never quite able to finalize any theology on that.  The "once-saved-always-saved" people, or those who believe that some-sin-will-ultimately-be the-end-of-us people need to be very cautious.  One can lead to carelessness, the other to depression.  I would caution those who have every Biblical principle "finalized" in their minds to be very, very careful.  Such mentality can lead to arrogance and quick condemnation of others.

The NIV entitles verses 14-17 as, "Warning and Encouragement."  It is.  Indeed, one could say that this is a good summation of Biblical Theology.  All through the Bible, every book contains an element of both.  Just about the time someone rests in the belief that he/she can do anything, as the old 50s song which says, "though it makes Him sad to see the way we live, He'll always say, 'I forgive,'" along comes a passage as our text which, as the book by William Law is titled, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life.

"Looking unto Jesus," you probably just stopped reading, thinking, "Oh, there he goes again with the same old stuff."  But if you read through the Bible regularly be careful you do not say that to the Lord Jesus.  We have no more declarations on living the life of faith and obedience in Jesus Christ than what was canonized 17 centuries ago.  "Looking unto Jesus," is such a key command in the Bible.  And notice that is precedes our text.  Whatever the pursuit of holiness/sanctification fully means, whatever the danger of coming, "short of the grace of God," may fully mean, we will walk safely, confidently in, "the fear of the Lord," circumspectly, and rejoicing when our hearts and minds are, "Looking unto Jesus," and nothing or no one else.  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to, as Enoch, be pleasing to You.  Amen.  
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News, Commentary:        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

Too Long For A Devotional (Sorry)

"If only I had never come into being, or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!...Turn away from me...before I go...to the land of deepest night, of utter darkness and disorder, where even the light is like darkness." (From my Wisdom Literature reading for the day, Job 10:19-22, NIV)

I refuse devotionals which only use proof texts and "favorite" passages.  For this, I know, I have lost readers over the years.  Yet, "The Word of God," Jesus, speaks to us every day, day after day, month after month, year after year; He speaks His redeeming, lifesaving Words, Words which do not, as so much preaching and teaching over the centuries have, attempt to defend the Faith from accusations of bigotry, "unfairness," even barbarism, etc., and give explanations where there just are none, that is, at least, none which you and I can understand.
 
Reading through the Book of Job every quarter is always an interesting adventure.  First of all, one deals with large passages which are later condemned by the Lord God.  In Job 42:7, the Word of God says to one of Job's three friends, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has."  Now as you consider some of the things Job's friends said to him, some of them seem to be quite good, even we could say "accurate."  It is the seeming irony we find in Balaam.  His prophesies seem to affirm rather than contradict God's purposes for the Hebrews.  My only conclusion in all of this is that there is much more than words involved when people speak.  And it is that phenomenon of which we should always be aware.

Secondly, one "overhears" Job in what seems to be complaint, some would call it "unbelief" or even "wrong confession."  This again is only to the shallow observer.  "....You have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has."  Again, perhaps in all that we read in Holy Writ we need to be catching the (excuse the bad word) theology, the heart, the God-relationship of the person speaking.  All which is in Scripture is of the Holy Spirit.  And while it does not necessarily state the "approval" of the Godhead, we see that He tells us the history of man in his relationship with his Maker, truthfully, not covering up the weaknesses, the questionings, even sin of some of the great Biblical "heroes."  Jesus speaks Truth, because He is Truth. 

I am also reading in Joshua, the killing of everyone in towns, men, women, children, livestock.  The people who read the Bible with humanist, by that I mean, reasoning without the New Birth, reasoning of, "that-is-not-fair," or, "that's-just-not-right," find themselves no longer reading the Bible.  In their own brand of morality and self righteous judgment on God and His ways, they have forgotten, "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord." 

Our text is from the heart of a soul in despair.  We can determine from God's approval, "....spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has," we can see that Job was not accusing God; he was not blaming God.  He did not take all the "evil" which had come upon him as a justification to give up, to quit, to renounce faith in God.  Rather, the confession, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him," rings loudly throughout the Book.  This is Job.  This is Job in the depths of suffering, Job in the depths of confusion, Job of the, "If only I had never come into being, or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!"  At the end of the Book we see a Job triumphant, victorious, seeing beyond what he could see.  This is Job, who as Abraham, "rejoiced to see [Jesus'] day; he saw it and was glad."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You so much that my regular journey through Your Words is not without You holding my hand.  Amen.
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New articles 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