"Eye Witnesses of His Majesty"

"Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus." (Matthew 17:3, NIV)

Peter told us in his second epistle, "We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain."  This is testimony.  This is a personal "experience," a personal encounter with God.  Man can argue, try to explain, try to reason, but it cannot match, "We ourselves heard this voice...."

What have you "heard" today?  What is your testimony?  I think most of us struggle with being witnesses to Jesus because we attempt to use someone else's formula.  Jesus spoke to my heart many years ago, "Fish in the waters of your testimony."  In other words, Don't use copycat methods and wordings to share your encounter with Jesus; it will sound and come off as stale bread.

"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty."  I believe you, Peter.  I have absolutely no reason not to.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I long to have you perfect in me, "I will make you fishers of men."  Amen.
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"How To Win in Gaza," Carolyn Glick:  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 Forty Year Old "Vision"

"And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him."  (Matthew 17:3)

I had a "vision" of this encounter about 40 years ago, okay, maybe a better word would be "picture."  Regardless, it was so vivid, as though I were there with them.  In a real sense, I was.  I have often wished that I could describe it to an artist who could paint it.  There are passages like this all through Scripture, passages which give us a glimpse into, perhaps we could say, another dimension.  Eternal life means that our fundamental "dimension" is not time/space, but the Fifth Dimension, Eternity. 

Obviously our text is not describing an every day, time/space occurrence.  Yet three people, fishermen-businessmen by trade, were privileged to observe this.  When I "saw" this in my mind, it gave me a greater, a "larger" perspective of just what you and I are about.  The older I get, the more wonderment I have about everything Church, everything Kingdom, everything God.  I grasp so very, very little.  Our text is an "open curtain" into even more wonderment.

Luke tells us of the encounter in our text that Moses and Elijah, "appeared in glory and spoke of His (Jesus') decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem."  Even the wording is a blessing to me.  Moses knew this would happen.  Elijah, generations later, knew this would happen.  It was not a surprise to them.  They, as Abraham, "rejoiced to see My day, and [they] saw it and [were] glad."  Perhaps they were now even more, "glad."  The day was near, the day of finality, the day of, "It is finished!" was about to be, "FINISHED!"

Whatever this day is bringing you and me, we are products of, "It is finished!"  That of which Jesus, Moses and Elijah spoke together, what the disciples were privileged to overhear, you and I are the "amazing-grace" recipients.  We can say with Moses and Elijah in the words of the song, "I am my Lord's, and He is mine."  We are forgiven, "accepted in the Beloved," our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ.  We are the true "time-travelers," yea, more than that, Eternity-Travelers.

Father, in Jesus' Name,--------------- Glorious.  Amen.

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World events perspective which you will not hear in over 95% of media @:  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

"I Sing Psalms"

"....speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord...."  (Ephesians 5;19)

The phrase, "making melody," literally means, "I sing psalms."  Singing is a lost art in prayer.  There is a modern phrase, "Harp and Bowl," as though they were different.  I don't think they are. 

"Gracious Spirit, love divine
Let thy light within me shine;
All my guilty fears remove,
Fill me full of heaven and love.
2. Speak thy pardoning grace to me,
Set the burdened sinner free;
Lead me to the Lamb of God,
Wash me in his precious blood.
3. Life and peace to me impart!
Seal salvation on my heart;
Breathe thyself into my breast,
Earnest of immortal rest.
4. Let me never from thee stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Fill my soul with joy divine,
Keep me, Lord, forever thine."  (John Stocker, 1776)
What an absolutely great singing prayer.  It really does not matter what era in history one is found.  Words and phrasing may vary, but the love of Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit does not change.  The song quoted above is from a work I have on my Kindle a work entitled:

The Otterbein Hymnal
For Use In
Public and Social Worship
Prepared by
Edmund S. Lorenz.
Dayton, Ohio:
United Brethren Publishing House,
1892 (original copyright, 1886)

Followers of Jesus in every generation have expressed their love for God in so many ways.  Reading the songs in this song book have been enriching.  And it never ceases to amaze me that some of the great songs of the Church, even ones just written in the last 30 years, are no longer sung in most settings, e.g., "Exalt the Lord our God, Exalt the Lord our God, Worship at His footstool, Worship at His footstool, Holy is He, Holy is He."  Glorious.
 
People have been writing expressions of worship, intercession, prayers and supplications, testimonies ever since the one Genesis describes as, "Jubal.  He was the father of those who play the harp and flute."  Perhaps there is a song in your heart today.  It may never be published.  It may never be sung by anyone but you.  I'm sure there are many such songs in the air, songs of worship, gratitude and love to our Living Triune God. 

Sing on today, my friend.  Maybe you will never be asked to sing a solo for people, but you can always sing "a solo" to the Blessed Trinity.  As our text commands, "I sing psalms."  That's right; make up melodies, but just sing.  There is an old song entitled, "With a Song in My Heart."  I know you have a song in your heart. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be ever, "singing and making melody to [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