"Asserting [Over and Over}"

"....but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive."  (Acts 25:19)

This was Festus rehearsing to Agrippa the case brought against Paul by the Jews.  It is one of my favorite Biblical passages.

Here we have a "pagan" Roman authority attempting to relate from his "natural" observance and reasoning the battle of the natural and the spiritual.  The Amplified Bible says, " Instead they had some points of controversy with him about their own religion or superstition and concerning one Jesus, Who had died but Whom Paul kept asserting [over and over] to be alive."  This is Christianity "101."  This is our Life.

Our text is near the end of the Book of Acts, possibility not far from the end of Paul's sojourn on this planet.  Yet over the years of Paul's witness to Jesus Christ, the Cross of Jesus and Resurrection of Jesus were foundational.  Now, here before Romans officials, people who were not sympathetic to Judaism nor, "the faith of Jesus," were still "getting" what Paul called, "my gospel."  Of all Paul spoke, of all Paul wrote and testified to, it is hear, in a Roman court that Paul receives perhaps one of his best affirmations of his faithfulness to Jesus, His Kingdom, His Church, ".... They had some points of controversy with him about...one Jesus, Who had died but Whom Paul kept asserting [over and over] to be alive."  Whatever else others may hear from the Church, if this is not what they walk away with, we have failed------
period.

Right here right now, right there right now is our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.  Since Jesus is alive, you and I need fear nothing or no one.  "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord Jesus is round about His People from this time forth and forever."  No sweat, "no fear," no panic.  Our victory in this life and when this life is over will be determined by whether or not we believed and determined our life by our trust that, "Jesus, who had died but Whom (you and I) kept asserting [over and over] to be alive."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I assert "over and over " that You are alive."  Amen.
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Fall, 2014 Mission:  Washington, DC

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

Behold, A Greater Is Here"

"For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:8, NASB))

How dare a, "carpenter's son," say such a thing?  How dare just an average Israeli citizen make such a claim?  As the Ashkenazi Jews would say,"What chutzpah!"  We must understand that to the majority of those who heard Jesus' Words for the first time, His claims were astonishing.  To most, and I include myself here, they are still.  When I read our text this month, it just "jumped out" at me.  This happens quite frequently with "familiar" texts.  You read them for years, then you hear them, or perhaps a fresh breath of the, "God-Breathed" Word. 

The scene of our text was quite familiar to our Lord.  He was being challenged for His deeds and words, His behavior which did not conform to others' interpretation of the Law of Moses.  At one point Jesus said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone?  Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent?  But I say to you," literally, "a greater than the temple is here.  But Jesus was not yet through with His claim to Lordship, not only of the Sabbath, but of the Law and the Prophets. "The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.  The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here."

"....a greater than...is here."  Fill in the blank with whatever and whomever you wish.  Except for Father and Holy Spirit, Jesus is the, "greater than," and as Peter said to the Roman soldier's household and friends, "He is Lord of all."  The claims of Jesus Christ are nothing but preposterous to the natural mind, yours and mine included.  What we have in our relationship with/in Jesus is revelation, the same as Peter's in the, "regions of Caesarea Philippi."  What glorious revelation.  What glorious "amazing grace."  What glorious invitation you and I have received, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me."  Enjoy your Dinner.

Father, in Jesus' Name, You are, "Lord of all."  Continually be, "Lord of," me.  Amen.
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2014 Fall Mission:  Washington, DC

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

Who Do You Want to Rule You, Friend or Enemy?

"The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, 'Rule in the midst of your enemies!'"  (Psalm 110:2, NIV)

Most relegate this to Jesus and the Millennium; how religiously convenient.  Just sit by in our nations, singing songs, preaching sermons, feeding the poor and homeless, conducting conferences------- waiting for the day when Jesus will appear for the second time and deal with our, "enemies."  I am going to set forth a proposition:  Today's text is a foreshadow of "The Great Commission."  Or, "Go into all the world," and, "rule in the midst of your enemies."  I suggest that this is more than just the "overcoming life."  It is a command to go and bring forth transformation, not only of individuals, but also nations (Matthew 25). 

My faith in Jesus is not just a "personal" faith, hence my devotionals are not just for you and me to read and feel good about during our "daily devotions."  Jesus appeared for the sin of the whole world.  Jesus appeared to take away that sin, and being delivered from sin, we are now debtors to all humanity, in every nation, every business location, every neighborhood.  "Both to Greeks and to barbarians (to the cultured and to the uncultured), both to the wise and the foolish, I have an obligation to discharge and a duty to perform and a debt to pay" (Romans 1:14, Amplified).  If my "born again experience" does not affect my life outside "religion," outside of church meetings, conferences, missions, etc., then I am not "born again."  Jesus did not save me to make me a religious person or a "spiritual" person with no involvement in the world around me. 

I can conclude nothing else when a people have an opportunity to control the kind of government they have, righteous or unrighteous, when the Church can, "rule in the midst of your enemies!" and neglects this great command.  Yes, American Follower of Jesus, we have the power, yes, power to, "rule in the midst of your enemies."  The statistics in the United States of America are embarrassing for American Christendom.  We can have Presidents, Congresses, a Supreme Court which demonstrate Biblical principles.  Yet millions upon millions of self proclaimed "born againers" have their daily devotions, go to their worship gatherings, even do missions and give to the poor, all the while on election day------------ stay at home and read their Bible.

"Rule in the midst of your enemies!" is not only the commission of Father to our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is the Word of God to the Church in the earth today.  Test the correctness of my paraphrase of Matthew 28:19, 20, "Go therefore and make disciples of ALL THE NATIONS,...teaching [ALL THE NATIONS] to observe all that I commanded you...."  Yes, bring them to Jesus Christ, to conversion, the new birth.  But conversion means a life and life style change.  It means that if Jesus Christ lives and rules in me, then I will also affirm and vote people into positions of authority who, if not, "born again," at least manifest Biblical principles.  (Sorry for being so long-penned.)

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never breath without the awareness that You are in me, and I am in You, that You never leave me and I never leave You.  "Rule in the midst of [me]!"  Amen.
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Fall Mission:  Washington, DC

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

"Morning Star" Or "morning star."

"You, the bright morning star, have fallen from the sky!  You brought down other nations; now you are brought down."  (Isaiah 14:12, CEV) 

Some believe this passage speaks of Satan; perhaps.  In view of the context, however, I think it is speaking of the king of Babylon, and ultimately any world leader or people group or anyone who thinks their morality is superior to God's, aka, people who think as the song, "If I ruled the world," well, everything would be better.

The photo below was taken in France.  This is Arab hatred of Jews.  Kerry might as well stay home.
I
I heard a news report today that Delta and Korean Airlines have suspended flights into Ben Gurion Airport because of rocket fire in the area.  One Delta flight had to be diverted to France.

 The world ignores Jesus.  The world laughs and scoffs at what the Bible calls, "the faith of Jesus."  Indeed, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Jesus...."  I witnessed it first hand in the university and in graduate school.  I witness it every day in the media and world governments.  And, most Followers of Jesus witness it first hand every day in the work place.  "He Who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord Jesus shall hold them in derision."  The word for, "derision," can mean, "mocking, scoffing, stammering, sneering."  Nothing can be more condemnatory.  Nothing can demonstrate the absolute contempt for those who think they are gods, which is another word for humanism.  I see man's efforts in this global confusion, this global hatred, doing absolutely nothing.  I have been praying for the embarrassment and confusion of all those who refuse to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ and His "law/words."  I have never seen such answers to prayers. 

A few verses following our text are Jesus' Words to the world leaders today, to Obama, to Putin, Abbas, to any personage who is relying on their, "own understanding."  "You said to yourself, 'I'll climb to heaven and place my throne above the highest stars.  I'll sit there with the gods far away in the north.  I'll be above the clouds, just like God Most High.'  But now you are deep in the world of the dead."  History is strewn with the corpses of leaders and peoples who lived out such arrogance; they, "are deep in the world of the dead"! 

When Followers of Jesus vote for governmental leaders, when they choose a church, do business, or any life endeavor, we would all be well advised to avoid those with a, "morning star," persona.  "There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism," Jesus Christ.  In Jesus today, you and I are untouchable, undefeatable, secure.  Because Jesus, Our, "Morning Star," shines upon and in you and me, no counterfeit, "morning star," can triumph over us.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that our, "Morning Star," is not like their, "morning star."  Amen.
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Next Mission :  September or October in Washington, DC

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

"Who Makes These Things Happen?"

"Who makes these things happen?  Who controls human events?  I do!  I am the Lord.  I was there at the beginning; I will be there at the end." (Isaiah 41:4, CEV)

I have used the phrase before, "keeping the banks on the creek."  It is for me a good description of God's working through this time/space existence.  The global events of recent days, the war in Israel, the charade Russia is now playing with the rest of the world, all are in the "river" of history.  Kingdoms and empires have come and gone.  Stalins and Hitlers have arisen to perpetrate barbarism on a monumental scale; these are just some of the eddies, backwashes and currents of the river.  But mankind does not direct the flow of the river.  "Who makes these things happen?  Who controls human events?  I do!  I am the Lord."  Or, "I am the Banks on the River." 

What we are now witnessing in world events is man hating, destroying.  This is not Jesus Christ; "God is love," and the Cross of Jesus is the ultimate expression of this.  Any world event which does not affirm and demonstrate the Cross of Jesus is an evil "current," "backwash," "eddy."   I am not a determinist.  Determinism is an attempt to blame God for everything.  Its ultimate reasoning is that man has no choice for his behavior, that there are no currents, eddies, or backwashes.  The reality is, however, that you and I choose to flow with and in the River, and which current, which eddy or backwash to avoid.  "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus," is the command of the Godhead which will keep us in the center of the river.

"Who controls human events?  I (the Lord Jesus Christ) do!  I am the Lord.  I was there at the beginning; I will be there at the end."  It is true of history; it is true of current world events, and, it is true of our personal lives.  Jesus was there at 11:56 on July 1, 1943.  And glory of glories, Jesus, "will be there at the end."

Father, in Jesus' Name, what a great comfort, what peace to know that it is You, "Who controls human events[.]"  Amen.
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If you would like to contribute to this Fall's Mission in DC, let me know.

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