Where Are You "Standing" Today?

"But Peter stood at the door outside."  (John 18:16a)

Peter was a great guy.  I once did a sermon on Peter's "good" qualities; and there were many of them.  But here we see him like so many of us, following Jesus, but when the cost goes up, the "price" increases, we tend to stand, "at the door outside."  Caution: If anyone thinks it is safer, "at the door outside," I have news for him/her.

John came outside to bring in Peter.  Now it is reported that John leaned, "on Jesus' breast," during the last Passover meal the disciples shared with Jesus.  It is also reported that John was the only male Follower of Jesus at His cross.  But, like Peter (and all of us), John had some flaws.  Whatever John's shortcomings, though, he was desperate for Jesus, to be with Jesus, close to Jesus at all times, whether "convenient" to him or not.  I have no doubt that Peter loved Jesus as much as John, yet Peter denied Jesus because he was very aware of what association with Jesus could mean in those hours.  It is fascinating that this was the only disciple who was willing to defend Jesus with the sword, only to find him later as, "Peter  [who]  stood outside the door." 

Yet this is the reason so very many Christians speak of "God," yet speak little of Jesus, Who Is, "God with us," Who is, "The Word was God..., and became flesh and dwelt among us."  I have been with Muslims who say, "If god wills."  And we know their god is not God.  Even Judaism's definition of God does no include Jesus, a very painful truth.  There are as many interpretations of "God" as there are people on the planet.  When we say Jesus, however, all doubts are removed about The Very God of Whom we speak.  

I pray that you and I be as John who, "brought Peter in."  Away with, "stood outside the door," where we speak in safe, vague terms, which do not bring snickers, laughs, belittlement, persecution.  It didn't protect Peter, did it?  "And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, 'Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you."  O, Follower of Jesus, sooner or later, no matter the attempt to "blend in," sooner or later, "your speech betrays you," and thank our Lord Jesus Christ for that!  We have the "Mark" of Jesus upon and in us.

Father, in Jesus' Name, if I ever, "st[a]nd outside the door," bring someone who says, "your speech betrays you."  Amen.

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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

Some Thoughts on Psalm 119

"This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.....Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in Your word."  (Psalm 119:50 & 74)

When I read verse 74, I thought, "So I guess that those who do not fear the Lord Jesus Christ, 'will [not] be glad when they see me.'" 

Concerning verse 50, there is really not too much more to say, is there?  I experienced this in a life saving way 44 years ago, and from that summer on I have been continually finding that not only in, "affliction," but also continually, day by day, moment by moment, "....Your word has given me life."  If you feel "lifeless" today, if you are struggling to make it through each day, or just a certain "season" in your life, I offer to you, "This is my comfort in my affliction, FOR YOUR WORD HAS GIVEN ME LIFE."

Concerning verse 74, I had an experience in DC which I should probably not share because it will seem like boasting; believe whatever.  It humbled me, however, and also put the fear of the Lord Jesus in me anew.  I was in David's tent twice when a particular worship team was leading a two hour segment.  On the Saturday I was there, and the day before they left to return to California, one of the worship team members came and sat by me and wondered who I was.  After some introductions, he said that the whole team noticed a "very strong anointing on you."  I was doing nothing but my regular praying while walking back and forth in the rear of the tent, sometimes sitting, sometimes standing.  

When I read Psalm 119:74 for this month, I recalled what they said.  Whatever they saw in those days in David's Tent, whatever made them, "glad," when they saw me, it was only, "....because I have hoped in Your word," no more, no less.  The same is true of all those who, "have hoped in Your word."

I commend both passages to you today.  This is comfort none other can provide, and this is true of all those in whom Jesus Christ lives, in whom is the life of, "because I have hoped in Your word."  Don't be surprised if some who call themselves "believers" are not, "glad to see," you.  There are many such who just are not of, "Those who fear [God]."  But equally, don't be surprised if some who do not seem to be, or claim to be believers are glad, "when they see [you.]"  They just may be, "Those who fear," the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus, open our eyes to them.

Father, in Jesus' Name, Your psalmist speaks my heart.  Your Words are indeed, "a lamp to my feet and light to my heart."  Amen.

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* Some interesting takes on Obama's speech at the UN yesterday 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

"We Will Make Our Home With HIm" (The Blessed Trinity)

"Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, 'Lord, how is is that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?'"  (John 14:22)

The Amplified Bible says, "....how is it that You will reveal Yourself [make Yourself real] to us...?" (Or could it be, "How can we be assured of Your Presence?")  Now the answer of Jesus to Judas' question does not seem to be an answer we would expect, or perhaps want, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word....'"

But there is more, "....and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."  The foundation, key issue is not, "If a man love Me, he will pray; he will worship Me, preach for Me, do missions for Me, 'feel' My presence."  No, the foundation of our walk in the Living Triune God is, "....he will keep My word."  And this, "word," is not some "prophetic" word which told us how great we are and all the great things God will do for us and we for Him.  This could be a part of it.  But the, "My word," of which Jesus speaks here is what we call the Bible. 

Jesus is saying something in our text which the Modern Church needs to dwell upon, "....If a person [really] loves Me,..My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him."  We do not experience "His Presence" merely by showing up in meetings.  "How is it that You will reveal Yourself [make Yourself real] to us...?'  Or possibly, "How can we be assured of Your presence?"  Jesus answered, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word....'"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I ask none other than, "....We will come to him and make Our home with him."  Amen.
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Read:  "Prayer for 5775" 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

"Blessings All Mine, With 10,000 Beside!"

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  Also there was no more sea.  Then I...saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband....And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away."  (Revelation 21)

Is there any greater promise, any greater comfort for the downcast, outcast, suffering?  As you look around you, you may see people more "prosperous," or "healthier," or "accepted."  But to the lost, these words are just illusive.  You will not find anyone more prosperous, healthy and accepted than those of us in whom Jesus Christ lives and reigns.  The promises of our text are beyond description, but insure our prosperity, health, and acceptance, "in the Beloved."

You may be surprised (or not) at what I heard in institutions of "higher learning," aka, institutions of higher ignorance, concerning our text and other portions of Scripture which speak of the future, heaven, the coming judgment.  In the case of the Book of Revelation, John was just hallucinating.  He was old, alone, about to die.  What do you expect from such a person, a person whose religion was a hoax, so he had to come up with something, anything to help the deceived go on perpetrating the myth. (!!!)  These same lies of the Enemy attack "the faithful" and weakened them, but only when they are attempting to grasp and understand these, "exceeding great and precious promises," in their own minds, their own understanding.  

Live in the Holy Spirit in your spirit.  Accept what you can understand, but accept also the things of God which we cannot understand, grasp.  Embrace the Words of God today.  The promise of our text is indeed awaiting us.  Things will get better.  This is not primarily "positive thinking"; it's positive believing, receiving, accepting.  Whatever we face today, or in the total of our lives is small in comparison with the great realities spoken to us in our text.  "But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.  But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit...."  This 1 Corinthians 2 passage goes on to tell us that the revelation of what Jesus has for us is from His Spirit to our spirits.  "Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]." (Amplified Bible)

The Eternal Things of Jesus Christ are, "beyond man's scrutiny."  Accept it.  And as you accepted/received Jesus by faith, so receive His Words by faith.  There is just no other way, "to be happy in Jesus, but to trust...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess that all You tell me is far beyond me, far beyond my ability to understand, comprehend.  But I receive all anew today with thanksgiving and praise.  Amen.

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Two articles on the Blog: jhs58.blogspot.com

1. Hilary's not-so-hidden agenda

2. "How Germany Funds Jew-Hate"

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

"....Beheaded For Their Witness To Jesus"

"....Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image....And they lived and reigned with Christ for the thousand years."  Revelation 20:4)

ISIS did not invent beheadings.  They have been going on for thousands of years, and will continue until the, "appointed time."

Notice, however, that the faithful were, "behead for their witness to Jesus and for the Word of God, who had not worshiped," any but Jesus.  In DC this passed week, I was particularly encouraged that the worship/intercession was centered in Jesus Christ.  No one passing by had to wonder what we were about, who we were.  The Name of Jesus was prevalent. Is He central, foundational, uncompromisingly in your life, your church?

My Gospel reading for today contained this text: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have (literally, "you have") tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  We are hearing of this promise right today.  Little children are even beheaded, "for their witness to Jesus."  This only comes as a shock to those who do not take the Bible seriously. "In the world you have [beheadings].  But be of good cheer, I have overcome the [beheaders]."  So there we have it.  "In Jesus you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation."  In Jesus you and I, "have overcome the world."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for being my, "Peace," and my, "overcome the world."  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