"The Foundations of the Earth....The Foundation of God"

"They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable (other translations, "out of course, shaken, tremble"). (Psalm 82:5)

The Message Bible says, "Ignorant judges!  Head-in-the-sand judges!  They haven't a clue to what's going on.  And now everything's falling apart, the world's coming unglued."  It is quite interesting to me how all the cable news stations report on national and global events, then all of a sudden go to some very light weight, feel-good story.  It is as though they are attempting to blot out, "all the foundations of the earth are unstable."  Most are, "Head-in-the-sand judges!"  Unfortunately, much of Christendom is full of, "Head-in-the-sand judges!"  I simply do not want to live that way.  That is "never, never land."  That is an attempt to look at reality, but then paint a picture of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."  Nice try, but life does not work that way.

The only "rainbow" I want to go "over" is the one spoken of in the Bible, "And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above.  Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around.  Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it.  This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord [Jesus]....And He who sat there was like jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald."  Eyes here are eyes which see reality, the Eternal vs. the Temporary.  

People whose eyes are on Jesus, His Words, His Church, His Kingdom are the only people "facing reality."  The are people who can observe life around them, national events, world events and instead of looking for an escape hatch, stand as sentinels in their nations as faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ.  They are not as Scarlet O'Hara, "I can't think about that right now.  If I do, I'll go crazy.  I'll think about that tomorrow."  Followers/Obeyers of Jesus face reality, deal with reality, and in it all they see the purposes of the Godhead.  They see the Coming King, Jesus, and rejoice, and in their rejoicing is their witness, the witness to Jesus Christ, "The Son of man upon the throne," a witness which will bring all who are searching to Jesus, the only "Realty" of the Universe.  As the foundations of the earth are crumbling, rejoice with me today that, "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that even though, "All the foundations of the earth are unstable....Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands...."   Amen. 

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It is reported that only 16% of the population of Houston voted in the last mayoral election; now look what has happened.  Anyone who does not vote in governmental elections is a fool--- and reaps what he sows.  BE SURE TO VOTE.  The Church in America would be running things if all who claim "born-again" status acted like it.

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

How Could I Ever Forget?!?

"For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,...that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments...."  (From Psalm 78: 5 & 7)

God is referred to scores of times in Psalm 78, so that His People would, "not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments."  Make no mistake; the one who forgets, "the works of God," will forget, "His commandments," and the one who does not, "keep His commandments ("Law/Word")," will not be able to see and remember, "the works of God."  He will just say that chance and coincidence rule. 

"The Word of God," Jesus, in and by Whom Father does all works, "established a testimony in...Israel," so that His People, and through them, the whole world would know that Jesus Christ, the King of, "the City of the Great King," rules in the earth, that all good things as well as all judgment among men and nations come by Jesus Christ (John 5).  And I can tell you with absolute certainty this morning that everything now unfolding in the Earth is under the reign of Jesus Christ, whatever one may call "good," whatever one may call "bad."  I repeat with great urgency, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man (a nation) reaps what he sows."

You know that I have been praying for embarrassment for all in governments who are not surrendered to Jesus Christ, who do not submit to His Words, who rule and "decide" by their own counsel, and/or "Egypt's," and/or, "Pharaoh's."  Most American and global leaders have forgotten and refuse to recognize, "the works of God."  My desire in praying for their embarrassment is that they will, "....set their hope in [the Living Triune] God, and not forget the works of [the Living Triune] God."  If this happens, all who have, "a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear," will be saved, "come to the knowledge of the truth," and be "leader-evangelists" for those, "appointed...to...obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."

If you and I will, "not forget," if we will not only take heed to the manifold testimonies of Scripture throughout history, but also recount the manifold faithfulness of our Lord Jesus to us over our life time, then we will go on; we will go on in Jesus, trusting Him, obeying Him, because Jesus, Who is, "Faithful and True," was, is, and always shall Be, "Faithful and True," to His Words, to us eternally.  Ps. 78 helps us all to, "not forget the works of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I set my hope in You, and I cannot forget.  Amen.

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Pray with me for a, "not forget," message this Sunday.

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 Counsels You?

"'Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord, 'Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who walk to go down to Egypt (governments), and have not asked My advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh (political leaders), and to trust in the shadow of Egypt (governments)!  Therefore the strength of Pharaoh (political leaders) shall be your shame, and trust in the shadow of Egypt (governments) shall be your humiliation (literally, "disgrace, dishonor, shame").'"  (Isaiah 30:3, from today's Major Prophets reading)

There's that word again, "rebellious."  I really do not plan these things.  Maybe I should apologize for using my daily readings for my devotionals.  They do require, however, that you and I consider, "the whole counsel of God," something which is becoming more and more an anomaly in Christendom.  Selective reading will bring selective obedience.

Our text is a theme text for the majority of Americans.  It is a theme text for the rebellious, of which we considered yesterday.  Rebellion is determined by whom we trust; our acts merely reflect the object of our trust.  If my trust is, "Pharaoh," and, "Egypt," political leader, government, employer, or anyone other than Jesus, I am living in rebellion.  Our text says that such a life style, "shall be your humiliation," could we say, "embarrassment?" 

Submission to Jesus Christ, His Counsel, strengthening ourselves in Jesus, planning in Jesus, trusting in Jesus will insure us against, "humiliation."  O, the number of times you and I could count when humiliation came our way because of misplaced trust.  No one in their life time walks flawlessly in this.  But the wise will do everything they can to avoid trusting, "Pharaoh," and, "Egypt."  Today the Pharaohs and Egypts of the world are in, "humiliation."  They, "take counsel, but not of Jesus, and...devise plans, but not of [His Blessed Majesty, Holy Spirit]."  They think they have matured beyond such an ancient and primitive religion.  Anyone who believes such will live such, and their, "trust in the shadow of [such] shall be...humiliation."

Maybe this is the reason Jesus led me to pray for the embarrassment of government leaders, "who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit."  It's "working."  It is the intent of, "humiliation," (and the reason that I pray for embarrassment) to bring us to Jesus Christ, to live life Jesus' Way, in His Words, in the Holy Spirit, in Father's Bosom.  Have you not been amazed over the years as to the many "ways and means" God uses to bring us to, "take counsel...of Me, and...My Spirit"?!?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray I always, "....take counsel...of [You], and...devise plans...of [Your] Spirit."  Amen.
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Will be preaching in the Good Shepherd Church meeting this coming Sunday.

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 Scorched Land"

"God sets the solitary in families....But the rebellious dwell in a dry (scorched) land."  

(Psalm 68:6c)

I have heard the first part of our text quoted so many times over the years, and cannot remember when anyone connected it to the latter part.  Yet the contrast could not be more, at the same time, comforting and fearful.  I have seen, "scorched land."  Nothing grows there, no water, no vegetation, no life.  This is a life of rejection, the life who rejects Jesus, His "Law/Word", His reign.  Our text should be a motivator.  Yes, love for Jesus and His Kingdom should rule.  The Bible shows us many, many times, however, in both Old and New Testaments, the consequences of not loving the Lord our God in surrender to His rule in our lives.  This is true of individuals; this is true of nations; this is increasingly America.

I watched some news this morning, and they had a video op of the US President in the Oval Office with some of his advisors.  I have never seen Obama look so haggard, even unhealthy, even confused.  I told Sarah that I felt sorry for him.  No one with any love for Jesus and humanity delights to see that.  If they do, it is time for a, "love your neighbor as yourself," check.  Regardless, we need to hear the words, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man (or nation) sows, that he will also reap."

There have been times in my life when I have at least felt like that, whether I "looked" like that or not.  It was many times because of rebellion.  Most of us do not actively seek rebellion, or think we are actually out right deliberately rebelling against our Lord Jesus.  Yet when we make our own decisions, run our own lives, without a "wait on the Lord," mentality, that is exactly what we are doing.  There are many "great" and "powerful" people and ministries which are operating in rebellion.  It is not noticeable to them or most others, but nonetheless there.  Chambers once said, "We are apt to look upon Our Lord as One Who assists us in our enterprises for God."  This is classic, "I'll do it myself," aka, rebellion.  

Obedience, surrender, waiting, you know, all those words which our "natural" man runs from, are nevertheless, "life to those who find them."  If they rule in our relationship in Jesus, we walk and live that famous Psalm, "[Jesus] makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still (quiet) waters"--- such a contrast to, "a scorched land."  But life has already taught you this, hasn't it?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I have experienced, "a scorched land."  It is very frightening.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for not allowing me to prosper in this way.  Amen.

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Read about the truth in the "Ferguson" mentality:    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

"Do You Know Why I Have Come To You?"

"'But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia'....Then he said, 'Do you know why I have come to you?  And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince Greece will come.  But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth.  (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.'" (From Daniel 10)

The messenger tells Daniel what he is involved in.  Then he asks, "Do you know why I have come to you?" 

Reading our text each quarter is quite an experience.  It takes me far beyond myself, so far beyond what I can comprehend.  It reveals a cosmic struggle, battle.  It reveals that all which is going on among men and nations is war in the heavens.  ISIS is driven by a, "prince."  China, the USA, Russia, all nations, kingdoms are governed not by, "flesh and blood," but by princes.  Now I am not attempting a teaching on this.  But today as I was praying, I really had a sense that I was engaged with "someone" very similar to the, "man," who appeared to Daniel.

Now what does this mean for you and me?  I'm not entirely sure, but I do know that there is a very real sense in which you and I as a part of the global Church of Jesus Christ need to realize that when we pray, we are affecting local, state, national, and world events, and, we are engaging princes.  At one point I had an attack of, "What do you think you are actually doing and accomplishing here?  People who are really making a difference are working in the churches, in mission fields, they are people who are really working, not here in a basement."  Yet at the same time I felt as though the Lord Jesus kept me aware of just what I was involved in, "Do you know why I have come to you?"  Partly, "Get on with what I have told you to do.  You have little idea of what is involved in this, but you are included."

Today I believe that we need a deeper understanding of just what we are "up against" in the corporate world, education, media, governments, in America, The Presidency, the Congress, Supreme Court, Military, State Department, etc.  It is a battle as to which "prince" rules.  Maybe I am too far "out on a limb," but whatever I encountered today is something of which you have already and will continue to encounter the rest of the day, the rest of our lives, the rest of this present Age.  Right where you are today, in this moment, there are "princes" locked in battle.  Perhaps our Lord Jesus is saying to you also today, "Do you know why I have come to you?"

Father, in Jesus' Name, keep me faithful to whatever You show me.  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