"Serious, Watchful, Self-Controlled, Sober-Minded, Self-Restrained"

"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." (1 Peter 4:7)

Okay, this is our "default" version, the NKJV.  But let me share with you some other versions.  "We are near the end of all things now, and you should therefore be calm, self-controlled men of prayer" (Phillips).  "The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer" (NASB).  "The end of all things is near.  Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray" (NIV).  "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers" (ESV).  "But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer" (Amplified.

The message is clear, at least to me.  When you see, "The end...is near," pray.  Don't panic and be fearful, rather, "be calm."  Only pressing in to Jesus, which is another way of describing prayer, will keep me "serious and watchful," will keep me, "calm, self-controlled."  Only Jesus, living and reigning in me, can keep me, "of sound judgment and sober spirit," keep me, "alert and of sober mind," and, "self-restrained and alert."  All of these commands demand our choice to obey, and only in Jesus Christ do I have the grace and power to so walk.

According to Strong's, the word translated, "end," can mean, "the principle end, purpose, consummation (the end-goal, purpose) such as closure with all its results."  We are two thousand years "closer" to the "closure" of this present age, than when Peter penned this to the First Century Church.  Events are accelerating an an ever-increasing speed.  Just as Israel was called to be a witness nation, so too is the Church called to be a witness nation.  In all my praying for governments I have no illusion that it is not ultimately nations which will affect the destiny of mankind; it's the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is the Church, "calm, self-controlled men of prayer."  It is the Church, "....of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer."  It's the Church, "self- restrained and alert... for... prayer."  

You and I may not be "big names" in the Church/Kingdom, but those are not whom Jesus calls.  Neither is the command of Peter to just a few select "intercessors."  Our text is to all members of Christ's Church.  Along with "folded-hands" praying, pray at the sink; pray in you car; pray in the shower; pray walking between meetings.  Be "creative" in this.  The Lord Jesus Christ is with and in you; "therefore...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, in Your Holy Spirit keep this command before me, more regularly than just every three months.  Amen.

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Right now we are praying and planning for a March Mission

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

SomeOne Who Still Makes House Calls

"Then Jesus went with them."  (Luke 7:6a)

Our Lord Jesus had just given a sermon/teaching.  Now He was about to make a "house call."  House calls are an extremely rare commodity these days?

But this is, "The Good Shepherd."  This is Jesus, Who speaks to thousands and has time for the blind beggar on the roadside, then goes with Zacchaeus to his house.  He goes off the main road to raise a widow's only son.  And then there is you and I.  You may have thought it was that preacher, or neighbor, or relative who brought you to Jesus.  Jesus had been after you, however, from birth.  They just told you about what Jesus had already been doing in your life.

Jesus, "came to seek and to save...."  He is still coming and seeking and saving.  Jesus is always at work.  Jesus is always praying for you and me----- and humanity, "....Who also makes intercession for us" (Romans 8:34), and, "....He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).  At the cross, Jesus provided for John and His mother, Mary, "He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!'  Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!'"  As I heard once heard a black pastor entitle his Good Friday message, "Always Providing."  He was; He is.  Jesus just never does, "leave you nor forsake you.  So we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?'"

Professionals who used to make house calls or visit people in their homes very rarely do that any more.  Jesus, however, never stops.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the times when I could not "go" to You that You "came" to 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

Consider This Principle

"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do service of the tent of meeting.  And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more.  They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard'...."  (Num. 8:23-26, ESV)

This quarter several things stood out in our text.  First, one should not begin too early in "full time ministry," and I could add what Derek Prince once said that no one should be ordained an elder who had not suffered.  Second, there comes a time when a person in ministry should make room for the, "twenty-five years old...to do duty." 

But there is a third point in our text that really encouraged me, "They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard...."  There is a real sense that intercession is, "keeping guard."  There is a real sense in which it is, "keeping guard," over congregations, communities, nations.  Also, "keeping guard," can be in the form of counsel and advice--------------------- but only when you are asked for it. 

Maybe you find yourself in such a "position."  Maybe you are among the over fifty set, or just feel as though you are "sidelined."  Take up the mantle of, "keeping guard."  Now this is not going to the pastoral staff or church council and criticizing, etc.  "Keeping guard," is only for those who have a "servant's heart."  "Keeping guard," is only for those who realize that they are participants "in the service of the King," King Jesus, Jesus' Church, Jesus' Kingdom, which is, "The Kingdom of Heaven." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I embrace, "keeping guard."  Show me ways to pass on what You have given me to the, "twenty-five year olds...to do duty."   Amen.
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Please pray with us about the next mission.  Thanks

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

Which Will It Be? Turn Back Or Go Forward?

"The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows (smart bombs, high tech fighters, laser guided missiles), turned back in the day of battle.  They did not keep the covenant of God; they refused to walk in His law...." (Psalm 78:9 10)

If citizens of other nations believe this only applies to Jews, they are sadly mistaken.  What?  Do we think we can, "not keep the covenant of God;...refuse to walk in His law," with impunity?  Quite honestly too much of American Christianity is me-ism, a self help religion which ignores the Words of God to people groups and nations.

Many emphasize passages which they believe are for Jews and Israel only, and miss the whole point of why God called and ordained Abraham, "....in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."  And gentile nations do not receive this blessing without accompanying obedience to the God of the blessing, God Who reveals himself solely in Jesus Christ.  "They turned back in the day of battle."  While our text is an indictment of Ephraim, it is also an indictment of every nation on the planet, including the United States of America.

While our text can also have a personal application, its emphasis is corporate.  A me-ism religion never considers this.  Yet any nation which does, "not keep the covenant of God," and refuses, "to walk in His Law," will not only, "....turn[] back in the day of battle," they will just, "turn[] back."  Look at the world and come to any other conclusion. 

I believe one of the greatest assignments the Church has in the earth is to pray for leaders of nations.  Maybe it won't be a long prayer today, but be a faithful Follower of Jesus and obey the command, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority."  There is no doubt that there is a direct connection between this 1 Timothy passage and our text.  There is, by the way, an accompanying promise, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth."  Could such praying "turn back" our text? 

Father, in Jesus' Name, Holy Spirit, continually remind me of this.  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

Do "You Have All You Want"?

"Already you have all you want!"  (1 Corinthians 4:8, ESV)

Really?  Most people today have all they need; few have all they want.  The Holy Spirit is telling us that in Jesus Christ we have all sufficiency.  If people are to have a contented life, they need to bring closer together their needs and their wants.  The larger the gap between the two, the larger the frustration. 

The Greek word for, "want," can also mean, "satisfy."  Paul is telling us that in Christ we lack nothing; satisfaction is ours in Jesus Christ.  He goes on to say, "Already you have become rich!"  Think of it.  In Jesus Christ we, "have all [we] want," and in Jesus Christ, "[we] have become rich!"  Then why do people play the lottery, and if they win, they quit their job?  Why do so many others strike for higher wages, look for every opportunity to get a promotion at work?  They want more.  At the root of most "unrest" in cultures and societies is the belief that others have more and we should have at least what they have.

Phillips says, "I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be."  All translations agree.  Yet you and I do not start off this way; we learn "this way."  For some, it takes a life time.  Now it's true that when a person first surrenders his/her life to Jesus, contentment is one of the first "fruits" which seems to manifest; remember?  But then, all too often and all too soon, the old nature starts reminding the new, "Now don't forget those things you always wanted, those things for which you are working and hoping, those things which you may not need, but sure would like to have."  This is the frustration gap, and it robs us of contentment.  Have you ever noticed that the vast majority of things people want are things they see.  I wonder how much more contentment would be in us if we cease to live a "window-shopping" life style.

The Bible says that the key to life's victory is living with our eyes, "looking unto Jesus."  It is never a frustrating life because in Jesus we have, "all you want!"  In Jesus we, "have become rich!"  Our Lord Jesus is never beyond our grasp like those so many "beautiful" things people desire.  As we enter into one of the most "commercial" seasons of the year, if we bring our needs and wants closer together, I have no doubt it will be a merrier Christmas.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to say more and more with Paul, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."  Amen.
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Right now we are looking at a Berlin/Eastern European Mission in the month of March.

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