"What Is Man...?"

"When I consider Your heavens,..what is man that You are mindful of him...?" (Ps 8:3, 4)

That is you and I "down" there somewhere.  This is who we are, small creatures on a small traveling body in the Universe.  And compared to other bodies, our home planet is really quite small.

David could not see this; therefore, David said, "When I consider the...moon....."  Now, however, you and I can say, "When I consider the Earth." 

The moon, whose surface we can see here, is traveling around that blue and white marble called, Earth.  The following stats are from various sources.  Our earth is rotating on its axis at about 1040 mph.  We travel around the sun every year at about 67,000 mph.  Our solar system is moving around the Milky Way Galaxy at about 490,000 mph.  Our Milky Way Galaxy is moving in "the local group of galaxies" at about 665,000 mph. 

Now I too, "When I consider Your heavens," ask, "What is man...?"  As with David, the question is not a, "Who are we?"  Rather, it is for me as I think it was for David, "How do you even know we exist?"  Some One Who rules all of this, "by the Word of His power," the Some One Who declares that He loves us, sustains us, forgives us, receives us into His Family, is beyond (that word does not really describe it) any comprehension.  No wonder His Peace, "passes all understanding;" so does He.

Yet, though He rules the vast Universe described above, in a revelation of Himself in a moment in history, He appeared among men as a baby named Jesus, and was found by laboring men in a animal feeding trough.  Some years later, He was know as, "the carpenter's son," a young boy, then a man named, Jesus.  The announcement of his "birth" was like His very humble life while He walked the Galilee.  Jesus was Joseph and Mary's boy, playing, then working, then assuming the "man-of-the-house status when, as many historians believed, Joseph died while Jesus was still living at home.  How unlike "great people" in history, no fanfare, no presumption, just Jesus, the One Who keeps this planet, this solar system, this galaxy" traveling at in their incredible speeds-------------- on their assigned journey.

My advice to you and me today?  Relax.  If Jesus can "handle" the Universe, He can handle you and me.  I leave you with a quote from an old movie.  "Believe me, Senator, this ship can handle any attack, should it occur."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "What is man that You are mindful of him..."  Though I have no answer, I am very glad that You Are.  Amen.
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* Please keep in prayer my plans for David's Tent, September 18-22
* See video of Arab reaction to Obama's latest speech 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

"Therefore" (A Theological Treatise Sent To Blog)

"Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you."  (Jeremiah 7:16)

As I have told you, I am reading straight through the Bible for this quarter, and not using my regular reading plan.  There is something different about reading the Words of God this way.  Though not as convenient as my plan, it tends to broaden the contextual expression of the message of Jesus, Who Himself is, "The Word of God," to humanity.   

But can, "....do not pray for this people,.." possibly be?  Our text is really sort of "shocking."  Does a people really come to such a place in their sojourn?  Is there a place of no return?  "Later his disciples came to him and said, 'Do you know that the Pharisees are deeply offended by what you said?...'"  Then Jesus said, "Let them alone.  They are blind guides, and when one blind man leads another blind man they will both end up in the ditch!"  The Pharisees were descendants of, "Therefore do not pray for this people...."  Were they blind because of generations of eye-scale build up?  Can a person walk in disobedience for so long that he will not or cannot recover from that blindness?  "Therefore do not pray for this people...."  Is there here a "too-late" syndrome?

Quite honestly, my friend, I am more and more considering the possibility that the United States of America is approaching, if not already there, "Therefore do not pray for this people...."  Yes, I am still praying for America.  It is more and more, however, a desperation prayer.  The nation which has been given so much is yielding, at an alarming rate, that "much" to alien forces, forces which totally reject Jesus Christ and His "Law-Word."  Those who read this in other nations do not have the beginning which has been America's; therefore, America will be judged all the more.

What about you, you may ask?  How does this affect me?  Well, whatever affects our cultures affects you  and me.  The Church is not an isolated institution.  Yet many "church programs" are nothing but a me-centered approach to life.  It is a fact that persecution comes when the majority of a culture is anti-Christ.  Some may argue that "offenses must come."  Indeed they "must."  But what has the Church failed to do throughout the centuries to affect this?  The reason America was brought forth under Judeo-Christian principles is that the Great Awakening brought a Christ-centered, Bible based, repentance-demanding Gospel to the shores of what was to become the United States of America.  And I say without wavering that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what gave birth to the United States.  Followers of Jesus in the United States have by in large escaped the persecution face by the majority of God's people throughout history because of "the seed of [the] nation."  Yet more and more, "The foundations have been destroyed; what has the righteous done?"

Yet the "fundamentals" still apply.  Pray, obey the Scriptures, love others by serving them the Good News of Jesus, and vote for people who most reflect Jesus Christ and His Words.  Perhaps we in America just may avoid, "Therefore do not pray for this people...."

Father, in Jesus' Name,....... Amen.
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I am planning to participate in "David's Tent," September 18-22    

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

"....God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them...."  (2 Corinthians 5:19)
The Phillips says, "God was in Christ personally reconciling the world to Himself....

You and I are a very loved people.  In fact, the whole world is very loved.  "This is how God loved the world (viz., everybody, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, "red and yellow black and white")--------- He gave...."  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit does not just say love; He does love.  Unlike Muhammad and his moon god, allah, (my spell check said I should capitalize allah, but I don't want to) The Living Triune God of the Universe gave Himself, "God was in Christ...." 

All other "gods" and inventors of religions take and make no claim to "come to" their followers, let alone, give of themselves for humanity.  Jesus, on the other hand, gives.  "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you."  Other religions give nothing but "do this and do that."  Jesus gives us Himself.  It is not, "Go to Mecca."  It is, "Come to Me."  It is not, "Pray five times a day."  It is, "Abide in me and I in you."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I receive.  Amen.

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* Don't forget to check the new articles on our 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

"The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age"

"But before all these things, they will...persecute you....You will be brought before kings and rulers for My Name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony."  (From Luke 21:12, 13)

We are living in very uncertain times.  I know; big revelation.  But I hear more and more "fear" talk from the Church, which might seem "natural," especially since the '08 financial melt down, the continual spread of the ISIS plague, more and more attacks on the police of America, and, well, just the world situation in general.  But our Lord Jesus gave us abundant insight into "current events."

The title in my "subject line" is from the title of the Luke 21:7-19 section of the NKJV.  Jesus gives us "signs" to recognize as we approach, "the end of the Age."  Notice that I did not say "be obsessed with," rather, "recognize."  Sometimes we can be looking ahead so far that we stumble over what is right in front of us, ignore the great needs of others, get lost in "escapism."  Nevertheless, knowledge, embracing, and recognition of, "the signs of the times," will be crucial to personal and Church "navigation" through the days ahead.  People who ignore the "God-Breathed" Words, and many of them are regular church-goers, will not be able to recognize what Jesus Himself calls, "the signs of the times," and, "the end of the Age."  Jack Van Impe, notwithstanding, you and I must be thoroughly equipped in Jesus and His Words if we are to work through what is coming, not only for ourselves, but also for those who know not our Lord Jesus and will ask us, "What is gong on?"  Yes, our text tells us that even in the midst of persecution, "....it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony."

Since this is the case, it is imperative that you and I be equipped with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Testifying just to our "experiences" will not do it.  The accurate translation of Revelation 12:11 is, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word to which they bore witness...."  Notice, "the Word to which they bore witness."  This is true witness.  This points people not to me, but to our Lord Jesus Christ, "The Word of God," and His recorded Words.  And by the way, this is a great "covering" for you and me when people say, "Well, that's just your opinion."  No, it is not "just [my] opinion."  It is the declaration of, "The Word of God," Himself.  But we should not be looking for the skeptic, the cynic, etc.  We should be looking for and open to those who are genuinely open to Jesus.  And when we come across them, we will be able to say with Peter at Pentecost, "This is that."  It will be the response of those who are not afraid, but rather knowlegable and, hence, confident in Jesus.

Father, in Jesus' Name, may all of my life be, "an occasion for testimony."  Amen.
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Some have asked if I am going to the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York City; probably not.  As my Czech friend, George, used to say, "big expensive."  Anyway, I am giving "priority-expenses" to this Fall's "David's Tent."

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 am Yours"

"I am Yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts."  (Psalm 119:94, ESV)

A few translations say, "I belong to You."  The Interlinear says, "I am to you."  Only when, "I am Yours," is my very life, can I cry out and expect, "save me."

"I am Yours," is the theme of the Follower of Jesus
"I am Yours," brings, "born again."
"I am Yours," is the same as, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the                                Father, except on account of Me."
"I am Yours," is another way of saying, "Looking unto Jesus."
"I am Yours," is the key to, "enter into the joy of your Lord."
"I am Yours," only is the key to "favor."
"I am Yours," is the "unseen" of, "the peace of God which passes understanding."
"I am Yours," can alone enable me to say with confidence, "The Lord is my Shepherd."
"I am Yours," enables me to walk in, "by grace you are saved through faith."
"I am Yours," is another way of saying, "I am not my own." 
"I am Yours."  Say it; live it; love it.  Only, "I am Yours," will bring me into the most precious                                 reality in the Universe, life in The Living Triune God, Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit.  

Christendom needs to forsake whatever theology it may have "bought into" in its history.  If any have read or heard any other "formula" to victory in life apart from, "I am Yours," they are headed for great disappointment and disaster.  It seems as though today I can only pray and declare, "I am Yours."  Maybe that is all Jesus really wants of me. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to so live, "I am Yours," the remainder of my days.  Amen.
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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