"I Trust In, Lean On, Rely On, Am Confident In You"

"O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on and am confident in You.  Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me....Redeem Israel, O God, out of all their troubles." (Psalm 25:2 & 22, Amplified Bible)

The psalmists reveal that their concern was for themselves and their People, the Jews.  Here David prays for himself and the nation.  You and I must have such a heart.

9 years after the National Socialists won the German National Election, and just 10 days after the infamous "Wannsee Conference," Hitler made a speech in the Sports Palace in Berlin.  The following quote from his speech is not hearsay.  It is from the Allied monitoring service: "They (the Jews) are our old enemy as it is, they have experienced at our hands an upsetting of their ideas....The war will not end as the Jews imagine it will, namely with the uprooting of the Aryans, but the result of this war will be the complete annihilation of the Jews....And the hour will come when the most evil universal enemy of all time will be finished, at least for a thousand years."

This did not happen.  Instead, Germany itself was almost totally annihilated.  Every major city had been reduced to mostly nothing but debris.  Berlin was so devastated that the government seriously considered leveling the city completely and moving the inhabitants to Hamburg.  The German was reduced to a beggar people, people nearly starving, millions homeless.  Later in the Psalm the supplicant says, "let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause."  They were, as are many still.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is, "The Lord," of the Bible, of life, of the Universe.  Jesus is, "the Shepherd," as in, "The Lord is my shepherd."  Jesus' love, Jesus' promises, Jesus' power, Jesus' faithfulness to His Words and to His People is constant, everlasting/eternal.  You and I face the same Enemy which the Jews of Europe faced in the 1930s and 40s.  His "face" may have many different looks, but he is always out to destroy what Jesus has created.  He is not dumb, even though he knows this: "His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, one little word shall feel him", and, of course, that Word is Jesus Himself.  Pray the Psalms, my friend, they are yours, because Jesus is yours and you are His.  And, as the song writer said, "Jesus Never Fails."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I continually pray, "Redeem Israel, O God, out of all their troubles."  Amen.
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In case any wonder, Sarah and I do not "get rich" from contributions to our missions.  We had a surplus from our last mission and sent $1500.00 to help meet the dire need of some American First Nations People, aka, Indians.

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 Can, "....Know the Thoughts of the Lord;...Understand His Plans"

"But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan...." (Micah 4:12, NIV)

The context speaks of, "....many nations...gathered against [Israel]."  But the central truth of our text is that people who, "do not know the thoughts of the Lord," are a people who, "do not understand His plan." 

If you read the article which I sent today to our Blog, and every article I post, you will understand more about people who, "do not know the thoughts of the Lord," those who, "do not understand His plan."  They are "law breakers;" they can do nothing else.  Qualities such as righteousness, equity, walking in Kingdom Principles is not their life style, nor can it be, "....they do not know the thoughts of the Lord....The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so."  If Americans and peoples of other nations keep voting such people into power, they will be ruled by those who, "do not know the thoughts of the Lord [Jesus Christ]," people who, "do not understand His plan."  It will lead to more and more disaster among the nations.

No one on Planet Earth or in the Universe can, "know the thoughts of the Lord," and, "understand His plan," if they do not read and pray on the Scriptures.  Knowing, "the Words of God," is to know Jesus.  No one who neglects, "the Words of God," can know Jesus.  Whatever they think they "know," is an illusion, as Paul calls it, "another gospel."

The forces of evil are growing increasingly clever.  Their arguments more and more rational, that is, to the aforementioned, "....mind governed by the flesh."  But as you and I walk in Jesus, which is another way of saying, walk in His Words, the forces of evil will not, cannot deceive us.  Instead of tuning in to that favorite talk show or music channel in your car, "tune into Jesus," by tuning in to His Words.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Teach me Your Ways."  Amen.
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* We are about half way to the needs of the David's Tent Mission

* Sometimes it's good to hear from those who read the devotionals

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

To Whom/What Do We Listen?

"But you [Daniel, who was now over ninety years of age], go your way until the end for you shall rest and shall stand [fast] in your allotted place at the end of the days."  (Daniel 12:13, Amplified Bible)

We can see perhaps why at one point Daniel said, "I...fainted and was sick [for several] days.  Afterward I rose up and did the king's business; and I wondered at the vision, but there was no one who understood it or could make it understood" (8:27).  In the next chapter, however, he said, "I...understood from the books (Scriptures, NIV)."  By the way, O, how I pray that I will never be too old to say, "....I rose up and did the King's business."  !!

I wrote about this some years ago, but I want to repeat.  The only remedy for, ".... but there was no one who understood it...," is to, "underst[an]d from the books."  This is not only true for prophecy; it is true for all of life.  We can go to counselors, listen to pundits, hear many sermons and teaching, but we will never understand until we can say with Daniel, "I...understood from the Scriptures."

We have so many wonderful tools today, tools which I have incorporated over the last 45 years to keep the Words of Jesus ever before me.  And you may recall that it has been Jesus and His Words which have kept me in Him, in life, in some sort of "right mind" for these past 45 years. 

I remember first the Bible on LP albums, then cassette tapes, then CDs, then sources like BibleGateway.  I even have Scourby's reading of the Bible on my ipod and phone, neither of which need any connection to any other device.  Take advantage of them.  I promise you that there will be at an ever-increasing rate, ".... but there was no one who understood it or could make it understood."  Many who think they do--- don't. 

We are an age of media overload.  So much information available on a literal 24/7 basis.  It seems to me like a track meet, viz., many different thin gs going on at the same time.  People want to watch one event, but another event in which they are also interested is going on at the same time.  You and I need focus as never before.  My "logo" below is only possible when we are a people who, "underst[an]d from the Books/Scriptures."  Put that great radio in your vehicle to a good work!

Father, in Jesus' Name, I cannot say it any better than You, " Your word is a lamp to my feet."  Amen.
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Come join me at 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

A Bible Prayer For A Very Troubled Soul

"Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am weak (faint and withered away); O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.  My [inner] self [as well as my body] is also exceedingly disturbed and troubled....My eye grows dim because of grief; it grows old because of all my enemies."
(Psalm 6, Amplified Bible)

I have recently read two books about John Henry Holliday, aka, "Doc," most famous for his key role in the O. K. Corral incident, yet one of the most tragic figures in American History-------- a perfect embodiment of today's text. 

He was a concert-level pianist, fluent in Latin and Greek, had read many of the classics, including Homer and Shakespeare, was one of the best dentists, the West, indeed, America of the 19th Century had ever seen, a dentist who was way ahead of his contemporaries in the latest dental techniques, and something which brings the admiration of the lovers of the "Old West," arguably the fast gun ever.  Wyatt Earp once said that Doc Holliday was the fastest, most fearless man with a pistol he had ever seen. 

Yet tragedy followed Holliday most of his life.  He was plagued with tuberculosis (consumption), the same disease which took his mother when John was only 15.  The "plague" literally consumed his life from his early twenties until his untimely death at age 36.  Weather one can say that his illness led him into a life of gambling, smoking, drinking, one cannot say.  There was no doubt that strong drink did help him with his chronic cough, and helped to ease the pain of lungs which were scarred and torn.  Holliday was so very talented, such a "Southern Gentleman," a very loyal friend, a man who was very sensitive to the needs of others, who helped the poor.  Yet instead of crying out to Jesus the prayer of Psalm 6, he turned to what so many humans do; he was a paradigm of "self help."  Many talented people are plagued with the same "disease."  Yes, he had many "vices," but here is a man with such "potential," such talent and desire to really help people, a trait which led him into dentistry in the first place, yet who shortened his life by a despairing hopeless approach.

Our text today is a perfect prayer which someone like Holliday could have prayed then, as well as one in similar pain and anguish of life today.  "My [inner] self [as well as my body] is also exceedingly disturbed and troubled....My eye grows dim because of grief...."  This was John Holliday.  This is so many people today.  This is also, however, a life which is a "prime candidate" for the "relief" of Jesus.  I know I am tending to write devotionals which are too long, but allow me to close with a familiar passage in the Amplified Bible,  "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will give you rest.  [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]  Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me,..and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.  For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good-- not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne." (Jesus)

Father, in Jesus' Name, please help all the "Docs" out there today.  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

"Submissive and Inactive"

"Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather."  (Psalm 1:1, Amplified Bible)

I am reading through the Psalms this month in the Amplified Bible.  I took particular note today of the phrase, "....nor stands [submissive and inactive]...."  If a person is "inactive," he is, by the natural order of things, "submissive."  An, "inactive," person is always, "submissive," to the active person.  This is how the Bolsheviks took over Russia.  This is how the National Socialists took over Germany.  This is how the humanists have taken over The United States of America.  The "active" always take over the, "inactive."  Furthermore, if a person lives in a nation which has free elections and does not vote, that person is demonstrating to the world an inactivity which renders his/her life, and the life of that nation submissive to the forces of the Evil One.  When the Church of a particular nation has been given the opportunity to shape the course of that nation, and does not do so, there will be "something" to pay at, "the Judgment Seat of Christ."

We all know the words of Peter to his fellow Followers of Christ Jesus in the First Century, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour," and, those whom he finally devours, are always the, "submissive and inactive."  If you ever watched a predator in the wild, it always go for the old, the sick, the isolated first; they are easy prey.  The prey which is healthy, alert, watchful, running with "the brethren," however, is usually the "one that gets away."  Those who Follow, those who walk in Jesus Christ, are the spiritually healthy ones, the alert, the watchful.  Any person claiming to be, "born again," and not living such is the most vulnerable.  The kingdom of darkness already has those who do not follow Jesus; they are in his lair.  It is you and I whom the enemy, "walks about.., seeking...."  Beware, "submissive and inactive." 

"Submissive and inactive," is the epitaph of the church-goer who leaves his religion in the pew as he goes out the door.  "Submissive and inactive," describes the person who claims to be a Believer in Jesus, yet whose life style and life choices reflect, well, "the old way of doing things."  "The Word of God," Jesus, is telling us today what He told the psalmist, "Blessed...is the man who walks and lives not...submissive and inactive....His delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, convict me every moment of any, "submissive and inactive."  Amen.
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I will be participating in the Washington, DC, David's Tent, 24/7 worship/prayer/intercession for 5 days, September 18-22.  The tent is located right outside the South Lawn of the White House. 

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