"The Time of Business...Does Not...Differ From the Time of Prayer" (Brother Lawrence)

"Command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.'" (Leviticus 6:9)

"In the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Supper" (Brother Lawrence).

In the classic, The Practice of the Presence of God, there are the words of Brother Lawrence and a "conversations" section.  Here are some quotes from the "conversations" section of the book: "He said he was more united to God in his outward employments (his work) than when he left them for devotion ('Presence' Gatherings) in retirement (quiet time)."  Brother Lawrence said, "We need only to recognize God intimately present with us and address ourselves to Him every moment."  The writer goes on, "The most excellent method he had found for going to God was that of doing our common business....Brother Lawrence felt is was a great delusion to think that the times of prayer ought to differ from other times....His own prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of God....When the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with God, praising and blessing Him with all his might....He exercised himself in the knowledge and love of God, resolving to use his utmost endeavor to live in a continual sense of His Presence, and, if possible, never to forget Him more."

Brother Lawrence would pray, "O my God, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy Presence; and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance."  His interviewer wrote, "He then continued his exercise of the Presence of God as if he had never deviated from it."  Jesus clearly defines all of the above in His Words, "Abide in me, and I in you."  This is what Jesus intended for Him and Adam.  We blew it, but Jesus restored "Garden Fellowship" in His Blood, in His Cross, in His Resurrection.  ENJOY.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray in agreement with Brother Lawrence.  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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out." (Lev. 6:13)

You probably know of the book, The Practice of the Presence of God; my Dad was the one who introduced me to it.  Notice the title.  It was the writer's intent to "practice" being aware and communicating with the Lord God as constant as possible, when in set times of prayer, when at the kitchen sink, when in the garden.

I know most people are probably getting tired of my "presence-theology"-bashing, but it needs it.  If you listen to many, you get the idea that they are living in the Old Testament dispensation, viz., the high priest could only enter the, "Most Holy Place," once a year, the "morning and evening sacrifice," encountering God in, "the tent of meeting," etc.  The modern, enslaving and very limiting version is church meetings, wonderful worship gatherings, special people who "their worship really brings us into the presence."  Lord, Help us.

When Jesus died on the Cross, however, all of that was broken, as in, "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His Spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom...," notice, "from top to bottom."  God did it, not you nor I nor anyone, only the Living Triune God could.  Someone once said that the renting of, "the veil of the temple," was not so much to let us "in," but to let God "out."  Well, of course, both are true, and man's broken fellowship with His Creator was restored in the Blood of Jesus; in Jesus there is no more "veil" of separation.  Both "in" and "out" emphasis reveal that there was no longer presence-encounter once a year, or morning and evening, or a particular "location," but "Presence-Enjoyed" 24/7/365, whenever, wherever you and I so choose to avail ourselves of the Blessed Trinity.  The Presence of the Living Triune God is, "The fire...; it must not go out"------------- "Practice." 

Right now as I write this, and right now wherever you are, on your computer, phone, wherever and whatever, we can say, affirm and live, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain (veil), that is, His Body, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience....Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, Eternal Flame of Presence, "Bread of the Presence," Jesus, "....bread of life," burn on in me.  Amen. 
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* David's Tent Report & more on the Crisis in Europe 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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"The Fire" Of Relationship "Must Be Kept Burning"

"The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out....The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out." (Leviticus 6)

By the way, this is not some wild-eyed pentecostalism, or whooping and hollering "worship."  Neither is this primarily 24/7 "prayer watches," or "houses of prayer," though I think they are certainly included.  To me this speaks of The Church, "gathered," and "scattered," corporate and individual.  The Theology of, "Christ in you," in Colossians is both "plural" and "singular."  We really cannot separate the individual and the Church.  The Church is the Body of Christ, period.  I never leave "church"---------- nor "Presence."

I will be preaching in our local church meeting this coming Sunday.  I plan to use our text.  I have been having a lot of fun with it, yes, fun.  When Jesus' Word gets through this old flesh, it is a marvelous experience, worshipful, intercessorial, "happy place."  The reason?  "A fire shall always be burning," is commensurate with Jesus' command, and, I might add, purpose/desire for you and me, "Abide in Me, and I in you."  My friend, that is, "The fire [which] must be kept burning." Some "Calvinist" notwithstanding, apparently, "The fire," can go out.  

Never let, "the fire," of our relationship in Jesus go out, "A fire shall always be burning."  This is very similar to what Paul told Timothy, "Fan into flame," literally, "Stir up the fire," which is in you...." (2Tim:1:6).  A lot of people have their ideas on what, "the fire," is.  Personally, I believe it is our relationship in Jesus.  Of course, integral to our relationship in Jesus is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Whatever the "particulars," it is abiding-in-the-Godhead relationship, living, sleeping.

This, "fire must be kept burning," this, "Abide in Me, and I in you," Biblical/Kingdom "Principle" is foundational/paramount in our sojourn here.  When, "the fire," is ebbing and in danger of, "go[ing] out," then it is priority One to, "Stir up the fire."  So there are two life-saving commands here in the, "God-Breathed," Words, "The fire must be kept burning," and if the "flame" is getting low, "Fan into flame--Stir up the fire."  Two fundamental "means of grace" must prevail here: Praying in our spirits in the Holy Spirit and the Scripture.  No matter how zealous, no matter how many mission trips, no matter if I give everything to the poor, if I allow the Words of God and, "He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire," to go out, "it profits me nothing."  

"IT MUST NO GO OUT."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I do not know the fullest extent of the meaning here.  But I do want the Reality of it.  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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"[Your] Own Hands Shall Bring the Offering...."

"His own hands shall bring the offerings made by fire to the Lord." (Leviticus 7:30)

Over the years of ministry I noticed that some, maybe many, people who came to church services came so because someone brought them, and I don't mean "to get saved."  Some came "kicking and screaming."  They came because of their spouse, or parents, or even children.  Some have been "in church" for years, even generations just to keep peace in the family, yet they never came to a personal knowledge/relationship in Jesus.  I know of one guy who started coming to home meetings just to keep an eye on his wife.  I ask you, now: How sad is this?!"  Our text reveals that the intent of Jesus is, "His own hands shall bring the offering."

Those who have known us over the years and read the devotionals know that the summer our Stephen Paul went "to be with the Lord" was the first time I read completely through the Bible.  What I began to take note of was the great amount of underlining I had in books like Leviticus; imagine!  Jesus commands us to, "Search the Scriptures," because in, "Search[ing] the Scriptures," we "discover" and see Jesus.  There is just no greater reason to read the Bible.  The Bible writes of Jesus.  Everywhere, not just the Psalms, the Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, but perhaps most surprising to many, even of the Pentateuch Jesus says, "it is they that bear witness about Me."  Okay, enough tabernacle building.

Our text reveals a basic Godhead Principle.  The Blessed Trinity loves you and me and every individual on Planet Earth, and anywhere they may be found.  E. Stanley Jones once said, "God has no grandchildren."  Are you not unspeakably glad for this?  Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit does not want anything nor anyone between Him and you and me.  He is the Personal God, "very Present Help in trouble," God of Creation, yes indeed, "VERY    PRESENT    HELP."  Our text reveals that even though there was the Levitical priesthood to offer sin offerings, wave offerings, serve in the tabernacle, all of this did not eliminate the responsibility and privilege, "His own hands shall bring...."

My dear reader:  Never ever settle for a "second hand" relationship with God--------- for one very profound reason:  There is none.  Remember: "God has no grandchildren."  Moses, Aaron, the sacrifices, the Commandments, the Levitical Law, the Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, the saints of the ages, the Church, the Kingdom, "whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, of things present or things to come-- all are yours.  You, moreover, are of Christ, and Christ, moreover, is of God."  If there are any "second-hand-church-goers" reading this, stop being led and take the lead.  Don't just quote or imitate others.  Be your own "quotes" and "imitation."  Be a "leader" in life, viz., instead of always being led by others in spiritual matters, you take the lead in manifesting, "Christ in you," yes, "in you, the hope of glory."  You may be all alone right now as you read this.  But, of course, you and I know that you are not.  Jesus is in you and you in Jesus.  Rejoice with me today that, "[Your] own hands shall bring the offering."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the saints of the ages, the Tabernacle, the Temple, The Church, the Kingdom, all the "means of grace."  But I thank You most of all that in Jesus Christ there is nothing between You and me.  What a glorious Truth.  Amen.
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Pertinent, Prophetic articles 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

"My Beloved--A Beloved Brother"

"Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.  Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved....I thank my God upon every remembrance of you....Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me....affectionately longing for you..." (From Romans 16, Philippians 1, Colossians 4, 1 Thessalonians 2)

I have always noted the greetings and the closing salutations of the Epistles.  There is nothing of man-made religion in them.  They are personal, warm, and reveal deep friendships.  Is this characteristic of the Church today, of you, of me?

We were with friends and their church over the weekend whom we have known for almost 45 years.  They are still as fresh and refreshing as they were when we first met them.  This is true in our lives with all those whom we still see from time to time, and have been our friends for many years.  Maybe if friendships are to last, they need to involve intentionality, viz., effort, especially in these days of relocations which can involve great distances.  Some say this is true even with marriages and family.

The same is true in our relationship with/in Jesus.  It has always seemed to me that if a relationship requires discipline to maintain, or an intentionality, it means that the relationship is not all that "close"------ or maybe not.  Our Lord Jesus speaks to us of, "The cares of this life," which can choke the Word.  It can also "choke" friendships.  Maybe we need to be as Abraham, "And when the vultures came down on the [sacrifice], Abram drove them away."  Both, our relationship in Jesus and friends/brethren need this "protection."  Indeed, "the vultures," will come down to devour, whether they be in the form of selfishness, which is disguised in "busyness," or just lazy neglect, whomever is of worth to us.  One of the lessons of Paul's many "greetings" in his epistles is that you and I have Brethren in Christ whom the Lord Jesus has also given to us as friends.  The world knows so little of what true friendship is.  Do you and I?

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be a good, "beloved brother...and fellow servant in [You.]:  Amen.
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I sent a most disturbing photo to 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