"Some Were Convinced, But Others...Not"

"Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe." (Acts 28:24, NIV)

Notice, not "could not believe," but, "would not believe."  The phrase can also be translated, "refuse belief."

Bertrand Russel once said, "Not to be absolutely certain, I think, is one of the essential things in rationality."  He once took note of what he called discrepancies in the narratives of the Four Gospels and said, and I paraphrase, "If I were an editor of a newspaper and had four reporters with such conflicting observances, I would fire them."  Russel read the same Gospels I read.  The difference?  He, "refuse[d] belief";  I choose belief.  What about you today?

Westerners tend to equate "belief" with intellectual comprehension.  But what I see in our text is choosing to believe.  I too see things in the Bible which do not "make sense" to me.  But since when does what "makes sense" to me rule?  Jesus and His Words Rule!  Say whatever You like, Lord Jesus, and I accept and surrender to it/You.

The short of it is that people do not believe because they don't want to believe, not because "it doesn't make sense," or they cannot "understand."  What was going on in the minds and hearts of those who were hearing Paul that day in Rome?  What set of ears were they using, "rationality"-ears, or heart-ears.  Which ruled?  There were those there that day, "who hunger[ed] and thirst[ed] after righteousness," and apparently there were those who did not have such, "hunger and thirst"; hence, "Some were convinced.., but others would not believe."  One early National Socialist, who later broke with Hitler, said that Hitler's appeal was that "he spoke from our heart."  There was "something" in the hearts of those who embraced Hitler that was also in Hitler's heart.  Beware of what thoughts and philosophies attract.

You and I make choices every day.  Life is not as "routine" or "automatic" as some may think.  Some choices are obvious, others present themselves very subtly.  That "chooser" in us will determine the difference between defeat and victory in life.  Jesus told the Jews, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that...you...may live."  We can say today that choosing, "Some were convinced by what he said," is to, "choose life."  On the other hand to, "refuse belief," is to choose, "death."  Faced with such alternatives, the smart move is to be, "convinced by what he said."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I, "choose life."  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

Yet, "They All Escaped Safely...."

"....and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship.  And so it was that they all escaped safely to land."  (Acts 27:44)

Every time I read Acts 27 I am reminded of the "battle of life."  Can we possibly imagine the terror which most of those on board that ship went through, the loss of possessions, the exhaustion, soaked to the bone, shivering with cold?

Think, for a moment, of the unfolding of events in the passage.  Naturally the owner of the ship wanted to get going on the journey, "Now when much time had been spent," or in other words, "time is money."  You will recall, however, that Paul warned them, "I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives."  How many lives are like this. We couldn't wait to get going with life, so we made many decisions which were thought to not waste all that time, and ignored something like, "wait on the Lord."  Many peoples' lives end as the journey recorded in Acts 27 did, men soaked to the bone, cold, hungry, and nothing of which they began the journey.

"I perceive...."  Maybe the, "I perceive," people should have been listened to.  How many times have we all had an, "I perceive," person in our lives and we did not heed the, "I perceive."  How did they, "perceive"?  Was it a "gift of the Spirit?"  Or perhaps it wasn't all that "spiritual."  Maybe it was someone who was recognizing something they had been through and was passing it on to us.  Whatever the source of, "I perceive," so very, very many of us should have taken heed to, "I perceive," instead of, "Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul."  Regardless, it's too late for all of that now.  Perhaps in what time we all have left in our sojourn, we should all be more alert and considering and obeying that, "I perceive, whether from a person, or that, "still small voice."

There is a principle of our Lord Jesus in this chapter which is cause for great rejoicing, "Paul stood in the midst of them and said,...'For there stood by me this night an angel of God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'  Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.  However, we must run aground on a certain island."  I was doing fine until that, "However...."  But it seems to be a theme running through the Bible.  "....they all escaped safely...," but in between the horrendous storm and the, "....all escaped...," there is always a, "However."  

I wonder how much of my life was spared "disaster at sea" because of a "Paul" in my life.  Just another thought.  At any rate, Jesus' Shed Blood, Death and Resurrection is the guarantee that to all who are repentant and surrender their lives to Jesus, we too will, "....all escape safely to [That] land."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank you for another reminder of this lesson of life.  Amen.

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We are looking at October dates now.  I forgot just how much more expensive things are in Germany during Oktoberfest, which is mostly in September.  I know, Go figure.

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

"Are You The King Of The Jews?"

"Now Jesus stood before the governor.  And the governor asked Him, saying, 'Are You the King of the Jews?'  Jesus said to him, 'It is as you say.'" (Matthew 27:11)

If you look at the narratives of Jesus before Pilate, you will discover that it was not Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that bothered Pilate.  It was, "Are You the King of the Jews?"  It was a question affecting Rome's rule in Israel, "Are You the King...?  In other words, Are you involved in treason against the Government of Rome?  There cannot be two kings.

Now this does not get much billing among "evangelicals" who have a sort of Biblical tunnel vision.  Over the generations they have developed a sort of catechism on what is the get-saved-today message.  It amuses me, or rather, saddens me to listen to all the media pundits talking about "the evangelical vote in Iowa."  So very many people who take the "evangelical" name tag are not.  They are "get-saved-today people who carry their Bibles, quote favorite "evangelical passages" for their own catechetical purposes, but endorse political candidates who are not Followers of Jesus and have non-Kingdom principles.  Now we are hearing of more of their leaders "endorsing" such.  Evangelicalism is more than touting "The Four Spiritual Laws."

When you encounter the claim of Jesus Christ that He is, "the King of the Jews," You are encountering someone who is declaring to the world that, yes, He came to, "seek and to save."  He also came to rule.  If you only see the "sinner's prayer" in the Cross, perhaps you need to read more of the Bible.  Jesus' Death and Resurrection fulfilled the Biblical statement, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil."  And I can tell you, my friend, there are many, "works of the Devil," in the Earth.  Paul did not limit himself in his "missionary journeys" to the synagogues, the market places, etc.  He also went and proclaimed Jesus and His Kingdom before city and empire officials.  "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.  Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king----- Jesus." (Acts 17)

Modern "evangelicalism" needs a face lift.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You destroyed all, "works of the Devil."  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

"Wise In His Own Eyes"-- The Plague of Humanity

"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?  There is more hope for a fool than for him." (Proverbs 26:12)

The Amplified Bible says, "Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?...."  The CEV says, "There is more hope for a fool than for someone who says, 'I'm really smart!'"

There are commands in the Bible which many do not obey because they are, "wise in his own eyes".  There whole basis for rejection is their mind/brain/schooling in the ways of "The Age of Enlightenment" thinking.  They're on their own, my friend, on their own in a world that is, "past finding out," and attempting to relate to God Whose, "ways are (way) past finding out."

Example:  This morning, as I usually do, I prayed extensively in the Holy Spirit in my spirit, aka, "speaking in tongues."  I have never fully understood the opposition to this.  Famous "big shot" leaders in Christendom have opposed this, argued this, twisted Scripture concerning this for generations.  To me, the main reason is that they have to be in control.  They need to know what they are praying.  A person who has to "know everything" is the classic "control freak."

"Where were you?"  This is the powerful, sobering question Jesus asked Job.  It is the optimal "rhetorical question."  I wasn't there, "when...."  I don't know what is going on in the vast majority of the Earth, let alone, the Universe.  I don't know the timetable of the Blessed Trinity, when is the Second Appearing of Jesus, Armageddon, when or if certain people for whom I pray will come to Jesus.  I don't know; I don't know.  Those who reject the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the accompanying, "pray with my spirit," are people who must know.  If they don't know, they are fearful.  When I pray in, "an unknown tongue," I know I'm going beyond myself, deep into the purposes/will of the Living Triune God.  That, and I could almost say, that alone is what I want, Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit, fellowship in the Godhead, praying His Purposes, His Will, and thereby "shaping" so much more than my mind could ever hope to grasp.

I leave you today with your own decision.  What will dominate your "form" of communication today?  "Out of his belly," or, "out of his innermost being," or, "out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, Whom those believing in Him would receive...."  This, "living water," does not, "flow," out of our brains; it flows, "out of [my] heart," a part of us to which Westerners particularly just find it almost impossible to relate.  Sarah was at our house with one-month-old Andrew.  I was at the hospital with Stephen while he went through 5 hours of tests.  Things were unknown to doctors and to me.  I was powerless in comprehension.  It was like Jesus says in Luke 24:26, "....apprehensive of what is coming...."  I literally was in a phone booth for most of that time, "pray[ing] with my spirit," in the Holy Spirit.  Desperation will take you places intellect will not allow you to go.  "I Surrender All," the song says.  Smart move.

Father, in Jesus' Name, You, Alone, are God, not me.  I desperately like it that way.  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

"Hallelujah! What A Savior!"

"If after this you will not listen to Me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over.  I will break down our stubborn pride...."  (Leviticus 26:18-19a, NIV)

If one wants to have at least some understanding of the gravity of that from which our Lord Jesus Christ saved, redeemed, forgave, and loosed us, just read the Bible.  I was reading in Leviticus 26 yesterday and was overwhelmed by just what my sin deserves and would encounter if it were not for the Shed Blood, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.  People can argue and speculate about the "Final Judgment," the, "Great White Throne," judgement, and, in general, "things to come."  But there is no argument against the reality that my sin deserves judgment and punishment, and that the, "Word of God," declares as much.  Otherwise, the Cross of Jesus means nothing.  "What can wash away my sin? nothing but the Blood of Jesus."

I cannot tell you how much I am thankful for, how much I appreciate our Lord Jesus Christ's leading, yea verily, commanding me to read regularly through His Words.  Most heresy would be eliminated if people would study the whole of the, "Words of God," rather than just constantly going to favorite texts, texts which affirm their agenda.  When I started on this journey almost 46 years ago, it was not from a desire for greater Bible knowledge, or make me more able to teach or preach the Bible, or expand "my ministry," or anything of the sort.  It was desperation, pure and simple.  I was answer-less, powerless, even in some ways, hopeless.  But I know now that what seemed to be just a reflexive move to pick up the Bible and read was not such.  It was Jesus, if I might say, taking me by the hand, a poor, desperate, pathetic creature, and do what He did with David, "He restores my soul," and could one say by, "....lead[ing] me beside the still waters," ("quiet waters of rest," His Words.  He still does.

Leviticus is not eliminated by the New Testament; it is fulfilled in the New Testament, viz., in Jesus Himself (Hebrews 10:1-8).  The only way you and I can begin to appreciate just what Jesus saves us from is to read the whole of, "the Words of God."  No "anointed preaching," prophetic utterances, no "great worship," no nothing can bring you and me to our knees in "humble adoration" like Jesus and His Words.  If you do not regularly read through the Bible, I cannot encourage you enough to do so.  I just cannot relate to you the "experience" in Jesus yesterday as I read Leviticus 26.  "There at the Cross where He took me in; Glory to His Name!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I tremble at the thought of me without You.  Amen.
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Another update on Hillary:   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

A Few "Rabbit-Trail-Thoughts" For The Snow Bound

"Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble."  (Psalm 119:165, NIV)

I realized again this morning that the reason I, "love Your Law," is that, "Your law," is Your Word, and Your Word is Jesus, and Jesus has so fulfilled our text to/in me.  The print on the pages of our Bibles is a description and revelation of, "The Word of God," Himself.  Read the Bible and we are reading Jesus Christ.  "Great peace":  This is what the lottery ticket-purchasers are looking for.  This is what the cynic is looking for.  This is what every person whom you and I have ever met or will meet is looking for, "Great peace."

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you."  There is nothing more we "need" when we have Jesus, "For He Himself is our peace."  Those who talk of "soaking in His Presence" are speaking of (I hope) what Jesus Himself said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  The, "Great Peace," of which/Whom our text speaks is only in Jesus, the Flowing, "Rivers of living water," flowing in us as we are in Jesus.  A great promise follows the, "Great Peace....nothing can make them stumble."

Jesus' Words must be our experience, not some pop, trendy phraseology.  Today the invitation of the Blessed Trinity is to wade in that, "Great Peace,...rivers of living waters."  To me, there is a further "type" of this, "rivers of living waters," in Ezekiel 47, "And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles.  Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees.  Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist.  Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed."

Do not attempt to "cross" this "River," of Whom the psalmist said, "For with You is the Fountain of life."  Rather, "swim" in It/Him/Jesus.  Okay, "Soak" on. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, wherever You may be in what I have written, it is You I desire and need.  I so thank You that, "Great peace have those who love Your Law/Words."  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