"Perfect, Without Defect, Blameless"

"The Law of the Lord is perfect...."  (Psalm 19:7)

Most of the time when the Hebrew word for, "perfect," is translated in the Old Testament it means, "without defect, blameless."  What follows our text is the effect of God's, "perfection," viz., "making wise.., rejoicing the heart;..enlightening the eyes;..pure,.. enduring forever."  What are you reading these days?  Can it do the aforementioned?

It was the word, "perfect," which really stood out to me today.  Jesus calls us to be, "perfect, even as Your Father in Heaven is perfect."  It is not, and should not be, an alien term for us.  Yet when you and I think of perfection, you know we are bewildered as to how it could possibly come about.  The Word of God says of Himself that He, "is perfect."  It is not an, "amen," which tells me whether or not I belief this.  It is how committed I am to Jesus, "The Word of God," and His Words. 

One recent survey revealed that while most church-goers believe the Bible "has too little influence on a culture," only 1 in 5 read the Bible regularly, which means 80% do not.  "Christianity Today" reported a Gallup poll which stated, "Americans revere the Bible, but by and large, they don't read it."  This is the central reason for, among other things, the chaotic political scene in the United States of America.  The vast majority of Americans have no guiding principle for their nation/culture/political philosophy.  This includes the self- proclaimed "evangelicals" and "Tea Party Activists."  When you have a president of one party while the other party controls the Congress, you have a nation which is not committed to a political science., viz., a consistent political philosophy.  Look at the States in the United States; some have a Democrat governor with a Republican legislature; some have a Republican Governor with a Democrat US Senator, and so on.  Most Americans, including church-goers, are driven in life by hedonism rather than, "the Law of the Lord," which is, "without defect, blameless."

Where are you today?  What is ordering what the Bible calls your, "manner of life," your life style, your guiding principle of all we do?  You and I cannot be, "led by the Spirit," if we are not getting the Holy Spirit's guiding principle in life, "the law of the Lord [which] is perfect."  Anyone who says, "the Lord is showing me," and is not committed to the Scriptures on a regular basis, has the wrong "lord...showing me."  When the Bible says, "Try the spirits," Jesus is not saying to test them on how you feel about "the spirits."  Rather, the way to, "try the spirits," is by the, "God-Breathed," Words.  The Bible says, "Who will show us any good?"  The answer?  "Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us."  This is not some nebulous "light."  This is the Living Triune God Himself, revealed in Jesus Christ, "The Word of God," Who reveals Himself primarily in the Scriptures, "Perfection." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray Your Words, "Your testimonies (Words) also are my delight and my counselors....[America] clings to the dust; revive me (and my country) according to Your word."  Amen.
********************
* Please remember to say a prayer for our Berlin Mission this Fall.
* Read about the ongoing chaos in Germany 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

"I Must 'Attend To' Rome"

"When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, 'After I have been there, I must also see Rome.'" (Acts 19:21)

I made a "mistake" in my reading schedule.  I was supposed to be in 2 Corinthians 3, but since I read Luke 19, I went to Acts 19.  I think it was a "directed mistake."

The word translated, "see," in our text can mean, "to perceive, attend to."  Other translations of the word can be, "look upon, experience, perceive (with inward spiritual perception), discern, ('see with the mind'), attend to, watch, witnessed," and here's an interesting one, "beware."  If you want to know what I do in the capitol cities on "my list," this is much of it.  I mostly pray "on site," but have had the great privilege to actually speak into the lives of government leaders.

Paul is saying in our text, in effect, "I spent most of my life in the religious community (as have I), serving, training, teaching the People of God, Jews and Gentiles.  Now, there is a 'call' to the Capitol of the Empire."  Paul was sensing a "need" to step beyond the "religious community" into an arena which much of modern Christendom, and I can say, even the Church has, for the most part, neglected.  The Prophets of old went into the "Rome" arena.  David and his progenitors warred there.  The Church of the first three centuries were so effective that they finally put a Follower of Jesus on the throne of the Roman Empire.  And one can say with accuracy that the Church has greatly impacted and "directed" the culture of the United States of America up until the last 50 years.  The "evangelicals" among us would say that Paul went there to "preach the Gospel."  Of course, and it was a Gospel which, I repeat, eventually took over the Empi re!

In the last couple of generations particularly, the "faith of our fathers" is no longer ruling in the lives of many, if not most, church-goers.  We have lost the "empire."  Most "Evangelicals-Pentecostals" don't vote; it's beneath them, has nothing to do with the "church."  Christendom has abandoned governments to the humanists and the humanists have gladly taken control.  I am mostly praying in this, but I do exercise a right which most in human history have not known, the right to determine who governs a nation.  Today's Open Doors' Prayer Force request is prayer for a Vietnamese Follower of Jesus, a person who, as most people in the earth, has no right to vote:  "I was arrested and beaten many times....I have been suffering from memory loss."  The majority of US Citizens did not see Viet Nam worth fighting for.  I am glad someone fought for us.

Father, in Jesus' name, "Thy Kingdom (Government) come.  Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven."  Help me, Holy Spirit, to be obedient to the "call."  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

Have You Given Up?

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."  (Luke 18:1, NIV)

This is why most stop praying: They have given up.  The reasoning is usually, "What's the use; my prayers aren't answered anyway."  I understand, because in my life time I have gone through the same experience.

The NASB says, "....and not lose heart."  The CEV says, "....should keep on praying...."  Our football coaches use to say, when we were pushing the seven man sled, "Come on, only five more yards."  I would see the yard marker go by, but then would hear again, "Come on, only five more yards," and five more, and five more.  No, their objective was not to kill us, though that seemed to be their objective at the time.  There is a very real sense in which Jesus is saying to you and me through life's journey, "Come on, only five more yards."  

I have shared before that I once asked Jesus, "Why do you want me to pray so much?"  Now, of course, I heard no audible voice, but the answer could not have been more clear, nor more sobering, "Because I like you," was Jesus' response.  O, I know, some would prefer, "Because I love you," but, "I like you," at that moment said "more" to me.  It seemed to me another way of saying, "I enjoy your company; I enjoy being together, sharing life with you.  Let's keep 'talking,' walking together."

What or whom have you given up on today?  Maybe it's time to hear our Lord Jesus saying the same thing to you, "I like you, and want to share life with you."  You know as well as I do that if love is really "love," you do not need to be doing anything, e.g., working on a project, doing "family things," etc.  The old song says, "....just as long as we're together, nothing matters at all."  Some theologians may dispute this, but I believe prayer is exactly the "reason" for our creation.  "Late in the afternoon a breeze began to blow, and the man and the woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden.  They were frightened and hid behind the trees" (Genesis 3:8, CEV).  And what did the Blessed Trinity say to them?  "Where are you?" 

Sin will always drive us, "behind some trees."  But you and I are under the Blood of Jesus.  Come out from those, "trees," and keep, "walking in the Garden," walking in Jesus.  Answers we like and answers we do not like many come and go.  Walking in Jesus never will.

Father, in Jesus' Name, Your love and, "Your ways are past finding out."  Amen. 
***************************
* NATO commander says, "ISIS is spreading like cancer among the refugees."  Read story 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 Kingdom of God Is Within You"

"For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you ('in your midst')."  (Luke 17:21)

Too many believe this means that, "the Kingdom of God," does not impact nations, the Church should "stay out of politics," go along with shady practices at work, etc.  "Faith is a private matter," a within-religion.   How convenient for people who want life "safe."

Apparently both translations of our text are suitable, "within you," or, "in your midst."  I have taught, and read others who say, that the reason Jesus may have said, "in your midst," is that He was referring to Himself; that is certainly fundamental to everything Biblical.  But today as I read our text, I realized that I am responsible here.  If, "the Kingdom of God is within you," then wherever I go, I am a bearer of said Kingdom.  I am to be a citizen of the, "Kingdom of Heaven."  The phrase, "Ambassadors for Christ," is a Kingdom term.  When we speak of "Church," we speak of, "the Body of Christ."  When we say, "The Kingdom of God/Heaven," however, we speak of the Reign of Christ, the Government of God in the earth; and there is nowhere, no individual, no nation which does not fall under the reign, control, if you will, of Jesus.  Man only thinks he is running things.  It can be cliche to some, but there is a very real sense in which history is "His Story."  Whichever translation of our text one may use, the truth is that the Church, the Followers of Jesus, are the, "Ambassadors," of the Kingdom of God/Heaven. Wherever you and I go today, there is the "diplomatic" logo on us, "Jesus shall reign where e'er the sun doth his successive journeys run."  People should look at us, hear us and see and hear the Kingdom of God.  Literally, God help us.

I usually fast on Wednesdays, but I decided to fast today because this is called "Super Tuesday" in the United States of America.  I ask that those of you who receive this devotional in other nations today pray for America.  If I thought the last two elections were pivotal, I cannot describe what I feel/sense about the coming 2016 Presidential Election.  But there's more.  If Followers of Jesus do not turn out and vote Kingdom values, then the US Presidency, the Congress and the Courts will be under the control of another kingdom, the Kingdom of Darkness.  It is true that we have had "conservative" presidents and Congresses which have supposedly reflected more the teachings of Jesus, but what have they accomplished?--- relatively little.  "Conservative," "Tea Party," "patriot," does not translate to Followers of Jesus, people in whom Jesus Christ lives and rules.  Jesus did not tell us to go into all the world and make "converts" so that we can get them into "church."  He commanded us to, "make disciples," viz., people whose entire existence is under His Authority, people who think, act, and live as, "bond slaves," of Jesus.

Devotional? you may ask.  Yes.  Few church-goers have any idea of what the, "The Kingdom of God/Heaven," means.  The difference between me and them is that while I do not fully grasp what it all means, I do not accept the "not-knowing."  In some measure, it means my "worship," my praying, my "witness," my market-place dealings reflect, "Jesus Christ is Lord."  Of course, no one does this "perfectly," though our Lord Jesus does command us to be, "perfect as []our Father...is perfect" or, "complete," however one chooses to read/hear it.  I have not always, nor do I now fully understand/walk in the powerful truth, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  But I had better make it my priority.  I do not want "pick and choose" religion.  I would never "pick" rightly.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so ask that I understand and walk in, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  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

"Confess ('Acknowledge, Profess, Praise') Jesus"

"....Every spirit that does not confess ('acknowledge, profess, praise') Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world."  (1 John 4:3, NASB)

An online news source reported today about a woman outside a Russian metro station holding an infant's head.  I thought, "This is medieval barbarism alive."  Many witnesses say that she was saying the old standby Arab/Islamist phrase, "God is great," or, "Allah is greater."  Instead of classifying the, whatever one would choose to call her, a terrorist, some Russian agencies are wanting to do the "psychiatric" thing.  This is the post Garden world in which you and I live.  This is as old as one brother slaying another in a field near the beginning of the human race.

What options in life do you and I have today, or any day?  We cannot look to our own "faith;" that is something which is so vulnerable to mood or some current events in life.  We cannot look to someone else, no matter how great they seem to be, how great their faith.  We cannot look to governments, 401ks, family, job, no matter how "good."  Just look at what so many, even you and I, have "looked to" over our life times.  When it was not, "Looking unto Jesus," there was nothing good, nothing lasting, no solid rock that would sustain us in life's deepest despairs, sorrows, suffering.

Christendom is becoming more and more secularized, more "all-things-to-all-people" driven.  The result is a religion which is devoid of the Precious Blood of Jesus, the power of Jesus' Cross, Jesus' Resurrection, Jesus' Ascension, and Jesus' soon return; in short, the Name of Jesus is less and less central to the religion of modern Christendom.  This is the reason so many people who call themselves "evangelicals" act, conduct their daily lives, vote, and think in, "this is the spirit of the Antichrist," or,"the antichrist nature."  Barnes' says, "John here refers not to an individual who should be known as Antichrist, but to a class of persons."  Of course Antichrist will manifest in due time.  But what is alarming more and more today is "a class of persons" who are of, "the spirit of Antichrist."  And you know, my friend, they are an ever-increasing number. 

"Confess, 'Acknowledge, Profess, Praise,' Jesus," at every turn, every day, every moment.  We are all not nearly as strong as we would like to think.  Pray with me, therefore, that the Holy Spirit, Jesus in us, will strengthen, empower, enable us to live, rather than some secularized, popularized, self-serving counterfeit religion, we will live what the Bible calls, "the faith of Jesus."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so pray.  Amen.
**********************
* Please remember to pray for our Berlin Mission, October, 2016
* North Korea, more of a threat than the US Government would have you know.  Read about it 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