Don't Be "Embarrassed"

"For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth....But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.  Into smoke they shall vanish away."  (Psalm 37:9 & 20)

I don't really have much more to add to the events in the United States of America over the passed week, and especially the last 24 hours, than what I said in yesterday's devotional.  "God is not mocked."  America is in danger of becoming a "banana republic."  Yet in the face of the increasing reign of evil, our text stands the test of time, and so will you and I if we Follow and obey Jesus Christ.

My suspicion is that there is a whole lot more praying going on than obeying.  If whites had not oppressed and enslaved blacks for centuries (even while they were having their Sunday services and revival meetings, and praying up a storm!), if blacks would realize that revenge is fruitless to the soul, if leaders of religious organizations, political parties, corporations, et. al., would submit to Jesus Christ and His "Law/Words," the planet would be different.  Yes, we can change things.  The promise of God is, "true and righteous altogther," and the reward of obedience is victory.

I say this without hesitation: Prayer and worship without obedience is a waste of time.

Kenneth Ravenhill once said, "One of these days some simple soul will pick up the Book of God, read it, and believe it.  Then the rest of us will be embarrassed."  Why can this not be you and I?  I am open to meet with people who want to pray, pray the Scriptures, and pray consistently; then, with a pure heart of obedience go out into our "realms" and live, "The Words of God."  If the Church Worldwide does not begin (in most cases), and expand (in some cases) the desire and practice of prayer, Dallas will have other names.

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I be a "simple soul [who] will pick up the Book of God, read it, and believe 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

APF DEVOTIONAL

Movie Recording

"The Friendship of the Lord"

"The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant." (Psalm 25:14, ESV)

There was a song which came out some years ago which had the line, "I am a friend of God."  I wonder if those who sang/sing it realize that friendship with God comes with a condition. "The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him."  So very many people are lonely today, yet reject, "The friendship of the Lord."

The Amplified Bible says, "The secret [of the wise counsel] of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning."  The word for, "friendship," and, "secret," in the Hebrew speaks of intimacy.  Maybe this is a reason the Amplified translates some of the text, "[deep, inner]."

Everyone who has any desire, love, longing for relationship in the Godhead delights in our text.  No other religion offers, "friendship."  All religions which are based on anything, anyone other than Jesus Christ leave one empty, still longing for that, "friendship," that intimacy to which Jesus invites us, and for which Jesus shed His Blood, died and arose from the dead.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you....I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."  So there it is again, "....if you do what I command you."  Now this is not "a hard saying," as some might think.  Living a life of disobedience to, "....what I command you," is self-destructive.  Walking in obedience to, "....and in His law does he meditate day and night," on the other hand, enables us to walk in Divine Friendship.

Father, in Jesus' Name, there is no greater joy than to be Your friend.  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

Pray Thankfully

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension (literally, 'mind'), will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:6, 7--NASB)

I cannot say that I have ever noticed the connection between verse 6 and 7, "Be anxious for nothing, but...let your request be made known to God.  And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  If we desire to live free of anxiety, the only way is to have, "the peace of God...in Christ Jesus."  Or, "Be anxious for nothing....And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Too many times anxiety kills peace.   

"....in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God...."  Verse 7 begins with an, "And".  It is an addition to verse 6.  To me, this means that if I do not pray about, "everything," I can not know, "the peace of God, which surpasses all mind," anyone's, "mind," intellect, comprehension, understanding.  Life's events will not only be filled with anxiety, but also confusion, bewilderment.  If I pray about everything, "with thanksgiving," however, then I will know, "the peace of God...in Christ Jesus," the only "place" of Divine Peace. 

"Be anxious for nothing," i.e., do not worry about anything.  Instead, "....in everything...prayer and supplication...."  And as you pray, pray in a thankful spirit.  It is not good to be thankful only when we get what we "pray for," what we want, what we think is best for our lives.  This can just prolong the anxiety.  Pray thanking Jesus.  The "natural" mind would say, "But how can I be thankful for something I don't see?"  Such thinking puts the emphasis on us.  Praying thankfully puts the emphasis, the honor, the glory exactly in Whom all should be, Jesus.

Humanity longs for its disease of anxiety to have the healing of peace.  Long for it all they wish.  There is no relief from anxiety without, "the peace of God...in Christ Jesus."  Now, "....in everything pray[]...with thanksgiving...and the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds," in the only Place and Person in whom there is, "the peace of God...----------- Christ Jesus."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I know that I have too many times not, "....in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (made my) requests be made known to [You.]"  May today be a "new beginning."  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