The Now Kingdom

"Rule in the midst of Your enemies." (Psalm 110:2b)

If, "Rule," is not the message of, "The Kingdom of God/Heaven," then what is?  "Kingdom," declares authority, who's in charge, government, a king.  Maybe the reason that so many "get-saved-today" people live lawless lives is that, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," has no place in their "Four Spiritual Laws."

The first public words of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ were, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  They were not, "Get saved today."  We could paraphrase the message of Kingdom introduction as, "Change your minds, for you will need to, because a new 'world order' is about to be revealed."  If God is not about government, then why did He exalt Joseph to Prime Minister of the Egyptian Empire?  Why did he exalt Daniel to Prime Minister of the Babylonian Empire?  Why did He exalt Mordecai to Prime Minister of the Media-Persian Empire?  And here's one for you: Why did Jesus meet Constantine at the Milvian Bridge?  It is reported that shortly before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine looked at the sun and saw an image of a cross.  It is reported that he saw the words, "In this sign conquer."  I heard nothing but contempt for Constantine and his mocked conversion in the university and grad school.  But that conversion loosed the Church in previously unheard of mission opportunity.  I wonder if those who speak so glibly about "persecution" and "suffering" prefer to live in China, North Korea, or Saudi Arabia.  Maybe a reason that we have so few Followers of Jesus in position of leadership in nations today is that Christendom does not believe in, "Rule."  

It has been my quarterly reading through the Bible over the last 46 years which has given me more and more a sense of, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  Our text is considered a "Messianic Psalm."  If this is so, then Messiah is about some very interesting things, e.g., "enemies Your footstool....Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power (in the ruling process?)....He shall judge among the nations."  Most place this passage and the many, many like it in some future "millennial reign."  How convenient, people of, "Christians should not be involve with politics." 

No, I simply do not understand most of this.  But I do understand that, "Jesus Christ is Lord," means that Jesus Christ is King, now, not in some "galaxy far away," in some convenient distant future.  "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is here," now.  Jesus saves from sin, forgives our sin, and is, "....to prepare a place for you...."  Inclusive in this "Gospel," and not as an addendum, is, "[Jesus] sent them to preach the Kingdom of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I need so much more understanding and the accompanying obedient life style of, "The Kingdom of Heaven/God."  I trust You to enlighten me to so live.  Amen.
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* I heard Donald Trump's speech last night. 

* Any theologians who question today's devotional, I welcome any correction

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 Enemies of Jesus Don't Quit-Neither Does Jesus

THIS IS A PHOTO OF ISIS MURDERING FOLLOWERS OF JESUS: DON'T THINK IT'S OVER

The above is what Mordecai was fighting against.  The decree had been issued that all the Jews in the Empire were to be murdered.  Satanic people have never once given up this desire, viz., the elimination of the Covenant People, those who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes."

I have often heard over the years the phrase, "those who are on the front lines."  Don't listen to this.  You and I are on the "front lines."  Everyone who is surrendered to Jesus is on the "front lines."  In fact, there are no "front lines."  This is not a WW II kind of war.  It is, in the very real sense, a guerilla war.  Just about the time you think you know where the enemy is and where he might come from, he is not there and comes from another direction. This war has been going on since the Garden.

I believe Mordecai is a prime example of one who is a "type" of Jesus.  Mordecai looked after Esther when she was orphaned; and just so our Lord Jesus Christ.  The hymn says,
        "Jesus sought me when a stranger,
        Wondering from the fold of God. 
        He, to rescue me from danger,
        Interposed His Precious Blood."
We were lost, under the attack of the Enemy, heading toward destruction, just as the Jews during Mordecai's time.  We were, as Ephesians 2 says, "....having no hope and without God in the world."  But Jesus, who is our hope, became hope in us, came to live in us, and now we have, "God in the world," and in "our world."  Just as during the Media-Persian Empire, the enemy is everywhere, "seeking whom he may devour," but Jesus is "everywhere," seeking whom He can save and keep; ergo, you and I are saved and kept, as Peter says, "by the power of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, in this world of war and woe, as a song says, "I'm glad there is You."  Amen.
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I was in the Supreme Court Building yesterday, the Capitol Building, near the White House and a couple hours in "David's Tent."  Got home about 01:00.  Thanks for any prayers.

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

"....Just As Mordecai Told Her To Do...."

"But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instruction as she had done when he was bringing her up."  (Esther 2:20, NIV)

And such obedience saved the Jews from annihilation.

There is no doubt to me as to who was in control in this scenario.  Mordecai was a man of great perception, a man who was not guided by some Sunday-School-glasses religion.  There is no record in the Book of Esther that Mordecai preached, taught, conducted seminars or conventions.  Yet Mordecai changed the course of history------- literally!

A person will not be like Mordecai if they just keep up with their religious cliches and following-the-latest- "thing" mentality.  It is and will be more difficult to "hear" and "see" today what the Lord Jesus is doing in the nations of the world because much of Christendom has morphed into a religion which prioritizes culture, ethnicity, and gender.  "The Word of God," teaches us that such deception, "in the last days," will be subtle, so very subtle.  Anyone not as Mordecai will succumb. 

Mordecai was a classic, "Kingdom of God/Heaven," personage.  He recognized the current political scene in the Empire.  Did Mordecai know something was afoot when he told Esther not to reveal, "her family background and nationality..."?  He told her this even before he learned of the coming law which purposed to annihilate all the Jews in the Empire.  Again, Mordecai did something which does not come easy for most of us.  He observed; he listened.  Then he acted. 

It is easily to cop out and say that we are not in a situation like Mordecai's.  Maybe if you and I were to develop more and more the same kind of perception which was in Mordecai, however, we would be able to affect events in our surroundings more than we now realize.  Church history is full of men and women just as Mordecai.  They saw the conversion of kings and princes, and helped shape cultural change.  When our Lord Jesus commanded the Church to, "disciple the nations," it was a command to change the way people think and act. 

Father, in Jesus' name, some times I wonder how much my thinking and acting are Yours.  Amen.
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* Please pray for my time in DC tomorrow, July 20
* If you want to know a major dilemma which Israel faces, read the latest article on 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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

In The King's Gate, Or, Outside the White House

"And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women's quarters, to learn of Esther's welfare and what was happening to her." (Esther 2:11)

I'm thinking of preaching this coming Sunday on the subject, "In The King's Gate."  Frankly, I have never heard anyone teach on the Book of Esther from the perspective which I see.  You can say that is a "one-up" attempt, but I see teaching, lessons, commands for the whole Church in the Book of Esther which we so need in these days.  It is time for the Church to stop acting and talking like religious people, and begin living as Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, under the reign of King Jesus. 

We will take a look at the life and times of Mordecai, cousin of a young girl, Esther, whom Mordecai had raised after her father and mother died, and whom he eventually saw become Queen of the Media-Persian Empire, one of the largest Empires in History.  Mordecai is one of my "favorite" Biblical personages.  He prayed "on site with insight."  He observed, listened, something which is too lacking in modern Christendom.  He was a good military tactician.  He sized up the situation before he took action.  Too many religious people take action and then attempt to size up the situation, aka, "What in blazes happened?!?"  And perhaps above all, Mordecai knew where "the action" was----- and it wasn't in a conference.

Notice in our text that, "....every day Mordecai paced in front of the court...." (White House, US Capitol Building, Supreme Court Building?)  Notice that it does not say once a year, once a month, or once a week; it was, "....every day...."  Mordecai's "ministry" was not periodic, not crowd oriented, nor self-motivated.  Mordecai was "pastoral," i.e., he took care of God's ordain servant.  He was also a, "Kingdom of God/Heaven" person.  Mordecai saw an opportunity to get into the government of his day and "make a difference."  To those who say that "Christians should not get involved in politics," Mordecai is a stern rebuke.

I believe our Lord Jesus is calling for the Church to make a "break-out" in these days.  In this, Mordecai is a "patron saint."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to learn from you servant, Mordecai.  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