Promise/Commands

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1)

"The shadow of the Almighty," is "over" any who seek Him, respond to Him, obey Him.  This to me is more of a command than a promise. 

For instance, I don't think, "Come to Me,.." is as much an invitation as it is a command.  Many of today's American population won't understand this because they have resisted any commands; they only accept "invitations."  Perhaps if our Lord were doing "altar calls," they would be "altar commands."

The reason that I believe the Biblical promises are more commands than invitations is that the Lord Jesus Christ "knows what is best."  He gives promises as commands because without accepting Jesus' promises, we are all lost, "....having no hope, and without God in the world."  That's it, my friend; a perfect description of you and me without walking in the promises/commands of the Lord God.

"Abide," therefore, today, "....under the shadow of the Almighty."  There is nothing but danger any"where" else.  The Bible says that Jesus' commands, "are not grievous."  Why, then, do so many react to commands as such?  His promise-commands are, "for our good always."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to never look at Your promises as something optional.  I cannot exist without them.  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

"When God Went Out Against...."

"....This is a decree (Hebrew: 'law') for Israel, an ordinance (Hebrew: 'statute,' something owed, prescribed') of the God of Jacob.  When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute (Hebrew: 'testimony') for Joseph." (Psalm 81:4, 5-NIV)

Apparently there is a Law-Principle here for you and me in our life's pilgrimage.  Our Lord Jesus Christ "went out against Egypt...," even before we "go out."   Yes, we all know the Ephesians 6 passage which tells us that we, "wrestle against...."  But our, "against," is nothing, it's fruitless, powerless, for naught without, "God went out against...."

Today most of us did our, "went out," already.  But so did, does, and will continue to our Lord Jesus Christ.  If I did not have the confidence that Jesus already, "went out against Egypt," I certainly would not.

What comfort today that our going out into life's uncertainties, which is all of life, because no one knows what the next second will bring, let alone a day, month or year, is "covered" by, "the Blood of the Lamb," Jesus.  Never think when you are "in a fight" that you started it; you didn't.  Jesus did.  He is the Consummate, "....went out against...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am glad when I "go out," You have already.  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

Beware Pop Theology

"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.  In fact, I do not even judge myself.  For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord."  (I Corinthians 4:3, 4)

The word for, "justified," here is the same Greek word used in Romans 5:1, "Therefore, having been justified (declared innocent, guiltless, absolved, acquitted) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  The issue is, By whom am I, "justified"?  My, "having been justified," does not come from me, you, or anyone.  "....But He who judges ('examines, inquires into, investigates, questions) me is the Lord," Jesus Christ. 

I have heard people say over the years, "Well, I'm glad God knows my heart."  Which is usually code for, "I know my heart, and since God knows my heart, He knows I am 'innocent.'"  After hearing this too many times, I once said to a person who propounded such theology, "Yes, and that's what concerns me."  He had the look, "Say what?!?"  What most people mean by, "God knows my heart," is, "'My heart is pure'; ergo, I am, 'innocent.'"  This is very dangerous ground.  "My conscience," is not the "litmus test" of what, "....makes me innocent."  The "litmus text" is, "It is the Lord who judges me."

Only, "The Word of God," Who is Jesus Christ, can, "make me innocent."  To the degree I know and submit to Jesus' Words, is the degree to which I can walk in His "Ways."  If I am not committed to Jesus' Words, I can have no assurance of, "innocent."  I cannot know my heart any more than you can know yours.  Yes, we are called to walk, "circumspectly," to, "examine yourselves."  But no matter what we may find, or think we find, it is not our justification.  "It is the Lord Who judges me," the Lord Jesus Christ Who is my justification before the Living Triune God.  If there is any 'innocency," it is not my "clear conscience."  It is Jesus Blood on the Heavenly Mercy Seat, Jesus' Forgiveness, Jesus' Resurrection.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I could grow weary attempting to justify myself.  Thank You that You have done this.  Amen.
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Please pray for: September 9-18 & October 5-27

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

"Knocked Down, But...Never Knocked Out"

"They said in their hearts, 'Let us destroy them altogether.'  They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land."  (Psalm 74:8)

This is the 15th of the month and the day on which I read our text each month.  As you know, Bonhoeffer marked the date of November 9, 1938 beside this verse in his Bible.  He lived the reality, an actual fulfillment of our text, Kristallnacht. 

The enemies of Israel and the Church over the centuries have attempted to, "....destroy them altogether."  They have failed.  Now there are many verses in the Bible which give us great promises, e.g., "Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence....A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you," and, "no evil shall befall you...."  Many of the Covenant People have "fallen," and their has been much evil which has come against us through the ages, i.e., The Holocaust, and, right to this very day, the slaughter of untold numbers of Followers of Jesus.  Yet Israel and the Church survive. 

The key for me  today is the word, "altogether."  This is so important when people ask the proverbial, "Why?"  Again, it is the old "banks on the river" analogy.  Much chaos is in the "river;" many have perished in the "river," but only to see that beautiful Eternal River described in the Book of Revelation.  "Jesus Christ is Lord/King," now and always.  There never has been, nor shall their ever be an, "altogether," destruction of those, "who follow the Lamb wherever He goes."  Every war has those who die.  Jesus told us this would be so, "And you will be hated by all for My Name's sake.  But he who endures to the end, shall be saved."

Keep this in your mind and heart today, dear fellow sojourner.  Just at Paul told the Corinthians, "We may be knocked down, but we are never knocked out" (Phillips).  Millions have died because of their identity in the Living Triune God.  But as Polycarp said when the super power government of Rome told him he would died if he did not deny Jesus, "Go ahead and kill me; I will just be with my Savior in Glory sooner" (paraphrase).  This is the Truth about you and me.  Even the psalmists noted the suffering of God's People, and Job seem to walk through the very fires of Hell, but just as he, you and I will, "dwell in the House of the Lord Jesus Christ forever"------------ no matter what may, "befall you."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that the only, "altogether," affecting me is Your keeping power.  Amen.
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Berlin Mission:                                                  October 5-27
California, with Pastor Dennis Ortmann:    September 9-18      

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