"Pilgrims Of The Dispersion"

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the Dispersion...."
(1 Peter 1:1)

Even though we are Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, even though, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it," we are still, "pilgrims of the Dispersion...."  The KJV says, "....the strangers scattered...."

Churches in Egypt are at this very moment having their buildings ransacked, burned, furniture destroyed, lives threatened.  So too in parts of Nigeria and many other locations around the world.  And, there are riots in many of America's large cities.  Yes, the "day is coming," but until, "That Day," we are indeed, "....pilgrims of the Dispersion...," in a very hostile environment.

Do not despair, my fellow, "pilgrim."  There is a very real sense to the song, "This world is not my home; I'm just a travelin' through."  Don't hang on to the "stuff" of this world, things, even lost relationships, whatever.  I am so thankful for the now reality, "Christ in you," Christ's Church, our family, our friends.  Yet look around you; all you see is passing away.  As 1 John says, "But he who does the will of God abides forever."  Our relationship in Jesus Christ is the only, "forever," I want.  Indeed, "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the Throne of God and of the Lamb....And there shall be no more curse, but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him."

Father in Jesus' Name, I thank You for this journey, and even more to where it is leading.  Amen.
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If we think our government policies are submissive to Arab/Islamism, read this:  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

"When We Are Cursed, We Bless"

"We work hard with our own hands.  When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.  We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world--- right up to this moment."  (1 Corinthians 4:12, 13--NIV)

And we can add, "right up to this moment", today. 

Most of the world throughout history has regarded the Followers of Jesus as, "the scum of the earth...--- right up to this moment."  But I can tell you also that much, if not most, of the Followers of Jesus have responded with blessing for cursing, persecution with endurance, slandering with kindly answering.  Now while many of us may not feel and act as Paul tells us of himself and those around him, it is, nonetheless, who we are in Jesus Christ.  In other words, this should be our lifestyle. 

Our text is an exact description of Jesus, our Savior and King.  Just consider His time before the Sanhedrin and Pilate.  As we read the Gospels, we see Jesus walking among men as kind, direct, speaking into lives no more nor less than personages needed to hear.  Some of Jesus' Words at times seem insensitive.  For example, when a man asked Jesus to tell his brother to share the inheritance, Jesus responded, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?"  Jesus then said, "....Beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."  Jesus epitomizes "the right word at the right time," or, "in season or out of season."  So you see, our text is not all Mr. Rogers.

Maybe our text is telling us to walk in Isaiah 50:4, "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary."  Every day of our lives we have needed, need, and will need our text.  People who view us as, "scum," and, "garbage," are all around us, though they may not use such words.  Our call is to manifest Jesus to them, and it is not "WWJD."  It is, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Father, in Jesus'  Name, I thank You for what You have said, that "in my heart and in my mind," are Your Words.  I so claim that.  Amen.
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Sarah and I will be going to Florida right after Thanksgiving.

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

"But If They Had Stood In My Council"................

"But if they had stood in My council, then they would have proclaimed My Words to My People, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds."  (Jeremiah 23:22, ESV)

"....stood in My council," aka, "My Words," aka, the Bible.

This is not "soaking," nor praying, nor worship.  Now some think I don't have respect or appreciation for "soaking," praying, or worship.  They could not be farther from the truth.  It is, however, a matter of "priority," if I can say it that way.  "Soaking," prayer, worship, testimonies, "my ministry," etc., are all subjective.  "My council," is objective.  "My council," is nothing but, "The Word of God," Jesus, and the Bible, "the Words of God."  May the Living Triune God help us to read, hear, obey, stand in Them.

Today, if you and I will stand in, "My council," we will turn, "from their (our) evil way, and... deeds."   The word for, "stood," is translated elsewhere in the Bible as, "endured, established, persisted, remained, served."  To me our text is a call for us to endure in Jesus' Words, stay firmly, "established," in Jesus' Words, "persist," in Jesus' Words, "remain," in Jesus' Words, "serve," one another and humanity with/in Jesus' Words.  This is not proof-texting, nor, I-want-to-say-and-do-something-so-I-go-to-the-Bible-for-backup.  There is a standing here which is: I keep my mouth closed and listen, I mean really listen.  I let Jesus do the "talking."  I submit to Jesus' revelation of His Purposes, His Will.  May the epitaph of us all be that we, "stood in [Jesus'] council."

Maybe the hymn writer had something when he penned, "O the pure delight of a single hour that before Thy Throne I spend."  To me, it's an "hour" in Jesus' Words/"Council."

Father, in Jesus' Name, O, may Your, "council," be my council.  Amen.
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We just got a call from the hospital that Sarah's sister is refusing to cooperate with everything they are trying to do for her.  We appreciate your prayers for "direction."
  

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

"....Nothing...Except Jesus Christ...."

(Also access at:  apfdevotionals.blogspot.com)
"....I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony (mystery) about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."  (1 Corinthians 2:1, 2--NIV)

Apparently, any sermon, teaching, testifying, songs, ministry, etc., which are not centered in our text just fall into the category of, "eloquence or human wisdom."  They can be nothing except, "human wisdom," without Jesus, without His Name and Glory central, preeminent, foundational, ruling in everything of the Church.  No "Believer" nor unbeliever should have any doubt, any wavering, and confusion as to Who the Church is "about."

This is so absolutely important.  Do not think for a moment that just because a person claims "born again" status, they are, or if they are, they have not lost the focus, the centrality of Jesus Christ.  I have witnessed this over my entire lifetime.  O, how easily it happens.  First comes "my ministry."  Then comes, "How can we make our church bigger, appeal to more people."  I can tell you that if Jesus Christ is not central in my life or in the life of the Church, people will become central, their "needs," their wants.  If the focus of the Church is "the hurting," the poor, even "the lost," it becomes so easy to have them become "The Church's One Foundation" rather than Jesus.  Now if this sounds cold-hearted to you, you have missed my point.  Only as we live our lives, "Looking unto Jesus," are we empowered to do, "the work of the ministry."  If, "the ministry," is the focus, we are doomed, literally. 

Our text is not telling us to just repeat John 3:16 over and over.  The Holy Spirit is commanding the Church to, "....not come with eloquence," whether in speech or plans, "or human wisdom as [we] proclaim[]...the testimony about God," and/or as we do or say anything.  Rather, we are to, "....know nothing...except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."  I repeat something I have shared over the 52 years of ministry.  When a guest at one of the services of "The Metropolitan Tabernacle" in London heard Charles Spurgeon preach, someone asked him after the service, "Well, what to you think of the prince of the pulpit?"  The guest responded, "I don't know.  But Jesus Christ sure must be a wonderful person."

Father, in Jesus' Name, as You pointed the "original" disciples to Your Son, so may I.  Amen.
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News you are probably not getting anywhere else:   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