"In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ....This mystery is that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (From Ephesians 3:4-6, NIV)
Tonight is the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Their history is one of, "exceeding great and precious promises," accompanied by "exceeding great and" violent suffering. How can this be? I don't know. There are millions, however, who have over the years never given up. And, I might add, if ever there were a people group or individuals who had a "reason" to, it is they.
Yet after all the Jews have endured over thousands of years, there are still Jews today who are looking for the Messiah, still praying, "the Words of God," and some who have repented of their sins and received Jesus as That Messiah, King, Savior, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." In short, they have endured.
What about you today? I pray you have not succumbed to any "reason" to be discouraged, tempted to "quit," doubt the promises and Jesus' Faithfulness to us. Consider the great declaration of our text, "....that you will be able to understand...the mystery of Christ,..that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel...." Among so many other wonderful promises, in Jesus Christ, you and I can rejoice that, "If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." This gives further confirmation to the promise, "For all the promises of God in Jesus are Yes, and in Jesus, Amen...." Do we understand, grasp, rejoice today that, "....all the promises of God in Jesus", are ours?
Nothing, no Word in, "the Words of God," are outside of your inheritance. What a motivation to get "into" His Words today. His Words are the great, "Sword of the Spirit," which will combat and defeat any doubt, discouragement, lie of the "water cooler," or of anyone or any place else. It is, "....with Israel, (that we are ) members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." Happy New Year!
Tonight is the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Their history is one of, "exceeding great and precious promises," accompanied by "exceeding great and" violent suffering. How can this be? I don't know. There are millions, however, who have over the years never given up. And, I might add, if ever there were a people group or individuals who had a "reason" to, it is they.
Yet after all the Jews have endured over thousands of years, there are still Jews today who are looking for the Messiah, still praying, "the Words of God," and some who have repented of their sins and received Jesus as That Messiah, King, Savior, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." In short, they have endured.
What about you today? I pray you have not succumbed to any "reason" to be discouraged, tempted to "quit," doubt the promises and Jesus' Faithfulness to us. Consider the great declaration of our text, "....that you will be able to understand...the mystery of Christ,..that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel...." Among so many other wonderful promises, in Jesus Christ, you and I can rejoice that, "If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." This gives further confirmation to the promise, "For all the promises of God in Jesus are Yes, and in Jesus, Amen...." Do we understand, grasp, rejoice today that, "....all the promises of God in Jesus", are ours?
Nothing, no Word in, "the Words of God," are outside of your inheritance. What a motivation to get "into" His Words today. His Words are the great, "Sword of the Spirit," which will combat and defeat any doubt, discouragement, lie of the "water cooler," or of anyone or any place else. It is, "....with Israel, (that we are ) members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." Happy New Year!
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for including me in the, "sharers together...." Amen.
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* I may stay over in DC for the OSCE (Helsinki Commission) Hearing which is on September 28. The Indian Affairs Hearing is the 27th.
* I hope you don't get weary with our request for prayer for our Berlin/Wittenberge Mission.
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
Hebrews 12:2
