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Watchman
Sentinel
Saturday, February 18, 2017
"I Saw the Light / I'll fly Away - David Crowder"
I am not a fan of the "country sound," but as I was reading and praying Psalm 90 today, these songs came to me. I remember hearing them sung by a Teen Challenge group back in 1973, and what a blessing, especially when you consider that these kids had all been delivered in the Blood of Jesus from drugs, etc. I also thought of Sarah's Mom who is about to make that "journey." Uncontrollable tears came to me, not something which happens very often. It was as though our Lord Jesus was saying, "Never forget those 'simple' years. You too 'saw the light,' and some day you too will 'fly away.' Sarah's Mom will make that journey, and at times she just lies there humming, sometimes looking as those she sees something, "Some One?" As the Bible says, "Remember those earlier days after you had received the light...."
Friday, February 17, 2017
"....The Place of Our Sanctuary"
"A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary." (Jeremiah 17:12)
I read the 17th chapter of Jeremiah at what they call, "Ezra's Platform" in "David's Tent," Washington, DC. I spent some time in "the tent" this past Wednesday evening, in prayer, worship, "reflection." What a glorious time to read and have imparted to me, "A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary." The, "glorious high throne," of Jesus Christ, "is the place of our sanctuary." Webster defines "sanctuary" as, "a place of refuge or safety." Regardless, both the "secular" and Biblical meaning refer to a "place." Personally, I prefer the definition, "place of refuge or safety," rather than some sanctimonious definition. I'm obviously still "working on" this.
The, "throne," is, "glorious," because of, "....Him Who sits on the Throne," Father, Son Jesus, "....the Lamb...," and Holy Spirit. This, "Throne," and only this, "Throne... is the place of our sanctuary." This is our "home" and dwelling, "A glorious high throne from the beginning...." There is no greater blessing today than to be children who have as, "....our sanctuary", the very Throne of the Universe.
This was a very costly mission. I had to take a taxi twice (a first for me) to get to various events on time. I have often noticed "the suits" in DC taking cabs as though they were driving their own cars, no thought about expense, etc. I remember thinking how expensive a cab is in Washington, DC, compared to, for instance, Berlin, when I felt the Lord Jesus spoke to me heart, "You are about Government Business" ("My Father's Business"?). It was then that I remembered the great prophetic word which I heard once decades ago, "You are sons of My Presence." I shall never forget that. Jesus lives in you and me, and this, my friend, is what Presence is all about, you and I continually in His Presence, we are, "Sons"/Daughters of His Presence."
Everywhere I walked, slept, ate, both cabs, the CSCE (aka, OSCE) meeting, outside the White House while Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and American President, Donald Trump, were meeting inside, everywhere the sole of my foot trod I was bearing Jesus' Presence. Of course the Godhead is Omnipresent, which means He is always where I or you are not. But in The Holy Spirit, there is a particular manifestation and power in the Church of the Presence of God. Bonhoeffer referred to the Church as Christ's Physical Presence in the Earth. Now that may sound a bit too "high Church" to some, but I am sending you, separately, a portion of Charles Spurgeon's teaching on this. You will find it not only Biblical, but very strengthening and encouraging. "A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary." Doesn't that taste good?!?
Father, in Jesus' Name, I cannot fathom the reality that You live in me. Amen.
I read the 17th chapter of Jeremiah at what they call, "Ezra's Platform" in "David's Tent," Washington, DC. I spent some time in "the tent" this past Wednesday evening, in prayer, worship, "reflection." What a glorious time to read and have imparted to me, "A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary." The, "glorious high throne," of Jesus Christ, "is the place of our sanctuary." Webster defines "sanctuary" as, "a place of refuge or safety." Regardless, both the "secular" and Biblical meaning refer to a "place." Personally, I prefer the definition, "place of refuge or safety," rather than some sanctimonious definition. I'm obviously still "working on" this.
The, "throne," is, "glorious," because of, "....Him Who sits on the Throne," Father, Son Jesus, "....the Lamb...," and Holy Spirit. This, "Throne," and only this, "Throne... is the place of our sanctuary." This is our "home" and dwelling, "A glorious high throne from the beginning...." There is no greater blessing today than to be children who have as, "....our sanctuary", the very Throne of the Universe.
This was a very costly mission. I had to take a taxi twice (a first for me) to get to various events on time. I have often noticed "the suits" in DC taking cabs as though they were driving their own cars, no thought about expense, etc. I remember thinking how expensive a cab is in Washington, DC, compared to, for instance, Berlin, when I felt the Lord Jesus spoke to me heart, "You are about Government Business" ("My Father's Business"?). It was then that I remembered the great prophetic word which I heard once decades ago, "You are sons of My Presence." I shall never forget that. Jesus lives in you and me, and this, my friend, is what Presence is all about, you and I continually in His Presence, we are, "Sons"/Daughters of His Presence."
Everywhere I walked, slept, ate, both cabs, the CSCE (aka, OSCE) meeting, outside the White House while Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and American President, Donald Trump, were meeting inside, everywhere the sole of my foot trod I was bearing Jesus' Presence. Of course the Godhead is Omnipresent, which means He is always where I or you are not. But in The Holy Spirit, there is a particular manifestation and power in the Church of the Presence of God. Bonhoeffer referred to the Church as Christ's Physical Presence in the Earth. Now that may sound a bit too "high Church" to some, but I am sending you, separately, a portion of Charles Spurgeon's teaching on this. You will find it not only Biblical, but very strengthening and encouraging. "A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary." Doesn't that taste good?!?
Father, in Jesus' Name, I cannot fathom the reality that You live in me. 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
Hebrews 12:2
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
"For Here We Have No Continuing City...."
"For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." (Hebrews 13:11-14)
This is all I needed/need today for "blessing." This is what I desperately needed 47 years ago. This is what blessed-saved me then; this is what blesses-saves me today.
I recently finished the Book of Hebrews. Our text is a sort of summation, or a, "What is the conclusion then?" Hebrews is the Gospel to the Hebrews, or an "explanation" to the Hebrews, and to all of us, concerning the relationship of the Old and New Covenants. The Epistle's beginning is indeed a beginning, "God, Who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us in His Son...." This is classic, "The Last Word," as well as the Only Word. Our text tells us that in order to bring us into the Heavenly Family, to bring us into the intimate fellowship in the Godhead, to grant forgiveness of sin, "....Jesus also...suffered outside the gate."
This is all I needed/need today for "blessing." This is what I desperately needed 47 years ago. This is what blessed-saved me then; this is what blesses-saves me today.
I recently finished the Book of Hebrews. Our text is a sort of summation, or a, "What is the conclusion then?" Hebrews is the Gospel to the Hebrews, or an "explanation" to the Hebrews, and to all of us, concerning the relationship of the Old and New Covenants. The Epistle's beginning is indeed a beginning, "God, Who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us in His Son...." This is classic, "The Last Word," as well as the Only Word. Our text tells us that in order to bring us into the Heavenly Family, to bring us into the intimate fellowship in the Godhead, to grant forgiveness of sin, "....Jesus also...suffered outside the gate."
"Therefore let us go forth to Him...." Where? "....outside the gate." Or, "....Let us go outside...," where no one wants to go or live, where there is death, decay, ugliness. We have so many pretty crosses today. That Cross was not "pretty;" there was death on either side of Jesus, poor, hopeless, helpless humanity, that is, until one cried out to Jesus, "Remember me...." On His Cross, "....outside the gate", Jesus did. And, Jesus does today. Jesus remembers all who, "call upon Him," because Jesus, "....suffered outside the gate", for all.
Every time I read our text, it is as though the Holy Spirit is saying to me, "Let us take a walk today. Let us go to that place which is a revulsion to most, 'but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God.'" We are told that place was the city garbage dump of Jerusalem, but it was/is much more. It is a garbage dump because it was where Jesus, "....destroyed the works of the Devil", the "garbage," if you will, of humanity. Now to many in Christendom this whole devotional would not be "edifying." They don't like the bloody death scene of Golgotha. They want a pretty religion, pretty meeting places, pretty meetings, and they want them inside, "the gate." But just look at the world. Where is the pretty? "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come", which is very pretty.
Father, in Jesus' Name, again and again I must say, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet." Amen.
****************************
* Washington, DC, Mission: February 15 & 16
* Berlin/Lutherstadt Mission: October 28-November 15
* Read about the latest development between Germany and Israel: 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
Hebrews 12:2
Monday, February 13, 2017
Two Words: "Never" and Always
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b, NIV)
I have met people in my life time who do not believe this, even though they were "tongue-talking," hand-raising, church, worship-gathering, seminar-going people. It is easy when we are just operating in our minds and "feelings" to come to such a conclusion, not, however, if we are Believers, viz., those who receive, accept, and base their life upon the very, "Word of God," as stated in our text.
Jesus says, "Never will I leave you," yet your body may tell you that is not true. Jesus says, "Never will I forsake you," yet your finances may indicate otherwise. Jesus says, "Never will I leave you," yet everything in one's life may be saying, "Don't believe this." Okay, it sounds rather cliche, but, "Whose report do you believe?" Yes, someone wrote a song about this, but more importantly, Jesus Christ, the very, "Word of God," Himself asks us this, "Who has believed our report?"
I wonder if it is sort of like a "multiple choice" quiz. One source says this and another one says that. Which one do we accept, not in our minds or our speech, but in our action, life style? I do not "feel" today's text. I am living in it/Him, His Word written, "into their minds and, and in their hearts." Romans 10 tells us that salvation is dependent upon what we, "confess ('agree with') your mouth," and, "believe ('entrust') in y0ur heart." Notice, feelings have no place in our walk. The longer I go, the less I trust "feelings." Brother Charles once said, "We don't go by feelings, but sometimes it's good to feel what you are going by." Okay, but don't depend on them. When our Lord Jesus says, "Never," that settles it, sunny day or cloudy day, "checks in the mail" or not.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I, "agree with," and, "entrust," my life to Yours Words. Amen.
****************
Please pray for:
* DC Mission, February 15 & 16
* Berlin/Wittenberg Mission, October 28-November 15
I have met people in my life time who do not believe this, even though they were "tongue-talking," hand-raising, church, worship-gathering, seminar-going people. It is easy when we are just operating in our minds and "feelings" to come to such a conclusion, not, however, if we are Believers, viz., those who receive, accept, and base their life upon the very, "Word of God," as stated in our text.
Jesus says, "Never will I leave you," yet your body may tell you that is not true. Jesus says, "Never will I forsake you," yet your finances may indicate otherwise. Jesus says, "Never will I leave you," yet everything in one's life may be saying, "Don't believe this." Okay, it sounds rather cliche, but, "Whose report do you believe?" Yes, someone wrote a song about this, but more importantly, Jesus Christ, the very, "Word of God," Himself asks us this, "Who has believed our report?"
I wonder if it is sort of like a "multiple choice" quiz. One source says this and another one says that. Which one do we accept, not in our minds or our speech, but in our action, life style? I do not "feel" today's text. I am living in it/Him, His Word written, "into their minds and, and in their hearts." Romans 10 tells us that salvation is dependent upon what we, "confess ('agree with') your mouth," and, "believe ('entrust') in y0ur heart." Notice, feelings have no place in our walk. The longer I go, the less I trust "feelings." Brother Charles once said, "We don't go by feelings, but sometimes it's good to feel what you are going by." Okay, but don't depend on them. When our Lord Jesus says, "Never," that settles it, sunny day or cloudy day, "checks in the mail" or not.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I, "agree with," and, "entrust," my life to Yours Words. Amen.
****************
Please pray for:
* DC Mission, February 15 & 16
* Berlin/Wittenberg Mission, October 28-November 15
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
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Ecclesiastes 12 ("The Conclusion Of The Whole Matter")
"The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of the scholars (literally, 'masters of the assemblies') are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd." (Ecclesiastes 12:11)
Could this be an ancient, "Nailed it?" Nothing could better describe, "the words...given by one Shepherd," Jesus. For me, "The Word of God," Jesus, in and through and by His Words saved, is saving and will continue to save me, "....life to those who find them," Him.
The Amplified Bible says, "The words...are like [prodding] goads, and these collected sayings are [firmly fixed in the mind] like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this my son [about going further than the words given by one Shepherd], be warned...."
Of course, everyone knows, "....the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." I read in one of my readings yesterday, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law...; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." We could say, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and...love your neighbor as yourself."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the Book of Ecclesiastes. Amen.
************************
Please pray for my time in Washington, DC, February 15 & 16
Could this be an ancient, "Nailed it?" Nothing could better describe, "the words...given by one Shepherd," Jesus. For me, "The Word of God," Jesus, in and through and by His Words saved, is saving and will continue to save me, "....life to those who find them," Him.
The Amplified Bible says, "The words...are like [prodding] goads, and these collected sayings are [firmly fixed in the mind] like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this my son [about going further than the words given by one Shepherd], be warned...."
Of course, everyone knows, "....the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." I read in one of my readings yesterday, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law...; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." We could say, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and...love your neighbor as yourself."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the Book of Ecclesiastes. Amen.
************************
Please pray for my time in Washington, DC, February 15 & 16
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
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