It Is All "From Top To Bottom"

"Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land....And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His Spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many." Matthew 27)

"Well might the sun in darkness hide, and shut its glories in, when God, the Mighty Maker, died for man the creature's sin."  He had already been suffering in agony for three hours.  I have never known why the Good Friday Services are only 3 hours long.  "There was darkness over all the land," because "the sun refused to shine."  But the "darkness" of my sin had Our Savior suffering, bleeding, bearing my, "sins in His Body on the tree," for three hours prior to the recorded, "....darkness over all the land...."  Sobering, to know that it was my sin which caused, "....darkness over all the land...." 

Notice that right after our Lord, "Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His Spirit," we read a giant, "....BEHOLD...."  Of course we have all read what I read yesterday for my Gospel reading.  But because the, "God-Breathed," Words are, "alive and active," still breathing the Breath of Jesus into my being, I experienced a fresh "energizing."  First of all, "The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."  Of course, "The Christ Event," was a, "from top to bottom," event.  It was all the Godhead, everything, in His Heart from before the foundation of the world.  My tears could not have torn that veil, nor my prayers, nor all the good things I could ever think of or do.  "For what the law could not do..., God did"!  And let us be very clear; It is equally true that what you and I, "could not do..., God did."

Furthermore, there was "an extra added attraction."  We read that, "....the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many...," arose after Jesus arose.  Now, I'm thinking here that the earth quaking and the rocks splitting and the graves being opened, all set the scene for, "....the saints...coming out of the graves after His resurrection."  For the Bible tells us that Jesus is, "the Firstborn from among the dead"; therefore, the dead saints had to await Resurrection Sunday.  But can you imagine what swept through Jerusalem when, "....the graves were opened..."?  There were no, "....bodies of the saints," yet appearing, but it was as though a mighty procession, a mighty "pomp and circumstance" was about to take place, indeed, a prelude, if you will, of the great Day of the "general resurrection of the dead."

I'm sorry that my devotionals seem to be turning into books.  But I pray that you allow, "The Word of God," to produce the same energy and joy in you today as He as in this writer.

Father, in Jesus' Name, Glorious, "....darkness over all the land...," glorious shout, "It is finished", glorious rending of, "the veil of the temple...," and glorious anticipation of That Day when You, "descend from Heaven with a shout, a glorious command...," and we all arise.  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

"....Exactly As I Have Been Told"

"'Men,' he said, 'I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on-- shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.'" (Later)  "Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned." (Later)  "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.  Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."  (Acts 27)

Now wait, Paul.  Do you know that you could have just rebuked that storm, "declared" the favor of the Lord and smooth sailing?  What's the matter with you?

If you listen so some Christian "pundits," you would get the idea that if you just do what they tell you to do, you will have no problems, always healthy, always plenty of money, favor with everyone, every time you pray, a parking spot appears, just for you.  For so many religious people, if they would have been traveling with Paul, they just would not have allowed all that "trouble" to happen.  You can bind and loose your way out of anything.  But this is not the reality of life, yes, life in Jesus, life in His Kingdom, and the life of the Church.  If you do not read all of the Bible regularly, you will fall for the hyped religion------------ sooner or later.

Notice in our text that Paul could still "hear from" Jesus all during the violence of the wind, large wave swells coming over the ship, desperate measures taken by the crew to save themselves.  At one point, perhaps when the storm was the most violent, Paul had an encounter.  "For this very night an angel of the God to Whom I belong and Whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar.'"  And with this assurance Paul said, "....I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told."  Okay, so far, so good, right?  But wait.

"Nevertheless...."  Ah, yes, that old, "Nevertheless," in life.  But it is many times in the, "Nevertheless," where we see the full extent of the power, faithfulness, glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Who does not like to hear the prophecy, "I am going to use you mightily.  There is coming a season of great favor and anointing.  You will have more than enough money to do all that He has called you to do."  Like a telegram, "Stop."  But life does not have a, "Stop."  Life goes on, and many times what too many "prophets" don't tell you is, "Nevertheless."  I have had many of them.

What really gave me a renewed encouragement today was what Jesus told Paul, "Don't be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar."  Paul's life was totally committed to Jesus Christ.  We have no record, during that violent storm and subsequent shipwreck, that Paul said to Jesus, "Why is this happening to me?  I remind You of all the prophecies which I have received, and they certainly didn't include this!"  No, nothing of the kind came from this lover of Jesus, and one absolutely surrendered to Jesus.  Paul was in the same storm as the rest.  Paul was getting tossed about, wet and cold.  But Paul could hear, "The Word of God."  He was abiding in Christ and Christ was abiding in Paul.  This, my friend, is life's Sustenance, true "Life Preserver."

I can say to you today what Paul said on that ship, in the middle of perhaps the most frightening experience of his life, "Therefore, keep up your courage,...for I believe God that it (life) will turn out exactly as I have been told," viz., by my source, "The Word of God," in His, "God-Breathed," Words, the Bible.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that my only expectation in life is, "....that it will turn out exactly as I have been told...."  Amen
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Please pray for my participation in prayer gatherings, two on May 4, and one with many business and political leaders here in Johnstown, May 10.

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

"....Come Before Winter."

"Be diligent to come to me quickly....Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come....Do your utmost to come before winter." (2 Timothy 4)
"Please come as soon as you can." (NLT)  "Try your best to come [to me] before winter." (Amp)

This sounds like a plea to me, someone in great need.  Now most would say that "spiritual" people don't talk like this.  Okay--------- but human beings do.  "Spiritual" people have to so impress everyone with some "rugged individualism's misinterpretation of, "I can do all things...," that they cannot say, "Be diligent to come to me quickly....Try your best to come [to me] before winter."  They must keep up that "I'm untouchable by life."  Okay; then they're on their own.

I was sharing once in a Bible seminar in Eastern Poland during the communist era with a group of university students.  When I spoke of some of Paul's "humanness," one student said, "O, that's not St. Paul."  That was her problem.  He was Saint Paul.  To religious people, the Sunday School class, and worship service people this is not the Apostle Paul, the Saint Paul they have heard about.  The only Paul they know is the missionary who traveled over much of the Roman Empire, never slept, worked 24 hours a day preaching, passing out tracks, conducting planning meetings, has churches named after him, "St. Paul's."  How could this Paul possibly have been so needy as to say to a young man, and his disciple at that, "Be diligent to come [to me] quickly"?  And, "It is cold here.  Please bring my coat."

In this letter to a young disciple, Paul speaks of betrayal and, dare I say it, loneliness, "....Demas has forsaken me....Only Luke is with me....Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm....The first time I came before the judge, no one came with me.  Everyone abandoned me."  No, I do not believe Paul was complaining or "moaning" in defeat.  He said, "But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me...."  But why is it that we do not allow people to say they are lonely, or to say, "'Please come as soon as you can'----------- because I need you?"  I tell you right now, my friend, I repent of any time someone made such a request, and I did not respond, "....as soon as you can."

No one knows, nor will ever know the agony of the Cross, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Again, most of the "Seven Last Words From The Cross" services put a "divine spin" on this cry of our Lord Jesus.  But as the "God/Man," what was going on?  Theologians say that it was because Jesus was bearing our sin, that Father is as Habukkuk 1 says, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity."  Okay.  But what about abandonment?  What about loneliness?  Remember the Garden?  "Father, if You are willing...."  I have seen over the years so much hurt which people try to cover and bear on their own, trying to maintain the facade of spiritual strength.  But if this is you today, remember that among all the maladies of humanity, Jesus bore loneliness, abandonment, fear, grief, "in His own body on the tree."  And remember also that, "bear one another's burdens," is the privilege and duty of the Church.

Now I am not attempting to deny the, "power of God for salvation," viz., to deliver, heal, keep, empower, strengthen, over come, "by the Blood of the Lamb."  What I am attempting to do is encourage you to be a human being, accepting our limitations, that it is okay to feel alone in the world, to be upset with abandonment, betrayal, and perhaps most of all, be able to share your deepest needs with others who are Fellow-Followers of, "the Lamb wherever He goes."  No one was ever intended to "go it alone!" 

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I be such a person, a person who will not judge, condemn, nor abandon anyone of Your Sheep which is alone on life's cliff.  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

A Heavy Heart" May Need More Than "Songs"

"Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart."  (Proverbs 25:20)

Now some may be confused with this.  "Shouldn't I be, "'one who sings songs to a heavy heart'"?  Shouldn't I say, "Come on, brother, let's just praise the Lord, ask for "favor," believe Him for a miracle?"  No!  Not if those songs and all the cliches are not dealing with the real issues of that, "heavy heart."

I have noticed over the years of my life (not just in "ministry") that there are "spiritual" people who are quite "active" in church, ministries, etc., but who also have issues with which they have not dealt, and/or with which they do not deal.  This is true not only of religious folk, but also non believers.  A "hard worker" can just be a "hard" escaper."  Many times it is the most "active," the "hardest workers," the "busiest" who are most attempting to run from heartache.  Their energy in "work," and/or religious service is driven by an attempt to deal with some deep, perhaps even decades old problems, hurts, disappointments, grief.  They may dance harder, shout louder, testify more frequently, go on more mission trips, but it is just an attempt to deal with that, "heavy heart."  This is deeply heartbreaking.   

A person who stands and prophesies over someone and appeals to their energetic "zeal for the Lord," but sees that there is something going on which is much deeper, is only a, "false prophet."  It is nothing but prophecy for their own approval.  I pray, with the help, grace, and empowerment of our Lord Jesus Christ, never to do this, never to pray with some hurting individual who is going on and on about their religious activity, while I can see they are hurting very deeply over something.  I refuse to be, "one who sings songs to a heavy heart", and not attempt to bear that burden with them.

My dear, dear friend in Jesus Christ, never allow this to go on.  Find some trusted Follower of Jesus, some Lover of Jesus Christ and His Words, someone who you know will help you through that smokescreen and get to the real pain.  Do not let pride and vanity keep you from surrendering it all to Jesus, as the song writer said, "Tell it to Jesus, He is a friend that's well known."  But then also take advantage of being a member of His Church.  Find those with whom you can be honest and are those who really desire to, "bear one another's burdens."  Life is too short, too precious to find us in the attempt to cover over, "a heavy heart," rather than allowing King, Savior, Lord, Deliverer, Sin-Bearer Jesus to heal your deepest wounds, and, to allow His Followers to, "bear one another's-heavy heart. "

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never be one, "who sing songs to a heavy heart," then walks away with that precious heart still heavy.  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

How Badly Do You Want It?

"The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's; but the earth He has given to the children of men."  (Psalm 115:16)

The first question which came to me when I read our text yesterday morning was, "How badly do you want it?"  The NIV says, "The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth He has given to mankind."  Notice that our text does not mention any particular people group or "religious affiliation," just, "the children of men," or, "mankind." 

Lest some think I am pulling an idea out of context of the whole of Scripture, I remind you of Genesis 11.  Mankind, "....had one language and one speech."  You will remember that they then determined to, "....make a name for ourselves...."  Yes, as He has done all throughout history, "But the Lord came down to see...(what) the sons of men had built."  He then affirmed the "theology" of our text.  "And the Lord said, 'indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.'"  But, as the Great "Banks of the river" of history, Jesus frustrated their plans.  Father, Son, Holy Spirit said, "Come, let Us go down and there confuse...."  I pray this regularly for all who oppose the reign of Jesus Christ and the Principles of His "Law/Word" throughout the Earth.  

History has proven that every empire, government, revolution was won by those who wanted it most.  I can think of no exceptions, Lenin, Hitler, Muhammad, the Romans, Alexander, and so on.  They all started out small, but with sheer will and determination, and wanting "it" more badly than others, our text was fulfilled in them all.  This has governed all nations of history, certainly the United States of America.  In our case, elections are won by whoever can most succeed in the "get-out-and-vote" campaigns.  Historically, American "born-againers" are mostly stay home, hand-raising talkers, while anti-Christ forces work tirelessly, and spend more money than those who claim to believe in superior moral principles.  The sad reality of America has not changed for me: The Followers of Jesus could be running this country if only we would want it more "badly" than others.

There is a real sense in today's text that the earth belongs to whomever, the Arab/Islamists, communists, National Socialists, Russia, England, America.  Historically, "the children of men," have ruled, taken over nations and established empires by force of arms, battles, wars.  Yet our Lord Jesus says that, "the gates of Hell," would not be able to resist the Church (Modern day Romania is a good example of this).  You probably know by now that I translate, "Go and make disciples of all the nations," as, "Go and take over, 'all the nations.'"  Inclusive in the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ is the enablement, the empowering to do what He commands; this is the provision of Pentecost.  Jesus never commanded that which we are not able to obey.  The only variable is, "How badly do you want it?"  I have been renewed by today's text.

Father, in Jesus' Name, please forgive me of any passivity.  Amen.
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* I will be participating in three pray gatherings over the next couple of weeks.  Any prayers appreciated.

* 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