"With Him On The Holy Mountain"

"And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain."  (2 Peter 1:18)

I know I have shared on Peter's testimony a number of times, but every quarter it just keeps getting better and better to me.  It is a sort of declaration to the, "principalities and powers," the agnostics, atheists, the give-uppers, the "I-don't-know-what-to-believe" people, a testimony of Peter that if you just listen to my testimony, you will find that great life in Jesus of, "with Him on the holy mountain."

The problem with many of my fellow seminary students was that they were not, "with Him on the Holy mountain"; therefore, all the writers, professors, theologians who were not, "with Him on the holy mountain," talked many of them out of their faith.  Others never had any, and were fair game for those who were not, or were never, "with Him on the holy mountain."

It's the same with those who are "mad at God," the disillusioned, or any college student who had received Jesus, but then went off and bought into, "the lie."  Once a person is, "with [Jesus] on the Holy mountain," there is no argument, no power in the heavens or the depths of Hell which can shake that person.  John called humanity into this, "with Him on the holy mountain."  He called it, "fellowship," which means, "participation, sharing in."  Once a person has, "participation, sharing in," the Godhead, he is indestructible, that is, as long as he/she continues to abide, "with/in Him on the holy mountain."  Are you "there" today?

Father, in Jesus' Name, You and Your Words are my, "hiding place...on the holy mountain."  Thank You for the invitation to, "participation," to, "a sharing in," You and Your Church.  Amen.
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* Devotional Blog:    apfdevotional.blogspot.com
* News Blog:              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

"....My Hiding Place And My Shield"

"Your are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word." (Psalm 119:114)

The thought occurred to me as I was reading Psalm 119 this month just how my life has been saved, kept going, overcoming because of, "I hope in Your word." 

I don't know what people think of when they talk of, "my hiding place and my shield," or, "the secret place of the Most High."  For me today, however, was another confirmation of the power of Jesus, "The Word of  God," and His Words.  Our text tells me what I found in, "I hope in Your word," so many years ago, "You are my hiding place and my shield." 

It was no emotional experience which "shielded" me that summer of '70.  It was, "I hope in Your Word."  I had no words to pray, no "song in my heart."  All was emptiness.  But day after day, as I read His Words, strength, overcoming power began to energize a "lost soul."  Jesus did exactly what v. 116 says, "Uphold me according to Your Word, that I may live...."  He did/does/ever shall.

I close with some other Words of Psalm 119 which so apply to my testimony.
"The entrance of Your Words gives light....Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet Your commandments are my delights....Revive me according to Your judgments (Words)....I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure....Great peace have those who love Your law/words, and nothing causes them to stumble....Deliver me according to Your Word....My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes....Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Your Words, how marvelous.  Amen.
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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 Darkness Overtakes...."

"When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in." (Psalm 112:4a, NLT)

How is the day treating you so far?  We ask one another that frequently, or at least something like that.  But I really pray your day is going well, in Jesus' Name.  Remember and take such great comfort today, my friend, that, "He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life."

Has, "darkness overtak[en]," you?  This morning I was over at Sarah's Mom checking on her.  I went through the dining room and saw a photo of Stephen at around 3 years of age; panic started to, "overtake[]," me.  I said something like, "Please," then nothing.   Jesus knew, and His, "light...c[a]me bursting in."  No, there was not an emotional, happy, jumping moment, but sort of like a shot.  I was able to go about what I was doing.

Some think my writings reveal a sort of cynicism towards basic, fundamental "tenets of the faith."  They do not.  I believe in prayer, worship, thanksgiving, intercessions.  I can tell you, however, that I don't believe all of this in the life of a believer excludes him/her from, "When darkness overtakes the godly...."  You know this as well as I do.  Do not live in that fake religion of stones skipping across the water.  "....Darkness overtakes..," everyone at some time in life.  Some even seem to live in that "shadow" for great periods of time.  But as assuredly as, "darkness," is, "He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life", Jesus the, "Light of the world", your Light, my Light.

I cannot explain what happened to me this morning, but I can tell you that I am so very thankful that, "When darkness overtakes..," Jesus takes over.

Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You, than You, thank You.  Amen.
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* One of the best articles I have read yet on the Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as one on the continual wake-up call to Europe at:   jhs58.blogspot.com
* Please pray with us for our October 28-November 15 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

"He Is Jesus Christ, The Word of Life"

"The One who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen.  We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands.  He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life.  This One who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen Him.  And now we testify and announce to you that He is the One who is eternal life.  He was with the father, and then He was shown to us.  We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us.  And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We are writing these things to you so that our joy will be complete." (1 John 1:1-4, NLT, 1996 edition)

I talked with one of the organizers of the prayer breakfast here in Johnstown called me today.  Among other things, he asked me for the version from which I read the above text.  I pass it onto you again.

This is "Gospel Central."  Of course we need other passages to tell us of Jesus' Death, Resurrection, Ascension and soon Second Appearing to "complete" the "Gospel Message."  But there has been an alarming decreasing emphasis in recent generations concerning our text.  I simply want to remind you today, my Fellow Lover of Jesus, that, "He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life....He is the One who is Eternal Life."  And, as our First Century Brethren declared, "Salvation is found in NO ONE else, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

Go throughout the rest of your day, my dear friend, in the strength, overcoming power, assurance and joy of the reality in our text.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am so very thankful that Jesus, "Who was in the bosom of the Father," made You known to me.  Amen.
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Remember that you can always access the devotional at: apfdevotionals.blogspot.com
and our News, Commentary at: 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