"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentation 3)
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Saturday, June 10, 2017
Thursday, June 8, 2017
"Where Were You When..............."
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know understanding." (Job 38:4, NASB, today's Wisdom Literature reading)
This is the same response our Lord Jesus Christ gives today------- to the Bill Mahers, your agnostic friends, and any "back-sliders," in the Church: "Where were you....?
The reality of human life, however, is that we were not, "Where...," nor, "....when...." The Bible says, "....We see through a glass darkly," or, "dimly," literally, "in a riddle, enigma," and it is a, "riddle," which no one can figure out. This is classic Divine understatement, because we, "see," so very, very little. I think the reality is that for most of life's moments, we just do not, "....see through," period.
Job's, "miserable comforters," thought they could, "....see through a glass...." Job made no such claim. Rather, we get from Job that he was basically just confused with what he "saw," and fundamentally admitted such. I have said before that the response of the Godhead to Job may seem to many as a sort of "cold" response, a non-"loving" response, insensitive. Well, if someone wants to go there, bon voyage. The truth is, it was the only response Job, and you, and me could "handle." The questions and issues which are raised in the Book of Job, in the rest of Scripture, in philosophy class and the water cooler have no "answer."
What are you attempting to, "see through," today? Only, "God-Breathed," Words will give us any vision of the reality, the truth which you and I can handle. I was not in the, "Where," nor the, "when," of which God spoke to Job. I am here. That is about all you and I can deal with now, and here's a thought--- maybe ever.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I was not, "Where," nor, "when," but I am "now" in You in Jesus. Thank You for bringing me into Your, "Where," and, "when." Amen.
********************
Comey testimony is embarrassing "fake news" outlets: jhs58.blogspot.com
This is the same response our Lord Jesus Christ gives today------- to the Bill Mahers, your agnostic friends, and any "back-sliders," in the Church: "Where were you....?
The reality of human life, however, is that we were not, "Where...," nor, "....when...." The Bible says, "....We see through a glass darkly," or, "dimly," literally, "in a riddle, enigma," and it is a, "riddle," which no one can figure out. This is classic Divine understatement, because we, "see," so very, very little. I think the reality is that for most of life's moments, we just do not, "....see through," period.
Job's, "miserable comforters," thought they could, "....see through a glass...." Job made no such claim. Rather, we get from Job that he was basically just confused with what he "saw," and fundamentally admitted such. I have said before that the response of the Godhead to Job may seem to many as a sort of "cold" response, a non-"loving" response, insensitive. Well, if someone wants to go there, bon voyage. The truth is, it was the only response Job, and you, and me could "handle." The questions and issues which are raised in the Book of Job, in the rest of Scripture, in philosophy class and the water cooler have no "answer."
What are you attempting to, "see through," today? Only, "God-Breathed," Words will give us any vision of the reality, the truth which you and I can handle. I was not in the, "Where," nor the, "when," of which God spoke to Job. I am here. That is about all you and I can deal with now, and here's a thought--- maybe ever.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I was not, "Where," nor, "when," but I am "now" in You in Jesus. Thank You for bringing me into Your, "Where," and, "when." Amen.
********************
Comey testimony is embarrassing "fake news" outlets: 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
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
"We Have A Building From God"
"....We have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens....Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge (down payment)." (2 Corinthian 5:5, NASB)
The Holy Spirit's, "down payment," this, "pledge," is not some gushy feeling, or that too oft quoted cliche, "I know that I know that I know." It is not some ethereal experience. The Holy Spirit's, "pledge," is the testimony to Jesus Christ and what He says. Jesus said, "He will glorify Me." This is fundamental, basic Christianity. I know for certain that I, "....have a building from God,..eternal in the heavens", because "the Bible tells me so."
Our Lord God is the One doing the preparation for anything and everything He has for us. "We have a building from God,..eternal in the heavens." Whatever people think of when they quote, "I know the plans I have for you,..to give you a future and a hope," it is far beyond getting you a better job, better health, better anything here and now. The ultimate, "future and a hope," is that, "building from God,..eternal in the heavens."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for, "the plans [You] have for [me]," that glorious, "building from [You]." Amen.
The Holy Spirit's, "down payment," this, "pledge," is not some gushy feeling, or that too oft quoted cliche, "I know that I know that I know." It is not some ethereal experience. The Holy Spirit's, "pledge," is the testimony to Jesus Christ and what He says. Jesus said, "He will glorify Me." This is fundamental, basic Christianity. I know for certain that I, "....have a building from God,..eternal in the heavens", because "the Bible tells me so."
Our Lord God is the One doing the preparation for anything and everything He has for us. "We have a building from God,..eternal in the heavens." Whatever people think of when they quote, "I know the plans I have for you,..to give you a future and a hope," it is far beyond getting you a better job, better health, better anything here and now. The ultimate, "future and a hope," is that, "building from God,..eternal in the heavens."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for, "the plans [You] have for [me]," that glorious, "building from [You]." 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, June 6, 2017
If You Read Nothing Else, Read This Passage
"Therefore,..we do not lose heart....We have...the...manifestation of the truth..., the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God....For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord....For it is the God Who commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ....We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are...always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested...in our mortal flesh....He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus....Therefore we not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (A Summation of 2 Corinthians 4, from my reading of a few days ago)
In the 57 years since my first "official" preaching experience, this chapter has always been a "favorite" preaching text. It is almost as if one could say, Do you want to know what "it's all about"? Read this.
Neither I nor anyone else on this planet can speak greater words of comfort, empowerment, and life sustenance than the Words of today's text. I would challenge any hurting heart, any discouraged personage, anyone looking for light in the darkness of this present evil age to find anything and anyone which can lift the human soul out of the pit of despair as can our Lord Jesus Christ and These, His Words.
Even though your pain today may not seem as such, "The Word of God," tells us that it is, "light," and, "but for a moment." This is difficult for a suffering soul, weighed down by life, to hear and receive. Yet when one does yield to Jesus and His, "breathed," Words, we find that there is a power beyond any other.
When I started serving Jesus and His Church, I was farther away from the end of this sojourn than I was from the beginning. Now it is the reverse. As I watch Sarah's Mom approach the "crossing of Jordan," I realize more and more just how, "for a moment," is this life. We are all heading in this direction. "Depressing," some will say. Not for any who believe and live by, "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the thing which are not seen are eternal."
I close with that which follows today's text: "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens."
,
Father, in Jesus' Name, What glorious "Gospel." Amen.
***************************************
We really hope and pray that you will pray with us about the October 28-November 15 Mission in Germany. Things are really "heating up" in that land.
In the 57 years since my first "official" preaching experience, this chapter has always been a "favorite" preaching text. It is almost as if one could say, Do you want to know what "it's all about"? Read this.
Neither I nor anyone else on this planet can speak greater words of comfort, empowerment, and life sustenance than the Words of today's text. I would challenge any hurting heart, any discouraged personage, anyone looking for light in the darkness of this present evil age to find anything and anyone which can lift the human soul out of the pit of despair as can our Lord Jesus Christ and These, His Words.
Even though your pain today may not seem as such, "The Word of God," tells us that it is, "light," and, "but for a moment." This is difficult for a suffering soul, weighed down by life, to hear and receive. Yet when one does yield to Jesus and His, "breathed," Words, we find that there is a power beyond any other.
When I started serving Jesus and His Church, I was farther away from the end of this sojourn than I was from the beginning. Now it is the reverse. As I watch Sarah's Mom approach the "crossing of Jordan," I realize more and more just how, "for a moment," is this life. We are all heading in this direction. "Depressing," some will say. Not for any who believe and live by, "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the thing which are not seen are eternal."
I close with that which follows today's text: "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens."
,
Father, in Jesus' Name, What glorious "Gospel." Amen.
***************************************
We really hope and pray that you will pray with us about the October 28-November 15 Mission in Germany. Things are really "heating up" in that land.
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, June 5, 2017
"If You Fear Him, You Need Fear Nothing Else"
"....From Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,....Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this....I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore." (From Revelation 1, yesterday's reading)
This is Historic, "....the faith of Jesus," aka, Christianity. Jesus is, "....the faithful witness...." Jesus is, "....the firstborn from among the dead...." Jesus is, "....the ruler over the kings of the earth." John was told to record for all future generations what he had, "seen, and the things which are, and...will take place...." We see here a sort of, "I have history covered." Our Lord Jesus Christ drives home to John and to all who would accept His Words, in essence, "I live, even though, 'I...was dead,' and take note! 'I am alive forevermore.'" !
So now I share an exhortation from, "The Word of God," with you, the great, "Word of the Lord," from Isaiah. It is a command from the Living Triune God, a command which reveals to you and me that based upon, "I am alive forevermore," we are able to look life directly in the face with the utmost courage and confidence. "The Lord said to me in the strongest terms: 'Do not be afraid that some plan conceived behind closed doors will be the end of you. Do not fear anything except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe.'" (NLT) It always comes back to: Whose "report" do we believe?
Because of the Eternal Reality of the Cross, Jesus' Death and Resurrection, "....you need fear nothing else." Jesus tells us, "Because I live, you will live also." You want proof? "I...was dead, and...I am alive forevermore."
This is Historic, "....the faith of Jesus," aka, Christianity. Jesus is, "....the faithful witness...." Jesus is, "....the firstborn from among the dead...." Jesus is, "....the ruler over the kings of the earth." John was told to record for all future generations what he had, "seen, and the things which are, and...will take place...." We see here a sort of, "I have history covered." Our Lord Jesus Christ drives home to John and to all who would accept His Words, in essence, "I live, even though, 'I...was dead,' and take note! 'I am alive forevermore.'" !
So now I share an exhortation from, "The Word of God," with you, the great, "Word of the Lord," from Isaiah. It is a command from the Living Triune God, a command which reveals to you and me that based upon, "I am alive forevermore," we are able to look life directly in the face with the utmost courage and confidence. "The Lord said to me in the strongest terms: 'Do not be afraid that some plan conceived behind closed doors will be the end of you. Do not fear anything except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe.'" (NLT) It always comes back to: Whose "report" do we believe?
Because of the Eternal Reality of the Cross, Jesus' Death and Resurrection, "....you need fear nothing else." Jesus tells us, "Because I live, you will live also." You want proof? "I...was dead, and...I am alive forevermore."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I choose Your Words over any. 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
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