Are We Companions?

"I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts." (Psalm 119:63)

I wonder how many, "companion[s]," you and I have.

Have you ever noticed over the years who likes you and who seems not to like you?  Now it can be our personalities, or "intensity," or political views, Bible interpretation, etc., etc.  But there are certain personages who will never be our, "companion."  It is those who do not, "fear You," nor, "keep...precepts," of Jesus.  If you and I are of those who live our lives as those, "who fear You, and...who keep Your precepts," then our "circle of friends" might be small indeed.

We love ("agape") everyone, mostly because we are commanded to, and empowered to by the Indwelling Lord Jesus Christ.  But to be, "a companion," with someone, well, that is another matter.  The word for, "companion," can be translated, "associate,"or, "united."  Now that narrows the field.  Frankly, a Follower of Jesus can only be an, "associate," or, "united," with another Follower of Jesus, which of course means, "all who fear You, and...keep Your precepts."

I am not saying that my life is a judge of others' obedience to Jesus.  But I am saying that if you ever wonder why you just don't "click" with some, the answer could be found in our text.

Father, in Jesus' name, I pray I am a good, "companion, associate."  Amen
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I hope you read the article on Germany and Islam.  As you know, I believe the Anti-Christ will come out of the Germanic People Group.  This growing "connection" with Arab/Islamism and Germany can be a step in the direction leading to Armageddon.  It certainly occurred during the 1930s and '40s.  Please pray for our Mission, October 28-November 15.  We had a significant travel charge added.

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 River That No One Could Cross"

"But our God in the heavens, all that He has pleased He has done."  (Psalm 115:3, Interlinear)

Accept it.

When one reads the Bible, it is all the doing of the Living Triune God, in and through and for Jesus, "in the heavens," here on earth, in men and nations.  Yes, there is what I have called the banks on the river.  Mankind wondering, moving here and there in the backwashes, currents, eddies of history, but it is always within the "prescribed route," or "the banks" of Jesus' purposes, Jesus' plan, the will of Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

I know that sometimes people can feel as though they are being tossed to and fro in "the river," sometimes not seeing any "islands," no shore, no refuge, or "preserve."  The "answers" which religionists attempt to give somehow just keep falling short, leaving many to feel alone and lost in the world.  I'm going to share a Scripture with you which may not appear to enhance a  "correct exegesis" of our text, but for me, it has been a "veiled" blessing.  The passage is from Ezekiel 47:1-5, NIV.

"The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east).  The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.  He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.  As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off 'about 1700 feet' and led me through water that was knee-deep.  He measured off another '1700 feet' and led me through water that was up to the waist.  He measured off another '1700 feet', but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in- a river that no one could cross." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, this sounds exciting and scary at the same time.  But I know, just as You saved Peter, You will continue to save me in Your glorious, "river that no one could cross."  Thank You.  Amen.
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Every mission to Berlin has seen the increasing demise of Western European Culture.  Read more about it 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

"The Race Is Not To The Swift"

"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all."  (Ecclesiastes 9:11, From today's Wisdom Literature)

I wonder how many Bibles have this underlined.

When I was a junior in high school I participated in an indoor track meet with schools from the Tri State area.  Of the 75 hurdlers I had made it to the final six.  I had run against three of the six in previous heats and beaten them.  I had a good chance of at least placing in the top three.  I was leading going over the first hurdle, but hit the second------ the rest is the proverbial history.  Three of the runners whom I had beaten before went flying by.  "The race is not (always) to the swift...."  Then there is the story of the 1924 Olympics which was featured in the great film, "Chariots of Fire."  Harold Abrams won the gold medal, but two tenths of a second slower than the American sprinter, Charles Paddock's world record time of 10.4.  In the final of the 100 meters Pollock, at that point carrying the title of "The world's fastest man," placed fifth.  There are also innumerable incidents in history where mightier forces were defeated by not just fewer, but weaker forces.  And, we can say that here have been, "men of skill," which never received, "favor." 

Now many would say, "What does this have to do with our church services, "faith seminars," and missions conferences?"  Many would say that our text is Old Testament; hence, basically, forget it.  That, indeed, is the approach in life of many who call themselves Christian.  But maybe in the Church we need to have a little more, "Look around;" see what is happening rather than what we want to happen.  This has nothing to do with "faith bashing."  This is an attempt to look at the way "life works."  Is there something here of "an honest look," as opposed to a "rose-colored" look?

"....Say to this mountain....If you ask Me anything....I will do it."  These are the Words of, "The Word of God," Jesus.  And, can I say that if we do this and "nothing" seems to happen, we need to do what Luke 18:1 says, "He gave them a parable to this end, that men should always pray and never give up."  For far too many, when things don't go as they ask, declare, or whatever, they get discouraged, even quit.  Then they often succumb to self-condemnation, "They have the favor of  God, and I don't.  They have faith, and I don't.  They are more righteous than I.  This is what I deserve."  According to Jesus' Words, such reasoning is nonsense.

Stop this, my friend, if you are prone to such thinking, reasoning, theology.  I should have placed at least third in that final, but I didn't.  Perhaps Paddock should have won the 1924 100 meters, but he didn't.  I could give example after example, but the truth of our text remains as a sobering "reality check."  If one reads the Bible, one just cannot come to any reason for quitting in life, no matter what life hands us, even when we may face discouragement after discouragement, even defeat.  Paul said, "For I am persuaded...," and this persuasion was based only upon, "The Words of God."  You and I need such a continual, "I am persuaded." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I trust You.  This is how I desire to continue to live.  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

"Do Not Judge According To Appearance"

"There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous.  I said that this also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 8:14)

The NIV says, "....the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve."  There is not a person reading this who hasn't observed what Solomon observed.  Yet there are still, to this day, the purveyors of, just-do-this-and-everything-will-be-fine, theology.  Anyone with eyes to see knows that as far as we humans can ascertain, "the work of the righteous", does not always go to, "the righteous."

So now what?  Maybe a little re-reading of the Bible comes into play here, and, more particularly, of the Gospels.  Jesus tells us not that we will have "favor" with all, but that we will be, "hated by all."  Christendom is enamored with mega churches, and the assumption by most is, "Well, that's God's favor.  How can you be that successful if God is not with you?"  Look around.

David Brainerd, a great American Missionary, died on his knees in a tent at the age of 29.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer was forbidden by the German Government to speak in public, imprisoned for two years, then hanged at age 39.  I knew a great pastor/evangelist in Czechoslovakia who was banned from preaching and evangelizing by the communist government.  The last time I was with him after the revolution we were meeting in his house with about 10 people.  How do you compare him with the leaders of the 20-30,000 member mega churches?  Does one really want to entertain the idea that the big "ministry" guys have more "favor," more "approval of the Lord;" are they more, "righteous"?

Do not evaluate your life or any other, for that matter, by long life, wealth, or how large the  "ministry," or "loved by many."  You just may be falling into great deception.  "Looking unto Jesus," studying His Words, has never and will never go "out of style."  Perhaps that someone or group whom you have relegated to the "failure" status just may be a source of immeasurable blessing.  Our Lord Jesus commands us, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement."  After preaching to thousands, there were only four at His "Funeral."

Father, in Jesus' Name, May I always, "....judge with righteous judgement."  Amen.
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It's June, but October is coming.

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

"The Lord's Song...Began"

"Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar.  And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel."  (2 Chronicles 29:27)

"The Lord's song...began," when our Lord Jesus Christ died on that Roman cross.  "....He said, 'It is finished!'  And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit." 

Now the "uneducated" would say, "This is morbid, singing at someone's death."  They don't understand.  As the song writer said, "In His Death is my life."  Or perhaps someone might say that, "The Lord's song..," did not begin until Jesus' Resurrection.  Ah, Heaven knew; "It's Friday------- but Sunday's comin."

Maybe you and I should join in, "The Lord's song," when it looks as though we are finished, defeated, no hope.  "O, no.  I'll wait to sing after this is over."  I see; a "resurrection" singer only, huh?

Today, would you "renew covenant" with me, a covenant that, "Yes, even though I walk through the valley of death," I covenant to stir up, "The Lord's song," within me.  "You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance." (Psalm 32:7, Amplified Bible)

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You are my power to live in, "The Lord's song."  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