They Should Have Known

"This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him...."  (Acts 7:38a)

"The Angel who spoke to him," here is our Lord Jesus Christ.  Too many times when the Bible uses the word, "angel," people see wings and created creatures; not so.  The word means, "messenger."  In the Bible the phrase, "the Angel of the Lord," it is a reference to Jesus, "The Messenger," or, "The Word of God."  We can say that Jesus is the "Mind" of God, revealed as, "The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us," or, "Immanuel, God with us."  We can say, "[Jesus] was in the congregation (church) in the wilderness...."  We can also say that if those who were about to kill Stephen had known Him Who, "....was in the congregation in the wilderness," they would have "joined the Church." 

Stephen's long apologetic was a reminder of the Lord God's faithfulness to Israel over its long history.  He rehearsed to them the reason the Sanhedrin should believe in Jesus.  Jesus was the "Promised One."  All that the Living Triune God did in the days of "the fathers" was pointing and moving towards the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in the New Covenant, "which was established on better promises--- a new and living way" (Hebrews).

People today who do not know the "history of God," aka, the Bible, cannot submit themselves to Jesus.  Life and/or God's dealings just makes no sense to them.  "Why does God do things this way," or, "Couldn't God just," or, "How can you believe in a God Who............"  Stephen was operating on the premise that the leaders of the Jews knew the Bible.  Those leaders certainly thought they did when they were killing Stephen.  And then there was, "Saul of Tarsus," who stood by while Stephen was murdered by people who, again, thought they knew the Bible.  Saul would continue for some time in the same deception, that is, until he met Jesus on the road.

Knowing the Bible does not mean that we can quote long passages or are a walking concordance.  Knowing the Bible means living a life of obedience to Jesus Christ, a life which recognizes and supports other Followers of Jesus, a life based upon and in, "The Words of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I always recognize and support all "Stephens."  Amen.
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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

Stephen, A True Servant

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people." (Acts 6:8)

He was a "table-server."  He was a "deacon."  The men whom the Apostles called for were to be, "....full of the Spirit and wisdom...."  It is what all who follow Jesus are called to be.

Most people think today that to have such a, "....wonders and signs..," "ministry" in the Church you have to be what Paul called, "super-apostles," or Oral Roberts, Kathryn Kuhlman, etc.  Yet from what I observe of Stephen, he was a Follower of Jesus, just as you and me.  His "calling" was to serve.  The "rest" of what he went about is the result of a servant's heart.

Maybe there would be less striving in the Church if we would be, "....full of faith and the Holy Spirit...," and go about the life to which Jesus calls us.  Not everyone in the Church does the things which Stephen did.  Now some will say, "Well, that's only because most are not, "....full of faith and power,...and the Holy Spirit...."  Okay, and there may have been a day when I would have thought that-------- but today I'm not so sure.  

There is a a lot in Christendom which manifests nothing but a "religious spirit."  I'm not attempting to excuse the lack of faith with which we all may struggle.  But I see a lot of people who believe that if we are not living a life of what they think was the Apostle Paul's, viz., never sleeping, always preaching, casting out demons, traveling the Empire, no "down time," you just don't "have it." 

The call of our Lord Jesus is always to obedience, to manifest love by serving (1 Corinthians 13).  That is exactly what Stephen was doing---- serving.  Maybe a good description of an "active Christian" should be:  One who serves others in every command of Jesus.  You don't take out a 5013c, or start a church; you go about life serving Jesus by  serving the lost, the sick, the possessed, the Church, the Kingdom.  O, and by the way, less anyone aspires to be like Stephen, it just could get you killed.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I repent of anything which is not obedience to You.  Amen.
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Latest Development with Germans and Arab/Islamism in Berlin:   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

"But You Are...Enthroned In...Praises"

"But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel." (Psalm 22:3)

The word for, "enthroned," can also be translated, "sit, remain, dwell."  The KJV says, "inhabits."  This is Presence, indeed.

So, if you and I want to be among those who, "dwell in the secret place of the Most High," I would suggest a life of continual praise.  There was a person who wrote a book decades ago called, From Prison to Praise.  It was his testimony of breaking free from a life of complaining, distress, even sickness, by learning the lesson of our text.

Worship gets me out of me and into Him; therefore, prudence would call for a life of worship.  It was no allegory when Jesus said, "If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."  Worship is not a "one way street," though.  Many, many times throughout Scripture the Living Triune God heaps love, admiration, and blessing upon His People.  He is not some capricious god who is so "full of himself," just sitting on some throne enjoying adoration of his subjects, always expecting obedience, and adulation, yet never giving, serving, providing, or speaking of love to humanity. 

If one searches the Scriptures, one will realize that there is more expressing of love coming from the Blessed Trinity than from us to Him.  "Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you (Isaiah 43:4)....I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you." (Jer. 31:3)  "For God loved the world this way-- He gave...."

Worship is fellowship.  Worship is participation in the Godhead.  While we express our praise, love, thanksgiving to Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, He is expressing His love, honor, and giving to you and me.  Worship is dwelling, "in the secret place of the Most High," never leaving, unending love and joy and peace.  May you and I be witnesses to, "the secret place."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "I worship You, Almighty God; there is none like 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

"....In The Strongest Terms:..'He Will Keep You Safe'"

"The Lord has 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.'" (Isaiah 8:11-14a, NLT, '96 Edition)

These Words are for Israel, the Church, for you and me, for anyone who will walk in, "....fear Him."  And be sure, nothing, "....will be the end of you", but the Purposes of the Living Triune God!

Notice that Jesus speaks these Words, "....in the strongest terms," which says to me that His Words are not to be trifled with.  Our Lord Jesus gives, "exceeding great and precious promises," as in our text.  But the promises are "alloyed" in commands, "If you fear Him, (then) you need fear nothing else."  There will be fear.  The question is, Whom (what) shall we fear? 

There are many, "....plan[s] conceived behind closed doors...," either from man or the Enemy of man.  "Some plan...," is being conceived right now to, "....be the end of you."  Jesus says, however, that instead of fearing, "some plan," walk in fear of Him.  I can say with certainty that if you and I do not, "fear the Lord," we will inevitably fear something/one else.

Though not available in the NLT then, Our Lord Jesus wrote our text in my mind and in my heart in July, 1970.  Our text brought tears to my eyes this morning, when I think of Jesus' care, mercy, empowerment, day by day--------- moment by moment.  I can tell you that if I did not walk, "....in the fear of the Lord [Jesus]," I would walk in a continual fear as to whether I could navigate all which the Enemy can throw at me.  I share with you the Words of Psalm 56, "In the day I am afraid, I am one who puts my trust in You."  What irony.  I fear the One Whom I love. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I fear not fearing You.  Amen.
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* I am going to DC Thursday, July 13.
* Berlin/Wittenberge Mission, October 28-November 15, 2017

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 Most Important Place On Earth"

"In the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house will be the highest of all- the most important place on earth.  It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship."  (Isaiah 2:2, NLT)

I'm reading the Major and Minor Prophets this quarter in the NLT, 1996 Edition.  It has some very interesting and enlightening translations of many passages; this is one of them.

Someone once wrote of Hegel, that Hegel believed "the course of history as an immutable fact."  There is some truth in this.  I won't repeat my river banks, currents, eddies, and backwashes theory, but the Living Triune God does have certain "things" about history which are "immutable fact."  Our text is one of them.

"....the most important place on earth," Mount Zion, "the Temple Mount."  Now I know you have probably read and/or heard much about, "In the last days,".. but I really can't speak with much "authority" about our text.  What I do know it that, as Billy Graham once said, "History is headed toward a dramatic climax."  In other words, You and I are going somewhere, on a journey, "headed" somewhere and with Somebody.  

For the most part, the world hates Israel, the Jews, the Followers of Jesus.  Those who are aligned with Satan have been attempting our demise from the time of Abel.  Much of your "attacks" come from people who are aligned with him who is still seeking to do what he wanted to do to our Lord Jesus, "And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child."  He failed then and will continue to do so, for his name is "failure."

I don't believe our text speaks of "eternity."  Maybe it is sometime during the Millennium.  I believe in Eternity it will be something like "the Garden."  You and I and all who surrender our lives/wills to Jesus will be in continual fellowship, walking, "in the garden in the cool of the day."  We won't be at the back of some "temple" or auditorium in a huge crowd looking for/at Jesus.  In the mean time, however, it is good to keep in mind that no matter the course of world events, the constant state of "alert" under which the nation of Israel lives, the day is coming when, "....the mountain of the Lord's house will be...the most important place on earth."  I look forward to seeing you there.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I know less than I know.  I am thankful that You know all.  Amen.

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Fall 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