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Friday, August 11, 2017

"Sleep On Now, And Take Your Rest"


"This is My Blood of the Covenant....Sleep on now, and take your rest; it is enough, the hour is come...." (Mark 14:24 & 41a, KJV))

They could, "Take your rest," because our Lord Jesus was "doing the work."  We have no idea, nor shall we ever-- "O, Sacred Head, Now Wounded."

Somehow humanity has never quite gotten the message.  Jesus said, "It is finished," or, It is over, or literally, "I pay, I end, I accomplish."  And contained in that, "'I accomplish/pay/end' work of the Cross" is the very life of, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough...."  That is, the "work" needed for our salvation, which includes our peace, healing, deliverance from and forgiveness of sin, our preservation, Jesus "end[ed]." 

"....My Blood of the Covenant," gives you and me the ability to face life in a, "Sleep on now, and take your rest."  Now I know some are thinking, "What do you mean, 'sleep on now'?  We are supposed to be hard workers."  Okay, if you are talking of "providing" for your family, contributing to society, taking the Gospel to the nations, yes, it is work.  But there is a work which is not work.  It is working in a sort of attempt to justify one's existence, an attempt to escape from life.

I say it again, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough," for Jesus', "....Blood of the Covenant," has brought you and me peace, has enabled us to walk in, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Even if your work is so hard that your heart rate at times goes over 100, there is in Jesus a, "Sleep on now, and take your rest...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I cannot "understand" Gethsemane, but am so thankful that Jesus' bore all for me.  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

Thursday, August 10, 2017

"The Dwelling Places of the Most High"

"There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the Holy of the dwelling places of the Most High." (Psalm 46:4, Interlinear))

"Tabernacles," or, "dwelling places," is how the Interlinear Hebrew Bible translates the word for, "tabernacle," in some other translations.  "Out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water."  You know these Words are Jesus' Words.  His River makes me very glad, refreshing me in, "the Holy of the dwelling places of the Most High", One of which is right here, right now.

I read my Psalms to Norma this morning, and played "Be Thou My Vision."  She opened one eye and her breathing became stronger.  No, I don't think this is a "delay" in the inevitable.  I do, however, believe that our Lord Jesus was definitely manifesting as, "The Lord...[her] Shepherd."
  Everyone of those closest to me passed from this life in a matter of minutes, some in seconds.  This is different.  I don't know what is going on in her, what is going on in, "Thy will be done...."  But my prayer for now and always is, "Be Thou (Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit) My/her Vision....Be Thou my/her Battle Shield, Sword for the fight.., I/she ever with Thee Thou with me/her Lord,..Thou in me/her dwelling and I/she with Thee one." 

The older I get the simpler things are to me.  Some people think life is so "complicated," so complex, demanding the experts to explain everything to us; pundits of all religions, philosophies and books on "true worship" and "how to pray" abound.  I felt like Isaac today as I was with Norma, "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field...."  There he was, alone, just a man and his God.  Nobody had to teach him the mechanics of "worship" or "how to pray."  Jesus tells us, "Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven", or worship, or prayer, or anything to do with, "the Kingdom of Heaven."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Holy Spirit, by Your grace and mercy, keep me from being, "corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  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

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

"Be Thou my vision"

"They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures." (Psalm 36:8)

I have started a new morning "routine."  I read my five Psalms and one in the Wisdom Literature.  I then worship with the video below, "Be Thou My Vision."

I have a number of songs which I like above the so many others written throughout time.  But I can tell you that "Be Thou My Vision" has become a sort of "mine."  I cannot remember the first time I heard it; it was decades ago.  But as I was singing along with it yesterday, it was so expressing my love, adoration, praise to the Living Triune God.  Quite frankly, it has been since the Fall of 1971 since I have experienced such worship.

The great Dallas Seminary Professor, and the man who was the pastor of a congregation which I was a part of during my freshman year in college, Dwight Pentecost, once said, "The Holy Spirit accompanies music."  Yesterday for me, that was a classic understatement.

"Be Thou My Vision."  This morning I thought, So many people talk of "vision."  It usually has to do with their "ministry," their desires and goals for their personal lives.  We should all "revisit" such.  But I can tell you that nothing expresses my desire for "vision" better than this song.

Our text today says it so clearly to us all, "....And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."  Worship with this song yesterday and today has been, "of Your pleasures."  Jesus tells us of His, "river of...pleasures," when He invited all who were thirsty to come and drink of the Water which is Jesus Himself.  "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink....As the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  May you and I drink, "....from th[is] River of [Jesus'] pleasures", the rest of our life.  What great preparation for "the life to come."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want no other "vision" than You.  Amen.


KTBTIB Nottingham has shared a video with you on YouTube
Be Thou my vision



Monday, August 7, 2017

Woody's Devotional: "Be Thou my vision"

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1)

I have frankly not experienced worship like I have been experiencing worship this morning.  Tears just cannot stop flowing, and this at a song written almost 1300 years ago.  I have heard this before and sung this before, but just as with Jesus' Words, each new day can bring a new and wonderful manifestation of our Living Triune God.  Please watch the video below, and listen----- and worship with me.

Woody



KTBTIB Nottingham has shared a video with you on YouTube
Be Thou my vision
by citrail
Traditional hymn.


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