"Too Wearisome" Or Too Wonderful, Which Do We Choose?

"But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." (Psalm 73:16, 17-- ESV)

The Amplified says, "....it was too great an effort for me and too painful...."  When people attempt to figure out, or, "....how to understand..," life's mysteries, it is indeed, "....a wearisome task...";  Therefore, the conclusion of the matter is: Don't!

The 1599 Geneva Bible's footnote says, "Until I entered into Thy school and learned by Thy Word and Holy Spirit, that Thou orderest all things most wisely and justly."  What a tremendous exhortation by 1599 Followers of Jesus.  The, "peace which passes understanding," can only be ours when we accept this "footnote."  It is only when I get "out of myself" and "into Thy School," that I can learn and "discern."  But even then, can we agree that we will never, "understand this," at least the way most want to "understand."  Maybe here is a good time to remind ourselves, "Be still, and know that I am God."

What a marvelous time I had this morning as our Lord Jesus, "....cleanse[d me] with the washing of water by the Word,.." in my Psalms reading and listening.  It was the opposite of, "....too great an effort for me...."  How absolutely refreshing and pleasant.  Some people call it "quiet time," but no matter.  It is time "apart" from the, "cares of this life,.." and enjoying the same as our Lord Jesus says, "I have desired to eat this Passover with you."  But it is more.  The desire of the Living Triune God is moment by moment refreshing, moment by moment fellowship, right now, no matter what you have been doing and will do, Jesus, "ever-present help...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the, "times of refreshing," this morning------- and now--------and always.  Amen.
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Prayers for the following, greatly appreciated:
* I will be preaching in two different Church gatherings, October 1 & 8.
* In a couple of weeks, I will be sending our final payment for our Berlin flat.
* I will be in DC on September 27.

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

"Right There We Rejoiced"

"He turned the sea into dry land so they could cross the river on foot.  Right there we rejoiced in Him!" (Psalm 66:6, CEB)

"....Right there we rejoiced...!"  I need more, "Right there...," in me.

Have you ever noticed that most of the thanksgiving, praise, worship, shouting, dancing is after the "answer?"  We all watch as we are praying for someone, wait to hear of someone's salvation, safe return, etc.  When they are healed, when they are saved, when someone arrives home safely, then the clapping, the rejoicing begins.  If not,............  Our text tells us something of a Kingdom Principle.  Let the rejoicing begin before, "Right there...."

Are you in a "depths" today?  If not, you probably have been, and, if history shows us anything, there is no guarantee that we may not again have to, "....cross[] through the river on foot."  But even now, you and I can rejoice in Jesus.  All His promises are, you know it, "Yes and Amen."  The song writer put it this way: "Jesus Never Fails," never fails in His promises, never fails, period.  The problem with far too many of us is that we look at how things don't seem to work out and then have some reservations on the, "....never fails," part.

Some of us "old timers" in the Renewal remember a book by a World War 2 Vet, Merlin Carothers, From Prison to Praise.  One reviewer said that "this is not about a prison with bars, but about a prison of circumstances."  In essence, the book is about praising our way out of depression, "unanswered prayers," defeatism, etc.  In other words, praise should be the life style of the Follower of Jesus before the "answers," not just after.  Praise our Lord Jesus now, give thanks now, not just "on the other side," but in the midst of the "sea," whatever that may be in our lives.

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive my tendency to praise "after."  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

What Does, "Bread of Life," Mean To You?

"....Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me...because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you...."  (John 6:26-27b)

Why did you "seek" Jesus, and why do you still "seek" Jesus?

Our Lord Jesus is, "....the food which endures....I am the Bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst....This is the Bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread...."  Jesus is not the food which wears out, becomes stale, no longer producing nutrients.  Jesus is the Bread of God, "....that one may eat of it and not die."  He Is Eternal Bread.

I submit to you that along with whatever theologians or you and I may think that, "I Am the Bread of Life," means, could it be that primarily the Bread of Jesus is His Words, His Breath, as in, "God-Breathed"?  I wonder if there could be something of this in, "For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed."  Or, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word which proceeds out of the mouth of God."

If what you and I "seek" in life takes priority over, "....The Bread which comes down from Heaven..," we are emaciated specimens; we are starving ourselves.  I know you have heard and read over the years of the centrality of Jesus Christ. You know that I have often quoted many verses which point people to Jesus, viz., "looking unto Jesus."  But in reality, most of it is "intangible."  If I see the Words of Jesus as, "the Bread of Life.., food indeed"---------- that is very tangible.  N0!  This is not "bibliolatry."  This is realizing that the Words of Jesus are the Person, the very Breath of Jesus Himself.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess that when I "seek" anything or anyone instead of You, I starve.  Amen.

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Sarah and I leave from South Haven, MI., tomorrow morning.

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

"....Talking About Things I Knew Nothing About...."

"You asked, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?'  It is I-- and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me." (Job 42:3, NLT)

The Bible translates once the word for, "wonderful," as, "monstrous things."  That about does it for me.

As the years have gone by, I have more and more considered that things which our Blessed Trinity does are, "monstrous things," as a dictionary defines it, "deviating greatly from the natural form or character," and, I might add, "deviating greatly from" what I can fathom.  I cannot encourage the Church too much to take extreme care in speaking of "the Things of God" in a flippant manner, with little consideration of, "His ways past finding out."  Truth is, "His ways are...monstrous," ways.  Speculation be gone! 

The problem in the Book of Job is the whole reasoning process.  "Well, this just doesn't make sense.  After all, God would never," or, "God always," or, "God"---- whatever.  It is all, "....wisdom with such ignorance".  You and I just simply cannot know what "God always," or what, "God would never."  Life would be a lot less stressful, less anxious and confusing if humanity would just live, "....I was talking (or reasoning) about things I knew nothing about...." 

What is it today in your life?  Jesus invites, yes, commands us to, "Come to Me," not, "come to answers."  After all, isn't the invitation of the Godhead to, "Come to," Jesus more intimate, more loving, even though, "too wonderful," than any other we could possibly imagine?  Whatever "answers" we receive are already in His, "God-Breathed," Words, not in our reasoning or, "The Lord told me."  Jesus only "tells" us what He already told us.  At one point Job says, "I have said too much already.  I have nothing more to say."  I can tell you, my friend, the longer I live, the more I concur with this, "....conclusion of the matter."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I just cannot comprehend You.  But I love You.  Amen.
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October 28-November 15 Mission is fast approaching.  We really appreciate any prayers.
 

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