Pastor Pays Price to See Germany's Spiritual Revival

(You will want to watch the above video.  It's a great encouragement in our praying for Germany.)

"Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart." (Proverbs 26:23, NIV)

The Amplified Bible says, "Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value] are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart."  One can have, "fervent lips," viz., talk with much conviction, passion, "uncompromisingly," look and sound so sincere, yet hide, "an evil heart."  Maybe this is a reason that Jesus tells us to, "test the spirits."  

There is much going forth in the world which is but, "....a coating...," but has no substance. It may sound good, but it is from, "an evil heart."  The fundamental way to test whether it is just, "a coating," or of Jesus Christ, is to ask, Is Jesus Christ first, foremost, preeminent in the declarations whether from pulpits, books, songs, or great prophetic/worship gatherings.  What, or rather, Whom you and I and lost humanity so desperately need in today's world, a world full of violence, perversion in the media, the universities, entertainment, workplace, yes, and in the apostate church, is Jesus Christ, none other.  Colossians tells us, "....but the substance is of Christ."  Apart from Jesus, our life has no, "substance."  

If someone says that they are here to "meet your need," make sure they are simultaneously pointing you to Jesus and His Words, as Colossians 1 says, "....so that in everything He might have the preeminence (supremacy)."  Years ago, a man in great "need," who had been in the mob, divorced, lost everything, and had just attempted suicide, sat in my office, dropped his head on the desk and began sobbing.  I said, "I can't help you.  But I know someone who can."  At that moment I spoke of and pointed him to Jesus, and even though there were still "issues" in his life, he was saved, saved from the desire to kill himself, saved to, "follow the Lamb," Jesus.  That was not, "....a coating of silver."  That was, "the substance," of life Himself.

Father, in Jesus' Name, You have commanded us to hear Your Son, "in Whom [You are] well pleased."  May I have ears to hear none other.  Amen.

Listen Before We Speak

"The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.  He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple."  (Isaiah 50:4, NASB)

Some believe this is Jesus as the Son of Man, the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, speaking here of the "nature" of His service to humanity.  Indeed, Jesus has been doing this for me from the beginning, but I didn't "take advantage" of His Word, "....morning by morning," until I entered extreme suffering.

But notice that it can also apply to you and me.  From our text today, I got the idea that if you and I are to speak with, "the tongue of disciples," we need to have an, "....ear to listen as a disciple."  This "Word" to me today is a word which says that only the one who has first listened to, "The Word of God," can have, "....the tongue of disciples."

Here before we speak, is a Biblical principle.  "He awakens me morning by morning", for this very purpose: To hear, "The Word of God."  This can be illustrated by the "devotional" time we spend in Jesus before we meet anyone in a given day, call it "quite time," or "devotions," whatever.  If we speak to others before we, "....listen as a disciple", I wouldn't trust what we say.  For me, "....the tongue of disciples,..is the, "tongue," which knows, "....how to sustain the weary one with a word." 

Our Lord Jesus fulfills our text to me every day.  Weariness in life can affect us all at any given time.  Sustenance in weariness can only come from Jesus, and also anyone in whom Jesus Christ lives, ones who have Jesus' Words written in their hearts and minds.  O, weary one, today:  Jesus is our Sustaining Word.  This is my prayer for these devotionals, that I can be of help, "....to sustain...," you in Jesus. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for me and my friend that we will be continual disciples of You, disciples who, "know how to sustain the weary one with a word."  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

“If....”

"This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your Word has revived me....If Your Law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." (Psalm 119:92, NASB)

Every month I read this I am reminded of the Faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know my testimony; therefore, you know why the Bible is so important to me.

For many, the Bible is a book "your supposed to read," or it is something to, "Wow! He/she really knows the Bible." Not impressed. If there is not the reality of our text, if there is not the desperation of our text, if there is not the, ".... I would have perished...," in the heart, then the Bible is not to us that which our Lord intends.

I know it may sound simplistic, even naive to some, but the Bible to me is the Breath of Jesus to and in me, the "inhalation therapy" of life. Prayer is my "exhalation therapy," of that which His Words impart to/in me. Embarrassingly, it took me to long to learn this. What about you today?

A reading of Psalm 119 regularly will keep us aware of just how central, foundational is, "The Word of God." Whatever I or anyone else may say or write to you cannot compare to what our Lord Jesus Christ has written. Repeating myself? You betcha. Glorious repetition!

Father, in Jesus' Name, You were/are my comfort in...affliction,..my delight...." Amen.

Sent from my iPad

A Word For You

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...." (Matthew 23)

Matthew 23 is one of the harshest indictments on duplicity in Holy Writ.  Over and over, our Lord Jesus condemns the duplicitous life style.  But it is not for our harm; it is for our good. 

The Words in Matthew 23 are not from an "angry god;" they are from The heart-broken Father God, Shepherd, King, Savior,  "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"  This is a plea for the closest possible relationship.  And I can tell you: This is an invitation-plea for all humanity, "How often I wanted to gather [you]...under My [protection-provision], but you were not willing."

Can we not hear the plea of Our Savior today? "'How often I wanted to gather,' you, protect you, guide you, keep you."  Put your name in place of, "Jerusalem."  Can we hear Jesus today, right now saying to you and me, "O [Woody, Woody]-- How often I wanted to...."  My hearts says to our Lord Jesus today that I just do not want to miss those, "How often(s)," in Jesus.  Maybe there is a, "How often..,' right now awaiting your response.  Your situation is desperate, maybe accompanied with fear and doubt.  But listen.  Can you not hear Jesus saying to you, "O___, ____, I want to."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I know I have missed to many of Your, "How often I wanted to gather...."  May it never happen again.  Amen.   

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* "Paul...was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost." (Acts 20:16)  Apparently I'm not the only one who values "anniversaries."

* Would you please put a "post-it" on your frig to remind you to say a daily prayer for Sarah and me for our upcoming 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