And Yet Again Jesus Reminds Me

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

On this day in history, "Origin of the Species" was published.  It was a lie from Hell.  Yet, most of humanity has been without the lamp and light of Jesus' Words, and the inevitable dupping occurred.  Never forget that we cannot ignore the Scriptures and escape deception.  

The psalmist prayed, "Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk."  Can't happen without, "Your Word....".  People read much and listen to much that comes from humanity.  People who call themselves followers of Jesus will spend hours before the TV, but not near as much time subjected to the Words, the Breath of God.

I wonder what the Church would be like if we spent the same amount of time listening to Jesus as most of us spend listening to and watching man.  Perhaps Darwin would not have succeeded in converting humanity to his views had the Church been as committed to believing Jesus's Words as so many were/are to Darwin.  

My friend, Sam Brownback was in a Republican primary race for the US presidency.  They were asked during a televised debate if anyone of them rejected Darwinism.  Without hesitation, Sam responded in the affirmative.  The rest did not.  Why?  "Your Word (not Darwin) is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I freely confess and acknowledge that, "Your Wod is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," and so thank You for Him.  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.'" "Looking unto Jesus" Hebrews 12:2

May We Break The Cycle

"Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all His praise?...He saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the power of the enemy....But they soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel....They despised the pleasant land, having no faith in His promise....Nevertheless, He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry.  For their sake He remembered His covenant...." (From Psalm 106, ESV)

Here we have the history of, well, everybody.  Notice the pattern here, "praise," then, "He saved them," then, "But they soon forgot," then, "Nevertheless...He remembered His covenant."  Jesus' Mercy triumphs over all. 

This is all too frequently, however, the cycle of life for the Believer.  The command of Jesus to, "Abide in Me," is not an idle command.  It may be taken too lightly by so many, because the tendency of most is to treat something very familiar, something repeated over and over, as the Bible does every time we read it, with a sort of over familiarity.  But Jesus' Words still stand, not only as a glorious invitation, but also an ominous warning, that if we do not take heed to the invitation/command, we will follow the pattern in today's text.

"If you abide in Me...and My Words abide in you..."--  The promised "outcome" of this is, "....ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."  Now, forget that Cadillac you never got, or that healing which has evaded you, and today think of our greatest, "....ask...," viz., "....save[] us from the hand of the foe and redeem[] us from the power of the enemy."  This is the glorious ongoing promise of Jesus Christ, "The Lord is my light and my salvation....The Lord is the strength of my life...."  Defeat comes to those who are too sure of their spirituality, too confident in their status as a "righteous" person.  Paraphrase:  "'....Abide in...My Words..,' and I will c0ntinually, 'save[ you] from the foe and redeem[ you] from the power of the enemy.'"  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I'm so thankful that you always, "remember[ Your] covenant."  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

"I Will Destroy The Wisdom Of The Wise"

"For message ('word') of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written:  'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.'" (1 Corinthians 1:18, 19--NIV)

If you really look at "news events" around the world, you see the accuracy of the Bible.  Those who attempt to put doubt in the minds of humanity about, "The Words of God," are not match for the declarations of the Godhead.

You know as well as I that every day there is an attempt by the Enemy to get you and me to doubt the Bible's "reliability," and "truthfulness" and "accuracy" and all the other human demands, which are nothing but man's feeble attempt to justify his meager existence and reasonings.  Back to our text: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."  Jesus has been doing this from the beginning.  Needless to say that Jesus, "Who is made to us Wisdom from God," tells us in the Proverbs to, "Get wisdom."  Notice, however, you and I, and every other personage on the planet, has to, "Get wisdom."  We are not born with it.  The, "Wisdom from God," is only in Jesus Christ.

Reject at every turn any attempt to rely on, "the wisdom of the wise," and, "the intelligence of the intelligent...."  The Living Triune God, "will frustrate," us at every turn in that endeavor.  Believe, "The Word of God."  Accept, "The Word of God," as our wisdom and intelligence and we will live overcomingly in Jesus.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for Your great, "frustration," ministry.  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

"Enter...His Gates With Thanksgiving"

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name."  ((Psalm 100:4)

Much talk in these days about "praise and worship."  Here, the Holy Spirit includes in the journey, "thanksgiving," and, I might add, with equal importance. 

The longer I live, the more I realize just how much I have for which to be thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ.  But don't just "realize it."  Do it.

Father, in Jesus' Name, my thanksgiving is boundless.  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