"....A Light Has Shined"

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined....For unto us a Child is born....And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...." (From today's "Major Prophets" reading, Isaiah 9)

The first part of our text is a little-emphasized passage, probably because of the more "popularly" read following verses.  But I saw today afresh that the only reason humanity, "who walk[s] in darkness," can come out of that, "darkness," that when those who live, "in the land of the shadow of death," can be delivered from that, "valley of the shadow of death," is the Great Appearing of, "....a Child...born."

I saw on the KDKA TV internet news that a few days before Christmas a Russian tourist was shot and killed in Pittsburgh.  He was riding in the car of a friend when this occurred; they say he was not the target, possibly a random tragedy.  This could happen to anyone anywhere.  It happens to "good" people and to "bad" people, Believer and unbeliever alike.  Why?  You're asking the wrong person.  What I can say is that all, "....who walk[] in darkness," who, "....dwel[l] in the land of the shadow of death," (and the fear of that, "land") can be gloriously liberated, delivered because of, "....a great light..," Jesus Christ.

Let me share something I read from Sankey's, My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns.  "In 1720 a remarkable revival began in a town in Moravia.  Jesuits opposed it, and the meetings were prohibited.  Those who still assembled were seized and imprisoned in stables and cellars.  At David Nitschmann's house, where a hundred and fifty persons gathered, the police broke in and seized the books.  Not dismayed, the congregation struck up the stanzas of Luther's hymn,

        'And though this world, with devils filled,

        Should threaten to undo us;

        We will not fear, for God hath willed

        His truth to triumph through us.'

Twenty heads of families were for this sent to jail, including Nitschmann, who was treated with special severity."  This is still going on in most of the Church today. 

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined."  In the, "darkness," of life, "in the land of the shadow of death," the Church through the centuries has triumphed because, "....to us a Child is born...." As you and I walk in Jesus, Father's, "Great Light," we too can say, "the body they may kill."  We too can live in the power of David's, "....I will fear no evil..," because we, "....have seen a Great Light." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I would still be in such miserable, "darkness," had You not opened my eyes to see Jesus, Your, "Great Light."  Thank You.  Amen.

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* I will be preaching in the CCE meeting on January 21.  I am considering preaching on "Praying Bible Prayers."

* FHMP Briefing at the Lamplighter in Delmont, January 27 at 11:00.  Let us know if you will attend.

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

"....My Vindication Come[s] From Your Presence"

"Let my vindication come from Your presence...."  (Psalm 17:2a)

Whatever our state in life, this should be our prayer.  Our text is the "heart" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Word for, "vindication," literally means, "justice," from which we have the concept of, "justification."  Webster's defines "vindicate" as, "to free from allegation or blame," or, "to provide justification or defense."  The Bible declares the same principle, "Therefore, having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"-------- "from Your presence."

The Word for presence literally means, "face."  This is Biblical metaphor.  By that I mean that Biblical Theology teaches us that the glorious "news," the overwhelming "plan of salvation" means that the Blood of the Cross, the Blood of Jesus brings us forgiveness.  Moreover, by that forgiveness of sin we may/can receive the New Birth, thereby bringing us vindication (freedom "from allegation or blame, provid[ing]" freedom from sin.  When sin is "dealt with," the door to our hearts is open for the Living Triune God to dwell/live in us, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door"---- what?  "I will come into him."  Here is, "the hope of glory," i.e., "Christ in you."  Always temper "presence," or "Thou art with me," or, "at my right hand," and other such Biblical language by, "I will come INTO him"/her.

Okay, now that we have the theological reminder, rejoice with me today that our, "vindication," our justification, justice comes, "from Your Face."  This is continual, abiding, "Your Face," viz., the Eternal, "Presence."  Biblical salvation is not just "say the sinner's prayer," or a moment in time, "born again," experience, then we run the rest of our lives.  Biblical salvation only comes to those who realize and walk in the wonderful reality, "My vindication come[s] from Your Face/Presence," and Yours only, continually----------- always.

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I "stand" before, "Your Face," continually.  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

"Originator Of Life"

"....the Prince of life, Whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses." (Acts 3:15)

The Word translated, "Prince," also means, "Originator." 

Life, not just yours and mine, but life itself, whatever, whoever might reveal  "life," originated in Jesus Christ.  When Jesus said, "I am...the life...," it was not just Eternal Life of which He spoke.  It is life, period.  Throughout the expanse of the endless Universe, wherever there is or may be life, Jesus is the, "Originator," of that life.  Mankind, animals, birds of the air, fish of the sea, all life originated in Jesus, not some "big bang," not some separating amoeba.  "In Him was life, and that life (which is the only life) was the light of mankind."  And the Word for, "light," also has to do with, "the source,"---- "Originator"?

Of course, the Word used here to speak of Jesus, "Prince of life," is also "contained" in the definition.  Webster's defines "prince" primarily as "monarch, king."  Jesus is not only, "the Originator of life," Jesus is the King, Ruler, the Monarch of life.  In short, Jesus started/originated everything; Jesus rules everything and everyone. 

You and I need to make a "resolution" for this coming year, indeed, the rest of our sojourn in this life, to live every moment of every day/month/year in submission and obedience to, bowing before, and awaiting His outstretched Scepter to do whatever He commands, whatever is His will revealed to us, just as Peter says in the previous chapter, the whole revelation of the Divine will which was established, "by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God." 

No one can live life without, "the Prince/Originator of Life."  Without Jesus living in us, we are as Davy Crockett says in the 1960 version of "The Alamo," "You may be walking around, but you're dead as a beaver hat."

Father, in Jesus'  Name, thank You for, "the Prince of Life."  Thank You that You have allowed me to fellowship, participate in Him/You/Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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If you will be attending the FHMP  briefing at the Lamplighter on January 27, 11:00, I need to hear from you this week.  We have room for 8 more.

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

Jesus: "A Secure Height"

"Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds....Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity....His trouble shall return upon his own head....The Lord shall be a refuge (literally, 'secure height') for the oppressed, a refuge in the times of trouble."  (Psalms 7:9, 16; 9:9)

I prayed the Psalm 7 passages for our government this morning.  I pray Psalm 9:9 be written in our hearts and minds today.

I would suggest that we pray the Psalm 7 passages regularly.  I prayed it for the media, Hollywood, government, indeed all aspects of our culture.  You can just not pray a more effective prayer for what is now going on in America, and the nations of the world.

Then there is the great promise of Psalm 9:9.  Jesus is, "a secure height for the oppressed...."  Whether you are, "oppressed," today or not, it is always good to know that in the Living Triune God we have, "a secure height."  Keep this verse in your "go-to" repertoire.  You and I who have surrendered our lives to Jesus are recipients of this marvelous security.

What is pressing in on you today?  Overcoming power and strength:  The Lord Jesus is our, "secure height, a refuge in the times of trouble."  Dwell in that "security blanket" today.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for being my, "secure height."  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

Past-Present-Yet-To-Come

"In the beginning God...."  (Genesis 1:1a)

And, we can say, In the present God....  In the future God.... 

This is the evening of the first day of 2018.  Things are quiet after a week+ of 12 people in a duplex.  Of course, we miss them all already.

For you and me there is always the reality of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, viz., "Christmas Past, Christmas Present, Christmas Yet-To-Come."  Even "Christmas Present" is now "Christmas Past."  Only "Yet-To-Come" now applies.  I'm sure we all have fond memories of them all, as well as some sadness.  Of "Yet-To-Come" you and I have no knowledge.  This is where unwavering faith in, commitment, and surrender to Jesus Christ gives us peace, joy, and hope.

Sarah and I pray that the coming 365 days will be your best yet, "trusting in, relying upon, and clinging to," Jesus Christ, He, "....Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come...." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, only You are my Trust and Confidence.  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