Only Jesus Can, "Open The Book"

"I saw in the right hand of Him Who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals."  (Revelation 5:1, NASB)

We read that John then, "....began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book...."  But then, you will recall, he was told, "Stop weeping; behold,the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book...."  Of course our Lord Jesus Christ, "....was found worthy to open the book...."  It's His Book! 

The Word translated, "book," or in some translations, "scroll," is the Greek Word from which we get the word, Bible.  May we always remember that the Book which John, "....saw in the right hand of Him Who sat on the throne...," is the Book of, "....the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David...." 

Whatever one reads, studies, teaches, then, it is of utmost importance to remember that all the Words of the, "Book," which John, "....saw in the hands of Him Who sits on the Throne...," are Jesus' Words.  I don't, "open the Book", to anyone.  Only Jesus can do that.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I sing today with those in Heaven, "You are worthy to take the Book, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your Blood...."  Amen
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I hope to have a good discussion time in the briefing on April 14.  If you will attend, please let me know.

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

"Holy" (Nine Times)

"And they do not rest day or night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, the One Having Been, and the One Being, and the One Coming.'"  (Revelation 4:8b, c-- M--Text & Interlinear)

This was in the footnote of the NKJV.  Now some so-called scholars go into great detail to rate one translation over another, etc.  But for me, I can tell you that the above note "rings" true.

"And they do not rest day or night, saying...."  Is this the original 24/7 prayer/worship gathering?  "....no[] rest day or night...."  Maybe the Holy Spirit is saying to you and me today what He says throughout Scripture, that The Living Triune God calls humanity into a permanent, "day and night," as the hymn says, "moment by moment," no "vacation," no "days off," just constant fulfillment of the Words of Jesus to you and me, "Abide in Me, and I in you."

Can you imagine what this must have sounded like to John?  Can we imagine what is sounds like right now?  Remember: "Holy," to the unending "power."  I admit that a continual "streaming" of, "Holy, holy, holy," if you really stop to think on this, I mean 24/7 Eternal Declaration, well, it is incomprehensible to me.  But as the hymn writer says of the Cross of Jesus, "bring its scenes before me," I say of today's text.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to join in with the Heavenly Anthem.  Amen.
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Let me know if you will be attending the Briefing on April 14.

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

"....From House To House, They Ate Their Food...."

""So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart...."  (Acts 2)

Maybe that last phrase is the reason some people think that eating together is not "spiritual."  They have lost the, "....simplicity of heart...."  But remember that they accused Jesus of being, "Look, a glutton and a winebibber...."  Why?  Because He was always going to dinner parties.  If all a Follower of Jesus does is go to Worship services, Bible studies, missions trips, "nursing home ministry," they have forgotten a fundamental principle of Church Life, "....breaking bread from house to house...with gladness and simplicity of heart...."

There is something about eating together which can take off "spiritual airs."  And believe me; how easy it is for some to turn every gathering into a religious-spirit-driven one, e.g., "O, we can't talk about that; it's not spiritual."  One of the best times I have with our local church fellowship is our men's breakfast.  We talk of "the things of the Lord Jesus," but we also talk about other things, things which some would call mundane.  But how can they be mundane if they involve a Follower of Jesus. 

We are Bearers of Jesus' Presence in the earth, at home, at work, at play, anywhere, anytime.  "Mundane" implies the secular, the too-far-below-me for some people.  Such folk need to grow up.  Everything we do, everything we say is spiritual, because everything we do and say is in the Presence of Jesus, His Indwelling Presence, as His Witnesses, His Church.  Fasten your seat belt:  If a Follower of Jesus goes to the grocery store, it's a spiritual endeavor; "fill in the blank."  Remember Brother Lawrence. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for inviting me to Your "banqueting table."  Amen.
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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 Helper!"

"Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!"  (Psalm 30:10)

Now at first reading for some, this could sound so simple.  But there is here a "load" of glorious revelation of the Godhead.

The Bible tells us that the Lord does indeed "send" help and prosperity and such.  But David reveals something which to me is most wonderful.  It is not so much that Jesus "sends" us what we need.  Jesus IS what we need; hence the cry, "....be my helper!"

Jesus is, you know, as in, "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation....The Lord is the Strength of my life."  I know that I "play this string" a lot, but it's reality keeps me going.  The Living Triune God could have designed a "sending operation," and Jesus does, as Psalm 20 tells us, "....send thee help from the sanctuary...."  But do you remember the passage in Matthew 8 which tells us of the centurion who told Jesus that his servant was sick?  What was Jesus' first reaction?  "I will come and heal him."

Our Father, our Brother Jesus, our Holy Spirit is He Who Himself does as the Christmas Carol declares, "O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord, Immanuel."  The Lord God of creation, "....is our Refuge and Strength, a Very Present Help in trouble."  So, rejoice today, my friend.  He is not primarily God who sends what you and I need.  He IS what, or much rather, Who we need.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "....be my helper!"  And I so thank You that You Are.  Amen.
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FHMP (Antipas MInistries) Briefing:  April 14, 11:00 at the Lamplighter in Delmont, Pa.  Please let me know if you will be there.

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

""....That The Life Of Jesus...Be Manifested...."

"For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifest in our mortal flesh."  (2 Corinthians 4:11)

The Amplified says, "For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]."  It seems to me that there is a "physical" and a "spiritual" aspect of this text.  There is no doubt that the Followers of Jesus during those first three centuries were constantly facing, "being handed over to death for Jesus' sake."  Moreover, most Followers of Jesus around the Globe today are still, "[experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake."

There is no doubt, however, that while there was and is the aspect that you and I still face the "physical" possibility, the "spiritual" reality of our text is nonetheless still integral in our life in Jesus.  There is always something in you and me which rears up to show something other than, "....the life of Jesus...manifest in our mortal flesh."  And you and I can be assured that as long as we are in this body, there will be continual "deliver[ings] to death for Jesus' sake,.." of all in us which attempts to rival the full revelation of Jesus in and through us to a world in darkness.

Maybe this is the reason for confusion, disappointment, maybe the temptation to just quit in so many today.  Many cannot understand why our Lord Jesus has frustrated so many plans, desires, prayers, dreams.  Yet it could be that in all of our desires there is much need for, "....delivered to death for Jesus' sake...."  While there is so much in us which bulks at this, it is still imperative that we participate in the "process," that is, if we really do desire, "....that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I know I have resisted this too much in my life.  Help me, Holy Spirit, to embrace what You do.  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

March 5, 2018