What Glorious Praise

"....The intent...now [is that] the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the Church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord....For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named...." (From Ephesians 3 reading today)

One member of, "the Church," had an amazing "time" in our Living Triune God this morning.  I listened and sang along with a group singing "Be Thou My Vision."  As I considered those most powerful and beautiful words, I thought of the times in my life when those words were not "walked out."  I wept and wept.  And then as I continued in fellowship in Jesus, more and more those words were expressing my life's desire, even in those "self-centered days."  I know that deep in my heart, the words of this song have always been there------- by the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, in this chief of sinners.

Some people have asked over the years, when I requested prayer for various endeavors, "How shall I pray for you?"  I posted to Facebook today my main life's request from now on in response to, "How can I pray for you?"  It is the words and music to, "Be Thou My Vision."  I can tell you that in all my almost 75 years I have never found a song which expresses my worship, my hearts desire of our Lord Jesus Christ, my desire for a "signature life style" than the words of that centuries-old song.  For me, there is none better.

I repeat with the old Apostle, "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father (and to) our Lord Jesus Christ (and to Holy Spirit)...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Be Thou My Vision."  Amen.
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Israel:         April 17-24
Briefing:    June 2

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

"Saved" To Do What?

"Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your name and boast in Your praise."  (Psalm 106:47, NASB)

You and I were saved, "....to give thanks to Your Name and boast in Your praise."  We were not saved to boast in "what a change in my life."  Yes, that is indeed a part of any testimony, yet too many times the testimonies tend to "boast" in the person giving it, viz., "I am really wonderful now."  This is true also of the Jews.  Too many are boasting in their accomplishments, in the might and power of modern day Israel.  Bad idea.  I pray that we will hear in Jerusalem next month a great chorus giving, "....thanks to Your Name and boast in Your praise."

Our text reveals that this Psalm is a post exilic writing, "....and gather us from among the nations...."  For over 2500 years the Jews had been, "....among the nations...."  And then in 1948 a "miracle" happened.  This 2500-year-old prayer was answered.  Israel was again a sovereign nation.  King Jesus had, "....gather[ed] them] from among the nations...."

What about you and me today?  We were also in exile, "among the nations," i.e., paganism, relativism, hedonism, self importance and self preservation.  Then we heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come to Me...."  And we did.  Now, our lives have a new mission, "from among the nations," in which we were enslaved, which we worshipped, and as Ephesians 2 says, "among whom also we all had our manner of living," and that new mission is, "....to give thanks to [Jesus'] Holy Name and boast in [Jesus'] praise."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the hymn writer,
    "In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering or'e the wrecks of time....
    Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the Cross are sanctified;
    Peace is there that knows no measure
    Joys that through all time abides."
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* Please pray for our time in Israel, April 17-24.
* I will be reminding you from time to time of our briefing on June 2.

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

"As The Offering Began, Singing To The Lord Began Also"

"Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar.  As the offering began, singing to the Lord began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel."  (2 Chronicles 29:27, NIV)

"As the offering began, singing to the Lord began also...."  There seems to be a pattern here for worship.  Personally, I think every "worship service" should begin with an affirmation of the Blood of Jesus, "....sacrifice...on the altar," and the reading of, "The Words of God."  You will remember that our Lord Jesus tells us, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but "to fulfill."

Most think that an "order" in corporate, or even in "private" worship, is a bad think.  "I'm free!" was the great shout of the Charismatic renewal.  But I would say, Not "free" to do anything you please, any way you please.  I will go no further with this. 

Our text was a part of one of my readings today, and it just blessed me.  I pass it along to you for your blessing.

Father, in Jesus' Name, show me where I am "out of order."  Amen.
Israel:                    April 17-24
FHMP Briefing:  June 2, 11:00, Lamplighter
 

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

"The Lord Reigns-Worship At His Footstool"

"The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad!... Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!...Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool--- He is holy." (From today's Psalms 96-100 reading)

I was greatly enjoying basking in our Lord Jesus Christ this morning as I was reading and singing Psalms 96-100.  One verse declares, "The Lord Jesus Christ reigns; let the earth rejoice...."  This is the psalmist's version of, "Jesus Christ is Lord."  Furthermore, the Words in Psalm 100 call us to rest, glory, be "lost in wander, love and praise," in the great Truth of the Godhead, "Know ye, that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture" (KJV).

I was also singing a song, which you never hear anymore, a song from Psalm 99:9, "Exalt the Lord our God....Worship at His footstool."  I used to, from time to time as a pastor, sing the Psalms instead of just reading them.  For me it was/is a great time in Jesus.  If you never have, try it.  We don't have to just sing someone else's song.  Use a tune which the Holy Spirit can/will give you, and sing the Words which, "The Word of God," King Jesus, has given us by the Holy Spirit in "The Book of Songs." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I glory in You.  Amen.
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Read about the Crisis in Germany at:   jhs58.blogspot.com
Next FHMP Briefing:  June 2, at 11:00, Lamplighter Restaurant.
Israel Mission:    April 17- 24

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

"....When He Brings Out His Own Sheep...." Then What?

"....The sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."  (John 10)

Have you embraced the, "Follow Me,"? life style.  It is so easy for all of us to take the lead, even the most timid and bashful among us.  The so-called "control freaks" are not the only ones who want to control life.

Someone once noted that I use the phrases, Followers of Jesus, and Surrender our lives to Jesus, which most others do not use.  I guess my response is that any who claim, "born again," status in the Godhead need to understand that when we receive Jesus "into our hearts," when we are, "born again/of the Spirit," it is nothing less than an act of surrender.  Surrender and Follower are not very popular among us, especially those, "Don't Tread On Me," Americans.

I have heard people talking of shepherds who "lead from behind."  Maybe it's an attempt to portray humility.  Our text tells us, however, that Jesus, "....goes before them; and the sheep follow Him...."  I thought of the military formation which speaks of a "point man."  He is the first one to "see" where the unit is heading.  Percentage wise, he is also the first one to get killed in an ambush.  Enter a later statement of Jesus in verse 11: "I am the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

I think it's right to say today that Following our, "Good Shepherd," Jesus, is not only the smart decision, it is the safe decision.  Too many people follow men, though they would hotly deny this.  Here is one way to indicate whether one has been following, "the Good Shepherd," or a not-so-good shepherd.  "....A hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them."  I can think of many people who are "disillusioned," or have given up on "the church," are no longer "walking with the Lord" because of a "shepherd" who "hurt" them, abandoned them. 

No chance this ever happening to those who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes," the Very One who, "....calls His Own Sheep by name," the One Who, "lay[s] down [His] life for the Sheep."  What is there left to do, but to, "follow," Him?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You, "....call[ me] by name."
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Please pray for us as we go to Israel

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