A Thought From Today's History-Section Reading

"....yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's...."  (1 Chronicles 5:2)

A lot of more "professional" commentators may have another interpretation of our text.  Yes, David was a descendant of Judah, and was the first in Judah's line to become king of Israel.  Yet for me, there is the fragrance of King Jesus here.

If you are a regular reader of the Bible, you will know that Jacob's family did have some dysfunction.  In the normal order of things, the birthright should have been Reuben's, yet he proved to be, "unstable as water."  Furthermore, no one probably disputes the fact that Joseph was Jacob's "favorite."  So many times we read of a "breaking" with tradition or the established norm.  It seems as though the Living Triune God just wants to gently remind us as to just Who is in charge. 

When we read of the last moments of Jacob's life in Genesis 49 and read his prophecy concerning Judah, we see that the office of King and Lawgiver is Judah's descendant.  "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise....The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people."

We are Followers of the King and Lawgiver, Jesus.  He reigns, rules, decrees, cares for, forgives, heals, delivers, sustains, and brings us to Glory, "....and to Him shall be the obedience of the people."

Father, in Jesus' Name, more and more as I read Your Words I just am amazed and overwhelmed.  Thank You for always bringing me to Them.  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

"Things I Know Nothing About"

"Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about."  (Psalm 35:11, NIV)

There are more, "things I know nothing about," than things I know about.

I have heard over the years a number of speculations as to what Jesus was writing in the sand when confronted with the woman of sin in John 8.  Personally, I think He was just doodling.  Maybe Jesus was just "waiting" for the appropriate "answer."  Maybe He was showing a sort of disgust with the accusers, or perhaps, "What are you really asking?"  The accusers of the woman were dealing in, "things I know nothing about," facing the One Who, "know[s] about."

I would greatly encourage us to stick to fishing in the waters of our testimony.  People will ask questions concerning, "things I know nothing about," things they know, "nothing about," in reality, things which no one knows anything about.  What you and I do, "know...about," is what our Lord Jesus Christ means to us, how thankful and desperately needy we were/are for the forgiveness of sins, fellowship in the Godhead, direction and purpose in life, facing an unknown future.

The world, you and I, no one can grasp the fullness of Jesus' shed Blood, His Death, His Resurrection, His Ascension, and soon Second Appearing.  Rather than attempting to give some "profound explanation" of Jesus' Passion, just affirm Jesus, live in Jesus.  In other words, "Let your light...shine before men...."  This is our "explanation."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess with the psalmist, there are so many, "things I know nothing about."  Amen.

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Please pray with us about the Berlin Mission.

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

"Eternal In The Heavens"

"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Corinthians 5:1)

They tell us that most religions have some "belief" about an after life, and that the Followers of Jesus are no different; therefore, of no more significance.  This is the power of darkness attempting to get you and me to doubt the validity, truth of our text.

The older we get, the more we are aware that the body is deteriorating.  In the "modern era," no one has lived 147 years as did Jacob.  Billy Graham once said that "history is headed toward a dramatic climax"; so are you and I.  Our text is the Word of Jesus to you and me that even though this sojourn is short, "....we have...a house...eternal in the heavens", our glorious new body. 

As my Grandpa Barnette was passing from this life to the one, "eternal in the heavens", he told me that he saw it.  I shall never forget that.  Remember Jesus' Words," I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I believe Your Words, not my inability to comprehend.  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