Another Great Prayer For the US President

"Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.  Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood....Arise to help me; look on my plight!...I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love;..You, God, are my fortress, my God on Whom I can rely."  (Psalm 59, NIV)

If I say that the Bible is practical, I would get a rousing, "Amen," from most.  Yet I am more and more aware also of just how much "Bible-study"-limitations so many place upon the Bible.  I found in Psalm 59 today another prayer for the US President.

Our text was written by a shepherd, a warrior, and soon-to-be king.  But they were also written by a man who was literally "running for his life."  These Words were not written for a Bible study group or vacation Bible school.  David's very life depended upon the Living Triune God answering this most desperate of requests.  I have written before that when I was younger I didn't "connect" to the Book of Psalms.  The reason?  I was reading them as "religious" writings, not day to day life empowering prayers.  Besides, I was young; what did I know of suffering? 

The Luke 18 passage which says, "Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up," is a continual invitation of Jesus to, "seek His Face."  This is Jesus, "the Good Shepherd," calling us to a life of ceaseless fellowship and utter dependence upon Him. I submit to you, however, that many do not follow this command because they get so overwhelmed that they don't know how or what to pray.  A good start would be instead of just "dance as David danced," and, "sing as David sang," remember that the words of that song also say, "I will pray as David prayed."  A good place to start?--- Pray what David prayed. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You give so many "words" to pray that I need to pray.  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

"Affliction, Which Is But For A Moment"

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."  (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18)

What are you looking at today?  It will determine your day, depression or joy, defeat or victory.  I always find it interesting that Paul, who had suffered much for Jesus, spoke of the afflictions of this life as, "light."  Most do not believe that, especially when one is in seasons of suffering whether physically or emotionally.  But maybe a key here is what he says later, "which is but for a moment."

When we sit around a conference table, Bible study group, or the discussion at the coffee house, we can come to rather "sane" conclusions, those which are right, Jesus-Centered, Biblical principles.  "Yes," all would agree, "Our sufferings and trials are just, 'for a moment,' when you consider time vs. eternity."  But then, we leave the "discussion" and go back to the sufferings.  They seem to hover over us like some legendary dragon, mocking the recent discussion, challenging every Word of God.

So, what do we do?  You can stop reading here, or let me encourage you with what I so often encourage you.  We came home from my parents after we buried Stephen.  I was nothing, had nothing, gave nothing.  I was alone and empty.  You know the rest.  I picked up the Bible, the Words of Jesus, and began to read almost non stop for weeks.  I felt nothing, had no particular "divine revelation."  But I was empowered.  It was not an empowerment which I could, "look at," or was, "seen."  It was, and I have never doubted this for a moment, an empowerment from the "realm" of, "the things which are not seen," viz., "eternal."

There is a very real sense in which the admonition to keep, "Looking unto Jesus," is a command to live in, "....things which are not seen...."  What that gaze does for us is sustain us in the great Biblical Truth, "....the things which are not seen---- Eternal."  So, here I am today, my friend, going on in Jesus in this, "....light affliction, which is but for a moment...."  Let's walk it out together.

 Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess the battle of living a, "seen," life.  I trust You, Holy Spirit, to continually empower me to live in the, "not seen."  Amen.

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I would like to spend at least a couple of days in DC during the confirmation hearings of Judge Kavanaugh.  I am waiting for the dates. 

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...Do This To Recapture...Hearts"

"I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols."  (Ezekiel 14:5, NIV)

In my new schedule, I have been reading a lot in the NIV; I would recommend it the next time you go through the Bible.  It may not be the most "accurate," but then, again, neither is the KJV.  Incidentally, I wonder just what the "accuracy people" are really looking for anyway.  But I digress.

There is no more powerful revelation of the love of the Living Triune God in the Bible than our text, "I do this to recapture...hearts...."  This began right as the access to, "the Tree of Life," was blocked, and continues right up to this moment in history.  Yes, there are many "hearts" which Jesus has never "captured;" those hearts He is pursuing.  But equally sad as the lost, is those who once responded to the call of Proverbs, "My son, give me your heart," but then took it back.  Where is your heart today?

All through the Bible, "The Word of God," tells us that the Blessed Trinity is not after form, words, activity, busyness.  Ours is not a stone cold religion as Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism.  "The faith of Jesus," is a heart relationship.  "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  No one can see your heart or mine except our Lord Jesus.  Everything, and I mean everything, we do as Believes can be done with an absent heart.  It all may be what others, even we believe to be the utmost in spirituality, yet in God's eyes, it is, "as sounding brass, or a tinkling symbol."  1 Corinthians 13 is not just speaking of our relationship with people!

Sometimes things may occur in our lives which we just do not understand.  I wonder if in those times it would be good for us to hear and "see" our text, "I...do this to recapture...hearts." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that you are as the writer said, "The Hound of Heaven," relentlessly pursuing straying sheep.  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...Do This To Recapture...Hearts"

"I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols."  (Ezekiel 14:5, NIV)

In my new schedule, I have been reading a lot in the NIV; I would recommend it the next time you go through the Bible.  It may not be the most "accurate," but then, again, neither is the KJV.  Incidentally, I wonder just what the "accuracy people" are really looking for anyway.  But I digress.

There is no more powerful revelation of the love of the Living Triune God in the Bible than our text, "I do this to recapture...hearts...."  This began right as the access to, "the Tree of Life," was blocked, and continues right up to this moment in history.  Yes, there are many "hearts" which Jesus has never "captured;" those hearts He is pursuing.  But equally sad as the lost, is those who once responded to the call of Proverbs, "My son, give me your heart," but then took it back.  Where is your heart today?

All through the Bible, "The Word of God," tells us that the Blessed Trinity is not after form, words, activity, busyness.  Ours is not a stone cold religion as Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism.  "The faith of Jesus," is a heart relationship.  "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  No one can see your heart or mine except our Lord Jesus.  Everything, and I mean everything, we do as Believes can be done with an absent heart.  It all may be what others, even we believe to be the utmost in spirituality, yet in God's eyes, it is, "as sounding brass, or a tinkling symbol."  1 Corinthians 13 is not just speaking of our relationship with people!

Sometimes things may occur in our lives which we just do not understand.  I wonder if in those times it would be good for us to hear and "see" our text, "I...do this to recapture...hearts." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that you are as the writer said, "The Hound of Heaven," relentlessly pursuing straying sheep.  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

"The Ransom For A Life Is Costly"

"No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them-- for the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-- so that they should live on forever and not see decay....But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to Himself."  (Psalm 49, NIV)

The whole of Psalm 49 is quite powerful in its sobriety.  "The Word of God," is telling us that all humanity, whether rich of poor, is destined to the same ignominious end, "For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others....People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish." (vv.10 & 12).

Then a "Gospel hint" comes in, "But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to Himself."  What an absolutely glorious prophetic revelation of the ultimate purpose of the, "ransom for them....He will surely take me to Himself."  Can you see with me today this wondrous love of our Father, of The Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?  His desire is to bring all humanity, "to Himself."  We are like lambs in the arms of, "I Am the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep", in order to, "....take me to Himself." 

Yet our rebellion is the great chasm between us and the Living Triune God.  The "crossing" of that chasm was so, "costly," and no one can ever know that, "cost[]."  There was Jesus' Blood in the Garden, Jesus' Blood before Pilate and the soldiers, the Blood-stained Via Dolorosa, and Jesus' Blood of the Cross.  Again, "for a ransom for a life is costly." 

"Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe. 

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for the cost which You paid for my redemption.  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

"Death Is Swallowed Up In Victory"

"By this Gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word....Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures....After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once....If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable....Death is swallowed up in victory."  (1 Corinthians 15, NIV & NKJV)

"It's "resurrection time."  It comes a little earlier because of my new "schedule," but it is always a wonderful reminder for the reason you and I have hope. 

I want to point out, first of all, that when Paul said that, "we are of all men most pitiable," it had nothing to do with, "O, how wearisome this life would be if we didn't have Heaven," or, "This Christian walk is something I have to put up with until I get to Heaven," or whatever negative connotation anyone places on his remark.  It was a simple yet powerful statement which declared that without the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, there would be no, "Gospel," viz., no salvation, no deliverance, no healing, and no, "peace which passes all understanding."  It would have been literally "over before it started."  In other words, it would be an illusory religion, one with no eternal basis or power.

What makes what the Bible calls, "The Faith of Jesus," literally "stand alone" against the myriads of religions?-- the Resurrection.  If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then on what we call "Easter Sunday," the women would have found a body ready for the anointing.  Disillusioned, depressed, hopeless fishermen would have gone back to the life they had lived just about 4 years earlier, laughed at, mocked.  But can I get a, "HALLELUJAH?"  The women found an empty tomb, and so did Peter and John when they raced there and entered that empty tomb. 

You and I and all humanity can walk in the forgiveness of sin, life everlasting, names written in, "the Lamb's Book of Life," only because of the empty tomb.  Indeed, that empty tomb was the fulfillment of, "But [in fact] He has borne our griefs, and He has carried our sorrows and pains; Yet we [ignorantly] assumed that He was stricken, struck down by God and degraded and humiliated [by Him].  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our...sin; the punishment [required] for our well-being (peace) fell on Him, and by His stripes...we are healed."  This, my friend, is the reason Paul said that without the resurrection victory of Jesus, we would be, "most miserable."  The effect of the empty tomb, however, is, "most to be envied," the glorious RESURRECTION POWER, the fulfillment of all which the law and the prophets wrote.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I glory in the Cross of Jesus and the empty tomb of Jesus.  I just stand in awe of You.  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