Proverbs 1-20

"In mercy and truth atonement is provided for; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil....The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble."  (Proverbs 16:6 & 19:23)

I read the first 20 chapters of Proverbs this morning.  If you have never done something like that, I highly recommend it.  I must confess, though, that conviction did manifest.  

Those Words speak of the wise and foolish, the rich and the poor, the worker and the sluggard, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and, "The fear of the Lord."  The latter phrase appears at least 15 times in the Book.  I took note that the discussion of, "fear," in our texts is preceded by, "In mercy and truth atonement is provided for...."  This should always "color" everything we read in the Bible, every theological discussion, every service we offer to others in the Name of Jesus, that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Atonement for our sins, "and not for ours only but also for the whole world."  

I also took particular note that the one who walks in, "the fear of the Lord...departs from evil."  Too often people try to figure out what, "the fear of the Lord," means rather than how we can know that we are so living.  Here our Lord Jesus tells us, "one departs from evil."  And notice the powerful promise of 19:23, "leads to life-- rests content, untouched by trouble."  Maybe the "seeker friendly" folks would speak more of, "The fear of the Lord," if they just took note of the blessing therein.  One translation says, "so that one may sleep satisfied...."  Another says, "....will abide in satisfaction."  Then there is the great promise, "untouched by trouble."  There are various translations, of course, but we know that this does not mean that we will never see, "trouble."  Yet the promise tells me that even though, "trouble," comes my way, "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me,... untouched," by it, viz., it will not defeat me, destroy me.

Just consider your walk in Jesus Christ and you will recall that, "The fear of the Lord," is not popular theology.  Apparently, the Godhead does not think that way.  There are powerful promises to those who walk in, "The fear of the Lord."  Maybe along with "declarations," and "speaking over," and "believing for," and "faith seminars," we should consider Psalm 34:11, "Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord."

Father, in Jesus'  Name, I confess that we are a people who do not really want to consider this.  Today, I pray for a change of heart---- to have Your Heart."  Amen.

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I have received several requests for "year end" contributions from organizations.  One request said that people give 70% of all charitable giving during December.  I also saw a report that a certain news anchor receives $23,000,000.00 per year.  I thought, I wonder how much someone would be willing to pay for my devotionals.

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

"It Is Better...Than To...."

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."  (Psalm 118:8, 9--NIV)

If I read the Interlinear correctly, it states that, "It is better to seek refuge in the Lord than to place your security in humans", and/or, "governments."  It does not marginalize, "humans," or, "princes."  It rather speaks of precedence. 

Our text does not say that we do not need, "humans," nor, "princes."  Our Lord Jesus Christ structured our life in Him and His Church so that we do "need" each other, even governments.  The Bible tells us of governments that they are, "of God."  Indeed, what Dunn said is true: "No man is an Island."  Jesus did not intend anyone to live with an attitude of, "I don't need you."  Yet there is something of paramount importance in our text which is fundamental to our survival, our victory in life. 

I confess that over the years of being less "in the pulpit," and in the daily service as a local pastor I have had a "widening" view of not only the Kingdom of Heaven/God, but also the Church.  No, I'm not going heretical on you, but I want to encourage you in your "out-there" life.  Most of our lives are spent in "the Church scattered," that is, most of us are not in Church gatherings, seminars, worship services 24/7 (Notice where you are right now).  Our text is an encouragement, yes, a command especially when we are alone, out in the culture, ".....to seek refuge in the Lord...."  It is easy to say, "God is our refuge and strength," when with the Brethren.  In a culture dominated by humanism, however, the "support system" is not there.  It rather demands your allegiance to, "humans."

And what about, "princes," their programs, their "social security" systems, their promises, as well as places of employment, unions, retirement "packages," 401ks, etc?  Look at what happened to the giant American steel and coal industries, the thousands upon thousands who lost jobs, houses, retirement places, again, etc., etc.  It was a difficult lesson for many Americans, even American Christians, to realize the Truth of today's text.

Many times in our lives we have faced, and will continue to face, the ever so subtly temptation to, "seek refuge in," everything and everyone around us rather than to, "....seek refuge," and, "security in the Lord [Jesus Christ]."  Let us stand together in love and encouragement in the battle.

Father, in Jesus Christ, I confess that there have been times that I have violated our text, yet did not realize it.  I repent of any such times.  You alone are my, "refuge," and, "security."  Amen.

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Planning to be in Washington, DC, on January 3.

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 I Remember---- You...."

"When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches."  (Psalm 63:6)

This literally happened to me early this morning, and it was glorious.

Among family and some friends, the subject came up over the Thanksgiving holiday of age, time, even our mortality.  No, it wasn't "morbid" talk; it was, however, rather sobering.  I remember thinking at the time that people who are three quarters of our personal and ministry support are older than we.  The natural course of thought would be, What happens if they go before me? 

My current "blitzkrieg" reading has me in the Book of Psalms.  The Psalms are full of calling you and me to, "remember."  Now "faith" people will never mention that they have had at times concern about "provision," mostly because they are too proud to show any "weakness," i.e., "lack of faith."  Pride is a stupid commodity, isn't it?  Regardless, this morning I woke up with Jesus reminding me of the "miraculous" provision over our almost 55 years of serving Him.  There is the "first" miracle provision when we had been married less than two years.  If you read these devotionals with any regularity, you know the story.  I can never forget the absolute awe of Jesus' Faithfulness which overwhelmed me. 

Then there were the days when I was traveling up to five times a year behind the Iron Curtain; most missions were between one and two months at a time.  We had just bought a new house; all three of our children were in a Christian School (which was not discounted, by the way); we had two cars.  Then there were the airfares, the car rentals, sometimes hotels, food, etc., etc.  Yet, we never missed a tuition payment, a car payment, nor house payment, and, I never was unable to serve the Church in Eastern Europe because of a lack of funds.  When I would look at our finances, there were many times when I just was, "O, Lord, My God, when I in awesome wonder...."

My "remembrance" this morning led to, "I meditate on You...."  Notice, "....on You," not just "attributes" etc., but, "on You," the Blessed Trinity in Jesus Christ.  It is Jesus Who is in and through all of the above testimony, in and through our lives to this moment.  "I will utter dark sayings which we have heard and known.., telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord [Jesus Christ], and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done," said the psalmist so long ago.  He later calls us to remember, "Marvelous things He did....He divided the sea....He split the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink in abundance like the depths."  He, "rained down manna on them to eat."  Remember? 

My friend in Jesus Christ, forgive me for this long exhortation, but I want to encourage you today to be a person of remembrance, "....I remember You....I meditate on You."  Remembering Jesus', will take us through the "doubts and fears assail." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, all I can say is, Shame on me if I ever fail to, "....remember You."  Amen.

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I plan to be in DC when the humanists take over the US House of Representatives.    

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

"....Mouth...Filled With Laughter...."

"When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream.  Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting...."  (Psalm 126:1, 2-- NASB)

The note in the NIV says, "....we were like those restored to health." 

Remember when Jesus, "....brought back the captive one[]..."?  You were like what the Bible describes, "....and you shall go forth and skip about like calves from the stall."  Now if you don't remember, it would be good if you would take a "trip down memory lane."  And I am not talking of just some "Toronto blessing."  There is a joy, deep within our very beings, which is not dependent upon our circumstances, our every prayer going just the way we desire.  We were sin-sick, terminal, and Jesus literally healed us of that worst of diseases, literally, "....brought back the captive ones...."

We have a tendency that the farther away we get from that glorious release from Satan's captivity, when it seems as though the proverbial "honeymoon is over," viz., when the trials and sorrows, defeats and unanswered prayers, things just not turning out the way we expect, all began to rear their heads, we tend to forget the glorious times of, "....skip about like calves...."  Perhaps it is in the seasons of trial and suffering that we most need, "....our mouth...filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting."  This is something deeper than just "feel-good" religion.  It is, "laughter," and, "joyful shouting," which comes from the inexpressible peace Who is our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Count your many blessings; see what God hath done," the song says.  Good advice.  But why is it that the "sad times" seem to rule over the "happy times?"  Maybe the issue is just our focus, as in, "looking unto Jesus," instead of "looking unto" what did not work out.  I pray today that, "our mouth [is] filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, may this be so for me and my friend.  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

"....Your Word Stands Firm...."

"Forever, O Lord, Your Word stands firm in heaven."  (Psalm 119:89)

"Forever...."--- which includes past, present, and future.

The Bible is not published in chronological order.  While it is a supreme "history book," His purpose is more "theological" than historical.  Jesus does, however, reveal in His Words that all history is, as the phrase goes, "His Story." 

The Bible reveals how the Living Triune God deals with mankind and nations, as well as individuals and families.  It is literally full of lessons from which we can/must learn.  Though each one of us is of utmost importance to God, Who demonstrated His love for us by giving up Himself for us on the Cross in Jesus Christ, neither you nor I is given "specific" or, what some may think of as "personal/unique," instructions for our daily life, how to conduct ourselves, etc.  The Bible instructions have been given once for all because the principles contained therein are "once-for-all" principles.  Contrary to modern thought, the, "God-Breathed," Words are just as "relevant" for you and me today as they were for Ezekiel.

Jesus' is The, "Forever," Word of the Father, and it is His Word which, "Forever...stands firm in heaven."  You and I can only, "stand firm[]" in our pilgrimage on Planet Earth when we, "stand firm[]" in Jesus Chris and His Words.  "All other ground is sinking sand."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that in this word of "sand," you make my life, "Forever...stand[] firm," in You.  Amen.

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Remember that you can always read the devotionals in the Blog format at:

jhs58.blogspot.com

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