Not On Or Beside, But, "At The Center"

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain standing at the center of the throne...."  (Revelation 5:6, NIV))

Sometimes I save my Revelation reading for the last day of the quarter so that I can read through the book in one sitting.  If you have never done this, I highly recommend it.

John saw Jesus, "....standing at the center of the throne."  Bonhoeffer entitled one of his books Christ the Center.  This is "where" Jesus is, "....at the center of the throne," His Church, our lives.  Remember what Jesus has told us in Revelation 3, "To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."

This, my friend, is our home, dwelling place in Jesus Christ, because the Blessed Trinity, "raised us up together and seated us together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."  May the Holy Spirit write this in our hearts and minds.  The Reality will carry anyone who has surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ through 2020 in the Eternal Realm.  This is "Resurrection Power."

May we, His Church, have a, "....seated...together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus", glorious New Year!

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for inviting me, welcoming me to be in You for Eternity.  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

Love Is Not Flattery

"And this I pray: that your love may abound more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment]...."  (Philippians 1:9)

Darby's says, "in full knowledge and all intelligence." 

There are passages in the Gospels which record Words of Jesus which do not seem "loving" to the, what Mumford has called, the "sloppy agape" people, yet they are, "in full knowledge and all intelligence."  For example, in Matthew 17 we read, "And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 'Lord, have mercy on my son....I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.'  Then Jesus answered and said, 'O faithless and perverse ('to distort, misinterpret, corrupt') generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long shall I put up with you?  Bring him here to Me.'"  This is Jesus Christ.  This is not some misinterpretation of Jesus.  To say to the man or the disciples, "O well, that's okay.  I understand your weakness.  Let me do something now," would not be love, the giving Love of the Godhead, the love which brings you and me into Himself rather than comforting me in my self; it would be nothing but flattery. 

I am so thankful, at least we all ought to be, that our Lord Jesus does not "love" us with flattery, a sort of, "there-there-your-okay" false love devoid of, "full knowledge...."  Personally, I am thankful for His Love which has, over the years, even said, "How long...."  What Jesus spoke to my heart so many years ago, "You can sit here the rest of your life and pity yourself.  Or, you can get up and follow Me," it was nothing but pure, "Agape."

I pray for those who have quit in their walk in Jesus, those for whom their expectations and desires were not met, those who succumbed to the lie that "God does not love me."  It is the, 'distort, misinterpret,' of the Matthew 17 text.  May you and I realize today that our text gives us a "weapon" with which to combat this.  It is, "Agape," the Love in Jesus Christ which is found only in, "greater depth of acquaintance...," in Jesus Christ Himself.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for Your, "Agape."    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

"We Will Also Come With You"

"Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.  Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.'  They said to him, 'We will also come with you.'  They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing." (John 21:2, 3--NASB)

There have been far too many in Church History who have made this same decision.  Things did not develop as they had wished and expected, so they said, "I am going fishing."  They say, "It seems as though this is just not going to work out.  All seems lost."  What happened to them is what happened to the discouraged fishermen. 

The lesson here is that we may think we can go back to "fishing," but we can't.  There will just be no more fish to catch, try as we may.  The appearance may be of "success," but the nets will forever be empty, meaningless, in reality, worse than before we surrendered our lives to Jesus.

I pray that if any who are reading this are in such a state as the fishermen, the Holy Spirit will write in your hearts and minds the Words of Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go.  You have the Words of Eternal Life."

Father, in Jesus' Name, if there is anyone in the world today who is considering going back to "fishing," I pray that You open their eyes to see what they are going back to.  Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit draw them back to You, Your Cross, Your Heaven.  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

What, "Obscures [Jesus'] Plans," For Our Lives?

"Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.  He said: 'Who is this that obscures My plans with words without knowledge?'"  (Job 38:1, 2--NIV)

So here we have it: What, "....obscures My (Jesus') plans..," is our, "....words without knowledge".  It is not that Jesus does not "reveal" His plans.

All of the questions which our Lord God asks Job are Divinely Rhetorical.  What I took particular note of this time through Job, however, is Job's response to the rebuke of the Godhead, "I am unworthy-- how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.  I spoke once, but I have no answer-- twice, but I will say no more....Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know."  The Church of today can use more of this.  

I wrote yesterday of listening.  This is what we see in Job's response to, "The Word of God."  Could we say that the Lord God rebuked Job for not "listening?"  Perhaps there is a truth here as expressed in Ezekiel 33:10,  "Our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?" 

I encourage us to beware of words of speculation, which are nothing but, "words without knowledge," words not rooted in, "The Words of God," in Jesus Christ Himself.  I pray for you and me to walk in Jesus' "Wonderful Words of Life."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I only, "sp[eak[] of things...wonderful for me to know."  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

We Have Lost the War on Christmas - Frontpagemag

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I Noticed Answered Prayer Today

"The Lord bless you out of Zion,(1) and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. (2) Yes, may you see your children's children.(3)  Peace upon Israel!"  (Psalm 128:5, 6)

Our Lord Jesus reminded me today, in just two little verses of Sacred Writ, of three Manifold blessings.  I have been, "....bless[ed]...out of Zion...."  I have seen, "....the good of Jerusalem..," especially since June, 1967.  I have seen my, "....children's children."  I am a blessed man.  Many reading this can say a glorious, "THANK YOU," to the Living Triune God for His mercy in granting the "may you(s)" of our text. 

I so encourage us today to LISTEN, to listen to the Blessed Trinity, and, listen to one another.  How many times we read passages and just do not listen.  We fail to see and hear what Jesus is "saying" to us, most dangerously in the "favorite" Scriptures" we read.  I have said/written many times before, that every day there is literally something "new" which Jesus speaks to my heart from His Words, Words which I have been reading over and over for many decades, yet are, indeed, "....new every morning...."

Moreover, I am more and more convinced that way too many do not listen to each 0ther.  So often I have noticed that when you share something which is "new" to you, "new," as in revelation, others do not listen.  Instead, they just pick up the "cliche aspect" of the words and wonder off from there.  This is not, "koinonia."  Fellowship in Jesus and in His Church is listening, hearing, observing, encountering one another, which involves literally "hearing out" one another.  Jumping to some conclusion upon hearing just a few words is childish. 

Since this is true among Jesus' Followers, it is just as true and imperative that we listen to, hear out our Lord Jesus Christ in His Words.  Oh, how so much we miss if we do not listen, hear, and, "Selah," Jesus' Words.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so pray for, "ears to hear," You, and the Brethren.  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

"Unto You"

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."  (Luke 2:11, KJV)

The, "Savior, which is Christ the Lord," is, "unto you," or, "yours."

This should be enough for a very "Merry Christmas."  This is our Lord Jesus Christ Who loved/loves you this way, "He gave," Himself for you and me.  Jesus is not like so many for whom, "I love you," is a cliche, those who think it's the sweetest thing to say.  Jesus' love is more than "talk" love.  The Living Triune God, well, "He gave His Only...."

Jesus' is, "unto you," and me.  Jesus is the One of Whom Galatians 2 says, "....who loved us and gave Himself for us."  May this be our love for one another, now and always.

Father, in Jesus' Name,  Thank You so much for Your "Giving Love."  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

"Oh, Little Town...."

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord."  (Luke 2:11)

It was, and still is, a little obscure town, that "little town of Bethlehem."  But what happened on that starry night so long ago changed the course of history, changed you and me forever.  "F0r there is born to you...a Savior," yes, "born to you," and me, to all humanity, Jesus, Savior/King.  It is interesting that the Word translated, "you," is mostly translated in the Scripture as, "yours."  I wonder how, "Born yours," works?!?

This was no surprise to history nor to those like Simeon and Anna who had been awaiting, "The Coming One," all of their lives.  Anna was 84 years old before she saw what she had been looking for, and Simeon was also most likely and old man.  How long have you been looking for something in Jesus' time table, 84 years?  Take heart; you have a good example in Simeon and Anna.

"....God cannot lie," saith the, "God-Breathed," Word.  And seven hundred years before the announcement to the shepherds on the hills of Bethlehem the Prophet Micah gives us an all too overlooked prophecy:

"'But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from days of Eternity....And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord His God; and they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth; and this One shall be peace.'"

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to wait for that which will surely, "come to pass."  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

"Before The Mountains..., You Are God"

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God....So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:2 & 12)

The prophetic announcement to the shepherds that first Christmas Night was in a time/space setting.  It was also, however, within the, "....even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." 

You and I were born into the Eternal when we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ and were born of His Spirit.  In Eternity there is no more, "from...to," just the eternal now.  The Holy Spirit then admonishes you and me to, "number our days".  And notice that the psalmist realizes that only the Living Triune God can, "teach us to number our days"; no one can teach us this but our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.  It is a sobering prayer, one which I am praying.

We are a literal blip in history and eternity.  In verse 4 we read, "For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night."  I have tried at times, but cannot comprehend this.  I do, on the other hand, accept this.

I believe Jesus spoke to my heart in a meeting this morning.  It was the parable of the three stewards of Matthew 25.  Whether 5, 2 or 1, in this time/space journey, get on with what has been entrusted to us.  Faithfulness in Jesus will bring, "Well done, good and faithful servant....Enter into the joy of your Lord."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I live for Your approval.  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

“A Sound From Heaven

"And I heard a sound from Heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder.  The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps."  (Revelation 14:2, NIV)

Those must be quit some harps to sound like that.

It had to be the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which enabled John to witness all that he saw and heard.  No wonder you and I will need glorified, resurrected bodies.  

Dear Fellow Traveler and one who is a Follower of Jesus Christ:  As we are celebrating literally "The Greatest Show On Earth," the First Appearing of, "Emmanuel, God with us," what glorious reality that "The Greatest Show" of universe is about to begin.

"Fairest Lord Jesus;...Lord of the nations,..Praise, adoration now and forevermore be Thine."  Amen

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"....I Stand At The Door And Knock"

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

I hope my devotionals have not been "downers" in recent days.  Truth/Reality, however, can be that for those who, as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, "sorrow as others who have no hope."

We have "hope" because we have Jesus Christ, or rather, Jesus Christ has us.  I mention again that it seems as though in Revelation 2 & 3 the greater the rebuke the greater the accompanying promised blessings.  Just notice this: "And to the messenger of the church of the Laodiceans write,...'So then, because you are luke warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.'  Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire...."  What an absolute horrifying rebuke.

Ah, but then we read our text, followed by a promise which cannot be hyperbolized, a promise to the repentant person and local Church, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father in His throne."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You for knocking on my heart's door!  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

"....Or Else"

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent."  (Revelation 2:5)

I'm still processing the closing of 130 and 148 year old churches.  Most of you reading this are a part of congregations which are "products" of the last 50 years.  It's sort of like The United States of America.  Egypt, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Ottoman and some other ancient empires all out lived our 244 years.  On the world stage of history, we have proven very little.

There are three congregations in Greenburg which were founded in 1799; that's 220 years ago.  Our local church is not quite 20 years old, and several of the larger evangelical/charismatic congregations in our area are no older than 45 years.  I repeat: It's not how we begin; it's how we finish.  Every race I started, I was in the lead for a number of yards, some I won, some I didn't.  Good starts don't get, "the prize."

Our text, taken from the last several days' readings in Revelation, maybe gives some insight as to why congregations fail, "....Repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your candlestick...."  Could this be what is happening all throughout the Western World?  Is repentance a part of modern Christendom, our church, your church?  Only the arrogant would say that there is nothing in their local congregation of which they have to repent.  Revival begins with repentance.  If whatever we call "revival" does not, it's not Holy Ghost Revival.  This is a main reason the landscape of the charismatic renewal is strewn with closed churches.  Bob Mumford once said, "The Lord came looking for fruit, and we gave Him bumper stickers."

Revival begins in and is maintained in repentance and obedience.  The first time I read Revelation I can remember taking note that rebukes were followed by, "....exceeding great and precious promises."  Notice what Jesus says to the Ephesian Church which had, "....left your first love..: repent and do the first works."  I believe this is what our Lord Jesus is saying right now to the Western Church--- "first love-first works."  To the obedient Church, then, our Lord Jesus Christ gives the promise, "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I prayer for awakening, revival, whatever You call it.  Your Church is in desperate need.  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

A Reason Churches Close

"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.  And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.'"  (Revelation 4:1, NIV)

Right after warnings, rebukes, and affirmations to the seven churches, we encounter, "a door standing open in heaven."  It is a great "leaving-behind."  The warnings, the rebukes have been issued.  Then comes, "That Day," the Second Advent, when Revelation 4-22 will manifest.  What are you and I about in such an hour as this?

This "open door" is an invitation.  This "open door" is only in and through the Blood and Cross of Jesus.  In chapter 3 we read a glorious promise to those who have been, as chapter 1 verse 5 says, "....washed...from our sins in His Own Blood," those who Follow Jesus, "I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels....I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut....Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.  I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown."

Then in a little bit we read, "....Before me was a door standing open in heaven."  Maybe a reason so many "churches" fail is that they have been so consumed with selling a get-it-all-now "gospel" (I wonder if it is also "get out of jail free") that they have left people with no hope.  There is no, "door standing open in heaven," for many congregations today.  They look around and see sicknesses, marital breakups, financial difficulties, broken hearts, "unanswered" prayers, countries such as the US now which are just full of hate and revenge.  Humanity needs, "After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven."  Go ahead, cynics, and call this "pie in the sky."  At least I have "pie."  What do you have?

My weary traveler, is the reality of today's text not worth whatever we go through in this sojourn?!?  Instead of, "Look around," I call us to look "beyond."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Your Words cannot be matched.  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

What Is Our Lord Jesus "Writing" To Your Church?

"And to the...Church in_______write:_______"  (The Book of Revelation)

Well, "The Great Evangelical Recession" really hit home today when I learned that after 130 years, Park Avenue United Methodist Church, formerly Park Avenue Evangelical United Brethren, formerly Park Ave. United Brethren in Christ will be closing in June of 2020.  My Dad was the pastor from June of 1956 to June of 1964.  It is the Church I was a part of from my eighth grade through 12th grade years of high school, and two years of college.  O, yes; and I also found out that after 148 years, Trinity UM, formerly Trinity EUB, formerly Trinity Evangelical Association, the Church in whose building I was licensed to preach in May of 1964, also closed in June of last year.

This is the Church in America; this is the Church in Europe.  Now don't anyone get all spiritual on me and tell me, "Well, those are denominational churches; they were probably dead anyway."  Really?  And how much has your local church grown in the last 130 years?  Oh, wait!  It's not 130 years old, probably not even 50, and probably not even....  The proud who call themselves "Christian" had better face the reality: The Church in America is losing the battle.  We have lost several generations, and most likely will lose ensuing ones, unless....  The epicenter of the Church of Jesus Christ has shifted from "the white man's church" to the African and Asian "church." 

I am determined, only by the grace and mercy of Jesus, to continue pressing on "in the fight."  Jesus, "The Word of God," declared this Eternal Truth:  "I will build My Church," and that Church is and always has been the Glorious Church, the Overcoming Church.  It is not a one generational church, or a 148 year old church.  It is the "2ooo year" Church, rooted and founded in, "Thy Kingdom is a Kingdom of all ages, and Your Dominion endures THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS."  It is time for The Church of Jesus Christ to storm those, "gates of Hell," which Jesus tells us, "....will not prevail," or, "not be victorious."

Are you "on board?" 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I grieve for the state of the American and European Church.  "Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven."  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 May Be Nuts (No Comment)

"The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."  (Zephaniah 3:17)

Our worship, prayers, declarations, nothing can compare, in any way or fashion, with what the Living Triune God says to and about us throughout Scripture.  Just read our text several times; meditate upon it, and we can maybe begin to see just how much Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit lavishes love and grace upon us.

The Hebrew for, "rejoice," here gives the idea of, "extreme delight."  Ern Baxter once shared an observation of the Matthew 11 passage, where Jesus is rejoicing, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things...from the wise and intelligent."  He said that the Greek context actually implies that Jesus clapped His hands and jumped up and down.  "Jesus, actually did that?"  Why not?  If you take our text seriously, you will see the same "attitude" there.  Regardless, the Bible is just packed full of passages which affirm this glorious truth.  "What Wondrous Love Is This, O my soul, O, my soul,.." that the very, "Mighty One," Himself rejoices, "....over you with gladness,..quiet[s] you with His love,.." and rejoices, "....over you with singing."!!!  How dare anyone ever entertain the idea that our fellowship in the Godhead is just "a one way street."

The Blessed Trinity tells us many times throughout the, "God-Breathed," Word, to, "rejoice, praise, glory, exult."  Now here's a thought:  Maybe this is as much an invitation as a command.  The Blessed Trinity says more wonderful things to and about us than you and I can ever say about and to Him.  No matter our worship, prayers, declarations, they pale into near insignificance when compared to what our, "Good Shepherd," expresses to us and does for us.

When you worship, pray, intercede, declare, just always remember that no matter what you and I can say or express, pales in the great flight of what Jesus Christ says and expresses to us, and, has done and is continually doing for us.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to more and more appreciate that You, "....rejoice over [me].., quiet [me]..," and, "rejoice over [me] with singing."  As the song writer said, "I scarce can take it in."  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

Is It Okay?

"My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, the grave is ready for me....My eye has also grown dim because of sorrow....My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart."  (Job 17)

Some may not agree, but I have often wondered: If Jesus, Word of the Father, said that Job spoke what was right, could broken spirits find a sort of consolation in knowing that it might be okay to feel some of the things Job felt?

But of course, it is not "right" to wallow in a brokenness which defeats, leads to, "....denying the Lord Who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction."  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ, and you, forgive me if I ever seem to minimize any, "My spirit is broken...," but I'm sure you know as well as I that it is not the intent of Jesus for us to have a, "....spirit is broken," which leads to perpetual, "....my days are extinguished....My eye has also grown dim because of sorrow....My...purposes are broken off...."

There is a "brokenness" of which David speaks in Psalm 51, "A broken and a contrite heart...."  This is "right" brokeness; this is necessary for repentance; this is necessary for walking in Jesus Christ, akin to, "Blessed are the poor in spirit."  But a brokenness which leads to, "I quit," is from the pit of Hell.  You know that I know about this.  In June of 1970, I felt as Jonah, "The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.  To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever." 

As Job, I also was in, "My spirit is broken," and those "Jonah scenes" still pop up at times.  But I cannot thank our Lord Jesus Christ enough for His constant, continual, "ever-present ('muchness, abundance, well proved') help in trouble."  And, my friend, for me this is not a "yesterday experience."  It is day to day, moment by moment.  Today, anew, I celebrate the Healer of broken spirits, "He will not allow your foot to slip; He Who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He...shall neither slumber nor sleep", even when you and I do.

Father, in Jesus' Name, O Thou Healer of, "My spirit is broken," be the Healer to any who read this.  Amen. 

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Read: "South Florida Dining With Hamas And The Taliban" at:   jhs58.blogspot.com  

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"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?...For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."  (Jesus)

This is classic "lost and found."  But notice:  The shepherd went looking for the lost sheep, and in the case of the son, "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him...."  You don't see someone, "a long way off," unless you are looking for him.

The first can be classic evangelism, looking for those who have never surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ.  The second is "one of our own," a fellow Follower of Jesus who went astray.  The question which looms large in me today is, What am I doing about both?  The danger in us is to accept what is, not what should be.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be a, "fisher of men," and a, "while he was afar off," actively-looking-for brother.  Amen.

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Article on Germany and illegal immigrants 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

The Banquet Hall WILL Be Full

"Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.'"  (Luke 14:23)

You will remember that the first invitees had an excuse for not accepting the invitation.  Remember when you did?

There was the business/work/pay-the-bills excuse.  Then there was the family excuse.  What they valued as priority is what kept them from the greatest "value" in life and, I might say, in death, a life of feasting with/in Jesus Christ.  I have had similar excuses; so have you.  My only hope and prayer now is that we have no more.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much for Your invitation to Your, "Great Supper."  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