"Peace Be Within Your Walls"

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you.  Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces'....As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His People...."  (Psalm 122:6,7; Psalm 124)

I just noticed this month in reading this Psalm that when we are told to, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," a suggested prayer is then given: "May they prosper who love you.  Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces."  So there you have it; this is how we should pray for Jerusalem.

I will be preaching in the Covenant Church East service this coming Sunday, January 27.  The problem with preaching so little these days is to "narrow down" all that is going on inside you.  We are a small congregation of great people and a great pastor.  May I serve them properly.

This coming Sunday is the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the German Death Camp in Oswiecim, Poland (Auschwitz).  It is also "International Holocaust Remembrance Day."  It is very real to me today that our text is applicable to the Jews of the world.  There are only 200,000 Holocaust survivors still alive in Israel today, and an always sobering reminder to me is that some of them are my age.  Haman attempted genocide of the Jews, the Germans attempted it, but not only are there millions of Jews alive today because of the prayer and declaration of our texts, but again, in my life time, we have the "Modern State of Israel."  Jesus is, "Faithful and True."

"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His People from this time forth and forever."  This includes you, my friend.  Just as our Lord Jesus Christ has kept a remnant of Jews to this day, so Jesus keeps you and me, a part of the remnant of His Followers throughout the centuries.  I pray that you never forget, for one moment, that Jesus, "Immanuel, God with us," is round about you every moment of the day, 24/7/365(6).  "Wherefore, comfort one another with these words."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I cannot thank You enough for being, "round about [me]."  Amen.

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An article about what is going on in Europe also reveals what is going on in the United States of America 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

"My Delight"--"My Counselors"

"Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors." 

(Psalm 119:24, NIV)

Sarah's test results were all negative.  Thanks to any who have been praying for us.

I confess to some worrying in this time.  Have you ever noticed that the "closer home" something "hits," the more this is true?  I can confess also, however, that a couple of days ago I had a "strange" sense of peace.  I know someone was praying this specifically for us, yet I also had our text to add to my sanity.

First, the psalmist says that, "The Word of God," is his, "delight."  If one does not find, "delight," in Jesus' Words, one won't read Jesus' Words.  The Word translated, "delight," is from a Word which means, "enjoyment, pleasure."  This is a surprise to those who believe reading the Bible is a religious duty, laborious.  I caution you, though, to be careful as to what we might call, "delight, enjoyment, pleasure."  If these words are defined by a humanist culture, Hollywood, hedonists, then confusion may arise at the psalmist's assertion.  Do I get goose pimples when I read Leviticus 14?  No.  But I find delight there because those Words are, "the Words of God," Himself.

Then the psalmist lays claim to, "The Word of God," as his, "counselors."  These past couple of weeks I refused to do what Patton said some of his fellow officers did too often, "take counsel of their fears."  Our fears are very, very poor counselors.  Only, "God-Breathed," Words can counsel us and impart peace.  Here is some great counsel from Jesus, "Who is our Peace," and, "Wonderful Counselor....Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  We would have every reason to, "be troubled," and, "afraid," if it were not for the, "Faithful and True," One Himself, Jesus Christ.  Read the Bible, the very, "Words of God."  They may not always "feel" good, but they always do good. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your mercy and grace.  Amen.

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Remember that you can always read the devotionals at: apfdevotionals.blogspot.com

Sometimes when I discover a mistake, I go to the site to correct it.

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

"Barnette, You Read Too Much Bible"

"Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat.  And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord's lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering.  But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness....And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place,..he shall bring the live goat.  Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel,..putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man.  The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.  "  (Leviticus 16:8-10, 20-22)

You can see Jesus here, can you not?  "....presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement.., to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness."  The Hebrew writer picks up this reality.  "For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary...are burned outside the camp.  THEREFOR JESUS ALSO, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate." 

If you read all of Leviticus 16 (which I highly recommend), you will notice all of the animal sacrifices which were to sanctify the tabernacle and the people--- and all by blood.  "For God loved the world thus: He gave His only begotten," viz., "Unique Son."  There is a "reason" for this, if you will, revealed in the Book of Hebrews, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.....Therefore Jesus...."

The shedding of blood and death is necessary for the forgiveness of sin.  To those who have a problem with this, those who have called this "slaughterhouse religion," I say it's not my idea.  This is the Godhead, Blessed Trinity, Living Triune God declaring and showing that, "neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  Man did not, nor could not have conceived of atonement, forgiveness of sin, which brings a person into moment by moment fellowship in the Triune God Himself, other than in, "Immanuel, God with us...,the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."  This is nothing but, "to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness."

Ah, "But to us who are being saved, it is the power of God."  So, I have no other exhortation to you today than that of Hebrews 13, "For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.  Therefore Jesus also, that He might set apart the people with His own Blood, suffered outside the gate.  THEREFORE LET US GO FORTH TO HIM, OUTSIDE THE CAMP, BEARING HIS REPROACH....For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.  Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God...."

Father, in Jesus' Name I so thank You for, "so great a salvation," and Savior.  Amen.

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Please pray for Sarah and me.  She is having tests tomorrow, 09:30, January 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

Here Is How To Get, "Great Gain"

"For we br0ught nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."  (1 Timothy 6:7, NIV)

Nothing can be more clear, albeit disconcerting, than this.  This is a sobering "Word" for all of us, especially for all hoarders.  We started with nothing; we will end with nothing.  I know; sounds very primitive, but facts are facts.  

The context of today's passage is a rebuke to people who think that, "godliness is a means to financial gain."  There is too much in Christian radio and television, however, which, at least covertly, asserts this.  Among their promises to people who give is, well, "....financial gain." 

1 Tim. 6:6 says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."  We can define, "godliness," as total surrender and obedience to Jesus Christ.  If I am content in my relationship in Jesus Christ, I indeed have, "great gain."  The opposite is the thinking of most people.  They are not content because they want more and more and more.  Be careful of those who always talk about favor; it usually implies, "....a means to financial gain," and other "gains."  We simply just cannot "gain" more than Jesus Christ in us and we in Him. 

Hebrews 13 tells us, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content (literally, 'be satisfied,' or say, It's 'enough') with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'  So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?'"  You can sum up, "godliness with contentment," in the Words, "The Lord [Jesus Christ] is my helper; I will not be afraid...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for reminding me today what is true, "contentment."  I say with the ancient, "Be Thou My vision, O Lord, of my heart."  Amen.

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A couple of weeks ago our doctor ordered more tests for Sarah.  Please pray for these tests on January 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

"....Your Frequent Illnesses"

"Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses."  (1 Timothy 5:23, NIV)

Well, someone has to talk about it.

This was one of my readings today.  I doubt if "faith people" would give such advice.  The reason?  Well, it's sounds too practical, mundane, "man's advice."  The problem is that is comes from the old Apostle Paul.  Where did he go wrong that he should speak of the "medicinal" approach?

We all know those who have, "frequent illnesses."  I can tell you that I have new "pains" which I have never had; I know, old age.  Some may ask, "Well, how much do we put up with?"  For me, we should not let age or genetics be faith's defeat.  I still, "hold fast our confession."  You know that the Word for, "confession," basically means, "agreement, saying the same as."  In other words, Take Jesus' Word for it, not ours.

"I am the Lord Who heals you....I will take sickness from among you....He sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions."  These are just a few of the Words of, "our confession."  Good News flash:  The whole Bible is, "our confession."  So no matter the situation in which you find yourself, confess Jesus' Words.  Today's text reveals the possibility that the "healing process" just may be something outside "faith man's" thinking. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I cling to You and Your Words.  Thank You that You continually "open" them to me.  Amen.  

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* Please pray for Sarah's tests which she will be having on 1/24.

* The truth about "The Women's March."   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