"Proclaim The Logos"

"Preach the Word/Logos!...Convict, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come...."  (2 Timothy 4:2, 3a)

And you know what, "time," the Holy Spirit is speaking of, "....they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears..., they will turn their ears away from the truth...."

I've been doing these devotionals for about 18 years, at least, averaging around 5 per week.  It is inevitable that "repeating" will come, but for me, at least, I find that even familiar texts are always "fresh," something "new" to be discovered, imparted. 

The command in our text is to, "Proclaim the Logos."  This is the same Word translated in John 1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was...God."  I don't fully understand Greek or Hebrew.  I do know that there are certain "governing" principles of interpretation, etc.  But for me, it is, "Preach the Word," Who Is the Lord Jesus Christ.  All the Words of the Bible are of, "the Logos," which is also translated as, "Divine Utterance."  This includes all 89 verses of Numbers 7.

"Convict ('reprove, correct'), rebuke (warn), exhort...."  The Word for, "exhort," means, "send for, invite, beseech, entreat, beg, admonish, comfort, encourage, console," quite an order to fill.  I pray that I be able to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to you in fulfilling this command.  You are special; you are loved; you are cared for in Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Now, the Self-Same, "Logos," the One Who Is the, "Divine Utterance," is speaking to you.  Never, "....turn [your] ears away from the Truth," which is Jesus Christ.  The call of those with, "itching ears," is ever "out there." 

The promised keeping Power in our Lord Jesus Christ is ours.  We need fear nothing as we fear the Living Triune God and abide in Him.  "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to continually fulfill, "Proclaim the Logos."  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 Dead Man...Who Paul Claimed Was Alive"

"....But they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive."  (Acts 25:19, NASB)

This is "Bible in the raw."  Festus, a Roman official in Israel, was attempting to make some sense out of the Jews' accusations against Paul, "about their own superstition (margin) and a dead man."  Notice, however, "the power of the Gospel," of Jesus, "whom Paul asserted to be alive."  Let us consider for a few moments what has happened to such clarity, such foundational Truth throughout the centuries.

"Post modern," and, "Post Christian" can tend to get overworked in these days.  But the "reality check" of the current global scene is that the number of people claiming their religion as Christianity is steadily decreasing, church attendance decreasing, financial giving decreasing.  I know, repetition-- sorry.

I am scheduled to preach in our local congregational meeting on May 5.  I am seriously considering as a text Isaiah 8:11-14a.  One verse describes what has happened in Christendom over the centuries, "Do not think like everyone else does."  Okay, so saying that this is the number one reason for the perversion, as well as the decreasing numbers, in Christendom throughout the centuries may be a little over the top; but it certainly has to be in the top ten. 

All throughout Israel's history, the followers of the One True God, "The Eternal One," revealed in Jesus Christ, had to continually battle with those, "inside the camp," who believed the proverbial, "grass is greener on the other side of the fence," e.g., "No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like the nations...."   Furthermore, and especially since the so-called Enlightenment era, most of Christendom has flirted with and, indeed, converted to the same humanism.  After all, science and "book larnin" is far more respectable than believing all that Genesis 1-10 myth.  Well, as the saying goes, "The rest is history."

Today's text is a classic example of a "secular humanist" attempting to "make sense" of, "the Faith of Jesus," aka, Christianity.  He observed the religionists babbling on about how this Paul was a continual threat to their religion, and some very strange claim, probably to him as well as the rest of the political leadership in attendance that day, that a, "dead man named Jesus," was now, "alive."  Everyone in that room that day had a life and death choice. 

Just as Festus, you and I have a daily challenge and, yes, daily choice.  We are surrounded, literally surrounded by children of the "Enlightenment."  Are we going to choose "Enlightenment" humanism, or the, "Words of God," as our life style?!?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I choose You.  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

So You Want "Understanding"?

"I understand more than the elders ('ancients') because I obey Your precepts."  (Psalm 119:100, HCSB)

Try this:  "I understand...because I obey...." 

Now the natural mind might argue with this.  It would say that we need "book larnin," degrees, or just think that some people are smarter than others, so we might as well accept it.  No.  Jesus Christ Himself, "The Word of God," tells us that, "I understand...because I obey Your precepts," viz., "Word."

We once counseled a woman who was more interested in telling us her problems than getting an answer.  When a brief moment appeared which indicated she really did want some relief from her life maladies, I said to her, "I would like you to read 5 Psalms and 1 Proverb a day for the next month.  Then, let's get together again."  Only a camera would explain her reaction.  Too many people seeking "help" in life get speculation, shrouded, religious psycho analysis.  But I once did a marriage seminar and took the class through 1 Peter.  A couple later said that when I announce our "study book," they thought, "What does that have to do with marriage."  They confessed to getting great help for their marriage; go figure.    

One simply cannot, "obey," what one does not know.  I have said and written many times that I have very little "understanding" of the Universe, life in Jesus Christ, His Church, His Kingdom.  Whatever "understanding" I do have is in the, "God-Breathed," Words.  The Word translated, "understand," in our text is from a Hebrew Word which means, "to discern."  O, so wait a moment!  Most people think that discernment is some deep looking stare, someone's ability to "read" a situation or some one.  Again, not so.  Divine understanding comes from Jesus' Words.  Read on; obey on.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You are continually exposing religious myths.  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

My Take On Pharisees And Sadducees

"And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.  For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection-- and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both."  (Acts 23:7, 8)

It seems as though the Pharisees believed the Bible; the Sadducees didn't.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, obviously very open to the "things of God."  Nicodemus recognized Him in Jesus Christ.  He had questions.  So who doesn't?  John tells us that through it all, Nicodemus, the Pharisee, ruler in the Sanhedrin, was at the cross with Joseph of Arimathea.  The New Birth obviously "took."

To be someone who always doubts because he cannot comprehend is a terrible way to live.  I have said many times before that if "believing" means fully understanding, fully grasping, then I don't believe.  Believing for me is accepting.  Nicodemus said to Jesus, "How can these things be?"  Good question.  But then, we find him at the Cross.

Are you struggling with Sadduceeism, struggling with life's unanswerable questions to the point that you cannot surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ, beginning each day with Paul's question to Jesus, "Lord, what would you have me to do?"  It's okay, you know, if you don't understand everything.  Just live as the hymn says, "I Surrender All."

Romans 11:33 in the Interlinear Greek says, "O the depth of wisdom and knowledge of God How unsearchable the judgments of Him and untraceable the ways of Him."  The Word for, "unsearchable," means, "cannot be searched into, inscrutable, unfathomable."  The Word for, "untraceable," means, "that cannot be explored, incomprehensible."  Nicodemus, the Pharisee, accepted this reality.  Sadducee people will not.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to walk the way of Nicodemus.  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

My Take On Pharisees And Sadducees

"And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.  For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection-- and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both."  (Acts 23:7, 8)

It seems as though the Pharisees believed the Bible; the Sadducees didn't.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, obviously very open to the "things of God."  Nicodemus recognized Him in Jesus Christ.  He had questions.  So who doesn't?  John tells us that through it all, Nicodemus, the Pharisee, ruler in the Sanhedrin, was at the cross with Joseph of Arimathea.  The New Birth obviously "took."

To be someone who always doubts because he cannot comprehend is a terrible way to live.  I have said many times before that if "believing" means fully understanding, fully grasping, then I don't believe.  Believing for me is accepting.  Nicodemus said to Jesus, "How can these things be?"  Good question.  But then, we find him at the Cross.

Are you struggling with Sadduceeism, struggling with life's unanswerable questions to the point that you cannot surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ, beginning each day with Paul's question to Jesus, "Lord, what would you have me to do?"  It's okay, you know, if you don't understand everything.  Just live as the hymn says, "I Surrender All."

Romans 11:33 in the Interlinear Greek says, "O the depth of wisdom and knowledge of God How unsearchable the judgments of Him and untraceable the ways of Him."  The Word for, "unsearchable," means, "cannot be searched into, inscrutable, unfathomable."  The Word for, "untraceable," means, "that cannot be explored, incomprehensible."  Nicodemus, the Pharisee, accepted this reality.  Sadducee people will not.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to walk the way of Nicodemus.  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

Others Need Your Testimony

"And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'  So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?'  And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'"  (Acts 22:7, 8)

We read Paul's testimony in Acts 22.  He repeated it often throughout his life, his missionary activity, his epistles.  Too many today are using cliches which others have invented as clever ways to share, "the faith of Jesus."  That does not work. 

You and I are called to bear witness to Jesus by what the Bible says, and, "the Word to which [we bear] witness."  Yes, each testimony honors what the Bible says, and each person's unique testimony is so vital to reaching others.  Perhaps this is one reason we have four Gospel accounts.  Jesus has done, and is doing something in you which has "life" for those someones who are going through similar life experiences.  People need to hear "your story!"

I guess the short of it today is: Tell others what Jesus has done and is doing for you, not so much what He has done and is doing for others.  The former should always have precedence over the latter.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "If it had not been [You] Who was on [my] side when," life, "rose up against [me], life, "would have swollowed [me] alive."  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