Some "Words" From Jesus' Words

"She has not received correction from the Lord.  She has not obeyed His voice.  She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God."  (Zephaniah 3:2, from the Interlinear Bible)

The prophet here is declaring the Word of the Lord against Jerusalem.  These Words, however, are not just for Jerusalem.  They are Words for twentieth-century Earth.  The Call of the Living Triune God in Jesus Christ is for all humanity, "Come to Me."

I'm drawing near to the end of the Old Testament.  I have refused over the years to just read "favorite passages" over and over, to the neglect of, "the whole counsel of God."  For me, there is not a "said-and-done-with" in the Bible.  I cease not to be amazed at how passages which may have seemed "remote" at times are Words for daily living.

My question of today's text is, Do I, "receive[] correction from the Lord?"  Do I, "obey[] His voice?"  Do I trust in the Lord," and do I, "draw near to...God"?  It's easy to sit in judgement on the people and nations to whom the Lord addresses these Words, but do I see myself in these Words at all?  Whether or not we may be aware of something specific, "Search me, O God...," is not without merit.

So today, you and I are reminded of correction, obedience, trust and "drawing near," which for us in whom Jesus Christ lives, it means continual, "Abide in Me."  Correction, obedience, trust, "draw near," are not just Old Testament Words.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I hear; now may I walk therein.  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 Theology of Eternity

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.  His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity."  (Micah 5:2, NASB)

Yes, our Lord Jesus Christ is He Who Is, "....from days of eternity."  Or, Jesus is the Incarnate One of Whom the Jews refer to as "The Eternal One," though most of them still do not realize it.  Or, "Thus God loved the world, that He gave His only ('unique,' viz., 'the only One of His Kind') Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have..," also, "from days of Eternity."

When a person opens his/her heart to Jesus, that person "steps" into Eternity.  And, my friend, that is "where" you are now, even though it may not "feel" that you are.  Of course, none of us understands this, which is the reason I don't speak so glibly of Jesus, His Work, His Purposes.  Jesus tells us that, "You are My friends if you do what I command you."  But for me, we should always be careful of flippant "buddy, buddy" talk and attitude.  "Our God is awesome God," should keep us in a continual state of awe, reverence, "lost in wonder, love and praise."

I cannot understand, fathom, comprehend eternity, because as the mathematician said so many years ago, "we are eternity blind."  The Words, "Behold, I show you a mystery..," are true of our very existence in this present Age.  I just worship, praise, thank and glory in our Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  The Bible teaches us clearly that faith is not "smarts," or comprehension.  "Moreover, faith is...the evidence," not, "evidence is the faith."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I "believe."  Amen. 

****************************

There are still some "issues" with our move, but we thank those who have been praying for us.  Closing is still set for August 30.

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 Will...Gather All Nations...."

"When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat...on account of My People....."  (Joel 3)

I know that my devotionals tend to not be the "feel good" ones which are so popular.  This is not to criticize them nor justify me, just the reality.

For me, the texts which I choose are "feel good" simply because they tell me and remind me of the Reign of Him Who is, "King of kings, and Lord of lords," even our Lord Jesus Christ.  I encourage all to read the Bible keeping in mind that every Word of God is, as Deuteronomy 6:24 tells us, "for our good always, that He might preserve us alive."!  Jeremiah reminds us that when the nations challenge the Reign of Jesus Christ, they, "shall know whose words will stand, Mine or theirs."

King Jesus has brought, "back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem," and He is still in the process.  The desert has blossomed and indeed is still blossoming, "as the rose."  And, I might add that Israel is still surrounded by enemies--- as it always has been.  Think for a moment, my friend: If this is true of Israel, how equally is it true for you and me?!?  When Jesus entered our very beings, He did in us what He did for Israel, "and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose."  Remember?  And it still will and can be if only you and I will walk moment by moment in Jesus Christ.

"I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there...."  That Day is coming.  I don't take a, "Well, they'll get theirs," here, but it is true that they will.  Evil in the world has a day coming when it will face, "I will enter into judgment with them...."  All that I have written today is a reminder to us all that, "....in those days and at that time," much is going to happen, e.g, "....those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."  An encouragement to us all today is the exhortation of Jesus, "Lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray we are all ready for, "that Day."  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

"Michael, Your Prince"

"So he said, 'Do you know why I have come to you?  Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.'"  (Daniel 10:20, 21--NIV)

This is one of the most "mysterious" and revelatory passages, "in the Book of Truth."  The concept of Cosmic struggle is declared elsewhere, but none are more revealing of the "conflict of the ages."

This is not a "get-out-of-jail-free card."  For me, it is a tremendous privilege to participate in this battle.  The War in the Heavenlies has been going on through the post Garden ages.  Humanity may never know, or at least not in this age, the debt it owes to, "Michael, your prince," and the other warring angels.  "The prince of Persia, and...the prince of Greece," as well as the Prince of Russia, China, etc., are doomed, thanks to the warring angels; more importantly, Christus Victor!

The earth is "covered."  Wouldn't you rather participate than just sit there.  Jesus' Blood, Jesus' Death, Jesus' Resurrection, and Jesus' soon Second Appearing, the Triumphant, "Captain of our Salvation," is "on the march."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for including me in your Eternal Plan.  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