An Attempt To Empty The Ocean With A Teaspoon

"So the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai...." (Esther 8:2)

Today's text, as always, is timely.  It gives a little further insight into the "word" which Jesus spoke to my heart yesterday.  The revival will have no equal.

The coming revival will manifest our text.  What the Enemy stole from the Followers of Jesus, what degenerate cultures have appropriated that which the Church needs in the, "Last Days," our Lord Jesus Christ will restore.  Governments and other institutions will be powerless to stop it. 

One of the things which impressed me was the purity of the coming revival, hence, from yesterday's text, "service of purification."  There will be no rule of the popular cliches circulating throughout the Church.  There will be no competition among big church leaders, no personal agendas.  People will not judge one another on worship styles, ways to do intercession, how-to pray (my way).  And, I can say with absolute certainty that the Scriptures will be the Jesus Christ and His Words, the Bible, will reign as the "Foundation Stone."  Using the Bible to justify and defend personal themes will get nowhere.  And one more thing: "soul winning" will be as never before! 

This is a feeble attempt to relate to you a little of what I "heard."  The, "not as expected," means to me that I really cannot relate what it means, nor, perhaps, should I try.  I can say for sure, however, that yesterday it was as though I was taken back in time to "ancient" revivals, something of a purity of which most of this generation has little concept, but I also include myself in this. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, grant me your grace to "understand" what You want me to, and accept what I cannot.  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

Some OT Lessons on Worship, Thanksgiving, Purification

"Mattaniah.., who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks...." (ESV) who was in charge (literally, 'over) the songs of thanksgiving....For they performed the worship (literally, 'service') of their God and the service of purification, together with the singers and the gatekeepers....There were leaders of the singers, songs of praise and hymns () of thanksgiving to God." (From Nehemiah NASB)

Let me first share with you what our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to my heart this morning "Revival is coming-------- but not as expected."

Okay, today's texts are from some of yesterday's readings.  Maybe it is a "pattern" for worship, giving of thanks.  Notice also, "service of purification...."

Now we may, as the chorus says, "enter His gates with thanksgiving in our heart, we will enter His courts with praise," but there is also a reminder here that only those who have participated in the, "service of purification," may do so.  I wonder just how much neglect of, "purification," affects our worship gatherings.  Of course, we know that the only, "service of purification," which allows us to walk moment by moment in, and, "to enter the Most Holy Place [is] by the Blood of Jesus."   

"....praise, who gave thanks.., the songs of thanksgiving.., the worship.., the service of purification.., singers and gatekeepers.., songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to God."  All sounds good to me.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my worship will always be in, "the service of purification."  Amen.

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Closing is "closed."  New phase beginning.  We depart the premises on Saturday morning, September 14.  New address also begins that day. 

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 Hath The Righteous Wrought?"

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  (Psalm 11:3)

This is the most common rendering, however................

I had a dream over 40 years ago that the Lord Jesus was in a ditch beside the foundation of a structure.  He was running His hand along the foundation.  I was standing up at the first level and pointing out the magnificent building.  Jesus would not look up.  I keep talking to Him about the superstructure, pointing out its grandeur; still no response from Jesus.  He just continued to run His hand along the foundation. 

Here are some various translations and studies of our text over the centuries"

1. "For the foundations are being overthrown; what hath the righteous wrought?"

2. "'The foundations (that is, of good order and law) will be destroyed.  What has the righteous done' (to sustain them)?  All his efforts have failed."

3. "The image is of a shattered house by an earthquake.  'Since they have destroyed what you have established, what has the righteous done?'....If the foundations be destroyed, what will become of the tower, or superstructure?'"
The "best" translations seem to reveal the passage as relating something which has already occurred, not as most translation declare, "If...."  Just look around.

Our text certainly is to the Church, but not exclusively.  The Word of Psalm 11:3 is to all people groups, everywhere on Planet Earth.  All over the Globe we are witnessing the ever-increasing decline of civilizations; no continent or culture/ethnicity is excepted.  Even the, "foundations [of a godly society]," as the Amplified translates it,  which America has so long claimed to be, are, "being overthrown."  I come back to a translation above, "What hath the righteous wrought (worked, done)?"  Our Lord Jesus, "The Word of God," Himself, is saying this today to the nations, to His People.  "What have you worked?!?"

Nations of the World and the Church:  "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."  Neglect this, and we watch the collapse of our "works."  The cause and "cure" for "the great evangelical recession" is right here.  Continue to marginalize Jesus, and watch the foundations continue to fail.  Acknowledge, work and live the Colossian passage, "....that in all things He may have the preeminence," and the House will stand.   

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my life will manifest, "that in all things He may have the preeminence."  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

One Messed Up, One Fixed Up

"So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men."  (Romans 5:18, NASB)

I'm on another schedule for the next two months, hence, Romans 5 today.  I have commented on our text before, but it is just so impacting to me ever time I read it.  Just consider, for a moment, the word, "one," and how many times it appears in the chapter.  The comparison is between Adam and Jesus Christ, or we could say, between humanity and Jesus.  Consider all the evil and chaos in the world, then consider Jesus.  This is what our text is relating from the Godhead.

You have to receive this:  "....Through one man sin entered into the world....For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the One Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many....For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the...gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.  So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through ONE ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS there resulted justification of life to all men."

"....one act of righteousness...," viz., The Cross.  That is all it took, my friend, to free you and me from ourselves, sin, rebellion, misery, despair, and the grave.  The Bible teaches clearly that we all sinned in Adam (Don't try to figure it out).  And just as clearly the Bible teaches us that all who surrender their lives to Jesus Christ, "there resulted justification of life to all men."  It just cannot be any more clear than that.  Religious leaders:  Don't mess this up.

Father, in Jesus' Name, for that, "one act of righteousness," I will eternally be thankful to You.  Amen.

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In a few days I will give you come impressions on our "move," and what our Lord Jesus may be saying to us.

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 'Burning' And The 'Gathering'"

"He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in His hand and He will clear His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."  (Matthew 3:11, 12)

Some "modern" translations omit, "and fire," but there are Greek manuscripts which have it.  The context reveals the validity of, "and fire," because verse 12 says, "....He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

It's too bad that so much of the emphasis on, "and fire," has been only about shoutin' and dancin'.  While this is certainly a part of life in Jesus Christ, so is the, "....clear His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff...."  There was, and still is, very little, if any, in "evangelical/pentecostal circles" of the "complete" message.  Yet it is too our benefit that, "He...clear His threshing floor...."

Too many in Christendom only want, "sugar and spices things, roses and lollipops and lollipops and roses."  When the Bible teaches that, "The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin," however, it is imperative that we see a glorious reality here.  Sin is a destroyer from the Destroyer himself.  The Bible teaches that sin has dominion over us, separates us from the Living Triune God, destroys interpersonal relationships, and, "....the wages of sin is death...." 

The forgiveness and cleansing from sin, which is ours in the Blood of Jesus, is as the Bible says of God's Words, "for our good always."  Never, ever forget that the, "God-Breathed," Words, the Gospel, all the promises are to, "burn[] up the chaff," and, "gather[] His wheat into the barn...."  To sum up, we can say that there is no room for chaff in the Kingdom of Heaven/God, the Church, "the Household of Faith," only, "His wheat."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for both the, "burning," and the, "gathering."  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