“Grace To You” For 2021

https://youtu.be/9K7eCRvzGqk

"....In The Center of The Throne...."

"....For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their Shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."  (Revelation 7:17, NASB)

First, notice that the Lord Jesus Christ, "....the Lamb..," is, "....in the center of the throne," not on the throne, not beside the throne.  It is the same as in 3:21, "The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me in My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father in His throne." (Interlinear Translation)

Second, notice that whatever tears we have shed here, "....God will wipe...from [our] eyes."  And we know what that means, right?  Tears wiped away, followed by no more tears.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my friends and I will continue to believe/accept Your "wonderful Words of life" to them and me.  Your, "Words are Truth."  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

"Without Any Ownership Rights"

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place."  (Revelation 1:1a)

The word translated, "bond-slave," literally means, "without any ownership rights of their own."  Be careful too much talk of, and glorying in, "free will."  The, "Word of God," tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "You are not your own".

Father, in Jesus' Name, I glad own this Word.  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

Try This

"I have certainly soothed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child resting against his mother, my soul within me is liked a weaned child." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, may it ever be.  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

Woody’s Video For You At Christmas

https://youtu.be/5GqZal7QciY

"The Word Of God Dwell[s] In Us."

"The Word of God became flesh and dwelled among us."  (John 1:14a)

This is the celebration of Christmas.  

The Word translated in our text as, "among," however, can just as easily be translated, "on, at, by, within, in."  

Here is the sequence:  On that first Christmas, "The Word became flesh and dwelled among us."  Then, when a person surrenders his/her life to Jesus, "The Word of God," Jesus Christ Himself, takes it one "step" further.  It is now, "The Word became flesh and dwell[s] in us"!!  

"O Holy Night"!

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that You are not just, "among us," but because of the Cross, you can now be, "in 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

“He Cannot Save Himself”

"He saved others, but He cannot save Himself."  Matthew 27:42)

The mockers couldn't/wouldn't understand.  It was precisely because Jesus was saving you and me that He could not, "....save Himself."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You For not "saving" Yourself.  Amen. 

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"....Through Fire And...Water"

"....We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment ('saturation')....Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!"  (Psalm 66:12b & 20)

A few days ago I read from Brother Andrew's "Prayer Force" of the, "....fire and...water," through which young children in Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Myanmar, are going.  "Buddhist  extremists target children/youth in schools, forcing them to participate in rituals and learn Buddhist teachings."  

So many Followers of Jesus Christ around the Globe are experiencing similar persecution.  Yet, again, I remind us that most of the Biblical personages knew much conflict in their brief sojourn in this life, e.g., Jacob, Joseph, David.  Then there is Paul, who once penned, "....but we were afflicted on every side, conflicts without, fears within."  

You and I may not be going through the experiences of the children/youth mentioned above, but, "....fire and...water," can have different manifestations such as the, "conflicts on the outside, fears within" (CSB).  Whatever that may be in your life today, the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, "The Word of God," is that He will indeed bring, "us out to rich saturation."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I hold fast to Your Promise that in You is my, "....rich fulfillment/saturation."  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 Heart of Stone....”

"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them.  And I will remove from them a heart of stone...." (Ezekiel 11)

I know this is not your conventional devotional, but I call upon you to prayerfully read Ezekiel 8-11.  Along with Daniel 10, there is the Word of Our Lord Jesus Christ here for this time.  It doesn't happen to me often, but for some reason, as I was reading these chapters this morning, tears came to my eyes.

Feel free to send me any impressions which you receive from these four chapters.  There is a "nowness" here which I cannot explain.  Again I am reminded that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to my heart 48 years ago to "get into Ezekiel."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for the revelation which I and Your Church need in theses days.  Amen.  

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“....Enthroned In The Praises....”

"But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel."  (Psalm 22:3)

The Word translated, "enthroned," means, "to sit, remain, dwell."  Glorious!  The Godhead, "sits, remains, dwells in the praises of," His People.  And, Praise Him, this is made possible in the Cross of Jesus, in the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The indwelling Presence of the Godhead brings the "with," "beside," and, "underneath," fellowship of the Old Covenant to their fulfillment-dimension.  Those realities are still present in those who Follow Jesus, but because of the Cross of Jesus Christ, "the Eternal One" can now live in those who surrender to Him.  For the Followers of Jesus, The, "Ever Present," One is the Ever-Indwelling One.  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that You dwell in my praise.  Amen.

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Psalm 23

Here is Who/What I have in Jesus Christ, "....My Shepherd...:"

"No lack 

Green pastures

'Quiet waters of rest'

Soul restoration 

My Life Leader

My Righteous 

No fear of evil

My Comforter

Life's Table Full of provision

Anointing 

Overflowing Abundance 

Goodness

Mercy

Eternal Dwelling in Him

Father, in Jesus' Name, You are My Everything.  Amen.

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"The People Had Not Yet...."

"The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers."  (2 Chronicles 20:33)

I call this obeying what we want to obey, and not obeying what we do not want to obey.

The Covenant People have been engaging is such behavior from the beginning.

The Hebrew Word in our text for, "directed," means, "to be firm, fixed."  The Letter to the Hebrews commands us to, "Consider Jesus...," and, "....let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus...."  These are other ways to say, "Direct[] [your] hearts to the God of [your] fathers."

Today's text is in the chapter which contains the oft quoted, "You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf...."  There was, indeed, a great victory that day.  There was only one problem, however, which affected their future.  We read later that, "The people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers."  Pray; read the Bible; declare; march.  Our text overrides all.

Church-- America-- Nations of the world:  Hear the Words of, "The Word of God," Jesus, the Christ.  "Direct your hearts to Me."  And I ask, Where is my heart today?  No nation, no individual will ever overcome the enemy if, "The people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers."  May, whatever this means in fulness, our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit write in our hearts and minds.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I have no greater prayer than my heart be, "directed to the God of [my] fathers."  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

“God Our Own God”

Isn't this glorious?!?  "....our Own God."  I'll let you work on this.

Father, in Jesus' Name, not quite sure, but These, Your Words, sure bless me today.  Amen.

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Woody’s Video: November 12, 2020

https://youtu.be/dP6AkWsUQgk

"No"

"And Joshua went to him and said, 'Are You for us or for our adversaries?'  So He said, 'No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.'"  (Joshua 5)

The, "No," response of The, "Commander of the army of the Lord..," gives us more understanding of Daniel 10.  This battle is not between humans, nations, political parties, etc.  It is against, "the prince of Persia," and, "the prince of Greece," and every prior and succeeding governments.

Enter, "The Kingdom of God/Heaven."  We can translate the opening Words of John the Baptist, and the first public Words of our, Commander of the Army of the Lord," our Lord Jesus Christ, "Repent, for the Government of God is at hand."  

What we are witnessing in America and the rest of the earth, and, I might add, participating in, is the warfare between the Government (Kingdom) of Heaven and, "the kingdoms of this world."  I urge the Global Church to put aside for a moment, "God has a wonderful plan for your life," and the jargon of many mega-churches and mega ministries, and consider/obey the command of Jesus, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  Does anyone ever use these Words of Jesus in "sharing the Gospel"?!?

Colossians 1 tells us, "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (the Words for, 'power' and 'kingdom' are both governmental Words)."  We might as well admit it; for too much of Church History, the message has been, "a different gospel," an intensely "personal," and in recent generations, christianized-self help, rather than what Jesus tells us to proclaim.  

Let me simply say again: The battle, from the Garden to this present day, is a cosmic battle between the Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light.  If an individual or group of individuals attempt to make sense out of the global scene apart from this cosmic battle, their confusion will only go deeper. "Put on the whole armor of God...," which translated is, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ,"-------------- "The Commander...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to proclaim and emphasize in life Your Words.  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

"....As King Forever

"The Lord [Jesus Christ] sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord [Jesus Christ] sits as King forever."  (Psalm 29:10)

The Word for, "sat," can also be translated, "remain."  The truth is that Jesus has been, is, and will, "remain...as King forever."  Whoever else claims leadership over men and nations are as mere pharaohs, czars, prime ministers, presidents, servants of Jesus, "King of kings, and Lord of lords."  Only of Jesus may it be said, "Thy Kingdom is a Kingdom of all ages, and Thy Dominion endures throughout all generations."

Whatever the outcome of my praying, my desires, my perceptions as to what is best for, well, anything and anybody, "Jesus Christ is Lord/King."  As the Church in the First Century once said of that which they did not want, "And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.'"  

I affirm the commitment and absolute surrender to the purposes of the Living Triune God as the Hebrews who were threatened by an ancient king of a world power, "Our God is able....Our God will....But if not...."  What about you?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I have been making my petitions and requests known.  I pray that Your, "....Kingdom come.  Your 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

Prayer For America From Psalm 7

"Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; lift Yourself up because of the rage of [Your] enemies; rise up for [The United States of America] to the judgment You have commanded!...For [Your] sake[], therefore, return on high.  [You] shall judge the peoples....Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for [You], the righteous God, test the hearts and minds.  [America's] defense is of [You], Who saves the upright in heart.  [You are] a just Judge, and [You] are angry with the wicked every day....Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.  He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made.  His trouble shall return upon his own heart, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.  I WILL PRAISE [YOU] LORD ACCORDING TO [YOUR] RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND WILL SING PRAISE TO YOUR NAME MOST HIGH."

I hope that the above prayer will help in some way to express the Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ for the nations.  "The Word of God," our Lord Jesus Christ, declared in Psalm 82 millennia ago, "They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken."  These Words have never more been a description of our Planet that it is in this hour.  

Yet, the Words of, "The Word of God," Himself, are just as much in our hearts, our minds, and keeping us in Jesus as so long ago, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for Your, "Righteous Right Hand."  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

Fairest Lord Jesus - Maranatha Celtic

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (Instrumental)

"But God, Who is rich in mercy...."  (Eph 2)

During a prayer time this afternoon, I had on my free Pandora music site.  The song below came on.  I stopped, and had an Isaac-"went-out-into-the-field-to-meditate" experience; no words, just palms up in worship.

"When I survey the wondrous Cross

On which the Prince of Glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

"We're the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Live so amazing, so Divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all"!

https://youtu.be/2Rzh3tvroJI

"Just To Know...."

"Teach me Your Way, O Lord; I will walk in Your Truth; Unite my heart to fear Your Name." (Psalm 86:11)

Later on, David asks the Lord, "Show me a sign for good...."  Today I received one.

I was listening to my Pandora app this morning and the song came up, "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus."  What a glorious song; what a glorious Savior is Jesus, the Christ.

"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His word,

Just to rest upon His promise, 

Just to know, 'Thus saith the Lord!'"

This last phrase really impacted me this morning, "Just to know, 'Thus saith the Lord!"

Is this, "Just to know," sufficient for you and me today?  With all the hundreds of thousands of books written for the Church Community, it really all comes back to this, "Just to take Him at His Word,..Just to know, 'Thus saith the Lord!"  Press on, Fellow Sojourner.  Jesus', "Thus saith," is sufficient for us.

"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust [You]!

How I've prove [You] o'er and o'er.

Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!

Oh for grace to trust [You] more."  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

“Him Who Rides Through The Deserts”

"Sing to God; sing praises to His Name; lift up a song to Him Who rides through the deserts, Whose Name is The Lord, and exult before Him."  (Psalm 68:4)

Sometimes I think that what catches my eye (and heart) may seem strange to others.  I must say, however, that many times the "ancient ways" and expressions put "it" best, e.g, "....Him Who rides through the deserts."  Our text is a glorious revelation of the Blessed Trinity.

Jesus never engages us with things "deep."  Someone once said of a Bible teacher, "He puts the cookies down where you can reach them."  Jesus is not out to make things difficult for you and me.  He Who constantly reminds us, "I Am the Bread of Life," is for us.  As His Word tells us, Jesus does, "all things well."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your "reachable" Food.  Amen. 

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Participating In "The Return" On the Washington Mall

"Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!  For we are exceedingly filled with contempt."  (Psalm 123:3)

I prayed this a while earlier for our nation and the global community.  The Enemy, "who is a liar and the father of lies," is spreading what the Bible calls, "the lie."  But Jesus Christ, Who Himself is, "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," sealed the enemy's doom in His Blood of the Cross, death and resurrection!

A friend of ours and I are heading out this morning for Washington, DC, to participate in "The Return."  There is a gathering tonight from 18:00-21:00, and tomorrow from 09:00 to 21:00.  A part of this will be a march, beginning at noon tomorrow, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building, stopping along the way to pray at key sites.  Any prayers appreciated.

Today is Psalm 121 to 125 day. I prayed Psalm 121 as follows:  "I lift up my eyes to the hills--from whence comes my help?  My help comes from You, Lord, Who made heaven and earth.  You will not allow my foot to be moved (slip)....You, Lord, are my keeper (Protector); You are my shade at my right hand.  The sun shall not strike me by day, nor the moon by night.  You shall preserve (keep) me from all evil;  You shall preserve my soul.  You shall preserve (keep) my going out and my coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."  What a glorious prayer Book!!

Father, in Jesus' Name, I cannot pray it better.  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

Beware Of "Taking Stock"

"So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, 'Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it.'"  (1 Chronicles 21:2)

Apparently David had a lapse here.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart," was replaced by, "I need to make sure I have enough assets to win my battles."  This was followed by a stern rebuke and judgment on Israel. 

According to our text, David seems to have had a "trust-lapse."  He had succumbed to the belief that his deliverance and Israel's survival was dependent on numbers; the bigger the army, the greater the possibility of victory.  Now if you read David's Psalms and and other writings about him, you see that David did trust in the Lord God---- most of the time.  We see in our text, however, a sort of forgetfulness.  There is just no, "most of the time," in our walk in Jesus Christ.  Jesus teaches us that it is all or nothing!  A moment of not trusting Jesus can bring disastrous results.

Our Lord Jesus Christ still asks you and me what He asked Martha, "Do you believe this?"  If we do, we will not go out and number our assets.  I encourage all of us to remember and live by what Jonathan said to his armor bearer, and, I might add, is a foundational Biblical Principle: "For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few."

Father, in Jesus' Name, convict me any time I attempt to number my assets.  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

Feelings Do Not Equal Reality

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the Words of this law."  (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Jesus, "The Word of God," tells us here that there are, "....secret things ['concealed, hidden']," which, "belong to the Lord our God."  My thought today as I read this text was, "Leave them there."  What you and I need, what we need to know are, "those things which are revealed...."  The problems arise when you and I attempt to get into, "The secret, concealed, hidden things...."

As we were praying in a group this evening on zoom, the phrase, "peace which passes understanding," came up.  It occurred to me in that moment that, "passes understanding," probably means the same as, "The secret things...."  So many talk of feeling or sensing God's presence, or having such a feeling of peace.  "Sensing" or "feeling" is a luxury!  Paul told the Corinthians, "Know you not that Jesus Christ is in you?"-------- whether we feel/sense it or not.

"Presence" and "peace" and every other Grace in Jesus Christ is not a feeling; it is fact.  Whether you and I "sense" or "feel," has nothing to do with Jesus Christ "present" in His People, His Church, meetings or no meetings.  Feelings have nothing to do with faith.  Feelings come and go; you know that; I know that.  Feelings are okay, but if they were to be the indication of my walk in Jesus Christ, I for one would be lost.  I choose again today to accept what Jesus Christ tells us. "The secret things (e.g., concerning His Presence and His Peace) belong to," Him, and, "those things which are revealed belong to us."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that Your Power, Truth, Presence, Peace, "....belong to the Lord our God..," and You dwell in me.  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

“Out of the Mouths of Babes, Huh?

"Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants have You ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You May silence the enemy and the avenger."  (Psalm 8:2)

What does this say about the "need for seasoned intercessors"?!?  The Church needs to revisit the Words of Our Lord Jesus Christ, "Unless you are turned and become as little children...."

Hey, weary one, who may not feel like you know "how to pray," take heart!

Father, in Jesus' Name, teach me this text.  Amen. 

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Some Thoughts From Psalm 4

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!  You  have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer."  (Psalm 4:1)

Please believe that I send these to you in the prayer that I can be of encouragement to you in your sojourn in Jesus Christ.  And I can tell you that if this verse encourages, blesses you half as much as it is me, then you are blessed.

"God of my righteousness."  This kind of, "God-Breathed," impartation has been occurring more and more to me in these days as I, "sojourn," through Sacred Writ.   Sometimes we look at our lives and wonder, "How could You have been putting up with me all these years, so many wrong choices, sin, failures, etc.?"  Well, the reality is that somehow in Jesus' Infinite Mercy and Grace, He has/does.

Verse four tells us, "Be angry," literally, "Tremble or Be agitated, and do not sin."  So I guess that if all which is transpiring in the earth which makes us, "angry, be agitated," it's okay, just don't let it become sin to us.  Jesus will show us what this means.

Verse 6:  "There are many who say, 'Who will show us any good?'"  Indeed, there are.  Answer?  "Lord [Jesus], lift up the light of Your countenance upon us."

Verse 8: "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."  Have a good remainder!

Father, in Jesus' Name, I receive.  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

Woody's Video, September 2, 2020

https://youtu.be/HgKjzVdbePY

This Is Heart-Breaking

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times (times of stress, difficult times, dangerous times, difficult days that will be hard to bear) will come: For men will be lovers of themselves...." (2 Timothy 3)

Phillips says of the last part of our text, "men will become utterly self-centered."  Other translations say, "People will be selfish," and, "People will love only themselves."  Now I know that you have heard many sermons and read many articles concerning, "In the last days."  As I look back over the last six months, however, I see events and attitudes being manifest which are indicative of, "In the last days..," for me, at least, in a way which I have not witnessed in my life time.  Consider:

The following statement, by someone who is considered to be a prophet, was sent to me by a friend.  "For many pastors the quarantine period has caused them to reset and take inventory of their lives....Other pastors have suddenly concluded they hate what they are doing-- and they are trying to determine if it is that they hate pastoring or just pastoring the way it is being done.  Church overhaul is in process and will be intensifying in the coming days, weeks and months.  We are transitioning into a new era and 'church as usual' is not going to cut it....They are already planning a 'going back to normal,' but there is no such thing coming."  

While this was inevitable, it is heart-breaking.  I can tell the world that those who live for "ministry" are those who are living in a most precarious state.  You and I were not called to live for "our ministry."  We are called to follow Jesus Christ.  If one follows, lives for, plans for, and is energized by his/her "ministry," the "hate what they are doing" is a very, very real probability.  Too many love their "ministry," and bring God and people along with them; doesn't work that way.  

I am so thankful that I saw in my Dad a love for and commitment to Jesus Christ.  Whatever else he was and did in his life was the "outcome" of following, loving Jesus.  May everything you and I do in the years we have in this sojourn be motivated only by love for and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that You always be my "center," my foundation, my everything.  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

THIS Is A Word From the Lord For the Whole Earth

"The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming 0ut from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east).  The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.  He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.  As the man went eastward with the measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep.  He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep.  He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.  He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in--- a river that no one could cross.  He asked me, 'Son of man, do you see this?'"  (Ezekiel 47:1-6)

The human race has navigated wars, famines, pestilences, etc., throughout our history.  I have the sense from our text, however, that our Lord Jesus Christ is saying, "The day is coming when you will stand before a river which only I can cross."

We have walked through ankle-deep, knee-deep, and waist-deep waters in our history, and have seemed to "get by."  Now, however, we are standing before, "....a river that I could not cross."  No one has answers, and those who claim to have some are contradictory and at times very confused.  My observation is that the whole earth is standing at, "....a river that no one c[an] cross."  

I come back to Mumford's statement, "You can control the Church, but you cannot control the Kingdom."  The pandemic and the violence: "The Philistines are upon you, Samson,.." and the Church's "hair" is very short.  When will it ever grow back?!?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for whatever more understanding which You may have for me in this "word."  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

"The Philistines Are Upon You!"

"She cried, 'Samson, the Philistines are upon you!'...Then the Philistines...[bound] him [and] set him to grinding grain in the prison.""  (Judges 16)

The more I read the, "God-Breathed," Words, the more I realize that nearly all of the Bible reveals a constant cosmic struggle.  The Old Testament is one war after another; even the Psalms were mostly written in warfare.  We read in the New Testament that from day one of Jesus' appearing there is a constant attempt to discredit and kill Him.  Then there is the Blood-Stained path of our Lord's Passion, Jesus' wrestling in prayer, sweating great drops of Blood, the flogging and "Game of Kings" with the Roman soldiers, the crown of thorns, and nails in his hands and feet, sword in His Side at the Cross, followed by the greatest shout of victory in the Scriptures, "It is finished."  Later we read in the Epistles that, "the weapons of our warfare...are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds..," and, "we wrestle...against principalities and powers...."  

So; you and I, should never be confused, discouraged, or weak in faith because of what is going on in the earth or our personal lives.  As strange as it may seem to our very, very limited ability to understand all of this, the life-reality is warfare.  Rather than fight it, as do so many religious folk, we need to embrace the reality that we are in a great struggle, "Then war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back."  But no fear:  "They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word to which they bore witness."  "Christus Victor"!!     

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my friend and I would not, "grow weary," in the fight.  Amen.

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Further revelation on "The China Problem" 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