"....Bold With Strength...."

"In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul."  (Psalm 138:3)

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Only One in the Universe Who can do this.  Jesus works from within, not without.

If a person is strong within, that person can withstand anything which is without.  The religions of the world are without religions.  But there is also a bad-theology- "christianity" which puts the emphasis on without, viz., God is at point A, and we are at point B.  This is not what the Bible calls, "the Faith of Jesus."

The Living Triune God works "inside" you and me.  He, "make[s] me bold with strength in my soul."  Our Lord Jesus promises us, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly, heart, inner man will flow rivers of living water."  

So, today I can do no greater service for you than to pray this great Bible prayer:  "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's Holy People, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that you, "strengthen [me] with all might in [my] inner man."  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

"....Mordecai...Was Wearing Royal Garments...."

"When Mordecai left the king's presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen.  And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration."  (Esther 8:15)

Well, the old faithful Jew triumphed.  And, I may add today, this is the "end" awaiting the person who walks in the same obedient faith of Mordecai: "----- "royal garments"!  

It was a battle, the outcome of which Mordecai had no doubt, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place...."   For me, there is a very real sense in which Mordecai is a foreshadow/type of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It was Mordecai's bold confidence which inspired Esther to take the risk of which she was all too aware.  Mordecai's tenacious faith/trust led to the destruction of the very one who was out to destroy the Covenant People.

Mordecai's faith is the confidence of all "overcomers."  And, just in case any may have forgotten how this all "turns out," read Revelation 22.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for VICTORY.  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

From Today's Readings--As Usual, Up-To-Date

"Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.  Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard...."  (Esther 2)

Here's what was happening "in real time."  Mordecai was prayer walking the nation's capitol, mostly camping right outside the "white house" gate.

Mordecai was in the very "center of the action" while several crisis were brewing in the Empire.  One was a plot to assassinate the "president;" the other was a plot to kill every Jew/Believer in the Empire.  Blessedly for the Jews of his generation, as well as future generations, Mordecai would have nothing to do with "separation of church and state," and the limitations of "classic evangelism."  Mordecai was the classic definition of an "activist."

It could be age-related, but the other day I had a great thought while mostly "confined to quarters," contemplating my service to/in King Jesus over the last 56 years and what I have been doing of late.  Our Lord Jesus impressed upon me that I literally fought in the "Cold War" and participated in what President George H. W. Bush called, "a spiritual revolution."  I had the privilege to smuggle Bibles and literature for the underground seminary program in Romania, right in the very town which most observers credit with the "beginning" of the revolution in those fateful days of December 1989.  Through the faithful support of some of you, I was able to be on the "frontlines" in that epic war.

Our text reveals this "frontline" Kingdom of Heaven living.  It is life outside the gatherings of the Followers of Jesus.  It is a life which, at least to some degree, is being challenged right now, in these very days.  Allow me to encourage you to take a walk, as I see more and more people doing, just around your neighborhood.  Be like Mordecai who, "walked back and forth...."  Take the fight to the enemy.  Pray for those households in your neighborhood as you walk by.  Pray that they surrender their lives to Jesus as well as whatever else Jesus may put in your heart. 

None of us can say with certainty where all of this is "taking" us.  Yet one thing is sure: We are still the Church of Jesus Christ, the "Church Triumphant, "gathered,"--"scattered," or strategically located.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I can make the most of these days, as well as the, "number our days," you have for 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

"....I Have Spoken To You, That In Me...." (Jesus)

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

 

And, everything in the world which is out to destroy us.  As I read this verse yesterday, I was reminded that these Words of Jesus have been sustaining me, well, for as long as I can remember.  "....They are Spirit and they are life."

I am here now, however, just after one of my daily therapy-in-house sessions.  The ones at the therapist's have been postponed.  Even my post op visit with the surgeon has been postponed until May 7.  I have one routine which I do once a day, one which I do twice a day, and one which I do three times a day.  That's exactly right.  It almost seems like the old football two-a-days.  

What about you in this unprecedented season of global life?  You are probably getting many instructions from pastors and "ministries," as well as social media pundits on how you should be believing and conducting your life in these "virus" days.  Along with our text, though, I want to leave with you what I read from Revelation a couple of days ago.  "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, say, 'Alleluia!  for the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.'"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my friend and I be ready.  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