Look At What Too Many Are Missing

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'--- in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, in order that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Here is a great three point sermon.  Point 2, however, is most often missing.

Evangelicalism is good at the "Get-saved-today" message, or, "Come to the altar and receive Jesus."  Now I'm not ridiculing anyone/thing here, but I do want to point out that so many times the, "....in order that..," is left out.  According to our text, what Jesus' death on the cross, "....redeemed us [for]..," is, "in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles...."

Now, what I encourage you to do, so that you can either learn, or rediscover, what Jesus' Death and Resurrection did for you and me, is to look up what the Bible declares is, "....the blessing Abraham...."  Then, my friend, don't just rejoice, but lay hold of those tremendous blessings.  They are yours and mine in Jesus Christ. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my friend and I will believe what You say and walk in, "....the blessing of Abraham...."  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 Things Just Take Time

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!"  

I observed that there was still a little here of what Bob Mumford once called, "Go back," in Israel.  Centuries after they first left Egypt there was still something appealing.

For some reason, the thought occurred to me today that Moses got out of Egypt, then, it took 40 years to get Egypt out of him.  40 years later he led the Hebrews out of Egypt, but it took another 40 years to get Egypt out of them.  Throughout Israel's history, to the present day, Egypt keeps cropping up.  

There is a Bible and Theological Principle here.  We are, "born from above," when we receive Jesus Christ into our beings, sins forgiven, names written in the Lamb's Book of life.  But the, "Go back," always hangs around.  Life's answer to this is not many chariots and strong horses.  Eyes, hearts, trust, "fixed on Jesus," is the remedy.  

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for "working" to get Egypt out of 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

Perspective

"Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you do not know the work of God, the Creator of all."  (Ecclesiastes 11:5, NCB))

When things seem a bit overwhelming, just consider that you and I are riding on that little blue and white marble, represented by the Globe in the video, around the sun at 67,000 mph, and our solar system, of which that little blue and white marble is a part, is moving at nearly 500,000 mph throughout our Galaxy.  And the speed at which our Galaxy is moving through the Universe, are you ready?--- 1.3 million mph.  Frankly, I just, "....cannot understand the work of God...."(NIV) 

Therefore, whatever the "I-can't-deal-with-it" in life is for you and me, Jesus Christ, the one who upholds the Universe, "by the Word of His power," is our Keeping and Sustaining Power.  And even when we may feel as though our life is "coming apart," remember that Colossians 1 tells us,"By Jesus, everything is held together"------ even at 1.3 million mph.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "When I consider the works of Thy fingers...What is man..?"  Amen.
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Washington, DC: May 11

Canadian Indian Country Mission:  May 21-27

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