"All The Peoples Shall See His Glory'

"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples....Say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns....'  The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory."  (From Psalm 96, 97)

If you read Psalms 96 -100 you will see that the psalmist is not just addressing Israel or the Church, "....all the peoples see His glory."  Jesus Christ is Lord of all, not just Israel and the Church.  His presence is not confined to great worship gatherings, prayer meetings, and teaching conferences.  One song says He is, "on the African plain," and yes, even in that hostile work place.  

Church, do not limit The Living Triune God and His glorious Presence to Church gatherings.  That can lead to the terrible sense of loneliness, forgottenness, abandonment when you are not with other Believers.  "I am with you always," means no matter the wheres and whens and whos of our lives.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that wherever You "are" there I am also.  Amen.

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Off tomorrow, May 21, to Canadian Indian Country. 

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 King, Whose Name Is The Lord Almighty"

"'And I will make her officials and wise men drunk, her governors, officers and warriors as well; they will sleep forever and not awake,' declares the King, Whose Name is the Lord Almighty."  (Jeremiah 51:57)

 

Here we see again the proclamation that the Blessed Trinity is King of the Nations, indeed, the Universe.  The judgement pronounced in Jeremiah 51 is against the Babylonian Empire.  I can say, however, that it is also the judgment on all nations, people groups, and religions who do not confess and submit to, "Jesus Christ is Lord," and, "King of kings, and Lord of lords."

I want to encourage you today to realize that Jesus Christ is King of His Kingdom, and the kingdoms of this world.  While others are living in panic and despair mode, you and I are living in the comforting Great News that, "the kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I really, really am praying to be a Kingdom of God/Heaven person.  Amen.

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We are collecting backpacks, pencils, pens, highlighters, notebooks, crayons, and other school supplies for the Crow People.  We will need the items by August 10. If you are interested, we can discuss drop off points, or you can send a check and we will purchase the items.

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 Church Is Not Everywhere-- The Kingdom Is

"For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him. I have given him the beasts of the field also.'"  (Jeremiah 24:14)

I have shared the quote of Bob Mumford before, "You can control the Church, but you cannot control the Kingdom."  Our text manifests this.

Israel was doing what they wanted to do, viz., choose to obey the Lord God or choose to disobey Him.  Our text, though, reveals a time when the "control" of the nation was about to go beyond their control.  No longer were there judges or kings who could control what was about to happen.  Events were about to go from the control of Israel to the control of Babylon. 

Our text is classic: From the Church to the Kingdom.  The Church is in the Kingdom and the Kingdom is in the Church.  Everyone who is in the Church is in the Kingdom.  Not everyone who is in the Kingdom, however, is in the Church. That's a realm where even apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers have no "control."

The Great and Comforting News is that Jesus Christ is King, and His Kingdom and rule goes beyond the Church into the very, "....kingdoms of this world...," into Russia, China, into all aspects of all people groups in the earth.  May we never forget that when you and I go out into an unfriendly world we need to keep in mind that though the Church may not be everywhere we go, the Kingdom is.  As the Bible declares, "The Kingdom is the Lord's, and He is the Governor among the nations."

Father, in Jesus' Name, teach me more and more of Your Kingdom.  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 ESPECIALLY FOR THE SUFFERING

"I cried to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.  When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.  I remembered You, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.  You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.  I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.  My heart meditated and my spirit asked: 'Will the Lord reject forever?  Will He never show His favor again?  Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time?  Has God forgotten to be merciful?  Has He in anger withheld His compassion?'  Then I thought, 'To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out His right hand.  I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.  I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.'  Your ways, God, are holy.  What god is as great as our God?  You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples.  With Your mighty arm You redeemed Your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.  The waters saw You, God....Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though Your footprints were not seen."  (Psalm 7:1-16a, 19)

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I always REMEMBER.  Amen.

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We are collecting supplies for the Crow People again. 

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