"....But Be Of Good Cheer"

"And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterwards I arose and went about the king's business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it."  (Daniel 8:27)

Daniel received some insight as to what was to come to pass in the latter days, yet much was still "unclear."  I believe in the days ahead we too will experience some of what Daniel relates in today's text.

The so-called "blue States" in the United States of America are manifesting even more evil after what everyone is calling, "the over turn of Roe v. Wade."  Whatever you call what the Supreme Court handed down, it has release a new wave of determined evil.  And, it's just beginning.  The US President is attempting to take the leadership in the fight to keep the right to murder the unborn.  He is even talking of mobile abortion vans!  But I repeat, "The iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete."

Praying for me has been "easier."   Maybe it is because the Holy Spirit is saying that the battle in the heavenlies is intensifying.  In it all, I encourage us to remember the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "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."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for continual revelation as to how to navigate what lies ahead.  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 BOOKDS WERE OPENED"

"As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.  His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of His head was white like wool.  His throne was flaming with fire, its wheels a burning fire.  A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before Him.  Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousands times ten thousands stood before Him.  The court was seated, and the books were opened."

"....and the books were opened."  I am not going to attempt an explanation of the various judgments mentioned in the Bible.  But as I read the last phrase of our text today, I experienced, "the fear of the Lord," which, according to Scripture, is a good thing.  It was/is not the fear which a lost person should have, apprehensive of Divine rejection, but just the gravity of such a statement.  "....and the books were opened", will some day occur.  I fear for humanity.

The Lord God of the Universe, Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit, will some day, yes, in some twenty-four hour period, preside over, "....and the books were opened."  Maybe instead of a "stick-it-to-them" attitude towards the humanists we should be praying earnestly for those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Savior and King.  "And there...was the Son of Man....His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7)

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray, "For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."  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

"POWERFUL., MAJESTIC.., KING FOREVER"

"The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic....The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever....For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us---."  (Psalm 29:4 & 10; Isaiah 33:22))

Read the first 9 verses of Psalm 29 and you will read just a few  manifestations of the Lord Jesus Christ's, "....sits as King forever."

Now some may look at the global scene and argue with our text.  Good luck.  Humanity and its institutions may navigate the currents, eddies, backwashes in the "river" of history, but our King Jesus Christ is the Banks of that river.  Jesus Christ, "....sits as King-------- forever."  

Every manifestation of man's self-will which has manifested over the millennia just results in his failure and destruction.  The Followers of Jesus, however, are under the protection and provision of the "Forever" King, Jesus.  Read Isaiah 11 for some more of Kingdom "benefits package."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for being, "....King forever."

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* Our Lord Jesus Christ manifests His faithfulness----- again.  We have a full van for Crow Country.

* Planning prayer days in DC and Harrisburg.  Dates to be announced.  If you will participate, let me know.

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

"Strength, Rock, Fortress, Savior, Refuge, Shield, Stronghold"

"He saved me from my strong enemy...."  (Psalm 18:17a)

Verses 1-3 tell us that the Lord Jesus Christ is, "My strength, rock, fortress, savior, refuge, shield, stronghold.  And I am saved from my enemies."  The Word, "saved," however, also means, "delivered."  Some times our salvation/deliverance is not "from," but "through" life's battles.  

I have written before that what has amazed me about the Jews is that over thousands of years they have continued to recite Biblical passages.  Some would call it, declarations, confessions, prayers, and, they have held on to the great prayers and promises, such as Psalm 18, through such times as, "that wicked Haman," the thousands of pogroms through the centuries, and Germany, 1933-1945, just to name a few.  Of course, the same has been true of the Followers of Jesus for over 2000 years.

....and what about you and me?  So far, I have been running my race, "looking unto Jesus," at seasons, "through...dangers, toils, and snares," believing in, clinging to, trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Yet, "He who endures ('stand my ground, persevere') to the end shall be saved."  I am believing and praying that you and I will so do.  I take great comfort today that Jesus Christ is, as Revelation 3 states, "the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of the creation of God...", the One Who saves/delivers, whether from or through.

Father, in Jesus' Name, my trust is in You only.  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