A SHIELD AROUND ME"

"But You, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory and the One Who lifts up my head."  (Psalm 3:3)

Today's text in song:

     

 https://youtu.be/_aYRfUm

                

I received a report from Open Doors that Muslims, "killed university student Deborah Yakuza for something she posted online thanking God for good grades."  Open Doors reports that, "On average, a Christian is killed for his or her faith every two hours in Nigeria."  Now I have never minimized the suffering of any Follower of Jesus Christ.  No matter where any of us live we should never have the attitude, "Well, I have it worse than he/she/they."  I report such as above so that we may all remember what Jesus has told us, "In the world you will have tribulation...."

Our text reminds us that in the midst of any attack, suffering, persecution, attempt of the Enemy to destroy us, Jesus Christ is our, "shield around me, my glory and the lifter of my head."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for Deborah's family and all today who experience, "Many are they who say of me, 'There is no help for him in God."  Amen.

THE PASSING OF BROTHER ANDREW

"Then the angel showed me the river of water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb....Look, I am coming soon!  My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."  (Revelation 22)

Yesterday, September 27, my dear friend of over 54 years, Brother Andrew passed into Glory.  It is a very sad day, and a great loss for me.  He was 94.

The first time I met him in person was in the Winter of 1973.  Sarah and I visited with him in his home in The Netherlands in 1996, and I had the opportunity once again to spend some time with him in Michigan in 2007.  Other than my parents, no one has influenced my service in, "the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ," more than Brother Andrew.

"For all the saints who from their labors rest,

Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,

Thy Name, Jesus, be forever blest,

Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,

And win, with them, the victor's crown of gold,

Alleluia!  Alleluia!

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

"BLESSED IS HE WHO READS AND...HEAR[S]"

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."  (Revelation 1:3)

I have completed another quarter's journey in Eternity, the very, "Words of God."  As I have done before, I am saving a complete read-through of Revelation at one sitting.  If you have never read through the Book of Revelation at one sitting, it takes about the time of watching a good movie.  I promise you:  It is glorious.

The Interlinear declares, "Blessed the reading and...hearing the words...."

Father, in Jesus Name, Your People do so much to "get a blessing."  I pray we do that Your way.  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

"UNLESS...."

"Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.  I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life." (Psalm 119:92, 93)

Most of you know my testimony.  Today's text is my life.  Apart from Jesus and His Words, "I would then have perished in my affliction." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, Your Words...have given me life."  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