"PEACE ON EARTH"

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of goodwill."  (Luke 2:14)

A prayer request for the persecuted Church in Turkmenistan: "Pray for unity.  The small Christian Community in Turkmenistan is weak due to divisions between various denominations."  This was also true of some of the Church in Eastern Europe during communist rule.  I have shared this quote before:  "Only a fool fights in a burning house."  

I could/can never understand why people who are under persecution, literally fighting for their lives against a common enemy, end up fighting among themselves.  The American Church also battles this disunity continually.  

Our text is integral to the Gospel, Who Is Jesus Christ.  Indeed, it was a part of the glorious news to the shepherds on the hills outside Bethlehem.  May we all be, "....men of goodwill", in 2024 and always.   

Father, in Jesus' Name, may You, my Peace, shine forth from me always.  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

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"You scrutinize my journeying and my lying down,, and are acquainted with all my ways." (Psalm 139:3, NASB)

OT LESSON:

"He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers...."  (Malachi 4:6a, NASB)

NT LESSON:

"....And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."  (Revelation 21:4, NASB)

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 CHRISTMAS STORY

"And this will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby...." (Luke 2:12)

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 CHRISTMAS STORY

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel....There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.  The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."  (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 11:1,12)

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 CHRISTMAS STORY

"The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning.  The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."  (1 John 3:8, NASB)

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that sin, which is out to destroy me, You destroyed in Jesus Christ, His Birth, His Blood, His death and resurrection.  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

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS STORY

"'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God,' Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty.'"  (Revelation 1:8) 

The Christmas Story:

 "For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,...the Alpha and the Omega,..Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty." (Luke 2 & Revelation 1)

Father, in Jesus' Name, how glorious for the, "....Alpha and the Omega,.." to be born in a manger.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, for length of days."  (Psalm 93:5)

OT LESSON:

"Sing, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O Israel!  Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!" (Zephaniah 3:14)

NT LESSON:

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."  (1 John 5:11)

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

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your Name." (Psalm 86:11)

OT LESSON:

"Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city."  (Ecclesiastes 7:19, NIV)

NT LESSON:

"Beloved, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning.  The old commandment is the Word which you heard from the beginning."  (1 John 2:7)

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

"....DAYS OF ETERNITY"

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.  His times of coming forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity."  (Micah 5:2, NASB)

This is an Old Testament version of the "Christmas Story."  In time-space language, the New Testament stories tell us that it happened; the Old Testament stories told the ancients that it would happen.

"From days of eternity," is a phrase which you and I cannot comprehend, because we are, as someone once said, "eternity blind."  Right now our senses are "enslaved" in the time-space world.  So for us the interpretation of our text is most thought of as stated above, viz., that it happened, and that it would happen.

If, "we walk in the light as [Jesus] is in the light," we accept the reality that, "His times of coming forth..," never had a beginning, nor do, "His times of coming forth..," have an end.  And, when you and I surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ we entered that eternal dimension, as Strong's defines it, "that which has neither beginning nor end."  John 3:16 affirms this.  

Christmas and Easter are really, "....days of eternity."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for bringing me into, "....the days of eternity."  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

"....LIKE ONE WHO LIFTS A LITTLE CHILD TO THE CHEEK...."

"I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love.  To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them." (Hosea 11:4, NIV)

Well, it just does not come any more loving and compassionate than this.

This is the Living Triune God of the Universe, keeping our Planet in orbit at a speed of 67, 000 mph around our Sun, and here He is, "....like one who lifts a little child to the cheek and I bent down to feed them."  Today's text is a perfect simile of what the Godhead did in that field outside Bethlehem so long ago.  He "fed" us Jesus.

The song says, "chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yule Tide carols....help to make the season bright."  I offer our text.  As I read it this morning, it made the Season most Bright.

Father, what glorious expression of Your love for me.  In Jesus' Name, thank You.  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

TRUE AND FALSE

"Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind."  (Ecclesiastes 2:11)

True:   Jesus Christ saves us from sin.  

False:  Jesus saves us from the consequences of sin.   

I am open to correction and rebuke on this, but as I have read the Scriptures over the years I see no escape from the consequences of our sin.  "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before...."  Or, Remember Jesus Christ before you mess up more of your life.  Yes, this passage may be speaking of the end of life, but I believe it also applies to life's journey. 

The Bible says to us that sinners are, "sinners against their own souls."  We know that our sin breaks the Heart of God.  But do we realize that sin breaks us?  "Be sure your sin will find you out."

I am thankful for the Blood of Jesus Christ and the power in His Blood to forgive and deliver me from sin.  And along with that, I pray for His grace and mercy to deal with the consequences of sin.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am so thankful that, "Your mercies are new every morning."  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

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"In God (I will praise His Word), in the Lord (I will praise His Word)...."  (Psalm 56:10)

OT LESSON:

"The court was seated, and the books were opened."  (Daniel 7:10d)

NT LESSON:

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.  And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)

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

"....WHAT HE HAS GIVEN YOU"

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved  (shaken, totter')."  (Psalm 55:22)

The Hebrew Interlinear has it: "Cast what He has given you on the Lord...."  Now this is powerful in that, perhaps, what we have viewed in our sojourn as too "heavy," something to be fought against, rejected, is really a gift "from" Jesus.  

Perhaps there is something in our text of what King Jesus tells us in, "Come to Me, all who are weary ('who work to exhaustion') and are burdened, and I will give you rest....For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light (or, 'not burdensome')."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that You continually correct any erroneous interpretation of Your Words.  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 GREAT MEDICINE

"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12)

No one else can do this for you and me, no doctor, psychiatrist, pastor, talk show host, NOBODY.  The life-saving description of our text, which is a description of Jesus Christ Himself, reveals some of what Jesus "works" in those who are committed to His Words. 

Over 53 years ago, my Doctor told me to, "take much of this and call me in the morning."  I'm alive in Jesus Christ today because I did, and have been so doing. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I regret I did not learn this when I was younger.  "Your Words are life to those who find Them...."  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

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked."  (Psalm 37:17, NASB)

OT LESSON:

Who is this who darkens the divine plan by words without knowledge? (Job 38:1, NASB)

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  (Titus 2:11)

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

NOT "FROM," BUT, "OUT OF"

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."  (Psalm 34:19)

Many translations read, "....from them all."

I don't want to nit pick, but, "out of them all", implies to me that we will encounter affliction.  While, "....from them..," can imply escaping affliction, "....out of..," implies, "....yea, though I walk through the valley...."

Most Followers of Jesus have experienced, or will experience affliction.  The Interlinear Bible describes, "affliction," as, "bad, evil."  If one has not experienced this, then that person is probably not breathing.

Are you in an, "affliction," mode.  Jesus Christ is the One Who delivers/saves us, "....through the valley of the shadow (affliction) ..," and, "out of..," not, "from," that affliction.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You do this.  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

"....RESCUED ME FROM ALL OF IT."

"....But the Lord rescued me from all of it." (2 Timothy 3:11e, NLT)

The Interlinear Greek says that the basic meaning of, "rescued me," is, "to deliver to oneself."

Now Paul is speaking here of persecution, but we can say that our text is a Theological principle of Scripture, Old and New Testament. We are not saved from some "place" or for some "place."  Jesus delivers us to Himself.  This is the Gospel.

Father, in Jesus' Name, what a glorious act, "....to deliver to [Your]self."  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

"....THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE...."

"This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.  Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not."  (Lamentations 3:21, 22)

Lamentations is a sad example of a nation reaping what it sowed. Lamentations could not have been better named.

But what about you and me today?  We, as Israel, have all sinned and fallen, "....short of the glory of God."  While our Lord Jesus does not eradicate the effects of sin, He does, however, forgive and restore our relationship with Him in His Most Precious Blood, "....because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning.  Great is Your faithfulness."

There are times when we can lament over our lives, our sin, disobedience, bad choices as Jeremiah did over Jerusalem.  While there are decisions which we made that cannot be changed, there is forgiveness and compassion in the Godhead to help us learn not so to act.  Disobedience and obedience both "pay."  The former with sadness, depression, regret.  The latter with restoration of fellowship and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to learn from, not presume on, Your forgiveness.  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 FOUNDATION OF THE TRUTH"

"....I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."  (1 Timothy 3:15)

The Church was not the idea of the Catholics or the Protestants.  It is in the Heart of King Jesus from before the beginning began.  "I will build My Church," remember?  And, Jesus' Church is, "....the Church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

As imperfect as you and I are, and all who are, "members of His Body," we are still the ones who are,  "....the pillar and foundation of the Truth."  I make no apologies for such a statement, for one reason, the Holy Spirit in Paul stated such first.  

Do not be intimidated by anyone.  The Church, which is you and I and everyone on the planet in whom Jesus Christ lives, is, "....the pillar and foundation of the Truth," Who is Jesus Christ and His Words.

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never apologize for who I am in You.  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

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,' says the Lord; 'I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.'"  (Psalm 12:5)

OT LESSON:

"'....Your life shall be a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,' says the Lord."  (Jeremiah 39:18b)

NT LESSON:

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say."  (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17--NLT)

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

'....NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES...."

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  (John 14:27)

Do you know why our Lord Jesus could say to us, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you"?  He could/can say that because Jesus "left" Himself with us and in us.  He did not say, "Here is peace, now good bye."  

Jesus does not hand out "peace."  Ephesians 2 says that Jesus, "....is our Peace."  Jesus says to you and me, "....I am with you always, even to the end of the age....I will not leave you comfortless....I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Perhaps key to this glorious reality is, "....not as the world gives do I give to you."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You that You do not give, "....as the world gives...."  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

"....GOD'S MYSTERIOUS PLAN...."

"I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ Himself.  In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."  (Colossians 2:2b, 3--NLT)

The Interlinear Greek Bible says, "....of the mystery of God [which] is Christ."  This Theology is consistent in Scripture, to wit, "....the mystery of God is Christ", Himself.  Any human in any people group on Planet Earth who is searching for the True and Living God will only find Him in Jesus Christ.  

Sermons, worship songs, books, etc.,  which do not affirm our text are keeping people back from, "....all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," so that we may know the One True Living God in Jesus Christ.  No one knows forgiveness of sin apart from Jesus Christ.  No one has peace apart from Jesus Christ.  "....This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent."  In short, not some formula, but knowing God is Eternal Life.

The glorious revelation of history is that this same Jesus invites, "whosoever will," with His glorious Words, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me"----to live and fellowship/participate in us in our life's journey.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say that "Good News" is not sufficient to describe Who Your Are and what You do.  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

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

"Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake!  For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble."  (Psalm 143:11)

OT LESSON:

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people.  And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.'"  (Jeremiah 7:23)

NT LESSON:

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who,...made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant...."  (Philippians 2)

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 THE TRUTH

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-- unless indeed you do not stand the test....For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth."  2 Corinthians 13:5 & 8)

"....Jesus Christ is in you....For we can do nothing against [this] truth, but only for [this] truth."  Now there are many throughout history who have attempted to, "....do...against the truth..," of our text, "....that Jesus Christ is in you".  The only power they have is when anyone succumbs to the idea, the theology that the Living Triune God is everywhere but, "....in you".  

So many religious cliches, which have become popular in recent decades, strengthen the bad theology against this truth.  The truth is, "....that Jesus Christ is in you",  and me before and after those great meetings, right now in fact, always, everywhere, forever.  This is, "....the truth."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for, "the truth."  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 AM PULLING A MOZART HERE: JUST ONE DRAFT OF THIS

"But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai.  Instead Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus-- the people of Mordecai."  (Esther 3:6)

One of my readings for this last quarter of 2023 has me in Esther.  It is here that we read of the first of three attempted state sponsored genocide of the Jews in human history.  The second was officially announced on Tuesday, January 20, 1942, and the third on October 7, 2023.  No matter what you read, listen to, or watch, this war on the Jews will not stop.  There will not be a "two-state" solution, no matter what both Democrat and Republican US Presidents have attempted or will attempt.  This ends when King Jesus stands on Mount Zion.

People who carry around a Bible, talk of "born again," and teach Sunday School, as Jimmy Carter did, and align themselves with principles of the Kingdom of Darkness will never get it right.  Talk is nothing.  To quote the Bible, "Keeping God's commands is what matters." (1 Corinthians 7:19b, CSB).  The land of Israel does not belong to the Arabs.  It belongs to the Jews for one reason:  King Jesus gave it to them.  Church: Read your Bibles.  If so-called Christians in the United States of America won't get this, and won't vote principles instead of the way most of their predecessors did, viz., personalities, then America will end up as one of the goat nations of Matthew 25.

I say to you what Paul said  to the Hebrews, "Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case--the things that have to do with salvation."  Pray, pray, pray.  The world is heading to Armageddon.  Yet because of the death and  resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our obedience to His, "God-Breathed," Words, you and I are not.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for Your mercy on us all!  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

A WORD FOR AMERICA AND THE NATIONS

"How great are Your works, Lord!  Your thoughts are very deep.  A stupid person has no knowledge, nor does a foolish person understand this:  When the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did injustice flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore."  (Psalm 92:5-7, NASB)

This passage gives further revelation on the word I received from Jesus after the 2020 elections, "The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full (complete)."  

"....Understand this:  When the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did injustice flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore."  Now the Bible tells us that the Lord God brings judgment on men and nations so that they might be saved.  Wickedness will be destroyed, but those who have aligned with wickedness may still respond to Jesus', "Come to Me...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray to recognize Your ways, and to "flow" with them.  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

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"Blessed is the person whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the roads to Zion!  Passing through the Valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with blessings."  (Psalm 84:5, 6-- NASB)

OT LESSON:

"Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, 'Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty.  Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you....'"  

(2 Chronicles 14:11, a, b--NIV)

NT LESSON:

"Each one's work will become obvious.  For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work....Keeping God's commands is what matters."  (1 Corinthians 3:13 & 7:19b, CSB)

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

BLIND-SIDED

"My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  (Psalm 73:26)

I got "blind-sided" today.  It happens from time to time, but you are never prepared for it.

Not a day has gone by in the last 53+ years that Stephen Paul has not been in my mind and in my heart.  From time to time, however, something happens which brings the tragic loss to a deeper pain, the memories, the precious life and little buddy gone from me.  Any number of things can trigger it.

This is not easy to write, but I can tell you of certainty that Jesus Christ is, and has always been, "....the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Jesus is the reason, and the One in Whom I am still pressing on, overcoming, and on my way to glory.

Father, in Jesus' Name, again, "[You are] the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  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

"....KEEP YOU BLAMELESS...."

"Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.  He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:7, 8--NIV)) 

Sometimes commenting on Scripture is like attempting to comment on the vastness and beauty of the Universe--- impossible.

But consider:  "....as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed....He will also keep you...blameless...."  That is the "keeping" power we all need and I know I long for.  And we know that only Jesus Christ can, "....keep [us]...blameless...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for:

"Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the Only God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.  Amen." (Jude 24, 25)

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