PSALM NUGGET

"Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of strength, a house of fortresses to save me."  (Psalm 31:2)

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

THE SEARCH ENDS HERE

"....the Father and of Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."  (Colossians 2:2c, 3)

The vast majority of the whole earth is searching for wisdom and knowledge everywhere and in everyone but the Father and the Son Jesus.  Here it is, though, for you and me.  It is in the Living Triune God that we have found, "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

When we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ, the search was over.  Glory!

Father, in Jesus' Name, there is a song for me in today's text.  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

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance."  (Psalm 32:7)

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

PSALM NUGGET

"The Lord sat enthroned at the flood, the Lord sits as King forever."  (psalm 29:10)

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 HAVE THAT

"And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.  And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."  (Matthew 2:11)

This is Matthew's account of the birth of King Jesus.  Later on you and I know of the accounts of miracles, and so much more, culminating in Jesus' Death and Resurrection.  We have written accounts of what Jesus did as well as eyewitnesses.

Someone once said to me many years ago, "How do you know that all you believe is true?"  I said, "How do you know that George Washington crossed the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War?  There are no photos or audio recordings of the event."  He said, "Well, there are written reports of the fact."  I said, "I have that."  He said, "There were eyewitnesses."  I said, "I have that."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I believe 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

PSALM NUGGET

"Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future."  (Psalm 16:5, 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

THE LOT COVENANT

"So Abram said to Lot, 'Please let there be no strife between you and me....If you take the left then I will go to the right...."  Genesis 13)

Abram had no right to do this.  The Godhead had told Abram in the previous chapter, "To your descendants I will give this land."  Our text reveals that Abram had a "better idea."  He thought he could give some of it to Lot to make peace.  After the negotiations with Lot, the Lord God told Abram, "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you...."  God was telling Abram that it was not Abram's prerogative to give it away.

Most of us, at one time or another, have had "Lots" in our lives.  They are people who brought out the compromise in us, which in turn we thought would make life a little easier, and/or, as with Abraham, thought our compromise was a magnanimous act of being a "christian."  God spoke a specific Word to Abraham about his future, his "destiny."  Abraham's "free will" offered an amendment to the covenant.  As with Abraham, so it is with you and me.  You and I have no right to altar the purposes of Jesus Christ for our lives, our work, our mission.  

The Bible gives us the antidote to the Lot covenant.  "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied Himself of His privileges, taking the form of a bondservant..," which means, "without any ownership rights of His own."  This attitude, "....which was also in Christ Jesus..," will keep us out of free-willing negotiations with Lot.

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me for any Lot covenants.  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

"For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright beholds His countenance."  (psalm 11:7)

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

"BUT IF NOT"

"....Our God...is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.  But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods...."  (Daniel 3:17, 18a)

Every time I read Daniel three I am challenged by the three Hebrew guys.  Here is what they said to the king:  "Our God is able....Our God will....But if not...."

Anyone who claims any belief in a Supreme Being can say that He, "....is able."  That statement requires very little "faith."  Then in the latter half of the 20th Century came the Charismatic movement.  It was well known for, "our God will."

What is needed to be an overcomer in life, however, is the last thing the Hebrew boys said, "But if not...."  Life will defeat the person who has no, "But if not...," in their walk in Jesus Christ.  Embrace, "But if not..," and we will endure to the end.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to be a, "But if not..," Follower of 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

"The Lord also is a refuge ('secure height') for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."  (Psalm 9:9)

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

DO NOT MARGINALIZE ANY TEXTS

"Do all things without complaining and arguing, that you may become blameless and innocent, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...."  (Philippians 2:14, 15)

If you and I, indeed, if the Church desires to be, "blameless and harmless ('without admixture of evil'), then there can be no, "complaining and arguing," among us individuals, and the Church in general.

Our King Jesus Christ still has these Words in our Bibles, and if we want "revival," true growth, not just in number, but in holiness and righteousness, that which enables you and me to, "....shine as lights in the world," then we have no choice but to be, "without complaining and arguing."  Woe to the exegete who minimizes such texts!  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I take all Your Words seriously.  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

"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You cover them; let those who love Your Name be joyful in You."  (Psalm 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

ABOVE, BELOW, BEHIND, IN FRONT, AROUND

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

Most shields of which I am aware are location specific, i.e., usually to be used in front of a person.  The phrase translated here, "for me," is literally, "around me."

So there you have it.  Our text reminds us of the total covering and protection of our King Jesus Christ.  This further affirms the Bible teaching that our Shepherd/King/Savior, Jesus, goes before us, follows behind us, His Hand is upon us, "and underneath are the Everlasting Arms"------ and equally glorious, He abides in us and we in Him.  This is the, "Shield," of which our text speaks.  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that You are my All-Encompassing One.

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

"Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You....Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God...." (Psalm 143)

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