LISTEN TO THIS PSALM ON BIBLE GATEWAY IN THE CSB)

"My soul, bless the Lord!....He wraps Himself in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, laying the beams of His palace on the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind, and making the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants....He causes the springs to gush into the valleys; they flow between the mountains....He made the moon to mark the festivals; the sun knows when to set."  (From Psalm 104, CSB)

The, "He, Himself, and His," is the Living Triune God, manifested to the Universe in Jesus Christ.

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

LISTEN TO HEARTS

"Jesus stopped and called them, 'What do you want me to do for you?' He asked."  (Matthew 20:32, NIV)

I have heard some suggestions over the years as to why Jesus w0uld ask such a question 0f persons with such an obvious malady.  The thought which occurred to me today was that He enjoys fellowship, encounter, and a personal relationship, perhaps we could call it the dialogue of friendship.

Our King and Savior Jesus Christ looks into the heart of humanity.  We see in the Gospel accounts that Jesus did not go around as some Greek god with holy water, or saying the same thing to everybody.  For example, He did not say to Nicodemus what He said to the blind men, nor did He say to the blind men what He said to Nicodemus, or the Samaritan woman, or Zacchaeus.  Every encounter in the Gospels reveals Jesus' desire for a unique personal relationship, no platitudes, cliches.  

Jesus tells us, "I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...."  The Word for, "know," here means, "to know through personal experience."  Our Good Shepherd desires spiritual intimacy, aka, fellowship with each one of us.  I suggest that Jesus asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?" because He desires, "to know through personal experience."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be such.  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 MYSTERY OF GODLINESS...."

"And confessedly great is the mystery of godliness Who was revealed in the flesh was justified in the Spirit was seen by angels was proclaimed among the nations was believed on in the world was taken up in glory."  (1 Timothy 3:16, Greek Interlinear)

This indeed has been the very, "mystery," which has confounded the world since the announcement of the virgin birth.

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...."  Along with, "the message of the Cross," God becoming flesh, manifested in Jesus Christ, is foolishness to the non Jews and a stumbling block to the Jews, in short, all of humanity.  Ah, "but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Now to the every-thing-is-about-me crowd I say that this is about you, the you whose very existence, salvation/deliverance, and eternal life is dependent upon, "And confessedly great is the mystery of godliness Who was revealed in the flesh...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, never will I be able to comprehend, but forever I will be grateful.  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

"HE CALLED A SMALL CHILD...."

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'So who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?'  He called a small child and had him stand among them."  (Matthew 18:1, 2--CSB)

You really do not have to say any more.

You and I know that the world does not believe this, which includes most church-goers.  A child is cute, may be entertaining, and lovable, but most would react to our text the same way J. D. Rockefeller reacted when someone quoted to him that, "the meek...will inherit the earth."  Rockefeller replied, "That'a the only way they would get it."

By far most who think of greatness think of intelligence, "anointing," at the top of their profession, etc.  But a child?  Nevertheless, we must all live with, "He called a small child and had him stand among them."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I embrace Your Words.  Help me to live this Word.  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

'....OUR PATHWAY"

"Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway."  (Psalm 85:13)

"Righteousness goes as a herald before Him, preparing the way for His steps."  (NLT)

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank Your for 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

"I DID IT MY WAY" REALLY?

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."  (Matthew 16:24)

When is the last time any of us ever heard a person say, "When I began to follow Jesus....?" 

Our text, which includes the Words, "deny," and, "follow," is a source of despair to the "I-did-it-my-way" in us.  We should realize, however, that the best thing you and I can do for ourselves is to deny ourselves and follow------------------- Jesus.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I surrender anew myself to deny myself, take up Your Cross, and follow 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