"....THIS GOSPEL FO THE KINGDOM...."

"But He said to them, 'I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.'"  (Luke 4:43)

The Kingdom of God/Heaven is, in many ways, a mystery.  I think this is the reason our Lord Jesus used parables to teach us about His Kingdom, e.g., "The Kingdom of Heaven is like...."  

I encourage you to pray with me for more and more insight into what our Lord Jesus Christ calls, "....this Gospel of the Kingdom...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for grace that my friend here and I may come to understand and proclaim, "....this Gospel of the Kingdom...."  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:

"Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.  Deliver the poor and the needy; free them from the hand of the wicked."  Psalm 82:3, 4)

OT LESSON:

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

NT LESSON:

Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself.  Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies." (Hebrews 13:3, 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

"John answered.., 'I baptize you with water.  But One Who is more powerful than I will come....He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.'"  (From Luke 3:16 & 17)

I wonder how many preachers and others over the years have connected verses 16 and 17.  The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just some jumping around, shoutin' "camp meeting."

I recommend that you and I look more closely at today's text, and see verses 16 and 17 as one continuous thought.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for burning up chaff.  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

"....FATHER'S BUSINESS"

"And He said to them, 'Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?'"  (Luke 2:49)

Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, leads you and me in the same, "business."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray to be, "about My Father's business."  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

"JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME...."

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  (Hebrews 13:8)

Our text in chapter 13 is seemingly "out of context."  Verse 8 is placed between some admonitions of the Godhead, yet seems to be a Divine, "And do not forget."  It seems to shout the very theme of the Bible, which, I suppose, could be placed in the center of every chapter in the Bible. 

Maybe you and I should begin every day with the reminder of Hebrews 13:8.  The world changes; you and I change, not so our Lord, "Jesus Christ...the same yesterday, today, and forever."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, what a glorious comforting reality.  Amen.

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Crow Mission:  August 1-15

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