"A DELICATE WHISPERING VOICE"

"Then He said, 'Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.'  And  hold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings 19:11, 12)

You know as well as I that most are looking for the wind, earthquake, and fire.  This is "God" to most people.  It is sort of what the people were expecting in the First Century when Jesus appeared, and they responded, "Isn't this the carpenter?"  A carpenter can't be, "God with us."  They wondered, "Where is the wind, earthquake, and fire?"

Now Jesus would over turn money tables, take a whip and drive people from the Temple, and utter some extremely strong indictments on those who reject the Rule of the Living Triune God.  But it was that "carpenter" thing, which is an example of, "....a still small voice," which people were not expecting.

Thanks be to Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit that by His grace you and I came to see that the, "....still small voice," is the Voice which brought us to Himself in the Blood of His Cross, and made us,"heirs of God, co-heirs in Christ."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to not be confused by the wind, earthquake and fire.  Amen.

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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

"....AND NOT GIVE UP"

"Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."  (Luke 18:1, NIV)

I have written and preached on this text before, but today this was my Gospel reading.  It always "speaks" to me.

George Mueller, the German evangelist and director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England, prayed for 52 years that one of his friends would come to Jesus.  It was not until after Mueller died that the friend surrendered his life to Jesus.  I have no excuse.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your constant reminders, exhortations and commands.  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

"IT WILL HAPPEN IN A MOMENT"

"For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day."  (Luke 17:24)

The details are not important.  The sudden, in-a-twinkling-of-the-eye-second-appearing of King Jesus is.  "It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.  For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever.  And we who are living will also be transformed."  (1 Corinthians 15:52, NLT)

Father, in Jesus' Name, "O for grace to trust You more."  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

"WHO HAS RESISTED HIM AND COME OUT UNSCATHED?"

"....How can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?  Though they wished to dispute with Him, they could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.  His wisdom is profound, His power is vast.  Who has resisted Him and come out unscathed?"  (Job 9, NIV)

In this reply to his friends one can see why the Godhead commended him.

Consider just a little of what Job had to contend with.  His wife turned atheist on him, "Are you still trying to maintain your integrity.  Curse God and die?"  And his "friends?"  They said, in essence, that he got what he deserved.

But Job kept pressing on.  "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted....How then can I dispute with him?  How can I find words to argue with Him?...If it is a matter of justice, who can challenge Him?"  May you and I have such a heart.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your Family which includes men like Job.  Amen.

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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

DOES YOUR, ...."NIGHT DRAG ON...."

"When I lie down I think, 'How long before I get up?'  The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn."  (Job 7:4, NIV)

This is a story of the anxious.  Yet there is peace when, "the night drags on...."  The Bible states it quite clearly:  "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace...."

Our Lord Jesus is not far away issuing out peace.  Jesus lives right inside each of His Followers, He Himself being to each Believer that very peace which delivers from, "....toss and turn until dawn."  

Suggestion:  If you suffer from what our text describes, try reading from the Bible at bedtime.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for such grace.  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

"ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS"

"O Lord, You...are intimately acquainted with all my ways."  Psalm 139:3b, NASB)

Just read closely the "Life Style" of Jesus in the Gospels, and indeed, the Words of the whole of Scripture.  You will see over and over just how true is our text.

The more you read the Scriptures, the more we have written in our hearts and minds the very thoughts of the Triune God; therefore, when "doubts and fears assail," His Words will continually tell you, "O Lord, You...are intimately acquainted with all my ways."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the constant and consistent reminders of Your 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

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors."  (Psalm 119:24, NIV)

OT LESSON:    

"His own Presence save them."  (Isaiah 63:9, NIV)

NT LESSON:

"This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience--- it looks for a way of being constructive.  It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance."  (1 Corinthians 13:4, J.B. Phillips)  

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