"SO SEND I YOU" (PSALM NUGGET BELOW)

"And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him."  (Matthew 17:3)

Now we know that Peter wanted to start a church right there. 

There is something in most people that wish to stay where the "blessing" is.  Of course, doing the will of our Father is the great blessing, but you and I know that most want the glory meetings, not the "mess" which was awaiting Jesus and the disciples in the valley.

Jesus told the disciples right before His Ascension that they were to go to Jerusalem and wait, "....until you are endued with power from on high."  Then, "Go into all the world...."  

Glory in the gathering, the worship, the preaching, the fellowship, then heed the Words of Jesus after He, "....showed them His Hands and His Side....As the Father has sent Me, so send I you."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the "glory mountain," but as much, I thank You for, "....so send I you."  Amen.

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PSALM NUGGET:  "The Lord is my Strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him."  (28:7)

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

THE BIG FISHERMAN HAD MANY GOOD QUALITIES

"....Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus." (From Matthew 14:29)

In my lifetime I have heard many people speak of Peter's flaws.  But he did walk on water; none of his compatriots were willing to take that risk.  

That's one thing I really like about Peter; he was a risk taker.  You have to love a guy whose little group was greatly outnumbered, but who was willing to take off someone's head to save his Friend.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to live the "risk."  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

"FREELY...GIVE"

"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give."  (Jesus, Matthew 10:8)

The call of the Church of Jesus Christ has never changed.  "Bible scholars," as well as many church-goers, however, have attempted to exegete our text so as to make themselves look good.  They say that such a verse was only for the First Century Church.  That would be okay except for one thing:  Nowhere in the Bible does it so say.

These Words of Jesus are no less significant today than they were in the First Century; therefore, I call you to pray with me that the Church will obey this command of Jesus in our text, and pray, "the Lord of the harvest," to so help us walk.

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me if I deny Your Words in order to excuse my lack of faith/obedience.  Amen.

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PSALM NUGGET: "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears." (18:6)

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

HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND ANYTHING?

"By faith we understand that the world has been created by the Word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible."  (Hebrews 11:3)

"By faith we understand...."--- not by intellect, reasoning, or arguing.  "By faith we understand...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You so ordained life. Amen.

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PSALM NUGGET: "For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face."  (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

"....YOUR VERY GREAT REWARD"

"After this, the Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward.'"  (Genesis 15:1, NIV)

I find it interesting that the alternative reading in some translations is, "....your reward shall be very great."

The two translations for me seem to be poles apart.  My reward is either the Living Triune God Himself, "I am...your  

...reward", or He gives me something else, e.g., fame, riches, etc., in other words, something for me apart from Jesus Christ. 

I embrace, "I am...your very great Reward."  There is no reward greater than, or equal to, Jesus Christ Himself, Jesus Christ living in me.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You are my, "Very Great Reward."  Amen.

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PSALM NUGGET:

"Return, Lord, deliver my soul; equip me for war because of Your mercy."  (Psalm 6:4, Interlinear)

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

"MANY THERE BE WHICH SAY...."

"Lord, how are they increased that trouble me!  Many are they that rise up against me.  Many there be which say of my soul, 'There is no help for him in God.'  But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of mine head.  I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill.  I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me."  (Psalm 3:1-5, KJV)

Now we may not have people who are troubling us, but I can guarantee that the Devil and his angels are.  Too many times too many people believe that it is family members, fellow workers, neighbors, etc., who are the ones saying, "There is no help for him in God."  

Regardless of whether that has some reality in day to day living or not, I can assure us all that, "....Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness...."  And those rulers, powers, and world forces will tell you every day, "There is no help for [you] in God."  

Join me right now in affirming that Jesus Christ is my, "....Shield about me, my glory and the One Who lifts my head."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I receive what You say about me, not what, "....the world forces of this darkness," say.  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