"Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. (Jesus)
"18 year old, Peter Torjesen, when he 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.'" I have shared this witness before. I have it written on my online calendar and move it from week to week to keep it ever before me.
Many evangelicals believe that Jesus saves us "through faith,.. not of works, lest any man should boast." But let me tell you; life itself is "by faith not of works-------------------lest any man should boast." Jesus sends us out into life in general, not just the mission field, with the command, "But seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." Faith, obedience accepts this and lives accordingly. Peter's commitment that day was an incarnation of "seek first the kingdom of God"----------------------------------- "and my life."
Father, in Jesus' Name,--------------- "and my life." Amen.
********************
The best news coverage is at: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Watchman
Sentinel
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
"See...The Word of God"
"O generation, see ye the word of Jehovah." (Jeremiah 2:31, ASV)
Yes, you read it correctly, "see...the word of God." The word translated by some as, "consider," or, "heed," is the Hebrew word for, "see." When we hear and "see...the word of God," it is incumbent upon us to worship and obey. I have asserted many times that The Word of God is not primarily print on a page, but "living and active (powerful), and sharper than any two-edged sword." This is the One Whom John saw in the Revelation--- "....And out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. AND WHEN I SAW HIM, I FELL AT HIS FEET AS DEAD."
Any theology which is just "made up," is false doctrine. I did an extensive paper in seminary on the "Word of God Theology." The source was the "God-Breathed" Word, and substantiated by such great early Church Fathers as Ignatius and Irenaeus. While I was challenged greatly by the professor and fellow students, the professor admitted to its historic veracity. But this morning I have had another confirmation of a great man of the Church concerning my Word of God
theology. As it "happened," I have been reading a book entitled, The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers. Listen to this: "The only way the words of God can be understood is by contact with the Word of God. The connection between our Lord Himself, who is the Word, and His spoken words is so close that to divorce them is fatal." I am indeed in good company!
"....So close that to divorce them is fatal"---- what a powerful warning to the twenty-first century Church. The temptation faces you and me every day to "neglect so great a salvation." Don't do it. The "so great a salvation" which is ours is only in Jesus Christ and His Words. If you attempt to bolster that salvation by any other means, be it ever so "spiritual," you are making a "fatal" mistake. Embrace Jesus. Embrace His Words. The literal translation of Moses' warning and encouragement to the Jews in Deuteronomy 32:47 is, "For He is not a vain word for you; because He [is] alive, strong, can cause you to live!!"
Father, in Jesus' Name, "I have an answer for those who taunt and reproach me, for I lean on, rely on, and trust in Your word." Amen.
********************************
It's difficult to keep up with all the prophetic news, isn't it? Anyway, go to: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
**************
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222846709x1201493018/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd=JulystepsfooterNO115)
Yes, you read it correctly, "see...the word of God." The word translated by some as, "consider," or, "heed," is the Hebrew word for, "see." When we hear and "see...the word of God," it is incumbent upon us to worship and obey. I have asserted many times that The Word of God is not primarily print on a page, but "living and active (powerful), and sharper than any two-edged sword." This is the One Whom John saw in the Revelation--- "....And out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. AND WHEN I SAW HIM, I FELL AT HIS FEET AS DEAD."
Any theology which is just "made up," is false doctrine. I did an extensive paper in seminary on the "Word of God Theology." The source was the "God-Breathed" Word, and substantiated by such great early Church Fathers as Ignatius and Irenaeus. While I was challenged greatly by the professor and fellow students, the professor admitted to its historic veracity. But this morning I have had another confirmation of a great man of the Church concerning my Word of God
theology. As it "happened," I have been reading a book entitled, The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers. Listen to this: "The only way the words of God can be understood is by contact with the Word of God. The connection between our Lord Himself, who is the Word, and His spoken words is so close that to divorce them is fatal." I am indeed in good company!
"....So close that to divorce them is fatal"---- what a powerful warning to the twenty-first century Church. The temptation faces you and me every day to "neglect so great a salvation." Don't do it. The "so great a salvation" which is ours is only in Jesus Christ and His Words. If you attempt to bolster that salvation by any other means, be it ever so "spiritual," you are making a "fatal" mistake. Embrace Jesus. Embrace His Words. The literal translation of Moses' warning and encouragement to the Jews in Deuteronomy 32:47 is, "For He is not a vain word for you; because He [is] alive, strong, can cause you to live!!"
Father, in Jesus' Name, "I have an answer for those who taunt and reproach me, for I lean on, rely on, and trust in Your word." Amen.
********************************
It's difficult to keep up with all the prophetic news, isn't it? Anyway, go to: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
**************
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222846709x1201493018/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd=JulystepsfooterNO115)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Jesus Is Not, "Christ Back There"-He Is, "Christ In You"
"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may be with you for ever, (even) the Spirit of truth....He abideth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you desolate (orphaned, fatherless): I will come to you." (John 14:16-18-- ASV)
Notice, "another Comforter." Jesus had been the, "with you," Comforter. With the coming of Pentecost and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Jesus was to become their, "in you," Comforter. Pentecost was not only the "birth of the Church;" it was the birth of the, "Christ in you," reality. His Presence is not a place, or a feeling, or arbitrary. His Presence is, "He abides with you, and...in you. I will not leave you"!
The "What-Would-Jesus-Do," brand of Christianity has a faulty premise. It suggests a sort of "copy cat" religion. That is Islam, Buddhism, New Age, and all major religions of the world. Jesus does not teach us that we are "the light of the world" by copying His life. That would be nothing but "works" which is driven by ego. Jesus teaches us, "I am [your] Life;" hence, the Church is only "the light of the world" to the degree Jesus is living and reigning in the Church and the Church is living obediently in Jesus.
The "faith of Jesus" (Christianity) is an, "in you," faith, not just a faith of Christ walking the Judean Hills 2000 years ago. "WWJD" is Jesus "back there." Conversely, the words of our text, "shall be in you," is Jesus in me, present in the Church, here, now. The ASV is the best translation of Gal. 2:20, "I live in [the] faith, (the faith) which is in the Son of God." The only way I can "live in" such a faith is not by looking back to His earthy walk 2000 years ago. It is living in Jesus and Jesus living and reigning in me, now, here, eternally. It is as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, "He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together in union with him."
If the faith of modern Christians today is that of copying the Life of Jesus, they allow the enemy to rob them of the glory of the Church, "the hope of glory," i.e., "Christ in you." If you and I go out in any given day and try to "act" like Christians, we will fail. If, however, we choose to live, "whether we are awake or asleep, we...live together in union with Him"---------success!
Father, in Jesus' Name, live in and through me today, but may the "in" be not be overshadowed by the "through." Amen.
***********************************************
* I will be meeting with a representative of the "Volunteers for Israel" program this coming Sunday, August 9
* Up to date prophetic news at: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
Friday, July 31, 2009
"Are We Any Better?"
"Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin." (Romans 3:9-NIV)
As with most every day's devotional, today's text is a part of my regular reading. Some may not be aware of it, but historically, it has been "controversial" even in evangelical circles. Much of the dissension in the Church over the centuries can be traced back to the denial that, "Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin." But it is not only a Church problem. It is global now, and has been a "forever" plague on humanity.
I found the following article while I was checking a prayer request concerning slave trade activities in modern Liberia. It is from a timeline history of the country: "1865- 346 immigrants from Barbados joined the small number of African Americans coming to Liberia after the American Civil War. With overseas immigration slowing to a trickle, the Americo-Liberians (as the settlers and their descendants were starting to be called) depended on immigrants from nearby regions of Africa to increase the republic's population. The Americo-Liberians formed an elite and perpetuated a double-tiered social structure in which local African peoples could not achieve full participation in the nation's social, civic, and political life. The Americo-Liberians replicated many of the exclusions and social differentiations that had so limited their own lives in the United States." (History Of Liberia: A Time Line- American Memory. Library of Congress)
Human nature is a sin nature. It does not matter the color of one's skin, his ethnicity, or "national origin." Arabs invaded Europe centuries before the first crusade. American Indians ("Native Americans) were murdering, pillaging one another long before the Europeans arrived. Then there was Genghis Khan, of whom one historian said, "His main legacy is of plunder for plunder's sake." And what of the Aztecs, the object of praise of humanist multiculturalists? Their ruling classes were masters of forced labor.
The temptation to see everyone else as the problem and see myself as victim is an age old battle. But we don't have to find someone to blame for life. We just need to find someone who saves life. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." The whole race was under the condemnation of sin, but all people who surrender to Jesus Christ can say, "We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."
Father, in Jesus' Name, bring conviction any time I justify sin in me and condemn it in others. Amen.
*****************************
www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
**************
An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222846709x1201493018/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=JulyExcfooterNO62)
As with most every day's devotional, today's text is a part of my regular reading. Some may not be aware of it, but historically, it has been "controversial" even in evangelical circles. Much of the dissension in the Church over the centuries can be traced back to the denial that, "Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin." But it is not only a Church problem. It is global now, and has been a "forever" plague on humanity.
I found the following article while I was checking a prayer request concerning slave trade activities in modern Liberia. It is from a timeline history of the country: "1865- 346 immigrants from Barbados joined the small number of African Americans coming to Liberia after the American Civil War. With overseas immigration slowing to a trickle, the Americo-Liberians (as the settlers and their descendants were starting to be called) depended on immigrants from nearby regions of Africa to increase the republic's population. The Americo-Liberians formed an elite and perpetuated a double-tiered social structure in which local African peoples could not achieve full participation in the nation's social, civic, and political life. The Americo-Liberians replicated many of the exclusions and social differentiations that had so limited their own lives in the United States." (History Of Liberia: A Time Line- American Memory. Library of Congress)
Human nature is a sin nature. It does not matter the color of one's skin, his ethnicity, or "national origin." Arabs invaded Europe centuries before the first crusade. American Indians ("Native Americans) were murdering, pillaging one another long before the Europeans arrived. Then there was Genghis Khan, of whom one historian said, "His main legacy is of plunder for plunder's sake." And what of the Aztecs, the object of praise of humanist multiculturalists? Their ruling classes were masters of forced labor.
The temptation to see everyone else as the problem and see myself as victim is an age old battle. But we don't have to find someone to blame for life. We just need to find someone who saves life. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." The whole race was under the condemnation of sin, but all people who surrender to Jesus Christ can say, "We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."
Father, in Jesus' Name, bring conviction any time I justify sin in me and condemn it in others. Amen.
*****************************
www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
**************
An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222846709x1201493018/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=JulyExcfooterNO62)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)