"God...Has Shone in Our Hearts to Give the Light...Of Jesus Christ"

If You Want to be "Light" in the World, Get Ready for a Little Pounding

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us....For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us...."  (2 Corinthians 4:7, 17)

"....Our light affliction...is working for us"--------------------- not against us.

Things grow old and so do people, "our outward man is perishing."  Our car has over 111,000 miles on it and is showing age, but, hey, no payment, and it still runs well.  As for my, "outward man," no more two or three steps at a time, not that I couldn't, you understand; it's just if I want to breathe at the top, well............

This chapter is concise Biblical Theology.  It reminds us that these old, "earthen vessels," may be battered by the storms of life, but never, "crushed--forsaken--destroyed."  They are,  "delivered to death for Jesus' sake so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  Yes, this speaks of persecution, but also the Bible Theological truth, "My strength is made perfect in weakness," or, "Our light affliction...is working for us...."

Twice in the chapter Paul says, "We do not lose heart," first, because, "we have received mercy;" secondly, "Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."  And it is in the verse following where the Holy Spirit says to you and me, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory...."  

My weary traveler, "Fix your eyes on Jesus," our, "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory....Do not look at the things which are seen, but the things which are unseen,..the things which are...eternal."  Then whatever the storm, "....the rain descended the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the Rock."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me today to live in the reality that my, "light affliction...is working for us."  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.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

Cartoon

"A CAIR-Approved Police Lineup After Any Islamist Terror Attack"

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.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

When They Find Out Who You Are

"But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians!'" (Acts 19:34)

The World Jewish Congress reported a few months ago that an Orthodox Jew was riding a bicycle in Antwerp and "was punched in the face....When he asked the attacker why he hit him, the assailant said, 'Because you're a Jew.'"     

This is also the reason the world hates you and me, simply because we are bearers of Father's Presence, Followers of Jesus Christ, Baptized in the Holy Spirit.  True, we may give them "other" reasons, viz., our own sin brought about by our disobedience, but fundamentally, it is just because of who we are, not what we do; never forget this.  

The Book of Acts records the "acts" of the First Century Church, growth, expansion to the, "uttermost parts."  But it also records the accompanying persecution--------------and believe me, when the Church expands, "invades" a culture, it is a certainty that persecution will follow.  You see, we have, as they say, "two strikes against us" as Followers of Jesus.  First, "the faith of Jesus," is not a replacement of "Judaism;" it is a fulfillment of Judaism, that ancient and very hated people group.  "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." Later, Paul reveals the fulfillment of such sonship, "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.  Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule--- to the Israel of God" (Gal. 3:7, KJV; 6:15,16-NIV). 

Our Lord Jesus is very clear that it is only, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake," who are citizens of, "the kingdom of heaven."  Again, "....For righteousness sake," not for my, "sake" or any counterfeit righteousness of mankind.  It is persecution for the righteousness which is Jesus Christ alone.  When anyone is so persecuted, "theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven"!!  As with Alexander of our text, when they find out who you are, they will cry out, "Great is Diana of the[..........]" 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I just pray they find out whose I am.  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.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

"For the Last Twelve Years, Harry Potter Has Been My Life"

"And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 11:16, NASB)

A teenaged girl said in an interview over the weekend at an event commemorating the deeply occulted Harry Potter series, "For the last twelve years, Harry Potter has been my life" (See another teenager's "my life" quote below).  Such a life style today is just further evidence of the need for a "power Gospel" in the Twenty-First Century.

"He used to say," means Jesus said it more than once, perhaps many, many times.  In our text, his fellow Followers of Jesus were challenging Peter concerning his visit to the house of a Roman soldier.  Peter's response was the powerful evidence and confirmation that those Gentiles were now genuine Covenant People, "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.  And I remembered...."

"How He used to say,..but You will be baptized in the Holy Spirit," was a reminder then as it is today of an in-filling and indwelling which no one on the planet could ever know apart from Jesus Christ.  Maybe our Lord, "used to say," frequently something like this: "Never, ever forget that, I am going to send to you the promise of My Father,' and, 'you will be clothed with power from on High.'  Only then can you, 'be witnesses to Me.'  This will be your power for living, a power which knows no equal.  Some will marginalize the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but only to their own delusion and ultimate demise.  My Gospel is, 'the power of God to save.'  Everything I have said to you, everything promised of, 'and greater works than these shall you do,' in short, power for living, will come only in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Over the centuries there will arise those who will do miracles, as did Pharaoh's priests, which seem to match stride for stride with the genuine miracles of the Holy Spirit.  But ultimately, as with those false prophets, 'their folly will be obvious to all.'"  But not you; As I have told you many times, "You will be Baptized in the Holy Spirit." 

Dwight Moody, one of the "patron saints" of the Fundamentalist movement of the last century, told R. A. Torrey, "Torrey, you have two sermons which you must preached everywhere you go, "Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible to Be the Word of God," and, "The Need for the Baptism in the Holy Ghost."  These sermons could never be needed more than today.  Which will it be for modern churchgoers today, "Harry Potter has been my life," or, "Jesus Christ has been my life?"  

Father, in Jesus' Name, if You, "used to say," whatever, may I continue to say and live the same.  Amen.

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New Articles at:     apf327.blogspot 

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.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2