"His Unspeakable Gift"

"And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened....And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire....And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  (From Revelation 20 & 21)

Our text is some of the Advent reading for today from The Book of Common Prayer.  It reveals the contrast between those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, who are "washed in the Blood of the Lamb," whose sins have been removed, "as far as the east is from the west," whose names are written in, "the Book of Life," those in whom Jesus Christ lives, and those who have known none of the aforementioned.  To the agnostic who cannot resolve the "God question," I say, "Err on the side of caution."  The Bible declares two possibilities, "The lake of fire," or, "God will wipe away every tear"; the choice is ours. 

Christmas is not about a date, no matter who ultimately set it.  It is about, "The Coming One," whether December 25 or whatever.  Those who refuse to celebrate Christmas because of some religious jangling are robbing themselves of a great festive season.  What is important is that, "The Coming One," Jesus Christ, foretold by prophets, came into the world in a very small town just a short distance from Jerusalem and, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."  And, because of Father's Gift of Jesus, all my sin is forgiven, and there is a day coming when, "There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away."!

Our text reminds us of the blessing and the curse of His appearing, blessing to those who "receive Him still," and curse to those who reject Him still.  Christmas: "This is how God loved the world; He gave His Only Son" (literal translation of John 3:16).  The greatest reason to give gifts at this time of year is not so much that the "wise men" gave gifts to Jesus, but that Father gave us the Gift of Himself in Jesus Christ.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with Paul, "thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift."  Amen.

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Unreached People of the Day: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
Read of the Danger in North Korea: www.apf327.blogspot.com

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

Moses' Writings and Jesus' Words Are One

"For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.  But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"  (Jn 5:46,47)

The answer is really quite simple; you cannot.  The writings of the Old Testament are integral with the New Testament.  People have asked me why the New Testament does not seem to speak of "political," governmental, or international relations.  Again, the answer is really quite simple; the Word of God does not have to repeat Himself.  The Bible is a whole.  If modern Christendom would realize this, live this, proclaim this truth, the modern Christian Church would not be so insular.  

Jesus came to build His Kingdom, His Nation, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder....Of the increase of (literally) government and peace no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice...."  And, Jesus sends us to nations, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations."

Today's Scripture Readings for Advent, suggested by "The Book of Common Prayer," is Isaiah 11:1-9, Revelation 20:1-10, and John 5:30-47.  Our text reveals the historic and prophetic revelation of Whom the Bible calls, "The Coming One."  Jesus is King; Jesus is Ruler; Jesus is Savior; Jesus is coming again.  All the Biblical prophesies were not fulfilled at His first appearing.  They will only be completed at His second appearing.  If, "you believed Moses, you [will] believe [Jesus]."  If we read and believe the Old Testament writings, we will then "bring" them with us to the New.  Only when we so live, will we break out of parochial life styles and embrace The Kingdom of Heaven/God, embrace the nations, embrace humanity.

Father, in Jesus' Name, grant me a new and ever-expanding break out.  Amen.  

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Today's Unreached Peoples: www.unreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

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

"Born To You"

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

This Baby was, "born to you."  The shepherds, and later the "Wise Men," could have refused the revelation, but they chose rightly.  

Everything we read in the Bible is, "to you."  Now whether we receive the, "to you," or not is our decision---------- our decision.  While this can be wonderful, it is also tremendously frightening; my decisions will, not may, affect my destiny.  Now some people do not like this theology, the theology which includes man's decisions.  It sounds so God-honoring to say that it is all God.  It is not.  God did his "All" when He created the Universe, revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, took our sin, "in His Own Body on the tree," rose again.  But to become a part of all He has done and is doing we must make a decision, i.e., to surrender to Jesus Christ, or surrender to ourselves, to attempt a pick-and-choose life style, or "pick" only one choice, absolute total obedience to Jesus Christ and His "Law-Word."

Christmas is about giving, God's Gift of Himself in Jesus Christ, and our giving of gifts in thanksgiving and remembrance of that wonderful night so long ago, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  And it was, "this day," so very long ago, This Life, His Shed Blood, His Cross, Resurrection, His Soon Return, and my choice to reject or accept His All, which determines my eternal destiny.   http://youtu.be/Ubw5N8iVDHI

Father, in Jesus' Name, I choose You.  I choose You every day, every moment, for you have chosen me in Jesus.  Thank You.  Amen.

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Today's Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
Iran's Next Move? www.apf327.blogspot.com

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

A Kingdom Commentary

"Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him." (Psalm 72:11)

If we do not get our text out of the Sunday School class, out of the Bible Study class, out of the closed sessions of Sunday morning services, the modern church will have no more relevance to the global struggle than "Bachelorette."

Definition of Islam:  "Submit, Surrender"
I have no doubt that if the people pictured above would read my writings, they would attempt this.  The following is from an online article:
"Over the last 1400 years, 270 million non-believers were murdered by Muslim jihadists.  Islam destroyed the Christian Middle East and Christian North Africa (To this day, Christians are almost non existent).  It is estimated that upwards of 60 million Christians were slaughtered during this conquest.  Also, half the Hindu civilization was annihilated and 80 million Hindus murdered.  Islamic jihad also destroyed over 10 million Buddhists."

This is "the real world" in which you and I live.  This is Islam since its founding 1500 years ago.  Against some of the contemporary "experts," I say that Islam is not the problem.  Islam was a late comer in human history and simply gave a religious "flavor" to the age-old Arab war of hatred against Jews, Western Civilization, and all who will not submit and surrender to the attempt to establish an "Arab World Empire."  In the last generation, the Arab Islamism has renewed, and is daily strengthening, its resolve to annihilate world Jewry, defeat the West, and triumph over all world religions.  What its Islamic bedfellow failed to do when stopped at the gates of Vienna, it is right now renewing that effort.  Also, what is and has been latent in the Germanic People Group, is beginning to emerge once again.  I have a warning:  Those who think "never again" is a magic formula for victory, yet do nothing to fight the evil, will once again find themselves on "boxcars."

Our text today reveals that there are no multiple rulers in God's economy.  Nowhere in the Bible does the Holy Spirit endorse the reign of multiple kings, religions, political systems.  The Bible declares, "Yes, all kings..,all nations shall serve Him," our King, Jesus Christ.  There is no shared hegemony.  The American Constitution does not rule, the world of political and religious correctness does not rule, egalitarianism does not rule.  Only King Jesus and His "God-Breathed" Word rules.  While Matthew 28 has been used to promote church evangelism, it is also a declaration of war.  "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."  The intent is clear-- to see, "every creature...saved and come to the knowledge of the truth," in Jesus Christ, and yes, to bring all humanity under the reign of Jesus Christ.   While, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal," we do have weapons, "truth,..righteousness,..the gospel of peace,..the shield of faith,..the helmet of salvation,..the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God,..all prayer and supplication in the Spirit...with all perseverance.... Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth."

Don't allow yourself today to be boxed into a religious blind.  The Reign of God is overcoming men and nations.

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun

does his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

Behold the islands with their kings,

And Europe her best tribute brings;

From north to south the princes meet,

To pay their homage at His feet.

There Persia, glorious to behold,

There India shines in eastern gold;

And barb'rous nations at His word

Submit, and bow, and own their Lord.  (Isaac Watts) 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven."  Amen.

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Read Full Article from which the above photo came: www.apf327.blogspot.com

Today's Unreached People Group:  www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

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