Watchman
Sentinel
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
The Appeal of "Egypt"
"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!" (Isaiah 31:1)
There are too many today, "who go down to Egypt for help...." It just seems easier than trying to get God to do what they want. They are like Saul, who, when God did not answer him, ended up in the occult. Now this may seem absurd to us, but this has happened to more people than we may imagine, even people who were once "evangelical Christians." Desperate people do desperate things when life is not going their way; and the more desperate the situation, the more they do that which earlier they would have denied their ever even imagining.
"Egypt," to the backslider, the self-reliant who have strayed away from Jesus Christ, seems bigger, more powerful, more "now" than Jesus Christ Himself. Of course, when in our right mind, we know this to be folly. But how many times we can get out of a "right" mind and succumb to the philosophy of Thomas, "unless I see," and into what Mr. Spock said, "I only believe the provable, the graphable." It is a daily battle to walk in the Truth of, "while we do not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen." We can see, "Egypt," and, "horses," and, "chariots...many," and, "horsemen."
To see Jesus Christ, His Kingdom, His, "exceeding great and precious promises," requires the Holy Spirit and total submission to, "the Words of God."
I know I refer to this passage often, but it bears repeating for us all, "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." This is why, for instance, millions of so-called "christians" did not vote in the last election, or why some religious folk voted for candidates which promised quick, easy fixes to their life's problems. This will lead to just more and more frustration in humanity. Just look at what is going on in Europe, and you will see what awaits America. Look at the frustration of those around you who refuse the reign of Jesus Christ in their life, and we can see the utter futility of going, "down to Egypt for help." Physical eyes see "Egypt;" spiritual eyes see Jesus Christ.
Today, the call of the Holy Spirit in our text is, "Look to the Holy One of Israel," and, "seek the Lord Jesus Christ." This is the constant command and invitation of the Living Triune God throughout the Bible. I need to hear this throughout every day, and thank Him, He speaks it continually to you and me.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I have gone, "down to Egypt," at times to my own hurt---- futility. Only You are Reliable. Amen.
There are too many today, "who go down to Egypt for help...." It just seems easier than trying to get God to do what they want. They are like Saul, who, when God did not answer him, ended up in the occult. Now this may seem absurd to us, but this has happened to more people than we may imagine, even people who were once "evangelical Christians." Desperate people do desperate things when life is not going their way; and the more desperate the situation, the more they do that which earlier they would have denied their ever even imagining.
"Egypt," to the backslider, the self-reliant who have strayed away from Jesus Christ, seems bigger, more powerful, more "now" than Jesus Christ Himself. Of course, when in our right mind, we know this to be folly. But how many times we can get out of a "right" mind and succumb to the philosophy of Thomas, "unless I see," and into what Mr. Spock said, "I only believe the provable, the graphable." It is a daily battle to walk in the Truth of, "while we do not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen." We can see, "Egypt," and, "horses," and, "chariots...many," and, "horsemen."
To see Jesus Christ, His Kingdom, His, "exceeding great and precious promises," requires the Holy Spirit and total submission to, "the Words of God."
I know I refer to this passage often, but it bears repeating for us all, "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." This is why, for instance, millions of so-called "christians" did not vote in the last election, or why some religious folk voted for candidates which promised quick, easy fixes to their life's problems. This will lead to just more and more frustration in humanity. Just look at what is going on in Europe, and you will see what awaits America. Look at the frustration of those around you who refuse the reign of Jesus Christ in their life, and we can see the utter futility of going, "down to Egypt for help." Physical eyes see "Egypt;" spiritual eyes see Jesus Christ.
Today, the call of the Holy Spirit in our text is, "Look to the Holy One of Israel," and, "seek the Lord Jesus Christ." This is the constant command and invitation of the Living Triune God throughout the Bible. I need to hear this throughout every day, and thank Him, He speaks it continually to you and me.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I have gone, "down to Egypt," at times to my own hurt---- futility. Only You are Reliable. 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.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Friday, November 30, 2012
A Look At Biblical Love
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels....And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,..have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (From 1 Corinthians)
The Greek word for, "nothing," here is, "absolute zero." It is though I don't even exist, and anything else I believe, say and do are absolute zeros without love, i.e., the love of God ruling and living out in and through me. Our text was in one of my regular readings the other day, so familiar, so often read at weddings, etc. But how seriously do we as Followers of Jesus Christ give ourselves to walking in its fulfillment?
Several people responded to yesterday's devotional as a timely "word" for their lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Think of how you love yourself. That is how, "You shall love your neighbor...." Think of how we love our spouse, our children, our grandchildren. That is how, "You shall love your neighbor...." Love for our neighbor is not an option or suggestion; it is a command. If I claim to be a Follower of Jesus Christ, I have no choice as to whom I love. He commands me to love Him and, well basically, everyone on the planet the same way (Luke 10:29).
I remind us all that Biblical love is not a noun, but a verb. Love is never defined in a vacuum, as a feeling or emotion. The best translation of John 3:16 is, "This is how God loved the world, He gave...." The love of God is described in the Bible as action. The love of Jesus is giving not taking, serving, not demanding service. In describing Kingdom Love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a tells us what love does and does not. In other words, we know and can recognize love in others and ourselves by what we think and do. How so very many "I-love-yous" between a man and a woman end in, "I am tired of you; I don't want you in my life any longer; I have fallen out of love with you." This is Hollywood love, cheap love, emotional "love," not the love of the Living Triune God. And how often this same approach to "love" and "commitment" is manifest in Christendom, people who call themselves "Christian" fighting among themselves, fighting over leadership, position, church building projects, whether to, well, you get the picture.
I have a command before me today which I either give myself to or ignore. The first reaction will bring peace, the smile and favor of God, the latter........... It is time for the Church to stop picking and choosing what we want to obey and what we don't want to obey. That life style is the life style of the heathen, the disobedient. I want to walk with and in Jesus Christ today, and the only way I can do that is not fundamentally by singing some song or raising my hands or praying or reading the Bible, or filling church life with incessant activity. God says, if I do these, "and have not love," I am a, "zero." I walk with and in Jesus Christ today by obeying His commandments, "....and the greatest of these (all other means of grace and Christian endeavor) is love."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I desire to walk in Your love, in all the fulness of Your love. Amen.
The Greek word for, "nothing," here is, "absolute zero." It is though I don't even exist, and anything else I believe, say and do are absolute zeros without love, i.e., the love of God ruling and living out in and through me. Our text was in one of my regular readings the other day, so familiar, so often read at weddings, etc. But how seriously do we as Followers of Jesus Christ give ourselves to walking in its fulfillment?
Several people responded to yesterday's devotional as a timely "word" for their lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Think of how you love yourself. That is how, "You shall love your neighbor...." Think of how we love our spouse, our children, our grandchildren. That is how, "You shall love your neighbor...." Love for our neighbor is not an option or suggestion; it is a command. If I claim to be a Follower of Jesus Christ, I have no choice as to whom I love. He commands me to love Him and, well basically, everyone on the planet the same way (Luke 10:29).
I remind us all that Biblical love is not a noun, but a verb. Love is never defined in a vacuum, as a feeling or emotion. The best translation of John 3:16 is, "This is how God loved the world, He gave...." The love of God is described in the Bible as action. The love of Jesus is giving not taking, serving, not demanding service. In describing Kingdom Love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a tells us what love does and does not. In other words, we know and can recognize love in others and ourselves by what we think and do. How so very many "I-love-yous" between a man and a woman end in, "I am tired of you; I don't want you in my life any longer; I have fallen out of love with you." This is Hollywood love, cheap love, emotional "love," not the love of the Living Triune God. And how often this same approach to "love" and "commitment" is manifest in Christendom, people who call themselves "Christian" fighting among themselves, fighting over leadership, position, church building projects, whether to, well, you get the picture.
I have a command before me today which I either give myself to or ignore. The first reaction will bring peace, the smile and favor of God, the latter........... It is time for the Church to stop picking and choosing what we want to obey and what we don't want to obey. That life style is the life style of the heathen, the disobedient. I want to walk with and in Jesus Christ today, and the only way I can do that is not fundamentally by singing some song or raising my hands or praying or reading the Bible, or filling church life with incessant activity. God says, if I do these, "and have not love," I am a, "zero." I walk with and in Jesus Christ today by obeying His commandments, "....and the greatest of these (all other means of grace and Christian endeavor) is love."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I desire to walk in Your love, in all the fulness of Your love. 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.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Thursday, November 29, 2012
We Are, "....Against the Deeds," Not the Persons
"For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked." (Psalm 141:5c)
The most common fallacy of the world and far too many Christians is the belief that hatred for sin translates into hatred for the sinner. Maybe some are like this; we are not. I don't hate Muslims, Arabs, homosexuals, communists, leftists, Democrats, etc., etc., yet this is exactly what many people think of me and those of us who are opposed to the sin-style of the aforementioned. "....My prayer is against the deeds of the wicked," not, "the wicked."
No one, absolutely no one better demonstrated this than our Lord Jesus Christ. Never once do we find His approval, ignoring, overlooking, or, "Well, some people just don't have a chance. They were born that way and I understand and give them a 'pass' on this one." No, never do we find this. Yet never do we find hatred toward the sinner. Just after the most harsh indictment of Jewish leadership in Matthew 23, Jesus weeps over them and expresses, "How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...." The Scripture is, "God so love the world, or better translated, "This is how God loved the world, He gave His Only Son." Father gave Himself to us and for us in the Son Jesus; "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them...." This is not the passover of sin. It is the Passover of the sinner. By the Blood of Jesus, the death of Jesus humanity can receive forgiveness of sin and a "home" in Heaven. Without Him, the wicked are left to "their own devices."
What bothers me is that we even have to say we love, "the wicked." Is there something in our expressions or the proverbial "body language" which leaves the impression of no love for, "the wicked"? I pray not. Yet perhaps today's text is a reminder, a caution. If there is anything of hatred or, "against...the wicked," in us, repentance is in order. Likewise, if there is any winking at sin in Christendom------------- repentance.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the psalmist, "Search me, O God, and try my heart." Amen.
***************
* Check us out on Facebook
* A Most Provacative Article on War: www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
The most common fallacy of the world and far too many Christians is the belief that hatred for sin translates into hatred for the sinner. Maybe some are like this; we are not. I don't hate Muslims, Arabs, homosexuals, communists, leftists, Democrats, etc., etc., yet this is exactly what many people think of me and those of us who are opposed to the sin-style of the aforementioned. "....My prayer is against the deeds of the wicked," not, "the wicked."
No one, absolutely no one better demonstrated this than our Lord Jesus Christ. Never once do we find His approval, ignoring, overlooking, or, "Well, some people just don't have a chance. They were born that way and I understand and give them a 'pass' on this one." No, never do we find this. Yet never do we find hatred toward the sinner. Just after the most harsh indictment of Jewish leadership in Matthew 23, Jesus weeps over them and expresses, "How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...." The Scripture is, "God so love the world, or better translated, "This is how God loved the world, He gave His Only Son." Father gave Himself to us and for us in the Son Jesus; "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them...." This is not the passover of sin. It is the Passover of the sinner. By the Blood of Jesus, the death of Jesus humanity can receive forgiveness of sin and a "home" in Heaven. Without Him, the wicked are left to "their own devices."
What bothers me is that we even have to say we love, "the wicked." Is there something in our expressions or the proverbial "body language" which leaves the impression of no love for, "the wicked"? I pray not. Yet perhaps today's text is a reminder, a caution. If there is anything of hatred or, "against...the wicked," in us, repentance is in order. Likewise, if there is any winking at sin in Christendom------------- repentance.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the psalmist, "Search me, O God, and try my heart." Amen.
***************
* Check us out on Facebook
* A Most Provacative Article on War: www.jerusalemberlinwashington.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
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
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