In Christ, Nothing Is Ever "Old"

"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands....Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come....For we live by faith, not by sight." (From 2 Corinthians 5, NIV)

For the "oh-I've-read-that-before" people who no longer can receive these Words, which are the very Breath of Jesus, and be empowered by them because they need something they call "new" or "fresh," I feel sorry.  Nothing is newer and fresher than He Who is, "The Word of God."  Jesus is alive, very present and living in everyone who has surrendered his/her life to Him.  Nothing and no one is more "up-to-date," timely, relevant, practical, you know, all those whatever-they-mean words which people love to throw around.

Some may have wondered what the purpose is in sending a video with someone just reading Scripture.  Answer?  Scripture, the Bible, the "God-Breathed" Word, He Who is Life Himself, Jesus, saved my life, and still is saving me.  Time does not heal.  Time does not "make things better."  Only Jesus heals and makes things not better, but best.  "Jesus," Who is, 'the Word of God,' is my Light and my Salvation.... Jesus is the Strength of my life....One thing I have desired of the Lord Jesus, (remember there are not two or more "Lords;" there is just One Lord from Genesis to Revelation) that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of Jesus all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jesus, and to enquire in Jesus' temple."  David realized, as do I, that one moment without Jesus, one moment without Jesus' Indwelling Presence, one moment without Jesus' Grace and Sustaining Mercy, and I'm nothing, gone, a vapor.

Now some may think this sounds fatalistic.  You know what?  They are right.  Life is hopeless and "predetermined" to emptiness out of Jesus Christ.  Life is powerless out of Jesus Christ.  Life is an abyss out of Jesus Christ.  In Jesus, however, life is Life.  Life is Hope.  Life is Power.  "I am...the life," Jesus said, and still says to the human race.  As we read yesterday, Jesus is the very Face of God Himself.  Jesus removes the faceless god of man's wonderment, i.e., "puzzled interest."  When anyone, as Moses, saw God, they saw, "Immanuel, God with us."  Who do people think appeared in the blazing furnace with the three Jews who refused the king's threats?  He is the same One Who Is right there with you, now, right here with me, now.  Even better, right there in you, right here in me.

Father, in Jesus' Name, nothing with You is ever old.  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

"For It Is...God Who Has Commanded Light To Shine"

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NKJV)

The translation from which I read on the video was the NASB.  I have read this passage for so many years in the KVJ, however, that I found myself stumbling over words sometimes.  Yet this passage is one of the most powerful in all of Holy Writ.  Two phrases stood out to me today as I read this portion of my quarterly reading.

1. ".....the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God...."  There is just no other, "image of God."  Were a person to attempt to create one, he would be utterly in error.  People want to "see" God?  "....Christ...is the image of God...."  Reject Jesus? reject God.  It is the same rejection.  See Jesus; see God.  It's the same seeing. 

2. ....the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (is) in the face of Jesus Christ," and only, "in the face of Jesus Christ."  This is why the Name of Jesus should dominate our worship, our prayers, our songs, our sermons and teachings, our witness.  "The heavens declare the glory of God," but it is a vague revelation compared to, "the face of Jesus Christ."  Those who look at the universe, "mother earth," the beauty of creation without, "the face of Jesus Christ," can become nothing but pantheists.

Our text could be a reason we are commanded to, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...."  How is this done?  Well, I do not fully know.  But I do know that the Bible is the primary encounter of, "the face of Jesus Christ."  If one just sits with eyes closed in some meditative act, if one Just goes to some artists' portrayal of Jesus, whether it is in print or film (though they do have a place), he will not see, "the face of Jesus Christ," nor, "the glory of God."  But I do see, "the face of Jesus Christ," and, "the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus," from Genesis to Revelation.  Even in the wars, the sin, the deserved punishment and judgment, there is, "the face of Jesus Christ," loving, forgiving, calling to account, rebuking, encouraging, revealing grace, mercy, the father of Luke 15, waiting, yearning for his lost son.  "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Father, in Jesus' Name, there are not many "how-tos" in Your Words.  Thank You for that, for we might become to much how-to people rather than We-Love-You people.  Amen.
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* New articles at:                              jhs58.blogspot.com
* May Mission, Berlin/Bosnia:     May 1-20

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

People Willing To Do Anything to Live, Probably Will--- Do Anything

"Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."  (Luke 17:33, NIV)

When we came to Jesus, He said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."  It was/is not, assert himself, and take up his life-preserving pursuit, and "follow my dream."

Our text was yesterday's Gospel reading.  It never quite dawned on me before that this passage was not only a warning concerning the "last days," but a principle for life in general, for all people, not just the religious.  As a citizen of a nation which has become a slave to political correctness, a nation becoming more and more dominated by people who do not like this nation, and are willing to sell out to foreign interests so that they can keep the price of oil down, and/or prevent another 9/11/2001, I am seeing the ongoing fulfillment of our text.  If religious people do not discard the "Sunday school" interpretations of the Bible, there will be little practical help for Christendom in the coming days.  Incidentally, as an example of our text's principle, I posted on my Facebook page that people who are afraid to die will always be the slaves of those who are not.  Political correctness is a symptom of this.  What is going on right now in the Crimea is a very dangerous illustration of this. Another thought-- Do you realize that the only reason D. B. Cooper pulled off that 1971 hijacking was that people were afraid of death.

You and I have not seen the last of barbarism.  I think when I was younger, I thought we had.  But then I began to study European history, later hijackings and other terroristic activities, e.g., suicide bombings revealed what people can do if they do not have a, "keep your life," mentality.  Revolutions throughout human history were carried out by people who were not afraid to die for their beliefs or/and desires.  This is true of you and me in our commitment to Jesus Christ.  You and I both know that the reason we are not better, "fishers of men," is that we are afraid, afraid of what people will think, and even do.  This is, "keep their life," living.  Sharing Jesus, by life-actions and word testimony will cost us; you know that.  But remember; "whoever loses their life will preserve it."  This is not some ministerial hype.  This is from the very Throne Room of Heaven.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to, "preserve," my life; therefore, instead of keeping it for myself, I surrender it anew today to You.  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

"For His Great Love Is Without End"

"....His love endures forever."  (All through Psalm 136)

Another translation says, "for His great love is without end."  The psalmist is reminding the People of God that from the "beginning," or as Micah described it, "from days of eternity," the Lord God, Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit is, "love endures forever," or, "love...without end."  When He created the Universe, "His great love is without end."  Through the centuries of persecution, attempted genocide of His People, the hostile empires, Egypt, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome, Ottoman, the Third Reich, "for His great love is without end."  This is the One Who lives and dwells in you and me today.  This is God, "Immanuel, God with us," Jesus, "The Word of God," Who, "became flesh and dwelled among us."

Through the loss of our Stephen, the loss of parents and grandparents, the difficult times, the good times, the ups and the downs, "for His great love is without end."  His love endures and outlasts all the Enemy can through at us.  His love breaks the power of depression, sickness, disappointment, stupid decisions which cost so much.  Yes, "....His love great love is without end," in the loneliness, even "when doubts and fears assail.  This is the Love manifested in Jesus Christ on that Roman Cross, "Love (Who) endures forever, the, "great love (Who) is without end."

I pray you take great comfort in the reality of our text.  The love of God "spans" history and eternity.  His love was in your mother's womb while you were being formed.  From "day one" to this very moment, right there wherever you are reading this, as the song writer described it, "His great eternal love," has been following you, protecting you, keeping you, saving you.  You and I have no reason for despair today.  We do have, however, every cause to say with the psalmist of so long ago, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I don't know my beginning or my end; but I do know You.  It is enough.  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