"Do Not Judge According To Appearance"

"There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous.  I said that this also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 8:14)

The NIV says, "....the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve."  There is not a person reading this who hasn't observed what Solomon observed.  Yet there are still, to this day, the purveyors of, just-do-this-and-everything-will-be-fine, theology.  Anyone with eyes to see knows that as far as we humans can ascertain, "the work of the righteous", does not always go to, "the righteous."

So now what?  Maybe a little re-reading of the Bible comes into play here, and, more particularly, of the Gospels.  Jesus tells us not that we will have "favor" with all, but that we will be, "hated by all."  Christendom is enamored with mega churches, and the assumption by most is, "Well, that's God's favor.  How can you be that successful if God is not with you?"  Look around.

David Brainerd, a great American Missionary, died on his knees in a tent at the age of 29.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer was forbidden by the German Government to speak in public, imprisoned for two years, then hanged at age 39.  I knew a great pastor/evangelist in Czechoslovakia who was banned from preaching and evangelizing by the communist government.  The last time I was with him after the revolution we were meeting in his house with about 10 people.  How do you compare him with the leaders of the 20-30,000 member mega churches?  Does one really want to entertain the idea that the big "ministry" guys have more "favor," more "approval of the Lord;" are they more, "righteous"?

Do not evaluate your life or any other, for that matter, by long life, wealth, or how large the  "ministry," or "loved by many."  You just may be falling into great deception.  "Looking unto Jesus," studying His Words, has never and will never go "out of style."  Perhaps that someone or group whom you have relegated to the "failure" status just may be a source of immeasurable blessing.  Our Lord Jesus commands us, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement."  After preaching to thousands, there were only four at His "Funeral."

Father, in Jesus' Name, May I always, "....judge with righteous judgement."  Amen.
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It's June, but October is coming.

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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"The Lord's Song...Began"

"Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar.  And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel."  (2 Chronicles 29:27)

"The Lord's song...began," when our Lord Jesus Christ died on that Roman cross.  "....He said, 'It is finished!'  And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit." 

Now the "uneducated" would say, "This is morbid, singing at someone's death."  They don't understand.  As the song writer said, "In His Death is my life."  Or perhaps someone might say that, "The Lord's song..," did not begin until Jesus' Resurrection.  Ah, Heaven knew; "It's Friday------- but Sunday's comin."

Maybe you and I should join in, "The Lord's song," when it looks as though we are finished, defeated, no hope.  "O, no.  I'll wait to sing after this is over."  I see; a "resurrection" singer only, huh?

Today, would you "renew covenant" with me, a covenant that, "Yes, even though I walk through the valley of death," I covenant to stir up, "The Lord's song," within me.  "You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance." (Psalm 32:7, Amplified Bible)

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You are my power to live in, "The Lord's song."  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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

A Montly Mystery Reminder

"Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known." (Psalm 77:19)

I share with you various translations of the last phrase of our text: "....a pathway no one knew was there!"  "....and Your footprints may not be known."  "....but Your footprints were never seen."  "But Your footprints left no trace!"  "....but Your footsteps were...obliterated."  Could this all reveal further "reasons" our Lord Jesus so many times did not satisfy the desire of sign-seekers?  He would "do a miracle," then say, "See that you tell no one."  Is this an example of, "....Your footsteps were...obliterated"?

Every month this verse is a blessing to me, even though, I must admit, there is a certain, "....may not be known", about it.  Several translations reveal this as a sort of "principle" in the administration of the Blessed Trinity, "....Your footprints may not be known."  Now we all want to know them, but perhaps everyone who is caught up in "signs" needs to accept, "Your footprints may not be known."  Is this something of what we seen in Peter when he, along with those around him, came to the conclusion, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?"  They could see no, "footprints," or a, "pathway," just a Person.  Those who were looking for the, "footprints," or some, "pathway," of their own perception, left the church.  Those who were looking for God, stayed with Him. 

Then there is another principle in our text.  Many times you and I have gone through seasons of our lives when, for whatever reason, we "saw" nothing.  Maybe it was because we could not; maybe it is because we would not.  Maybe the raging waters were so high, so terrible, all we saw was impending doom.  Whatever the reason, it was, "....a pathway no one knew was there,-- Your footprints were...obliterated."  But O, my friend, I am so very thankful that the, "....pathway....was there"!!

Whatever the understanding we may receive from today's text, it is a reminder of what another Psalm declares, "If it had not been the Lord Who was on our side..., then the waters would have overwhelmed us."  Even when dull, even when overwhelmed in sorrow or, "the cares of this life," or by Jesus' design, [His] footprints were...obliterated," I know of certainty, "....the Lord...was on our side", and His, "footprints [which] left no trace," were still "there."

Father, in Jesus' Name, for those many times when I saw no, "footprints," and the, "pathway," was obscured by my own weakness, or by Your design, I am so thankful that You were on that, "....pathway no one knew was there," with me, and in me.  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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

A Prayer For Presidents, Prime Ministers, Pastors, Fathers

"He will bring justice to the poor of the people; he will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor." (Psalm 72:4)

I prayed this Psalm for President Trump today.  There is nothing in the commands to pray for governments which has an escape clause, e.g., "But if you don't like or care for him, forget it."

The Word for, "judgment," is from a Hebrew Word which means, "justice, discretion."  This is a great need of nations, and this Psalm is a powerful prayer, "for all who are in authority," by which to so govern.  Moreover, if you read all of Psalm 72, you will notice the recurring theme of, "peace," and, "righteousness," dealing with, "the oppressor," and, "abundance of grain," care for, "the poor," the disenfranchised.  Such qualities are of those who are "righteous" leaders, whether in governments, the Church, or the home.

There is an evil loose in Western Civilization which is the seed for its demise, and, it is increasing its expanse more and more rapidly.  We have been watching this concerning the Prime Minister of England, the gleeful reporting in the Western Media of her projected impending demise, as well as the same gleeful, cheer leading against President Trump.  Yesterday, someone even took to the gun in the attempt to destroy the only political party in America which even comes close to identity with Jesus Christ and His Words.  Only the prayers of Jesus' Words, the Bible have the power and authority to deal with such evil.  Yes, "Whatever you ask in My Name," Jesus tells us.  For me, it is asking what Jesus tells us He is doing in the earth. 

We vote, we write and call our representatives, yes.  But, "'If My People, who are called by My Name,' would start acting and living like, 'My People,' and stop quoting Biblical passages, but not do them, and along with their weekly, monthly, even yearly "prayer gatherings/emphasis" would take seriously day and night prayer, then I will deal with the Enemy of humanity, just as I have always done,"---------saith the Lord.

Father, in Jesus' Name, man has so many "days" of honoring various classifications of people and historic events.  I pray that Your Church will graduate beyond this, and honor and pray for all, "and never give up," and, "in His Law he meditates day and night." Amen.
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One of the best articles which I have read in recent times concerning Western Civilization is on our Blog:  jhs58.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.'"

Hebrews 12:2