"Thy Name, O Jesus, Be Forever Blessed!"

"For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God....But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.  (Hebrews 11:10 & 16, KJV, NASB)

I read this passage two days before Sarah's Mom passed.  I did not know that in little less than two days her name would be added to, "and time would fail me to tell of...."  She was one of whom it could be said, "....God is not ashamed of...." 

The list of those of whom Jesus says, "By faith...," has been in continual "revision" since Hebrews 11 was first written.  Yes, Hebrews 11 lists the "great" names of Salvation History.  But we must never forget that the intent of our Lord Jesus Christ is for all to be on that list; it's our choice.  Jesus shed His Most Precious Blood that we can be listed among the, "By faith..," Saints throughout the ages.  Yet, may we never forget, "He who endures to the end will be saved." 

Everyone who continues to, "....the end..," running, "....the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus,.." will be on the list.  Hebrews 11:13 says, "these all died in faith (obedience)."  Norma did that.  May it be our life's "epitaph."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "For all the saints who from there labors rest, who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia!  Alleluia!"  Amen.
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We send a hearty, "Thank you so much," to those who have expressed thoughts and words of support during these times.  You cannot know how much we appreciate you.

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

"Sleep On Now, And Take Your Rest"

"This is My Blood of the Covenant....Sleep on now, and take your rest; it is enough, the hour is come...." (Mark 14:24 & 41a, KJV))

They could, "Take your rest," because our Lord Jesus was "doing the work."  We have no idea, nor shall we ever-- "O, Sacred Head, Now Wounded."

Somehow humanity has never quite gotten the message.  Jesus said, "It is finished," or, It is over, or literally, "I pay, I end, I accomplish."  And contained in that, "'I accomplish/pay/end' work of the Cross" is the very life of, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough...."  That is, the "work" needed for our salvation, which includes our peace, healing, deliverance from and forgiveness of sin, our preservation, Jesus "end[ed]." 

"....My Blood of the Covenant," gives you and me the ability to face life in a, "Sleep on now, and take your rest."  Now I know some are thinking, "What do you mean, 'sleep on now'?  We are supposed to be hard workers."  Okay, if you are talking of "providing" for your family, contributing to society, taking the Gospel to the nations, yes, it is work.  But there is a work which is not work.  It is working in a sort of attempt to justify one's existence, an attempt to escape from life.

I say it again, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough," for Jesus', "....Blood of the Covenant," has brought you and me peace, has enabled us to walk in, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Even if your work is so hard that your heart rate at times goes over 100, there is in Jesus a, "Sleep on now, and take your rest...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I cannot "understand" Gethsemane, but am so thankful that Jesus' bore all for 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

"The Dwelling Places of the Most High"

"There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the Holy of the dwelling places of the Most High." (Psalm 46:4, Interlinear))

"Tabernacles," or, "dwelling places," is how the Interlinear Hebrew Bible translates the word for, "tabernacle," in some other translations.  "Out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water."  You know these Words are Jesus' Words.  His River makes me very glad, refreshing me in, "the Holy of the dwelling places of the Most High", One of which is right here, right now.

I read my Psalms to Norma this morning, and played "Be Thou My Vision."  She opened one eye and her breathing became stronger.  No, I don't think this is a "delay" in the inevitable.  I do, however, believe that our Lord Jesus was definitely manifesting as, "The Lord...[her] Shepherd."  Everyone of those closest to me passed from this life in a matter of minutes, some in seconds.  This is different.  I don't know what is going on in her, what is going on in, "Thy will be done...."  But my prayer for now and always is, "Be Thou (Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit) My/her Vision....Be Thou my/her Battle Shield, Sword for the fight.., I/she ever with Thee Thou with me/her Lord,..Thou in me/her dwelling and I/she with Thee one." 

The older I get the simpler things are to me.  Some people think life is so "complicated," so complex, demanding the experts to explain everything to us; pundits of all religions, philosophies and books on "true worship" and "how to pray" abound.  I felt like Isaac today as I was with Norma, "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field...."  There he was, alone, just a man and his God.  Nobody had to teach him the mechanics of "worship" or "how to pray."  Jesus tells us, "Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven", or worship, or prayer, or anything to do with, "the Kingdom of Heaven."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Holy Spirit, by Your grace and mercy, keep me from being, "corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  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

"Be Thou my vision"

"They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures." (Psalm 36:8)

I have started a new morning "routine."  I read my five Psalms and one in the Wisdom Literature.  I then worship with the video below, "Be Thou My Vision."

I have a number of songs which I like above the so many others written throughout time.  But I can tell you that "Be Thou My Vision" has become a sort of "mine."  I cannot remember the first time I heard it; it was decades ago.  But as I was singing along with it yesterday, it was so expressing my love, adoration, praise to the Living Triune God.  Quite frankly, it has been since the Fall of 1971 since I have experienced such worship.

The great Dallas Seminary Professor, and the man who was the pastor of a congregation which I was a part of during my freshman year in college, Dwight Pentecost, once said, "The Holy Spirit accompanies music."  Yesterday for me, that was a classic understatement.

"Be Thou My Vision."  This morning I thought, So many people talk of "vision."  It usually has to do with their "ministry," their desires and goals for their personal lives.  We should all "revisit" such.  But I can tell you that nothing expresses my desire for "vision" better than this song.

Our text today says it so clearly to us all, "....And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."  Worship with this song yesterday and today has been, "of Your pleasures."  Jesus tells us of His, "river of...pleasures," when He invited all who were thirsty to come and drink of the Water which is Jesus Himself.  "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink....As the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  May you and I drink, "....from th[is] River of [Jesus'] pleasures", the rest of our life.  What great preparation for "the life to come."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want no other "vision" than You.  Amen.

KTBTIB Nottingham has shared a video with you on YouTube Be Thou my vision