"UNLESS...."

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."  (Psalm 127:1)

It is one thing to read this in the Bible.  It is quite another thing to read it in my life.  Only when our Lord Jesus Christ, "builds the house," do we have a "house."  Only when our Lord Jesus Christ, "guards the city," is the city guarded.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray my life lives these Words.

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

"....Inheritance...And...Possession"

"This shall be their inheritance: I AM their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I AM their possession."  (Ezekiel 44:28, ESV)

Our text, originally addressed to the Levitical priests, is another "foreshadowing" Word for you and me.  

The "Charismatic Renewal" produced a lot of here's-what-you-get teachers, and tell-me-more followers.  In contrast, a follower of Jesus once penned, "When I survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride."  If these words would have dominated the renewal, there would be fewer disillusioned souls on the "wrecks of time."

When I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, Jesus Himself became my, "Inheritance," and my, "Possession."  When our hope, joy, "pursuit" is Jesus Christ, rather than fleeting inheritances and possessions, then, "the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for my, "Inheritance," and, "Possession,"---- 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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Woody's Video, March 24, 2021

https://youtu.be/HS5-rKBPByY

For Whose Sake?

"Remember me, Lord, when You show favor to Your people, come to my aid when You save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of Your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of Your nation and join Your inheritance in giving praise....We have sinned, even as our ancestors did....Yet He saved them for His Name's sake...."  (Psalm 106)

In this "me-centered" world, it is refreshing for me to be reminded that the Living Triune God does not treat humanity as a race of spoiled brats.  Yes, the Living Triune God did, "show favor to [His] people," when, as John 3:16 tells us, ".... God loved the world this way...:"--- He gave Himself on the Cross for us. 

There is one particular note, however, I wish to make concerning the last sentence in our text.  "The Word of God," Jesus Himself, tells us something which too few contemplate, something which I encourage you to join me in meditation.  Jesus did not just give Himself for you and me, but He gave Himself, "....for His Name's sake."

Father, in Jesus' Name, in this obsessed me-centered culture, I pray I always live, "for His (Your) Name's sake."  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