"The Lifter Of My Head"

"But Thou, O Lord, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of men head."  (Psalm 3:3, KJV)

I listened to a background track of this today.  I use background tracks for playing my horn.  It is great worship.  Today's text is written in my heart and mind.  "....Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth", is indeed, "The Faithful Witness," to our text.  When my "head" was down in defeat, it was Jesus Who lifted my head, and keeps me "lifted."  

My 60th high school class reunion is October 8.  The organizer has asked me to have the blessing before the meal.  More importantly, I was asked to say a few words "to remember our deceased classmates."  This is an opportunity for testimony, to honor Jesus Christ.  I will be brief, but pray for, as Revelation 12:11 states, "....the Word to which [I bear] witness."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray I manifest, "the light of the world," and, "the salt of the earth."  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

To Whom/What Do We Entrust Ourselves?

"To Him (Jesus) all the prophets witness that, through His (Jesus') Name, whoever believes in Him (Jesus) will receive remission of sins."  (Acts 10:43)

Here we read that Peter told the group assembled in Cornelius' house that they would have forgiveness of sin if they believed in Jesus.

There has been a historic debate as to just what it means to "believe."  I just happened, again, to check the Word translated, "believe," in the Interlinear.  One translation is, "to entrust."  The word, "entrust," means, "assign the responsibility for doing something to someone," or, "put something into someone's care or protection."  

So, my friend, the "salvation experience" is, "assign the responsibility for doing something to [Jesus Christ]," and, "put something into [Jesus'] care for protection."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so do afresh today.  Amen.

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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

"Rest" Therapy

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  (Psalm 91:1, NIV)

Consider:  "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest"---- period!  Jesus tells us that all who surrender their lives to Him, "....will find rest for your souls."  And Hebrews 4 declares, "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the People of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works....Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for Your Rest.  Amen.

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We depart for Crow Indian Country Tuesday, August 24.  Please pray that we can get all contributed items in the van.

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

"I, I, I"

"Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 2:11, NIV)

There are wild fires not too far from the Crow Reservation area where we plan to be--- "One day at a time."  As the, "God-Breathed," Word declares, "My times are in Your hands."

Ecclesiastes 2 is filled with, "I undertook.., I built.., I made.., I owned.., I amassed."  This is a life apart from Jesus Christ; it was our lives apart Jesus Christ; and, it's the life of anyone who is not moment by moment walking in Jesus Christ.  Instead of, "....when I surveyed all that my hands had done..," we should live, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."

Let me give you an abbreviated version of what the Kingdom of God/Heaven is like.  The, "I undertook," is replaced by, "Thy Kingdom Come.  Thy will be done...."  We can all look at plans, "I undertook," and see how many did not come to the fruition we desired.  If my, "I undertook," is Jesus Christ, then meaninglessness is replaced by, "joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say again, "My times are in Your hands."  Amen.   

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Mission Update:  We plan to give some school supplies to a pastor on the Dakota Sioux Reservation around Rapid City, South Dakota.

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