"Freedom"?

"And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam." (2 Chronicles 13:2c)

                                                                                                                                                 Instead of my "sectional" schedule this quarter, once again I'm reading the Scriptures straight through.  What I have been taking note of more and more over the years is the amount of warfare the Bible describes, the struggles people go through, the betrayals, intrigues, etc.  The Bible does not describe ethereal religion. 

For example, I read this morning that, "In Iran...three believers, accused of 'engaging in propaganda that educates in a deviant way contrary to the holy religion of Islam,' have begun a 3-year prison sentence for following Jesus."  They are at war.  And, I never forget that most of our Fellow Followers of Jesus around the world are suffering persecution, living under extreme conditions.  

Those of us who live in the Untied States of America know nothing of this, why, I don't know.  I have always felt, however, that it is incumbent upon us Americans to walk out the Words, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for self-indulgence, but by love serve one another."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that the self-indulgent "freedom" never be mine.  Amen.
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May 21-28:          Mission with the Indian Community in Saskatchewan 

August 15-26:     Mission with the Crow in Montana

    

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

"....My Counselors"

"Blessed is the one...whose delight is in the Law of the Lord....That person is like a tree planted by streams of water...." (Psalm 1)

"Every Child of God should read every Word in the Bible at least once a year."  (Jerry Falwell).  One reason?  Every Word in the Bible is revelation of/in Jesus Christ.  One can take this "journey" in Our Lord Jesus by reading 3 chapters in the Old and 1 in the New every day. 

I embrace and survive by Psalm 119:24, "Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors (purpose, strategy)," or, as the NET says, "....They give me guidance."  For the Word, "they," we can substitute, "He." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that in Your Word I have a, "....lamp to my feet."  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

Numbers?

"Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few."  (1 Samuel 14:6c)

Just got off a zoom prayer meeting with three other people.  It was just as much "Church" as the 30,000 who gather weekly in some of the megas.  If numbers impress you, repent.  According to our text, they don't impress our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You for Your Church.  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

"BEWARE"

"Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'"  (Jude 9)

Football coaches did much to get us into good physical and mental condition for games, e.g., plays prepared, what to expect, etc.  What they did not do is tell us to trash-talk the opponent.  The U. S. Government and press are doing exactly that towards Vladimir Putin.  I have one response to them:  STUPID.  The only result of trash-talk is to make the opponent an even more formidable opponent, and in Putin's case, more likely to take measures which will lead to more and more tragic results.  We all are familiar with the phrase, "a cornered rat."

Our text has always been a caution to me when doing "spiritual warfare."  I remember a number of times when entering the Pergamum Museum in Berlin, Germany, that I sensed a grave caution from our Lord Jesus to walk in as did, "Michael the archangel...."  This is not fear, but an awareness that this is not just a summer Bible School or Pentecostal shoutin' meeting.  Warfare of any kind, physical or spiritual, is a gravity of life, the latter of which, has eternal consequences.  "See to it that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray we all, "walk circumspectly."  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