"The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it. It shall not go out....Fire shall be kept burning continually on the altar; it is not to go out." (Leviticus 6:12a, 13--NASB)
Twice He said, "kept burning" and "not go out." Paul told Timothy, "Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you." Whatever "gift" Paul was referring to, the greatest is the gift of continual "burning" fellowship in Jesus Christ on the "altar" of my heart.
And how is the "fire" burning today on the altar of your heart? We are not talking of fanaticism "fire" or emotional "fire." That has been nothing but an affront to the Church. Neither do I think does it just apply to a 24/7 prayer of the Church, though I strongly believe in the endeavor. This is continual fellowship, an eternal communion in the Blessed Trinity in Jesus Christ, in the Church gatherings, the vehicle, the office, the "everywheres" of life. It is what Brother Lawrence attempted to describe as, "The Practice of the Presence of God." In this pursuit, will there be moments, days, perhaps seasons when I don't seem as "spiritual" as others? Of course. But don't you suspect that there is something far deeper here than just religious, feel-good, sketchy moments, seasons?
I confess, much greater men and women have attempted to describe this fire "burning continually on the altar." But maybe this can help. Sarah once told me that I was "always right here"----- she was pointing to her forehead. Perhaps this beautiful expression helps to describe what God desires with us. Jesus is "always right here." (You know where I'm pointing.)
Father, in Jesus' Name, Oh, Blessed Living Triune God, may You be "always right here!" Amen.
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Watchman
Sentinel
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
"Love of the Truth" or "Strong Delusion"--- We Choose
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
Yesterday a group of fellow Pennsylvanians and I met with Senator Arlen Specter in the same room where Anita Hill slandered Justice Clarence Thomas. It was the same room in which John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for President, and the room in which a Congressional hearing took place after the sinking of the British cruise liner, Lusitania, in 1915, killing 128 Americans------------------------ living history. Our group which met with Senator Specter was a part of the over 5000 attendees at the Christians United For Israel gathering this past week in Washington, DC. Senator Joe Lieberman gave the keynote address Tuesday evening-- Powerful. During the conference, both speakers and panelists agreed that Iran is the number one problem not only facing Israel, but also the US.
John Hagee, the founder of CUFI, has been under attack from many quarters for his ardent support of the Jews and Israel, as will any Follower of Jesus Christ who takes a similar stand. When any leader speaks of spiritual things in front of national and international audiences, they run the risk of what Jesus described as casting your pearls before swine and dogs. Swine and dogs see absolutely no value in nor desire any understanding of our "pearls"---- The Living Triune God, revealed in Jesus Christ, His Prophetic Word, and His Kingdom. Our text speaks of "strong delusion" and "the lie." Unregenerate man chooses "the lie," because it is "the lie" which affirms his rebellion against Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. The text reads, "....Because they did not receive the love of the truth,...God will send them strong delusion." Notice, it is God, not man, Who sends delusion to those who prefer lies! Love the truth and you will receive the truth. Love "the lie" and you will receive "the lie." Our Father will see to it!
If you and I are going to be "Christians United For Israel," we will be the objects of lies and involved in war. It is a fact of history. There are those today who talk of peace and security only because they want peace so they can feel secure. But I remind all that it has never been, "The Peace of Independence." It has always been, "The War of Independence." The United States of America was established in war. Israel was established in war. This is life on this planet. It has been so since "the fall," and will continue until the fulfillment of the Word, "Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power"---------------- and war!
Father, in Jesus' Name, I affirm my love for You, The Truth. Amen.
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Friday, July 18, 2008
"Weak and Worthless" Or, "A Kingdom of Priests to...God"
"So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world....But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" (Galatians 4:3 & 9)
The word translated, "elemental," in our text is translated, "beggarly," in the KJV. That is what it literally means, "pauper, a beggar." This is how Jesus found you and me. He took us as beggars in "the power of darkness..., and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father."
Jesus "found" you and me as beggars, "slaves of sin," and redeemed us to and for Himself. We were not redeemed to be our own person. We are redeemed to be His person. Left to myself, I am a pauper. Left to Jesus, I am a rich man. When I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, I changed masters---------- from Satan, who lies to us, causing us to think we are in control, to Jesus, Who never lies about ownership or control. When anyone or anything but Jesus has us, we are "held under the beggarly things of the world-- weak and worthless elemental things." When Jesus "has" us, we are under His power, His worthiness, His riches.
Father, in Jesus' Name, how foolish to stay in "weak and worthless elemental things," when I can have You. Amen.
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Thursday, July 17, 2008
This is Not Your Father's Devotional Book
"If I send pestilence among My people, and My people...humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then...." (2 Chronicles 7:13b-14a)
Notice the location of the commas in our translation-- "humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn...." Usually when this text is read or quoted it is sounds as though there are four processes here. Not so. Only the humble will pray, and only the Face-seekers will "turn from their wicked ways." Trust me. We are going to need this kind of Believer in Jesus Christ more than ever in human history!
Islam is growing at an alarming rate in Europe. It is also growing in the US. Western man worships freedom, not the freedom which is in Jesus Christ, but the freedom which allows anyone to do anything. It will be the destruction of Western Civilization. The Arab/Islamic religion of the moon god, Allah, is a slaughterhouse religion. I posted a film on our Blog site which very graphically reveals the intent of this "peaceful religion." There is no "new testament" in the Koran. The murder of the Jew and other infidels is still advocated in mosques all over the world, perhaps surprisingly to some, including Western Europe and America. This religion came from the Arab world, just as the first state sponsored genocide of the Jews in 2500 years came from the Germany of my life time. We had to level Berlin to stop the madness. What will mankind have to do to rid itself of this madness?!? For the "bleeding hearts," remember, it was the Arab world which started Crusades, not Europe.
Jesus will return, when, no one knows. I believe the prophetic signs show that it is imminent. But if He tarries, our children, for sure our grandchildren, could very well be enslaved under the murderous religion of Islam. While Western man murders his babies and no longer has the will to fight for his freedom, Muslims are patient, their birth rate just keeps growing, and their children are being trained from infancy to "kill the infidel."
Now, the United States of America has the most left wing candidate in its history, a man friendly to this anti-West culture; and starry-eyed youth, trendy liberals, and life long Democrats who have no thought processes of their own, will be voting for him. If this will not get you and me to "humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways," I wonder what will? And to the Brethren in other nations, remember, as the US goes, so goes the world.
Father, in Jesus' Name, wake me up. Amen.
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Blog site: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
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