Antipas Prayer Force Devotionals

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Some Saturday Thoughts

I received an e-mail yesterday which contained this tirade by Richard Dawkins, Darwin worshipper, atheist, and general all around malcontent. "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully."

Apparently he has not been to a manger.

Some Hanukkah facts from various sources.
The word is from the Hebrew word for, "dedication," or, "consecration." It "marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the forces of the King of Syria, Antiochus IV Epiphanes and commemorates the 'miracle of the container of oil.'" According to the Talmud, at the rededication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.
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Eighteen year old Norwegian, Peter Torjesen, "when he 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.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Friday, December 11, 2009

"To Save Us All From Satan's Power"

"....You shall call His Name JESUS, for He will save...." (Mt. 1:21)

The up beat version of, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," which I sent to you yesterday reflects to me the joy of the Season and the life of a Follower of Jesus Christ. "....Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan's power...." Indeed, as our text declares, "He will save His people from their sins." But, the reason we "Merry Gentlemen" can "rest" is that at the Cross Jesus went after the root of those "sins"---------------------------------------------- "Satan's Power!"

Sin enslaved Adam and Eve because they yielded to "Satan's power." Some of his other names give insight into this "power"---"Deceiver"--"Father of lies"--"And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon...." This text from the Book of Revelation gives us perhaps the most chilling description of the great Enemy of mankind, King...of the bottomless pit." The Hebrew word, "Abaddon," means, "destroying angel." It is from a root word meaning, "to wander away, lose oneself, perish." It sort of reminds me of a child at a mall during the Christmas season. All the lights, the excitement, the gaiety are just too much. He starts "to wander away" from his parents, an easy prey.

So too you and I, wandering through life, caught up in the lights, excitement, and gaiety, even of "good" spiritual things, are easy prey to the "Destroyer/Deceiver," the one whom Paul referred to as, "the Prince of the power of the air," lurking for a wandering "child" who has lost his way------------ and site of the Father. This "wandering" is in our DNA, what theology calls "the Adamic Nature." Robert Robinson expressed it this way,
          "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
          Prone to leave the God I love."

But no matter "Satan's power" to destroy, deceive, lie, and eternally enslave as "King...of the bottomless pit." Jesus, The One Whom Heaven calls, "King of kings and Lord of lords," is "King of" the "king...of the bottomless pit." And, be sure of this; even though his "pit" is "bottomless," his power is not. "One little word shall fell him." My only caution?------------------------------ Be careful the wandering.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I too am "prone to wander," but I sing,
     "Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
     Seal it for Thy courts above." Amen.
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*     As one of Christ's "servants of the Word," I am preaching in CCE's      "Service of the Word" this coming Sunday, Dec. 13.
*     Prophetic News:     www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com

Eighteen year old Norwegian, Peter Torjesen, "when he 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.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Thursday, December 10, 2009

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"-- And Ladies

"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mt 11:28, 29)

Click Here>> http://tinyurl.com/ybc3fuq

and locate the Carol, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." It has been my favorite since my youth. I have read that it was also the favorite carol of the early Reformation period. One historian says that is means, "may God rest you merrily." I'm not so sure. Could it be a blessing to, "merry gentlemen," i.e., "May God give you rest."

"God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,

Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;

To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy."

In our text, Jesus, Author and Sustainer of Rest, simply yet gloriously and "Just as I Am," invites humanity to Himself. Augustine once prayed, "Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless 'til they find their rest in Thee." Couldn't have prayed it better. Who cannot testify to the reality? Think of life before Jesus Christ, restless, tumultuous, like a ship on a storm-tossed sea. Think of those times, also, when as a Believer, we have still sought "rest" other than the bosom of Jesus. Rest on now, saint, "He calleth thee."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the Rest which only You Are. Amen.

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* Preaching this coming Sunday in the CCE Meeting

* Prophetic News, Commentary: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com

When 18 year old Peter Torjesen"heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2