"In The Cross...Be My Glory Ever"!

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2, from one of today's readings)

It is not that we just quote John 3:16 in every testimony, every teaching, every sermon.  But it is that the Cross is central, foundational to not just our spoken witness, but to our very lives.  Any life style, any theology or philosophy not rooted in the Cross of Jesus, in the Blood of His Cross, His nail-scarred hands, feet, sword-punctured side, thorn-crowned brow and whip-scarred back is dangerous, erroneous, and ultimately fatal. 

This time in Berlin has been another reminder of the absolute evil of humanity apart from Jesus Christ.  Many Germans never thought it could happen in a million years, men, women, children slaughtered in Medieval barbaric fashion.  I repeat, however, what Billy Graham once said: "Given the right circumstances, the right situation, anyone of us is capable of anything."  I must never, ever forget that.  It is because "spiritual" people forget this truth that so many have fallen shipwrecked on the shoals of life.  And many shoals are not seen--------- until it is too late.  It is always sobering to remember Esau.  "....He found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears."

You and I need not go the way of Esau, or Germany, or the sin of any nation or people group in general.  Who we are in Jesus Christ is stated in the chapter before our text.  "But of Him (Father) you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption."  I simply have no trace of this apart from, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified."  It would be good for all to remember our "position" in Christ, Father's purpose for His Covenant People, and the work of the Holy Spirit: "....that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord [Jesus Christ].'"

Father, in Jesus' Name, "....keep me near the Cross, there a precious fountain, free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvary's Mountain.  In the Cross,..be my glory ever."  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.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Fwd: itinerary

"Therefore understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness...."  (Deuteronomy 9:6, From today's Pentateuch-History Section)

The following is my reply to an itinerary letter sent by the couple leading the American Team whom Sarah and I will join next week.  I thought you might find interesting what I shared with them.

Donald and Marlis:

I don't know if I ever told you, but I visited Herrnhut during the communist era in September of 1988.  I was the only one staying in the hotel at the time.  Of course the DDR required a reservation, which meant much more than Americans understand about "reservation."  I had made the reservation from here in Berlin.  The communist officials had prepared a great dinner and accommodation;  you could tell they weren't used to many visitors.  Before I went to the hotel, I was sort of wondering around the town for a few minutes, when I stopped to talk to a man working in his garden.  He was one of the elders in the Unitas Fratrum, literally, Unity of the Brethren (Moravian) Congregation!  I might add that "unity" in Jesus was the foundational desire and pursuit of the Herrnhut Community.  This Moravian elder gave me a complete tour of the town and Moravian Cemetery where Zinzendorf is buried.  Later I drove down the road a short distance to the church building in Berthelsdorf in which the famous August 13, 1727 communion service took place, the gathering which "sparked" the 120 year /24/7 prayer "watch of the Lord."  The door to the building was locked, but about a year and a half later, just a few months after the 1989 revolutions in Eastern Europe, I went back, tried the door, and it was unlocked!  I was actually able to stand in the centuries-old pulpit.  The original church building was burned during the Hussite Wars of the early 15th century, and rebuilt in 1595.  I have a copy of one of the original hymnals.  What a glorious time.

Woody

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Most of you know of the famous Moravian Revival of the 18th and 19th centuries.  Count Zinzendorf was only in his twenties when this revival began.  Perhaps a little known fact about him is that the Saxony Government actually banished him from Saxony in 1736, but in 1749 begged him to come back and establish other communities just like the one in Herrnhut.  Would to our Lord Jesus Christ there were more people like him today, people begged by governments, people in whom Jesus Christ was so evident that governments would want them to replicate themselves and their communities/churches in other cities and towns. 

I have absolutely no doubt that Zinzendorf would agree with today's text, that whatever revivals, whatever "great things" we see is not due to, "[]our righteousness."  Whatever, "good land we possess (is) because of [Jesus'] righteousness."  Jesus is the, "Author and Perfecter of  faith."  Jesus is, "the Author and Perfecter of," any and all we do which has any lasting value and power.  I will continue to pray, praise, confess the Scriptures.  But in and through it all, "Therefore understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness," but because of Jesus, Who Is, "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I will remain faithful to do as You commanded, "that men should always pray and never give up," while always remembering, whatever "happens" is because of Your Righteousness, Who is Jesus.   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.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

What Does "The Grace of God" Teach?

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us...."  (Titus 2:11, 12a)

The word for, "teaching," means, "discipline, educate, train."  This is the "work" of, "the  grace of God," in our text.  

Now most people probably do not consider, "the grace of God," as that which is, "teaching us."  Grace is often defined as "unmerited favor," which to many is code for, "Do whatever your heart desires.  After all, Christ died for our sins; everything's forgiven.  You don't have to do all that works stuff."  This twisting of the Scriptures is an attempt to justify a self-serving life, rather than a Jesus-serving life.  "The grace of God...teach[es] us," so much more than "only believe." 

Let me share what the succeeding passage says, "the grace of God," is, "teaching us."
    1.     "Deny[] ungodliness
    2.    "Deny[]..."worldly lusts"
    3.    We should "live soberly"
    4.    We should "live godly in the present age"
    5     We should be, "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great                God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem                us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people,                        zealous for good works." 

What so many neglect to walk in is the purpose for Christ's death and resurrection.  The CEV puts it this way, "He gave Himself to rescue us from everything that is evil and to make our hearts pure.  He wanted us to be his own people and to be eager to do right."  I can hear some say, "That's a works religion."  And that is, what?  Bad?  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." 

A lot of Christians are good talkers.  Their worship, praise, witnessing, are full of talk.  But people do not see talk.  They only see what those words produce in my life.  My talk does not glorify my, "Father which is in Heaven."  Only my, "good works," can do that.  (Sorry)

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be more of a doer than a talker.  Amen.           

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Please remember to pray for us on our mission to Berlin/Bosnia, May 1-20.  Among other prayers you may be led to pray, please pray that our, "light so shine before men, that they may see []our good works and glorify []our Father in heaven."

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.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

April 27 & 28, Holocaust Remembrance-- "Never Again"?

"'They have greatly oppressed my from my youth,' let Israel say; 'they have greatly oppressed me from my youth....'" (Psalm 129)


SCULPTURE AT DACHAU CONCENTRATION CAMP

Site of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Execution (Sarah, our two daughters and I were there in 1999)

Holocaust Remembrance is observed from Sunday evening, April 27 to Monday evening, April 28.  There may be marches and/or remembrance services in your area of your country.  We have been involved in the Pittsburgh March of Remembrance directly since 2011.  While we remember the six million+ Jews who were murdered by the Germans, we must also remember that there were millions of others also murdered by the German Nation, a nation of nearly 67 million people which, as William Shirer said, "descended into Hell in the mid Twentieth Century."  There are many numbers given as to the death count in Europe as well as the whole world during World War 2.  The truth is, no one knows how many.  Many in Dachau alone were never documented.  I repeat Winston Churchill's famous statement, "Man has improved himself every way except morally."

Just two days ago Hamas and the PA signed a "unity accord."  Any who think "never again" means that the enemies of the Living Triune God and His People have gone out of business, had better wake up to reality.  The desire and attempts to kill Jews and see the total destruction of the State of Israel is as alive today as it was over 80 years ago in Germany.  But while the Jews and the Nation of Israel are still under threat of murder and attempted annihilation, while the persecution and attempted genocide of Followers of Jesus is still alive in many parts of the globe, the Psalm 129 tells us of the faithfulness to His People everywhere and throughout history of, "the Great King," our Lord Jesus Christ, "....BUT THEY HAVE NOT GAINED THE VICTORY OVER ME." 

So too is the promise to you and me as individuals.  Whatever you face today, remember this great promise is just as much for you, "But they have not gained the victory over me."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for Your great faithfulness to me: My enemies, "have not gained the victory over me."  Amen. 
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Yesterday the US Administration seemed shocked by the PA and Hamas "deal."  I will not say what I am tempted to say, but you can read more about it at:     jhs58.blogspot.com

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.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2