Kingdom Principle: Life Is Not "Whenever [We] Choose"

"The Lord said to Moses: 'Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die.  For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.'" (Leviticus 16:2, NIV)

"....He is not to come whenever he chooses.., or else...."  This is a way of saying, "We are doing this My way, not yours."  This is a principle which is from, literally, "in the beginning," e.g., the two trees in the Garden.  Much of evangelicalism and the "charismatic renewal" has never learned this.

If the modern Church does not walk in this fundamental truth of the Kingdom and Church, defeat is inevitable.  O, make no mistake; the Church of Jesus will prevail.  Many "members" and organizations, however, won't.

I hear a continual call, "Choose you this day whom you will serve."  Our only choice is whom we will serve.  After that, it is when/what ever Jesus chooses.  What is your, "As for me"...?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I choose to live in when/what ever You choose.  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

"Show Me--Teach Me-- Lead Me"

"Show me Your ways..; teach me Your paths.  Lead me in Your truth...."  (Psalm 25

You will find no better prayer to pray for yourself than Psalm 25.  Be "creative."  I also pray this Psalm for the Church, the President, government leaders etc.

If you believe that, "we don't know how to pray as we ought,"  then I suggest that we "ought" to pray His Words.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for my Prayer Book.  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

"....Jesus Followed Him...."

"So Jesus arose and followed him...." (Matthew 9:19)

This may sound strange to the "natural mind."  Surely Jesus does not follow us; we are to follow Jesus.

It is not strange, however, to those who are familiar with Holy Writ.  In our text, a poor, distraught father whose daughter had just died, cries out for help; "So Jesus arose and followed him...."  This was Jesus' "Life Style" as He walked The Land.  

And, my friend, this is Who Jesus Christ is to you and me today.  In all of life's turmoil, we follow Jesus, as did this father, and cry out for mercy, grace, deliverance.  And what can we expect?  "....Jesus followed him...."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You that You not only "follow" me in my greatest need, but live in me.  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

"What More Could Have Been Done...?"

"What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it?  Why, then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?"  (Isaiah 5:4)

In view of the coming November national elections, in view of the chaos gripping America, and in view of, well, a possible coming cataclysm, I will be reading through the Bible every two months until the end of 2020; hence, today's text from Isaiah 5.

"What more..?' indeed!  Be very careful how we answer this question.  If we attempt to add a "more," we are saying that what Jesus has done is not enough.  The Cross assured that anyone who surrenders their life to Jesus Christ will, "....bring forth good grapes."  If a life is not surrendered to Jesus, "bring forth wild grapes", is the result.

Some may be tempted to add to the, "What more...?"  That puts them in "lordship," in control of their life, not the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  I agree with the old Hillshire Farms commercial, when the young man wanted to change the way the old farmer was making sausage, then tasted it, He said, "Perfect, I wouldn't change a thing."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I too say this.  What I may think is "perfect," is just not.  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