This Really Sums Up Everything

"And the name of the city from that time on will be:

                                     

                                      THE LORD IS THERE."   (Ezekiel 48:35)

Nothing more needs to be said for a "Merry Christmas."

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

Adding And Subtracting

"I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever.  Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it.  God does it, that men should fear before Him." (Ecclesiastes 3:14)

I guess we should admonish one another to be fearful about adding and subtracting from what God does.

I will not speculate lest I seem judgmental/critical.  But personally I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is speaking to the Church in these days to live, "Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it." The, "it," for me is the purposes of Jesus Christ, i.e., that which He has revealed in His Scriptures.

To the World:  You cannot add or subtract from what the Living Triune God did in the Bethlehem manger.  To the Church: If we walk out our text in Jesus Christ, revival just may come our way.

Father, in Jesus' Name, show me where I have, "....added to it, and...taken from it."  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

"The Sounds of Silence"

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them, Yet their measuring line goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." (Psalm 19:1-4a, b, NIV)

An old Christmas Carol declares, "How silently, How silently the Wondrous Gift is given....No ear may hear His coming...."  Americans, particularly, are into fanfare, glitz, noise, etc (If you doubt the latter, just turn on your radio).  The aforementioned is a major reason so many church-goers are fleeing small churches for the mega-churches, e.g., endless programs, lights, sounds, smoke.  Yet, "How silently...the Wondrous Gift is given."

Today's text reveals the silence of the Living Triune God.  Consider: "....Heavens declare.., skies proclaim.., they pour forth speech.., they reveal knowledge."  Yet, following these Words is a somewhat confusing statement to the casual reader, There is, "....No speech,..no words; no sound...."-- Glorious. Maybe it is time for the twentieth century Church to consider "the sounds of silence."

Father, in Jesus' Name, as one a part of a talking, multimedia culture, help me to learn more and more that so much of what You do is "silent."  Amen. 
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If you ever have a comment or question concerning these devotionals, please feel free to share with me.

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

Heading to DC Friday

"The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect."  (Psalm 33:10

Though it appears that Capitol Hill is still shutdown to the public, the Lord willing, I still plan to be in DC this coming Friday.  

Our text is an encouragement for all to continue praying for our nations.  Right now, the biggest threat to world peace is Communist China.  They have nuclear weapons, have been modernizing their armed forces at a more rapid rate than any other nation.

But I share, "The Words of God," with all humanity today, "....Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great which will be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord."  And this same Baby in the animal barn in Bethlehem, our Lord Jesus Christ is He Who, "....makes the plans of the peoples of no effect."

Father, in Jesus' Name, no matter what news reports reveal, I thank You that You, "....bring the counsel of the nations to nothing."  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