John 17: 21, 23
That they all may be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the World may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
Jesus prayed this prayer as our High Priest, interceeding for us, revealing His desires for us.
Here He is asking the Father to grant us, His church, a unity, a oneness of agreement that is extraordinary, so much so that the World will see it and have to acknowledge Jesus.
O my Father, You do care about this whole World of men and women. Jesus prayed for the whole World to believe and know.
I know from Your Word that You have not chosen to redeem every person in thus mileu, this stream of Time from Eternity past to Eternity future; but You do want them all to recognize the unity of the Godhead, and our unity in You as Your chosen out of the World.
So I suppose that You want to verify to those of the World their personal rebellion and worthiness of the wrath You will pour out on them.
Father, grant me to see with Your eyes, that I may "understand the times, with knowledge of what [America] should do" (I Chronicles 12:32).
Continue to wake up Your church, Lord, along with all those patriots who love America. Enable us to return to Your righteous ways that prompted You to bless this Nation in the past above all the other Nations. Please show us how to return to the greatness You want for us, before the end.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
The Scepter Of Wickedness
Psalm 125: 3
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous ...
This Psalm is a "Song of Ascents," which was sung by the people as they ascended the mount where the Temple stood. They sang on their way to worship.
They sang that the "scepter of wickedness," the kingly rule over the land that would make decrees against the Lord's Law, would not "rest" there permanently.
So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.
When the laws of the land allow for license to do things that are not right, then even righteous people will tend to look at what's legal rather than what's right, and end up doing wrong.
O my Father, I pray for the peace of Your city, Jerusalem! I pray that the rulership of evil men who desire to take over Your holy city to defile it would never take any hold there upon that place, but only transiently pass through briefly, if at all; that Your Name, that You have set there, may be settled and rest in that land in peace.
O my Lord, I desire to see Your glory there, in Jerusalem, the center of the World, where You shall reign. One day, the Day will come, when I shall see with my own eyes, Your beautiful dwelling that You have chosen on this Earth.
Please allow Your protection to be upon that land, that it not ever be handed over to Your enemies! Allow this city to have the glory and standing it once had under King David and King Solomon, and more! Let the beauty of Your dwelling place shine through!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous ...
This Psalm is a "Song of Ascents," which was sung by the people as they ascended the mount where the Temple stood. They sang on their way to worship.
They sang that the "scepter of wickedness," the kingly rule over the land that would make decrees against the Lord's Law, would not "rest" there permanently.
So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.
When the laws of the land allow for license to do things that are not right, then even righteous people will tend to look at what's legal rather than what's right, and end up doing wrong.
O my Father, I pray for the peace of Your city, Jerusalem! I pray that the rulership of evil men who desire to take over Your holy city to defile it would never take any hold there upon that place, but only transiently pass through briefly, if at all; that Your Name, that You have set there, may be settled and rest in that land in peace.
O my Lord, I desire to see Your glory there, in Jerusalem, the center of the World, where You shall reign. One day, the Day will come, when I shall see with my own eyes, Your beautiful dwelling that You have chosen on this Earth.
Please allow Your protection to be upon that land, that it not ever be handed over to Your enemies! Allow this city to have the glory and standing it once had under King David and King Solomon, and more! Let the beauty of Your dwelling place shine through!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Fixed Our Hope
I Timothy 4: 10
... We have fixed our hope on the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
Our good, good Father has made provision for all men, all mankind, so His offer is to everybody. No one is excluded from the availability of His great Salvation, except those who exclude themselves, by choosing their own ways in opposition to His way.
His gifts of repentance and faith and regeneration are for those who have been chosen before He laid the foundation of this World. Those who have been called, therefore have chosen to humble themselves before Him, receiving His gracious, generous Redemption.
I John 2:2
And He Himself is the propitiation [full satisfaction] for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole World.
The Blood Jesus shed on the Cross of Calvary was God's own Blood, with endless value, more than enough to pay for all the sins of every person who ever lived. Indeed, Jesus didn't just die for certain sins, He took upon Himself humanity itself, so that He could "become sin," bear the sinful aspect of our human nature. That is the wellspring from which come all sins, from the slightest thought to the grossest overt evil done. He took the whole basket, which includes everything in it: all the sins everyone has ever sinned.
Jesus fulfilled the first Sacrifice God wanted the Levites to teach the people, the Personal Sacrifice, in the first Chapter of the book of Leviticus. He died for each of us individually, taking our place in death, to save us and give us His life.
He also fulfilled the Corporate Sacrifice, for the whole Nation, to purchase the whole World as His own possession, which makes Him our rightful Judge.
So those who consider themselves one of many He died for are still under judgment. Those who know He took their place in death, individually, are the ones born into God's own Family, and will one Day receive Resurrection bodies like His.
God is not willing that any should perish, though, and desires for all to come to the repentance of admitting they deserve death for their sins, and let Jesus take their place on the Cross.
If you don't yet believe that, then I would tell you to ask God for saving faith to believe Him. Then you will receive His Holy Spirit of Truth to teach you to discern between Truth and deception.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
... We have fixed our hope on the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
Our good, good Father has made provision for all men, all mankind, so His offer is to everybody. No one is excluded from the availability of His great Salvation, except those who exclude themselves, by choosing their own ways in opposition to His way.
His gifts of repentance and faith and regeneration are for those who have been chosen before He laid the foundation of this World. Those who have been called, therefore have chosen to humble themselves before Him, receiving His gracious, generous Redemption.
I John 2:2
And He Himself is the propitiation [full satisfaction] for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole World.
The Blood Jesus shed on the Cross of Calvary was God's own Blood, with endless value, more than enough to pay for all the sins of every person who ever lived. Indeed, Jesus didn't just die for certain sins, He took upon Himself humanity itself, so that He could "become sin," bear the sinful aspect of our human nature. That is the wellspring from which come all sins, from the slightest thought to the grossest overt evil done. He took the whole basket, which includes everything in it: all the sins everyone has ever sinned.
Jesus fulfilled the first Sacrifice God wanted the Levites to teach the people, the Personal Sacrifice, in the first Chapter of the book of Leviticus. He died for each of us individually, taking our place in death, to save us and give us His life.
He also fulfilled the Corporate Sacrifice, for the whole Nation, to purchase the whole World as His own possession, which makes Him our rightful Judge.
So those who consider themselves one of many He died for are still under judgment. Those who know He took their place in death, individually, are the ones born into God's own Family, and will one Day receive Resurrection bodies like His.
God is not willing that any should perish, though, and desires for all to come to the repentance of admitting they deserve death for their sins, and let Jesus take their place on the Cross.
If you don't yet believe that, then I would tell you to ask God for saving faith to believe Him. Then you will receive His Holy Spirit of Truth to teach you to discern between Truth and deception.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 8, 2018
Doing Business
Proverbs 27: 23-24
Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.
So how would this apply to us today? Flocks? Herds? Crown?
The principle here is that we need to know well the business or profession from which we derive our income. Our job.
Sometimes someone may think that they've made it, that they have what they need now, and they can take off on a permanent vacation.
But "riches are not forever," whatever finances you have can dry up, the economy can collapse, your money can become worthless.
And "a crown" can refer to position and authority. Even if someone has the authority of a king, don't trust the rest of your life on it.
Always pay attention to the responsibilities you have in your financial doings, and don't neglect your business. Sheep and cattle were not paper monies that would fluctuate in buying power, they were food and clothing--our basic needs.
Proverbs 14: 4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
If you don't want to work, you don't have to have any responsibilities; but when you are working industriously, there will be good income and prosperity.
Proverbs 16: 11; 20: 10
A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are His work.
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
Any dishonesty in business will short-circuit whatever prosperity would have come, and the income will come with problems and sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 7: 18; 11: 6
It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
This is one way wealthy people get that way, with multiple streams of income. This and that, several ways to make an income, will cover any losses and may all bring a profit. Like wisely diversifying your stock portfolio. Or selling several kinds of products. Who knows what will take off and what will fizzle.
These are a few of the principles of doing business God has given us to cooperate with how He designed the World to work:
If you want to be successful, you need to know what you have and how to work with it;
Be willing to work industriously and apply yourself to your work; and
Always be ethical in your dealings, never dishonest.
I've found that I will get out of something commensurate with what I am willing to put into it. If I want to be lazy, I can't expect to make any headway; but when I apply myself, I can look to God for His blessings in it.
O my Father, please teach me how to do whatever endeavor You lead me to do: show me my possessions, my abilities, my talents, my resources. Help me to know what I have and how to work with it all.
You have been so generous with me, Father; please show me how to consistently use everything You have given me to show others your Love by helping them in practical ways, and thereby benefit and grow Your Kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.
So how would this apply to us today? Flocks? Herds? Crown?
The principle here is that we need to know well the business or profession from which we derive our income. Our job.
Sometimes someone may think that they've made it, that they have what they need now, and they can take off on a permanent vacation.
But "riches are not forever," whatever finances you have can dry up, the economy can collapse, your money can become worthless.
And "a crown" can refer to position and authority. Even if someone has the authority of a king, don't trust the rest of your life on it.
Always pay attention to the responsibilities you have in your financial doings, and don't neglect your business. Sheep and cattle were not paper monies that would fluctuate in buying power, they were food and clothing--our basic needs.
Proverbs 14: 4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
If you don't want to work, you don't have to have any responsibilities; but when you are working industriously, there will be good income and prosperity.
Proverbs 16: 11; 20: 10
A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are His work.
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
Any dishonesty in business will short-circuit whatever prosperity would have come, and the income will come with problems and sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 7: 18; 11: 6
It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
This is one way wealthy people get that way, with multiple streams of income. This and that, several ways to make an income, will cover any losses and may all bring a profit. Like wisely diversifying your stock portfolio. Or selling several kinds of products. Who knows what will take off and what will fizzle.
These are a few of the principles of doing business God has given us to cooperate with how He designed the World to work:
If you want to be successful, you need to know what you have and how to work with it;
Be willing to work industriously and apply yourself to your work; and
Always be ethical in your dealings, never dishonest.
I've found that I will get out of something commensurate with what I am willing to put into it. If I want to be lazy, I can't expect to make any headway; but when I apply myself, I can look to God for His blessings in it.
O my Father, please teach me how to do whatever endeavor You lead me to do: show me my possessions, my abilities, my talents, my resources. Help me to know what I have and how to work with it all.
You have been so generous with me, Father; please show me how to consistently use everything You have given me to show others your Love by helping them in practical ways, and thereby benefit and grow Your Kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Enlarge My Heart
Psalm 119: 32
I shall run the way of Thy commandments, for thou wilt enlarge my heart.
What does it mean to "enlarge my heart"? And how would running in the "way of Thy commandments" accomplish this?
God's commandments are based on God's love for us, and they tell us how to do well so we can enjoy the benefits He put into this Earth for us.
When we learn to cooperate with the mechanisms of how the World operates, it's like when we buy a new car and it comes with the "Owner"s Manual" on how to take care of and operate the automobile. When we refer to it to use the correct fuel and put the recommended air pressure in the tires, then we're obeying the manufacturer's instructions. And the auto will give us many years of faithful service.
We need to see God's Word as our Manufacturer's Instructions: to know them and to understand the underlying principles to be able to apply them to every situation we face in life. "Run(ing) in the way of Thy commandments" is obeying His rules and regulations that govern the World.
So how would this "enlarge my heart"?
Since God's Love gave us His instructions, Love will enable us to follow them (Matthew 22:37-40): we will love God and want to obey Him, and we will love what He loves, ourselves and other people. This is how our hearts will be "enlarged."
We will go beyond our own little circles of ourselves and our families and friends, and open our affections to ever-widening circles. Our hearts will grow bigger and bigger to envelop more and more recipients of our love. We will care for how people are suffering, and want to help them anyway we can.
O my Father, I pray that You would enlarge my heart; a heart that has been so cold to ignore the neediness of the poor.
Enlarge my heart to have compassion on those who have needs I can help meet. Open my eyes to the abundant resources You have given me so I can run confidently in the way of Your Commandments in doing what I can to help.
Let me not put off doing what I can, help me to not procrastinate, not put off until later what I can do today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I shall run the way of Thy commandments, for thou wilt enlarge my heart.
What does it mean to "enlarge my heart"? And how would running in the "way of Thy commandments" accomplish this?
God's commandments are based on God's love for us, and they tell us how to do well so we can enjoy the benefits He put into this Earth for us.
When we learn to cooperate with the mechanisms of how the World operates, it's like when we buy a new car and it comes with the "Owner"s Manual" on how to take care of and operate the automobile. When we refer to it to use the correct fuel and put the recommended air pressure in the tires, then we're obeying the manufacturer's instructions. And the auto will give us many years of faithful service.
We need to see God's Word as our Manufacturer's Instructions: to know them and to understand the underlying principles to be able to apply them to every situation we face in life. "Run(ing) in the way of Thy commandments" is obeying His rules and regulations that govern the World.
So how would this "enlarge my heart"?
Since God's Love gave us His instructions, Love will enable us to follow them (Matthew 22:37-40): we will love God and want to obey Him, and we will love what He loves, ourselves and other people. This is how our hearts will be "enlarged."
We will go beyond our own little circles of ourselves and our families and friends, and open our affections to ever-widening circles. Our hearts will grow bigger and bigger to envelop more and more recipients of our love. We will care for how people are suffering, and want to help them anyway we can.
O my Father, I pray that You would enlarge my heart; a heart that has been so cold to ignore the neediness of the poor.
Enlarge my heart to have compassion on those who have needs I can help meet. Open my eyes to the abundant resources You have given me so I can run confidently in the way of Your Commandments in doing what I can to help.
Let me not put off doing what I can, help me to not procrastinate, not put off until later what I can do today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Open A Door
Colossians 4: 3-4
Pray for [me] as well, that God may open to [me] a door for the Word, so that [I] may speak forth the mystery of Christ ... in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
O my Father, I pray that You may open a door to me for Your Word, so that I may speak forth the mystery of Christ clearly, the way I ought to speak. Lead and guide me, Father, as I turn this corner in my life.
I am excited to be beginning this new chapter of my life story, to serve You whole-heartedly, and go where You send, to do the work You have prepared me to be able to do.
Please, my Father, continue to work on me and in me so that You will also work through me to accomplish Your Purposes according to Your Plan of the Ages.
Father, lead me to some of those lost sheep that need direction to Your fold, and allow me to share with others Your beautiful Truth of Your immense Love for them undergirding the glorious Gospel of Salvation.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Pray for [me] as well, that God may open to [me] a door for the Word, so that [I] may speak forth the mystery of Christ ... in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
O my Father, I pray that You may open a door to me for Your Word, so that I may speak forth the mystery of Christ clearly, the way I ought to speak. Lead and guide me, Father, as I turn this corner in my life.
I am excited to be beginning this new chapter of my life story, to serve You whole-heartedly, and go where You send, to do the work You have prepared me to be able to do.
Please, my Father, continue to work on me and in me so that You will also work through me to accomplish Your Purposes according to Your Plan of the Ages.
Father, lead me to some of those lost sheep that need direction to Your fold, and allow me to share with others Your beautiful Truth of Your immense Love for them undergirding the glorious Gospel of Salvation.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 5, 2018
Our Footsteps
Psalm 119: 133
Establish my footsteps in Thy word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
O my Father, I praise You and I thank You for Who You are! You are El Shaddai, our God Almighty! Your Word shows us Your ways, and Your faithfulness assures us that we can fully trust Your Word to be True and Accurate and Practical for our everyday lives today.
O Father, my prayer is: Teach me Your principles, guide my steps in Your paths; that I may live my life each day according to Your ways; that I may see with Your eyes, hear with Your ears, and perceive with Your understanding.
Then all my ways will be pleasing to You, and no iniquity, no wrong way, will take hold of me. And I will not drift away or fall into any evil habit or addiction.
O my Father, hold my hand by Your Word; lead, guide, and direct me in the path You have set my feet upon, that my every step, every moment, every day, would be confidently taken in Your path; to fulfill Your purposes according to Your Plan.
Here I am, Lord, send me!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Establish my footsteps in Thy word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
O my Father, I praise You and I thank You for Who You are! You are El Shaddai, our God Almighty! Your Word shows us Your ways, and Your faithfulness assures us that we can fully trust Your Word to be True and Accurate and Practical for our everyday lives today.
O Father, my prayer is: Teach me Your principles, guide my steps in Your paths; that I may live my life each day according to Your ways; that I may see with Your eyes, hear with Your ears, and perceive with Your understanding.
Then all my ways will be pleasing to You, and no iniquity, no wrong way, will take hold of me. And I will not drift away or fall into any evil habit or addiction.
O my Father, hold my hand by Your Word; lead, guide, and direct me in the path You have set my feet upon, that my every step, every moment, every day, would be confidently taken in Your path; to fulfill Your purposes according to Your Plan.
Here I am, Lord, send me!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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