Texas vs. USA 

     Are we drifting toward fracture of the country, reminding us of North-South hostility in the 1800s?

     We're a long way from another civil war. But Texas is trying to protect itself from runaway immigrants, while the Feds are bent on keeping the border porous.

     Gov. Abbott expands his border security, claiming a constitutional right, while the Biden administration demands he leave the border policy to them.

     Texas's law allowing state and local law enforcement to arrest illegal migrants took effect in March. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled that federal border agents have authority to cut through concertina wire placed by the state. 

Knowing the Times

     We haven't read it, but a new book is out: LIFE in the NEGATIVE WORLD. The author gives evangelicals food for thought about living in a world in which Christians are viewed with suspicion. 

     This just occurred to me. Jews might be well equipped to advise Christians who are being challenged by their world.

     Anyway, the book covers three eras in recent history: 1964 to 1994 - positive toward Christians; 1994 to 2014 - neutral, and 1914 to the present, negative.

     The book review says: Renn (the author) sounded an alarm to prepare for harder times. He urges readers toward excellence, resilience, and truth spoken clearly. These recommendations never go out of date.

          Jimmy

     

      Men and women of Jerusalem......something.....something has happened this morning! We don't know........  

     There is word that Jesus of Nazareth.....the one soldiers beat until his face was unrecognized......who died on a cross......we witnessed this....his body was placed in a tomb in this garden......before Shabbat.....

     Please hear me.....it's unbelievable.......Jesus may be alive!  

     A follower of him, a woman, went to the tomb early this morning.....What was she thinking?.......She wouldn't be able to roll back the heavy stone.....But when she got there the tomb was open. 

     Inside where the body was, there were strips of linen and burial cloth all folded up neatly.......not like someone in a hurry removed him....and where did the guards go, the ones there to prevent a break-in? 

     She was upset when someone standing there asked her why she is crying......The woman....I think her name was Mary....thought this someone had carried him away. 

     Then the man said, "Mary" .......she looked up and knew him. It was Jesus......alive.....as if he had not been beaten......He said something to her......something to tell his disciples.

     We don't know where his disciples are hiding from the Jews......but we wonder what Jesus is going to do.....Will he show himself to Pilate? ...... Make himself king of Israel?......Appear to the Pharisees? 

     Wait a minute.....I just remembered.....some time ago Jesus brought his friend Lazarus alive out of his tomb where he had been dead four days. Everyone who was there, including Pharisees, knew the truth.   

     Excuse me.....I'm out of breath......One thing is sure......This isn't the end we all thought......This is the beginning of something never known before over all the earth........

 

     Friday. This just in. We have a shocking update on the arrest of Jesus of Nazareth. The governor ordered him to be flogged. We still don't know what crime he committed. 

     Last Sunday a great crowd at the Feast took palm branches and greeted him as he entered Jerusalem. They expected him to become their king. 

     This afternoon, all talk of kingship has ended. Roman soldiers held the man who annoyed Israelite leaders. Soldiers beat him without mercy, and mocked his claim to be a king. 

     As we speak, here on Friday, he is hanging on a cross, crucified along with two other men. His mother and one of his disciples were spotted at the scene. 

     This is the unexpected end of the life of the man, Jesus, who claimed to be the Son of God. Israelites hoping he would deliver them from Roman rule will be greatly disappointed. That's the story here at the place they call "the rock." 

     The sky has turned dark here, so we turn it over to you. 

~~~   

We have word this morning from our reporter in Jerusalem. 

     They led Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. He asked them what charges they bring. They said he is a criminal. Pilate told them to judge him by their own laws. They answered that they had no right to execute anyone.

     Pilate went back inside to question Jesus. When he came back out, he said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. It is your custom for me to release one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release him?"

     They shouted loudly, "No. Give us Barabbas."  

     When we know what Pilate will decide, we'll bring it to you.

Breaking News 

     This evening, Thursday in an olive grove outside Jerusalem, witnesses say that Judas the disciple has betrayed Jesus, his teacher. Apparently, Judas led a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees - carrying torches, lanterns and weapons - to the place Jesus often met with his disciples. 

     We were told they arrested Jesus, bound him and brought him to Annas, father-in-law of the high priest. A witness reported that Jesus said, "I have spoken openly to the world. I said nothing in secret. Why question me?" At that, one of the officials struck him in the face. 

     We have an update. This just in... they have led Jesus from Caiaphas the high priest to the palace of the Roman governor. 

     This activity is highly unusual, this being Passover Week. We will bring you more information on the arrest when we know it. 

Being Conscious of God  

     The disciple Peter - after the resurrection, after he knew to follow the Spirit rather than his own inclinations - wrote: "It is commendable...to be conscious of God" (1 Peter 2:19). 

     How do we do that? Don't we have to wait for him to appear someday...in Jerusalem? 

     Where did the author of Hebrews get this idea? "Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). 

     Seek him? Where is he? Abraham met him. Moses also. He spoke into the minds of prophets. David knew him. 

     Is that it? Two thousand years and counting. Silence? Demons running loose?

     Hold on. The night sky lights up with the "glory of the Lord." Angels reveal to lowly shepherds that "a Savior has been born in the town of David. He is Christ the Lord."   

     Isaiah (chapter 9) wrote of this centuries earlier. 

     He grew up conscious of God. He is God. He taught his disciples and healed the people. Painfully, He gave his life, a "lamb" sacrificed for the sins of the world. He "was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father."

     He provides the Holy Spirit to all who believe. We become conscious of God. Daily. Hourly. "Newness of life" (Romans 6:4). 

     "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

His invitation is not indefinite. 

 

The Lamb of God  

     As the world turns, it hates Jesus, because he testified "that it's works are evil" (John chapter 7).

     As the world turns, the "thief comes to steal to kill and to destroy" (John chapter 10).

     As the world turns, "the ruler of this world is coming" (John chapter 14). 

     Jesus knew he was to be crucified to satisfy God's justice: sin must be punished by death. People escape second death only by faith and trust in Christ, "the lamb of God," who spent himself for us - once for all. What love! No more sheep, goats etc. 

     So, we know only that one third of the angels became demons. There are enough to manipulate the leadership of every nation. And now, taking advantage of our proud communications connecting the world, demons can influence people remotely, daily opposing God. 

     As the world turns, this Sunday is resurrection day. Let's open our hearts and minds to Christ...and watch our backs. 

From Genesis 3 to End of the Age

     No, 8 of 8

     We trust you have appreciated our blogs - scriptures about Satan and his demons from Genesis to Revelation. We don't live our lives looking for a demon under every rock.

     But if Jesus, his disciples, and other authors of the New Testament - writing over decades - all warned us about the underworld, we cannot ignore their report, provided of course from God himself. 

     These men also remind us that we have the Holy Spirit for many helps, if we allow him to work in our hearts and minds. 

     Demons are as furious as they were thousands of years ago. They may or may not enter people as before, as Satan himself entered Judas. Worse, they may be controlling world leaders, teachers, politicians and parents unawares. 

     Want evidence? Consider the world's hostility toward little Israel. And the USA is next on the endangered list. 

Hebrews 2:14-18.  "He (Jesus) shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who were held in slavery by their fear of death. 

     "For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."   

We may have a few thoughts tomorrow. 

         Jimmy

The Devil in Revelation  

     No. 7 of 8

     "In that day (the millennium) the Lord will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings below. They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a dungeon" (Isaiah 24:21). 

     The Lord above chose his disciple John, still living decades after the resurrection, to reveal history's last days and beyond. Here are verses from the Revelation:

     Jesus: "To the church in Smyrna. 'The devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution. Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you a crown of life'" (v. 2:10). 

     "The rest of mankind...still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons and idols...that cannot see or hear or walk" (v. 9:20). 

     Seven bowls of God's wrath: "Evil spirits that came out of the mouth of the dragon and of the beast and of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world..." (v. 16:14). 

     Fall of Babylon: "...another angel. With a mighty voice he shouted, 'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit'" (v. 18:2). 

     "And I (John) saw an angel coming down out of heaven having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent (Genesis 3), who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years" (vv. 20:1-3).

Next: From Genesis 3 to the End 

Others Warn the People 

     No. 6 of 8

     The half-brothers of Jesus weren't convinced he was the Son of God. After he rose to life, the Lord visited James. He in turn wrote a letter "to the 12 tribes, scattered among the nations." That became a book in the New Testament. 

     James wrote, "You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder (James 2:19). 

     "If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts... Such wisdom... is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice: (James 3:14-15).

     "Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). 

     Peter, the disciple: "Be self-controlled and alert...the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

     John, the disciple: "He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God appeared to destroy the devil's work" (1 John 3:8). 

     Author of Hebrews: "He (Jesus) shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil..." (Heb. 2:14-18). 

     James, Peter, John, the unknown author and others testify to the existence and nature of the devil.

Next: The devil in Revelation

 

  

 Testy Debate Over Demons 

    No. 5 of 8  

     In one of his testy "debates" with authorities, Jesus asked: "Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. He (the devil) is a liar and the father of lies. Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" (John 8:43-46)

     Paul, the Pharisee who detested Christians, was totally won over to Christ by the Lord himself. Later, to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, "The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God" (1 Co. 10:20)

     To the Ephesians, "Put off falsehood...and don't give the devil a foothold." (Eph. 4:27). "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:11). 

     Advising young Timothy, Paul wrote, "An overseer must not become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must...not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap" (1 Tim. 3:6-7). 

     And, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits, things taught by demons" (1 Tim. 4:1).

     To the Romans, "I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor demons... (nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:38). 

Next: Jesus' half-brother - to the 12 tribes

 

Demons Feared Jesus 

   No. 4 of 8

     Demons are seldom mentioned in the Old Testament. Then, God came to earth in the person of infant Jesus, and demons rallied. 

     When King Herod was told a new "king" had been born, how else do we explain his murderous response? Demons would have known the baby was no threat to old Herod. They knew who Jesus was, and possibly Satan himself prompted Herod to order the death of all boys in Bethlehem two years and under. (See Hosea 11:1 and Jeremiah 31:15-17)

     God of course is sovereign, and an angel told Joseph in a dream to take Mary and Jesus and escape to Egypt until told otherwise. Do we question God's response? Herod probably died still thinking he had eliminated his "rival."

     Thirty years later, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus. He drove out the spirits with a word. (see Matt. 8:16 and Isaiah 53:4)

     "Two demon-possessed (violent) men coming from the tombs met Jesus. 'What do you want with us, Son of God?' they shouted. 'Have you come to torture us before the appointed time?'" (Matt. 8:28) 

     "Two demons begged Jesus, 'If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.'" He said "Go!" The herd rushed down to a lake and died in the water. (Matt. 8:30)

     "Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was both blind and mute. Pharisees said, "It is only by Beelzebub the prince of demons that this fellow drives out demons." 

     Jesus: "If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. By whom do your people drive them out? But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matt. chapter 12) 

     "The people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. But he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was." (Mark 1:32, 34) 

Next: Testy debates over demons

The Original War

No. 3 of 8 

     Before Adam and Eve, there was war in God's realm. "Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. But he (the devil) was not strong enough and they lost their place. The great dragon - that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan - who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to earth, and his angels with him (Revelation 12:7). 

     "The great dragon is filled with fury. Woe to the earth and the sea..." (Rev. 12:12).

     God's own Son had to be tested before He could fulfill his mission. (Matthew chapter 4)    

     "Jesus was led by the (Holy) Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting 40 days and nights, he was hungry. The tempter said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.' 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 

     "The devil took him to the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down and worship me.' He quoted Psalm 91:11-12...'your angels will lift you up.' 'It is written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"  

     "Then on a high mountain where Jesus could see all the kingdoms: 'All this I will give you if you bow down and worship me.' 'Away from me, Satan. Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" 

     Decades later, people in Ephesus were following "the ways of this world and ... the spirit who is at work in those who are disobedient." That would be Satan, always interfering. 

     Some became believers. Paul wrote to them: "Because of your great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ - it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians chapter 2). 

Imagine this: Satan might know the Bible better than we do. Not for his salvation, but to fool us as he did Adam and Eve, or to "assure" lukewarm Christians they have nothing to fear. 

Next: Demons knew Jesus

Like it or Not 

No. 2 of 8

If you missed yesterday's introduction, please scroll back. 

     Did you ever see an enormous red dragon? Me neither. But that spirit is on earth along with countless other demons...all furious with God.    They know their destiny is hell.    They know God loves humans made "in his image."    They will do anything to counter that love...prevent us from experiencing eternal life...and watch our souls join them in the fiery torment made for them. 

     They are capable of miracles. 

     Couldn't God dispatch them and let us live our lives? Sure. But He has a plan, and whatever it is, He gives us life or death choices. 

     God shames demons - who knew him as he is - and he receives men who believe on faith and live to please him. God gives faith to those who desire it. We're not capable of achieving true faith on our own. 

     Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12).

     Unbelievers don't struggle. They are where the devil wants them. He may use them unknowingly, be it one sin or millions of deaths attributed to Stalin and Hitler. 

     Demons have interfered from the beginning. Moses wrote, "They sacrificed to demons, which are gods they had not known...gods that recently appeared...gods your fathers did not fear" (Deut. 32:17). 

     "They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons" (Psalm 106:37). Those who worshipped idols actually were dealing with demons.

Next: The original war 

 Your Enemy and Mine

     It seized him, throwing him to the ground. He foamed at the mouth ... gnashing his teeth and became rigid. When they brought him to Jesus, the spirit threw the boy into a convulsion.

    He fell and rolled around foaming at the mouth. His father told Jesus he had been like this since childhood. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him" Mark 9:20-22. 

     What is this about?

     To even pretend to understand God and his ways, our temporary life and future, we must start in the beginning. Otherwise, we're just making it up, believing what we want to believe. Maybe true. Maybe not.

In the beginning, God... It was all "good" until a serpent showed up. Adam and Eve, still naked, were familiar with animals God had introduced. Obviously, they were not shocked that a snake could talk. In Genesis 3, the snake easily convinced Eve she would not die if she ate the forbidden fruit of a certain tree, as God had warned them. 

     It looked to be "good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom." She ate, and Adam ate. 

     Who of us, not yet wise, wouldn't do the same? That's the point. Original sin. We're not responsible for their sin. We are responsible for our own. If eating forbidden fruit gets someone evicted from earth's most beautiful place, what penalty do we deserve for deeds far worse? 

     The "ancient serpent" in Genesis 3, "the devil, Satan," is "an enormous red dragon" in Revelation 12 and 20. The highest-ranking angel God created sought power for himself. When God threw him to earth, "his tail" dragged a third of the angels with him. That's what it says. 

     We can't truthfully explain our problems in 2024 without understanding the root of them, in Genesis 3.

Tomorrow: Like it or not

   

Countdown to War

     We plan to bring the devil to you in a series beginning Sunday evening. Okay. We can't do that, nor would we want to. But he is lurking, and if your pastor won't talk about it, we will write about it.

     It's easy for humans to fall into traps. But woe to us if we don't follow the One who unlocks traps, forgives and puts us on the road to eternal life. 

God's Damage Control 

     When Pharisees sought to engage Jesus in discussing divorce laws, Jesus shows no interest. He offered a higher principle predating the Mosaic codes. 

     "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning ...said... The two shall become one flesh. So, they are no longer two but one flesh" (Matt. 19:4-6).

     An article in WORLD magazine says, "This is our first clue why in Moses' time God regulated human practices rather than abolishing them. We are doing damage control at this point. Slavery is universal; polygamy is common; and killing is a fact of life."

     "God quarantines a tribe for his possession, giving them instructions for mitigating harm. Jesus spells out the divine rationale himself: 'Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.'" 

     "It was easier to get the Israelites out of Egypt than to get Egypt out of the Israelites. Abraham, Jacob and David had multiple wives, and God did not make an issue of it. His people would have to learn the hard way that having two wives simultaneously is not ideal."

     "Jesus told his disciples, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now" (John 16:12). 

      "God dispenses just the truths we need at just the time we need them." 

            Jimmy

Party Animals

      Plunging into the murky waters of another presidential election...

     Do we have to do this? Do we have a choice?   

     Americans who identify as independents are 43 percent of all voters. Democrats and Republicans each account for 27 percent. Too bad for Dems all the immigrants they've let in can't vote yet...as of today. Gallup reports that Democrat registration has dropped 1 percent each year Biden has been president. 

     Two active Democrats called their party "crazy" in an interview with WORLD magazine. Trump may be cantankerous, but one of those Dems voted for him twice. 

     I wrote before that I was trained in journalism to remain neutral in news reporting. That train has left the station. WORLD still reports without bias. But "many media companies - and college journalism schools - have abandoned any pretense of fair and balanced coverage," the magazine says. We might not vote for Trump if his opponent was named Reagan. Or Lincoln. To vote for any Democrat at this time would be - as the two Democrats said - "crazy."  

Speaking of Battle 

     We've decided to launch our series on demons Sunday evening, unless some demonic event changes our focus. 😜 

     The first four blogs will be titled - subject to change - My Enemy and Yours, Like it or Not, The Original War, and Demons Knew Jesus, and Feared. 

     Four more blogs will follow. It's interesting to read the awesome first two chapters in Genesis - creation - followed immediately by the permission given the serpent, devil in disguise. Eve and her husband fell for his trick, as all of us probably would have done in their shoes...if they had shoes. God wanted war. And he got it.  

          Jimmy

     

Monkey Business

     The U.S. uses 70,000 monkeys annually for medical research. Every one of the 25 most-prescribed drugs in the U.S. went through animal testing prior to coming to market.

     When the Democrats finally gain total control of the country, maybe scientists will use people registered as Republicans to replace monkeys. You know, "Save The Monkeys!"  😛 

UN Terrorists? 

     In 1949 the United Nations began to address the needs of 700,000 Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 war. Today, some 6 million in that larger region rely on the UN. 

     Israel claims that 12 UN employees were directly involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks. They also claim 190 UN employees are Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants, and that nearly 10 percent of UN employees in Gaza have ties to terror organizations. 

     This shouldn't surprise us. Islamic militants want Israel wiped off the earth...followed by the USA.

Where Are the Demons?

     We don't hear much about demons, even in churches. Have they changed their evil ways? Why don't we see people "driving out demons" like we read in the Bible?

     Views is interested. Nearly every author in the New Testament, and Moses in Deuteronomy, spoke of and warned of demonic activity. 

     Coming soon, probably all next week, we will blog about demons and why it matters. If they are stealthily operating in national governments, and even in religions, we can suggest some candidates.

          Jimmy

      

Messianic Prophecies

     We wrote of Isaiah chapter 49 the past two days.

     You might also find it interesting that Isaiah's work, 700-680 B.C., included more than 25 messianic prophecies, which surfaced in the New Testament yet to come.

     They included the life and ministry of Christ, his incarnation, youth, mission, obedience and message. Also, his anointing, miracles, suffering, rejection, shame, atoning death, ascension and his second advent (second coming). 

     Years ago, we recorded all the verses - 402 - mostly in the Old Testament - that are relevant to the book of Revelation. We still have this in a drawer, but never had occasion to share it. 

     Around a.d.300, suffering Christians made a pact with a major civilization of the time, relying on unbelievers for protection. Good for safety. Bad for truth and obedience. 

     Around that time, the pope and whatever knowledgeable people were available, collected the known Scriptures in one book. (Catholics use some additional writings, and Jews have their Talmud.) They separated Genesis to Malach...from writings pertaining to the life of Jesus and the Christian missionary story that followed. Old and New.

     Big mistake. There are numerous connections. It's all God's Word, and the "old," especially Genesis, contains valuable knowledge for Christians and anyone searching for truth. 

     "Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."  - John 8:56. 

 #

      

Restoration of Israel

     Selected verses from Isaiah 49: 

     "This is what the Lord says: 'In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you.'"

     "I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land... I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up... Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth. For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." 

     "But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.'" 

     "I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Commentary: God's response gives assurance to any believer going through trying times. (1) His love is greater than natural affection. (2) His compassion will never fail, regardless. (3) The evidence is that he has engraved us on the palms of his own hands; the scars in his hands are always a reminder of his great love showered on us. 

       VV. 23-26. Kings will bow down before you... Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. All mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." 

Tomorrow: Isaiah's messianic prophecies

 

Help is On the Way 

     No, not Donald Trump. This savior will rule all nations. He appeared in a vision, standing among seven golden lampstands. 

     "His eyes were like blazing fire.    Feet glowing like bronze in a furnace.   A voice sounding like rushing waters.    His right hand holding seven stars.   Out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword.   His face was brilliant like the sun." Revelation chapter 1. 

     Will an attorney dare to charge him with a violation?

     Some 800 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah recorded what he heard from "the Servant of the Lord," who said, "Before I was born the Lord called me." He spoke of his mouth being "like a sharpened sword."

     "He (the Lord) said to me, 'You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.'" 

     Isaiah chapter 49 continues, "And now the Lord says - he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself - 'It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.'"

     "I (the Lord) will also make you (the Servant) a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.

Tomorrow:  Restoration of Israel

      

Left-Wing Case for Life

     If you liked yesterday's blog about NFL quarterbacks, you'll be interested in Benjamin Watson's message. He played tight end for the Patriots, Ravens and the Saints. 

     His book is The New Fight for Life: Roe, Race and a Pro-life Commitment to Justice. It is to rally Christians to fight abortion based on Biblical values...and a somewhat progressive interpretation of politics and race. 

     Watson especially likes Psalm 139: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." 

     He cites a 2020 study that "Black women are four times more likely to have abortions than white women." So, he concludes that "pro-life Christians need to focus many of their efforts within the black community," helping expectant mothers in various ways. 

     Watson's politically liberal proposals include a "guaranteed living wage" and government funding of pregnancy resource centers.

     His book reviewer says, "Conservatives can join Watson in his call to pray more, to take Scripture seriously, to empathize and refrain from judging others harshly, and to serve sacrificially across racial and political lines." 

     Christians can hope Watson revives a pro-life movement on the left. He writes: 'Roe is done. And for that we rejoice. But the new fight for life is just getting started." 

              Jimmy 

      

     

"Mr. Irrelevant," the "Humble Beast" 

     It isn't often that someone has two nicknames. Brock Purdy was "Mr. Irrelevant" in the 2022 National Football League draft, the label given to the player drafted dead-last. Normally, the player doesn't make the team that selected him.

     Purdy did make the 49ers roster as third-string quarterback. When two quarterbacks went down with injury, Purdy stepped up. All he did was out-play Tom Brady in his first start and lead his team to the conference championship game. In 2023, same result. A teammate calls Purdy a "humble beast." 

     Guess he's no longer "Mr. Irrelevant."

     One of about 10 NFL starting quarterbacks with faith in a higher power, Purdy remains grounded despite his fame.

     Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes, other winners, are also Christians. Hurts' favorite Bible verse is Jesus in John 13:7. You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. 

     Tua Tagovailoa, a standout in Miami, says, "This world needs prayer. I don't know what we've come to, but my prayers are out with the people of Israel."

     C.J. Stroud, a rookie last fall, led Houston to the playoffs. He said, "I've been going through a lot on and off the field. But when you give your life to the Lord, He gives you opportunities and it's what you do with it. I do it for the glory of God, man." 

     Derek Carr and Trevor Lawrence are other Christian quarterbacks.

     After decades of watching athletes on TV "cross themselves" so God will give them success, we applaud those who just live out their faith in word and deed.

              Jimmy 

   

      We hope our readers were blessed during our series from the book of Hebrews. Giving you the true bread, mostly, is far more valuable than my thoughts. 

     We can never read too much of God's Word. Some people have read the entire Bible a couple hundred times. It keeps them from bowing to earthly idols of nation and influence and fame. 

What's a Christian Supposed to Do? 

     In America, that is. 

     Christians are dual citizens who owe our deepest loyalty to our eternal King. Although we have waved the flag (and clutched our Bibles) since 1776, there is no biblical support for "taking back" our country for Christ. 

     Rumor has it, he will descend on Jerusalem, not Washington. 😏

     Yes, we should witness for him. Yes, we should exercise our right to speak out, to influence public policy. The hard left may despise us. The hard right risks burning it all down. America has been blessed, but we don't know God's plan for it.

     Let the nations know they are but men. (David. Psalm 9:20)  

     Our calling is to trust and obey, love, pray and speak the truth.  

                Jimmy  

 

 Exhortations

      Words to live by

     "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Entertain strangers, for some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.  

     "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. So, I say with confidence, 'The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' (Psalm 118:6.) 

     "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods...

     "The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 

     "For we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name.

     "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every thing good for doing his will. And may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

 The word of God is infinitely better than the word of a blogger.

This from Hebrews; its conclusion tomorrow.

Warning and Encouragement

     "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God. See that no one is sexually immoral or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights. 

     "You have not come to a mountain (Sinai) that can be touched, burning with fire, to darkness gloom and storm, to a trumpet blast or to such a voice... 

     "But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the first born. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 

     "If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 

     "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" 

NOTE: The world will be destroyed by fire and replaced by a new heaven and earth. All that remains will be God's kingdom and those who belong to it.

 Conclusion tomorrow: Exhortations

  

  

A Call to Persevere

     The author continues with special regard for whom he is writing, fellow Hebrews.

     "Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

If you think that's a long sentence - 79 words -

this is common with old writers. Better in print than verbal. 

     "Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together but let us encourage one another." (as many Jews are doing today) 

     He reminds them to avoid sinning: "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." And he notes how they stood their ground in the face of suffering and persecution...how they sympathized with those in prison, and "joyfully accepted" the confiscation of their property. Wow! 

     "My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are...of those who believe and are saved."

Next: God disciplines his sons

 

God Disciplines His Sons

     We wrote of the "faith chapter" - Hebrews 11 - in two blogs a few weeks ago. That is the account of those who believed and by faith considered their citizenship to be in heaven: Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and a number of others, including David and the prophets. 

     On to Hebrews chapter 12. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

     "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus (our example of trust, of loyalty to God's will, of prayer, of overcoming, of joy), the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Note: Israelites suffered and died (chap. 11). Jesus (God Incarnate) took his turn. and rose again as Savior of all who trust and obey.

     The author tells his readers they "had not yet resisted (sin) to the point of shedding their blood." And, "they had forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

     "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

      "Endure hardship as discipline... If you are not disciplined...then you are illegitimate children... How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Discipline...produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Next: Warning and encouragement

The Last Sacrifice 

     "The law is only a shadow of the good things," the author of Hebrews wrote to Jewish converts. "These sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins; it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."

     He quotes Psalm 40:6-8, written long before Jesus' birth, ministry, death and resurrection:

     "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here am I - it is written about me in the scroll - I have come to do your will, O God.'" 

     That foretells Jesus' mission as a human, the Incarnation. No philosophy about it. 

     The author continues: "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this: 

     "'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time' says the Lord. 'I will put my laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more'" Jeremiah 31:33. 

     "And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin."

Next: A call to persevere

Copies or Actual? 

More about the blood, from Hebrews:

     "It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices...

     ...but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 

     "Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

     "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people. And he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

Next: The last sacrifice

Blood and Law 

The author of Hebrews explains:

     "This is an illustration, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink, and various ceremonial washings.

     "When Christ came as high priest...he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, that is not man-made, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 

     "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God. 

     "For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance...now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 

     "In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it. A will is in force only when somebody has died. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood."

Next: the Blood of Christ