Astronaut's Test of Faith 

     A year ago June, two astronauts were in a 10-foot-tall capsule, orbiting the earth when their first thruster failed. Approaching the space station (ISS), the second thruster was lost...then the third and the fourth. 

     Capt. Barry Wilmore was at the controls. Mission Control took over, parking the capsule at the space station. Who knew if returning the capsule to earth was even possible? An eight-day mission became 286 days. (He had commanded the space station some 10 years ago.) 

     Scary? Not for Wilmore, who said, "I completely understand God's sovereignty. He is in control at all times. The Lord's got this, and if it means He takes me today, so be it. We're all going to go one day."

      His response under pressure has been shaped by his faith in God's purposes and plans for his life, including 21 air combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, where dodging missiles and anti-aircraft artillery was a matter of survival. 

Down to Earth in Space

     Christmas time, Wilmore videoed himself with Israel in sight, reading from Luke chapter 2. He videoed for his church's Christmas Eve service, and 250 miles of separation didn't keep him from sending messages of encouragement to those who needed it. 

     NASA used a capsule owned by Elon Musk to bring Wilmore and three other astronauts back to Florida. 

     "Christ does it all," Wilmore says. "He paid the price. He calls us. He draws us. He saves us." Now, at 62, Wilmore continues to have an insatiable appetite for God's Word. "My beliefs don't matter. What matters is what's true. I try to share what I know to be true from God's word." 

  Tuesday: What about Greenland? 

Holy Spirit Takes Over 

    #6 in series

     Christ appeared to different people at various times over 40 days, following his resurrection. In Acts chapter 1, he commands his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit baptizes them with power. That would happen on the 50th day, now called Pentecost Sunday. 

     He said they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Those would be his last words. 

     Chapter 2. Ten days later, 120 men were together when "a sound like a violent wind came from heaven. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." 

     "There were God-fearing Jews from every nation, and many wondered, 'What does this mean?'" 

Peter Explains It 

     "Then Peter stood up," (baptized with power by the Spirit that spoke through Old Testament prophets) "and addressed the crowd: 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.'" 

     The Spirit led Peter to enlighten his listeners, who "were cut to the heart and asked Peter, 'What shall we do?'" "Repent and be baptized," he said, "in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the Holy Spirit." 

     "About 3,000 were added to their number that day." Peter and others would never be the same, worshiping God with the Holy Spirit in their hearts, to guide and spread this good news to the ends of the earth.

So, Jimmy, was Peter a pope or not?

  Peter and other disciples were chosen by Christ. 

Popes are elected by Catholic men ideally led by Christ.

(majority vote)

Jesus Tests Peter 

   No. 5 of 6

     In John's last chapter, 21, he wrote how he and other disciples, including Peter, went fishing all night. Early in the morning Jesus called to them from shore. They had met Jesus twice since his resurrection, but they didn't realize it was him. 

     When they told (the stranger) they hadn't caught any fish, he said, Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. Did they? They couldn't haul in the net there were so many fish. 

     John exclaimed, "It is the Lord!" Peter - who else? - jumped in the water while the others towed the net...about 100 yards. They saw a fire of burning coals with fish already on it...and some bread. 

     After they were done eating, three times Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you truly love me? And three times Peter said "yes." The third repeat frustrated him a bit. Jesus' three answers were Feed my lambs, Take care of my sheep, Feed my sheep. 

     Then he gave Peter shocking information:

     When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. Follow me. 

Tradition, not the Bible, is that Peter was crucified in Rome, about the same time Paul was martyred (A.D. 67/68) and that he chose to be hung upside down...not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. If so, that would be some 34 years after Christ's resurrection. 

Friday: Violent wind and fire

Peter Disowns Jesus 

    #4 in series

    "Then on the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb would be sacrificed," that night Jesus took his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. He knows he will be betrayed. He takes Peter, and two brothers James and John, further with him to pray. But, stay awake? Not them. 

     Jesus sweats blood while praying to his Father, ultimately conceding, Your will be done. An angel comes to strengthen him. 

     Meanwhile, the chief priests and elders - having given Judas 30 silver coins to betray Jesus - sent a large crowd with swords and clubs to Gethsemane. They find Jesus and the other 11 disciples. 

     Peter, act first and think later, drew his sword and cut off the ear (probably not Peter's intended wound) of a servant. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away, and he healed the man. 

     All the disciples deserted him.

     Jesus was held for "trial" to be held in the morning before Pilate. Crowds loyal to the leaders gathered. Peter appeared in a courtyard, where "two girls" (how annoying) accused him of being with Jesus. After denying a third time that he knew Jesus, he swore, "I don't know this man you're talking about." 

     The rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus told him, Before the rooster crows you will disown me three times. Peter broke down and wept.  

Thursday: How could Peter become a pope?

 

Leave It to Peter 

   3rd in series 

     Peter has been a work in progress. He and his brother Andrew were fishermen. Jesus shows up at the Sea of Galilee and says, "Come. Follow me." And they did.

     After the 12 disciples had experienced his teaching and healing, he sends them out to witness. Later, Jesus sends the disciples across the lake, at night. A storm makes them fear for their lives. 

     Jesus shows up, walking on the water, and they think he might be a ghost. He tells them not to fear. Peter, responding to the teaching and miracles he has seen, reacts: "Lord if it's you tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus says, Come." Peter walks on water, until he notices the storm again and begins to drown. Jesus saves him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

     Later, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain where he was transfigured, and Moses and Elijah appear. They hear a voice, "This is my Son who I love; with him I am well pleased, Listen to him!" Leave it to Peter to tell Jesus, "If you wish, I will put up three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." 

     Fast forward to the night of Jesus' arrest. He tells the disciples they "will all fall away on account of me. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Guess who replies? "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." 

     Jesus tells Peter, "This very night...you will disown me three times." Peter still doesn't get it. "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." The other disciples said the same. Peter did keep his promise, 30-some years later. 

Wednesday: Peter disowns him 

The Rock and the rock 

   #2 of 6

     Following Friday's blog (Matthew, a Jewish disciple writing to fellow Jews) we attempt to understand, God the Father and Satan each speaking through Peter (chapter 16). Matthew didn't write in English. 

     Jesus would build his church on the truth of Peter's confession that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God." He calls his disciple Peter, (Greek Petros, a small stone). 

     He adds, On this rock (Greek Petra, a massive rock) I will build my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." 

     Catholics list Peter as pope beginning A.D. 33, immediately after Christ's resurrection. In Matthew 28, the "great commission," Jesus tells his 11 disciples, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations. 

Commentary: Jesus is the Rock, the first and great foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3:11). Peter eventually wrote two letters (A.D. 60-63), shortly before his martyrdom. He wrote as one of the "apostles."

In his first letter, he wrote, "Jesus is the living Stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone...the stone the builders rejected." Christians are living stones in a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5) that God is building. See also Isaiah 28:16. 

The "keys" represent God's delegated authority for church discipline, prayer, fellowship, teaching, opposition to the demonic, etc. Peter might have exhibited some of these keys. Who knows? So did Paul.  

Tuesday: Leave it to Peter

 Get ready.

We devote this entire week to Peter,

who he was as Jesus' disciple,

and who he was on the day of Pentecost

when the Holy Spirit came upon them

and spoke through Peter to 120 puzzled men. 

Peter would not have known some of this

information on his own. 

The same can be said of Peter's two letters.

You question this?

 The 26 books in the Old Testament

weren't written without many contributions

by God himself, forecasting what the future held.

As for Peter being the first pope,

 why not Paul, or John who stood at the cross

and later wrote Revelation? 

Of 266 Catholic popes, was Peter the first? 

     In Matthew chapter 16, we read that Jesus asked his disciples, Who do people say that I am? They gave him some names.

     But what about you? Who do you say I am? 

     Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

     Jesus replied, Blessed are you...for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church... I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven... 

Seems like Peter was destined to be the church's first pope.

     Then Jesus revealed to his disciples that he was going to Jerusalem and would suffer at the hands of the elders, priests and teachers. 

     Peter - who often thought he knew best - couldn't accept that. He "took (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him. 'Never, Lord!' he said. 'This shall never happen to you!'" 

     Jesus turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men. 

     Wow. One minute God reveals truth to Peter. Then, Satan speaks through the same man. We'll look into this and see you here on Monday. 

Monday: the Rock and the rock

   

What About Suffering?  

     Pastor Dave Furman - conclusion - points 6-10 

6  Suffering opens up ministry opportunities  

     I am in constant pain. And yet! (God) has given me grace to pastor out of weakness and to witness to others about His unrelenting love. I never would have chosen or dreamed of a ministry like this - the Lord has done marvelous things. 

7  God moves through weakness and suffering, not in spite of it

     Paul had a thorn in his flesh and asked God multiple times to remove it, but it remained. God didn't use Paul despite his thorn. He used him through his thorn. God moves through our suffering. Weakness is God's way of moving in this world.  

8  Our perspective on suffering is very different from God's 

     Abraham waited for a child for years. Joseph was in prison for years. Moses wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. David fled from a wicked king for 13 years. Jeremiah saw no fruit for decades. Paul (endured) imprisonments. For this light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison. - 2 Corinthians 4:17.  

9  Suffering can propel us into community  

     My suffering has caused me to depend on the believing community for help, service, encouragement and prayer. When we resist the urge to isolate ourselves, God blesses us with sweet fellowship. 

10  Christianity has the only solution to suffering

     Suffering and death are inevitable, but we have hope because One has gone before us in death. Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, lived a sinless life. He faced trials - betrayal by mockery, emotional anguish, physical agony and judgment by God the Father. Christ's resurrection means our pain, trials and even our death are not the end of the story.

Friday: Was Peter the first pope?

~

10 things we should know about suffering 

              By Dave Furman, a pastor in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

1  Suffering is a result of the fall

     Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all men because all sinned. - Romans 5:12

2  God uses suffering for good

     ...for those who love God all things work together for good. - Romans 8:28. God never tells us our pain is good, but He uses pain to work for our good in His mysterious way. God is in control. We need to see that our circumstances are taking us right to God.

3  We can't see what God is doing in our pain 

     Augustine wrote, "If you understand, it is not God you understand." Who can give Him counsel or criticize God's handiwork? We can trust that God is always doing more than we can fathom. 

4  God uses suffering to mature us in Christ 

     Count it all joy ... when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. - James 1:2-4  Trials can be counted as joy because God is persevering our faith.

5  Persevering through suffering allows us to comfort others

     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ... who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in affliction... - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. 

~ points 6-10 tomorrow ~

We're Back

     Our visitors are returning to Ohio and Missouri, and we're free to blog again. Father's Day, we posed for pictures, a great grandfather, his daughter, her son, and his three children. From age 86 to age 4. Four generations. It happens.

     I always wanted to be known as "great." 

We're Amazed

     Meanwhile, the West Coast is being overrun, and it's not just political demonstrators. Indians co-existed with wolves. For many years the coastal states were free of wolves. Then, an animal advocacy group reintroduced them. Rewilded. Lovely! 

     Wolves are raising havoc on cattle farms in California and Oregon, and ranchers can't do much about it. Wolves kill calves and other full-grown animals. 

     Wolves are an "endangered species." They are "native" in the West. Again. Ranchers cannot shoot or harass these predators. The penalty is up to a year in prison and $100,000.  

     Ranchers see nothing "native" about a man-introduced beast. 

     We know what will solve the problem: the Millennial, when "the wolf and the lamb will feed together." - Isaiah 65:25 

           Jimmy 

 We're hosting relatives from up North Thursday into Sunday. In all, there will be four generations, and children we haven't yet met. We'll be back with Views on Monday. 

Daniel's Scary Vision

     We pick it up in chapter 10:4 of the book of Daniel. If you think God and his angels are always meek and mild, read on...

     Daniel, with a remarkable life of service to God while Israelites were forced to live in Babylon, wrote: "I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris. I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist." 

     "His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. There were others with me, so overwhelmed by such terror they fled and hid themselves." 

     Daniel continues: "I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale, and I was helpless. I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees."

     "He said, 'Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you."

     If a friendly angel can do that, we don't want to meet an angel sent to escort us to hell. The rest of Daniel chapters 10 and 11, the angel tells him what will happen on the world stage over the next 500 years. And history records it. 

#

Soldiers Win with Coffee?

     So, no cup of coffee ever killed a soldier. 

     But a beverage can be a source of energy, and boost morale. In the second year of the Civil War, 1862, imports were down 40 percent.   

     President Lincoln recognized Liberia in 1862 and raised tariffs on coffee imports (4 cents a pound), which helped fund the war. A Union blockade in the South caused coffee imports that did arrive, $8/lb.

     All this was hard on Confederate discipline and morale, apparently. 

     When Sherman attacked Atlanta, he destroyed 500 sacks of coffee. His troops didn't need the sacks, and they knew the enemy did. Question: At Appomattox in 1865, do you think those who surrendered begged for some coffee?

     General Benjamin Butler encouraged his troops to drink coffee three times a day, because "it guaranteed success." And a soldier wrote, "What keeps me alive must be the coffee." 

     There was a post-war advantage for Liberian coffee growers. By 1885, U.S. coffee imports doubled those of the war years. Tea - not so much.

Smithsonian

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7 

 

The Union's Advantage 

     You may not find this in Civil War history books. 

     After the North's pitiful first year, the tide began to turn. Was it better rifles? Cannons? Strategy? 

Some background: The Boston tea party in 1773 made a difference that mattered in the 1860's when the navy blockaded Southern ports, but in so doing, cut off their own critical supply. Supply of what?

     Meanwhile, the new Republic of Liberia, Africa was a safe place for blacks, thousands of whom were sent there, or otherwise escaped from slavery in the American South. Stephen Benson was age 6 when his (free) American parents moved from Maryland to Liberia. As an adult, he became one of the largest farmers in the country. 

     Themselves free of slavery, Liberians were rooting for the North to win the Civil War. There was no official recognition of Liberia...no trade treaties. 

     Benson hoped his "essential fuel" could benefit the Union's fight against slavery. He sent a message to America that he had planted some 500 thousand coffee trees. In August 1862, a ship carried 6,000 pounds of premium coffee to the northern states.  

     How does coffee win a war?

Tomorrow

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14

   

Coming Monday

The North's secret

to winning the Civil War?

Wide and Narrow Gates 

  Conclusion

     The "Sermon on the Mount" as it is known (Matthew chap. 5-7) would have helped the people if they all had tape recorders. As it was, the crowd was amazed, "...because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." 

     As with the other "gospels," the Holy Spirit gave the former tax collector, a disciple of Jesus, the words of this book in the A.D. 60s. We learn what God wants of and for us if we search the scriptures with all our hearts. 

     We're warned about judging others but not ourselves. We're told to ask, seek and knock on God's door by prayer...and to do to others what we want them to do for us. We are God's workmanship, with responsibility. It all matters, because...

     When we die, our souls are taken to heaven, or to hell. Jesus often referred to hell. We can obey the ongoing conditions for salvation, receiving God's grace by the Lord's sacrificial death. Many Christians are satisfied to attend church on Sundays. But, we are called to pray and let our light shine seven days a week.  

     We don't want to hear Jesus say, "I never knew you."  

     The narrow way and the narrow gate are available. 

"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn (first in position) from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." - Colossians 1:18 

Do Not Worry 

  Part 4

     Here in the USA most of us trust our money with faith in the security it brings, and that it will lead to happiness. We hear that millionaires and billionaires worry more than the rest of us.

     "Do not worry about your life," the teacher says. Seriously. By life, he meant food and clothes. He continues, "The Father feeds the birds, and you are much more valuable than birds. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"  

     Well, teacher, it's 2025, no worry about food and clothes for most of us. Banks crash, hurricanes and fires wipe out whole communities, we share the road with drunk drivers, and for some, the source of income no longer exists. China ships poison for us to eat. Iran wants to destroy Israel, and America too. And the teacher replies...

     "Do not worry. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

One more teaching, tomorrow

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:9 

No Showboating

   Part 3

     Thousands thrilled with miracle healings...and the teacher is not through with them yet. They are gathered on the hillside.

     "Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men...to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Do not let your left hand know what you right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father will reward you." 

     "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

     "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

     "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do. Wash your face so it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting."  

     "Do not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters. You can't serve God and money." 

To be continued

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." - Ephesians 5:14 

No Bragging, Boasting or Show-offs 

     Part 2

     The doctor/preacher/teacher who attracted followers by healing so many, now begins to tell them how to live. 

     "Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not divorce your wife, unless she is an adulteress. Don't swear to keep your oaths...just let your yes be yes and your no be no." Then he really got their attention.

     "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person...turn the other cheek...let him have your cloak...go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

     The people were happy to be healed, but, be nice to everyone, no matter what? Doesn't make sense, they must have been thinking. 

     Oh, he wasn't finished. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers... Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 

    We wonder. Did they wonder how their miraculous healings led them into a teaching that seemed...could it be...from a prophet...or...?

Note: The teacher wasn't condemning the sudden improper desire that Satan plants or otherwise arises in one's mind. Sin is approving and desiring the thought. And the teacher was not against the administration of proper justice. But consider the hurting father who forgave the man who killed his daughter, leaving judgment to the court, while thinking forgiveness might eventually touch the criminal's spiritual life.   

To be continued

"For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." - Isaiah 41:13

    

The Doctor/Peacher/Teacher 

     Imagine, centuries ago. People were coming from Syria, Galilee, Jerusalem and east of the river, to be healed of disease and every physical problem, even demon-possession. There was no record of such a thing...ever! 

     This stranger living in Capernaum by the lake, now had thousands of followers. Why not? None of the teachers of the law or the Roman soldiers ever performed miracles. 

     One day, crowds gathering again, he went up on a hillside and sat down. He began to teach. 

     Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn...the meek...those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...the pure in heart...peacemakers...those who are persecuted. 

     He taught them about salt and light. If they have these principles, they are examples for the world. If not, not good. 

     The teacher said, ...unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Wow!     ...    Were the Pharisees listening? 

 To be continued

Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." 

 Living With Tigers 

     Part 2

     Will tigers go the way of mastodons? 

     For decades people have been clearing tiger territory for habitat, for agriculture and livestock. Hunting and poaching have reduced the numbers of tiger-prey animals. In 1900, tiger population in Asia and parts of the Middle East was estimated at 100,000. Who's counting? 

     Today, maybe 4,500 remain. Tigers now occupy less than 7 percent of their historic range. 

     In India, home to about 70 percent of the world's tigers, population growth and development press people and tigers closer together. Millions now live in "buffer zones" around tiger reserves. Each year, tigers kill 50 to 60 people and hundreds of livestock. 

In California and Oregon, introduced wolves are killing livestock.

     How do they settle tiger-human conflicts? Government funds help people who have lost family members or livestock, not that money solves everything. The chance of retaliation toward tigers may rise. 

     Schools teach kids about the role tigers and other animals play in their localities. But, the kids view wildlife with hostility and fear. They are told to carry flashlights and talk loudly while walking in groups. Kids are taught empathy for all non-human life. What wins...empathy or fear?

Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."  

Living With Tigers

     Okay. We admit it. We're partial to cats, although our "pet" these days is a lovable poodle my departed sister-in-law left for us. 

     When I say, "we are," it's really just me. My best friend in childhood was a pussy cat. Mrs. Donut is always about dogs. I get it.

     The first "tiger" I ever saw was the mascot of the football team in my dad's hometown. The student was dressed in a real tiger skin. Fur? We visited family there every year, sometimes twice during football season.

     Tigers normally are found in India. They can weigh more than 600 pounds, leap up to 20 feet laterally, and take down prey nearly five times their weight. Dad's high school football team has a history of taking down its opponents. 

     Something tigers cannot defeat on their own strength: finding enough land and enough prey. They may be atop the food chain, but a tiger must eat about 100 pounds of flesh each week. That equates to 50 large animals each year. They require large tracts of land...and the land must be filled with prey. 

     Football, 11 "tigers" deal with 11 opponents, and there are numerous rules to make competition fair. In the wild, humans are closing in on tigers. Not fair.   

To be continued

         

Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

     

   

One Man, Three IDs 

     "In those days...I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line. He will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety." - Jeremiah 33:15

     Jeremiah wrote this around 580 B.C.  Of course, the Branch turned out to be Jesus. When He returns for the world-wide Millenium, He will have a special servant known by three different identifications.

     "I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the Lord will be their God and my servant David will be prince among them. - Ezekiel 34:23-24 

     "My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. David my servant will be their prince forever." - Ezekiel 37:24 

     "Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days." - Hosea 3:5 

It's already three millenniums since David was king over Judah. Like all of us, he wasn't perfect or sinless. But he was always after God's heart. While Christ rules the world, David will return as king over Israel...again. Many other Old Testament figures will appear again, along with Christians now in heaven. 

 

     

     "It's a forgotten quirk of American military history that one of the most inspiring moments in the Pacific during World War ll occurred on an abandoned railway platform in a dusty ghost town called Terowie, at the parched edge of the Australian outback.

     "On March 20, 1942, on that unlikely heat-baked spot, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the commander of the U.S. and Filipino forces in the Philippines, uttered his most famous and oft-quoted words, after a secret escape from the archipelago as the Bataan Peninsula was about to be overwhelmed by the Japanese: "I shall return."

     MacArthur was not exactly in sync with other generals in the Pacific, but they followed their orders while MacArthur took charge of (mainly) Australian troops. After 2-1/2 years, he returned to the Philippines, getting off his ship and wading ashore to make a grand comeback. 

     When Japan surrendered, MacArthur was given authority over the nation for five successful years. 

     Then the Korean war began in 1950 and MacArthur was given command of U.S. troops, who gradually restored South Korea. Not satisfied with that, MacArthur sent his army and marines into North Korea to wipe out the regime. Washington had not ordered this. 

     China sent thousands of troops into Korea to repulse the U.S. (and die), and the American retreat in snow and ice was horrible. President Truman had enough, calling MacArthur to return home. 

I Corinthians 11:3  "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." 

Power of the Cross

     "You and I owe a debt we can never repay. It's a debt we inherited from Adam and Eve - a moral and spiritual debt of sin." - Michael Youssef

     He wrote, "The cross of Jesus justifies us. When God looks at us (those who already have salvation), He does not see the stain of our sin. He sees the righteousness of Jesus." 

     If you haven't yet received the Savior, with faith in Him to save you from eternal hell, you can simply talk to God, praying along these lines...

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I'm sorry. I want to turn from my sin. Please forgive me. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son; I believe He died on the cross for my sin and you raised Him to life, I want Him to come into my heart and take control of my life, I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus Name, Amen.

     This prayer alone doesn't satisfy our need to please God. We have the rest of our lives to live and learn and become the soul He wants for you.

 It's Not - 'Happy' Memorial Day

     The last Monday in May has been marked in all U.S. states since 1890. The first such day was in 1868. It's a day we mourn and honor those we lost.

     From our awful civil war to the military helicopter-airplane collision this spring in our nation's capital and any other recent losses, in battle or simply in training, it's a negative reality in "civilization." 

     Memorial Day is a time of somber recognition. For thousands of friends and family members, it is one of 365 days of sadness. Not only do people die in battle, in recent years many of our soldiers returning safely from conflicts abroad commit suicide.    ??? 

     I was drafted for two years, during which President Kennedy was shot. And Russians were sneaking into Cuba. After basic training, I never held a gun again. 

     A few years before that, in our school marching band, I participated in the Memorial Day parade up Main Street...stopping to hear a speech...stopping again while they tossed a wreath in the river...ending in the cemetery, where a 21-gun salute. Someday, my remains will "remain" up there.  

     I hope my heart, soul and mind will be up there in God's realm, and the same for you as well. 

              Jimmy

   

     

The Perfect Sacrifice

     "In this world it is very rare to find something without blemish. The same can be said for the Old Testament sacrifices. They didn't purify anything and never truly dealt with sin and judgment."

by Will Graham

     There is a moment in history: Hebrews 9:23-28.

     "For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us, not that He should offer himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another. He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world."

     "But now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." 

 

Moral Injury, Not New

     Following up on yesterday's blog, disobedience and regret began with Adam and Eve. It continued with Cain and others throughout history.

     Trouble can be a good thing, says an article in WORLD magazine. It's natural to feel remorse, which may be toxic, unless we seek forgiveness.

     A Veterans Affairs hospital deals with more than physical injury. A chaplain looks for signs of anger, isolation and such. Patients that open up ask questions like: Am I going to hell? Can I be forgiven? Does God really love me?

     Taking off the uniform doesn't solve the problem. It can make it worse. Some veterans lose their shared sense of mission and acceptance. 

     Service in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in an increase in veterans seeking mental help. Group participants learn to trust each other, hearing what others are going through. Transgressions are especially harmful. Guilt, grief and shame can lead to questioning faith, forgiveness, God's goodness, or even His existence. 

     Some don't feel worthy of forgiveness, but Christ went on the cross for that forgiveness. Sometimes it takes a trauma to where they have no option. So, they turn to God, make him first, then love their neighbor. 

PS. The Biden administration did everything possible to discourage faith in the military. More evidence of their leanings. The former president claims to be a Catholic. - Jimmy

   

Wounds of War 

     Vietnam. The war's unpopularity and messy ending (50 years ago) compounded the struggle many soldiers had (and still do) when they returned home. 

     They never trained for the aftermath of war. Glen Martin told WORLD magazine "In Vietnam we never had an exit. We didn't accomplish what we wanted to accomplish. All these 55,000 kids got killed, whatever, and for no reason." 

     Martin has battled guilt, shame, disgust, even anger, a response to what doctors diagnose as moral injury. Symptoms occur when people feel they did something or failed to do something that violates their deeply held moral or religious beliefs. 

     The authors of this article say combat veterans from every war experience moral injury, but Vietnam vets were especially susceptible. Five million Americans who served in the conflict are still alive. Thanks to awareness of moral injury and the benefits of faith-based therapy, vets from Vietnam and more recent conflicts are healing for their deepest wounds. 

Next: Moral injury is not new.

             Jimmy   ...PS. I'm certain many of the soldiers in basic training with me went to Vietnam. Back then, many of us were drafted, not volunteers.

Earth Calling God... 

     Very early in history, Adam and Eve had another son, naming him Seth. He grew up and fathered Enosh. At that time, men began to call on the name of the Lord. - Genesis 4:26. 

     No interpreter. No teacher. No pope. No mind reader. Get it? 

     Pastor Jim Cymbala says the Hebrew word for calling on God means to cry out, to implore. In Jeremiah (chapter 33:3) God says, Call on me and I will answer you... God spoke to prophets over centuries, telling us, through them, what He wants us to know. At times He foretold what was yet - or still is - to come. 

     Moses wrote, What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? - Deuteronomy 4:7. There was no promise from God if Israel ceased calling out to him. The same applies to Christians. 

     David knew it. Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. - Psalm 4:3. 

     For Jew and Gentile: Acts 2:21; Romans 10:12-13.

     Pastors and rabbis can help, and teachers, counselors, books...maybe family or friends. Know any missionaries? But nothing ...nobody... substitutes for the mercy and grace of God. We are directed to call upon the Lord, daily, in trouble or otherwise. He made us. He knows us!  

             Jimmy

      

Ancient Roots 

     This is as close to heaven as I will ever get in this life. If I were invited to the White House, it would never bring the kind of peace and deep joy I sense here in the presence of people calling on the Lord. 

     The words of Jim Cymbala, long time pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle, in one of New York's nastiest communities. 

     In his book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, he writes about Tuesday night prayer meetings, which he considers essential to Sunday worship. "It is there that people express their hearts, needs, desires and praises." Prayer, he says, has ancient roots. 

     "The first mention of prayer occurs in Genesis 4:26, before Christ, before David, even before Moses (and Abraham). 'At that time, men began to call on the name of the Lord.'" 

     "A godly strain of men and women distinguished themselves from their ungodly neighbors by calling on the Lord. They affirmed their dependence on God. Their original name was 'those who call on the name of the Lord.'"

     "On some unmarked day...a God-placed instinct in human hearts came alive. People sensed that if you are in trouble, you can call out to God, he will answer you! He doesn't turn a deaf ear."

We may continue this coming week.

Jimmy

Less is More 

     "Are we too buttoned-down? As Christians, are we blindly loyal? I sometimes worry that we put too much stock in the opinions of what I'll call 'public Christians.'

Lynn Vincent, WORLD magazine

     "Those with big platforms, plenty of followers, and lots of guest appearances on TV. I'm not saying a big audience is a bad thing. But pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18), and some public Christians begin to believe their own press. 

     "Heaven's Hall of Fame is not associated with climbing to significance, but with obscurity, sacrifice (Stephen) and servanthood (Ruth). The principle that those who are first in the world shall be last in the kingdom is central to Jesus' teaching on humility and the worldly trappings of success.

     "He must increase," John the Baptist said of Jesus, "and I must decrease." 

     "We public Christians should spend more time figuring out how to be less."

 

What Do We Value Most?

Excerpts by Andrew Brunson, pastor

Two years in a Turkey prison

     "People are driven by what they hunger after. Once they have it, they are driven by fear of losing it. Individuals compromise and conform. 

     "What do you 'covet'? What are you afraid to lose? The answer reveals something about how vulnerable we may be to pressures that followers of Jesus are going to face in the near future. 

     "I think social and financial persecution is coming to our country, and it will be enough to cause an exodus from the church in this generation. This may seem alarmist, especially when many evangelicals are euphoric about the political change in the last election.

     "But I think this is a temporary delay. Most of the institutions in our country are led by progressives who are increasingly anti-Christian. The rise of the political right...is not leading to an increase in church attendance or conversions. Significant numbers on the right mirror the progressive left in having no Judeo-Christian moral foundation...driven by the raw will to power. 

     "Faithful followers of Jesus are in the minority - an increasingly despised minority. 

     "How to change what drives me? I need to retrain my heart to most value what most matters - loving God - so that I do not covet what they covet. I do not love what they love. I do not fear what they fear." 

Who Wants Marriage? 

     Okay. Raise your hands, all you who want to marry ..... Now, all you who don't want to marry .....

     Well. More than half of you (in the UK) don't value marriage. 

     We're a long way from the Garden of Eden, when everybody in the world, both of them, were married. If this trend keeps up, marriage may come to an end, and children will have more freedom to find their own way...such as join a gang etc. A brave new world.

     Civilization...man and woman, promising to love and stay together for the rest of their lives. Yes, some stay single. 

Marriage brings stability to society. New marriages provide stable, loving homes established on commitment. Mother holds the baby, while friends sing and rejoice. Families befriend other families. 

     Our granddaughter is expecting in September. Her parents committed to each other 35 years ago, and their daughter and husband are on the same path...people of faith and commitment. This baby will be loved. 

     My wife and I were rejected by our first spouses. It's not like a ball game. Lose today; win tomorrow. There is hurt. Children left to make poor decisions. 

     America's "greatest generation" married and stayed married, despite the depression and two world wars. Our United States is looking up, but if we're not more united in our families, this won't be another "great" generation.

             Jimmy

  

     

What a Crowd! 

     A football rally? A concert? May Day celebration in South America?

     None of the above. It was the Roman Catholic introduction of Pope Leo XIV, originally known as Robert Provost, of Chicago. Yes, the first American to be voted Pope. 

     Catholics from up to 70 nations gathered in Rome to listen to his speech, in Italian. They cheered. Some waved their nation's flag. There were two marching bands. And bells. Such a roar. Oh, maybe a Beatles concert.

     We heard the name Mother Mary. We even heard the name Jesus. 

     Catholics have cardinals, priests, bishops, archbishops and deacons. They were dressed in colorful robes. The church is somewhat polarized, but all honor the Pope. 

     About 600 years ago, Roman Catholics were so far removed from biblical truth Martin Luther asked the leaders to tell him where he was wrong...quoting the Bible. They couldn't answer. They wanted him to come to Rome, where they planned to silence him. 

     Luther was taken to a safe location, and people - Lutherans - began to "protest." There was a 30-year war that nobody won. Then came the Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and more. 

     Honor Catholics. But when Jesus returns to rule our/His world, will there be a big celebration and speech? See Revelations chapter 19. 

           Jimmy - a Protestant

  

 Part 5, conclusion 

The Judgment 

     Speaking of himself, but focusing on heaven's schedule, Jesus said, The Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels. He will reward each according to his works. - Matt. 16:27. 

     No one will be saved because: "I am a good person." 

     Muslims are taught, if they do more good than bad, they will enter eternal life. What a horrible error. 

     We are all in the history books. 

     Jesus: Nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." - Luke 8:17 

     In the gospels (the reports of Jesus' short time on earth) the word "hell" appears three times for every mention of "heaven." 

      Jesus once more: Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life...he has crossed over from death to life.  - John 6:24 

God bless you

Part 4

The Books

 Dr. David Jeremiah: 

The Book of Law

     "By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified... For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Rom. 3:20, 23  He wrote in his book, "Those who claim justification by the law sign their own death warrant ... that is those who fail to obey it perfectly."

The Book of Works 

     The unregenerate dead "are judged, each one according to his works." - Rev. 20:13. "The Son of Man...will reward each according to his works." - Matt. 16:27. 

The Book of Secrets

     Jesus warned, "Nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be come to light." - Luke 8:17  Paul: "God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ." - Rom. 2:16 

The Book of Words

     "For every idle word man may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." - Matt. 12:36-37

The Book of Life

     Those whose names are in the Book of Life will not stand before the throne of final judgment. References include chapters Ex. 32, Ps. 69, Dan. 12, Phil. 4, and Rev. 3, 13, 17, 21 and 22.  

 Friday: heaven or hell?

  

 Part 3   

And he (the Father) has given him (the Son) authority to judge, because he is the Son of Man. - John 5:27

     What? Shouldn't the Father be our judge? What does Son of Man mean? We thought Jesus is the "Son of God?"  

     As the Old Testament forecasted, a time came when the Holy Spirit made it possible for a virgin in Israel (Mary) to bear a child. God was the father. Jesus grew up in a regular home in a regular town. When the weather was cold, he was cold. He got tired. He experienced life like we do. Except, he never sinned.

     At age 30, this "man" left home, spent 40 days alone, except when the devil tempted him, without food, and from then on was led by his heavenly Father. He is qualified to be the Son of Man. 

     Jesus has authority to execute judgment. He will deal with all classes of people...rich or poor...famous or obscure...beautiful or plain...powerful or weak...intelligent or dull...religious or agnostic. 

     All will appear - not in human skin - before his "great white throne." Without hope. He who created the world can do this.

     Jesus died in our place and rose again, so we don't have to attend the white throne judgment. He leaves the decision to us.  

 Tomorrow: the books

 Part 2

It is appointed for men to die once...

but after that, the judgment.

     Never mind the courts of our world. There will be two judgments from on high. The first, at an unknown time: "We (believers) must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him...whether good or bad." - Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:10.

     This will be a solemn experience. But, not condemnation.

     God revealed to the disciple John that after the millennium, "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence... And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened... The sea gave up the dead...and death and Hades gave up the dead...and each person was judged according to what he had done." 

     "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire...the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:11-15. (Hades is a holding place for those destined for hell.)

     So, which judgment do we prefer? 

     The white throne judgment will have no jury, no defenders and no appeals. God's truth will be the standard, not our cultural right or wrong.

     Wednesday: What does "Son of Man" mean?

'Many will wish they had never been born' 

     Last we knew, university fraternities hold a "hell week" to initiate new members. We know of at least one freshman who died during his week. 

     Well, real hell is far worse. We encourage you to read our blogs this week, as we summarize a chapter in The Coming Golden Age. If you aren't 100 percent certain of your salvation, please, please take this seriously, and stick with it. It's our most important blog series, now in our 15th year. 

     Think that Jesus the Son of God who endured crucifixion is soft on belief and obedience? We begin with a few of his statements during his visit to Israel two millennia ago.

     Anyone who is angry with his brother is subject to judgment. - Matt. 5:22. Better to lose a part of your body than your whole body thrown into hell. - Matt. - 5:29   ...be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. - Matt. 10:28. 

     How will you escape being condemned to hell? - Matt. 23:33. Better to enter life maimed than with two hands and to go into hell. - Mark 9:43. Fear him who...has power to throw you into hell. - Luke 12:5. 

    James, half-brother of Jesus, who won him over after rising from the dead: The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil. It corrupts the whole person, and sets the whole course of his life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell. - James 3:6.

     And Peter, the extrovert disciple Jesus straightened out before he arose: For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment...    -2 Peter 2:4.  

 Tomorrow: Dr. Jeremiah explains