Behind the Wall

(Jdg 16:21) Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison.

Tomorrow Jon, Wayne, Sandy and I will join others behind the wall. Inside the razor wire and electric fences, along paths marked with a yellow line. It will be no coincidence that a meeting has been arranged between this team and forty-two inmates of a fortified prison.

Over the next four days, we will meet, never having seen each other before. Never once having imagined that such a meeting would or could take place. For some, this will be their first-ever introduction to the TRUTH, and to the LOVE, and to the HOPE that is in Jesus Christ.

Some inmates will return to the yard as they came to us. Others will carry the shekinah glow about their face and the wondrous peace of Christ will flow from their whole bodies as a testament of their salvation; a light unto others.

All of our team will come away deeply humbled, wasted, spent, exhausted and in absolute awe and wonder of having been witness to the very hand of God converting the hearts of those whom Satan was so proud, no longer possessions of darkness. These days we shall never forget. Praise God!

When you pray, pray that the harvest for the Lord will be great. Pray that the stone hard hearts of those inside the wire will suffer a change. Pray that a small hole will be carved in these hardened hearts, just big enough to allow His brilliant light to chase the darkness from inside. And as the light replaces the veil of darkness, let it be so that the organ will be softened from the inside-out!

Pray that when we come out Sunday evening, that we will be celebrating with the Heavenly Host, new additions to the family of our Lord, co-heirs to the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, Amen. Pray also that the seeds we leave behind will eventually find fertile soil and sprout, Amen and Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Behind the Wall

(Jdg 16:21) Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison.

Tomorrow Jon, Wayne, Sandy and I will join others behind the wall. Inside the razor wire and electric fences, along paths marked with a yellow line. It will be no coincidence that a meeting has been arranged between this team and forty-two inmates of a fortified prison.

Over the next four days, we will meet, never having seen each other before. Never once having imagined that such a meeting would or could take place. For some, this will be their first-ever introduction to the TRUTH, and to the LOVE, and to the HOPE that is in Jesus Christ.

Some inmates will return to the yard as they came to us. Others will carry the shekinah glow about their face and the wondrous peace of Christ will flow from their whole bodies as a testament of their salvation; a light unto others.

All of our team will come away deeply humbled, wasted, spent, exhausted and in absolute awe and wonder of having been witness to the very hand of God converting the hearts of those whom Satan was so proud, no longer possessions of darkness. These days we shall never forget. Praise God!

When you pray, pray that the harvest for the Lord will be great. Pray that the stone hard hearts of those inside the wire will suffer a change. Pray that a small hole will be carved in these hardened hearts, just big enough to allow His brilliant light to chase the darkness from inside. And as the light replaces the veil of darkness, let it be so that the organ will be softened from the inside-out!

Pray that when we come out Sunday evening, that we will be celebrating with the Heavenly Host, new additions to the family of our Lord, co-heirs to the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, Amen. Pray also that the seeds we leave behind will eventually find fertile soil and sprout, Amen and Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

CHRIST -- Love, Fellowship, Affection and Compassion

Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. – My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

The Father, …..will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

….The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name. -- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.... and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

PHI. 2:1. Job 14:1,2. Psa. 73:26. John 14:16,26. -II Cor. 1:3,4. I Thes. 4:14,17,18.-Samuel Bagster

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

CHRIST -- Love, Fellowship, Affection and Compassion

Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. – My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

The Father, …..will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

….The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name. -- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.... and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

PHI. 2:1. Job 14:1,2. Psa. 73:26. John 14:16,26. -II Cor. 1:3,4. I Thes. 4:14,17,18.-Samuel Bagster

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Reconciling the World

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; - Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. - "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love.

"Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. - So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. - LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works.

II COR. 5:19. Col. 1:19,20. Psa. 85:10. Jer. 29:11. -Isa. 1:18. Mic. 7:18. Job 22:21. -Phi. 2:12,13. Isa. 26:12. [Samuel Bagster]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Reconciling the World

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; - Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. - "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love.

"Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. - So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. - LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works.

II COR. 5:19. Col. 1:19,20. Psa. 85:10. Jer. 29:11. -Isa. 1:18. Mic. 7:18. Job 22:21. -Phi. 2:12,13. Isa. 26:12. [Samuel Bagster]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

He must increase, but I must decrease. (Joh 3:30)

The words of John (The Baptist) to a group of followers as the ministry of Jesus began. John chapter three relates the ordained relationship between Jesus and  John, as John teaches it is time for his role to decline while the ministry of Jesus must advance. (Joh 3:35) "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. (Joh 3:31) "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth.As with the inverse position between Jesus and John, so too is our inverse relationship with our savior. We must decrease, He must increase.

At the moment of our salvation, receiving Christ into our hearts, a wondrous change began in us. A slow, ever steady process of sanctification:

By sanctification is ordinarily meant that hallowing of the Christian believer by which he is freed from sin and enabled to realize the will of God in his life. This is not, however, the first or common meaning in the Scriptures. To sanctify means commonly to make holy, that is, to separate from the world and consecrate to God. (ISBE)

This process is not an --all at once-- deal. It is a slow, God driven, purposeful transition that, in effect, causes the WE in us to slowly be replaced by the HE in Him. The goal is to be constantly changed into the very image of Christ.

We frequently either help or hinder this process depending upon which lens we use in the conduct of our lives, and how faithful we are to stay on the narrow path and in His light. Our desire should always be to emulate Christ in all that we do, all that we think, all that we are.

I doubt, that while wearing this earthly tent, I personally will even come close to that beautiful emulation in total. I pray fervently that at the end of my earthly days that this sanctification will allow me to hear from my savior those heavenly words:

(Mat 25:21) …....'Well done, good and faithful servant; …. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

He must increase, but I must decrease. (Joh 3:30)

The words of John (The Baptist) to a group of followers as the ministry of Jesus began. John chapter three relates the ordained relationship between Jesus and  John, as John teaches it is time for his role to decline while the ministry of Jesus must advance. (Joh 3:35) "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. (Joh 3:31) "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. As with the inverse position between Jesus and John, so too is our inverse relationship with our savior. We must decrease, He must increase.

At the moment of our salvation, receiving Christ into our hearts, a wondrous change began in us. A slow, ever steady process of sanctification:

By sanctification is ordinarily meant that hallowing of the Christian believer by which he is freed from sin and enabled to realize the will of God in his life. This is not, however, the first or common meaning in the Scriptures. To sanctify means commonly to make holy, that is, to separate from the world and consecrate to God. (ISBE)

This process is not an --all at once-- deal. It is a slow, God driven, purposeful transition that, in effect, causes the WE in us to slowly be replaced by the HE in Him. The goal is to be constantly changed into the very image of Christ.

We frequently either help or hinder this process depending upon which lens we use in the conduct of our lives, and how faithful we are to stay on the narrow path and in His light. Our desire should always be to emulate Christ in all that we do, all that we think, all that we are.

I doubt, that while wearing this earthly tent, I personally will even come close to that beautiful emulation in total. I pray fervently that at the end of my earthly days that this sanctification will allow me to hear from my savior those heavenly words:

(Mat 25:21) …....'Well done, good and faithful servant; …. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

As dew from the Lord

(Mic 5:7) Then the remnant of Jacob Will be among many peoples Like dew from the LORD, Like showers on vegetation Which do not wait for man Or delay for the sons of men.

During my devotions this morning, my attention was drawn to this week's celebration of the Biblical New Year, Rosh Hashana, culminating with Yom Kippur next week. I thought about how small but how influential, how blessed Israel is and through history comes the message of the small, the remnant, the first selected of God.

Thank-you Holy Spirit for then leading my gaze to Charles Spurgeon and this elegant comparative of His great power and grace through the tiny, the small, the collective;

If this be true of the literal Israel, much more is it true of the spiritual Israel, the believing people of God. When saints are what they should be, they are an incalculable blessing to those among whom they are scattered.

They are as the dew; for in a quiet, unobtrusive manner they refresh those around them. Silently but effectually they minister to the life, growth, and joy of those who dwell with them. Coming fresh from heaven, glistening like diamonds in the sun, gracious men and women attend to the feeble and insignificant till each blade of grass has its own drop of dew. Little as individuals, they are, when united, all-sufficient for the purposes of love which the Lord fulfills through them. Dew drops accomplish the refreshing of broad acres. Lord, make us like the dew!

Godly people are as showers which come at God's bidding without man's leave and license. They work for God whether men desire it or not; they no more ask human permission than the rain does. Lord, make us thus boldly prompt and free in Thy service wherever our lot is cast.

We each, regardless of our station, are a part of that great shower of God's grace through faith. We are but a droplet of dew, but combined in Jesus, we spread the nourishment and refreshment of His Word to the world. Thank-you Father for the blessing of being witness to Your wonder and beauty, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

As dew from the Lord

(Mic 5:7) Then the remnant of Jacob Will be among many peoples Like dew from the LORD, Like showers on vegetation Which do not wait for man Or delay for the sons of men.

During my devotions this morning, my attention was drawn to this week's celebration of the Biblical New Year, Rosh Hashana, culminating with Yom Kippur next week. I thought about how small but how influential, how blessed Israel is and through history comes the message of the small, the remnant, the first selected of God.

Thank-you Holy Spirit for then leading my gaze to Charles Spurgeon and this elegant comparative of His great power and grace through the tiny, the small, the collective;

If this be true of the literal Israel, much more is it true of the spiritual Israel, the believing people of God. When saints are what they should be, they are an incalculable blessing to those among whom they are scattered.

They are as the dew; for in a quiet, unobtrusive manner they refresh those around them. Silently but effectually they minister to the life, growth, and joy of those who dwell with them. Coming fresh from heaven, glistening like diamonds in the sun, gracious men and women attend to the feeble and insignificant till each blade of grass has its own drop of dew. Little as individuals, they are, when united, all-sufficient for the purposes of love which the Lord fulfills through them. Dew drops accomplish the refreshing of broad acres. Lord, make us like the dew!

Godly people are as showers which come at God's bidding without man's leave and license. They work for God whether men desire it or not; they no more ask human permission than the rain does. Lord, make us thus boldly prompt and free in Thy service wherever our lot is cast.

We each, regardless of our station, are a part of that great shower of God's grace through faith. We are but a droplet of dew, but combined in Jesus, we spread the nourishment and refreshment of His Word to the world. Thank-you Father for the blessing of being witness to Your wonder and beauty, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?