Mark 16

16 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Christ Ascends to God’s Right Hand

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

__'Always In Prayer' Network

Jihad Watch

*excerpt*

"Kuwait: The prince's mysterious conversion," by Marco Tosatti for Vatican Insider, January 16 (thanks to Jerry Newcombe):


According to reports, a Kuwaiti royal prince has become a follower of Jesus Christ. In an audio file posted with his name, he affirms that if he is killed because of a recording he made where he talks about his conversion, he firmly believes that he will meet Jesus Christ face-to-face. The news comes from Middle Eastern sources which state that al-Haqiqa – a Christian satellite TV channel in Arabic that transmits Christian religious programmes – broadcast an audio file attributed to the Kuwaiti prince, identified as Abdullah al-Sabah. The al-Sabahs are the royal family of Kuwait, a country rich in oil. The name Abdullah (servant of God) frequently appears in the Emir’s family tree.

In his audio file, Abdullah declared: “First of all, I fully agree with the distribution of this audio file and I now declare that if they kill me because of it, then I will appear before Jesus Christ and be with him for all eternity.” In this statement, the prince demonstrates his awareness of the fate in store for a martyr of the faith, according to Christian doctrine. The television channel stated that Abdullah is a member of the royal family, and that he recently renounced his faith in Islam and became a Christian, without specifying which particular branch of Christianity he had chosen. After stating his full name, the prince declared: “I will accept whatever they do to me, because the truth in the Bible has guided me towards the right path.”

Read this story at jihadwatch.org ...

America's Party News

col317

_And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;...
...Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

                                             -- Luke 3:3, 7-14

The preacher of this brief, but very practical sermon was Jesus' older cousin, John the Baptist, whom, the context reminds us, was sent to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus Himself.  In these few verses, John delivers an important message about the necessity and true nature of repentance.

As evidenced by the recent actions of Personhood USA in allowing four Republican presidential candidates--Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Perry--to sign their personhood pledge, John's lessons on repentence are still very much needed today.  What is it about repentance that Personhood USA and these four candidates--not to mention other leaders in the personhood camp, American Right to Life, Bob Enyart, Steve Deace, and Gregg Jackson among them--are failing to grasp?  Let's go to the text.

*****

First, notice to whom John's rather pointed rebukes are directed.  “Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (verse 7)  Perhaps this seems like an odd thing to say to those who were coming to him to be baptized--especially in light of the fact that baptism was a key theme of John’s message in verse 3:  “And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins”.  Why, if John is preaching baptism in verse 3, would he then in verse 7 refer to those who came to him to be baptized as a bunch of snakes?  The remainder of verse 7 contains a hint.  John says, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” 

John knew their motives for coming to him.  John knew that, rather than seeking a sincere relationship with God, they saw baptism as a quick fix to the problem of their own guilt.  They understood John when he said that baptism was “for the remission of sins” (verse 3).  They wanted remission of sins, and were willing to allow John to immerse them in order for them to receive it.  They understood, rightly, that John was commanding them to be baptized, and that he was presenting baptism as a condition to receive remission of sins. 

But what they were failing to see was baptism’s proper basis in repentance.  Look again at John’s message in vs. 3.  “ And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins”.  The multitudes correctly understood that baptism was “for the remission of sins”; but they failed to see that not just any baptism would do.  The baptism that John said was necessary was, specifically, “the baptism of repentance.”  These were attempting to come to John, allow him to immerse them, thinking this would remove their sins, and planning to go on their way with no real change of heart, intending to continue in the very sins from which they were seeking forgiveness.  They truly were a bunch of snakes, seeking salvation from God, but unwilling to walk according to His will; seeking to “flee from the wrath [of God] to come”, but not willing to flee to God Himself.

How did John know this?  His words to them in verse 8 tell us.  He commands them to “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance….”  Later, the Savior Whose way John was preparing would tell us that “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16).  John knew them by their fruits--by the actions, attitudes, and results that were brought forth from their hearts.  And John could see that these results were not consistent with true repentance.

To their credit, John’s rebuked audience then asks what they were missing.  “And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?” (verse 10)  John had told them that seeking a quick-fix remission of sins through a baseless and meaningless ritual put them in the category of a “generation of vipers”.  For their baptism to have any meaning or effect it needed to be based on repentance.  Now they are asking, in practical terms, what they needed to do.  What does it mean to “bring forth fruits worthy of repentance”?  When we repent, what kind of effect will that bring about in our lives?

John tells them.  “He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.  Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?  And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.   And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” (verses 11-14)  John is telling them that there needed to be some meaningful changes in their behavior.  If they wanted to know what true repentance is, and what kind of effect it would have in their actions, John would give them some examples:  Change your behavior to begin sharing with those in need.  Change your behavior, tax collectors, and stop your stealing and dishonesty.  Change your behavior, soldiers, and stop abusing your power.

This was what they were missing--a change in behavior.  And this lack of the effect of repentance showed John that there had, in deed, been no repentance, and that their attempts to receive a blessing from God (remission of sins) was not met with an equal desire to come to God on His terms.  For their outward, apparent appeals to have any substance, any truth, they needed to be accompanied by the kind of inward change of heart that resulted in visible changes to their behavior.  Otherwise, they were simply a generation of vipers.

*****

Two thousand years later, these same lessons can still be applied to the four candidates who have now signed Personhood USA’s pledge.  It is undeniable by those who truly understand the personhood principles that all four of these candidates have, in the past, espoused positions that are in direct conflict with the personhood of the unborn.  But now, these same candidates are seeking a benefit from Personhood USA and personhood voters, who they believe will be impressed by their signature on this document.  Personhood USA touts their willingness to sign the pledge as evidence that they have changed their views on personhood.  But, as yet, we have seen them bring forth no fruits worthy of this supposed repentance. 

John held his audience accountable for the lack of a change in their lives.  Personhood USA is utterly and miserably failing to do so.  When John’s audience came seeking to receive the remission of sins by means of a mere gesture, John told them plainly that a mere gesture was insufficient--that it was not just any baptism that would lead to remission of sins, but that it must be the baptism of repentance, as manifested in their lives by a change of behavior.  Personhood USA should, likewise, require a corresponding change from the signatories of their pledge, by letting them know plainly that it is not just any signature on this document that will win their favor, but that it must be a signature based on a true change of heart, manifested by a change in these candidates’ policies and behavior.  Otherwise, if there is no such repentance, then as John declares, these candidates are the latest generation of vipers in a long line of compromised, ineffective, panderers, seeking to gain favor through a meaningless gesture.

Had John baptized his hearers, knowing that their lives were showing evidence of a failure to repent, he would have been complicit in their insincere and offensive attempts to win God’s favor.  Likewise, Personhood USA, by allowing these candidates to sign their pledge without any indication that they have repented of their previously held ungodly positions and support for immoral legislation, shares the guilt of this generation of snakelike deceivers and flatterers; and perhaps worse, allows the candidates to believe (or pretend to believe) that there is no conflict between personhood and their unrepented utilitarian positions.

Let us pray that all involved with this pledge will learn from John’s discourse, and begin to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.

_David Jeffers

Yesterday we asked why and how Paul could look at all the achievements of his life and comparing them to Jesus, consider them all garbage. The answer is found in today’s passage:

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:8-11)

Paul realized, once he met the Lord Jesus, that all he had been striving for in his spiritual life and religious endeavors mattered nothing. Why? Because through them he was trying to attain an unattainable righteousness. But when he met Messiah Jesus he knew he had met his true righteousness. Remember, Paul was a very learned Pharisee and knew the scriptures well. No doubt he remembered David’s psalm about the Messiah:

“He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:5)

The initial shame Paul must have felt when he looked at his filthy rags of works, and he no doubt harkened back to the Prophet Isaiah’s declaration of the only true Savior:

“He shall say, ‘Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him.’” (Isaiah 45:24)

I say that with great confidence because Paul had quoted the preceding verse of Isaiah 45:24 in Philippians 2:10...

“I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.” (Isaiah 45:23)

Paul had written ofthis righteousness that exceeded the law in his letter to the Roman Church:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4)

Paul looked at his life and realized he had been pursuing worldly things. And he threw them all away to gain Christ.

Warren Wiersbe puts it this way:

“Yes, Paul gained far more than he lost. In fact, the gains were so thrilling that Paul considered all other ‘things’ nothing but garbage in comparison! No wonder he had joy in his life—his life did not depend on the cheap ‘things’ of the world but on the eternal values found in Christ. Paul had the ‘spiritual mind’ and looked at the ‘things’ of earth from heaven’s point of view. People who live for ‘things’ are never really happy, because they must constantly protect their treasures and worry lest they lose their value. Not so the believer with the spiritual mind; his treasures in Christ can never be stolen and they never lose their value.”

What about you dear friend? Are you striving for the riches of this world, depending on the cheap “things” in life?

Have you tried to attain a worthless righteousness through your good works?

Why not surrender your life to the Righteous One Jesus Christ? Lose this world of filthy rags and gain the eternal beauty and righteousness of Jesus Christ. He is so lovely, our Messiah. He is wonderful. We read and sing about Him every Christmas:

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Do you see Jesus as Wonderful? So many things in life today are horrible; wouldn’t you like something wonderful?

Is He your Counselor? Have you spent hours on the couch of some limited human being trying to help you cope with life? Wouldn’t you rather “mount up with wings like eagles”?

Do you know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Mighty God and the Everlasting Father? He is one in the same!

The threat of war has many frightened today; wouldn’t you like to face these fears in the security of the Prince of Peace?

Oh I pray that you will receive Christ this Christmas season! What gift could be greater than one that is eternal?

Beloved, I have an early day tomorrow so the Lord willing we will meet on Friday. The Lord bless you.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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Copyright © 2011 David Jeffers

_David Jeffers

I’m not sure that saying is “hip” anymore. I know for a while that if someone was bragging hard on themselves, another person would eventually say, “You ain’t all that!”

I think many times the Holy Spirit would like to say that to us, albeit in a heavenly way. Whether it be our bragging of why we think we’re going to heaven or if we as Christians try to portray ourselves as something we really aren’t.

Some of us like to wear our badges of humility with great pride.  If you’re telling people how humble of a person you are, you’re probably not. That’s not saying that if you speak of a need of seeking greater humility that you’re bragging. You’re not. I’m talking of the person who uses the word humble to describe him or herself. For example; “Your Humble Correspondent.” Not so much!

There are some who like to portray a sense of perpetual brokenness, believing all is lost and I just need to tear my clothes and pour ashes on my head and say woe be the world. Somehow I don’t get visions of being salt and light with that attitude.

Paul had to battle against those who put their confidence in their flesh, specifically the sect of Judaizers who demanded the rite of circumcision. The Philippian Church had such a controversy and Paul addresses it directly in his letter to this small church:

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” (Philippians 3:1-7)

There are many today who are bragging about and trusting in their money to bring them joy and happiness, and perhaps secure them eternity. Paul instructed his young son Timothy earlier in a letter to warn against this:

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Paul battled the Pharisees in his day, of which he was once one, and today we have Pharisees in American Christendom of whom we must battle. The Pharisees of the Jesus’ time had developed such a burdensome system of works that very few could attain this false holiness. These men considered themselves super pious and would have nothing to do with the common people, other than to show off for them. Jesus had harsh words for them:

“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, “Rabbi, Rabbi.” But you, do not be called “Rabbi”; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.’” (Matthew 23:1-15)

That was a somewhat long passage of Scripture but Jesus is denouncing much in this passage. Read back through it to see if anything rings true for you. For me, Jesus’ warning about exalting myself and being humbled for it is a reminder that I must constantly check my pride at the door.

And if any of us really thought we had a reason to brag about our religiosity, Paul had all the more reason. He was born of the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day, trained under the tutelage of Gamaliel and taught the perfect law of the Jewish fathers, and no one was more zealous than Paul.

And what did he equate all these works to? Garbage!

Why? Because of Jesus.

Again, why...and how?

We’ll look at that tomorrow...

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

If you’re receiving these devotionals for the first time and would like to receive them on a regular basis, please email me at jeffers221@bellsouth.netand use “Please add to Devotional List” as the subject.

Copyright © 2011 David Jeffers