July 16, 2010 The Prince of Peace Builds His House

There is a generation that does great warfare in the spirit and subdues their enemies all around.  They gather the foundation stones and all the materials needed to build the temple-- a temple for God's name.  These great stones are foundational truths from the Word of God.  These they quarry and hew and dress with great labors.  They gather the knowledge (trees) and the tested, pure testimony of God (gold tried in the fire).  They dig deep for rubies and diamonds and sapphires and emeralds of revelation and bequeath these treasures to their children.  All these things they prepare for the next generation, imparting to them a great love and value of the truth, until the children become the stones and the trees and the gold.  The children become the jewels for the King's crown.  The parents prepare all:  they impart the vision: they lay down their lives so the children can be built into the house for God's name. 

The Prince of Peace spares no expense in building His habitation, which must be glorious.  He is a man of rest, for He has subdued His enemies all around.  His name is Peaceful.  His children rest in Him and are assured of peace, for they are secure in Him.  There is no more intimidation or striving in war, for just a word and the enemies all around cower and flee.  The house is built quietly and with a noble order so reverent that no voice is heard except that of the Prince.  He places His stones with great care, for they are living, breathing beings who are equally at home in the heavenly realm as in the earthly realm.  Nothing can shake them because they are being built together in peace. 

The house for the name of God is exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries.  There the name of God is revealed in all its facets, and the worship of Him creates such splendor that the nations are drawn to its boundless wisdom, beauty, holiness and power.   

July 12, 2010 What We're All About

This simple statement is so powerful on its own that I really don't feel the need to say much about it:  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 NKJV  It was the Apostle Paul's mission statement in a way, if I remember rightly what that term means.  It was what he was all about, in a nutshell.

After reading in Acts about the conversion and ministry of Paul, I am quite ready to learn from him (via the Holy Spirit) about the power and righteousness of God, the walk of faith, and the message of the gospel of Christ.  I want to have his heart, for truth and for souls, imparted to me-- you? 

I think I enjoyed, more than ever before,  vicariously going on those mission trips as I imagined sailing on the numerous ships to various places, seeing the miracles and rejoicing in the people who received Christ.  Now I am looking forward to sitting at that preacher's feet, in a way, and letting the things that motivated him to so lay down his own life get into me and motivate me.  There is no time barrier in the Kingdom of God.  It's just as real and alive now as it was then.  With this attitude, then, I plan on diving into the letters and coming out changed.  Want to join me?