Saved for the last…
Filed in NHL |“I baptize you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the name that represents all that God is as Father, as Son, and as Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Good morning Journal.
Yep. Those were the very words that I spoke over my youngest grandson, Jared, last evening. What a thrill to get to baptize my ‘baldie’ buddie. (Jared had his head shaved to get on the same page as paw-paw.)
It was such an awesome time to get to participate in some of the congregational worship at Christian Challenge. Of course everyone had to give me? space. My immune system limits my contact with? the public. It really hurt not to be able to hug the kids who came up to me. Well. Hugging days are coming again.? ? :)
Up at 5 a.m. - Had my cheese-toast and banana. CJ and I strolled after the paper. Didn’t take us long to settle down into our ‘time-to-meet-with-our-King’ mode. Course as usual, CJ snores with his head in my lap.
This has been a very interesting journey through 2 Chronicles. I was so aware yesterday that the Lord wanted me to hold the last chapter for this morning’s devotion. He had much to share with me concerning saved for the last.
Let me do a run down on my morning reading.
2 Chronicles chapter 36:
Verses 5, 9 and 12 all say the same thing; “And he did evil in the sight of the Lord.”
Three kings back-to-back continue in the ways of evil. Isn’t this astonishing? What a sad commentary on the kings of Jerusalem.
It gets even more interesting. As I read, my mind was drawn to a parallel scene some hundreds of years later. Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the? prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!?
“Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the times comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of? the Lord.” (Luke 13:34,35 nasb.)
2 Chronicles chapter 36, verses 15,16 says that the Lord sent word to Jerusalem again and again by His prophets. They mocked the messengers of God and scoffed at His prophets. Finally it says, “Until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy.”
Reaching across history such was the case when General Titus destroyed both Jerusalem and the temple in 70 a.d. It is heart wrenching to read about the slaughter, the slavery, and the horror recorded in? that time of Israel’s? history.
The cause has already been stated. But the Lord added this to His words, saying, “[The Roman armies] will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19:44 nasb.)
What happened to Jerusalem in 70 a.d., is a repeat of the ending of 2 Chronicles.? It says that the army of Babylon, “Burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles. Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon…”
Is there any hope when such a terrible judgment of God falls? Absolutely. This is where we little understand just how sovereign God is in His plans.
The Lord later speaks through Jeremiah to the captives in Babylon, “‘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. Then you will call upon Me [speaking of Jesus] and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord,’ and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you…’” (Jeremiah 29:11-14 nasb.)
I pray that you understand just how important this prophecy is. In 1948 there began a regathering of Israel to her ancient land. The apostle Paul speaks of this mystery gathering, when he says,
“For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery–so that you will not be wise in your own estimation–that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion. He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’” (Romans 11:25-27 nasb.)
Did you know that more Jews are coming to Jesus today than ever in the history of the Christ-rejecting nation?? Rabbi Tovia Singer of Jerusalem, who by the way is very anti-Christian,? says that more Jews have converted to Christianity in the last nineteen years than in the last nineteen hundred years.
His remark about the ‘last nineteen years’ was made a number of years ago. I read it in the Jerusalem Post. There is a movement in Israel to reclaim Jesus to their history. It hasn’t reached the point of calling Him, God. It is getting closer all the while.
Think I’ll close out this sharing on my morning devotion. Tomorrow I begin with the book of Ezra. Can’t wait to meet Jesus there in another garden of His delights. (It is wonderful how the Lord continues to sanctify my mind. I am deeply grateful to the Lord for His goodness to me.)
Another bit on CJ. My buddie? keeps? wanting Betty to trade places with him? in the evening. She let’s CJ sit next to me every once in a while. Not always.? We both like our cuddling too much.
CJ reminds me a great deal of another dog I had when I was a policeman in Moab, Utah.? As? I would drive around town in my panel truck, Butch did not mind Betty sitting in the front with? me, but she had to let him sit by the window.
Butch was another? precious dog companion. He would literally ride on the back of my trail bike when I went about exploring the mountain areas near Moab. I have a picture of Butch and me. (I’m in? my police uniform. Another precious memory.)
6:55 a.m. Time to get about things. Emptied the dishwasher. Headed for my parsonage office to see who may need help this morning. (Sort of quiet on the computer. Just a few stirrings.)
Need to go later to Cabrini for my blood work. We’ve decided to pass? by the take-out window at Outlaws Restaurant and pick up? ribs for lunch. Stop watering mouth! Stop watering! That is a command!? ? ? ? ? :)
I’ve must say this about my treasure from heaven. My Betty is the most unique woman that I have ever seen. She has such a servant’s heart. Her care for me is wonderful.
But you know, I noticed similar traits in? her siblings. I’ve always admired her Green family. Really haven’t had a lot of time to be around her brothers. Yet her sisters have always been such faithful companions.
Perhaps the point I would make is that while I am so grateful the Lord gave me Betty for my lifetime companion, I can see where any of the Green girls would have made a good pastor’s wife. It is simply in their nature to be faithful. Funny though - I’ve also wondered if some of this can be contributed to their Indian heritage. (Not taking anything from their spiritual heritage.)
9:50 a.m. Second stroll with CJ.? Nathan probably tending to business elsewhere. Didn’t want to disrupt Jon. I’ll talk with them later.
10:30 a.m. Nathan? to the house for a check-up on? things. Always? good to visit with him. His teaching last evening on ‘Diligence’ was so practical and Biblically well placed. What a gift of teaching Nathan has.
11:45 a.m. - Off to Cabrini for blood work. Next stop is? Outlaws for our ribs. Wowee. What a meal. I am so stuffed.
Well, it’s 2:10 p.m. I’m back to answering emails. Seem folk are desiring? more studies. This is an area that I enjoy working in. Of course I must always have an inspiring thought from the Lord. He then guides me in putting a study together.
Think I’ll call it quits for the day. Don’t want to bore anyone with my ‘much to do about nothing.’ Besides that, my buddie CJ is out back perching in the sun. Betty and I plan to look at our DVD on Nardia. Love that movie. It has its Christian base. (C. S. Lewis wrote the book.)
Talk with you later. Lots of love.
Buddy
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