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MJRVIC2000's Recent Blog Entries
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Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Merciful and Loving Father, preserve our life; save all of Your servants who trust in You; be merciful to us, O Lord; to You we lift up our soul, for You are good and ready to forgive. Among the world’s gods there is none like You; for You are GREAT and do wondrous things. Teach us Your ways, O Lord; deliver our souls from the depths of death and the grave; save us from our adversaries. You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and are gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in mercy and truth. Strengthen us by Your power and might; show us Your sign of Love for good, that those who hate us may see it and be ashamed. Help us, O Lord, and comfort us in Jesus. This we pray in His Glorious name. Amen!
Vic.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
HUR, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH , Tue, 7/10/2012
Ex. 17:8-13 THANK GOD FOR GUYS LIKE HUR, Lesson 13a
This is a very important moment in the life of the nation of Israel. As they journey toward the Promised Land, they are faced with their first encounter with an enemy army. The Bible tells us that they came face to face with the armies of Amalek. These people were a nomadic tribe that was a constant thorn in the side of the people of Israel. In this first encounter, they prove their nature by conducting an unprovoked attack against the Israelites. This prompts the Lord to promise the total annihilation of the Amalekites. This promise was later fulfilled.
In this scene from the travels of Israel, we find the great leader Moses mentioned, along with Aaron, as well as the first mention of the future leader Joshua. All of these men were great leaders in the history of Israel and all played a very important role in the early history of this great nation. However, there is another man mentioned in these verses that deserves our attention: his name is Hur. This is a man who steps out of nowhere, does a great work and then disappears into the same shadows from which he came.
People have long looked to Moses and Joshua as great leaders and as role models. Both men are classed, and rightfully so, as true heroes of the faith. However, I would like to say that the real heroes of this particular story are Aaron and Hur. Notice the context. When Moses hands were held up, as a sign of intercession, Israel prevailed in the battle. When Moses' hands were allowed to fall down, Amalek prevailed. After a while, Moses became to weary to hold his own hands up that Aaron and Hur stepped up and held Moses' hands up until the battle was finished. In my mind, they are the true heroes here. Of these two, Hur seems to stand out in my mind. Here is a man about whom we know next to nothing, yet he enabled an entire nation to see a great victory.
Today, I would like to pay tribute to every Hur in the House of God. I would like to honor all those who are willing to take the second seat. Those who are willing to make up the second line. People who are often unnoticed, un-thanked and underappreciated, people just like Hur. People who perform a function in the Body of Christ that is so vital, but who never get the recognition they deserve. People who enable the rest of us to do what the Lord has called us, that is those who make up the front line, those who take the first seat, .
Allow me to share with you four characteristics of guys like Hur that make them very special to the Kingdom work of God. Today, I want to tell you why I thank God “For Guys Like Hur“.
V. 12 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE ABSOLUTELY INVALUABLE
In this story, Moses is unable to hold his hands up, and if they fall, then the Amalekites will certainly win the battle. However, Aaron and Hur step forth and hold the hands of Moses up until the battle is won.
The task Hur accomplished that day doesn't sound like a lot to you and me, however, had is not been for the work of this man, Moses would not have had the strength to do his job, and Joshua would never have been able to lead Israel to victory in the battle. To me, Aaron and Hur are the heroes of this conflict. Had they not been there, the battle would have been lost and Israel would have been defeated! The job they performed was absolutely invaluable!
May I say that things haven't changed? In the church, there are still found the Moses', the Aaron's and the Joshua's. There are still those people who get the credit, those who get seen, those who do the headline grabbing work of the ministry, but behind everyone of those people, there is an army of Hur's. There is a vast number of people who are praying, fasting, and carrying the load so that the first line people are able to do their work. People who pray and seek the Lord's face and lift up the hands of those who are weary in the Lord's work are absolutely indispensable.
Every now and then I'll teach a message that helps someone. After the service, people will come up and tell me they enjoyed it, that it helped them, that they were blessed. People will try to give me the credit. However, I know that anything good that comes out of this mouth and mind, comes from the Lord. I also know that every time I stand to teach, I do so after some saint of God has spent hours before the Lord on my behalf. Nothing means as much to me as the knowledge that some of God's most precious people are holding my hands up in prayer. I want you to know today that I appreciate you. I love you and I beg you not to quit! Please stand in the gap for those who are out in front! The world may never know your name, but if the battle is ever to be won it will be won by the saints of God who are winning the victory in the closet of prayer as they lift up the hands of God's servants.
Even Jesus had some who held up His hands as He ministered, (Mark 15:40-41). If the aid of others helped the Lord, then how could anyone think that they could get by without it? This church would be nothing if it weren't for those people who spent time lifting it up in prayer. This teacher would be nobody if it weren't for the Hur's among us. God bless everyone who stands in the gap for God's servants! No price could ever be placed on what people like Hur are worth to the church!
TODAY’S HYMN!
“Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus” By George Duffield (1858)
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.
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Monday, July 09, 2012
Most Holy Father, the world is full of people who shouts curses against others, and others responds with blessings against them. Please Father, do not curse our blessings when we chose to be disobedient. Help us to recognize that which is good and that which is bad. You, O God are Good, Loving and Merciful: always ready to forgive We do not deserve Your grace but we seek it. In our weakness we seek Your strength and power. In our failures we seek Your forgiveness and mercy. God our Creator, empower us to honor You in word, thought, and action, so we may be a blessing to others. This we pray in the Blessed name of Jesus, Amen!
Vic.
Monday, July 09, 2012
MOSES, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH, Mon, 7/9/2012
Exodus 16:11-15
MANNA: WHAT IS IT? Lesson 12c
ITS COMING PICTURES JESUS
Where the Manna came and to who it appeared also says something about this miracle bread.
16:1, 14 It Came To A Forsaken Place – The children of Israel were wandering around in a harsh, barren wilderness when the Manna began to appear. When Jesus came, He came for people who were trapped in the wilderness of their sins, (Eph. 2:1-3). He came to deliver people who had no hope of delivering themselves. He came to set the captives of sin free, (Luke 4:18). Thank God, Jesus came to where we were. Had He just come for the good people, Heaven would have been a lonely place. No, He came for the lost, the sinful and damned. He came for us, (Mark 2:17).
16:2-3 It Came To A Foolish People – God sent the Manna to a people who longed for what they had left behind in Egypt. They were tired of God’s plan and God’s way. They did not deserve His blessings. Still, He sent those foolish people the food they needed.
So it is with Jesus Christ. He came to a people that wanted nothing to do with Him, (John 1:11). He came to a people that hated Him, mocked Him and ultimately crucified Him. Yet, He came to them anyway. He came in love, grace and forgiveness. He came to offer them eternal life, if they would only believe in Him and obey Him. He makes the same offer to every one today.
Folks, I was not looking for Him when He came to me. I was lost and on my way to Hell. I knew there was a God and that I was going to meet Him some day. I knew I would probably face Him in judgment. But, I did not care about Him. I did not give Him much thought at all. Yet, it appears that He gave me plenty of thought. He broke into my darkness and called me to new life in Jesus Christ, as He reached down His hand for me!
Conc: What about you? Have you ever tasted that Heavenly Bread? Have you been saved by the grace of God? If you have, then you know what “IT” is all about! If not, you can be, if the Lord is calling you. Verse 4 tells us that the Manna was sent to test the people. It was sent to test their obedience. The same is true with Jesus, (John 8:24). There is so much more that could be said about the Manna. Verse 7 tells us that the Manna was sent to reveal God’s glory. Friends, God receives more glory from saving an old sinner than from anything else in this world. If you need Him why not give Him glory and come to Him today?
Can you imagine eating the same food for forty straight years? I am sure many got bored with the same old Manna year after year. That is why some tried to change is, (Num 11). Well, some have gotten that way about Jesus too. The sameness of going to church and serving the Lord has led to boredom in your life, and you are not as close to Him today as you once were or as you need to be. You need to slip into His altar today and say, “Thank you Lord for giving me the Bread of Life. Thank you for the Heavenly Manna. Thank you for saving my soul.” Think about what a mess you would be in if He had not saved you!
TODAY’S HYMN!
“Nearer, Still Nearer” By Lelia N. Morris (1898)
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior so precious Thou art!
Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast.
Shelter me safe in that "Haven of Rest;"
Shelter me safe in that "Haven of Rest."
Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offr'ing to Jesus, my King;
Only my sinful, now contrite heart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine!
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride,
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.
Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last.
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee!
SHARE THIS LESSON WITH A FRIEND!
Sunday, July 08, 2012
Heavenly Father, God of Comfort, comfort is a gift we receive from You because You are The True God of Comfort. In Your comfort we find security from tensed situations of life. We find comfort in You and in Your Word and in Your Spirit when we are frightened , hurt or sad. We thank You for people You place in our life whose presence is comforting and supportive. We thank You for Jesus and the comfort He provides us daily through His Love, Mercy and Grace. We find comfort coming to Your Throne of Grace because we know You hear our prayers and You answer them. Thank You Father! Thank You Jesus! Thank You Holy Spirit! These things we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Vic.
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