Scripture

“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! Hear, O earth, the words that I say! Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew.”

~Deuteronomy 32:1-2, NLT

Quote

What is the world coming to? I will tell you in a word…JESUS!

~Adrian Pierce Rogers

Moses was a prophet, priest and king. His foresight into the future is phenomenal. Some how he knew that the Israelites would rebel.  Deuteronomy is a collection of his sermons. In preparing for a message, I went back and read chapter 32 in the New Living Translation. You need to read it: I sat in my chair spell bound as I reread this chapter that I have read many times, but for some reason it seemed new to me. Since I know that most of you will not read it, let me give you a brief summary.

God was good to the children of Israel, but they have acted corruptly toward him. Matter of fact, they were so perverse that you wouldn’t know that they were God’s chosen people at all. They became twisted and deceitful; a foolish and senseless people. Like an eagle God swooped down and lifted them out of bondage; he guided them to the promise land. In the wilderness He gave them water from a rock and bread from heaven. But the children of Israel worshiped other gods and provoked God to anger. The LORD was displeased with them and He allowed them to follow their own devices. They became a twisted generation without integrity. Israel became a senseless nation; a foolish people without understanding. They did not fear the consequences of their sin. God gave them over to their sin and their idols, but He told them, “I am the one who kills and gives life; I am the one who wounds and heals; no one can be rescued from My powerful hand!” [32:39]

Jesus also spoke of their perversity: He used adjectives like faithless, adulterous, perverse, sinful, evil to describe His present generation. He used perverse more than any other word: it means to distort, turn aside, pervert, to oppose, and to plot against the saving purposes and plans of God. The Israelites have always been a rebellion, stubborn and perverse people but this will change. Zechariah the prophet wrote, “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” {Zech. 12:10]

I firmly believe the Jews will repent in mass someday, and I am hoping soon. The LORD has miraculously preserved them for a reason. I don’t believe any nation or power on earth can destroy them because they are under God’s divine protection. I do not celebrate their perversity or their rebellion, but I will celebrate their coming to Jesus and I firmly believe they will come to Jesus.

Imagine a massive awakening among Jews! Millions turning to Christ. It would change the world in a hurry. They are everywhere which means we would have missionaries in every country. They are tenacious. They don’t give up or in. Can you imagine one million apostle Paul’s on this earth?

Extra

Do understand there are messianic Jews but less than two percent and some say as low as one. So there is a believing remnant. Another small percentage practice Judaism, but most Jews are agnostic.

We knew it was coming but we just didn’t want to talk about it: the HEAT is here. The ten day forecast is not good. It came a good rain in parts of Decatur yesterday but we got none. I am pretty sure I will be able to get in the ditches with the Gravely this week.

I ran into my old basketball buddy Steve Brown yesterday at Big Bobs. Steve had ice water in his veins; he was a natural athlete. He may have been better at the free throw line than JD; I’m not sure, but both could sink them when the game was on the line. I couldn’t even stand to watch. Speaking of feeling no pressure: Timothy Ray has them all beat. That boy wouldn’t know pressure if it bit him on neck. Visiting with Steve and Paula yesterday was just another reminder that time is flying. I can’t believe I will be 67 in August.

Good crowd last night. Sunday’s message [by request] is GOING OVERBOARD. It is about Peter walking on the water.

Have a good day. Thanks for reading the blog.

Christy Clark is not doing well. They are going to Huntsville today to get the drainage tube out. Pray for Christy, Mark and Hannah.