Give praise for God’s grace given to man for his salvation (Heb 2:5-10). #DestinedToRule #SatanLoses
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In this passage I am looking “behind the curtain.“ In my mind‘s eye I am seeing one certain angelic being brooding over the fact that God created man a little lower than the angels, but then put him in charge of the world. Did Lucifer, right then and there, decide he would destroy man, leaving him and his angelic followers in charge?
Pride entered into Lucifer’s heart. He was expelled from Heaven (Ezk 28:2; Isa 14:12–14; Rev 12:7-9). He tempted Adam and Adam chose to follow Satan. But Satan could not succeed at his plan. Jesus becoming man robbed Satan of the opportunity. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Isa 9:6). In the end, Satan and his followers, will be destroyed forever (Rev 20:10). Lord, you have clearly been looking out for me since the beginning of time.
Give full assent to the gospel message of Christ (Heb 2:1–4). #ASuperiorMessage #ASuperiorSavior
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In this passage declaring Christ as superior to angels, the writer addresses the teetering faith of these Hebrew Christians. If you believe the Law was given to Moses by angels (Deu 33:2; Acts 7:38,53; Gal 3:19) and Christ is superior to angels (Heb 1:1-13), how much more important is Christ’s message?
Jesus Christ fulfills all the Law (Mat 5:17). That was his message. Eye witnesses conveyed this truth, this salvation, to you. God confirmed this truth by many wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We today stand in this tradition of faith in Christ. Lord, I put my full faith and trust in you alone for salvation.
Remain fully engaged with the gospel message (Heb 2:1). #Don’tBeIndifferent #BeAlert #ListenWithYourFeet
Hey. … HEY!!
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
To treat the truth of Christ’s person and the gospel (Heb 1:1-13) with casual acceptance is to haplessly miss its personal atoning affect. If there is no intentional effort to listen with a view towards obedience, then the chances are you’ll slip by it and not realize it. Could be fatal.
What is the writer saying to the Christian community here? Don’t confuse compliance with commitment. Don’t assume that someone sitting in church “hearing“ the message and more or less agreeing, giving mental ascent, is fully engaged in a vital relationship with Christ. Lord, May I assume nothing of anyone I encounter or engage with, in community.
Trust Christ alone for all of life and eternity (Heb 1:12b). #JesusForAllTime #JesusNeverChanges #CountOnJesus
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Hebrews 1:12 speaks to and confirms again, the permanency of the absolute and eternal reign of Christ, the regal King–Son. This universe (heavens and earth) will pass away. [Man can never “save the planet.“]
But no matter what happens in or to this world, Jesus remains the same, “yesterday, today and forever.” The writer already has in mind Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ is the one stable and dependable force in all of time and space. Lord, no matter what is going on around me, you are the one true and stable force in my life.
May we revere and exalt God as the only source and mover of the known universe (Heb 1:10–12). #GodIsBiggerThanWeThought
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Just in case you missed or misunderstood the message of Christ’s unique place outside the universe, God reiterates it here. Jesus, the “Son“ of God, set the foundation of the earth and, with his own hands, made the universe in which earth is suspended. He is like a man who exists outside the orb of a “sno-globe.” Wrap your head around that. How big is god? Indescribably big.
Then consider this: one day the entire known (and unknown) universe will perish. This universe will wear out like an old coat. According to Hebrews Ch1, Jesus will fold it up like old clothes and discard it.* There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Jesus, the “Son,“ shall reign there forevermore. For me to worship and depend upon anything in this world is laughable, foolhardy. Lord, you are the only lasting and dependable thing in the universe.
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* Dare I make this anthropomorphistic comparison? Our universe is like the alternate universe (a giant movie set) created in the 1998 film classic, The Truman Show. When the show abruptly ended the “set” would presumably have been taken down and discarded, it’s purpose completed.
How big is God? He will one day fold up our old deteriorating universe (heaven & earth as we know it) and discard it in favor of a new heaven and a new earth (Isa 65:17; 66:22; Heb 12:26-28; Rev 21:1).
How arrogant am I, or any man or woman, be they leader or follower; sinner or saint. How feeble and weak are our prayers, plans and grand designs.
How small is our thinking that we believe that, “WE can save the planet.” OMG! All the Madero’s, Trump’s, Biden’s, Netanyahu’s, Chi’s, Macron’s, Putin‘s, Zelinsky‘s, Trudeau‘s of this world well one day bow their knee to the Lord of Glory.
How big is God? Words cannot describe the vast, enormous, immense and expansive knowledge, ability and power of God.
This simple prayer sentry stands speechless that the Lord of Glory would stoop down in Christ Jesus to communicate his love towards us; to listen to the praying saints of all time. Then answer.
Give all praise to the Lord of Glory (Heb 1:4–9,13,14). #GloryToGodInTheHighest #AllPraiseToJesusTheSon #LiftHighTheNameAboveAllNames
The Worship of Men and Angels
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
No heavenly being is called, “Son“ except Jesus. God calls him, “Son“ (Ps:m 2:7). He calls himself, “Father.“ Jesus is therefore supreme, superior to all other heavenly beings. They are servants. They do God’s bidding. Jesus sits in the place of honor. Heavenly beings worship him (Luke 2:13,14; Deu 32:43a [NLT] – Merry Christmas!).
The “Son“ sits at the right hand of God. He laid the foundation of the earth. His throne is above all thrones. His throne is forever (Psm 45:6-7). He is the anointed one (Messiah). He is joy forever more. Jesus is Lord of all. He has no equal in the universe. All the praise of this humble sentry is due him.
May our hearts be humbled at God’s gracious care for us (Heb 1:3,4). #MyHeartWorshipsJehovahGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Could anyone conceive of the greatness of God? Could anyone comprehend the majesty, power and heart of God? Never. No way, no how! But Jesus, God’s “Son,“ opens the door and gives me a glimpse into the nature and character of God.
“Genius,“ should be reserved solely as a description of God. Jesus, who created the world, also created the means (in woman) by which he would be introduced to mankind. Jesus humbled himself and came into that world by means of a virgin woman (Phi 2:5-11). His given name was Jeshua. It describes his work and mission – “God saves.“
The pre-existent Jesus, unlike any other created being, gives us the complete picture of God. We have seen his compassion. We will one day see his judgment. My understanding of all that God is amounts to less than a particle of soot from my fireplace. The scale of God’s majesty dwarfs my understanding and defies all comprehension.
But Jesus, God’s “Son,“ opens the door and gives me a glimpse into the nature and character of God. Lord, my heart is humbled that you cared to let me know of your love for me. My only response is to worship.
Listen to, follow and obey Jesus, God’s son (Heb 1:2,3). #JesusIsGod #JesusIsCreatorOfAllThings #JesusIsGodsSon
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
We read at the baptism of Jesus (Mat 3:16,17) God revealed two things about him: 1) Jesus is God’s son and 2) God was well pleased with him. Here God explains further his joy in his son, Jesus.
1) Jesus is heir of all things in his future reign; 2) he is creator of all things, setting forth God’s vision of a perfect universe; 3) he is the perfect reflection of God‘s glory and his very character; 4) he perfectly sustains all that he has created with a righteous and just power; 5) he cleansed us from all our sin at Calvary. Indeed, Jesus is the perfect reflection of God and worthy of all my allegiance and obedience.
May we grasp the meaning of God’s voice among us, in Christ (Heb 1:2).
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In the ancient past God spoke through his prophets. But in these last days (we’ve been in the last days since Jesus came), in these final days of history, God has spoken once and for all time through his son, Jesus. “If you have seen and heard me,“ Jesus said, “you have seen and heard the father“ (John 12:49,50 hi; 14:9,10; Col 3:16).
Jesus is the final word. He is the definitive, superlative word of God. Read the words of Jesus out loud and you will hear God speaking audibly (HYP). The word of Christ is superior to and supersedes all other voices. Lord, I am riveted in place as I am grasping the meaning of the words and presence of Jesus among us. He is, “IMMANUEL!”
House Democrats Cheer as McCarthy Fails to Clinch Speakership Multiple Times
That headline broke my heart over the state of rancor and disunity in our Republic. it’s ugly tentacles have our citizenry in a stranglehold.
Satan rejoices in our division.
Scripture reminds me, “Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.” Proverbs 24:17-18
Lord, may we be principled yet respectful of one another.
My pastor once said, “If you want to hear God speak in an audible voice, read the Scriptures out loud.“ Scripture is the record of God speaking to mankind. When I read the Scripture I am absorbing, digesting, ingesting the very words of God.
God has spoken to us by the prophets and other men and women chosen by him to reveal his Word (2Ti 3:16; Heb 4:12). The beginning of wisdom is to reverence God and honor his word (Pro 1:1-7). Lord, I honor you, I honor your word given for me to know you.
May the days ahead find the Church of Jesus Christ more deeply devoted, more deeply surrendered, to the call of God. May the world around her see Jesus in us. May we clarify the great gospel message of salvation.
“Jesus died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2Co 5:15).
May the Church in China, N Korea, Russia, Iran and other places where religion, freedom and liberty are suppressed, stand faithful. May Jesus Christ be exalted.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD [IS] STIFLED OR CORRUPTED, IGNORANTLY OR MALICIOUSLY (The Institutes of the Christian Religion — John Calvin)
May the Lord give grace and righteousness to prevail over division, vitriol and disunity
May the Church live a more deeply devoted and surrendered life to Jesus
May your heart cry out to God all day long through times of sacred retreat (Psm 84:2,4). #HeartsOfPraise #Prayer #SacredRetreat
Come to Your Personal Cathedral of Prayer & Praise
HERE IS ONE MORE THOUGHT FOR THE PRAYER SENTRY ON THE WALL
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Are we hungry for time with God? Are we hungry to enter into the courts of heaven, to be with God daily, living every moment before him? P.T. Forsythe said of Psalm 84:2, “Prayer brings with it, as food does, a new sense of power and health“ [You may not remember what you ate six months ago, but it nourished you. In the same way, scripture and prayer nourishes your soul]. Forsythe continues, “We are driven to [prayer] by hunger [we faint for spiritualfood], and having eaten we are refreshed.” *
Lord, my heart cries out for you in the morning watches. It cries out all day long for sacred retreat. Lord, may this old prayer sentry enter into his personal cathedral of praise to worship and commune with you (listen, talk, be silent and meditate).
In the course of calling plays the quarterback steps up to the line, sees things he did not expect and then calls an “audible.” He makes an adjustment to changing circumstances.
For reasons that are hard to share at this time, I have to, “Call an audible” and step away from posting for some time. How long, is in the Lord’s hands. Some, who know me personally, will understand.
One of the greatest joys in my life, next to knowing Jesus and standing by my beloved wife, is to spend time with God each day, listening, writing and praying. Right now those times are more challenging. The last thing I want is for my blogging to become a chore, something I have to do.
I will continue spending time with God, listening and praying. Life throws too much at us to “stand down.” I will continue to pray for my family and friends, who are dear to me. I will continue to pray for my beloved country; she is in deep need of revival in our churches and awakening in the land. I am just having to adjust how and when I can grab that time.
Thank you for signing up to receive my posts. I didn’t want to just disappear from your inbox with no explanation.
Worship God; point all men to him (Psalm 100). #Worship #GiveThanksToGod #KnowGod #ComeToGod
Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving; His Courts With Praise
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Some might try to make the case that only God‘s righteous ones could genuinely appreciate this Psalm of thanksgiving and joy. But it seems that this is a call to all men to worship the Lord, to enter his gates and courts with thanksgiving and praise. Entering into his temple was never intended to be reserved only for the religious elite.
Here, as in Romans 1:19–21, God makes it clear that all men were created by him and can clearly see him and know him. God desires to fellowship with us. His love endures to all generations past, present and future. God is no respecter of persons. His faithfulness extends to all. The door is open to come and worship. All may come and know him. Lord, use this old sentry to point men to you.
Worship well in thanksgiving to God for his goodness and blessings (Psm 100). #Doxology #OldHundredth #APsalmOfThanksgiving #Worship
QE11, Celebrates 70 Year Reign (With Outtakes of 1953 Coronation)
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
“Old Hundredth” – A song paraphrased after Psm 100 and put to music in 1562 by William Keith, Scottish clergyman. It would have been sung by the early Pilgrims who settled in America; probably the only hymn of theirs still printed in hymn books today. It is a favorite Psalm read everywhere at Thanksgiving.
“Old Hundredth” is titled, “All People that on Earth do Dwell” * and set to the tune we all know as the “DOXOLOGY.“ A favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, it was used in her 1953 coronation and in her celebration of an unprecedented 70 year reign (video above).
Watching the video one might say, “Too much pump and high church.“ Before we criticize, consider – God might say, “Well Done” and be surprisingly pleased. Is there anything to regal for him? Lord, in my daily personal place of worship, may I wax worthy in my prayers, devotion, worship and daily coronation of you as my Monarch, my Lord, my King.
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* Psalm 100 was paraphrased and set to the 1547 tune we know as the “Doxology.” It is titled, “All People that on Earth do Dwell.”
All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell; Come ye before Him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise; Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His Name always,For it is seemly so to do.
For why? the Lord our God is good; His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost, The God Whom Heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel host, Be praise and glory evermore.
Only the touch of God will/can save a nation from godless influences and ideologies. Let the sweet aroma of prayer for revival and spiritual awakening lay thickly before God as a dense fog covers a deep autumn morning.
Shall we believe in prayer for America as the blessed missionary to India, Amy Carmichael (CIRCA 1930s), did for her beloved India mission?
The persistent intercessor will not shrink to give a few solemn moments to consider these thoughtful words from Amy Carmichael on the power of prayer? May we be encouraged in our prayers for America by her words, taken from her own autobiographical writings, Gold Cord, 1932.*
“The true India (as America) is sensitive and very gentle. There is a wisdom in [India’s] ways, none the less wise because it is not the wisdom of the West. This [alien] spirit which traffics in children [inside Hindu temple walls] is callous and fierce as a ravening beast; and it’s wisdom descended not from above, but it is earthly, sensual, devilish. And this spirit, alien to the land, has settled upon it and made itself at home in it, and so become a part of it that nothing but the touch of God will ever get it out. We want that touch of God: ‘Touch the mountains and they shall smoke’ (Psm 144:5). That is why we write.”
(Just so, there is an alien spirit in America that has attached itself and made a home for itself in our land. It is a spirit of dissidence, strife, murder, sexual perversion and who knows what else. Only the touch of God on our land will root it out.)
Carmichael continues, “We write for those who believe in prayer – not in the emasculated modern sense, but in the old Hebrew sense, deep as the other is shallow. We believe there is some connection between knowing and caring and praying, and what happens afterward. Otherwise we should leave the darkness to cover the things that belong to the dark. We should be forever dumb about them, if it were not that we know an evil covered up is not an evil conquered. So we do the thing from which we shrink with strong recoil; we stand on the edge of the pit, and look down and tell what we have seen, urged by the longing within us that the Christians of England [our homeland, of America] should pray.
‘Only pray?’ does someone ask?
Prayer of this sort never stops with praying. ‘Whatsoever he saith onto you, do it’ (Jhn 2:5), is the prayer’s solemn afterward. The prayer we ask is no trifle. ‘Arise cry out in the night; in the beginning of the night watches pour out thine heart like water before the Lord; lift up thine hands toward him for the life of the young children [sold into temple trafficking].’
(So we continue crying out in the night, in our morning watches, for the heart and soul of America. May we continue to pour out our hearts like water before the Lord; lifting up Holy hands for the spiritual life of our beloved nation.)
Carmichael: “The story of [India’s rescued] children is the story of answered prayer. If any of us were tempted to doubt whether, after all, prayer is a genuine transaction and answers to prayer no figment of the imagination – but something as real as the tangible things about us – we have only to look at some of our children [saved from temple trafficking]. It would require more faith to believe that what we call “the Answer,” came by chance or by the action of some unintelligible combination of controlling influences, then to accept the statement and it’s simplicity – God heard; God answered.”
The story of America’s next great awakening will be written in the prayers of God’s people; in the incense that arises to the great prayer rooms of heaven. Let the sweet aroma of prayer for revival and spiritual awakening lay thickly before God as a dense fog covers a deep autumn morning.
Give thanks for God’s merciful, forgiving nature (Psm 99:6–9). #GiveThanksToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
God our king is holy; he is separate, set apart from men. But this monarch is also merciful and forgiving. He answers prayer. He listens to the pleas of the intercessor. He speaks to his people and they listen. When they ignore him, he punishes them. But he forgives them at the first sign of sincere repentance.
Yes, God is exalted as holy. But his arm is not so short that he cannot save, nor his ear so dull that he does not listen when we call (Isa 59:1).
Psalm 99 gives rise to Psalm 100.
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
Lord, I give thanks for your mercy, for answered prayer, for listening when I call unto you. I give thanks for your forgiveness.
Honor, respect God’s name with your words and with your life (Psm 99:1–5). #RespectTheNameOfGod #HonorGodsName #RespectTheHoly
“KAVOD” (honor, respect)
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In our home we had just one rule for our kids growing up. “You’re a Christian, you belong to God; you’re a Hollar, you belong to me.” In other words, if you always honor the name, you’ll never be in trouble.
God‘s name is synonymous with his nature. His name is “Holy.“ He himself is “holy“ How loosely and randomly we describe things as holy. “Holy cow; holy mackerel; holy smokes,“ Et.al. I’ve heard much worse. There is only one holy. He is the THE HOLY. “Holy” describes God’s nature. He is set apart – sinless, morally perfect, in every way honorable.
Any other use of “holy” is degenerate. To carelessly invoke God’s name is to besmirch, soil the very fabric of his nature. Be certain, the next time you use God‘s name, that it is done with the honor and respect ascribed to him. The only acceptable use of God’s name is to honor and bow low at its use. Lord, may this old sentry honor your holy name with his words and life.
Exalt The faithfulness and loyal love of God (Psm 98:1–9). #JoyToTheWorld #FaithfulAndExalted
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Sing a song of joy. Exalt God‘s power and majesty. The Lord has come. He has shown his salvation and righteousness to the nations. He has fulfilled his promise to faithfully & loyally love. “Joy to the world…Let heaven and nature sing“ – X3 (times 3). He is thrice exalted.
He came as promised once. He will come again as promised (Acts 1:10,11). He came to save. He will come again to judge. Sing to the Lord. He has done wonderful things. Lord, the heart of this old sentry exalts the Lamb of God…the Lion of Judah. He will fulfill all he has promised.
Look to the glorious return and presence of our God & King (Psm 97:1-9). #TheGloryOfOurGod #JesusWillReignOverEarth #RejoiceInTheLord #GodFlipsTheScript
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
No need to panic. No need for God‘s righteous ones to wring their hands. Be anxious for nothing. The Lord is king and his return flips the script. The glory of the Lord, his presence, his epiphany is announced in creation (ominous clouds, blazing fire, flashing lightning, earthquakes, mountains shaken).
God is always at work in and through the affairs of men. None of what happens on earth surprises God, nor alters his plan.
When God shows up he flips the script. Idol worshipers will know in an instant that they were wrong. Every lesser god, every lifeless stone, wood, metal Idol will bow down to the supreme Lord of the earth. All of his godly ones will rejoice. Lord, I am emboldened in my spirit to stand strong in the Lord my God.
May trust in God be revealed in a heart of rejoicing (Psm 97:10-12) #RejoiceInTheLord #SeeMyJoySeeMyTRUST
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In the midst of disappointments, setbacks, and failures, do God‘s righteous ones have anything in which to rejoice? Rejoicing in disappointment may seem like a nonstarter. But TRUST in God in the midst of setbacks is certainly a possibility.
TRUST, like love or faith cannot be seen. But acts of love, acts of faith, can and should be seen. TRUST is manifested, seen, observed, in the life that rejoices in God’s grace and mercy, even in the midst of disappointment. Lord, may my heart of TRUST in you to sustain me, be seen in a spirit that finds JOY in you.
Do not fear unjust leaders; trust in God (Psm 94:20,21,23). #StandInFaith #TrustInGodAlone
Unjust Leaders Will Shall Not Stand
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Unjust, corrupt and villainess leaders who seek, through power and legislation, to destroy the righteous, will themselves be destroyed by the power of God. All of their sin and evil intentions will be turned against them and destroy them.
By whose hand will their destruction come? By the hand of the Lord our God. Ultimately the righteous have much to watch to look forward (vv12-15). The ungodly have only destruction to which to look forward. Lord, I stand in the traditions of faith looking to you for justice against ungodly men.
The Prayer Sentry 