May 6

NUMBERS 14
It was a hot Oklahoma day. The sand was deep on the red dirt road. My bicycle tires were bogging down in the sand. My 8-year-old legs were worn out from our 6.5-mile-one-way trip to Yost Lake. It sounded like a great idea when my older brother suggested it. “Let’s ride out to the lake and back.” I think the temperature peaked out that day at over 100 degrees. When we were in eyesight of the lake, our dog Lucky headed straight for it and without hesitation dove in the water to cool off. The swimming beach was on the other side of the lake. At that time it cost $0.25 for non-members to enter. My brother and I did not have the quarter to pay, nor did we have our swimsuits with us. But the entrance guard was a friend of ours so he gave us some cool water to drink and let us sit in the shade of his guard shack to cool off a little while. Then we headed back home. Whenever we hit the thick sand, I did not have the momentum to keep the bike going. As a result, I had to get off and push my bike through the sand. I was exhausted and frustrated from pushing my bike. My brother was frustrated with me for not being able to keep up. He had the strength to keep going through the sand. I didn’t have it. A little ways down the country road we came across the railroad tracks. The railroad tracks formed the hypotenuse of a right triangle with the country road and highway as the legs. My brother had a great idea. “Let’s take the railroad tracks back. It’ll be a lot shorter.” He had no problem negotiating the railroad ties. I couldn’t do it. Now instead of pushing my bike through four miles of occasional deep sand, I was pushing it
constantly on railroad ties. I was hot, tired, frustrated, crying and grumbling against my brother.
I think, that was a day that I could identify with the Israelites. They had been almost a year and a half in the desert. The spies returned home with the news that while the land was indeed a land of milk and honey, the inhabitants were giants. Sitting camped in the southern Negev desert, they were hot, tired,dirty, and frustrated. They did more than a little grumbling against Moses. Joshua and Caleb sought to intercede for Moses and Aaron. The congregation picked up stones to kill Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb. They would have done it too, except that at the last moment God let His glory appear. He was ticked. They had not just rebelled against Moses, but against the Lord. Ever wonder what His glory looked like when it appeared? Whatever it looked like, it was scary enough to stop the mob action dead in its tracks. They learned a new form of the fear of the Lord.
Do you suppose the children of Israel could hear the conversation which transpired between Moses and the Lord? When God appeared in His glory, why did He threaten to kill all the Israelites? He knows the beginning from the end. He knew that He was not going to kill them. Why did He threaten this? I think He wanted to instill a greater fear of Himself in the Israelites, and He wanted to teach us the importance of intercession for others, even those who would kill us. Jesus modeled that intercession upon the cross when uttered, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” Stephen modeled it when he was dying and cried out, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” Moses, unlike Jesus and Stephen, was spared death at this point, and he was successful in interceding for them! What was his appeal? It was God’s own glory! After all, what kind of glory would it be if God took them out of Egypt only to kill them in the desert? This incident is recorded to cause us to know the importance of His glory!
The Israelites also heard the delayed sentence which was pronounced upon them. Everyone, except Caleb an Joshua, twenty years old and older would die in the desert never being able to enjoy what should have been theirs. So what importance do you think we should put on the glory of God today? I should put my everything upon it! Life may feel like I
am bogged down in the sand. I may feel like I am pushing a bike across railroad ties. I may feel like grumbling against my brother. But remember,He wants to show His glory not only to me but also in me. So keep on pushing! He will show it! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

* *

PSALM 125
Last summer Jesse and I possessed the good fortune to stand in the midst of the city of David. It certainly is not the highest peak around. The Mount of Olives towers to the east. Mt. Moriah and Scopas tower to the north. Other peaks loom on the west. To the south reach peaks, which on the other side lays Bethlehem. I suppose that those mountains afforded some protection for the city of David. But I guess the issue is not how much protection the mountains provide, but that they surround the city. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people. He surrounds me.
Because He surrounds me, the rule of the wicked cannot remain in my life. He will not allow it. The wicked may touch and rule elements of my life briefly, but it cannot rest there, for evil cannot remain in His presence. He will cause the wicked to leave in order keep me from falling into his snare. Sometimes it feels like evil surrounds me completely, but if I look out into the distance, I see His peaks towering in the distance. He still surrounds me. He still is working to remove the scepter of the unrighteous from my life. He won’t let iniquity rest in me. Now that is glory! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

* *

ISAIAH 36
The Rabshakeh was partially right. Hezekiah had torn down some altars. Listen to 2 Kings 18:4:
He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan.
First, Hezekiah removed the high places. So what is so wrong with having high places? Originally, the Lord had instructed the people that they should only bring their sacrifices to the door of the tabernacle. (See Leviticus especially chapter 4.) The purpose for that was so that the Levites and Priests could instruct the people in the knowledge of the Lord. But in a day when travel was mostly by foot, going to the tabernacle was too difficult to spend days travelling in order to worship the Lord. I am sure it was much easier to incorporate some of the ways of the Canaanites to worship Yahweh. Why not just worship the Lord where it was convenient. Why not just worship the Lord on a nearby hill or mountain. After all, the hills and mountains are closer to the heavens. Why travel for days to the tabernacle? So, many began sacrificing, as did their neighbors, on the high places around them.
Second, Hezekiah tore down the altars. Centuries before when the children of Israel needed something to help them focus upon the Lord at their high places, what were they to use? Well, their neighbors used poles to help them worship. The poles represented the male sexual organ. The reason for that symbol was to represent fertility. What they wanted more than anything else was for God to bless them in their fields, fertility. That was the road to health, wealth and prosperity. If Yahweh was the true God, would He not be the one who blesses them with fertility. But they had not been coming to the tabernacle to be taught by the Levites and Priests. Consequently they did not believe that they were transgressing the Lord’s commands, particularly the one found in Lev. 26:1-2:
‘You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God. 2 You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.
It is not clear how much the people understood of Hezekiah’s righteous acts. But it is clear that he understood his acts. As the enemy always does, he twists the righteous acts and teaching of a man to cause ‘believers’ to turn on the truth. The Rabshakeh points out that Hezekiah has torn down these altars and poles. And he uses that knowledge to threaten the people of God. The Rabshakeh had defeated all of the Northern Nation of Israel. He had invaded most of the Southern Nation of Judah and now surrounded Jerusalem. What would the people do? What would Hezekaih do? The Rabshakeh appeals to them to use common sense and surrender to him. Can Yahweh truly deliver?
Today the Enemy has surrounded the church. The church has in many senses fallen into the way the world worships. We use it to approach our holy God. What do we do? If it is not of God, it should be torn down. If we do not, He will, Lev 26:30,31. How can we discern what is of God and what is not? The leaders on the Jerusalem wall said not a word. They took the Rabshakeh’s message to Isaiah. What would he do? He sought God for this was an issue concerning God’s glory! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

* *

LUKE 23:26-56
Have you ever been falsely accused? Everybody has at one time or another. Think back on that occasion. How did you feel about your accusers? How did you feel about the truly guilty ones? How did you feel in general? Did you even stop to think about what was going on in the minds of those around you including your accusers? If you did think about them, were they thoughts of forgiveness? My basic and usual reaction is defensive. Is yours? It probably is. But not Jesus. His thoughts were toward others.
Carrying His cross down the streets of Jerusalem, He collapsed beneath the load. I would have been having a major pity party at the time. Not Jesus. Women were mourning for Him alongside the street. He tells them their pity is misdirected. He knows of a coming day when the city will be sacked. His concern is for them. Before He came to the cross He was innocent, holy and pure. Before becoming flesh, He was the adoring focus of all the heavenly creatures and constantly proclaimed holy by them. Before His arrest He was protected by angels and ministered to by them. Now He hung between criminals, was mocked by the gawkers and abused by the soldiers. And concerning those He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Hanging on the cross one of the criminals blasphemed Him. The other thief recognized Jesus' innocence. He begged remembrance when Jesus was to come into His Kingdom. (Now there is amazing faith.) Jesus promised Him that that very day they would be together in Paradise.
It is not recorded in Luke's Gospel, but it is in others. Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus felt that even God had accused Him. He had. But His accusation was just. The Father placed our sin upon Jesus and then condemned and judged Him. False? Yes and No at the same time. Sinner? Yes, in our place. Sinner? No, before this time, nor since. In the midst of the weight of the judgment upon Him against our sin He says, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." The Father's true/false accusation killed Him. But He was willing to take it in our place. There is no hint of hatred or defensiveness in Jesus on the cross. Forgiveness and love flowed as freely as His blood. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

May 5

NUMBERS 12-13

When the glory wanes before our eyes,
Obstacles loom in gigantic size.

Miriam and Aaron complained about Moses’ selection of a new wife. We are not told what happened to Zipporah. Perhaps she died. Perhaps Moses was following the cultural norm by taking second wife. At any rate, Zipporahwas the daughter of a Midianite Priest, not from Ethiopia. Do I detect a bit of racism here? At any rate, Miriam heavily criticized Moses for this selection. In so doing her main object was not Moses’ selection of wife. After all, Moses was 81 years old at this time, and she makes a point that God had spoken through her as well. What she really was criticizing was Moses’ authority. Why did Miriam not fear criticizing Moses? It was more important to her that others see that God spoke to her than to respect the line of authority which began with Moses. Her view of the glory was fixed
upon people not the Lord.
God commanded that spies be sent into the land. Ten of the twelve brought back a bad report. After all the miracles they had seen in the last year, why did they not believe that they could take the land? They themselves gave the answer, “There we saw the giants . . . ; and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” They had taken their eyes off of the glory of God, off of the ability of God, and placed it upon themselves. When we cannot see the glory of the Lord, it is usually because we are in the way.
What obstacles are between me and the Lord? Maybe it is my own ability. I choose to look at the glory of the Lord. I will not back down for His before me. I will only back down when He makes it clear that I should. He can overcome any obstacle. He can move mountains. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

* *

PSALM 124
We always wanted Steve on our side. When dividing up sides in grade school for football or baseball, it was always advantageous to have him on our side. He was strong, athletic and fast. Usually, whichever side had Steve was the side which won. What a contrast to myself. I remember clearly times in ninth grade basketball when we would divide up sides to scrimmage; a groan was usually let loose by the team when they found that I was to be appointed to their side. Anyway, it was always good to be on the side of the talented and able guys.
Isn’t it good to know that we can be on the Lord’s side? I want the Creator of Heaven and earth to be on my side when I am in the midst of a Hurricane Sandy. Then I know that I will either come through it victoriously, or I will be heaven with Him. No flood or wave can defeat me. No emotional turmoil will overcome me. Yes, it will be hard, but He will save me. After all, His very name, Jesus, means Yahweh saves. I will hide in His name, because there I will find salvation! If He can make heaven and earth, He can save me. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

* *

ISAIAH 35
I traveled a little in Senegal. Senegal is on the west coast of Africa. It is as close as you can get to the United States and still be on mainland Africa. It is on the edge of the Sahara Desert. The Sahara is not the only desert in Senegal. Of the 5,000,000 Wolof people in Senegal there are only about 120 believers. That is about 1 believer for every 41,667 unbelievers. In the city of Stillwater, where I live, there are about 47,000 people living. If we had the same ratio here of believers as among the Wolof people in Senegal, I would be the only Christian in Stillwater. That is a desert of the word.
Right after the Lord reveals His glory in His wrath, He will reveal His glory in a more pleasant way. He will do many things that will be very encouraging to us. He will make the deserts blossom. Can you imagine the great deserts of the earth being made verdant? Think about the deserts of Sahara, Arabia, Gobi, South Africa, Australia, Antarctica, North America etc. We will have more than double the current capacity to grow crops for the peoples of the earth. Even the desert places will see the glory of the Lord! But also after the revealing of His wrath, He comes to save us who believe. A Highway of holiness will be built which will lead to His residence as the Millennial King. We will travel it. There will no longer be a desert of the word or of geography. Now that is Glory! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

* *

LUKE 23:1-25
At every graduation, schools always pick at least one person to represent the class as a whole. That person is usually the best of the best. The honors they have achieved are announced. Sometimes they are invited to give a speech. This person in a sense is to represent the whole class. They are from the class and represent the class. They represent the hopes of the class. They are in a sense without blemish or fault.
Four days before Passover the Israelites were to select a, "lamb for the household . . . without blemish . . ." For four days the lamb lived among them. It became part of the family. It represented the family. It was one of them. Then it was slain on their behalf that the death angel might pass over them.
Jesus came as the God-Man. He lived among us. He became, as it were, a part of the family. As a man, He was part of the family. As God, He was perfect. As virgin born, He had no sin nature. He was brought before Pilate who declared, "I find no fault in Him." He represents us. He did not have to die because He had no sin that required His death. Yet our King chose to go there. There is no fault in Him.
In our graduations our hopes are for our "best" to go on and achieve great things because they represent us. There is a sense in which we cannot soar any higher than they. We would never consider sacrificing them. Yet, this is what Jesus did. Our perfect representative, our perfect One, was sacrificed in our place. Yet because of His sacrifice He soared to heights undreamed of before. Because He died, our sin was taken care of. Because He was without blemish and had no fault, the penalty of my sin was paid. He is the Faultless One! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

May 4

NUMBERS 11 There it was again, peanut butter and jelly. I was sick and tired of peanut butter and jelly. It was getting toward the end of my seminary career. Never once did Laura and I go without food because it was not available. Granted we did not enjoy the abundance and variety that most Americans are accustomed to enjoying. But we never were hungry because we did not have food to eat. We ate a lot of rice and eggs. Lunch for me at Seminary usually consisted of peanut butter and jelly. It was cheap and easy to fix. On this particular day, I was tired of peanut butter and jelly. I chose not to eat. Did I grumble? Maybe a little bit. But at least I had food to eat. The Israelites were grumbling for lack of anything else to eat besides manna. In all actuality there was an even greater, more severe and more important famine going on. Yet, they did not complain about that lack. “What was it?” you may ask. It was a famine for the Word of God. The only one that these 2,000,000 people had to speak the Word of God to them was Moses. And what did they do with him? They complained about the menu. What did God do? He did two things. 1) He put the Spirit of the Lord upon 70 of the elders of Israel so that they could speak the Word of the Lord to Israel. 2) He gave them quail until it “came out their noses.” What was the real need of the Israelites? It was the Word of God. As Moses told the next generation. “Man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” Duet. 8:3. Did they grumble about not getting enough of the Word? No, they grumbled that all they had to eat was manna. How about that! Living on a daily miracle, and they complained about it. Were they the least concerned about receiving God’s word? Apparently not. So God appointed 70 men to teach the word of God. Do I crave the word of God as a newborn craves milk? Do you? The people asked for meat to eat. God gave them more that they could eat. The quail became a nuisance. The people played light and fast with the Word of God. The Lord gave them men to speak the word. But He also gave them all the meat that they wanted and more. Hmmm. . . what does this tell us about finding the glory of God? I think I’ll go eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * PSALM 123 The summer before my eighth grade school year, I went to a one-week-long Christian youth camp. The Holy Spirit began to convict me there that the Lord wanted me in a relationship with Him, not just my compulsory church attendance. I determined then that that was what I wanted. I did a thing that the Baptists call, ‘rededication.’ As much as I knew how at that age, I offered myself to our Lord. I knew that I should somehow be a witness for him, but did not know how to do it. So I began carrying my Bible with me to school as a declaration that I was a follower of Jesus. (I would have benefited much more if I would have read, studied and applied it as much as I carried it.) The result was that among my peers, I developed a reputation. From a few it was a reputation of admiration. Most could not have cared less. Others held me in contempt. Some found ways to express their contempt by the statements they would make. Generally that contempt expressed itself in being ignored by those who did not want to follow Christ. It could be that they felt condemned by me. I hope not. I can honestly say that was never my intention. However, Friedrich Nietzsche, (a man whose philosophy I hold in contempt) said: “Man is more sensitive to the contempt that others feel towards him than to the contempt that he feels towards himself.” Perhaps that was true of me. I really don’t know. I hope it wasn’t true. One of the side benefits of that reputation was that I was never tempted by a peer to join in their immorality. Sometimes downside was a feeling of isolation. How should a follower of Jesus handle the contempt that Jesus and Paul said is bound to happen to a Christ follower? Dictionary.com defines contempt as:

1. the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn. 2. the state of being despised; dishonor; disgrace.

As a believer in the USA, it is really the major kind of persecution that I have experienced for the name of Christ. The Psalmist is feeling that kind of contempt. He says, “I will lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the Heavens.” The one place that he can gain relief from the contempt of His peers is gazing into the face of the Lord of glory. It is only in lifting up our eyes upon Him that we get the relief we need or desire from the contempt of others. Does that mean that He will take their contempt away? No! It means that when I have gazed upon His glory it changes me! Their contempt becomes a mute issue in comparison to the sweetness of His glory. I have four dogs. Occasionally I feed them from what I am snacking on. Whenever they realize that I am snacking on something, they will surround me. Their eyes will be intently focused on the food in my hand. Wherever my hand goes, their eyes are following. They know that if they watch long enough and closely enough that they might receive some tasty morsel. When we are wounded by the contempt of others for the name of Christ, it is time to stare intently upon His glory until we receive the mercy we need from Him. When He reveals His glory to us, its sweetness causes all contempt of others to melt in comparison. Oh, He is sweet! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * ISAIAH 34 “John Brown’s body lies a ‘mouldering in his grave. . . “ Some union soldiers were singing the song in their camp in Virginia. Julia Ward Howe and others were visiting the camp. A clergyman asked Julia to write new words to the song. The result was a poem, published first in the Atlantic Monthly, called, The Battle Hymn of the Republic. The lyrics replaced the “John Brown’s body. . . ,” lyrics in the familiar tune. Most of us are familiar with the first verse:

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.

Mrs. Howe took the Apocalyptic concept of the Scripture and applied it to the Civil War situation. I guess the Civil War was a necessary evil. It did produce the freeing of slaves, but it also produced a hatred in the country that has still not been completely healed. The war probably was an outcome of the wrath of God upon the country for the sin of the nation in allowing slavery. Is God’s glory seen in His wrath? Isaiah 34 speaks of the Apocalyptic wrath of God as it is poured out upon the earth. Yes, His glory is seen there. His glory is also seen in the depths of Hell. How? God’s justice is displayed there. God’s justice will be displayed at Armageddon. I feel uncomfortable with it. It scares me. Yet, I acknowledge that it is logically necessary. There is a Holy God. Since there is an Eternal Holy God, a sin stands eternally before Him. If He is holy, then He must eternally punish that sin. Otherwise, His justice is mocked. Therefore, He eternally judges sin because His holiness demands it. If He did not judge, He would be neither just nor holy. That is part of His glory. So, when I hear people criticize the Bible because they say that the God of the O.T. is too harsh, I cringe. If He were not harsh toward sin, He would not be holy. If He were not holy, I would want none of Him. Yes, His wrath reveals His glory, but thanks be to God, His mercy triumphs over judgment in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because Jesus is the Eternal God-man, He was able to bear eternal death upon the cross and in the grave in my place. He justly extends mercy to me when I cling to Him upon the cross. Does the wrath of the apocalypse or Hell bother you? It shouldn’t bother you anymore than does the cross. It is part of His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * LUKE 22:47-71 In the spring of my freshman year in college, I made a new friend in class. We had American History and Fencing together. He was a walk-on football player. I once talked with him about his plans for the future. He wanted to become a lawyer and earn enough money that he could become one of those guys that controls the athletic program by the way he contributes money. He wanted to be the one who could quietly pull the strings, and no one else knew. He did become a lawyer. Whether he pulls strings behind the scenes for the athletic program, I have no idea. Part of the glory of Jesus is that He both quietly pulls the strings behind the scenes, and He is the focus on the field of play. In the midst of going to the cross, Jesus remains confident, collected and still looking out for the needs of those whom He loves. Peter, ready to fight to the death, gets a surprise swing in against the High Priest's servant. Missing the mark, Peter severs the man's ear. Jesus rebukes Peter and heals the man's ear. Jesus rebukes the chief priests for coming secretly to arrest Him. Then at the high priest's house, after Peter denied Him 3 times, Jesus turned to Peter and just looked at Him. The chief priests were unable to bring the examination to a successful conclusion until Jesus gave them the precise answer they needed to condemn Him and the only answer He could give that would cause them to condemn Him. He claimed to be the Son of God. Jesus knew who He was. He guided the events to their conclusion. He was the central character along the line of events. Although not the officer in charge, He controlled the events. Ultimately, He was the One who was both behind the scenes pulling the strings and in front of the scenes as the main actor. Even today He remains as the One who holds it all together. Nothing happens in my life without His approval or permission. He also is the One in the foreground of my life. He deserves all my attention and yours also. He works behind me and in front of me. That is glory that I can't completely grasp! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john

May 3

NUMBERS 10

35 So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: “Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You fl ee before You.” 36 And when it rested, he said: “Return, O Lord, To the many thousands of Israel.”

Why did Moses choose to say these things each time that they broke camp or made camp? When they broke camp and travelled, they needed the protection of the Lord as they crossed through enemy territory to the land which He had given them. When they made camp, it was time for them to be refreshed by experiencing the presence of God. So what? You and I have been called out of bondage for two purposes. The first is to be used of Him as a means of setting other people free from their bondage. The second is to enjoy Him. If He has called us to set others free, that implies that they are bound by someone. That someone will not sit idly by and let his prisoners be set free. We would assume that the enemy, who has bound them, is stronger than we. It is appropriate that the Almighty God go before us and scatter our enemies as we seek to set them free. When the day is done, we will need rest. The truest rest is found only in His presence (Ex 33:14-16). Are you ready for action or ready for rest? Either way, He is the best solution. So, arise O Lord, and scatter Your enemies, and then return to us and give us rest! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * PSALM 122 I learned something about Israel last week that I guess I already knew, but I had just never heard that comparison before. “The modern state of Israel is about the geographic size of the panhandle of Oklahoma.” Like the panhandle, a good portion of it is dry. Hmm. . . How could such a little state be the focus so many world events? It wouldn’t seem that such a little country would matter in the affairs of the world. How many times has its capital, Jerusalem been destroyed and rebuilt? How many nations have surrounded its walls? Since David captured Jerusalem around 1000 B.C. these nations have sought to control its gates: Egypt, Ethiopia, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, the Seleucids, Rome. That was only the first thousand years. From the time of the Muslim conquest to the present it has been the recipient of waves of conquerors, Muslim and/or so-called Christian. Why is it the site of so much upheaval? Simple, it represents everything that Satan detests—the rule and reign of God. The Psalmist states it in a positive way in the last verse, “I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’ Because of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.” For whatever reason, God has chosen Jerusalem to be the focus place of His redemptive plan. It would seem to me therefore that to act in aggression against Jerusalem, without the direct instruction of God, would be to act in aggression against God’s redemptive plan. Jerusalem was the place that God set to place His presence in order to redeem the human race. To act in aggression against Jerusalem without the direct instruction of God would be to act in aggression against God’s presence. Jerusalem was the place where God chose to set His name. To act in aggression against Jerusalem without the direct instruction of God would be to act in aggression against God’s Name. Jerusalem was the place where God chose to set His glory. To act in aggression against Jerusalem without the direct instruction of God would be to act in aggression against God’s glory. For these reasons we must pray for the peace of Jerusalem, all the while realizing that true peace will never come until the Prince of Peace reigns upon His throne there. If I really understand praying for the peace of Jerusalem, my prayers go beyond physical peace. It is a prayer asking for the return of the Prince of Peace. He said that the end would not come until the Gospel of the Kingdom was preached as a witness to all nations (ethnic groups). I am convinced that praying for the peace of Jerusalem includes praying for the completion of the Great Commission. Yes, it includes praying for physical peace right now, but ultimately physical peace will never come until Jesus returns physically and comes to destroy those who destroy the earth. Then His glory will shine like the sun, and all shall see it. Then the nations will stream to Jerusalem to worship Him and bring the glory He so richly deserves. Then the nations will see and experience His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * ISAIAH 33 This passage probably looks through Assyria invading Israel and Judah unto the time of the Great Tribulation. At the end Yahweh comes and rescues her. Look at these things that Isaiah says of the Lord Jesus:

1. 6. . . The fear of the LORD is His treasure. 2. 17 Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; 3. 22(For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us);

The fear of the Lord is His treasure. ‘Mine,’ that little word is in many ways the bedrock of how we determine justice. If someone takes from what is our treasure without our permission, we consider ourselves violated. We want justice. What does the Lord mean when He tells us, “The fear of the Lord is His treasure?” Obviously it means that it is something that he values, but does that mean that it originates with Him, and He dispenses it? All good things originate from Him. Fear of Him is a good thing. It must mean that in some way it comes from Him. But since we are encouraged to have fear of the Lord, it must mean that we must somehow make the decision to have it. Also, it must mean that when we have decided to receive that gift from Him and we respond by fearing Him, then He highly treasures our fear of Him. The result of our fear of Him even in adverse conditions is He will begin to reveal His beauty to us. As we see His beauty, we see that He is our Judge, Lawgiver, King and Savior. Our Judge saves us! Now that is beautiful! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * LUKE 22:24-46 When I lived in North Carolina, the local Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee had encouraged a "Do Something Campaign" among the youth of the public schools. The intent was to teach service to young people. It is a noble idea. It has its roots in this passage and other passages of the New Testament where Jesus speaks to the issue of wanting to be great. It is something that all of us want. In some area, if not in all of our lives, we desire to be great. We all secretly want others to admire us. Preaching from a passage similar to this one MLK Jr. has a famous sermon called The Drum Major Instinct. He has a familiar line that he repeated in this sermon and outside of this sermon, "Anybody can be great, because anybody can serve." Peter desired to be great, so did all the other disciples. Jesus points out that greatness is not determined by how many people you govern but by how many people you truly serve in relation to the ability that you have. Peter was a man of great raw ability. Satan saw that he was on a track for service and greatness. Satan desired to "sift him like wheat." Peter still had a problem with thinking that greatness would be achieved with swords and forcing others into submission. No, greatness comes from serving others into submission. In that serving process, we die. Jesus is the prime example. He came not to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many. How did Jesus have the emotional, spiritual and volitional power to boldly, powerfully and willingly step up to the cross--His greatest act of service? He received it in prayer. Here in the Garden, the choice was made. Here in the Garden, He saw all that was in the cup that His Father put before Him. Here in the Garden, He saw all the sin of all the people of all the ages. Here in the Garden, He saw that the Father was going to lay that sin upon Him and punish Him in our place. Here in the Garden, for the last time in prayer, He made the choice to step up to the cross and serve us. What amazing glory! The lesson was not lost on Peter. Yes he slept during this time of prayer. And as a result he stumbled and sinned. But after he was restored, his greatest times of service came in the midst of prayer. Pentecost broke out in a prayer meeting that Peter probably led. Sometime later Peter and John were entering into the temple at the hour of prayer, and they healed a lame man at the gate. That act of service resulted a great preaching opportunity that resulted in many being saved. That preaching opportunity resulted in their arrest, and the arrest resulted in a trial. The trial revealed Peter and John to be bold men who had been with Jesus. They were released. What did they do? They went back and prayed for more boldness for preaching and doing acts in the name of the Father's "Holy Servant Jesus." (Acts 4:30) What happened? They were filled with the Spirit. They preached the word. Multitudes were saved and began serving one another by sharing all things in common. We could go on through Acts tracing the relationship between prayer, evangelism and service. But the greatest example is Jesus in the Garden going to the cross! He has served and is serving us into submission. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john

May 2

NUMBERS 9 How do we see the glory of God? God designed that at least once per year the Israelites would celebrate the Passover. In no other single event was the glory of God recalled to mind as much as in the Passover. There we are reminded of the great deliverance that God accomplished for His people. The celebration of the Passover is probably the longest running religious family ceremony in the history of mankind. No other religion has anything like it. It exudes the strong hand and mighty arm by which God delivered His people. It is during the Passover that Jesus had His “Last Supper” from which we have instituted our “Communion”. In Communion we see His self-sacrifice by which we are saved. It is in Communion that we remember that we have been placed under the blood of the Lamb. It is in communion that His grace is present among us in a very special way that we may experience Him. Healing services are often associated with Communion because often He shows His glory through our healing. When we take his glory lightly and approach Communion in an unworthy manner, He sometimes shows His glory in the judgment of His people, sickness and in severe cases, even death. Yes, that too is His Glory. Normally, His glory settles down upon us as we daily take time to be still and know that He is God. It requires that we be still and know that He is. God. As we do that, in our dark hours, His glory blazes like a fire in the night. The contrast is often overwhelming. As we settle down and seek him in our good times, His glory is like a cloud giving us the even keel of His abiding presence. But at times we must move on. His glory seems to lift and we follow on to where He leads, where He will show us something new of Himself and of this life. But at all times, life is all about His glory. Do I take the time to seek Him? Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * PSALM 121 At the beginning of the Civil War, the Native Americans who had been displaced to Oklahoma began to discuss among themselves as to which side they should align themselves. Many of them wanted to be aligned with the southern Confederacy. Many others felt that it was a white man’s war, and they should just stay out of it. It began to appear that a majority would side with the South. Many felt that it would not go well with them if they sided with the south or if they sought to remain in Oklahoma among those who desired the break-up of the union. They gathered their possessions and relatives and followed the Creek leader, Opothle Yahola. They had had some communications with the Union, asking that the Union honor the treaties by giving them protection from those who would attack them. But the Union was spread too thin, and it would not send the needed support until years later. Opothle Yahola sought to move his band of loyalists to an area where they could live peacefully. Col. Douglas Cooper of Texas took about 1400 men to bring Yahola’s band under submission or to drive them from the area. On November 19, 1861 He caught up with them probably near what is now called the twin mounds, east of Stillwater, near the intersection of SH51 & SH18. While the Southern cavalry was driven back, Yahola knew that his band could not stay. They broke camp during the night and fled. Eventually Cooper drove the group of men, women and children into Kansas. When Yahola’s group finally reached the military fort in Kansas, it was in the middle of a blizzard. The military was either unable or unwilling to help them. That winter many died from exposure. They had looked to the U.S. Government for help, but they did not receive it. It was another fine example of the U.S. reneging on one of its treaties with Native Americans. When the Psalmist needed help, to where did he look? If he needed to be kept from harm, or preserved from spoiling, to where would he look? The old Jebusite city of Jerusalem was built on an outcrop of rock south of Mount Moriah. The site was picked because of its steep inclination. It was perfect for lining the top with walls. An invader would be forced to scale a steep hill or cliff before scaling the city walls. The only way that David was able to conquer the city was through sneaking through the water tunnel to gain access to the city. From the old city, one had to look up to Mount Moriah. It was there that Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac. It was there that David bought the field from Araunah the Jebusite and offered the sacrifice that stayed the hand of the Death Angel. It was there that Solomon built the first temple. Just outside of the city gates, northwest of the temple, Jesus was crucified, buried and rose again. Where does the Psalmist look for help? From the old city of Jerusalem, he had to look up to the hills, to Mount Moriah. It stands for eternity as the place of God’s sacrifice in order to deal with our sin. When I need help, to where do I look? I look to the cross. The government will fail me as it did Yahola. The church will sometimes fail me. My family will sometimes fail me. Even I will fail me, but Jesus never fails. He will preserve my soul, and that is only one of the things that are glorious about Him! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john THE SITE OF THE BATTLE OF ROUND MOUNTAIN, 1861, By Angie Debo http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v027/v027p187.pdf * * ISAIAH 32 “O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land”--Ira Sankey wrote a hymn using that theme. It may have been based on an old negro spiritual of the same topic written by slaves in pre-Civil War days. But Isaiah looks down the corridors of time and sees a day when a Man, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus will reign as king of righteousness in Jerusalem. In that day He will be a protection to those who need protection. He will be like a rock in a weary land. The morals of mankind will be reversed. The evil person will no longer be proclaimed as righteous. Right and wrong will finally be properly discerned. This will all be done because Jesus reigns. His glory will bring it about. Then in verses nine through fourteen Isaiah shifts focus to the near future when the nation will be invaded. He sees the women in anguish because of the horrible devastation of the country that will accompany it. They should have sought the Lord to avoid it, but their complacency resulted in the invasion. He does not leave them without hope, for there is coming the Messianic day when there hope will be restored (15-20). Blessed are those who sow beside all waters. Blessed are we when we distribute the seed of God’s word at every chance and occasion. We have the good news to share. If we sow it, we will have the joy of reaping its eternal reward in the Kingdom of God. While we are sowing let us remember that He is a rock in a weary land. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * LUKE 22:1-23 I wish I would have known in 2003 what was going to happen to real estate values in Brunswick county until 2006. I would be a very wealthy man right now if I had known that. In 2003 a lot on Oak Island could have been purchased for $20,000-$30,000. In 2006 you could not find one for under $250,000, a seven to tenfold increase in value. In my town of BSL in 2003, you could purchase a house lot for $5,000. In May of 2006 an interior lot down the street from me sold for $45,000, a nine fold increase. Had I the ability to know the future, I would have borrowed all the money I could get, and I would have bought all the lots that I could, and I would have made some significant profits. But alas, I do not know the future. God knows the future. If He had wanted me to be rich, I guess He could have somehow maneuvered me into buying lots three years ago. My focus needs to be on Him. He provides all that I need. Jesus is the God/Man. He has two natures, a divine nature and a human nature. They are forever united in one person without any mingling of the two. As God, Jesus would know the future. As man, He would not know the future. Is that understandable? I understand what is being claimed but I have difficulty knowing for sure how that worked out in His life here during His first appearance upon earth. It would appear from what He said and did, that all that He did as a man He did not do in His power as God but in the power of the Holy Spirit. But the disciples were approaching a very traumatic time in their lives and in His ministry. They needed both explanations before hand and demonstration of power that Jesus knew what was going on. They got it. Jesus tells them where and how to go make preparation for the Passover. "When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.” I don't know about you, but that would have been pretty freaky for me, especially when it happened just as Jesus told them. I mean, it would be one thing if Jesus told them, "A man named such and such will meet you at a certain place. I have already met him and made all the arrangements, and he will show you to the house." That's kind of a normal thing. But Jesus doesn't give any names. He gives no address. Just do this, and it will happen. I think that it is a demonstration of the Holy Spirit telling Him future events, and the willing hearts of people He had not yet personally met. I think this was designed by Him as an encouragement to the disciples to trust His abilities and His leadership. It was a demonstration of power that He knew what was going on. In the upper room He gives them a graphic explanation during the Seder of what was about to happen. The cross was coming. He was heading there purposefully. It was not that He could not control the situation. He was orchestrating this. His death was substitutionary for us. This meal from this point on would forever be a remembrance of His purposeful, loving death on our behalf. The King is in control even when it doesn't look like it. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john

May 1

NUMBERS 8 The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them, like a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. I was dirty from the stain of sin. My Lord Jesus washed me with His own blood and cleansed me from all unrighteousness. He has presented me as a wave offering before His Father. I have been made at one with the Father because of His Son! That He can do that with someone like me is amazing. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * PSALM 120 Clint was a lot bigger than me. He was the biggest guy in our 5th grade class. Normally he was of great humor and fun to be around, usually pretty nice. One day during recess, he came to me saying, “John, I have a surprise for you that I want to show you, but you have to close your eyes and follow me.” “How can I close my eyes and follow you at the same time?” I responded. “Oh, just put your hands your head, and I will put my hand on your hands and guide you.” He was bigger than me and kind of insistent, so I complied. We walked out of sight of any teachers. He said, “Keep your eyes closed. Here is the surprise.” The next thing I felt was his fist striking me in the stomach. “Stay away from Genevie!” he commanded as he stomped off. I lay on the ground sucking for air as I wondered what that was all about. Apparently, he thought I had been flirting with her. Well, I enjoyed teasing girls in the fifth grade, but I had never considered it flirting. Some of the others in our class had told him that I was flirting with her. In fifth grade I still didn’t get the boy/girlfriend thing, so I was glad to oblige. I stayed away from Genevie. Later Clint came to me and apologized. He said that some others had told him that I was flirting with Genevie, and now he realized that they were lying. Nevertheless, I continued to stay away from Genevie, and I did not trust Clint again after that. Lying tongues, it’s the stuff soap operas are made of. The fact that the soaps make money off of it is an indicator that it is a common problem in the human race. It is what makes espionage difficult. It often fuels war. Hey, if Clint had just come and talked to me before hitting me, I would have stayed away. He was a lot bigger than me, and I really wasn’t interested in Genevie. But what if I had been interested, and what if I had been closer to his size? There might have been war between us. Lies are what fuel wars between countries. Lies are what elect politicians. During this current election time, how do we sort out lies from the truth? It is a difficult proposition. Lying lips in life often cause distress. Satan is the father of lies, and he tells them smoothly and often enough to keep us in distress. In our distress there is ultimately only one thing we can do. It is to call out to the Lord for deliverance. Only the author of truth can sort out the lies from the truth. That is why we must daily call out to Him. He is the only true beacon that can guide us through the fog of lies. But what if He cannot hear us? The infinite God can hear us, and if we are willing to do His will, He delivers us through the circumstance of the lying tongues. Now that is glory! Let us seek Him! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * ISAIAH 31 He took his shoe off at the UN and pounded on the table and shouted what was translated as, “We will bury you!” It was November of 1960; five months earlier the Soviets had shot down our U-2 spy plane. The USA was on the rise to its peak of military power. The events eventually led to the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. It was a rivalry of both military power and ideology of social-political-economic power. A year earlier Khrushchev had challenged us as follows:

During the “kitchen debate” of 1959, so named because it took place in a model kitchen set up for a trade exhibition in Moscow, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev told U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon, “Let’s compete. Who can produce the most goods for the people, that system is better and it will win.”

15 Both communism and capitalism have trusted in their military power and in their systems. Communism failed in the late 1980’s, but currently seems to be trying to make a comeback under Putin in Eastern Europe. Both systems will eventually fail. It is the doom of anyone who trusts in their military might rather than the Lord. It is the doom of any country which trusts in its systems rather than the Lord. In Isaiah’s day military might was measured in chariots and horses. It eventually failed Assyria which had the most of both. On an individual level the principle applies to us as well. Do I trust in my physical strength? Do depend upon my financial prowess? Am I leaning on my family’s protection? Do I trust in my social connections. Ultimately they will all fail. Only the Lord can bring me safely into my eternal home. Will I trust in His glory, or will I trust in the other things around me? Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/nikita-sergeyevich-khrushchev * * LUKE 21:20-38 In the news the other day I heard that Iran has threatened that if the U.S. were to try any military intervention because of their nuclear program that they would destroy Israel and the world's economy. Hmmm. . .

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Hmmm. . . It could just be another one of those flare ups. But Jesus went on to say:

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

Could it be that the His coming with power and great glory is not far off? I don't particularly want to experience the things He says will happen before He comes. But if His coming is near, let them come because the glory of my Jesus is so great that when I see Him, it will be worth it all! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john

April30

NUMBERS 7 “Cushing.” Now there was a bizarre thought. I immediately dismissed it from my mind. I had been reading Numbers 7. If you just read it, you may have reacted like me. You may have found the first 88 verses to be rather boring. So it was with me, until I came to verse 89. In the fall of 2006 I had been wondering for days about how we “hear the voice of the Lord.” The summer before I had thought I heard the Lord speaking to me, saying, “Return to the land of your fathers.” But nothing had worked out that would enable me to do that. I was questioning whether I had really heard the voice of the Lord. Then as I stumbled on verse 89, I began to meditate upon the typology of the ark and hearing the voice of the Lord. The ark is a type of the Messiah. The word ark simply means box. In Genesis 50:26 it is translated coffin. Think about it. The ark is a coffin. The ark is a type of the Messiah. In Jesus the Law is placed. Our transgression of the Law required our death. When we are placed in Jesus, we are buried with Him in His death. The mercy seat is placed upon the coffin. The blood of the atonement is sprinkled upon the mercy seat covering my sin. The blood of Jesus covers my sin. The Cherubim, the protectors and proclaimers of the holiness of God, overshadow the mercy seat. From this position of holiness where the transgression of the Law is hidden in the coffi n and covered by the blood of the mercy seat, Moses heard the voice of the Lord. We hear the voice of the Lord from the same position. As I was meditating upon this, “Cushing” popped into my mind. That was weird. Cushing is where my maternal grandparents are buried. I dismissed the thought and continued. Later in the day I collected my e-mail. There was an e-mail from my wife. It was sent about the time that “Cushing” popped into my mind. The e-mail simply said, “I had an overwhelming desire to look at real estate in Cushing and saw this house that I liked.” She attached the web page to the e-mail. This incident happened in October of 2006. Over the next year and a half, God made it absolutely clear that He had spoken to me. May 1, 2008 I moved into Oklahoma, the land of my fathers. It took a while to place things in order. God actually had to burn down my house, but that is a long story. But now, here I am, and I can do no else. Where and when do we hear the voice of the Lord? Only from a position of holiness that is found in Jesus the Messiah. Isn’t He amazing? HE speaks to us! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * PSALM 119:113-176 My wife and I have bought 5 houses in our lifetime. Each time we had to put down earnest money. That was money that we gave to the realty company which would show our good intentions about purchasing the home. In return for the money, the house was taken off the market until the purchase was complete. Once the seller accepted the contract and the money, they were not allowed to sell the house but to anyone but us. Even if someone came along and offered more money, the seller could not legally sell to them because he had already entered into a contract with us. On my part, if I reneged on the deal, the seller would keep the money because he would perhaps have lost the ability to sell to someone else while the house was off of the market. Another word for earnest money is surety. In verse 122 David asks the Lord, “Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the proud oppress me.” Does he have the same concept in mind here? I believe that he does. David knows his own heart. He knows what is in his heart. At the time of writing this Psalm, he knows the value of the word of the Lord. He knows the richness of the pleasure of walking with Him. He commits to His word and to Him. But he knows his heart. He knows that he will waver and flip flop. He asks the Lord to put down earnest money on His soul. He wants to know that God will be faithful to complete the deal when he wavers from the path. The blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the surety, the guarantee for us. Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 1:13–14: In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. David knows that he will need help to keep his end of the deal. He cannot do it without the direct intervention and help of the Lord:

133Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word. 159 Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.

This great Savior of ours is the One who enables us to keep our commitments. That is what the Spirit does in our lives. As we commit ourselves to His word, He makes it live, gives us life, gives us power. It is our responsibility to rendezvous with Him in His word, to listen to the voice of His Spirit and to yield to His Spirit. It is his responsibility to empower us. What a deal! What glory! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john * * ISAIAH 30 * * LUKE 21:1-19 I had the privilege of attending Explo '72 the summer before my senior year in High School. It was a great experience. I also seemed to be getting into situations where I had to exercise patience. They were handling large crowds, and even the best planning usually has its glitches. When you have to wait in line for each meal with 5,000 other teens, it can get a little testy. And shipping 80,000 people back and forth across the city of Dallas from various places to the cotton Bowl and back can be challenging. ON the whole, the organizers did an amazing job of planning and coordinating the event! But as you can imagine the logistics were overwhelming and we spent a lot of time hurry-up and waiting. It called for a lot of patience from everybody. Teens in particular are not known for their patience. Patience was a virtue which, as the week wore on, we had to learn. Patience was exercised in meal lines, bus lines and getting in and out of the Cotton Bowl. Toward the end of the week, we had an hour or two of free time at State Fair Park, where the Cotton Bowl is. My roommates and I decided to ride the sky way. We were at the highest point when it broke down. We hung suspended in the air for what seemed like a whole hour. Patience was once again a thing we were learning. The disciples were excited about being in Jerusalem for the Passover. Admiring the beautiful temple architecture (and it was an amazing thing), they commented on the temple beauty to Jesus. This launched a whole discourse by Jesus about His second coming. In the middle of warnings about the events preceding His coming, Jesus says, "By your patience possess your souls." Now here is a patience that far exceeds waiting in hour long lines for a meal or bus or being suspended in the air for an hour. This speaks of a patience exercised in wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, persecutions, trials and martyrdoms. Where does one get patience like that? A bus line is a mere trifle compared to that. The implication is that it can only exist in view of the second coming of Jesus. Are we so convinced of his magnificent glory that we know that every trial which we endure during the wait will be worth the beauty that we shall experience at His coming? We were able to endure the long lines at Explo because we enjoyed the sessions in which we were involved. They were worth the wait. Is He worth enduring through war? Is He worth remaining steadfast in the long aftermath of disasters like earthquake or hurricanes? Is He worth enduring through the hunger of famine? Is He worth waiting for even through long pestilence or illness? Is He worth remaining faithful for during persecutions? If you do not think so, then I say you need to look at His glory some more. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john