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Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.

John Nunnikhoven

John Nunnikhoven is a member of The Fellowship of Ailbe and has begun working toward what, Lord willing, will become a re-awakening of the Church as a body directed into living the Kingdom in the here and now as it awaits the yet to come.
Books by John Nunnikhoven

Psalm 24:1-6

November 18, 2022

Psalm 24:1-6, ESV
Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

Psalm 24:1-6, JN paraphrase
Three major points established here. The first is that the earth (read all of creation) is the possession of the LORD, God, the Almighty. Completely and totally. The second is that He sets the conditions of entry and participation. Lastly, an except-able individual will display the blessings and righteousness of the LORD.

Recommended Reading

Our Thursday study group met for 2 hours this afternoon and managed to dig into slightly more that three pages of Packer’s Knowing God, Chapter 12, “The Love of God.” This book deserves to be studied this way, With patience and love.

Psalm 23:1-6

November 17, 2022

Psalm 23:1-6, ESV
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:1-6, JN paraphrase
Almost certainly the best known of the Psalms of David. This short poem lilts for the very beginning. The open phrase, “The LORD is my shepherd” demands to be followed by “I shall not want.” David continues to invoke green pastures, still waters, restoration, paths of righteousness, I am devoid of fear, for the rod and staff of the LORD, God, the Almighty. All this to be demonstrated before my most virulent enemies.

Surely, I have nothing more to add but, “ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Hallelujah, praise my Savior.

Recommended Reading

The Doctrine of Belief: A Proposal to the Church on How to Practice Believing in God by A. C. Winter. YUP, it’s a winner. I’m about 3 pages into “Believing Defined”, Chapter 2 and finding the footnotes to be as instructive as the main copy. But confession time, I didn’t make any progress in my self-assigned studies. Tonight’s time has to be focused on JI Packer’s Knowing God in preparation for our study of this text.

Psalm 22:19-31

November 16, 2022

Psalm 22:19-31, ESV
But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.

For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it..

Psalm 22:19-31, JN paraphrase
Deliver me, oh, LORD, as You have before from sword, wild animals, even the power of wild oxen.

I will spread Your Name throughout the congregation, praising You. I will direct those who fear You, the offspring of Jacob, to glorify You and let their awe of You be known throughout. You have been generous in Your support of the afflicted, the downtrodden, the lost and lonely. All shall eat and be satisfied, and shall praise You. All the ends of the earth shall worship and adore You.

All owe fealty to You, from kings to chimney sweeps. All from now to coming generations, all shall proclaim You righteousness to the unborn.

Recommended Reading

The Doctrine of Belief: A Proposal to the Church on How to Practice Believing in God by A. C. Winter. YUP, it’s a winner. I’m about 3 pages into “Believing Defined”, Chapter 2 and finding the footnotes to be as instructive as the main copy.

Psalm 22:6-18

November 15, 2022

Psalm 22:6-18, ESV
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

B e not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones—T hey stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Psalm 22:6-18, JN paraphrase
So reminiscent of Your last day; hanging on the cross, mocked by all—You the LORD of the Universe. How can anyone, mock you? Especially we who are the fruit of Your word? The One who spoke the Universe in those powerful phrases and everything in it into being? “LET THERE BE...and there was.”

Recommended Reading

Have you set up a daily reading plan for studying the Scriptures. Are you using one of the many Bible in a Year Plan or have you developed your own. I’m a adherent to my own plan that is tuned to my own study habits. And that tuning is very important. Without it, it is far to easy to get behind and suddenly have the burden of playing catch-up. That does not induce one to acquire a working knowledge of Scripture.

Psalm 22:1-5

November 14, 2022

Psalm 22:1-5, ESV
To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Psalm 22:1-5, JN paraphrase
Why, LORD, God, the Almighty, why do You ignore my cries of despair but trusted and delivered my fathers? They cried and You answered; I am abandoned and ignored. Why, why?

Recommended Reading

I just started The Doctrine of Belief, A Proposal to the Church on How to Practice Believing in God by A. C. Winter. Based on the Preface and chapter 1, I think I’ve acquired another winner. So far, another winner in my library.

Psalm 21:1-7

November 11, 2022

Psalm 21:1-7, ESV
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head. He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Psalm 21:1-7, JN paraphrase
We, the people of God are one whom the LORD, God, the Almighty instructs today, We come to Him for direction and counsel and we exult. You give us our heart’s desire and do not withhold the requests of our lips.

You bless us richly, we who are Your representatives to the world. It is Your glory that inspires us and encourages us to bring that powerful word, “Thus saith the LORD…” to bear upon upon the sins of the world today, and pronounce Your imminent coming. For we trust You.

Recommended Reading

Man – The Dwelling Place of God, by A. W. Tozer. From the preface: “The chapters in this book deal with many of the aspects of one subject: the relationship of God and man. They are above all practical and all who read them will profit.” Each chapter is short and easily adapted to a daily devotional. Try it! I find it fits well into my end of day devotionals. Read Chapter 8 “True Religion is not feeling but willing.” Three terse pages, approximately 1/3 highlighted.

Psalm 119:49-56

November 06, 2022

Psalm 119:49-56, ESV
Zayin Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD. Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.

Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law. This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.

Psalm 119:49-56, JN paraphrase
Your Word, Oh, LORD is my hope; I can depend upon it because it springs from Your promise. The insolent deride, but Your rules have withstood the test of time, but the derision of the wicked has been proven false and failing when measured by the same test.

Oh, LORD, the joy of awakening during the night and realizing that the Word of the LORD, God, the Almighty has carried me through another day of laboring in Your vineyard.

Recommended Reading

Man – The Dwelling Place of God, by A. W. Tozer. From the preface: “The chapters in this book deal with many of the aspects of one subject: the relationship of God and man. They are above all practical and all who read them will profit.” Each chapter is short and easily adapted to a daily devotional. Try it! I find it fits well into my end of day devotionals. I read Chapter 8 “True Religion is not feeling but willing.” earlier this evening. Three terse pages, approximately 1/3 highlighted.

Psalm 20:1-9

November 05, 2022

Psalm 20:1-9, ESV
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call.

Psalm 20:1-9, JN paraphrase
The LORD does answer me in a day of trouble, He protects me, He sends help from the Sanctuary and support from Zion. He remembers my offerings and my sacrifices. He grants my heart’s desires. He does answer my needs from His Holy Heaven with the saving might of His hand.

There are those who trust in modern armament, but I trust in the power of the Name of the LORD, God, the Almighty. I plead that those who govern will come to understand the power of that Name and turn to it in time of need.

Recommended Reading

Man – The Dwelling Place of God, by A. W. Tozer. From the preface: “The chapters in this book deal with many of the aspects of one subject: the relationship of God and man. They are above all practical and all who read them will profit.” Each chapter is short and easily adapted to a daily devotional. Try it! I find it fits well into my end of day devotionals.

Psalm 19:11-14

November 03, 2022

Psalm 19:11-14, ESV
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:11-14, JN paraphrase
Yes, I am warned, KEEP THE LAW OF THE LORD. Sometimes it is a struggle to avoid presumptuous sin, but worth while. Keep those sins from having control of my life and actions. It is only when my words andd actions are acceptable in Your sight that I know I am living according to Your Law.

Recommended Reading

Man – The Dwelling Place of God, by A. W. Tozer. From the preface: “The chapters in this book deal with many of the aspects of one subject: the relationship of God and man. They are above all practical and all who read them will profit.” Each chapter is short and easily adapted to a daily devotional. Try it! I find it fits well into my end of day devotionals.

Psalm 19:7-10

November 02, 2022

Psalm 19:7-10, ESV
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 19:7-10, JN paraphrase
There is no greater example of perfection than the Law of the LORD, God, the Almighty. It is without flaw or need for revision. It is complete, covering every aspect of life, it is coherent without contradiction, it brings joy to its adherents, understanding to the seeker, It is clean, it is true, it is righteous and provides perfect examples of these qualities. Imagine something more desirable than fine gold and sweeter than honey.

Recommended Reading

Man – The Dwelling Place of God, by A. W. Tozer. From the preface: “The chapters in this book deal with many of the aspects of one subject: the relationship of God and man. They are above all practical and all who read them will profit.” Each chapter is short and easily adapted to a daily devotional. Try it! I find it fits well into my end of day devotionals.

Psalm 19:1-14

November 01, 2022

Psalm 19:1-14, ESV
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Psalm 19:1-14, JN paraphrase
LORD, all Creation declares Your Glory and Your Handiwork. There is nowhere that Your voice is not heard. You have sent a tent for the sun; running Your ordained course with Joy and Strength; its circuit is from end to end of the heavens; there is nothing like its heat. Even so is the penetration of Your Glory.

Recommended Reading

Man – The Dwelling Place of God, by A. W. Tozer. From the preface: “The chapters in this book deal with many of the aspects of one subject: the relationship of God and man. They are above all practical and all who read them will profit.” Each chapter is short and easily adapted to a daily devotional. Try it! I find it fits well into my end of day devotionals.

Psalm 18:43-50

October 31, 2022

Psalm 119:41-48, ESV
You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses.

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence.

For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

Psalm 119:41-48, JN paraphrase
Blessed be the LORD, God, the Almighty who brought me into a place of power and authority. Who taught me to use my salvation as protection against those who rose against me and threatened violence. “For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.”

Recommended Reading

Man – The Dwelling Place of God, by A. W. Tozer. From the preface: “The chapters in this book deal with many of the aspects of one subject: the relationship of God and man. They are above all practical and all who read them will profit.” Each chapter is short and easily adapted to a daily devotional. Try it! I find it fits well into my end of day devotionals.

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