August 9, 2018

The Law of Freedom

“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.”  James 1:25

Perhaps some words jump off the page at us as we read this verse of Scripture: there is a law that gives freedom.  Interesting, isn’t it?  We usually think of law giving punishment or consequence.  But the law that was fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah is first, a perfect law.  It is everything the law in the Old Testament pointed to and tried to reach, but could not attain.  Second, this perfect law gives freedom.

This helps us to understand things like the Sermon on the Mount and especially the Beatitudes in Matthew’s gospel.  Those chapters are an invitation to live under the law of liberty and freedom.  We are not to trample on it, cheapening God’s grace, but are called to live up to it – live up to freedom.

What areas of your life feel trapped?  Friends, there is a law of freedom available to you – a law that liberates rather than enslaves.  It is a law of love, compassion and filled with God’s great grace.  Let us search out the deeper meaning of the “royal law” as James later calls it.  Let us act in accordance with this law, walking in love, forgiveness, kindness and gentleness.  James writes that we will be blessed in what we do.

The women I have met in prisons around the country would tend to think of the law as the punishment for their actions.  Jesus came so that we may know a different law that sets us free, even for those are confined to a six by nine cell.

August 8, 2018

Still Waters

“You lead me beside still waters.”  Ps. 23:2

In Psalm 23 we read about the Lord “leading us beside still waters.”  It is a beautiful verse in a beautiful Psalm, and speaks of the peace we can find in the stillness.  Animals drink from still waters.   The Bible also describes how we can hear His “still, small voice” as the Lord speaks to us.  Often times we need to quiet ourselves, our congregations, in order to prepare to hear from God. 

The problem with still waters is that after a period of time, if there is no movement, such waters become stagnant.  We have all seen stagnant water – with a film over the top – undrinkable.  It often carries an unpleasant odor, driving us away from the water, rather than leading us to it.  Since water symbolizes the Holy Spirit, being near water is a good thing.

So it was with the church at Sardis, and serves as a warning sign for local churches today.  Constant stillness will lead to stagnation.  In this we learn a valuable lesson:  while it is easy to pull out a convenient Scripture to meet our needs; we are always better off asking God what spiritual season we are in, to know how best to apply the word of God for that season.  Let’s take a moment to ask the Lord right now, in our own lives, what spiritual season He has us in.  Consider the following seasons:

1. Lord, is it the season of still water in my life?
2. God, am I in the season of gently stirring waters?
3. Father, is this the season of waters with a rippling effect?
4. Lord, is it a season of waves coming in my life?
5. God, is the current flowing in the water?
6. Father, am I in a stream season, lake season, river season, or sea season?
7. Have the waters grown stagnant in my life?  If so, please forgive me, Father.  Change me and stir the waters in my life according to the season I am in.  Amen.

August 7, 2018

Choose the Greater

“For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother, and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. ¹¹ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) - then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”  Mk. 7:10-13

In the Old Testament, a person would bring a “korban “– a sacrifice or offering to the Tabernacle.  Korban comes from the Hebrew root word, karav, meaning to draw near, come near, or approach.  So we have a picture of worshippers coming near to the presence of God by arriving at the Tabernacle with their sacrifice.  Once offered and accepted, the korban allowed for restoring man’s relationship with God and about rehabilitating man for right relationship with people.

Jesus refers to the abuse of the korban in Mark 7 in an exchange with the Pharisees.  The focus of the Pharisees was on the disciples’ practice of eating with unwashed hands.  Jesus takes the Pharisees to task by telling them they are hypocrites and focus on the things that are of secondary importance (clean hands), at the expense of ignoring things that are of primary importance to God.  He then makes His case in Mk. 7:10-13:

“For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother, and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. ¹¹ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) - then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Jesus is making it clear that the Pharisees are violating the commandment of honoring one’s parents by upholding the practice of korban – a gift given to God.  In practical terms, an Israelite’s parents who may be in need would not be provided for if the adult children give their money to God as a korban, an offering.  No money would be left for the care of the parents.  By the time of Jesus, a korban had come to mean withdrawing something from its intended use in order to offer it to God.

May our focus be on the greater, or primary matters in accordance with God’s laws written on our heart.

August 6, 2018

The Firstfruits

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest.  He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.  And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the LORD.  Its grain offering shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to the LORD, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one fourth of a hin.  You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.  And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed.  Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD.”  Lev. 23:9-16

 As we read the passage in Lev. 23, we noticed the Lord was giving a future instruction – this feast would occur when the Israelites were settled in Canaan and could produce a harvest.  At this one-day feast, the firstfruits of the barley harvest were reaped and enough grain to produce a sheaf, or omer (thought to be about 2 quarts), was brought to the priest who would then wave the sheaf before the Lord to be accepted.  This was called a tenufah, or wave offering.  We also determined from the passage that the Israelites could not eat of this first harvest until the offering had been made – and accepted – by the Lord.  The firstfruits had to be offered to the Lord.  In this we see a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ, now resurrected.  1 Cor. 15:20 reads: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  We can consider the significance of these passages in the following way:

• The priest presented the barley offering;
• Jesus, as High Priest (cohen hagadol), presented Himself as the firstfruits offering.
• The Lord accepted the barley offering;
• Father accepted His Son’s offering.
• Once accepted, God’s chosen people could partake of the harvest;
• Once accepted, believers can partake of the resurrection.
• The barley harvest pointed to a summer harvest of wheat;
• Our experience now points to the consummate experience later.

August 5, 2018

The Blood of Christ

“But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.  He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.  The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”  Heb.  9:11-14

The author of Hebrews states the truth that Jesus Christ came as our high priest and to serve in the capacity of a better priesthood, in the order of Melchizedek.  Melchizedek was not only a priest, but also a king – pointing the way to Jesus.    

As our high priest, Christ went through the better tabernacle; the heavenly tabernacle that was foreshadowed in the Tabernacle of Moses.  Jesus entered by His own blood, as both the sacrifice and the one bringing the sacrifice.  He entered once, doing so on the cross, and shed His blood, the blood better than that of sacrificed animals.  The blood of animals provided for temporary atonement and according to Heb. 9:13 that blood provided for an outward cleaning.  The blood of Jesus however, provides for permanent atonement (it only had to be done once) and His blood cleanses the conscience of the followers.

Friends, this is a major difference.  We are inwardly cleansed by the blood of Jesus, when we give Him permission to enter every area of our lives.  He goes to the hurting places, wounded places, broken places, and the essence of who we are as people.  That is what it means to have our conscience cleansed.  In each one of those places our Savior applies His blood to clear away hurts, heal brokenness and woundedness, and restore us to rightness in our relationship with God and our relationships with others.

Our conscience is the part of us that knows the difference between right and wrong, especially as we grow in our relationship with God.  It is a connection point between the Holy Spirit and our spirit and is the part of us that reproves sin and approves the righteousness of God in Christ.   Because of the blood of Christ that cleanses our conscience, though we will be brought under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, we do not have to allow ourselves to become stuck in condemnation.  Such conviction of sin in our lives is temporary if we keep a short record of accounts.  Condemnation can be indefinite and very damaging to our soul, affecting our thoughts, words, and behaviors.

Heb. 10:19-22 reinforce these key points.  We have confidence in Christ and so can enter the heavenly Most Holy Place (anytime), as the body of Jesus was the veil and His blood was the new path for His followers to take to access the presence of God.  Christ is the high priest over the whole house of God, far greater than the high priests in the tabernacle of Moses.  So we can draw near to God, because the way has been made for us by Jesus’ body and blood.  We come to the very presence of God with full faith, in order to have our conscience cleansed and our bodies washed. 

August 4, 2018

Following God’s Order

“The David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.  And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the Ark, for the oxen stumbled.  Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the Ark; and he died there before God.  And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzza; therefore that place is called Perez Uzza to this day.”  1 Chronicles 13:8-11

Unaware of the disobedience, David led Israel in praise and rejoicing as the Ark of the Covenant was being brought back to Jerusalem.  Suddenly, the oxen stumbled and because the Ark was in a cart and not being carried by the priests, it appeared as if the Ark might fall.  Uzza took hold if it, thereby touching what was sacred, and further violating God’s commands and order.  Angry, God struck Uzza on the spot and he died.  It is interesting to note that David responded to God’s anger with anger of his own, and named the place where Uzza died “outburst against Uzza, or “breach of Uzza.”   

What spiritual truths can we learn from this text?  Let’s consider a few below.

Spiritual Truth:  we must follow God’s order.  God has an order to everything He does.  As we study His Word and engage in conversation with Him, we discern His order for our lives.   God instructed Moses how the Ark of the Covenant was to be carried.  Nothing had changed about that aspect of God’s order in the days of David.  Whether David neglected the word, jumped ahead of God’s order, or just plain forgot,

disobedience had consequences.  The same is true for us today.  “My people perish for lack of knowledge” according to Hosea 4:6.  When we study God’s Word, we receive insight as to His order.  As we draw close to the Lord in relationship and prayer, we receive revelation of His order.  Such revelation should always be measured against the Word of God, to insure we are moving in full accord with God’s purpose and plan.

Spiritual Truth:  new carts do not work

The new carts didn’t work for the Philistines; neither did they work for David.  What are spiritual “new carts” we encounter?  Simply put, such carts are man-made devices, programs, strategies, techniques, and formulas which run contrary to God’s Word.  They are invented and implemented as a way to invite God’s presence back into a congregation.  Religion can mistakenly fall into this snare of Satan, whereas God’s Word is clear that relationship is the key:  “If my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

Spiritual Truth:  we cannot touch God’s presence and glory

Our God alone is worthy to receive all glory.  When we put our hands to His presence, we are putting our hands on His glory.  Such a move cost Uzza his life, and such a move can cost us as severely.  When people step in line to receive acknowledgment, praise, and recognition for what God has done, they are in the way of glory.  Should an assembly try to manipulate or manufacture God’s presence or glory, it does so at great expense.  Such episodes have cost many their spiritual lives.  Peter could not get any further than expressing his human desire at the transfiguration before he was stopped by the word of the Lord.  To put our hands to His presence and glory defies His Word.  When we get a glimpse of God’s glory, it can be staggering, weighty, and beyond description.  His presence can leave us breathless.  When He acts, give Him the accolades and honor.  To Him all glory is due!

August 3, 2018

Free in Christ

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink…” Col. 2:16

Verse 16 begins with the word “Therefore,” directly inferring the result of everything Paul presented in the preceding verses.  After all Christ had done, “so let no one judge you” and again in verse 18, “let no one cheat you.”  Paul instructs the church to let no one judge them in the things, which are but a shadow, and not the substance.  The apostle states that the substance of all things is Christ.

He then writes to not be cheated out of our reward, through certain deceits:

• Delighting in false humility;
• Worship of angels;
• Entering into discussion (or agreement) with things we have not experienced or witnessed;
• Vanity of our earthly thoughts; and,
• Letting go of the Head, who is Christ.

Beloved, so much of this has to do with our mindset and our thoughts.  Paul is stating that the above list is not Kingdom thinking, but thinking that will cheat us of our reward.  He continues to instruct the church that if they truly died with Christ, then they should not be subject to regulations that are no eternal value.  The church is to be subject to Christ, for Christ is eternal.  His commandments are of eternal value.  Paul opposes the commandments and doctrines of men, for those things will perish.

August 2 ,2018

King of Glory

“Lift up your heads, O you gates!  And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!  And the King of glory shall come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, O ye gates!  Lift up, you everlasting doors!  And the King of glory shall come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.    Selah   Ps. 24:7-10

David left the Ark of the Covenant at the faithful house of Obed-Edom until such time as the king was ready to obediently bring the Ark to Jerusalem.  Once he was prepared to do so, David ushered in the Ark of the Covenant, the presence of God, with joy in his heart.  The excerpt from Psalm 24 above gives us an insight as to what it was like as the royal procession made its way into the City of David.  It is noteworthy that in Psalm 24 David writes twice the question, who is this King of glory.  Perhaps it could be viewed as the first coming of Jesus, followed by His majestic return. 

Jesus is the Son of Man – the Lord who is strong and mighty.  Jesus  is the Returning King – the Lord of Hosts.  He is the King of Glory – the One who shall enter in, the One who is worthy of our praise.

August 1,2018

Work Out Your Salvation

“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:12-13

We are called as believers to work out all that God has worked in to us through Christ Jesus.  Our salvation is to be worked out; that is, to be experienced through life, with reverence and awe.  We begin to recognize that God has worked in us, and placed Christ in us, the hope of glory.  What an awesome truth that is for each believer!  Only we can work out what Father has worked in us.  Those things He has worked in us grant us the God-given capacity to will and to work for His good pleasure.  We must use our free will and do our work for the Kingdom of God.  John 6:27 and 29 provide insight regarding how we work out our salvation:  “Do not labor for the food which perishes but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”  This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 

These verses describe what we are to focus on as we work out our salvation: focusing on the eternal things; and believing in Jesus Christ.  It sounds simple enough.  Yet, when faced with life’s adversities and challenges, are we focusing and believing on the right One?  Beloved, this brings us to the cross.  Jesus secured our salvation at the cross.  Our new identity, our new source of life and power were all worked in with the eternal work of Jesus at Calvary.  The plan was made for you and I from the foundation of the earth.  Every skill, talent, quality and character trait was poured into us when Father shaped us “fearfully and wonderfully” in our mothers’ wombs.  All of it was secured at the cross.  Finally, it manifested and became real in our lives when we said yes to Jesus and gave Him control of our lives.  The rest is working that salvation out, reverently and deferentially to the One who made it all possible.  By so doing, we are being prepared for what will do for eternity. 

July 31, 2018

The One True God

“You shall not make for yourself any carved image – any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.  For I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”  Ex. 20:4-6

If we read carefully, we find that four elements make up this principle:

q  Do not have any other gods;

q  Do not make images of other gods;

q  Do not worship or serve other gods; and,

q  There are consequences for obedience and disobedience.

We may find no need to focus on the first of these four elements, but the Israelites of that era certainly needed the instruction.  They were surrounded by cultures that worshipped countless gods, and the Hebrew people believed there were other gods.  Yahweh was being as clear as He could in stating He was to be Israel’s One and Only God. 

It is interesting, if not fascinating, to see that God continues.  This is because He knows human nature.  His next statement instructs the people not to make any carved image or likeness of anything that could be a god or symbolize a god that would come from heaven, in the earth below, or in the waters under the earth.  God is telling His people that, in essence, any attempt to replicate in image who God is would be both insufficient (as God is not physical, but Spiritual) and – would feed human nature’s desire to worship what was created.  So, the Lord cuts off the Israelites at the start by telling them not to bother even making these images (or what we might call icons). 

Let’s pause for a moment and think about the religious symbols, images, and icons that we have encountered in our walk of faith.  Such symbols can create division – even within the Church!  It has fostered denominational disagreements and done a disservice to the Church that Jesus spoke of, built, and prayed for. 

Contrast those religious symbols with what was built and placed in the Tabernacle.  Not one item was a carved image or representation of Himself.  There were altars, arks, tables, lampstands and the like.  None of those items were designed to represent God.  They did however, play a significant role in learning about God and how to be in relationship with Him – pointing forward to the time of Jesus Christ.

Next is the third component of this principle: do not worship any such images.  This is idolatry and idolatry denies there is one true God.  As a point of emphasis, God states why idolatry is not part of His plan for His people: “For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…”  The word jealous in Hebrew is “qanna.”  It more appropriately means passion and intensity.  As it is used in this verse, we see that God is an intensely passionate God.  Who is He passionate for?  His chosen ones!  He wants us to be intensely passionate for Him.

July 30, 2018

Pleasing Aroma

“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rev. 2:10

Smyrna was a large and ancient city which became part of the Greek Ionian confederacy in the times before Christ, and later under Roman control, was known as a city of great wealth and commerce.  It is considered by historians that Polycarp was bishop of this church, who was martyred for his beliefs around 168 AD.  In the midst of this prosperous city stood a church, referred to by our Lord as poor (yet rich).

The word Smyrna means literally “myrrh.”  We recognize myrrh as one of the spices brought by the wise men to the infant Jesus (Mt. 2:11), as well as an ingredient in the anointing oil used by the priests, according to Ex. 30:23.  Further, it was used as a perfume, was offered to Christ on the cross, and was used for embalming purposes.  Myrrh is a fragrant gum and when crushed, releases a beautiful aroma.  This was exactly the way the Lord viewed the church at Smyrna – persecuted and crushed through suffering, yet releasing a sweet aroma unto God.  This presents an interesting way to adopt a Christlike view of suffering and persecution when presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ:  such suffering releases a beautiful fragrance to God!  

July 29, 2018

The Stronghold of Zion

“And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: who spoke to David, saying, ‘you shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you, thinking, David can come not come in here.’  Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion.”  2 Samuel 5:6-7

Salem is the abbreviated original name for Jerusalem.  Its meaning is “peace.”  Its full name was the Babylonian Uru-Salim, which was shortened to Salem, as it appears in Genesis 14:18:  “And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the most high God.”  The first king of Jerusalem we read of in the Bible is Melchizedek.  He was a king and a priest, according to verse 14 above.  The name Melchizedek means “My King is Righteousness.”  David went on to become a king and a priest, establishing the political and spiritual kingdom at Jerusalem.  Jesus walked among men and entered the city of Jerusalem as king, according to Matthew 21:9-10.  He was, and is, our King and Priest.  The Holy Spirit was received at Jerusalem as promised by Jesus in Acts 1:4.  We are kings and priests through the power of the Holy Spirit.  There is a day believers long for – the day described in Revelation 21:1-2, which is the day of the new heaven, the new earth, the New Jerusalem!  Ours is indeed a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, King of Salem! 

Jebus was the name assigned to Jerusalem following the conquest of that city by Adoni-zedek, leader of the Jebusites.  Jebus has the meaning of “a place trodden down”, so as to indicate a threshing place, or place under foot.  Other scholars define Jebus as “the waterless hill.”  The Jebusites are typically considered as one of the seven nations of Canaan, instructed by God to be driven out of Canaan.  As history reveals, the Israelites were repeatedly disobedient in that regard.  The Jebusites were a mountain tribe, according to Numbers 13:29.  The tribe was considered part of “the giants” Israel would be facing if it was to try and enter the Promised Land of Canaan.  As the twelve spies sent out by Moses returned, the report of ten was fearful.  The report of two, Joshua and Caleb, was faithful.  Israel chose not to enter the land; the result was forty years in the wilderness.    It is noteworthy that Canaan is a symbol of an inheritance gained by warfare. 

Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land and the first chapter of the Book of Judges depicts the partial obedience of Israel in fighting against the Canaanites following Joshua’s death.  In Judges 1:21 we read the about the tribe of Benajmin:  “And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin unto this day.”   Even though God was clear in requiring the elimination of the nations of Canaan completely, the people of Israel failed to fulfill that command.  As a result, the Jebusites regained control over Jebus until the time of David’s military capture of the city.

David’s courage and obedience was a key to seizing his inheritance.

July 28, 2018

Lord of the Sabbath

“Therefore the Son of Man is also the Lord of the Sabbath.”  Mk. 2:28

Jehovah Mekoddishkem  is the name of the LORD who sanctifies.  In Exodus 31:13 God speaks to Moses:  “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying ‘surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, as it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”  As we are sanctified, we are set apart, consecrated, and prepared for service to the Lord.  The Sabbath served as an important sign according to the covenant God made with Moses.  Throughout Old Testament times, the Israelites disobeyed this fourth commandment of God.  The Sabbath, established on the seventh day of creation by God as a day of rest” was fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who is the “Lord of the Sabbath” as found in Mark 2:28.  A day of rest became a person of rest, who offered His rest to us as a permanent sign.  As we enter into His presence, we enter into His rest. God’s perfect plan of redemption included returning rest into our lives.  Part of the journey of sanctification is learning to walk in His rest.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees in Mark’s gospel to correct their misunderstanding of the Sabbath.  People were not created for an aspect of the law (in this case, the Sabbath day of rest); rather, the Sabbath was established as a benefit for people.  Even David was provided food on the Sabbath when he was hungry.  Surely God created rest for His people.

July 27, 2018

Lifting of Our Hands

“Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”  Psalm 141:2

Rather than the morning and evening animal sacrifices, David writes in this Psalm about the sacrifice of lifting up of his hands.  This represented the position of yieldedness, or surrender, to God.  In 1 Timothy 2:8, men were encouraged to “pray everywhere, with the lifting of holy hands…”  There are parallels between Psalm 141:2 and Psalm 134, which reads: “Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD!  Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.  The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!”  The priests of the tabernacle of Moses offered burnt offerings and incense every evening. 

Even though David had empty hands, his heart was full of love for the Lord.  God accepted David’s prayer as incense rising and his heart of love and surrender as the evening sacrifice.  May our prayers, our hearts, and our uplifted hands be a pleasing sacrifice unto the Lord, day and night. 

July 26, 2018

We are justified

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for the law is the knowledge of sin.”  Rom. 3:19-20

The word justification is a legal term meaning to remove the guilt (liability to punishment) of the sinner.  Through it, the demands of justice have been satisfied, and as Romans 8:1 reminds us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”  Beloved, this is powerful!  Here is what happens to those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and commit to following after Him:

·         We acknowledge our sinfulness and need for a Savior;

·         We recognize the Lord’s saving power, through the blood He shed on the cross;

·         We realize our own righteousness gets us nowhere;

·         We lay down our righteousness for His righteousness – which is God’s legal decision to right all our wrongs;

·         We begin to understand justifying ourselves and our actions has no meaning;

·         We begin to grasp hold of His justification in our lives, which removes that guilty verdict and death sentence;

·         It is finished and we are no longer condemned; rather, we are set free!

July 25, 2018

When God Knew You

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart…” Jer. 1:5

Imagine going to the hospital to meet a newborn child for the first time.  It might be a close relative, or a good friend who has just given birth.  There is excitement and anticipation as you make your way to the room.  As you walk in, you see her.  She is precious and beautiful and your breath is taken away as you look at her, lying contently in the blankets keeping her safe and warm.  There is something so special and so sacred about new birth, new life, this new creation that you are witnessing.

The words that God spoke to Jeremiah are the words we can pray over this young life.  Little one, before God formed you in your Mommy’s womb, God knew you.  That is amazing and remarkable and wondrous.  And it is true.  Even before today, before your birth, God had already set you apart, for His plan and His purpose.  You see, sweet child, God has been involved before your beginning.  He has fashioned you and formed you as an expression of His love to this world.  He chose your mommy and your daddy.  He chose to make you.

He has given you great thought and He already knows all the days of your life – the good days and the trying days.  He has placed into you what you will need to walk through this life.  He has placed within you a desire for Him.

Welcome to the world, dear child of God.  May you come to know the One who formed you.  May you walk with the One who set you apart.  May the Lord bless you and keep you, all the days of your life and may you dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever.

July 24, 2018

Pleasing God

“But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.”  1 Thess. 2:4

Our walk of faith cannot be done to please people.  It must be done to win the praises of the One we praise – our Lord God.  The Galatians had been easily swayed, as evidenced by Paul’s letter to them.  The church at Thessalonica had shown great faith.  Paul was writing to thank the church for its faith and to remind the people to stand firm in their faith, rather than be on the verge of perishing for lack of knowledge.  Are we on such a verge?  Beloved, this is the gospel of Jesus Christ:

• He was crucified;
• He rose from the grave;
• He ascended to sit at the right hand of His Father.

 Therefore, as a follower and disciple of Jesus, we are called to:

• Crucify the flesh;
• Experience the power of His resurrection;
• Be seated in heavenly places.

The full gospel will be an offensive message to many, offending those who do not think there is a need to crucify our flesh, that there is a resurrection power that is available this side of heaven, or that we have a heavenly position.    We are seeking to please God, not win the affection or approval of others.

July 23, 2018

In the Wilderness

“Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai…”  Num. 1:1

The Book of Numbers is called B’midbar in Hebrew, meaning, “In the Wilderness.”  It is taken from this first verse in the book, where the Lord speaks to Moses, as Israel is in the wilderness.  If we take a moment to re-trace events, about three months had gone by since Israel left Egypt, the place of bondage, and arrived at Sinai.  Another nine months or so were needed for the construction of the Tabernacle of Moses.    While this building project is happening, the Israelites were camped in the wilderness – not the land that God had promised! 

Have you been in a spiritual wilderness – feeling adrift, lost, and without a compass?  Have you ever felt your devotional life to be dry, dull, and dormant?  You may have wondered why you were in such a place for so long a time.  Being camped out somewhere for nine months is different than a quick overnight!

God promised to rescue His chosen people Israel and He did.  God promised His people a land that flowed with milk and honey, and He brought them to Canaan.  It was the way, or the route that He took, to bring Israel to Canaan (coupled with Israel’s disobedience).  God brought His people out of bondage through the wilderness to the Promised Land.

It is in the wilderness where the Lord will speak to us – or perhaps it is better expressed, we will hear Him as He speaks to us.  When we have stopped our grumbling and complaining, our blaming, and our questioning – then we can hear the voice of the Lord as He speaks to us.  We will get to the place of utter dependence and reliance on God when we are mired in the desert places.  It may take some time, but God is faithful.  He will wait for us. 

Friend, be encouraged the next time you find yourself in the wilderness.  The Lord may have brought you there to speak to you about what awaits you next on your journey to the Promised Land.

July 22, 2018

Times of Refreshing

“Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…” Acts 3:19

Peter is exhorting the crowd.  People from all around the Temple had gathered after witnessing them healing a beggar who was lame.  We can imagine the audience hanging on every word, as Peter says – repent, turn, and your sins will be wiped out.  That is good news!  In fact, it is great news!  Turn to God with a repentant heart and our sins will be forgiven?!  That is fantastic.  Yet, Peter does not stop there.  He has the boldness, given to him by the Holy Spirit, to then say that times of refreshing will come.

My grandmother used to always offer dessert to guests in her home.  In particular, she liked to make sure her grandchildren had their dessert.  She would take down a bowl, cut a piece of cake, put a cookie alongside the cake, then get some ice cream and put it on top.  We thought we were royalty with a dessert like that!  Likewise, Peter is letting us know that when we repent and turn to God, it is like getting that bowl with cake and a cookie – our sins are wiped out.  The ice cream on top is the time of refreshing that the Lord will give His people.

Maybe the analogy isn’t ideal, but hopefully we get the point.  As we journey through this life with Jesus, we are waiting.  We are waiting for His return, for the complete restoration of all things, for the fulfillment of the new heaven and earth – the new creation finalized, if you will.  Waiting can be tedious and sometimes challenging.  While we wait we are promised these times of complete refreshing – like a cold drink on a hot day, or yes, ice cream on top of cake.  We will have moments when we are rejuvenated spiritually (or physically).  We will have times when glee and joy leap into our hearts and settle.  There will be times where we “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

I would have settled for having my sins wiped out – because it’s such tremendous news.  But my kind and gracious Father has decided to add in times of refreshing to my life.  I am so glad and thankful that He did.