April 30th, 2018

The Return of Rejoicing

“Then on the second day of the month, the leaders of all the families went to meet with Ezra, the priests, and the Levites. They all gathered around Ezra the teacher to study the words of the law.   They studied and found these commands in the law. The Lord gave this command to the people through Moses: In the seventh month of the year, the Israelites must go to Jerusalem to celebrate a special festival. They must live in temporary shelters. And the people are supposed to go through all of their towns and Jerusalem and say this: “Go out into the hill country and get branches from different kinds of olive trees. Get branches from myrtle trees, palm trees, and shade trees. Use the branches to make temporary shelters. Do what the law says.”   So the people went out and got tree branches. Then they built temporary shelters for themselves. They built shelters on their own roofs and in their own yards. And they built shelters in the Temple yard, in the open place near the Water Gate, and near Ephraim Gate.  The whole group that had come back from captivity built shelters. They lived in the shelters they had built. Since the days of Joshua son of Nun up until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated the Festival of Shelters like this. Everyone was very happy!  Neh. 8:13-17

This passage is a powerful illustration of: returning, rebuilding, and rejoicing.  The Israelites had been in exile and now were returning to their homeland.  Their assignment was to rebuild the wall around their beloved city of Jerusalem.  This project was led by Nehemiah, the cup-bearer who had been given permission to return to the city.

Miraculously the wall was re-built in 52 days, despite hardships, opposition, and resistance.  At the completion of the project, the people gathered together and Ezra joined them in the reading of the law.  As the law was being read, the Feast of Tabernacles was re-discovered.  It had been years since the feasts had been celebrated or even recognized.  Now there was a sense of jubilation among the crowd.  The feast was celebrated according to Levitical law and there was very great gladness among the people.  Israel celebrated God’s deliverance from captivity and rejoiced in the wondrous work of the Lord.  He brought them out of exile back to their homeland and completed the restoration of their city walls.  He made possible what was considered to be impossible.  What God did for Israel in the time of Nehemiah, He can do for us today!

April 29th, 2018

Given Gifts

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,  are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”   After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”  Mt. 2:1-11

The magi give gifts:  gold; frankincense; and myrrh.  Today we look at gold, which is symbolic of royalty, kingship, and glory.  In Genesis 2:11 we find gold in Havilah (circle).  In Revelation we find the street is made with it.  Gold was used in the Tabernacle of Moses, and in the Temple of Solomon.  The Mercy Seat was made of pure gold, and the cherubim made of beaten gold. 

As visitors always brought gifts to kings and rulers, these wise men met the custom of the day.  They recognized royalty in the “house of the Lord.”  Jesus, not very old, out of the manger and into a house, was seen as the King of the Jews.  They brought and presented their best first: gold; indicating they understood they were in the presence of a King.

What do we bring to the house of the Lord?  Do we bring our best?  Are we bringing firstfruits or leftovers?  Do we offer spiritual sacrifices that are worthy of our King?  Note the magi did not come to the King and ask for anything – they entered the house of the Lord and worshiped and gave gifts -- the gift of royalty; for a king. 

When we come to house of the Lord, of the King of Kings, and worship and give the gifts worthy of our Lord and Savior, our King, He responds.  When we offer our heart in worship and adoration, He responds.  As we recognize the Royalty in the House of the Lord, something divine occurs.  He meets us there, takes hold of us, and says, “I am in the presence of royalty.  My son, My daughter, you are royalty.”

May our best be brought to Jesus, and His best meet ours.

April 28th, 2018

The Sacrifice of Praise

“…the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: praise the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for His mercy endures forever – and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD.  For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first, says the LORD.”  Jeremiah 33:11

This word from the Lord was a complete reversal of what God had spoken in Jer. 7:34:  “Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.  For the land shall be desolate.”   This word was given as God’s judgment for Israel’s disobedience; we find in chapter 33:6 that the Lord promises to “bring it health and healing: I will heal them and  the Lord promises to “bring it health and healing: I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.”   Then again will the voices be restored: of joy and gladness, the bridegroom and the bride, and the ones who offer the sacrifice of praise to the Lord.  God continues in 33:16 to promise that “In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely, and this is the name by which she will be called:  THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”   What a promise!  What a hope.  Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness, is with us today.  Let us bring in the sacrifice of praise to the House of the Lord!

April 27th, 2018

Repentance

 “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
 Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”  What should we do then?” the crowd asked.   John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”   Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”   “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.   Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”  He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”   The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.” Lk. 3:3-15

Repentance means to change with regret accompanied by a true change of heart toward God.  It is a changing, or turning, of one’s mind from evil to good; or from worse to better.  Repentance is a result of reflection on the past and determining to turn from it to better things.  Repentance is not regret or remorse; it is an action of turning. 

Remission is the forgiveness; comes from the verb meaning “to cause to stand away, to release sins from the sinner.  It is achieved by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.  Man cannot forgive sin, it is done by the blood and is an act of grace.

I must choose to change, to turn – and when I do, God is there to meet me with the provision of forgiveness that was secured on a cross by the blood of Jesus Christ.  The prodigal son repented when he turned around and went back home.

The people, tax collectors and soldiers lined up and asked John, “What shall we do?”  He said:  turn from greed to giving; turn from false accusation to contentment; turn from violence to peace.  This is the practical application of repentance. 

Then the people’s expectation and excitement was stirred!  The same holds true for us.  The question remains, as in verse 8, is there fruit worthy of repentance?  Are you holding onto something, said I’m sorry more times that you can remember, but not changed?  Are you sorry you got caught, stuck at regret, unaware that the great I AM stands ready to transform you?  For the last 2 weeks, the Holy Spirit has been moving and ministering in ways of peace and healing.  A diagnosis has been made of the quiet chaos in some lives, infirmity in others.  He sees your broken-heartedness.  You too may be asking today, Lord, what shall I do?  He would say to you, “Turn, choose to change, ‘come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and will give you rest.’”

There is an invitation for you to come to Him, and to ask Him to change you.  Only He can do it.  If you have something you want changed, turn to God and ask Him to forgive you and to help you.

April 26th, 2018

The Sure Mercies of David

“Incline your ear and come to Me, hear and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you – the sure mercies of David.  Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and a commander for the people.”   Isaiah 55:3-4

What are sure mercies?  The word sure in Hebrew is “aman” and means: enduring; trust; reliable; faithful; to confirm, support.  From aman we get the word Amen, meaning, sure or truly.  We can conclude that the mercies God is speaking of are faithful, reliable and enduring.  They are eternal.

The Hebrew word for mercy is “chesed” or “hesed.”  It is a vital word in the Old Testament and means: lovingkindness; love; benevolence; grace; mercy; and unfailing love.  The Hebrew word for mercy is very similar in nature to the Greek word for grace, which is “charis.”  Let’s return to our question – what are sure mercies?  We can summarize them as eternally faithful lovingkindnesses.   These sure mercies are elsewhere confirmed in God’s word, as found in Psalm 92:2:  “To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night…”   As part of his lament for the destruction of Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah writes in Lamentations 3:22-23:  “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”   Again in verse 32 of the same chapter we read: “Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.”   Despite the sins of Israel and ruin of a people, God offered His covenant love, or mercy.  The Lord did “not cast off forever” (Lam. 3:31), rather He demonstrated His faithful compassion as a remnant remained and ultimately returned. 

The covenant God made with David was a covenant of mercy, or an agreement with eternally faithful lovingkindness.  The covenant with David was irrevocable, or an everlasting covenant.  This covenant of sure mercies is defined as one that chastens those who commit iniquity (what we might call correction or consequences), yet the mercies remain.  This is unlike Saul, from whom God removed mercy.  David, his successor to the throne, continued to receive God’s sure mercies.  Those mercies were extended through David’s kingdom.  The mercies had to continue, as they were part of the irrevocable covenant God had made with David.  David’s seed, house, and throne had to endure, even in the midst of iniquity and correction.  The seed continued, even after it was prophesied that there would be one who “was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”  (Isa. 53:5)  The covenant and seed and sure mercies of David foreshadowed and typified what was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  He is of the seed of David, who ushered in the New Covenant, and fulfilled the sure mercies through His death and resurrection.

April 25th, 2018

Show Yourself to the Priest

 “A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”   Jesus was filled with compassion. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.”  Mk. 1:40-45

Jesus gave us the Kingdom of compassion.  Jesus declared it, demonstrated it, and died for it – understanding the cross.  Fifteen times in the Gospels Jesus was moved with compassion for:

        --the sheep without a shepherd

        --the lost

        --the broken

        --the afflicted

Love went to the cross and compassion set us free!  We experience the Kingdom when our story meets Jesus’ story.  An example of that is found in this passage of Mark, where a leper approaches Jesus in want of cleansing.  Let us not miss that Jesus was “filled with compassion.”  Jesus replies to the leper, “I am willing, be cleansed.”  It is so powerful that first, Jesus is willing; and second, the leper is cleansed.   It is that same compassion that fills Jesus for our benefit, for our cleansing. 

The Lord then tells the man to go show himself to the priest, which was the Old Testament requirement for the determination of being clean enough to re-enter the camp.  Leprosy had rendered him unclean, but one word or touch from Jesus and now the man was clean.  The act of showing himself to the priest was in order to fulfill the law, demonstrate the power of Jesus, and the necessary step for restoration back to the community. 

God, where do You want us to advance Your Kingdom of compassion?

April 24th, 2018

Giants in the Land

“They gave Moses this account: We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does overflow with milk and honey!  Here is its fruit.  But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.  We even saw descendants of Anak there.”  Num. 13:27-28

Once at Sinai, the Israelites were encamped for approximately one year.  The history of events that took place during that encampment is depicted in the last half of Exodus, the Book of Leviticus, and Numbers, chapters 1-11.  During that time the people were transformed by a covenant relationship with God.   The Ten Commandments were given, and God’s wisdom and leadership helped Israel mature into an organized cohesive people.  After the encampment at Sinai, we find in Numbers 10:11 the Israelites finally depart and journey to the Wilderness of Paran.  Subsequently, the Israelites begin travel from Paran to Kibroth-Hattavah (Graves of Craving) to Hazeroth, and back to Paran.  From Paran, Moses sent out twelve spies to the land of Canaan and they returned with a report after forty days.  As Numbers 13 indicates, only Joshua and Caleb came back with a positive report.  The remaining ten spies were afraid of the “giants in the land.”  And so Israel disobeyed God’s command to enter the Promised Land of Canaan.  Their consequence was to wander in the wilderness for forty years, suffer the death of the ten spies due to a plague, and experience the elimination of the entire first generation of the nation Israel, except for Moses, Joshua, and Caleb.  We also note in Numbers 14: 39-45 that despite Moses’ instructions, the Israelites attempt to go to the mountaintop without the Ark of the Covenant or with Moses.  The Israelites are left unprotected and without the presence of the LORD, and are defeated and driven back to Hormah.  And the forty year wilderness experience begins.

We see what happened to the people of Israel as they tried to “go it alone.”  Unless the Ark of the Covenant was with them, the Israelites would always encounter defeat. The same holds true for believers today: if we walk independently and without the presence of God in our lives, we are assured of defeat in our lives!  Seeking the Lord, asking for His lead in our lives, and then following after Him with a clean heart is walking with His presence in our daily lives.  Holy Spirit, turn us to Jesus!

April 23rd, 2018

To be Filled

“…that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. “ Col. 1:9-12

These verses give us a beautiful prayer for the church.  Let’s take the time to work through some of the important pieces of this prayer.  Paul prays: “…that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 

We see a God pattern being established in this prayer:  as we pray to be FILLED with knowing God’s will in all wisdom and understanding, He will be faithful to fill us.  This is similar to Paul’s prayer in Eph. 1:15-19, where Paul prays for the church to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; that the eyes of the church’s understanding would be enlightened (Father – open our spiritual eyes!); so that the church would KNOW the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.  It bears a resemblance as well to the prayer in Phil. 1:9, the prayer for love to abound more and more in knowledge and discernment. 

 Paul then continues to pray that the church, being filled, would:

o   Walk worthy of the Lord;

o   Fully please the Lord;

o   Be fruitful;

o   Increase in knowledge of the Lord; and,

o   Be strengthened with all might – by the power of the Lord.

Friends, let us learn to pray this way for each other as the Church, the Body of Christ!

April 22nd, 2018

Sarah’s Laughter

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?  At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Gen. 18:14

 The name Sarah means “beloved” and “princess.”  Sarah, wife of Abraham, is described in Gen. 11:30 as barren.  This sets the stage for the miraculous to be promised and ultimately fulfilled by God.  As we move through Genesis, we find in chapter 18 that three visitors appear to Abraham and one, described as the Lord, asks where Sarah is and promises that He will return later and Sarah shall have a son.  Sarah laughs to herself at what she believes is utterly impossible.  The Lord asks Abraham why Sarah would laugh and in 18:14 states, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?  At the appointed time (moed) I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

In Gen. 21:6 Sarah gives birth to her son, Isaac, whose name means “laughter.”  Sarah says, “God has made me laugh and all who hear will laugh with me.”  This is significant in a prayer of blessing for a daughter to be like Sarah.  Such a blessing asks God for the child to be beloved, a princess, and filled with joy and laughter.  What a wonderful blessing to pray for our daughters!

In the Psalms we find references to joy and laughter, as well as barrenness.  God speaks forth His promises to the barren women in Psalm 113:9, “He causes the childless woman to live at home happily as a mother of children.”

Let’s also consider Psalm 126, using the CBJ (Complete Jewish Bible):

“When Adonai restored Tziyon’s fortunes, we thought we were dreaming.

Our mouths were full of laughter, and our tongues shouted for joy.

Among the nations it was said, ‘Adonai has done great things for them!

Adonai did do great things for us; and we are overjoyed.

Return our people from exile, Adonai, as streams fill vadis in the Negev.

Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy.

He who goes out weeping as he carries his sack of seed will come home with cries of joy

As he carries his sheaves of grain.”

Again, in Isaiah 61:3, “Yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn, giving them garlands instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness planted by Adonai, in which He takes pride.”

May we discover the joy and laughter that Jesus has for us!

April 21st, 2018

The Revelation of Jesus

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place.  And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”  Rev. 1:1-3

In this text we the very essence of the entire Book:  from chapters 1-22 it is a revelation of Jesus Christ.  The word revelation in Greek is “apokalupsis” and means unveiling, uncovering or disclosure.  So we could say the Book of Revelation is an unveiling of Jesus Christ.  It’s beautiful.  Charles Spurgeon said, “How we need a revelation of Jesus!”  It’s true.  We can go through the entire Book of Revelation and miss the point: this is a book about the unveiling of Jesus! 

As we read further, we see that God gave the revelation to His Son.  As such, this uncovering comes directly from the throne that God occupies. 

The purpose of the revelation was to show His servants – all believers – those things contained within the Book that would soon come to pass.  The purpose was to prepare us.  The word shortly or soon is relative, as we know.  The use of such a term is to intentionally keep us ready for our Lord’s return.  We do not know when it will happen.  We do know we should be prepared for it to happen today.

Finally, God’s revelation through and of His Son was given to His beloved apostle John.  This important message was sent to a credible witness of Christ, having been with Jesus during His earthly ministry.  The book was sent and signified to John by Jesus through an angel.  The word signified is important to understand.  As John had received a heavenly vision, the best way to describe it would be through signs. 

April 20th, 2018

The Lord is There

“All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.”  Ezk. 48:35

Jehovah Shammah  is the name for the LORD is There. He is our ever present help and refuge, always there awaiting our arrival.  Ezekiel 48:35 describes the temple this way: “The Lord is Alpha, our beginning.  Jesus was the cause for creation, and He is there.  The Lord is Omega, our end.  Just as He was the cause for creation, so too Jesus is the cause for completion.  The word “end” is not measured in time, but rather in terms of fulfillment of a goal.  The Lord is there.  Somewhere between the beginning and the end is this present place, which we occupy.  The Lord is there, right there with us in the place we occupy.  Indeed He is omnipresent!  He is from everlasting to everlasting.  He created the beginning out of nothing as well as the end.  We see our situation as it presently exists; God sees it as it will be. 

In Revelation 21:2-3 John writes of the New Jerusalem: “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.”  He is Jehovah Shammah, there and waiting for the day He will make all things new.

Later in Revelation 22:3 we read: “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. And His servants shall serve Him.”  Whatever our situation might be, God is there.  It is a constant reminder to us.  We can seek Him in prayer by confiding and trusting in the truth that Jehovah Shammah stands at the finish line of our race, arms outstretched wide.  May He say to us, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

April 19th, 2018

The Weapons of Our Warfare

 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war in the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”  2 Corinthians 10:3-7

Our minds store information and images from childhood through this morning.  It is a repository of thoughts.  Those images and thoughts can be positive or negative.  Our memories can recall experiences joyful and hurtful.  In some cases, hurtful experiences have damaged our hearts.  This is important as Scripture tells us, “For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.”  (Proverbs 23:7)  As we walk in the renewal of our minds on a daily basis, we take our thoughts to Jesus Christ and His obedience.  Are our thoughts of God, of the flesh, or of the defeated one?  For every thought, there is a “moment of choice” to believe the thought or to refute it in Jesus’ name.  In this chapter, we will examine the components of conducting spiritual warfare against the thoughts we have that are not of the Lord.  The diagram below illustrates the “moment of choice” as part of conforming to the world or being transformed.

 

As we bring our thoughts to the Light, each one is exposed as truth or a lie.  So many times our broken hearts produce broken thoughts that do not line up with God’s word.  God speaks truth.  The truth breaks the back of a lie.  As we grow in our knowledge of the word, our faith is strengthened.  We realize when our thoughts are not in accordance with the word of God.  Such thoughts seek to keep us conformed to the ways of the world.  As we reject such thoughts and replace them with truth, we are transformed! 

April 18th, 2018

The Covenant with David

“And you and your kingdom shall be established forever before you.  Your throne shall be established forever.”  2 Samuel 7:16

David represents so many things to believers: king; priest; prophet; the man after God’s own heart.  A study of the covenants shows us the covenant that was made with Abraham had irrevocable promises, which are now followed up with the Davidic Covenant, also containing irrevocable promises.  The fulfillment of these two covenants will come in the New Covenant, when Jesus Christ completed the promise of kingship, as He was given the “key of David,” according to Isaiah 22:20-25.

The primary focus of the covenant with David is that of a king ruling a kingdom.  It had been God’s will to give the people of Israel a king, dating back to the days of God’s covenant promise with Abraham.  But during the days after the judges, the people clamored for a king of a different kind.  Thus, God gave them what they asked for in the form of king Saul. He was named king 40 years before the appointed time for God’s king.  After Saul’s 40 year reign and David’s rise to kingship, God made the covenant with this man who sought hard after God. Saul came from the tribe of Benjamin, while David came from the tribe of Judah.  Without David as king, there would not have been a Messiah consistent with Biblical prophecy.

April 17th, 2018

Our Motivation

Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.  Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.  Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”   Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.  Mk. 3:1-6

O God, how is that You have placed me, a simple servant, here in the synagogue today?  Could it be to see for myself this man, Jesus, the one they call the prophet?

I am confused by what I see Lord.  The Pharisees seem to be intent on accusation, condemnation and destruction of this Jesus.  They seem to care little about the needs of the man with the diseased hand, as they focus their attention on Jesus.  Their eyes are on His every step and their ears hear His simple words.  God, You created the seventh day as one of rest as a gift to us.  Now this carpenter’s son appears to violate that gift, yet what He does is life-giving.  I saw the healing with my own eyes!  How can that be wrong?  God help me to understand this conflict.

As I look closely from this corner where I work, I can see the motives of the Pharisees and Jesus are very different.  Jesus has a motivation of serving – His motivation is love.  I cannot say the same for these Pharisees.  Their hearts are filled with anger, stubbornness, and fear.  They are intent on proving Jesus wrong and want to trap Him.  Then, when Jesus walks right through their traps unscathed, the religious get even angrier!  God, I cannot see that Jesus has done anything wrong today.  Why would You show me this?  I don’t like it.  Are You trying to speak to me through what has happened today?  I am but a simple servant – I sweep and clean here in the synagogue. 

Could You be reminding me to examine my heart and my motives?  The Psalmist wrote,”Search my heart O Lord,” and so I pray that yes, Lord, search my heart and show me my true motivation.  I want it to be like Jesus.

April 16th, 2018

Possessing the Gates

“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;…” Gen. 22:17

God told Abraham that there would be many blessings, innumerable generations of his family, who would take control of the places where their enemies were located.  Beloved, this is true for us today!  There remain great blessings through the spiritual seed of Abraham.  Keep in mind that Abraham was the father of the seed, the seed being Isaac.  There also remain generations of that spiritual seed, the children of promise.  Is it not out of reach to control the gate of our enemies?  Absolutely not.

The phrase shall possess is “yarash” (#3423 Strong’s) and means: to seize; take possession of; to inherit; occupy; or to drive away.  Legally it refers to receiving an inheritance.  In a military sense, it refers to invading a land to occupy it.  We have an inheritance as well through the work of Jesus Christ.

As we presented earlier in this course, gates refer to those places that are entrance points.  Gates were symbolic of authority, governing, and power.  They were meeting places for people of prominence, either to engage in commerce, settle disputes, or conduct governmental matters. 

The seed of Abraham possessing the gate of his enemies is a powerful statement.  It reminds us that because of Jesus Christ, we have His power and authority to invade enemy territory and seize the gates, thereby taking control over that territory.  We partake of that inheritance.

On a spiritual level, this is a crucial aspect of intercession – known as spiritual warfare.  We are not advised in Scripture to go looking for enemies to conquer (stay out of the second heaven).  However, when a power of darkness is revealed to us by a manifestation and is interfering with God’s plan here, we have every right to rid it, in the name of Jesus.  We invade, storm the gates, and seize control of the gates through prayer!  Once the gates are secured, the place of entrance, authority, and ownership has become the Lord’s.  It is His battle, after all.  Our work is the praying.  His work is the releasing of the victory in response to our intercession. 

April 15th, 2018

Children of Light

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light…”  Eph. 5:8

Dear Paul,

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and instruction on living as children of light.  It is a challenge to not sidestep into darkness.  The dividing wall of hostility seems to only thicken with resentment, bitterness and hatred.  Revenge seems the master of so many and things in the world seem to be spiraling out of control. 

Yet each morning I sit and wait to receive the Lord’s gift of a new day and a fresh start.  I am a witness to the darkness of night being eclipsed by the brightness of day.  It is a reminder of God’s great provision in my life and another opportunity to live for Him.  This verse instructs me to live as light; to be like a new day dawning and in doing so to expose the darkness.  Love exposes hatred.  Truth exposes deceit.  Peace exposes chaos.

Fill me fresh today Lord to live this kind of life Your word describes, so that without uttering a word, the light would expose the darkness.

April 14th, 2018

The Goodness of God

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”  Ps. 34:8

Let the Lord speak to you today:

“I have chosen you and selected you.  You are My child, the apple of My eye.  You are hidden under My wing.  I delight in you.  All that I do for you is good.  It is for your good.  Come away with Me.  Come to the place where you can cast your cares upon Me.  Lean into Me, for I cover you with My goodness.  I know every hurt and pain and disappointment.  I am your Advocate.

You are special to Me because of all the thought and care I put into you.  I made you a very particular way.  I put into you an understanding of My justice.  You stand up for what is right in My eyes.  I put a deep desire for truth in you.  You have discovered, and are discovering still, that contained within My justice system is love and compassion.  You are in spiritual law school, learning the spirit of the law of love.

The cross is not in heaven.  The cross is an earthly station one must understand and experience in order to advance.  Each time you pass through the work of the cross, you access a new understanding and dimension of the Kingdom."

April 13th, 2018

Lost and Found

"For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”  Mt. 18:11

Jesus is the Lord of the lost and found.  We can all recall our school days when we lost a hat or mitten.  We can all recall our school days when we lost a hat or mitten.  We would go to the office and locate the lost and found box.  There, we could hopefully find what was missing.

God sent His Son to retrieve all that was lost, all that is lost, and all that shall ever be lost.   He is our perfect match; the missing piece of our lives.  He will go anywhere to find us, reclaim us, and return us to where we belong.

Is there something inside our lives that has been lost?  Jesus has come for that.  He wants us – all of us.  He will not stop in His kind and gentle way until every part of our lives has been found, saved, rescued, repaired and restored.  He was with us when we lost it – it could be a spouse, a parent, a friend.    We may have lost the innocence of our youth.  He was there.  If we wept, Jesus wept.  If we suffered, Jesus suffered.  Though He was fully divine, He also was fully human.  Jesus specializes in relating to us in our “lost" condition and be our missing part.  Today, let’s give Him permission to reclaim all of us today.

April 12th, 2018

Water for My Soul

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.”  Ps. 19:7

The heavens speak: they say, "God is glorious!"

The sky shows off the artistry of God and His creation.

Day comes and talks to me.

Night arrives, carrying knowledge for my benefit.

Their silent language is heard, forming words of God's creation.

Those words extend throughout the earth, forming a canopy for the sun.

Each day the sun comes out of the canopy like a man on his wedding day;

Like an athlete, well-trained and ready for the race,

Both are filled with joy.

From sunrise to sunset, nothing is hidden from its penetrating light.

Its warmth soothes my bones.

In the creation of God I am pointed to the true law of the Lord.

The Lord's law of love is water for my soul.

The certainty of the sun gives testimony - even I gain wisdom!

His truths are accurate, filling my heart with joy.

His instructions for my life are true, opening my eyes to see in a whole new way.

All who revere the Lord last and live forever.

His game plan for my life guarantees victory.

His truths, testimonies and instructions are the most precious jewels to me, sweeter than honey.

They provide me warning and reward.

As I gaze from the heavens to stare at myself, how can I know for sure all my mistaken ways?

Glorious God, please find me innocent of hidden faults.

Restrain me from blatant sin and keep it from controlling my life.

I want to be found Not Guilty.

May my life, spoken and silent, be pleasing to You, for You have rescued me and have never left me.