Tuesday, July 31, 2018

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.

Monday, July 30, 2018

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!  

Sunday, July 29, 2018

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.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

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.

Friday, July 27, 2018

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. 

Thursday, July 26, 2018

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!

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

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.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

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.

Monday, July 23, 2018

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.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

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.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

July 21st, 2018


Out of Exile


“I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them.”  Amos 9:14

I meet a lot of people who are “in exile.”  Over the years, we have prayed with tens of thousands of women in prisons, jails, detention centers, and halfway houses.  They are in exile – taken away captive by the legal system and in many cases, facing justice at the hands of the law.


Many of the women are in such exile as a result of disobedience, much like Israel was disobedient to God.  The prophet Amos, like many of his contemporaries, had warned Israel that it could face captivity and destruction.  Israel did not listen and was carried away captive.  So many women were warned, did not take heed, and now are in captivity.


Herein is the beauty and power of this verse: God will bring back His exiled people.  He will rebuild what has been utterly destroyed and His people will re-settle.  Oh what a promise!  What hope!  This same promise is available for followers of Jesus – He will bring His women out of exile.  And amazingly, He does it often while the ladies are still incarcerated!  They are set free, liberated, and begin walking in victory while still behind prison walls.  That is the miracle work of the King.


We could be in a prison on the outside – with walls of depression, fear, anxiety or rage.  We too can be occupants in exile.  Jesus wants to offer this word of hope to us today: “I will bring you back from exile; and cause you to live in a rebuilt place.”

Friday, July 20, 2018

July 20th, 2018


Welcome Him


“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.  If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.”  Philemon 17-18


At the cross Jesus stood between not just two thieves, but between all humanity.  He positioned Himself on that cross in the gap and occupied the space that only He could.  He brought about a result that only He could.  In doing so, He created for us who follow after Him to emulate what He did on a smaller scale.  That is precisely what we find Paul doing in this passage.


It is as if we could hear Jesus say the same words – “if you consider Me a partner (in the gospel), then welcome him or her as you would welcome Me.  If he owes anything, put it on My account.”  Paul met the slave Onesimus on prison.  They became friends; in fact, Paul refers to him as his son.  Onesimus, whose name means “useful” met Paul when he was considered by society to be useless.  The gospel message and the love of Christ changed all that.  Paul then writes to Philemon, the very man Onesimus had betrayed.  Paul and Philemon were partners together in spreading the gospel.  Paul places himself in the gap – the space between betrayer and betrayed.  He strategically positions himself between the two and brokers reconciliation.  Paul takes on what some would say belonged to Onesimus.  On the other hand, Paul is also taking on what some would say belongs to Philemon.  He steps into the brokenness and offers himself.  Paul takes on the burden so the relationship can be repaired.  He operates in the ministry of reconciliation that has been given to him, and to all who follow Christ.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

July 19th, 2018


The Lord is One


“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”  Dt. 6:4

This famous verse is known as the Shema.  The word shema means, “hear.”  The prayer of the Shema begins with, “Hear, O Israel!  The LORD our God, the LORD is one!”   According to the Mishnah, which is a written compilation of the Oral Torah (Mishnah means “that which is repeated”), this verse was prayed first to receive the kingdom of heaven, before receiving the yoke of the commandments.  There was a close connection for the Israelites between their concept of God and the kingdom of heaven (malchut shamayim).  Thus, when praying the Shema, the Hebrew people were praying to the “LORD our God, the LORD (who is) one,” and receiving the kingdom of heaven into their lives.  The kingdom was not a distant and passive concept to the Israelites; rather it was present and active!  The kingdom had power!  It made sense to the Jewish people to receive the kingdom first – with all its power and activity – before receiving the yoke of the commandments.  Having communicated that, now we can read Matthew 6:33 in a whole new light: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”


It is very interesting that in this verse the author is declaring that the God (Elohim) of Israel is one (echad).  Elohim is the plural form of God – denoting the Godhead.  To followers of Jesus, this is significant.  The Godhead consists of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This God is one.  He is God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  He is our God.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

July 18th, 2018


Still Living by Faith


“All these people were still living by faith when they died.  They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.”  Heb. 11:13

By faith Abel.  By faith Enoch.  By faith Noah, Abraham, and Sarah.  This luminous cast from the roll call of faith in Hebrews 11 builds up to a very crucial point, made in verse 13.  None of these people received what they were promised while they were living.  They were still living by faith when they died.

I wonder sometimes if I get too worked up when I don’t receive quickly the things I believe God has promised me.  Do I question my faith?  Do I begin to doubt whether it was really God?  Are some of God’s promises held out beyond my years encased in this flesh on this earth?

The answer is: yes.  I will not inherit all the promises of God until the time of the new heaven and earth.  But I can picture some of them in my mind’s eye, albeit from a very far distance.  The challenge is for me to live out my days with faith – believing in what I do not see or fully comprehend.  Yet I welcome that which has been promised me – life everlasting with God.  I welcome fullness of health, peace, joy.  I peer into distance and can catch a glimpse of restored relationships.  I welcome all these things.  I won’t see them all manifested here, but Lord, let me be one who lives by faith and not be the one to rush Your perfection.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

July 17th, 2018


Old and New Sacrifices


“David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.”  1 Chron. 16:37

According to 1 Chronicles 15 and 16, David brought the Ark of the Covenant from the tabernacle of Moses to a tabernacle he named after himself.  We might call such an action brash, yet David was operating in God’s will.  The tabernacle of David was to be separate and distinct from that of Moses.  The tabernacle of Moses remained at Gibeon, and David selected a group of Levites under the leadership of Zadok the priest to continue to minister there.  The priests were required to offer morning and evening sacrifices, in accordance with Mosaic law.  They were in a tabernacle with an outer court, Holy Place and Holy of Holies – yet there was no Ark! 

At the same time, King David assigned a company of priests, led by Asaph, to minister before the Ark, located at David’s tabernacle.  The tabernacle of David had no outer court, Holy Place, or Most Holy Place.  It had no veil separating access.  There was a great company of singers and musicians.  David’s tabernacle was completely different from that of Moses, and reveals to us the tabernacle to be fulfilled by the person of Jesus Christ.

It is noteworthy that after David offered the burnt and peace sacrifices upon setting the Ark of the Covenant in the tabernacle, no other such animal sacrifices were offered in David’s tabernacle.  Rather, all remaining sacrifices were of praise and joy.  This is an important transition for us to understand, as spiritual sacrifices were now occurring, led by Asaph, at this tent set up by David.  It set in motion a whole new pattern of worship.

Monday, July 16, 2018

July 16th, 2018

Our Peace Treaty


“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one…”Eph. 2:14

When God established a New Covenant with His people through Jesus Christ, one aspect of that Covenant was peace.  We can look at the Covenant, or contract, as God’s peace treaty with us.  This verse declares the firm and foundational truth that Jesus is our peace and that He has made Jew and Gentile into the one new man. 

This section in Ephesians presents the case that those who were once far off have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ shed at the cross.   This powerful statement clues us in that those who once had no access now have access, because of Christ.  It also states that Christ destroyed the barriers and dividing walls between Jew and Gentile.  He abolished the law in His flesh – what a strong statement!  He removed the old regulations that were limiting and restrictive in order to create the one new man out of two, thus making peace.

In times of struggle with another person, difficulties in the church, or turmoil within a family, stop and remember that Jesus is our peace.  God sent His only Son to put into effect an eternal peace treaty with His people.  Friends that is good news!

Sunday, July 15, 2018

July 15th, 2018


Entering the Gates


“Enter into His gate with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”  Ps. 100:4

The psalmist gives us instruction: “Enter into His gate with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”  We see the combination of thanksgiving and praise, associated with entering into the gates and courts of the presence of God.

We are told to enter His gates with thanksgiving.  A modern day analogy might be coming to the prison entrance, where the front gate is located.  Prayer warriors can be interceding and declaring the correctional facility is place where the gates are the entrance points for God’s power and authority! The word thanksgiving is “todah” (#8426 Strong’s) and incorporates into its meaning the following wonderful elements as defined below.

Thanksgiving is the giving of worship by extending one’s hand in adoration or agreement.  It is frequently associated with the offering of a sacrifice (such as sacrifice of praise or thankfulness).  As we confess thankfulness to God for what we have and what we do not yet have, but believe God for, we extend our right hand up to Father, who throughout the Bible has extended His right hand to us.  We come into agreement with God and with His Word.  Beloved, this unleashes supernatural power!  We agree, we confess, we believe!  We pray with a heart of thankfulness to God and we offer it to Him as a spiritual sacrifice.  He hears us.  He sees us.  He delights is us.  He meets us.  HE MEETS US.  Our right hands meet in covenant agreement. 

At this point, we have now passed the prison gates.  As thankfulness overtakes us, Psalm 100 guides us to next “enter His courts with praise.”  A court is a courtyard or enclosure.  In the Tabernacle of Moses, there was the pattern given by God to Moses for the habitation for Yahweh, including the gate and the courts (outer and inner courts). 

If we apply this to a correctional facility, we have now entered the gates with thanksgiving and come into the “yard,” or sanctuary, with praise.  Praise, or tehillah (#8416 Strong’s), is defined as a hymn, laudation, song of praise or exaltation.  It is also used to define God’s glory and praiseworthiness.  In Hebrew the Book of Psalms is the Tehillim.  The root word for praise in Hebrew is halal (#1984 Strong’s) and is the basis for the word hallelujah, which is giving glory to God.  Halal means to be bright, to shine, to boast, to celebrate, and to glorify.  Its very essence is the concept of radiance.   

We have arrived at the prison, passed through the open gates, entered into its sanctuary, and praise God.  We move from thankfulness to praise:  we celebrate, rejoice, boast about the Lord and what He has done, and we glorify His name which is above all names.  We exalt the name of Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior – so that as His name is lifted up, men and women will be drawn to Him.  We will be drawn to someone bigger than ourselves, greater than our problems, stronger than our weaknesses.  We lift up His name and He lifts up our heads to gently feed us His word.  It is a love from everlasting to everlasting.

Saturday, July 14, 2018

July 14th, 2018


Every Good and Perfect Gift


“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

In one of the spare rooms in our house there is a stockpile of gifts.  These are no ordinary gifts; these are gifts for our daughter’s upcoming bridal shower.  She has gone through the process of registering for things she and her future husband will need as they make a home together.  There are gift boxes of all sizes – small ones and really large ones.  Soon the house will be filled with people, eating and sharing and watching as our little girl opens the gifts.

As I look at these boxes and the thoughtfulness that went into selecting each gift, I am struck by the truth of this verse from James.  Every good and perfect gift is from above.  There are the gifts in the room and they are wonderful and considerate.  Then there is the Gift – Jesus Christ.  There is the gift of marriage – a sacrament and covenant that God designed, ordained, and sustains.  There is the gift of love, the gift of relationship.  There is the gift of children.  There is the gift of family.

Our God doesn’t change like shifting shadows or quickly changing opinions.  Our God is steadfast, sure and true.  He has resolve and is resolve.  He has brought so many precious gifts to me and to our daughter.  He has brought her the gift of marriage; a good and perfect gift that has come from her Father of the heavenly lights.

Friday, July 13, 2018

July 13th, 2018


A Friend


“A friend loves at all times.”  Pvbs. 17:17

A good friend is a great listener.  A good friend is humble enough to want to listen!  A true friend supports, encourages, uplifts, and gives comfort.  A good friend builds up and doesn’t tear down.  Yet a real friend will confront when necessary; confront the other friend about something without making that friend wrong. 


Solid, enduring friendships include some similar objectives - such as working for the Creator.   “Establish the work of our hands.”  (Psalm 90:17)  The work itself can be most different - from intercession to teaching to missional.   The objective remains the same:  being an obedient servant to our Lord Jesus Christ. 


A good friend is a prayer partner.  Our closest friends know that we keep them in prayer for things both general and specific.  Friends are great intercessors because they are privy to the minutiae of our lives.  The ability to ask for prayer about the most intimate things in our lives is a wonderful gift.  True friends pray for one another, for one another’s families, and for the situations that come up in life - the highs and the lows. God hears those prayers and He responds. 


Friendship includes laughter, and lots of it.  It is a journey with countless adventures and indelible memories. Friends rejoice together and cry together.  Friendship is part of the healing balm of God.  Friendship is love defined, love expressed, for “a friend loves at all times.”   (Proverbs 17:17)  Friendship is Jonathan and David; Ruth and Naomi.  The ultimate friend is Jesus Christ, who commanded us: “Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.  (John 15:13)  With Jesus by my side and a few true friends in my life, I am truly blessed.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

July 12th, 2018


Your River of Life



“Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”  John 7:38

Standing on the banks

No longer satisfied,

Reaching out for more.

I’ll no longer be denied;

Excuses gone,

Fear cast aside.


I walk in

I walk in

I walk in to the River of Life.


We search out the path

To the river running strong.

Its current constant;

Pick the spot where we belong.

Determined now,

Heart swelling with song.


We walk in

We walk in

We walk in to Your River of Life.


I cling to a rock

As force waves over me.

I hold on for life;

Your love overwhelms me.

My focus on you,

You’ve completely undone me.


We walk in

We sit in

We stand in Your River of Life.


We pray in

We weep in

We splash in Your River of Life.


Washed anew in Your River of Life.

Cleansed and whole in Your River of Life.