Psalm 139: 23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me, and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
O my Father, my Guide, my Sustainer, search me and try me, and reveal to me all that does not please You, that falls short of Your perfection; expose these wounds to the cleansing and healing of Your Spirit, teach me how to deal with these ugly wounds to allow You to heal me. Teach me Your ways: Let me see with Your eyes, hear with Your ears, think Your thoughts, say Your words; may my attitude be Your view, may my hands do Your work and my feet go where You lead, whether to the next room or to the other side of the World--that You would receive all the glory, all the credit and honor for all You have done in me, in this World, and in the whole created realm.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(May I pray this prayer every day!)
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
What To Pray For
I Timothy 2:1-2
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
We need to be praying for our "king," the one in highest authority in our Nation, in our case in America, our President. And not only for him, but for all those he is gathering around him to assist him in his governing us. The prayers of God's people have caused God to lift this man into this lofty position, and he still needs our prayers for leading, guidance and protection so he can do his job in a good and righteous manner. Because . . .
Psalm 127: 1
... Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
It doesn't matter how strong our military is, without the Lord's watchfulness over us, we are vulnerable. We do need the strong military (speak softly and carry a big stick), but we need more to pray and ask God's protection.
Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
Even when we are imprisoned in a foreign country, as Israel was carried off to Babylon, it is still our responsibility to pray for those in political authority over us. For our own good.
Psalm 9: 7-8
But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from His Throne. He will judge the World with justice and rule the Nations with fairness.
Until Jesus returns to sit on His Throne on this Earth, to judge and rule with true justice and fairness, our political leaders will need our prayers to strengthen them to have Godly discernment to recognize what would truly be good and right and just--for our own good.
Repeatedly, throughout the whole Old Testament, we are given the history that shows us that when the king is a Godly man, governing according to God's ways, then the people live in peace, prosperity and joy. But when the kings were evil, then the people also went astray, and they lost the prosperity, peace and joy and suffered under political oppression. The Nation Israel went through this cycle numerous times, over and over, but never learned from their history, and ended up deported to a distant foreign country.
In every Nation, we have seen how prosperity increases and decreases according to the policies of the authorities over us--when our leaders are Godly men and women, who follow God's ways in their personal lives and in their governing, then the people find it much easier to also live good lives in peacefulness and prosperity; but when our leaders are sinful, evil people in their personal lives, and ignore God in their governing, then the people also are more likely to be dishonest in their personal lives and business dealings. That is why we are instructed to pray for those who have political authority over us.
Jesus is coming soon, so we all need to be watchful in prayer for all those who are in authority over us. Our enemy, the devil, knows that his time is short, and is ramping up his efforts to deceive, destroy and kill, in the most pervasive ways possible. He has gotten control of our schools, many of our businesses, much of our government, and even many of our churches. We who know the Lord have the responsibility to be on our knees on behalf of our families, our neighborhoods, our cities and states, and our Nation.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
We need to be praying for our "king," the one in highest authority in our Nation, in our case in America, our President. And not only for him, but for all those he is gathering around him to assist him in his governing us. The prayers of God's people have caused God to lift this man into this lofty position, and he still needs our prayers for leading, guidance and protection so he can do his job in a good and righteous manner. Because . . .
Psalm 127: 1
... Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
It doesn't matter how strong our military is, without the Lord's watchfulness over us, we are vulnerable. We do need the strong military (speak softly and carry a big stick), but we need more to pray and ask God's protection.
Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
Even when we are imprisoned in a foreign country, as Israel was carried off to Babylon, it is still our responsibility to pray for those in political authority over us. For our own good.
Psalm 9: 7-8
But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from His Throne. He will judge the World with justice and rule the Nations with fairness.
Until Jesus returns to sit on His Throne on this Earth, to judge and rule with true justice and fairness, our political leaders will need our prayers to strengthen them to have Godly discernment to recognize what would truly be good and right and just--for our own good.
Repeatedly, throughout the whole Old Testament, we are given the history that shows us that when the king is a Godly man, governing according to God's ways, then the people live in peace, prosperity and joy. But when the kings were evil, then the people also went astray, and they lost the prosperity, peace and joy and suffered under political oppression. The Nation Israel went through this cycle numerous times, over and over, but never learned from their history, and ended up deported to a distant foreign country.
In every Nation, we have seen how prosperity increases and decreases according to the policies of the authorities over us--when our leaders are Godly men and women, who follow God's ways in their personal lives and in their governing, then the people find it much easier to also live good lives in peacefulness and prosperity; but when our leaders are sinful, evil people in their personal lives, and ignore God in their governing, then the people also are more likely to be dishonest in their personal lives and business dealings. That is why we are instructed to pray for those who have political authority over us.
Jesus is coming soon, so we all need to be watchful in prayer for all those who are in authority over us. Our enemy, the devil, knows that his time is short, and is ramping up his efforts to deceive, destroy and kill, in the most pervasive ways possible. He has gotten control of our schools, many of our businesses, much of our government, and even many of our churches. We who know the Lord have the responsibility to be on our knees on behalf of our families, our neighborhoods, our cities and states, and our Nation.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, January 23, 2017
Words Of Truth
Acts 26: 22-23
I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen--that Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God's light to Jews and Gentiles alike.
Proverbs 18:20
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
Paul's words in his won defense before Governor Festus and King Agrippa were very powerful, and would have brought the satisfaction of salvation, reconciliation with God to Agrippa, if he only would have accepted them.
O my Father, please fill me with Your Spirit of Truth, so that the words of my mouth would bring satisfaction and healing to others, and also to myself. That only Your words of Truth would be active in my life, removing any denial or rebellion in myself and restoring my soul, body and spirit to Yourself, and drawing others also to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen--that Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God's light to Jews and Gentiles alike.
Proverbs 18:20
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
Paul's words in his won defense before Governor Festus and King Agrippa were very powerful, and would have brought the satisfaction of salvation, reconciliation with God to Agrippa, if he only would have accepted them.
O my Father, please fill me with Your Spirit of Truth, so that the words of my mouth would bring satisfaction and healing to others, and also to myself. That only Your words of Truth would be active in my life, removing any denial or rebellion in myself and restoring my soul, body and spirit to Yourself, and drawing others also to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Great Joy Throughout The Land
I Chronicles 12:32
... These men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
May our new President and his team be men who understand the signs of the times today, to lead our Nation in the best course to take, as these men did in Israel at that time.
I Chronicles 12:40
... There was great joy throughout the land of Israel.
I witnessed great joy in our Capital at the Inauguration, and a returned hope that times will turn around for the good, back to the righteousness of Christ in this land, as our 45th President recognizes God and has the courage to name our enemies.
Psalm 9:19-20
Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy You! Judge the nations! Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let the nations know they are merely human.
May our God arise in His servants in this new administration. May their personal and public holiness and discernment cause those who defy God to tremble in fear and know that they are not gods, but merely human.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
... These men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
May our new President and his team be men who understand the signs of the times today, to lead our Nation in the best course to take, as these men did in Israel at that time.
I Chronicles 12:40
... There was great joy throughout the land of Israel.
I witnessed great joy in our Capital at the Inauguration, and a returned hope that times will turn around for the good, back to the righteousness of Christ in this land, as our 45th President recognizes God and has the courage to name our enemies.
Psalm 9:19-20
Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy You! Judge the nations! Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let the nations know they are merely human.
May our God arise in His servants in this new administration. May their personal and public holiness and discernment cause those who defy God to tremble in fear and know that they are not gods, but merely human.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, January 21, 2017
A Little Lower Than God
Psalm 8:4-6
What are people that You should think about them, mere mortals that You should care for them? Yet You made them only a little lower than God (Elohim) and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything You made, putting all things under their authority.
Compared to the Moon and Stars, we are as nothing, clods of dust, blown away by the breeze. Yet You have made us just a little lower than Elohim, and in such a high position, You have crowned us with honor and glory befitting this exalted rank.
You are refining us here on this Earth, teaching us to care for and use everything else You have put here in this World; and, like little schoolchildren, we stumble and scrape our knees and elbows, we fall and break bones. But You heal us, You lift us up so we won't utterly fall, and strengthen us to continue on, to learn all that You have to teach us, little by little, line upon line, day by day; until that glorious Day when Christ will return and we will have matured enough to wear well the honor and glory You crown us with, to return to Your own head, for You alone deserve all the credit, all the honor and glory for what You have done.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
What are people that You should think about them, mere mortals that You should care for them? Yet You made them only a little lower than God (Elohim) and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything You made, putting all things under their authority.
Compared to the Moon and Stars, we are as nothing, clods of dust, blown away by the breeze. Yet You have made us just a little lower than Elohim, and in such a high position, You have crowned us with honor and glory befitting this exalted rank.
You are refining us here on this Earth, teaching us to care for and use everything else You have put here in this World; and, like little schoolchildren, we stumble and scrape our knees and elbows, we fall and break bones. But You heal us, You lift us up so we won't utterly fall, and strengthen us to continue on, to learn all that You have to teach us, little by little, line upon line, day by day; until that glorious Day when Christ will return and we will have matured enough to wear well the honor and glory You crown us with, to return to Your own head, for You alone deserve all the credit, all the honor and glory for what You have done.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, January 20, 2017
Safety In Peril
Psalm 3:3-5
But You, O Lord, are a shield around me, You are my glory, the One Who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
O my Father, You power and Your care for us allow us to experience Your peace to such a degree that David could lie down and sleep in the midst of danger, and sleep peacefully, waking up in safety. Only You, O Lord, could give such peace, for only You have the strength and care for us to give us safety in the midst of peril. Since David could trust You so completely that he could sleep peacefully, even though surrounded by enemies (led by his own son); so I can also trust You for safety no matter what troubles or perils surround me. Thank You, Father, for Your goodness and mercy to me, to mend, heal and cleanse me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But You, O Lord, are a shield around me, You are my glory, the One Who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
O my Father, You power and Your care for us allow us to experience Your peace to such a degree that David could lie down and sleep in the midst of danger, and sleep peacefully, waking up in safety. Only You, O Lord, could give such peace, for only You have the strength and care for us to give us safety in the midst of peril. Since David could trust You so completely that he could sleep peacefully, even though surrounded by enemies (led by his own son); so I can also trust You for safety no matter what troubles or perils surround me. Thank You, Father, for Your goodness and mercy to me, to mend, heal and cleanse me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, January 19, 2017
The Atoning Sacrifice
Leviticus 1:1-5
The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any of you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.
If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it (he) will be acceptable to the Lord. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He is to slaughter the young bull before the Lord, and then Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
God has had Moses supervise in building all the parts of the Tabernacle and its furnishings; now He is directing how the different parts of it are to be used.
He starts with the most basic and important of the offerings--the individual sacrifice for a person's sins. Mankind has known that sin requires a death, with blood shed, since the Lord God made garments for Adam and Eve from animal skins. Now God is institutionalizing this idea with specific rituals, so that His chosen people will understand and be constantly reminded of the fact that God requires purity to come into His Presence.
The Bronze Altar stood just inside the doorway in the outside curtain surrounding the courtyard to the Tabernacle, or Tent of Meeting (God meeting with man). The only way an Israelite could approach God is in providing this sacrifice. The penitent would "lay his hand on the head of the" animal that would be the "burnt sacrifice," to lay his personal sins on the beast, which would be "accepted on his behalf" to die in his place, to atone for his sins, its blood covering over his sins by being sprinkled against all the sides of the altar.
Jesus said that He had not come to do away with The Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He fulfilled this part by coming in our human flesh to die our human death for us, in our place, individually; as this individual brought the lamb or bull, Jesus is God's Lamb, specifically (in the Greek), the Lamb set aside for sacrifice.
The blood of the animal could never take away sins, only cover them; Jesus' Blood was God's Blood, with infinite value, to actually take away our sins. Just as the penitent would put his hand on the head of the animal, we need to each figuratively "put our hand" on the Head of our Lamb, admitting that we deserve the death that we have earned (the "wages of sin"), and let Jesus take our place in being Crucified. This picture, Jesus' Crucifixion, is a demonstration of how God is offended and repulsed, and disgusted by our very sin nature, which Jesus carried on the Cross, the root and fountainhead of all our sins: "He Who had no sin, became sin, for us" (II Corinthians 5:21).
So if you have never realized that Jesus took your place on His Cross, then pray for God to grant you the gift of Saving Faith, for "it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the Gift of God--not by works," not by anything we can do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Anything we do of ourselves cannot be accepted by God because it comes through our nature, and Ephesians 2:3 tells us that "we are by nature objects of wrath." That is how Jesus fulfilled this detail of The Law.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any of you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.
If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it (he) will be acceptable to the Lord. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He is to slaughter the young bull before the Lord, and then Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
God has had Moses supervise in building all the parts of the Tabernacle and its furnishings; now He is directing how the different parts of it are to be used.
He starts with the most basic and important of the offerings--the individual sacrifice for a person's sins. Mankind has known that sin requires a death, with blood shed, since the Lord God made garments for Adam and Eve from animal skins. Now God is institutionalizing this idea with specific rituals, so that His chosen people will understand and be constantly reminded of the fact that God requires purity to come into His Presence.
The Bronze Altar stood just inside the doorway in the outside curtain surrounding the courtyard to the Tabernacle, or Tent of Meeting (God meeting with man). The only way an Israelite could approach God is in providing this sacrifice. The penitent would "lay his hand on the head of the" animal that would be the "burnt sacrifice," to lay his personal sins on the beast, which would be "accepted on his behalf" to die in his place, to atone for his sins, its blood covering over his sins by being sprinkled against all the sides of the altar.
Jesus said that He had not come to do away with The Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He fulfilled this part by coming in our human flesh to die our human death for us, in our place, individually; as this individual brought the lamb or bull, Jesus is God's Lamb, specifically (in the Greek), the Lamb set aside for sacrifice.
The blood of the animal could never take away sins, only cover them; Jesus' Blood was God's Blood, with infinite value, to actually take away our sins. Just as the penitent would put his hand on the head of the animal, we need to each figuratively "put our hand" on the Head of our Lamb, admitting that we deserve the death that we have earned (the "wages of sin"), and let Jesus take our place in being Crucified. This picture, Jesus' Crucifixion, is a demonstration of how God is offended and repulsed, and disgusted by our very sin nature, which Jesus carried on the Cross, the root and fountainhead of all our sins: "He Who had no sin, became sin, for us" (II Corinthians 5:21).
So if you have never realized that Jesus took your place on His Cross, then pray for God to grant you the gift of Saving Faith, for "it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the Gift of God--not by works," not by anything we can do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Anything we do of ourselves cannot be accepted by God because it comes through our nature, and Ephesians 2:3 tells us that "we are by nature objects of wrath." That is how Jesus fulfilled this detail of The Law.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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