As you will remember from the August 3, 2010 post "The Leper and The Lamb - Righteousness" the leper brought to the ceremony 2 male lambs and 1 ewe lamb. In that post you see that the first male lamb was offered as a wave offering. Today we pick up our discussion at the sacrifice of the second lamb, which is like the sin offering.
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Jesus walked the dusty trails in Israel talking with his friends and he usually referred to himself as "the Son of man". What a wonderful life he was living as a man, beginning with his virgin birth which was the witness of "the water". Somewhere beyond our understanding, the Savior had always lived in the spirit world and He must have felt strange to find himself in a human body living a short life here on earth. Everyone he met was part of his creation but as a man he could be a real part of their lives. The sad note was that he knew about the bloody end of his life on earth.
When talking to his friends one time he said, For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45) His death is the witness of "the blood" and the shed blood of Jesus is the only chance we have for our sin debt to be paid in full. He will become our "substitute" If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel, (Col 1:23) If we continue in our faith we will be part of the "witness of the Spirit". These three witnesses testify of the reality of our Savior as written in 1 John 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. You could say that we see these three witnesses at Christmas, Easter and whenever we see a life being lived in the Spirit of Christ.
The reality of the death of our Savior is revealed to us in the offering of the second lamb which represented Jesus and the giving of His life for our justification. The blood of Christ removed the great divide between mankind and God. The Savior is the central figure in our redemption just as this little female lamb is the middle sacrifice of the three lambs which is like the sin offering described here. And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering. And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finer, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar. (Lev 4:32-34)
Many people do not understand the seeming waste of the blood poured out at the foot of the altar but God required the total sacrifice. The sinner was transferring his sin onto the animal as a substitute when he placed his hand on the head of the lamb. Every sacrificed lamb was killed in the same place but they all represented Jesus in some way. When Jesus shed his blood it was to pay the price God required for our salvation.
Instead of laying our hands on the head of Jesus we did something cruel and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. (Mark 15:17) When our sins were placed on His head, they hurt more than the thorns. The reed was intended to show the weakness of Jesus (the broken reed) but it also points out the weakness of mankind without God.
It is difficult to grasp the idea that God's son was born on earth for the purpose of being killed. He is our sacrifice and his purpose is to remove the sins of the world. The amazing love of God was shown when the soldiers came for Jesus and He told them that he was freely giving himself up to them. When we become his friend and realize the pain He suffered for us, His greatness can be overwhelming. The Scripture tells us that all of creation cries out his importance. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Rev 5:13)
Jesus is called the Lamb many places in the Scriptures. The symbolism of the lamb is very powerful when we remember that Jesus became our sacrifice. Many people today only worship Him in an insincere or selfish way. But somehow we must show them the reality of knowing Him personally.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Hidden in Plain Sight
There are several great mysteries in Christianity. The amazing reality is that people of simple faith can understand these great hidden truths. These unknowable concepts of God are revealed to His family members as they learn about the Savior. Jesus said it this way, The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, (Mark 4:11,12)
The Word of God can be read by those not in the Kingdom but they can never understand it. They can even give great sermons but they do not understand what they are talking about. In fact, the smarter they are the greater their misunderstanding. God’s mysteries really are hidden in plain sight.
We can only understand these secrets of the Kingdom to the degree that they have been revealed to us. Paul asked one church to help him, Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, (Eph 6:19) Paul knew the mystery but wanted a way to present it so that the listener could understand what God had for them. There are even times when we are explaining something and learning at the same time. All truth about God is found in Jesus Christ. Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He (Jesus) appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:16)
Our goal is to live with God in eternity. This would not be possible if something unbelievable did not happen to us. To the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) Only as the life of Christ lives in us do we have a chance to be part of God in eternity. This will be our salvation when the Savior comes back for his own family. For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Rom 5:10) Christ living in us is the greatest mystery of all.
Here are some other mysteries:
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Eph 3:6)
This mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. (Rom 11:35)
This mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (Eph 3:9,10)
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (1 Cor 15:51)
All the many mysteries of God are hidden in plain sight for those who serve Jesus.
The Word of God can be read by those not in the Kingdom but they can never understand it. They can even give great sermons but they do not understand what they are talking about. In fact, the smarter they are the greater their misunderstanding. God’s mysteries really are hidden in plain sight.
We can only understand these secrets of the Kingdom to the degree that they have been revealed to us. Paul asked one church to help him, Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, (Eph 6:19) Paul knew the mystery but wanted a way to present it so that the listener could understand what God had for them. There are even times when we are explaining something and learning at the same time. All truth about God is found in Jesus Christ. Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He (Jesus) appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:16)
Our goal is to live with God in eternity. This would not be possible if something unbelievable did not happen to us. To the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) Only as the life of Christ lives in us do we have a chance to be part of God in eternity. This will be our salvation when the Savior comes back for his own family. For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Rom 5:10) Christ living in us is the greatest mystery of all.
Here are some other mysteries:
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Eph 3:6)
This mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. (Rom 11:35)
This mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (Eph 3:9,10)
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (1 Cor 15:51)
All the many mysteries of God are hidden in plain sight for those who serve Jesus.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Spirit of glory and of God (1 Peter 4:14)
A great multitude of angels came to earth praising God and saying, Glory to God in the Highest. (Luke 2:14) This expression was voiced as God gave us the baby Jesus. Of all the glorious events involving our heavenly father, the giving of His only begotten son deserves the highest praise. Christ himself later said that He suffered all things to enter into His glory. His life and death created the greatest of all glories and we see this reflected in the New Testament.
When God sends something to earth it shines with glory even as Moses did with the Law. We find a light in the new covenant, that comes into our hearts and we learn the meaning of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6) What a privilege to share in the glory of Christ. All authentic glory originates with God, the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:10) Let us seek Him forever.
Most people have felt a desire at some time in their lives to try and understand God or know what He is about. The Bible tells us that we were created in His image, however, since the fall we are no longer in His likeness. God is righteous and mankind must somehow return to this original condition. The Bible tells of our restoration to God's image, have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. (Col 3:10) The knowledge of righteousness is what we strive to achieve. If we are a person who has been chosen to live with God forever, the void we all have in us is filled. Only God is self-existing and by His power we were created. He is also omnipresent and omnipotent making it impossible to hide anything from Him. His greatness is the reason for the glory we give God.
One reason humans have difficulty understanding glory is because it is intangible. It's simpler to feel glory rather than describe it. Some people are able to see the glory of God in nature although everything will pass away some day. The attributes of God are eternal and we are blessed to have any glimpse of His everlasting glory.
When Paul was in Athens he made a speech explaining God to the people. Seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth,...that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him. (Acts 17:26) After informing the people that God had created them, he follows with the conclusion that they should seek and find God. There is a disturbing part of our nature that does not want to acknowledge the glories we see. This was seen in the nation of Israel when the glory of God was leading them to the promised land. Although God was doing great miracles for them every day, they were continually forgetting Him and do their own thing.
The question today is the same. Will we declare God's glories or continuing doing our own thing?
When God sends something to earth it shines with glory even as Moses did with the Law. We find a light in the new covenant, that comes into our hearts and we learn the meaning of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6) What a privilege to share in the glory of Christ. All authentic glory originates with God, the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:10) Let us seek Him forever.
Most people have felt a desire at some time in their lives to try and understand God or know what He is about. The Bible tells us that we were created in His image, however, since the fall we are no longer in His likeness. God is righteous and mankind must somehow return to this original condition. The Bible tells of our restoration to God's image, have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. (Col 3:10) The knowledge of righteousness is what we strive to achieve. If we are a person who has been chosen to live with God forever, the void we all have in us is filled. Only God is self-existing and by His power we were created. He is also omnipresent and omnipotent making it impossible to hide anything from Him. His greatness is the reason for the glory we give God.
One reason humans have difficulty understanding glory is because it is intangible. It's simpler to feel glory rather than describe it. Some people are able to see the glory of God in nature although everything will pass away some day. The attributes of God are eternal and we are blessed to have any glimpse of His everlasting glory.
When Paul was in Athens he made a speech explaining God to the people. Seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth,...that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him. (Acts 17:26) After informing the people that God had created them, he follows with the conclusion that they should seek and find God. There is a disturbing part of our nature that does not want to acknowledge the glories we see. This was seen in the nation of Israel when the glory of God was leading them to the promised land. Although God was doing great miracles for them every day, they were continually forgetting Him and do their own thing.
The question today is the same. Will we declare God's glories or continuing doing our own thing?
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Leper and the Lamb - The Need for Oil (Pouring)
Today is the last entry for The Need for Oil. Of course, if you are interested in the earlier parts of the ceremony of the cleansing of the leper and it's symbolism of to the life of a modern day Christian, I encourage you to read the earlier posts. However, even on an individual day, like today, we can learn something to apply to our understanding of God. Today, we shall see the beauty of the gift that God gives his children with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The third and last use of the handful of oil, was for anointing the leper's head. And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed. (Lev 14:18a) Pouring oil on someones head was a well known symbol in the Scriptures. Isaiah tells us that after his anointing the spirit had equipped him to service in many different ways. The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Is 61:1) We can see here that when God anoints someone, the Spirit of the Lord is poured out upon them. This list contains twelve jobs that Isaiah was able to do for the Lord. Isaiah could never have accomplished God's work by himself. Paul tells us to pray for the best gifts in order to fulfill the will of God. The Church would be so different today if we had more men of God who were anointed by the Spirit of God.
In the New Testament we read that Jesus is also anointed by the Spirit, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:37b) When John baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit became visible in the form of a dove coming down upon Jesus. This was the beginning of His ministry because Jesus needed the Spirit to tell Him what the will of the father was. Think of the Spirit as the mind of God and the power as His muscle. In the case of Jesus we can observe how the divine energy of God is poured out in a variety of ways. Jesus spent three years ministering to the people of Israel and many stories are told of his authority. He was always given the mind of the Father in every situation. People who had observed this power asked him why he did not use it to avoid the cross. The answer is that he only asked for power to accomplish the will of God and certainly not to do what he wanted. We will be given the power needed to fulfill the purpose of God. One man tried to buy the power of God and was rebuked. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (Acts 8:18-20) This man had used the power of sorcery but he wanted to buy more power to impress the people. He was told to "repent" and there are many people today who need to repent of the thoughts in their heart about the power of the Holy Spirit.
Another important anointing God gives today is spoken of in the New Testament. The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27) There is no other way for a Christian to live a Holy life. This anointing is the promised help a servant will find no where else. To be anointed by the Spirit allows the world to see that we have been separated for a new life. Notice that when you receive the anointing of the Spirit, you are required to abide in Him. Walking in the Spirit is the will of God and is the purpose for teaching us the truth about His power. Many people today have forgotten that we learn the truth for the purpose of living a righteous life. The real truth of God is only understood in our humility and faith.
In summary, the priest used the oil in three different ways. The sprinkling represented our impurity and how the Spirit can help us in the seven parts of our redemption. Then to place oil over the blood showed a sealing by the Spirit of what Jesus has done for us. And finally the release of power was symbolized by pouring oil on the head. The three uses of the oil is a beautiful picture of how the Spirit is available to work in our lives.
The third and last use of the handful of oil, was for anointing the leper's head. And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed. (Lev 14:18a) Pouring oil on someones head was a well known symbol in the Scriptures. Isaiah tells us that after his anointing the spirit had equipped him to service in many different ways. The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Is 61:1) We can see here that when God anoints someone, the Spirit of the Lord is poured out upon them. This list contains twelve jobs that Isaiah was able to do for the Lord. Isaiah could never have accomplished God's work by himself. Paul tells us to pray for the best gifts in order to fulfill the will of God. The Church would be so different today if we had more men of God who were anointed by the Spirit of God.
In the New Testament we read that Jesus is also anointed by the Spirit, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:37b) When John baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit became visible in the form of a dove coming down upon Jesus. This was the beginning of His ministry because Jesus needed the Spirit to tell Him what the will of the father was. Think of the Spirit as the mind of God and the power as His muscle. In the case of Jesus we can observe how the divine energy of God is poured out in a variety of ways. Jesus spent three years ministering to the people of Israel and many stories are told of his authority. He was always given the mind of the Father in every situation. People who had observed this power asked him why he did not use it to avoid the cross. The answer is that he only asked for power to accomplish the will of God and certainly not to do what he wanted. We will be given the power needed to fulfill the purpose of God. One man tried to buy the power of God and was rebuked. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (Acts 8:18-20) This man had used the power of sorcery but he wanted to buy more power to impress the people. He was told to "repent" and there are many people today who need to repent of the thoughts in their heart about the power of the Holy Spirit.
Another important anointing God gives today is spoken of in the New Testament. The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27) There is no other way for a Christian to live a Holy life. This anointing is the promised help a servant will find no where else. To be anointed by the Spirit allows the world to see that we have been separated for a new life. Notice that when you receive the anointing of the Spirit, you are required to abide in Him. Walking in the Spirit is the will of God and is the purpose for teaching us the truth about His power. Many people today have forgotten that we learn the truth for the purpose of living a righteous life. The real truth of God is only understood in our humility and faith.
In summary, the priest used the oil in three different ways. The sprinkling represented our impurity and how the Spirit can help us in the seven parts of our redemption. Then to place oil over the blood showed a sealing by the Spirit of what Jesus has done for us. And finally the release of power was symbolized by pouring oil on the head. The three uses of the oil is a beautiful picture of how the Spirit is available to work in our lives.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Suffering
At times, we discuss the different kinds of suffering that people endure. I don't know why but the suffering of old age comes to mind. No example is necessary if you are no longer a kid. Over the years, the suffering of men in prison has been a topic of interest to me because of my involvement. Our teenagers struggle with peer pressure that causes suffering for them. Of course, there is suffering from illness or accidents. The classic book of Job says it like this Man is...full of trouble. (Job 14:1) The truth is that suffering can come from any direction and it hurts regardless of the source. Evil people as well as righteous people can suffer from either good or bad sources. Suffering is an experience that is shared by everyone. Therefore, it is important how we view and handle the suffering in our own life experience.
Believe it or not, the Scripture asks us to willingly submit to additional suffering for the sake of righteousness. Peter wrote about suffering in the book with his name. Suffering must have been something that he dealt with in his life. As a boy he must have thought about the peaceful life of a fisherman, which would be his. Then he met Jesus and his life became completely different. Peter suffered beyond the norm for a fisherman of his day because he gave his life to the Savior. However, Peter was a very happy man when he wrote, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 1 Pet 4:12-14
We are clearly called to suffer for righteousness if we want to please God. Why do today's church people do everything possible to avoid it? All the people truly belonging to Jesus are outcast from this world. A person that is not an outcast must weigh the value of eternity if they want to become a part of Christ. A rich young man informed Jesus that he was a good person and he desired to enter heaven. He was told to give away everything he owned but he could not because this world meant too much to him. Are we trading the pleasures of this world for eternity in a burning Hell?
Over the years, this is the place in the Gospel where people want to tell me how they serve God WITH their money. Jesus told the men He sent out into ministry that they were to have NO money. We should know that it is God's ministry and relying on our money only hinders what God wants to do with us. It is counter productive to give me some big rational explanation. You must tell God why you are hanging on to anything in this world. If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 1 Pet 3:14-15,17-18
Not only are we to be happy in our suffering but we must be brave and speak up for our Lord. How will they hear unless we tell them? There are people we know that have not heard our testimony. We must demonstrate to everyone around us that we are a servant of Jesus. Our flesh must be put to death in order for the Spirit to guide us in our new eternal life. One place Paul tells us to prepare our minds for this new life. It is such a different life that we must learn to think in a very different way from worldly people. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1,2
Do you want to cease from sin? The willing suffering we are talking about has a wonderful result when followed whole-heartedly. When you give up everything in this world to do God's will you will not sin. There was a wristband that asked what Jesus would do if He were on earth. It is clear that Jesus gave up everything in order to do the will of God. Were the wearers of the wristbands really serious? The writers of the New Testament were happy in their suffering because they were doing what Jesus would have done. How much does God mean to you? The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matt 13:45-46
May His Kingdom be worth everything to us.
Believe it or not, the Scripture asks us to willingly submit to additional suffering for the sake of righteousness. Peter wrote about suffering in the book with his name. Suffering must have been something that he dealt with in his life. As a boy he must have thought about the peaceful life of a fisherman, which would be his. Then he met Jesus and his life became completely different. Peter suffered beyond the norm for a fisherman of his day because he gave his life to the Savior. However, Peter was a very happy man when he wrote, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 1 Pet 4:12-14
We are clearly called to suffer for righteousness if we want to please God. Why do today's church people do everything possible to avoid it? All the people truly belonging to Jesus are outcast from this world. A person that is not an outcast must weigh the value of eternity if they want to become a part of Christ. A rich young man informed Jesus that he was a good person and he desired to enter heaven. He was told to give away everything he owned but he could not because this world meant too much to him. Are we trading the pleasures of this world for eternity in a burning Hell?
Over the years, this is the place in the Gospel where people want to tell me how they serve God WITH their money. Jesus told the men He sent out into ministry that they were to have NO money. We should know that it is God's ministry and relying on our money only hinders what God wants to do with us. It is counter productive to give me some big rational explanation. You must tell God why you are hanging on to anything in this world. If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 1 Pet 3:14-15,17-18
Not only are we to be happy in our suffering but we must be brave and speak up for our Lord. How will they hear unless we tell them? There are people we know that have not heard our testimony. We must demonstrate to everyone around us that we are a servant of Jesus. Our flesh must be put to death in order for the Spirit to guide us in our new eternal life. One place Paul tells us to prepare our minds for this new life. It is such a different life that we must learn to think in a very different way from worldly people. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1,2
Do you want to cease from sin? The willing suffering we are talking about has a wonderful result when followed whole-heartedly. When you give up everything in this world to do God's will you will not sin. There was a wristband that asked what Jesus would do if He were on earth. It is clear that Jesus gave up everything in order to do the will of God. Were the wearers of the wristbands really serious? The writers of the New Testament were happy in their suffering because they were doing what Jesus would have done. How much does God mean to you? The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matt 13:45-46
May His Kingdom be worth everything to us.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Leper and the Lamb - Need for Oil (Covering)
Today we continue the discussion of the Need for Oil in the ceremony of the leper. So far we have seen that the high priest must sprinkle the oil seven times within the ceremony and we have looked at the meaning of the seven times in the "Sprinkling" posts. In the next part of the ceremony, the high priest performs an act that is considered "covering". Let's look at this ritual and how it pertains to us as modern day Christians.
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The next use of the oil is interesting because it was placed on top of the blood. And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering: (Lev 14:17) The priest would take some of the oil and apply it over the blood that the man was wearing in three places. To minister Jesus to a person is the application of the blood of Christ over body, soul and spirit with the Holy spirit received upon the blood. This is the Gospel of God spoken by Paul. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (Rom 15:16) This is the reason Jesus has shed his blood to forgive our sins and give us a chance to depart our natural way of life which leads to death. We cannot live a new life unto God unless we are willing to leave our worldly life behind. This unusual exchange of the old for the new life is called "being sanctified" unto God. The only way this will be accomplished is to let the Spirit rule our mind and body.
The oil over top of the blood is called sealing in the New Testament. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Eph 1:13) This well known verse tells us that after we believe in Jesus, the Spirit seals our salvation in the way the oil covered the blood. This is the reason Jesus promised to send the Spirit to dwell with those who trust Him. When Jesus came to earth on behalf of his chosen people, he satisfied the claims of God's law upon us. His obedience to God, even unto death, paid the penalty for sin and justified us for a new life. The use of oil over blood symbolizes how the sanctifying of the Spirit is placed over the foundation of justification and it all was provided by Jesus. Today we think of sanctification and justification as two different things, but they are part of each other.
Paul tells us that he brought the gospel of Christ to the world outside the Jews. For us to be accepted by God we must be sanctified through the work of the Spirit. Notice the sanctifying originally done by Moses with oil: Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the alver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. (Lev 8:10-12) The idea of the Holy Spirit doing the sanctifying was not new with Paul. The old way was very complicated but today we submit to the Spirit of Jesus and our worries are over.
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What a wonderful plan God set in motion so long ago. The failure of man did not corrupt God's plan and He has accomplished every step in a righteous and wonderful manner. Oh, for us to see and learn more every day from His word, to see His perspective and His wonderful ways. Teach us Lord, teach us.
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The next use of the oil is interesting because it was placed on top of the blood. And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering: (Lev 14:17) The priest would take some of the oil and apply it over the blood that the man was wearing in three places. To minister Jesus to a person is the application of the blood of Christ over body, soul and spirit with the Holy spirit received upon the blood. This is the Gospel of God spoken by Paul. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (Rom 15:16) This is the reason Jesus has shed his blood to forgive our sins and give us a chance to depart our natural way of life which leads to death. We cannot live a new life unto God unless we are willing to leave our worldly life behind. This unusual exchange of the old for the new life is called "being sanctified" unto God. The only way this will be accomplished is to let the Spirit rule our mind and body.
The oil over top of the blood is called sealing in the New Testament. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Eph 1:13) This well known verse tells us that after we believe in Jesus, the Spirit seals our salvation in the way the oil covered the blood. This is the reason Jesus promised to send the Spirit to dwell with those who trust Him. When Jesus came to earth on behalf of his chosen people, he satisfied the claims of God's law upon us. His obedience to God, even unto death, paid the penalty for sin and justified us for a new life. The use of oil over blood symbolizes how the sanctifying of the Spirit is placed over the foundation of justification and it all was provided by Jesus. Today we think of sanctification and justification as two different things, but they are part of each other.
Paul tells us that he brought the gospel of Christ to the world outside the Jews. For us to be accepted by God we must be sanctified through the work of the Spirit. Notice the sanctifying originally done by Moses with oil: Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the alver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. (Lev 8:10-12) The idea of the Holy Spirit doing the sanctifying was not new with Paul. The old way was very complicated but today we submit to the Spirit of Jesus and our worries are over.
********************************************
What a wonderful plan God set in motion so long ago. The failure of man did not corrupt God's plan and He has accomplished every step in a righteous and wonderful manner. Oh, for us to see and learn more every day from His word, to see His perspective and His wonderful ways. Teach us Lord, teach us.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Leper and The Lamb - The Need for Oil - (Sprinkling-Part 2)
Today, we continue our look at the sprinkling of oil in the leper's ceremony. As you recall, we began the discussion of the furniture of the Tabernacle. We pick up today inside the Tabernacle a the fourth piece of furniture. (You might want to read Sprinkling - Part 1, if you have not.)
In front of the dividing curtain (veil) of the tent was the fourth piece of furniture. It was a small golden Altar used to burn the incense. Everything on this altar had to be in perfect order or it was not accepted by God. There was even a special mix of ingredients for the incense that could not be used anywhere else. Since this represented our prayers going up to the Father it is no wonder that the Spirit has the job of making intercession for us. There is no way we can communicate with God properly unless the Spirit helps. To be His child guarantees our Father will listen to us. Look what Jesus promised if we are right with him If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.(Matt 21:21,22) In America most people think God cannot do miracles because we don't see them being performed. They are looking at it wrong because there is absolutely no limit to the things God can do. The problem is with us because God said we must not doubt and of course we don't believe anything we cannot see or touch. In order to have a "faith that doubts not" a person must be so close to God that they think and behave just like the Master. Jesus had the Spirit of the Father in him and he did many miracles. It would be great to be in tune with God so that we could work the miracles of the Father in the world around us.
The golden Lamp Stand represents the need for our witness to other people of the Good News which we have received. The stand had seven oil lamps on it with a wick for each lamp. This is another example of oil being used in a multiple of seven. Jesus tells us that he is the truth and that we are his lights of truth in this world. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; (Phil 2:15) It is the Spirit that makes us a blameless light because in our natural flesh we always walk in darkness. These middle three pieces of furniture (table (discussed in Part 1), the Altar, and the lamp stand) were all in the same room and we are responsible to use them every day. Do not neglect the word of God, prayers or witnessing. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip...How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation. (Heb 2:1,3) A Christian must not let their salvation slip at any time. Not only is it important to keep ourselves ready to meet with God at any time but to be earnest about Jesus is the only way for us to be a light to the world.
No one could go through the veil into the most Holy Place without being killed by God. This inner room contained the golden Ark of the Covenant. This is the sixth piece of furniture and probably the most famous. It was a portable chest with beautiful carvings and totally covered in gold. Inside were placed the two tablets of commandments, a golden pot of manna, and Aaron's rod. This box reminded the people of God's covenant with them and His divine guidance. In the New Testament we find that in place of an ark we have the Holy Spirit. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. In Moses' day the children of Israel were led by the Ark which carried God's glory but they lived after the flesh and they died in the wilderness. God will use us in His plans if we abandon our natural desires and follow the leading of the Spirit. There is a glorious eternity waiting for His obedient children. We are aware that God also uses unsaved people in His plans but they receive no credit and their end is still Hell with all unrighteous people. God's Spirit is alive and well on earth today so why don't we let Him lead our life?
The seventh piece of furniture is actually part of the sixth. It is the lid to the ark and is called the Mercy Seat. There was a gold plate in the middle of the lid and two winged cherubs spreading their wings over the seat (plate.) It represented the grace of God and His glory actually show out from over the seat. And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat. (Heb 9:5) The parts all fit together just like God's care, guidance, mercy and glory are all parts of our Salvation. We are given the privilege of sharing in the glory of God but it costs us something. It sounds good to say that we must die while we still live but it simply means to give up the ways of this world in order to live for Jesus Christ. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4:11) Are we dying every day in order for the Spirit to manifest Jesus in us? Many church people are so much like the world that duplicating the life of Jesus is impossible. When the Spirit shines forth we will find our part in the glory of Jesus.
The old nature is a failure in all seven of these areas and this separates us from God. Each of the seven sprinkles (seen in the furniture) show an area of need in our life and the Spirit is able to bring us the provision of Jesus as the solution. Most people have felt a longing to be right with God and desire to have real peace in their life. This will happen when our faith in the invisible Savior becomes greater than our desire for earthly comfort. Jesus has addressed our impurity but we must humbly seek all that He has for us. Living a godly life must be received into our heart the same way we accept our Salvation. Our yearning to know God must compel us to live a holy life. The strength of this lifestyle will make it possible for us to love others. It is amazing the difference between a life of keeping everything for yourself and a life of giving to other people. There is no greater life than to live for God in the proper way and then someday to walk the streets of gold for eternity.
In front of the dividing curtain (veil) of the tent was the fourth piece of furniture. It was a small golden Altar used to burn the incense. Everything on this altar had to be in perfect order or it was not accepted by God. There was even a special mix of ingredients for the incense that could not be used anywhere else. Since this represented our prayers going up to the Father it is no wonder that the Spirit has the job of making intercession for us. There is no way we can communicate with God properly unless the Spirit helps. To be His child guarantees our Father will listen to us. Look what Jesus promised if we are right with him If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.(Matt 21:21,22) In America most people think God cannot do miracles because we don't see them being performed. They are looking at it wrong because there is absolutely no limit to the things God can do. The problem is with us because God said we must not doubt and of course we don't believe anything we cannot see or touch. In order to have a "faith that doubts not" a person must be so close to God that they think and behave just like the Master. Jesus had the Spirit of the Father in him and he did many miracles. It would be great to be in tune with God so that we could work the miracles of the Father in the world around us.
The golden Lamp Stand represents the need for our witness to other people of the Good News which we have received. The stand had seven oil lamps on it with a wick for each lamp. This is another example of oil being used in a multiple of seven. Jesus tells us that he is the truth and that we are his lights of truth in this world. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; (Phil 2:15) It is the Spirit that makes us a blameless light because in our natural flesh we always walk in darkness. These middle three pieces of furniture (table (discussed in Part 1), the Altar, and the lamp stand) were all in the same room and we are responsible to use them every day. Do not neglect the word of God, prayers or witnessing. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip...How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation. (Heb 2:1,3) A Christian must not let their salvation slip at any time. Not only is it important to keep ourselves ready to meet with God at any time but to be earnest about Jesus is the only way for us to be a light to the world.
No one could go through the veil into the most Holy Place without being killed by God. This inner room contained the golden Ark of the Covenant. This is the sixth piece of furniture and probably the most famous. It was a portable chest with beautiful carvings and totally covered in gold. Inside were placed the two tablets of commandments, a golden pot of manna, and Aaron's rod. This box reminded the people of God's covenant with them and His divine guidance. In the New Testament we find that in place of an ark we have the Holy Spirit. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. In Moses' day the children of Israel were led by the Ark which carried God's glory but they lived after the flesh and they died in the wilderness. God will use us in His plans if we abandon our natural desires and follow the leading of the Spirit. There is a glorious eternity waiting for His obedient children. We are aware that God also uses unsaved people in His plans but they receive no credit and their end is still Hell with all unrighteous people. God's Spirit is alive and well on earth today so why don't we let Him lead our life?
The seventh piece of furniture is actually part of the sixth. It is the lid to the ark and is called the Mercy Seat. There was a gold plate in the middle of the lid and two winged cherubs spreading their wings over the seat (plate.) It represented the grace of God and His glory actually show out from over the seat. And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat. (Heb 9:5) The parts all fit together just like God's care, guidance, mercy and glory are all parts of our Salvation. We are given the privilege of sharing in the glory of God but it costs us something. It sounds good to say that we must die while we still live but it simply means to give up the ways of this world in order to live for Jesus Christ. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4:11) Are we dying every day in order for the Spirit to manifest Jesus in us? Many church people are so much like the world that duplicating the life of Jesus is impossible. When the Spirit shines forth we will find our part in the glory of Jesus.
The old nature is a failure in all seven of these areas and this separates us from God. Each of the seven sprinkles (seen in the furniture) show an area of need in our life and the Spirit is able to bring us the provision of Jesus as the solution. Most people have felt a longing to be right with God and desire to have real peace in their life. This will happen when our faith in the invisible Savior becomes greater than our desire for earthly comfort. Jesus has addressed our impurity but we must humbly seek all that He has for us. Living a godly life must be received into our heart the same way we accept our Salvation. Our yearning to know God must compel us to live a holy life. The strength of this lifestyle will make it possible for us to love others. It is amazing the difference between a life of keeping everything for yourself and a life of giving to other people. There is no greater life than to live for God in the proper way and then someday to walk the streets of gold for eternity.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The Leper and the Lamb - The Need for Oil (Sprinkling Part 1)
If you remember yesterday, we talked about how oil is representative of the Holy Spirit and the "oil" makes our hearts pliable for God to work with us. Today we will begin looking at the stage of sprinkling the oil within the ceremonial cleansing of the leper.
First, the Priest opened the oil and poured some into his left hand. And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand: and the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand,and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord:(Lev 14:15,16)
Sprinkling signified that impurity is recognized in every area of our lives. The seven times represent the components of a plan that God has provided for the restoration of mankind. A good way to observe these different elements is to study the seven pieces of furniture God had placed in the Tabernacle. We have the privilege of learning from all the Scriptures for our spiritual development, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Rom 15:4) An understanding of these seven subjects will furnish a good view of God's plan for our total redemption.
God's plan is revealed in many different ways in Scripture and the use of the furniture is one good way of remembering the basics. First was the Brazen Altar on which the sacrifices were cooked or burned. It was a large square fire box with legs all covered with brass. It was located outside the Tent in the front courtyard. The priest was instructed not to let the fire go out. We know that Jesus was sacrificed on the cross just outside the city of Jerusalem. The Altar was to burn the slain animals and the Cross was for the offering of God's Son. This is where the reconciliation of mankind took place.
The Bible plainly tells us And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself (Col 1:20) Jesus is ready day or night for our repentance of sin because his fire never goes out. He has paid the price for our sin and is now offering us eternal life by His Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom 8:14) These verses proclaim that the Blood of Christ has provided the way and the Spirit is able to lead people to God.
The second piece of furniture was the Bronze Laver in which the priest washed themselves. This large basin had legs and stood outside the Tent. In fact, both the altar and the basin were outside the Tent because they deal directly with our sin. One takes care of our nature and the other our every day sins. John tells us If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8,9) Our baptism shows that we have died to sin in a public way. When we are buried in the water it shows our death with Christ and coming up out of the water showed our resurrection to a new life in the Spirit. The putting away of the flesh was a decision we should have made during our repentance. The sins of our daily life must also be washed off as we endeavor to live righteously in the world that surrounds us. Paul tells us in Ephesians to be followers of God by the filling of the Spirit That he I(Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Eph 5:26) The Altar can represent our death to worldly ways and the Water Basin could represent our walk in a clean new life. Jesus accomplished these things and now we reckon them as ours.
Entering the Tent the priest would see the Golden Table of Showbread (presence) on his right. Once a week twelve new loaves of unleavened bread were stacked on this table. This showed that God always provided for his children and was present with them. Jesus told the disciples he "was" the bread of life and that they must eat of Him. The strength of our life is holy living (righteousness) and this is why the bread could contain no leaven (sin) at all. We are represented by bread that has leaven in it because of the sin that lives in us. But our goal is to identify with Jesus in every way possible The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10) This verse references the fact that God is making us perfect as He strengthens our spiritual life. As we eat of God's bread (Jesus) the Spirit reveals His ways to us. Righteousness is a gift brought to us by the Holy Spirit but we must partake of it by faith.
May the Lord help us to eat and not to starve to death with food on the table.
First, the Priest opened the oil and poured some into his left hand. And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand: and the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand,and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord:(Lev 14:15,16)
Sprinkling signified that impurity is recognized in every area of our lives. The seven times represent the components of a plan that God has provided for the restoration of mankind. A good way to observe these different elements is to study the seven pieces of furniture God had placed in the Tabernacle. We have the privilege of learning from all the Scriptures for our spiritual development, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Rom 15:4) An understanding of these seven subjects will furnish a good view of God's plan for our total redemption.
God's plan is revealed in many different ways in Scripture and the use of the furniture is one good way of remembering the basics. First was the Brazen Altar on which the sacrifices were cooked or burned. It was a large square fire box with legs all covered with brass. It was located outside the Tent in the front courtyard. The priest was instructed not to let the fire go out. We know that Jesus was sacrificed on the cross just outside the city of Jerusalem. The Altar was to burn the slain animals and the Cross was for the offering of God's Son. This is where the reconciliation of mankind took place.
The Bible plainly tells us And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself (Col 1:20) Jesus is ready day or night for our repentance of sin because his fire never goes out. He has paid the price for our sin and is now offering us eternal life by His Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom 8:14) These verses proclaim that the Blood of Christ has provided the way and the Spirit is able to lead people to God.
The second piece of furniture was the Bronze Laver in which the priest washed themselves. This large basin had legs and stood outside the Tent. In fact, both the altar and the basin were outside the Tent because they deal directly with our sin. One takes care of our nature and the other our every day sins. John tells us If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8,9) Our baptism shows that we have died to sin in a public way. When we are buried in the water it shows our death with Christ and coming up out of the water showed our resurrection to a new life in the Spirit. The putting away of the flesh was a decision we should have made during our repentance. The sins of our daily life must also be washed off as we endeavor to live righteously in the world that surrounds us. Paul tells us in Ephesians to be followers of God by the filling of the Spirit That he I(Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Eph 5:26) The Altar can represent our death to worldly ways and the Water Basin could represent our walk in a clean new life. Jesus accomplished these things and now we reckon them as ours.
Entering the Tent the priest would see the Golden Table of Showbread (presence) on his right. Once a week twelve new loaves of unleavened bread were stacked on this table. This showed that God always provided for his children and was present with them. Jesus told the disciples he "was" the bread of life and that they must eat of Him. The strength of our life is holy living (righteousness) and this is why the bread could contain no leaven (sin) at all. We are represented by bread that has leaven in it because of the sin that lives in us. But our goal is to identify with Jesus in every way possible The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10) This verse references the fact that God is making us perfect as He strengthens our spiritual life. As we eat of God's bread (Jesus) the Spirit reveals His ways to us. Righteousness is a gift brought to us by the Holy Spirit but we must partake of it by faith.
May the Lord help us to eat and not to starve to death with food on the table.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Leper and the Lamb - The Need for Oil (Introduction)
Truth flows from God to mankind, resembling precious oil flowing from an eternal source. It slowly makes a path into the depth of our spirit. As it seeps into our being we find ourselves becoming pliable to the will of our Creator. This miraculous flow is capable of creating a connection from Jesus to our spirit and can even overflow into the world. In some cases, it's soothing effects will touch a hardened person and change their life forever.
Jesus is the truth of God and the gentle flow of the Spirit is what we need for our salvation. Christians become a part of Jesus by the Spirit as we stay obedient to the Master. Worldly people can never understand this relationship. The Spirit is our mentor or adviser and He nurtures us during our Christian development.
Jesus is the focal point of our Bible but throughout the Scriptures the Holy Spirit is also important. Observe that oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the laws given to cleanse a leper. The Holy Spirit represents everything that Jesus is to a redeemed person. Long ago, the scriptures said that Jesus would come to earth and receive wisdom, understanding, might, fear of God and righteousness as prophesied in Isaiah 11:1-5. The Spirit is the conduit that brings these same characteristics into the lives of His followers. In addition, Christians can receive from the Spirit: healing, comfort, help, remembrance, conviction, resurrection and everything we need to please God. The Spirit never works for his own glory but directs people toward the Savior. We must have the Spirit to help us or we will never live successfully in Jesus.
The pint of oil which the leper had brought to the ceremony (as discussed in previous posts) was used in three different ways during this ritual of the Guilt offering. The uses are described as sprinkling, covering and pouring at different stages. The separate uses of the oil show the diverse ways the Spirit helps us become a part of Jesus.
Over the next few posts, we will discuss each stage (sprinkling, covering and pouring)during the ceremony of declaring the leper clean and how it relates to us as lepers of sin. The first stage of sprinkling is the most in-depth because we will also look at the relation of the leper's ceremony of sprinkling to the symbolism of the temple furniture. Then how the sprinkling and the temple furniture are related to our sanctification by the Spirit. It's an exciting study that will help us see God's perfect plan.
Jesus is the truth of God and the gentle flow of the Spirit is what we need for our salvation. Christians become a part of Jesus by the Spirit as we stay obedient to the Master. Worldly people can never understand this relationship. The Spirit is our mentor or adviser and He nurtures us during our Christian development.
Jesus is the focal point of our Bible but throughout the Scriptures the Holy Spirit is also important. Observe that oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the laws given to cleanse a leper. The Holy Spirit represents everything that Jesus is to a redeemed person. Long ago, the scriptures said that Jesus would come to earth and receive wisdom, understanding, might, fear of God and righteousness as prophesied in Isaiah 11:1-5. The Spirit is the conduit that brings these same characteristics into the lives of His followers. In addition, Christians can receive from the Spirit: healing, comfort, help, remembrance, conviction, resurrection and everything we need to please God. The Spirit never works for his own glory but directs people toward the Savior. We must have the Spirit to help us or we will never live successfully in Jesus.
The pint of oil which the leper had brought to the ceremony (as discussed in previous posts) was used in three different ways during this ritual of the Guilt offering. The uses are described as sprinkling, covering and pouring at different stages. The separate uses of the oil show the diverse ways the Spirit helps us become a part of Jesus.
Over the next few posts, we will discuss each stage (sprinkling, covering and pouring)during the ceremony of declaring the leper clean and how it relates to us as lepers of sin. The first stage of sprinkling is the most in-depth because we will also look at the relation of the leper's ceremony of sprinkling to the symbolism of the temple furniture. Then how the sprinkling and the temple furniture are related to our sanctification by the Spirit. It's an exciting study that will help us see God's perfect plan.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Rational Minds Are Limited
It has been said that Christianity is a life reverse to this world. Just for fun, let's look at the word "faith". Webster defines it this way, "a belief that is NOT based on proof." This is well accepted because the rational mind does not like to accept anything that is invisible. The Bible describes faith another way. A liberal rendition of Hebrews 11 is "believing in things that cannot be seen because they ARE proved over and over in reality." Of course, when you tell an unbeliever about the wonderful things that God does they will say, "That's a coincidence." However, Bible stories are examples of how God works on this earth. The feeding of the five thousand is a wonderful picture of faith.
After a long day of healing the folks, Jesus tells the disciples to feed the people because they are hungry. The disciples point out that they do not have enough money to buy that much food. So, Jesus takes five loaves of bread and two fishes and by faith He ask the Father in Heaven to multiply the food. Now, by our own rules of evidence this "faith" is based on proof. It was a real substance because all the people affirmed it by saying they were full of food. When everyone was satisfied the disciples gathered up twelve baskets full of leftovers. These had value and could have been sold, which is the proof we judge most things by. There are times when the world's rationale are set aside.
Christianity is a life that survives on faith and overcomes with faith. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4,5 It is the correct faith that finds its reality in Jesus Christ. The Savior is invisible but we know for sure that He is living in us. He is as real as the day He asked God to make all that bread and fish. Jesus went so far as to make this claim, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matt 17:20,21 Unbelievers love this verse because most Christians cannot show proof that it is true. This is going to be a small comfort to a person suffering in eternity for their unbelief.
God has always made things out of the invisible. Therefore, to have faith in things we cannot see, does make sense. The fact that unbelievers will not accept the abilities of our God is sad but can never change the wonders of faith. When we see a person who has obviously been born-again, we rejoice. People with no faith in God are puzzled and they accuse some reborn persons of losing their mind. Making something from the invisible always flies in the face of rational minds. Let us pray that the Spirit will help them get over it.
After a long day of healing the folks, Jesus tells the disciples to feed the people because they are hungry. The disciples point out that they do not have enough money to buy that much food. So, Jesus takes five loaves of bread and two fishes and by faith He ask the Father in Heaven to multiply the food. Now, by our own rules of evidence this "faith" is based on proof. It was a real substance because all the people affirmed it by saying they were full of food. When everyone was satisfied the disciples gathered up twelve baskets full of leftovers. These had value and could have been sold, which is the proof we judge most things by. There are times when the world's rationale are set aside.
Christianity is a life that survives on faith and overcomes with faith. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4,5 It is the correct faith that finds its reality in Jesus Christ. The Savior is invisible but we know for sure that He is living in us. He is as real as the day He asked God to make all that bread and fish. Jesus went so far as to make this claim, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matt 17:20,21 Unbelievers love this verse because most Christians cannot show proof that it is true. This is going to be a small comfort to a person suffering in eternity for their unbelief.
God has always made things out of the invisible. Therefore, to have faith in things we cannot see, does make sense. The fact that unbelievers will not accept the abilities of our God is sad but can never change the wonders of faith. When we see a person who has obviously been born-again, we rejoice. People with no faith in God are puzzled and they accuse some reborn persons of losing their mind. Making something from the invisible always flies in the face of rational minds. Let us pray that the Spirit will help them get over it.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Making Jesus Real
Great men have expressed many magnificent words about the meaning of Christianity but they are difficult to quote when we are on the spot. However, there are some simple sayings that are famous for their wonderful truth and also easy to remember. For example, when we ask some Christians the meaning of their life they say, "Making Jesus real." This, in reality, is a great answer and it can be beneficial to the Gospel. We should know what this testimonial means and how it relates to the Bible. Paul tells us that a Christian has covered himself with Christ. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal 3:27
At the beginning of our Christian life, we volunteer to be baptized into Christ. Those who are watching know that the death and resurrection of the Savior is being acted-out. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Rom 6:4 The new Christian is making their first official statement for our savior. They are making Jesus real to both themselves and the witnesses. As a Christian continues their life, they must repeatedly play out the death and life of Jesus. Being clothed with Christ takes many different forms as we accept His actions as our own death and life. Replication is how a Christian makes Jesus real to other people.
Considering the death of Christ, we know that it accomplished the putting away of all sin. Jesus achieved victory over sin and death for us but we must conform to what He has accomplished. A Christian's responsibility is to make the end of sin a reality as we live our life. When an old friend comes around and says, "Let's go and do something we used to enjoy together" it is our job to say "no". Jesus is made real to them as we explain our reasons for not doing the things we used to do.
In another example, we are offered a job at double the salary but it means we must move away from people that the Lord asked us to teach spiritually. Explaining why we turned down the money can make Jesus real to the people around us. Of course, people will say we are dumb or weak when we do these things for Jesus but persecution is the reality of doing what we preach.
Church people usually approve of removing sin from a Christian life but turning down money is another matter. The death of Jesus is about "more" than doing away with sin. You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19b Jesus says here that we are "not" a part of the world when we are making Jesus real. This is why money is not important to a Christian although it is everything to a worldly person. Most of us have read what Paul said about it, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Tim 6:10 If we make Jesus real in our life, money and other worldly things will not have any priority. Accepting the death of Christ into our lives is the most overlooked Christian duty.
A good way to think of this is, we can never realize our personal victory in resurrection UNTIL we personally apply "the victory" over sin into our lives. Although the leading churches today reject the blood of Jesus as being required for salvation, the Scriptures plainly tell us it is absolutely essential. Now, we love to accept the resurrection hope into our life and dream of living in a wonderful new place. However, Rom 6:4 (above) says that we enter the death of Christ, in order that we also may have a new life. In other words, our new life must grow out of the death of our old life. Reminiscent of the way a new flower grows out of the old earth.
The Scriptures teach that our salvation includes us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. How wonderful that we will never see death. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. John 8:51 That's right, Jesus destroyed death for His children. A Christian never needs to enter death because they are no longer completely mortal. The Scriptures says; What is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor 5:4,5 The Spirit is deposited in us so that our mortality can be swallowed by eternal life. We have been created with the duality needed to be transformed from this life into another.
It is important to make Jesus real to this world while we have time. It won't be long until we leave for another world. Jesus is going to allow us to life with Him forever but first we must show the world how real He really is to us. Our Savior told Martha that whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:26 Making Jesus real on this earth is the first step toward living with Him forever. After joining with Jesus our life becomes His concern and whether we live or die we belong to Him.
What a Savior!
At the beginning of our Christian life, we volunteer to be baptized into Christ. Those who are watching know that the death and resurrection of the Savior is being acted-out. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Rom 6:4 The new Christian is making their first official statement for our savior. They are making Jesus real to both themselves and the witnesses. As a Christian continues their life, they must repeatedly play out the death and life of Jesus. Being clothed with Christ takes many different forms as we accept His actions as our own death and life. Replication is how a Christian makes Jesus real to other people.
Considering the death of Christ, we know that it accomplished the putting away of all sin. Jesus achieved victory over sin and death for us but we must conform to what He has accomplished. A Christian's responsibility is to make the end of sin a reality as we live our life. When an old friend comes around and says, "Let's go and do something we used to enjoy together" it is our job to say "no". Jesus is made real to them as we explain our reasons for not doing the things we used to do.
In another example, we are offered a job at double the salary but it means we must move away from people that the Lord asked us to teach spiritually. Explaining why we turned down the money can make Jesus real to the people around us. Of course, people will say we are dumb or weak when we do these things for Jesus but persecution is the reality of doing what we preach.
Church people usually approve of removing sin from a Christian life but turning down money is another matter. The death of Jesus is about "more" than doing away with sin. You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19b Jesus says here that we are "not" a part of the world when we are making Jesus real. This is why money is not important to a Christian although it is everything to a worldly person. Most of us have read what Paul said about it, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Tim 6:10 If we make Jesus real in our life, money and other worldly things will not have any priority. Accepting the death of Christ into our lives is the most overlooked Christian duty.
A good way to think of this is, we can never realize our personal victory in resurrection UNTIL we personally apply "the victory" over sin into our lives. Although the leading churches today reject the blood of Jesus as being required for salvation, the Scriptures plainly tell us it is absolutely essential. Now, we love to accept the resurrection hope into our life and dream of living in a wonderful new place. However, Rom 6:4 (above) says that we enter the death of Christ, in order that we also may have a new life. In other words, our new life must grow out of the death of our old life. Reminiscent of the way a new flower grows out of the old earth.
The Scriptures teach that our salvation includes us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. How wonderful that we will never see death. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. John 8:51 That's right, Jesus destroyed death for His children. A Christian never needs to enter death because they are no longer completely mortal. The Scriptures says; What is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor 5:4,5 The Spirit is deposited in us so that our mortality can be swallowed by eternal life. We have been created with the duality needed to be transformed from this life into another.
It is important to make Jesus real to this world while we have time. It won't be long until we leave for another world. Jesus is going to allow us to life with Him forever but first we must show the world how real He really is to us. Our Savior told Martha that whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:26 Making Jesus real on this earth is the first step toward living with Him forever. After joining with Jesus our life becomes His concern and whether we live or die we belong to Him.
What a Savior!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Leper and the Lamb - Sacrifice & Reconciliation
No, I've not forgotten our friend the leper. When we last saw him, the priest had just given the Thanksgiving Offering. Today we find out more about the sacrifices of the lambs. As you read, I hope you find a new thanks to God for providing Jesus to do away with sacrifices.
The high priest had just sacrificed the lambs in a sanctified room. Both the first and second lambs were cut into parts and cooked on the altar but there were portions which were to be eaten by the high priest. This verse tells us about some parts which were given to the priest For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Isreal from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons. (Lev 7:34) When the priest ate of the offering it showed that God was accepting the sacrifice as Holy unto Him. Do we realize that we are representing God today by what we partake of? We must remember that we are to be God's ambassadors to the people of the earth. There were other parts of the cooked lamb to be eaten by the people who brought the offering. This demonstrates to us that there can be fellowship between man and God through Jesus. When the people of our Church forget that they are a part of the most Holy activity on the earth they they are in serious trouble. It is urgent that we tell pepole how serious God is about our redemption and that we must become earnest ourselves.
Now the priest would use the bowl of blood he had taken from the lamb. And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the greeat toe of his right foot: (Lev 14:14) People have different thoughts of symbolism of why this was to occur, but we know for sure that a sinner must be totally covered by the blood of Christ or they will never see God. This first lamb shed his blood because the sin of Adam had spread into all the creation and now we needed the trespass offering also called a guilt offering. Because mankind is born in sin the guilt of his birth is answerable to judgment.
A man is guilty even when he does not know he is a sinner because God has been offended by all men. This is why even good people must repent- and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him. it is a trespass offering: he had certainly trespassed against the LORD. (Lev 5:18b)
We must make people aware of sin so they might seek Jesus while there is still time. The blood of animals provided a provisional covering for sin but, praise the Lord, the blood of Jesus provided total forgiveness of sin. The word atonement means only a covering but reconciliation through the Savior means forgiveness. God was reconciled to man nearly 2000 years ago when Jesus died on the cross. For if, when were were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Ro 5:10) Jesus died to fulfill God's requirements and now He lives to help us find our reconciliation to God. This is not double talk because it takes two parties to reconcile. First it was God toward us and now it must be us toward God.
The main similarity for cleansing the leper or the sinner is the requirement for blood. The New Covenant in the blood of Jesus fulfills all the patterns of the Law of the old days. The following verse gives the requirment This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the Law pursed with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Heb 9:20) The Law on earth required the blood of animals. But with this, the priest could only cover over sins. No person on earth had the power to forgive sins until the Father sent his son Jesus. The blood of Jesus Christ is required for heavenly purification. What value can be placed on something so powerful that it can make us pure forever? The perfect blood of Christ is strong enough to fill all the heavenly requirements for our redemption. Now each man must reconcile to the Father in order to receive the Holy Spirit who makes available to us everything that Jesus has done for the redemption of mankind.
The high priest had just sacrificed the lambs in a sanctified room. Both the first and second lambs were cut into parts and cooked on the altar but there were portions which were to be eaten by the high priest. This verse tells us about some parts which were given to the priest For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Isreal from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons. (Lev 7:34) When the priest ate of the offering it showed that God was accepting the sacrifice as Holy unto Him. Do we realize that we are representing God today by what we partake of? We must remember that we are to be God's ambassadors to the people of the earth. There were other parts of the cooked lamb to be eaten by the people who brought the offering. This demonstrates to us that there can be fellowship between man and God through Jesus. When the people of our Church forget that they are a part of the most Holy activity on the earth they they are in serious trouble. It is urgent that we tell pepole how serious God is about our redemption and that we must become earnest ourselves.
Now the priest would use the bowl of blood he had taken from the lamb. And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the greeat toe of his right foot: (Lev 14:14) People have different thoughts of symbolism of why this was to occur, but we know for sure that a sinner must be totally covered by the blood of Christ or they will never see God. This first lamb shed his blood because the sin of Adam had spread into all the creation and now we needed the trespass offering also called a guilt offering. Because mankind is born in sin the guilt of his birth is answerable to judgment.
A man is guilty even when he does not know he is a sinner because God has been offended by all men. This is why even good people must repent- and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him. it is a trespass offering: he had certainly trespassed against the LORD. (Lev 5:18b)
We must make people aware of sin so they might seek Jesus while there is still time. The blood of animals provided a provisional covering for sin but, praise the Lord, the blood of Jesus provided total forgiveness of sin. The word atonement means only a covering but reconciliation through the Savior means forgiveness. God was reconciled to man nearly 2000 years ago when Jesus died on the cross. For if, when were were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Ro 5:10) Jesus died to fulfill God's requirements and now He lives to help us find our reconciliation to God. This is not double talk because it takes two parties to reconcile. First it was God toward us and now it must be us toward God.
The main similarity for cleansing the leper or the sinner is the requirement for blood. The New Covenant in the blood of Jesus fulfills all the patterns of the Law of the old days. The following verse gives the requirment This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the Law pursed with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Heb 9:20) The Law on earth required the blood of animals. But with this, the priest could only cover over sins. No person on earth had the power to forgive sins until the Father sent his son Jesus. The blood of Jesus Christ is required for heavenly purification. What value can be placed on something so powerful that it can make us pure forever? The perfect blood of Christ is strong enough to fill all the heavenly requirements for our redemption. Now each man must reconcile to the Father in order to receive the Holy Spirit who makes available to us everything that Jesus has done for the redemption of mankind.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Fruit of the Christian Life
After we realize how great God is and learn about our need to adore Him, a feeling of our love for Him needs to be expressed in a tangible way. Some say that there is no way we can do anything for God. That's not true. Maybe these people just don't want to do anything. One thing we are asked to do for the Lord in the scriptures is to live in a worthy manner. We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work. (Col 1:10)
When the Lord redeems us we suddenly have an inherent value. This value is what causes us to desire an intense relationship with God. As we gladly seek ways to please Him the fruits begin to appear in our lives. Yes. All Christians have fruit. Maybe someone has more fruit on the tree of faith than they do on the tree of love but all the fruits are growing as the Spirit places the strength in our heart.
Folks have funny ideas about spiritual fruit. But something that is for sure, you can never give it all away. As fast as we give it to others the more we find on our tree. This is not as silly as it sounds. Try giving away all your Christian love and see what happens. The production of spiritual fruits is done by the power of the Spirit that dwells in us.
Some people wonder if it is really necessary to have Jesus living in us. The Scripture is clear about this. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11,12) The only way to have the Spirit (the Son) is to let Him live in you. People who fear having Jesus controlling their life have plainly no experience with Him. Jesus living in you is pleasant and also beneficial. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Rom 6:22)
For 2000 years people have tried to live a holy life. Remember though, holy deeds do not make a holy person. Holy deeds are known in the Bible as the fruit. Having fruit does not necessarily make you the tree. Our holiness IS Jesus Christ. The fruit of holiness is the fruit of Jesus. We do not want to carry any fruit we can produce to God. That is counterfeit fruit and God is not pleased with fake fruit. When we run our lives ourselves the holy life of Jesus, our Master, cannot shine through to others. Trusting Jesus with more areas of our life is the only way we can grow in grace. It is time for us to get ourselves out of the way so that the power of God can begin to do God's work.
When the Lord redeems us we suddenly have an inherent value. This value is what causes us to desire an intense relationship with God. As we gladly seek ways to please Him the fruits begin to appear in our lives. Yes. All Christians have fruit. Maybe someone has more fruit on the tree of faith than they do on the tree of love but all the fruits are growing as the Spirit places the strength in our heart.
Folks have funny ideas about spiritual fruit. But something that is for sure, you can never give it all away. As fast as we give it to others the more we find on our tree. This is not as silly as it sounds. Try giving away all your Christian love and see what happens. The production of spiritual fruits is done by the power of the Spirit that dwells in us.
Some people wonder if it is really necessary to have Jesus living in us. The Scripture is clear about this. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11,12) The only way to have the Spirit (the Son) is to let Him live in you. People who fear having Jesus controlling their life have plainly no experience with Him. Jesus living in you is pleasant and also beneficial. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Rom 6:22)
For 2000 years people have tried to live a holy life. Remember though, holy deeds do not make a holy person. Holy deeds are known in the Bible as the fruit. Having fruit does not necessarily make you the tree. Our holiness IS Jesus Christ. The fruit of holiness is the fruit of Jesus. We do not want to carry any fruit we can produce to God. That is counterfeit fruit and God is not pleased with fake fruit. When we run our lives ourselves the holy life of Jesus, our Master, cannot shine through to others. Trusting Jesus with more areas of our life is the only way we can grow in grace. It is time for us to get ourselves out of the way so that the power of God can begin to do God's work.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A Joyous Relationship
I know that the Leper and the Lamb series can get a bit heavy. So, today I would like to lighten it up a bit and discuss a precious gift that we so often take for granted...prayer.
Paul commanded the people of "The Way" to continually pray: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Eph 6:18)
There are two primary objectives for us to keep in mind when making prayer a part of our lives. The first is to praise God for who He is and what He has done; the other is the privilege of making request during our conversation with Him. We see this in the Lord's prayer when it speaks first of God's name, kingdom and his will on earth. The prayer proceeds with petitions to give us things, forgive us, lead us and deliver us. In addition to praising God and making request, there is the wonderful freedom of having a conversation with our creator.
This is a deeper and more personal type of prayer in which you share your personal ideas and emotions. After a relationship is built, we are able to perceive what God wants to share with us. Most of us pray with praise and request, but only a few people spend the time necessary to enjoy a real exchange with God. When the Holy Spirit has been given rule of our soul, it is possible through Jesus, to have genuine fellowship with the Almighty. Of course, many people are so busy with earthly activities they will never take the time to cultivate this close friendship with God. And what a shame that is! To experience a close relationship with the Lord of all creation, the all-powerful, the all-knowing God is like nothing else any human can experience.
There are times when Christians find it difficult to pray because of some weakness or sin in their life. We must have faith in the grace we have been given as Christians and believe that the Holy Spirit will help remedy anything that stands between us and God. We must then be willing for the Holy Spirit to make any remedies necessary within ourselves. The Bible says, likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. (Rom 8:26)
We do not always understand how the Spirit helps us but we certainly need His help when speaking to God. Sometimes we wonder why God would want to hear anything from us. It cannot be for His enlightenment, so He must want us to seek His fellowship and the wonders He provides. The Bible says God loves our prayers and tells us about an altar of incense in heaven; the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God. (Rev 8:4)
What a privilege to have the Almighty listen to our prayers and take pleasure from things the saints have on their hearts! Seek Him today! You'll be glad you do.
Paul commanded the people of "The Way" to continually pray: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Eph 6:18)
There are two primary objectives for us to keep in mind when making prayer a part of our lives. The first is to praise God for who He is and what He has done; the other is the privilege of making request during our conversation with Him. We see this in the Lord's prayer when it speaks first of God's name, kingdom and his will on earth. The prayer proceeds with petitions to give us things, forgive us, lead us and deliver us. In addition to praising God and making request, there is the wonderful freedom of having a conversation with our creator.
This is a deeper and more personal type of prayer in which you share your personal ideas and emotions. After a relationship is built, we are able to perceive what God wants to share with us. Most of us pray with praise and request, but only a few people spend the time necessary to enjoy a real exchange with God. When the Holy Spirit has been given rule of our soul, it is possible through Jesus, to have genuine fellowship with the Almighty. Of course, many people are so busy with earthly activities they will never take the time to cultivate this close friendship with God. And what a shame that is! To experience a close relationship with the Lord of all creation, the all-powerful, the all-knowing God is like nothing else any human can experience.
There are times when Christians find it difficult to pray because of some weakness or sin in their life. We must have faith in the grace we have been given as Christians and believe that the Holy Spirit will help remedy anything that stands between us and God. We must then be willing for the Holy Spirit to make any remedies necessary within ourselves. The Bible says, likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. (Rom 8:26)
We do not always understand how the Spirit helps us but we certainly need His help when speaking to God. Sometimes we wonder why God would want to hear anything from us. It cannot be for His enlightenment, so He must want us to seek His fellowship and the wonders He provides. The Bible says God loves our prayers and tells us about an altar of incense in heaven; the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God. (Rev 8:4)
What a privilege to have the Almighty listen to our prayers and take pleasure from things the saints have on their hearts! Seek Him today! You'll be glad you do.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Leper and the Lamb - Righteousness
Yesterday we discovered that the leper spent seven days cleaning his body (repenting). Today we find him ready for the special service that brings him salvation. He had looked forward to the eighth day because it was the new beginning he needed for a Godly life. This special ceremony represented the forgiveness of his old life and his eagerness for a new life. In Leviticus we read this passage:
And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of find flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: (Lev 14:10)
This describes the beginning of the ritual that took an impure man (the leper) and remade him into a person with restored rights to enter the presence of God. Jesus is our door today and there is no way to God but for us to come through Him who is our tabernacle. The leper was so happy to be restored to fellowship with God that he must have wept with joy. Have you ever watched a person who has been living in sin react to their new birth into Christ? They love everybody and everything.
On this eighth day, the day of his new beginning, the healed and scrubbed leper was to bring everything to the priest that was needed for the formal procedure. Here is the complete list; 2 male lambs, 1 female lamb, 1 pint of oil, 1 gal of flour mixed with oil, and a quart of wine. Everything was to be clean and perfect. This list was to make the finest collection of food the leper could gather together. I am sure that all the members of his family would have given him the best they owned and the ex-leper must have brushed the "three little lambs" to make them look their best. We know that God gave his best when he sent the sacrifice for our cleansing.
The first part of the ceremony was called the Wave offering. This was to celebrate in joy and thanksgiving what had happened to the leper. And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass (guilt) offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a waver offering before the LORD: (Lev 14:12) The priest took one living male lamb, the pint of oil and presented them to God by waving his arms with joy. This was done as the grateful man showed appreciation for his restoration to the community and his family. As he worked to build a new relationship with God the leper needed to follow all the instructions with a joyful heart which made his work light. To fail any part of the ceremony would invalidate his restoration of body and soul but the Wave offering was enjoyable because is had no killing involved and the altar was not used. Like the leper we need a time of joy and thanksgiving to God for his goodness and peace toward mankind. It is wonderful to worship with people who feel the excitement of leaving behind the dreadful life of a leper. today we don't sacrifice these items when we seek God but it is always difficult for people to leave the things of this world which are considered normal in this life. Serving God is not a matter of the difficulty involved but where we place our interest.
The Thanksgiving (wave) offering was actually the first part of a blood offering called the Trespass Offering. As the ceremony continued the priest would take the young male lamb used in the Wave Offering to a special place of slaughter. As the lamb was killed some of his blood was collected in a bowl. And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place. (Lev 14:13) This place had been equipped for the killing of all three lambs. It might seem odd to call this place Holy but because of God's nature every place used in the ceremony had to be sanctified (set apart to God). All the places, things and even the priest had to be consecrated for a ceremony with God.
Today we should understand that God has asked us to be sanctified and consecrated for his work and this is the reason we must live a holy life. Church people who live like the world have no idea what a mistake they are making. Look what 1 John 3:10 says: In this children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God. There are church people who excuse themselves by saying they will simply use the righteousness of Jesus because it is better than any of their own. They are correct about Jesus but where do they get the idea that Jesus died so that they would not need to live a Godly life? All through the Bible God requires His people to live righteously. John said that if a person does not live a righteous life then they are not of God, which means that holiness is not optional.
Righteousness is the demand that a person treat others with fair or correct actions and this behavior will leave a person free from guilt or wrong. God is the ultimate judge of our actions and we must have his approval to see heaven. There is no one on earth who can perfectly meet the standards of right doing that the creator has set. This is the reason the Spirit of Jesus must live in us and bring righteousness into our lives. The fact that we will never be perfect is no excuse for not doing our best. Jesus said, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:20)
People need to know that this is the truth but that it is only possible when the Spirit of Jesus lives in us. The Spirit will show us how to live a life that is even better than following the law properly. Our Savior did everything correctly in both life and death and he earned the right to present us before the Almighty God. When singing to God, the Psalmist said "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness" and we should love this fact. Let us dedicate ourselves to being honorable and upright people while loving others so God will call us his children and we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of find flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: (Lev 14:10)
This describes the beginning of the ritual that took an impure man (the leper) and remade him into a person with restored rights to enter the presence of God. Jesus is our door today and there is no way to God but for us to come through Him who is our tabernacle. The leper was so happy to be restored to fellowship with God that he must have wept with joy. Have you ever watched a person who has been living in sin react to their new birth into Christ? They love everybody and everything.
On this eighth day, the day of his new beginning, the healed and scrubbed leper was to bring everything to the priest that was needed for the formal procedure. Here is the complete list; 2 male lambs, 1 female lamb, 1 pint of oil, 1 gal of flour mixed with oil, and a quart of wine. Everything was to be clean and perfect. This list was to make the finest collection of food the leper could gather together. I am sure that all the members of his family would have given him the best they owned and the ex-leper must have brushed the "three little lambs" to make them look their best. We know that God gave his best when he sent the sacrifice for our cleansing.
The first part of the ceremony was called the Wave offering. This was to celebrate in joy and thanksgiving what had happened to the leper. And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass (guilt) offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a waver offering before the LORD: (Lev 14:12) The priest took one living male lamb, the pint of oil and presented them to God by waving his arms with joy. This was done as the grateful man showed appreciation for his restoration to the community and his family. As he worked to build a new relationship with God the leper needed to follow all the instructions with a joyful heart which made his work light. To fail any part of the ceremony would invalidate his restoration of body and soul but the Wave offering was enjoyable because is had no killing involved and the altar was not used. Like the leper we need a time of joy and thanksgiving to God for his goodness and peace toward mankind. It is wonderful to worship with people who feel the excitement of leaving behind the dreadful life of a leper. today we don't sacrifice these items when we seek God but it is always difficult for people to leave the things of this world which are considered normal in this life. Serving God is not a matter of the difficulty involved but where we place our interest.
The Thanksgiving (wave) offering was actually the first part of a blood offering called the Trespass Offering. As the ceremony continued the priest would take the young male lamb used in the Wave Offering to a special place of slaughter. As the lamb was killed some of his blood was collected in a bowl. And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place. (Lev 14:13) This place had been equipped for the killing of all three lambs. It might seem odd to call this place Holy but because of God's nature every place used in the ceremony had to be sanctified (set apart to God). All the places, things and even the priest had to be consecrated for a ceremony with God.
Today we should understand that God has asked us to be sanctified and consecrated for his work and this is the reason we must live a holy life. Church people who live like the world have no idea what a mistake they are making. Look what 1 John 3:10 says: In this children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God. There are church people who excuse themselves by saying they will simply use the righteousness of Jesus because it is better than any of their own. They are correct about Jesus but where do they get the idea that Jesus died so that they would not need to live a Godly life? All through the Bible God requires His people to live righteously. John said that if a person does not live a righteous life then they are not of God, which means that holiness is not optional.
Righteousness is the demand that a person treat others with fair or correct actions and this behavior will leave a person free from guilt or wrong. God is the ultimate judge of our actions and we must have his approval to see heaven. There is no one on earth who can perfectly meet the standards of right doing that the creator has set. This is the reason the Spirit of Jesus must live in us and bring righteousness into our lives. The fact that we will never be perfect is no excuse for not doing our best. Jesus said, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:20)
People need to know that this is the truth but that it is only possible when the Spirit of Jesus lives in us. The Spirit will show us how to live a life that is even better than following the law properly. Our Savior did everything correctly in both life and death and he earned the right to present us before the Almighty God. When singing to God, the Psalmist said "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness" and we should love this fact. Let us dedicate ourselves to being honorable and upright people while loving others so God will call us his children and we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Monday, August 2, 2010
The Leper and the Lamb - Repentance
If you have been following The Leper and the Lamb series, you will see that to this point, we have found that just as a leper is diseased, we as humans have a disease of sin. For this discussion we have said that we are "Lepers of Sin". We also discovered that in order for any leper of sin (any person) to come near to God we must be covered with a robe of righteousness that is only available through Christ Jesus.
Today, our discussion of the leper continues and we find him at the point of cleansing which is the same as repentance for a leper of sin.
Before coming to God, the leper spent seven days washing off the dirt from his old life. And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days. But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean. (Lev 14:8,9)
This man did not even have any eyebrows and his friends must have had trouble trying to keep from laughing. Every man in those days wore a full beard and no one had ever seen their faces but God has a clear view of every person's heart. During the seven days of cleansing the leper did not live with his family although he would certainly want to be with them after his exile. Instead, this man cleaned and shaved for the purpose of getting right with God.
Flash forward to the New Testament. Those who believe repentance is unnecessary have forgotten that our sin is the very reason we are separated from God and our sin is always directed "against" God. Our survival depends totally on our conversion to the righteousness of God. The Scriptures tell us the way to repentance and righteousness.
One day Peter healed a lame man and the people wondered how he had done it. He gave an unusual answer Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. (Acts 3:19) If a doctor told you to repent after your legs were healed it would seem strange but it's different with the Lord. Peter's message to people has always been that God will heal a body to demonstrate people's need for a change of their spiritual attitude. Often we listen better when sickness has shown us how vulnerable we are and our healing illustrates that we must come to God out of our weakness. Repentance is not a one time occurrence as some folks seem to think. Paul asked us to repent, even after we have begun to serve God, as seen when he wrote to the Corinthians telling them to stop their worldly activities For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. (2 Cor 7:10) We must always confess our sins and ask God to forgive us which makes repentance a vital part of our new life.
Repentance is simply a change of mind; however, a proper change will always influence our way of life. Once we make our decision to yield to God, the Holy Spirit will be unwavering in His destruction of our old life. The Spirit must make room in our hearts and lives to bring in the many righteous things we need to develop the kind of life God is looking for.
The resulting change in a person is easily observable. This new attitude includes a feeling of hate for the old sinful way of life and a new peaceful way of living. Many people have been deceived by thinking their first step of repentance was all they needed for salvation. Repentance is not salvation but no one can be saved without it.
Besides the observable attitude change, another visual representation of repentance is baptism. The baptism ceremony symbolizes death to the old life in order to walk a new life. In the Old Testament when water was used in any type of cleansing ceremony it was called The Water of Separation. The point being that repentance is to bring about our separation from the world so we may serve God. A sinner needs to repent just as a leper had to wash his body. When we are buried in the baptism we are pledging to never return to our old ways that we have repented of. After a person has repented, they may then receive forgiveness and it takes both repentance and forgiveness to be converted.
It is a humbling experience to be cleansed from sin in front of the world but it is worth it to be cleansed from being a leper of sin. People who have not repented are unclean and can never come before God who requires absolute cleanness. Ask God to help you repent today in order that you may be restored. Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. (Matt 17:11,13)
Today, our discussion of the leper continues and we find him at the point of cleansing which is the same as repentance for a leper of sin.
Before coming to God, the leper spent seven days washing off the dirt from his old life. And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days. But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean. (Lev 14:8,9)
This man did not even have any eyebrows and his friends must have had trouble trying to keep from laughing. Every man in those days wore a full beard and no one had ever seen their faces but God has a clear view of every person's heart. During the seven days of cleansing the leper did not live with his family although he would certainly want to be with them after his exile. Instead, this man cleaned and shaved for the purpose of getting right with God.
Flash forward to the New Testament. Those who believe repentance is unnecessary have forgotten that our sin is the very reason we are separated from God and our sin is always directed "against" God. Our survival depends totally on our conversion to the righteousness of God. The Scriptures tell us the way to repentance and righteousness.
One day Peter healed a lame man and the people wondered how he had done it. He gave an unusual answer Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. (Acts 3:19) If a doctor told you to repent after your legs were healed it would seem strange but it's different with the Lord. Peter's message to people has always been that God will heal a body to demonstrate people's need for a change of their spiritual attitude. Often we listen better when sickness has shown us how vulnerable we are and our healing illustrates that we must come to God out of our weakness. Repentance is not a one time occurrence as some folks seem to think. Paul asked us to repent, even after we have begun to serve God, as seen when he wrote to the Corinthians telling them to stop their worldly activities For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. (2 Cor 7:10) We must always confess our sins and ask God to forgive us which makes repentance a vital part of our new life.
Repentance is simply a change of mind; however, a proper change will always influence our way of life. Once we make our decision to yield to God, the Holy Spirit will be unwavering in His destruction of our old life. The Spirit must make room in our hearts and lives to bring in the many righteous things we need to develop the kind of life God is looking for.
The resulting change in a person is easily observable. This new attitude includes a feeling of hate for the old sinful way of life and a new peaceful way of living. Many people have been deceived by thinking their first step of repentance was all they needed for salvation. Repentance is not salvation but no one can be saved without it.
Besides the observable attitude change, another visual representation of repentance is baptism. The baptism ceremony symbolizes death to the old life in order to walk a new life. In the Old Testament when water was used in any type of cleansing ceremony it was called The Water of Separation. The point being that repentance is to bring about our separation from the world so we may serve God. A sinner needs to repent just as a leper had to wash his body. When we are buried in the baptism we are pledging to never return to our old ways that we have repented of. After a person has repented, they may then receive forgiveness and it takes both repentance and forgiveness to be converted.
It is a humbling experience to be cleansed from sin in front of the world but it is worth it to be cleansed from being a leper of sin. People who have not repented are unclean and can never come before God who requires absolute cleanness. Ask God to help you repent today in order that you may be restored. Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. (Matt 17:11,13)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?
Today, I want to temporarily step away from the Leper and the Lamb and talk about the important topic of trusting God.
One hot day in the land of Israel the Lord was talking with Abraham in the shade of a great tree. The Lord suddenly said to Abraham, "Sarah your wife will have a son." Because she was 90 years old, Sarah laughed. Sure enough, the next year the old woman gave birth to the promised child. If this had not transpired the Nation of Israel would not be here today. As servants, we have heard things of God that makes us laugh. These things are impossible in our life but we must learn not to laugh. Remember all the great things that our God has done. Somehow, our belief in God should grow so that everyday we tell ourselves, "There is nothing too hard for the Lord."
Many times people will ask how to gain the knowledge needed to comprehend what God wants in our life. There are many answers to this, but usually when we question someone that is having trouble serving the Lord, we find that they actually have other priorities in their life. A person that really wants to put God first in their life will begin to learn the things of God rather quickly. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Cor 4:6) The Almighty has decreed that people can have His knowledge. The knowledge always comes through Christ. This means that the only obstruction to learning from God is the individual themselves.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? It is possible to reach out to others for God, but we must listen to the Spirit. Of course, we prepare ourselves but then submit to the directions given by God's spirit. The Scriptures says, But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Cor 2:14,35 We personally do not have the power to save other people but the Spirit dwelling in us is able to touch the hearts of others. God will "spread the knowledge of Himself" through us.
With the knowledge of God we possess, there comes a warning, as with most things God give us. Paul said, We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Cor 8:1) The warning about God-given knowledge is that our human natures wants us to take credit for something that God has given for the benefit of His Kingdom. The answer is to remember that everything must be done in the love of God. Everything that we learn from God is building our faith and making it possible to believe that there is nothing too hard for our Lord.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet 1:3,4)
No matter what it looks like...believe it is not too hard for the Lord.
One hot day in the land of Israel the Lord was talking with Abraham in the shade of a great tree. The Lord suddenly said to Abraham, "Sarah your wife will have a son." Because she was 90 years old, Sarah laughed. Sure enough, the next year the old woman gave birth to the promised child. If this had not transpired the Nation of Israel would not be here today. As servants, we have heard things of God that makes us laugh. These things are impossible in our life but we must learn not to laugh. Remember all the great things that our God has done. Somehow, our belief in God should grow so that everyday we tell ourselves, "There is nothing too hard for the Lord."
Many times people will ask how to gain the knowledge needed to comprehend what God wants in our life. There are many answers to this, but usually when we question someone that is having trouble serving the Lord, we find that they actually have other priorities in their life. A person that really wants to put God first in their life will begin to learn the things of God rather quickly. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Cor 4:6) The Almighty has decreed that people can have His knowledge. The knowledge always comes through Christ. This means that the only obstruction to learning from God is the individual themselves.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? It is possible to reach out to others for God, but we must listen to the Spirit. Of course, we prepare ourselves but then submit to the directions given by God's spirit. The Scriptures says, But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Cor 2:14,35 We personally do not have the power to save other people but the Spirit dwelling in us is able to touch the hearts of others. God will "spread the knowledge of Himself" through us.
With the knowledge of God we possess, there comes a warning, as with most things God give us. Paul said, We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Cor 8:1) The warning about God-given knowledge is that our human natures wants us to take credit for something that God has given for the benefit of His Kingdom. The answer is to remember that everything must be done in the love of God. Everything that we learn from God is building our faith and making it possible to believe that there is nothing too hard for our Lord.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet 1:3,4)
No matter what it looks like...believe it is not too hard for the Lord.
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