Read: Numbers 8:1-9:23; Mark 13:14-37; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 10:29
God gave Moses instructions to place the menorah in the Holy Place where the light shined forward to light the room. The menorah stands for the revelation and illumination we get from God. It is to light our way. In a larger scale, that is exactly what He did with his cloud that looked like fire at night. It was the same presence but showed up differently in the day as it did in the night. In the day, the cloud led them but at night it was a light to them. When we are in the daytime and everything is going well, the Holy Spirit is not so obvious. He is like a comforting cloud. But when we are going through our nights of trial and things are not so clear, the Holy Spirit is a fire. He shines brightly for us.
Clouds are the promise of rain - they stand for hope, but fire cleanses and burns things up - it stands for trials. The good news is both of them stand for the powerful and glorious presence of God. God is glorified when things are going well for us and when things are hard. He is always with us; always leading us.
God doesn’t change in his nature, but he progressively changed his rules just as we change our rules with our kids. They have different rules for different stages of their development. Before, the priesthood started at age 30 and now God says they can enter in at 25. (The driver’s license age just changed.)
It used to be that the first-born were the Lord’s and now the Levites took their place. God had said that Passover was celebrated on the first month, but when some of the people couldn’t celebrate it then, he told them they could do it the next month. God is showing us his mercy. He is not the mean God with a stone waiting for us to make a mistake so he can stone us. He is very compassionate and merciful.
In Mark, Jesus told them what would happen in the very end. God wrote his book for everyone that would live on the earth. This particular passage is written for those “left behind” till he comes again. It will be terrible times on the earth for them, but they will read this and know what to do.
Jesus gave them a clue to know what season they were in - the fig tree. Israel is always the keystone. When its branches begin to bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you will know that summer is near. Then you know that Jesus is right at the door. Summer comes before Fall. Jesus will come again on Tishri One which is the Feast of Trumpets. It usually happens in September. So summer is when Israel will start budding and sprouting which means that they will start awakening to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah. Many individual Jews are coming to the truth but this is talking about Israel as a nation. No one know the exact year this will happen, but we do know the season. Our job is to know our season and follow our cloud.
Lord, may we always be awake and looking for your presence to come. We trust in your timing and your plan. Help us to be diligent with the segment of your timeline that we are to uphold.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Friday, March 6, 2020
Fri.’s Devo - The Nazarite Vow
Read: Numbers 6:1-7:89; Mark 12:38-13:13; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 10:27-28
The Nazarite vow is something that has baffled me for a while but I think I see some of it a little more clearly. A Nazarite vow was totally voluntary unless God required it like with Sampson and John the Baptist. They were Nazarites from the womb.
A person took this vow as a decision to do business with God. They did away with anything alcoholic or from the vine. They also let their hair grow long and couldn’t go near a dead body no matter who they were. So no funerals - even if it was your relative.
Naturally, wine accentuates everything, and it controls you. People who drink talk louder, act out and don’t make decisions they would naturally do. So to not drink wine would be to take control of your life and not have any other outside things to blame your actions on or to control your thoughts.
Hair represents your covering, but long hair represents your rebellion - letting your self go. This is like putting a mirror in front of you and seeing yourself as you really are. It is facing your faults. All of your vices are out there for you to see, so you can deal with them.
Not going near a dead person is to stay away from things that would cause you to slip and fall. It might be getting rid of some relationships that are toxic to you and bring death, even if they are your family. This vow was limited for a set time. Sometimes we might need to distance ourselves from particular people for a time to get the right perspective, then we can see more clearly and enter back into their lives with power to overcome - not be conquered.
The Nazarite vow is all about self-perception and repentance. When the vow was over, the Nazarite was to go to the entrance of the Tabernacle and offer a sacrifice for his sins, and one for fellowship with the Lord. Then the person would shave their heads, take that hair and place it on the fire underneath the peace offering sacrifice. The priest would receive his offering, put it back into the man’s hands and lift his hands as a special offering to the Lord. Then the Nazarite was free and could drink wine.
What a great picture! Once we see our sin and get perspective about our lives during our time of separation, we can bring all our stuff to Jesus. He lifts our hands with all our stuff in it to God and he takes it. Our rebellion is burned and our fellowship is returned. Then we can experience freedom and have joy!!!
The day the Tabernacle was dedicated, all the tribes brought offerings to the Lord. They brought 6 large wagons and 12 oxen. These were for the two clans to carry the material for building the tabernacle. Two wagons and 4 oxen were given to the Gershonite division and four wagons and 8 oxen were given to the Merarite clan. None were given to the Kohathites because they carried the sacred objects on their shoulders. That is why God got so mad at the priests when they brought the Ark on a wagon in David’s time (1 Chronicles 13:7-14). It was to be carried on the shoulders of the priests and they were never to touch any of the furniture - it was holy. Uzza found that out the hard way.
All the tribes brought their gifts to the Lord on their day. We are in the fifth day and the names of the leaders that day mean “peace of God”, “rock of the Almighty” and “hearing”. That is what God is teaching us about.
In Mark, Jesus explains that anything short of everything is not an appropriate offering. The Pharisees gave only to be seen of man. The widow gave only to be seen of God, and she was. Jesus saw her and made her famous for her gift. Jesus went further by saying that their magnificent temple was not impressive to God either. It looked awesome to man but would be torn down by God.
Jesus gave us some more information about the end of days. When the world goes to pot, it will be a great time to evangelize. The corolla virus in China is being used by God to bring great miracles and revival. The people are flocking to the church to hear about Jesus and see the power of prayer. Many are being healed of the virus. Where sin abounds; grace abounds greater!
Lord, may we find your peace, stand upon your authority and hear your voice today. You are the Almighty Rock!
The Nazarite vow is something that has baffled me for a while but I think I see some of it a little more clearly. A Nazarite vow was totally voluntary unless God required it like with Sampson and John the Baptist. They were Nazarites from the womb.
A person took this vow as a decision to do business with God. They did away with anything alcoholic or from the vine. They also let their hair grow long and couldn’t go near a dead body no matter who they were. So no funerals - even if it was your relative.
Naturally, wine accentuates everything, and it controls you. People who drink talk louder, act out and don’t make decisions they would naturally do. So to not drink wine would be to take control of your life and not have any other outside things to blame your actions on or to control your thoughts.
Hair represents your covering, but long hair represents your rebellion - letting your self go. This is like putting a mirror in front of you and seeing yourself as you really are. It is facing your faults. All of your vices are out there for you to see, so you can deal with them.
Not going near a dead person is to stay away from things that would cause you to slip and fall. It might be getting rid of some relationships that are toxic to you and bring death, even if they are your family. This vow was limited for a set time. Sometimes we might need to distance ourselves from particular people for a time to get the right perspective, then we can see more clearly and enter back into their lives with power to overcome - not be conquered.
The Nazarite vow is all about self-perception and repentance. When the vow was over, the Nazarite was to go to the entrance of the Tabernacle and offer a sacrifice for his sins, and one for fellowship with the Lord. Then the person would shave their heads, take that hair and place it on the fire underneath the peace offering sacrifice. The priest would receive his offering, put it back into the man’s hands and lift his hands as a special offering to the Lord. Then the Nazarite was free and could drink wine.
What a great picture! Once we see our sin and get perspective about our lives during our time of separation, we can bring all our stuff to Jesus. He lifts our hands with all our stuff in it to God and he takes it. Our rebellion is burned and our fellowship is returned. Then we can experience freedom and have joy!!!
The day the Tabernacle was dedicated, all the tribes brought offerings to the Lord. They brought 6 large wagons and 12 oxen. These were for the two clans to carry the material for building the tabernacle. Two wagons and 4 oxen were given to the Gershonite division and four wagons and 8 oxen were given to the Merarite clan. None were given to the Kohathites because they carried the sacred objects on their shoulders. That is why God got so mad at the priests when they brought the Ark on a wagon in David’s time (1 Chronicles 13:7-14). It was to be carried on the shoulders of the priests and they were never to touch any of the furniture - it was holy. Uzza found that out the hard way.
All the tribes brought their gifts to the Lord on their day. We are in the fifth day and the names of the leaders that day mean “peace of God”, “rock of the Almighty” and “hearing”. That is what God is teaching us about.
In Mark, Jesus explains that anything short of everything is not an appropriate offering. The Pharisees gave only to be seen of man. The widow gave only to be seen of God, and she was. Jesus saw her and made her famous for her gift. Jesus went further by saying that their magnificent temple was not impressive to God either. It looked awesome to man but would be torn down by God.
Jesus gave us some more information about the end of days. When the world goes to pot, it will be a great time to evangelize. The corolla virus in China is being used by God to bring great miracles and revival. The people are flocking to the church to hear about Jesus and see the power of prayer. Many are being healed of the virus. Where sin abounds; grace abounds greater!
Lord, may we find your peace, stand upon your authority and hear your voice today. You are the Almighty Rock!
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Thur.’s Devo - Body, Soul, and Spirit
Read: Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Psalm 48:1-14: Proverbs 10:26
The priest must be 30 years old to enter into the priesthood. Jesus entered into his ministry at thirty as our High Priest.
The three divisions of priests are explained further. The Kohathites had the duty of tending to the most sacred objects. Kohath means “waiting and obedient”. These represent those who wait on the Lord to renew their strength and bring the answer to their prayers. They are also obedient to do what he tells them while waiting. Notice, that they were cover the ark with its inner veil, then goatskin, then a blue cloth.
They were to spread a blue cloth, then a scarlet cloth then a goat skin cloth over the Bread of the Presence and its accessories.
The lamp stand and all its accessories were to be covered with blue cloth, then goatskin.
The altar of incense was to be was to be covered with a purple cloth but all its utensils were to be covered with goatskin.
Eleazar, the son of Aaron was responsible for the oil, incense, grain and anointing oil. He was the leader of all that the Kohathites did.
God’s presence was the ark so he was veiled in flesh (goatskin) and came from heaven (blue).
The Bread of God’s Presence was Jesus who came from heaven (blue) and shed his blood (scarlet) to identify with us (goatskin).
The lampstand is the revelation of God’s presence (blue) that is given to us (goatskin).
The altar of incense is the prayer of Jesus and his people. We are now royal priests to God (purple) even while we are flesh (goatskin).
Eleazar means “God is helper” who represents the Holy Spirit. He is in charge of anointing us with his Spirit and interceding through us.
The Gershonites were responsible for general service and carrying loads. The Merarites were only in charge of carrying loads.
These three clans represent our body (Merarites), soul (Gershonites) and spirit (Koathites). God is concerned with all three, but our first priority must be our spirit. Our soul will prosper as our spirit prospers and our body will prosper as our soul prospers. It is an inside to outside job!
The ritual of jealousy is super interesting. If a husband suspected his wife of adultery, he was to bring her to the priest and she had to drink this bitter water. The water was made of water and dust from the floor of the tabernacle. She had to proclaim a curse over herself and drink the water. If she was guilty her stomach would swell as if she was pregnant but her womb would shrivel and never produce a baby.
Jesus was called to judge a woman “caught in the very act of adultery”. She was doomed to die yet Jesus wrote in the dust and saved the woman from her deserved stoning. He sent her away fruitful. The law brings deserved death but grace brings undeserved redemption and life.
In Mark, Jesus corrected the Sadducees over their disbelief in the resurrection, explained the two commandments that sum up all the commandments and explained how the Messiah was not David’s son. The Messiah would be God’s son.
Lord, thank you for grace. May we live our lives to honor your grace that you have so freely given us.
The priest must be 30 years old to enter into the priesthood. Jesus entered into his ministry at thirty as our High Priest.
The three divisions of priests are explained further. The Kohathites had the duty of tending to the most sacred objects. Kohath means “waiting and obedient”. These represent those who wait on the Lord to renew their strength and bring the answer to their prayers. They are also obedient to do what he tells them while waiting. Notice, that they were cover the ark with its inner veil, then goatskin, then a blue cloth.
They were to spread a blue cloth, then a scarlet cloth then a goat skin cloth over the Bread of the Presence and its accessories.
The lamp stand and all its accessories were to be covered with blue cloth, then goatskin.
The altar of incense was to be was to be covered with a purple cloth but all its utensils were to be covered with goatskin.
Eleazar, the son of Aaron was responsible for the oil, incense, grain and anointing oil. He was the leader of all that the Kohathites did.
God’s presence was the ark so he was veiled in flesh (goatskin) and came from heaven (blue).
The Bread of God’s Presence was Jesus who came from heaven (blue) and shed his blood (scarlet) to identify with us (goatskin).
The lampstand is the revelation of God’s presence (blue) that is given to us (goatskin).
The altar of incense is the prayer of Jesus and his people. We are now royal priests to God (purple) even while we are flesh (goatskin).
Eleazar means “God is helper” who represents the Holy Spirit. He is in charge of anointing us with his Spirit and interceding through us.
The Gershonites were responsible for general service and carrying loads. The Merarites were only in charge of carrying loads.
These three clans represent our body (Merarites), soul (Gershonites) and spirit (Koathites). God is concerned with all three, but our first priority must be our spirit. Our soul will prosper as our spirit prospers and our body will prosper as our soul prospers. It is an inside to outside job!
The ritual of jealousy is super interesting. If a husband suspected his wife of adultery, he was to bring her to the priest and she had to drink this bitter water. The water was made of water and dust from the floor of the tabernacle. She had to proclaim a curse over herself and drink the water. If she was guilty her stomach would swell as if she was pregnant but her womb would shrivel and never produce a baby.
Jesus was called to judge a woman “caught in the very act of adultery”. She was doomed to die yet Jesus wrote in the dust and saved the woman from her deserved stoning. He sent her away fruitful. The law brings deserved death but grace brings undeserved redemption and life.
In Mark, Jesus corrected the Sadducees over their disbelief in the resurrection, explained the two commandments that sum up all the commandments and explained how the Messiah was not David’s son. The Messiah would be God’s son.
Lord, thank you for grace. May we live our lives to honor your grace that you have so freely given us.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Wed.’s Devo - A Change of the Law
Read: Numbers 2:1-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25
The tribes were divided into four different groups which traveled together in a certain order. Judah went first because we enter into God’s presence with praise which is what “Judah” means. When they camped they camped in their groups: three to the east, three to the west, three to the north and three to the south with the Levites in the center. The other tribes were a protection around the most valuable possession - the Tabernacle. When the tribes camped they looked like a cross from heaven’s viewpoint.
Within the Levites were three families with three different jobs. The Gershon family were in charge of all the coverings and the curtains. The Merari family were in charge of the poles, pillars and crossbars. The Kohath family was in charge of all the sacred furniture and the ark. Eleazar, the High Priest was in this family.
God changed the law about the first born and said that the Levites would be substitutes for the first born. There were not enough Levites to cover every first born so a price of five pieces of silver were given for every first born not covered.
When the Jews rejected Jesus, Jesus invited the Gentile. This is that picture. Five is the number of grace and silver means redemption. The Gentile was grafted into the vine and took the place of the Jew FOR A SEASON. I do not believe in replacement theology. The Jewish people will have their eyes open and come in. They are the first born son sof God and we are the Levites who are set apart but we will be reunited one day and be one happy family of God.
In Mark, we see the same shift happening. John the Baptist had come baptizing people and removing their sins. This was unheard of. No one had ever done that. The priest was the only one who could remove their sins on the Day of Atonement. God was doing something new which was good news to the people, but threatening to the religious leaders because they were losing control.
The religious leaders were afraid of the crowd so they were afraid to do anything to John or make a statement about what they thought of him.
Jesus gave them a parable that pointed out to the religious leaders just how he saw them. They had killed every prophet God had sent to point them back to God, and now they would kill God’s son.
They realized the parable was about them but they were powerless to act because Jesus was so favored among the people. They would have to be more crafty so they sought to trick him in his doctrine. Of, course it didn’t work. Jesus was much more shrewd than them.
Lord, we pray that the eyes of your first born and your chosen would be opened. We pray for revival in our land. We recognize that you are doing a new thing in our day. May we not miss it or be afraid of it.
The tribes were divided into four different groups which traveled together in a certain order. Judah went first because we enter into God’s presence with praise which is what “Judah” means. When they camped they camped in their groups: three to the east, three to the west, three to the north and three to the south with the Levites in the center. The other tribes were a protection around the most valuable possession - the Tabernacle. When the tribes camped they looked like a cross from heaven’s viewpoint.
Within the Levites were three families with three different jobs. The Gershon family were in charge of all the coverings and the curtains. The Merari family were in charge of the poles, pillars and crossbars. The Kohath family was in charge of all the sacred furniture and the ark. Eleazar, the High Priest was in this family.
God changed the law about the first born and said that the Levites would be substitutes for the first born. There were not enough Levites to cover every first born so a price of five pieces of silver were given for every first born not covered.
When the Jews rejected Jesus, Jesus invited the Gentile. This is that picture. Five is the number of grace and silver means redemption. The Gentile was grafted into the vine and took the place of the Jew FOR A SEASON. I do not believe in replacement theology. The Jewish people will have their eyes open and come in. They are the first born son sof God and we are the Levites who are set apart but we will be reunited one day and be one happy family of God.
In Mark, we see the same shift happening. John the Baptist had come baptizing people and removing their sins. This was unheard of. No one had ever done that. The priest was the only one who could remove their sins on the Day of Atonement. God was doing something new which was good news to the people, but threatening to the religious leaders because they were losing control.
The religious leaders were afraid of the crowd so they were afraid to do anything to John or make a statement about what they thought of him.
Jesus gave them a parable that pointed out to the religious leaders just how he saw them. They had killed every prophet God had sent to point them back to God, and now they would kill God’s son.
They realized the parable was about them but they were powerless to act because Jesus was so favored among the people. They would have to be more crafty so they sought to trick him in his doctrine. Of, course it didn’t work. Jesus was much more shrewd than them.
Lord, we pray that the eyes of your first born and your chosen would be opened. We pray for revival in our land. We recognize that you are doing a new thing in our day. May we not miss it or be afraid of it.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Tues.’s Devo - A Nation of Prayer
Read: Leviticus 27:14-Numbers 1:54; Mark 11:1-26; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 10:23
Dedicating a “house” to the Lord in the Old Testament is the same as someone dedicating himself to be of the “household” to the Lord in the New. It can all be summed up in what it says in verses 28-29. That is that anything specially set apart for the Lord must never be sold or bought back. Once you have decided to follow Jesus, you must never look back.
It goes on to say that no person specially set apart for destruction may be bought back. That person must be put to death. In other words, no person who is of the seed of Satan can be redeemed. In Romans 9:21-22 God calls them vessels of honor and vessels of wrath. It is God’s choosing.
To buy back anything that has been dedicated to the Lord is to your destruction. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and lookin back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
God called Moses to count all the men who were 20 years or older and were fit to go to war, except those from the tribe of Levi. The Levites were in charge of the Tabernacle and were to camp around the Tabernacle to protect the community of Israel from the Lord’s anger. The Levites stood for the set apart ones. They stood for Christians of the New Testament. They were responsible for how their nation went. Our nation is in the trouble it is in because we as God’s people let evil slip in because we were not guarding God’s presence. God holds his people responsible for the sins of their nation. Thankfully, we are learning our lesson and are praying and are now taking responsibility. The challenge is going to be whether we can stay in God’s presence when we are living in prosperity. Let’s not forget the hard times when we are living in ease.
In Mark, Jesus lived a very strategic life and his last days were no different. He rode a donkey into Jerusalem to fulfill scripture (Zechariah 9:9). He rode this donkey up toward Jerusalem from the south while the temple lamb was being paraded to Jerusalem from the north. The people celebrated both with palm leaves and praises of Hosanna. People were descending upon Jerusalem from all over the land for the feast of Passover. Both lambs were brought into the temple.
Jesus cursed the fig tree because it, like Israel was not ready to receive him. It could not bear fruit out of season. Jesus was out of their box and they couldn’t make the change just like the fig tree could not break tradition and bear fruit out of its season.
Jesus returned to the temple and cleansed the temple. In the Old Testament the priests would cleanse all the furniture and vessels of the Tabernacle with the blood of the lamb. Jesus as the lamb cleansed the temple of its sin and hypocrisy (Isaiah 56:7). He proclaimed it to be a house of prayer.
He taught his disciples that the key to getting what you pray for is first forgiving others, then receiving your own forgiveness.
Lord, may we walk in forgiveness, repentance and prayer for ourselves and our nation. May we become of nation of prayer.
Dedicating a “house” to the Lord in the Old Testament is the same as someone dedicating himself to be of the “household” to the Lord in the New. It can all be summed up in what it says in verses 28-29. That is that anything specially set apart for the Lord must never be sold or bought back. Once you have decided to follow Jesus, you must never look back.
It goes on to say that no person specially set apart for destruction may be bought back. That person must be put to death. In other words, no person who is of the seed of Satan can be redeemed. In Romans 9:21-22 God calls them vessels of honor and vessels of wrath. It is God’s choosing.
To buy back anything that has been dedicated to the Lord is to your destruction. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and lookin back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
God called Moses to count all the men who were 20 years or older and were fit to go to war, except those from the tribe of Levi. The Levites were in charge of the Tabernacle and were to camp around the Tabernacle to protect the community of Israel from the Lord’s anger. The Levites stood for the set apart ones. They stood for Christians of the New Testament. They were responsible for how their nation went. Our nation is in the trouble it is in because we as God’s people let evil slip in because we were not guarding God’s presence. God holds his people responsible for the sins of their nation. Thankfully, we are learning our lesson and are praying and are now taking responsibility. The challenge is going to be whether we can stay in God’s presence when we are living in prosperity. Let’s not forget the hard times when we are living in ease.
In Mark, Jesus lived a very strategic life and his last days were no different. He rode a donkey into Jerusalem to fulfill scripture (Zechariah 9:9). He rode this donkey up toward Jerusalem from the south while the temple lamb was being paraded to Jerusalem from the north. The people celebrated both with palm leaves and praises of Hosanna. People were descending upon Jerusalem from all over the land for the feast of Passover. Both lambs were brought into the temple.
Jesus cursed the fig tree because it, like Israel was not ready to receive him. It could not bear fruit out of season. Jesus was out of their box and they couldn’t make the change just like the fig tree could not break tradition and bear fruit out of its season.
Jesus returned to the temple and cleansed the temple. In the Old Testament the priests would cleanse all the furniture and vessels of the Tabernacle with the blood of the lamb. Jesus as the lamb cleansed the temple of its sin and hypocrisy (Isaiah 56:7). He proclaimed it to be a house of prayer.
He taught his disciples that the key to getting what you pray for is first forgiving others, then receiving your own forgiveness.
Lord, may we walk in forgiveness, repentance and prayer for ourselves and our nation. May we become of nation of prayer.
Monday, March 2, 2020
Mon.’s Devo - Humility is the Way to the Top
Read: Leviticus 25:47-27:13; Mark 10:32-52; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 10:22
What if a person who is a Christian falls into an addiction and their walk with God seems non-existent. Is there hope for them? Yes! They can be bought back by a family member (prayer) or their own selves if they get strong enough to fight. That is what Lev. 25:47-55 is about. Satan will fight harder for a young person because they have more years left to live and do damage to his kingdom. But it is worth the cost of freedom.
Next we have the blessing of obedience and the utter devastation of disobedience. We have seen the result of disobedience in our nation and the nations of the world, but I believe we are turning things around and beginning to live in the blessings. In the blessings there is no lack, and instead of just having enough - there is abundance! There is peace of mind and safety. We become the offensive line against the devil and his demons, instead of the ones on the defense. We see the utter powerlessness of Satan. He only has the power that we give him. He has no power against God and God is within us. We will walk in favor with God and there will be no infertility or miscarriages in our midst. We will be fruitful in every area of our lives. God’s presence will so surround us that we will know that we are his chosen sons and daughters.
The key to coming out of slavery and walking in freedom is to confess our sins and the sins of our fathers and repent. We must learn to live in rest.
We see the advantage of offering a child to the Lord while he is young. The cost is less and the battle for his soul is established then. To wait till later in life will cost more and will be harder to pay. Selah!
In Mark, Jesus led his disciples to Jerusalem. On the way, he took them aside to prepare them for what they were walking into. He told them that he would be arrested by the leading priests and sentenced to die on the cross. He would be mocked and spit on but on the third day he would rise again.
All James and John could get from that was that they wanted him to let one of them sit on his right and the other on his left when he came to his kingdom. Clearly, they missed the point! Jesus told them the cost they would have to pay to get that honor and they thought they were up to the challenge …which they were not. Jesus gave up and told them that those places were already arranged by God. This is when, I would think, Jesus second-thought God’s selection.
Jesus explained that the way to get promotion in the kingdom was to be the servant. I’m sure that went over well.
Jesus then met blind Bartemaeus. Bartemaeus means “son of one unclean”. It also means “son of one esteemed” which is the opposite. Jesus had just talked about the way to be esteemed was to be humble. He took this man who was blind because of his father’s uncleanness and made him see - esteemed! Here was the example of what he had just preached.
Lord, I love this Psalm (45) that is such a powerful picture of the blessings on ourselves and our children. Thank you for your unfailing love and grace that you give to your children.
What if a person who is a Christian falls into an addiction and their walk with God seems non-existent. Is there hope for them? Yes! They can be bought back by a family member (prayer) or their own selves if they get strong enough to fight. That is what Lev. 25:47-55 is about. Satan will fight harder for a young person because they have more years left to live and do damage to his kingdom. But it is worth the cost of freedom.
Next we have the blessing of obedience and the utter devastation of disobedience. We have seen the result of disobedience in our nation and the nations of the world, but I believe we are turning things around and beginning to live in the blessings. In the blessings there is no lack, and instead of just having enough - there is abundance! There is peace of mind and safety. We become the offensive line against the devil and his demons, instead of the ones on the defense. We see the utter powerlessness of Satan. He only has the power that we give him. He has no power against God and God is within us. We will walk in favor with God and there will be no infertility or miscarriages in our midst. We will be fruitful in every area of our lives. God’s presence will so surround us that we will know that we are his chosen sons and daughters.
The key to coming out of slavery and walking in freedom is to confess our sins and the sins of our fathers and repent. We must learn to live in rest.
We see the advantage of offering a child to the Lord while he is young. The cost is less and the battle for his soul is established then. To wait till later in life will cost more and will be harder to pay. Selah!
In Mark, Jesus led his disciples to Jerusalem. On the way, he took them aside to prepare them for what they were walking into. He told them that he would be arrested by the leading priests and sentenced to die on the cross. He would be mocked and spit on but on the third day he would rise again.
All James and John could get from that was that they wanted him to let one of them sit on his right and the other on his left when he came to his kingdom. Clearly, they missed the point! Jesus told them the cost they would have to pay to get that honor and they thought they were up to the challenge …which they were not. Jesus gave up and told them that those places were already arranged by God. This is when, I would think, Jesus second-thought God’s selection.
Jesus explained that the way to get promotion in the kingdom was to be the servant. I’m sure that went over well.
Jesus then met blind Bartemaeus. Bartemaeus means “son of one unclean”. It also means “son of one esteemed” which is the opposite. Jesus had just talked about the way to be esteemed was to be humble. He took this man who was blind because of his father’s uncleanness and made him see - esteemed! Here was the example of what he had just preached.
Lord, I love this Psalm (45) that is such a powerful picture of the blessings on ourselves and our children. Thank you for your unfailing love and grace that you give to your children.
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Sun.’s Devo - Jesus, Our Light and Our Daily Bread
Read: Leviticus 24:1-25:46; Mark 10:13-31; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 10:20-21
The priests do their duties to the constant light of the menorah. Every week they were to eat the shewbread which was offered to the Lord. The menorah is the light of God’s wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, authority and knowledge. That was theirs everyday just like we walk in that light every day. The shewbread was the Word of God that is our daily bread.
God could not tolerate blasphemous people and they had to be killed. The people who heard his words were to place their hands on him as testimony against him. The whole congregation was to stone him as one person in agreement.
Murder had to be punished and retribution had to be made for injuring someone or an animal. The blasphemer and murderer represent the devil and we must put him to death in our lives.
The land had to obey the laws of the Sabbath and rest the 7th year. Also on the fiftieth year, the Year of Jubilee, the land was to return to the original owner. Land was never sold for good. You were not buying land - you were buying harvests until the Year of Jubilee, then it would go back to the original owner. You paid according to the years remaining until the next Jubilee.
This was all to represent the fact that the Lord made earth and he is the original owner. We are just renting it till he returns in the Year of Jubilee. God told Moses that man would live to be 120. One Hundred and twenty Jubilees equals 6,000 years. We will be on the earth 6,000 years then the Lord will return to redeem it. A thousand years is as a day to the Lord so it is 6 days and he will cause the land to rest on the 7th. If this is true, the Lord should come back in 220 years according to the Jewish calendar. Let’s continue to work the land scattering seed and bringing in the harvest until then.
In Mark, Jesus addressed two groups of people: the children and the rich. The children came to him innocently and empty of anything they could bring to Jesus. He blessed them and wanted them around him. The rich man came to him full of good works. Jesus couldn’t give him anything because he already had everything he though he needed. Jesus, told him to get rid of his baggage of stuff so he would have room for God but he couldn’t do it. It had nothing to do with being rich or poor in the natural, it had everything with being rich or poor in the spirit. The children came to Jesus with only themselves and he received them. The rich man came with all his righteousness, and Jesus rejected him. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Nothing we give up in this life time will not be given to us in the next.
Lord, we come empty to you because you are the only one who can satisfy our soul. You light our path and give us your Word as our bread. We are satisfied in you.
The priests do their duties to the constant light of the menorah. Every week they were to eat the shewbread which was offered to the Lord. The menorah is the light of God’s wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, authority and knowledge. That was theirs everyday just like we walk in that light every day. The shewbread was the Word of God that is our daily bread.
God could not tolerate blasphemous people and they had to be killed. The people who heard his words were to place their hands on him as testimony against him. The whole congregation was to stone him as one person in agreement.
Murder had to be punished and retribution had to be made for injuring someone or an animal. The blasphemer and murderer represent the devil and we must put him to death in our lives.
The land had to obey the laws of the Sabbath and rest the 7th year. Also on the fiftieth year, the Year of Jubilee, the land was to return to the original owner. Land was never sold for good. You were not buying land - you were buying harvests until the Year of Jubilee, then it would go back to the original owner. You paid according to the years remaining until the next Jubilee.
This was all to represent the fact that the Lord made earth and he is the original owner. We are just renting it till he returns in the Year of Jubilee. God told Moses that man would live to be 120. One Hundred and twenty Jubilees equals 6,000 years. We will be on the earth 6,000 years then the Lord will return to redeem it. A thousand years is as a day to the Lord so it is 6 days and he will cause the land to rest on the 7th. If this is true, the Lord should come back in 220 years according to the Jewish calendar. Let’s continue to work the land scattering seed and bringing in the harvest until then.
In Mark, Jesus addressed two groups of people: the children and the rich. The children came to him innocently and empty of anything they could bring to Jesus. He blessed them and wanted them around him. The rich man came to him full of good works. Jesus couldn’t give him anything because he already had everything he though he needed. Jesus, told him to get rid of his baggage of stuff so he would have room for God but he couldn’t do it. It had nothing to do with being rich or poor in the natural, it had everything with being rich or poor in the spirit. The children came to Jesus with only themselves and he received them. The rich man came with all his righteousness, and Jesus rejected him. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Nothing we give up in this life time will not be given to us in the next.
Lord, we come empty to you because you are the only one who can satisfy our soul. You light our path and give us your Word as our bread. We are satisfied in you.
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