Tag: Keep

Old Vs. New

Hebrews 10:1-18

OLD
——-
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

NEW
——–
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, there’s no need for any other substitute to atone for man’s sins. Jesus’ offering was effective for all past, present, and future sins, but salvation is conditional, and determined on an individual’s proper confession of sin, and a dedicated life of submission to the will of the Lord.

Hallowed Be Thy Name…

Psalm 33:4-8

The Lord our God, the creator of heaven and earth, is worthy of all praise and glory of men and angels! The text tells us, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (vs. 6). God literally spoke, and the world came into existence! What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him, Heaven and earth adore Him, but do you give reverence and show respect for the Lord, as you should? How often during the day, do you simply acknowledge the very presence of God? When you take time to pray, are your words centered more on your problems, or the grace and mercy God gives us daily? What are you living for? What motivates you to get out of bed everyday? God made everyone special, and loaded them with benefits, but oftentimes, we take for granted, how good the Lord has been to us. God is good, and His mercy endures forever, yet millions are walking the streets this very evening, dressed in costumes, honoring a day that was set aside for evil purposes (many unknowingly). Rather than focus on loading baskets with candy and treats, we should make the name of the Lord great today! I understand that man has set specific days and times to celebrate, but everyday should be centered on giving reverence and honor to the name of the Lord.

Blind Shame

Jeremiah 3:1-5

Sin brings drastic consequences once it gains a foothold in our lives. Lies lead to more lies, and hatred to more hatred. In spite of their great sin, the people of Israel continued to talk like they were God’s children. The only way they could do this was to minimize their sin. When we know we’ve done something wrong, we want to downplay the error and relieve some of the guilt we feel. As we minimize our sinfulness, we naturally shy away from making changes, and so we keep on sinning. But if we view every wrong attitude and action as a serious offense against God, we will begin to understand what living for God is all about. Is there any sin in your life that you’ve written off as too small to worry about? God says that we must confess and turn from every sin. (Excerpt from the Life Application Study Bible)

Altered Image

Genesis 1:26-31

In the beginning, man was made in God’s own image, after His likeness. In the beginning, God gave man dominion over the fish of the sea, fowl of the air, cattle, and all the earth, including every creeping thing upon the earth. In the beginning, God blessed man and woman, and told them to fill the earth with offspring. In the beginning, man ate only herbs, fruit, and seed. In the beginning, things were radically different from today.

Today, men have taken on the image and likeness of carnality. Rather than desire the things of God, they yearn for worldly pleasures and lusts of the flesh. Today, men are afraid of nearly every animal in the animal kingdom that has not been thoroughly domesticated, including mice and cockroaches. Today, having multiple children is shunned by the modern self-centered society. In the past, large families were deemed a blessing from the Lord, but those days seem to be long gone. Today, men will eat anything that moves (or doesn’t move). While we have been granted permission by God to consume meat (according to Genesis 9:3, and Matthew 15:11), many around the globe enjoy some very unusual delicacies.

From the beginning of time until now, the world has become nearly unrecognizable from God’s original creation. But, in a moment, all will be restored from chaos and wickedness, to unity and perpetual holiness.

David’s Song

2 Samuel 22

1 And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
14 The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.
20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
25 Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
29 For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32 For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?
33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
34 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.
49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

Lord, Have Mercy!

2 Samuel 9

When was the last time you found yourself in need of the Lord’s mercy. As I progress in my walk with Christ, I gain more understanding of God’s mercy. Mercy can be defined as not getting something you deserve. For example, if a man was caught robbing a store, he would be certain to face time behind bars. But, the judge could show mercy to the robber, and wave all charges set against him. If you think long enough, you’ll remember countless times when God could have easily punished you for deliberately disobeying His commands, but His mercy is everlasting, and He, out of love, waved all charges against you.

The mercy of God is unfathomable, and seemingly unfair, yet He extends it to whomever He desires. Knowing this, how do you treat those who have wronged you, and deserve to be taught a lesson? Are you one who imitates the love of God, by showing mercy to even your worst enemies, or do you need a few more life lessons to hone your humility skills? Be certain to always consider the times God had mercy on you, and allow those memories to open your heart, to show mercy to others, despite whether or not they deserve to be made an example of.

Looking From Heaven

Psalm 33:13-22

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Looking From Heaven” starring, The Father and The Son! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(The Father and The Son look down from Heaven, upon the earth, considering man and his ways.)

The Son: Father, is there something on your mind? Is it time for me to return, to gather the Saints?

The Father: No, not yet… but very soon.

The Son: Understood. But, the look on your face tells me, you are pondering something.

The Father: My Son, I am well pleased of the works you did in the earth. You were obedient to my words, and wavered not to the left, nor the right.

The Son: It was an honor to be the right representation of you before mankind. But, there is more on your mind. Please, share your thoughts with me Father.

The Father: As I sit here, looking from Heaven, upon the earth, I marvel at what man has become. He was created in our image and after our likeness, and has done many great works by his hand, but it saddens me, even after I turned my face from you when you took on all man’s sins, they desire more to cling to the world, than to my word.

The Son: Indeed. It is a hard thing to witness man indulging themselves in the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life. May I have permission to express myself freely?

The Father: You may.

The Son: When you sent me to the earth, to live among men, to become a man, I saw life through their eyes. Yes, they are frail and function on impulse and emotions, but can you give them a little more time, because I’m certain that with the continual teaching and preaching of your faithful few, many will turn their hearts away from the world, and toward you.

The Father: You are right, my son, but time is of the essence, and you left the ideal example of what I consider holy, yet they willingly ignore the teachings from the men who bring forth my word regularly. I am a God of patience and forgiveness, but I have set in place a standard man must abide by, in order to live in perpetual peace with you and I.

The Son: Yes Father, I understand. Father, how long until you release me to gather those who have remained true to your word, from time past, and present?

The Father: In time, I will give you word to return to the earth, but until then, I’ll continue to honor your intercession on their behalf, as the prayers of the righteous fill this atmosphere with a sweet aroma.

The Son: Yes, I love to hear their sincere petitions, especially when they realize that we are all they really need. Their adversary tries hard to distract them from your will, but it excites me to see them overcome the one who first turned against you!

The Father: Man is our most prized creation, and they are capable of accomplishing great things. Unfortunately, they have fallen away from the faith, and a purging must take place. I see their suffering. I feel their pain. I see the works of the enemy. I watch those who desire only to bring harm. But, I will soon deliver them from their oppressors, as I did in time past, then they will know that I am the God who saves, sets free, and delivers.

The Son: I can’t wait for you to reveal your glory to those who’ve remained faithful to you Father. The place I have prepared for them is beyond glorious, but it will be a great thing to see your mighty hand work wonders for your people, even in this present world.

The Father: Indeed, my Son. Indeed…

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Looking From Heaven”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

God’s Got You!

2 Chronicles 32:1-22

“And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chr. 31:20-21). Simply writing those passages of scripture inspire me to want to give my all, and be my best for God, as king Hezekiah did. Hezekiah was known as one of the most prominent kings of Judah, and his success and great victories were only made possible through his obedience to God.

According to the author of Hebrews, God rewards those who diligently seek Him, and king Hezekiah proved this verse to be true. However, prospering in the works of the Lord can also attract negative attention. In our text, we read how the king of Assyria entered Judah, with his mind set on overtaking the land, and overthrowing the king from his throne. Isn’t it troubling, how the enemy loves to bring down good men, while promoting their selfish and narcissistic beliefs? Well, Hezekiah was a wise king, and prepared himself and the people to stand against their enemy.

While it’s one thing to oppress those who claim to be followers of idol gods, it’s a whole different ballgame when oppression is aimed toward the children of the true and living God. King Sennacherib of Assyria, claimed many victories over people who placed their hope and trust in the false gods they served. Unfortunately, the wood and stone gods offered the people no assistance, as the Assyrians ransacked and pillaged their lands. After hearing the wicked king brag on himself, and mock the power of God almighty, king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed and cried to heaven. God truly answers the prayers of the righteous, and verse 21 helps us realize this fact as it reads, “And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth out of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.” That’s intense! After talking all his smack about how he overtook many lands, and no gods could stop him, the God of king Hezekiah proved to king Sennacherib, that He was, and still is the only true and eternal God. This carnal king openly and boldly insulted Hezekiah and his God, so it was time for God to show Himself mighty to those who trusted in Him.

Maybe you’re in a season where it seems that your troubles are getting the best of you, and others are convinced you’ll never be delivered, but if you hold fast to your faith in God, He will show Himself mighty, and prove to you and your enemies, that He was with you the whole time.

Righteous Judgment

Deuteronomy 1:15-18

One of the hardest things to do as a leader is, consistently judge the causes of individuals effectively. Despite the outcomes of particular judgments, not everyone will be pleased with the leader’s decision. Fortunately, the children of God have been given a proven and effective method to always please God in their decisive matters.

Our lesson’s text identifies in verse 16, that leaders are to first hear the cause between those who have issues. It’s easy to pass wrong judgment on a case, when you’ve hardly listened to the entirety of the matter, from both parties. However, when a judge hears the whole matter, he’ll gain greater understanding of how to handle each case.

After hearing and gaining a better understanding of a matter, Moses commanded the leaders to judge every man righteously (including strangers), and show no partiality. Verse 17 reads, “Ye shall not  respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it to me, and I will hear it.” The children of God had swelled in number, and Moses assigned men to assist in handling certain matters, but in times when affairs were too hard to handle, Moses decided to deal with those personally.

In any situation that demands judgment, we must always approach them in the Spirit of love. As the body of Christ, we serve a God of peace, not confusion, so all matters involving professing believers should always be handled with care, consideration, and work toward a beneficial resolution.