“The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets.” [1] Isn’t that amazing? God took the time to engrave the Ten Commandments onto stone tablets.
As I read this passage, I thought of the time that religious leaders brought an adulterous woman to Jesus. They referred Jesus to the Law of Moses, saying that she should be stoned. Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. [2] This was also the hand of God writing down something for people to read.
When the religious leaders continued asking Jesus about His interpretation of the Law of Moses, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” [3]
“Again He [Jesus] stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.” [4] The Bible does not tell us what Jesus wrote on the ground, but it tells us the impact of His writing. The religious leaders were convicted by their consciences and left.
The sins of the religious leaders involved misrepresentation of God and His Word. Jesus identified them as blind guides. He said that their proselytes were twofold children of hell. [5]
The religious leaders of Israel had a long history of falling short of God’s glory. For example, in Exodus 29-30, the Lord gave Moses instructions on how Aaron and his sons, as priests to the Lord, should be sanctified, be dressed and serve Him. But in Exodus 32, Aaron made an idol of gold. When Moses confronted Aaron about his error, Aaron blamed his sin on the people, saying, “You know the people that they are set on evil.” He told Moses that he cast gold into the fire, and the calf came out. [6]
The Bible says that Aaron had not restrained the people. [7] Calling people to repent of sin and to restrain themselves from sin is one of the ministries of the priest and prophet of God. “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”
This is why it is important to read the Bible for oneself. Be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily to see if what you are being taught by religious leaders lines up with Scripture! [8]
The writings of God contain both Law and Gospel. The Law says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” [9]
Jesus said to the woman, “’Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” [10]
The Law shows us our sin. The Gospel shows us our Savior. Jesus our Savior did not condemn the woman but told her to go and sin no more. His writings convicted the consciences of the religious leaders and they left. His grace offered to the woman caught in adultery forgiveness. Many believe that this woman was Mary Magdalene, who became a follower of Jesus.
[1] Exodus 32:16
[2] John 8:3-6
[3] John 8:7
[4] John 8:8-9
[5] Matthew 15:14; 23:15
[6] Exodus 32:22, 24
[7] Exodus 32:25
[8] 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
[9] Acts 17:10-12
[10] John 8:10-11
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Monday, February 10, 2025
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Ministers to the Lord
“There is none righteous no not one.” “We all fall short of the glory of God.” These truth are vital to recognize for those who serve the Lord. When the Lord set apart Aaron and his sons to be His priests, He mandated that they go through consecration procedures that included blood sacrifices of animals, offerings made by fire, washing with water, consumption of bread and wine, and anointing with oil. [1]
The Lord said, “Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water… when they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord, they shall wash with water, lest they die.” [2]
They needed cleansing and anointing by the Lord. The “baby” first steps of ministry involved listening and obeying the Lord’s instructions. Their first priority was ministry to the Lord.
“You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests.” [3]
It helps to know this background when reading the words of Jesus to Jerusalem’s priests. He told them a parable of a vineyard owner whose managers took over the operation. When the owner sent his representatives to require from them the portion that was due him, they beat some and killed others. Finally, the owner sent his one and only son to them to collect the dues. They killed the owner’s son thinking that this act would win them the vineyard. Jesus said that the owner would destroy them. Then, Jesus proceeded to indicate to them that He was the Owner’s (God’s) Son. The priests wanted to kill Jesus. [4] They were not ministers to the Lord.
Later, Jesus said to His followers, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” [5]
Those who serve themselves at the expense of others are imposters not ministers.
King David wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” [6]
It is precious when the Lord brings a person to the place where he dies to self and yields self to the Lord. This is what it means to be a disciple of the Lord.
“He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.” [7] To represent the Lord well, we must be with Him and learn from Him.
The Lord says that wisdom cries out, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” “Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live and go in the way of understanding.” Wisdom is to sup with the Lord, and to listen to what He has to say. [8]
Let us pray for one another that the Lord would grant us grace and empower us by His Spirit to die to self and to live for Him. Sin separates people from God. Everybody needs to know who Jesus is. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is the One who baptizes His ministers with the Holy Spirit so that we can represent Him well. [9]
“Praise the Lord, all you nations! Laud Him all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” [10]
[1] Romans 3:10, 22; Exodus 29-30
[2] Exodus 30:19-20
[3] Exodus 30:30
[4] Mark 12:1-12
[5] Mark 12:38-40
[6] Psalm 116:15
[7] Mark 3:14
[8] Proverbs 9:4-5
[9] Isaiah 59:2; John 1:29; Mark 1:8
[10] Psalm 117
The Lord said, “Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water… when they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord, they shall wash with water, lest they die.” [2]
They needed cleansing and anointing by the Lord. The “baby” first steps of ministry involved listening and obeying the Lord’s instructions. Their first priority was ministry to the Lord.
“You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests.” [3]
It helps to know this background when reading the words of Jesus to Jerusalem’s priests. He told them a parable of a vineyard owner whose managers took over the operation. When the owner sent his representatives to require from them the portion that was due him, they beat some and killed others. Finally, the owner sent his one and only son to them to collect the dues. They killed the owner’s son thinking that this act would win them the vineyard. Jesus said that the owner would destroy them. Then, Jesus proceeded to indicate to them that He was the Owner’s (God’s) Son. The priests wanted to kill Jesus. [4] They were not ministers to the Lord.
Later, Jesus said to His followers, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” [5]
Those who serve themselves at the expense of others are imposters not ministers.
King David wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” [6]
It is precious when the Lord brings a person to the place where he dies to self and yields self to the Lord. This is what it means to be a disciple of the Lord.
“He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.” [7] To represent the Lord well, we must be with Him and learn from Him.
The Lord says that wisdom cries out, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” “Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live and go in the way of understanding.” Wisdom is to sup with the Lord, and to listen to what He has to say. [8]
Let us pray for one another that the Lord would grant us grace and empower us by His Spirit to die to self and to live for Him. Sin separates people from God. Everybody needs to know who Jesus is. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is the One who baptizes His ministers with the Holy Spirit so that we can represent Him well. [9]
“Praise the Lord, all you nations! Laud Him all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” [10]
[1] Romans 3:10, 22; Exodus 29-30
[2] Exodus 30:19-20
[3] Exodus 30:30
[4] Mark 12:1-12
[5] Mark 12:38-40
[6] Psalm 116:15
[7] Mark 3:14
[8] Proverbs 9:4-5
[9] Isaiah 59:2; John 1:29; Mark 1:8
[10] Psalm 117
Friday, February 7, 2025
God Meets With Us At the Mercy Seat
“There [at the ark] I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the Mercy Seat (הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת), from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the testimony (אֲרֹ֣ן הָעֵדֻ֑ת), about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.” [1]
After Jesus resurrected from the dead, Mary Magdalene sees the stone rolled away. She leaves to tell the disciples that Jesus is risen. She returns to see two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. The two cherubim on either side of the Mercy Seat on the Ark of Testimony served as a prophetic foretelling of Christ and His resurrection from the dead.
“And she [Mary Magdalene] saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.” [2]
Later, John, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation [Mercy Seat] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” [3]
God meets with us at the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant or Testimony was on the lid between the two bowing cherubim (angels). God spoke to Moses from above the Mercy Seat. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is referred to as the Propitiation or Mercy Seat in 1 John 2:2. God meets with us via Christ. Therefore, we come to God in the Name of Jesus His Son and pray to God in the Name of Jesus.
[1] Exodus 25:22
[2] John 20:12
[3] 1 John 2:1-2
After Jesus resurrected from the dead, Mary Magdalene sees the stone rolled away. She leaves to tell the disciples that Jesus is risen. She returns to see two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. The two cherubim on either side of the Mercy Seat on the Ark of Testimony served as a prophetic foretelling of Christ and His resurrection from the dead.
“And she [Mary Magdalene] saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.” [2]
Later, John, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation [Mercy Seat] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” [3]
God meets with us at the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant or Testimony was on the lid between the two bowing cherubim (angels). God spoke to Moses from above the Mercy Seat. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is referred to as the Propitiation or Mercy Seat in 1 John 2:2. God meets with us via Christ. Therefore, we come to God in the Name of Jesus His Son and pray to God in the Name of Jesus.
[1] Exodus 25:22
[2] John 20:12
[3] 1 John 2:1-2
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Being Led to the Promised Land
God has a remnant of people who are fixed steadfastly on serving Him and rallying others to do the same: think of the prophets, the apostles and His own Son Jesus Christ. None of them were really in the mainstream of religion in their day but nevertheless labored to prepare people for the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.
I want to fix my eyes on Jesus. Give Him the glory! The word glory in Hebrew carries the meaning of weightiness. Honoring our Savior and Redeemer should carry the most weight in our lives. Only He gives us eternal life. Only He leads us to the heavenly Promised Land. What others say should not carry as much weight as His Word, the Bible.
The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My Name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” [1]
The word angel means a messenger. The Lord said that His Angel would lead them to the place He prepared for them. He said the “Angel” would not pardon them if they provoked Him… sounds like He is talking about the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” [2]
The Bible says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” [3]
Like the Israelites in the wilderness journeying towards the Promised Land with Moses, we need the Spirit of God to lead us to the eternal kingdom of God.
In addition to the Lord sending His messenger before Moses to lead them to the Promised Land, the Lord said to Moses, “You shall serve the Lord your God and He will bless your bread and water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” [4]
God’s Spirit testified through His servant David, “He [God] sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” [5]
The Holy Spirit leads us via the Word of God. The Word of God is the prophetic voice of God. Israel failed to follow the Lord and experienced many tragedies as a result. The Church as a whole has failed the Lord often too. That’s because Jesus Christ is the Savior not the people of Israel and not the people of the Church. We need a personal relationship with God. We need the Lord Himself to teach us to interpret and obey His Word rightly.
“No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” [6] Simply put, Jesus explains God to us so we can understand Him and walk with Him.
May the Lord bless you today by clearly leading You with His Spirit and His Word!
Keep this in mind that our Promised Land in these last days is to be with the Lord forever.
[1] Exodus 23:20-22
[2] Matthew 12:31
[3] Romans 8:14
[4] Exodus 23:25
[5] Psalm 107:20
[6] John 1:18
I want to fix my eyes on Jesus. Give Him the glory! The word glory in Hebrew carries the meaning of weightiness. Honoring our Savior and Redeemer should carry the most weight in our lives. Only He gives us eternal life. Only He leads us to the heavenly Promised Land. What others say should not carry as much weight as His Word, the Bible.
The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My Name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” [1]
The word angel means a messenger. The Lord said that His Angel would lead them to the place He prepared for them. He said the “Angel” would not pardon them if they provoked Him… sounds like He is talking about the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” [2]
The Bible says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” [3]
Like the Israelites in the wilderness journeying towards the Promised Land with Moses, we need the Spirit of God to lead us to the eternal kingdom of God.
In addition to the Lord sending His messenger before Moses to lead them to the Promised Land, the Lord said to Moses, “You shall serve the Lord your God and He will bless your bread and water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” [4]
God’s Spirit testified through His servant David, “He [God] sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” [5]
The Holy Spirit leads us via the Word of God. The Word of God is the prophetic voice of God. Israel failed to follow the Lord and experienced many tragedies as a result. The Church as a whole has failed the Lord often too. That’s because Jesus Christ is the Savior not the people of Israel and not the people of the Church. We need a personal relationship with God. We need the Lord Himself to teach us to interpret and obey His Word rightly.
“No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” [6] Simply put, Jesus explains God to us so we can understand Him and walk with Him.
May the Lord bless you today by clearly leading You with His Spirit and His Word!
Keep this in mind that our Promised Land in these last days is to be with the Lord forever.
[1] Exodus 23:20-22
[2] Matthew 12:31
[3] Romans 8:14
[4] Exodus 23:25
[5] Psalm 107:20
[6] John 1:18
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Morning Blessings
This morning, I gleaned blessings from my time with the Lord that are worth sharing.
In Proverbs 5, the Lord urges His son to pay attention to wisdom, understanding, discretion and knowledge, especially for the sake of avoiding an immoral relationship.
The Lord is for relationships built on mutual respect, care, steadfast commitment, and love.
He says of the immoral of woman, “Her feet go down to death her steps lay hold of hell.” “Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel, lest aliens be filled with your wealth, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner.” [1] This is true of the immoral man as well.
Proverbs is a book of “better-to-do’s.” The Lord’s “better-to-do” for His son is to “Drink water from your own cistern and running water from your own well.” “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of your youth.” “… Always be enraptured with her love.” [2]
In the Gospel of Mark, the Lord’s words “cross,” “Gospel,” “follow,” and “unashamed” stood out to me. Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” [3]
This passage reminds me of how greatly I need our Lord’s grace and mercy. I need Christ’s atoning work on the cross. I need His Spirit to help me. Otherwise, I will not pick up the cross and follow Jesus. I will not share the Gospel with someone in this adulterous and sinful generation. I will be ashamed to speak of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. “Oh how I need You, Lord, to forgive my sins of commission and omission. Please help me to take up my cross, follow You and share Your Gospel with someone unashamedly today.”
So, time with Jesus in His Word leads to prayer. I must call upon the Lord for help, otherwise, I will fail to act upon His Word.
The Bible says that there is none righteous no not one. That we have all fallen short of God’s glory and need to be justified by believing in the merits of His Son for our salvation! That the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus! If anyone believes in Christ and confesses Him with their mouth, they shall be saved! We cannot save ourselves! Repentance is turning from sin and turning to a Savior from sin. The Savior is Jesus Christ! I need to believe this. I need to profess it. [4]
In Psalms, I read, “O, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy Name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” [5]
Thanking the Lord, calling upon the Lord, and singing to the Lord reminds me of all the wonderful things He does to keep the world going and interesting. He strengthens me as I praise Him, glorify Him and fix my eyes on Him.
[1] Proverbs 5:1-2, 5, 8-10
[2] Proverbs 5: 15, 18-19
[3] Mark 8:34-38
[4] Romans 3:10; 3:22-23; 6:23; 10:9-10; Acts 2:38
[5] Psalm 105:1-4
In Proverbs 5, the Lord urges His son to pay attention to wisdom, understanding, discretion and knowledge, especially for the sake of avoiding an immoral relationship.
The Lord is for relationships built on mutual respect, care, steadfast commitment, and love.
He says of the immoral of woman, “Her feet go down to death her steps lay hold of hell.” “Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel, lest aliens be filled with your wealth, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner.” [1] This is true of the immoral man as well.
Proverbs is a book of “better-to-do’s.” The Lord’s “better-to-do” for His son is to “Drink water from your own cistern and running water from your own well.” “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of your youth.” “… Always be enraptured with her love.” [2]
In the Gospel of Mark, the Lord’s words “cross,” “Gospel,” “follow,” and “unashamed” stood out to me. Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” [3]
This passage reminds me of how greatly I need our Lord’s grace and mercy. I need Christ’s atoning work on the cross. I need His Spirit to help me. Otherwise, I will not pick up the cross and follow Jesus. I will not share the Gospel with someone in this adulterous and sinful generation. I will be ashamed to speak of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. “Oh how I need You, Lord, to forgive my sins of commission and omission. Please help me to take up my cross, follow You and share Your Gospel with someone unashamedly today.”
So, time with Jesus in His Word leads to prayer. I must call upon the Lord for help, otherwise, I will fail to act upon His Word.
The Bible says that there is none righteous no not one. That we have all fallen short of God’s glory and need to be justified by believing in the merits of His Son for our salvation! That the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus! If anyone believes in Christ and confesses Him with their mouth, they shall be saved! We cannot save ourselves! Repentance is turning from sin and turning to a Savior from sin. The Savior is Jesus Christ! I need to believe this. I need to profess it. [4]
In Psalms, I read, “O, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy Name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” [5]
Thanking the Lord, calling upon the Lord, and singing to the Lord reminds me of all the wonderful things He does to keep the world going and interesting. He strengthens me as I praise Him, glorify Him and fix my eyes on Him.
[1] Proverbs 5:1-2, 5, 8-10
[2] Proverbs 5: 15, 18-19
[3] Mark 8:34-38
[4] Romans 3:10; 3:22-23; 6:23; 10:9-10; Acts 2:38
[5] Psalm 105:1-4
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
The Ten Commandments and The Great Commission
The Lord’s intention for giving His people the Ten Commandments and the Great Commission are similar, but the Great Commission improves on the Ten Commandments.
The Lord said to His people though Moses, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” [1]
In lieu of what Jesus Christ did for our redemption, the Apostle Peter wrote, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” [2]
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” [3] God gave the people of Moses the Ten Commandments after three days of waiting. Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead on the third day giving us His people a new message to proclaim and to live by, namely, eternal life for all who have a relationship with Jesus Messiah.
“The whole mountain quaked greatly.” There was an earthquake when Jesus resurrected from the dead. [4]
The first of the Ten Commandments is about God delivering the people out of bondage and commanding them to have no other gods before Him. Peter proclaimed Jesus as the One through whom believers in Him receive forgiveness of sins and salvation. “Him [Jesus] God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His Name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” [5]
“You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” We are to proclaim that salvation is in no other name than the Name of Jesus. His Name is above every other Name. We are to make disciples in His Name which speaks of resting or sabbathing in the Lord as we learn His Word and walk in His ways. [6]
The remainder of the Ten Commandments are covered in the great commission that Jesus announced before He ascended to heaven. Commandments five through ten are about not dishonoring one’s parents, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness and not coveting. Jesus gave us the commission to love people and proclaim to them salvation in the Name of Jesus. Our new commission surpasses not hurting others. Our new commission is to join with Jesus in proclaiming eternal life in His Name as a free gift of God’s grace to all who believe in Him. Our commission includes proclaiming the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to all who receive Christ as Savior. The Spirit helps us to live a new life. [7]
“In every place where I record My Name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” The Heavenly Father honors those who serve His Son Jesus. “If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” [8] Therefore, the best thing we can do for any community is to teach the people to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! May the joy of the Lord overflow from us to the ends of the earth!
[1] Exodus 19:4-6
[2] 1 Peter 2:9-10
[3] Exodus 19:10-11
[4] Exodus 19:18; Matthew 28:2
[5] Exodus 20:1-6; Acts 10:40-43
[6] Exodus 20:9-10 Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:7-11; Matthew 28:19-20
[7] Exodus 20:12-17; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17
[8] Exodus 20:24; John 12:26
The Lord said to His people though Moses, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” [1]
In lieu of what Jesus Christ did for our redemption, the Apostle Peter wrote, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” [2]
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” [3] God gave the people of Moses the Ten Commandments after three days of waiting. Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead on the third day giving us His people a new message to proclaim and to live by, namely, eternal life for all who have a relationship with Jesus Messiah.
“The whole mountain quaked greatly.” There was an earthquake when Jesus resurrected from the dead. [4]
The first of the Ten Commandments is about God delivering the people out of bondage and commanding them to have no other gods before Him. Peter proclaimed Jesus as the One through whom believers in Him receive forgiveness of sins and salvation. “Him [Jesus] God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His Name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” [5]
“You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” We are to proclaim that salvation is in no other name than the Name of Jesus. His Name is above every other Name. We are to make disciples in His Name which speaks of resting or sabbathing in the Lord as we learn His Word and walk in His ways. [6]
The remainder of the Ten Commandments are covered in the great commission that Jesus announced before He ascended to heaven. Commandments five through ten are about not dishonoring one’s parents, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness and not coveting. Jesus gave us the commission to love people and proclaim to them salvation in the Name of Jesus. Our new commission surpasses not hurting others. Our new commission is to join with Jesus in proclaiming eternal life in His Name as a free gift of God’s grace to all who believe in Him. Our commission includes proclaiming the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to all who receive Christ as Savior. The Spirit helps us to live a new life. [7]
“In every place where I record My Name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” The Heavenly Father honors those who serve His Son Jesus. “If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” [8] Therefore, the best thing we can do for any community is to teach the people to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! May the joy of the Lord overflow from us to the ends of the earth!
[1] Exodus 19:4-6
[2] 1 Peter 2:9-10
[3] Exodus 19:10-11
[4] Exodus 19:18; Matthew 28:2
[5] Exodus 20:1-6; Acts 10:40-43
[6] Exodus 20:9-10 Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:7-11; Matthew 28:19-20
[7] Exodus 20:12-17; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17
[8] Exodus 20:24; John 12:26
Monday, February 3, 2025
Do you find it difficult to pray for others?
I need the Holy Spirit to remind me and convict me that interceding on behalf of others is a labor of love. It is an excellent work.
When people work, people work. When people pray, God works. [1]
Sherry used to sing to our children, “Call on Jesus when you don’t know what to do. Call on Jesus and He will take care of you” and “Turn it over to Jesus and you will smile the rest of the day.”
Giving thanks to God helps my prayer life. While giving thanks to God, I am reminded of His faithfulness to me in the past. Faith in God’s faithfulness fuels my prayers to God.
When Jesus began His prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead and when He began His prayer for food for the thousands of hungry people around Him, He began by saying, “I thank You…” It is precisely when the need brought to us is greater than we could ever meet that we should begin our prayer by saying, “I thank You, Father.”
The Apostle Paul thanked God for those he prayed for. I find that thanking God for the person that I am praying for helps me to realize their value to God, to others and to me.
We can thank God in advance for answering our prayers when we know that He intervenes in ways greater than we have asked or imagined.
Doubt says, “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’” [2] Faith says, “When I pray to my Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus I am praying to the God who made heaven and earth and sustains it all, and He has promised to respond to my requests.”
When Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed, but when his hands became heavy, they began to suffer defeat. Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Israel won the battle via answered prayers. [3]
That is how important prayer is! Keep praying.
We can pray for God’s will to be known and accomplished on earth as His will is done in heaven. We can pray for people to be kept from temptation and delivered from evil! We can pray for the Gospel to reach the ears of lost souls! We can pray for disciples! The enemy wants to snuff out Christ-bearers, the Lord wants to multiply them. We can pray for those in authority. We people by nature our sinful. Unless God intervenes, we will inevitably make bad decisions that hurt others and lead to tragic losses. We can pray for love, joy and peace in our lives!
Let us ask the Lord to help us pray! He knows it’s difficult. Peter, James and John fell asleep while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked them, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” [4] Imagine how much good would be accomplished if we His people prayed ceaselessly. Sometimes just in our head talking to God as we go about our day, and other times on our knees, praying verbally out loud to God for others.
[1] Hans Von Staden
[2] Job 21:15
[3] Exodus 17:11-13
[4] Matthew 26:40
When people work, people work. When people pray, God works. [1]
Sherry used to sing to our children, “Call on Jesus when you don’t know what to do. Call on Jesus and He will take care of you” and “Turn it over to Jesus and you will smile the rest of the day.”
Giving thanks to God helps my prayer life. While giving thanks to God, I am reminded of His faithfulness to me in the past. Faith in God’s faithfulness fuels my prayers to God.
When Jesus began His prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead and when He began His prayer for food for the thousands of hungry people around Him, He began by saying, “I thank You…” It is precisely when the need brought to us is greater than we could ever meet that we should begin our prayer by saying, “I thank You, Father.”
The Apostle Paul thanked God for those he prayed for. I find that thanking God for the person that I am praying for helps me to realize their value to God, to others and to me.
We can thank God in advance for answering our prayers when we know that He intervenes in ways greater than we have asked or imagined.
Doubt says, “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’” [2] Faith says, “When I pray to my Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus I am praying to the God who made heaven and earth and sustains it all, and He has promised to respond to my requests.”
When Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed, but when his hands became heavy, they began to suffer defeat. Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Israel won the battle via answered prayers. [3]
That is how important prayer is! Keep praying.
We can pray for God’s will to be known and accomplished on earth as His will is done in heaven. We can pray for people to be kept from temptation and delivered from evil! We can pray for the Gospel to reach the ears of lost souls! We can pray for disciples! The enemy wants to snuff out Christ-bearers, the Lord wants to multiply them. We can pray for those in authority. We people by nature our sinful. Unless God intervenes, we will inevitably make bad decisions that hurt others and lead to tragic losses. We can pray for love, joy and peace in our lives!
Let us ask the Lord to help us pray! He knows it’s difficult. Peter, James and John fell asleep while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked them, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” [4] Imagine how much good would be accomplished if we His people prayed ceaselessly. Sometimes just in our head talking to God as we go about our day, and other times on our knees, praying verbally out loud to God for others.
[1] Hans Von Staden
[2] Job 21:15
[3] Exodus 17:11-13
[4] Matthew 26:40
Sunday, February 2, 2025
True Prophets
Judah had committed idolatry with every kind of idol. God compared idolatry to harlotry. God asked Judah if a husband would accept a wife who became a harlot back to him. The expected answer is no. But God said to Judah to return to Him and He would receive her back.
Jerusalem went down because they refused to return to the Lord though He beseeched them with the tears of His prophets.
I believe like Martin Luther did that the Word of God is God’s prophet. Those who understand and speak it rightfully function as a mouthpiece for God in this world.
Our world needs more such servants of God’s Word. I see an intensity in the prophets like Jeremiah, in the apostles like Paul and of course in our Savior Jesus to proclaim God’s Word rightly to people. May our Heavenly Father grant us this grace to do so likewise.
Jerusalem went down because they refused to return to the Lord though He beseeched them with the tears of His prophets.
I believe like Martin Luther did that the Word of God is God’s prophet. Those who understand and speak it rightfully function as a mouthpiece for God in this world.
Our world needs more such servants of God’s Word. I see an intensity in the prophets like Jeremiah, in the apostles like Paul and of course in our Savior Jesus to proclaim God’s Word rightly to people. May our Heavenly Father grant us this grace to do so likewise.
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