Exodus 12:22-51; Luke 15; Job 30; 1 Corinthians 16

Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood in the basin. None of you shall go outside the door of your house until morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike down the Egyptians; when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down. – Exodus 12:22-23 NRSV

The blood on the frame of the door must have made a powerful statement in my life from a young boy.  To this day, the “blood covering” is part of my prayer life.  I travel quite a bit, and whenever I enter a hotel room, I touch all the walls, floor and jump to the ceiling and I am covering my room with the “blood” because I have no idea what spirit could have been left there from the previous guests.  It may be extreme. It reminds me to this day that in reality it was representing the sacrifice Jesus made as the Lamb of God.  He was my passover and it was His death that gave me life.

‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ – Luke 15:6 NRSV

I am so glad Jesus loves me with an unconditional love. I would be in ruin today if that were not so.  I still cannot get over that He rejoices in finding me.  My parents never joy’d in me when I did something wrong – I still grew up in an era of spanking and my parents gave liberally in such deliveries.

“And now they mock me in song; I am a byword to them.” – Job 30:9 NRSV

I think I spoke too soon – God does take a moment of two to make sure I stay humble.  This is not the only time in the Bible that He used this method to bring back a lost soul and to teach them humility (Lamentations 3:14). But He always brings me back with love – that is what matters most.

Let all that you do be done in love. – 1 Corinthians 16:14 NRSV

There are many of us who serve Christ in places of danger.  Others who find themselves in leadership in the Church where they are entrusted with the spiritual lives.  I find myself praying like this — Lord, may I find myself willing to love as much as You do, judge very little, joy in lives that were lost and are now found, stay humble and be a servant for You and most of all, may I never forget what You did for me.  May I have as much grace to give as I have received. Thank you.

evanlaar

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2 Samuel 8-9, Psalm 60, John 2

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table. 2 Samuel 9:7 NIV

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me. Psalm 60:3-5KJV

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2:11 NIV

David’s covenant relationship with Jonathan extended to Saul’s descendants including Mephibosheth, who considered himself no better than a dead dog. David blessed him and restored him to a place at the royal table. David’s words and actions toward Mephibosheth are so god like in character.

At the wedding feast atCana, Jesus’ power morphed water. New wine of God vintage, recognized as the best and finest offering, always surpasses the rest.

Crippled by sin, Christ changed me from a sinner to a saint (Eph1:1) as miraculously as he changed water to wine. The only begotten of God, Jesus poured out his blood like new wine atCalvary. He reserved a future seat for me at the wedding supper of the Lamb (Rev19:9).

This side of heaven I doubt I will ever fully grasp the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. I don’t feel worthy to be a co-heir with Christ (Rom8:17), to be in covenant relationship with God (Luke22:20), to be an adopted sibling of Christ (Eph 1:5).

Thank you God for your words of truth, for your banner of love over me. Help me never to take for granted your astonishing love and power that rescued me from sin and death. Amen

yicareggie

 

 

 

Exodus 27, Exodus 28, Mark 1:23-45

Please read at – www.BibleGateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2027,28;%20Mk%201:23-45&version=NKJV

Exodus 27     “You shall make an altar, the court of the tabernacle, a screen, the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually, outside the veil which is before the Testimony.”

             The Old Testament sacrifice system is the foreshadow of the new, living and everlasting covenant which Jesus Christ fulfilled. Jesus is our sacrifice Atonement for our sins, past, present and future. Jesus is “the light of the world, the light of life.” Which can never be extinguished.  Thank You Jesus for taking the wrath of God for me!!

             You Lord, tell me that if I follow You, I shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. AND that I am “the light of the world.” Lord Jesus Christ, I rejoice in You, the Light of my soul, path and heart!! I praise you for being God and over powering me by Your Love to empower me by Who You are!! May I desire You more and more greatly that You shine through every pore of me and pour out!! Please let it be so! 

Exodus 28    “You shall make holy garments, a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a tunic, a turban, and a sash, the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD, and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord, that he may minister to Me as priest.”

               Thank You Lord Jesus Christ for asking me to come to You, that You would make me a new creature, Your child!! Thank You for being THE Royal High Priest so You forever intercede for me! Because of this, my God, make me honorable to You, fulfilling Your will to be “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”!!

               Thank you for continually using Your Hand to mold me, shape me and change me to be how You desire, for only in Your blood stained Palm am I eternally safe, grateful and having Your joy as my strength.

             Please dress me up in Your garb: Your honorable Armor, wearing Your righteousness! I can never forget that You won the war, but the battles rage on. Please save the rebellious people from hell and protect the persecuted church! Please! Thank You!  

Mark 1:23-45  An unclean spirit, cried out, You are—the Holy One of God!”  “He commands and they obey Him.” He took her by the hand, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. Jesus, moved with compassion, touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And he was cleansed.

            Jesus, You are the King of kings Lord of lords.  You cast out demons, heal us by Your compassionate will, and for the purpose that we will serve You as You desire! Thank You for freeing us to have such an incredible position! I am humbled because I know no good thing is in me – but Only Good is You!! 

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” John 14:12  

Pondering – A repeated Old Testament theme, “You shall make”. But I cannot make Righteousness. Only the Lord Jesus can make me righteous. How I need to lean on Jesus to learn from Him for all I do, say, think, feel, etc – Holding every thought captive to God’s Word, so Jesus’ righteousness is visible!! What a quest! No wonder Jesus is our exceedingly great Reward! Genesis 15:1

Further reading for –

Exodus 27     Leviticus 17:11, Matthew 26:28,  Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 10:19-23, John 19:30, Matthew 27:51, Matthew 28, Luke 24:44-53, John 3:36, John 8:12, John 1:4-5, Matthew 5:14, Psalm 119:105, 160  

Exodus 28 and Mark 1: 23-45       Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 3:1; John 3:5-7; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 2:9; Nehemiah 8:10; Ephesians 1:13-14; Isaiah 64:8; Isaiah 49:16, Ephesians 6:10-18; Mark 10:18, John 15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 12:1-2 

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)

Leviticus 17, Psalm 20-21, Proverbs 31, 1 Timothy 2

That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. 1 Timothy 2:2-6

I noticed framed calligraphy on the wall when I visited my husband’s extended family.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12

“I’ve always wanted to be a Proverbs 31 woman.” I said to Aunt Rosalie. I pointed to the picture.

“Oh. My daughter bought that.” There was an awkward moment before she excused herself to tend to her other guests. Her spouse might not trade her for a bag of rocks, but rubies…? To be a Proverbs 31 woman I would have to be…

• Eagerly working at something?
• Anticipating family’s needs?
• Profiting from efforts?
• Remaining strong and vigorous?
• Helping those in need?
• Acting with dignity?
• Sharing wisdom and instruction?
• Productive with time?
• A hero to the family?
• In awe of the Lord?

But all this still wouldn’t get me into heaven.

For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Leviticus 17:11

The life is in the blood.

My life force.

The life is in the blood.

My DNA.

The life is in the blood.

My salvation. Jesus.

through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col 1:20

The blood. Nothing but the blood.

Oh Lord, my hearts desire is that my posterity will be only, that I exalted You. May I always trust in you with unshakeable faith. I rejoice that the your strength has lengthened my days with rich and unending blessings. I want to sing the praises of the Way, the Truth and the Life until you bring me victorious one day into your glorious presence. Thank you for the blood of your Son in whose name I pray. Amen.

yicareggie

2 Chronicles8, 3 John 1, Habakkuk 3, Luke 22

My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy.” 2 Chronicles 8:11

My recipes always fail if they are going to be seen or judged. I could move to a house with a fancier kitchen where my failures would be less noticeable . Or I could just start over. Only the best ingredients and faithful obedience to the recipe ensures success.

A Recipe for Salvation

• A cup of God’s righteousness

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

• Jesus’ blood.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but your be done.” Luke 22:20, 42

• Faithful obedience.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11

• Sin. Cover with Christ.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

• Allow time to rise.

God dwelled in a temple Solomon built. Solomon hid his foreign wives in a palace away from the ark of the covenant. Jesus’ sacrifice makes us his temple. Only his blood can cover our sin.

Being in God’s will gives us the power to take the higher ground when those around us are succumbing to all the pitfalls.

With God all things are possible.

yicareggie