Exodus 27 You shall make an altar … You shall also make the court of the tabernacle…. And you shall command…
The details for the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Court of the Tabernacle are too much for me to build and to maintain. Lord God, I am deeply and gratefully indebted to You for having managed all the details of my sacrificial offering for all of my sins by Your only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Your Son Jesus did it once and for all. If it were up to me alone, I could never make it into Paradise. (1)
And even the care of the Lampstand is beyond my ability. I will forget, get distracted, get caught up in the “works” of it and not maintain the humble and worshipful attitude You desire and deserve. So in Your Omniscience and Omnipotence, Merciful Father, You chose to indwell within me by Your Holy Spirit! You counsel me, remind me, equip, enable and sanctify me – so that I am, more and more, a bright light for all to see so that people may see Your good works and glorify You, my Father! (2)
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for the sanctification process. I am overjoyed for times like now, when You, my Potter, have completed a section, so I am in a season of refreshment! (3)
John 6 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus said, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” … One of His disciples, Andrew, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
I love this part! Andrew takes Jesus’ cue and looks for food to serve the people. Andrew trusts Jesus enough to go into action. Andrew does not come up empty handed either! He has something to offer the Lord. Yet, he thinks it isn’t enough. Andrew is right. In and of ourselves, nothing is sufficient. But Andrew loves and trusts Jesus enough to know to ask the Lord Jesus, “what are they among so many?” In response to Andrew’s desire which matched Jesus’ desire, Jesus does what Jesus Does – Jesus multiplies the “one small boy sized portion” which was brought, to Him to feed thousands of people! – With a large basket of leftovers for each disciple! (4)
Lord, I give You my heart, soul, mind and strength for You to take all of me to multiply Yourself to everyone you have me encounter! Make Yourself known, magnifying Yourself to the multitudes!
John 6 The sea arose because a great wind was blowing. … they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; … they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
Lord Jesus, may I please walk with You? Holding Your hand, I will not be afraid of my situation, circumstances, or future. May I gleefully, by faith in You, look expectantly for Your coming on the waves, me walking with You as Owner, Ruler and Authority over whatever is going on! By my doing so, I trust that I will watch You save many souls from hell, mature the saints for Your paramount service and bring Yourself unsurpassed Glory! This is the desire of my heart! (5)
John 6 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. … everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” … he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—… He who eats this bread will live forever.”
I hunger for Your Righteousness, Lord Jesus. I feed on Your Word ravenously. I am satisfied when I continue chewing, ingesting and exercising what You have given me. Thank You! And then, after I work it off, seeing sin, unrighteousness, being in dis-unity, I hunger and thirst again. It is an unending cycle, though the Food content alters. Sometimes I feed on Your Word of Your attributes or Your creation, praise or crying out, or Your actions while You lived on earth,… Oh so much to feast on! I never tire of You, Beloved Father! (6)
But there is a responsibility You give me, and everyone who is forgiven and changed by Your Word, my Master. I must pour out what You pour into me. I must freely give what You have freely given me. I must comfort those with the comfort You give me. I must teach those what Your Word teaches me. I must love with the love Your Word and Holy Spirit love on me. “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48 I yield by the Holy Spirit Power You give me Lord Jesus Christ. I rejoice for the honor of Your call and seeing Your transformations! (7)
Proverbs 3 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Lord God, I do not despise Your chastening nor detest Your correction because I know it means that You love and delight in me as My Father and You will bring me into closer intimacy with You. You must love me Tons because of all the correction You give me! I am overwhelmingly appreciative to be Your child whom You delight in. I learn from You every day! (8)
Proverbs 3 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. … Happy is the man who finds wisdom … let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion; For the Lord will be your confidence … His secret counsel is with the upright.
Holy One of Israel, I find solace and effective wisdom in Your Word. You impart to me Your compassion, understanding, mercy, grace and truth for my words for others. I am grateful that You train me to obey Your Word, to trust You above my own feelings or faulty thinking. I am learning ever increasingly how unwise I am, and how Brilliant are Your Ways!! I delight in You, my Father and Savior! I fear You, so I am thrilled and Joyously run from evil and run to You. May it always be so! By my exercising the wisdom You give me, I am happy and I deeply enjoy Your secret counsel to me. Your abundant grace upon me is very humbling, Lord Jesus.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,…The wise shall inherit glory, Proverbs 3
Galatians 2 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
What a miracle Father! That You would trade Your only begotten Son Jesus’ honorable life for my wretched life and destiny of condemnation to hell! Unfathomable in the world’s economy – but Perfect in Love and Power in Heaven’s economy! Grace, unmerited favor, is all over this!! I am so grateful it was You, Lord God Jesus Christ, because You alone could rise from the dead! And I can be with You now and forever!!!
Because of Your extravagant love on me, my debt of love beckons me to live for You always, my Christ. I ceaselessly desire for others to come to the saving knowledge of You, Sovereign Savior, and to mature IN Christ Jesus, so they will bear fruit for Your glory alone unendingly!
Lord God, by Your indwelling Holy Spirit, You live through me. You continually caution me to not seek my fleshly desires and pleasures, but seek Your kingdom, righteousness and purposes so that Truly, the desires of my heart are met! And by my living by faith in Your Son Jesus daily, I see what You are doing, and am increasingly excited for the new, fresh new things You will do in and around me! Life is truly an adventure through communication with You by thought, word and action!
My friend’s family which I help, the strangers I speak with, my family members I serve, – all are affected by Your Higher view and wisdom. Their hearts process Your Word to turn to You, away from sin and bitterness. And it’s only because of You Lord God! No one can change a person. But Your Word changes everything! I am so excited that You, Word of God, Jesus Christ, are so powerful, effective and victorious!! All praise and glory to the one High King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ! (9)
In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:4
Bible Insights –
3 – 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 , Isaiah 64:8, Acts 3:19
4 – John 15:4-5, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 23:5, Luke 6:38
5 – Psalm 37:4
6 – Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, John 4:32, 34, John 1:1-3, 14
Crystal (PsalmThirty4)
Sixty-six books in a year 