Palm Sunday! The people were rejoicing in the street, “Hosanna, hosanna!” and others asked, “Who is this?” A casual answer was offered, “Some prophet from Nazareth.” When Nathaniel was called, he said, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Phillip’s answer was, “Come and see.” When Jesus arrived at the temple, He “preached” for a bit and healed their sick. They now had an eyewitness account; they experienced God in the flesh for themselves. It’s at this point that “perfected praise” came forth! Personal encounters with the Lord will always make Jesus that much more real in your life, but do not discount the gospel, your testimony, and the life-saving message. For in it are the words of life. This message can bring you from a place where you cry here comes a prophet to here is my Savior! Then praise is perfected in you!! Come and see at church!
”the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding“ Wisdom was always to be desired. All the way back in the Garden, Eve desired the tree because it would “make one wise.” Wisdom is not a checklist or found in ceremonies. The fear of the Lord is having great respect for God (love Him with heart, soul, mind, & strength) and his ordinances (study His Word). Departing from evil (that which is contrary to God) helps us to recognize what God is trying to accomplish. Wisdom comes in times of visitation, either through the servants of the Lord of the Vineyard or directly from His earnest presence. If we mistakenly live outside of the will of God, we are quick to harm his servants and become angry when we perceive the finger of the Almighty pointing in our direction. God is all around us, but we cannot see the forest for the “tree”. The wise thing to do is to lay our desires aside and become the best version of ourselves that God is trying to mold us to be.
I am very old and you are young, but do not let this prevent you from voicing your opinion. Our doubts and fears can be relieved through Godly counsel. Elihu was respectful in letting the elders finish their thoughts, though he felt they were wrong. Jesus taught in Matthew 22:37-40 on what was important, loving God and your neighbor. He finished with, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.“ We do not always see the big picture or understand what God is orchestrating. Being “right” in our eyes may not be what is needed. Sometimes that doesn’t seem fair. If we examine ourselves and truly observe the commandments of Matthew 22, then Psalms 18 will be a part of our testimony!
This is the first time I noticed Jesus saying something good about the Pharisees, ”all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do;” But that was right before He foretold of their woes, “but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not…Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.“ Let’s be “doers” today and have some incredible church services!!
From Matthew 24:10-13, recently we have heard it preached often that we should not be offended. Easier said than done, I know. The subtlety of the enemy is not going to reveal the grand scheme. First, it’s offense. Then, betrayal and finally hate. Deception lies at the door of those easily offended and inclined to half-truths of convenience and flattery. Don’t let your first love wax cold! Endure to the end and we will rejoice in seeing Jesus coming in the clouds!!
Pharaoh was afraid of an uprising from the Hebrew men, but what he did not account for was that it was the women who would bare sons. He also did not plan for the midwives to rise up and fulfill their part in the plan of God. We were talking about this last night, in the Old Testament, the outward sign of the covenant was with the men. In this new Dispensation of Grace, Ezekiel wrote, “A new heart…and a new spirit will I put within you.” Jeremiah foretold, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts;” The new covenant is written within, but it is displayed to all through love for one another, that all shall know that you are His disciples. Rise up ladies for you are joint-heirs with Christ! #girldad
From Exodus 4, God told Moses his initial plan was to give life for life. If Pharaoh would not release his firstborn, God would require Pharaoh’s firstborn. Think about this, the first nine plagues could have been God’s mercy! God‘s plan was to take the firstborn, had he not released Israel. God came back nine different times, giving Pharaoh the opportunity to let his people go and turn from his evil ways. When God‘s first, firstborn sinned in the garden, a firstborn was required for a firstborn. In Colossians 1:18 Jesus is called “the firstborn from the dead;” “Christ reconciling the world unto himself.” You may say, ”Who am I?” just as Moses did. God says, “You are called.” You may say, “I have nothing.” God says, “What do you have? It is enough! I will give you power over the serpent and over all the power of the enemy. Here is also power over sickness and disease. You may retort, “I’m not a good speaker!” God says, “I have given you my word, write it on your hearts. I have also given you my Spirit, I will teach you what to say.” At last you argue; exhausted and weary, “I just don’t know if it’s enough.” God says, “I have a Pastor (Levite) for you. He will walk this journey beside you.” Be encouraged!!
The adversary is so good at what he does. He has been perfecting his craft for a long, long time. There always seems to be that one area we are weak in. The vulnerable spot in our armor. Something that we decide to give up today, but tomorrow, find ourselves holding on to. We feel defeated knowing we could have done better. This is why the “Rule of 5” is so important. Instead of routinely holding on to things that would cause our destruction, our instinct is to release it and cling to the things of God. Daily relationship with the King is the key to lifelong (and eternal) happiness! We need to spend as much time perfecting our Christian walk as the enemy spends trying to bring us down! Don’t give up, you can do this! You are a valuable part of the Church and we need you to function properly! Smile because you are an overcomer and we believe in you!
Today is the day of salvation! The Lord’s Passover was the beginning of months, the first month of a brand new year. It was a fresh start based on deliverance. The Israelites were to eat quickly, be ready to move, and celebrate the occasion with their families. Exodus 12:24-27, “..observe this..ordinance..to thy sons for ever..when ye be come to the [promised] land..keep this service..when your children shall say..What mean ye by this service..say, It is the..Lord’s passover..when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.” We have to act or we may miss an opportunity to minister to a need. However, we must use caution that no leavening agent will corrupt. Leavenings such as self-will and jealousy will distort our motivation. The Blood is unmistakable, when applied. We recognize the call to mobilize!
Simon the Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus, Mark 15:21) was so impacted by the cross that it began a new day of deliverance in the life of his family! It is “not unlikely” that Paul later refers to Rufus (Romans 16:13) as “chosen in the Lord” and thinks of Rufus’ mother as his own! The ordinance we observe, the service we keep, and the testimony we share will have an impact on generations to come!! Compare Moses saying, “see the salvation of the Lord” and the Red Sea dividing, to our salvation, Jesus, fulfilling the law and the veil being ripped. The access that Moses had to God is available to each of us today!
An omer a day of manna per person. The best example I could find of an omer (1/10th of an ephah) is a little more than a 2 liter coke bottle. Plenty of food to sustain a person throughout the day. If you did not collect your daily ration, it bred worms, stank, and melted in the hot sun. Daily collection of fresh bread is essential to our Christian walk. Old bread is easily corrupted, but by renewing our supply we can GO with boldness and compassion. There is plenty for everyone!
“We never saw it on this fashion.“ Though Jesus said all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth, even church folk become awestruck at the miraculous. The miraculous is the norm! Take any need to the Master, something overwhelming and impossible, even something that seems small and simple. When our petition becomes our testimony, remember to “show yourself to the priest with the required offering.”
We must not stop coming to church because we do not “need” anything at the moment. Present your bodies a living sacrifice..it is your reasonable service (spiritual worship, ESV)!
Bro. Mike Herbst is walking us through the details of the tabernacle in P. I. It is obvious by the specifications of every detail put into this movable habitation that God expects His directions to be followed to the letter. The result in most cases of lackadaisical waywardness was death. Seems harsh, huh? Think about it in a Spiritual sense or salvation way. God’s Word was given to help us, not as mere suggestions, but as a tool to help keep our earthly walk on course. Our canvas, staves, coverings, offerings, etc. fit together with our fellow believers to keep the Holy things from being exposed to the elements or damaged. In times of trial, when things feel like things are crashing in around us, we become chained or tormented, Jesus steps in with His Peace and an expected end! The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing (NIV)! Pray for the details to shine forth in your life today!
Read Psalm 24 again…out loud!
From Ellicott’s commentary, “[The blood of the sacrifice was] Placed upon the tip of the right ear, it reminded them that their ears were to be ever open and attentive to the whispers of the Divine voice; placed on the thumb of the right hand, it taught that they should take in hand nothing but what was sanctified; placed upon the great toe of the right foot, it was a warning that they were to walk thenceforth in the paths of holiness.” The priest were to offer “two lambs of the first year day by day continually.. a continual burnt offering.” At the last supper, Jesus instructed in a new rite, taking of His body and blood in remembrance of Him. 1 Corinthians 11:26, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” This was about more than crackers and juice! How “often” are you going to eat or drink? I’m not taking this lightly. We should walk daily in holiness, listening for His voice, and offering continual praise to God. Stopping several times a day, especially if we’re at a table surrounded by friends and family, to remember His sacrifice. Why else would they call it, “Communion?”
A couple things stood out to me today. First, the children of Israel keep wanting to go back to Egypt and Egyptian ways. Like a dog that returns to its vomit (Proverbs 26:11); it’s not good, but they do not resist their first instinct. We see a glimpse of this when the disciples witnessed Jesus walking on the water and they could not believe it. The scripture said, “they considered not the miracle of the loaves:” Do not hold onto guilt or shame, but it is important to remember where we have been and do your best to not repeat mistakes. The Lord has brought you out, and he will do it again! If He hasn’t brought you out yet, hold on, Victory and Peace are just over the horizon, in Jesus name!!
From Exodus 33 & 34, Moses goes to the tabernacle, speaks with God like a friend, and receives instructions on what is to be done. When we are faithful in our church attendance, spend time in prayer (doesn’t have to be long elaborate prayers, “Lord, just let me know that you will go with me”), spend time in the word AND do it. The glory of the Lord will be evident to all those around you! Moses used a veil to cover his face in public. I declare that the veil has been torn…let your light so shine before men! Moses saw the goodness of the Lord (Exodus 33:19), today people see His goodness in you (Matthew 5:16), and the goodness of God leads to repentance (Romans 2:4)!
“There be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.“ Mark 9:1 Possibly a reason disciples believed the Second Coming would occur in their day. Luke 17:20-21 reads, “..The kingdom of God cometh not with observation..the kingdom of God is within you.” This new thing (shall ye not know it? Isaiah 43:18) would usher in a kingdom mindset. A heart for the things of God. Ezekiel 36:26-27, “A new heart..and a new spirit will I put within you..I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Jeremiah proclaimed the days of a “new covenant” writing it “in their hearts,” “for they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest.” The heart represents your desires; also love and compassion. Jesus declared, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) We are a part of the kingdom of God! A desire for the will of God and a compassion for souls are the building blocks of The Kingdom that will never end! Born again believers can “see” what God is trying to do in the lives of those all around us! Let’s worship today with a Kingdom Mindset!!