HIGH PRIEST

 

November, 27

“Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord.”

Zechariah 3:1 

In Joshua the high priest we see a picture of each and every child of God, who has been made nigh by the blood of Christ, and has been taught to minister in holy things, and enter into that which is within the veil. Jesus has made us priests and kings unto God, and even here upon earth we exercise the priesthood of consecrated living and hallowed service. But this high priest is said to be “standing before the angel of the Lord,” that is, standing to minister. This should be the perpetual position of every true believer. Every place is now God’s temple, and his people can as truly serve him in their daily employments as in his house. They are to be always “ministering,” offering the spiritual sacrifice of prayer and praise, and presenting themselves a “living sacrifice.” But notice where it is that Joshua stands to minister, it is before the angel of Jehovah. It is only through a mediator that we poor defiled ones can ever become priests unto God. I present what I have before the messenger, the angel of the covenant, the Lord Jesus; and through him my prayers find acceptance wrapped up in his prayers; my praises become sweet as they are bound up with bundles of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia from Christ’s own garden. If I can bring him nothing but my tears, he will put them with his own tears in his own bottle for he once wept; if I can bring him nothing but my groans and sighs, he will accept these as an acceptable sacrifice, for he once was broken in heart, and sighed heavily in spirit. I myself, standing in him, am accepted in the Beloved; and all my polluted works, though in themselves only objects of divine abhorrence, are so received, that God smelleth a sweet savour. He is content and I am blessed. See, then, the position of the Christian—“a priest—standing—before the angel of the Lord.” 

SINS THAT EASILY ENSNARE YOU!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2020.

SUBJECT : SINS THAT EASILY ENSNARE YOU! 

Memory verse: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12 vs 1.)

READ: Romans 6 vs 12:

6:12: Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 

INTIMATION:

A conscious effort must be made on the part of every Christian to separate himself or herself from anything that would lead one into sin. As humans, we are stubborn and rebellious in nature; wanting to do or have things our own way. However, our Maker and Owner has His purposes for us and has given us the route to travel and the routine and regulations for traveling on that route. But we have always wittingly or unwittingly neglected His routines and regulations thereby “missing the mark” which is sin. To run the Christian race that God has set before us, we must also strip off the excess “weight” (sin) that slows us down. All sins hinders one’s faithfulness in running the Christian race, but there are some sin(s) that easily ensnares us. We have to effectively deal with it.

We all have areas where temptation is strong and habits are hard to conquer. These weaknesses give the devil a foothold, so we must deal with our areas of vulnerability. The Christian life involves hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run with endurance, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. The most effective way for one to flee evil is to pursue righteousness. When we are constantly pursuing that which is right, then we are automatically fleeing from temptation. In order to refrain from doing that which is evil, one must do that which is good. Simply refraining from doing that which is evil will not be permanent in one’s life if he or she does not do that which is good.

Three steps are necessary to find victory over those sin(s) that easily ensnares us: 

(1) Stay away from tempting situations. Running away is sometimes considered cowardly. But wise people realize that removing themselves physically from temptation often can be the most courageous action to take. Do you have a recurring temptation that you find difficult to resist? Remove yourself physically from any situation that stimulates your desire to sin. Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight. 

(2) Dealing with sin(s) and temptation(s) that easily ensnares us requires self-discipline. To exercise adequate self-discipline, requires an honest look at your strengths and weaknesses, with emphasis on the latter. It means building the will to say no when a powerful appetite inside you screams yes. When you have self-discipline, you can say no to friends or situations that will lead you away from Christ. Choose friends who are also committed to the race. Wrong friends will have values and activities that may deter you from the course. Much of your own weight may result from the crowd you run with. Make wiser choices.

Self-discipline is a long, steady course in learning attitudes that do not come naturally, and channeling natural appetites toward God’s purposes. Where are your weak points? Seek the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to strengthen you in your areas of vulnerability. Get help for addictions that disable you. If you have a secret “weight” such as phonographs, gambling, or alcohol, admit your need and get help today of the body of Christ. Pray with a friend for God’s help to redirect weakness into strength, be open to their willingness to hold you accountable and to pray for you. Endeavor to drop those activities that may be weight. 

(3) Avoid the love of pleasure over the love of God. As humans, it’s tempting for us to love pleasure more than God. This is because pleasure is something we can control; God cannot be controlled. Most pleasures can be obtained easily; love for God requires effort and sometimes sacrifice. Pleasure benefits us now; the benefits of loving God are often in the future. Pleasure has a narcotic effect, it takes our minds off ourselves and our problems. Love for God reminds us of our responsibilities. Pleasure cooperates with pride. It makes us feel good when we look good in the eyes of others. 

To love God we must lay aside our pride and our accomplishments. Have you chosen to love pleasure, or to love God? As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of prayer, Bible study, meditation, and worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina. Train diligently—your spiritual progress depends upon it. 

Prayer: Abba Father, let Your Holy Spirit strengthen me in my inner man to resist temptation, eschew evil, and also empower me to live for You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WHATSOEVER THY HAND FINDETH TO DO

 

November, 26

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”

Ecclesiastes 9:10 

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,” refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out “whatsoever our hand findeth to do.” One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we “find to do” day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do—“do it with thy might.” Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of today. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do today. Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength. 

But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts. Then let us seek his help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our “hand findeth to do,” let us wait upon the Lord for his blessing. What we do thus will be well done, and will not fail in its effect. 

REPENT FROM YOUR SIN!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2020.

SUBJECT : REPENT FROM YOUR SIN! 

Memory verse: "Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3 vs 19.)

READ: Revelation 2 vs 5:

2:5: Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

INTIMATION:

Repent means “to turn,” implying a change in behavior; to be sorry, with a change of heart. To repent from sin is turning from sin toward God; to make a moral U-turn from sin to God. It’s making a 180 degree turn from the kind of self-centeredness that leads to wrong actions, such as lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, taking revenge, abusing, and indulging in sexual immorality. A person who turns from sin stops rebelling and begins following God’s way of living prescribed in His Word. Repentance happens inside with a cleansing that isn’t seen right away. 

The first step to repentance and turning to God is to admit your sin. Then God will receive you and help you live the way He wants. Remember that only God can get rid of sin. He doesn’t expect us to clean up our lives before we come to Him. To turn to God to receive forgiveness from sins implies turning away from sins. We can’t just say we believe and then live any way we choose, neither can we simply live a morally correct life without a personal relationship with God because that cannot bring forgiveness from sin. God promises not only to cleanse us of our sins but to bring spiritual refreshment. 

Turning away from sin may at first seem painful because it is hard to break old habits and give up certain sins. The hardest part of repentance is changing the attitudes that originally produced the sinful behavior. But God will give you a better way. As Hosea promised, “Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth” (Hosea 6 vs 3). 

Confession of sin and a changed life are inseparable. Faith without deeds is dead (James 2 vs 14 - 26). Confession and repentance must come before receiving forgiveness. Turning from sin must be tied to action. Following Jesus means more than saying the right words, it means acting on what He says. When we are aware that we have done wrong, we should admit it plainly to God rather than try to cover it up or hope we can get away with it. 

Sin leads to more sin, a downward spiral that can be stopped only by repentance and the power of the Holy Spirit to change our behavior. God puts no limit on the number of times we can come to Him to obtain mercy, but we must come in order to obtain it, recognizing our need and asking Him for help. This miracle of grace should inspire us  to always sincerely come to God. If there is a recurring problem or difficulty in your life, continue to ask God for help, and be willing and ready to make changes in your attitude and behavior that will correct the situation.

We are rebellious and stubborn by nature. Throughout our lives we struggle with sin. Repentance once a month or once a week is not enough. We must constantly turn from our sins to God and let Him, in His mercy, save us. God sometimes has to break a person in order to bring him or her to repentance. This can be through humiliation, pain, suffering, and defeat. No matter how evil you have been, it is never too late to humble yourself, turn to God, and ask for forgiveness.

Because we have a tendency to sin, only repentance is the true measure of spiritual sensitivity. Repentance means not only confessing sins and asking God to forgive us, but also abandoning our sinful ways. Many people want to add God and the benefits of Christianity to their lives without acknowledging their personal sin and guilt. We must take responsibility for our actions and confess them to God before we can expect Him to forgive us and continue His work in us. But we cannot do this sincerely unless we are truly sorry for our sinful actions. 

True repentance does not end with words of confession—that would be mere lip-service. It must lead to changed attitudes and behavior. Weeping, fasting, and making restitution or apologies (if our sin has involved others) demonstrate our sincerity when we repent. When you sin and are truly sorry, confess this to God, ask for forgiveness, and accept His grace and mercy. Then, as an act of thankfulness for your forgiveness, make the needed corrections. We should not pretend to change as it is dangerous to us and even others around us. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for Your miracle of grace and mercy. You are so faithful and just to forgive my sins when I confess to You, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Give me grace to always come to You in sincerity of my sinful behaviors, and ask for Your forgiveness, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVE

 

November, 25

“To preach deliverance to the captives.”

Luke 4:18 

None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty cometh from him only. It is a liberty righteously bestowed; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a right to make men free. The saints honour the justice of God, which now secures their salvation. It is a liberty which has been dearly purchased. Christ speaks it by his power, but he bought it by his blood. He makes thee free, but it is by his own bonds. Thou goest clear, because he bare thy burden for thee: thou art set at liberty, because he has suffered in thy stead. But, though dearly purchased, he freely gives it. Jesus asks nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He finds us sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us put on the beautiful array of freedom; he saves us just as we are, and all without our help or merit. When Jesus sets free, the liberty is perpetually entailed; no chains can bind again. Let the Master say to me, “Captive, I have delivered thee,” and it is done forever. Satan may plot to enslave us, but if the Lord be on our side, whom shall we fear? The world, with its temptations, may seek to ensnare us, but mightier is he who is for us than all they who be against us. The machinations of our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but he who hath begun the good work in us will carry it on and perfect it to the end. The foes of God and the enemies of man may gather their hosts together, and come with concentrated fury against us, but if God acquitteth, who is he that condemneth? Not more free is the eagle which mounts to his rocky eyrie, and afterwards outsoars the clouds, than the soul which Christ hath delivered. If we are no more under the law, but free from its curse, let our liberty be practically exhibited in our serving God with gratitude and delight. “I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.” “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” 

BROAD RIVERS AND STREAMS OF GOD

 

November, 24

“The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams.”

Isaiah 33:21 

Broad rivers and streams produce fertility, and abundance in the land. Places near broad rivers are remarkable for the variety of their plants and their plentiful harvests. God is all this to his Church. Having God she has abundance. What can she ask for that he will not give her? What want can she mention which he will not supply? “In this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things.” Want ye the bread of life? It drops like manna from the sky. Want ye refreshing streams? The rock follows you, and that Rock is Christ. If you suffer any want it is your own fault; if you are straitened you are not straitened in him, but in your own bowels. Broad rivers and streams also point to commerce. Our glorious Lord is to us a place of heavenly merchandise. Through our Redeemer we have commerce with the past; the wealth of Calvary, the treasures of the covenant, the riches of the ancient days of election, the stores of eternity, all come to us down the broad stream of our gracious Lord. We have commerce, too, with the future. What galleys, laden to the water’s edge, come to us from the millennium! What visions we have of the days of heaven upon earth! Through our glorious Lord we have commerce with angels; communion with the bright spirits washed in blood, who sing before the throne; nay, better still, we have fellowship with the Infinite One. Broad rivers and streams are specially intended to set forth the idea of security. Rivers were of old a defence. Oh! beloved, what a defence is God to his Church! The devil cannot cross this broad river of God. How he wishes he could turn the current, but fear not, for God abideth immutably the same. Satan may worry, but he cannot destroy us; no galley with oars shall invade our river, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 

THE MERCY OF GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2020.

SUBJECT : THE MERCY OF GOD! 

Memory verse: "O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 136 vs 1.)

READ: Zechariah 3 vs 1 - 5:

3:1: Then he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
3:2: And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
3:3: Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel.
3:4: Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him. And to him he said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”
3:5: And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

INTIMATION:

Mercy is a translation of a Hebrew word that includes aspects of love, kindness, mercy, and faithfulness. It is the outward manifestation of pity. It assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. It is used of God who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2 vs 4), and who has provided salvation for all men. God is merciful to those who fear (reverence) Him. We never have to worry that God will run out of love because it flows from a well that will never run dry. All that exists is the result of the mercy of God. God could have existed alone in eternity, but He chose not to. 

Mercy has literally been defined as not giving a person what he or she deserve in punishment. This is exactly what God does for us. Our disobedience demands God’s wrath! But God is merciful to us sinners; He shows mercy toward us by providing an escape from sin’s penalty through Jesus Christ, Who alone saves us from sin. When we pray for forgiveness, we are asking for what we do not deserve. Yet when we take this step and trust in Christ’s saving work on our behalf, we can experience God’s forgiveness.

Countless times throughout the Bible we see God showing His love and patience toward men and women in order to save them. Although He realizes that their hearts are evil, He continues to try to reach them. When we sin or fall away from God, we surely deserve to be destroyed by His judgement. But God has promised never again to destroy everything on earth until the judgement day when Christ returns to destroy evil forever. God reminds Himself of this promise by every change of season made by Him.

God’s mercy is unbelievable, it goes far beyond what we can imagine. Even when we deliberately walk away from Him and ruin our lives, He would still take us back, and give us inward spiritual renewal. God wants to forgive us our sins and bring us back to Himself, too, and will not remember them anymore. Most of us will not learn this until their world has crashed in around them. Then the sorrow and pain seem to open our eyes to what God has been saying all along. Are you separated from God by sin? No matter how far you have wandered, God promises a fresh beginning if only you will turn to Him.

The passage we read today regarding Zachariah’s vision portrays how we receive God’s mercy. We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy garments (sins), then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness and holiness of God—Second Corinthians 5 vs 21; Ephesians 4 vs 25; Revelation 19 vs 8). All we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us. When Satan tries to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean clothes of Christ’s righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God. 

Satan accused (opposed) Joshua, who here represents the nation of Israel. The accusations were accurate—Joshua stood in filthy garments (sins). Yet God revealed His mercy, stating that He chose to save His people in spite of their sin. Satan is always accusing people of their sins before God (Job 1 vs 6). But he greatly misunderstands the breadth of God’s mercy and forgiveness toward those who believe in Him. Satan the accuser will ultimately be destroyed (Revelation 12 vs 10); while everyone who is a believer will be saved (John 3 vs 16). To be prepared, we can ask God to remove our clothing of sin and dress us with His goodness. 

We should be thankful that God’s mercy extends to us. Many times God has withheld us from sinning against Him in many ways unknown to us, and we can’t even detect. We have no way of knowing, but He does. God works just as often in ways we can’t see as in ways we can. It is easy to view sin lightly in a world that sees sin as inconsequential, but we should view sin as serious. Even when we sin in the worst imaginable way, we can turn to God with prayers and repentance. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are full of compassion, gracious, long suffering, ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all those who call upon You. Thank You, O Lord, for Your grace and mercy upon my sinful life and may it speak for me all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!