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“He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:6 NLT
Jesus is the eternal High Priest! "Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (reference to Psalm 110:4) "There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.” Hebrews 7:16-17, 23-28 NLT The author (perhaps Paul - there is debate on who actually wrote Hebrews) refers to Jesus as a priest who came from the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was the One who Abram paid tithes to and had communion with (shared bread and wine - see Genesis 14). There is no record of Melchizedek's ancestry. He had no earthly father or mother. He received the tithe from Abram. He appeared to Abram before the law was ever given (the law of Moses). All of this gives reason for us to consider Him as a theophany (a visible manifestation of God to Abram). We can, appropriately, use the word Christophany here (a human appearance of Jesus). This would make absolute sense because Melchizedek parallels Jesus in so many ways. Melchizedek means "king of justice (righteousness) and "king of peace." Jesus is both of those. The point is this: Jesus is the High Priest that came from Divine origin rather than through the tribe of Levi. Melchizedek was not from the tribe of Levi (the original tribe chosen by God to be priests in the Old Testament). Jesus came from the tribe of Judah (see Hebrews 7:14). Since Jesus is the Once And For All High Priest, those who come to God through Him are made priests of God. What an awesome privilege! Through Jesus we are made a priesthood. We are now ambassadors (representatives) of God. We serve him on this earth as his kingdom of priests. His blood has washed us white as snow!!! ““Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NLT “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NLT All glory and power to the One and only High Priest, our Master, JESUS! “For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5 NLT
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“and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.”
Revelation 1:5 NLT Jesus is the physical, visible, presentation of the unseen Spirit God. Jesus is the Faithful Witness to us of the person and program of Almighty God! Through Jesus Christ we have the knowledge of God. Listen to what Paul said to the church of Colosse about Jesus. “I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong. And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” Colossians 2:1-9 NLT This declaration concerning Christ is emphatic (expressing something forcibly and clearly). Jesus is the Revelation of God Himself!!! The only way to truly understand God is in Christ! There is no other way! Jesus is the faithful proclamation of God to man. Through Jesus Christ we can see, hear, and understand God and His will. One day soon, Jesus will reveal Himself to the world and everyone will recognize Him for WHO HE IS!!!!!!! Once, and for all, He will demonstrate His absolute authority to all of humanity (past, present, and future). “So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:10 NLT “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18 NLT “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NLT Notice the emphasis of today's scripture - Revelation 1:5. In this verse, we see four things: 1. Jesus is the Faithful Witness of God!!! 2. He is the first to rise from the dead!!! (That is, after all, supernatural evidence of His Divinity). 3. He is the ruler of all the kings of the world - King of kings!!! 4. He is the One who loves us and shed his life's blood for our redemption!!! When we read John 3:16 we often have the idea that God loved us so much that He gave His biological son to die for us. God's love is so much deeper than our shallow understanding of this concept. It would be so much easier to give someone else as a sacrifice than to give ones self. The reality of John 3:16 is this: God loved us so much that He became one of us. He conceived Himself, by His Holy Spirit, in the womb of Mary (Son of God - conceived by God, Son of Man - born as a man). He is Immanuel - God with us - see Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the physical representation of the unseen Spirit God. God did not have a sexual relationship with a woman, have a baby, and then give His biological child as a sacrifice for the sins of man. I beg of you to understand this. God, Himself, who is Spirit (see John 4:24) loved us so much that He, personally, became one of us in order to live the sinless life that was required to pay sins debt. He, then, gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross and then triumphantly resurrected from the dead. Who else, but God incarnate, could be qualified as an ALL SUFFICIENT SAVIOR? JESUS LOVES ME, THIS I KNOW, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO!!! “This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne;” Revelation 1:4 NLT
There are,essentially, three things here. 1. The letter is from John, the Apostle. As stated in yesterday's devotional, John is the recipient of the Divine Revelation of Jesus Christ while on the Island of Patmos. Patmos is a small island in the Aegean Sea. This same John is the one who wrote the gospel of John and the epistles (letters) of I, 2, and 3 John. John's central theme, in all of his writings, is Jesus. John is consumed with the person of our Lord. Jesus is Lord! The church MUST never lose sight of this eternal truth. 2. John writes the Revelation to the seven churches of Asia (Asia Minor - The Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia - now called Turkey). These churches were individual congregations that were located throughout this area of the known world. The seven names are: 1. Ephesus 2. Smyrna 3. Pergamum 4. Thyatira 5. Sardis 6. Philadelphia 7. Laodicea These churches are listed in this order in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Each church is recognized by the Lord Jesus Christ and given assessments of their spiritual condition. Some believe these assessments are dispensations of church history. Others believe they are literal assessments of these historical churches and that we can parallel them to the state of the church even in our modern age. 3. The Person of Jesus. John expresses the grace of God upon these churches. Certainly, it is the grace of Jesus that the churches need. The reference to the One who is, always was, and is to come, is easily matched with verse 8 of Revelation 1 and also Hebrews 13:8. ““I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”” Revelation 1:8 NLT “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT Verse 1, of Revelation 1, in both the KJV and NASB say "Revelation of Jesus" instead of "from". As stated yesterday, this book is about Christ, His redemption, His judgment, His restoration of all things, and His righteous rule. The seven-fold Spirit before His throne is not clear. There are various interpretations. However, the number seven is the number of perfection that is associated with God alone. Certainly, we should all agree that Jesus is perfect and His Spirit is all sufficient! Jesus is the One sitting upon the throne and His Spirit transcends time and space to oversee His church. Our Lord is timeless! God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 NLT
This blessing is very specific. God proclaims a blessing upon those who read this book (Revelation), listen to its message, and obey it. Revelation is very unique in that it is solely prophetic and eschatological (concerning end time events). This book is about consummation. God's character and program are unveiled in this book. The book's name indicates "unveiling" or "disclosure". The word "Apocalypse" is used in reference to its events. The book of "Revelation" in the Greek text is called "Apokalypsis Ioannou" or "Revelation of John". John, the apostle, is exiled on the island of Patmos (a small island in the Aegean Sea) for his faith in Jesus Christ and for his proclamation of the gospel. In this book, John is writing what he sees in this "Revelation". Jesus, the resurrected Christ, is depicted in visions and symbols. In this book, Jesus comes to display His ultimate authority, His judgment upon the earth, His power to remake it, and His Supreme rule over it. This book helps us understand the power of Christ over His church, His power over the world, His power over Satan, and His power over all of creation. This book helps us frame up the end time events, gives us a startling, clarion call to prepare for the ultimate destruction of the current world we live in, and the absolutely gratifying sneak peak at the new heaven and earth on which we will dwell. This book is extraordinary!!!Children of God should embrace its implications rather than be disturbed by them. Jesus is our all in all. He rules over all and will, one day soon, reveal Himself to the entire world of humanity (past, present, and future). “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3 NLT “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NLT “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!” Revelation 1:7 NLT For those who accept Him now, great joy awaits us in His revelation to the world. For those who reject Him, great mourning. I choose Him now!! For those who choose Him now, the best is yet to come. Hallelujah! This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:1-2 NLT
Revelation is a book that intrigues some and scares others. Those who are intrigued are excited about its interpretation and implication upon our lives. Those who are scared don't want to read its sacred content because it reveals eschatological events that frighten them. Eschatology is the branch in theology concerning the final events of the history of the world. As believers in Jesus Christ, we need not fear the things coming on the earth. Jesus is our Lord and Savior!!! This means that the REVELATION (not Revelations - plural, as some mistake) is about Him and His will. He has prepared, in advance, the things that must take place before the end of the age. Jesus has redeemed us from sin and it's curse. The curse of sin fell upon all of humanity (Adam's race) and everything under his command. In Genesis 1:26-28, God blessed man with the governorship of the earth and all of its contents. When Adam sinned, everything under his command became cursed (see Genesis 3:1-19). Adam forfeited everything God gave him to govern, to Satan. This is how Satan became known as the "god" of this world. “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT Satan doesn't want us to know the God who created us and who re-creates us. Jesus is the God who created us. “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.” John 1:1-4 NLT “And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” Hebrews 1:2-3 NLT “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:15-17 NLT Who Jesus is, matters!!! He is the One through whom God revealed Himself to man. In Christ we see, and know, God! Through Jesus Christ, God has redeemed everything that man lost in the Garden of Eden. “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.” 1 Peter 1:18-21 NLT “And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10 NLT Do I hear a swell of thundering praise and adoration to our One God and Master? Come on church, give Him some praise!! He is worthy!!! Adam, the first man, fell to sin, and we died. Jesus, God who became man, overcame sin by living a sinless life and died as a perfect sacrifice to defeat death. (see Romans 3:23; 6:23-26). “And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:16-19 NLT (see also I Corinthians 15:45-58). Jesus has prepared, in advance, the restoration of all things. There must be events that unfold before the restoration takes place, but through Jesus, God has redeemed man from the death and destruction that is impending. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)” Romans 8:18-25 NLT Jesus has revealed these things to man. Jesus is the REVELATION of God and the REVELATOR of the will of God!!! Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”
Jude 1:24-25 NLT What a concluding statement!!! God is the One who keeps us. We aren't the ones who are sustaining ourselves. God has saved us, God keeps us, and God should get all the glory. We stand before Him faultless! That is a difficult concept for us to grasp, yet it is true. God's Word says it. When God's Word says it, you can count on it! Its's done! “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” Colossians 1:19-22 NLT Can you imagine the joy that awaits us when we stand before Christ and He ushers us into His eternal kingdom? My mind can only imagine what that is going to be like. To see Jesus face and to live in the place He has prepared for us will be to arrive everywhere I've only dreamed of going and to see everything I've only dreamed of seeing. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3 NLT “No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:3-5 NLT In His presence is fullness of joy. “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalms 16:11 NASB This world has Satan, sin, sickness, sorrow, and suffering. One day soon, this will all change. There will be no more Satan, sin, sickness, sorrow, or suffering. We will dwell in the presence of Almighty God, the Lord Jesus Christ! He alone is God! All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, now, and forever. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NL “And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”
Jude 1:22-23 NLT “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NLT In the "Sermon On The Mount" (Matthew Chapters 5-7) Jesus proclaims mercy to those who show mercy. In Jude we are called upon to be merciful to those who have doubt. The NASB, AMP, GW, HCSB, and the NIV versions of the scripture all use the word "doubt" here. Have you ever struggled with doubt? I think we all have, to some degree. Our mortal, carnal flesh makes us prone to the depraved mind. The promise of eternal life and the coming new heaven and earth are truths that we, sometimes, lose sight of, especially when we are inundated with the daily cares of this life. Our mortal being struggles with the idea of immorality, yet we long so much for it. God's Word has clearly told us that we are made alive eternally through Jesus Christ our Lord!!! Do I need to remind us all of the Golden text of scripture - John 3:16? Jesus has paid for our sin debt. Those who truly trust in Him as their Savior and Lord are His disciples. Along the journey we face difficulties that challenge our steadfastness. Trials of life, the day to day rat race, and the pursuit of "stuff" often chokes us and tries to suffocate our faith. This is why we need one another. Solomon, in the latter part of his life, made this reflecting statement: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT Let us observe one another and be discerning about the things that we each need. Let us be sensitive and concerned enough about one another that we hold each other accountable. The enemy wants to get us away from the safety of the fold. There is no such thing as "none of your business" with respect to the faith of our fellow brothers and sisters. We must look out for one another. Do you care enough about others to take the time to reach out to them or check on them? There may be some that will require you to put on the fireman's suit and walk into their burning building to pull them out of the flames that threaten their lives. We, most certainly, are called to be merciful, but, mercy doesn't mean that we accept the sin that is destroying a person. We MUST be merciful to the sinner, but never to sin!! In a time when it is called "hate speech" to speak the truth about sin, we must remember who we are serving, God. True mercy is the truth itself. When we ignore truth, for the sake of tolerance, we condemn two people: others and ourselves. When we truly love someone, we will mercifully speak the truth for the sake of their eternal life. We can't truly say we love someone until we speak the truth to them. But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.” Jude 1:20-21 NLT
We are all interdependent. Each of us need the benefit that comes from being connected to one another. Just as the human body has many parts that depend upon one another for their proper function, so we are dependent upon one another for our proper function within the body of Christ. This concept is described in I Corinthians 12. We all have spiritual gifts, unique natural talents, and we all should portray the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Being connected to one another is necessary for vital nutrition to reach each part of the body. By staying connected we give health to one another and we give opportunity for optimal performance. We NEED one another! None of us can walk this road alone. Christ has designed us to operate as a unit. Together, we can accomplish our God given responsibility. Here is an acronym that depicts this reality: T - Together E - Everyone A - Accomplishes M - More We are a team! A team needs an owner, a head coach, other coaching staff, and players. On a team there are positions that each member plays. To be successful, each team member must understand their assignment and perform it well, keeping in mind the benefit it gives the team. As each team member does the same, they function as a well trained unit. The team cannot be victorious in their struggle when it's members aren't prepared, focused, and performing their assigned position. In addition, we all should give our verbal support to the team by speaking words of encouragement and affirmation. In the body of Christ, "Team Jesus", we do this by praying. Prayer is our secret weapon. Through praying in the Holy Spirit we enter the spiritual realm where the battle is fought. There we wage war against the opposing team of darkness. As we cry out to our All Powerful, All Knowing, Ever Present Father, we find strength for the battle, focus for our objective, and supernatural victory in the war. Today, take a moment to pray for your fellow team members. Some are injured and need healing. Others are discouraged and need a lift. Some are tired and need God's rest. Perhaps that person is you. I'm praying for you today!! But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Jude 1:17-19 NLT
Apostate teachers have always lurked in the shadows, waiting for the right time to invade the ranks of the church and rise to a place of influence. Satan, being the master deceiver he is, strategically plots his plan of disruption and division. He knows that the only way to stop the work of the church is to twist the truth. Twisted, evil minds are a product of Satan himself. Jesus bluntly said this: “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 NLT False teachers thrive by speaking things that are appealing and attractive. Often, their false teaching is mixed in the bowl along with some truth. This creates partial truth. Partial truth is still an outright lie. All the way back to Genesis 3:1, Satan has tried to twist the truth in order to deceive. Only the truth sets us free. Jesus said this: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” John 8:32 NLT Prior to Jesus crucifixion, Pilate asked Jesus a question. “Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.” John 18:37-38 NLT The truth stared Pilate in the face and yet he chose the popularity of the people and the political approval of the Roman Emperor over the truth. Today, many people want to attend religious services where they can be entertained, made to feel comfortable, and hear a message that tickles their ears. We are playing instead of praying, feasting instead of fasting, and entertaining instead of interceding. We want to go to heaven when we die yet live like we belong to hell. We demand preachers to be "tolerant" rather than truthful. This is a stench in the nostrils for God. What we need is an awakening! The truth is sobering! May God wake us up with the truth. Jesus is the absolute truth! He is truth personified!!! It is the truth that we need more than anything. He has given us His Word. Let's preach it loud, long, and strong! Let us fight for, and stand with, the truth!! O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude”
Psalms 61:1-4 NLT I share this scripture with you today because it resonates with my spirit. Today, my heart is overwhelmed! Yesterday, a brother in Christ, a fellow church member, and a personal friend, died in a motorcycle accident. His wife had passed away in December with complications from cancer. He leaves behind a 26 year old daughter that has special needs. The only place any of us can run to is our Rock. Jesus is our Rock and Strong Tower!!! Perhaps you are overwhelmed with something today. Let God lead you to the tower of His safety. There, he will comfort and strengthen you! Today's devotional is dedicated to the memory of David Holifield. I love you my friend! See you in the new heaven where all things will be made new!! (Revelation 21:1-7). |
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Rev. Curtis Norris Archives
March 2020
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