Month: January 2014

The sacrifices were laid upon the altars – two sacrifices – one for the True God and one for an impostor –something inert – made of wood and clay.  Voices booming – blood flowing – 450 calling the god of nothing to burn up one sacrifice.  Nothing – no answer – no flame – no flicker.

The sacrifice for the True God laid upon His altar so deluged with water, it soaked the wood, the stones, and flooded the trench at the altar’s base.  All this so no mouth could say that it was coincidence.  Drenched and engulfed with water, a single prayer goes up to the one True God – The Only God.  He sent His fire to consume not only the sacrifice placed upon the altar, but the wood, the stones, the dust, and the water in the trench.  No accelerants required – no help needed for the hand of God to act. Just the prayer of a believing man – just the expectation of a single man – just a man’s heart set with Him.
(From 1 Kings 18)

Our lives are now lived as a sacrifice upon the altar of His Word, inundated with the cleansing waters of baptism and repentance – then set ablaze and consumed by the fire of the Holy Spirit – not by the works of our hands, but by the cry of our heart.

The more I read the Word, the more I realize what it means to die to my life and take up His cross – to be a living sacrifice for the purposes of the gospel.  Although salvation is free, sacrifice is only free if your heart is established with Him.  Then, and only then, is it no longer a sacrifice as the world measures sacrifice, but it becomes an honor gladly done.

For both of these questions, think of things that you do on a regular basis.  (i.e. tithing, sharing the gospel, media choices, clothing choices, speech choices, serving the Kingdom of God, serving people, etc.)
•    What do I willingly do in or for the Kingdom of God with a glad heart?
•    What area do I hold back and see as a sacrifice not worth making?

Lord, thank you that Jesus is my perfect sacrifice.  I want to continue to grow from a hearer of the word to a doer, completely immersed in the cleansing waters of baptism and repentance as well as be set ablaze by the fire of The Holy Spirit. I confess my weaknesses to You and ask that You help me cultivate my life so that my heart is set with Yours in the area I hold back.  I thank You for the areas that I willingly give with a cheerful heart for the Kingdom of God.  Truly, You are my strength!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

His meaty hand wrapped around the little guy’s hand so completely that it was hidden. He had a son!  There was nothing that could change the exuberance that lifted his heart upon wings!  He had a daughter, too.  He loved her more than words could draw.  But, this, this was a son – an image of himself – one who would follow his journey in life!  The smile in his eyes reflected the jubilation bursting in his very core.  He has a son!

New fathers of sons are a euphoric sight to behold.  Fear is buried deep within their hearts, but there is a joy that overrides those fears, and triumphs the mountain to stand in awe of their new creation.  The son is the apple of the new father’s eye; of that there are no qualms.

Read Psalms 17:1-15

•    Is there anyone you look up with in admiration?  Why?
•    Is there anyone who looks up to you? Why?
•    What does it mean for you to be the apple of His eye (verse 8)?
•    Think of a time when you felt you were not the apple of His eye.  Why did you feel that way?  Remember you are always the apple of His eye!

The enemy prowls around like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour.  But I stand, Lord, on Your promises for those that love You.  So I seek You in prayer, hymns and songs.  I flee to You for protection.  I am the apple of Your eye and my shelter is beneath Your wings.  I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  I am confident that one day I will see You when I awake in Your likeness.  In the meantime, I purpose to tame my tongue and sanctify my heart.  But I need You in order to accomplish these things. Thank You, Lord, for changing me into Your image.  You alone keep me on Your path.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

“Someday I will buy you a horse. It will be a beautiful horse and you will love it and care for it. I will watch you ride the horse and admire both of your beauty.”  The sound of those words thunder through the years.  Hollow words, promises unfulfilled, words lost over time.  But she never forgot them.  So upon each appointed celebration, she gazed out the window to the empty field, seemingly more void than the day before. In that field, were the shadows of those promises – promises now permanently relegated to a time where they will never materialize.

We are all victims of promises that never reached fruition.  And, we are all guilty of extending promises to others that we did not fulfill – from the casual “I’ll call you tomorrow.” to the serious “I’ll pray for you.” to the intentional “Someday…”  But there is One whose promises never fail, whose words never bend or twist, whose commitments remain the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Read Psalms 16:1-11

• Underline, highlight or write down every promise from the Lord in this Psalm. Example: v.1 He preserves (hedges about or guards) me
• Write two empty commitments that you have made to others.  How can you avoid making promises you can’t or won’t keep?
• Write two empty commitments made to you. Have you forgiven the person who made those promises?  Have you ever made those same commitments to someone else? Do you owe someone an apology?

Lord, all of Your promises are yes and amen for me and for those who know and love You.  You promise to guard me, to delight in me, to maintain my lot, to set me in a pleasant place, to rescue me from death, to show me the way of life, to fill me with joy and pleasure, and to advise and counsel me.  You obviously love me or You would not promise me these things. I declare You are my Lord and my God.  You are the only good and righteous thing about me, and that is more than enough!  I have no other gods before You.  You are my portion and my cup, which you fill to overflowing.  I have the best inheritance in You.  You are always in front of me – my eyes are always on You.  I will not be moved.  Because of You, I rejoice, I am glad and I rest in You.  Lord, I pray and believe (increase my faith and help my unbelief) that all of your promises would manifest in my life.  I banish sickness and disease from the lot You have given me – that sickness You take no delight in so it cannot stay.  All evil in me must go – there is no pleasure for You in me when evil is present – it cannot stay.  My inheritance is You, my portion and my cup – no ungodly thing can stay in my life – those things are not from You.  They are no longer welcome in my life – all things not from You must flee from Your light in my life.  Praise be to Your Holy Name!  Thank you Lord that I can rest knowing that your promises are the same for me yesterday, today and tomorrow.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!