A Cross of Wrath

Who can withstand his indignation?

Who can endure his fierce anger?

His wrath is poured out like fire;

the rocks are shattered before him.

[Nah 1:6]

I often romanticize the Cross . . . Calvary. It's a dangerous, shameful, and most unfortunate thing to do. To treat casually, the instrument of my Lord’s death. Let's look closer on top of the skull. It is the WRATH of GOD   P.O.U.R.E.D.   O.U.T.!

God unleashed His hatred toward all humanities sin—from the beginning of time to its end—accumulated sin. The most heinous of crimes and wicked atrocities judged and adjudicated. All punished in that one perfect, atoning act.

And what of the wrath of God? Do you recall the written records of righteous judgments exacted in history? Here it is released and channeled.

"He bore the full, unmitigated brunt of it.

God's wrath against sin was unleashed

in all its fury on His beloved Son.

He held nothing back."

~Jerry Bridges

Have you ever stood back and looked at the aftermath of your sin? Not just the immediate consequences in this time and space but back to Golgotha's Hill? Imagine the horror? The slaughter? The spilled blood of an innocent, sinless man is the result.

Appalling

I'm the guilty one, the God-Offender. I’m the condemned sinner. Yet those in Christ were the released prisoners set free the day of Pilates offer—condemned no more.

Preposterous

I was reprieved from the punishing blows and death sentence. Precious Jesus suffered them Himself. He was the one found legally guilty and punished. Jesus was made sin for us and God passed full judgment upon that sin.

Amazing

God's anger was visible that Crucifixion Friday. He withdrew His light and blackened the skies. The earth thundered and shook and the heavens rumbled.

Just the eve before, the angels ministered to His Son in the Garden; but now, as His Beloved Son cried out in anguish, the heavens were silent.

When I look upon the Cross, I too easily forget the harsh wrath of God exacted there—upon my Lord, my friend.


Forgive me Blessed, Holy Jesus. Forgive my sin, my rebellion, my disobedience that placed You on that Cross. Forgive my sin that You took upon Yourself. All the weight of all my sin. One time for all time. The full force of all God's wrath and hate of it fell upon You. Thank You for Your great mercy upon this sinner. Help me realize more fully the death You suffered for me. May I be ever-changed by it. Amen.

Photo compliments of LostSeed.com

The Imperishable Life

What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

[1 Cor 15:36]

To be set free from this tent that is wasting away - this perishable, earthly dwelling!

Death of a Christian is merely the seed of one's life planted to one day reap a glorified body.

These are the aspects of death to behold. The promising words of God, our hope and our comfort.

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.

The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

it is sown in dishonor,

it is raised in glory;

it is sown in weakness,

it is raised in power;

it is sown a natural body,

it is raised a spiritual body.

[1 Cor 15:42-44]

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable,

and the mortal with immortality.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable,

and the mortal with immortality,

then the saying that is written will come true:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

[1 Cor 15:53-55]

Indeed! Where is your sting? Our Lord, Jesus Christ, has victoriously vanquished its sting!

There is, however, the bittersweet of a funeral. We see a saint reap his reward but experience the pain of seeing loved ones tearfully saying good-bye.

We don't mourn for him. We mourn over our loss and our loved ones pain -- but for him we rejoice.

Our loss is another's gain. For us all to be so blessed as he to have no fear of death or judgment. To also have realized contentment with one's life lived. That is our aspiration. To hold onto the crown of righteousness Paul spoke of to Timothy until the very end.

For while we are in this tent,

we groan and are burdened,

because we do not wish to be unclothed

but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,

so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

[1 Cor 5:4]

These groans of longing are for our heavenly dwelling. May the Spirit empower us to live out Christ's righteousness until our final reunion.

Lord of Life, our hope is in You, the Victor over death, and in Your enduring Word that teaches us of death and, more importantly, life. May our lives be lived in You until our earthly days have ended and this tent has filled Your purpose. In Christ, Amen.

A String of Hosannas

Let the name of the LORD be praised,

both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,

the name of the LORD is to be praised.

The LORD is exalted over all the nations,

his glory above the heavens. [Ps 113:2-4]

Not to us, O LORD, not to us

but to your name be the glory,

because of your love and faithfulness. [Ps 115:1]

The LORD is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of the LORD. [Ps 116: 5, 13]

The LORD is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;

you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever. [Ps 118:14, 24, 28-29]

A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture

Comfort in the Psalms

"When they had sung a hymn,

they went out to the Mount of Olives."
[Mt 26:30]

Jesus practiced perfect trust in God, His Father. This verse clearly reflects that.

He is a dead man walking and yet He sings – hymns of praise, nonetheless!

He apprehensively sets out into the dark Jerusalem night after the Passover Meal with His closest followers. He heads toward a quiet place to commune with God and relieve His heavy heart.

Soon He is to be betrayed, abandoned, arrested, and tortured shamelessly to death. He knows all this is imminent. Living Words come to mind and He finds comfort in the Psalms.

Generations of Jews have sung Psalm 113-118 (known as the Hallel) for their holy Passover Feast. Little did they realize that they would be uttered by the lips of their Messiah on the night He would die for them. The strength, courage, and comfort contained in these word-gifts from God would now be divinely sung by the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Reciting them would under-gird Him and remind Him of His Father’s love, presence, and promise.

Before the Passover Meal, Psalms 113-114 would traditionally be sung. They praise God for His mercy and kindness to the afflicted. They retell history of the God-chosen people. It is quite likely Jesus and His disciples practiced this tradition during their supper together.

After the Meal, Psalms 115-118 would be sung. It is these that scholars believe Jesus sang on that fate-filled trek to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Psalm 115 testifies to the supremacy of God and calls the people to trust Him. It also includes supplication for blessing.

Psalm 116 is prophetic of the Messiah, His Garden sorrows, and God’s promise of His resurrection. The psalmist praises God for His death rescue and responds in worship for His deeds toward man.

Psalm 118 speaks of God’s protection, rescue, and reign. The worship refrains conclude with thanksgiving and adoration.

Take time to read them now. Imagine the Christ as cantor; sacred verses reverberating through the olives trees, ascending toward the starry heavens. Can you hear the necessity of each word that custom-fits this occasion? Can you sense the emotion considering the setting? Can you hear the trust building in each footstep drawing Him nearer to the arms of His Father? Speaking these enduring words from God minister to Him in His dire time of need.

Dear child of God, when you are in dire times, turn to God in praise and worship; recite His life-giving words; see the trust of His Son; and believe.

I worship You, God Most High. My heart rejoices in You for You are my strong tower, my shelter in times of trouble. Mention of Your Word revives the soul and remembrance of Your Son lends strength and courage. There is none like You, O Lord, and I put my trust in You.

In my anguish I cried to the LORD,

and he answered by setting me free.

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

The LORD is with me; he is my helper.

I will look in triumph on my enemies.

[Ps 118:5-7]

In Loving Memory...

Ross J. Stephens

9/9/28 - 3/27/09

The ranks lose a fine soldier.

He leaves a legacy of those that love the Lord.

Parables of Conviction

My comments today are on the Parable of the Tenants. Click on the following link to read any (or all) of the gospel records of one of Jesus' most shocking and convicting parables:

.

[Lk 20:9-19; Mt 21:33-46; Mk 12:1-12]

Who can listen to such violence and not at least cringe?

I distinctly remember the first time I read this parable. I literally shuddered at the brutality - especially knowing it referred to my Lord.

I have chosen to use this parable in the Easter Advent series for two reasons.

1. It occurred right after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem during His final week.
2. He used this illustration to summarize the story of God's history with His chosen people.

The representation in the parable is as follows: God is the Owner; Israel is the Vineyard; the Tenants are the Religious Leaders; the Servants are Prophets and Priests sent by God through the ages; the Son is Jesus; and the others are the Gentiles.

In the context of the setting, the audience Jesus intended to hear this message is none other than the Chief Priests, the Elders, and the Teachers of the Law. They had just questioned Jesus' authority, but they were really attempting to trap Him in order to have just cause to arrest Him.

Jesus did not mince His word or soften the blow of truth. Gaging from their reaction there's no doubt that He made His authority quite clear.

One verse in particular that stands out to me is the first part of verse 17:

"Jesus looked directly at them....."

I wonder what got their attention more: the look or the honesty in His words?

Then He asked a cutting question by quoting Psalm 118:22. A question I really wonder if any bothered to answer for themselves personally:

"Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

" 'The stone the builders rejected

has become the capstone'?

Everyone who falls on that stone

will be broken to pieces,

but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

How will you receive the Son the Vineyard Owner has sent?

What will you do with the Capstone? Build on it, reject it, trip over it, or eventually be crushed by it?

I still wince at reading such wickedness. It cuts through to the heart. It's was intended to.

Dear Lord Jesus; May Your truth always cut through to the heart. There is no question that You have all authority in heaven, and on the earth, and beyond. We are guilty of such atrocities as being the ones that caused Your shameful and painful death. May we choose today how we will handle You, the Capstone. Amen.

Tears of a Savior

When He approached Jerusalem,

He saw the city and wept over it,

[Lk 19:41 NASB]

It was not the view that caused Jesus to weep over Jerusalem.

Perhaps sentimentality? Knowing this was nearing the last time He would enter this city?

Perhaps grieving over the imminent events at hand? Knowing the end of His earthly days were at a close? He knew what it would take to redeem mankind and that some would still refuse to believe.

Perhaps its condition? He knew the state of the hearts of its citizens. He knew their religion had become perverted. The heart of Judaism was in spiritual poverty.

Don't you sometimes mourn over the state of our country? How much more God? How much more over His own homeland that housed the very dwelling place of His Father? It was far from Eden!

The next verses of His prophecy (which were to be realized in 70 AD) reveal exactly why He mourned. They could not see nor recognize the source of their peace.

"If you, even you, had only known on this day

what would bring you peace—

but now it is hidden from your eyes.

The days will come upon you when your enemies

will build an embankment against you and encircle you

and hem you in on every side."

[Lk 19:42-43]

Jesus knew Jerusalem's future and foretold the coming judgment.

As frustrated as He must have been with everything, it didn't ease the pain of a loving and compassionate Savior. He was ~ and remains ~ a God of feeling that is not removed from His creation.

What does He now see? What tears He must now weep! It's hard to swallow the thought of seeing the tears of our Savior.

Loving Lord and Master; In Your great mercy, forgive the pain we have caused You. I'm ashamed at the state of our world and unrepentent hearts. I confess our wickedness. Our only hope is in You. Thank You for entering this sinful world and saving us out of it.

Photo courtesy of SearchingtheScriptures.net

A String of Hosannas

God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you!

I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God,

traveling across dry and weary deserts.

So here I am in the place of worship,

eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory.

In your generous love I am really living at last!

My lips brim praises like fountains.

I bless you every time I take a breath;

My arms wave like banners of praise to you. [Ps 63:1-4 Msg]

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;

you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever. [Ps 118:28-29]

So, God's people, shout praise to God,

Give thanks to our Holy God! [Ps 97:12 Msg]

Praise be to the LORD forever!

Amen and Amen. [Ps 89:52]

A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture

On the 3rd Day.......

God and numbers ~ that might be a good discussion in heaven some day. (It holds a distant place behind some other questions; should we still even care when the times comes.) It goes to show, however, that the One True God is neither random or chaotic. He is a God of order and careful planning.

Studying certain number patterns is fascinating ~ to say the least! Relative to the season is the #3 ~ more specifically, 3 days.

I thought I might share a few personal Bible selections. I wonder if they ring any spiritual chords with you, as they did for me?

• Abraham traveled 3 days to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice Isaac (Gn 2:24)


• Joseph held his brothers captive for 3 days (Gn 42:17)


• The Plague of Darkness covered Egypt for 3 days (Ex 10:22)


• God provided life-giving water from the rock 3 days into the wilderness journey (Ex 15:22)


• On the 3rd Day God appeared to the consecrated Israelites (Ex 19:15)


• The Israelites camped beside the Jordan for 3 days before miraculously following the Ark across the river (Jos 1:11)


• Rahab told the spies to hide out for 3 days to escape capture (Jos 2:16)


• David traveled for 3 days to recover his family from raiding Amalekites (1 Sm 30)


• King Hezekiah was to wait 3 days before going to the Temple to receive deliverance and life as promised by the Lord in answer to his prayer (2 Kg 20:5, 8)


• On the 3rd day Jonah was delivered from the darkness of his rebellion (Jonah 1:17)


• On the 3rd day of Adar the temple rebuilding project was completed (Ezr 6:15)


• Mary and Joseph found the boy Jesus teaching in His Father's House on the 3rd day of their search (Lk 2:46)


• The Lord Jesus, out of His compassion, did not want to send the multitudes away hungry after a 3 day sermon (Mt 15:32)


• After 3 days in darkness Saul received back his sight (Ac 9:9)

• On the 3rd day the glory of God descended on the mountain, ushering in the Mosaic Covenant of Law

* * *

• On the 3rd Day the glory of God rose, ushering in the Messianic Covenant of Grace

Who can comprehend the great mysteries of God? He is a God of order and in complete control of a masterful and perfectly timed plan.

Sovereign God of the Universe, I entrust myself completely to You. May Your will be done and may I have the patience to wait. In Christ alone I pray, Amen.

Creation's Easter Backdrop

Awake! all nature from your winter slumber.

Arise! to see the dawn of a new season's wonder.

Bring forth your hope-filled garlands of spring.

Newborn blooms for a joyous Easter morning.

Fragrance of new life remind us of God's promise;

Immanuel has returned to walk among us.

God's joy splashed on a canvas of colors;

Poised as a backdrop for our rejoicing cantors.

He lives! He lives! Our Savior lives again!

Let eternal praise and worship begin!

Copyright Debbra Stephens

Use by permission only

Hymn for the Easter Season

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

by

Julia H. Johnston (1849-1919)

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Chorus

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.


Music by Daniel B. Towner
Click here to listen and view on You Tube

Jordan~Crossers

On the assigned day the Israelites were to select their Passover lamb, God performed another miraculous crossing for this wilderness-wandering nation.

The priests and the Ark (representing the Presence of God) went first. One step of obedience, one step of faith on their part - God would do the rest.

The river was at flood stage YET AS SOON AS their feet touched the edge of the rushing river bank, God held back the waters. Not after some time had passed or after they were in up to their necks. The smallest demonstration of faith was enough for God to act.

They stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. Stand firm, fellow-soldier, for the ground of Christ upon which we stand is firm. In the midst of our mess, we can stand believing Jesus is rock solid.

The entire nation crossed over. The Lord did not release the rushing waters until all were safely across. Worry not, for His timing is perfect and He will deliver all of His own to His promised shore.

The Living God would drive out their enemies before them and bring them into a land of promise.

Aren't we all (metaphorically speaking) Jordan-Crossers? By means of the Passover Lamb we cross over to God's Promised Land.

Jesus is the Way to the Father and the Source of abundant life. Would you take that one step of faith? His presence goes with you as you march across this barren land.

And when all have crossed, we will celebrate what God has done for us and worship the Passover Lamb. May the world revere our powerful Lord.

The Israelites crossed the Jordan river; they set up a memorial; they were circumcised in covenant; awaited healing; celebrated the Passover; then they enjoyed the fruit of their new God-given land (Jos 3:5-12).

Cross from death to life, darkness to light; enter into a covenant relationship with God by faith in His Son and our Lord; experience His healing; and enjoy the fruit of a new life in Christ. As the song says; "our God is a God who saves!"

"He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."

[Jos 4:24]

Sovereign Deliverer; Give us faith and courage to follow you and may others join in the procession as you lead us home. In Christ, Amen.

A String of Hosannas

How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!

For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise. [Ps 47: 2, 7]

Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised. [Ps 113:2-3]

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. [Ps 29:2]

The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. [Ps 89:11, 14-15]


A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture

Thirsty?

"God is the kind of God who will be pleased with
the one thing I have to offer --
my thirst.

When we hope in God we glorify God as the fountain
of deep and lasting joy.

God is delighted not by the resourcefulness of
bucket brigades, but by the bending down of broken sinners to drink at the fountain of grace."
~John Piper

The International Bottled Water Association reports that 36 billion units of bottled water was sold in 2006. Revenue from bottled water sales in 2007 in the United States alone topped $11.7 billion according to the International Herald Tribune (the online global edition of the New York Times).

That's incredible thirst!

What if we offered our thirst to God? Quenched by the Trinity verses technology? Call it transference of thirst.

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God?

[Ps 42:1-2]

Do you thirst? In your poverty, come. Come to the fountain of grace, drink from the water of life. Pure, refreshing, cleansing, Living Water.

He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the
Omega, the Beginning and the End.

To him who is thirsty I will give to drink
without cost from the spring of the water of life.

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!"

And let him who hears say, "Come!"

Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes,

let him take the free gift of the water of life.

[Rev 21:6; 22:17]

My soul thirsts for the Living God. I come Lord, with my thirst and my thanks. In Christ, my Ever-Flowing Fount, Amen.

2009 Continuing Series ~ Transference
Based on John 3:30: "Jesus must increase, I must decrease"

Prayers of the Saints

Forgive them all, O Lord;

our sins of omission and our sins of commission;

the sins of our youth and the sins of our riper years;

the sins of our souls and the sins of our bodies;

our secret and our more open sins;

our sins of ignorance and surprise,

and our more deliberate and

presumptuous sin;

the sins we have done to please ourselves

and the sins we have done to please others;

the sins we know and remember,

and the sins we have forgotten;

the sins we have striven to hide from others

and the sins by which we have made others offend;

forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all for His sake,

who died for our sins and rose for our justification,

and now stands at Thy right hand

to make intercession for us,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

~ John Wesley

A Series of Prayer Quotes

Notice Now

Has anyone ever walked right past you without ever noticing? Breeze on by without so much as a second glance? How about rejection? Ever been slighted?

I don’t know of anyone that hasn’t experienced this crushing blow.

No one understands it better – and I mean NO ONE – than the Son of Man. He understands so completely because He has shared your experience. You are not alone in your sorrow.

There is no more moving and sorrowful chapter in the Bible than the Fifty-Third Chapter of Isaiah. This divinely inspired literature clearly depicts the extreme suffering of our Savior.

Strong language paint a vivid picture of the scorn He endured. Quoting the Matthew Henry Commentary; “This chapter is so replenished with the unsearchable riches of Christ that it may be called rather the gospel of the evangelist Isaiah than the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah.”

Describing a humble beginning, the text then explains the main attribute of our Lord - He came as a servant (vs 2).

He did not capture our attention (vs 2-3). The onlookers walked on by, turned their backs, or walked away. Have you ever turned your back on Jesus? Knowingly, maybe even purposefully, walk away?

He experienced the bitterest grief and we “did not care” (vs 3). Yes, even today, there are those that still care not one iota the depth of His love of a neglectful breed. A selfish lot, we have a tendency to ignore the downcast.

And the load He carried? It was ours - all of ours. For it was our weaknesses and our sorrows He carried (vs 4). I don’t know about you, but some of mine have felt almost too heavy for me to bear at times. He bore not only mine, but yours as well, and all of humankind's.

He was wounded, crushed, beaten for OUR sins, for OUR peace (vs 5). Abused and afflicted. I shudder at the sight of those words used in conjunction with our Lord.

He was oppressed and treated harshly yet never said a word (vs 7). Some days you can just look at me wrong and I snap.

But who among the people realized He was dying for their sins? Suffering their punishment? Some justified it as deserved punishment (vs 4). Some thought the rebel had it coming. Some may have thought it extreme treatment of a kind man, knowledgeable teacher, and miracle performer. But Savior? Would any dare presume He was a sacrifice for wrongs they committed? The perfect, flawless, sinless Lamb sacrificed for the strays (vs 6).

Have I fully realized that He was nailed to the cross by my hand, my actions against a holy God? Will I seek forgiveness for the anguish I caused an innocent man to suffer? Will my hardened Pharaoh-heart remain calloused?

Not only was this God’s plan, it was His “good plan.” (vs 10) A goodness beyond our conception.

And because He bore my sin, I now share in His righteousness (vs 11). Ludicrous! I hang Him on a tree for something I did and He gives me forgiveness, peace with God, life?

There’s more. He now intercedes for sinners – even after suffering at our hand. He returned to this cruel sin-filled earth after He suffered the most heinous death. And now He intercedes for us before the Father (vs 12). He will return, even after all the awful sins we’ve committed since that fateful day. The God-Man who walked the Via Delarosa – the Way of Suffering – who sits enthroned in the heavens, will descend upon us once more. Imagine!

No wonder they call it the "Best Story Ever Written." God ordained. God spoken. The Word written. Sometimes too awful to consider. Sometimes too grand to believe. May our faith be touched anew. May our hearts bleed at the thought of His pain. May our lips offer eternal praise and give unending thanks.

To Him be all glory, forever and ever!

I encourage you to take the time this holy season to read in solitude the sacred text of Isaiah 53. Behold the cost of our salvation of grace. Pause in worship and bless our Majestic King. Will you notice now?

Our Holy God and Suffering Savior; Words cannot express our thanks or our sorrow. Only You could accomplish the unimaginable. Only You could pay my debt. Only You would endure such atrocities from a perfect love for those that treat You with such contempt. Only You.

Photo compliments of LostSeed.com

Modern Manna

Do you hunger? Daily, you say? Me, too!

Each and every day of the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert, God provided for them. On that first morn the foreign substance drifted down from heaven, they exclaimed of the flakes; “What is it?” And the name stuck. Manna – Hebrew for what is it.

Isn’t that what the crowds asked of Jesus? Who is He? Isn’t He Joseph’s son; a Nazarene; a carpenter; prophet; teacher; Elijah?

God’s provision for the redeemed captives sustained life and fed the hungry. What He did for them physically was a typology of what He would do for us spiritually. The manna of the desert sustained for a day, the Manna to come would sustain eternally.

And what of this daily bread, this modern Manna?

"I am the bread of life.

Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert,

yet they died.

But here is the bread that comes down from heaven,

which a man may eat and not die.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven.

If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.

This bread is my flesh,

which I will give for the life of the world."

[John 6:48-51]

Jesus: Manna from Heaven, Living Bread. Jesus completely satisfies every spiritual hunger.

There was no longer a physical need for manna for the Israelites once they reached the Promised Land. As His church, we take communion with Him and His people in memoriam until His return when we need take it no more. But until then we have daily need. And we have a God that faithfully provides for our daily needs.

Do we bother to come to the table? Hands turned heavenward for filling? Open minds and hearts ready for nourishment?

I am reminded of the bread of the Presence that was to be offered to God daily in the Tabernacle and, later, the Temple. Only members of the priesthood could partake of the bread of the Presence. As His modern priesthood, may we thankfully break the bread in remembrance, celebration, and anticipation representative of Him being among us. Of the life He abundantly provides in Him.

When a new day dawns, I turn to Him to fill my every need, my deepest longings. My soul is nourished and filled afresh every morning with Bread from Heaven, His Word; and the Bread of Life, His Son.

I offer my first fruits to Him and receive His daily provision. Trying to give Him my best before the day starts gnawing away. I feel better prepared to handle what the day may throw at me.

With spring in the air and Easter on the approaching horizon, look to heaven and receive His grace, knowing to understand it is to only exclaim; “what is it?”

My Very Sustenance of Life; You faithfully give us our daily bread that never spoils. I am humbled by Your goodness. I give thanks for Your bountiful gifts in Christ Jesus. Amen.

A String of Hosannas

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD :

"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.

The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.

Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?
Who is like you— majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory, working wonders?

"In your unfailing love you will lead the people
you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.

The LORD will reign for ever and ever."

[Ex 15: 1-3, 11, 13, 18]


A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture

Prayers of the Saints

It is truly right and good,

always and everywhere,

with our whole heart and mind and voice,

to praise you,

the invisible, almighty, and eternal God,

and your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord;

for he is the true Paschal Lamb,

who at the feast of Passover

paid for us the debt of Adam's sin,

and by his blood

delivered your faithful people.

~The Book of Common Prayer

Transference of Strength's Source

2009 Continuing Series ~ Transference

Based on John 3:30: "Jesus must increase, I must decrease"

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.
[Is 40:29]

I have a sapling Rose of Sharon I planted out back a couple springs ago. Its branches still thin, young, and tender.

It took quite a beating in a storm we had recently. It was beaten down by the hail and merciless wind and was drooping – bowed low in surrender.

I thought it might “bounce back” and straighten up on its own within a couple days so I just left it be.

I hadn’t noticed any improvement after several days of keeping a watchful eye on it. Therefore, I finally decided it needed some help.

I tied up the sagging branch to a stronger one for support. Transference from faulty independence to total reliance on a dependable source of strength.

This is a demonstrative parable for me to bind myself to God rather than rely on my frailties. His strength is dependable and far greater than my human insufficiency and fallibility – especially when beaten down.

“When God is our strength, it is strength indeed;
when our strength is our own, it is only weakness.”

~Augustine of Hippo

The greatness of a man’s power

is the measure of his surrender.

~William Booth

The Old Testament records several examples of what mortal man could do when the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them: Samson (Jgs 14:6), David (1 Sm 16:13), even Saul (1 Sm 11:6ff). Who could possibly overlook the dynamic explosion of energy in the disciples at Pentecost and the vibrant growth of the early church under the divine power of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts?

And what of today’s Believer?

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
[Php 4:13]

Right now, my little tree cannot stand on its own, it is reliant upon another for strength and stability. As am I! I am yoked to the All-Sufficient One.

The mention of Your Powerful Name lifts me up and renews my countenance. You are my strength, my all and I give you praise for “no one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. [Jer 10:6] Teach me to transfer from self-sustenance to God-infused power, from dead-weight to a living, vibrant strength.

Poetry for the Season

"Now let the heavens be joyful,
Let earth her song begin:
Let the round world keep triumph,
And all that is therein;
Invisible and visible,
Their notes let all things blend,
For Christ the Lord is risen
Our joy that hath no end."

- John of Damascus

Crossing on Dry Ground

"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left."
[Ex 14:21-22]

I can’t imagine marching between churning, foaming, roaring, walls of water on a dry river bed with the enemy in hot pursuit. I do know one thing, I would have to focus entirely on God and not the waves.

God held back the crushing waters as long as it took for all to cross-over. All night He held back the water to deliver everyone safely.

God rescued them from captivity and released them from their enemies. His mighty power to save was on display for all to witness.

The Israelites were His and His Presence went with them.
.......They were freed.
..............They were saved.
......................Their enemies defeated.

Do you see any spiritual parallels?

Much has been written through the ages about this miraculous event. Can you pen your own personal story about how God has rescued you? How His Presence is with you?

Have you shared it with your children?

"In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."
[Ex 13:14]

On that fateful day when our Lord gave up His life, His death parted the temple veil that we might enter into His Presence and trampled our enemies. He has delivered His captives from sins’ enslavement and leveled the ground upon which we trod.

This is our crossing. Are you focusing on the waves or the Lord?

This is our song, too! Let's use this season to teach it to our children.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:

"I will sing to the LORD,

for he is highly exalted.

The horse and its rider

he has hurled into the sea.

The LORD is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation.

He is my God, and I will praise him,

my father's God, and I will exalt him.

The LORD is a warrior;

the LORD is his name.

"Your right hand, O LORD,

was majestic in power.

Your right hand, O LORD,

shattered the enemy."
[Ex 15:1-3, 6]

O Lord, our Warrior; This is our hope, this is our prayer: "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. The LORD will reign for ever and ever." [Ex 15:13, 18]

Passed~Over

The events of Passion Week – from Sunday’s Triumphal Entry to Sunday’s Resurrection – had their beginning in Eden’s Garden with mankind’s first sin.

Other events in history have their significance in God’s redemption of man and restoration of a broken relationship between Holy Creator and fallen creation.

This week, as part of Easter Advent, I have chosen to reflect upon two specific events recorded in the Old Testament that are part of God’s grand plan. Today we’ll turn our thoughts to the Passover.

“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
[Ex 12:13]

The blood of the lamb that covered the ones of God, so that death might pass over them, is representative of the blood of the Lamb of Jesus Christ that covers our sins so that the penalty of death is removed from us.

"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -a lasting ordinance.

And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.' Then the people bowed down and worshiped.”
[Ex 12:14; 26-27]

The Israelites were given instructions for a holy feast in memoriam of God’s deliverance from their slavery in Egypt. They were to teach their children and future generations of its significance just as we should teach our children of our salvation through the blood of Christ, the perfect Lamb that was slain. It is a memorable occasion that evokes worship and celebration.

It was observance of this God-instituted holy week that brought Jesus to Jerusalem a final time under Jewish Law. It is likely that His family celebrated His first Passover in Egypt while hiding from Herod, a country He delivered His people from fourteen-hundred years earlier. The last Passover Jesus celebrated would once again deliver us from bondage and ushered in a new holy day - Easter.

The day darkness fell over Jerusalem and the firstborn Son of God was crucified was the final Passover.

In Christ, our sins are covered by the blood of the Lamb of God for the Lord passed over – again.

Dear God, our Deliverer, and Jesus, our Savior; Thank You that Your sacrifice and Your blood has covered the penalty of death for my sins. Today I am reminded to tell Your redemption story to my children. The Israelites were instructed to “share the lamb with their neighbor”, may I do likewise. In Christ, Amen.

Praise~Bites

Praise the LORD, O my soul.
O LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty. [Ps 104:1]

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever. [Ps 145:1]

A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture