Oct 20 2016
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Devos

Jesus provides “right of entry” into God’s presence!

card-key

During my “prayer run” the other day I was lifting up a prayer to God for a very important need and concern. As I was praying a thought entered my mind… What right do I have to approach God – the Almighty God, the holy God, King of the Universe – with this concern of mine? And then an experience I had some time ago entered my mind…

I needed (and wanted) access into a building – a facility that housed goods and services I needed and desired. The problem was, access was limited to only a select few – those who were authorized to gain entrance, and I wasn’t. You had to have a coded card key. So I approached an influential member of the organization, who happened to be my friend, and asked if courtesy card keys were ever granted to people. His answer was, “yes that sometimes happens. Would you like to me get you one? I’ll request one for you.” And in a few days, I had my card key, and had access into the facility!”

Jesus did something like that for me (and He’s done it for many others)! Like people in the Old Testament (even the priests), entrance into God’s glorious presence in the temple – in the place called “the Holiest of All” – was strictly limited. The priest could only enter once a year and only with the blood of a sacrificial animal. But when Jesus, our Great High Priest, came, He offered Himself on our behalf and opened up a “new and living” way into God’s presence! (You’ve just got to read Hebrews 9!) So now, anyone who claims the merits of Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf, can have access in prayer into the very presence of God!

Here’s the Scripture that supports that idea…

“Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the Holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is through His flesh, and since we have a Great High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (Hebrews 10:19-21)

“For through him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God!” (Ephesians 2:18–19)

“This was according to God’s eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3:11-12)

So yesterday on my “prayer run,” I entered God’s presence with my request, “boldly” (but not arrogantly), and “with confidence” – not because of who I am, but because of who Jesus is and what He has done on my behalf! After all He’s the one that got the heavenly “card key for me” – He’s the one who made access into the Heavenly Father’s presence in prayer possible! I’m so grateful!

Oct 19 2016
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Devos

Mercy Triumphs over Judgement!

mercy-triumphs-over-judgmentSometimes the kindness and mercy of people who don’t know the Lord, to our shame, eclipse that of those who claim to be Christians and are followers of the true God! I read just such an account this morning during “Coffee with the Lord!”

Just before Judah was taken into exile by Babylon because of their sinful ways, Jehoiachin served as king in Judah. Here is what the Bible says about him: “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king… And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged… The king of Babylon took him prisoner…and carried off all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasuries of the king’s house…as the lord had foretold. He carried away all Jerusalem and the the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives. None remained, except the poorest people of the land.” (From II Kings 24:-14) What was to follow was 70 years of captivity.

But then you read a surprising passage in the Bible – a surprising and unusual act of mercy and kindness to a captive king: “And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon [successor to Nebuchadnezzar], in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived.” (2 Kings 25:27–30)

I don’t know the motives – I cannot explain what prompted this act of kindness and mercy by a pagan king on an undeserving captive king – but it happened. Sometimes the kindness of people who do not know the Lord or worship Him stuns (and even shames) us who follow Him! They exhibit mercy and grace that ought to characterize us! Try these verses on for size…

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful!” (Luke 6:35–36)

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

Take it from me, I don’t want to be shamed by the unusual mercy of those who are not followers of Christ – I want to lead the way, and exhibit the kind of grace and mercy He extended to me, a guilty sinner deserving punishment! Help me Lord to do it!

Oct 18 2016
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Devos

Jesus can help you with your “faith crisis!”

nail-scarred-hands-of-jesus

Authentic faith is a big deal! Without it, spiritually you’re going nowhere! Without it you cannot please God – with it you can (Hebrews 11:5-6)! Without it your eternal life is at risk (John 3:16-18).

Ever have a “faith crisis?” Thomas, the apostle, did! Jesus had been crucified and they buried Him. Their Messianic hopes had been dashed to smithereens! Some of the disciples reported something incredible – They had seen Him, He had talked to them, and He was risen from the dead! Thomas doubted!

This is what the Bible says… “Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place me hand into His side, I WILL NEVER BELIEVE!” That’s a “faith crisis!”

Praise the Lord, Jesus hears our doubts and answers our “faith crises!” He’s answered mine many times!

The story continues…“Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe!’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

Did you count the miracles?

  1. The disciples were locked inside a room for fear… suddenly Jesus just appears!
  2. He heard every word that Thomas had uttered even though He wasn’t there when Thomas had utter them!
  3. He was alive! Risen from the dead after being crucified.

What an incredible gift the Lord gave Thomas to buttress and solve his “faith crisis!”

But what if you don’t get a gift – a miracle – a revelation like that? What then? Notice the very next verse! “Jesus said to Thomas, ‘have you believed because you have seen me? BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED!’” (All of this from John 20:24-29)

Here’s the deal with me this morning: Oh, Lord, help me continue to trust you through the “faith crises” I may face! I love the miraculous revelations of your Person and power… But even if that does not happen, I want the blessing that comes from trusting You anyway!

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