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Numbers 20 Final–Aaron’s Death…

29 Thursday Nov 2018

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It must have been difficult to see Aaron die.  Moses had relied upon his brother as he carried out the leadership of Israel. From the beginning of the Exodus adventure, Aaron had acted as Moses right hand. He carried the staff Moses used to convince the Pharaoh to release Israel. He moved with Moses, he helped to build the alignment of the nation and acted as the chief among the Levitical order. So on this day, as God called Aaron home, it must have been a heavy blow to Moses.

Still, God had warned both Moses and Aaron that because of their disregard for His authority at Meribah; they would not enter Canaan. So Moses and Aaron did all God said to do. Aaron’s authority was passed to His son Eleazar and God literally took him home.  It was a sad moment for Israel, and for Moses. It was also a reminder to Moses that sin does, in fact, have a cost.  Moses had now lost both his sister and his brother. He must have felt quite alone in the world.  But, truth was, he still had God. It would be God that continued to guide him and meet his needs.  By this time, Moses had truly learned that God was all he needed to live. Moses had seen that apart from God, he was nothing and could do nothing.  So, Moses soldiered on through the grief and continued to humbly lead Israel.

In our lives, we also experience great loss. That loss often leaves us feeling alone and to some extent helpless to proceed. In the midst of that, we have to recognize God’s authority in our lives.  He will continue to walk with us, protect us and fulfill our needs–we simply need to accept his leadership and provision.  Like Moses, we are never truly alone as long as we trust and follow God. We may have to deal with grievous situations, we may lose all we think we have. Truth is–its all God’s; and, no matter our depth of loss, God will be there for us; until he calls us home.

God Bless You 

The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. 23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25 Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. 26 Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.”

27 Moses did as the Lord commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain,29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites mourned for him thirty days.

Numbers 18 Part 1–Picking Up The Pieces

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

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Despite the chaos of the priests, God took Aaron aside, and appointed he and his family to take over the duties of the Kohathites. God already made clear that Moses and Aaron were His picks, but since Kohath and his family rebelled, God expanded Aaron’s families responsibilities to include the care and moving of God’s precious things.  It must have been both an honor and a sadness to be the family to care for the temple treasures. 
 
Aaron and his family would gladly and honorably complete the assignment; but, it would also be a reminder of the rebellion.  God was still aligning the people with His plan.  Such an alignment was difficult. God was in a way, starting from “square-one”. But, God straightened His own house first, then the Lord would work to align the remainder of the people.
 
This passage is a simple reminder that God never quits on us. No matter the disaster or sin, God will pick up and move forward with His plan.  It is also a reminder that sin leaves a hole. When we rebel, it not only affects us; but, it also affects many innocent people around us.  We cannot undo the damaged caused. God can, however, begin to move forward and replace and restore what is loss with His best and His brightest.  We have to remember that God knows everything and has a plan for us and our lives.  Jeremiah said it best, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord! Plans to prosper you–and not to harm you. Plans to Give you hope and a future!” Jeremiah 29:11.
 
God Bless You

The Lord said to Aaron, “You, your sons and your family are to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons alone are to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the priesthood. 2 Bring your fellow Levites from your ancestral tribe to join you and assist you when you and your sons minister before the tent of the covenant law. 3 They are to be responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the tent, but they must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar. Otherwise both they and you will die. 4 They are to join you and be responsible for the care of the tent of meeting—all the work at the tent—and no one else may come near where you are.

5 “You are to be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar, so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelites again. 6 I myself have selected your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the Lord to do the work at the tent of meeting. 7 But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.”

Numbers 16 Part 1–Let’s Let God Decide

16 Friday Nov 2018

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Moses had grown accustomed to the insolence of the people. Every day, it seemed, some of them were complaining about something. While it was never pleasant, Moses would take it in stride and keep humbly leading the people. But on this day, after Moses had watched the people rebel; after God told Moses the current adults would never enter Canaan; and Moses would be leading them around the desert–Moses was hit with a blow he did not expect–he was accused by his Levite leader of being the one to dishonor God.  It was an outright rebellion and attempted overthrow.
 
Moses was devastated. He never wanted the Job! God dragged him in and trained him. He and God talked almost daily. Moses was one of the most humble men in history. To be accused of setting himself above the assembly…and by the men he trusted the most–was almost more than he could bear.  But, as Moses was a true friend of God, he did what only a friend could do–Moses said fine, lets let God tell us who He supports.  I am certain the men in rebellion swallowed big when they heard that. 
 
 It is easy  to get a group of unhappy folks together to complain and stir up trouble, but, when God comes down in a cloud every day in the camp–you better be ready to face Him.  These men heard God on the mountain. They saw God lead them daily. They felt God’s wrath as he burned the edges of camp and dropped quail on them til they were stuffed.  Still, they thought they could overthrow His anointed leader! 
 
Moses had nothing to lose–In truth, God was all he had anyway. If this God that dragged him from Midian, took him to Egypt, lead him through the plagues and Exodus saw him as rebellious, then so be it.  So, God would be the judge.  
 
In our lives, we often do all we can to trust and follow God.  In the journey, we fail, we fall and we get up and march again. Throughout the journey, however, we must continue to humbly seek God. If we do, no matter what the enemy , the world or even our closest allies may charge us with–like Moses, we can simply hit our knees and let God decide.  If we can trust God through those most arduous of trials; then we can trust God through anything.  Trusting God through anything is exactly where we need to be.
 
God Bless You

Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent[a] 2 and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. 3 They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”

4 When Moses heard this, he fell face down. 5 Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him. 6 You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers 7 and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the Lord. The man the Lord chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!”

Numbers 7 Part 2–Chatting with God at His House!

25 Thursday Oct 2018

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The final verses in Numbers 7 are amazing. When Moses went into the tent of meeting to talk to God; the Lord spoke to him from the Ark of the Covenant.  It is difficult to grasp the import of the fact that Moses literally would walk into the tent and have chats with God. He did not go in to seek a sign; instead, he had full-on talks with God!  What an amazing time. Consistently, through the chapters, it says the Israelites did everything that the Lord commanded. As they followed God’s command, God blessed them, and prepared them to receive the blessing He promised and prepared for them.

These verses are a great picture of the kind of relationship God wants with us!  As we trust and follow him, God wants nothing more  to reveal Himself to us.  As He does, we need to take what we are shown, and use it to prepare for an eternity with the Lord–just as He promised.  While we no longer enter a tent of meeting and face an Ark of the Covenant, We now have His spirit dwelling within us comforting, guiding and teaching us to be more like God. The critical fact, however, is that then and now, God has always wanted His children to realize He wants to be in and among us. God will always be protecting and preparing us for eternity with Him. It is a personal relationship for which God longs to have and make special.  All we have to do is trust God and follow His leading.

God Bless You

These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls and twelve gold dishes. 85 Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels,[e] according to the sanctuary shekel. 86 The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels.[f] 87 The total number of animals for the burnt offering came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering. Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering. 88 The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.

89 When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him.

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Numbers 4–The Kohathites, God’s Special Caretakers

17 Wednesday Oct 2018

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Aaron and his family were not only given the distinction of being a part of the tribe of Levi ( The new firstborns of Israel), but God also gave him and his family, (the Kohathites) the honor of caring for and carrying the special articles. As a nomadic group. The people of Israel needed as much symmetry and stability as  possible. That is why God gave the Kohathites an order, and set out a plan for the care and moving of the Tabernacle and the worship articles.  

God was not only clear about who would carry the stuff, but also how it was to be cared for and moved.  If the Kohathite men did not care for the articles correctly, The people would all lose out.  The Ark of the Covenant was especially dear, it is where God made His presence known.  If the Kohathites, or anyone touched it; they would die.  Some incidents occurred where the rules were not followed and the person paid a price. Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6–grabbed the ark and died.  King Uzziah went into the temple to act as a priest and was immediately struck with leprosy.   God took the care of his stuff seriously and only enlisted those He could trust to carry it out.

Here is the amazing part–in proportion, God Loves us sooooooo much more.  When we think of all the time and effort God put into training the men to care for the holy chairs, He personally gave his own life to care for us.  We can never underestimate God’s plan for our lives.  We have to trust that the same God that demonstrated the plan for moving Israel into the promised land; will carefully execute His work in our lives, as well. He has had thousands of years to practice, and He has never been late.  He is always in the right place, at the right time. 

God Bless You 

 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. 3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

4 “This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things. 5 When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and put it over the ark of the covenant law. 6 Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather,[a] spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.

7 “Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings; the bread that is continually there is to remain on it.8 They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

9 “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lamp-stand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays, and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. 10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.

11 “Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

12 “They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.

13 “They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans, meat forks,shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles in place.

15 “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, only then are the Kohathites to come and do the carrying.But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. 

Matthew 26 Part 3–Sweet Hour of Prayer

28 Friday Sep 2018

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Jesus was about to be arrested and crucified.  He knew it, he had planned for it, and He prepared His men for it.  Still, as the hour approached, the sense of dread and reality of what was ahead bore down on Jesus like a vise. He took his men to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with him.  He had to go to His father, one more time.  As Jesus grieved and prayed, He longed for the support of those men He had raised and befriended. 

Sadly, each of the three times Jesus returned to the guys, they were fast asleep. They neither sensed the pain the Lord was going through, nor did they feel the sense of urgency that Jesus felt. They had a full belly and that was the most important thing to them. Had they known that in only moments their world would be forever turned upside down, then they probably would have been in an intense prayer of support for the Master. Still, Jesus knew that his guys were going to be shaken to the core, and He was about to suffer and die–so on he prayed. “Not my will, but Your will be done!”

Like Jesus, we need to remain on our face before God. We live in a time where the church is feeling the increased pain of a world that has abandoned God. The devaluation of Life, marriage and family has reaped unprecedented violence, arrogance and selfishness in all corners of the globe. It is only a matter of time, until worship of our Lord will be considered illegal, and the church an enemy.  Then, like the disciples, we will be shaken to our very core and driven to our knees to worship the Lord. We will then seek his protection, provision and preparation for what lies ahead. We need to sense the urgency that is upon us, and like Jesus, pray this very hour for God’s intervention and our nation’s revival.  Don’t let our full tummy and sense of invincibility, fool us into thinking that we will never lose what we have. Things can always change in a minute, and we must be ready for that eventuality!!! Wake up and pray.

God Bless You

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Matthew 26 Part 2–The Last Supper

27 Thursday Sep 2018

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Time was running short.  Jesus, of course, knew the events that lay ahead–but His disciples did not have a clue. Judas had already made a deal with the Jewish elite to betray Jesus. So, as they began the Passover feast, Jesus began preparing His men for the betrayal, and preparing them for what was about to change. It was probably clear that Jesus was hated by the religious leaders. No one would have thought, however, that they would intentionally try to end the life of God’s Messiah.  

Jesus knew, however. He watched these men; picked to lead the Church after his death and resurrection,and while He knew they would be OK, He also knew what was to come would be difficult for them and horrendous for Him.  Still, He soldiered on and blessed them that night. He called Judas out, He prepped Peter for his denial of Jesus, and Jesus let the rest know that, after He was gone, they needed to remember the communion they shared with Him.

In our lives, we attend our various congregations, and every so often, usually the 1st Sunday of the month, we take communion in remembrance of that last supper. His body broken for us, His blood shed for us. He was separated from God, albeit only briefly, for the 1st and only time throughout eternity.  He was tortured, killed and discredited–all for us.  So, as we pause, ever so quickly to take communion–we need to examine our lives and ask the question, was Jesus sacrifice for me, enough.  The answer is technically yes, but, it must be a yes for each of us, personally.  

He gave all He could give to restore what had been taken by man’s sin. We are called to accept our Lord’s gift, follow His lead and allow Jesus to transform us into His image; from the day we receive Him until His return.

God Bless You

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b]covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 25–The 10 Virgins (A Story of Preparation)

21 Friday Sep 2018

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The parable of the 10 virgins was an alarming one.  The story simply put; talks of being ready for the bridegroom to appear. Half the group was ready, and half fell asleep on the job.  The troubling part was twofold–1st, half the group did not come prepared for the delay in the bridegroom’s appearance. The second problem, the half that missed the return, were out of luck to experience the relationship with the bridegroom. 

In that time, being a part of such a celebration was a big deal. To be invited was itself an honor, but to be invited and not be ready was a huge insult.  The people that heard that story–knew that in real life such an event would be treated as an audience with the king. All that received it, would come ready and stay on edge–no matter how long it took. 

In our lives, the meaning is clear, be prepared for Christ’s return. It may seem as though it will never happen, but to be unprepared for it would be devastating.  Preparation for Christ’s return is simple. Trust Him, follow Him and allow Him to be Lord of your life. As you do, He will lead, guide and protect you. He will prepare you for the life ahead. He will provide and transform you into an amazing person; full of the Spirit and ready for His return.  It is a difficult process; but, it is also an Amazing Journey!!!

God Bless You

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Matthew 22 Part 2–Show Me a Coin

13 Thursday Sep 2018

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Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s. It was another day, and another opportunity for the religious elite to try to trick Jesus. Mind you, they had been trying to do so for years.  The question was a crowd angering one–“Should we pay taxes to the imperial government?” Well, from the people’s perspective Rome had invaded and took over. They were not welcome and should not be supported by the sweat of those they had invaded. Conversely, for Jesus to say no, don’t pay taxes–well instant grounds for arrest by the Roman Guard and the leaders’ problem solved.

Jesus almost laughed–“Really? Is this all you Got???” Jesus was not surprised at all. He said show me a coin. The answer has lived through history because it speaks to stewardship clearly and concisely! We are to pay what we owe to whom we owe a debt.  Whether to God or government, we are to pay what we owe.  More importantly for Jesus was the idea that once again, the religious guys did not get it.  Here before them was God’s Son–He was healing the sick, speaking the truth and trying to show men God’s true nature.  These guys were racking their brains day and night to destroy him.  Had they simply stopped, as Nicodemus did, and asked a real question; they could have seen real life change and freedom.

God never sets out to trick or embarrass us–He wants us to know the truth, and to know how much God loves us. If men would quit trying to prove He was not real, and spend that time seeking Him–their lives would be forever changed and complete. Yet, only those of us that know and trust him will ever enjoy the true freedom the Lord can bring.  We are to be good stewards. We are to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. More importantly, we must trust God and allow Him to be the center of our thoughts and the center of our day. If we will, the silly questions the world asks will summarily be dealt with and God will reign supreme!

God Bless You

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Matthew 21 Part 2–Jesus Clears The Temple

07 Friday Sep 2018

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Jesus knew that what lay ahead was inevitable.  So on this holy week, our Lord spent time tying up loose ends.  First, Jesus went into His Father’s house to clean it up.  It would be likened to a large “farmer’s market”–tables with doves, pigeons, pens of sheep, goats and calves.  There were also tables with meat and different currencies to exchange.  There were probably tables with fruit and snacks–yes and some “merch” tables with various treasures to commemorate the visit to Jerusalem. 

Jesus was not pleased! He entered the temple court and commenced to dump over tables and smack vendors.  He spoke with the authority of family, when He said this is my Dad’s place not a mini mall!!! The High priest and other religious elite were indignant (They probably had an interest in several stations) but, knew that the crowd was not going to allow anything to happen to the Messiah. The kid’s were praising and announcing His presence–another prophecy fulfilled!  He clearly made the point–This is a place where God and God only needs to be worshiped!  Not a market, not a fair–God’s temple. Jesus spent the day healing the sick and blessing those that came–Just as the Father would!

We live in a time where a similar temptation is constantly waiting outside the door. Our church facilities have become theaters, our worship–a club night or rock concert.  We become so accustomed to the brilliance of the show, that we can easily forget we are there to worship God.  As an old guy, I must confess that I love the quality and power of modern church. I enjoy watching the sermon on the big screen, and singing praise with amazing worship teams and bands. It is, however, when the congregation uses offering as a place to pay for the show; and sees no need to actually minister or serve–that they begin to resemble the religious elite of Jesus day.  We have to do a heart-check, and make sure our walk remains personal, and our worship centered on the Lord; and not those He uses to deliver the message.

  

All God has ever wanted was our trust and our hearts. If we will trust and follow Him, then as we enjoy amazing worship, it will remain worship of God not of His vessels.

God Bless You

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[e] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’[f]”

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants
    you, Lord, have called forth your praise’[g]?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.