Rx. 27

The priests were to use fresh, clear and pure olive oil each day to refresh the lamps and keep them burning. You and I are the priests now and this responsibility falls upon us.

“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” So goes a little Sunday school song many of us learned when we were children. It is a profound challenge. It needs to be daily. The supply of oil needs to be pure. Pure light is the best and the brightest.

Ex. 26 [The Message]

Books have been written about the significance of the Tabernacle Moses built for Hebrew worship. Worship movements have centered on its application to New Testament worship. Yes, God has the ability to weave every detail into His plan for our redemption. However, too much focus on the types and forms in the Old Testament are dangerous if they become stopping-off points in our worship.

I love the expression the Greeks seeking to worship declared when they approached Philip and the disciples. “Sir, we would see Jesus.” May I paraphrase? “Sir, we have heard about your Jewish worship traditions. We are interested in worshipping. However, we don’t want to stop short of true worship. We don’t want a formula or pattern. We just really want to see the Christ and worship HIM ALONE.

The study of the Tabernacle and The Law are fruitful, but DON’T ALLOW THEM TO BE THE END-ALL.

Worship Jesus!

P.S. I have renewed acquaintance with Mike Cartmell, a survivor of the ministry(?) of Jim Jones. Mike’s family followed Jim Jones to their death in the Jonestown suicide in Guyana. He was actually marred to one on Jim Jones’ daughters. The whole heretical episode of people following Jim Jones was because they were deceived into a false route to Christ. I will comment more about this in the near days to come

Ex. 25 [The Message]

One way to describe people traits is whether they are “rule followers” or “spontaneous.” You ask me if I have the experience to back up my claim? How about 52 years of marriage and much observation.

Without writing a treatise on the subject, let’s just say that when they work together, they form a more healthy outlook on everything.

In defense of the rule followers … er, Patty … if you want the job DONE RIGHT, ask a rule follower. If you want to have a good time, ask a SPONTANEOUS person. (I can be ALOT of fun, so I think)

Christ was both. He was the spotless Lamb of God Who graciously fulfilled all righteousness. He followed every last one of the Heavenly Father’s instructions on how to live to a “T.” Yet, He was the one compassionate person at the party Who really understood you, and listened to your hurts.

Of Christ,, David prophetically said, “Mercy and Truth are met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed.” [Ps. 85:10] Jesus brings it all together for us.

Ex. 21-25 [The Message]

If you look up images of Mt Sinai, you will be disappointed with its appearance. Nevertheless, it was where God wrote on the stone tables and gave the Law to the Hebrews. Moses was the chosen human scribe to whom was given rules for living which would serve the people until Christ came. When perusing these laws, one is impressed with the practicality and respect God instituted in the code of behavior given to them. Essentially, LOVE GOD and LOVE ONE ANOTHER can just about sum them up.

There is still something sacred about getting away to be with God. Now, He writes His message on the tables of our hearts. Time on the mountain with God is ALWAYS PROFITABLE. If you ascend His mountain in prayer, worship, and Bible study, you will come down with a way to live that pleases Him. Do it daily.

Ex. 18-20 [The Message]

We linger another day.

When Jethro advised Moses to select men to help him in judging the Hebrews while in the desert, he recommended that “competent, incorruptible men” be selected. This makes total sense, and yet in our current election process, this principle is almost nowhere to be found. What a SHAME!!! Present day politicians have competent PR machines to create a false image, lots of ca$$$h, and can tell an untruth without blinking. How far have we fallen?

Our current political process turns electable nitwits into power-greedy gazillionaires. What happened to the “Honest Abe” type of person? (His is the only name I will mention)

Our nation needs prayer! In the same way Egypt’s sin and corruption became such a stink in God’s nostrils, He must be approaching that level with us now.

Omnipotent Father in Heaven, we ask You to uproot the corruption in our government and bring to the forefront competent, incorruptible men and women to rule us. Forgive us for criticism without faith and prayer. We ask in the Mighty Name of Jesus. We believe.

Exodus 16-20 [The Message]

The truth and principle found in chapter 17 is so profound that I dare not skip it. When the Hebrews fought the Amalek army, Moses with Aaron and Hur were with him … his armor bearers. When they saw the Hebrews prevail, it was when Moses’ hands were up in the air, essentially in a position of praise and thanksgiving. When his hands drooped down, the enemy began winning.

It’s that way in life. When we see our enemy getting the upper hand we should stop and pray, lifting our hands to God in submission, thanksgiving, and FAITH. Arthritis tries to restrict me in this posture too often. All the more why I should use it.

I have successfully proved this for all my Christian life. The Apostle Paul also said, “I will (encourage) therefore that men lift up holy hands without wrath or doubting.” [1 Tim. 2:8]

Ex. 11-15 [The Message Bible]

The Hebrews were instructed to sacrifice, roast, and eat a lamb on a designated evening. They were to wipe its blood on the posts and lintel of their home’s front door. God said, “When I see the blood, I will exempt you from the devastation to come.’

Devastation DID come. It was the death angel sent by God to show Pharaoh that He meant business … “Let My People GO.”

That lamb pre-figured Christ Jesus Who is the Passover Lamb of God. God is still looking for the blood. Now, He’s looking for the blood of Christ which is applied to our lives when we are born again. We are to be a people covered by His Blood. Introduce all your loved ones to Christ so they can live under the blood, escaping eternal death.

Exodus 6-10 [The Message]

Through Moses and Aaron, God presented plagues that were Pharaoh’s penalties for refusing to allow the Children of Israel to leave Egypt to worship in the desert. Actually, this was God’s strategy to take them back to their Promised Land. The acts of God’s judgement were His tools of persuasion. He has a big bag of tricks for the disobedient.

Evidently, Paul getting knocked off his mule and blinded was the straw that broke his back of resistance. When Jesus spoke to him out of heaven, He said, Why do you keep resisting the goads of irritation I’m using to bring you to My purposes?” (my paraphrase) God had obviously been working on him for some time.

When you pray for spiritual activity in someone you love, don’t let up. God is using His persuasion tactics on that person to bring them to Himself. When they break, they may call you up and ask you to help them really SEE.

Exodus 1-5 [The Message]

All mothers think their children are special. If they don’t, they should. But when others notice that special IT factor in a child, this may be evidence that God has a special calling or job for this child. This was said of baby Moses.

The circumstances of his birth were extraordinary. His survival was miraculous, as Pharoah had commanded the murder of all Hebrew boy births. No doubt God’s Holy Spirit was directing the actions of his family that led to his being placed in a floating basket where Pharaoh’s daughter would find him and adopt him.

Herein is a key. God will give you special instructions or challenges in raising this child. You may witness a miraculous way God preserves him/her and charts a distinctive path for their life. Pay close attention to God’s mandate and guidance.

George Frideric Handel was a special child. His parents were determined that he would be a doctor in the family tradition, but God had music in mind.

NEWCOMERS: This is our format. There is a daily reading recommended and a prevailing thought to take with you that day. Welcome.

-Dean

Gen. 46-50 [The Message]

When aged Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, he pronounced both favor and the accompanying financial inheritance upon them. This was the right and responsibility of the father. Moments later, he did he same for all his sons. To him was given prophetic insight into the days ahead. He said, “I will tell you what to expect in your future.”

This is a wonderful combination of word and deed that fathers have the privilege of sharing. When a youth lacks a loving and active father in their life, they are in a sense being robbed of one of God’s intended blessings. A father can bestow these blessings regardless of his physical condition. An old man’s words of encouragement are one of his few possible contributions, but carry the greatest accompanying value.