Sunday, May 23, 2010

Sanctified - Set Apart

Monday, May 24, 2010: Hebrews 10:8–10, 12-14

Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

What does ‘He takes away the first to establish the second’ mean? The setting apart of priests from profane people (sanctification) by the blood of bulls and goats is now changed to belief in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ to sanctify us.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010: Hebrews 9:13–14

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

What is the difference between sanctifying the flesh and cleansing the conscience? The former is an outward cleansing: the latter, an inner setting apart.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010: Hebrews 13:12–15

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice: what can we offer? We can only offer our worshipful praise for the finished work of Christ.

Thursday, May 27, 2010: Hebrews 2:10–11

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren

Why is Christ not ashamed to call us brothers? We have been cleansed by His suffering for sin and in Him we are pure and sinless.

Friday, May 28, 2010: Hebrews 10:28–29

Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Can a believer do this? No, but someone who knows the Way and rejects it can.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Glorious

Monday, May 17, 2010: Luke 7:25–26, 28

But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

What are we dazzled by? What should catch our eye? We are caught up with the world’s celebrities who are put in our minds by what we watch and like. We should be caught up with the Lord and His people, the members of our Church, good or unbearable.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010: Luke 13:16–17

So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

A leader of the synagogue stood up and loudly criticized Jesus Christ for healing on the Sabbath. What did he loose sight of? The glorious miracle performed by the Son of God.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010: Ephesians 5:25–27

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Jesus Christ was the lamb without spot or blemish and would be sacrificed for us. How can we, who are part of the Church, be without spot or blemish? He wipes away the believers’ sin and stains!

Thursday, May 20, 2010: 2 Thessalonians 1:10–12

when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What future is ours by promise? Glory in Christ in heaven for eternity!

Friday, May 21, 2010: 1 Corinthians 4:9–11

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.

What was the Apostle’s lot on earth? Nothing but pain and sorrow. It didn’t bother them in the least, because they had witnessed the cruel death, burial and glorious resurrection of the Lord.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Holy One of Jacob (Israel)

I thank Ralph Johnson of West Virginia for these thoughts.

Monday, May 10, 2010: Numbers 16:6–7

Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company; put fire in them and put incense in them before the Lord tomorrow, and it shall be that the man whom the Lord chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!”

Background: Korah was the leader of a rebellion against Moses, God’s chosen deliverer.

Does it matter how we approach God? Yes, we only do this the way God wishes. Korah was swallowed up when the earth opened under him and all the rebels.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010: Deuteronomy 18:18–19

I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.

Background: these are Moses’ last prophetic words about God’s chosen deliverer from sin.

What would this prophet do? The coming deliverer would speak God’s words. Those who will not hear will be judged by God.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010: Isaiah 5:24

Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

What did Isaiah prophecy about Israel? They would reject the Holy one and will be scattered.

Thursday, May 13, 2010: Isaiah 49:7

Thus says the Lord, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One,

To Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to the Servant of rulers:

“Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, because of the Lord who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel; and He has chosen You.”

What was prophesied by Isaiah about the Holy One? He would be despised and rejected.

Friday, May 14, 2010: Isaiah 54:5

For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.

Who is this Holy One of Israel? He is God made flesh, our Redeemer: Jesus Christ the Lord.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Perception

Monday, May 3, 2010: Romans 7:14–15
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
What is the dilemma of living as a human being? We know what is right but cannot understand why we do what isn’t.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010: 1 John 3:16–17
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
How can Christ’s perfect love be reflected in our life? Take the time to really see other believer’s and their needs and do something about it.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010: Luke 8:46–47
But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
Do we keep things hidden or do we tell others about our God? It is easier to blend in and look like everyone else. God wants us to be a light for Him in our world.
Thursday, May 6, 2010: John 6:68–69
But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
What follows belief in Christ? As you grow in Christ, you get to know the heavenly knowledge that confirms the reality of God in your hearts in things small and large.
Friday, May 7, 2010: 2 Corinthians 5:20–21
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
What is Paul pleading with believers about? Getting right with God daily or keeping short accounts. We are forgiven but our relationship can be broken by unconfessed sin.