UNITY

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; Psalms 133:1-2

We, as a people, can be very rebellious and headstrong.  What an act of love our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us to mature us.

The ointment on Aaron's head represents the anointing of God's Holy Spirit.  It is pictured as flowing into his beard.  Children can't grow beards, only those who are mature.

Heavenly Father, You love us so much!  You are maturing us into an awesome body of believers, without strife or contention, so that we may be of one mind and one accord.  It truly is good and pleasant when the brethren dwell together in unity.

FOOT WASHING

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  John 13:14 

Does this mean literally? 

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will." "No," Peter protested, "You will never ever wash my feet!" Jesus replied, "Unless I wash you, you won't belong to Me."  John 13:6-8

Scripture says that Jesus always spoke in parables.  1 Corinthians 15:46 says first the natural then the spiritual.

Dust = flesh/carnal nature

Feet = our walk

Water = the Word

Foot washing is a parable of using the Word of God to wash away the dirt that we accumulate as we walk through our daily lives and interact with the things of the world.  As we speak words of truth to the brethren, we are able to cleanse our minds from the lies that would otherwise settle into our thoughts and conversations.

The Sovereign LORD has given us His words of wisdom, so that we know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakens us and opens our understanding to His will.  Isaiah 50:4  Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4

Heavenly Father, we pray for the wisdom and understanding that we need to skillfully use Your Word to comfort, correct, encourage, instruct and refresh.  

DARK TO LIGHT

And the LORD (Yahweh) said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:  Exodus 10:21-22

Egypt represents the world.

During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived in the land of Goshen.  Exodus 10:23

The name Goshen means "drawing near."  And that is the answer to escaping the darkness.  Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you.  James 4:8

Jesus (Yahshua) said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."  John 8:12 

May the light of the Risen Savior shine into your life. He will be the light to guide you through the dark days ahead.

PASSOVER, 1528 B.C.

The children of Israel were in bondage to the harsh taskmasters of Egypt and God was about to set them free.  After nine devastating plagues of judgment, the tenth and final one was poised to fall upon the unrepentant Pharaoh and his people.

To all who would listen, both Israelite and Egyptian alike, there was a promise of protection.  The requirement was to remain in their home, self-quarantined, and to place the blood of a lamb on their doorposts.  

Passover, 2020.  The majority of the world is on self-quarantine as major pandemic travels around the globe.  The parallels are interesting.

Have you claimed the blood of Jesus Christ, the risen savior, over the doorposts of your heart and mind?  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  John 3:16-17 KJV

DON'T MURMUR

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  1 Corinthians 10:10 KJV

In the wilderness, the children of Israel murmured continually against God and Moses for bringing them out of Egypt.  They wanted to go back to a life that was familiar to them.  They grumbled instead of rejoicing in their freedom.

God is once again delivering His people from bondage.  The Babylonian system that has held us captive is being destroyed.  The result will be our freedom, but the life we walk into will be very different than the one we know today.  Trust God.  He will provide for every need, just as He did for the Israelites in the wilderness.

And don't complain, but rejoice in the knowledge that God has a perfect plan and victory is guaranteed.

Lord, please give me eyes to see beyond these present circumstances.  Deliver me from the fear of the unknown.  Let my confidence and hope rest in You alone.

LISTEN

Listen to the words of the LORD who created you, who formed you in your mother's womb, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."  Isaiah 43:1-2

If the enemy comes with thoughts of fear, take those thoughts captive and reflect on the knowledge that you are precious in God's sight and He loves you.  What can be more comforting!  God has called you by name.  He knows you and He has redeemed you at a great cost.  He will never let you go.

LORD, let the cares of this world fall by the wayside as I walk in Your glorious light.  Thank you for the revelation of Your loving care.  Thank You for Your promises and the hope that they bring.

GIDEON'S ARMY

Judges 7.  How we are chosen.

Gideon started out with 32,000 troops to go to war with the Midianites.  God said it was too many.  Send away the fearful and afraid.  That left him with 10,000.  And God said, "still too many."  The warriors were selected by how they handled the water (Word).  Some dropped to their knees and put their face in the water others dipped their hand into the water to bring it up to their mouth.  

It was the ones who were alert and watchful, discerning of what they were drinking and not the ones who buried their faces and drank indiscriminately that were chosen.

So it is today.  We can't swallow everything and please God.

Lord, I chose not to be fearful or afraid.  I will handle Your Word responsibly and encourage others.  I will not be careless with Your precious Word.  You have called me to a higher standard.  Don't let me bring shame to Your holy name.

AWAKE!

. . . now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans 13:11,12 KJV

Has the Holy Spirit ever awakened you in the middle of the night?

When that happens you have to opportunity to awake and enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord or to go back to sleep and pamper the flesh.

The corporate church in America has been lulled to sleep by peace and prosperity.  It is about to be awakened by trials and persecution.  

Time is short.  When the Spirit knocks, respond to the opportunity.  Wake up.  Sit at His feet.  You will be instructed in the way that you should go.

Heavenly Father, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  Give me ears to hear the 'still, small voice' that calls to me in the middle of the night.  And give me the strength to throw off the covers and respond to Your call.

PAY ATTENTION

We are warned that 'evil men and seducers will become worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.' 2 Timothy 3:13

There is so much deception in the world right now that none of us can cut through it all to get to the whole truth.

But we are promised that 'all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.'  Luke 8:17 NLT  

For now, we are told to be careful HOW we hear, not just what we hear.  Our responsibility is to be taught by the Word of God.  It is by listening to His word that we will gain understanding of His plan for our life and times  Luke 8:18 NLT.  And when we understand, we can walk without fear or confusion.  We will not be deceived. Focus on the Truth, not the counterfeit.

Lord, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.  You have overcome the world and our confidence is in You. 

PERFECT PEACE

How is perfect peace obtained?  Isaiah 26:3 says You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 

Don't get caught up in all the hype and confusion that is prevelant in the world today.  God is doing a mighty work and He has never left His throne.  

Be still and praise His name because He is the Prince of Peace.

Lord, we praise You.  You are not the author of confusion.  Thank you for Your peace that passes all understanding.   

LOCK DOWN!

Paul and Silas were in prison, locked up. (Acts 16:23,24)  They responded by singing songs of praise.

A large portion of the world is now on lock down.  How will the believers respond?

Locked up or locked down - it doesn't matter.  Our spirit is free.

When Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises there was a great earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison and caused the prison doors to open.  (Acts 16:25,26)

What might happen if all the believers currently in lock down began to sing and praise?  Perhaps the vibrations would shake the foundations of the Babylonian system that has held us captive for generations.  

Offer up your song of praise and join the symphony!

BASIC NEEDS MET

In the wilderness, the Israelites' daily needs were met.  He provided for several million people (Ex. 12:37 - 600,000 men plus women and children).  Their clothes did not even wear out for forty years (Deut. 29:5).

Hebrew 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Jeremiah 33:3  Call (cry out) to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you knew not.

Lord our hope is in you, Yahweh Yireh - our Provider.  You are our daily bread.  We look to You alone in these uncertain times.  Your care and love for us gives us hope and peace that the world knows nothing of.