December 30, 2013
It is getting harder and harder to find one, but I did. How? I prayed like crazy and decided to look for a woman based on the “3 Ms.” What are the “3 Ms?” First, “Master” – make Christ your master and look for a woman that has done the same. Second, “Mission” – decide to know and follow the quest that God has given you (a godly woman soon tires of a man who makes her his mission rather than a God-sized dream). And finally, “Mate” – now that you have made Christ your Master and have answered His call to Mission, you are ready to find a mate. Just make sure she has the same Master and is excited to join you on His mission before you make her your Mate.
Following this strategy (Pray like crazy and Follow the “3Ms”) I found a little girl up in the hills of Virginia named Robin. I don’t know if they have any more up there. I may have gotten the last one.
December 29, 2013
The psalmist wrote to call all of creation to worship. He began with the inhabitants of heaven (angels, hosts, sun, moon, stars) and ended with the earth (sea creatures, the deep, snow, rain, fire, mountains, hills, trees, beasts, creeping things, birds, kings, princes, old men, young men, maidens and children). He calls them to praise the Lord because of two reasons: 1) Who God is, and 2) What God has done. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of earth have not answered this call to join the heavenly host in praise. The earth has become what CS Lewis called the “silent planet.” Our mission is to join the psalmist in calling all nations and tribes to worship the Lord, to proclaim the Name and Salvation of our Lord until every knee bows and every tongue confesses. To call the inhabitants of earth to join the heavenly chorus and to be silent no more.
December 28, 2013
The prophet Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai. He wrote during the 5th century BC when the Jews had returned to Israel from Babylonian captivity. His book is filled with Messianic prophecies (30 pieces of silver, riding a donkey…). In this verse, he speaks of the Messiah being “pierced” by his own and how they will mourn for him as for “an only child,” as for a “firstborn.”
December 27, 2013
Those who put their trust in governments should recognize that they are only made up of men. These “princes” cannot save. Only God can save. Put your trust in God alone. Less politics. More prayer.
December 26, 2013
The Latin “adventus” and the Greek “parousia” both translate as “coming.” During Advent, we remember that Christ has already come to Zion. But we also “rejoice greatly” as we look forward to His coming again. He has already fulfilled the prophecy of entering Jerusalem riding a donkey. Watch for His return, but on a different mount (Rev. 19:11).
December 25, 2013
“Advent” means “coming.” We remember that Christ has come and we prepare for His coming again. Just as He first came in the fulness of time (As a child is born in the 9th month), so His return will be after creation itself finishes its labor pains. A wise mother-to-be is already packed and ready for the water’s breaking. As the day approaches, her watching is all the more intense. Likewise, we are to be prepared for Christ’s sudden return.
December 24, 2013
The Lord told the prophet Zechariah to make a crown and set it on the high priest, Joshua’s head, saying the above words concerning the “Branch.” The “Branch” is a clear reference to Messiah (Isaiah 11:1). As is the name “Joshua,” or “Yeshua” the Hebrew equivalent of the name “Jesus.” The phrase “Behold, the man” is a Messianic prophecy that is unconsciously fulfilled in the mouth of Pilate at Christ’s trial (John 19:5). This prophecy is partially fulfilled at Christ’s first advent (coming), but will not be complete until His return. At which time the roles of prophet, priest and king will be united in Him.
December 23, 2013
Zerubbabel was born in the royal line of David and would have been king of Judah, but he was born too late. Judah was conquered and under the control of Babylon and Zerubbabel was only another poor member of the returning remnant. Yet, God called him to lead in the rebuilding of the Temple. He could not lead with earthly strength…
December 22, 2013
This psalm of David shows his familiarity with the worship of the Tabernacle. The temple incense was made from a recipe of ingredients that were not to be used elsewhere. The priests burned the incense in censers that filled the temple with their fragrance. The daily evening sacrifice was a burnt offering whose smoke would waft upward from the temple altar. David asks God to accept his prayer as incense and his lifted hands as sacrifice. Perhaps David was hiding in a cave or laying down under the stars, far from the house of the Lord. He asked God to let his voice and body be like the tabernacle’s worship.
December 21, 2013
John saw a “great sign” appear in heaven. There is much here to consider and a daily devotional thought offers not enough space. Yet consider this as we approach Christmas: Just as Satan through the paranoid earthly king Herod sought to murder the infant Jesus, so he continues to try and devour those born again into the body of Christ. As his time grows short, he becomes more furious in his pursuit because he knows his days are numbered. Therefore rejoice! For just as the Christ overcame, so we who are in Him will overcome.