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March 1

Scripture for today: Leviticus 24:1-25:46; Mark 10:13-31; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 10:20-21

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“This is the lampstand that stands in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night” (Leviticus 24:3 NLT).

From: March 1, 2019

WHAT IS THE CALLING OF THE CHURCH AS LAMPSTAND?

The golden Lampstand stood in the Tabernacle with its seven lamps filled with olive oil overlooking the Table of Presence. It was to be kept continuously lit by the high priest. Its light was to shine on the Bread of Presence and throughout the holy place.
 
In the gospels, Jesus identified Himself with these two sacred symbols saying, “I am the Bread of life,” and “I am the Light of the world.” Later, in the book of Revelation, John saw Jesus walking amongst the lampstands which were shown to be the churches. Jesus warned that He would remove a church’s lampstand if it failed to fulfill its calling to Him.
 
What is the calling of the church as a “lampstand?” It is to shine its light upon the Bread of Life, which is Jesus Christ our Lord! Any church which lets its light go out in the darkness or wastes its light by shining it on other things than Jesus, will have their lampstand removed. Church, let’s keep our lampstand lit and shining on Jesus!
 
PRAYER: Dear Lord, we want to always keep our light shining on Jesus. For He is the Head and we are the body. He is the Cornerstone and we are the Church. He is the Bread of Life and we are His lampstand. Our first love belongs to You, Lord Jesus. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.

“Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him” (Mark 10:21 NLT).

From: March 1, 2018

DOES JESUS LOVE SINNERS?
When Jesus looked upon the rich man who expressed his desire to be a follower, He loved him. Why did Christ love him? Did the rich man understand that “only God is good?” No, it seemed that he thought he could be good too. Was he able to sell his possessions, give them to the poor, and follow Jesus? No, he went away sad, choosing his possessions over following the Person of Christ. So, what was the trait or condition in this rich man that moved Jesus to look upon him with love? It wasn’t the condition of the rich man, but the unconditional love of Jesus that moved Jesus to love him. As the apostle Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Jesus loves sinners because He is all love and He loves with an unconditional love (“agape”). As the apostle John wrote, “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
 
I wonder. Should we love sinners too?

“Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake” (Psalm 44:26 NKJV).

From: March 1, 2017

After offering many reasons why the Lord should help, the Psalmist ultimately based his appeal on the Lord’s own “mercy.” The word in the Hebrew is “chesed,” which may also refer to God’s loving-kindness, his covenantal and unfailing love. In the New Testament this most closely matches the word “agape” love, as found in John 3:16, “For God so loved.” The Psalmist was praying, “Rise up our Help and redeem us according to the quality of Your covenantal love and not according to our own desert.”

“but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard” (Leviticus 25:4 ESV)

From: March 1, 2016

Every seven years the Israelites were to keep a Sabbath for the land. This was called the “shemitah.” God promised to bless their land with such abundance in the sixth year that it would provide enough for three years (Lev. 25:21-22). After seven of these cycles (49 years), in the fiftieth year they were to declare a Year of Jubilee. This was like the Sabbath Year, yet included cancellation of debts. In the sabbath year, each field was to lie fallow, which appears to be a sound agricultural practice. Every fiftieth year, all leased or mortgaged lands were to be returned to their original owners, and all slaves and bonded laborers were to be freed. This practice reminded the Jews that the land really belonged to God and that they were really just “strangers and sojourners” in the land (Lev. 25:23). It also taught them to depend on God for supply, as they rested every seven years. In Luke 4, Jesus read from Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the “Year of the Lord’s Favor” (Luke 4:19) and declared that He was its fulfillment. Jesus is our Sabbath rest. He is our Jubilee.

“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.'” (Mark 10:27 NKJV)

From: March 1, 2015

This was Christ’s response to the question “Who then can be saved?” The truth is that we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is beyond humanity’s reach. No amount of counseling, religion, or self-effort can change the heart of man. We are drowning in our own sin and unable to reach the shore. But God has made a way for us through Christ. What seemingly impossible thing is defeating you today? Bring it to God. He specializes in accomplishing impossible things.

“This is the lampstand that stands in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night” (Leviticus 24:3 NLT)

From: March 1, 2014

The golden Lampstand stood in the Tabernacle with its seven lamps filled with olive oil overlooking the Table of Presence. It was to be kept continuously lit by the high priest. Its light was to shine on the Bread of Presence and throughout the holy place. In the gospels, Jesus identified Himself with these two sacred symbols saying, “I am the Bread of life,” and “I am the Light of the world.” Later, in the book of Revelation, John saw Jesus walking amongst the lampstands which were shown to be the churches. Jesus warned that He would remove a church’s lampstand if it failed to fulfill its calling to Him. What is the calling of the church as a “lampstand?” It is to shine its light upon the Bread of Life, which is Jesus Christ our Lord! Any church which lets its light go out in the darkness or wastes its light by shining it on other things than Jesus, will have their lampstand removed. Church, let’s keep our lampstand lit and shining on Jesus!

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God'” (Mark 10:27 ESV)

From: March 1, 2013

This was Jesus’ response to the question “Who then can be saved?” The truth is that we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is beyond humanity’s reach. No amount of counseling, religion, self-help courses, New Year’s resolutions… can change the heart of man. We are drowning in our own sin and unable to reach the shore. But God has made a way for us through Christ. What impossible thing is defeating you today? Bring it to God. He specializes in accomplishing impossible things.