PSALM OF SACRIFICE

36 Days to Resurrection Sunday

 

Psalm 69:9 “…the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: PSALM 69:1-4, 13-21; 29-36

This Psalm is one of the most frequently quoted in the New Testament.  The Prophecies will appear in bold print.  The New Testament fulfillment will appear in italic print.

 

1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

John 15:24-25, Jesus speaking.
"If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause."

8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

John 1:11 
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not."

9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;

John 2:13-17 
" 13 And the Jews passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Fathers house an house of merchandise. 17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."

and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

Romans 15:3 
"For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."

13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

16 Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.

20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

Mark 14:33-41 
" 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. ... 37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? ... 40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."

21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Matthew 27:34 
"They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink."

 

29 I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

33 For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein.

35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

REFLECTION: Writing a millennium before the Messiah, King David offers detailed prophecies of our Lord’s Passion.  He would be hated without cause. He would be rejected. He would be disowned.  He would be reproached.  He would look for some to take pity and offer comfort but would find no one. He would be offered gall and vinegar to drink.

Yet it is His zeal for the Temple, the House of God that arrests our attention just now.  Christ began and ended His ministry by cleansing the temple of money-changers.  He faced them and demanded,“Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?”  He chargedthose religious profiteers with turning God’s house into “a den of thieves.”   (Mark 11:17)

 

Christ jealously guarded His Father’s house against the encroachment of secularism—the malignancy of “this-worldliness.” Worship was not to be an occasion for money making.  Worship was not to be about glorifying the worshippers—the singers, the givers, the pray-ers, or the preachers.  Worship was not to entertain or to wow worshippers with hi-tech and psych-techniques. Worship was not about being relevant. It was about being reverent. 

 

Oh that the zeal for God’s House would grip God’s people.  Certainly then God’s house would be filled with fervent praying, not frivolous playing.  Surely then we would see God’s glory and the salvation and sanctification of His people.

 

In the New Testament we are taught that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Ghost. If Christ was zealous to preserve the sanctity of that temple made with hands, how much more does he desire that the temple made with His hands be wholly and holy His?“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

 

Just as the Temple made with hands was to be “a house of prayer,” so our Temple should be hallowed with prayer.  Paul urges us, “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).So, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

 

PRAYER: Our Father, Creator and Preserver of all that is good, we lift our hearts to you in sincere praise and humble adoration.  We long to know the joy of your presence in our worship.  We pray that we would be not only zealous to worship, but that we would be zealous to worship in the way that pleases you. May we deny ourselves and delight in you.  “O the glory of His presence, O the beauty of His face, I am His and His forever, He has won me by His grace!”  In the name above every name, the name of Jesus, Amen.  Our Father &c.

 

LINKS FOR YOUR INTEREST
Faith Community Church www.FCCStLouis.org
Pastor Rick Jones' Blog www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com
Pastor Dennis Skinner http://bloomingtoncrusaders.org/
Pastor Marsh Jones http://www.fccurbana.org/

 

 

 

MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?

37 Days to Resurrection Sunday

Psalm 22:  “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: PSALM 22:1-2; 6-8; 11-21; 26-31.

1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying,

8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

 

11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

 

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

 

26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

28 For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations.

29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

 

REFLECTION: The 22^nd Psalm, written by King David one-thousand years before Messiah, offers both personal and prophetic testimony. 

 

Like every man“after God’s own heart,” David knew the thrill of victory and the crush of defeat.  He knew the utter loneliness that belongs to men who stand for right.“Why hast thou forsaken me?”He knew the total dependence that belongs to men who rise up with the Lord againstblaspheming giants. “O Lord: O my strength, haste to help me!”  And he confidently knew that victory was certain for “The Kingdom is the Lord’s.”

 

But it cannot be coincidence that this one Psalm contains no less than 12 specific prophecies that were fulfilled at the death of Jesus of Nazareth.  It is no wonder that students of the Word call this a “Messianic Psalm.”

 

After writhing in excruciating pain on the cross for nearly six hours, the mid-afternoon sky now veiled in darkness, Jesus summoned enough strength to utter, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!”This fourth saying from the cross was a direct quote from the first verse of the 22^nd Psalm.  For centuries the Jews believed this Psalm referred to their coming Messiah.  Though His strength was fading, by whispering these words Jesus was pleading with His lost brethren to know Him as their Savior.  “He loved them unto the end.”

 

Some have supposed that at this moment the divine nature departed from Christ so that only his human nature was left to bear the punishment we so certainly deserved. The Gnostics of the ancient world and the followers of The Watchtower commonly known as Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that today.  But take away deity from any redeeming act of Christ and redemption is ruined.

 

The Psalmist prophesies of One…

… who would be verbally abused, ( v.6  But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. v.7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying…)

…whose trust in God would be ridiculed,(v. 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him)

…who would be surrounded by enemies,(v. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round…)

…who would be physically weakened, (v. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. v. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.)

…who would be thirsty, (v.15)

…who would be surrounded by enemies (v.16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: …)

…whose hands and feet would be pierced (v.16… they pierced my hands and my feet.)

…whose bones would not be broken (v. 17  I may tell all my bones…)

…who would be stared at by the people (v. 17… they look and stare upon me.)

…whose clothing would be won by gambling (v. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.)

…whose prayers would be heard by God (v.21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen)

 

Every one of these prophesies is specifically mentioned and confirmed in the New Testament. In fact, fulfilled prophecy throughout all of Scripture is one of the most powerful evidences that God’s Word is inspired and without error.  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable…”

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!”Christ endured the cross alone in time that we would never endure that unspeakable loneliness of Christlessness in eternity.

 

PRAYER: Abba Father, We stand on a sliver of finitude between two infinities.  Had it not been for Calvary we would not be standing.  Had it not been for your sacrifice, we would have only known infinite loneliness, unfulfilled desire, and the torments of hell.  Yet you were not willing that we should perish.  You loved us.  You cared for us. You taught us.  You showed us. You prayed for us. You suffered for us. You died for us.  You rose again for us.  You ascended to heaven to intercede for us.  And, Hallelujah, You are coming again for us!  May we live today, and every day, honoring that sacrifice you made for our unworthy souls. In the name of God’s Holy Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.  Our Father &c.

 

REFERENCE: The forsaken Christ  Psalm 22:1  Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34 Verbally abused by men  Psalm 22:6-7  Matthew 26:67-68, 27:27-31 Trust in God ridiculed  Psalm 22:8  Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35, 39 Surrounded by enemies  Psalm 22:12  Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20 Physically weakened  Psalm 22:14-15  Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26 Thirsty  Psalm 22:15  John 19:28 Surrounded by enemies  Psalm 22:16  Matthew 27:39-44 Hands and feet pierced  Psalm 22:16  John 20:20, 25 Bones not broken  Psalm 22:17  John 19:31-36 Stared at by the people  Psalm 22:17  Matthew 27:55-56, Luke 23:35, 48-49, John 19:20 Lots cast for His clothing  Psalm 22:18  Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23-24 God heard His prayers  Psalm 22:21, 24  Hebrews 5:7-8

 

LINKS FOR YOUR INTEREST
Faith Community Church www.FCCStLouis.org
Pastor Rick Jones' Blog www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com
Pastor Dennis Skinner http://bloomingtoncrusaders.org/
Pastor Marsh Jones http://www.fccurbana.org/

JEHOVAH JIREH

38 DAYS TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY

 

Genesis 22:14  “…And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh…”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: GENESIS 22:9-19

9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.

 

REFLECTION: Each time God called Abraham, the Patriarch replied in the Hebrew tongue-- “Hineni.” We translate the word, “Here am I,” but it ought not to be interpreted in the physical sense alone.  There is a far deeper spiritual significance: “Look through me.  I am available.” 

When God called Abraham to make the sacrifice of his Son, Abraham replies, “Hineni” “Look through me!”  When Isaac asked his father about the sacrifice, Abraham replies, “Hineni” “Look through me!”  When God holds back Abraham’s knife wielding hand, Abraham cries, “Hineni” “Look through me!”

 

Men of faith and integrity are willing for God and other men to “Look through them.”  They have nothing to fear for they have made themselves wholly available to their God.  Would we dare say to / God, “Look through me”?

 

Abraham’s faith, evidenced by His obedience and his willingness to sacrifice his nearest and dearest, would favor him with God’s promise, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”  And God kept His promise!  The Apostle Paul tells us, “the blessing of Abraham came to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14). 

 

Living, active faith not only blesses us, it makes us a blessing!

 

Moses, the inspired author of Genesis tells us, “Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.” (Genesis 22:14).  Jewish translations read, “In the mount where the LORD is seen.”Realizing that it was at this very place, 2000 years later, that the Lamb of God would suffer and die, Abraham’s title was most fitting.  Certainly this is a mount “Where the LORD is seen!”

 

And there is one more facet of truth that shines from that gem, “Jehovah-Jireh!”  It is sometimes translated, “The LORD will provide.”  Now the meaning is complete.  “The Lord is seen! And the Lord is seen as our provider!”  He provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice.  He provided the Lamb of God as a sacrifice for my sins, and for the sins of the whole world!  “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!”

 

PRAYER: OurFather, which art in Heaven, how thankful we are that you are not hidden, but you are seen and known as our great provider When we needed an example, you came to us.  When we needed understanding, you showed us.  When we needed a sacrifice, you sent your one and only Son to die for us.  When we needed your sanctifying and sustaining presence, you sent your Spirit.   “All we have needed thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy Faithfulness!”  We pray that today you will “Hineni”—literally “look through us.  With the Psalmist we pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23,24).  In Jesus’ name.Amen  Our Father &c.

LINKS FOR YOUR INTEREST

Faith Community Church www.FCCStLouis.org

Pastor Rick Jones' Blog www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com

Pastor Dennis Skinner http://bloomingtoncrusaders.org/

Pastor Marsh Jones http://www.fccurbana.org/

 

 

 

GOD WILL PROVIDE HIMSELF A LAMB

39 Days to Easter
Genesis 22:8 “…my son, God will provide himself a sacrifice…”

SCRIPTURE READING: GENESIS 22:1-8

1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you,

6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

 

REFLECTION:

Long before the foundations of Jerusalem were laid, before the walls were raised and Solomon’s temple was dedicated, before prophets and priests and kings walked the streets of the Holy City, there was on that very site a most astounding happening.

 

Two thousand years before Christ entered Jerusalem, God called Abraham to go to thatplace and offer up his only son—the son he so dearly loved—as a sacrifice. 

 

Abraham obeyed.  Men of faith always do.  Abraham, Isaac, and two young men rose up early to begin their trek.  Men of faith obey immediately.

When the mount of sacrifice came into sight, Abraham instructed the two young men to wait.  He said, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you.”  Abraham took the wood he had brought for the sacrifice and laid it upon Isaac, his only begotten son.  He himself took the knife and the fire. 

 

As they walkedup that rocky hillside Isaac asked the obvious, “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”  Abraham prophesied, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb.”

 

An altar was built.  The wood was laid on the altar.  Then Abraham’s only son laid down on the altar, bound and ready to die.

 

Isaac may have been 33 years of age, his father133. Isaac could have run. Abraham could have refused. But both steadfastly obeyed—Abraham obeyed God.  Isaac obeyed his father.  Here is living,active faith.  “See how [Abraham’s] faith worked, and by works [his] faith is made perfect?” James explains.  “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness, and he was called the Friend of God.” (James 2:22-24).

 

That day a voice from heaven halted Abraham’s sacrifice of his son. 

 

But two thousand years later there was no voice from heaven to halt the sacrifice of God’s Son. On that fateful day, there was only a cry lifting from earth to heaven—“Into thy hands I commit my spirit.”  God had “provided himself a lamb!” 

 

“But God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!” (Romans 5:8).

 

PRAYER: Our Father in Heaven, How sincerely thankful we are today for the sacrifice of your only begotten Son.  We look at the cross and stand amazed. We sing “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.” How marvelous! But it is our prayer that you will be on our mind throughout this day.  Keep us mindful that your ears are listening to us, your eyes are watching over us, and your Spirit is looking through us.  May all that we do bring honor, and glory, and praise to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  To God be the Glory! In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.  Our Father &c…

 

 

LINKS FOR YOUR INTEREST

Faith Community Church www.FCCStLouis.org

Pastor Rick Jones' Blog www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com

Pastor Dennis Skinner http://bloomingtoncrusaders.org/

Pastor Marsh Jones http://www.fccurbana.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FIRST PROPHECY OF MESSIAH

41 Days to Resurrection Sunday

Colossians 1:20  “...it shall bruise thy head…

 

Prophetic references to the cross will be our focus for the next several reflections.

SCRIPTURE READING: GENESIS:3:15

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

REFLECTION: Moments after he lured, deceived, and ensnared Eve, the serpent was sentenced—“the seed of a woman will crush your head!”  Too often we point to Eve’s tragic choice and fail to observe that it was a descendant of Eve’s—born of a virgin—without the involvement of any man, who would conquer that old serpent the devil. (Revelation 12:19; 20:2).

 

That final conquest would not be painless.  Indeed the serpent would wound and kill his destroyer. But “death could not hold him prey, Jesus my Savior!  He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!”(He Arose, by Robert Lowry).

 

The enmity, or hostility that exists between Satan and the Savior can never be resolved by negotiation, accommodation, or compromise.  “What communion hath light with darkness? What agreement has Christ with beliel?” (2 Corinthians 6:15,16).  Some moderns have proposed that unity at any price is preferable to calling our enemy and his impish allies by name and engaging them in battle.   But there is an enmity between Satan’s seed and Christ’s that can never be resolved. Failure to acknowledge and accent that difference is the genesis of compromise.

 

John the Beloved tells us, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  (1 John 3:8).  What Christ came to do, He did!  His sacrifice expunges the guilt of sin, defeats the authority of sin, delivers from the power of sin, sanctifies us from the nature of sin, protects us when enticed to sin, and saves us from the penalty of sin.

 

But there is more.  We who are born of God, having His seed within us (1 John 3:9),will like our Christ be bruised through persecution and temptation. Yet through it all, we can rejoice that the power to triumph over every solicitation of Satan is ours through our conquering Savior.  “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37). 

 

PRAYER: Our Gracious Heavenly Father, With the Apostle we say, “Thanks be unto God, for His unspeakable Gift!”  To know that from the very foundation of the world you were making provision for the redemption of fallen man is wonderful evidence of your great love for us.  Open our eyes to see our enemy, to recognize his subtle as well as his straight-on attacks, and to appreciate our conquering Savior.  Forgive us for yielding to the allure of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Our heart’s desire is to be wholly and holy on the Lord’s side.  Savior we are Thine!  May all that we say and do this day bring glory to the Savior in whose name we pray. Amen.  Our Father &c.

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

42 Days to Resurrection Sunday

 

Hebrews 12:1 “Looking unto Jesus who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: HEBREWS 12:1-4

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

REFLECTION:

In reading the Gospel accounts of Christ’s crucifixion, I have often been amazed by their brevity.  Matthew simply writes, “And they crucified him.” (Matthew 27:35).  Mark testifies, “And they crucified him.” (Mark 15:35).  Luke tells us, “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him.”(Luke 23:33).  John records, “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him…”  (John 19:17-18). 

 

Attempts by artists and actors to accurately portray the suffering of the Savior on the cross fall woefully short.  Of necessity their depictions are this-worldly. Relying on an artist’s palate, the actor’s talent, the cameraman’s skill, the musician’s ability, or even the imaginative writer’s vocabulary, it is impossible to fully reveal the spiritual dimensions of Calvary.   Too often men have cheapened and concealed the spiritual reality of the sacrifice by their feeble depictions.

But when a holy man, moved by the Holy Ghost, (2 Peter 1:21) tells us that our Messiah “endured the cross,” literally“despising the shame” (not simply ignoring the shame, but purposefully chosing to scorn the shame), and that he did all of that for the “joy that was set before him,” suddenly we see truth that could never be perceived by the naked eye. 

 

We see a falsely accused, mercilessly tormented, suffering Savior, looking upward and forward to the joy that is the unique possession of all who do the Father’s will.  When the cheers of Palm Sunday turned to the jeers of Good Friday, He did not halt. He prayed: “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.”(Luke 23:46).  This is the Christ we look to.  This is the example we follow.  And the joy of doing God’s will and abiding in His presence forever is the reward we know.

 

PRAYER: Our Heavenly Father, We come into your presence awed by your power, amazed by your love, and humbled by the sacrifice of your only begotten Son.  We see Jesus, poor, despised, hated, persecuted, blasphemed, mocked, spit upon, cursed, humiliated, hanging on the cross, and we pray, Oh God, help us to follow in His steps, and run with patience the race that is set before us. May the love that compelled our Christ, indwell our hearts. And may we rejoice to take up our cross today, anticipating that glorious someday when we will exchange our cross for a crown.  In the name of Christ our Messiah we pray. Amen.  “Our Father, &c.”

PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD

43 Days to Resurrection Sunday

Colossians 1:20  “Having made peace through the blood of the cross.”

SCRIPTURE READING: COLOSSIANS 1:9-23a
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel…

REFLECTION: The Prophet Isaiah heard from Heaven:  “There is no peace, saith the Lord, to the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:21).  

Men who are at war with God have no peace.  Men who are at war with God, war with one another and war within.  As certainly as peace on the battlefields of this war-torn world is bought only at the price of blood, so peace with God can only be purchased at the price of blood. 

Every fallen man of Adam’s race is an enemy combatant.  It can only be thought amazing that God would deign to send heaven’s best into this enemy occupied territory.  But God so loved…

We have all sinned.  We are by nature children of wrath.  But through the sacrifice of that Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, we have been DELIVERED from the power of darkness, TRANSLATED into the Kingdom of Christ, REDEEMED from the dominion of the slave-master called sin, and FORGIVEN from every we have committed.  

Now we are no longer at war with God, we belong to God! There is peace through the blood of the cross.  Hallelujah what a Savior.  

Jesus my Lord will love me forever,
From Him no pow’r of evil can sever;
He gave His life to ransom my soul—
Now I belong to Him!

Chorus
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me—
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.

Once I was lost in sin’s degradation,
Jesus came down to bring me salvation,
Lifted me up from sorrow and shame—
Now I belong to Him!

Joy floods my soul, for Jesus has saved me,
Freed me from sin that long had enslaved me;
His precious blood He gave to redeem—
Now I belong to Him!


PRAYER: Our Father which art in Heaven, we give Thee all the glory, and the praise, and the honor for offering up your only Son as a full, and perfect, and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.  I confess it is my duty to love you with all of my heart.  May that love be the motive for all the that I do.  May my affections, my senses, my health, my time, and whatever talents I have be wholly thine.  May the joy I have from peace with God, lead me to a greater love for God.  Thank you Lord for saving my soul.  In the strong name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT - LIFT HIGH THE CROSS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn266ogEe8Q&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw

OTHER LINKS:
www.FCCStLouis.org
www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com
You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw

 

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

44 Days to Resurrection Sunday

Philippians 3:18 “They are enemies of the cross…”
 

SCRIPTURE READING: PHILIPPIANS 3:13-4:1

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 4.1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

 

REFLECTION: Four words in this passage hit me hard. They always have.  I hope they always will. 

They were words that deeply moved the Apostle as he wrote to the Philippians. With scalding tears coursing down his weathered cheek Paul warns us. Some are “ENEMIES OF THE CROSS.”

 

How could anyone be an enemy of the cross of Christ?  Where are these imposters? Who are these opponents? Why are they enemies of the dear Lamb of God? 

 

The Apostle answers: their God is their belly (they live to eat, drink, and be merry with no reference to eternity), their glory is their shame (they are so smug and proud they have convinced themselves that their godlessness is actually godliness), and they mind earthly things (their attention is focused on the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things). 

God knows if we are “enemies” or “friends” of the cross.  Jesus said, “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 14:15).  May we ever “cling to the Old Rugged Cross, and exchange it someday for a crown!”

PRAYER: Our Father which art in Heaven, Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever!  Our hearts are moved with deep gratitude as we think that you so loved us that you gave your only begotten Son for us.  “That God should love a sinner such as I, how wonderful is love like this!”  We pray that we would never say, or do, or think anything that would set us against the cross.  Search our hearts, know our thoughts, and see if there is any wicked way in us.  Forgive us for opposing and resisting your will.  May we always be friends of the Christ who suffered, and bled, and died to save us from the guilt, the power, and the penalty of sin.“Oh how I love Jesus, Oh how I love Jesus, Oh how I love Jesus, because He first loved me!”  In His name, I pray. Amen

L I N K S :
FCC Web Page - www.FCCStLouis.org
PASTOR'S BLOG - www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/FCCtoday
YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/user/rmjones58

 

 

I WILL GLORY IN THE CROSS + Friday, February 20, 2015

I WILL GLORY IN THE CROSS

 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015  

45 DAYS TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross…”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: GALATIANS 3:13-14; 24-28; 6:14-16

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

Galatians 3:24-28

24 The law [the Old Testament Law given to Moses by God] was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

Galatians 6:14-16

14 God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

 

REFLECTION: The law of God cannot change our hearts. But the law of God can and does reveal what is in our hearts. 

 

When the law of God says, “Thou shalt not…” natural men reply, “I will do it if it kills me!” Yet these same natural men feel condemned for their rebellion to God’s law.

To assuage their conscience and to prove to others that they are not so bad, they emphasize their good works, hoping that if their good outweighs the bad they will earn God’s favor. But God is not impressed.

 

God is looking for a people who are not only conformed to His will, but who are so transformed that they love His will. The Apostle Paul discovered that his only hope for salvation was found in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Only salvation through the cross of Christ could change his heart, change his mind, and change his life.

 

It was a difficult truth to accept for it meant that he would be relying on Christ alone for His salvation. But when he died to the world—its opinions, its expectations, its approval—and died to his own self-righteousness, he proclaimed: “I WILL GLORY IN THE CROSS!” The cross made the difference! And it still does!
 

PRAYER: Our Father, you alone are worthy of our highest praise. You who so loved the world that you gave your only begotten Son are worthy of our deepest gratitude. You, who has sent forth your Holy Spirit as the Spirit who convicts, who converts, who guides, who comforts, who sanctifies, and who satisfies, are worthy of our admiration and love. Were it not for the cross of Christ we would have been forever without God and without hope, but we are deeply grateful today for your sacrifice. May we never glory in the things we have done for you, but live to give you glory for what you have done for us. We love you Lord and pray that today your wonderful will would be fulfilled in our lives. In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

L I N K S :
FCC Web Page - www.FCCStLouis.org
PASTOR'S BLOG - www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/FCCtoday
YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/user/rmjones58

 

TAKE UP THE CROSS - Wednesday, February 18, 2015

 TAKE UP THE CROSS

·         WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 - 47 DAYS TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY

 

·         Scripture Reading: Luke 9:18-25

·         18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. 21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; 22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. 23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

·          

·         REFLECTION: Too many professing Christians imagine they can be identified with Christ without being crucified with Christ.

·          

·         Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."

·          

·         Christ's disciples deny the pleasures of sin, pride, and the "self-centered life. They willfully (choose without compulsion) and willingly (choose without reservations) take up the cross daily--dying to the world and the flesh. Without a death there can be no resurrection. Only when we die to our self-centered and selfish agenda can we rise to walk in newness of life. Fanny Crosby expressed the same idea in her hymn "Blessed Assurance," "Perfect submission, all is at rest."

·          

·         PRAYER: Our Father, Thank you for sending your only begotten Son to die on the cross for my sins. Search my heart and reveal to me any area of my life that is self-centered, or selfish, or in any way disobedient to your will.(Pause here and wait for a moment to listen for God's voice). Forgive me Lord. Purify my heart. I surrender my entire life to you. Put to death any rebellious and self-centered attitudes in my heart. Fill me with your great love. In Jesus' name, Amen.