Matthew 14:10-11
So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Continue reading
Law of Moses
Memorable Scripture: Eye Forgive
Matthew 5:38-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Continue reading
Memorable Scripture: Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?
“When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house,” Deuteronomy 24:1 Continue reading
Memorable Scripture: Break the Law & Break the Heart of God
And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony were in his hand. The tablets were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other they were written. Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets. Exodus 32:15-16 Continue reading
The Sin Difference
Not all sin was treated the same under the Mosaic Law. Granted sin is sin and all sin is ultimately punishable by death but under the Law not all sin was given a death penalty. Continue reading
Let’s get stoned (part 2)
God threw the stone of Commandments and you broke them. We all did. Because of that another stone should be rightfully thrown at all of us – the stone of condemnation.
This stone is meant to punish and kill. Continue reading
A Lesson from the Christmas Story – Not Too Late!
It’s never too late to repent and turn your life over to God! As long as you have breath and there is a today, then there is an opportunity.
And it doesn’t matter how old or young you may be; or how much sinfulness you have committed – you can come to the Lord today.
The only ones to show up around the birth of Jesus were shepherds. Perhaps there may have been a few others – a midwife or a relative of Joseph or Mary that was living in Bethlehem at the time.
But certainly there was no pomp and circumstance at His arrival that drew masses of followers.
In fact, it was eight days after His birth when Joseph and Mary took Jesus for ritual circumcision, according to the Law.
While there two people came to them unannounced.
First, an elderly man named Simeon.
And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, [Simeon] took Him up in his arms and blessed God… Luke 2:27-28
Then an eighty-four year old woman named Anna also walked up to them.
And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke 2:38
So just because you may be late for the birth doesn’t mean it’s too late to meet Jesus. After all, most of the disciples won’t meet Him until He’s thirty years old.
So come meet Him today.
Abba, I pray for those that need to meet Jesus today. YES&AMEN
Christmas Every Day!
Was Jesus born on December 25th. Anything is possible but it’s hardly likely. It really doesn’t matter because Jesus should be celebrated every day!
It’s a shame that so many don’t recognize that and only think of the Savior on Easter or at Christmas.
He is not recognized as the Lord of all!
Not long after His birth something wonderful happened.
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:22-24
He was taken to the Temple. Now remember He is only about 6 weeks old or so.
While at the Temple a man named Simeon and a elderly widow named Anna recognized this Baby as the Messiah.
Both spoke and prophesied over Him,
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Luke 2:33
It is a shame that more did not recognize Him as Messiah at that time.
It is a shame that more do not recognize Him as Savior and Messiah today!
Those two in the Temple that day, weren’t around to celebrate the birth of Jesus at the manger. They won’t be around to celebrate with the Wise Men. But they did celebrated Jesus forty days after His birth.
He is meant to be celebrated each and every day!
Abba, every day I see the Savior in all the things around me. Christmas and all that comes with it, reminds me of the Savior, but then I choose to be reminded! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
The Next Shemittah – 5
This is my conclusion on the meaning of the shemittah.
The Law demanded the release of debt every seven years.
Deut 15:1 At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.
The one indebt did not have to ask or beg for this release. It was given to the indebted at the end of the seven years by Law.
Likewise, we as Christians should be releasing those that are in debt to us. To say it better – Christians should be forgiving those that have sinned against us. It should be given without waiting for the offending party to ask.
Like the shemittah it should be automatically given.
Once the loan holder released the loan through the shemittah, he no longer had to worry about the debt owed to him. He did not have to worry about foreclosing on someone and ruining their life.
What a blessing it was to release someone’s debt.
And when you release someone through forgiveness, you no longer have to sit around ponder and grumble about it. You know longer have to feel wounded. You can be freed by releasing forgiveness.
How many times should you do this?
Matt 18:22 Seventy times seven.
Abba, I have been offended and I have forgiven. I have offended and pray I am forgiven. I do this release and receive this release in the name of Jesus. YES&AMEN
The Next Shemittah – 1
I did not know the word shemittah until I heard it from Rabbi Jonathan Cahn two years ago.
I do not know all there is about the Bible but I consider myself a good listener, quick study, and a disciplined learner.
What the Rabbi had to say in light of my Bible study made since, especially when he had the physical evidence of the collapse of the U. S. economy coinciding with the release (shemittah).
This period of rest and release is written into the Law of Moses as a agricultural rest for the land and a financial rest for the people.
Lev 25:2-4 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.
Deut 15:1 At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.
Though there were some financial crises in 1973, 1980, and 1987, the ones fresh in our memory took place in 2001 and 2008, all of which are 7 year periods.
And another shemittah year begins later this month.
For the sake of brevity in each devotion, I will continue with this next time.
Abba, I want to know Your word to the fullness and exercise it in my life. I want to release those in debt to me and be forgiven my debt, as my Lord Jesus prayed. It is in His name I pray, YES&AMEN
Morning Thought with Pastor Tim 