The Perfect Priest#
When we see Christ what will we see? We will see the perfect priest.
When we see Christ what will we see? We will see the perfect priest.
Whoever receives one such child in My name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin it would be better for him to have a great...
Jesus as a possible door, a possible way, and a possible truth. Satan prowls within the Christian church. (Judgement begins with house of God. . .
King David wrote as much as a warrior in heart as a poet in soul. Two gifts unlikely found in many other men.
I didn't ask for Jesus, but He asked for me. What a joy! Unrequested and invisible.
As for me, I have grown rather sick of this world and all the pleasures it offers. They are temporary and usually go as quick as they came.
'Worship' and 'celebrate' are Biblical synonyms. Nevertheless, we tend to lament when 'veiled under sackcloth and ashes'. It is then that 'celebration' only finds slim-pickings in the soul.
Worship is what the heart celebrates. God has implanted into each of our hearts the desire to worship.
God has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
There exists no spiritual terminal for the thirsts of the soul.
In the Old Testament, a prophet is a whistle-blower. But, recall that he is always outnumbered. He calls to account tribal traditions, and thus upsets the apple cart.
Mankind's heart is set to worship. What men worship demands bondage. It commands their time and their mind.
Beware the fading heart and the dulling life of devotion. Take note when the seasons of service become consigned to yesterday's adventure.
It just does not matter what you worship as long as you are sincere. The Bible defines correct and incorrect human behavior, it is to be as God instructs.
Jesus' pains and betrayals did not diminish His compassion, nor did it deliver cursing.
Isn't it humiliating to be told that you must come to Jesus! Think of the things about which you will not come to Jesus.
As I sit in my office many thoughts seem to be racing each other through my mind, none are winning! But, they all keep racing anyway.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to its buildings.
Virtues and truths that would approach the throne of Grace can be rendered lukewarm by compromise from the deceitful man within. Bend the knee to only Me.
We worship the visible, but the only true One who is worthy of worship is invisible.
There may be pearly gates, but does the contemporary Christian church truly climb that holy stairway to them? Brennan Manning was buried in 2013 as an elderly man.
It starts out as an interest in God. A sense that this God is to be explored, understood, and even perhaps trusted. So this God is studied, researched.
Men pour molten gold into molds his own hands have formed. He then bends over and worships that which is lesser than himself as a being above himself.
‘I call to You every day O Lord; I spread my hands out to You.
To do two things at once is to do neither.
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best, and who directs you in the way you should go.
The virtue of 'holiness' is an anathema to common man. They rush headlong into the search for acceptance, a thirst for approval.
The good Lord cares for our inner fire, He stokes it from bucket-loads of high-octane of blessings. Where blessing exists, favor lives.
Rest: a faint dream for many, a treasured commodity in a fallen world, a thing so needed yet so easily interrupted.
'Jesus came to reveal the Father, breaking the religious and cultural boxes to let Him out.
Have you ever noticed Halloween is largely pictured comically, with soft fearsome images? The comic quality seeks to santize its fears and weaken its threats.
'We are created to read the book of creation so that we may know the Author of Life.
Dusted by an ancient breeze, an eager band of twelve new disciples gathered around Jesus. A deliberate Jesus instructed this raw troupe how to begin and conduct missions.
Outward symptoms indicate an inner ill-health. Dry bones are proof positive of a long passed death anywhere under the Lord's sun.
How much of the weekly Sunday processional is massaging a conscience rather than a lifting up of holy hands in prayer? Religious habits can deceive the possessor as few things can...
It can be most difficult to be silent. Words roll off the lips, and the mouth can move far quicker than the mind.
Warmly his eyes smiled. Gentle fingers curled around a golden miniature Buddha. A captured heart and focussed mind knelt with great care before this slight statue.
Mankind lives within his final countdown. The good Lord has given us all abundant promise and enormous warning of His intentions to return.
Scripture records Moses with an exceptional honor, as the most humble man upon the face of the earth.
Complacency is an equal enemy to busyness for the disciple. Each lead to a spiritual negligence with the sure risk of faith's flame becoming snuffed out.
The Psalms are wider than this world's oceans, deeper than their combined depths.
The Psalms of King David and his son King Solomon (with others too) have brought eternal comfort to souls for 3000 years.
King David's heart echoes down time's corridors through his Psalms. His devotion is real, living to this day.
A saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ.
No matter how healthy we be, how vigorous our constitution, how well provided for financially, we must not think that our mountain is so strong it cannot be removed.
Could the doctrine of the church be as much a competitor for the souls of men as a caress to them? I fear the doctrine of the church.
Take care that the world does hate you, that it hates you without cause.
'WAKE ME UP WHEN I'M FAMOUS' is surely emblazoned upon any banner of self-entitlement.
Waiting for those devoted is an uncelebrated divine favor. It is unusual that these find honor among men, nor are they envied. In fact, men think such activity strange.
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity (Hebrews 7:1a) For those Christians inclined to solitude, who question and reflect. . .
'Church is a re-fuelling station - the spiritual frosting on the cake after a week of personal cake baking.
God's shepherd has undertaken care of the sick, not tyranny over the healthy. (St.
This is an unsettling proposal: The revolutionary Jesus brought fresh wine to a stale wedding, He invaded the temple twice and took whips to false worship, yet man's best attempts at...
The heart given to the Lord, the soul lost in the Lord always has flesh that follows.
God's ways are not as man's - fortunately. If they were He would be but as you and I - foolishly mortal and wantonly indulgent.
Sketching is almost everything. It is the painter's identity, his style and his conviction. ~ Fernando Botero From the seeds of time man has valued himself by his work.
Church cannot be the focus of our life, only Jesus has the authority to claim this.
Lancashire born Samuel Chadwick (1860-1932) had a fire in his belly to light many souls.
Daily man dances around his own gods#, the works of his hands, those creations from his mind.
Ecclesiastical tribal traditions, whether these be Catholic, Pentecostal or Evangelical help and hinder believers.
Is Christianity stumbling, nay falling to senseless men? Has it become subject to those without spiritual reason? Is the contemporary Christian casual, or are they casualties? We Christians have: the richest of faiths,the storehouses...
It is so easy to watch the looming clouds above and simply miss the stunning blue in-between.
Many were outraged decades ago as I belted out a song in Sunday School. The melody was my delight, if not my singing to those around. Johnson Oatman Jr.
An unnamed broke woman a jar and poured its perfume on Jesus' head. Indignant bystanders harshly rebuked her. But, as always, Jesus was not backward in coming forward.
'Halloween kickstarts our annual extended welcome to the souls of the departed' ~ Elizabeth Farrelly. She knows not Jesus, but is sure correct on this point.
Satan suggested the sweet fruit to Eve - Adam watched on in a wicked, weak and silent collaboration with evil.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
God made man as the only creature that would be His mirror, bear His image.
Are you done with church but not with Jesus? Has church become less than civilised for your spirit as well as your soul? Does the shepherd scatter the flock; do the sheep...
My eyes were high but heart low as I sat under a most troubling 'Christian' heresy, An academic luminary who is far from the New Testament's measure common and un-schooled men boldly...
Devotion brings immeasurable delight. It is the plumb-line of well being.
I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise unless shyness or the fear of boring others is deliberately brought in to check it.
Long I have enjoyed a light dalliance with adventure.
Jesus repeatedly dined on sweet super food. This diet was good for Jesus, so it must too be for me.
Hannah lived in the sand-blasted desperate deserts of her soul. Year after year Elkanah's wife Hannah worshiped and sacrificed to the Lord.
God's mercies He still delivers fresh and free every morning.
The thought of striking a paddle upstream against the tide of crowds is daunting at the least when it is far easier to be connected 24/7.
As with our Lord and St. Benedict, I too require solitude's fields of refreshment. In solitude I discover more of Jesus. He then disarms me with love.
Saint Benedict (c480-550) was not always a human saint. Born as Roman nobility, he would abandon his normal studies around the turn of the sixth century.
Did Jesus ever make a mistake? His brief season upon planet earth was punctuated in silence, devotion and prayerful solitude. A model we all would do well to heed.
Lovers do not care to share their lover. The heart in love yearns to give to, and share their lover's full attention.
Please click the link below for each weekly set of Bible Study notes. They consist of further short thoughts parallel to the small chapters of Lucado's book.
The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it.
The pillow beckons while the blankets bleat as dawn's soft rays peep through the curtains. . . roll over.
The world as it stands (and has always stood since Eden) is at odds with its one and only creator God.
When does a god need a crystal ball, a stick of dynamite or a round table discussion? When He has failed. Elijah spoke disparagingly of gods that fail.
So you want to leave church? Tempted to give up the faith, fleeing toxic fellowship and never rejoining Christ's body? The bleatings and finger-pointing from the pulpit, mixed with the jostling of...
There exists a mere three steps to achieving success in each generation upon earth for the God of heaven. Yep - that's right, nothing tricky, just three.
Where the bones are dry bones spiritual death is alive; sin is nigh.
Jesus would project these love truths daily upon your mind's eyes given opportunity: Love is looking into your eyes and seeing your heart. Your happiness is my happiness .
A reflective A. W. Tozer strolled through summer camp engaged in deep conversation with his dear friend Robert W.
Where can I wander to, what hill may I climb, what valley descent dare I plumb where the Lord is not there? Where can I hide my heart or file my...
Soul Snack 228/14 . . . Shepherds gather sheep. They search for the lost, bind up the wounded and heal the sick.
Soul Snack 190/14 . . . Sages are men of an unusual wisdom, gifted and necessary oracles for their time. The Christian sages our Lord calls - prophets.
Soul Snack 169/14 . . . What would you do for Jesus if you met Him face to face? Jesus and His premium apostles are atop a high mountain.
Soul Snack 154/14 . . . Anticipation lies! Two decades ago a brisk wind whistled around my helmet as I twisted the throttle of my new bike.
Soul Snack 153/14 . . . Today is very glum for me, and the world too mourns! Actor Robin Williams has just died, so I tap the keyboard troubled.
Soul Snack 150/14 . . . Circa 1967 Eric Clapton strummed The Sunshine of Your Love, countless more worldwide have since joined the chorus.
Soul Snack 147/14 . . . A most dour welcome surprised my wife and I as we checked in to our motel.
Soul Snack 146/14 . . . So you don't believe in church anymore? Doing church is troubling too many.
SoulSnack 133/14 . . . A sad young Muslim girl stood outside the doorway of a Filipino church longing for the love and joy displayed by those inside.
Soul Snack 125/14 . . . With a now memorable disappointment, I read last century an aging journalist's singular top tip for life.
Soul Snack 124/14 . . . Awaken Your Incredible was the bellowing headline as I extracted a colorful A5 WeightWatcher's sales-pitch from my mail pile.
Soul Snack 95/14 . . . God's voice is an infinite tent that canopies the skies.
Soul Snack 83/14 . . . A fresh mission draws, WAIT no - it lures me from evangelical rectitude and shades me under the Tree of Life.
Soul Snack 82/14 . . . God treasures praise. This brief vision shows how much. Gold-dust Piles#I saw a small pile of gold-dust.
Soul Snack 66/14 . . . Man has learned to live upon bread alone, but this is not as God intended.
Soul Snack 65/14 . . . Dear Father, There are verdant valleys and rolling mountains before your eyes that I have never seen.
Soul Snack 54/14 . . . Jesus enjoyed rattling religion by turning its tables.
Soul Snack 32/14 . . . Pressing On! ~ Part C. Hidden in the corner of a small cafe, I listened intently, but not in silence.
Soul Snack 26/14 . . . Mimic the Thief. The fabric of the human soul is not woven with chords of humility.
Soul Snack 24/14 . . . The Blustering Me. Belting illiterate ears a pre-reformation pulpit piled sins to heaven in a Babel rivalling tower.
Soul Snack 23/14 . . . Robbing a Thief. The Reformation (circa 1500AD) adjusted the flow of daily Christian religion.
The 5 Pillars of the Reformation. By the sixteenth century an aging Christian church of sedentary faith had sought power and profit at the expense of Gospel truth.
Soul Snack 22/14 . . . Lessons from a Thief. On October 31st in 1517 Roman Catholic priest Martin Luther exploded out of the ecclesiastical blocks.
SoulSnack 20/14 . . . Love seeks union. Has your pulse long pounded to be with another? Union is the bonding of love.
Soul Snack 232/13 . . . The Mausoleum An ancient ecclesiastical monolith shadows the gates of the stadium called Christendom.
Soul Snack 231/13 . . . The Hovering Cross Imagine a cross hovering waist high above the ground. It hovers perfectly parallel to the ground.
Soul Snack 230/13 . . . Great Mercy The Christian Church (Jesus' bride) is God's wonderful creation for the up-building and preservation of His saints.
Soul Snack 219/13 . . . New Wine ~ C Now is the time that God corrects again the body of Christ.
Soul Snack 217/13 . . . NEW WINE ~ A Jesus is now popping the corks of new wine.
Soul Snack 197/13 . . . Psalm 23 Unplugged God's presence is all I want on earth! God leads me beside quiet waters.
Soul Snack 195/13 - How to hear God's Voice ~ D God discriminates - I do too.
Soul Snack 194/13 How to hear God's voice ~ C God is prejudiced. The proud and the fool He does not warm too.
Soul Snack 176/13 . . . A Song for Jesus# King David did not strum this upon his harp, nor King Solomon pen it for the pages of Psalms.
Soul Snack 219/12 . . . Church - the 2nd Priority! Church attending has become a gourmet diet for the a-la-carte attender.
Soul Snack 162/12 . . . The Spiritual Aquarium I met a young man not long ago who dives seeking exotic fish for aquariums.
Soul Snack 157/12 . . . Whitman's Sampler Travelling to a place with a song in your heart is a rare joy in a world that travels for duty.
Soul Snack 114/12 . . . Christ's Cells - B Brennan Manning that oft broken sage reflected. . . Ritual acts are the undoing of authentic religion.
Soul Snack 78/12 . . . Thinking about Thanks# Our days seem to get so busy, our time escapes us and our hearts can be so heavy.
Soul Snack 77/12 . . . Devotion Dissipation There is a common Christian tale of a frog in warm water.
Soul Snack 225/13 . . . Of Ritual & Religion My soul has been shaped, then numbed and my spirit parched by worship.
Soul Snack 197/11 . . . Songs of the heart Last night my daughter and I energetically rocked to the songs of icon Oz pub rock band Cold Chisel.
Soul Snack 192/11 . . . Emancipation Gratitude is not so much found where there is abundance -- gratitude is more often found when abundance is absent.
Soul Snack 191/11 . . . Gaining God I don't expect and I don't like a God who comes in failure, in loneliness, in poverty.
Soul Snack 184/11 . . . Swingin' faith? Somehow each one of us is fascinated by the bizarre.
Soul Snack 169/11 . . . Learning Life I have spent my life striving, willing, cajoling, manipulating, seeking, running, advancing and retreating.
Soul Snack 136/11 . . . Living in God's house Could your soul and spirit resonate with this? . . .
Soul Snack 189/10 . . . Spiritual Terrorism Striking at the heart of any modern warrior is the fear of unknown devices and an ambush swelled with malevolent intent.
Soul Snack 154/10 . . . Turning pained hearts The driving rain smashes on his windscreen, shattering all his immediate hopes and plans. Headlights helplessly pierce the storm-induced darkness.
Soul Snack 116/10 . . . The Thanks Track But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Soul Snack 37/10 . . . No Silent Heart. Rising (quite often with little attention) within each of us are the passions of the heart.
Soul Snack 9/95 . . . A Threshing Floor Lesson 'Our father in heaven is whole hearted about those whole hearted for Him.
Soul Snack 9/21 . . . Hearts vs Heads Strangely not worn, but certainly wearied well beyond her years, not a soul would believe she was only 60.
Soul Snack 8/219 . . . Dismal Devotion! Gale force winds and driving rain snatched repeatedly at the frail plastic door lock and assaulted this aged aluminium van.
Soul Snack 8/181 . . . Crowns Down This open door was glaringly inviting, so too the voice that was heard.
Soul Snack 8/176 . . . Praise Central Directness was an unwelcome and troublesome quality Jesus exhibited with a predictable consistency across His ministry.
Soul Snack 8/148 . . . Permanent Pleasure - Now! Cloaked in the anonymity of night, silently he stood. Gazing with deep thanks beyond the shimmering starry hosts.
Soul Snack . . . 8/130 'Rock shelves'. An unwearied rock-shelf marked the permanent boundary between safety and danger.
Soul Snack 8/60 . . . The Sands of Time Captured in deep sand below a balmy tropical sea, this silent time-encrusted sentinel to man's mis-placed confident endeavours lay.
Soul Snack 8/7 . . . Heaven's HoldWhen I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. . .
Soul Snack 115 . . . Sensing the Sabbath "It was Preparation Day, the Sabbath was about to begin.