God's children and priest's garments

Exodus chapter 28 tells us all about the “Holy Garments” that the first priests were required to wear in the temple while performing ceremonies or sacrifices to God. 28:2 tells us they were to be holy and were for glory and beauty. Whose glory? They were for God’s glory. They were special garments ment to bring glory to God! Now God did not care what these men wore in their ordinary, everyday lives but when it came time for them to come to the house of the Lord, then he expected more from them! It was so important to God how they were to come into his temple that in verse 43 he goes on to let them know that if they dishonor this, that they may die. Exodus 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him. Now at that time only the priests were allowed into the holy temples, so they were the only ones with special clothing, but what about now, what about today? Jesus Christ came and he died for the sins of the world and when he died, the veil of the temple was torn in two, making it possible from that point on that you and I could have the freedom that only the priests once had to come before the alter of God. Mathew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Christ himself has since become our high priest and has given us liberty to come to his throne of grace ourselves. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Now I have written all of this to get the point that has laid heavily upon my heart. If God expected the high priests to dress is a special way to come before his alter so that they would bring glory to his name then how much more so does he expect it of you and I? I do not for a moment believe that God cares what we wear to work or to the grocery store as long as it’s decent, but I believe that when we come into the house of God that we are walking into a holy place and that we should dress appropriately. If we plan on standing upon his most holy pulpit, then even more so. Timothy said it best in 1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

When we come into the house of God wearing tight leggings, blue jeans or short dresses that cause men to cast their eyes upon us instead of keeping their minds upon God, then we are causing sin in God’s house. I have been told many times in the house of God that it’s up to the elder women to teach the younger women how to dress and act in the house of God and I have always hesitated to ever say anything to anyone simply because I love them all and I would never want to hurt or offend one of God’s children, but as I prayed, I believe God enlightened my heart to one truth. These are the words that came to me, “I am hurt and offended” I believe we are hurting and offending God. We are not coming into his house dressed in priests garments that bring glory to his name. Now I am not suggesting robes like the priests wore, but I am stating a fact that there is an appropriate way to come into the house of God. Just as Timothy said, I also say: women please adorn yourselves in modest apparel. Come into the house of God dressed in such a way that you do nothing but bring Glory to God. Men, don’t think you are not on my mind. It shames me at times to see how some of you come into the house of God as well. Tight T-shirts that do nothing but show off your bodies is not appropriate to wear inside the house of God. You are doing nothing but drawing attention to yourselves and you are not bringing Glory to God. I ask all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ to know that I love you and it is my hearts desire that I have given you something to truly meditate upon and that you will come to the knowledge of the truth that God expects his children to honor his house. That he expects each of us to come to his sanctuary dressed in garments that will do nothing but one thing and that is to bring him Glory!

From Genesis to Revelation

I woke up this morning knowing that I serve a God that is able to hear me when I pray. I serve a God that has been throughout eternity past, that dwells in the present and will be throughout eternity, forever and forever. Jesus was there in the beginning with the Father when he created the heavens and the earth. He was standing there when the Father said “Let us make man in our image”. The sweet Holy Ghost was there and moved upon the waters. My God is beyond man’s understanding, he is magnificent and he is triune, meaning (consisting of three in one)! He always has been and always will be! He is the FIRST AND THE LAST! Isaiah spoke of him as did many other prophets throughout the old testament. Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Then we move on along into the new testament and he comes to earth as a man. He loves us so much that he decided to feel our pain and then die for our sins. John came the closest of anyone in realizing the true identity of Christ. He understood that we serve a “TRIUNE GOD”

John 1:1-10

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He is even now seated at the right hand of the Father, loving mankind and forever making intercession on our behalf. He is like a great lawyer that pleads our case. Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

And one day he will come again and receive us unto himself. He said I go away to prepare a place for you and if I go away, I will come again. I am looking for a day when I lift my eyes to heaven and I see my Jesus, step out on the clouds to call me home! If we are faithful to him, we will spend eternity in his presence. 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

He was there with John on the isle of Patmos, once again letting him know that he is the first and the last. When John heard a mighty voice like the sound of a trumpet, it was him. Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

He wanted John to warn the churches to make sure they were ready for his coming. Even today, he wants his saints to warn man that he is coming, to tell you that you better be ready or you will be left behind. Jesus loves you so much and wants to make sure you spend eternity in paradise. He doesn’t care about what you’ve done, who you are or what you’ve been. He loves you. He told the thief on the cross, this day you will be with me in paradise. He will forgive your sins and cast them as far as the east is to the west. All you have to do is call upon his name. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe that he died and rose again and you shall be saved!! Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Obtaining promises through FAITH

Romans 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Our Father, Abraham had FAITH that God would do what he said he would do. His faith in God never wavered. He did all that God ever asked him to do, in faith believing that God had a plan for his life. We too need to maintain a strong faith if we are to receive the PROMISES of God’s word. The bible teaches us that if we just have the faith as big as a mustard seed that we could move mountains. We say we have faith, but do we truly believe? If we could only have faith, we would see miracles taking place in our churches. We would see the lame walk, and the deaf could hear. We would see our loved healed of sickness, but we must have faith. You might ask, how can I have that kind of faith? It’s simple, FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD OF GOD. The more you put yourself out there to hear God’s word, the more your faith will be built up and the more you will begin to see your prayers being answered. God will do what he said he will do, but we must BELIEVE AND HAVE FAITH!!

Hebrews 11

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Dead or Alive, we belong to God

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Romans 14:8 KJV

Paul is making something very clear to the people with this verse. He has spent time teaching them about foods, holy days, and various other things but the point he tried to get across to them was that the only thing that really mattered was that they BELONGED TO THE LORD.

Jesus himself taught us that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles us but that it is what come out, because what comes out of the mouth is from the heart. Jesus also taught us that he is Lord of the Sabbath.

Mathew 15:11: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Mathew 12:8: For the son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Paul wanted the early Christians to understand that they should not be nagging and judging one another. He knew there would be enough of that coming from those that weren't Christians. He was teaching them in Romans 14 that it was not food or holy days that mattered, that what mattered was that Christ came and died for them all, that they should love one another and not do things to cause a brother or sister to stumble in the way, that being a Christian was more than that. Being a Christian means you belong to the Lord and you lift each other up. The Holy Ghost is given unto each of us to lead us in what is right. He is there to direct us and he alone is the one we need to listen to. What convicts you in your heart may not be what convicts your brother or sister. Paul is trying to tell us all to let God be God and let us be our brother's keeper.

The Rock of my Salvation

Psalm 94:18-19

When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Many times in our Christian walk we find ourselves feeling like we are slipping, like we just can't make it, that living this daily walk is more than we can do. It's in times like this that that we need to lift up our heads and remember where our help comes from. We need to be like King David and say, Lord my foot slippeth, hold me up with my great mercy! God's Holy Spirit will stir you up and comfort your soul if you just lean on him.

Psalm 121:1-3

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. ...

King David knew what it was like to have a relationship with God. He knew when he was weak that he served a God that was strong and he knew who to run to. We too serve a God that is able to hold us up. There will be times when we don't feel very strong, but it's then that we need to once again be like David and lift our eyes unto the hills and cry out to God. We need to let him know that we trust in him, that he is where our help comes from. He never sleeps and his ears are always listening for the cries of his children!

Psalm 89:26

He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Psalm 94:22

But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

The Lord, Jesus Christ is our defence against all enemies, he is the Rock of our salvation and the very refuge that we can run to in times of trouble!! If we learn to put our total trust in him and live according to his word, he will not let us slip, he will lift us up and set our feet upon the solid ROCK!!

His Mercy is great and he is our refuge

Psalm 59:16 KJV

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

I love reading the psalms. They are such a source of peace and comfort to my soul. I love singing about God’s mercy and grace and he is truly my refuge in times of trouble. We read about God’s great mercy from Genesis to Revelation. He has been showing mercy to his people since the day he created them. Had it not been for God’s mercy when he created Adam and Eve, they would have died the moment they disobeyed him and ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Scripture teaches us that he told them “ for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” , but God was merciful to them. Their disobedience did bring death to mankind, but he didn’t take their life at that moment, instead he punished them and allowed them to live a full life.

He has been showing his mercy to his people ever since. He shows mercy to all those that love him and keep his commandments.

Exodus 15:13

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Exodus 20:6

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

1 Chronicles 16:34

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

The definition of refuge is: a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. Isn’t it a wonderful thing to know that the God of all creation is the one we can run to. His word teaches me that like a mother hen, he will hide me under his wings. What a mighty promise from the father. When we place our trust in him, he will be our refuge and our strength. God’s word is sure and his promises are forever. What a wonderful thing to know we can stand upon the word and trust that he will be our refuge!

Mathew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Samuel 22:3

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Talking of God’s mercy is something that could fill page after page. His mercy never ends and today, if we search our hearts, I believe we would all find that he has truly been merciful to each of us. Blessed be his Holy Name!