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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life

  

Issue #1,190 September 28,2004 The Archway   As we drove down the street, it felt as if we were in a living archway. Tall elm and willow trees lined both sides of the street, their tops bowing high above the street. The autumn colors brought the archway to life and added drama to an already impressive scene. As I drove down the street, I thought of the arches of palms and willows that were waved over Jesus as He entered the city of Jerusalem in the days before His crucifixion. The crowds adored Him, worshipped Him and boldly proclaimed His name. As we know, that adoration didn't last very long. Many of those same people were likely in the crowd that a few days later cried out to Pontius Pilate, "Crucify Him!" He went from hero to zero in the space of a few days. People are fickle. If you don't believe that, look at most sports fans. As long as the team is winning, it is the greatest. Start to lose however and watch the crowds get the scent of blood. Watch politicians and actors move in and out of favour as the crowd sees fit. Today's great is tomorrow's has been. Yesterday's loser is today's winner. There is a case where that doesn't apply. You see without Jesus we're all going to lose. We have sinned and we're kept apart from God. With Him, even the worst of sinners can become a saint for all of eternity. Let's clarify that last sentence, saint is a word that is often misunderstood in Christian circles. A saint is any believer in Jesus Christ. The tradition of elevating certain individuals to "sainthood" has no biblical foundation. If you know Jesus, you’re a saint. We're made right with God because of His sacrifice. Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lamp stand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order. When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:1-15 NIV Fortunately, unlike us, He's not fickle. He's steadfast and will stick by us for all eternity. Once we're under the blood, we're there to stay. That's a good thing. Until next time, rejoice. God is good! Hallelu Yah (Praise God) Be blessed Kevin

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you.

 

HELP FOR THE HURTING People have let you down. God never will. Give your life to Him today. If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you. You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer; it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to all who will accept it. Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. It's not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey to become more like Jesus. It's your starting point.

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