Mercy

For most of the world, and sadly for most of the Church, today is like any other day. It is a typical Monday morning, except of course for the pandemic, the fires, the hurricanes, the political enmity and turmoil, desperate outcries against racism and injustice, and the huge increase in violence and murder. However, today is not like every other day to God. This is a very solemn day to God. It is a day of life and death, and the provision of mercy. It is a day when He looks at His Throne of Judgement, and sees the blood of His Son poured out upon it, crying out to Him. In His Word, He makes clear that this should be a most solemn day for us as well. Today is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Today is not a day for "normal" activities. It is a day when some will be cut off, and some will live. For many in the Church, Yom Kippur is "Old Testament". Now that we have Christ, they think, we are saved, and the issue is moot for us. They argue that it is understood that Christ is our Atonement, and we have already been covered in that blood. However, the Book of Hebrews makes very clear that the Day of Atonement, while fulfilled by Christ, is a Day in which all of the people of God, especially the believers in Christ, should actively participate. It even says within the context of the whole explanation of the Day of Atonement of previous chapters: "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace." (Heb. 10:25-29). These words of the Book of Hebrews were written to the Church, the sanctified believers, the partakers of the covenant sealed by the blood of Christ. The writer of Hebrews is saying that to ignore this Day is like trampling the blood of Christ underfoot, and thereby becoming an adversary of God. It is like treating the atoning blood as a common, everday, business as usual thing to which we are automatically entitled. The Day of Atonement is very much a solemn Day that applies to those who, having been saved by the grace of God through Christ, may partake in by faith the opportunity presented by this Day to avail ourselves of the atoning blood that covers our continuing sins. The provision has been made. Why would we ignore it? Why would we despise it? "Kippur" is from the Hebrew word kaphar, which means atonement, reconciliation, merciful, cleansed, forgive, pardon, purge (away), to cover, cover over, to overspread, pacify, propitiate. On the occasion of this feast, the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies with the sacrifical blood of animals, and poured it upon the Mercy Seat which covered the Ark. Not only has Christ fulfilled this feast by entering into the Holy of Holies in heaven as our High Priest, according to the Book of Hebrews, but He covered the Mercy Seat, not with the blood of animals for a temporary relief, but with His own blood, providing an everlasting covering. Though we who are in Christ are saved, there is no doubt that we all continue to sin. This is the place to which we can go to have our continuing sins covered and purged away. We approach the Mercy Seat of the atoning blood of Christ by faith, in the promise of God in this Day, which He has set apart, a Day in which He has provided an appointed time and place for us to partake of His provision of mercy. It is a provision that was appointed for us before the foundations of the world, when the Lamb was slain. This Day is associated with the Lamb's Book of Life. The Father told His people in the Book of Leviticus that he who does not avail himself appropriately of the atonement provision of this day, with an attitude worthy of the Day, shall be cut off from his people (Lev. 23:26-32). The Book of Hebrews says that this Day is still part of the commandments of God. The provision is there for us. The word of God clearly tells us the importance of this Day to Him for our sakes. It is a Day that proclaims life or death. The blood of the Lamb is crying out to His Father on our behalf from God's Mercy Seat, which is the Throne of the presence of God. That blood is crying out, "Atonement! Reconciliation! Mercy! Cleansing! Covering! Propitiation!" Why would we want to ignore that blood or this Day? Our Father has proclaimed the Day of Atonement for His people. "May you be written in the Lamb's Book of Life!"

Benediction

When I was young, my family attended a church whose minister, Rev. Gerald Huenink, was a very reserved, learned man. However, it would always charm me, even as a child, to see Rev. Huenink come to the center of the altar area at the end of the service, raise his arms over the congregation, and pronounce a blessing or benediction over us. The benediction, or blessing, has the power to transform. The patriarchs of scripture would pronounce a blessing over the heads of their children (Gen. 49). The blessing had a prophetic significance also over a person's life. Aaron, the priest, was instructed to say a blessing over the children of Israel: "And the LORD spoke to Moses saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." (Num. 6:22-27). By Aaron and his sons speaking this blessing over Israel, the LORD said He would place His name upon them, and bless them. In these trying times, I am sure that there are people upon whom we would like to see the name of the LORD placed, and the blessings that follow that wonderful name. Are we speaking this blessing? Are we speaking a transforming word of blessing into people's lives? Especially as the time of Christ's return draws near, speaking the benediction can be a vital tool of ministry to others. Proverbs teaches us that we have power in our mouths: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Prov. 18:21). "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the bones." (Prov. 16:24). "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." (Prov. 12:25). Mental and physical health, even life and death, are impacted by the words out of our mouths. More than ever before, people, even children, are being consumed by anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. Speaking blessings and benedictions over them can bring words of relief and transformtion. The creative power of transformation found in the blessing, or benediction, is not only meant for the people of God, or for the people we like. Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless them who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you my be sons of your Father in heaven: for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." (Mt. 5:43-45). The role of the ministers of the Church is for "the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be childre, tossed to and fro...by the trickery of men...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head - Christ -..." (Eph. 4:12-15). The Church is being transformed into the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ by the truth spoken in love. This transformative truth comes in several forms, but one of the ways that Paul spoke the truth over the Church is by the benediction, or blessing. These are some of the benedictions of prophetic, creative, transformative power spoken by Paul over the believers in his letters to the churches: "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 15:5-6). "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13). "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 1:3). "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen" (1 Cor. 16:23-24). "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God." (2 Cor. 9:10). "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the saints." (1 Thess. 3:12-13). "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess. 5:23). "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." (2 Thess. 2:16-17). "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ...Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thess. 3:5,16). "The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." (2 Tim. 4:22). "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Heb. 13:20-21). The blessing or benediction spoken over a life can transform a life. It can transform a home, a city, a nation. Our Father has shown us the power of the benediction. "May the Lord God Almighty bless you in all your ways in Him. May He bless your home and children with peace. May He lead you in His paths of righteouseness and holiness, and make you fruitful in the earth by His Son, Jesus."

Ahabs

I believe that the Lord is about to deal with the Ahabs. Ahab was a very dangerous king. Israel had previously divided into the northern kingdom, called Israel, and the southern kingdom, Judah. Ahab was the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab had married a Ba'al worshipper named Jezebel (meaning "Ba'al exalts, Ba'al is husband, unchaste"). Ba'al was a Canaanite god who was worshipped with human blood, and the sacrifice of children thrown into fire: "Now Ahab, the son of Omri, did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethba'al, king of the Sidonians ("to hunt, to fish, chase, hunt eagerly, lie in wait for, lay snares, to take provision for oneself"), and he went and served Ba'al and worshipped him." 1 Kings 16:30-31 The LORD had compared Ahab to a previous king, Jeroboam, in the above verses. Jeroboam (meaning "the people will contend") had received a prophetic word that he would become king. He was warned in this same prophecy that he must follow the ways of the LORD. Acting on part of the prophetic word to him, Jeroboam began to create strife over the issue of burdensome taxes, and eventually convinced the ten northern tribes to break away from the House of David. The ten tribes then chose Jeroboam as their king. Once he became king, however, he ignored the prophet's warning, and built two temples with golden calves to dissuade the people from going to Jerusalam to worship. Jeroboam also created a priesthood from those who were not Levites and instituted a system of false worship (1 Kings 11:26-40, 1 Kings 12:25-33). So King Ahab, like the earlier King Jeroboam, instituted the false, even demonic worship of Ba'al, including false prophets, of his queen, Jezebel. Ahab clung to his queen because she was effective in attaining for Ahab those things that his covetous heart desired, such as vineyards that belonged to others (1 Kings 21:1-7). Under Ahab's and Jezebel's rule, true prophets of God were persecuted and killed. Ahab detested the true prophetic warnings brought to him, and instead embraced smooth, false prophecies that pleased and flattered him. The LORD determined to draw Ahab into destruction in order to end his reign. The LORD sent a lying spirit to speak out of the mouths of Ahab's prophets to lure him to his death: "And the LORD said, "Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth ("heights, place of illicit worship, seat of idolatry, to exalt or magnify oneself, presumptuous, to be rotten, to be wormy) Gilead (witness heap of stones used to ratify a covenant, hard stony region, to roll away, witness, recorder, testimony, prince, affirm solemnly, give warning, admonish, restore, turn back)?...Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, "I will persuade him." The LORD said to him, "In what way?" So he said, "I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets." And the LORD said, "You shall persuade him and also prevail; go out an do so." 2 Chron. 18:19-21 Not only had the LORD chosen the method of Ahab's fall, but also the specific place, Ramoth Gilead, which has a deep and appropriate meaning for this worshipper of idols. However, what the LORD does before His final destruction of Ahab is truly amazing. First, the LORD sends His prophet, Elijah, to bring a heavy word of judgment to Ahab at the very vineyard that Ahab stole from another with Jezebel's help (1 Kings 21:17-24). This prophetic warning of judgment about to fall is one of the most severe Ahab could have received. Ahab and Elijah have had a contentious relationship, but there is no doubt in Ahab's mind that Elijah is a true prophet of God. As a result of Elijah's terrible prophetic declaration, Ahab repents, and the LORD lifts His judgment from off of Ahab!(v. 27-29). This is not the end of the story, however. Another strange event happens, as the LORD deals with Ahab. The king of the southern kingdom of Judah, Jehoshaphat, came to visit Ahab, the king of the northern kingdom. Jehoshaphat was one of the most Godly kings in the history of both Judah and Israel. Why would such a man wish to visit a horror like Ahab? I couldn't understand this, but then I saw how the LORD worked through Jehoshaphat to expose the heart of Ahab, and enact the prophetic judgment that He had declared. Ahab coveted Ramoth Gilead, which was then in Syrian hands. Ahab wanted to take it back under the control of Israel. He asked Jehoshaphat, during that king's visit, to join him in this war. Jehoshaphat then said these event-turning words to the king of Israel, "Please inquire for the word of the LORD today." (1 Kings 22:5). So King Ahab gathers the prophets and asked them if he should go up against the Syrians to fight at Ramoth Gilead, or should he refrain. Now here comes that lying spirit that the LORD had sent forth previously, and that spirit puts a false prophetic word into the mouths of the King Ahab's prophets. That lying prophetic word tells the king to go up to battle against the Syrians, and he will be successful. However, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah is not convinced. His words offer Ahab another chance to escape the LORD's prophetic judgment, and live, by asking, "Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?" Being a Godly king, Jehoshaphat has a love and respect for the prophets of God, while Ahab has hated and persecuted them. Ahab admits there is another prophet, but says, "I hate him because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." Jehoshaphat rebuked Ahab for his words, and the prophet of God, Micaiah ("Who is like God?"), the son of Imlah ("whom God will fill up, consecrate, be accomplished, complete, be satisfied, confirm, replenish"), was brought forth. Macaiah warned the kings that he saw all Israel scattered on those mountains, and they will no longer have a shepherd or master. Ahab immediately rejects this true prophetic word. Macaiah then revealed to Ahab that he saw the LORD send forth the lying spirit who was to speak in the mouths of the king's other prophets. The prophet revealed the whole truth to Ahab, in order to try to convince Ahab to listen to the true prophecy of the LORD. However, Ahab ordered the prophet taken to his governor, and also to his son, Joash, and placed in prison with starvation and affliction added. King Ahab has sealed his fate, ignoring all warnings and reprieves of the LORD. Now another strange thing happens. The Godly king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, agrees to go with Ahab into the battle! Why would he do that? Again, the LORD will use Jehoshaphat to prove a point. Ahab told Jehoshaphat that when they go into battle, he would disguise himself, but told Jehoshaphat that was to wear his royal robes. Perhaps Ahab thought this would fool the Syrians into killing Jehoshaphat, while Ahab would be undetected in his disguise. However, it is not possible to disguise oneself from the LORD. He knows exactly who we are, and where we are at all times. The enemy king of Syria gave the following unusual order to his captains, "Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel." ((1 Kings 22:31). His captains went after Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, but when they realized at Jehoshaphat's cry that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped chasing him. An anonymous Syrian soldier, meanwhile, randomly grabbed a bow and shot an arrow. The arrow "happened" to strike the disguised King Ahab, who bled to death in the same public disgrace and shame as prophesied previously by the LORD (v. 32-38). The Ahabs that I believe the LORD is about to remove from their positions will have been warned prophetically and repeatedly. It may not necessarily be by death, but they will be removed. In the days of Ahab, the only way to remove a king was by death. Not so today. The Ahabs of today, as the Ahab of yesterday, will have had the opportunity to be counselled by Godly men placed around them, even men equal to their own stature. Though they might "repent" at a certain point, their idolatrous and covetous character will not, in the long run, heed the warnings repeatedly placed before them. When the LORD brings down these Ahabs, it will be very clear that He specifically targeted them. It will not be able to be interpreted as a coincidence, or freak accident, or occurring because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The challenge for Godly men and women will be to discern the false prophets from the genuine prophets of God, especially concerning the Ahabs. The people of God will have to have their ears tuned to His voice, and their eyes trained upon what God is doing in this hour. The Ahabs will have people of God placed around him by the LORD, but, like Jehoshaphat, those people will have to carefully follow the path that God has set. Our Father is dealing with the Ahabs.

Lessons

I was recently asked for suggestions of some Bible readings that could be done by children doing remote learning as this school year begins, as a supplement to their regular school curriculum. I thought this was a great idea. I have made a list of some readings to get a child started, and the readings can be done and understood by elementary aged children, as well as the older students. I have had children reading the Bible as young as third and fourth grades. More modern language Bible versions are easier for beginning "Bereans" to understand than the King James Version. Bible readings and studies with children are always more enjoyable when done with an adult, rather than expecting them to read on their own. The adult gets as much enjoyment from the joint Bible studies as the children do! Although there may be several verses listed under a topic, only a small grouping need be read at a time at each sitting for younger students. They may also enjoy creating artwork pertaining to their daily reading. This is the list of readings, if you are interested in the idea, but it is just a place to begin: Creation: Genesis 1:1-10; 1:11-19; 1:20-25; 1:26-31; 2:1-3 Jesus as the Word and Light of creation: John 1:1-5, 10-14; Jn. 8:12 Adam and Eve created :Gen. 2:7-8; 16-24 Adam and Eve disobey God: Gen. 3:1-6, 12-19, 23-24 Noah’s ark, rainbow meaning: Gen. 6:5-14; 17-22; 7:1, 13-19,23-24; 8:1-6, 13-17; 9:8-17 Exodus: Children of Israel slaves in Egypt: Ex. 1:8-14, 22 Baby Moses: Ex. 2:1-10 Moses and the burning bush: Ex. 3:1-10; 11-17 Plague of death and the Passover blood: Ex. 12:21-24, 28-36 Moses parts the Red Sea: Ex. 14:5-10, 13-18; 21-31 David and Goliath: 1 Sam. 17:1-11; 32-39; 40-47; 48-53 Daniel in the lions’ den: Dan. 6:16-24; 25-28 Jesus: Birth of Jesus: Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-7; 8-20 Jesus comes to save us: John 3:16-21; Jn. 6:33-35, 40; Jn. 10:9-11; Jn. 11:25-26 Jesus teaches Sermon on the Mount (The Beatitudes): Matt. 5:1-10, 11-16 Jesus’ healing miracles: Matt. 15:30-31 Healing the Blind: Matt. 9:27-31; Matt. 9:1-7 Healing the Deaf: Mark 7:31-37 Healing the Lame: John 5:6-9 Healing a Paralytic man: Mark 2:1-12 Healing the demoniac of the tombs: Mark 5:1-14 Calming the sea: Mark 4:35-41 Raising the dead: Luke 7:11-17; Mark 5: 21-24, continues 35-43 Jesus’ prayers: Lord’s Prayer: Matt. 6:6, 9-15 Final Prayer for us: John 17:1-12, 13-19, 20-26 Jesus crucified: John 19:14-22, 41-42 Jesus’ resurrection: John 20:1-10; 11-18 Jesus will return: Mt. 25:31-46; Acts 1:6-11; Rev. :11-16 Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Luke 3:15-16; John 16:5-13; Acts 2:1-11 Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26 A Christian's Behavior: Mt. 22:35-40; Mt. 5:14-16 Phil. 4:4-8, 13 Eph. 6:1-8 Eph. 5:1-2; Rom. 12:9-21; 1 Jn. 4:7-11 God's Eternal Love for Us: Jn. 3:16-17, Rom. 8:35-39 The above is just an outline. I'm sure there will be other topics you will want to add to this. Be blessed as you share the Bible with your children. Our Father has promised, "All your children shall be taught by (of) the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children." (Isa. 54:13) *please note- my blog server, Blogger.com, has changed its set up, and has become very difficult to use with my current operating system. I apologize for the changed look of this and future entries.