Beyond Melchizedek

S Hebrews 7 26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. O The changing of the old covenant priesthood to the new covenant priesthood has occurred. Jesus replaced the Levi priesthood.  The old covenant was imperfect as it's priest were imperfect. Such a high priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.  Jesus, who 24/7 by our standard is interceding upon our behalf.  That and through Jesus, we can have access to the Father...something through the old testament covenant, only the high priest could intercede on our behalf. A When we have Jesus, we do not need the old covenant. The practices commanded in the Old Covenant (circumcision, various rituals, sabbaths and festivals) have no spiritual merit for the Christian. All we need is Jesus.  knowing that Jesus is interceding on my behalf, I should not hesitate to go to him. P Father, thank you for Jesus.  I find myself thinking that how can you love me a sinner.  But I am saved by Jesus my high priest.  Thank you Jesus for interceding for me daily especially when I mess up.  Amen. 

The Secret - Jason

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12, 13 NASB)

Paul has gone through a lot.  He's suffered so much, even to the point of death and imprisonment but the one thing that he's sustained was his faith.  How did he do this?  It was because he knew the secret: God's Strengthening Spirit.  Through the Holy Spirit, his sights remained focused on eternity and not the circumstances around him.  He could navigate the obstacles of this fallen world because he kept his eyes on the distance and not to the distractions.  Always looking forward at Jesus will carry us into eternity.

I remember a teaching by Pastor Wayne on how he was taught to look forward into the turn (motorcycle class) instead of the guard rails right beside him.  If he were to look at those guardrails, he'd most certainly would've hit them.  Another example is walking a tightrope or a balance beam.  If we look at our feet instead of focusing ahead, we'll end up wobbling and falling off.  This is true with our walk with God.  The secret is to focus on eternity with the Holy Spirit as our coach, our mentor.

Father God, thank You so much for Your mighty Holy Spirit, who guides and directs our steps.  I pray Father God that a transformation continues to happen in my life, my wife's life, my whole family's life.  Help me stop looking at my current conditions an make eternal decisions based on temporal situations... I know the secret and that's You.

Be Like Christ - Jason

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3, 4 NASB)

This passage doesn't mean that we think less of ourselves, that we aren't good enough;, it means we think of ourselves less and consider others more. When we look at the life of Jesus on this earth, everything He did was framed around us, those He came to save. 

I tend to think of others more than I do, taking their feelings into consideration more than mine sometimes. But although this may be good, how long before this vessel breaks down due to lack of maintenance? God's best work is done through the overflow of my own heart and I need to care for my own spiritual well-being first and let it overflow from there on to my wife, family, friends, church and so on... The key is not to stop pouring into my life but to keep pouring and let it overflow to those around me.

Father God, thank You for the ultimate example of humility. Lord, I pray for a heart like David's so that everything I put my hands to will be fruitful and glorifying to You. But I know there aren't any shortcuts to this and I need to work from the inside-out. Lord, I ask for patience as I allow the miracle to happen. In the mighty name of Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Unified in Solitude - Jason

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6 NASB)

This passage comes from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. He was urging them about the unity of the Holy Spirit. This needs to be communicated in such a huge & great way because that's the heart of the underlying message... loving God and loving others. We cannot move forward as believers without community founded on God's Spirit. 

In this season of my life, I feel disconnected. It's that way because I'm not serving the way I'm used to. I'm not filling my plate with tasks so my mind is idle. But this is a wonderful thing. I'm not saying it's good not to serve but it's allowing me a season to find my way back... on my own with the Holy Spirit. You see, it's easy to feed off of others' faiths, listening to their ways and follow but where does that leave me in my journey? I won't advance unless the teachings and experiences are personal. I need this season and I welcome the inward growth to stand on my own. 

Father God, thank You for setting aside this season to "move out of the house" so to speak and live on my own for awhile. I know this isn't where You want me to stay but it's definitely a season of solitude where my inward journey is the focus. Lord, I pray that You continue to chip away at my strongholds so that Your glory will be evident in my life. In Your precious name I pray Lord Jesus, amen.

Enjoying His Works - Jason

Enjoying His Works

I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?

Ecclesiastes 3:22

These words by king Solomon is in the midst of saying everything is futile and the work done under the sun doesn't mean much.  But this verse, I believe, really sums up his point.  The righteous along with the wicked will go through the same things on this earth; there really isn't much difference in the circumstances.  What really sets us apart is the joy in the things we do.  Why we do something should show through passionately because it's rooted in holiness.

I've been feeling disconnected lately and I've been trying to fill it with something.  In some ways I feel like my joy has been stolen; that I'm not in a season where God wants me and so I'm cut off.  But that's not God.  The devil would love to have me feel separated from the body of Christ and do things on my own.  But this season needs to be one where I must draw closer to Him.  I need to do this by digging deep into His word... but not through academics.  I need to take what's already in my heart and be "doers of the word."  I need to strengthen my family, by my examples and lead them into God's glorious will.  I cannot fail here and it's a wonderful opportunity to limit distractions, enjoy His works, and be impactful for Christ.

Father God, thank You for always being right there even when I feel You're not.  I pray to take everything You've deposited and apply them to where I am right now, no excuses and no complaining.  In Your wonderful name I pray, amen.

Feet that Go - Jason

Feet that Go

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" (Romans 10:14, 15 NASB)

In this chapter, Paul is urging believers to increase God's word not only in our hearts but in each person He presents at our door. Paul's sharing his desire for each person to know Jesus for their salvation. But how will this happen? It won't just happen out of thin air. As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus commissioned each of us to go forth and make disciples of all nations. We've been sent and it's our responsibility to get our feet moving.

Sometimes I feel I'm not good enough to deliver a message. Other times I feel it's my responsibility, my calling to preach the gospel. But what it really is, is that I'm called to respond to whom God delivers. I need to stop picking and choosing who to minister to; stop choosing how it's going to be done. I just need to get my feet moving in God's direction and He will anoint and touch hearts.

Father God, thank You for Your Word and Spirit. Help me to live a life full of obedience and boldness. You know my struggles and strongholds, I pray Father that chains are broken and Your mighty power and strength shines through so that I may be used to spread the wonderful news of salvation and not be a hinderance to all that You're doing. In Your saving name I pray, amen.

Faithful God - Jason

Faithful God

Nevertheless I will not do it in your days for the sake of your father David,  but  I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom,  but  I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen." (1 Kings 11:12, 13 NASB)

Even when we're so unfaithful, God is perfectly faithful.  The LORD had every right to tear away the kingdom from Solomon because of his disobedience but acknowledged king David, Solomon's father and faithful servant of the Almighty, as being the reason why there's one tribe left under Solomon's son.  Why did He do this? Because God is true to His word and was faithful to David, His servant.  

When I try to be like Christ, I need to look at David's relationship with the Father as well. Yes, David made his mistakes  but kept his heart in tune (even if it went out of tune for a while) with the Creator.  No matter how many times I crash and burn I cannot deny the wonderful relationship God wants with me.  King Solomon did so much to build the temple, with all the riches; but David built it in his heart.

Father God, I want to be madly in love with You.  Help me to see and understand the undesired paths I take in my life and quickly readjust back to You.  I know it's my heart that You desire and I pray every action is a reflection of it.  In Jesus' name I pray, amen.