“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3.
Wishing you a joy-filled Resurrection Day as you remember God’s great mercy and grace. May you pause to ponder the cost of our living hope, God’s gift to the world, Jesus.
How great is His love for you!
Freedom from tyranny. Freedom from slavery – slavery to others and slavery to sin. Freedom from the evil of idolatry. Freedom to worship God. Freedom to be called God’s chosen people.
Freedom bought with blood. Passover.
A picture of Jesus.
Continue reading Jesus Painted His Blood on the Doorposts of Our Lives
On His way to cleanse the temple, Jesus saw a fig tree. Although it wasn’t the season for the tree to produce figs, the leaves indicated that there were figs on the tree.
“May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” Mark 11:14
Jesus and the disciples walked on to the temple; He cleansed the temple of the money-changers and merchants and taught. That evening, they left Jerusalem.
The next morning, Jesus and the disciples walked back to Jerusalem and passed the fig tree. It was withered, from the roots up. Peter marveled, and Jesus took the opportunity to teach the disciples the key to prayer.
“Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Have faith in God.'” Mark 11:22
Continue reading 7 Keys to Faith-filled PrayerFaith-filled prayer moves mountains.
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Money. Taxes. Noise. Busy days. A challenge today. A challenge in Jesus’ day.
Each year, men paid an annual temple tax equal to two days’ wages. The tax could only be paid with temple currency. In the outer courts of the temple, money-changers exchanged everyday money for the temple currency. They charged high fees.
Merchants also sold approved sacrificial animals at inflated prices.
Baahing sheep. Cooing pigeons. Talking merchants. Unceasing commotion.
The outer courts of the temple were the only areas that the Gentiles could worship and pray. The outer courts where the animals were. The outer courts where the money exchanging was taking place.
Imagine worshipping and praying in the hub-bub of a farmer’s market.
Continue reading 6 Steps to a Joyful House of Prayer
