Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A Day in the Life of a Temple Priest

I made a list of the duties of the priests. These included: Performing the daily and weekly services, served as doorkeepers, guards, and servants of the temple. Taking care of the tools and vessels of the temple. They were singers, musicians, and choir leaders. Lighting the altar fires, disposing of the ashes. Keeping the candle stick lit. Attending to the offerings of incense. Maintaining the temple treasury. Placing of the Show Bread (unleavened) bread. Offering up the sacrificial animals. The high priest's responsibility of offering atonement on the Day of Atonement.
Today we have the honor as part of Jesus' royal priesthood to lead His people as we teach them about giving, worshiping, praying, and understanding God’s Word as we learn to serve Him. Jesus is the Bread of life, the light of the World and God's ultimate sacrifice for sin. At church I portrayed the role of Zechariah before his angelic encounter. I think his son John described Jesus well in John 1:29.

Learning About the Temple


An eye catching site at the Holy Land Experience was the mock up of Herod's temple. The area was great for presentations. We learned the most about the temple when we viewed the model of the city of Jerusalem as a teaching tool to show what was present at the time of Christ. This was the largest known indoor model of the city. It was very interesting and got us looking into the role of the priest. My son and I had a great adventure!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

He's Not Here, He Is Risen!


While visiting the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, We had the chance to go behind the scenes and see the props used for making the presentations of the Good News of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ! There is no greater joy then to realize that Jesus is alive forevermore! The tomb was temporary, death is defeated! The grave could not hold the King! He is risen indeed. The dramas were gripping as you witnessed what was happening up close and personal. My eyes welled up as so many images and Bible studies rushed through my head and my heart. To know Jesus and the power of His resurrection as a born again believer is tremendous. There is no greater experience in this life.
Matthew 28:5-7

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

http://www.holylandexperience.com/


Having fun celebrating the events surrounding the life of Jesus!
Hearing about the wine/olive press and the garden by the tomb carved from the rock and seeing the stone that sealed the tomb rolled away, brought a smile to my face and a thrill to my heart. I enjoyed the visual helps and these helped me to better understand the significance of the surroundings. I was refreshed and found out more information regarding the original sites.

Here is an interesting link: http://www.lifeintheholyland.com/gordons_calvary.htm

Friday, March 21, 2008

An Angel Strengthened Him


There appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Did the angel help Jesus pray in earnest? Was the angel there to wipe His brow? Or to collect His tears that were like drops of blood? Did he rest his hand on His shoulder and remind Him that all of His life was for the very day that was now at hand? Perhaps the angel encouragingly delivered the loving message, "The Father is well pleased with what You are about to do."

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Jesus Is Knocking


Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me [Rev. 3:20].This is a picture of the Lord Jesus at the heart’s door of the sinner.
But, the artist left off the handle of the door?!
This door is a picture of the human heart, and the handle of the door is on the inside. He stands at the door and knocks. He will not crash the door. The Lord Jesus has moved heaven and hell to get to the door of your heart, but when He gets there, He will stop and knock. You will have to open the door to let Him in.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Don't Be Slow To Believe



Then Jesus said to them, “You are foolish and slow to believe everything the prophets said. They said that the Christ must suffer these things before he enters his glory.” Then starting with what Moses and all the prophets had said about him, Jesus began to explain everything that had been written about himself in the Scriptures.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Reflect Him


Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men

Sunday, February 18, 2007

This Water



Then Jesus said, "Whoever drinks from the water from this well will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst again."

Sunday, February 04, 2007

He Leads Me to Calm Water


A song that went "Don't Worry; Be Happy" some years ago can only truely appreciated, when combined with scripture: Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. Philippians 4:6
Jesus leads us, for it is written, He leads me to calm water. Psalm 23:2b

Monday, January 29, 2007

Jesus' Baptism



God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit together before witnesses! What an awesome start to the most amazing minister of all time!!
John said it this way, "I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Become Strong



Even children become tired and need to rest,
and young people trip and fall.
But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again.
They will rise up as an eagle in the sky;
they will run and not need rest;
they will walk and not become tired.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Attitude Determines Altitude



Refuse to let your situation determine your attitude!

Sunday, December 31, 2006

With the New Year....


The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Last year's essay contest entry





http://www.logos.com/nationalbibleweek/selectedessays/59

Friday, December 22, 2006

Keepers of the peace vs. Peace makers



At this time of year, resources are strained and crime is on the increase. But thanks be to God for the men and women in law enforcement who are on the streets to help us hopefully enjoy this special season. May the Prince of Peace return soon and put the peace keepers out of business!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

The Gospel According to John Movie



This movie came out in 2003. It is an excellent word for word presentation of the good news book. It is a must have for any Christian Library. I found them on the $5 rack at the Family Christian Bookstore. I hope everyone will see this and get a copy.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Great Materials

I am studying some great material from Moody Bible. The software works in the Libronix/Logos program. The material is first rate and covers some great topics. You can check out what Moody Bible has to offer by visiting:

http://www.moody.edu/

and Logos by visiting:

http://www.logos.com/products/details/2191

Monday, December 18, 2006

Write an Essay on Bible Study? OK


Bible Study: Passing It On!
Of all the things we can hope to pass on to our children the one thing that I am compelled to leave for the next generation is the desire to participate in life changing Bible study. Teaching children to have an effective Bible study time is wonderfully rewarding. There are so many benefits found in giving a child the Word of God as a firm foundation. I have witnessed in awe as God has opened the hearts of children to receive his marvelous love. I thank God that he gives me the privilege of teaching children about the Savior of the world and His wonderful kingdom. I am overjoyed in the ways that God has demonstrated his faithfulness to so many children that are receptive with tender hearts to the Holy Spirit and the things of God. There are hundreds of ongoing success stories that God has allowed me to be a part of. I have at different times heard children share from their hearts how Jesus has become their very best friend in life! It is rewarding to see a child learn that Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and promises to never leave us. It is also a very humbling experience to see what God is doing in their young lives as they learn to apply the truths they learn in daily Bible study. To God is the glory, for allowing me the opportunity to help future generations to celebrate the love for His Son and encourage children to participate in Bible study methods that encourage them to continue in daily Bible study on their own.
One of the greatest motivators for me in teaching children the importance of a daily Bible study is what I as the teacher learns in the process! Spending time meditating on the Word and asking God to make Bible study meaningful to children has fed my hungry soul like manna from heaven. Their enthusiasm has made me drill down deeper in my own personal Bible study times so that instead of being a dry, empty and dusty well, I can be an instrument that points them to the fountain of living water that can satisfy any thirsty soul. In teaching children, I have learned that the real life source is found only in the Word of God. I would not dare go before anyone, especially children to talk about the things of God without first asking God to fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. Children can quickly see if you are genuine and know what your faith level is pretty quick. I know that I can not effectively teach or share until I have presented myself before the Father as a living sacrifice to be His servant. This only comes from spending time in studying the Word and allowing Him to shape my heart. This is my driving force in working with children. In return they provide me with the very best example of what child-like faith really is. As I witness the glow on their faces as they see the truths of the scriptures unfolded before their eyes for the very first time is amazing. Their enthusiasm compels me to want to go deeper and try new ways to have an effective ministry.
At various times I have witnessed where God uses a child to lead an adult and even the entire family to Christ! It’s so satisfying to know that the truths entrusted to them will be used throughout their entire lives. It’s even more exciting to know that teaching children to participate in daily Bible study is a rewarding way to lay up treasures in heaven. There is great joy in watching others learning to live the victorious Christian life! Helping children learn to participate in Bible study provides bountiful rewards. If you are looking for a place to invest your energy and efforts in life to what is truly eternal, look to reaching children with the power of God’s Holy Word. It is an important calling that you have the opportunity of hearing. It’s my prayer that those who read are also listening. Daily Bible study is something we must pass on. We can’t afford to lose, not one of the lest of these, God’s precious children. God fills to overflowing those who are yielded to His Spirit and daily spend time studying the Word of God.
Thanks for this opportunity to share,

A Short Season

Even as Christmas seems to start earlier each year it comes and goes way to fast! I hope that everyone reading this enjoys the real reason for the season. May God Bless You