Jesus Loves YOU

Me Consecrated?

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Tamar


Leviticus 5:14-8:36

“Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them.” Leviticus 8:10

In chapter 8 of today’s Word of the Day we read about the consecration of Aaron and his sons. The ritual used to initiate them into the priesthood so that they could offer up sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. In verses 10, 11 & 12 we find the words “consecrated them”. And I found it curious that it was ALWAYS connected with oil. Why?

The ceremony that we read about today was their initiation into a position of great honor. These men were the ones accepting the people’s gifts on God’s behalf. They were the ones who got to go into the Holy of Holies and tend to the sacred things that no one else ever got to even see, let alone touch. To be a priest of the LORD was a very big deal. And it all started with a little bit of oil.

The oil is what sealed the deal for them. It wasn’t the special clothes they got to wear that set them apart from the crowd, the ceremonial bath didn’t consecrate them either, it was the oil.

Throughout the Bible oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and His anointing, healing, and empowering ability covering an individual in order to help them achieve whatever task the LORD had given that individual to accomplish. This story is no different. God had ordained these men to be His ministers, His chosen representatives here on earth.

In Hebrew the word “consecrate” used in this passage finds it’s roots in the Hebrew word “kodesh” which mean holy, set apart, sacred. This very same word is in the name of the Holy Spirit, “Ruach Ha Kodesh”. And in English the word consecrate is used of the Eucharist in changing the wine into Jesus’ blood and the bread into His body. This word fascinates me in it’s depth of meaning. That while it means, in both Hebrew and English, that the object or person that is consecrated has been set apart, there is also a connotation of that object, once being set apart, becoming different from the way it began. Not necessarily in outward appearance as much as in an inward way that is understood but not seen.

Once consecrated, it becomes special.

In John’s gospel, chapter seventeen verses twelve through nineteen we hear Jesus praying:

“While I was with them (the Disciples), I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word,”

My precious ones, that’s you!

While Jesus was with the Disciples, He guarded them from the Enemy and “not one of them was lost”. It is written that “no one will snatch [you] out of [Jesus’] hand. [The] Father, who has given [you to Jesus], is greater than all and no one is able to snatch [you] out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29)

The words that Jesus spoke, those words of love and complete forgiveness of sins, His words are meant to bring you peace and to fulfill your joy.

And then Jesus says something amazing. “I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.” We are in the world because the world needs us. However, while in the world we ARE under the protection of our Father who is in Heaven, whose name is hallowed. That very same name we are given through Christ. The name that calls us Children of God, adopted as sons and daughters through His blood on the cross. Jesus consecrated Himself so that we too may be consecrated as well. And what is it that consecrates us? The TRUTH.

The truth is that we are the Beloved Children of God. Jesus paid the price to adopt each and every one of us as His very own brother or sister and all we need do is accept that gift. It’s ours to have and to hold from this day forward and even after death we shall not part.

Jesus loves you my friend. More than you could ever know. And THAT is the God’s honest Truth. It’s a Truth that keeps you safe from Evil and away from the harms of the world. It’s a Truth that heals and helps and fills us with tremendous joy because it is GREAT NEWS!

1 John 3:1 “See what kind of love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of god; and so we are.”

Isaiah 43:1 (HCSB) “Now this is what the LORD says – the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel – ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.'”

John 12:15 (HCSB) “Fear no more, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming.”

Proverbs 29:25 (HCSB) “The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.”

Categories: 365 Life, Choose: Fear or Faith, Jesus Loves YOU, Leviticus | Leave a comment

Sacrifice of Peace

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Tamar


Leviticus 1:1-5:13

“If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering if he offers an animal from the heard, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD. And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar.” Leviticus 3:1-2

OK, I’ve got a confession to make; Leviticus is not one of my favorite books in the Bible. I’ll admit, it’s a pretty hard one for me to get through. So I can’t say that I was that thrilled this morning when I picked up my Bible and turned to Leviticus. But that didn’t last long. One after another the scriptures were leaping off the pages at me, screaming of sacrifice and peace, offering and forgiveness.

While these very words spoke of ritual and regulation to the Jews, They tell us about what has already been done. These were so much more than a list of things to do for the Jews, they were a lifestyle. And yet to us, it’s a list of things that Jesus has done, for us.

Over and over in the Word of the Day today it repeated the phrase, “male without blemish” – Jesus. The One who knew no sin that became sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

If you haven’t read today’s Word of the Day I encourage you to take the time to read it, realizing that every single requirement laid out in these pages has been performed and fulfilled by the hands of God on your behalf; in order that you might have peace, and a life filled with the abundant presence of God Almighty through His Holy Spirit.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” Hebrews 10:17-18

“I will lie down and sleep in peace for You alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

“the LORD said to him, ‘Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.'” Judges 6:23

“O man, greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” Daniel 10:19

“On the evening of that day, the 1st day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.'” John 20:19

Categories: 365 Life, Choose: Fear or Faith, Jesus Loves YOU, Leviticus | Leave a comment

You Heard & Came Near

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Tamar


Lamentations 2:7-5:22

“I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; You heard my plea, ‘Do not close Your ear to my cry for help!’ You came near when I called on You; You said, ‘Do not fear!”” Lamentations 3:55-57

We just celebrated Christmas with the kind of gift giving where a return gift is generally expected. And more often than not, if the return gift isn’t equal or greater than the gift given, feelings tend to get hurt. As humans we attach the givers value of our worth to the price they paid for the gift. It’s not right, but we do it none-the-less. Well let’s take Jesus for a moment then. Christmas is supposed to be all about Him right? At Christmas we focus on the fact that He came and is called “Immanuel” which means, “God with us”. The price that He paid to be “with us” is greater than we could EVER imagine. We aren’t even capable of coming up with the things in heaven that He gave up to come be with us here on earth. But I do know one of the things He gave up, His innocence.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because He is perfect, in every way possible. He knew NO sin, He had none whatsoever. And yet He took our sins, all of them, upon Himself. At the moment we believed in the name of Jesus for our salvation we were covered with our own sins, past, present and future sins, each one appearing as a little garage sale sticker all over our bodies. And in that very same moment of confession, of our belief in Jesus as our Savior, He came and removed each and every one of those stickers and placed them on Himself saying, “This is mine”. The spotless Lamb suddenly covered in our spots leaving us spotless.

The gift He gives is one of taking. Jesus gives the gift of removing our blemishes, the ones we can see and the ones we can’t. And the thing is, He took them from us before we ever committed a single one. Jesus doesn’t forgive us at the time we ask! He forgave us on that cross 2,000 years ago! The moment we ask for His forgiveness is the moment we receive His gift of forgiveness.

I challenge you today; how much of God’s forgiveness are you willing to receive; just enough for today, or ALL OF IT? Jesus paid for this gift with His LIFE so it’s pretty obvious that you mean more to Him than you could ever imagine. His death made you spotless, a new creation worthy to enter into the throne room and sit on the lap of God Almighty and call Him “Daddy”. And all you have to do is tell Him that you accept His gift of eternal Love. And then continue receiving it day after day after day after day after day after……

Psalm 27:1 (HCSB) “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom should I be afraid?”

Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB) “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:13 (HCSB) “For I, Yahweh your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you.”

Isaiah 50:10 (HCSB) “Who among you fears the LORD, listening to the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of Yahweh; let him lean on his God.”

Categories: 365 Life, Choose: Fear or Faith, Jesus Loves YOU, Lamentations, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

That’s What We Call “Faith”

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 25:1-30 & Lamentations 1:1-26

“How lonely sits the city that was full of people!” Lamentations 1:1

The party is over, the candles have been blown out, the cake has been eaten, the presents all unwrapped and we’re left with nothing but the mess and a sugar high.

I find it no small coincidence that God has things so perfectly planned out for us that the day after the biggest Christian holiday of the year we start reading Lamentations.

The purpose of Lamentations is to produce in the reader a hope that God’s faithfulness toward them would surpass their own towards Him. And that’s what I would like to investigate more closely today; that idea of hoping in an unseen God for seen results. That’s what we call “faith”.

According to Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

Did you catch that? The things that we can see today weren’t made with things that can be seen. The entire universe was created by an unseen God who creates seen things, for our pleasure. (Psalm 115:16) Now if that doesn’t create some hope for the hopeless today, I’m not so sure what will.

We all have something out there that we’re hoping for, something that seems far off, and yet is needed in the here and now. But in what are we placing our hope? In that seen thing, or our unseen God? Although He is unseen by our human eyes, He is more real and more permanent than anything that we can see before us today. He is the life-giver. He is the One who holds our hope in Hs palm. He protects it and guards it and cherishes it, because He knows how precious hope can be.

A single shred of hope can get you through some of the darkest moments of life. Just one single drop of hope can lift your spirits enough to help you through the fires of life. My friend, “the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.” (Psalm 147:11) I want you to take a long hard look at that verse. While it doesn’t specify who it is that the LORD loves steadfastly, that is the part that is the most important of all. When you are in a hopeless situation filled with Fear and Doubt, is it more important for you to remember that God is love, or that God loves YOU?

Romans 5:5-8 tells us that “hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love FOR [YOU] in that while [you] were still [a] sinner, Christ died for [YOU].”

While still a sinner, Jesus died for YOU. You don’t have to be sinless in order for Jesus to forgive you. And if you think about it, what would the point be then if you were! Often times Satan tries to get us to think that we have to be perfect in order for God to accept us. If that were the truth we’d NEVER make it in! But praise be to God, that a lie straight from the father of lies. The TRUTH is that the LORD is our salvation. Jesus is the price of admission for the poor in spirit. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and EVERYONE can have 24/7 access to the Father through Him! No matter how sinful they are. Now isn’t THAT some good news of great joy that brings hope to the hopeless and faith to the faithless?

What it all boils down to is “Faith, Hope and Love – the greatest of these is Love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) Hope doesn’t disappoint (Romans 5:5), a mustard seed of faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20), and yet Love is greater than both of these. How? Because God is Love (1 John 4:8). Love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) Love conquers all! Love gives justification as a gift, freely given to those who are completely incapable of repaying or returning that gift to its giver.

Psalm 34:4 HCSB) “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 112:7-8 “He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the LORD. His heart is assured; he will not fear. In the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”

John 12:15 (HCSB) Fear no more, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming.”

Proverbs 1:33 (HCSB) But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.”

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Lamentations | Leave a comment

A Little Child Will Lead Them

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 22:1-24:20

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign,” 2 Kings 22:1

I just love how God has timed this all, so that on the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus we’re reading about a child king. And Josiah wasn’t just any king; he was a GOOD king that restored the worship of the LORD among the people of Israel.

In Isaiah 11:5-6 we read of the prophecy of the coming Messiah. “Righteousness shall be the belt of His waist, and His faithfulness the belt of His loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them;”

At this time of year we celebrate the coming of our Messiah. We rejoice in the TRUTH that He didn’t stay on high in His throne room, but that He removed His crown of gold and exchanged it for a crown of thorns. He took off His robe of righteousness and replaced it with a robe of ridicule. And He did that all for YOU. He took everything that was wrong in this world and began the process of setting it all right again, just like Josiah.

In the 1st chapter of the gospel of Matthew we find Joseph having some serious doubts about marrying Mary. He’s just found out that she’s pregnant and he knows this child isn’t his. That night he has a dream where an angel of the Lord appeared to him saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:21-23)

My friends, this is the key to all of Christianity. It lies in that one simple name, Immanuel.

Immanuel = you are not alone.

Immanuel = I love you enough to strip away the entirety of my majesty and become fully human.

Immanuel = you mean more to me than anything else in all of My creation.

Immanuel = YOU mean more than life to Me!

Immanuel = God is WITH us through it ALL.

Immanuel = through every storm, every dip, every curve ball life throws at you, I’m HERE to help you.

Immanuel = YOU are not alone! Ever.

In Mark’s story of Jesus calming the sea (4:35-41) we find Jesus and the Disciples getting into the boat and crossing over to the opposite shore after a long day of ministry. So it’s not surprising when Jesus falls asleep. What is surprising to His friends is that He stays asleep amid the tossing waves and roaring winds. They interpret His non-reaction as Him not caring about them. (v. 38) And after He calms the storm He turns to them and says “Why are you so afraid? Have you no faith?” When I heard these words today with fresh perspective I realized more clearly how Jesus must have been feeling when He spoke those words, “I am with you, there is no cause for fear. Don’t you realize that the boat won’t sink with Me in it?”

They had the One who created the sea in the boat with them, the One who parts the sea, walks on water and stands on clouds, they had NOTHING to fear. And neither do we.

We too have that very same One within us at all times, in our boat promising never to forsake us. Fear not, O favored one, the LORD is WITH you always!

Psalm 56:3 (HCSB) “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 (HCSB) “Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”

2 Kings 6:16 (HCSB) “Elisha said, ‘Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.'”

2 Chronicles 20:17 (HCSB) You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.”

Psalm 23:4 (HCSB) “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff – they comfort me.”

Psalm 34:7 (HCSB) “The Angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.”

John 14:27 (HCSB) “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”

Isaiah 12:2 (HCSB) “Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the LORD, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB) “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you
with My righteous right hand.” (emphasis mine)

Isaiah 41:13 (HCSB) “For I, Yahweh your God, hold your right hand and say to you; Do not fear, I will help you.”

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

Choose LIFE

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 19:1-21:26

“I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.” 2 Kings 20:5

Isn’t it good to know that He hears our prayers and sees our tears. I can’t tell you how many gallons of tears I’ve cried out of fear, but God could. He keeps them in a bottle, that’s how precious they are to Him. (Psalm 56:8 ESV) And yet I don’t feel like those tears were for nothing; because they brought me to a new place.

In Deuteronomy 30 we find Moses reviewing the Law, blessings and curses with the people of Israel. He says to them, “the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. … I call heaven and earth as witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,” (verses 14-15 & 19-20)

Today, every day, life and death, blessing and curse, Faith and Fear are set before us to choose. And we must choose one or the other, we can’t have both.

I have been writing now for over 4 years. And in that time my readership has steadily grown. However Satan has continued to try to blind me to this reality. One of my greatest frustrations has been the feeling that “no one is listening to me”. Yet none of that is the Truth, it’s all a lie. A lie I was believing. But my friend Jesus would have none of that! So He had a reader I’ve never met email me, and then another and another. He had old friends and new friends contact me for speaking engagements and book signings. Each time my sinking heart would soar like an eagle. Like Mary I treasure those things in my heart. (Luke 2:19) The mission God created me for is being done. But not without a fight! While Jesus lives to bring us Life; Satan comes only to steal Hope, kill Joy and destroy our Faith in our God who saves. Satan will stop at nothing to snatch those treasured moments from our hearts and replace them with Fear, Disappointment and Doubt. And he does all this with words.

Words have TREMENDOUS power!

In the beginning God spoke this world into existence, and we His beloved children have that very same power living and breathing within us. His word is close to us, it is in our mouths! He surrounds us with it like the guards surrounding the child-king Joash (2 Kings 11). Every day when you take the time to “think about these things” we’re reading you’re storing them up like treasures in your heart as speech – good fruit. Fruit that will fill the belly of your soul with good things. As children of Life we have been given the power of Life and Death through our speech! We have the ability to speak blessing (or curses), Faith (or Fear) into our own lives and the lives of others! When we choose to feed our Faith, through the word of God, Fear will flee!

Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us into all Truth. As we read the Bible daily the words of Jesus are being spoken into our lives through our teacher the Holy Spirit. Situations, words, negative people, anything that conflicts with those words are Satan’s lies! Therefore, we must wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, to battle those lies. We must buckle the belt of His Truth and pick up our shield of faith with which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Psalm 91:4 tells us that God “will cover us with His pinions, and under His wings we will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.”

In this verse, whose faithfulness is it that protects you like a shield? Is it your faithfulness to God or is it His faithfulness to you? The answer to this question is absolutely critical to not just the rest of this study, but the rest of your life my friend! This Truth is a life saver and a Faith Feeder so I want you to really sink into this like you sink into your bed at night after a long day.

Your faithfulness to Him is NOT what saves you and shields you from Satan’s ploys against you. Your faithfulness is human, it’s frail and will crumble just like Peter on the night of Jesus’ betrayal. Our faithfulness to Jesus is faulty at its best. BUT, His faithfulness to you will NEVER FAIL.

That’s so sweet on my tongue I’ve just GOT to say it again!

While our faithfulness to Jesus is faulty at its best, His faithfulness to you will NEVER FAIL!!!!!

OK, maybe just one more time.

No matter how faithful you are to Him, at some point you will fail Him, but HE WILL NEVER FAIL YOU!!!!!

Mmmmm! That is good stuff right there!!!!!

Today I challenge you to annihilate Fear, start speaking words of Faith! Feed your Faith with the good fruit of God’s Word of the Day for you today. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and teach you, to lead you into His Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth so help you God! HE IS FAITHFUL and HE WILL DO THIS FOR YOU. He hears and answers you when you call. Jesus is that friend who never hits the “ignore” button when your name pops up on the caller ID. He is speaking to you today through His Holy Spirit about Fear. He is calling you to, like Jehu, annihilate your worst enemy, Fear.

In 2 Kings 6:24-7:2 the people of Samaria have become desperate to the point of cannibalism and as evidenced in the captains statement they’ve lost all hope in God saving them. “If the LORD…”

That word “if” packs quite the punch doesn’t it? In that one tiny word, Doubt is born and starts spreading like wildfire. Over the next few days pay attention to your “if statements”. Are you speaking out of Fear or from a point of Faith? Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, ask the Holy Spirit for His help, He is willing to aid you in this transformation from Fear to Faith.

Psalm 18:20-21 says “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Jesus tells us in Luke 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Paul tells us, in Philippians, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (verses 8-9)

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

The Holy Spirit Teaches & Guides Our Way

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 16:1-18:37

“So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the LORD.” 2 Kings 17:28

For the last 4 years God has been training me to stand on stages and be His witness to all the world. And honestly, that was something I was thrilled about and terrified of all at the same time. I mean, I’m just an “un-schooled ordinary” mom from small town Indiana. (See Acts 4:13) Who am I to stand in front of people and tell them what God has taught me?

And yet that is precisely what God has called me to do. So, who am I? I’m the one God called. He called me to teach His word to His people for His purposes so that they would know His love. And yet, because this is what God has called me to do, this is what Satan has made me afraid of doing!

Satan, with his big fancy words filled with empty threats and threads of truth. All woven together to form a web of deception so cunningly that it looks like a wall. BUT! When we take Satan’s word-wall of deception and spread it out under the light of the Son we realize it is nothing more than a web; thin, fragile and meaningless. Satan has no power over us.

Like Sennacherib, in today’s reading, Satan’s words contain threads of truth: “Have any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the King of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of the my hand? Who among the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hands, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? (2 Kings 18:33-35)

Here he is telling the truth. Those other gods couldn’t deliver those lands out of his hands. God explains why later in tomorrow’s reading. “Have you [Sennacherib] not heard that I [the LORD] determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass, that you should turn fortified cities into heaps of ruins.” (2 Kings 19:25)

Here’s Sennacherib with all his big words of what he has done and how he conquered all those cities; no HE didn’t! God gave them to him. But not Jerusalem.

You see, Satan comes after us with these threads of truth. And while they are true, they’re not the whole truth. They’re only part of the truth. It’s kind of like that cheap jewelry at the store. It looks like the real thing, but it’s not. And usually after you wear it for a couple days it doesn’t look real anymore either. The same is true with Satan’s lies. At first they look like the real truth. But after you’ve walked in faith, speaking your words of truth for a day or two the fear starts to wear off and the terror starts to dull and the things that looked so frightening aren’t so bad anymore.

Satan tries to lure us into thinking that money can save us from our troubles, or that a new appliance will save us time, or that cute guy will save our hearts from languishing or that that doctor will save our life. Those are lies. Those things, those people they’re false gods, they’re idols of paper and metal, flesh and bone. They’re not real. They’re not lasting. And they can’t help you. But God can!

No.

God DOES!

God knows your sitting down and your going out and coming in, and your raging against Him. (2 Kings 19:27) God knows you. He knows the needs of your body and the desires of your heart. He knows you. And He desperately wants for you to know Him more. He wants for you to know how much He loves you. He wants you to know how desperate He is to bless you. He wants to have a relationship where you’re as comfortable talking with Him as with your best friend. He wants you to know that you’re His beloved child, favored and dearly loved. He wants you to know that you can trust Him to save you because He’s GOD and He loves you with an abandon that is simply unmatched in this world. There is nothing in this world that can save you as completely as He can. There is no-one in this world that can love you like He does. There is no amount of money that can bring you peace and happiness the way He can. There is no doctor that can heal you more fully than He can.

Yaweh saves.

Period.

Everything else is a false god.

Psalm 25:9 “He leads the humble in what is right; and teaches the humble His way.”

Exodus 4:12 “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Isaiah 28:26 “For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him.” (or her)

Luke 12:12 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Psalm 119:68 “You are good and do good; teach me your statuettes.”

John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth”

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

If Faith Comes Through Hearing, What is Jesus Saying to Us Today?

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 13:1-15:38

So for the last month I’ve been posting readings from one of my latest books, Waiting. I do hope that you enjoyed them!!! I dare say I have missed you desperately over this time and I am THRILLED to be back with you again, and just in time for Christmas! Yay!

This month “off” has been crazy and chaotic and feverishly fun, but honestly, I’m very ready to get back at it, so to speak. I feel refreshed and rejuvenated in my mission to teach you the Word of God daily.

This morning God took me to Acts chapter 8 to a story of a Eunuch who served a Queen. He had just been worshiping in the temple at Jerusalem and was on his way back home when Philip came along beside his chariot. Philip overheard the Eunuch reading Isaiah and asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And the Eunuch invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

God brings me back to this passage every once in a while to remind me of my mission. “Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

In today’s Word of the Day we read about the king of Judah, Amaziah, and the king of Israel, Jehoash. In chapter fourteen Amaziah taunted Jehoash and the word that Jehoash sent back to him basically told him to “back down or else.”

“But Amaziah would not listen.” (2 Kings 14:11)

The consequence of his closed ears was dire and not just for him but for all of Judah as well. As is our consequence for not listening to the Word of God planted deep within us, begging us to choose faith over fear.

Many moons ago, as I was finishing the publishing of Waiting, I felt the LORD calling me to write about that choice we make over and over throughout each day. The choice we make between the route of faith or fear.

Each leads to very different places, yet begins at the same point, the point where our feet currently reside. We are continually faced with this decision in life. Will I choose the path of Faith, or Fear?

Often the paths look contrary to their names. The path of Faith looks wrought with difficulty and uncertainty. Whereas the path of Fear appears to be the easiest and smoothest. Ahhhh, but looks are often quite deceiving aren’t they? It often occurs that when choosing to walk in Faith as we set down the path that looks most ominous we find ourselves suddenly surrounded in hope and light and life. We become transported to an altogether different place than where we began. Most likely because God has lifted us up from where we were and carried us through the hard time we were facing.

Then there’s the choice of Fear. It’s the choice we make because we’re afraid and this path appears to be the way out of that situation that is causing us fear. But we find that when we begin to walk down that seemingly harmless path, it isn’t long before things start to change for the worse. And the path that appeared to be the path of the least resistance becomes the path of the most resistance. And we find ourselves worse off than when we began.

For this next month I will be focusing on choosing Faith and not Fear. And providing scriptures to combat the Enemy in those moments of decision so that you can remember God’s words and say to Satan, “It is written….”

In a few weeks we will be crossing over an invisible line. One second it will be 2013 and the next it will be 2014. Have you ever really sat and thought about that for a moment? Literally one second later and it’s a completely different year. And this is just one instance when this happens. It’s usually the most celebrated of the year, but there are many more that follow it. Take your birthday for example. We generally celebrate it as a “day”, but if you want to be technically precise, it’s a second thing too. One second you’re 33 and the next you’re 34; one little tick on the clock and the label changes. Time marches on, stopping for no one and nothing. Yet life doesn’t. Life has its ebbs and flows. It changes with time and over time. That never ceases to amaze me. How one moment things are this way and then the next they’re different.

It’s all very exciting, and yet at the same time there’s a little bit of trepidation that goes along with it too. There is an inherent fear in the unknown future, the unforeseeable happening and catching us unprepared. Yet time marches on, there is no stopping it because you’re not ready to face that next season, or label. Time marches on, pushing you forward against your will toward the blackness that is the unknown future. “Is there a cliff?” “Will I fall?” “Is it a mountain?” “Will I fail?”

Yet who is it that holds the future? Who is it that has time in His hand? Who is it that knows all and sees all and LOVES YOU?

Jesus.

When we live our lives surrendered to Christ, we can rest assured that no matter what happens and catches us off guard; it has NOT caught Jesus off guard. And He is with us through it all. He never leaves or forsakes us; He never abandons us in our time of need. He is that ever-present help in times of trouble. Look upon the shepherd and his sheep in your nativity set as we march into Christmas and out of this year and hear these words from heaven for you today:

“Little sheep, hear My voice. Fear not, for I am always with you. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world. I am the Good Shepherd, and you shall not want. I make you lie down in green pastures. I lead you beside still waters. I restore your soul. I lead you in paths of righteousness for My names sake. Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will fear no evil, for I am with you; Let My rod, My staff, be a great comfort to you. I prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies; I anoint your head with oil; and I fill your cup to overflowing. Did you know that My Goodness and Mercy follow you all the days of your life? It is because you are a member of the house of the LORD and you shall dwell there forever!”

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU | Leave a comment

Chariots of Fire

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Tamar


2 Kings 10:1-12:21

“Do not be afraid for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16

Oh this story has got to be one of my all time favorites! The Prophet Elisha’s servant goes out early in the morning to do his daily chores where his eyes are met with a terrifying sight, the entire town surrounded by an enemy army… there for them! I can just see his eyes widening in surprised fear, jaw dropped down to his chest, his breath quickening as he turns on his heels and scrambles back into the house breathless and afraid. He looks up at the prophet of God and asks trembling, “What shall we do?”

And then there’s Elisha, calm as a cucumber, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The servant had to think he was crazy, completely out of his mind. Couldn’t he count, one, two, there were two of them, not an army, just two; a servant and the man of God. But God’s math is a little, no a lot, different than the math of men. We can only count what we can see, and this man wasn’t seeing the whole picture. He was only looking at the natural side of things and had completely missed the supernatural side of the battle. In that moment he had forgotten who he was with. So Elisha prayed, “‘O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 17)

They had no need to fear because God was with them. And here we are today, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us has come and is with us every step of every day in every way and we have no need to fear. Yet we do, I do, all the time, more often than I can count. So often I find myself, eyes wide in fear, crying out to God “What shall I do?” and He opens my eyes (sometimes) to the angel armies surrounding me and my situation prepared to fight the Enemy to the death just for me. Then other times He doesn’t open my eyes, but rather my heart, to see the Truth that even if I can’t feel them or see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. Just because it doesn’t feel like God is with me, doesn’t mean He isn’t there holding my hand and squeezing my heart. Just because I can’t see the chariots of fire, doesn’t mean that my deliverance hasn’t come. Just because I can’t feel Him, see Him or touch Him doesn’t mean He’s not real and that He’s not there.

Just like I can look out my window and see the leaves blowing around in my yard and know that the wind is blowing without feeling it on my skin. I can look into the Word of God and see how God loves me and know that His Spirit is working on my behalf for my good; even if it doesn’t feel good to me at the time. I can know with confidence that He is good and true and faithful and just and He is acting on my behalf, no matter what my eyes are seeing. So I will choose not to be afraid. I will choose to believe in faith that there really are more with me than those who are against me. And I will believe those things sight unseen because God’s word tells me they are Truth and I want to stand in agreement with Him all the days of my life.

 

This reading has been an excerpt from Tamar’s book Waiting…, if you would like to read more it is available HERE in multiple formats.

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | 3 Comments

Healed

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Tamar

Click here for this week’s video: “Waiting for the I Wills”

Week 4 Video Guide

“for they shall hear of Your great name and Your mighty hand, and of Your outstretched arm,” 1 Kings 8:42

The 7 I Wills in Exodus 6:1-9

I will ______ you out from ______ the _________ of the _________.

I will ______ you from ______to them.

I will ______ you with an ______ arm & with great acts of _______.

I will ______ you to be My _________.

I will be your _____,

I will ______ you into the ______ that I______ to give to Abraham, to
Isaac, and to Jacob.

I will ______ it to you for a ______, I am the LORD.

The 9 I Wills in Ezekiel 20:33-38

I will be ______ over you.

I will ______ you out from the peoples & ______ you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a ______ hand & an ______ arm, & with ______ poured out.

I will ______ you into the wilderness of the peoples, & there

I will ______ into ______ with you ______ to ______.

I will ______ into ______ with you, declares the Lord GOD.

I will ______ you pass under the ______ and

I will ______ you into the ______ of the ______.

I will ______ out the rebels [sin] from among you, and those who transgress against me.

I will ______ them out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Romans 7:1-4

Or do you not know, brothers – for I am speaking to those who know the law – that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a ______ ______ is bound
by ______ to her ______ while he lives, but if her husband ______ she is ______ from the ______ of ______. Accordingly, she will be called an ______ if she ______ with another ______ while her husband is ______. But if her husband ______, she is ______ from that ______, and if she ______ another ______ she is ______ and adulteress. Likewise my brothers, you also have ______ to the ______ through the ______ of ______, so
that you may ______ to another, to ______ who has been raised from the ______, in order that ______ may bear fruit for God.

Galatians 3:10-12

For all who rely on ______ of the ______ are under a ______; for it is
written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by ______ things written in the Book of the Law, and ______ them.” Now it is evident that ______ ______ is ______ before God by the ______, for “The righteous shall live by ______,” But the ______ is not of ______, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”

Galatians 4:1-7

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a ______, is no different from a ______, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under ______ and managers until the date set by his ______. In the ______ ______we also, when we were children, were ______ to the elementary ______ of the world. But when the ______ of ______ had come, God sent forth His ______, born of ______, born under the ______, to ______ those who were under the ______, so that we might receive ______ as ______. And because ______ ______ sons, God has sent the ______ of His Son into our ______, crying, “______,______!” So you are ______ ______ a ______, but a ______, and if a son, then an ______ through God.

Luke 15:11-24 the story of the Prodigal son

“While the son is a long way off” just tells us that the entire time the Father was there w______ for the son to c______ b______.

God was w______ for us to figure out “I need a S______, I need someone to h______ m__, to pull me out of this place where I’ve put myself.

As soon as He s______ us, He comes r______ with o______ a______ ready to e______ us.

Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:33, John 19:18

With His arms outstretched, they C______ H______.

Galatians 3:13-14

Christ r______ us from the c______ of the l___ by b______ a curse for ___ – for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” – so that ____ C______ J______
the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that ___ might receive the promised Spirit through ______.

Hebrews 9:11-28

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of g______ and b______ and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of C______, who through the eternal Spirit offered H______ without blemish to God purify our c______ from dead works to serve the l______ God. 15 Therefore He is the mediator of a n___ covenant, so that those who are called may r______ the promised eternal inheritance, since a d______ has occurred that r______ them from the t______ committed under the f______ covenant.

I will deliver you from slavery to the l____,

I will bring you out from under the burdens of the L___.

I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment on J______.

I will take you to be my people, and

I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the L___.

I will bring you into the land of rest that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob,

I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.

Hebrews 9:16 For where a w______ is involved, the d______ of the one who m______ it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect o______ at d______, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with b______, and without the shedding of b______ there is no f______ of sins.

26 … But as it is, He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to p____ a______ s___ by the sacrifice of H______. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to s______ those who are eagerly w______ for Him.

Psalm 136

H___ s______ l____ e______ f______! Praise be to God alone!

2 Kings 8:1-9:37

“from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word Elisha spoke. 2 Kings 2:21-22

I have to tell you no sweeter words could I have read today. The leap of my spirit when my eyes fell on the word “miscarriage” was physically noticeable. In the last few weeks I have felt surrounded by infant death! Two miscarriages (one at only five weeks and the other at 7 months), a cousin’s daughter born with intestine problems fighting for her life, another relative through marriage trying to adopt and hitting dead ends… it’s just been too much. I mean, its one thing to be surrounded by death, but the death of infants, well it just seems so wrong.

Yet God is Sovereign and just and wise and I know that He knows best, even when it doesn’t feel good.

So today as I was just getting started in my reading I got a text that the relative through marriage was on a plane home with her “officially theirs” baby! We were so excited to hear that her waiting and dead ends were over! Hooray! But then a column of reading later there it is! The Word of the Lord that Elisha spoke, “from now on neither death nor miscarriage”! I believe that not only was that a word for them then, but that it’s a word for me and my friends and family now! Why else would God have paired it with a PERFECTLY timed text like that? That news of great joy could have come at any time but God wanted me to receive it WHILE I was reading; which (I might add) was at a much later time of day than normal… coincidence I think not!

Yes. While there may be naysayers out there who would chalk it all up to coincidence, I refuse to do so. My God has perfect timing and He knows how to use it. He really is an awesome God!

121013_2100_IvoryHouses2.jpg This reading has been an excerpt from Tamar’s book Waiting…, if you would like to read more it is available HERE in multiple formats.

Categories: 2 Kings, 365 Life, Jesus Loves YOU, Writing Through the Bible in a Year | Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.