Our High Priest

Hebrews 9:6-7, 11 tells us that, "When these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people. But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made wit hands, that is to say, not of this building. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

I want to focus on the fact that the high priest was required to enter into the Holy of Hollies twice: the first time to shed blood on behalf of his own sins, and then again on behalf of the sins of the people. Christ Jesus, with His death, shed His own blood in the Holy Place once on behalf of the sins of the people... for He had no sin to atone for Himself.

This beautiful picture of Christ's sacrifice further demonstrates the need to be a good student of the Old Testament in order to be a good student of the New Testament.

Serve God well today, as redeemed by Christ's blood,  and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

- JE

You may have noticed that I have not written in a while... I apologize. I guess I just didn't feel like writing, and I didn't force myself to do so. I am now at Dallas Theological Seminary which is a wonderful place full of individuals who desire to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. The lectures that I attend each day are so deep and intense that I find myself having to "recover" from them. It is my desire to use this blog as a way for me to reflect on some of the things that I am exposed to as I continue in my studies.

You will also notice some new features on both the right and left hand sides of the page. On the right side, I have listed a few websites that I frequent. Though I won't agree or support everything on these sites, I do recommend that you check them out for your own benefit. On the left-hand side, there is a list of books that I am reading and then a movie that I have either watched recently, or that I recommend. Once again, please use discernment... I do not agree with everything that I read or watch (and there may be cases of a film or book not being age appropriate).

God bless you, and serve Him well today!

- JE

Memorial Day

Today is a beautifully warm Memorial Day in Pennsylvania. This morning the sun glanced upon our American flag as it hung limply in the still air. It was a fitting reminder to spend a day in remembrance of my forefathers who have sacrificed their lives to protect me.

During the earlier stages of the Iraq War, then- Secretary of State Colin Powell made a memorable response to a challenge issued by the Bishop of Canterbury. The Bishop, being something of a "smart alec," said: "What is this, another case of American land-grabbing?" Powell responded by saying: "History is full of American men and women who have fought wars all over the world. But all we have asked for in return is enough land to bury our dead."

Setting aside the accuracy or inaccuracy of Powell's remark, it remains a solemn reminder of the sacrifices of the American Veteran. I would like to consider with thankfulness the sacrifices of my great-uncle Bud, who is buried at the war memorial in Luxemburg. In addition, I am thankful for the service of my Grampie, Papa, my uncles Stanton, Wendall, Jerry, and Mike, and my cousin David. Finally, thank you to my brother, Samuel, and our friends, Will, Hayden, and Jeremy for their willingness to enter and train in our armed forces in preparation for the sacrifices that you will give for the sake of our country.

- JE

Humble Service

Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet - not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity. Save me from bondage to things. Let me not waste my days puttering around the house. Lay Thy terror upon me, O God, and drive me to the place of prayer where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world. Deliver me from overeating and sleeping. Teach me self- discipline that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ...

And now, O Lord of heaven and earth, I consecrate my remaining days to Thee; let them be many or few, as Thou wilt. Let me stand before the great, or minister to the poor and lowly; that choice is not mine, and I would not influence it if I could. I am Thy servant to do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches or fame, and I choose it above all things on earth or in heaven.

A.W. Tozer

- JE

Islamic Liberalism?

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/March/Iranian-Regime-Video-Says-Mahdi-is-Near-/

- JE

Perspective

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,

a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and

sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in  

front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.  

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and

studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the

waitress was growing impatient.  

"Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins..

"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on

the table and walked away The boy finished the ice

cream, paid the cashier and left..  When the waitress

came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the  

table.  There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,

were two nickels and five pennies..

You see,  he couldn't  have the sundae, because he had

to have enough left to leave her a tip.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

-Charles Wesley


JE