Thanksgiving Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

As we prepare the food for our Thanksgiving tables, as we share the gift of hospitality, as our hearts overflow with gratitude, let’s look into His word and allow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to lead our thanksgiving.  The following prayer is a compilation taken from the psalmists, the prophets and the apostles.

Father, we freely offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving.  We joy in all Your wondrous works.  We praise Your name in singing and magnify You with thanksgiving.  With hearts overflowing, we come into Your presence. We are thankful to You and bless Your holy name. Oh, Lord, our God, we praise You.  We shout hallelujah in response to the promise that You are with us wherever we go. Father, we open our hearts knowing that Your Holy Spirit surrounds us and that You are love.

We will be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we will let our requests be made known to You.  We say: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

Returning to Gratitude

Returning to Gratitude

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
^“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Many have misinterpreted this verse to say that we should be thankful “for” everything that comes into our life, even the misery, because the misery, too, must be the will of God.  The scripture actually says that “in” all situations that we should be thankful and that it is God’s will for us to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing and to be thankful in spite of what might be happening in our lives. 

However, as our culture has moved away from rejoicing, it has also moved away from thanksgiving.  “Thank You” notes are regrettably a part of the past and seldom appear in the present.  We neglect to thank the restaurant waiters because, after all, they are only doing what they get paid for.  Appreciation has all too often degenerated into deprecation.  In that deprecation, we celebrate “turkey day” and get an early start on “Black Friday” by shopping while the turkey roasts.

Our Pilgrim forefathers, after a miserable winter, celebrated their first harvest in the new colony by sharing their bounty with their neighbors.  It was a time of fellowship accentuated with gratitude to the Almighty for their survival.  In spite of the hardships they had endured, they were thankful for the harvest and hopeful for the future. 

   

How do we return to gratitude?  Let’s look again at our scripture. 

1.     Rejoice always.  Our willingness to rejoice is predicated on our free will rather than our circumstances.  Psalm 118:24 (NKJV) “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” We should rejoice because His mercies are renewed every morning” (Lamentations 3:33).

2.    Rejoicing focuses our attention upon the Lord rather than on our circumstances.  As we focus on the Lord, it becomes the order of the day to discuss both the ordinary and the extraordinary things with Him.  That is prayer without ceasing.

3.    Then, as we pray continually, thanksgiving will flow from us.  We will desire to thank God for all that He has done.  We will feel gratitude for those who serve to make our lives easier.  We will see the thought behind the gift rather than the price tag.    

Father, we thank You that You are joyful and that the desire of Your heart is for Your children to be joyful as well.  We rejoice in Who You are and the blessings You pour upon us.  We thank You for Your loving arms.  We thank You for Your peace.  We thank You for Thanksgiving Day.   

We love the food; we love the fellowship; we love the family.  Give us strength to walk away from the lure of merchandisers and simply rest in the bounty You have provided.  Our hearts sing with joy in the knowledge that Your Son has made it possible for us to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing and in everything to give thanks.  Amen.

Godly Justice

Godly Justice

By Rev. Lonnie C. Croweesign for Compassionate Justice

April 4th,

Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. - Amos 5:23, 24 (NKJV)

God is just; therefore, He desires justice for and from His church. Influenced by the world’s system, we often equate justice with punishment alone, demanding to see the perpetrator suffer, and once that suffering is exacted, we walk away.

There is a passage in Matthew that is often used to justify this harsh way of dealing with people, but the overall context and purpose of these words get lost. God wants us to have His perspective regarding the compassionate justice and reconciliation He desires. Let’s look at the larger context:

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. (Matthew 18:10-17; NKJV)

Several points are worthy of examination:

1. “The little ones” are not necessarily children. The Greek word translated “little” could also be translated “least.”  The little ones, therefore, can be those who are new or immature in their faith; it could also be those who are weakest or most vulnerable. In some respects, we are all “little ones.”

If one of us goes astray, the heart of Father God is for that one to be rescued from the rocky perils of worldliness and to be restored to His flock.

2. In this passage, God gives us the process for reconciliation. We are just as accountable for following this progression as the wayward sheep is for his actions in leaving the fold of the Shepherd.

Unfortunately, we frequently follow another path: we gossip over coffee, take one or two others with us to “ambush” the offender, which humiliates the “lost sheep.” Then we quickly spread the word that God will remove blessing from the church if that wayward one remains. This is neither compassionate nor just.

3. God tells us that, if the offenders do not repent, we are to treat them as we would treat a heathen or a tax collector. We have generally taken that to mean cutting them off or dismissing them, but what if we were to consider what that means in the context of how God Himself treated the heathen or tax collector in Scripture?

Remember, Abraham came from a family that worshipped false gods (Joshua 24:2), but God revealed Himself to this heathen and made a profound covenant with him.

In the New Testament, Matthew, who is sometimes called Levi, was a tax collector, yet he was called out to be one of Jesus’ disciples. Zaccheus—another tax collector—was sought out by Jesus and invited into a life-changing encounter.

The heathen and the tax collector represent those regarded with great disdain in the Hebrew culture, yet the Lord loved them, pursued them, and entered into relationship with them.

4. Godly justice requires not only that we are held accountable for our decisions and our actions, but we are also to be loved, counseled, discipled, and brought back into the fold. And while it is true that sometimes people resist this process, still God’s unfailing love never writes anyone off.

Since the Fall, God’s plan has been to redeem and to reconcile a people for Himself.  True justice—compassionate justice—requires making a pathway to repentance and restoration. Reconciliation, rather than ostracism, will create an atmosphere where justice can run down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Celebrate the Last Great Day

Celebrate the Last Great Day

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Leviticus 23:33-36 (NKJV)

³³ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ³⁴  "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. ³⁵  On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. ³⁶  For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.”

Today, Christians who celebrate the Lord’s Appointed Times often refer to the celebration of the eighth day as “The Last Great Day”  in reference to  John 7:37-38 (NKJV) “³⁷  On the last day, that great day of the feast. . . .”  While seven in scripture is a reference to fullness, to completeness, eight is the number of new beginnings.  

In the days of Jesus, God’s people celebrated the eighth day by lighting the temple courtyards with lampstands and torches until it truly shown forth as a city on a hill that could not be hidden.  With much pageantry, the people praised the Lord in song and dance.  Even today, the eighth day is a celebration of light.  The process of creation in Genesis began when the Lord said, “Let there be light.” New beginnings are birthed in light.

During the time of Moses, the Israelites followed the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  The wise men followed the light of the star to Bethlehem to worship the Christ child. 

 On the great day of the feast, after the Temple Mount in Jerusalem had been lighted for all to see, Jesus proclaimed, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.", “John 8:12 (NKJV).  (John 7 takes place at after sunset, the beginning of the last day of the feast.  The events of John 8 take place starting early the next morning.  Some would argue that John 8 takes place after the last great day.  However, the biblical day begins at sunset.  In biblical timing, the next morning is still the same day. )

At another time, Jesus spoke to us saying, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)

Just as Jesus is the light of the world, as His ambassadors, we, too, are to be shining lights for the Kingdom of God. 

Another event of the celebration included an offering of water.  The high priest, with the other priests and thousands of worshipers, marched from the Temple to the Pool of Siloam.  The pool of Siloam was a renowned place of healing.  At the pool, the priests filled a pitcher with water and went back to the Temple.  The high priest then poured the water onto the altar. By offering the water, the people were praying for healing for themselves and their land.   The healing of the blind man who washed in the waters of Siloam occurred on the last great day. (John 9: 7-11).  

New beginnings in Scripture often begin with water.  In Genesis 1:1, the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters as the process of creation began.  In the days of Noah, the Lord sent the floodwaters upon the earth, and the earth was recreated.  (Genesis 6) When the Israelites left Egypt under the leadership of Moses, they passed through the Red Sea.  Later, when Joshua led them into the Promised Land, they crossed over the Jordan. Jesus was baptized before He began His earthly ministry.  We are “buried with Him in baptism, in which we also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12.)

Knowing the need for new beginnings in all our lives, ^“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  John 7:37-38 (NKJV). 

New beginnings start with drinking from the well of the water of life. The result of that experience should be evident in our lives. 

The last great day was also a time for celebrating the Word of God.  Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible) is all about praising God for His Word, for His statutes and commandments that bring us life, peace and joy. The greatest part of our praise should be for the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.  Let’s behold and proclaim His glory. (John 1:14)

.  Take a few moments and celebrate Jesus who is the light of the world, the living water and the incarnate, life-giving Word of God. Then step forward into a new beginning in Him.

Becoming an Instrument of God’s Peace

Becoming an Instrument of God’s Peace

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The gospel of Matthew records Jesus speaking of the wars and rumors of wars that will come.  We speak often of these wars on a global scale and just as often neglect the root of those wars.  The root is a spirit of strife and anger that rests in the hearts at the community, regional and national levels.  We are witnessing this not only in our own country, but globally. 

 Unfortunately, many have reacted with anger and bitterness which only breed more anger and bitterness.

We accomplish nothing but the breeding of more strife by sitting over our coffee cups and grousing and blaming.  The media breeds strife on a global scale, but still accomplishes nothing.

We say, “What can I do?  I am only one person.”

Speaking through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord said, "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30).  

Are you willing to be one person to stand in the gap against the spirit of anger and strife?

How should we stand?  “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8).

Personally, we must “let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:24.)

It is time to humble ourselves and pray with St. Francis of Assisi:

“But Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy. 

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, 
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

Amen and again I say, Amen.

Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur:  The Day of Atonement

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            For Christians, Yom Kippur celebrates the atonement of Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection.  Through His atonement, the price for our sin has been paid, and we are reconciled to God.  

            The first step in receiving that atonement is repentance.  Repentance involves a heart change in direction and in life, from sin and self-centeredness to holiness and God-centeredness.  Repentance is the first step toward God, and  involves a permanent change of mind and direction. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)”  When we have truly repented, we think God’s thoughts about the nature sin rather than our own thoughts.

            In the atonement, we enter into a new covenant with God the Father.  In scripture, Jesus is called “the last Adam.”  1 Corinthians 15:45 (NKJV) “ And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”  Because Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins, we can walk in fellowship with God just as Adam did before Fall.  The atonement has made that possible because of the Holy Spirit who resides within us.  

            1 Corinthians 15:48-49 (NKJV)  “As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”  Because of the atonement, we can be like Jesus, full of the fruit of the spirit:
^“22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
²⁴  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)”

            In our renewed minds, we then perceive the commandments of God, not as impossible restrictions in our lives, but as the pathway to the abundant life.  We perceive the commandments as beatitudes:  

1.  Happy are those who worship God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 

2.  Happy are  those who do not allow anything to become more important to them than God is.

3.  Happy are those who understand who God is and do not misuse His name.

4.  Happy are those who keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. Happy are those who honor their Christian heritage.

6.  Happy are those who do not allow hatred and unforgiveness to control their lives.

7.  Happy are those who are faithful to their commitments to God and to one another.

8.  Happy are those who respect the property of others.

9.  Happy are those who do not make false or unfounded accusations against others.

10.   Happy are those who are thankful for the blessing of God in their lives and who do not desire what others have.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the atonement of Jesus Christ that allows me to live in victory over sin and the sorrow it can bring into my life.    I worship You on this Yom Kippur.

Nothing But The Blood by Robert Lowry

What can wash away my sin

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Beholding His Glory

Beholding His Glory

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In the Temple of God, the Ark of the Covenant sat in the Holy of Holies.  The Ark demonstrated the terms and provisions of the covenant God has made with us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The glory of God rested on the Mercy Seat, the lid of the Ark.  Two cherubim sat on that Mercy Seat and the glory of God rested between them.  Hebrews 9: 2-5. “For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.”

In ancient Israel, Hezekiah was a king not a priest.  He had never seen into the Holy of Holies, yet he knew the presence of God rested there. Isaiah 37:15-16.  Then Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying: "O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.”  God dwells between the angelic beings commissioned to guard His glory which is manifested in His mercy.

The Hebrew word translated as mercy is kabod meaning "weight" or "heaviness." The same word is also used to express importance, honor, and majesty. To behold the mercy of God is to behold His glory which sometimes appeared as a cloud and/or a pillar of fire.

We see the glory cloud in the passages describing the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt.  It was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  Exodus 13:21 “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.”

The glory of God is sometimes referred to as the Shekinah which means “the one who dwells” or “that which dwells.”  God’s desire is to dwell among His people. 

Until the veil was opened, only the High Priest was allowed to see the glory of God and only on one day during the year, Yom Kippur. During the time of Jesus, the Ark of the Covenant was not in the Holy of Holies.  It had disappeared during the Babylonian captivity.  Today, many Jews and Christians alike yearn for reappearance the Ark of Covenant.  We want to experience that depiction of His Glory.

Sadly, too many Christians do not fully understand that we are the Temple of God, that the Glory of God dwells within us, that we are the guardians of His Holiness.  The Apostle John wrote, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

In Jesus Christ, the glory of God is revealed.  When we love Him and are obedient to Him, we behold His glory. How, then, can we do anything but worship Him?

On Pentecost, the shekinah glory physically appeared as tongues of fire over the heads of all those in the Upper Room. (Acts 2:1-3) “Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.”  Glory to God in the highest!!

In the Revelation, John peered into the spiritual realm and saw Jesus in all of His Glory: (Revelation 1:12-16) “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.  His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.”

His glory shines forth in a radiance that we cannot behold because His light is more magnificent than the sun.  No wonder that the Lord hid Moses in the cleft of the rock and allowed the man to see only the backside of His glory.

Think of it! This magnificent, powerful, radiant God calls us His children and loves us so passionately that He sent His Son to the cross so that dwell with us forever and ever.  Let’s bring the song back to Zion and the praise back to Him.  The darkness in the world is crying out to see the glory of our God in our lives.

The Judgment of God?

The Judgment of God?

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Worldwide political turmoil, chaos, earthquakes, wildfires, catastrophic weather patterns—are these the judgment of God for the wickedness in our world?  Perhaps.  They are, at the least, a wake-up call.  Who are the sleepers that need to arise?

Although in ages past, the prophets warned of God’s judgment against the world, they also warned His people about their impending judgment and declared it was time for them to awaken, to step out of their sin and into His righteousness.

When judgment does come, where does it begin?  (1 Peter 4: 17) “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

We have experienced much repentance for the sins of our nation during the past months.  However, many of us have had our eyes set only on the sins of “the other guys.” But what about our own sins, the sins of the born-again, Spirit-filled, Bible believing Christians? 

On the day after Palm Sunday, Jesus cleansed His own house.  He cleansed the Temple.  If we want a turn-around in our nation and in the world, we believers must first cleanse our own temples, for we are the temple of God indwelt by His Holy Spirit.  The spirits of evil will be defeated in our nation, when Christians step out of darkness and into the light.  The spirit of abortion will be broken when Christians stop having abortions.  The spirit of substance abuse will be broken when Christians stop abusing substances.  The spirit of sexual sin will be broken when Christians stop practicing sexual sin.  The spirit of lying will be broken when Christians stop lying.

It was at the dedication of the first Temple in Jerusalem that the Lord spoke to Solomon saying, (2 Chronicles 7: 14-15) "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Later God spoke through the prophet Isaiah: (Isaiah 60: 1-3:) “Arise, shine; For your light has come! and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles (unbelievers) shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.”

Jesus said to His followers, (Matthew 5:13-15) "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

The world must see Jesus in our countenance and in our behavior as well as in our words.

People of God, reveille has sounded.  It is time to rise and shine and proclaim His glory.

It Only Takes a Moment

It Only Takes a Moment

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Remembering that the Tabernacle is a picture of Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him, we must understand that we can be saved and remain in the outer court.  The outer court is good, but God has something even greater for us—intimacy with Him and other believers in the Holy Place, the front room of the Tabernacle. However, our God is a God of abundance.  He has even more for us.

In the Tabernacle, a heavy veil separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.

Exodus 26:31-33:  "You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, upon four sockets of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.”

The blue in the design represents the revelation of heaven; the purple, the Kingship of God; the scarlet, His sacrifice for us—the blood of Jesus which seals our covenant with Him.  The cherubim picture the mighty warrior angels who guard the holiness of God Most High.  The pillars of acacia word represent both the cross and the Tree of Life—first seen in the Garden and again in the eternal Jerusalem. The gold symbolizes His divinity.  The veil, itself, is a picture of holiness, power and authority of Yahweh, the Great I Am, Lord of Heaven and Earth.

The veil also shows that our sin separates us from God. Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Simply put, we sin when we settle for less than what the Lord has for us, when we settle for less than the best.

The veil reveals to us where Old Testament believers were, walking in His light, fellowshipping with other believers, interceding for the Kingdom, yet separated from His glory.

But in the most definitive moment in time, that moment when our Lord cried out, “It is finished” and slipped out of His earthly body, something amazing, something too wonderful for unregenerate understanding to grasp, happened: Matthew 28: 51: “And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.”

The division between man and God was torn asunder from heaven to earth. God made a way for us to sing and dance on that Holy Highway right into the presence of our King.

Hallelujah! What a Savior.

As I mediated on this, the Holy Spirit brought to my mind a phrase from Hello Dolly by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart: “It only takes a moment to be loved a whole life long.” 

We are eternal beings.  Our life is forever.  Our moment is the tearing of the veil.

Holy Highway

Ginger Hendricks | Jim Hendricks

There's a road called the holy highway
That once was a desert land
Very soon you'll hear the sound of
A holy marching band
Everlasting joy upon them
There's a remnant strong and true
We bring the song back to Zion
We bring the praise back to You

We exalt You God almighty
You are worthy to be praised
Let all nations bow before You
Holy ancient of all days

There's a road called the holy highway
Where the people dance and shout
For the enemy is running
With confusion all about
Wave our banners in the victory
Raise them high His Word is true
We bring the song back to Zion
We bring the praise back to You

We exalt You God almighty
You are worthy to be praised
Let all nations bow before You
Holy ancient of all days.

Entering the Holy Place: He Is the Light of the World

Entering the Holy Place: He Is the Light of the World

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Remembering that the Tabernacle is a picture of Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him, we must understand that we can be saved and remain in the outer court.  The outer court is good, but God has something even greater for us—intimacy with Him and other believers in the Holy Place, the front room of the Tabernacle.

In the Old Testament economy, only the priests, all of whom were born into the tribe of Levi, could enter into the Tabernacle.  Today, if we are born again in Jesus, we can enter into that intimate relationship with God that He has pictured in the Tabernacle.  Because in Jesus, believers are all priests.

Three articles of furniture stood in the Holy Place, the menorah, the table of show bread and the altar of incense.

The menorah was a lampstand.  A study of the menorah reveals much about our Savior.  It was crafted of beaten gold depicting His suffering in the courts of the religious leaders, at the hands of the Romans and on the cross.  It was comprised of seven branches to hold seven oil lamps.  Seven is the number of completion, of perfection, of God. The oil represents the Holy Spirit.  It was only in the light of the menorah that the priests could minister in the Holy Place. 

During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus taught in the outer court of the Temple.

John 8:12: "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.''

He is our menorah, our lampstand. We can truly minister only in His light. The Word of God has much to say about our walking in that light:

Matthew 5:13-15:  Jesus spoke of His followers saying: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

 Matthew 5:16.:  He has commissioned us:  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

1 John 1:4-5: “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

We must enter at the gate, come through the courtyard and into the Holy Place in order to bask in His light, to be empowered by His Spirit and to enjoy a richer fellowship with Him. It is a progression, a Holy Highway. On that Highway, we find our joy.

Take your harp from the willow tree, put on your marching shoes, ctrl/click the following link and join the holy marching band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsrpSM2Fz-s

Eclipse Musings

Eclipse Musings
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Romans 1:20a: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.”  

What invisible attributes of God can be clearly seen in the solar eclipse?

Notice how the shadow moves across the face of the sun and conceals the light.  Yet, even in its totality, the eclipse does not completely cover the light. Even though the eclipse covers the sun, the corona of the sun can still be seen. Corona is the Latin word for crown.  

Jesus is the Light of the world.  He is King of Kings.  For most of us, the eclipse will be only time in our lives that we will see the corona which pictures His crown, His majesty, His glory.
John 1:5: “His life is the light that shines through the darkness--and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

As soon as the darkness of the eclipse is at its fullness, it moves on. It appears as though the light is pushing it away.

The message:  The darkness of sin has spread across our nation and the world.  It seems to have eclipsed truth. Yet, in the darkest of times, the corona of Jesus Christ can still be seen.  In the fullness of His timing, the light will again come forth and dispel the darkness.
In the eclipse, we see that in Jesus Christ, darkness can never overcome light.

All this was put into place in Genesis 1, on the fourth day, when the Lord placed the sun, moon and stars in the heavens.

I marvel at the magnitude and exactitude of Yahweh, Elohim, the Lord God Almighty.

An Eclipse of Biblical Proportion

An Eclipse of Biblical Proportion

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

On August 21, 2017, we will witness a total eclipse of the sun across much of our nation. Thousands will be coming to areas within the eclipse path.  I am blessed to live in one of the “hot” spots where the eclipse will be total. However, the eclipse is not only a natural event, but also a supernatural phenomenon.  God placed the lights in the sky for signs and for seasons.  God has a message for us.

Smith’s Bible Dictionary gives us some historical context: “No historical notice of an eclipse occurs in the Bible, but there are passages in the prophets which contain manifest allusion to this phenomenon. (Joel 2:10,31; 3:15; Amos 8:9; Micah 3:6; Zechariah 14:6) Some of these notices probably refer to eclipses that occurred about the time of the respective compositions: thus the date of Amos coincides with a total eclipse which occurred Feb. 9, B.C. 784, and was visible at Jerusalem shortly after noon; that of Micah with the eclipse of June 5, B.C. 716. A passing notice in (Jeremiah 15:9) coincides in date with the eclipse of Sept. 30, B.C. 610, so well known from Herodotus' account (i. 74, 103). The darkness that overspread the world at the crucifixion cannot with reason be attributed to an eclipse, as the moon was at the full at the time of the Passover.”

The prophets spoke about the sins of Israel and the coming judgment as the result of that sin.  We know that our world today wallows in sin that could rightly result in the judgment of God coming upon the scene.

However, the message if the prophets was not limited to impending judgment.   The prophets also spoke of deliverance and salvation for the believing remnant. 

Amos: 9:11-15: "On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,'' says the Lord who does this thing.

"Behold, the days are coming,'' says the Lord, "When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them,'' says the Lord your God.”

Just as God used judgment to call straying Israel back to Himself, He will use judgment to purify the Church, the Bride of Christ.  Our Christ is returning for a Bride without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27). 

Remember, in the beginning, darkness covered the face of the deep.  God spoke into that darkness and commanded, “Light be” and light is. 

If this is to be an eclipse of Biblical proportion, allow God to speak into the darkness of your spirit so that light can pervade your being.  Then the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings and the light of His love will eclipse the darkness (Malachi 4:2).

Coming into His Court

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah 35:8-10

“A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray.”

The Tabernacle in the wilderness and, later, the Temple in Jerusalem provided the road map for the Highway of Holiness.   

Once we enter into the doorway, that is, once we enter through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we find ourselves surrounded and protected by the purity of the unblemished Lamb of God. 

In the courtyard, we come first to the brazen altar of sacrifice where we are reminded of Jesus, Who became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Isaiah 53-4-6: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Then we come to the laver filled with living water.  There the priests washed their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle itself.  The laver reminds us that we need to be cleansed, to confess our sins and repent, before we can enter into the presence of God. We must open our Bibles and learn to walk and be washed by His word.

Ephesians 5:25-26: “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

In the Old Testament economy, only the priests, all of whom were born into the tribe of Levi, could enter into the Tabernacle.  Today, if we are born again in Jesus, we can enter into that intimate relationship with God that is pictured in the Tabernacle.  In Jesus, we are all priests.

Revelation 1:5-6: “from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” What an awesome privilege.  Only those who have accepted the sacrifice of our Lord and choose to walk with Him may enter into the presence of God Most High. 

We can be saved and remain in the outer court.  The outer court is good, but God has something even greater for us—intimacy with Him and other believers in the Holy Place, the front room of the Tabernacle.

Today is the day to accept that Jesus is the only way, to step through the gate and allow yourself to be surrounded by His purity and holiness, to recognize His sacrifice for you, to allow yourself to be cleansed, to put on your priestly mantle and become a part of that redeemed remnant who will bring the song back to Zion and the praise back to God.

Ctrl/click the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsrpSM2Fz-s

Holy Highway

Ginger Hendricks | Jim Hendricks

Entering at the Narrow Gate

Bring the Praise Back to Zion Part 3

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah 35:8-10

“A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray.  No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there,  And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

The Church has held itself in captivity to worldliness.  Now is the time to walk again the Highway of Holiness. It is the time to rebuild and restore.

The rebuilding and restoration must begin with the Church, the spiritual Israel.  In the rebuilding process, it is good to reexamine the tabernacle in the wilderness which became the design of the Temple in Jerusalem. God’s presence, His glory, rested there in the Holy of Holies.

The tabernacle is a picture of both Jesus Christ and the believer. Jesus is the true Tabernacle.  In Him we see the fullness of God. Believers, too, are the dwelling place of God:  Christ is in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

M.R. DeHaan, founder of the Radio Bible Class, compared believers to the tabernacle:

“The redeemed person is composed of body, soul, and spirit. The body corresponds to the court of the tabernacle. It is the outer, the visible part of our personality. It is the place of sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2). The soul answers to the holy place and is the place of worship and fellowship with other believers, feeding about the table, walking in the light, interceding for others. Finally, the spirit of the believer is the inner holy of holies, the deepest, hidden life of perfect, individual, personal communion with God beneath the blood. It is the place of spiritual victory.”

Keep this in mind as we walk through the restoration of the Church, the spiritual tabernacle.

The linen fence around the tabernacle and the courtyard remind us that we must put a guard around our hearts.  We must protect our spirituality.  We must hold fast to our relationship with God.  Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

What are we watching? What are we reading? To whom are we listening? The fence was made of white linen representing purity.  Is our fence pure?  Are we walking in holiness?

Believers can enter the courtyard only through the door. We must enter in order to have relationship with Him.  Jesus is that door.  "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” John 10:9.

Jesus is the door.  Not Allah.  Not Vishnu.  Not Buddha. Jesus, only Jesus.  “Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?'' Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:5-6). Jesus is not “a” way.  He is “the” way.

To bring the song back to Zion, we must walk that Highway of Holiness that begins with our acceptance of Jesus as not only our Savior, but as our Lord as well. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Entering that narrow gate brings a promise. “"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” John 10:10-11.

Are we willing to guard our hearts and enter into fellowship with Him? 

Psalms 100:1-5: “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.