We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Hebrews 13: 10-12, NKJV. Dear God, how we love You for being not only our great High Priest, but also the  Sacrifice, for our sins, and then You took it a step further, You took Your place outside the camp, to identify completely, with...

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew...

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints Ephesians 6: 19.   Dear Father we ask that You hear our prayer as we make our petitions known to You; and that You answer us according to our needs, and Your will. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we humbly pray. Amen. If the title of our devotional sounds familiar to you it is because it is a line taken from a very familiar hymn, known and loved by so many, "What a Friend We Have in...

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' " Mark 13: 35-37, NIV. Dear LORD, as we gather around Your Word to study, please come close to us and bless us. This we ask in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen. One of the most hope-filled, long awaited, and dearly beloved, events among Christians, has been...

Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say." And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. Matthew 27: 11-14, NKJV. Merciful God, please help us to learn the lesson that there is power in remaining silent in the presence of accusations. May we learn this...

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand- Joel 2: 1, NIV. Dear LORD, we come before You grateful that we can gather together to study Your Word. Please be our Teacher as we seek to learn what is Your will, and do it. This we pray, in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen. There are some other words in our text that I would like us to consider. Let us spend some time looking at the phrase:  "on my holy hill." As...

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand- Joel 2: 1, NIV. Dear God, It is good to know that even the darkest days are made bright by Your presence. Please help us to be ready when the day of Your return arrives. We ask for this blessing in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen. This text was obviously considered a part of the judgment prophesied against Judah. However, Biblical scholars seem to think that the "terminology is...

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24, NIV. Our Gracious Father, and our God, we say thank You for Your everlasting love and care. We delight to be in Your presence as we study Your holy Word. Please stay close by our side we pray; in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen. If you are a person who listens carefully to what is being said, you would probably respond to this verse in the following manner:  Has God not made all the days?  Why is the psalmist singling...

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18, NRSV. Dear God, we thank You that we are more than "what meets the eye." May we allow You to bring out the best in us. This we ask...

Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”  And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1: 17, 18, NKJV. Holy Father and Creator, thank You so much for the privilege of giving You our burdens, with the assurance that all will be well. For this we give You thanks, in the name of Jesus. Amen. I really need to follow this advice! I always give...