High Places

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Israel fell into the pagan practices of neighboring nations. On hills and under spreading trees they built altars to the gods Molek, Baal, Ashteroth, Zeus and more. Each altar required a sacrifice. Israel sacrificed their sons and daughters to Molek and had sex with temple prostitutes to satisfy Ashteroth. Even though Hezekiah smashed down the idols and destroyed the altars, the sacrifice continues, even to today. A sacrifice is whatever it is in our lives that takes the place of our Creator God and Savior–power, money, sex, pleasure, success, beauty, comfort, wealth. There is a price to pay for the idols in our lives–your peace, health, integrity, marriage, family, and other relationships.

Our churches have altars in them, but it is not our sacrifice that is required. God sacrificed His one and only Son on an old rugged cross for the forgiveness of our sins so we could live with Him and for Him for eternity. We have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God, and it starts the moment you believe in Jesus as our Savior.

THINK ABOUT IT

Are there idols or gods in your life? Things that take you away from the worship and commitment to your life with God? He loves you and wants you to be in relationship with Him by reading His word, talking with Him in prayer and reaching out to others so they might be drawn to God. What is your response to God’ amazing love?

Paul said, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).

PRAY ABOUT IT

Father God, thank you for Jesus and the sacrifice He made to give us a life with you. Help us to be beacons of your light and love in this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Agent

white dove carries a gift for the feast , wild nature

When Abraham was old, he commanded his servant to go as an agent to his homeland to get a wife for his only son Isaac. The servant took ten camels and gifts of gold to Nahor where Abraham’s relatives lived. At the springs he prayed that the woman who gave him a drink would volunteer to water his camels, and she did. Rebekah was beautiful and willing to go back with the servant (agent) to marry Isaac (Genesis 24). The servant’s name was Eliezer, which means “God is the helper.”

Before Abraham began to think about a wife for Isaac, God asked him to do something unthinkable. He asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Although heartbroken, Abraham obeyed. He traveled to Moriah, built an altar and took his son to slay him. God said, ” Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (Genesis 22:12). God provided a lamb caught in the thicket for the sacrifice.

God did not spare His only Son, but gave Him to be a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus promised His followers a helper, the Holy Spirit, symbolized by a dove. His bride is the church made up of believers, and He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us live our lives pleasing to Him.

THINK ABOUT IT

Since God gave all He had, His only Son, for His bride, the response of the bride is to devote her life to loving Him and others. That’s challenging in today’s world. It was just as challenging in the world Jesus left to be with the Father. But we have a helper, the Spirit of the living God, who counsels us, comforts and encourages us when we reach out to show love and compassion as He shows love and compassion.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Thank you, Father, for giving us Jesus our Lord. Raise up your people in the church to reach a sick and dying world so those who come to believe in you will not perish but have eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.