Let's pray that God will continually open our eyes to the wonderful goodness of His Word.
Apr 27, 2011
Quick Praise (Ps. 119:18)
Let's pray that God will continually open our eyes to the wonderful goodness of His Word.
Apr 23, 2011
Apr 18, 2011
He is the Door
Here's another interesting devotional by Dr. John A. Witmer:
Christ the Door
The "door" into the ancient sheepfold was frequently nothing more than an open space in the fence or the fold itself. At night after the flocks had been driven into the fold, the shepherd or one of his hired hands would lie down across that open space in the fence, thus keeping the sheep in the fold. At the same time nothing could enter the fold or molest the sheep without arousing him.
The point as it relates to the Lord Jesus Christ is that as the "door" He is the Way of entrance into the sheepfold of God, not a barrier to entrance. So many people falsely think of Christ as though he were an obstacle to be surmounted to get to the presence of God. In contrast, the Lord Jesus Christ is the very Way of access, the only Way of access.
Entrance through Christ into the sheepfold of the family of God means salvation for us. We will be safe and sound from thieves and robbers. But we will also have freedom, not bondage. We will be able to go in and out. True liberty is found in Christ. And finally we will have nourishment and satisfaction--we shall "find pasture." Abundant blessing is found through Christ--and only through Christ.
Robertson properly says, "One can call this narrow intolerance, if he will, but it is the narrowness of truth. If Jesus is the Son of God sent to earth for our salvation, He is the only way..."
The door of the ancient sheepfold was only wide enough for one sheep to pass through at a time. With Christ as the door, we are reminded that each individual must personally receive Christ as Savior by faith and enter into the fold by Him. "I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7)(ASV)
Some years ago I wrote a song about the same topic, and I'd like to share the lyrics with you here:
He is the Door
(vs.1) The Lord's hand isn't shortened that it cannot save
and the Lord's ear isn't heavy that it cannot hear
Your life is just a vapor that appears and then disappears
so seek the Lord while He may be found call upon Him while He is near
Your sins have hidden His face so that He will not hear you
narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life
You will seek Him and find Him when you search with all of your heart
the wages of sin is death but God's gift is eternal life through Jesus
(chorus)Christ our Lord, He is the Way
He is the Life, He is the Door
He is the Door
(vs.2) I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears
the Lord's eyes are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry
Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts
and let him return to the Lord and He will have mercy on him
(repeat chorus)
(bridge)Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life
No one comes to the Father except through Jesus
(repeat chorus)
copyright Joey Culpepper Heart of Praise Music
Joey Culpepper
Apr 15, 2011
Quick Praise (2 Sam. 22:50)
Thank God with a heart of praise as you remember what He has done for you!
Apr 9, 2011
Quick Praise (1 Chron. 16:9)
When you look around at all His wonders, it's hard not to sing His praises.
Apr 6, 2011
The Ultimate Sacrifice
ultimate: adj. 1: most remote in space or time: FARTHEST 2: last in a progression: FINAL 3: EXTREME, UTMOST 4: finally reckoned 5: FUNDAMENTAL, ABSOLUTE, SUPREME 6: incapable of further analysis or division : ELEMENTAL 7: MAXIMUM
Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper
The above definitions of the word "ultimate" are from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. When I think about Jesus paying the ultimate price for our sins and becoming the ultimate sacrifice for the world, I can see how the terms "absolute", "utmost", "extreme" and "supreme" could fit. But I guess the best one would be "final", because unlike the old testament animal sacrifices of the jewish religious system which only made temporary atonement, with Jesus' sacrifice there will never be need for another.
I would like to share an old song that reads along those same lines. I hope that these words will somehow minister to you:
The Ultimate Sacrifice
v.1)You say "It was so long ago
how could it change things now?"
"How can a man crucified save me?"
But He was more than a man
He was God's only Son
Sent to redeem all of man from what they've done
chorus)Jesus gave His life the ultimate sacrifice
He gave all He had for you and I
Jesus paid the price that we all deserve to pay
Now He lives inside my heart to stay
The ultimate sacrifice
v.2)God made one way to find life
and it is still the same
You have to turn from your sins and trust in Him
Won't you accept what He's done?
Or is it all in vain?
You better hurry 'cause He will soon come again
(repeat chorus)
copyright 1989 Joey Culpepper Heart of Praise Music
Here's a devotional from Dr. John A. Witmer about the Lamb of God who was the ultimate sacrifice:
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)(ASV)
Christ the Sacrifice
The Jewish crowds who went out into the Judaean wilderness to hear John the Baptist were familiar with animal sacrifices. Such offerings were prescribed in their Mosaic religious system. They had watched lambs and bullocks and kids and doves without number slain at the temple in Jerusalem. Is John referring to this common knowledge when he identifies Jesus as "the Lamb of God"?
The definiteness of the designation would seem to point in a different direction. Many different animals were used. The sin-offering was a bullock, not a lamb (Lev. 4:4). The Day of Atonement offering was a kid, not a lamb (Lev. 16:5). The Passover lamb had no direct connection with the question of sin. The Mosaic sacrifices, therefore, represented Christ and were fulfilled in Him only in the general sense and not in the definite, specific sense.
To what then was John the Baptist referring by identifying Jesus as "the Lamb of God"? Alford is correct when he concludes that John the Baptist had specific reference to "the prophetic announcement in Isaiah 53:7." The Messiah, the Servant of Jehovah, is there compared to "a lamb brought to the slaughter." This is the one upon whom God laid "the iniquity of us all."
God indeed ordained animal sacrifices for His people Israel, but they had only temporary value, achieving nothing final. This is demonstrated by their constant repetition (Heb. 10:1-4). They pointed forward, therefore, to the One prophesied by Isaiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." He alone dealt finally and fully with the issue of sin.
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24).
Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper
Apr 5, 2011
Quick Praise (Ex. 15:2)
Exalt God. He is our strength, our song and our salvation.
Apr 1, 2011
Elijah
The following is a worship profile from the Praise and Worship Study Bible published by Tyndale House Publishers. This is a fantastic study Bible, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to study more about biblical praise and worship.
Elijah
Elijah, whose name means "the Lord is God," abruptly appears on the scene in 1 Kings 17, fearlessly and dramatically confronting the idolatry and social injustices committed by Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah's first words proclaimed judgment: a devastating drought will oppress Israel. Months later Elijah ignored a threat on his life and challenged the king to a contest: the God of Israel versus Baal and Asherah. Gathering Baal's prophets and God's people on Mount Carmel, Elijah asked the people how long they could "waver between two opinions" (1 Kings 18:21). The Lord demanded their total allegiance. When fire from heaven consumed the water-drenched altar of the Lord, the people fell on their faces in worship. The might miracle roused the Israelites from their apathy.
Elijah the Worshiper
Elijah's mission focused on worship. His charge against Ahab was that he had disobeyed God and worshiped Baal instead.
After the dramatic episode on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled to a sacred site---Mount Sinai. There, at the birthplace of the law, Elijah was able to readjust his focus and gain a new vision of God.
Elijah came to symbolize God's redemptive work among His people. Malachi identifies Elijah as a reconciler of people (Malachi 4:5-6). John the Baptist is referred to as Elijah because he preached repentance and prepared the way for the Messiah (Matthew 11:11-15).
Learning from Elijah
The Lord demands unswerving loyalty from His followers, for He alone is worthy of worship. Elijah knew this and called the northern kingdom back to the worship of its covenant God.
Elijah recognized that he, as well as all believers, could stand before the Lord only through a covenant established by God himself. While praying at the altar, Elijah called upon the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (1 Kings 18:36).
Worship can become a way of evangelism and outreach. After Elijah prayed at the altar on Mount Carmel, the Lord answered his request and turned the hearts of the people back to Himself (1 Kings 18:37-39).
Following the Example
A refusal to compromise complete devotion to God often characterizes the true worshiper. Elijah passionately pursued God's concerns for Israel with little regard for his own well-being. Despite feeling alone and inadequate much of the time, Elijah continued to depend on God and refused to tolerate the idolatry that permeated Israel. Religiously, he was an exclusivist in an age of pluralism. Today God's people must continue to resist cultural forces that threaten to dilute wholehearted devotion to God. We may take encouragement from prophets like Elijah, who loved God wholeheartedly and was strengthened by Him.
Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper
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