For Glory & For Beauty

“And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.”

~Exodus 29:2 (NKJV)

The ancient priesthood of Israel was designed by God to typify the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the more precious symbols of this gracious work is the holy garments of Aaron and the priests. They were to wear special clothing as priests and ministers in God’s house.. This Christ does for the faithful. He gives us His righteousness as our clothes. Jesus removes the rags of sin and despair and lovingly places on His beloved robes of righteousness (Is. 61:10). If you belong to Him, He has bestowed upon you a garment for glory and for beauty. Praise Him today!

~ apl

Like Gideon’s Fleece

“A sermon steeped in prayer on the study floor, like Gideon’s fleece saturated with dew, will not lose its moisture between that and the pulpit. The first step towards doing anything in the pulpit as a thorough workman must be to kiss the feet of the Crucified, as a worshiper, in the study.”

~ Thomas Armitage (1819-1896)

With The Heart

Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.

~ Exodus 25:2 (NKJV)

The Christian religion has always been a matter of the heart. Form and fashion means very little to the Lord if the follower of God does not approach Him “with his heart”. Yes, we are commanded to bring our offerings. Certainly we should seek diligently to worship and serve the Lord. But even higher and greater than these lofty tasks is the willingness of the child of God to perform them from a love for the Lord with his whole heart.

~ apl

A Complete Savior

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

~ Luke 2:11 (NKJV)

God has provided and appointed [a Savior] from all eternity; and he had been long promised and much expected as such in time, even from the beginning of the world; and is a great One, being God as well as man, and so able to work out a great salvation for great sinners, which he has done; and he is as willing to save as he is able, and is a complete Savior, and an only, and an everlasting one: hence his name is called Jesus, because he saves from sin, from Satan, from the law, from the world, from death, and hell, and the wrath to come.

~ John Gill, Exposition of the Whole Bible

Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts,
Thou Fount of life, Thou Light of men,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to Thee again.

We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee, the Fountain-head,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill!

Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
Where’er our changeful lot is cast;
Glad when Thy gracious smile we see,
Blest, when our faith can hold Thee fast.

O Lord, be Thou our strength and stay!
Make all our moments calm and bright,
Chase all dark thoughts of sin away,
Shed o’er us here Thy holy light.

~ Bernard of Clairvaux