Daily Devotionals--NEW

[la.lady]

Tammy thanks for the Devotion Today... You know that when we pray for people that need to be healed, that we are doing what God has told us to do??? Just think!!! We are God's Diciples... Isn't that just a wonderful feeling!!!!!! God is Good!!!! and FULL OF LOVE!!!

[Pcola Girl]

http://


Sorry to have been away for so long but my husband has been sick and I have been taking care of him. He is home now from the hospital and doing well.
I have missed you all alot and have thought of you often to. Glad to see you all have still be posting here while I was away.

Here is todays Bible study, its on Angels. I choose this subject today because I have felt something near my husband and I during his illness, it was either a angels present or Gods present because I could just sense a love and comforting aura around us during this time. I could even smell this scent that had a wonderful clean aroma about it.
I do believe in Angels and I do believe my husband and I had one watching over him during his illness.

Hope you enjoy todays Bible study. May God Bless You all.

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"Angels-What They Do"

Angels have four main functions: 1) worship and serve God 2) protect and deliver saints 3) pour out judgment on the wicked 4) war against demons

I. Angels Worship and Serve God

Rev. 5:11-12-The angels join in with the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures in praise to God. Also see Rev. 7:11-12. These verses picture what the angels are doing in heaven.

Luke 2:13-15-At the birth of Jesus, the angels appeared on earth and praised God.

Ps. 103:20-21-Angels bless the Lord, perform His Word, serve Him, do His will, and obey His voice. Since angels are to obey the voice of God, we can pray that God will send His angels to protect us.

The Bible doesn't teach that we can command angels to do what we wish, as some interpret Matthew 18:18 to mean. Even Jesus, in Matt. 26:53, didn't command angels, but spoke of asking the Father to send them.
The Bible teaches that Christians can bind Satan (Matt. 12:24-29, Luke 11:17-22) and loose people in bondage (Luke 13:11-16, Mark 7:33-35, John 11:44), but it says nothing of losing angels.

II. Angels Protect and Deliver the Saints

The following verses show the relationship between the angels and believers, and how angels minister to us (Heb. 1:14).

1. "Joy in the presence of angels" In Luke 15:7-10, Jesus said there is joy in the presence of angels over one sinner who repents. It doesn't say the angels rejoice, but that they are present when the people in heaven rejoice over a repentant sinner. Perhaps that means they are sent out to minister to that individual at the moment the person repents (Heb. 1:14, Luke 12:8-9).

2. "Confess before the angels" In Luke 12:8-9, we find that when we confess Jesus before men, then He will confess us before the angels of God. This suggests several things:

a. When we confess Him before men, He confesses us before an order of beings that is higher than men, the angels.

b. This suggests a special protection upon us when we share our faith in Christ to others.

c. This shows that the angels know us by name.

3. "Their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father"
In Matt. 18:10, Jesus warns those who would harm one of His little ones because their angels see the face of the Father.

a. "Their angels" suggests that each believer has his own guardian angels to protect him and judge those who hurt him.

b. Angels can behold the face of the Father at the same time they watch events on earth. Don't think of heaven as "far away"!

c. This suggests the Father dispatches them to protect us.
4. Angels can prepare the way and protect us from harm.
Gen. 24:7-Angel went before him to find a wife

Ex. 14:19-The angel of God went before and behind them.

Ex. 23:20-Angel went before them to prepare the way.

Ps. 34:7-"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues him." If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have an angel near you right now!

Ps. 91:11-12-The angels guard us in our ways and sometimes they intervene to keep us from hurting ourselves. This verse was misquoted by the devil in Luke 4:10 by trying to get Jesus to act foolishly on the basis that "God will protect you anyway."

5. Angels can deliver the saints if they are in trouble.
Acts 12:5-11-And angel woke up Peter in prison and his chains fell off. He then led him past the guards while the gate opened by itself, setting him free. Also see Acts 5:19.

6. Angels can give us strength.
Matt. 4:11-After Jesus was tempted, the angels ministered to Him.

Luke 22:43-In the Garden of Gethsemane, an angel strengthened Jesus.

Dan. 10:15-18-And angel touched Daniel and he was strengthened.

7. Angels carry Christians to heaven when they die.
Luke 16:22-The angels carried the spirit of the poor man to Abraham's bosom (Paradise). Angels watch over us while we are alive, and carry us to God when we die.

8. Angels are taught wisdom by Christians.
Eph. 3:10-the manifold wisdom of God is taught to angels through the Church.

1 Pet. 1:10-12-Angels desire to look into salvation. They can't experience salvation, but they desire to know more about it.

1 Cor. 4:9-They constantly watch us.

Heb. 13:2-Some have entertained angels without knowing it.

III. Angels Execute Judgment Upon the Wicked.

Acts 12:19-23-Herod was struck dead by an angel.

2 Kings 19:35-One angel killed 185,000 Assyrians.

Throughout the book of Revelation, God uses angels to pour out judgment upon the earth. At the 2nd Coming of Jesus, the angels will come with Jesus to execute judgment upon on unbelievers (Jude 14-15, Matt. 16:27, 2 Thess. 1:6-10). It is clear the angels know who is savedand who isn't because they will gather the wicked for judgment (Matt. 13:30, 37-41, 25:31-32).

IV. Angels War With Demons.

The Bible teaches there is a warfare between angels and demons in the spiritual realm. This is not to be confused with our warfare against demons (2 Cor. 10:4).

Rev. 12:7-9 speaks of a war in heaven between Michael and his angels and Satan and his angels. The devil wasn't strong enough and was thrown down to earth. In Dan. 10:12-13, 20-21,
Daniel prayed and the answer was delayed 21 days because was a demon "prince" over Persia was warring with the angel who was bringing the answer. The angel called upon Michael to him fight, and the angel finally got to Daniel with the answer. Satan and the demons will be bound at the 2nd Coming of Christ (Rev. 20:1-2, 10).

[la.lady]

Mary what a blessing I got out of our devotion for today. I too believe in Angels and you know what I have seen my Guarding Angel...

WHEN THE GIRLS WERE LITTLE, HENRY HAD TO WORK NIGHTS AND I WAS SO AFRAID TO STAY BY MYSELF... WELL GOD SHOWED ME MY ANGEL AND HE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. HE WAS BIG, HAD ON A WHITE GOWN AND CARRIED A LANTERN UP AND DOWN MY HALL WATCHING OVER ME AND MY BABIES... THE LIGHT WAS SO BRIGHT THAT I COULDN'T SEE HIS FACE... I TELL YOU WHAT, THAT WAS QUITE AMAZING.


I HEARD A LADY ONCE SAY, THAT WE ARE TO NAME OUR ANGEL, AND EVEN TALK TO HIM. WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THIS??? SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!!!!

[Star123]

[quote=la.lady;10780927]Mary what a blessing I got out of our devotion for today. I too believe in Angels and you know what I have seen my Guarding Angel...

WHEN THE GIRLS WERE LITTLE, HENRY HAD TO WORK NIGHTS AND I WAS SO AFRAID TO STAY BY MYSELF... WELL GOD SHOWED ME MY ANGEL AND HE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. HE WAS BIG, HAD ON A WHITE GOWN AND CARRIED A LANTERN UP AND DOWN MY HALL WATCHING OVER ME AND MY BABIES... THE LIGHT WAS SO BRIGHT THAT I COULDN'T SEE HIS FACE... I TELL YOU WHAT, THAT WAS QUITE AMAZING.
[quote/]

Morning Ladies,

Mary, I loved your devotion on Angels today!!!

Patty Ann, what an amazing revelation that you had seeing your guardian angel protecting you and your children. When I was in the twenties, my parents were having marital problems, and I was devastated. It was summertime and I was sitting on our patio calling out to God, in tears asking him to prove himself by showing me my guardian angel. He most certainly did!!! He showed me a sphere, [or a ball of electricity] that moved above my head to the corner of the yard. I asked him again to confirm it and he did it exactly as the first time. I have never doubted God and having a guardian angel who protects me. That was about 25 years ago.

As for naming your guardian angel? The bible doesn't teach us to do that. Everything we do needs to be based on biblical principles. Neither are we to worship them, they are our fellow servants!!!

Angels watching over us!!!
Luv, Tammy

[Pcola Girl]

I really don't have a name for my guardian angel but I guess you could call them by any name you want to.
I just know I have some because I have seen them, there were three angels when I saw them. Mine did not have wings but looked lik a clear crystal with light flowing through them and they walked and hovered in the air. I could feel their presence to all around me.

I think sometimes people do not open their hearts and eyes to be able to see thier angel, thats why all people have not seen them like I have. I feel thir presence around me all the time, just like this morning I was sitting on the side of my bed reading the paper and I felt the bed move as if someone sat down on it beside me, I just looked to them and smiled and said hello there even though I did not see them this time, just felt their presence.
When I tell people of this they think I am nuts but I don't care, I know what I see and feel and God does to.

When our son was ill with leukemia, during his last days while he was in a coma, I saw and felt angels all around us in the hospital, I even felt one hug me. That may sound strange but when I was sitting beside my sons bed crying and praying at the same time, I felt someone hug me even though there was no one else in the room with us. I know it was one of mine or his guardian angel watching over us.

I want to share this with you all to, even after my sons death, one day I was napping on the bed one afternoon and I am do not think it was a dream but a vision or God allowed me to see a bit of Heaven, but my son came to me looking so healthy and well and smiling with the biggest sweetest smile I have even seen, He just looked at me with that smile and said " He is really real mom". Talking about Jesus.
I tried to come closer to him to give him a hug but he would not let me touch him. I think that was because he was a heavenly spirit now and I was still earthly. I feel he came to tell me this so I would know that he was in Heaven and ok and for me not to cry anymore. I know this was not a dream but a vision because dreams are so eratic and all messed up and in no order, but this vision was in order if you know what I mean.

I still miss our son so much and think of him often and keep his pictures hanging on the wall in the family room just like I always have. People tell me to remove them but I won't.
I know one day I will be with him so I'll just keep on trusting God and His will for me until that day comes.

I will post our Bible study later, have not decided which one I want yet. With my husband being ill I have gotton out of my routine but I promise to get back in it as soon as I can.
If there is any topic you want to discuss or know about please tell me so I can post it for us to discuss.

[Pcola Girl]

Thought this was a interesting study for today since we were talking about angels. This one is on the "Angel of the Lord". Some people think this "Angel of the Lord" refers to Jesus since He was in Heaven with God before He came to be born of a earthly mother. What is your idea on this topic?
I am not sure right yet myself but want to do further study on it.
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"Who is the angel of the Lord?"

The precise identity of the "Angel of the Lord" is not specifically given in the Bible. However, there are many important "clues" to his identity.
There are Old and New Testament references to “Angels of the Lord,” “an Angel of the Lord,” and “THE Angel of the Lord.” It seems when the definite article the is used, it is specifying a unique being, separate from the other angels.
The angel of the Lord speaks as God, identifies Himself with God, and exercises the responsibilities of God.

Check out these references in the books of the Bible.
(Genesis 16:7-12; 21: 17-18; 22:11-18;
(Exodus 3:2; Judges 2:1-4; 5:23; 6:11-24; 13:3-22;
(2 Samuel 24:16;
(Zechariah 1:12; 3:1; 12:8).

In several of these appearances, those who saw the Angel of the Lord feared for their lives because they had "seen the Lord." Therefore, it is clear that in at least some instances, the Angel of the Lord is a theophany, an appearance of God in physical form.

The appearances of the Angel of the Lord cease after the incarnation of Christ.

Angels are mentioned numerous times in the New Testament, but “THE angel of the Lord” is never mentioned in the New Testament. It is possible that appearances of the angel of the Lord were manifestations of Jesus before His incarnation.
Jesus declared Himself to be existent “before Abraham” (John 8:58), so it is logical that He would be active and manifest in the world.
Whatever the case, whether the angel of the Lord was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or an appearance of God the Father, it is highly likely that the phrase “The Angel of the Lord” identifies a physical appearance of God.

[la.lady]

Tammy Oh, I never meant that we should ever worship an Angel. I just thought it was interesting that this Catholic Mother would say that we should name our Guardian Angel, and thank him for protecting us in our journey through our life on earth... It was just something to discuss...

[la.lady]

Mary I am going to be studing all the scriptures that you have posted here. I hope to copy your devotions and study them thoroughly... I have to figure out how to copy just the devotions...

[la.lady]

I never realized that Angels are not spoken of in the New Testament... I am going to do some research and report. I really believe this is a great subject...

[la.lady]

This is what I have found in my Bible Dictionary about the Angel of the LORD;

In the OT, we find the oft-recurring phrase, " the angel of the Lord," in which,in most every case, this messenger is regarded as deity and yet is distinguished from Jehovah (Gen,16:7-14; Gen 22:11-18; Gen. 31:11,13; Exod. 3-2-5; Num. 22:22-35; Judg. 6:11-23,13:2-25; 1 Chron. 21:15-17; 1 Kings 19:5-7). There is good reason for thinking that He is the pre-in-carnate Logos, his appearance in angelic or human form foreshadowing His coming in the flesh... I really don't know what to think about the Logos part. You got any insight to that??? there is a lot about Logos in my Bible dictonary, but way too much to type...

[Pcola Girl]

I found this on the internet and it says about the same thing as my other post about the Angel of the Lord being Jesus.
I feel that it could be Christ while he was still in Heaven with God before He was Born. But thats my opinion.
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"Angel of the Lord"

By: Dr. David Jeremiah
From: "What The Bible Says About Angels"

“By looking at the Angel of the Lord we’re in some definite way looking at God...God in His wisdom does use the word “angel” to identify this particular manifestation of Himself in these passages...Or---since the Angel of the Lord appears to be both distinct from God in heaven as well as identified with Him, and seems to possess His Deity---is it possible that this could actually be Christ? Did God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, come and walk on earth centuries before He was born a baby in Bethlehem?...Christ is God in our sight. Christ is seeable and touchable and knowable. And the Old Testament ministry of the Angel of the Lord seems consistent with what we know of Jesus. Some of the phrases spoken by the Angel of the Lord to Gideon remind us of what Christ tells His disciples in the Gospels---”Am I not sending you?” (Judg. 6:14). “I will be with you....” (6:16) “PEACE! DO NOT BE AFRAID....(6:23)


Many Christians have a shallow understanding of just who Jesus is. Some see Him as some sort of "Created Being," who was in some sort of limbo before He became a man, when Jesus is actually the Eternal One who has always existed with the Father and who created all things. Some do not understand that the only embodiment of God is the Second Person of the Trinity, (God the Father is Spirit) who pre-existed His incarnation as Messiah and is revealed in the Old Testament as a Personal God who is intimately involved in the salvation and welfare of His people. The entire Bible directs us to this Personal God and Savior who comes to be known to us later as Jesus Christ. Not every angelic appearance in the Old Testament is this special Angel. Pre-incarnate, Old Testament appearances of Jesus are known as 'theophanies' and 'Christophanies' by scholars. There is great blessing in getting to know this awesome Angel!

This website is dedicated to revealing more glorious attributes of our Lord Jesus as found in the scriptures. The Lord's identity, pre-incarnate character, and the divinity of the Second Person of the Trinity appears at the most critical junctures for Israel. The Angel of the Lord came to protect His own Seed and lineage in the Old Testament and reveal His own attributes and His desire to have man worship and fellowship with Him.

The Lord's own New Testament proclamations about Himself and that which was revealed to the Apostle Paul confirm this blessed revelation. God the Father called Him "the Angel in whom My name is" (Yahweh). This same 'Angel of the Lord' appeared to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Daniel and several other important Old Testament leaders. Jesus appeared at several integral times as the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament. Known by scholars as a 'theophany' or 'pre-incarnate manifestation', Jesus IS Alpha & Omega (Begining and End), He who pre-existed and created everything- everything that exists.

[Star123]

Originally Posted by la.lady

Tammy Oh, I never meant that we should ever worship an Angel. I just thought it was interesting that this Catholic Mother would say that we should name our Guardian Angel, and thank him for protecting us in our journey through our life on earth... It was just something to discuss...

Patty, sorry, I didn't mean to come across that way, but thanks for clarifing that. It's interesting that she would say that, but I guess she thought it would be a nice gesture. Come to think of it, it would be kind of special.

Luv, Tammy

[Star123]

Mary, like the angel of the Lord, I've always wondered if Christ was that Priest of Melchizedek. It fascinates me at no end!!! I've pondered and pondered about this for quite some time now.
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Devotion: Who was this Melchizedek Priest of the Old Testiment?

Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God. When he met Abraham who was returning from the defeat of the kings, he blessed him and gave him a tenth of everything. But Abraham refused to accept anything from him, because he didn't want Melchizedek to say, "I made Abram rich." Genesis 14:24 NIV. The name Melchizedek means, "King of Righteousness"; "king of Salem" means "king of Peace."

It is interesting to note that this Melchizedek had no mention of having a father or mother; no genealogy; no beginning of days or end of life, was like the Son of God who remained a priest forever. Was he the Christ?

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and other allied Kings, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's valley. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine, and he blessed Abram, saying, "BLessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Genesis 14:17-20 NIV.

Abraham collected a tenth from the people of Israel and gave it to Melchizedek the High Priest. This was done because the law required the descendents of Levi, who became priests, to collect a tenth from the people, [eventhough they are desendents of Abraham]. Melchizedek did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

The question is, if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood, [for on the basis of it the law was given to the people], why was there a need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? When there's a change in the priesthood, there must be a change of the law. [Note: these things belong to a different tribe and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar]. Moses didn't mention anything about priests.

The law was given, which was the law of Moses, and they went together. All the people were sinners, who were subject to the law's condemnation, and were in need of a priestly system to mediate between them and God, in the order of Melchezedek and not in the order of Aaron. Therefore, this implies that Aaronic [Levitical] priesthood was then imperfect, but Melchizedek's was perfect. Psalm 110:4 says, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."This confirmed that the Lord's oath established his anointed as kingpriest in Zion and assured him victory over all powers that opposed him.

Jesus then lives forever as a permanent priest, in priesthood; he is able to save sinners; came from a nonpriestly tribe of Judah; intercedes on our belief; meets our needs, is holy, blamless, pure, set apart from sinners; is exalted above the heavens; doesn't need to offer sacrifices for the covering of sins of the people; offered himself as a one time sacrifice for all mankind; sits at the right hand of the throne of the Father in Heaven.

"The one who collects a tithe is greater than the one who pays it, and the lesser person is blessed by the greater." Hebrews 7:7 NIV. Melchizedek was considered greater then Abraham.

"And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry, but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 7:15-17 NIV."

This verse puzzles me?: "One might say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor." Hebrews 7:9 NIV.

"When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not manmade, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called many recieve the promised eternal inheritance now that he has died as a ransome to set them free from the sins commited under the first covenant." Hebrews 9:11-15 NIV.

God Bless,
Luv, Tammy

[Pcola Girl]

Star that was interesting about melchizedek. I want to study more on this subject.
I want to see if my church has any sort of study material on this to.

But no matter if Christ was the Angel of The Lord, He was Christ and I believe in Him as the son of God and the only way to get to Heaven.

Todays Bible Study is on "The Joy of the Lord is my Strength". Hope you enjoy it, I did.
God Bless You Today and everyday.
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"The Joy of the Lord is My Strength"

Habakkuk 3:17 &18 - "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall no herd be in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (KJV)
A lot of people talk about the "patience of Job", and yet there was more than just patience at risk. One after another, messengers brought news, "While he was still speaking....". And yet, after losing his herds, his home, his servants, and finally his family, he still praised God.

Satan's one desire is to break us Christians, troubles and trials are always coming our way! It seems that sometimes the more we follow God's plan for our lives, the harder things get.

And yet, God is the God of circumstances, too. No matter how bleak it seems, He is in control.

How we face the trials and troubles that come our way determine whether we win or lose the battle. The war is already won, but the battles are ours.

It's easier to face today when we know that God has promised us tomorrow. Isaiah 64:4 says, "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prapared for him that waiteth for Him."

Fight on, Oh Christian, remember that our God reigns, He has already determined the outcome. Hold fast, O Warrior, keep your eye on tomorrow, and Praise the Lord.
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"It's Not an Easy Road"

by John W. Peterson
It's not an easy road we are traveling to heaven, For many are the thorns on the way
It's not an easy road, but the Savior is with us His presence gives us joy every day.

It's not an easy road - there are trials and troubles And many are the dangers we meet
But Jesus guards and keeps so that nothing can harm us We'll rest in peace over there.

Tho I am often footsore and weary from travel, Tho I am often bowed down with care
A better day is coming when home in the glory We'll rest in peace over there.

No, no, it's not an easy road. No, no, it's not an easy road;
But Jesus walks beside me and brightens the journey, And lightens every heavy load


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My dear Lord, sometimes it seems as if I can't keep going under the pressures of the world. Lord, sometimes it seems as if my shoulder are bowed with loads that are put there by the Destroyer. Help me to remember, Father, that although You allowed the devil to throw his worst my way, Lord, help me to remember that You are in control, that no matter what happens, YOU have already won. Help me to keep my eye on the Cross, hold my head up, and press on. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for fighting the battles before me and for me. Amen.

[Pcola Girl]

Star and Patty, this is all I could find on Melchizedek. Did you all find anything else?

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"The Melchizedek priesthood and Christianity"

Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah spoken of as "a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" (Ps. 110:4), and so Jesus plays the role of High Priest once and for all. Jesus is considered a priest in the order of Melchizedek because, like Melchizedek, Jesus was not a Levite, and thus would not qualify for the Levitical priesthood (Heb. 7:13-17).

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament discussed this subject considerably, listing the following reasons for why the priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Aaronic priesthood:

Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek; later, the Levites would receive tithes from their countrymen. Since Aaron was in Abraham's loins then, it was as if the Aaronic priesthood were paying tithes to Melchizedek. (Heb. 7:4-10)
The one who blesses is always greater than the one being blessed. Thus, Melchizedek was greater than Abraham. As Levi was yet in the loins of Abraham, it follows that Melchizedek is greater than Levi. (Heb. 7:7-10)
If the priesthood of Aaron were effective, God would not have called a new priest in a different order in Psalm 110. (Heb. 7:11)
The basis of the Aaronic priesthood was ancestry; the basis of the priesthood of Melchizedek is everlasting life. That is, there is no interruption due to a priest's death. (Heb. 7:8,15-16,23-25)
Christ, being sinless, does not need a sacrifice for his own sins. (Heb. 7:26-27)
The priesthood of Melchizedek is more effective because it required a single sacrifice once and for all (Jesus), while the Levitical priesthood made endless sacrifices. (Heb. 7:27)
The Aaronic priests serve (or, rather, served) in an earthly copy and shadow of the heavenly Temple, which Jesus serves in. (Heb. 8:5)
The epistle goes on to say that the covenant of Jesus is superior to the covenant the Levitical priesthood is under. Some Christians hold that Melchizedek was a type of Christ, and some other Christians hold that Melchizedek indeed was Christ. Reasons provided include that Melchizedek's name means "king of righteousness" according to the author of Hebrews, and that being king of Salem makes Melchizedek the "king of peace." Heb. 7:3 states, "Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he (Melchizedek) remains a priest forever." Melchizedek gave Abraham bread and wine, which Christians consider symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice to confirm a covenant.


Melchizedek
king of righteousness, the king of Salem (q.v.)

All we know of him is recorded in Gen. 14:18-20. He is subsequently mentioned only once in the Old Testament, in Ps. 110:4. The typical significance of his history is set forth in detail in the Epistle to the Hebrews, ch. 7. The apostle there points out the superiority of his priesthood to that of Aaron in these several respects, (1) Even Abraham paid him tithes; (2) he blessed Abraham; (3) he is the type of a Priest who lives for ever; (4) Levi, yet unborn, paid him tithes in the person of Abraham; (5) the permanence of his priesthood in Christ implied the abrogation of the Levitical system; (6) he was made priest not without an oath; and (7) his priesthood can neither be transmitted nor interrupted by death: "this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."

The question as to who this mysterious personage was has given rise to a great deal of modern speculation. It is an old tradition among the Jews that he was Shem, the son of Noah, who may have survived to this time. Melchizedek was a Canaanitish prince, a worshipper of the true God, and in his peculiar history and character an instructive type of our Lord, the great High Priest (Hebrews 5:6, 7; 6:20). One of the Amarna tablets is from Ebed-Tob, king of Jerusalem, the successor of Melchizedek, in which he claims the very attributes and dignity given to Melchizedek in the Epistle to the Hebrews.

[Star123]

Mary, thanks for the wonderful study on Melchezedek!!! Here's some scripture references to study: Gen 28:18-20; ps 110:4; Ecc 1:16; Heb 5:5; Heb 7:1; Heb 7:3; Heb 7:4; Heb 7:11; Heb 7:16; Heb 8:7; Heb 13:10.

God BLess,
Luv, Tammy

[Pcola Girl]

http://

Hello everyone. Just wanted to get our Bible study going for today. Hope you enjoy it, It is on God Is Light.
He was the light on the first day of His creation before He even created the sun,moon and stars. God has always been light and always will be light, theres no changing that because God never changes.
When God comes into our hearts He lights us up so we can see Him and accept Him as God. He reveals Himself to us through light.

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"GOD IS LIGHT"

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. {1 Jn 1:5 RSV}

That is the message of the life of Jesus. That is what he came to tell us, and what he imparts to us as we learn to know him. "God is light and in him is no darkness at all." It is put positively and negatively and it is easy to see how that message was incorporated and fulfilled in the life of Jesus. John opens his Gospel with the words: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness can never put it out," {cf, John 1:4-5}. That is the glory of this life. Our Lord himself said, "I am the light of the world. If any man follow me, he shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life," {cf, John 8:12}. There it is again, a life that is light. Again, he said, "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world and men love darkness and will not come to the light because their deeds are evil," {John 3:19 KJV}.

What, exactly, does this message mean, "God is light"? Apostle John expects us to think about this a bit, for he says this is the sum, this is the meaning, of all that Jesus came to do and to be. It is imperative that we understand this, for this is the meaning of the life of Jesus, whether it is his life lived in history, or the life he will live in us right now. It will all come out here, "God is light and in him is no darkness at all." Notice something else. John does not say, "Light is God." It is, "God is light." You cannot reverse that. If it were, "Light is God," then, of course, the Indians who greet the rising sun with arms outstretched and burn incense to it are truer worshippers of God than we. No, it does not say "Light is God," but "God is light."

That means that what light is, on a physical plane, God is on every level of human experience. If you want to understand the character of God, then observe what light is. What light does, God does. What light accomplishes, God can accomplish in your life. Well, then, what does light do?

In this enlightened 20th century we feel we have learned a great deal about light, much more than men knew fifty or a hundred years ago. We have analyzed it, broken it down into its spectrum; we can take fractional parts of it and use them for various purposes; we have timed it, measured its speed; we know that it is the fastest thing known in the universe; The great functions of light are universally known and have been known ever since the beginning of history.

Now what does light do? Light reveals. I can see you because there is light in this room; and you are unfortunate enough to see me for the same reason. Light reveals. If there were no light I could hear you but I could not see you. Darkness conceals, but light reveals.

That is the first function of light. It enables us to see things that have been there all the time but which we could never see till the light shines. God reveals reality. God, through Christ, opens up the eyes of the heart and life comes into focus and we see clearly, without distortion. But the purpose of God's entering into human hearts is that we might see reality. Light reveals, and so does God. The enigmas of life will gradually unfold, the great mysteries will become clear, illusions will be seen for what they are, deceiving phantasmata that disappear as the light shines upon them. God is light and light reveals.

In the vast, illimitable reaches of space today the only adequate measuring stick is light years, the distance measured by the speed of light. That is what light does, and that is what God does. God is a measuring stick, a point of reference. You can use God to measure everything else. Where do I get a measuring stick that can be applied to these voices I hear? That is where God comes in. God sees man according to the truth, according to the light and all the conflicting voices that we hear today can be sorted out and measured by his revelation of what man is. "The light shines in darkness and the darkness cannot put it out,"{John 1:5 RSV}.

Light not only reveals and measures, but light energizes too. God is light and God intensifies, fulfills, and glorifies our essential humanity. He does not destroy it. He takes it and leads it on through the darkness into an ever-growing experience of life and vitality and productivity

[Pcola Girl]

The very second we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, confess and repent our sins, we have salvation.

So how do we earn rewards? We earn rewards by faithfully serving Christ. Those who have been saved may earn wonderful rewards by the work they do for the Lord. The Bible speaks of some very special rewards for those who faithfully serve the Lord Jesus. They are called "CROWNS." Crowns speak of glory -- reigning with the Lord Jesus. There are five beautiful crowns which will be given to believers as rewards:

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1-THE CROWN OF REJOICING for those who win others to Christ. This is sometimes called "the soul-winner's crown."
1 Thessalonians 2:19 "You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes."

2-THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS for those who look for and love Christ's return.
2 Timothy 4:8 "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."

3-THE CROWN OF GLORY for those who faithfully teach and preach God's Word.
1 Peter 5:4 "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

4-THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN for those who "run a good race" in the Christian life.
1 Corinthians 9:25 "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."

5-THE CROWN OF LIFE. There are two ways to achieve this crown.
A-The first way is to simply put complete faith and trust in the Lord when you are facing trials, tribulations, and hardships. When in difficult times and you are faced with pain and suffering you simply rely on the Lord that much more.
James 1:12 "Happy is the man that keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the Crown of Life."

B-The second way to achieve the Crown of Life is to remain faithful to our Lord. Faithful to him to the very end even if it means laying down your very own life in his name.
Revelation 2:10 "Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the Crown of Life."

[Pcola Girl]

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Matt. 18:4-5 'Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.'
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"JOHN THE B