In worship God imparts Himself to us.   — C.S. Lewis In the Old Testament, God instituted the priesthood so that someone could be a mediator between man and God. The high priest would offer the sacrifice for the people's sins on the day of atonement and only after this, he would enter into the holy place in the temple. God preserved His presence for only those purified by blood, set apart for His purposes. When Jesus came, He was called the great high priest because not only did mediate for us - creating a bridge for us to commune with God, but He himself was the sacrifice offered for our sins. And with the sacrifice complete, our sins forgiven, we are welcomed into the throne room of heaven, where we can enter with confidence in our position with God. W orship Christ, our great high priest Jesus, Your sacrifice - the gift of your life - has opened the way for me to have complete access to God. Your arms stretched wide upon the cross connected my humble sinful hea...

Today we are going to pray through the armor of God. This prayer in Ephesians 6 shows us how to claim what God has given us as we fight against temptation, against persecution or the lies of Satan that threaten to take over our thoughts. This is a scripture that could be prayed every day - bookmark this so you can go back to it when you need it! W orship our God, our Shield and Protector, the One who fights for us Lord, thank you for being the One upon whom I can place all of my trust. You are the place I run to when I am afraid and it is in You alone that I find protection and security. You are my strength, my rock, and my fortress. Psalm 18:1-2 I love you, O   Lord , my strength. 2  The  Lord  is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,      my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,      my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold A ppropriate the truth of scripture as you gr...

Since God knows our future, our personalities, and our capacity to listen, he isn't ever going to say more to us than we can deal with at the moment.  — Charles Stanley As I write this, it is the beginning of a new year, with all of the resolutions and best intentions to start afresh. Each year feels like the next leg in the race of life and we hear the shots go off and start off the year strong, acting like we are sprinters, but will we maintain this race all the way until the end? Are you feeling fatigued? Energetic? or worn out from this battle? God's Word offers us a fresh start every day as we follow the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and Omega, the God who is beyond time, the One who created time. Whether we are feeling exhausted, like there's never enough time, or refreshed and ready, God is there with us for every season of life. W orship the Alpha and Omega Lord, time is a human constraint that is limited for me, but You were before time began and You will...