Author Archives: gonelikeashadowatevening

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IT’S NOT US!

Acts 3:12 “But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, ‘Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?’”

 AMAZING POWER

 Can you believe Peter’s response?  Too many today want the attention.  Too many want the accolades.  Too many would claim the power.  Not Peter!  Remember, he had just been filled with the Spirit.  This was the Spirit talking through him.  He was just the vessel being used.

Just like Peter, we have the power within us to accomplish incredible things.  Our problem is we don’t believe it.  “Not me, Carl.  I could never heal someone.”  With that thought you can’t.  Now, don’t hear me say you should just start healing people.  That is NOT what I am saying.  But we can do ANYTHING the Lord asks us to do through His power.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Our children should be taught to depend on the power of God to accomplish great things.  Of course, in order for them to be able to do that, they have to have the Holy Spirit living in them.  But once they have asked Christ in their lives, they need to learn to depend on Him and not themselves.

What could your children accomplish if they did that?  God may lead them to do incredible things for Him.  Nurture your child to depend on Him, not you.  Turn them over to Him.  Let them go!  That’s hard, I know. But they weren’t yours to begin with.  They have always belonged to Him.

Are you allowing the Spirit to work through you? Are you willing to be used to do whatever He asks?  He may ask you to pray for healing over someone.  He may ask you to witness to someone and lead them to Christ.  Now that is power!

Lord, thank You for allowing me to be used.  I am nothing. I am not worthy.  But You have chosen me to be used by You to accomplish great things.

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THE RED HEIFER

Numbers 19:2 “‘This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed.”’”

 NEEDED FOR PURIFICATION

 Do you want to read some exciting news? Then go to this site.  http://news.prophecytoday.com/2018/09/a-red-heifer-has-been-born-in-israel_11.html  This is big news concerning the rebuilding of the temple since the red heifer is necessary for the purification necessary to restart the temple worship.

While this may seem huge, and it is for prophecy, it is NOT necessary for Christ’s followers to worship.  This may usher in the return of Christ sooner, but it does not affect our worship of our Lord.  We have the perfect sacrifice.  We have been purified through the blood of the lamb.

TEACHING MOMENT

 “Okay Carl, I want to see you apply this verse to my kids.”  Alrighty, here I go.  Your children are going to see people do all kinds of things in the name of “worship.” They are going to see people worship in a variety of ways.  They will be told by others that you have to do this or do that to truly worship.  It’s your job to show them that we just need to worship in spirit and in truth.

Our worship does not require any kind of animal sacrifice.  Our worship does not require any kind of external purification.  Our worship is pure and sacrificial as we bow before our Lord and God proclaiming the name of Jesus, the Messiah.  That’s how you apply this verse to your kids.

But let me ask you this.  Are you truly worshipping the way our Lord asks? Are you in the Spirit and in truth? Do you focus on Him and not yourself? Bow before Him now and seek His face. He will be glad to show Himself to you.

Thank You Lord for saving my soul.  Thank You Lord for making me whole.  Thank You Lord for giving to me, life more abundant and free.

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OUR PORTION

Numbers 18:20 “Then the Lord said to Aaron, ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel.’”

 OUR INHERITANCE

 The Lord told Aaron that the Levites would not receive an inheritance from the Lord in land or possessions.  Oh no, they would receive something so much better. Their portion and their inheritance would be the Lord Himself.  Wow! No other tribe was told that. Only the Levites.  And…so are we!

We are joint heirs of the kingdom.  We are a child of the King.  We have been promised all He has.  No other people on earth has been promised that.  Only those who call His Son Savior can claim that prize.  We are a blessed people.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Your children may not be old enough to understand inheritance yet.  But, if they are, explain to them that one day when you die all that belongs to you will belong to them.  That may either excite them or depress them, depending on what you own.  And then one day when they die, all that they have will be left to their children.  That’s the normal way of things.

What will you leave them?  Some deeds or money?  How about some jewelry or family heirlooms?  The most important thing you can leave them is your legacy as a man or woman of God.  Leave them the knowledge you find in God’s Word.  Leave them a heavenly inheritance by leading them to Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I want to invest my life in leaving behind things that point others to Jesus.  Earthly things will fade away.  Money may lose its value.  But God is ours for eternity.

Father God, You are all I want.  You are all I need.  Let me share that inheritance with my children and with as many others as I possibly can.

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WHEN YOU HAVE WRONGED

Numbers 5:6-7 “’Speak to the sons of Israel, “When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the Lord , and that person is guilty, then he shall confess his sins which he has committed, and he shall make restitution in full for his wrong and add to it one-fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged.”’”

 MAKE IT RIGHT

 Boy, aren’t you glad we are not still up under the law?  I would be broke making restitution to all I have wronged.  LOL.  Seriously though, did everyone who wronged someone back then actually do this?  I bet not.  I bet it took a confrontation by the one who had been wronged for it to be carried out. People just don’t like to apologize or make amends.

Don’t you like being the “right” one?  Who really wants to admit they are the wrong one? No one!  But we know, as followers of Christ, that we are go to our brothers or sisters quickly and make things right.  Just the other day I did that to someone I feared I had wronged.  It’s not easy, but it is necessary.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Talking about a life lesson!  Wow!  This one is critical.  I am sure you have “forced” your little Gertrude to apologize to her brother, right? Sometimes it takes more than just an apology.  If, for instance, your child has broken the toy of another child purposely, they should not only apologize but also make restitution.  Now, before you say, “That’s the LAW, not grace”, let me explain.  Children need to learn to respect the property of others.  This kind of life lesson will go far in teaching that.

Maybe later on they also send a note apologizing. That way the person receiving the note will know this wasn’t just done and forgotten.  It meant something.  They were sincere.  This is especially good to do to an unbeliever.  This will speak Christ’s love in a very real way.

Do you do this?  Does your pride get in the way?  “But you don’t know what they have done to me!”  That really doesn’t matter.  Jesus forgave us all.  We should do the same.  Will you make a wrong right today?

Father, I am so thankful You don’t keep my wrongs done against You over my head.  I am sorry for hurting our relationship each time I choose my way.  I long for us to remain wrong free.

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ARE YOU SAD?

Luke 20:27 “Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection),”

 THERE’S NO REASON

 You have probably heard why the Sadducees were called Sadducees.  They were (Sad, You See) because they didn’t believe in the resurrection.  Lol.  Well, that could be a reason, couldn’t it?

I would be sad if I didn’t believe in the resurrection.  But I do! I know one day I will be either resurrected from the grave or raptured alive.  I know that!  Why? Because His Word tells me so.  His promises are true.  His promise to take us home is real.  Do you believe?

TEACHING MOMENT

 Tomorrow morning when your children wake up from their night’s sleep, greet them like this, “Good resurrection day!” They will probably give you a strange look and will think you have lost it.  But then explain what you mean.  They have arisen from sleep to a new day.

In the same way, one day, we believers will awake to an eternal resurrection.  We who have passed away before that time will see our bodies erupt from the grave and resurrect.  If we are alive at the time we will “resurrect” immediately to our eternal reward.  That will be a happy, blessed day.  It’s no wonder the Sadducees were sad.

Are you ready to go?  I pray you are.  I pray you have made that decision to follow Christ, so that when He returns in the air to call His bride home, you will be one of those who goes.  He will come.  We will go.  Will you?

Lord, thank You for the promise of resurrection. Praise You for the promise of an eternal home.  Help me share the joy of this coming day before it comes and too many are left behind.

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THE SABBATH REST

Leviticus 25:2b “‘When you come into the land which I shall give you, then the land shall have a sabbath to the Lord.’” 

KICK BACK AND RELAX

When we read about the sabbath we automatically think about the day the Lord rested after creation.  Right? At least I do.  Some think about the Jewish sabbath which runs from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.  Others may think it refers to Saturday and still others Sunday.

But this sabbath in today’s verse refers to a seventh year.  This would be a year to allow the land to rest from planting. God knew what He was doing.  If you continuously plant the same thing in a field year after year, you will diminish the nutrients and lower your harvest. God promised to bless them the sixth year to make up for this year of rest.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Teaching our kids to rest is just as important.  Now, they don’t need a whole year to rest, but they do need some time. Kids get so busy that sometimes they just collapse for lack of rest.  Resting really needs to be taught.  Show them how to take a break and kick back.  It will reap long term dividends in their lives.

But, Mom and Dad, you have to show them that.  You have to rest too.  I know it is hard, but you need to slow down some and allow life to catch up.  We can run ourselves so ragged that we can’t enjoy anything.  It’s even okay to take a break from some of the church activities if they are causing too much stress.

Whatever you do, do it wisely.  Plan your family time wisely.  Schedule days to do nothing.  Take your kids on a walk in the woods and sit and talk on a log.  Now, that’s a sabbath rest.

Lord, if You rested I know I need to.  Help me rest.  I’m not too good at it.  I need to stop and enjoy You and others.

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ANGEL JOY

Luke 15:10 “‘In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’”

ONE REPENTING

Don’t you just love that?  The angels are rejoicing when ONE sinner repents.  He didn’t say hundreds or thousands.  Just ONE!  Remember, Jesus had witnessed this.  He had been in heaven and watched the angels rejoice.  He was speaking not only with the all the wisdom of God, but from eye witness experience.

I wonder what the angels think when they see this.  They don’t understand repentance like we do.  They are heavenly beings and have lived with God since their creation.  They have never had to repent.  But I am sure when they see the Father smile at the repentance of His children, they smile too.

TEACHING MOMENT

I am sure it won’t be long until your little Susie comes to you and says she is sorry for something she has done.  When you forgive her and smile, as I know you will do, bring up this verse. Tell her right now in heaven the angels are smiling too.  That’s a thought she won’t soon forget.

Helping our children learn the value of repentance is key to their growth as a believer and follower of Christ.  Every believer must be a repenter.  They go together.  And the repenting never stops.  I wish it could, but until we reach heaven and are free from the presence of sin, we will need to stay “confessed up.”

Are you “confessed up”?  Are you a consistent repenter?  Maybe this verse will help today.  Just think each time you repent you make the angels smile.  That should quicken your repentance time.

Father, I thank You for forgiving me each and every time I come to you and repent.  I am sorry for how frequently I do that, but I know You want me to.  Smile angels!

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BUT I SAID “LORD”

Luke 13:27 “‘and He will say, “I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from me, all you evildoers.”’” 

GOING TO HEAVEN

Jesus was asked who would be saved, and as usual, He launched into a story.  In this story He told His disciples that there would be many who would “think” they are saved but aren’t.  How can that happen?  How can someone think they are going to heaven and not get in? Unfortunately, it happens far too often.

So, what is the secret to getting into heaven?  There’s no secret.  It’s simple. You simply have to admit you are a sinner, believe Jesus is God’s Son and died for you, and finally confess with your lips He is Lord.  Too many people think just going to church or doing good things will get them there. Nope.  Those won’t do it.

TEACHING MOMENT

 There is nothing more important than making sure your children understand this. Going to church since they were born does not get them into heaven.  Singing in the children’s choir or having all the badges on their AWANA vest will not save them.  Only the drawing of the Holy Spirit and accepting Christ as their Savior does that.

But let me rush to say this – being saved isn’t all about going to heaven. Heaven is the icing on the cake. Living for Him here is totally worth it. Living a joy-filled life is worth it. Living in peace is worth it. Heaven is our reward for trusting Him. I can’t wait to go, but I enjoy living heavenly here.

Mom and Dad, are you settled about your eternal destiny?  Have you confirmed your entry to heaven?  If you haven’t, do that now.  Make sure you are going!  And do all you can to make sure your children are “signed up” too.

Father, I am looking forward to spending eternity with You.  Heaven is my true home and can’t wait to “come home.”  But while I am here, help me live heavenly.

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IT MUST BE PERFECT

Leviticus 22:21 “‘When a man offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord to fulfill a special vow or for a freewill offering, of the herd or of the flock, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.’”

NO JUNK

 Think how difficult this must have been.  For anyone to offer a sacrifice for a peace offering, it had to be a perfect male specimen.  No defect, no injuries, NO imperfections at all.  But God commanded this.  Why? Sacrifice shouldn’t be easy.  It should take diligent thought.  It should take effort.

Aren’t you grateful, though, that the ONE perfect sacrifice was offered for us all?  Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, was examined by God and found to be worthy of sacrifice.  He was unblemished.  He was pure. He was THE ONLY acceptable sacrifice.

TEACHING MOMENT

If you really want to teach this to your kids, try this.  Tell them you have a gift for them.  Wrap it nicely.  But inside put something that is broken or dirty.  Notice their reaction when they see it.  I doubt they will be grateful or even accept it.  Now, don’t leave it there.  Have a better gift ready.  Give it to them and watch their second reaction.

Explain how this applies to how we give to God. Just as He gave us His best – Jesus Christ, we need to give our best to Him.  He expects us to give our all.  He wants us to be all in for Him.  Teach your children to do that as you do the same.

Are you “sacrificing” your best for Him?  Are you holding back?  Don’t do that.  Give it all to Him. Show your children what it looks like to be completely “in” for Him. They will be watching.

Lord, help me to give You ALL I have.  Let me give my very best to You.  You deserve nothing less.

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SO THAT EXPLAINS IT!

Leviticus 17:14a “‘For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life.’” 

LIFE IN THE BLOOD

Some people wonder why the Jews sacrificed animals and spilled their blood on the altar.  Some wonder why Jesus had to shed His blood on a cross.  This verse explains it.  Life is in the blood.  A sacrificed life is required for the remission of sins.  The sad part about the animal sacrifices was that this had to continue. The joyous part about Christ’s sacrifice was that it was a one time for all time thing.  Done! Finished! Complete!

Christ hung on the cross once.  Christ died once.  Christ was the only One who could have delivered us because His life was pure. His blood was pure.  His sacrifice fulfilled the Law completely.  Nothing else could have done that.  Nothing!

TEACHING MOMENT

 The next time (and believe me there will be a next time) your little Johnny or Susie cleans their room halfway, talk about Christ’s complete sacrifice.  A half-cleaned room is NOT clean.  If Christ has just “offered” to die for us we would not have been forgiven.  We have to go all in, not part way.

Completion is important.  Finishing the task is important.  In fact, Christ’s last words on the cross were, “It is finished.”  He knew He had to give His life blood completely and wholly to satisfy His Father. He gave His all so we could have it all – all of glory, all of forgiveness, all of eternity.  Wow!

Are you holding back?  Are you not giving all of your life to Him?  Let Him have it all today.  He will give it back, but in much better shape.  He will cleanse it with His blood.  It will have His seal of approval on it that never expires.  What a bargain!

Lord, You are too good to me.  I so thankful You have completely forgiven me and not just part way.  I am so thankful Christ’s sacrifice paid the price forever.

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