tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76068049309840627052024-03-13T01:11:01.216+00:00Waiting For Our Blessed HopeDiana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-30812581388926963332016-01-23T22:44:00.003+00:002016-01-23T22:44:51.696+00:00Dear Pilgrim available this weekend to download on Kindle for FREE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi67B6tjyB0/VlORSPcDyCI/AAAAAAAAAmI/34VlBltWc9A/s1600/Amazon%2Bkindle%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi67B6tjyB0/VlORSPcDyCI/AAAAAAAAAmI/34VlBltWc9A/s320/Amazon%2Bkindle%2Bcover.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This weekend, January 23rd -24th, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> is available to download on Kindle absolutely free! If you haven't yet got your copy, do take advantage of this great offer, or use the opportunity to gift a copy to a friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dear-Pilgrim-encouragements-Diana-Lovegrove-ebook/dp/B018BTXV20" target="_blank">Click here</a> for Amazon UK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Pilgrim-encouragements-Diana-Lovegrove-ebook/dp/B018BTXV20" target="_blank">Click here</a> for Amazon US.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I pray you are blessed.</span></div>
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Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-33784114729623859982015-12-14T14:45:00.000+00:002015-12-14T14:45:55.341+00:00An interview by Becky Pliego<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZioldqKuzYk/Vm7Sr3grDeI/AAAAAAAAAmU/UjR8B14KsQk/s1600/dailyonmywayheader5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZioldqKuzYk/Vm7Sr3grDeI/AAAAAAAAAmU/UjR8B14KsQk/s400/dailyonmywayheader5.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My dear friend, Becky Pliego, who lives in Mexico, invited me to join her at her blog, Daily on my way to Heaven, to talk about Dear Pilgrim and share the story of my own pilgrimage. I would encourage you to go and <a href="http://www.beckypliego.com/2015/12/an-interview-with-author-diana.html" target="_blank">visit her website by clicking here</a> to read the interview. I am also excited to announce that she is giving away a free copy of Dear Pilgrim, so for the opportunity to enter the draw do visit and <a href="http://www.beckypliego.com/2015/12/an-interview-with-author-diana.html" target="_blank">leave a comment on her website</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Becky also wrote a devotional for this website called <a href="http://waitingforourblessedhope.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/dear-pilgrim-will-you-come-to-table.html" target="_blank">"Dear Pilgrim, will you come to the table?"</a> which you can <a href="http://waitingforourblessedhope.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/dear-pilgrim-will-you-come-to-table.html" target="_blank">read here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Becky, I am so grateful to you for your encouragement with Pilgrim. May the Lord strengthen and encourage you in Him and lead you in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. Much love to you!</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-12300152142904834982015-11-23T22:34:00.001+00:002015-11-23T22:34:19.407+00:00Dear Pilgrim is now available on Kindle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi67B6tjyB0/VlORSPcDyCI/AAAAAAAAAmI/34VlBltWc9A/s1600/Amazon%2Bkindle%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi67B6tjyB0/VlORSPcDyCI/AAAAAAAAAmI/34VlBltWc9A/s320/Amazon%2Bkindle%2Bcover.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I received feedback from friends that they wanted to have an easier way to pass the book on to people who lived overseas, and so in response </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am excited to announce that </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> is now available on Kindle! This Kindle feature allows you to read the first 6 chapters online before buying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dear-Pilgrim-encouragements-Diana-Lovegrove-ebook/dp/B018BTXV20" target="_blank">Click here</a> for Amazon UK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Pilgrim-encouragements-Diana-Lovegrove-ebook/dp/B018BTXV20" target="_blank">Click here</a> for Amazon US.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am also happy to announce that <i>Dear Pilgrim</i> is now available in <a href="http://www.canaanbookshop.co.uk/" target="_blank">Canaan Christian Bookshop</a>, located in Staines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I always welcome comments and feedback from readers, so please feel free to add your thoughts below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">God bless you.</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-15205969563323722232015-10-05T09:32:00.000+01:002015-10-05T09:32:08.023+01:00We have 2 winners!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am delighted to announce that the draw for the book giveaway has taken place and we have not one, but two winners! My son, Harry, was delighted to be given responsibility for the draw, and the numbered balls he drew out of the bag had been allocated to the following names:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hardback copy goes to: <span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Melissa Jackson</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The paperback copy goes to: <span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Diane Bucknell</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please let me have your postal addresses, and a personally signed copy of Dear Pilgrim will be with you shortly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you so much to everyone who put their names forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am also delighted to announce that the book is now available to purchase online through Amazon and their partners. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For British customers you can go to: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dear-Pilgrim-Diana-Lovegrove/dp/099292040X" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dear-Pilgrim-Diana-Lovegrove/dp/099292040X</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For American customers: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Pilgrim-Diana-Lovegrove/dp/099292040X" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Pilgrim-Diana-Lovegrove/dp/099292040X</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May God bless you all.</span><br />
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<br />Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-22886419171798834952015-09-23T18:06:00.000+01:002015-09-23T18:06:17.460+01:00Dear Pilgrim book giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LChhgNLJ-Lg/VgLR0GvICNI/AAAAAAAAAlc/7JElGMgehC0/s1600/HPIM3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LChhgNLJ-Lg/VgLR0GvICNI/AAAAAAAAAlc/7JElGMgehC0/s640/HPIM3052.JPG" width="601" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is with great joy that I can announce that <i>Dear Pilgrim</i> is being made available to purchase as a book. It is one thing to read articles on a screen, but nothing is quite the same as having a book in the hand to hold. Bringing together 56 devotional articles, the book features many of the <i>Dear Pilgrim</i> blog posts published on this blog in the past 2 years, plus many more never before published. Compiling the book allowed for a journey to develop throughout the series of articles, as Pilgrim is called out of the world to journey upwards from the valleys to Mount Zion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was my desire to make available both a paperback and a hardback version. Within the next week or two, Lord willing, both hardback and paperback copies will become available through online retailers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To celebrate, I have 2 copies to give away to fellow pilgrims. The first prize will be a hardback copy, the second prize will be a paperback copy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All you need to do is leave your name in the comment field at the bottom of this post. The first name picked out of the hat on Monday 5th October will receive the hardback copy, and the second name out of the hat will receive the paperback copy. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The winners will be announced on this blog on Monday 5th October, at which point I will ask you to email me with your address.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will update this site with links to the online retailers once they become available, should you wish to purchase your own copy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Closing date for entries: Sunday 4th October 2015.</i></span>Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-82268469707357842332015-07-18T11:26:00.000+01:002015-07-18T11:26:31.854+01:00Dear Pilgrim, has He breathed upon you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, has He breathed upon you? Has the living God
breathed life into you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For so long, dear Pilgrim, you chased after the wind. When
you surveyed all your hands had done, all you had toiled to achieve, you saw
that everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind, that nothing was
gained under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:11). You saw that everyone, yourself
included, is senseless and without knowledge, shamed by the idols they trust
in, for those images are false – for they have no breath in them (Jeremiah
10:14).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But God, the God who gives breath to all living things, came
and He called your name. The One in whose hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:10) came near. The One who made the
heavens by His word and their starry host by the breath of His mouth (Psalm
33:6) came close to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He came so close that He breathed into your nostrils – He
gave you the kiss of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He breathed, and His breath came from the four winds
(Ezekiel 37:9). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He breathed, and the east wind came! The east wind came in
judgement to scorch, to wither and shrivel up the fruit of the world from you
(Ezekiel 19:12). For this fruit has no place in Him, this fruit that you bore
for death (Romans 7:5). It was consumed by the east wind of judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He breathed, and the north wind came! The north wind came in
power and brought an unexpected storm upon you (Proverbs 25:23). You saw
clearly for the first time your meaningless chasing after the wind. O Pilgrim,
how you cried out to Him as you stood there, stripped and naked before Him, as
the storm blew away all the fig leaves that you had attempted to clothe
yourself in, your own righteousness of filthy rags ripped away by the powerful
north wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He breathed, and the west wind came! The west wind carried
your sins and iniquities far away (Exodus 10:19). The west wind came and hurled
your iniquities into the depths of the sea. As far as the east is from the
west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He breathed, and the south wind came! The gentle south wind
(Acts 27:13) brought a hush and calmness upon you (Job 37:17) as He clothed
your nakedness with His own righteousness. For the first time you rested in
Him. A wondrous peace came into your heart as realisation dawned on you that
you had been reconciled to Him. He gave you the kiss of life – and righteousness
and peace kissed each other deep within your heart (Psalm 85:10), the heart
that He had now won for Himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So His breath came from the four winds, and brought life
(Ezekiel 37:9). The One who rebuked the wind (Mark 4:39-41) and terrified His
disciples when they saw how the wind obeyed Him came, and He breathed upon you
and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). And for the first time you
were able to exclaim, “The Spirit of God has made me, the breath of the
Almighty gives me life!” (Job 33:4). And you began to see that it is the spirit
in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding (Job
32:8), for understanding comes from the mouth of the Lord (Proverbs 2:6).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Pilgrim, you now see how meaningless it is to trust in idols.
For when those who trust in them cry out for help, the wind will carry the
idols off, a mere breath will blow them away (Isaiah 57:13). There is no breath
in the mouth of the idols (Psalm 135:17). But His breath, the breath of the
living God, is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck (Isaiah 30:28).
The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen (Job 37:10).
The valleys of the sea are exposed and the foundations of the earth are laid
bare at His rebuke, at the blast of breath from His nostrils (2 Samuel 22:16).
With righteousness He will come and He will strike the earth with the rod of
His mouth; with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked (Isaiah 11:4).
The Lord Jesus will overthrow the lawless one with the breath of His mouth and
destroy him by the splendour of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Who is like
our God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Pilgrim, as we tremble, watching and waiting for His
return, may we draw close to Him. May we lean against His breast, just as the
beloved disciple did, and who was later chosen to receive a great revelation
from Him. For the One who creates the wind is the One who reveals His thoughts
to mankind (Amos 4:13). May the God-breathed words of Scripture be our
meditation and our food, as He unfolds His words to give us understanding. May
the fragrance of our breath be to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those
who are being saved and those who are perishing. And may He receive praise from
everything that has breath!</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-75570063968562952512015-05-19T12:53:00.000+01:002015-05-19T12:53:49.979+01:00Dear Pilgrim, are you approaching the valley of deep darkness?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QlV6VddrozM/VVsj_BgyFdI/AAAAAAAAAkw/wi8i-ZRLuu8/s1600/john%2B1%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QlV6VddrozM/VVsj_BgyFdI/AAAAAAAAAkw/wi8i-ZRLuu8/s400/john%2B1%2B5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, are you approaching the valley of deep
darkness? Does your heart lurch within you as you are confronted with this
valley? As your enemy pursues you, crushing you to the ground, forcing you
towards the valley of darkness, do your fears rise? As the gates of this valley
of deepest darkness open for you as you pass through, does your courage fade? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, there is no need to fear any evil as you walk
through this valley, for He is with you, His rod and His staff will comfort
you. Listen to His Word of comfort: “Never will I leave you, never will I
forsake you”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you walk through this valley, Pilgrim, are any memories
being stirred in your mind? Does any of this look familiar to you? In this
valley of darkness, there are those who rebel against the light, who do not
know its ways or stay on its paths (Job 24:13). All their days they eat in
darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger (Ecclesiastes 5:17).
They are prisoners, sitting in darkness, suffering in iron chains (Psalm
107:10). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah, Pilgrim, I see a look of realization dawning upon you –
this is where you and I used to dwell! We were willing subjects of the dominion
of darkness. We did not want to come to the light, for fear that our deeds of
evil would be exposed (John 3:19-20). We thought the darkness would hide us. We
thought even light would become night around us, and that we could keep our
faces concealed. We committed our deeds of sin in the dark, and made friends
with the terrors of darkness (Job 24:13-17). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then we saw something, dear Pilgrim. The people walking
in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep
darkness a light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2). And then we heard something, dear
Pilgrim. We heard Him call! He called us! He called us out of darkness into His
wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9)! And as we turned our faces towards the Light, He
brought us out of darkness, out of utter darkness, and broke away our chains
(Psalm 107:14)! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, take heart from the fact that your dislike of this
valley is so intense. This is a sign of His grace towards you! For He has
rescued you from the dominion of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of
the Son He loves (Colossians 1:13)! You are now a child of the light and a
child of the day. You do not belong to the night or to the darkness (1
Thessalonians 5:5)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the Lord our God is making distinctions, Pilgrim. He is
making distinctions between the righteous and the wicked, between those who
serve God and those who do not (Malachi 3:18). At the dawn of creation, He saw
that the light was good and He separated the light from the darkness (Genesis
1:4). He brought a plague of darkness upon Egypt, a darkness that could be
felt, so that the people of Egypt could not see anyone else or move about for
three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived
(Exodus 10:21-23). As He delivered His people from Egypt and brought them to
the sea, His pillar of cloud stood between the armies of Egypt and Israel.
Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to
the other (Exodus 14:19-20). See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness
is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you
(Isaiah 60:2). The Lord our God is making distinctions, Pilgrim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So do not fear as you pass through the valley of deep
darkness, dear Pilgrim. This is no longer the place of your abode. You are now
a foreigner, an alien, a stranger, to this valley. It no longer has any hold
over you. For the darkness is passing, the true Light is already shining (1
John 2:8). For He who is the Light of the world is with you, and His words are
true: “Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light
of life” (John 8:12). So even here, as you cross the valley of deep darkness,
the Light of Life is with you, precious Pilgrim. The Light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5)! He is your lamp, and
He will turn your darkness into light (2 Samuel 22:29). Even in darkness, light
dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and
righteous (Psalm 112:4).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So take courage, dear Pilgrim. You will pass through this
valley. For this is not your home. You are heading for the Holy City, the new
Jerusalem, whose gates are never shut, for there will be no night there
(Revelation 21:25). No night! For God is light, and in Him there is no darkness
at all (1 John 1:5). There will be no night there, and there will be no need
for a lamp, or the sun, for He Himself will give the light (Revelation 22:5)!
What a glorious hope this is to meditate upon as you pass through this valley.</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-59868117617488879302015-04-21T22:55:00.000+01:002015-04-21T22:55:28.565+01:00Dear Pilgrim, are you in times of trouble?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLii7_vlgac/VTbFlhGA6xI/AAAAAAAAAkY/eoyR-pDJ4GI/s1600/John%2B16%2B33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLii7_vlgac/VTbFlhGA6xI/AAAAAAAAAkY/eoyR-pDJ4GI/s1600/John%2B16%2B33.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, are you in times of trouble? Are difficulties
and concerns crowding in around you? Are you feeling oppressed and afflicted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then
lift your head, dear Pilgrim, for we worship the Father of compassion and the
God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians
1:3-4). God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm
46:1). The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him
from them all (Psalm 34:19). What a testimony! He will deliver you from all
your troubles, dear Pilgrim! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How
is this possible? Through Christ! Listen to His words: “In this world you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33). Though
trouble comes our way, He has overcome the world. He has the victory! It is
finished! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
it is His desire that though we walk in the midst of trouble, yet in Him we
have peace (John 16:33). Peace with God! O why, my soul, are you downcast? Why
so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my
Saviour and my God. My Saviour and my God! Our Saviour and our God, dear
Pilgrim! He has saved us out of our trouble!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How
He has saved us, dear Pilgrim! Behold, the Valley of Achor (Joshua 7:26) – the
valley of trouble. Oh, what a wretched place this is. The site of Achan’s sin
against God. The place where Achan stole from God, and lied to God, in a vain
attempt to cover up what he had done. But nothing is hidden from the eyes of
God, and He saw. Achan’s sin was uncovered by God. Achan was revealed to be the
one who had brought trouble upon Israel because of his sin. And trouble came
upon him that day as he was stoned to death because of his sin in the Valley of
Achor, the valley of trouble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, does this not cause us to tremble? For are we not troubled by our sin?
There is no one who is good, not one. Are we not as guilty as Achan? Do we not
cry out with the Psalmist, “…troubles without number surround me; my sins have
overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my
heart fails within me” (Psalm 40:12).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, take heart, be encouraged, for in the Valley of Achor, a door is
appearing in the midst of this valley of trouble! A door! It is a door of olive
wood (1 Kings 6:31). Olive wood….the olive tree which has been beaten for its
fruit (Isaiah 24:13), and is now stripped bare for all to stare at. O Pilgrim,
the symbolism is impossible to ignore. This door is His cross – the cross where
all of the trouble of sin, all of it, fell upon His shoulders as He died the
death that should have been ours. The trouble of sin that fell upon Him was so
great that darkness fell across the land for three hours. As He breathed His
last breath, it appeared that all hope was gone. But that would be to ignore
His last words: “It is finished!” For three days later, the trouble of sin was
transformed into a door of hope, as He rose triumphant from the grave, opening
up a new and living Way to enter the Most Holy Place, through this Door of
Hope, Jesus Christ. For He said, “I am the door” (John 10:9). Christ Jesus, our
hope, is the narrow Door leading to the Most Holy Place, and it is this narrow
Door that we must enter through! So let us make every effort to enter through
the narrow door, for many will try to enter and will not be able to (Luke
13:24). Let us ask, seek and knock that the Door may be opened for us (Matthew
7:7). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, He promised that He would make the Valley of Achor a Door of Hope (Hosea
2:15). He promised that the Valley of Achor would become a resting-place for
herds (Isaiah 65:10). And no matter how many promises God has made, they are
“Yes” in Christ! As we pass through the Door of Hope, we are delivered from our
troubles of sin, and we walk into His promised rest in Christ. As we pass
through the Door of Hope, may we not be like King Ahaz, who in his time of
trouble became even more unfaithful to the Lord (2 Chronicles 28:22). Rather,
may we be like Paul, who in his time of trouble made his good confession of
faith, saying, “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,
who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). O Pilgrim, let us hold unswervingly to
the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful! It is our hope in our Lord
Jesus Christ that will inspire us to endure. Let us set our hope on Him alone,
and as we do so, dear Pilgrim, may the God of hope fill us with all joy and
peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-3512451750242429922015-03-24T20:31:00.000+00:002015-03-24T20:31:33.991+00:00Dear Pilgrim, are you in fear of your enemies?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuioYrWYX4o/VMejfBhw7YI/AAAAAAAAAiE/ohA3oFrzx5E/s1600/oak%2Btree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuioYrWYX4o/VMejfBhw7YI/AAAAAAAAAiE/ohA3oFrzx5E/s1600/oak%2Btree.jpg" height="249" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, are you in fear of your enemies? Is your heart
in anguish within you? Have fear and trembling beset you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then
the Lord has brought you to the Valley of Elah, dear Pilgrim, so that the
proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes
even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus
Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:7).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Valley of Elah – the place where the Israelites were dismayed and terrified as
they listened to the words of the Philistine giant as he defied the armies of
the living God. The place where the Israelites fled from their enemy in great
fear whenever they saw him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You
know the story well, dear Pilgrim, you know how the young shepherd, David, came
and stood against the heavily armoured Goliath with nothing more than five
stones and his sling. What gave David the courage to stand against his enemy
when all others were filled with terror? He knew the Name of his God, dear
Pilgrim. He knew His Name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I
come against you in the Name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of
Israel, whom you have defied!” <br />
(1 Samuel 17:45)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Lord Almighty – Yahweh Sabaoth –the Lord of Hosts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Lord of Hosts, dear Pilgrim. Oh, lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: who
created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth
each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one
of them is missing (Isaiah 40:26). He is the One who appoints the sun to shine
by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea
so that its waves roar – the Lord of Hosts is His Name (Jeremiah 31:35)! He is
not like the images, the worthless idols which will perish when their judgement
comes. He is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, including
Israel, the people of His inheritance – the Lord of Hosts is His Name (Jeremiah
10:16)! He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals His
thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of
the earth – the Lord of Hosts is His Name (Amos 4:13)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim,
has He revealed Himself to you as the Lord of Hosts? Have you asked Him to
reveal Himself in this way to you? He will surely answer! Joshua received
revelation when the Commander of the army of the Lord came and stood in front
of him with a drawn sword in his hands (Joshua 5:13-14). Elisha prayed and
asked for revelation for his servant, whose eyes were then opened by the Lord
to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around, and he finally
understood that those who were with them were more than those with their
enemies (2 Kings 6:16-17). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once
your eyes have been opened to see the Lord of Hosts, dear Pilgrim, they will
forever reflect this encounter. Isaiah’s eyes looked upon the Lord of Hosts,
and it was through him that the Lord declared: “The Lord of Hosts is the One
you are to regard as holy, He is the One you are to fear, He is the One you are
to dread” (Isaiah 8:13). Job had heard of the Lord God, but it was after he saw
the One who had laid the earth’s foundations, while the morning stars sang
together and all the angels shouted for joy, that he despised himself and
repented in dust and ashes (Job 42:5-6).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, take courage! For He is our Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel – the
Lord of Hosts is His Name (Isaiah 47:4)! For the Lord of Hosts took David from
the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed him ruler over His people,
Israel. He promised to establish the throne of the Son of David forever (1 Chronicles
17:7,14), and the zeal of the Lord of Hosts would accomplish this (Isaiah 9:7).
When the Son of David was born at Bethlehem, a great company of the heavenly
host appeared and proclaimed peace to those on whom His favour rests. Peace,
Pilgrim! You have peace with the Lord of Hosts now that you are trusting in
Him! Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord of Hosts (Psalm 84:12)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Valley of Elah is the place where David’s trust in the Name of the Lord of
Hosts was proclaimed before Israel. It is the place where hearts that had been
melting with fear and hands that had been hanging limp were strengthened and
encouraged as the faith of the young shepherd in his God shone brightly for all
to see. It is the place where a spirit of despair was changed into garments of
praise, where oaks of righteousness were a planting of the Lord for the display
of His splendour. The Valley of Elah – the Valley of oaks, of strength. Be
strengthened, dear Pilgrim, in the Valley of Elah! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-75176337207506671772015-02-25T14:54:00.000+00:002015-02-25T14:54:43.697+00:00Dear Pilgrim, are you keeping in step with the Spirit?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7sDH7dOIVI/VO3gW862WoI/AAAAAAAAAio/PaItpOvK9CA/s1600/Lago_Moro_-_Darfo_Boario_Terme_(Foto_Luca_Giarelli)%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7sDH7dOIVI/VO3gW862WoI/AAAAAAAAAio/PaItpOvK9CA/s1600/Lago_Moro_-_Darfo_Boario_Terme_(Foto_Luca_Giarelli)%2B(2).jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darfo Boario Terme [source: wikicommons. Photo: Luca Giarelli]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, are you keeping in step with the Spirit? Or
are you running ahead up the mountain? Are you ever mindful of your need for
Him and dependence upon Him, or have you returned to the folly of trusting in
your own strength?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Pilgrim, it is glorious to be atop the mountain peaks
where He reveals Himself to His children. To feast your eyes upon magnificent
panoramic views, to feel the breeze on your face, to taste the fresh air in your
mouth – there is nothing more exhilarating. But take care, precious Pilgrim,
that you ascend in step with Him, in response to His call. It may yet be His
desire for you to dwell in the valleys awhile. Do not despise the valleys, O
Pilgrim. He goes down to look at the new growth in the valley to see if the
vines have budded or the pomegranates are in bloom (Song of Songs 6:11). The
valleys are a place of growth!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, heed the warning – do not allow the pride of your
heart to deceive you, that you make your home on the heights (Obadiah 1:3). Unless
the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Do not yield to the
temptation to trust in your own strength, your own flesh. Take heed, Pilgrim,
for there is another who makes use of the mountain summits - the enemy of our
souls.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was he who, through Balak, called Balaam to the rocky
peaks that the people of Israel might be cursed. Balaam, a sorcerer and diviner,
was called up to Bamoth Baal, the heights of Baal, from where he could see part
of the people of God (Numbers 22:41). They were camped in the Valley of Shittim
below, along the east side of the Jordan across from Jericho in the plains of
Moab . O, what a foolish endeavour this
was, to attempt to curse those whom the Lord had blessed! For the Lord would
not listen to this sorcerer and practiser of divination who loved the wages of
wickedness. Instead, the Lord caused Balaam
to bless the people of Israel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Balaam was called up the mountain by the enemy of our souls
a second time, this time to the field of Zophim on the top of the Pisgah
mountain range. A second time the Lord ensured that Balaam blessed the people
of Israel. God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He
should change His mind. He had blessed His people, and no mere man could change
that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Balaam responded to a third call up the mountains from the
enemy of our souls, to Peor, another Moabite mountain. This time, Balaam did
not resort to sorcery but turned his face towards the desert and looked out.
When he saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, he saw the tabernacle of the Lord
at their centre, the dwelling-place of God amongst His people. Israel, encamped
in the Valley of Shittim, had the presence of God with them! As the eyes of
Balaam took in this glorious sight, the Spirit of God came upon him and he
uttered words of profound depth and revelation – expressing the truth that this
people of God encamped in the Valley below were blessed in abundance, as had
been true of the first people of God on the mountain in Eden – for the Lord
their God was with them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your dwelling-places, O Israel!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like valleys they spread out,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like gardens beside a river,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like aloes planted by the Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like cedars beside the waters.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Water will flow from their buckets;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their seed will have abundant water” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Numbers 24:5-7)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many occasions when the Lord calls His people to dwell
in the valleys that His purposes might be fulfilled through them. Those on the
mountain were working against the purposes of God, yet in His Sovereignty the
Lord caused them to bless His people in abundance. The Lord foils the plans of
the nations and thwarts the purposes of the people (Psalm 33:10), because it is
the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was on this same mountain range not long afterwards that
the Lord Himself called His own servant up the mountain. Moses, whom the Lord
knew face to face, ascended Mount Nebo in response to the call of the Lord, in
step with His Spirit (Deuteronomy 34:1). And when Moses was atop the mountain
peak, having climbed it in the strength of the Lord alone, the Lord Himself came
and showed Moses the whole land of Promise –
a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven
(Deuteronomy 11:11). For precious Pilgrim, the truth is that when we dwell in
the valleys, having had revelation from the peaks, we can see more clearly that
He tabernacles with us – and He fills us with joy in His presence whether we
are on the mountains above or in the valleys below. For the valleys drink rain
from heaven, just as the mountains do. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So Pilgrim, remember that those who are led by the Spirit
are the children of God. Allow Him to lead you – whether it be to the mountains
or the valleys, to the deserts or to the fertile fields. For blessed are those
who have learned to acclaim Him, who walk in the light of His presence (Psalm
89:15).</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-17752346224843291562015-01-27T15:02:00.000+00:002015-01-27T15:02:09.933+00:00Dear Pilgrim, is He your song in the night?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydOhOmKvE5U/VMenCIBISmI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Vwaq6ZqN0tY/s1600/valley%2Bberakah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydOhOmKvE5U/VMenCIBISmI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Vwaq6ZqN0tY/s1600/valley%2Bberakah.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, is He your song in the night? Is He the theme
of your song both by day and by night? Your spirit longs for Him in the morning
– does your soul yearn for Him in the night?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, how our heart rejoices to sing His praise in response to His great
deliverance, in the light of the day! Dawn breaks forth across the land,
sending the darkness and shadows scurrying away, and just like Miriam, we take
our tambourines and dance before the Lord - “My lips will shout for joy when I
sing praise to You – I whom You have delivered” (Psalm 71:23). Just like David,
we sing the words of our song when the Lord has delivered us from the hand of
our enemies (2 Samuel 22:1). Just like Deborah, we sing a new song to Him in
praise of the marvellous things He has done. The songs of the day are glorious!
With His light shining on all His creation, the sea resounds and everything in
it, the rivers clap their hands, and the mountains sing for joy! Oh, shout for
joy all the earth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim,
when the evening fades, when darkness closes in, when the terrors of the night
come along and your enemies are gathered against you, can your soul still find
it within you to sing His praise? Do the songs of Zion continue to tumble from
your lips? Or are the joyful tambourines stilled, is the joyful harp silent?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, let me offer you this encouragement for those times of darkness – it
is not you who has to find this song from within. For listen to this great
truth – God your Maker is the One who gives songs in the night (Job 35:10)! By
day the Lord directs His love – at night His song is with you (Psalm 42:8)! He
is the One who will give you a song to sing at this time of great darkness. For
it is He who instructed the temple musicians to be responsible for their work
both by day and by night (1 Chronicles 9:33). And as the servants of the Lord
ministered by night in the house of the Lord, lifting up their hands in the
sanctuary and praising the Lord, He blessed them from Zion (Psalm 134:1-3)! The
Maker of heaven and earth blessed them from Zion with songs from Zion!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
people of Judah gathered before the Lord at a time of darkness – as a vast army
approached them. King Jehoshaphat called out to the Lord from within the
darkness: “We have no power to face this vast enemy that is attacking us. We do
not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” All the men of Judah, with
their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord (2 Chronicles
20:12-13). The Spirit of the Lord spoke to a descendant of Asaph, whom David
had appointed to lead the praise of the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:5), encouraging
them to go and face their enemies, “for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2
Chronicles 20:15). As they headed out to meet their enemies, Jehoshaphat
appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendour of His
holiness as they went out at the head of the army. God their Maker gave them
songs in the night. And as they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes
against their enemies (2 Chronicles 20:21-22). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul
and Silas had been severely flogged and thrown into prison, for they had been
counted worthy of suffering for the gospel. God their Maker gave them songs in
the night. And about midnight, as they prayed and sang hymns to the Lord, a
violent earthquake shook the foundations of the prison and loosened their
chains (Acts 16:25-26)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, think of Him through the watches of the night, meditate on His
promises as your eyes stay open through the watches of the night, and as He
comes alongside you in the darkness, sing in the shadow of His wings (Psalm
63:6-7)! As He draws near to you, so near that you reach out and cling to Him,
sing for joy on your bed! May the praise of God be in your mouth and a
double-edged sword in your hands (Psalm 149:5-6). For as you sing and make
music from your heart to the Lord, as you sing psalms, hymns and songs from the
Spirit (Ephesians 5:19), you are holding a sword in your hands (Ephesians
6:17). And He will use this sword to defeat your enemies – for “not by might,
nor by power, but by My Spirit” says the Lord of Hosts (Zechariah 4:6). The
darkness will pass, and the light will return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, sing praises to the Lord! Sing praises in the Valley of Berakah, in
the Valley of Praise (2 Chronicles 20:26)! The whole earth is filled with awe
at His wonders, for where morning dawns, and where evening fades, He calls
forth songs of joy (Psalm 65:8)!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-57553487886159943542014-12-31T16:01:00.000+00:002014-12-31T16:01:25.628+00:00Dear Pilgrim, has He baptised you with fire?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPHXeoRn4U8/VKQdLNVOuBI/AAAAAAAAAh0/t821i3MQxyc/s1600/baptism%2Bwith%2Bfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPHXeoRn4U8/VKQdLNVOuBI/AAAAAAAAAh0/t821i3MQxyc/s1600/baptism%2Bwith%2Bfire.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, has He baptised you with fire? He came not
only to baptise with the Holy Spirit, but to baptise with fire. Have you
experienced the fire of His baptism?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the Lord our God is a consuming fire. His voice spoke
out of the fire with which He set Mount Sinai ablaze, and terrified the people
of Israel. Ezekiel saw a vision of the likeness of the glory of God. He saw
high above on the throne a figure like that of a man, who from His waist up
looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and from there down He looked
like fire (Ezekiel 1:27). Daniel saw a vision of the Ancient of Days. His
throne was flaming with fire, its wheels were all ablaze, whilst a river of
fire was flowing, coming out from before Him (Daniel 7:9-10). O Pilgrim, our
God is a consuming fire!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is a God who answers by fire. He answered by fire when
Elijah called out to Him from Mount Carmel that the people might know He was
the God of Israel. The fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the
wood, the stones, the soil, which were all drenched in water (1 Kings
18:36-38), for He makes flames of fire His servants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is a God whose fire burns amongst His people. O Pilgrim,
come with me to Taberah – the place of burning. See the Israelites, redeemed
out of the hands of their enemies, brought to the wilderness. They have just
left the base of Mount Sinai from where God has been speaking to them out of
the fire, and now just 3 days into their journey to the promised land, they are
complaining of their hardships. See, Pilgrim, He has heard their complaining
and it has aroused His anger. Look, Pilgrim – how fire from the Lord has come
and has burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of their camp. But
listen, Pilgrim – they are crying out to Moses, and now he is crying out to the
Lord – and the fire has died down (Numbers 11:1-3).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Pilgrim, what a picture, what a picture for us of Christ.
Yet first, He had a baptism of His own to undergo. For the wrath of God burns
like fire against all sin, and so the Passover Lamb, the Lamb of God, was
roasted over a fire of wrath as He Himself bore our sins in His body on the
cross. But just as the bush did not burn up even though it was on fire, just as
the four men in the blazing furnace were untouched by the flames, so our Lamb
of God was not consumed by the fiery furnace of wrath, but emerged triumphant
and victorious from the grave! And now we can cry out to Jesus to deliver us
from the fires of the wrath of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saved from the fires of the wrath of God – yet everyone will
be salted with fire (Mark 9:49). Now that we have been saved from the fires of
His wrath, what is this fire with which we will be salted? Pilgrim, is it not
the fires of His jealousy? For He says, “I am very jealous for Zion; I am
burning with jealousy for her” (Zechariah 8:2). The Bride calls out to her
beloved, “Place me like a seal over Your heart, like a seal on Your arm; for
love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like
blazing fire, like a mighty flame” (Song of Songs 8:6). For we have been
promised to one husband, Christ, and we are to be presented as a pure virgin to
Him. So the Lord will wash away the filth from Zion; He will cleanse the
bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Pilgrim, would you return to the Garden of Eden, the
Garden on the mountain from which man fell? Would you return to the Garden that
He planted, that you may walk with Him, in unity with Him? Then you must walk
through the flaming sword that flashes back and forth guarding the way to the
tree of life (Genesis 3:24). The flaming sword fell on Him as He died our
death, paying the penalty for our sin. We must also walk through the flaming
sword, the sword of fire, as we die with Him that we may also live with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come, Pilgrim, come to the refiner’s fire! For after He
provided the sacrifice for our sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, and
now He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver, as He refines us like gold and
silver (Malachi 3:2-3). He sits, paying careful, unhurried attention to His
task, as all the impurities are burned away through the grief we may have had
to suffer in all kinds of trials, that we might better reflect His glory. He
counsels us to come and buy from Him gold refined in the fire, that we might
become rich. Take heart from His words of comfort to us, that when we walk
through the fire, we will not be burned; the flames will not set us ablaze, for
He will be with us (Isaiah 43:2). O Pilgrim, rejoice that He would take such
care and attention over His Bride, that we might be found spotless, blameless
and at peace with Him when He returns in blazing fire!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For it is only as incense is burned that its fragrance rises
as a pleasing aroma. It is only as the oil in the lamp burns that the light
shines in the darkness. It is He who keeps our lamps burning, it is He who
keeps the incense burning. And as His Word burns like fire, we will find that
our hearts burn within us as our Refiner talks with us and opens the Scriptures
to us.</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-24085988668936951682014-10-08T18:12:00.000+01:002014-10-08T18:12:06.632+01:00Dear Pilgrim, have you seen His glory?<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwfpxX5C3g4/VDVutEDEEVI/AAAAAAAAAhc/iwWmFVeF1uc/s1600/Glory%2Bof%2BGod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwfpxX5C3g4/VDVutEDEEVI/AAAAAAAAAhc/iwWmFVeF1uc/s1600/Glory%2Bof%2BGod.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear
Pilgrim, have you seen His glory? Just as Moses was emboldened, have you asked
Him to show you His glory (Exodus 33:18)? Have you desired to see His glory?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim,
because you take delight in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your
heart (Psalm 37:4). He fulfils the desires of those who fear Him (Psalm
145:19). If you desire to see His glory, this is a request He will honour.
Pilgrim, will you be bold and ask Him to show you His glory? Even though you
are nothing but dust and ashes, you can be so bold as to make such a request.
For your confidence does not come from yourself, but through Christ. In Christ
and through faith in Him you may approach God with freedom and confidence! Will
you be bold to ask Him to show you His glory? The God who reveals Himself to
those who did not ask for Him will surely delight to reveal Himself to those
who desire to see His glory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Lord revealed His glory to Moses on the mountain (Exodus 34:2). It is on the
mountains that the Lord reveals Himself! Ascend the mountain, Pilgrim, and
present yourself to Him…and He will come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But
first, hide yourself in the cleft of the rock, dear Pilgrim, for no-one may see
His face and live. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come,
climb up, Pilgrim, higher, still higher, keep going….oh, persevere now, dear
Pilgrim! The climb is difficult, but it must be done. Here now, here is the
cleft in the rock. Come, take shelter. Hide in the cleft of the Rock, Pilgrim.
See, the glory of the Lord is about to pass by (Exodus 33:22).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
rock…my Rock, my Saviour (Psalm 18:46)! My Rock, my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14)! The
Rock of our Salvation (Psalm 95:1)! Could it be that this cleft in the Rock is
pointing to the One who is the mediator between man and God, the man Christ
Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space">This
rock…</span> <span class="apple-converted-space">He made water flow for His people who drank from
the spiritual rock that accompanied them in the desert, that rock which was
Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). He split the rock and water gushed out (Isaiah 48:21)
– and as Jesus died on the cross, a spear split His side and water gushed out
(John 19:34).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
rock…this rock that makes those who do not believe fall, because they do not
obey the message of salvation (1 Peter 2:8).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, this cleft in the Rock…it too is filled with glory! Shield your eyes,
Pilgrim! Fall to your knees! The glory of the Rock…..the glory of Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
He had glory with the Father before the world began (John 17:5). When He became
flesh and made His dwelling among us, His glory was seen, the glory of the Only
Begotten Son (John 1:14). His glory was revealed at His birth, when the glory
of the Lord shone around the shepherds in the fields nearby, and a great
company of the heavenly host appeared, praising God and saying, “Glory to God
in the highest!” (Luke 2:13-14). He revealed His glory when He performed the
first of His miraculous signs at Cana in Galilee, when He changed water into
wine (John 2:11). He was glorified when He raised Lazarus to life (John 11:4).
He revealed His glory when He was transfigured on a high mountain (Luke 9:32).
He will come in His glory when He returns to earth, and He will sit on His
throne in heavenly glory (Matthew 25:31). He is the radiance of God’s glory
(Hebrews 1:3). We see the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Pilgrim! Is your reaction to
this the same as the apostle John when he had a revelation of the glory of
Jesus (Revelation 1:12-16):<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>“When I saw Him, I fell at His
feet as though dead” (Revelation 1:17). Is your reaction to this the same as
the apostle Simon Peter who, when he had a revelation of the glory of Jesus,
fell at His knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke
5:8). For when we receive a revelation of His glory, we realise how far short
we have fallen of His glory. His glory reveals to us our sin. The light of His
glory exposes our darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel the weight of His glory,
Pilgrim. Feel it. Allow Him to reveal His glory to you, that you might clearly
see all that He is, even as you lie face down on the ground at His feet. Then
allow Him to touch you and to tell you not to fear (Revelation 1:17) and remind
you of the hope you have for the future – for that day when our bodies of sin
will finally be destroyed, and as part of the bride of Christ, clothed in our
glorified bodies, we will be able to sit down at the wedding feast of the Lamb,
and see Him face to face! Allow Him to raise you to your feet, to send you out
to do good works that He has prepared in advance for you to walk in, able to
proclaim with David, “I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power
and Your glory” (Psalm 63:2), glorifying Him with your lips. And as you go out
into the darkness, where thick darkness is over the peoples, the Lord will rise
upon you and His glory will appear over you (Isaiah 60:2).</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-24613536844499535652014-09-24T15:07:00.000+01:002014-09-24T15:07:16.185+01:00Dear Pilgrim, what measure are you using?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XF3vn-Ddb5Q/U02HOX1KLGI/AAAAAAAAAco/63_tVllBebo/s1600/six+measures+of+barley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XF3vn-Ddb5Q/U02HOX1KLGI/AAAAAAAAAco/63_tVllBebo/s1600/six+measures+of+barley.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, what measure are you using? Is it a generous
helping, pressed down, shaken together and running over? Is it a full measure
in response to the full measure He has poured upon you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For He has not treated us as our sins deserve, or repaid us
according to our iniquities (Ps 103:10). For the Lord our God weighs our deeds,
our motives, and our hearts – and in all cases we were weighed on the scales
and we were found wanting. But where sin and wickedness increased, the grace of
God increased all the more. For it was His Servant who drank the full strength
of the cup of wrath as all our sins were laid upon Him. It was He who received
the full measure of all that our sins and iniquities deserved. Oh, Pilgrim, let
our tears overflow as we take in this glorious gospel truth. For He has not given
us just grace and a gift through Jesus Christ – He has given us an abundant
provision of grace, an abundant provision of the gift of life that we might
reign in life through Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17)! As Boaz poured into Ruth’s shawl
six measures, six whole measures, of barley when she approached her
kinsman-redeemer seeking His favour (Ruth 3:15), so this points to the abundant
provision that is poured into us as we approach our Kinsman-Redeemer seeking
His favour!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the grace of our Lord has been poured out on us
abundantly! God is rich in mercy, and in Christ we have been given mercy in
abundance (Jude 1:2)! Faith, love and peace are also ours in abundance! How
abundant are the good things that He has stored up for those who fear Him, that
He bestows in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in Him (Ps 31:19)! Let
us celebrate His abundant goodness and joyfully sing of His righteousness (Ps
145:7)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For it is His desire to give a full measure. Jesus wanted
His disciples to have the full measure of His joy within them (John 17:13).
Paul prays that the Ephesians might not only have the power to grasp the love
of God, but that they would know the love of God, that they might be filled to the measure of
all the fullness of God (Eph 3:18-19). As the fullness of the Deity lives in
Christ in bodily form, so too in Christ we have been brought to fullness (Col
2:9-10). Oh, Pilgrim, listen to that again – as the fullness of the Deity lives
in Christ in bodily form, so too in Christ we have been brought to fullness.
Fullness! Oh, Pilgrim, are we filled with the fullness of Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as Jesus filled the jars with water to the brim in
Capernaum, so too He longs to fill us to the brim with His Holy Spirit, that
rivers of living water may flow from us. Let us ask Him to fill us with the
Holy Spirit, that we may be filled to the brim! And as our love abounds more
and more in knowledge and depth of insight, we will be filled with the fruit of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – for all those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness will be filled! As we come to Christ, He will fill us
with an inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Pe 1:8), He will fill us with all joy
and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of
the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13). Oh, Pilgrim, be filled, be filled to the measure
of all the fullness of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For we worship a God who fills heaven and earth (Jer 23:24).
Christ descended to the lower, earthly regions, and He ascended higher than all
the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe (Eph 4:10). And there is a day
coming when Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit (Isa
27:6). There is a day coming when the vineyard will be fruitful, and the world
will sing about it as the Lord watches over it, watering it continually. The
wedding hall will be filled with guests (Mt 22:10), it will be filled with the
fragrance of perfume (John 12:3), it will be filled with His love (Ps 119:64),
it will be filled with glorious sounds of praise coming from the mouths of
those whose lips are filled with His praise, declaring His splendour all day
long (Ps 71:8) – it will be filled with the glory of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, as we look for this day to come, let us ensure that
we are living as children of the Most High God, using the same measure as the
measure we have been given. Let us never be satisfied with anything less than a
full measure! Let us make sure we are not those who would skimp on the measure (Amos 8:5). Let us love our enemies, let us show mercy, let us forgive and
let us give, not holding anything back. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an
abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them
(Mt 25:29). So let us abound in every good work, for our comfort abounds in
Christ.</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-51761553173104245382014-09-10T09:21:00.000+01:002014-09-10T09:21:59.594+01:00Dear Pilgrim, have you received the embrace of your Father?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.charliemackesy.com/paintings/lithographson.jpg.php" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Prodigal Son by Charlie Mackesy" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-clc4tRbeoMc/VBAId0HklJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/9_0zue27Eb8/s1600/prodigal-son.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prodigal Son by Charlie Mackesy</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, have you received the embrace of your
Father? Have you received the comfort, the hope, the feeling of safety and the
encouragement that only the warmth of His embrace can give you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O
Pilgrim, it is one thing to have been made aware that His embrace is there for
you. It is another thing entirely to receive it. It is one thing to know that
the love the Father has lavished on us is so great that we should be called
children of God (1 John 3:1). It is another thing entirely to know that this is
what you are, to have experienced the loving embrace that only a Father can
give to His child. It is one thing to know that the Father loves you because
you have loved His Son and have believed that He came from God (John 16:27). It
is another thing entirely to have rested your head against the breast of your
Father as His arms reach around you and hold you close.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim,
do not allow timidity to hold you back from your Father’s embrace. As you
approach your Father, you are coming not in your own righteousness, but clothed
in the righteousness of His Son. For this is love: not that we loved God, but
that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John
4:10). In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and
confidence (Ephesians 3:12)! We have the confidence to enter the Most Holy
Place by the blood of Jesus! Jacob approached his father to obtain a blessing
from him, covered by his brother’s robe. When his father caught the smell of
his clothes, he proceeded to pour out his blessing upon his son. Pilgrim, what
a picture this is for us of how we approach our heavenly Father!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim,
maybe it has been so many years since you have ever known what a father’s
embrace feels like, maybe you have experienced so much loss, so much heartache
and pain, that you dare not come close for fear of being overwhelmed. O precious
Pilgrim, will you come with me to Goshen? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goshen,
in Egypt – the place to which God had sent Joseph, to preserve a remnant and to
save lives by a great deliverance. A place of separation from his father with
whom he had enjoyed a special love, for he was the beloved son of his father.
This separation had lasted many years, and had caused much pain for Joseph. But
what the enemy had intended for harm, God intended for good. For we know that
in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been
called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). And God arranged for the beloved
son to be reunited with his father. As Jacob travelled to Goshen, Joseph had
his chariot made ready and went to meet him. O Pilgrim, how do you think Joseph
was feeling, as he went to meet his father after all those years? All those
emotions flooding through him…and as he finally set eyes upon his dearly loved
father, as he presented himself before his father, his emotions poured out of
him and he fell on his father’s neck and wept for a long time (Genesis 46:29).
Oh, praise the living God for bringing about such a reconciliation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do
you see, Pilgrim, how far the father travelled to be reconciled to his son?
Jacob travelled all the way from the land of Canaan to Goshen for this
reconciliation. It was not Joseph who travelled to Canaan, rather, his father
came to him. O Pilgrim, do you see? Just like in the parable of the prodigal
son, as soon as the son got up and went to his father, even whilst he was still
a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. His
father had been waiting, longing, for his return all those years. And as soon
as he saw him, he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke
15:20)! Pilgrim, it was the father who ran to the son! Oh, what a God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet,
Pilgrim, it can still be possible to know all this and yet still to have not
experienced it. For it requires the work of the Holy Spirit deep in our hearts,
it requires God to send the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who
calls out, “Abba, Father!” (Gal 4:6). And when this happens, dear Pilgrim, oh!
The assurance He brings! The confidence He brings! The hope He brings! The
warmth of His embrace is truly like no other!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May
we cry out to Him that the Spirit never ceases to cry out, “Abba, Father!” from
within our hearts, so that we may truly understand what it means to be a child
of God, and may the Spirit Himself testify with our spirits that we are God’s
children (Romans 8:16). May we then be able to declare that “His right arm
embraces me” (Song of Songs 2:6), and live in the confidence that this brings! </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-36319725873091786232014-07-23T12:03:00.000+01:002014-07-23T12:03:21.090+01:00Dear Pilgrim, have you tasted and seen that the Lord is good?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Z53r21glb0/U85pYjlWZSI/AAAAAAAAAfk/8sEQ60ccfsY/s1600/taste+and+see.jpg" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scripture artwork from <a href="http://heartinspirations.ca/">heartinspirations.ca</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, have you tasted and seen that the Lord is
good?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have
you passed through the Valley of Eshkol? Do you recall seeing the results of
the exploration of the land of Canaan, the land of promise into which the Lord
God was bringing His chosen people? Do you remember how it took two men to
carry a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes from this land flowing with
milk and honey (Numbers 13:23)? A single cluster of grapes, carried by two men!
Oh, it was in the Valley of Eshkol, the Valley of cluster, that you first
tasted and saw that the Lord is good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You
have discovered that the One you love is like an apple tree amongst the trees
of the forest, and you delight to sit in His shade, for His fruit is sweet to
your taste (Song of Songs 2:3). You have tasted His words, the words of the One
who tasted death for you (Hebrews 2:9), and you have found them to be sweeter
than honey to your mouth (Psalm 119:103). You have discovered that His fruit is
better than fine gold, that what He yields surpasses choice silver (Proverbs
8:19). You have tasted that He is good, and you crave to be filled with more so
that you may grow up in your salvation. You have dwelt in His garden, and you
have seen that it is good. You have taken the time to browse amongst the trees
and the plants in this glorious garden of His, flowing with streams of water,
that have produced the choicest of fruits, foliage in abundance, richness of
colour and a fragrance beyond compare. This is a garden set atop a mountain,
for it is the mountains that bring prosperity to the peoples, and the hills the
fruit of righteousness (Psalm 72:3). This well-watered garden has a river
flowing through it which separates into four headwaters. The Pishon river gives
the increase and is full-flowing. The Gihon river bursts forth and gushes
through the garden. The Tigris is a swift, rapid darting river, whilst the
Euphrates is sweet and fruitful. When the garden is so abundantly provided for,
dear Pilgrim, is it any wonder that the fruit that comes forth from this garden
is as rich and sweet as it is?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As
you have delighted in His shade, your own mustard seed of faith has been
planted in the fertile soil of His garden. As you have eaten with joy all He
has provided for you, your roots have grown and stretched further and further
into these flowing streams of life-giving water. Without your even noticing,
the Vine has been wrapping itself tightly around your branches and bearing more
and more fruit. For your Father is the Gardener. How He patiently tends and cares for His
plants in His garden! He loves to walk in His garden in the cool of the day,
examining the growth that He sees, pruning those branches which are bearing
fruit that they might produce an abundance, digging around and fertilizing
those trees that are not yet bearing fruit, patiently giving time for growth to
occur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
is also a Jealous Gardener. You are a garden locked-up, a spring enclosed, a
sealed fountain (Song of Songs 4:12). He is Jealous that the fruit which comes
from you is pure, holy and righteous, rich to the taste and lacking in no good
thing. Oh, how important it is that your roots reach out to Him alone! Pilgrim,
resist the temptation to seek out any other fruitless source of water, which
will cause a failure to thrive and new growth to wither. Send out your roots to
Him alone and you will bear the fruit of light which consists in all goodness,
righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9). Lift up your branches for His eyes
alone, not seeking the approval of men, and you will find yourself standing
firm and strong before Him, an oak of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for
the display of His splendour (Isaiah 61:3). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And
you will find that He will breathe upon you that your fragrance might spread
everywhere. For the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who
is wise saves lives (Proverbs 11:30). It is His desire that there be many
plants in His garden, that it be teeming with all kinds of trees, trees that
are pleasing to the eye and good to the taste, bearing the fruit of love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
it is He who will come into His own garden and taste of its choice fruits (Song
of Songs 4:16)! The One who was betrayed by a kiss in a garden will come into
His own garden to gather its fruit which has faithfully been growing in Him.
The One whose body was laid in a new tomb in a garden, the One who was mistaken
for the gardener when He arose, He is the True Vine and His Father is the
Gardener. Oh, abide in Him, dear Pilgrim! Abide in Him, and you will bear much
fruit, to your Father’s glory! For as the soil makes the young plant come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make
righteousness and praise spring up before all nations (Isaiah 61:11)!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-45967182760896773952014-05-14T10:53:00.000+01:002014-05-14T10:53:42.235+01:00Dear Pilgrim, are you struggling with condemnation?<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmMTO0I-_5g/U16lqzdywKI/AAAAAAAAAc4/sSGXOFT9M18/s1600/empty+tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmMTO0I-_5g/U16lqzdywKI/AAAAAAAAAc4/sSGXOFT9M18/s1600/empty+tomb.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, are you struggling with condemnation? Are
voices whispering to you that you are no good, leaving you in despair? Are you
feeling crushed in your spirit?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Pilgrim, how I understand! But come, take my hand, let us
walk together awhile. There is somewhere we need to go that maybe you haven’t
been to lately. Come, into this garden. Breathe in the fragrance of the garden,
Pilgrim. Take a deep breath. Isn’t it peaceful and quiet in here? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come, over here, dear Pilgrim. See the rock….and the tomb
hewn from the rock, the tomb where Jesus was laid. See the stone, removed from
the entrance. See the strips of linen lying there, and the burial cloth that
had been around His head folded up by itself, separate from the linen. See the
tomb – empty. It is empty, dear Pilgrim! For He is not here – He has
risen! For God exerted His mighty
strength in Christ and raised Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:19)! God has
raised this Jesus to life! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are not far from where you beheld the Lamb of God as He
died upon the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, paying the wages of death
for your sin. But how easily we forget to walk to the empty tomb to see the
victory that has been won! This is the place the enemy will want to keep you
from coming, he will do all he can to distract you from coming here, walking
around, spending time reflecting on all this means – for this is the place of
our Lord’s great victory!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the truth of this glorious gospel message into which we
have been brought by the blood of the Lamb does not end with the blessed news
that our sins and iniquities have been forgiven. O Pilgrim, let your eyes
behold the revelation of the empty tomb which speaks of new life! The
revelation of the empty tomb which speaks of the power of the Spirit! The
revelation of the empty tomb which speaks of the victory that He has won!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For if we have been baptised into Christ, we have been
baptised into His death. Our whole old self was crucified with Him! Not only
were we baptised into the death of Christ – we were buried with Him. Our whole
old self is crucified, dead and buried. It no longer has power over us! We no
longer identify with it! It is defeated!
We were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just
as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may
live a new life! A new life, Pilgrim! No longer a life of slavery to sin, a
life of captivity, a life without hope, a life that was no life for it led to
death. No matter how many times the enemy tries to whisper to you that you have
no hope, that you cannot escape the clutches of sin, that you are guilty, the
truth is that now that we have died we have been set free from sin (Romans 6:7)!
Yes, Pilgrim, we do daily still wrestle with sin, we daily have to fight
against sin, but it is no longer our master! For we have been set free from the
power of sin! Set free from the guilt of sin! Set free from the penalty of sin!
Set free from the slavery of sin! It was for freedom that Christ has set us
free! O Pilgrim, rejoice that your chains are gone! Gone! No longer a slave – a
son! A child of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, as we stand here in the garden, listen for a
moment. Listen. It is so peaceful here, isn’t it? The birds are singing their
praises to their Creator, but otherwise all is quiet. It was quiet on those
days when Jesus lay here in the tomb. Maybe some thought it was the quiet
despair of defeat. It may have looked like defeat, as the Creator bowed His
head and breathed His last. It may have looked like defeat, as His lifeless
body lay in the tomb for three days. It may have looked like defeat, as all was
silent. But His final words, “It is finished!” continued to ring with the
glorious sounds of triumph and victory as they resounded through the heavens,
as they made the powers and authorities shudder in fear. And then, in the
fullness of time, the Voice of the Lord spoke, and shook the earth. The Voice
of the Lord thundered, and there was a violent earthquake, the Son of God was
raised to life – for it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. The
power of the Spirit raised Him to life! Victory! But not His victory alone! For
thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 15:57)! We have been raised up and seated with Christ in the
heavenly realms! We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, listen again. Listen. What do you hear? There is
only one word to describe it – peace. Peace, dear Pilgrim! For this empty tomb
– the victory He has won, the victory He gives to us – this means we have peace
with God! What were the very first words He uttered to His disciples after He
arose? “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19). Who is the one who condemns? Not God!
For Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the
right hand of God, interceding for us (Romans 8:34). Interceding, Pilgrim, not
condemning! There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you
free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1). You are free, free from the
law of sin and death, free to put to death the misdeeds of the body, free to be
led by the Spirit of God, free to overcome the world! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, never forget the empty tomb. The enemy will do all
he can to keep you from standing here and taking in all that it means, for it
is here that it is clear for all to see that he is defeated. Resist him, and he
will flee! And may the truth of the empty tomb be forever engraved on your heart.</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-91892904691719434072014-04-30T09:47:00.000+01:002014-04-30T09:47:10.747+01:00Dear Pilgrim, when He comes, will He find faith on the earth?<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3yj0kP3zhvc/U2Afh0k6tuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/xe6XJOxpP5Y/s1600/mount+carmel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3yj0kP3zhvc/U2Afh0k6tuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/xe6XJOxpP5Y/s1600/mount+carmel.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Carmel ("the vineyard of God")</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith
on the earth (Luke 18:8)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Pilgrim, it is a challenging word that He has brought to
us. He told us that many will turn away from the faith in times of trouble. For
it is true that not everyone has faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet Pilgrim, we know that faith comes by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). And Pilgrim, your ears have been
opened by the One who looked up to heaven with a deep sigh and said,
“Ephphatha!”(Mark 7:34). You have heard
His voice, you have heard the Word of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, come with me, come up Mount Carmel, come and see a
man of faith. Elijah has heard and received the word of God, that rain is
coming, and in faith he announces to Ahab that there is the sound of an
abundance of rain (1 Kings 18:41). Three years of drought, three years where
neither dew nor rain had fallen in the land, and now an abundance of rain is
proclaimed because of the word of the Lord! For this was a man who lived by
faith, and not by sight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look, Pilgrim! Here, on the top of the mountain, the place
where God reveals Himself, the man of God has bowed down on the ground, with
his face between his knees. He is praying to his God, Pilgrim. What does a man
of God pray in such a situation? These words come to mind: “Remember Your word
to Your servant, for You have given me hope” (Psalm 119:49). He asks his
servant to go and look towards the sea, that their eyes might see the word of
the Lord come to pass. His servant looks, comes back, and says, “There is
nothing”. There is no sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elijah continues to pray. He continues to trust in the word
of the Lord. He continues to trust in the faithfulness of his God. For no word
from God will ever fail (Luke 1:37). Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands
firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89). A second time he asks his servant to report
what he sees – nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Undaunted, the man of faith in such a situation reminds
himself that “the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He
does” (Psalm 33:4). “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver
purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times” (Psalm 12:6). A third
time he asks his servant what he sees – nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Faithfully, the man of God, who perseveres in prayer at His
throne, cries out, “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I
put my hope” (Psalm 130:5). He calls to mind familiar words of Scripture and
brings them before the Lord in humble submission: “My word that goes out from
My mouth will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and
achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). A fourth time there is
no response to his prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still he does not waver in unbelief regarding the promise of
God, but he is strengthened in his faith and gives glory to God, for he is
fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised (Romans 4:20-21).
He knows that even though heaven and earth may pass away, His words will never
pass away (Mark 13:31). A fifth time he is told there is still no sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He holds unswervingly to his hope, for he knows that He who
promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23), and he prays aloud for all to hear, “As
for God, His way is perfect: the Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who
take refuge in Him” (2 Samuel 22:31). As he prays, he takes up his shield of
faith to extinguish the flaming arrows from the evil one, who is whispering,
“Did God really say He would send rain?” A sixth time the servant goes to look
towards the sea. Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The man of faith continues knocking, continues seeking,
continues asking that the Lord bring to pass the word He has spoken. He knows that God will bring about justice
for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night. He knows that the Lord
will not keep putting them off, that His God will see that they get justice,
and quickly (Luke 18:7-8). A seventh time the servant goes to look towards the
sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The servant comes running back to the man of God, breathless
with excitement! He has seen something! Oh! An abundance of rain is the
promise. What is it that can be seen? The skies filled with ominous dark
clouds? No – a single cloud! A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from
the sea! Do not despise the day of small things, dear Pilgrim! For from this
cloud as small as a man’s hand, an abundance of rain will fall over the land!
Rejoice that the Lord has heard your cry!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, here, atop Mount Carmel, the mountain of
faith, the mountain of belief, He has tested your faith and has produced
perseverance as a result! What a thing of beauty your faith in Him is! Is it
any wonder that Mount Carmel is known as a mountain of splendour (Isaiah 35:2)?
And now, dear Pilgrim, you can join the Psalmist in this victorious cry: “I
waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1).</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-39998522101300611712014-04-16T10:44:00.000+01:002014-04-16T10:44:42.048+01:00Dear Pilgrim, have you beheld the Lamb of God?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-C55Jv0Zwo/UzXvdWvoBOI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Hh080zjVgF0/s1600/lamb+of+god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-C55Jv0Zwo/UzXvdWvoBOI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Hh080zjVgF0/s1600/lamb+of+god.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, have you beheld the Lamb of God? The Lamb of
God, who takes away the sin of the world? Have you looked upon the Lamb who was
slain?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come, Pilgrim. Let us ascend, let us climb up to Golgotha,
the place of the skull. Oh, Pilgrim, let us take off our sandals as we climb,
for this is holy ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, well might you be trembling beside me. I am
trembling too. For here He has taken up our pain, and bears our suffering. He
has been pierced for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities. The
Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Oh, Pilgrim, He is bearing our sins in His body on the cross. He is bearing my sin. He is bearing your sin.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Abraham declared to Isaac “God Himself will provide the
lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Gen 22:8), could he have known how these
words would be fulfilled? On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided, and
here, on the mountain of the Lord, the Lamb, the Lamb of God who takes away the
sin of the world, was provided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as the Passover Lamb was a lamb without defect, so
Jesus Christ was a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Pe 1:19). Pilate declared
after examining the Lamb, “I find no basis for a charge against Him” (John
19:6). Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb, was led like a lamb to the
slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His
mouth (Isa 53:7). For Jesus made no reply, not to a single charge that was
brought against Him (Mt 27:14). Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin
of the world!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was like one from whom people hid their faces, for He was
despised and held in low esteem. Oh, Pilgrim, let us not hide our faces from
Him! Let us kneel here, at the foot of the cross, let us gaze up at our
Saviour, our precious Redeemer, who is spilling His blood for you and for me, who is pouring out His blood for many for the forgiveness of sins. Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin
of the world! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See Him on the cross, the Bread of Affliction (Dt 16:3). The
bread of affliction, bread made without yeast, was eaten along with the
Passover Lamb by the Israelites in remembrance of the night they fled Egypt.
The Bread of Life, the living bread that came down from heaven, became the
Bread of Affliction that we might eat of His flesh which He gave for the life
of the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hear the Bread of Affliction crying out “I am thirsty”, in
order to fulfil the Scriptures. A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked
a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to
Jesus’ lips. As they did so, they lay before us the meal that Ruth’s
Kinsman-Redeemer offered to her, when he gave her a meal of bread dipped in wine
vinegar (Ruth 2:14). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, as we kneel at the foot of the cross, gazing at our Saviour, in repentance feeding on Him as He gives His life for us, listen
to the words Boaz speaks to Ruth as she shares this meal: “I’ve been told…how
you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a
people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done.
May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings
you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:11-12). Oh Pilgrim, how can it be that He
would speak in this manner to us? How can we have found such favour in His eyes? How can it be that He would give such comfort to us, and speak so kindly to us, when it is our sin
which has caused His suffering, when it is because of our own sin that He hangs
on this cross? Yet He does indeed speak these words to us, who have left everything to
come and kneel here, at the foot of His cross, we who have fled the city where we dwelt to find refuge in the mountains. We will be richly
rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings we have come to
take refuge. For it is in His cross that we have come to take refuge, it is in
His cross where we shelter in the shadow of His wings, it is in His cross that we are covered by His blood – His blood in which a rich reward is to be found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For His blood of the covenant was poured out for many, for
the forgiveness of sins. We, who were in slavery to sin, have been redeemed
through His blood! We, who were far away, have been brought near by His blood!
He has cleansed our consciences from acts that lead to death through His blood!
We have been reconciled with our Father in heaven through His blood! We have
peace with God through His blood! He makes us holy through His blood! We have
been purified from sin through His blood! He has freed us from our sins through
His blood! We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, Pilgrim, what precious blood this is! What riches there
are in His blood! Oh, Pilgrim, at one and the same time are our hearts not
filled with grief that He had to pour out His blood, yet filled with rejoicing
at what has been accomplished? What can we do but bow down and worship? Let us
fall down before Him and worship! Oh, sing with me, Pilgrim, sing, “Worthy is
the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honour and glory and praise!”</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-3271659762457681292014-04-02T11:04:00.000+01:002014-04-02T11:04:33.978+01:00Dear Pilgrim, have you called on the Lord in your distress?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb6ARzqfLf0/Uzc-wm-WM4I/AAAAAAAAAcY/aKNYskb7gmc/s1600/psalm+120v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb6ARzqfLf0/Uzc-wm-WM4I/AAAAAAAAAcY/aKNYskb7gmc/s1600/psalm+120v1.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, have you called on the Lord in your distress?
When trouble has come your way, have you cried to your God for help? Have you
cried to Him for mercy as you lift up your hands to His Most Holy Place? Have
you cried out to Him that He might not be deaf to your weeping? If this is so,
dear Pilgrim, then you have the faith to believe that God has ears to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the idols have ears but cannot hear (Ps 115:6) – yet it
is our God Himself who fashioned the ear (Ps 94:9)! Surely His ear is not too
dull to hear (Isa 59:1)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Listen to the thunderous Holy sounds on His Holy Mountain,
Pilgrim. From His throne come flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of
thunder. The seraphim above His throne call praises to one another,
and at the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds of the temple
shake. The four living creatures around the throne never stop saying
day and night “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and
is to come”. Whenever they move, the sound of their wings is like the
roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. The twenty-four elders around the throne speak out their praises to
Him. And the angels! Oh, Pilgrim, there are thousands upon
thousands of angels in joyful assembly, singing for joy, shouting for joy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, can it be true that in such a place of Holy sounds,
of Holy thunder, of Holy joy, that from His temple He hears our voices, that
our cries come before Him, into His ears? Oh yes, dear Pilgrim, it is true, for
our God is the God who hears! The angel of the Lord instructed Hagar to name
her son Ishmael as a testament to the God who hears (Gen 16:11)! His ears are
attentive to the cry of the righteous! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cry to Him in the morning, dear Pilgrim, lay your requests
before Him and wait expectantly. Evening, morning and noon cry out in your
distress, that He might hear your voice. He heard His people crying out in
their captivity in Egypt, for He fulfils the desires of those who fear Him, He
hears their cry and saves them (Ps 145:19)! He will not hear the prayers of
those whose iniquities separate them from their God, whose sin causes Him to
hide His face from them (Isa 59:2). Yet when the righteous cry out, those who
are walking with the Lord, who are walking before Him in humility, contrite in
heart, confessing their sins, these the Lord hears. He hears the
cry of His faithful servant who has been set apart for Himself (Ps 4:3).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He heard the cries of Moses, who was faithful as a servant in
all God’s house. Most glorious of all, He heard
Christ, who is faithful as the Son over God’s house, and Who was able to
proclaim “I know that You always hear me” (John 11:42) as He brought glory to
His Father during the days of His life on earth. He was heard because of His
reverent submission (Heb 5:7). And what He Himself had heard from the One who
sent Him, this He proclaimed to the world (John 8:26). He came from Heaven, and
He testified of all that He had seen and heard (John 3:31-32). He returned to
Heaven and has sent the Spirit to come to us, who now speaks to us only what He
hears (John 16:13). And when we do not know how to pray as we should, it is He,
the Spirit Himself, who intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words
(Rom 8:26) which rise up before Him as fragrant incense and are heard at His
throne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For Pilgrim, it is not the loudness of our prayers that
captures His attention. Our God is not one that we need to shout louder to that
we might interrupt His thoughts (1 Ki 18:27). Hannah’s voice could not be heard
when she prayed in her heart, her lips were soundlessly moving as she poured
out her soul to the Lord (1 Sam 1:13-15). Yet the Lord heard her. He hears the
needy, the one who has barely any strength to muster up the breath from within
to cry out to Him, the one whose heart He has captured. When we can do no more
than whisper a prayer to Him out of our distress, be reassured of this truth,
dear Pilgrim - He hears, our God hears! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let us utter these beautiful words of faith with the prophet
Micah: “My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7)! Oh, what precious faith is revealed here! Listen to the confidence! Is He your God, Pilgrim? Yes, yes He is, for He has called you, He has chosen you, you heard His voice calling you! Will He hear you, Pilgrim? Yes, yes He will! Oh, may He give us the confidence,
the assurance in Him that no matter what situation we face, our God will hear
us. May we look back at all He has done for us in the past, and remind
ourselves in our present time of need that our God will hear us. May we look to
Christ and how He was always heard, and know that as we cry out to our God
through Christ, we too will be heard for we come in the precious name of His
Son! May we be comforted that we enjoy the favour of our God, that He delights
to hear our voice calling to Him, for we come through His precious Son, whose
voice He always delighted to hear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, Pilgrim, may our hearts always be inclined towards Him!
May we never cease to cry out to Him! “For He says, ‘In the time of My favour I
heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the
time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2)!</span></div>
</div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-60446836384315026582014-03-19T11:18:00.000+00:002014-03-19T11:18:32.520+00:00Dear Pilgrim, do you sometimes feel you are hidden from the eyes of the Lord? <div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_2Fc_fEqdI/UyjLOdJN2LI/AAAAAAAAAb4/gVlkENF-d14/s1600/el+roi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_2Fc_fEqdI/UyjLOdJN2LI/AAAAAAAAAb4/gVlkENF-d14/s1600/el+roi.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear
Pilgrim, do you sometimes feel you are hidden from the eyes of the Lord? When
your prayers seem to go unanswered, when your affliction weighs heavily upon you, does
it seem as if His eyes are looking elsewhere? As your enemies gather around
you, do you cry out in all humility “Arise to help me; look on my plight” (Ps
59:4)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim,
be reassured of this truth - the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. The eyes of the Lord are on those
who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love. The eyes
of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are
fully committed to Him. "Woe to those who go to great depths to
hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, ‘Who
sees us? Who will know?’" (Isa 29:15). "They say, ‘The Lord does not see; the God
of Jacob takes no notice.’ Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise? Does He who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does He who formed the eye not see?" (Ps 94:7-9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For our
God is unlike the idols which have eyes but cannot see (Ps 115:5). The four
living creatures surrounding the throne of God are covered with eyes, in front
and behind, all round, even under their wings (Rev 4:6,8). Covered with eyes,
Pilgrim! He sees! Our God is El Roi! He sees! Our God, the One who made eyes
that see, looked upon all that He had made and He declared that it was very
good. And after sin had entered the
world, He saw with grief Adam and Eve hiding from Him in the Garden. He is the One who saw
our unformed bodies when we were woven together in the depths of the earth. From
heaven He looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling-place He
watches all who live on earth – He who forms the hearts of all, who considers
everything they do (Ps 33:13-15). Oh, Pilgrim, who is like our God, for He is the One who
sits enthroned on high, and yet He stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth! Have you considered why He looks down, dear Pilgrim? "The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there
are any who understand, any who seek God" (Ps 14:2).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And He has
delivered His verdict – that truth is nowhere to be found, there is no justice.
He saw that there was no-one, He was appalled that there was no-one to
intervene (Isa 59:15-16). No-one, Pilgrim! Not one! Oh, have mercy, Lord! Look
on our affliction and our distress and take away all our sins (Ps 25:18)! So
His own arm achieved salvation for Him, and His own righteousness sustained
Him. And people stared and gloated over Him, all who saw Him mocked Him and
hurled insults at Him, they were appalled by His appearance which was
disfigured beyond that of any human appearance. The One who keeps His eyes
always on the Lord, the One who said He could only do what He saw His Father
doing (John 5:19), His eyes closed as He died our death. But Pilgrim, He did
not see decay (Ps 16:10), for after He suffered, He saw the light of life and
was satisfied (Isa 53:11)! What a Saviour!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And
behold, our Saviour came! He came and opened our eyes to our sin, and as we
looked to Him for salvation, He saw our faith and these words rang out: “Take
heart, your sins are forgiven” (Mt 9:2). And ever since the cry of our hearts
has been “Why have I found such favour in Your eyes that You notice me?” (Ruth
2:10). It is because He sees the blood, dear Pilgrim (Ex 12:13)! He sees the
blood of His precious Son which has been sprinkled over you by faith! Listen to
His declaration, Pilgrim: ‘These are the ones I look on with favour: those who
are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word’ (Isa 66:2). Be
assured of your favour in His eyes, dear Pilgrim, as you remain bowed low
before Him, submitted to Him in faith. You are not hidden from His eyes. His
eyes are not looking elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
Pilgrim, as we look at Him now, risen, ascended, glorified, do you see His
eyes? Look – His eyes – they are like blazing fire (Rev 1:14). Blazing fire –
eyes of love, dear Pilgrim, love for His Bride. Listen to the words of His
Bride: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Place me like a seal over Your
heart,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>like a seal on Your arm;<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>for love is as strong as death,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>its jealousy unyielding as the
grave.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It burns like blazing fire,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>like a mighty flame.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>(Song of Solomon 8:6)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How He
loves His Bride! How He is jealous for His Bride! Oh, look into those eyes,
Pilgrim! Look into those eyes of blazing fire – eyes that see clearly, eyes
that burn away the impurities, eyes that expose the darkness and bring all
things into the light. What eyes of love! Yet those same eyes will blaze with a
holy fire on the day of His wrath when His righteous judgement is revealed. On
that day those who do not know Him will cry out to the rocks and mountains to
hide them from His face. Even now, Pilgrim, let us cry out to the Lord that
they would see His hand lifted high and look to Him in faith that they too
would know Him as El Roi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And may
the knowledge that our God is the One who sees strengthen our faith. May this
truth give us confidence and assurance in our faith to draw close to Him, to
look upon Him with eyes of faith. May He lift our eyes to His that we may be
blessed to see His eyes looking upon us, those eyes like blazing fire.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-63629172362111552932014-03-05T15:07:00.000+00:002014-03-05T15:07:32.862+00:00Dear Pilgrim, do you hear the sound of weeping?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETqbeGdXzoE/UxX-UVRA0iI/AAAAAAAAAbo/RhIIhmZtAbs/s1600/weeping+willow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETqbeGdXzoE/UxX-UVRA0iI/AAAAAAAAAbo/RhIIhmZtAbs/s1600/weeping+willow.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weeping willow by Andre Karwath (source:commons.wikimedia.org)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear
Pilgrim, do you hear the sound of weeping? Do you hear the sound of wailing, of
mourning, of grief?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is
the Valley of Baka (Ps 84:6), a dry valley, a valley without water, the valley of
weeping. This is the place where tears flow like a river day and night, where
beds are flooded with weeping and couches are drenched with tears, where
streams of tears flow from eyes. This is the place where daughters are taught
how to wail, where laments are taught to one another. This is the place where
ashes are eaten as food and drink is mingled with tears. This is the place
where sackcloth is worn and dust is sprinkled on heads. This is the house of
mourning, dear Pilgrim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh,
Pilgrim, take courage as you pass through this valley. Be heartened, for this
is not the sound of worldly sorrow that you hear, this is not the crying of
self-pity that leads to death. Listen, dear Pilgrim. Can you hear this is godly
sorrow?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
streams of tears are flowing from eyes because His law is not obeyed (Ps
119:136). Mourning over sin in self and mourning over sin in the land, the cry
goes up to heaven that all the tears that fall be listed in His scroll and in
His record (Ps 56:8). The hearts of the fathers have been turned away from
their children in the land, so here in the Valley of Baka hearts are poured out
on the ground in the presence of the Lord, hands are lifted to Him for the
lives of their children who are fainting from hunger at every street corner,
fainting from a hunger and a thirst for righteousness in the land. For truth
has stumbled in the streets, and righteousness stands afar as His laws are
disregarded. Is there anyone who can bring comfort? Is there anyone who can
build up the wall and stand in the gap?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh,
Pilgrim, now you are weeping too. Overcome by grief, you are weeping and
weeping as you cry out “Is there no-one?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not
weep, dear Pilgrim! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has
triumphed! The Righteous One came, full of grace and Truth, and after He shouted in victory "It is finished!" He rose again, He ascended, He has sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet. And now that God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy
Spirit, who has been given to us (Rom 5:5), we overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For as we travel through the Valley of Baka, it becomes a place of springs. As we
acknowledge the Lord, as we press on to acknowledge Him, as surely as the sun
rises He will appear, He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring
rains that water the earth (Hos 6:3). In the dry and weary land that you are
passing through, as you spread out your hands to Him in your thirst, He will
come and He will open your eyes to see the springs of water that He has
provided. Where there is no water, He will give you the faith to cry out to Him
in your thirst, and He will open up for you an En Hakkore – a caller’s spring
(Judges 15:18-19)! He will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched
land into flowing springs (Ps 107:35). The burning sand will become a pool, the
thirsty ground bubbling springs (Isa 35:7). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be ever
watchful though, dear Pilgrim, as you pass the springs – for not all are His - there are some
deceptive brooks (Jer 15:18). These are springs without water, without His life-giving
water (2 Pe 2:17). These are springs which will fail. For not only do some
forsake the spring of living water, but they dig their own broken cisterns
which cannot hold water (Jer 2:13). Oh, Pilgrim, watch out for those who will
lead you astray, who mouth empty, boastful words and appeal to the lustful
desires of the flesh, serving up to you muddied water out of a polluted well.
There is no life in them! The only cure for bad water is to take a new bowl
filled with salt and throw it into the spring (2 Ki 2:19-22). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be
patient as you travel through the valley, dear Pilgrim, waiting for the autumn rains. See how the farmer
waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn
and spring rains. (James 5:7). Be patient, dear Pilgrim, as you go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, as you sow with tears. For you will reap with songs of joy in the fullness of time, you will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with you (Ps 126:5-6)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And you
will go from strength to strength, until that glorious day when you appear before
God in Zion (Ps 84:7), where He will wipe away all the tears from your face, where you
will drink without cost from the spring of the water of life (Rev 21:6) and
where your mourning will turn to laughter (Luke 6:21). And when He comes and
places a crown of beauty on your head instead of ashes (Isa 61:3) your joy will
know no bounds.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-21365354631440477702014-02-19T12:14:00.000+00:002014-02-19T12:14:33.052+00:00Dear Pilgrim, have you noticed the beauty of your feet?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GeIOZAS8xA4/UwPgUJceiBI/AAAAAAAAAbY/aCvP4-lLD7Q/s1600/isaiah+52v7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GeIOZAS8xA4/UwPgUJceiBI/AAAAAAAAAbY/aCvP4-lLD7Q/s1600/isaiah+52v7.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear
Pilgrim, have you noticed the beauty of your feet?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a
look, dear Pilgrim. Yes, they may be hot and dusty from all the walking you
have been doing, but do you see how beautiful they are?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah, the
quizzical look in your eye…what are you wearing on your feet, dear Pilgrim? Do
you see those sandals?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember,
Pilgrim, when He first called you, when you realized you were standing on Holy
ground, He told you to take off your sandals. How awesome was that moment when
He revealed His Holiness to you, when you clearly saw for the first time your
own uncleanness before Him. Remember how with trembling fingers you unstrapped
your sandals as you bowed low before Him. Our God is Holy, Holy, Holy, and we
can not bring anything with us before Him that is soiled and dirty. So those
sandals which had been walking in the ways of darkness and wickedness had to be
removed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, but
Pilgrim, do you remember how He came to you and He Himself put sandals of fine
leather on you (Eze 16:10)? The sandals that He gave you demonstrated that you
were no longer a slave, a slave to sin, for slaves were given nothing to wear
upon their feet. The sandals that He gave you announced before those watching
that now you were a son – a son adopted into His family, given the prestige of
wearing sandals upon your feet (Lk 15:22)! Oh, Pilgrim, we are not worthy to
stoop down and untie the straps of His sandals (Mk 1:7), yet He came and knelt
down at our feet as He dressed them in sandals of sonship and declared in great
joy “How beautiful your sandalled feet!” (Song of Songs 7:1) What love is this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wearing
these sandals of sonship, your feet have been released from snares (Ps 25:15),
and instead you have been walking about in freedom because you have sought out
His precepts (Ps 119:45). The path has become broad beneath you so that your
ankles have not given way (Ps 18:36). Your feet have been set in a spacious
place (Ps 31:8) as you have followed the lamp of His Word giving light to your
path (Ps 119:105). Your feet, fitted with the readiness that comes from the
gospel of peace (Eph 6:15) have been walking in the good works that He prepared
in advance for you to do (Eph 2:10). On occasion it has been necessary for you
to shake the dust off your feet (Mt 10:14) but have you noticed, dear Pilgrim,
never once have you needed new sandals? For He has been sustaining you every
step of the way (Dt 29:5). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim,
there is a further meaning behind His giving you sandals to wear. For unlike
the idols which have feet, but cannot walk (Ps 115:7), our God has been walking
ever since He created the world. He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden in
the cool of the day (Gen 3:8), and He promised His people “I will walk among
you and be your God and you will be My people” (Lev 26:12). He walked amongst
the lost sheep of Israel calling out those who would hear His voice, He walked
to Golgotha to bear the penalty for our sin, His pierced feet walked with the disciples
to Emmaus, and today He walks amongst His churches (Rev 2:1), speaking words of
encouragement, rebuke and exhortation to those who have ears to hear what the
Spirit is saying to the churches. Just as He walks, then, dear Pilgrim, we too
must walk and follow our Good Shepherd as He leads the way for us, outside the
city gate, to bear the disgrace He bore (Heb 13:13). Let us ask Him where He is
walking, and let us follow. And do not fail to notice, dear Pilgrim, that as He
walks He leads us upwards, ever heading towards Zion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
there is a coming day when His feet will once again stand on the Mount of
Olives (Zech 14:4), when He will gather us to be with Him, and when we will
declare “Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem!” (Ps 122:2). For this
is the place of His throne and the place for the soles of His feet, the place
where He will dwell among His people for ever (Eze 43:7).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-31972564504592291222014-02-06T13:05:00.000+00:002014-02-06T13:05:35.036+00:00Dear Pilgrim, have you touched the hem of His garment?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, have you touched the hem of His garment? Are
you so desperate that you will push your way through the crowd pressed around Him
for that touch? Do you cry out “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You!”
(Ps 73:25).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take heart, Pilgrim, your faith will heal you as you seek
His touch. Those who are not content to worship Jesus from afar, but who rather
desire a personal touch from Him, oh! How He delights to bless those of such
faith! For all those who touched the edge of his cloak were healed – all of
them (Mt 14:36)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, Pilgrim, it is all too easy for us to remain in the
courtyard of the tabernacle, the place where the crowds would gather. They
would gather to see the Son of God perform
signs and wonders, they would gather to listen to His teaching, and they would
marvel at what they heard, they would listen with delight. But there was
widespread whispering about Him among the crowds, some saying He was a good
man, others saying He deceived the people (John 7:12). It wasn’t long before
the crowd turned against Him and cried out for Him to be crucified.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, there were very few who had the courage and the
faith to leave the courtyard of the tabernacle, the place where the crowds
gathered, and approach the Most Holy Place – Jesus Himself. The woman with the
issue of blood had the faith to approach Him. She had the faith that a touch of
His garment would heal her. Yet she lacked the courage to do so publicly. She
knew she was unclean, and she knew that according to the Levitical law, if she
touched anyone else, they too would become unclean (Lev 15:19). She felt shame.
She could not lift her head. So she reached out to touch Him in secrecy. She
reached out to touch Him from her place within the crowd. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe she didn’t realise that the One she sought to touch
was not a sinner like you and me who would become unclean. Rather, the One she
sought to touch was Most Holy. Whatever is Most Holy does not become unclean
when it is touched. Rather, whatever touches that which is Most Holy will
itself become holy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sin offering was Most Holy (Lev 6:25). God made Him who
had no sin to be sin for us, that in Him we might become the righteousness of
God (2 Cor 5:21). Whatever touches any
of the flesh of the sin offering becomes holy (Lev 6:27).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The guilt offering was Most Holy (Lev 6:17). He sacrificed
His blood for us that our hearts could be sprinkled in His blood to cleanse us
from a guilty conscience (Heb 10:22). Whatever touches His blood becomes holy
(Lev 6:18).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The grain offering of unleavened bread was Most Holy (Lev
6:17). The Bread of Life offered up His life on the cross as He became the
Bread of Affliction – striped and pierced. Whatever touches it becomes
holy (Lev 6:18).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sacred anointing oil, the fragrant blend of the perfumer,
was used to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table
and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the
altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand –
all these items pointing to Christ. Consecrated by the sacred anointing oil,
they all became Most Holy. What touches them becomes holy (Ex 30:25-29). God
anointed His Son with the Holy Spirit. And those of us who touch His Son have
an anointing from the Holy One (1 John 2:20).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, Pilgrim! Do you see what it means to touch Him? To touch
the hem of His garment? To come forward from the crowd, to seek a personal
touch? What power goes out from Him! Your sin has been forgiven! Your guilty conscience
has been cleansed! You have eaten of His flesh, and drunk of His blood! You
have an anointing from the Holy One! Oh, Pilgrim, when you have acted in faith
like this, you will not be able to go unnoticed (Lk 8:47). If you have approached Him in shame with your head bowed down low, now lift it up as you look into the eyes of the One who has met your need! See His look of compassion! And you will be given the courage to testify before the
crowd, dear Pilgrim! Testify of all that He has done for you! Overcome by the
word of your testimony and by the blood of the Lamb! And you will bring Him a
greater glory!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pilgrim, having touched Him, now that you have been made holy,
and now that you are being made holy, just as He who called you is holy, so be
holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ (1 Pe
1:15). </span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606804930984062705.post-91091473685942045342014-01-29T11:24:00.000+00:002014-01-29T11:24:42.065+00:00Dear Pilgrim, is anxiety great within you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Pilgrim, is anxiety great within you (Ps 94:19)? Are
thoughts crowding into your head, as troubles press in around you, refusing to
give you any peace?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah, dear Pilgrim, precious Pilgrim, the tears in your eyes
tell me that such is the weight upon you at present, you cannot even answer.
My friend, precious friend – come, let us spend some time thinking about your
walk with Him, that His consolation might bring you joy (Ps 94:19) as your eyes
are lifted upwards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember when He led you into a field all those years ago,
and uncovered before your eyes the richest treasure of all, the treasure of the
Kingdom of God – with joy you sold everything you had and bought that field (Mt
13:44)! You left that field a changed person. Where you had lived without hope
before – now joy had been birthed in
your heart. Roots were laid down in the desert and the parched land of your
heart, as joy began to blossom there. With joy you took your first draught from
the wells of salvation. Ohhhh! How good the taste! Shouts of joy erupted from
your soul!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you grew in your understanding, waves of mourning swept
over you, threatening to extinguish the flame of joy. As you have listened to
His Words, you have wept over your own sin and the unrighteousness around you.
You have mourned, precious Pilgrim. The gates of Zion lament and mourn (Isa
3:26). You have followed the path of wisdom and your heart has been in the
house of mourning (Eccl 7:4). But you have taken comfort in these words: “The
joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10). As His joy has filled you, so His
comfort has flowed over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For it is in His presence that you have come to know the
fullness of joy (Ps 16:11). It is in His presence that He has filled you with a
joy unspeakable, a joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, as He has
come alongside and shown you His own wounds. The One whose soul was overwhelmed
with sorrow to the point of death as He took your sin upon His shoulders (Mt
26:38), He is the One who rejoiced over His lost sheep when He found you and
joyfully put you on His shoulders (Luke 15:5). The One who offered up prayers and petitions
with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death during
the days of His life on earth (Heb 5:7), He is the One who now rejoices over
you with singing (Zeph 3:17). Where a crown of thorns was once cruelly set upon
His head, He has now been anointed with the oil of joy (Heb 1:9) and it pours
down His head, pours down His robes and in His presence, precious Pilgrim, it
pours down upon you! Oh, Pilgrim, draw closer to Him! Share in the oil of joy
with which He has been anointed! Allow that oil of joy to pour upon your head,
to seep down your collar, to drip down the robe of righteousness you are
wearing. Oil travels slowly, dear Pilgrim, so take your time in His presence,
do not rush away until that oil of joy covers you completely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His Word has become a feast for you – when His words come,
you eat them, for they are your joy and your heart’s delight (Jer 15:16). You
rejoice in following His statutes as one rejoices in great riches (Ps 119:14).
Trouble and persecution come your way because of the word, yet because your
roots stretch deep into Him, the enemy is unable to snatch your joy from you!
For the One who endured the cross for the joy set before Him has so transformed
your heart that deceit no longer dwells there, but rather you promote peace –
and because of this, dear Pilgrim, you have joy (Pr 12:20)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And Pilgrim, the joy He has given you has given me joy too!
See how His Kingdom works! Your love has given me great joy and encouragement
because you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people (Phm 1:7)! My
prayers for you are always filled with joy because of your partnership in the
gospel from the first day until now (Php 1:4-5)! I rejoice when I see you
because you have put your hope in His Word (Ps 119:74)! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh Pilgrim, be encouraged, be strengthened, be heartened. It
is His consolation that brings you joy at times of great anxiety. The One who
comforts you – His Spirit, the Comforter – oh! He has not left us as orphans,
praise God! Draw consolation from the Comforter, lean against the breast of
Jesus, pour out your concerns to Him, then allow Him to turn you to His word,
to the promise that your grief will turn to joy (John 16:20), that those who
sow with tears will reap with songs of joy (Ps 126:5), and be strengthened by
Him alone.</span></div>
Diana Lovegrovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849754637056012241noreply@blogger.com2