How hard is it to open an ancient door or an ancient gate? It may be impossible if they have been closed for thousands of years. What about the doors and gates of the human heart?  The Lord of glory is being invited to enter a place of worship that had been closed off. Just as the ark of the covenant was brought into the Temple with great glory when thousands of offerings were offered to cleanse for sin. Even so, only one offering is needed to purify our hands and hearts in God’s sight, to make us ready for worship-Jesus Christ, the sinless One. Thank you, Father, for sending the Lord of glory at just the right time into human history.- Teresa

Psalm 24 (NLT)

A psalm of David.

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

    The world and all its people belong to him.

2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas

    and built it on the ocean depths.

3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?

    Who may stand in his holy place?

4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,

    who do not worship idols

    and never tell lies.

5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing

    and have a right relationship with God their savior.

6 Such people may seek you

    and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.[a] Interlude

7 Open up, ancient gates!

    Open up, ancient doors,

    and let the King of glory enter.

8 Who is the King of glory?

    The Lord, strong and mighty;

    the Lord, invincible in battle.

9 Open up, ancient gates!

    Open up, ancient doors,

    and let the King of glory enter.

10 Who is the King of glory?

    The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—

    he is the King of glory. Interlude

  

 
     

When we “know” God, it does not mean we’ve only been introduced, worked in the same office or even laughed together over a meal. To know God means that we understand His Word; we know what He approves of and does not approve of. Knowing Him gives us a recourse, an option, to say no to sin’s powerful bondage. Yet, it’s not always about our willpower but about His kindness and acceptance that encourages us to put aside our old ways of selfish behavior (see Colossians 3: 8-11) and to put on our new self that exudes gratitude toward God (see Col 3: 12-17). Because He has placed worth over our lives, and has treated us as holy, chosen and dearly loved then we truly know and understand that we are worth a Son to God*.- Teresa

*Becoming What God Intended, Dr. David Exkman

I John 2: 1-6 (NLT)
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.  

If you have ever been rescued from deep waters, you understand the joy of the psalmist. When things look impossible, God Almighty will work upstream on our behalf. He requires a heart of repentance and humility. He alone can turn dire circumstances into a place of rejoicing and praise to His name. How does He do this? Read 1 John chapter 1….in a very tangible, hands on solution, God provided a way for us to have fellowship with Him through The Word of Life. In this way, our joy is made complete!! -Teresa

Psalm 18: 16-19 (NLT)
16 “He reached down from heaven and rescued me;

    he drew me out of deep waters.

17 He rescued me from my powerful enemies,

    from those who hated me and were too strong for me.

18 They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress,

    but the Lord supported me.

19 He led me to a place of safety;

    he rescued me because he delights in me.”

  

  

There are times when the beautiful things near us reassure of God’s loving presence. The law provided us with a knowledge of sin but sin took the opportunity to control us through it. If we die to sin and become alive in Christ, we no longer have the Law keeping us near God but we have the authentic love relationship of Jesus Christ our Lord. What does it mean to walk in this new life of love? The apostle John described it well in his letter, I John, to the churches. He writes this letter for four reasons: so that their joy may be complete (see 1:4), so that they would live a life free from sin’s bondage (see 2:1), so that they would discern false teaching (see 2:26), and so they would be confident of the eternal life in them (see 5:23). This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters (I John 3:16, NIV). 

Romans 7: 1-3 (NLT)
Now, dear brothers and sisters[a]—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.

  

When David was terrified by the presence of the angel of the Lord, he repented at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite and God had mercy on the people. This was the same place where many years earlier, Abraham willingly offered up in obedience his son, Isaac, who was then a young man. God saw Abraham’s heart of faith and stopped Him, by “providing a lamb” for the sacrifice (see Genesis 22:8). Even so, this place of extreme repentance became the site of Solomon’s ornate temple, built for worshiping the God above all gods. Solomon had the wisdom and skills to make a profoundly intricate work, majestic enough to cause the glory of God to descend on it in a cloud (see 2 Chronicles 5:14). Even today, we repent and worship at this site as it is also the mountain where Jesus, the lamb of God, gave himself up for the sins of the world.  What a place of repentance, as we picture our sin being dripped on by the blood of Christ Jesus our Lord and being substituted by His righteous atonement in God’s sight. Lord, you terrify us with your presence because you are so holy. Purify us by the blood of your Son and our Savior so that we may worship You in Spirit and in truth. We rejoice because of your provision for us. -Teresa

2 Chronicles 3: 1-3 (NLT)
3 So Solomon began to build the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to David, his father. The Temple was built on the threshing floor of Araunah[s] the Jebusite, the site that David had selected. 2 The construction began in midspring,[t] during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign.

1 Chronicles 21: 18-30 (ESV)

David Builds an Altar

18 Now the angel of the Lord had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19 So David went up at Gad’s word, which he had spoken in the name of the Lord. 20 Now Ornan was threshing wheat. He turned and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. 21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out from the threshing floor and paid homage to David with his face to the ground. 22 And David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the Lord—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people.” 23 Then Ornan said to David, “Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all.” 24 But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 25 So David paid Ornan 600 shekels[f] of gold by weight for the site. 26 And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord[g] answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 27 Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.

28 At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there. 29 For the tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time in the high place at Gibeon, 30 but David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

When you find a sweet deal, how soon will you tell your friends about it? David spoke about the sweet deal He received from God after being declared forgiven over his transgression of the law. In Dennis Prager’s book “The Ten Commandments: Still the Best Moral Code”, the author reminds us that committing adultery or coveting your neighbor’s spouse were infractions in ancient times that harmed the family unit. When David broke these commandments by pursuing a relationship with Bathsheeba, the consequence for his sin ensued. God, however, redeemed the situation when he chose Solomon (Batheeba’s son) as the next king to succeed David and build God’s temple. David repented and had a heart of faith because he was confident not only in God’s righteousness but in His mercy as well.  Jesus Christ our Lord became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (see 2 Cor 5:21). The greatest error of today’s church is forgetting the monumental importance of this pivotal great truth. Father, we are amazed at your word. You not only draw us to yourself but you acknowledge when we believe you and exercise faith in your provision for us. -Teresa

Romans 4:1-12 (NASB)
“Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[a]

4 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. 6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:

7 “Oh, what joy for those

    whose disobedience is forgiven,

    whose sins are put out of sight.

8 Yes, what joy for those

    whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”[b]

9 Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles?[c] Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. 10 But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised!

11 Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. 12 And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.”
  

This is another photo from my husband above Heart Lake. I love the beauty of wildflowers infusing sweetness into a very rugged terrain. Similarly, when I hear the word justice- it depicts a harsh, cold, forensic courtroom where the debt to be paid is announced*. The beautiful heart of justice infuses a sweet aroma in the room when the presence of Jesus Christ enters the scene. Yes, the penalty for sin had to be paid but the judge did not have to offer His own Son to pay for the world’s sin. The consequence for sin is death (forever separated from God- see Romans 6:23). This is the opposite of “eternal life” which begins immediately upon salvation (to know Him the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent…see John 17:3). Never underestimate how pleased the Father is with His Son’s humble obedience* unto death even death on a cross (see Phillipians 2:8). He alone has the power to save us from death and to bring ressurection life (fellowship) into the places where we were once isolated by sin. -Teresa

*Dr. David Eckman, Becoming What God Intended Ministry.

Romans 3:21-31 (NASB)

“But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses[g] and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.[h] 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.” 
 

Looking over Castle Lake, Hans is enjoying its extreme beauty! When we encounter the Lord, as David did at the threshing floor, we can be moved by a reverent fear that stops us in our tracks. This awestruck wonder caused David to buy the land where he saw the angel of the Lord, build an altar and experience God’s fire purifying the sin from his life. This was the same sin that caused a plague to break out against the people. Although David chose  punishment from God’s hand, knowing He is merciful- it was a terrifying experience.  Whenever we change our heart toward sin, God is involved at some level putting  a healthy dose of reverent awe back into our behavior. Father, thank you for your mercy and for your justice in dealing with all who come before you with an authentic change of heart. Stop us in our tracks so we may worship You- right here, right now. -Teresa

1 Chronicles 21: 18-25 (NASB)
18 “Then the angel of the Lord told Gad to instruct David to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 So David went up to do what the Lord had commanded him through Gad. 20 Araunah, who was busy threshing wheat at the time, turned and saw the angel there. His four sons, who were with him, ran away and hid. 21 When Araunah saw David approaching, he left his threshing floor and bowed before David with his face to the ground.

22 David said to Araunah, “Let me buy this threshing floor from you at its full price. Then I will build an altar to the Lord there, so that he will stop the plague.”

23 “Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, and the threshing boards for wood to build a fire on the altar, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give it all to you.”
24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!” 25 So David gave Araunah 600 pieces of gold[l] in payment for the threshing floor.
26 David built an altar there to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And when David prayed, the Lord answered him by sending fire from heaven to burn up the offering on the altar. 27 Then the Lord spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.

28 When David saw that the Lord had answered his prayer, he offered sacrifices there at Araunah’s threshing floor. 29 At that time the Tabernacle of the Lord and the altar of burnt offering that Moses had made in the wilderness were located at the place of worship in Gibeon. 30 But David was not able to go there to inquire of God, because he was terrified by the drawn sword of the angel of the Lord.”
  

My husband took a perfect shot of Castle Lake while we were on vacation this year. It speaks of God’s temple: reverent, awe inspiring ruggedness and pristine beauty. Although the lake has been one of the most studied water bodies in U. S. history, I see it as a temple. It’s a place where I hear from God. As Christians, we decide each day to either rob temples (refuse to give glory to God) or to honor God. When David desired to build God a temple, God gently but firmly told him no. Instead, David’s lineage would be built by God and David’s son, Solomon, would build God’s temple. This passage in Romans is directed toward the outwardly religious person who has a hard time admitting honestly to God what is truly going on inside. Are we like David with a need to build God a temple in order to help us feel more holy (rid our hands of sin by our own good works). Or are we able to accept the fact that our hearts need inner change from the pure hands of Jesus Christ our Lord. Your kindness, Lord, leads us to a true change of heart about our sin. – Teresa 

Romans 2: 17-24 (NASB)
‘But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely [p]upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and [q]approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a [r]corrector of the foolish, a teacher of [s]the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who [t]preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast [u]in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.’

  

Man-made vs God-ordained can mean the difference between knowing God and worshiping our own ideas. Our actions either reflect the invisible attributes of God (powerful divinity) or they suppress God’s truth about Himself (for in Him there is no darkness at all- see I John 1:5). Father, give us grace to be in authentic fellowship with you and Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Only you can change us from self- worshipers to Son seekers, ready to walk as Jesus did. He is the exact representation of You, Father (Hebrews 1:3). You are delighted with His story (Is 53:10)* because He offers to mankind the truth of Your glorious resurrection power. -Teresa

*BecomingWhatGodIntended, Dr. David Eckman

 Romans 1:18-23 (NLT)
18 “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.[a] 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

21 “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.”