November 18, 2017. 7:00-7:15 A.M. USA. NIGERIA 1:00-1:15 P.M. #90
PRAYER MEDITATION.
LESSONS FROM THE BREAST PLATE
1). There were twelve stones with their names according to those of the sons of Israel, engraved like a signet, each with its name, according to the twelve tribes. (Exodus.39:14). The breastplate of the Jewish high priest was a piece of embroidered clothe about ten inches square. Attached to it were twelve precious stones each bearing the name of one of the twelve tribes. (Exodus.28:15-30).
2). It is a piece of armory to protect the breast of the warrior. It is used figuratively as the breastplate of righteousness (Isaiah.59:17; Ephesians. 6:14; 1Thessalonians.5:8). As you look at the breastplate worn by Israel’s high priest you see how precious you are in God’s eyes as His redeemed child. The Bible gives a very detailed information about what the high priest wore, and there are no insignificant details in God’s word.
As we examine this breastplate we see something wonderful about the way the Lord sees us. There were twelve stones on it, each with the name of one of the twelve tribes. And since Jesus is our great high priest, let’s look at this breastplate and see what we can learn. These were precious stones, God didn’t use common rocks and pebbles found in abundance in Israel. He chose the most costly, rare, and precious gems such as sapphire, topaz, emerald, amethyst, diamond, onyx, and jasper to represent us. Note the word “PRECIOUS”. The Bible says you are “precious” in God’s sight (Isaiah.43:4) It also says that you were redeemed with the “precious” blood of Jesus. (1Peter.1:19).
How do you establish the value of anything? By the price someone is willing to pay for it. So here’s what Jim Corbett revealed “when you find something of value, what you do is to preserve it, protect it, and put it to use”. The spiritual truth you must keep in mind when you have blown it and Satan is condemning you because of your sins and shortcomings with full knowledge of all your sins – past, present, and future, God loves you so much that He sent His son to redeem you by shedding His precious blood and so long as you are trusting in Christ, your value in Gods eyes never diminishes, why does God think you are precious? Because at all times He sees you in Christ.
When Jesus died, rose again and went back to heaven, the first thing He did was sit down (Hebrews.10:12). That’s because the work of salvation was finished. The Bible says “Christ did not have to offer himself many times. He wasn’t like a high priest who goes into the most holy place each year to offer the blood of animal……..instead. ……he offered himself once and for all, so that He could be a sacrifice that does away with sin. (Hebrews. 9:25-26).
And because of Christ’s “once and for all” sacrifice on the cross you have direct access to God at any time. The moment you say, “Father, I come in the name of Jesus” you are made welcome and all your needs are met. There’s a story from civil war days about a soldier sitting on a bench outside the Whitehouse looking depressed. A little boy passing by stopped and asked what was wrong. The soldier told him, he needed to see president Lincoln but the guards wouldn’t let him in. Hearing this, the little boy took him by hand and led him directly into the president’s office “Father” he said, this man really needs to speak with you”. That boy was the president’s Son, he had direct and continuous access to his father and because you belong to Jesus, you do too.
PRAYER POINTS:
Pray for God’s grace to stand firm in Him and with the breast plate of righteousness in place against satanic assault (Ephesians.6:17)
Dr. Bernie Torrence as he leaves for Nigeria and Uganda, pray for safety, divine protection in all his
Thank God for LaRed and GEI ETHICS programs and the new Ohio reimagining prisons rehab and correction materials to have positive impact both in and outside the prisons.
Thank God for the repentant militant (Jesus Friends) ask for God’s grace to remain in the love of God and grow in
Four missionaries, abducted and killed in Delta, please pray for the salvation of the
Burden and passion for millions of souls going out into Christ-less graves every day.
Thank God for GTGIM, the Leadership as they continue to build bridges to minister to the widows, orphans, prisoners and the youths and mentally
Shalom, Louis.