Graves' This and That

This morning, I am reading in the book of Numbers.  God continues to be gracious and merciful to a bunch of stubborn knot heads, not too unlike me at times.  The people have grumbled against Moses and Aaron, again.  Weary of their grumbling and unbelief, God spoke, "Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." Moses directs Aaron to take his censer, put fire in it from the altar, lay incense on it then take it to the congregation and make atonement for the people.  Aaron performed as directed, standing between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.  Some 14,700 died because of their unbelief, rebellion, and disobedience.   Lord God, thank you for Moses and Aaron who stood in the gap.  They stood between the living and the dead.I intercede today for those who are living but are dead inwardly to the wooing of the Spirit of the living God. Lord, they have no resources of their own, and I appeal t...

Ezekiel 37 is one of my favs.  As I look at an opportunity before me, I hear that this group is dead.  I have quickly run to this chapter to hear the Spirit of God speak.   Ezekiel sat in the valley and looked about himself, and all he saw was bones.  Interesting that the Spirit of God asked Ezekiel if these bones could live.  As I think about where I am going to be today, and hearing of the group of dead bones, I hear the Spirit of God, asking me, "Can these bones live?"  My reply is the same as Ezekiel, "O Lord God you know." Right now as I am praying in my War Room, I bring this group to you, the only way that this group can live is if YOU breathe Spirit life into them.   Tragically deadness comes slowly, much like the frog in the water that is heating...alive and then as the water heats up, death comes.  The cares of this world cause deadness.  First glancing at cares, then gazing at cares, and then focus on them rather than then...

I wonder who the "they" were to whom Jesus spoke in John 11: 44 as Lazarus hobbled out of the tomb bound hands and feet with linen strips.  Even his face was wrapped with a cloth.  I wonder how did the "they" feel as they unbound him and were they totally amazed at what they had just witnessed and even touched with their hands in the untying? My wonderment moves to the power of our weapon, prayer, as we make our lists of loved ones, family and friends who are still bound with lies of the evil one.  I identify with the concept of the War Room.  The room where I choose to enter daily is where I enter HIS throne room and at HIS footstool, I not only want to praise and worship HIM, but it is also where I plead for the release of the captives to the lies which satan and culture have bound hearts of those for whom I  care very deeply.  Romans 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."  We have ...

I love the word picture of the general leading a procession of the captives and all the spoils of war.  Because of Calvary, thanks be to God, Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.  I have to admit that the always term is not how it feels at times.  There are times, I feel liked I am being marched on and over, and it ain't no parade either!   Aren't feelings such liars?  At times, my feelings are certainly prejudiced and so blind to God's perspective and His Truth.  Regardless of what the activity looks like or even feels like, the Holy Spirit has spoken through Paul, that I am always lead in triumphal procession and that the procession will spread a fragrance of the knowledge of Him EVERYWHERE.  I can imagine the spectators as they watch the activity, the good, the bad, and the ugly of my life, and I also can smell the fragrance or the stench as I am showing forth my witness that I know Him personally. Thank you Father that even in my ...

Does anyone else hate stoplights beside me?  I know how important they are for safety and traffic flow, but I need something to do while I wait.  Our traffic lights are lengthy because of the heavy flow of traffic and I just know that I could be more purposeful in the waiting.  I guess you get it.....I am impatient!  Go ahead and have pity for the children I reared, the deceased husband, the living husband, and the guys and girls that I attempted to teach in my 15 years in the classroom.  I know that the Holy Spirit has had His eye on me to teach me patience and perseverance.  Although I love Psalm 102:2d, "answer me speedily in the day when I call!"  The psalmist was plagued with the same sin/imperfection/weakness that I see in my life.  Guess I could rationalize and blame first and only child position, type A personality, however the real deal is I want to take charge;  I want to fix it;  I want to get it done and finished; and I am ...

I always appreciate King Solomon's wisdom although he did not always choose to employ the wonderful gift that he was given.  Today, in light of the world's wisdom which seeks to impress, oppress, and take captives, I adhere to the Truth: "The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thoughts to his steps.  One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless." Proverbs 14:15-16 Lord, I cry out for Your wisdom, Your discernment, and refuse to be held captive with unhealthy feelings, sentimentalism, and snippets of facts parading as Truth.  I refuse to grab hold of some popular information in the name of Biblical fact which has been imported to only one man and see it as TRUTH.  I refuse to be a simpleton.  We are told that if we lack wisdom, we can certainly ask of the Lord God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to us.  James 1:5.   "The heart of the discerning acquires kn...

About 49 times in the Old Testament, the LORD is called a shield or my shield. The Hebrew word that is used is magan.   In checking out the term, I find that there are five words in the Old and New Testament used for shield: javelin, magen, buckler/tsinnah, shelet, and thureos.  Interestingly enough, in about 40 of these instances, when the Lord is called a shield or my shield, the term is buckler and can be shield-bearer.  The magen is caried by the archers.  They are usually constructed of wood and are overlaid with leather.  The oil is a preservative on the leather, plus the oil is possibly able to extinguish the fiery darts and arrows.   I Samuel 14, Jonathan, the son of King Saul, had an armor- bearer,  and in 1 Samuel 17:7,  one who carried Goliath's shield was a shield-bearer. In each case, Jonathan nor Goliath carried his own armor or weapon, it was carried by this one who went before each of them.  The armor-bearer was willing...