Susan's Sanctuary

Daily Devotions

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"This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666." -Rev 13:18"

We know that some numbers in Scripture have specific meanings. In an earlier post I quoted Jesus saying: "you must be born again." We know that God is a triune God and man was created in the image of God in the sense that man is a triune being. Man is a spirit, he has a soul and he lives in a body. Before being born again, the spirit of man is basically dead to the things of God. What does the number 6 have to do with man? Well, the only reason for the number "6" being attributed to man that I have heard from Bible scholars is that man was created on the 6th day. But is there something more? If man is a triune being, then the unregenerated man, that is, man without God, would only be 2/3rds alive. What is 2/3 as a decimal? It is 0.666... what is it as a percent? It is 66.6...%. 666 is the number of the unregenerated man. The beast will be the culmination of the worst of man. The epitome of man without God. We do not have to remain only 2/3rds alive. We can be made whole through The Lord Jesus Christ.

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Marvel not that I said unto you, you must be born again. - John 3:7

The best description I have ever heard of being born again, came from the mouth of a babe. Many years ago I was working at a crisis pregnancy center and was praying on my way there. I was asking the Lord for wisdom, etc. I heard a still voice coming up from my inner being, and interrupted my thoughts. It said: “Sherry will get saved today.” I was astonished to say the least. I was very excited to get there after that. As I pulled into the parking lot I saw a young woman waiting. After getting out of the car said, “Hi my name is Susan.” She replied, “Hi, I’m Sherry.” Again, completely shocked. After building a rapport with her, I began to share the gospel, but she quickly cut me off. So, I tried again. She put up a wall and cut it off even more quickly. I was very surprised and somewhat confused. She left without accepting the Lord. There was no one else working with me that day and the women were already lined up along the hall and down the stairs. I didn’t have time to sort it out, so I quickly went about taking care of the other women. A couple hours later, the women were still lined up all the way down the stairs, and I noticed that some of them were tired of waiting and just leaving. I was almost running down the stairs to the other room when suddenly heard that still small voice again which said: “She’s here.” I stopped at the bottom of the stairs, turned around and slowly walked back up the stairs looking each woman in the eye and waiting to see which one it was. A little more than half way up I looked at one woman, it came again: “That’s her.” I said: “Hi, my name is Susan. What’s your name?” She said, “Sherry.” I said, “Sherry, as you can see, it is very busy today, but I really want to get to you; so, please don’t leave.” She said, “Okay.” She and her boyfriend walked into the room and when we got around to talking about the Lord, I asked, “Have you ever thought about God?” She said, “No.” I confidently replied, “Well, he has certainly thought about you.” She and her boyfriend listened intently to the gospel and quickly accepted the Lord. After we prayed, she was giggling and her boyfriend was weeping. She said through her giggles, “Wow! It feels like I am looking at everything for the first time! This room looks different!” She pointed out the window, “I feel like I’m seeing those trees for the first time!” That is the best description of what it is like to be born again. 

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“I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him.” -John 1:32

John would know who the Messiah was when he saw the Spirit descending and abiding on Him. It wasn’t a fleeting vision. Jesus was the “lamb” of God. The likeness chosen for the Spirit was a dove. The dove was used in the burnt offerings and was to be used by the poor. One morning I arose early and went out on the front porch to study the Bible. There was a very annoying noise in the pine tree off to the right side of the yard. It was the awful squawking of crows. I leaned around to see what the commotion was about, but saw nothing. Then suddenly the noise got closer and I saw a Mourning Dove laboring very hard to fly while holding it’s dead mate. It flew past my face by only a few feet. I could see how hard it was trying to get lift with the weight of it’s mate. It was clenching the dead bird by it’s feet. The look was as if you were looking at a mirror image in water; both birds were facing the same way. The squawking crows were in hot pursuit. Finally the dove was able to get up to the top of another tree. The dove’s devotion to save it’s mate from predators, even after death, was very great. I thought how fitting the symbolism of the dove was for the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is given to us as our comforter and helper. The Spirit will bring to our remembrance all things that Jesus said, He will show us things to come, and He will never leave us or forsake us. He is our helper/comforter through life and He will certainly not leave us through death and beyond. Are you downcast and in despair? Take comfort dear reader, and may the Lord open your ears to hear the peaceful cooing of the Dove. 

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“And I said unto them, if you think good, give my price (wages); and if not, refrain. So they weighed for my price (wages) thirty pieces of silver.” - Zechariah 11: 12

This is a Messianic prophecy in Zechariah written between 520-508 B.C. Thirty pieces of silver was the price that was paid for Jesus. What is interesting is that that was the price set for an incapacitated slave in Exodus 21:32. Thirty pieces of silver was the price to be paid to the master whose slave was gored by another’s ox. It was the measly wages that should have been paid for us, who became slaves to sin. We know that the wages of sin is death. The price paid by the high priest was likely meant as an insult,  but it fulfilled the law for our redemption. He took our place, wore our crown, was valued as a slave and endured our shame. We must identify with Him in His shame or we cannot identify with Him and His righteousness. I taught appraisal theory for awhile. Basically appraisal theory it is that: “something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.” All approaches to value are based on the principle of substitution. Who became our substitute, what was paid for us? Jesus became our substitute on the cross. If I were to appraise you, then your substitute (comparable), would be the Son of God. You would be valued as a son of God. Praise the Lord! 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

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“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.” - Gal 5:6

We know that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Availing faith works by love, love is the vitality of faith. Elsewhere Paul speaks similarly about keeping the commandments of God (obedience), and being a new creature. If we love God then we will love the brethren. Jesus states: “Everyone will know you are my disciples, because you have love one for another.” The Judaizers conceded that the Gentiles were to come into the church, but they taught that they must first be circumcised and keep the law. They wanted to put new wine in old leather bottles. There is a movement in the Church which is teaching that the Gentiles should keep the feasts and some of the Jewish law. This is the same old heresy which tried to creep into the infantile church and which Paul fought so fiercely against. It is said: “Imitation is the highest form of worship.” We will be imitators of Christ and His commandments which are: “love God with all your heart, soul and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.” 

“Love revealed is the perfect law, and love evoked is the fulfilling of the law.” 

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“Nevertheless my brothers that went up with me made the heart of the people fail: but I faithfully followed the Lord. -Joshua 14:8

Caleb was referring to the twelve spies that were sent to spy out the promised land. The ten spies could not see the goodness of the land for the fortified, walled cities, the tall stature and strength of the children of Anakim. Joshua and Caleb said: "It is a good land.” And later on, still trying to convince the people to go against them: “Their defense (shadow) is departed from them.” The ten said: We are not able to go against this people for they are too strong.” This is the report which made the heart of all the people fail. Too many people and even some Christians dwell on their trials and tribulations. When the people of God magnify the negative, it can have a negative impact on all the people around them. Yes, in this life there are enemies. Yes, there may be strong people against you. Yes, some people will attack you personally for your religious conviction. Yes, you may be battling some sickness of body or mind. But, the Lord is on your side. You dwell in the shadow (defense) of the Almighty. You still have your defenses against the enemy of your soul. Trust in the Lord and you will eat the good of the land. 

Oh Lord, we believe that you have good plans for us. Plans for hope and a future. Help us to magnify You Lord, and not the trials we face. We praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy. 

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Behold I am vile; what shall I answer you?-job 40:4

We sometimes talk bold words before men, but not before God. Someone was speaking and complaining about all the evils in the world and stated in a demanding manor, "When I see God I have some questions-I have a lot of questions for Him?" This child leaned forward, looked him in the eyes and boldly said, "no you won't. When you stand before Him you will not have any questions!" He seemed a bit startled and in silence nodded his head in agreement. Communion with God makes us aware of how holy He is and How unholy we are. It is not unusual for the true believer to carry about an awareness of the potential for sin and corruption. Not to be mistaken for a feeling of condemnation. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Oh Lord, You are Holy, Holy, Holy.

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"Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."-John 15:3

Recently a loved one fell ill with a terminal illness. She always confessed a belief in Jesus, however, rarely read the Bible. She was an avid reader and read secular books. On one visit she complained that she didn't have anything to read, even though there were six books beside her bed. I replied, "it looks like you have several books." She said, "Aw, they are about boring stuff, every day life, I need a good book to read." I left the hospital and bought her a Bible, then walked into her room, tossed it on her bed and said, "if that ain't a good book, I don't know what is." She read it for a few weeks then her eye sight failed. About a week before she died I asked if she was still reading the Bible and she said, "my eye sight isn't good enough to read anymore." "Would you like me to read it to you?" I asked. She nodded. So I read the Bible to her on our visits. The day before she died I read the above verse. I read it then paused, due to the changed atmosphere in the room, there was a tangible sense of God's holy presence. I read the verse again, slowly with a holy reverence and the sense of His holy presence in the room became more intense. I looked at her and she was smiling, she sensed the same holy presence. She died the next day. Thank the Lord for His reassurance of love and mercy for this family member. This event is a great source of comfort to her loved ones, now that she is gone. We know that She is in the palm of His hand through the power of His Word (Jesus). The words of the Holy Bible are quick (alive) and powerful!

[susans-sanctuary]

In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the heights of the mountains are his also.-Psalm 95:4

Barnes' notes state: "The word used here -mechqar- means the interior, the inmost depth; that which is 'searched out,' The primary idea is that of searching by boring or digging; and the allusion here is to the parts of the earth which could be explored only by digging." The above scripture is clearly an expression of worship and awe at His all knowing presence. It is not a stretch to also see a relationship to our life in this earthly body. Our heavenly Father can see deep within our earthly body and life, He sees beyond our facade and He loves us anyway. Hallelujah! Sometimes we feel as though someone is digging or boring deep within us to expose weakness and corruption and to root it out. Nevertheless, in all things we give Him praise. 

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For out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speaks.-Luke 6:45b

It really doesn't take very long to hear someone speak before it is revealed what is in their heart. Some time ago, we had a fellowship with Christians and there was one brother which on occasion, would make an inappropriate remark or joke. This was broadcasting what was in his heart and his private pursuits. We must, however, remember it is always easier to see the speck in our brother's eye. On another occasion, I answered the land line phone and the answering machine was on. Several hours later I noticed the light blinking and listened to the messages. The whole conversation we had earlier was recorded. This child shook her head and thought, 'there was too much Susan in that conversation.' We must not neglect our personal and private time with our Lord in prayer and meditation, then it will be apparent in our conversation that we have spent time with Jesus.

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But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. -John 14:26

Some disputers of the word of God try to discount the Bible. They will say things such as: 'The Bible was written years after Jesus. How could the writers possibly recall specific conversations Jesus had.' They will often consent that Jesus was a good man and even a prophet. Well, here we have His word (prophecy) that the Holy Spirit will personally oversee their writings. That the Holy Spirit would remind them of the sayings of Jesus to recall specific conversations when they give an account. This promise also extends to us and the Comforter will remind us of His word when we need it. Take heart, Jesus did not leave us as orphans. We have a Comforter (helper). 

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Pilate said unto Him, 'What is truth?' And when he said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and said to them, I find in Him no fault at all.-John 18:38

What is truth? Pilate, no doubt, asked this question in a scornful manner. He did not wait for Jesus to answer and it appears that Jesus made no attempt to answer his question. Jesus said elsewhere, "I am the way, the truth and the life." Prior to the above verse in verse 37 He states, "for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice." The world is still posing this question to Christians with a sneering voice. What is truth? Truth is a representation of things as they are. The truth is, the people of this world are lost in their sin and they need a savior. No wonder most of them do not really want to hear the truth. The truth is humbling, the truth hurts. The Old Testament ceremonies of the Jews were shadows; Jesus was the truth (actual existence) of those ceremonies. The truth is, there is no fault in Him (Jesus) at all. Praise the Lord. 

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CS Lewis quote:

"For you will certainly carry out God's purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John."

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Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty.-Psalm 104:1

Lets be candid, sometimes we feel as if we don't have any reason to praise the LORD. Again, 'we just don't feel like it.' That is when we need to praise and bless Him the most. Begin to think on the verse above and praise Him just because He is very great; because He is clothed in honor and majesty. Command yourself to "bless the LORD." This is the 'sacrifice' of praise. It wouldn't be a sacrifice if we always 'felt' like it. When you do this, you will find your 'feelings' will change and come into line with His word. "Bless the LORD, O my soul."

[susans-sanctuary]

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.-Gen 49:24

Joseph was persecuted, by his own brothers and by strangers. He was separated from his family, imprisoned. Yet, "his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob." This brings to mind a father putting his hands over a child's hands when teaching him how to use a bow. It is really the father that shoots and hits the target, while the child is taught, his hands are strengthened by the Father's strength. We need our heavenly Father to strengthen us in every situation. May we, in every temptation and trial be made strong by the mighty God of Jacob. 

"I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford

I need thee every hour in joy or pain

Come quickly and abide or life is vain"

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Whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will acknowledge him before the angels of God.-Luke 12:8

Lets face it, death by crucifixion was meant to be a public shame and humiliation. Elsewhere, Hebrews 12:2 states regarding the death of the cross, "scorning its shame." The world will still attempt to affix shame and humiliation to those who confess Jesus and the cross. In these days, the darkness is getting very dark and the world will ridicule relentlessly those who associate with the cross and attempt to make them appear simple and naive. Nevertheless, we are not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation. May the Lord grant us more boldness to confess Jesus and the cross before men.  

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The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power,-Nahum1:3a

Thank you Lord! God's power is so great He can restrain Himself. "Omnipotence restrained is omnipotence surpassed." He could have let loose the armories of heaven and obliterated man long ago. We often hear men charge God with slackness in judgement when they say: "why doesn't God do something about all the evil?" And I ask them why they are so eager for God's judgement and if they are ready to stand before God in judgement. They say, "no, I want God to judge other people, the bad ones." The weak mind is easily irritated and swift to act on it. In contrast, it is this extension of His omnipotence which brings us to repentance through mercy. The second part of Nahum 1:3 states, "and will not at all acquit the wicked." Judgement will come as sure as the sun rises. May we all reflect this attribute of being slow to anger. Thank you Lord.