Quiet Corner

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Why The New Covenant Is New

In Hebrew, the New Covenant is called Brit Haddashah - the Covenant of Newness. Why is it called new? Is it because it followed the Old Covenant of Mt. Sinai, or because it was the New Covenant back when it was made? It's far more than that. If it was for any of those reasons, then, after two thousand years, at best, it would be the not so new covenant. Rather, it's called the New Covenant because it is the Covenant of Newness. It's always now and ever new. It's unable to grow old. You may have accepted the New Covenant years ago. But if it's not new to you anymore, then you're dealing with something else. It's the New Covenant when it fills you with wonder; when you can't believe it even though you believe it. The New Covenant never gets old, but we often forget all about it. Come back today, like a little child. Come back to your first love: The new love, the new life, and the new wonders waiting for you in the covenant that is unable to get older and only gets newer in His grace.

Jeremiah 31:31
Today, return to your first love and become renewed in the always New Covenant

 

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God's Australia​

In 1788, the British founded a penal colony in New South Wales, Australia. They shipped their criminals and outlaws there. But in time, the criminals and outlaws formed a society. The prison colony became a nation. Today Australia is one of the world's most respected nations with a sophisticated culture, government, and democracy. In many ways, that's like us. I Peter 2:9-10 says, "But you are... a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession...Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." We all started out in some way as spiritual outlaws - sinners. And yet we were taken in, placed in God's kingdom, and chosen to be His priests. Out of the brokenness of our lives comes a glorious, shining, royal priesthood for the living God. Your very existence is now a witness to God's glory. So make it count. Let men see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. For once, you were a child of wrath, but now you are God's Australia.

Hebrews 7:17
Today, give thanks and embrace your change from being an outlaw to a royal priest.

 

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The Psalm 22 Controversy​

Christians see Psalm 22 as foretelling Messiah's crucifixion. Rabbis disagree. Messiah quoted Psalm 22 on the cross. Much of the controversy centers on the words: "They pierced my hands and my feet." The rabbinical translation says, "They seize my hands and feet like a lion." The manuscripts the rabbis use are from 800 to 1000 AD. But there are writings of the rabbis that are far more ancient. The Targums which were written in the first century say, "They have pierced my hands and feet." The Septuagint, another ancient Jewish translation, translates Psalm 22 as "They have pierced my hands and feet." So the most ancient texts affirms the prophecy using words that would apply to a crucifixion. When all is said and done, the most important thing is this one fact: Messiah died on the cross so that you could be saved. Therefore, live your life in such a way to be worthy of that sacrifice. Because He is the One of whom it was prophesied, they have pierced My hands and feet.

Matthew 27:46
Today, honor Messiah's sacrifice for you in everything you do

 

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Keep Yourself Out Of Sight​

Pastor Mark Pierce was trout fishing. After a long time of not catching anything, he was puzzled. He came upon an old fisherman whose bag was filled with trout and asked him for advice. The old fisherman said, "There are three rules in trout fishing. First, keep yourself out of sight. Second, keep yourself further out of sight. And third, keep yourself still further out of sight." Pierce thought about the old man's words. He would later call it the best advice he ever had in becoming a successful fisher of men. If you've been trying to fish for men, bringing others to salvation, and haven't been seeing results, consider the old fisherman's advice. Get your ego, pride, and reputation out of the way. If fear is stopping you from sharing, that's you also. Get yourself out of the way, and your fears will diminish too. When salvation becomes your pure motive, you'll become a more effective fisher of men. Learn from the old fisherman. Get yourself out of the way. Get yourself further out of the way. Then, get yourself still further out of the way, and you'll win the fish.

Romans 12:3
Today, live for God out of sight, for no recognition, no ego, no praise - become invisible except to the eyes of God

 

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Mark Chapter 14 Throne Claim Verse61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
Verse62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”




Mark 14:61–62 is an act of Sovereign Legal Provocation . The Sanhedrin thought they were running a clever covert sting operation to trap a rogue carpenter. With a single double-barreled quote from Daniel and the Psalms , Jesus completely detonates their courtroom, legally claiming the cosmic throne of the universe right in front of their faces and forcing them to execute the exact sacrifice that will destroy their system. Psalm 110 is the single most heavily quoted Old Testament verse in the entire New Testament. It is the premier decree of absolute executive cosmic power—detailing the physical enthronement of the Messiah at the right hand of Yahweh, followed by the complete, violent subjugation of every earthly enemy under His feet. When Jesus states that they will see the Son of Man “sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One,” He is letting the high priest know that the current hierarchy of earth is completely temporary. He is leaving the prisoner's dock to sit on the supreme throne of the universe. This literal scriptural music journey is a perfect, direct match Daniel 7:13-14 . It provides a powerful Hebrew-English landscape explicitly covering Daniel's prophetic vision of the Son of Man ascending on the clouds of heaven to receive an everlasting Kingdom that will completely smash human empires

 

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The Two Days Of Your Salvation​

When were you saved? The answer is, the day you received the Lord into your life. But there is another answer as well. You were saved two thousand years before that. Messiah died on the cross in Jerusalem around 30 AD. Yet that salvation doesn't come into effect or become real in your life until you believe and receive it. It's true for salvation, but it's also true for other things. You may be wondering why you don't feel blessed, joyful, holy, pure, strong, cleansed, or victorious. All those things are completed at the cross. The work of Messiah is finished. But it's not in effect, or real in your life, until you let it have its way. Therefore, in Messiah, you've already overcome. You're already cleansed, made righteous, blessed, free, and victorious in Messiah. Now it's time for you to start accepting the truth. For you were saved and transformed as you accepted that you were indeed saved. In the same way, you are blessed and will be blessed when you receive the fact of how blessed you already are in the finished work of Messiah

Romans 6:10
Today, activate the fullness of joy and blessing that Messiah won for you through his death 2,000 years ago

 

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The Living Room Mission Field​

I knew a woman who really wanted to be a missionary to the pagan tribes, to barbarians in foreign lands. But then she fell in love, got married, and abandoned her dreams. Her husband turned out to be a brutal man. After years of marriage, she appealed to God, "Lord, I was willing to serve you as a missionary even to the barbarians. But now look at my life." The Spirit spoke to her heart: "Why are you complaining? I have answered your prayers... The barbarian is in the living room." She stopped complaining and started loving her husband unconditionally. He eventually received the Lord and was completely changed. We often miss the mission field within the walls of our own homes. As for the barbarians in your life, you don't have to go around the world to find them when God has brought them to your door. They need God's love, and you need a challenge. Be a missionary and fight the good fight of love wherever you are. For that is the answered prayer, the miracle, and the victory. The barbarian may be in the living room.

Acts 5:25
Today, seek to make your home a mission field. Share the love of Messiah with those closest to you.

 

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The Sorcerer Of San Hermon​

While on a mission in Cuba, we headed out to a place called San Hermon. On the way, I happened to open my Bible to Acts 8, where Simon the sorcerer had people amazed. When we got to the city, the pastor shared with us how the city was under a curse because a sorcerer, known throughout the island, spiritually dominated the area. People came from all over because of his power. I took out my Bible and read the Scripture that I got coming over. My translator was overwhelmed, and exclaimed, "This day, the curse is broken!" We had revival that night! And yet even before we got there, the Lord was exposing the darkness. There are dark powers in this world, not only in the occult but in all sorts of ways. The Lord showed us that no matter how powerful darkness is, His power of light is always greater. So don't let the enemy tell you that he has any dominion over your heart. Claim your authority, in Messiah's name, shake off the chains, and move forward. The kingdom of God is always advancing; you do likewise

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Today, take authority in the name of Messiah to break any darkness in your life and the places where God has called you

 

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That Which Dominates You​

As a young lawyer, Augustine was absorbed with the Roman statesman Cicero's philosophical and political views. One day, Augustine dreamed that he died and was standing at heaven's gate. The gatekeeper asked, "Who are you, and what are you?" He replied, "Augustine of Milan and I'm a Christian." "No," said the gatekeeper, "you're a Ciceronian. All souls are judged by what dominated them in the world. And for you, the dominating force was the Cicero of Roman law, not Jesus. You cannot enter." Augustine was so shocked by the words that he woke up and resolved that his life would be truly dominated by Jesus. What is it that most dominates your life and captures your heart? Song of Solomon says: "My beloved has captured my heart." So that's the way it must be with God. God has to be your only God. If He's only part of your life, even an important part, it's not enough. He has to be your all-consuming desire. If that's not the case, make it so. And you'll have no problems on the day you stand at the gate of heaven

Exodus 20:3
Today, ask yourself what is dominating you, what do you dwell on more than anything else - If it's not God, then do what you have to do

 

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Mark Chapter 15 Command Defection
verse39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

• Mark 15:39 is not just a touching moment of sudden insight . A Roman centurion was a battle-hardened commander responsible for executing Caesar's ruthless imperial mandates. He was the literal fist of the pagan empire. For 15 chapters, Israel's top high priests, biblical scribes, and religious elite completely miss Jesus' identity. Yet, the exact second Jesus dies, this pagan executioner breaks cover, bypasses his allegiance to Caesar, and delivers the ultimate verdict of faith.​
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• Mark 15:39 is also an act of Hostile Asset Reclamation . Rome thought they owned the centurion's ultimate allegiance and his military enforcement power. With a single loud cry and the tearing of the veil, Jesus completely breaks Rome's contract, triggering an immediate defection from Caesar's frontline commander to establish the first Gentile flagpost of the New Covenant​
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• Right before launching into the graphic Suffering Servant prophecy of Isaiah 53, the prophet notes a shocking geopolitical anomaly: when the Servant is marred beyond human recognition, the commanders and rulers of pagan nations will suddenly see and understand His true cosmic identity. The centurion is the physical fulfillment of this script. He has spent his life enforcing the pax Romana, yet looking at a bloody, executed corpse, he instantly "sees and understands" what Israel's elite were blind to, shutting his mouth to Caesar and bowing to the Son of God A beautiful, joyous declaration that turns the heavy solemnity of the cross into an unshakeable anthem of global reclamation. The chorus celebrates the precise swap that occurred the second the centurion confessed: “The cross declared what hell denied... You took my shame, You broke my chains... The heavens roar, the nations see the risen Lord of victory!”​

 

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Moses Could Talk​

God called Moses at the burning bush to go tell Pharaoh to let God's people go. Moses responded that he couldn't because he was slow of speech. Yet after that, he wrote the first five books of the Bible which are filled with his words! For someone slow in speech, he sure talked a lot. Was Moses lying about his speech impediment? I don't think so. Then what happened? God said, "I will be with you." That's all Moses needed. We tend to decide what we're going to do by our strengths or weaknesses. But a true calling is meant to be greater than your abilities, so you can't fulfill it on your own, but only with God. God has something great for you; seek it. Stop looking at yourself, look to God, believe, and rise above. That's what God's high calling has for you: to be greater than you are and greater than your abilities. God will do it through you. He will be with you as He was with Moses. Just remember, Moses, the man who was slow of speech, ended up in the end, a man who couldn't stop talking

2 Corinthians 4:7
Today, say yes to God's call on your life, to all He's called you to, and all He's promised you - especially to that which is beyond your ability

 

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Less Time Than You Think

It's human nature to go on the illusion we have more time than we actually do. When we were young, we thought we had all the time in the world. As adults, we think we have more time than we do. And yet, we always seem to be running out of time. Time passes - days become weeks, weeks become years in a flash; we can't believe how it moves so fast. One day, we're going to stand before the Lord, either at His coming or at our going, but it's going to happen. Yet we live as if it will never happen. We put off getting our life together or doing what we need to do. And yet, we will stand before the Lord sooner than we think. You don't have as much time as you think you have. So whatever you're going to do, do it now. Repent, overcome, reconcile, make peace, restore, and serve the Lord now. If you'd live the life, you're called to live, do it now, because tomorrow never comes and it's always later than you think

Proverbs 27:1
What is it that you know you should do, you need to do, but you put off for the future? Do it today. Make the most of your time

 

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The Hopeless Eastern God​

Eastern and New Age religions rest on the premise that God and the universe are the same Thus, according to eastern thought, we are all one with the universe. In fact, we are the universe and God at the same time. It might sound encouraging, but it's actually the most dismal news you could hear. If God and the universe are one - then there's no hope. If you're the lifeguard and you're drowning, there's nothing left to save you. If God is us and we're messed up, then there's no hope. You can't seek help if you're the help; you're the answer, yet, you're the problem. But, we are not God. We are not the center of the universe; in fact, we are sinners. And that's good news because if you're not God, then God exists beyond you, and He's not messed up. And then you can be saved because there is a lifeguard. So whenever you feel overwhelmed by life, just remember you're not God, but there is someone who is, and with Him, there's hope. There's a way out. Just call on Him because you do have a lifeguard

Romans 5:8
Today, be the hand of the Lifeguard and seek to bring life, help, and salvation to those who need His touch

 

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Standing On Top Of Your Problem

Most homes today have slanted roofs. They're not made to stand on. But in Biblical times, most roofs were flat. It was easy to get on the roof and pray as Peter did. People often view their problems as roofs over their heads, overwhelming, and blocking everything else. But the problem is not there to overshadow you or limit you. For in God, your problem isn't meant to be a ceiling - It's a roof that you can stand on top of. So stop praying on the wrong side of your problem. Get on the roof of your problem, stand on top of it, and lift your eyes to heaven. In other words, make your problem your floor, the place that is the beginning of prayer. God doesn't want you overwhelmed by your problem. He wants you to use it to get closer to Him. Stop looking at your problem as a ceiling and start looking at it as a floor. Be Biblical. Learn to take what was once a ceiling in your life, and make it a floor. Let the roof over your head be only the heavens in God's glory

Ephesians 2:6
Today, stop living under your problem. And start living over it. Get your feet on the problem and your eyes on heaven

 

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Becoming Energy​

In the Book of Ephesians, it says "Now you are light." But what is light? Light is energy. The sun and the stars are intense concentrations of energy. We become lights by moving away from a life based on things - and toward a life based on energy - or specifically, a life based on the Spirit. How does a light become energy? By burning up its fuel, wood, wax, a wick, or a filament, or for a star, by nuclear reaction. The light must continually get rid of things; turn away from the matter to energy; turn away from the flesh to the spirit. If you're to be a light, you have to move more and more away from things - and focus less and less upon them. Give all things for His glory and His purposes. Live not by the flesh but live by the spirit, and you'll be a light. Burn up those worldly things in your heart, and you will burn with a holy fire of the light of the Son. He is the light of the world, and He has called you to be a star.

Philippians 2:15
Today, let go of things, and live by the Spirit, shine as a light into the darkness

 

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Jesus In The Pew​

Rev. A. J. Gordon fell asleep while preparing a sermon. He dreamed he was preaching to a packed service. A stranger walked in, and the deacon seated him. The stranger was so attentive that Gordon found himself preaching as only to the stranger. He then walked to the door to meet the stranger, but he was nowhere to be found. He asked the deacon, "Who was that man? I wanted to talk to him." The deacon said, "It was Jesus, and it's alright pastor, he'll be back next Sunday." Gordon woke up with the realization that whenever he preached, Jesus was there listening to every word. The dream led to a revival. What about you? You might be saying, "I'm not a pastor, I don't preach." It doesn't matter. Whatever you do, Messiah is there listening and watching. Therefore whatever you do, do it in a manner worthy of Messiah listening, hearing, watching, and receiving. Because Messiah is there in your life, and as you do for anyone, you do it to Him. So do it with all excellence and blessing for the one you minister to may be Him-and it is

Colossians 3:23
Today, aim to do everything for the Lord - and to the Lord - as if He was the only one watching - And whatever you wouldn't do in His sight - stop doing

 

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Avoiding The First Chip​

There used to be a potato chip commercial that said, "I'll bet you can't eat just one." Junk food is made to be addictive, and potato chips are made to be eaten continuously. So, too, is sin. It has an addictive nature. You take one bite, and that's how it starts; one bite of that thought, one bite of that sinful action or indulgence, then you take another and another. Sin is like potato chips: the enemy is betting that you can't have just one. Therefore, the way you beat sin is to have none. You have to resolve that you can't even have just one lustful thought because it will lead to the next. You have to resolve: I can't flirt, I can't gossip, I can't glance; I don't want any of that. I don't want to glance in that direction. Whatever you need to do, do it! Cut it off at the start. Know your weakness, know the temptation, take precaution, and keep your hedges up. Because when it comes to that sinful indulgence and potato chips, no one can eat just one.

Matthew 18:8
Apply the secret of avoiding the first chip - deal with temptation at the first thought and trace. The second it comes up - put it behind you