5-24-08 Ezekiel 44:17 With What Are You Clothed?

Ezekiel 44:17 (NAS)
And it shall be that when they enter at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and wool shall not be on them while they are ministering in the gates of the inner court and in the house.

Ezekiel 44:17 (NLT)
When they enter the gateway to the inner courtyard, they must wear only linen clothing. They must wear no wool while on duty in the inner courtyard or in the Temple itself.
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You have already learned that you need to come into the presence of God on a regular basis. It is not good that you hang back from Him and fail to draw close to Him. When the King of all kings is holding court, it is important that you go through the gates and continue into the very interior of His palace. You must walk right up to the throne so that you can look upon the face of the One who saved you. Though you approach in fear and respect, you know that there you will find favor. Do not be impudent, but come with an honorable attitude.
However, there is an appropriate way to dress when appearing before the King. You must come before Him dressed in your finest clothing. The priests of the Old Covenant entered the Holy Place in garments made of linen. Linen, a natural cloth made from flax, was God's choice of clothing for these priests; they could not wear what they chose. Likewise you cannot come into the Lord's presence clothed in your own good works. You can only come clothed in the robe of righteousness that Adonai gives you.
God also commanded these priests not to dress in wool, a shaggy, coarse material. Woolen clothing is daily wear, whereas linen is fine fabric, used only in the best garments. As the priests of old, you must honor Almighty God with your best and not casually ascend before Him. Only what is excellent and exalted shall rise up before Him, for Adonai is perfect and only the perfect attends Him.
You have been called and privileged to serve as a minister unto the Lord God. You are one of His hand picked attendants, one who is always well-dressed. Whether you stand at the gates of the city or enter into the King's court itself, you are a servant of the Lord Most High. You are a steward in His palaceand a priest in His temple. You continually build up the Kingdom, bringing more children into God's house. In that you are truly blessed!

5-19-08 Psalm 118:19 God's Gates Are Open to the Righteous

Psalms 118:19 (NAS)
Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD.

Psalms 118:19 (NLT)
Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the LORD.
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You used to be dead and in a grave because of the sin in your life. But God did not leave you in that state. Like Lazarus, the Lord Jesus called you out of the grave and gave you new life. He loosed you from your grave clothes and let you go free. He then opened wide the gates and doors of His city to you.

When you chose to go through the gates, Adonai bestowed righteousness on you, making you right. He cleared your record of any wrong doing, for justice had already been rendered through Jesus's blood sacrifice. You were now legally able to enter into the blessings of God and to receive the prosperity that He desired to give you.

In all of this you have no other recourse except to throw up your hands in worship to the Most High God. In reverence, you confess, praise, and give thanksgiving to Him. When you open your hands before the Lord in adoration, He fills them with His bounty. You, then, are able to draw strength from the Lord of Hosts. Therefore, continue to yield yourself to the One who freed you and put you before a wide open gate!

5-18-08 Malchi 2:7 Your Priests Are God's Messengers

Malchi 2:7 (NAS)
For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Malchi 2:7(NLT)
The priests lips should guard knowledge, and people should go to them for instruction, for the priests are the messengers of the LORD Almighty.
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You have been given a weighty responsibility, for you have been called as a priest and minister unto the Lord. You have been called and appointed to serve Him in everything that He requires of you. As Adonai's officer and ruler, you must guard and keep the word of the Lord. You must give heed to everything that the Lord Almighty says, so that you can save and protect your life, as well as the lives that cross your path.

Treasure the promises that He has given you and wait for them. Continue to celebrate before the Lord God Almighty by keeping His sabbaths and performing your vows, as you wait. Be sure to stay within the boundaries of God's words. As you gain more knowledge of Adonai and His word, you will also gain more skill, perception, discernment, understanding, and wisdom. Because of this, you will continue speaking edifying and uplifting words to your brothers and sisters. They will see that you enjoy and fully use God's word for your benefit and to benefit others. The Lord God uses your lips to snatch many from the clutches of the enemy, who wanted to destroy and consume them.

These captives, who have been set free, will seek instruction from you. They will request that you show them how to gain the security that you enjoy. Since you have studied God's word and have gained that understanding, you will be able to direct them to the laws of God that they need. As you cast out God's commands to these hungry ones and as they embrace them, you will see changes in their customs and manner of life.

The Lord Jehovah, the God of armies, has made you His messenger and His representative. He uses your mouth to wage war, for He puts His word in your mouth. When you open your lips to speak with His authority, you cleave and shatter the forces of the enemy.