Here is a morning prayer of Baillie’s to begin this week: “O LORD my God, may I go out now to the work of another day, still surrounded by your wonderful loving kindnesses, still committed to your loyal service, still standing in yor strength and not my own.
Read MoreAnother evening prayer of Baillie’s to finish the week: I falter where I firmly trod,And falling with my weight of caresUpon the great world’s altar-stairsThat slope thro’ darkness up to God,I stretch lame hands of faith and grope....
Read MoreThe second why-question Moses asked the LORD was, “Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth?’” He was giving God another reason that destroying Israel was not a good idea: it would bring dishonor to the name of God among the peoples of the world, especially the Egyptians who had to let Israel go.
Read MoreBut Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” (Ex. 31:11-13)
Read MoreThis episode is a dramatic example of the power of prayer. Of course, when we speak of “the power of prayer,” we are not saying that there is something magical about the act of prayer itself. If anything, it is an act of humbly acknowledging our helplessness and asking for help: it is a sign of weakness, not strength. If there is any “power” to speak of, it is related to the mighty One, to whom our prayer is directed, not what prayer is in itself.
Read MoreA morning prayer of Baillie’s to begin the week: “O MOST gracious God, grant that in everything that happens today I may carry with me the remembrance of the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ my Lord.
Read MoreAnother evening prayer of Baillie’s to finish the week: “GRACIOUS GOD, as the day ends I come, seeking you. I cry out to you to create a little pool of heavenly peace in my heart as I lie down to sleep. I want to let go of the busyness, noise, and worries of today, so that my heart and mind can be still as I wait expectantly for you and meditate on your love.
Read MoreLet us notice that the incense offering was to accompany the dressing and lighting of the golden lampstand. John Gill says about this, “…we learn also, that the light of the word and prayer should go together….” We are familiar with the connection between God’s word and light: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).
Read MoreAnd Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the LORD throughout your generations. (Ex. 30:7-8)
Read MoreAnd Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the LORD throughout your generations. (Ex. 30:7-8)
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