Post Super Bowl blues? The draft is only 75 days away!!!
Speaking of drafting, looking back over the past several days, we had finished Exodus, reading how God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle (very detailed), and waded through much of Leviticus, in which God directed Moses how to use the Tabernacle. Good to have instructions.
But do we follow the instructions? A simple reading through Proverbs might enlighten one on how far short we fall. An interesting aspect of the Tabernacle is that God met man there. He made himself available. He still does.
Our potter cares for His clay. We would be wise to accept that connection. As Oswald Chambers notes in MUFHH, "the purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not the answer".....
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
The GIANT list....
In Lev 18-20, there are numerous reminders on how to live as a holy people. Sins to avoid, practices to detest and ways to protect themselves and the community.
Amazing how almost 3500 years later, society is still struggling with these sames issues. Ch 18 v 22 is especially troubling for society today. Seems also like the gluttony and excess of the annual Super Bowl event fits into today's reading. God works in ways we don't understand at times.
If you are struggling with issues like those mentioned in today's reading,, don't try to go it alone. Others are struggling with them also, but have learned to get strength from God and others to get through.
Talk about Giant steps....recovery and staying strong and pure are the biggest ones you can take.....
Amazing how almost 3500 years later, society is still struggling with these sames issues. Ch 18 v 22 is especially troubling for society today. Seems also like the gluttony and excess of the annual Super Bowl event fits into today's reading. God works in ways we don't understand at times.
If you are struggling with issues like those mentioned in today's reading,, don't try to go it alone. Others are struggling with them also, but have learned to get strength from God and others to get through.
Talk about Giant steps....recovery and staying strong and pure are the biggest ones you can take.....
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Super Bowl "Game Day"
In somewhat of an ironic twist (no such thing), today we are in Leviticus Ch 16-17. These chapters are about the holiest day of the year, the day of atonement (Yom Kippur). God has separated out this one day for ultimate ANNUAL sacrifice. Only the high priest could enter. Special ceremonial acts had to be observed.
The awful reality of the Day of Atonement was this: sins were never fully cleansed. The sacrifice was only temporary and had to be repeated ANNUALLY!
Of course, the good news is that Jesus took care of this for us PERMANENTLY! How we live our lives is a simple indication of how we choose to celebrate this victory.....
The awful reality of the Day of Atonement was this: sins were never fully cleansed. The sacrifice was only temporary and had to be repeated ANNUALLY!
Of course, the good news is that Jesus took care of this for us PERMANENTLY! How we live our lives is a simple indication of how we choose to celebrate this victory.....
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Wash your hands!!!
In Lev Ch 11-15, God sets forth the laws governing personal purity. What to eat, how to reproduce, how to handle skin ailments, and rules related to discharges. Truly a messy topic list, but rules that were designed to protect His people. In fact rules are designed to look out for the best interests of others.
Obeying rules can be a drag...who really wants to drive 25mph? But it can save lives. Think about the various rules in your life and that without them, there could be chaos.
We teach our kids to follow certain rules, not because we love the power of ordering them around. Rather it is based on our experience or understanding. We just want to do what is best for them. Wouldn't our heavenly father who is perfect want the same?
Obeying rules can be a drag...who really wants to drive 25mph? But it can save lives. Think about the various rules in your life and that without them, there could be chaos.
We teach our kids to follow certain rules, not because we love the power of ordering them around. Rather it is based on our experience or understanding. We just want to do what is best for them. Wouldn't our heavenly father who is perfect want the same?
Friday, February 3, 2012
Don't take this lightly
In Leviticus 8-10, the Lord commands Moses how the priests are to go about making the various sacrifices. This was not open to their wants or desires...there was a certain ritual that had to be followed. Two of Aaron's sons detoured from the regement and it cost them their lives!
God does not place such heavy rules on us today. We do not have to do things in certain ways. A point to all of the rituals was that man could not be perfect as God is. Obedience, not perfection is the message Jesus taught. Do we care to honor God today with how we conduct ourselves? Just as He was observant and present at the sacrifices mentioned in Lev 8-10, He is present in our lives today. We would be wise to act accordingly. Stay strong!!
God does not place such heavy rules on us today. We do not have to do things in certain ways. A point to all of the rituals was that man could not be perfect as God is. Obedience, not perfection is the message Jesus taught. Do we care to honor God today with how we conduct ourselves? Just as He was observant and present at the sacrifices mentioned in Lev 8-10, He is present in our lives today. We would be wise to act accordingly. Stay strong!!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Remembering the finality at the altar
In Leviticus 4-7, Moses is writing instructions for sin and guilt offerings. After reading this, I have concluded that the altar of sacrifice must have been quite the messy place. Still, the detail that God instructs Moses is quite overwhelming. Once again, this proves that man cannot achieve the perfection of God.
I am thankful today that Jesus has ultimate taken the required sacrifice upon himself. The ghastly rituals of sacrifice are completed. It is good to understand what was required just to show how much Jesus accomplished.
We have relationship with God today because of that completed work. Like any relationship though, it requires attention. How are you doing connecting today?
I am thankful today that Jesus has ultimate taken the required sacrifice upon himself. The ghastly rituals of sacrifice are completed. It is good to understand what was required just to show how much Jesus accomplished.
We have relationship with God today because of that completed work. Like any relationship though, it requires attention. How are you doing connecting today?
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Offerings and rules for offering
Welcome to February!!!
We enter the Book of Leviticus. Ch 1-3 outline burnt, grain and peace offerings. There was a special way to prepare the offering and only a choice subject would suffice.
We might not burn animals today (Jesus took care of that for us), but we can still be mindful of what we present to the Lord. When we work, are we working for God, or a paycheck. When we interact with others, is it to build us up or God? When we spend our resources, is it for our glory or God's?
It is amazing how detailed the instructions on offerings are. Perhaps it is to remind us that God's perfection is not attainable, thus we must rely on the work of Jesus.
We enter the Book of Leviticus. Ch 1-3 outline burnt, grain and peace offerings. There was a special way to prepare the offering and only a choice subject would suffice.
We might not burn animals today (Jesus took care of that for us), but we can still be mindful of what we present to the Lord. When we work, are we working for God, or a paycheck. When we interact with others, is it to build us up or God? When we spend our resources, is it for our glory or God's?
It is amazing how detailed the instructions on offerings are. Perhaps it is to remind us that God's perfection is not attainable, thus we must rely on the work of Jesus.
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