Numbers 4
This chapter details the duties of various clans of Levi under the Old Covenant. Each clan had very specific detailed duties. So, what are my duties to God as a Christ follower under the New Covenant?
--To love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength, and with all my might.
--to love people the same way God loves them.
How does God love people? He sent Jesus to take away their sins by sacrificing Himself on the Cross! Jesus says no greater love has a man than this: that he would lay down his life for a brother. Who is my brother? Everyone! When you read the specific detailed duties of the Levite clans under the old covenant, it may seem overwhelming at times. When you think about our duties as Christ Followers, it may seem overwhelming at times. But remember, God will not put more on us than we can bear, and He has promised to be with us every step of the way. I am so glad that I have the privilege of serving God in the United States of America in 2009! May He receive the glory, honor, and praise always.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Rededemed
Numbers 3
11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me, 13 for all the firstborn males are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the Lord.”
God has redeemed me through the Firstborn of all creation. I have a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek who speaks to God on my behalf. Jesus was set apart from before the beginning of time for just this purpose. I just want to take some time today to praise God for redeeming me through the Blood of Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to be set apart for God’s service and to be loved by my Creator. God is the LORD.
11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me, 13 for all the firstborn males are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the Lord.”
God has redeemed me through the Firstborn of all creation. I have a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek who speaks to God on my behalf. Jesus was set apart from before the beginning of time for just this purpose. I just want to take some time today to praise God for redeeming me through the Blood of Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to be set apart for God’s service and to be loved by my Creator. God is the LORD.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
God RAWKS!
Numbers 1
44 These were the men registered by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, all listed according to their ancestral descent. 45 They were registered by families—all the men of Israel who were twenty years old or older and able to go to war. 46 The total number was 603,550.
One year after leaving the land of Egypt, the LORD has Moses & Aaron take a census of the men aged 20 and older who could go to war in God’s army. Not including the Levites, this total is over 600,000! Sometimes, when we get that “Sunday School” picture of the Exodus in our heads, we forget that there were hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of people, plus their livestock, who made this trek in the wilderness. I just want to stop today and marvel at that accomplishment. What a testimony to the Greatness of God! How else could so many people move at one time from Egypt into the wilderness and eventually into the Promised Land? God RAWKS!
44 These were the men registered by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, all listed according to their ancestral descent. 45 They were registered by families—all the men of Israel who were twenty years old or older and able to go to war. 46 The total number was 603,550.
One year after leaving the land of Egypt, the LORD has Moses & Aaron take a census of the men aged 20 and older who could go to war in God’s army. Not including the Levites, this total is over 600,000! Sometimes, when we get that “Sunday School” picture of the Exodus in our heads, we forget that there were hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of people, plus their livestock, who made this trek in the wilderness. I just want to stop today and marvel at that accomplishment. What a testimony to the Greatness of God! How else could so many people move at one time from Egypt into the wilderness and eventually into the Promised Land? God RAWKS!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Punishment for Disobedience
Leviticus 26
14 “However, if you do not listen to me or obey all these commands, 15 and if you break my covenant by rejecting my decrees, treating my regulations with contempt, and refusing to obey my commands, 16 I will punish you. I will bring sudden terrors upon you—wasting diseases and burning fevers that will cause your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your enemies will eat them. 17 I will turn against you, and you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you!
18 “And if, in spite of all this, you still disobey me, I will punish you seven times over for your sins. 19 I will break your proud spirit by making the skies as unyielding as iron and the earth as hard as bronze. 20 All your work will be for nothing, for your land will yield no crops, and your trees will bear no fruit.”
This is God (yeah, the God of Love) talking to His People as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Sounds so loving, doesn’t it? Actually, it does. God is not just the God of Love; He is THE HOLY GOD. His justice is right. His decisions are final. He disciplines those He loves, and those who disobey Him can expect His Holy Wrath to come down upon them. In the United States of America, we have somehow forgotten this. Now, the U.S. is not Israel of Leviticus, but Christians are! Our disobedience to God is why we are where we are these days, and I fear that we “ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” May God be glorified always!
14 “However, if you do not listen to me or obey all these commands, 15 and if you break my covenant by rejecting my decrees, treating my regulations with contempt, and refusing to obey my commands, 16 I will punish you. I will bring sudden terrors upon you—wasting diseases and burning fevers that will cause your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your enemies will eat them. 17 I will turn against you, and you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you!
18 “And if, in spite of all this, you still disobey me, I will punish you seven times over for your sins. 19 I will break your proud spirit by making the skies as unyielding as iron and the earth as hard as bronze. 20 All your work will be for nothing, for your land will yield no crops, and your trees will bear no fruit.”
This is God (yeah, the God of Love) talking to His People as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Sounds so loving, doesn’t it? Actually, it does. God is not just the God of Love; He is THE HOLY GOD. His justice is right. His decisions are final. He disciplines those He loves, and those who disobey Him can expect His Holy Wrath to come down upon them. In the United States of America, we have somehow forgotten this. Now, the U.S. is not Israel of Leviticus, but Christians are! Our disobedience to God is why we are where we are these days, and I fear that we “ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” May God be glorified always!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Rest Up!
Leviticus 23
3 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.”
7 “On the first day of the festival, all the people must stop their ordinary work and observe an official day for holy assembly. 8 For seven days you must present special gifts to the Lord. On the seventh day the people must again stop all their ordinary work to observe an official day for holy assembly.”
24 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet. 25 You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to present special gifts to the Lord.”
28 “Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the Lord your God.”
36 “For seven days you must present special gifts to the Lord. The eighth day is another holy day on which you present your special gifts to the Lord. This will be a solemn occasion, and no ordinary work may be done that day.”
This chapter is dedicated to the Lord’s instructions on Holy Festivals. It is interesting to me that in addition to the Sabbath, the LORD consistently sets aside days of “rest.” With every major Holy Festival there are days when no ordinary work is to be done. Those days are to be set aside to worship the LORD God. It strikes me that in our fast paced lifestyle in America today ignores this command to rest. Several years ago, my friend and peer mentor Jeff Sagstetter mailed to me John Ortberg’s book, “The Life You’ve Always Wanted.” The chapter on slowing has had a tremendous impact on my life. How liberating it is to realize that the world will go on even if I take a nap! Having just gotten back from a very relaxing cruise, I can tell you that this past weekend was a Holy Festival of rest. I gave no thought to work, to family situations that have burdened me, etc. for the entire weekend. I did spend time with God in prayer and Bible reading. How refreshing! My prayer for us all these days is that we will practice resting in the loving arms of our Lord. It is essential to our spiritual and mental health!
3 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.”
7 “On the first day of the festival, all the people must stop their ordinary work and observe an official day for holy assembly. 8 For seven days you must present special gifts to the Lord. On the seventh day the people must again stop all their ordinary work to observe an official day for holy assembly.”
24 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet. 25 You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to present special gifts to the Lord.”
28 “Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the Lord your God.”
36 “For seven days you must present special gifts to the Lord. The eighth day is another holy day on which you present your special gifts to the Lord. This will be a solemn occasion, and no ordinary work may be done that day.”
This chapter is dedicated to the Lord’s instructions on Holy Festivals. It is interesting to me that in addition to the Sabbath, the LORD consistently sets aside days of “rest.” With every major Holy Festival there are days when no ordinary work is to be done. Those days are to be set aside to worship the LORD God. It strikes me that in our fast paced lifestyle in America today ignores this command to rest. Several years ago, my friend and peer mentor Jeff Sagstetter mailed to me John Ortberg’s book, “The Life You’ve Always Wanted.” The chapter on slowing has had a tremendous impact on my life. How liberating it is to realize that the world will go on even if I take a nap! Having just gotten back from a very relaxing cruise, I can tell you that this past weekend was a Holy Festival of rest. I gave no thought to work, to family situations that have burdened me, etc. for the entire weekend. I did spend time with God in prayer and Bible reading. How refreshing! My prayer for us all these days is that we will practice resting in the loving arms of our Lord. It is essential to our spiritual and mental health!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sin is Sin
Leviticus 20
13 “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense.”
I know that folks want to try to twist Scriptures to make them say what they want them to say, and I know that keeping things in the proper cultural context are also crucial. However, what is fuzzy or culturally confusing about this verse? Nothing. Yes, there are other passages from Leviticus 20 that are absolutely unique to the culture of that day and time, but homosexuality is NOT one of them. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then it is only logical that He feels the same about homosexual behavior in 2009, than He did when Moses penned these words in Leviticus. Love the sinner, hate the sin. I pray that those caught up in the sin of homosexuality will repent and turn towards God. I pray that all of us sinners will repent and turn towards God. I am so glad that God forgives the sins of a repentant sinner!
13 “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense.”
I know that folks want to try to twist Scriptures to make them say what they want them to say, and I know that keeping things in the proper cultural context are also crucial. However, what is fuzzy or culturally confusing about this verse? Nothing. Yes, there are other passages from Leviticus 20 that are absolutely unique to the culture of that day and time, but homosexuality is NOT one of them. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then it is only logical that He feels the same about homosexual behavior in 2009, than He did when Moses penned these words in Leviticus. Love the sinner, hate the sin. I pray that those caught up in the sin of homosexuality will repent and turn towards God. I pray that all of us sinners will repent and turn towards God. I am so glad that God forgives the sins of a repentant sinner!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Life Blood
Leviticus 17
14 The life of every creature is in its blood.
When the Lord God is giving His regulations to the people of Israel, He tells them that they must never eat blood. When the kill an animal to eat, they are to drain all the blood out of that animal and cover that blood with the dirt of the ground. Then, we read the statement found in the first part of Leviticus 17:14. That reminds me that my life is found in the Blood of Jesus. His Blood, poured out for my sins, saves me! How odd that we come full circle at the Communion Table when we drink a cup of juice representing the Blood of Christ. How cleansing. Praise God!
14 The life of every creature is in its blood.
When the Lord God is giving His regulations to the people of Israel, He tells them that they must never eat blood. When the kill an animal to eat, they are to drain all the blood out of that animal and cover that blood with the dirt of the ground. Then, we read the statement found in the first part of Leviticus 17:14. That reminds me that my life is found in the Blood of Jesus. His Blood, poured out for my sins, saves me! How odd that we come full circle at the Communion Table when we drink a cup of juice representing the Blood of Christ. How cleansing. Praise God!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A Better Covenant
Leviticus 16
1 The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron’s two sons, who died after they entered the Lord’s presence and burned the wrong kind of fire before him. 2 The Lord said to Moses, “Warn your brother, Aaron, not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; if he does, he will die. For the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—is there, and I myself am present in the cloud above the atonement cover.
Again, I am so grateful to live under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, only one man (the High Priest) could enter into the Most Holy Place (where God’s presence was to be found), and he could only do so once a year. Now, because of Christ, God’s dwelling place is in the people who have been obedient to the terms of the New Covenant (they have faith in Christ, repent of their sins, publicly confess Jesus to be their Lord, and are immersed into Christ), thus giving us direct access to God any day of the year. Is that a better deal or what?
1 The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron’s two sons, who died after they entered the Lord’s presence and burned the wrong kind of fire before him. 2 The Lord said to Moses, “Warn your brother, Aaron, not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; if he does, he will die. For the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—is there, and I myself am present in the cloud above the atonement cover.
Again, I am so grateful to live under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, only one man (the High Priest) could enter into the Most Holy Place (where God’s presence was to be found), and he could only do so once a year. Now, because of Christ, God’s dwelling place is in the people who have been obedient to the terms of the New Covenant (they have faith in Christ, repent of their sins, publicly confess Jesus to be their Lord, and are immersed into Christ), thus giving us direct access to God any day of the year. Is that a better deal or what?
Friday, February 20, 2009
Get The Facts
Leviticus 12
1 The Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. 2 If a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her menstrual period. 3 On the eighth day the boy’s foreskin must be circumcised. 4 After waiting thirty-three days, she will be purified from the bleeding of childbirth. During this time of purification, she must not touch anything that is set apart as holy. And she must not enter the sanctuary until her time of purification is over.
6 “When the time of purification is completed for either a son or a daughter, the woman must bring a one-year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a purification offering. She must bring her offerings to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
8 “If a woman cannot afford to bring a lamb, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. One will be for the burnt offering and the other for the purification offering. The priest will sacrifice them to purify her, and she will be ceremonially clean.”
To all those who continue to erroneously place the Magi in the Manger Scene at Christmas, I say, read this passage from Leviticus 12 again, and then read in Luke 2 about the sacrifice offered by Mary & Joseph when they presented Jesus at the Temple. No, the Magi did NOT visit Mary & Joseph in the manger on the day Christ was born!
1 The Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. 2 If a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her menstrual period. 3 On the eighth day the boy’s foreskin must be circumcised. 4 After waiting thirty-three days, she will be purified from the bleeding of childbirth. During this time of purification, she must not touch anything that is set apart as holy. And she must not enter the sanctuary until her time of purification is over.
6 “When the time of purification is completed for either a son or a daughter, the woman must bring a one-year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a purification offering. She must bring her offerings to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
8 “If a woman cannot afford to bring a lamb, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. One will be for the burnt offering and the other for the purification offering. The priest will sacrifice them to purify her, and she will be ceremonially clean.”
To all those who continue to erroneously place the Magi in the Manger Scene at Christmas, I say, read this passage from Leviticus 12 again, and then read in Luke 2 about the sacrifice offered by Mary & Joseph when they presented Jesus at the Temple. No, the Magi did NOT visit Mary & Joseph in the manger on the day Christ was born!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
God is HOLY!
Leviticus 10
1Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. 2 So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord.
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,
‘I will display my holiness
through those who come near me.
I will display my glory
before all the people.’”
And Aaron was silent.
Of all the attributes of God, the one that best describes Him is HOLY. It is the only attribute of God that is repeated three consecutive times when used to describe God. (Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty…) I wonder if we who follow Christ under the New Covenant haven’t gotten a little too “comfortable” in our relationship with God. Yes, He desires an intimate relationship with us, but may we never take for granted God’s HOLINESS! In dealing with a Holy God, we must present ourselves to Him in a reverent, holy manner. I am in awe at the fact that God likes me and wants to hang out with me. I don’t want to take God’s Holiness for granted.
1Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. 2 So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord.
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,
‘I will display my holiness
through those who come near me.
I will display my glory
before all the people.’”
And Aaron was silent.
Of all the attributes of God, the one that best describes Him is HOLY. It is the only attribute of God that is repeated three consecutive times when used to describe God. (Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty…) I wonder if we who follow Christ under the New Covenant haven’t gotten a little too “comfortable” in our relationship with God. Yes, He desires an intimate relationship with us, but may we never take for granted God’s HOLINESS! In dealing with a Holy God, we must present ourselves to Him in a reverent, holy manner. I am in awe at the fact that God likes me and wants to hang out with me. I don’t want to take God’s Holiness for granted.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ordination then and now
Leviticus 8
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Bring Aaron and his sons, along with their sacred garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of bread made without yeast, 3 and call the entire community of Israel together at the entrance of the Tabernacle.”
4 So Moses followed the Lord’s instructions, and the whole community assembled at the Tabernacle entrance. 5 Moses announced to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded us to do!” 6 Then he presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. 7 He put the official tunic on Aaron and tied the sash around his waist. He dressed him in the robe, placed the ephod on him, and attached the ephod securely with its decorative sash. 8 Then Moses placed the chestpiece on Aaron and put the Urim and the Thummim inside it. 9 He placed the turban on Aaron’s head and attached the gold medallion—the badge of holiness—to the front of the turban, just as the Lord had commanded him.
10 Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it, making them holy. 11 He sprinkled the oil on the altar seven times, anointing it and all its utensils, as well as the washbasin and its stand, making them holy. 12 Then he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, anointing him and making him holy for his work. 13 Next Moses presented Aaron’s sons. He clothed them in their tunics, tied their sashes around them, and put their special head coverings on them, just as the Lord had commanded him.
14 Then Moses presented the bull for the sin offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the bull’s head, 15 and Moses slaughtered it. Moses took some of the blood, and with his finger he put it on the four horns of the altar to purify it. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. Through this process, he made the altar holy by purifying it. 16 Then Moses took all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, and he burned it all on the altar. 17 He took the rest of the bull, including its hide, meat, and dung, and burned it on a fire outside the camp, just as the Lord had commanded him.
18 Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram’s head, 19 and Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took the ram’s blood and splattered it against all sides of the altar. 20 Then he cut the ram into pieces, and he burned the head, some of its pieces, and the fat on the altar. 21 After washing the internal organs and the legs with water, Moses burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering. It was a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him.
22 Then Moses presented the other ram, which was the ram of ordination. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram’s head, 23 and Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took some of its blood and applied it to the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot. 24 Next Moses presented Aaron’s sons and applied some of the blood to the lobes of their right ears, the thumbs of their right hands, and the big toes of their right feet. He then splattered the rest of the blood against all sides of the altar.
25 Next Moses took the fat, including the fat of the broad tail, the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, along with the right thigh. 26 On top of these he placed a thin cake of bread made without yeast, a cake of bread mixed with olive oil, and a wafer spread with olive oil. All these were taken from the basket of bread made without yeast that was placed in the Lord’s presence. 27 He put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons, and he lifted them up as a special offering to the Lord. 28 Moses then took all the offerings back from them and burned them on the altar on top of the burnt offering. This was the ordination offering. It was a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord. 29 Then Moses took the breast and lifted it up as a special offering to the Lord. This was Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination, just as the Lord had commanded him.
30 Next Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar, and he sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. In this way, he made Aaron and his sons and their garments holy.
31 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the remaining meat of the offerings at the Tabernacle entrance, and eat it there, along with the bread that is in the basket of offerings for the ordination, just as I commanded when I said, ‘Aaron and his sons will eat it.’ 32 Any meat or bread that is left over must then be burned up. 33 You must not leave the Tabernacle entrance for seven days, for that is when the ordination ceremony will be completed. 34 Everything we have done today was commanded by the Lord in order to purify you, making you right with him. 35 Now stay at the entrance of the Tabernacle day and night for seven days, and do everything the Lord requires. If you fail to do this, you will die, for this is what the Lord has commanded.” 36 So Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord had commanded through Moses.
All I can say is that I am glad to be ordained under the New Covenant. My ordination service on February 25, 1990, didn’t include any of that stuff, but I was set aside to do God’s work. Actually, under the New Covenant, all Christ Followers are set aside to do God’s work, so let’s get busy!
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Bring Aaron and his sons, along with their sacred garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of bread made without yeast, 3 and call the entire community of Israel together at the entrance of the Tabernacle.”
4 So Moses followed the Lord’s instructions, and the whole community assembled at the Tabernacle entrance. 5 Moses announced to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded us to do!” 6 Then he presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. 7 He put the official tunic on Aaron and tied the sash around his waist. He dressed him in the robe, placed the ephod on him, and attached the ephod securely with its decorative sash. 8 Then Moses placed the chestpiece on Aaron and put the Urim and the Thummim inside it. 9 He placed the turban on Aaron’s head and attached the gold medallion—the badge of holiness—to the front of the turban, just as the Lord had commanded him.
10 Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it, making them holy. 11 He sprinkled the oil on the altar seven times, anointing it and all its utensils, as well as the washbasin and its stand, making them holy. 12 Then he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, anointing him and making him holy for his work. 13 Next Moses presented Aaron’s sons. He clothed them in their tunics, tied their sashes around them, and put their special head coverings on them, just as the Lord had commanded him.
14 Then Moses presented the bull for the sin offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the bull’s head, 15 and Moses slaughtered it. Moses took some of the blood, and with his finger he put it on the four horns of the altar to purify it. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. Through this process, he made the altar holy by purifying it. 16 Then Moses took all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, and he burned it all on the altar. 17 He took the rest of the bull, including its hide, meat, and dung, and burned it on a fire outside the camp, just as the Lord had commanded him.
18 Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram’s head, 19 and Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took the ram’s blood and splattered it against all sides of the altar. 20 Then he cut the ram into pieces, and he burned the head, some of its pieces, and the fat on the altar. 21 After washing the internal organs and the legs with water, Moses burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering. It was a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him.
22 Then Moses presented the other ram, which was the ram of ordination. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram’s head, 23 and Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took some of its blood and applied it to the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot. 24 Next Moses presented Aaron’s sons and applied some of the blood to the lobes of their right ears, the thumbs of their right hands, and the big toes of their right feet. He then splattered the rest of the blood against all sides of the altar.
25 Next Moses took the fat, including the fat of the broad tail, the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, along with the right thigh. 26 On top of these he placed a thin cake of bread made without yeast, a cake of bread mixed with olive oil, and a wafer spread with olive oil. All these were taken from the basket of bread made without yeast that was placed in the Lord’s presence. 27 He put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons, and he lifted them up as a special offering to the Lord. 28 Moses then took all the offerings back from them and burned them on the altar on top of the burnt offering. This was the ordination offering. It was a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord. 29 Then Moses took the breast and lifted it up as a special offering to the Lord. This was Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination, just as the Lord had commanded him.
30 Next Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar, and he sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. In this way, he made Aaron and his sons and their garments holy.
31 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the remaining meat of the offerings at the Tabernacle entrance, and eat it there, along with the bread that is in the basket of offerings for the ordination, just as I commanded when I said, ‘Aaron and his sons will eat it.’ 32 Any meat or bread that is left over must then be burned up. 33 You must not leave the Tabernacle entrance for seven days, for that is when the ordination ceremony will be completed. 34 Everything we have done today was commanded by the Lord in order to purify you, making you right with him. 35 Now stay at the entrance of the Tabernacle day and night for seven days, and do everything the Lord requires. If you fail to do this, you will die, for this is what the Lord has commanded.” 36 So Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord had commanded through Moses.
All I can say is that I am glad to be ordained under the New Covenant. My ordination service on February 25, 1990, didn’t include any of that stuff, but I was set aside to do God’s work. Actually, under the New Covenant, all Christ Followers are set aside to do God’s work, so let’s get busy!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
No Excuses
Leviticus 4
13 “If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but the people don’t realize it, they are still guilty.”
22 “If one of Israel’s leaders sins by violating one of the commands of the Lord his God but doesn’t realize it, he is still guilty.”
27 “If any of the common people sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but they don’t realize it, they are still guilty.”
God’s people could never use the excuse, “well, I didn’t know” to rationalize their sin. Oh, they could try, but God’s Word lays that excuse wide open for what it is: bologna. The same holds true for Christ-followers today. When we become aware of our sin, we need to repent immediately, trusting upon the Blood of Jesus to cleanse us from our sins. We also cannot fall into the satanic trap of, “well, since Jesus’ Blood covers my sins, I can just do what I want, and ask for forgiveness later.” Paul reminds us in Romans chapter 6 that we should be dead to sin:
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
May our lives be filled with integrity, and when we do sin, may we quickly turn to Jesus in repentance!
13 “If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but the people don’t realize it, they are still guilty.”
22 “If one of Israel’s leaders sins by violating one of the commands of the Lord his God but doesn’t realize it, he is still guilty.”
27 “If any of the common people sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but they don’t realize it, they are still guilty.”
God’s people could never use the excuse, “well, I didn’t know” to rationalize their sin. Oh, they could try, but God’s Word lays that excuse wide open for what it is: bologna. The same holds true for Christ-followers today. When we become aware of our sin, we need to repent immediately, trusting upon the Blood of Jesus to cleanse us from our sins. We also cannot fall into the satanic trap of, “well, since Jesus’ Blood covers my sins, I can just do what I want, and ask for forgiveness later.” Paul reminds us in Romans chapter 6 that we should be dead to sin:
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
May our lives be filled with integrity, and when we do sin, may we quickly turn to Jesus in repentance!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Meal of Remembrance
Numbers 9
13 “But those who neglect to celebrate the Passover at the regular time, even though they are ceremonially clean and not away on a trip, will be cut off from the community of Israel. If they fail to present the Lord’s offering at the proper time, they will suffer the consequences of their guilt.”
The New Covenant equivalent of the Passover Meal, is the Lord’s Supper. The punishment for missing the Passover Celebration was to be cut off from the community of Israel. Paul says if we eat or drink the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, we bring judgment upon ourselves. We are warned not to forsake the assembly of the saints (Hebrews 10:25) because in so doing, we risk crucifying Jesus all over again. The 1st century church celebrated the Lord’s Supper on every first day of the week (Sunday). How could we dare consider missing this special time of remembrance?
13 “But those who neglect to celebrate the Passover at the regular time, even though they are ceremonially clean and not away on a trip, will be cut off from the community of Israel. If they fail to present the Lord’s offering at the proper time, they will suffer the consequences of their guilt.”
The New Covenant equivalent of the Passover Meal, is the Lord’s Supper. The punishment for missing the Passover Celebration was to be cut off from the community of Israel. Paul says if we eat or drink the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, we bring judgment upon ourselves. We are warned not to forsake the assembly of the saints (Hebrews 10:25) because in so doing, we risk crucifying Jesus all over again. The 1st century church celebrated the Lord’s Supper on every first day of the week (Sunday). How could we dare consider missing this special time of remembrance?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Communicating With God
Numbers 7
89 Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.
I’m sitting at my kitchen table speaking with and hearing from God today. What a huge difference between how and where God communicates with His people today verses how and where He did so in Moses’ day! All because Jesus has bridged that great divide between mankind and the Creator of Heaven and Earth! I praise God today for Jesus, and for the ability to communicate directly with God through prayer, and to hear directly from Him through reading the Holy Scriptures. What a blessing that is! How dare I ever take it lightly!
89 Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.
I’m sitting at my kitchen table speaking with and hearing from God today. What a huge difference between how and where God communicates with His people today verses how and where He did so in Moses’ day! All because Jesus has bridged that great divide between mankind and the Creator of Heaven and Earth! I praise God today for Jesus, and for the ability to communicate directly with God through prayer, and to hear directly from Him through reading the Holy Scriptures. What a blessing that is! How dare I ever take it lightly!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Lord, Let Your Glory Fall
Numbers 9
15 On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. 16 This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp.
22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on.
This reading reminds me of a Matt Redman song from a few years back. The first verse and chorus of this song say it way better than I could hope to, so check out these lyrics:
Lord, let Your glory fall
As on that ancient day
Songs of enduring love
And then Your glory came
And as a sign to You
That we would love the same
Our hearts will sing that song
God, let Your glory come
You are good, You are good
And Your love endures
You are good, You are good
And Your love endures
Today
While we don’t see a cloud or pillar of fire, we can follow God’s glory when we follow the Words of Jesus Christ. That involves more than the warm fuzzies from singing a song. It requires the hard work of knowing what God’s Word says (by studying it), and putting it into practice every day. Lord, let Your Glory Fall on me, and let me follow Your Glory whenever, wherever to accomplish Your purpose!
15 On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. 16 This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp.
22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on.
This reading reminds me of a Matt Redman song from a few years back. The first verse and chorus of this song say it way better than I could hope to, so check out these lyrics:
Lord, let Your glory fall
As on that ancient day
Songs of enduring love
And then Your glory came
And as a sign to You
That we would love the same
Our hearts will sing that song
God, let Your glory come
You are good, You are good
And Your love endures
You are good, You are good
And Your love endures
Today
While we don’t see a cloud or pillar of fire, we can follow God’s glory when we follow the Words of Jesus Christ. That involves more than the warm fuzzies from singing a song. It requires the hard work of knowing what God’s Word says (by studying it), and putting it into practice every day. Lord, let Your Glory Fall on me, and let me follow Your Glory whenever, wherever to accomplish Your purpose!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Giving the Best
Exodus 38
24 The people brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. This gold was used throughout the Tabernacle.
25 The whole community of Israel gave 7,545 pounds of silver, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel.
Giving to the Lord at this time was a giving of the very best the people had. With gladness of heart, the people gave their gold and their silver. Construction of the tabernacle was to include the very best of materials. Under the New Covenant, we are the tabernacle of the Lord. Doesn’t it behoove us to give our best? Taking care of our bodies physically should be a priority. I must admit, it hasn’t always been so for me. I have been short-changing God in that respect. May the Lord forgive me, and may I be willing to make the changes in my lifestyle necessary to address this shortcoming in my worship of the Lord God Almighty.
24 The people brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. This gold was used throughout the Tabernacle.
25 The whole community of Israel gave 7,545 pounds of silver, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel.
Giving to the Lord at this time was a giving of the very best the people had. With gladness of heart, the people gave their gold and their silver. Construction of the tabernacle was to include the very best of materials. Under the New Covenant, we are the tabernacle of the Lord. Doesn’t it behoove us to give our best? Taking care of our bodies physically should be a priority. I must admit, it hasn’t always been so for me. I have been short-changing God in that respect. May the Lord forgive me, and may I be willing to make the changes in my lifestyle necessary to address this shortcoming in my worship of the Lord God Almighty.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Willing Heart
Exodus 35
21a All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord…22a Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing…
God has just given instructions on a special project to prepare for construction of the tabernacle, and the people all went back to their tents to gather the necessary materials for this project. Moses notes that all who “hearts were stirred,” or ”spirits were moved,” or “hearts were willing” gathered up more than enough for what was necessary. God desires our willingness more than He “needs” our sacrifice. However, when we combine the two, God is honored even more. May my day today be filled with a willing heart, a spirit that is moved, and a desire to serve in Jesus’ Name!
21a All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord…22a Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing…
God has just given instructions on a special project to prepare for construction of the tabernacle, and the people all went back to their tents to gather the necessary materials for this project. Moses notes that all who “hearts were stirred,” or ”spirits were moved,” or “hearts were willing” gathered up more than enough for what was necessary. God desires our willingness more than He “needs” our sacrifice. However, when we combine the two, God is honored even more. May my day today be filled with a willing heart, a spirit that is moved, and a desire to serve in Jesus’ Name!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Changing God's Mind
Exodus 32
11 But Moses tried to pacify the Lord his God. “O Lord!” he said. “Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and such a strong hand? 12 Why let the Egyptians say, ‘Their God rescued them with the evil intention of slaughtering them in the mountains and wiping them from the face of the earth’? Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you have threatened against your people! 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You bound yourself with an oath to them, saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. And I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants, and they will possess it forever.’”
14 So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.
Since God knows how everything turns out in the end because God operates outside of linear time, how is it that Moses could “change” God’s mind regarding the “terrible disaster” God threatened to bring on the children of Israel. I would submit that it wasn’t God’s mind that needed some changing here, but Moses’ mind that had to be prepared to lead this stubborn people to where God wanted them led. Remember, this is the same Moses who tried to weasel his way out of this when God appeared in the burning bush. This is the same people who will grumble, complain, make idols, and test Moses’ patience at every turn. No, I submit that God’s mind wasn’t the one being worked on here; it was Moses’. God is the Master Psychologist after all. Moses needed to love these people enough to plead their case, not just in front of Pharaoh, but in front of the Lord God Almighty! Only a powerful love for those people could compel Moses to do such a thing. Isn’t that the kind of love Jesus has for His people today? Isn’t that the kind of love I should have for people? Do I love people strongly enough to try to “change God’s mind” about them. Now, that IS a goal worthy of pursuing!
11 But Moses tried to pacify the Lord his God. “O Lord!” he said. “Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and such a strong hand? 12 Why let the Egyptians say, ‘Their God rescued them with the evil intention of slaughtering them in the mountains and wiping them from the face of the earth’? Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you have threatened against your people! 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You bound yourself with an oath to them, saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. And I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants, and they will possess it forever.’”
14 So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.
Since God knows how everything turns out in the end because God operates outside of linear time, how is it that Moses could “change” God’s mind regarding the “terrible disaster” God threatened to bring on the children of Israel. I would submit that it wasn’t God’s mind that needed some changing here, but Moses’ mind that had to be prepared to lead this stubborn people to where God wanted them led. Remember, this is the same Moses who tried to weasel his way out of this when God appeared in the burning bush. This is the same people who will grumble, complain, make idols, and test Moses’ patience at every turn. No, I submit that God’s mind wasn’t the one being worked on here; it was Moses’. God is the Master Psychologist after all. Moses needed to love these people enough to plead their case, not just in front of Pharaoh, but in front of the Lord God Almighty! Only a powerful love for those people could compel Moses to do such a thing. Isn’t that the kind of love Jesus has for His people today? Isn’t that the kind of love I should have for people? Do I love people strongly enough to try to “change God’s mind” about them. Now, that IS a goal worthy of pursuing!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Better Clothing
Exodus 29
29 “Aaron’s sacred garments must be preserved for his descendants who succeed him, and they will wear them when they are anointed and ordained. 30 The descendant who succeeds him as high priest will wear these clothes for seven days as he ministers in the Tabernacle and the Holy Place.”
Under the terms of the Old Covenant, the priests of the Lord God had to wear special clothing, and of course Aaron & his descendents had the most special of clothing. Under the New Covenant, followers of Jesus are clothed with Christ when they are baptized into Christ. How much more special clothing could there be? I am thrilled to be clothed with Christ. This clothing of holiness is not because of who I am, but has everything to do with Who Jesus is, and I praise God every day that I am clothed in Jesus. I’m ready to minister in His name today, are you?
29 “Aaron’s sacred garments must be preserved for his descendants who succeed him, and they will wear them when they are anointed and ordained. 30 The descendant who succeeds him as high priest will wear these clothes for seven days as he ministers in the Tabernacle and the Holy Place.”
Under the terms of the Old Covenant, the priests of the Lord God had to wear special clothing, and of course Aaron & his descendents had the most special of clothing. Under the New Covenant, followers of Jesus are clothed with Christ when they are baptized into Christ. How much more special clothing could there be? I am thrilled to be clothed with Christ. This clothing of holiness is not because of who I am, but has everything to do with Who Jesus is, and I praise God every day that I am clothed in Jesus. I’m ready to minister in His name today, are you?
Monday, February 9, 2009
A Superior Covenant
Exodus 28
36 “Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: Holy to the Lord. 37 Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron’s turban, where it must remain. 38 Aaron must wear it on his forehead so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrate their sacred offerings. He must always wear it on his forehead so the Lord will accept the people.”
Under the old covenant, Aaron had to have a gold medallion with the inscription, “Holy to the Lord” on it to designate who he was and whose he was. Under the New Covenant, the Blood of Jesus takes care of all of that for me. I am so glad that I live under the New Covenant, a better covenant brought to us by a Superior High Priest (Jesus). As a follower of Christ, I am acceptable to God. Not because of any physical marking on my body or my clothing, but because I am clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27). Jesus has taken on Himself the guilt of my sins, and forgiveness has been granted because of His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus doesn’t have to worry about an annual entrance into the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, He lives eternally in the Most Holy Place in heaven, seated at God’s right hand. Yes, I am glad to live under this superior Covenant with the Lord!
36 “Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: Holy to the Lord. 37 Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron’s turban, where it must remain. 38 Aaron must wear it on his forehead so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrate their sacred offerings. He must always wear it on his forehead so the Lord will accept the people.”
Under the old covenant, Aaron had to have a gold medallion with the inscription, “Holy to the Lord” on it to designate who he was and whose he was. Under the New Covenant, the Blood of Jesus takes care of all of that for me. I am so glad that I live under the New Covenant, a better covenant brought to us by a Superior High Priest (Jesus). As a follower of Christ, I am acceptable to God. Not because of any physical marking on my body or my clothing, but because I am clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27). Jesus has taken on Himself the guilt of my sins, and forgiveness has been granted because of His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus doesn’t have to worry about an annual entrance into the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, He lives eternally in the Most Holy Place in heaven, seated at God’s right hand. Yes, I am glad to live under this superior Covenant with the Lord!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Covenant Meal
Exodus 24
9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. 10 There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. 11 And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!
I ate a covenant meal this morning: unleavened bread representing the body of Christ, and a cup of the fruit of the vine representing the Blood of Christ. My covenant meal represents a covenant with God that is superior to the one eaten by Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel as described in Exodus 24. I do, however, like the reverence described in this passage. These men saw God and yet He did not destroy them. While my eyes have not physically seen God, I have seen God at work in and through people. People like Don Boswell (who led me to Christ), Brent & Lisa Baker, Jeff & Peggy Sagstetter, Steve & Tami Jones, Greg Bartolucci, Anne Martinelli, (and so many others) and most importantly, Peggy Blount. I see Jesus living through these folks, and today I renewed my commitment to the New Covenant established through the Perfect Sacrifice known as Jesus.
9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. 10 There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. 11 And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!
I ate a covenant meal this morning: unleavened bread representing the body of Christ, and a cup of the fruit of the vine representing the Blood of Christ. My covenant meal represents a covenant with God that is superior to the one eaten by Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel as described in Exodus 24. I do, however, like the reverence described in this passage. These men saw God and yet He did not destroy them. While my eyes have not physically seen God, I have seen God at work in and through people. People like Don Boswell (who led me to Christ), Brent & Lisa Baker, Jeff & Peggy Sagstetter, Steve & Tami Jones, Greg Bartolucci, Anne Martinelli, (and so many others) and most importantly, Peggy Blount. I see Jesus living through these folks, and today I renewed my commitment to the New Covenant established through the Perfect Sacrifice known as Jesus.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Glory, Honor, Respect
Exodus 20
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”
I haven’t done a scientific study, but I believe this commandment must be the most broken commandment of them all. The misuse of God’s Name permeates American culture. I don’t even like the text shortcut OMG even if you mean “gosh” when you type it, because most folks mean to put God’s name in that spot. It is a misuse of His Name that is to be kept holy. Period. May the Name of the Lord be praised. May it be given glory and honor and may it be respected always. It will be by me. I pray that you will give His Name the respect, glory and honor He deserves.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”
I haven’t done a scientific study, but I believe this commandment must be the most broken commandment of them all. The misuse of God’s Name permeates American culture. I don’t even like the text shortcut OMG even if you mean “gosh” when you type it, because most folks mean to put God’s name in that spot. It is a misuse of His Name that is to be kept holy. Period. May the Name of the Lord be praised. May it be given glory and honor and may it be respected always. It will be by me. I pray that you will give His Name the respect, glory and honor He deserves.
Friday, February 6, 2009
What Is It?
Exodus 16
14 When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. 15 The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was.
And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat.
31 The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers.
The word “manna” literally means, “what is it?” What it is, of course, is God’s daily provision. In this instance, it was a wafer like substances, sweet to the taste and provided daily to give physical sustenance to the children of Israel. I consider my daily excursion into God’s Word my manna. It is my daily provision from God to strengthen my spirit to push on through another day.
14 When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. 15 The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was.
And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat.
31 The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers.
The word “manna” literally means, “what is it?” What it is, of course, is God’s daily provision. In this instance, it was a wafer like substances, sweet to the taste and provided daily to give physical sustenance to the children of Israel. I consider my daily excursion into God’s Word my manna. It is my daily provision from God to strengthen my spirit to push on through another day.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Praise You In This Storm
Exodus 15
2 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
3 The Lord is a warrior;
Yahweh is his name!
Moses and the children of Israel are singing God’s praises right after being delivered from Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. Oh yeah, they are getting their praise on for the Lord. Of course, within a matter of days, they are complaining about a lack of water. How easy it is to give God praise when things are looking up. How fickle of us to fail to praise God even when things don’t appear to be going our way! I’ll just end today with the first verse and chorus of the Casting Crowns song, “Praise You In This Storm.”
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
2 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
3 The Lord is a warrior;
Yahweh is his name!
Moses and the children of Israel are singing God’s praises right after being delivered from Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. Oh yeah, they are getting their praise on for the Lord. Of course, within a matter of days, they are complaining about a lack of water. How easy it is to give God praise when things are looking up. How fickle of us to fail to praise God even when things don’t appear to be going our way! I’ll just end today with the first verse and chorus of the Casting Crowns song, “Praise You In This Storm.”
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Remember
Exodus 12
14 “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord.”
God is giving instructions for the Passover Meal. On that first Passover, the firstborn of the children of Israel were spared from the angel of death, who killed the firstborn of all the Egyptians, their animals, etc. As Christians, we know Jesus as our Passover Lamb. His Blood was shed to protect us from spiritual death (separation from God). The Firstborn of all Creation was sacrificed so that we could have eternal life. When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he told us to do this in remembrance of Him. Each week, we do so. May we never be guilty of forgetting Who Jesus is, and what He has done (and is doing) for those who follow Him.
14 “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord.”
God is giving instructions for the Passover Meal. On that first Passover, the firstborn of the children of Israel were spared from the angel of death, who killed the firstborn of all the Egyptians, their animals, etc. As Christians, we know Jesus as our Passover Lamb. His Blood was shed to protect us from spiritual death (separation from God). The Firstborn of all Creation was sacrificed so that we could have eternal life. When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he told us to do this in remembrance of Him. Each week, we do so. May we never be guilty of forgetting Who Jesus is, and what He has done (and is doing) for those who follow Him.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Hard Hearts on both sides
Exodus 9
35 Because his heart was hard, Pharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the Lord had predicted through Moses.
A hard heart is satan’s greatest tool, isn’t it? If we harden our hearts towards God, we will refuse to listen to, or even acknowledge him. Pharaoh had seen the mighty works of God’s hands through several plagues, yet just as God had predicted through Moses, his hard was hardened and he refused to obey God. The evidence for God is all around us today, yet people have hardened their hearts and refuse to believe His Word. It makes me sad. It also reminds me of a statement I recently saw atheist Penn Jillette make: “how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that.” From the mouth of one whose heart is hardened against God comes and indictment against those of us who claim to follow Christ but condemn people to hell because we won’t share the Gospel with them. How hard do our hearts have to be to refuse to share the Gospel with others? Moses was trying to share God’s Word with Pharaoh, and while Pharaoh refused to listen, that didn’t relieve Moses of the responsibility of telling him that Word. Nor does it relieve us of that same responsibility today.
35 Because his heart was hard, Pharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the Lord had predicted through Moses.
A hard heart is satan’s greatest tool, isn’t it? If we harden our hearts towards God, we will refuse to listen to, or even acknowledge him. Pharaoh had seen the mighty works of God’s hands through several plagues, yet just as God had predicted through Moses, his hard was hardened and he refused to obey God. The evidence for God is all around us today, yet people have hardened their hearts and refuse to believe His Word. It makes me sad. It also reminds me of a statement I recently saw atheist Penn Jillette make: “how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that.” From the mouth of one whose heart is hardened against God comes and indictment against those of us who claim to follow Christ but condemn people to hell because we won’t share the Gospel with them. How hard do our hearts have to be to refuse to share the Gospel with others? Moses was trying to share God’s Word with Pharaoh, and while Pharaoh refused to listen, that didn’t relieve Moses of the responsibility of telling him that Word. Nor does it relieve us of that same responsibility today.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tune In
Exodus 6
9 So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.
Discouragement and slavery…two of satan’s greatest weapons against those who have at least once upon a time followed Jesus. Slavery to our sins leads us to close our ears and our hearts to the Word of the LORD. As a minister of the Gospel of Christ, it is discouraging when folks tune out Jesus. Oh, to shut out the lies of the evil one, and to listen only to God. Another one of those “easy to say, but hard to do” things in life, isn’t it?
9 So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.
Discouragement and slavery…two of satan’s greatest weapons against those who have at least once upon a time followed Jesus. Slavery to our sins leads us to close our ears and our hearts to the Word of the LORD. As a minister of the Gospel of Christ, it is discouraging when folks tune out Jesus. Oh, to shut out the lies of the evil one, and to listen only to God. Another one of those “easy to say, but hard to do” things in life, isn’t it?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Temporary Verses Eternal
Exodus 1
8 Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done.
Exodus 1:8, is a sobering verse, but one that I believe we would do well to pay special attention to. We Christian Americans tend to get all caught up in being Americans, forgetting that our trust needs to be in Christ, not in a political process or leader. Joseph was a POLITICAL leader in Egypt (2nd in command only to Pharaoh). He saved the people of that nation, yet over time, Joseph’s name was forgotten by the political leaders. We get all wrapped up in political leaders in America, but our trust needs to be in Christ. Period. Political leaders come and go, the gains made or the losses suffered at the hands of political policies change. The stuff of this earth is temporary. No matter how “great” any one political leader may be at the time of his/her power, that political leader will be replaced by someone else. Jesus will never be replaced. He is the One time for all times Perfect Son of God, and following Him is the ONLY way to live a life resulting in eternal life.
8 Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done.
Exodus 1:8, is a sobering verse, but one that I believe we would do well to pay special attention to. We Christian Americans tend to get all caught up in being Americans, forgetting that our trust needs to be in Christ, not in a political process or leader. Joseph was a POLITICAL leader in Egypt (2nd in command only to Pharaoh). He saved the people of that nation, yet over time, Joseph’s name was forgotten by the political leaders. We get all wrapped up in political leaders in America, but our trust needs to be in Christ. Period. Political leaders come and go, the gains made or the losses suffered at the hands of political policies change. The stuff of this earth is temporary. No matter how “great” any one political leader may be at the time of his/her power, that political leader will be replaced by someone else. Jesus will never be replaced. He is the One time for all times Perfect Son of God, and following Him is the ONLY way to live a life resulting in eternal life.
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