Today's reading: Leviticus 13, 14, 15; Psalm 5, 35, 65, 95, 125; Proverbs 5
Proverbs 5:19-20, "Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?"
In nine more day we will celebrate Valentine's Day. The holiday of love and lovers. Ah the memories of past Valentine's Day celebrations. I remember one year I bought my wife her favorite Chinese dinner and had it waiting for her when she came home from work. I also had purchased two sets of purple plates (her favorite color). One set of plates was larger than the others. I sat the smaller plates on top of the larger plates and decorated the table. I had flowers on the table and rose petals spread on the floor of the kitchen. I even bought some balloons and threw them all over the floor too. It was quite a sight. She was so surprised.
Why would I do something like that? I enjoyed doing those things for her because I knew that she would appreciate what I had done for her. It was love. Not like the world thinks of love. Their version is lust. The Scriptures deal with the intimate kind of love that husbands and wives are to have for one another; but, it is to be exercised within the bounds of marriage.
Look at our passage for today. It says, "...let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love." As married couples we need to have intimate sexual (yes, I said it) relations with our spouse. God made it and He made it good for husbands and wives to enjoy one another. That is not all though. We need to have an intimate relationship without the sexual part too. When I think of being satisfied by "her breasts", I think of the physical needs, sexual needs and also the closeness that it takes to accomplish that. it is a packaged deal.
I hope that each one of you are passionately in love with your husband or wife and if not it is time to rekindle the fire. It is possible, I promise. Read the (Scriptures) Book.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4, 2010
Today's reading: Leviticus 10, 11, 12; Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, 124; Proverbs 4
Leviticus 10:1-2, "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD."
How many of us have started a new job and shortly after think we have a better idea of how things should be done? I know that I am guilty. I don't remember one single time that my suggestions were taken into consideration at all. Why is this?
It might have something to do with a lack of experience. If someone has an established way of doing things and it is successful you might not want to change things. Sometimes change is necessary. I understand that.
In our passage today Aaron's two sons made changes in worship that were contrary to what God had prescribed. You see, God has a plan and you and I just need to fall in line with the plan and run with it.
You cannot change salvation and it still be salvation. You cannot add to it or take away from it because it will cease to be salvation. Then you have works or something else. God knows what He is doing and we need to fall into step with Him and get going.
Have you made any changes lately that maybe you should not have made? Sure about that?
Leviticus 10:1-2, "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD."
How many of us have started a new job and shortly after think we have a better idea of how things should be done? I know that I am guilty. I don't remember one single time that my suggestions were taken into consideration at all. Why is this?
It might have something to do with a lack of experience. If someone has an established way of doing things and it is successful you might not want to change things. Sometimes change is necessary. I understand that.
In our passage today Aaron's two sons made changes in worship that were contrary to what God had prescribed. You see, God has a plan and you and I just need to fall in line with the plan and run with it.
You cannot change salvation and it still be salvation. You cannot add to it or take away from it because it will cease to be salvation. Then you have works or something else. God knows what He is doing and we need to fall into step with Him and get going.
Have you made any changes lately that maybe you should not have made? Sure about that?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February 3, 2010
Today's reading: Leviticus 7, 8, 9; Psalm 3, 33, 63, 93, 123; Proverbs 3
Leviticus 7:6, "Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy."
There is a park about five miles from my house that I enjoy visiting. I have even taken some photographs of various parts of the park. The reason I enjoy it so much is that there is a creek that runs through it. I love to go to the park and sit by the creek and just listen to the water run over the rocks in the creek. They also have a fountain at the front of the park by the entrance that is wonderful to sit by and just watch and listen. This is so relaxing to me. I wish we lived in a warmer climate so that the fountain would run all year long. Unfortunately, we live in an area that freezes and the fountain gets shut off. If I can stand the cold though, I can still hear the creek running over the rocks.
I like to go to the creek and sit on a bench right at the edge of the water. My favorite activity is to read my Bible and pray as I sit there. It just seems like my quiet time is so much better there. I even get a little aggravated if someone else is sittiung there "in my spot". It does happen.
The reason I thought of this today is our text. "it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy." To me this spot at the park is my "holy place". It is not private by no means but it is peaceful and calming and I love to meet with God there.
I hope you have a "holy place" where you meet God each day. You do, don't you?
Leviticus 7:6, "Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy."
There is a park about five miles from my house that I enjoy visiting. I have even taken some photographs of various parts of the park. The reason I enjoy it so much is that there is a creek that runs through it. I love to go to the park and sit by the creek and just listen to the water run over the rocks in the creek. They also have a fountain at the front of the park by the entrance that is wonderful to sit by and just watch and listen. This is so relaxing to me. I wish we lived in a warmer climate so that the fountain would run all year long. Unfortunately, we live in an area that freezes and the fountain gets shut off. If I can stand the cold though, I can still hear the creek running over the rocks.
I like to go to the creek and sit on a bench right at the edge of the water. My favorite activity is to read my Bible and pray as I sit there. It just seems like my quiet time is so much better there. I even get a little aggravated if someone else is sittiung there "in my spot". It does happen.
The reason I thought of this today is our text. "it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy." To me this spot at the park is my "holy place". It is not private by no means but it is peaceful and calming and I love to meet with God there.
I hope you have a "holy place" where you meet God each day. You do, don't you?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February 2, 2010
Today's reading: Leviticus 4, 5, 6; Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122; Proverbs 2
Leviticus 4:35, "And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him."
Having lived on this earth for over forty years now, I feel like I have some life experience. Some of it good and some of it; well, not so good. Over these years I have offended people. I don't like to think about that but it is true. Some of these people used to call themselves my friends. Now, the mention of my name brings anger and hostility.
Why is this? It is because I have done or said something that offended them. Maybe it was something they thought I did or said. None the less, there has been some act that has offended them.
Some of these people I have attempted to reconcile with to no avail. Others would not even let me get close enough to try to reconcile. Unfortunately, there are those with whom I am not ready to reconcile with as of yet.
Here is the thing. The Scriptures tells us that we can have forgiveness if we want it. The main thing is to get forgiveness from God. Start with Him and then go to the person or persons and ask for the needed forgiveness. If they will not forgive you that is one thing; but, at least you did your part in asking and giving forgiveness. Yes, we must forgive also. Ouch!
If we meet God's conditions, we can be forgiven. I love the last few words of our text today, "and it shall be forgiven him." Thank God for forgiveness today and then show someone forgiveness. Easy said. Not so easily done, I know.
Leviticus 4:35, "And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him."
Having lived on this earth for over forty years now, I feel like I have some life experience. Some of it good and some of it; well, not so good. Over these years I have offended people. I don't like to think about that but it is true. Some of these people used to call themselves my friends. Now, the mention of my name brings anger and hostility.
Why is this? It is because I have done or said something that offended them. Maybe it was something they thought I did or said. None the less, there has been some act that has offended them.
Some of these people I have attempted to reconcile with to no avail. Others would not even let me get close enough to try to reconcile. Unfortunately, there are those with whom I am not ready to reconcile with as of yet.
Here is the thing. The Scriptures tells us that we can have forgiveness if we want it. The main thing is to get forgiveness from God. Start with Him and then go to the person or persons and ask for the needed forgiveness. If they will not forgive you that is one thing; but, at least you did your part in asking and giving forgiveness. Yes, we must forgive also. Ouch!
If we meet God's conditions, we can be forgiven. I love the last few words of our text today, "and it shall be forgiven him." Thank God for forgiveness today and then show someone forgiveness. Easy said. Not so easily done, I know.
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1, 2010
Today's reading: Leviticus 1, 2, 3; Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121; Proverbs 1
Leviticus 2:3, "And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire."
I love Steve Green's "The Refiner's Fire". I have not listened to it in a long time. I remember it was very powerful.
As I look around I see people that are really "going through it". I know that my family and I are experiencing things right now that I would rather not experience. As I was reading our passage for today I could not help thinking about how fire purifies.
One day we will all stand before God and if we are His child we will be rewarded for our deeds. Prior to the rewarding there will be a purging of the "wood, hay and stubble" the Scripture calls it. What is left is "gold, silver and precious stones". This is what we will be rewarded for. We will not be rewarded for that which burns up in the fire.
I know that my thoughts today are not in context with this passage; but, it is where I was drawn.
If you are going through the fire today will you come out as gold, silver and precious stones or will it be wood, hay and stubble?
Leviticus 2:3, "And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire."
I love Steve Green's "The Refiner's Fire". I have not listened to it in a long time. I remember it was very powerful.
As I look around I see people that are really "going through it". I know that my family and I are experiencing things right now that I would rather not experience. As I was reading our passage for today I could not help thinking about how fire purifies.
One day we will all stand before God and if we are His child we will be rewarded for our deeds. Prior to the rewarding there will be a purging of the "wood, hay and stubble" the Scripture calls it. What is left is "gold, silver and precious stones". This is what we will be rewarded for. We will not be rewarded for that which burns up in the fire.
I know that my thoughts today are not in context with this passage; but, it is where I was drawn.
If you are going through the fire today will you come out as gold, silver and precious stones or will it be wood, hay and stubble?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
January 31, 2010
Today's reading: Psalm 119; Proverbs 31
Psalm 119:114, "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word."
I remember as a young boy I had a bb gun. Like most boys I shot it a lot. I kept a good supply of bb's so that I would not run out. I have to say that I often got into a lot of trouble with my bb gun.
One time I shot a neighbor boy in the ankle with my bb gun. This got it taken away for an entire year. That was an eternity for a young boy. I did not shoot anyone else with it. I did kill a snake with it once. I remember many trips into the woods feeling like a real hunter. I don't know what I would have done if a wild animal had really showed up and challenged me. I am sure the outcome would not have been good.
I remember one time me and some other boys had a bb gun fight in the hay loft of the barn. We would literally shoot at each other. This is not smart. We built forts out of the straw that was stacked up there for protection. One boy got the bright idea to shoot at the roof and let the bb bounce off the metal roof and fall down into the straw fortress. It worked. I got hit in the wrist with a bb that turned my wrist an interesting shade of blue.
You may be asking, "What is your point?" Well we who know Christ as our Saviour have a more sure place to run for refuge than a straw fort. We can run to Jesus Christ, who is our Refuge.
No matter what you are going through you can run to the Lord. He is waiting for you.
Psalm 119:114, "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word."
I remember as a young boy I had a bb gun. Like most boys I shot it a lot. I kept a good supply of bb's so that I would not run out. I have to say that I often got into a lot of trouble with my bb gun.
One time I shot a neighbor boy in the ankle with my bb gun. This got it taken away for an entire year. That was an eternity for a young boy. I did not shoot anyone else with it. I did kill a snake with it once. I remember many trips into the woods feeling like a real hunter. I don't know what I would have done if a wild animal had really showed up and challenged me. I am sure the outcome would not have been good.
I remember one time me and some other boys had a bb gun fight in the hay loft of the barn. We would literally shoot at each other. This is not smart. We built forts out of the straw that was stacked up there for protection. One boy got the bright idea to shoot at the roof and let the bb bounce off the metal roof and fall down into the straw fortress. It worked. I got hit in the wrist with a bb that turned my wrist an interesting shade of blue.
You may be asking, "What is your point?" Well we who know Christ as our Saviour have a more sure place to run for refuge than a straw fort. We can run to Jesus Christ, who is our Refuge.
No matter what you are going through you can run to the Lord. He is waiting for you.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
January 30, 2010
Today's reading: Exodus 38, 39, 40; Psalm 30, 60, 90, 120; Proverbs 30
Exodus 39:7, "And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses."
Exodus 39:14, "And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes."
I remember a couple years ago we went on a journey of about half an hour. We went to a nearby town for a memorial service. My aunt's husband had passed away and he was cremated and then they had a memorial service for him.
I remember seeing the pretty flowers. I remember seeing family that I had not seen in many years. Why is it that funerals quickly become family reunions? That is another day's topic.
I remember seeing his guitar sitting there. Unfortunately, I did not know him very well; but, we did share a love for music. I would imagine that our taste in music differed; but, we both loved music. It is good for the soul and lifts the spirit.
Now, as we travel to and through that particular town I think of that memorial service. Unfortunately, I did not agree with much the one who officiated the service had to say so I kept my big mouth shut for the most part (miracle of all miracles).
What are the memorials in your life, friend? Maybe we need to make some.
Exodus 39:7, "And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses."
Exodus 39:14, "And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes."
I remember a couple years ago we went on a journey of about half an hour. We went to a nearby town for a memorial service. My aunt's husband had passed away and he was cremated and then they had a memorial service for him.
I remember seeing the pretty flowers. I remember seeing family that I had not seen in many years. Why is it that funerals quickly become family reunions? That is another day's topic.
I remember seeing his guitar sitting there. Unfortunately, I did not know him very well; but, we did share a love for music. I would imagine that our taste in music differed; but, we both loved music. It is good for the soul and lifts the spirit.
Now, as we travel to and through that particular town I think of that memorial service. Unfortunately, I did not agree with much the one who officiated the service had to say so I kept my big mouth shut for the most part (miracle of all miracles).
What are the memorials in your life, friend? Maybe we need to make some.
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