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?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
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.
Friday, January 29, 2010
January 29, 2010
Today's reading: Exodus 35, 36, 37; Psalm 29, 59, 89, 149; Proverbs 29
Psalm 59:9, "Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence."
Today is a sad day in Indiana politics. Congressman Steve Buyer announced that he will not seek re-election at the end of his term. He as served his constituents well for the past 18 years. I know, I am very grateful to him for his service.
Congressman Buyer held a news conference at IU Hospital in Indianapolis, IN and made the announcement. He has made this decision so that he can stand by his wife who now suffers with an “incurable autoimmune disease”. The Congressman wept as he made the announcement each time he mentioned his wife or her medical condition.
I do not know if the Congressman is a Christian; but, I do know that he is a soldier in the National Guard and as Congressman he has fought for the family and right. It is my plan to send him an e-mail and let him know that I have prayed for he and his wife. I would urge you to do the same. Right now this family needs prayer support and God as their defense.
It is my prayer that one day the Buyer family will be able to say the words of Psalm 59:16, "But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."
Who is your defense? Are you sure about that?
Psalm 59:9, "Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence."
Today is a sad day in Indiana politics. Congressman Steve Buyer announced that he will not seek re-election at the end of his term. He as served his constituents well for the past 18 years. I know, I am very grateful to him for his service.
Congressman Buyer held a news conference at IU Hospital in Indianapolis, IN and made the announcement. He has made this decision so that he can stand by his wife who now suffers with an “incurable autoimmune disease”. The Congressman wept as he made the announcement each time he mentioned his wife or her medical condition.
I do not know if the Congressman is a Christian; but, I do know that he is a soldier in the National Guard and as Congressman he has fought for the family and right. It is my plan to send him an e-mail and let him know that I have prayed for he and his wife. I would urge you to do the same. Right now this family needs prayer support and God as their defense.
It is my prayer that one day the Buyer family will be able to say the words of Psalm 59:16, "But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."
Who is your defense? Are you sure about that?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
January 28, 2010
Today's reading: Exodus 32, 33, 34; Psalm 28, 58, 88, 118, 148; Proverbs 28
Exodus 33:14-15, "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."
Exodus 33:22, "And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:"
So many people today do not believe that God is a real person. Some believe that persons are God and this is a lie from the pits of hell. There are some people that I have a high amount of respect for in this world but I know that they are not God. They are just men, like me.
I have had the opportunity to rub shoulders, so to speak, with some of the greatest men in our day. I will not take time to name them. There was something about being in their presence. Their spirit was different than what you experience in this world.
One man I will mention is Dr. William Forester. He was the most humble man I have ever met. When you were in his presence you knew that he was a man of God. He was a true joy to be around. He now resides in heaven with Jesus, whom he served for many years.
When you like to be around someone it could be for various reasons. What about God? Do you like to be in the presence of God? Right off the bat people will say yes, I do. I am afraid that if we did an evaluation of our lives we might see differently. When you read the Scriptures do you invite Him to speak to you? When you pray do you beg Him to speak to you? As you go about your daily life do you ask Him to control you? Ouch!
In who's presence are you spending time?
Exodus 33:14-15, "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."
Exodus 33:22, "And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:"
So many people today do not believe that God is a real person. Some believe that persons are God and this is a lie from the pits of hell. There are some people that I have a high amount of respect for in this world but I know that they are not God. They are just men, like me.
I have had the opportunity to rub shoulders, so to speak, with some of the greatest men in our day. I will not take time to name them. There was something about being in their presence. Their spirit was different than what you experience in this world.
One man I will mention is Dr. William Forester. He was the most humble man I have ever met. When you were in his presence you knew that he was a man of God. He was a true joy to be around. He now resides in heaven with Jesus, whom he served for many years.
When you like to be around someone it could be for various reasons. What about God? Do you like to be in the presence of God? Right off the bat people will say yes, I do. I am afraid that if we did an evaluation of our lives we might see differently. When you read the Scriptures do you invite Him to speak to you? When you pray do you beg Him to speak to you? As you go about your daily life do you ask Him to control you? Ouch!
In who's presence are you spending time?
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