Steaks on the Grill

O. T. #267  "Steaks on the Grill"
April 11, 2014
Leviticus 1-Part 1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 
Ephesians 5:2 KJV


LET IT GLOW

Nothing smells more luscious than a steak on the grill, to me. My mouth waters when I drive by the local steakhouse. I resist the urge to pull into the parking lot of that place and eat what I am smelling.
However, the best steak in the state is cooked by our son on his grill. Those are home grown on the farm. Apparently, the Lord likes the smell of cooking meat. How does He get it? Read on to find out.


The Book of Leviticus starts out describing the five sacrifices/offerings which God accepts:

1. The Whole Burnt offering
2. The Meal offering
3. The Peace offering
4. The Sin offering
5. The Trespass offering.

The first three offerings mentioned are sweet savor offerings (1:1-3:17).The last two listed above are the non-sweet savor offerings (4:1-6:7). (Falwell)


LET IT GROW

The Whole Burnt Offering

Requirements for the animal include:

• a male
• without blemish (perfect inside and outside)
• a voluntarily offered
• owner put his hand on the animal's head, transferring his sin and guilt to the animal)
• its blood was collected and sprinkled on the Brazen Altar by the priest
• it was skinned and burnt completely on the altar
• it was offered by fire, as a sweet smelling savor, fragrance. (verse 9)

Sweet smelling savor pictures Christ in all His perfections offering Himself entirely to God in our place. Christ's death was voluntary (John 10:17-18) and was powerful enough to save sinners completely. (Heb. 7:25) the requirements were the same for all the animals. However, the bullock was the most expensive. Turtledoves and pigeons were acceptable offerings from the poorer people. God is no respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11).  (Falwell)

Do we give our best in our offerings? Do we daily offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God for His glory and use? In Romans 12:1-2, Paul tells to do so.

Just as priests were to maintain a "continual burnt offering" (6:12-13), so we are to be constantly dedicated to the Lord for His glory.  (Wiersbe)

A continually burning fire on the altar was a sign of a continual atonement and a sign of Israel's devotion to God.

2 Corinthians 2:15 and Ephesians 5:2 explain our challenge.

LET IT GO

Offer myself unto Christ as an offering.

Be sweet today.

Walk in love as Christ love us.

Repetition

O. T. #265  "Repetition"
April 10, 2014
Introduction to Leviticus
And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying...  Leviticus 1:1 KJV

LET IT GLOW

(Yeah! My computer is fixed and I am back full speed ahead. Maybe things can get back to normal around here. Thank you Jesus for your blessings! Please bless the guys who fixed it.)

One thing I learned as a teacher, repetition is how the children would learn and retain new skills. We would repeat the addition and subtraction facts in order for them to remember them, whether on paper or orally. So I think the best way for us to get an important point that God wants us to learn is to repeat the words, phrases, or lesson. It is this way in the Book of Leviticus.

Who wrote Leviticus?
Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament.

The fact that God gave these laws to Moses appears 56 times in Leviticus' 27 chapters. (MacArthur)

When did it take place?
The Exodus of Israel happened in 1445 B. C. and the tabernacle was finished one year later. Leviticus picks up the record at that point, probably in the first month of the second year after the Exodus.  (MacArthur)

What happened?
Leviticus begins with God calling Moses from the tabernacle and ends with God's commands to Moses in the form of binding legislation. Chapters 1-16 explain how to have personal access to God through appropriate worship, while chapters 17-27 detail how to be spiritual acceptable to God through an obedient walk. (MacArthur)

God dwelled in the Holy of Holies, where the Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant was located, inside the Tabernacle. While in the midst of His people, this is where God abode. Verse 1 says that God spoke to Moses from there with some instructions.

From this sacred tent God is said to have spoken audibly with Moses and may indicate God's coming in a human form to communicate with Moses as He explains in Numbers 12:8 indicates. (Falwell)

So was God in the human form of Jesus  as He spoke to Moses? Good question. That's one we can ask Moses, but it sounds like that was how it happened, to me, that is. You can form your own opinion.

More important is, are we listening when God speaks to us?


LET IT GROW


Words repeated in Leviticus:

• holy or holiness-more than 80 times
• blood-88 times
• atonement (to cover)-45 times
• it shall be forgiven-10 times
• I am the LORD your God-23 times.  (Wiersbe)

Was God trying to get the point across to them and us? How important were the sacrifices for the peoples' sins? As important as eternity, for the blood of the animal meant they did not have to pay for their sins. The blood covered their sins, spiritually, because God cannot look upon sin. Jesus came to fulfill this law. His blood sacrifice covers our sins and makes us righteous in God's eyes, if we have asked Him to be our Savior. Have you, friend?


Israel's King (Jesus) had occupied His palace ( the Tabernacle), instituted His law, and declared Himself a covenant partner with His subjects. No geographical movement occurs in this book. The themes are the holy character of God and the will of God for Israel's holiness, mankind's sinfulness, and sacrifices. (MacArthur)

Do we recognize that God is holy? Do I seek God's will for our life? Are we ready, intending to do it when we know His will? Find it and do it.

Is the LORD your God?


LET IT GO

Pay attention to repeated words in God's Word.

Thank God that He provided a way for me to come to Him-His Son Jesus Christ.

Be grateful for Jesus taking my place, being my atonement, in payment for my sins.

Share this good news!

Outlaw or Inlaw

O. T. #264 "Outlaw or Inlaw"
Exodus Summary
April 9, 2014
The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.  Exodus 15:2

Sometimes, it is good to look back over my life. I do that every now and then. Am I accomplishing my goals? Am I walking closer to God than last year? What trials have I come through? Is my faith growing, stagnate, dead or alive?
One year for our family reunion, we had the theme "Outlaws and Inlaws". We even made wanted posters with each of the family member's picture on it, known as the outlaw, but not their spouse, the inlaw. Since I married into the family, I was considered an inlaw. So I thought, in God's family, am I an outlaw or an inlaw? I am an inlaw-one of His children. Enough said. I don't know what that has to do with this lesson, just thought I'd throw that in. But let's go back and review the latter part of Exodus.

According to Wiersbe, the symbolism found in Exodus includes:

• Moses as a picture of Jesus Christ. Moses became a prophet, priest, servant, shepherd, mediator, and deliverer.
• Egypt is a type of world system.
• Pharoah is a type of Satan, "god of this world"
• Israel is the picture of the church, delivered from the world
• Crossing of the Red Sea pictures the resurrection 
• Manna is a symbol of Christ as the Bread of Life
• Amalek refers to the flesh, opposing believers in pilgrim journey
• Passover pictures the death of Christ, His shed blood for our sins, the Lamb of God.

The nation of Israel grew from 70 men to 603,550 men, aged 20 and up, with a total of 2 million which departed Egypt. God had kept His promise to Abraham.

Chapters 19-24: Covenant and Ten commandments; feasts, Sabbaths

Chapters 25-31: Tabernacle plans and priesthood established

Chapters 32-35: Apostasy of Israel and Moses' intercession

Chapter 35-40: Tabernacle built and dedicated.

Lesson I have learned from the book of Exodus:

• Faith and obedience please God.
• God is my Savior and Redeemer.
• He keeps His promises.
• He wants to meet my needs, as Provider.
• God wants to indwell me.
• He will act on my behalf as my Protector.
• He is merciful, gracious, forgiving, and loving.
• God's ways are the best ways.
• He won't accept second place in my life, only first place.
• God listens when I talk to Him.
• Trust God; wait upon Him.

Although Israel kept sinning, God warned them of the consequences, He still forgave them. Of course, we have an advantage of being able to look forward, past the time in Exodus. The Israelites kept going in cycles, sinning, repenting, punished, obeying. don't we seem to be stuck in that same cycle, too?

LET IT GO

Walk by faith, not by sight.

Obey the Word of God and His Spirit.

Keep Jesus first in my life.

Remember, God keeps His promises.

Exodus Summary

O. T. #263  "Summary of Exodus"
April 8, 2014
Exodus Summary

Moses is not dead at the end of Exodus. In face, the rest of the Pentateuch, first five books of the Old Testament, were written by him. Leviticus tells about the offerings and the laws for the Israelites to observe. Numbers tells of Israel's travels in the wilderness through the final year of Moses' life, the fortieth year after the Exodus; about Israel's relationship with the LORD; instructions for life in the new land; the change of leadership, and Moses' death.

The Temple was actually not constructed until 480 years after Israel exited Egypt, and was by Solomon.

Summary of Exodus

Chapter 1: Bondage in Egypt for Israel
Chapter 2-4: Moses' birth, homicide, flight, marriage, call by God at the burning bush
Chapter 5-7: Meeting Pharoah
Chapter 7-12: Passover and ten plagues
Chapter 12-15: The Exodus
chapter 15-18 Journey to Mt. Sinai


LET IT GO

Review my life and give God the glory.
Remember my life has a purpose. Seek it and do it.

His Presence

O. T. #262  "His Presence"
April 7, 2014
Exodus 40-Part 2
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.   Exodus 40:34

LET IT GLOW

Moses finished the work and blessed it. the priest, Aaron and his sons, and Moses washed their hands and feet. Moses set up the curtain door. all was ready for the sacrificial system to begin.

Did it please God?
As a visible testimony of God's acceptance of their work-God's pillar cloud covered the tent of the congregation and His glory...filled the Tabernacle. the pillar of cloud was the visible indication of God's presence among His people. The glory was a bright resplendence of light difficult to look upon (Ex. 24:17; Ezk. 1:28)

God had kept His promise (33:14) and was certainly dwelling among His people. (verse 35)

No matter how expensive the Tabernacle was, with out the presence of God it was just another tent. The glory not resided in the Tabernacle, but it guided the Israelites on their pilgrim journey. When we speak of the shekina glory of God, we are referring to God's dwelling in the Tabernacle or temple. the Hebrew word, transliterated shekinah means dwelling of God, from the Hebrew word shakan whcih means to dwell.   (Wiersbe)

The glory and majesty of God is so great that the greatest and best men are unable to stand before Him. God is Light: our God is a consuming Fire. The Tabernacle was filled with these. Just as the burning bush wasn't consumed, so the curtains wee not consumed with this fire. yet so dazzling was the light, and so dreadful was the fire, that Moses was not aable to enter into the Tent of the congregation, at the door he was attending to, until the splendor and glory of the Lord retire within the veil. (verse 35)  Matthew Henry)


LET IT GROW

But what Moses could not do, in that he was weak through the flesh, our Lord Jesus has done, whom God caused to draw near and approach, and wh, as the Forerunner, is for us entered and has invited us to come boldly even to the Mercy-Seat. (Heb. 9:24; John 1:14)
Jesus is the true Tabernacle, filled with the glory of God. His Holy Spirit indwells us, believers, saved by His grace. We are to present our body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto god (Rom 12:1).


LET IT GO

Bow before the Lord Jesus as I pray.

Praise Him in all His holiness and glory.

Thank Him for His presence.

Movin' In

O. T. #261  "Movin' In"
April 4, 2014
Exodus 40-Part 1

LET IT GLOW

I can't count the number of times we have moved in the past 41 years on my fingers and toes. It was always an exciting time to move. However, in the past 16 years, we have moved twice. Oh, the stuff and junk we accumulate. I always feel at home whenever I get the kitchen settled in, everything put away and in its place. Movin' in can be a chore, but the excitement of a new house, new neighborhood, etc., what can compare? and so it was, I think, with the Israelites and Moses as they completed the making and building all that God wanted in the Tabernacle. Don't you think they took what would have been a chore and turned it into an exciting event? I do.

Can you believe we are in the last chapter of Exodus? Did you know it took us over 7 months to get here? What a long journey it must have been in the hot, dry desert. Do you recall that it had been a year since they left Egypt? Her it is 14 days prior to the Passover, and the Tabernacle was erected. Some had spent 6 months working on the furniture, curtains, and priests' garments. Now it was time to set up the tent and move it all in.

What did the movin' in involve?

• The frame, support, whatever it was called, and the curtains for the walls and door had to be put up in place, with the inner and outer courts established as directed by God, the Masterbuilder.
• The Holy Place was in the west and the courtyard entrance to the east. Pagan religions worshiped the sun god. All entered the courtyard and Israel's priests turned their backs to the rising sun as they came in to sacrifice and worship.(MacArthur)
• The Ark of the Testimony was specifically covered with a veil (verse 3). It was placed in the Holy of Holies room.
• Other furniture was placed inside (verse 3-5).

Moses was the chief overseer of building of the Tabernacle, since God gave him the blueprints and details.

With 22,000 Levites, (Num. 3:21-39) to help with the final erection, it was no doubt accomplished in less than a day. (verses 16-33)  (Falwell)

With everything in its proper place, Moses then anointed the structure and its contents and set it apart for the Lord. His final act of dedication was the consecration of Aaron and the priests (verses 13-16), which was followed by their presenting the sacrifices to the Lord (Lev. 8-9).  (Wiersbe)


LET IT GROW

Moses put the water in the Laver, bread on the Table of Showbread, oil in the Lamps before the Lord (verse 25). He lit the lamps before the Lord.

Moses, Aaron, and his sons (priests) washed their hands and feet. They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the alter. (verse 32)

Then Moses hung up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. Moses had finished the work. (verse 33)

Do we wash, body and soul, before entering our place of sacrifice and worship? Jesus blood does that when we repent, confessing our sins, asking for forgiveness. (1 John 1:9)


LET IT GO

Watch my attitude.

Love Jesus and serve Him daily.

Finished

O. T. #260 "Finished"
April 3, 2014
Exodus 39-Part 2
And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them. Exodus 39:43

LET IT GLOW

Finished. All done. What a load off the mind when something is impending and finally completed. I have several projects that I would like to say that about, don't you? Looking around, I see one in particular. It is a baby blanket for my new grandson, who will be one year old next month. Where did the time go? I meant to do it, get that blanket made for him before he walked. I better do it this month if that happens. So, I simply have other projects to do. Are you like me? Can you imagine the thrill that the Israelites experienced when everything was completed for the Tabernacle? What about the excitement of Moses?

Verse 32 states that all the work on the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. They brought all the items, from furniture to tent pegs, to priests' garment. Finally it all was done.
I wonder if they asked if they could move on, getting out of the wilderness. But, not just yet.

Liberty Bible Commentary has this to say about the rest of chapter 39:

Just as each item was important in God's service, so no item is omitted from mention in the final summary (one long sentence) of the finished products.Compare Numbers 7:1-89, where each tribe's offering to God is completely enumerated, though all were the same. God is interested in the the offerings and the work of each individual, no matter how small it may seem to others.

How faithful are we in the small things?

John 19:30 records some of Jesus' last words while on the cross, It is finished.

He had come to do the Father's will, and He completed it. Now Jesus sits on the right hand of the
Father, awaiting the time He can return to get His children, you and me.

LET IT GROW

Moses looked over all the work. He wanted to be certain that it met the specifications of God, before the
Tabernacle was assembled and furniture put in place.

Moses inspected the work and confirmed its successful completion. The term work is to be taken as the end result of professional and skilled craftsmen.  (MacArthur) 

How many times do we read the words about the work which was done, according to all that the LORD commanded Moses? I counted three verses-32, 42, and 43. Then Moses blessed them (verse 43), talking about Israel.

We must take care to do things God's way if we would seek His blessing. (Falwell)

By this act (blessing), Moses set his final and formal seal of approval on the outcome of their earnestness and diligence, and expressed his prayer-wish that good would result to them from their God. This is the only instance recorded in Exodus of Moses' pronouncing a blessing on his people. (MacArthur)

Other times of blessing mentioned are found in 20:11, 24; 23:25, and 12:32.
When we finish a project that the Lord has directed us to do, then He will bless the effort and work we put into it.

Are we doing His work or ours?


LET IT GO

Prioritize my projects, seeking the Lord's direction.

Do God's will, His way.

*I apologize for posting late, but I am having computer problems this week. Hopefully, it will be fixed by next week. Thanks for your patience. Please check back during the day for a posting if it is not there when you check. God bless.

An Act of Service

O. T. #259  "An Act of Service"
April 2, 2014
Exodus 38-39:31
And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. Exodus 39:30

LET IT GLOW


Can I be honest here? This Sunday will be my fifth Sunday morning in a row to lead Children's church. I am getting a little weary in my doing good, if you know what I mean. Oh, it's not that I don't enjoy the children, I do, but I miss worshiping with the adults. Having said that, Scripture comes to my mind. Colossians 3:17 and 23 tells me, whatever I do, I am to do it (and heartily) as unto the Lord, not unto men.

Each item placed in the Tabernacle was important in God's service. Each act of service is seen by the Lord. Who am I serving, self or the Lord? Yes, I need an attitude adjustment.

We have been talking abut the items made to be placed inside the Tabernacle. As I have said before scholars estimated this construction used nearly a ton of gold, about 3 3/4 of silver, and 2 1/4 tons of bronze. (Wiersbe)

Johnson has figured the amount of gold listed as 29 talents, 730 shekels, or about 40,940 ounces troy weight. At $500 per ounce that would translate into $20,470,000, an enormous sum in that day. The silver, though amounting to only about 141,000 ounces would be valued at about $7,000,000, figuring silver at $50 an ounce. (Falwell)

Reading through the detailed instructions of the furniture, we see that artistic skills can be dedicated to God and used for His glory. God's work requires different kinds of laborers. Do we have a willing heart to be used by God with whatever skills we have?

LET IT GROW

Aaron was the High Priest and his sons were other priests for the Israelites. Chapter 39 gives the descriptive details of the priestly holy garments to be worn during the performance of the priestly duties. Exodus 28 gives detailed comments of the materials and symbolic significance of the garments. (See my previous posts for these.)

Does it matter to God what we wear to worship services?: God required the priests to wear the best. Is He pleased with anything less from us?

The priests' garments are called cloths of service (verse 1). These holy garments were not made for men to sleep in, or to strut in, but to do service in them.

What does the New Testament have to say about garments?
Those who will come out of the Great Tribulation will have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  Rev. 7:15

The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible  states:

Christ is our High Priest; when He undertook the work of our redemption, He put on the cloths of service-He arrayed Himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit , which received not by measure-girded Himself with the curious girdle Himself with all God's spiritual Israel, bare them on His shoulders, carried them in His bosom, laid them near His heart, engraved them on the palms of His hands, and presented them in the breastplate of judgment unto His Father. True believers are spiritual priests. The clean linen with which all the cloths of service must be made, is the righteousness of saints and Holiness to the Lord (Rev. 19:8) must be so written upon their foreheads, that all who converse with them, may see, and say, that they bear the image of God's holiness, and are devoted to the praise of it.

Are we clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ?
Are we bearing witness of His love, forgiveness, holiness, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness?


LET IT GO

Be the written Word to others.

Be the hands, feet, and tongue of Jesus to others.

Watch what I say, do, and where I go, for others are watching me.

Curtains

O.T. #258 "Curtains"
April 1, 2014
Exodus 38

These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of Testimony, which were recorded at Moses' command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar, son of Aaron, the priest. Exodus 38:21

LET IT GLOW

Recently, I purchased a comforter set and curtains for our bedroom. I had to measure the window so I got the right size. Did you know that the Bible mentions curtains? Read on for details.


The dimension of the courtyard of the Tabernacle, bordered by curtains and poles, was 150 feet by 75 feet. Entry into the courtyard was not freely gained from all quarters. There was only one way to enter, by the gate. (MacArthur)

In John 10:9, Jesus said, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Have you entered the Door?
Do you know Jesus, the Door to heaven?

LET IT GROW


The Levites were put in charge of the gold, silver, and bronze used in the Tabernacle. Ithamar, Aaron's son, was responsible for totaling it all. The total number of men 20 years and older, was 603,550. Don't you know that was quite a task? He was a very responsible person. (Num. 4:28,33)

Are you considered a responsible person?
Would others trust you with their money?

LET IT GO


 Trust Jesus to be my door to heaven.

 Be a trustworthy person.

Abilities

O.T.#257  "Abilities"
March 31, 2014
Exodus 37-Part 1
And Bezaleel made...    Exodus 37:1

LET IT GLOW



What abilities do you have? Can you play the play a musical instrument? Sing, drama, clean, cook, serve? Are you thinking that you have none? It isn't so. Read on.

In this chapter, we read of the plans for the Tabernacle which God gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai the second tine. (See chapter 25 for the original instructions.) The construction took about six months.

Verse 1 states : And Bezaleel  made...

Remember now, he was one of the two guys that God gave wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary according to all that the LORD commanded. (36:1) They were faithful in constructing the Tabernacle, where sacrifices were made for the sins of the Israelites, and where God dwelled at the Mercy Seat.

Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, said:

Only you can be you. God designed each of us so there would be no duplication in the world. "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well." (Romans 12:6a) God has a place in His church where your specialties can shine and you can make a difference. It's up to you to find that place.

 Are we willing to do His will?


LET IT GROW

Did you notice that God is in the specific details of the Tabernacle?
Is He giving you specific details in your life?
Are you asking?

LET IT GO


Trust God for the details.

Let Him use my abilities.

Fathful Workers

O. T. #256 "Faithful Workers"
March 28, 2014
Exodus 36-Part 1
Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.  Exodus 36:1

LET IT GLOW

Verse 1 is a review. Bealeel and Aholiab were called by God to do and oversee the work the work required for constructing the Tabernacle and the priests garments. (35:30-35) They would follow the details which God gave to Moses. Every skilled worker to whom the LORD had given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work set to do it.

In this chapter, we read the descriptions of the men helping in the construction as being:

• wise hearted, which means to become a Judean; Judaize; live as a Jew;
• one in whom  the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary;
• faithful to follow all that the LORD had commanded;
• a man whose heart was stirred up to do the work

When God had qualified them for the work, then they applied themselves to it. The talents we are entrusted  with must no be laid up, but laid out; not hid in a napkin, but traded with. What have we all our gifts for, but to do good with them?  (Matthew Henry)

The workers began when Moses called them to begin.

Our church has been in the process of building a new sanctuary with classroom for a couple of years. We are blessed with members who have as their profession and hobby-electrical, construction, wall installation, artistic painting, woodwork (stairs, prayer benches), beams, and landscaping. These guys give instructions to helpers, as well as doing work themselves. They have been giving their time on Saturdays to help in the construction. Because of their volunteer labor, they are saving the church a lot of money. Certainly, we are blessed.

Our volunteer painters have had to wait until the walls were put up, mudded, and readied before the painting could begin. They have spent time painting the walls in the classrooms and offices. We have an elementary art teacher who is drawing and painting Noah's Ark and the animals in our nursery and toddler room. I told you we are blessed.

I have served on the new building committee for about five years now. We have visited other sanctuaries, employed architects, picked out carpet, roof, fixtures, whatever is needed. (We pray for God's leadership in what pleases Him.) I did not realize there was so much that went into building a new building, much less a new sanctuary.

Not only is there the physical building where the church meets, but there is also the people, called the church. We have teachers, deacons, directors, and a pastor.

Are we doing our part in reaching people with the gospel of Jesus?
Are we willing to do God's work when He calls us to a task?
Are we faithful in building up the spiritual house of our people?
Are we faithful to complete it?


LET IT GROW

Verse 3 tells us that the people, Israelites, continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.

Are we faithful to bring our offerings of praise and thanksgiving, prayers, our self as a servant surrender unto the Lord each morning?
God's grace is free; His compassions are new each morning.

LET IT GO

Be a faithful servant to the Lord Jesus.

Give myself to the Lord's work.

Spend time with my heavenly Father in personal worship each morning.

Be ready when God's time is right.

Willing Hearts

O. T. #255  "Willing Hearts"
March 27, 2014
Exodus 35-Part 1
From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of ...     Exodus 35:5

LET IT GLOW

Are we giving people? Do we give to meet needs of others? Are our hands open when God wants to use something we have? Is our heart open to give? Do we have a willing heart? Things to think about.
 
After being on the mountain forty days without food and water, Moses came down to the people. He gathered the children of Israel together and gave the Sabbath regulations to them:

• These are the words the LORD commanded them to do.
• They were to work six days, but not on the seventh.
• They were to treat the seventh day as their holy day.
• It was to be their Sabbath day of rest to the LORD.
• Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.
• They were told to not even light a fire in their dwellings on the Sabbath day.

Moses had already told the people that God wanted their willing gifts so that the tabernacle could be built (25:1-8). What grace that God would accept gifts from a people who had disobeyed Him and grieved His heart. This was the Lord's offering, so they wanted to give their best. In fact, they gave so
much that Moses had to stop them from bringing more (36:4-7). (Wersbe)

The offering of the LORD was to be given by those who possessed a willing hear. One who gives out of a feeling of group pressure, or for any other reason, ought not give at all. They were to bring precious metals, cloths, skins, and lumber, olive oil, and precious stones. (Falwell)

Have you accepted grace from the Lord? He is willing to give it. He has already paid for it, so it is free to us. We don't deserve it, but He still offers it, even when we disobey.
 

LET IT GROW

The Holy Spirit gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the wisdom to know what to do and the ability to do it. They also taught others how to assist them. They were to construct the Tabernacle and make the priests' special garments.

Scholars estimated the construction of the Tabernacle used a ton of gold, 3/4 tons of silver, and 2 1/4 tons bronze.  (Wiersbe)

Do we use our talents to honor God?
Are we willing to use our stuff for kingdom work?

LET IT GO

Keep the Lord's Day holy.

Use my talents and abilities to honor God.

Candlelight

O. T. #254  "Candlelight"
March 26, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 5
When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. Exodus 34:30

LET IT GLOW

Do we light a candle and hide it? No, I light candles so it can give light. (Some candles have a nice scent.) Several times out electricity has gone off and I had use the candles for a light source. Moses' face shone for a while. Read on to find out the details.

The laws were repeated to Moses a second time on Mt. Sinai by God. Perhaps it was due to the
situation with the golden calf and the breaking of the stones on which the Ten Commandments were written. Maybe due that event, frustration caused Moses to forget what he had seen and heard before. Whatever the reason, we know that Moses wrote the Pentateuch, first five books of the Bible.

Verse 26 is a reminder for the children of Israel, when they are living in the Promised Land, to bring their first fruits of their crops into the house of the LORD their God as a sacrifice.

Do we give God the first of our fruits by writing the first check to the church?
It is a matter of worship and attitude.

Christ is the firstfruit, the first born, the first to rise from the dead. (1 Cor. 15:23; Rev. 1:5)
We are the firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:18)

How often do we worship our Creator?
Are we giving Him the first of our day?

LET IT GROW

What else do we learn?

• Moses was with the LORD 40 days and 40 nights without bread or water.
• Moses wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.
• Moses' face did shone brightly as it had after the first trip up the mountain. It was the glory of God reflecting upon him.
• He wore a veil on his face after talking to the men, Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation after returning to them.
• Moses removed the veil when talking with God.

Jesus was the reflection of God with His life.
Are we letting out light, God's love, shine before people?

LET IT GO

Honor God with my firsts.

Let Christ shine I my life.

*Please excuse my lateness. Pop ups kept interfering with my writing, so I had to stop and work on deleting them.

I Give Up

O. T. #253  "I Give Up"
March 25, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 4
For I will... Exodus 34:23

LET IT GLOW

Can I open my hand and release control of it to God? Will I turn it over to Him? Lay it at His feet? Do I believe that God knows what is best? Am I willing to trust Him with it?

We are either in the midst of a problem, have just come out of one, or are waiting to go into one.
Do I give up, forget it, turn my back, say it's not worth it, or do I give it up to God to solve?

The good news is that I am not alone. You are not alone. Are we are trusting God to do what is best, on His timetable, in His own way? Can we let go of this? Can I let go of this?

Open your hand and release it, now. Yes, Lord. Here. I give it up to You.


We are continuing to read of the instructions God gave to Moses while on Mt. Sinai a second time.
In verse 24, God gives Israel some promises:

• He will cast out, drive out nations that are in Israel's way to the Promised Land and those possessing it.
• He will enlarge their territory.
• No one will covet their land.

These are conditional, and will happen if:
all their men will go up three times a year to appear before the LORD God.

Requiring all males to be present for three specified feasts at a central sanctuary would have had a socially and religiously uniting effect on the nation. The men must trust the Lord to protect their landholdings while on pilgrimage to the tabernacle. All three feasts were joyful occasions, being a commemoration of the Exodus (the Feast of Unleavened Bread), expression of gratitude to God for all the grain He had provide (the feast of Harvest, feast of Weeks, or Firstfruits ), and  thanksgiving for the final harvest (the feast of Ingathering, Feasts of the Tabernacles or Booths). (MacArthur)

Do we appear before God three times a day in prayer?
Are we united as a church in our giving?
Do we thank God for His provisions?
Is it with a heart of gratitude or just words we say when others are around or watching?
God has been so very faithful to me. How about you?
Great is His faithfulness, morning by morning.

LET IT GROW

What else was an instruction for Israel?

•  to offer the blood sacrifice along without anything containing yeast (Ex. 23:18;12:8);
•  to not let any of the Passover Feast sacrifice remain until morning. (verse 25)

Leaven, yeast, is a picture of sin in the Bible. Sacrifices were to not contain yeast. Sin is unacceptable to God.

Do we remember when God delivered our soul?
What are we offering to God? He gave His all for us.

LET IT GO

In her devotional book, Jesus Calling, Sarah Young says:

This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in God's Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of His Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into God's care.

Let it go, Linda.

Let it go, friend.

 

Redeeming Stamps, Redeeming Souls

O. T. #252  "Redeeming Stamps, Redeeming Souls"
March 24, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 3
All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem.  Exodus 34:20b

LET IT GLOW

Forty years ago I would redeem green stamps that I had collected from merchants throughout the year. I would lick the stamps and place them in special books. Then I would take them to the special store and get merchandise in exchange for the books filled with stamps. The stamps were used in place of money. We have a Redeemer who took our place in payment for our sins. It is Jesus Christ. Have you asked Him to be your Redeemer?

Moses is still on Mt. Sinai, conversing with the LORD God, getting the tablets again. We previously read where God prohibited Israel making false gods. What else did He instruct?

• Keep and celebrate the Feast of the Unleavened Bread by eating bread without yeast, leaven, for 7 days, at the appointed time. This was the Passover, where the first born of the Egyptians died, but the first born of the Israelites, safe under the blooded door post, lived. Israel's firstborn son belonged to the Lord. (verses 18-20)
• The firstborn ox, cattle, and sheep belonged to the LORD. They could redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb. If it was not redeemed, the donkey's neck was to be broken. (Aren't we like donkeys, in need of the Lamb of God as our Redeemer?)
•  They could redeem their first born son. (verse 19)

Christ was referred to as Mary's firstborn, in Luke 2:7.
Who is our Redeemer?
Paul says in Galatians 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Titus 2:14 says, Who gave himself  (Jesus Christ) for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

Isaiah 41:14 states, Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Romans 3:23-24 tell us For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:14 reminds us, In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Do you know this redeemer? Jesus loves you so much that He came to redeem you, pay the price for our sins so we don't have to.

LET IT GROW

In verse 21, God told the Israelites to strictly observe the Sabbath. they were to work six days and rest on the seventh, even during the harvest time. God was concerned for our physical rest and well-being.

Do we rest and worship our Savior on the Lord's Day? Or is Sunday like any other day of the week?
What are we teaching our family?

LET IT GO

Take a day off, rest, read the Bible, go to worship on Sunday.

Thank Jesus for redeeming my soul.

Jealousy

O. T. #251  "Jealousy"
March 21, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 2
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 34:14

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been jealous of someone or something? I have been jealous when my loved one spent too much time with another, giving their attention or showing love or kindness to another instead of me. Yep, jealous can raise its ugly head. It tries to divide, destroy, or kill relationships. I have to guard myself against it, by loving others more than myself. By seeing things as the truth not lies.
Did you read in our key verse that God is a Jealous God? Read on, friend to find out what makes Him jealous.

We left Moses bowed on his knees, head on the ground, bent in worship of the One True Living God.
Excuse me while I, too, get on my knees in praise, prayer, and worship of El Shaddai, Eloheim, Yhwh, Jehovah. Will you join me?


How humbling it is when I recognize that I commune with the LORD God who created this universe. He who listens to me personally, a sinner, living on this country road, up in the hills. A backwoods, southern ragmuffin country gal that God loves, I am indeed. And o you are loved also. Did you take a moment to speak with your Savior today?

Let's look again at Moses, up on the mountain a second time for 40 days visiting with God, receiving the Ten Commandments again.
What does Moses say first?

• He calls Jesus Lord, which is Adonuy (ad-o-noy') in Hebrew, that we say Adonai, meaning sovereign, controller, lord, master, owner.
• Let my Lord, I pray Thee, go among us. (He is referring to their trip into the Promised Land.)
• He confesses that Israel is a stiffnecked people. (They don't bow easily.)
• Pardon our iniquity (wickedness) and our sin. (Moses is including himself.)
• Take us for Your inheritance, which means to occupy; divide possession, estate, portion.

How did God answer? He will make a covenant.
The covenant has previously been given, accepted, and ratified by the eating of the covenant meal (Ex. 19:3-11). But it had been broken in the golden calf incident. Here God renews the covenant with Israel.  (Falwell)

• Before the people, God will do marvels, which means marvelous miracles, wonderous things, never done in any nation in all the world.
• The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. (NIV)
• Obey what I command you to do today.
• He will drive out all those -ites listed in verse 11.
• Don't make a treaty or covenant with those inhabitants of the land where you're going, lest they be a snare to you.
• Destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.
• Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Jealous, in Webster's Dictionary, refers to preference given to another; suspicious in love.[means envious  in Strong's Concordance]

Do we share the marvelous things God has done for us?
Do we give Him all our allegiance?
Have we compromised our Christian beliefs with other religions in order to keep peace in America?
Do we make God jealous of the others in our life?

LET IT GROW

In verses 15-17, God cautions Israel of religious compromise.

The questionings of one generation can become the doctrine of the next, and one's dabbling in sin can become another's habitual practice. (Falwell)

Can God be any plainer in saying not to become involved with the idol worshipers of the land where Israel is going? Also, don't intermarry. Do not make idols.

We will read of more instructions next time.

As we try to witness to others, be careful to protect your heart from their false doctrine. They will come to your door and try to persuade you into their false worship. Hold up Jesus and His Word, then leave.

LET IT GO

of anything and everything and love God with all my heart, soul, and mind.

and worship only God through Jesus.

Broken Words, Fresh Starts

OT. #250  "Broken Words, Fresh Starts
March 20, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 1
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.  Exodus 34:6

LET IT GLOW

Like Moses, I, too, have broken tablets. I have broken the Ten Commandments, God's Word. Yes, Sir, I have and You know when, where, and why I did each one. Just as You saw Moses literally throw them down to the ground, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, in anger that was waxed hot, (chapter 32) so in sin I break them. You pick up the pieces of my life and forgivingly hand them to me again. To start over again with a fresh start. I know which ones I need to work on. You don't have to say a word or point them out. I know and You know.
It's a new day to start over, fresh, loving and forgiving others as Jesus did me. God will write these again upon my heart instead of  on tablets. I remember them.
Which ones have you broken? Have you broken God's Word? Forgiveness is waiting to pick them up and hand them to you for a fresh start.

What happened in chapter 34?

• Moses chiseled out two stones like the first ones, as he was instructed. (verse 1,4)
• He went up early in the morning, as God had commanded, carrying the two stones in his hands. (verse 4) [Reminds me of Abraham and Isaac carrying wood up the mountain for the burnt offering.]
• Moses returned for another 40 days with God on the mountain (verses 28; Deut. 9:18, 25).
• God came down, descended in a cloud.
• God, in the second person of the Trinity, stood there with Moses.
• He proclaimed His name-the LORD.

In verse 5, LORD, the Hebrew word is Yhovah (yeh-ho-vow'), meaning the Self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, the Lord.

Are we thankful when God gives us a second chance? When He forgives us again and again?

LET IT GROW

God, the second person of the Trinity, came down and walked before Moses, though shrouded in a glorious brightness such as He had during the transfiguration (Matt. 17:2). (Falwell)

What was Jesus proclaiming in verses 6-7?
The LORD, The LORD God is:

• merciful
• gracious,
• longsuffering,
• abundant in goodness and truth.
• keeping mercy for thousands;
• forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin;
• that by no means clears the guilty;
• visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (King James Version)
• compassionate,
• gracious,
• slow to anger,
• abounding in love and faithfulness,
• maintaining love to thousands,
• forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin;
• does not leave the guilty unpunished;
• He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (New International Version)

Moses learned something of God's attributes, especially His mercy and forgiveness, as well as His holiness, righteousness, and judgment.  (Falwell)

Can we thank Him enough? Can we praise Him enough?
Have you experience God's mercy and compassion?
When we do, we should be like Moses by bowing to the ground at once and worship Him. (verse 8)

LET IT GO

Whatever holds me back, let go of it and let God...

Whenever I experience God's forgiveness, bow down and worship Him.

In the Cleft of the Rock

O. T. #249  "In the Cleft of the Rock"
March 19, 2014
Exodus 33-Part 4
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.   Exodus 33:22

LET IT GLOW

During our family reunion one hot summer, we all went walking on a hiking trail. Sweating, hot, tired, we found relief in the cleft of the rock which was beside a small waterfall. What a cool relief; a place of relaxation, a refuge from the heat of the hot summer sun.
Our hymn book at church has a couple of songs about the cleft of the rock in which Moses stood as God in all His glory passed in front of him. It was a place of refuge. Can you picture it? Hold that thought as we continue this chapter.

We have seen Moses as the intercessor, mediator, and now as the worshiper. Moses had been promised that God's presence would go with Israel into the Promised Land. But was that enough?
Moses found grace in God's sight and He knows Moses by name.

Moses desired a further, fuller knowledge of God and so requested show me thy glory. What follows is an account of God coming down in the form of a man to appear gloriously and visibly before Moses. But the glory and splendor was so great that God had to shield Moses' view with His hand, so that Moses would not see the fuller essence of God's glory as it shone from His face and would only see God's back parts. This Christophany was to occur upon Mount Sinai the next day. (Falwell)

Moses wanted a new vision of the glory of God. God's goodness means His character and attributes. The word back carries the idea of "what remains," that is, the afterglow of the glory of God-what was "left over" after God passed by. God is spirit. (Wiersbe)

Do we desire more of God in our heart? In our life? In our family? In our neighborhood? In our church?
Do we desire to see Him working around us?
Are we looking for Him today?

LET IT GROW

God agrees to show Himself, His glory to Moses by:

• putting Moses in the clift/cleft of the rock;
• covering Moses with God's hand until He passed by;
• removing His hand so Moses could see God's back;
• without seeing God's face.

In Hebrew, the word for clift means a fissure. (Strong's Concordance)
According to Webster's Dictionary, a fissure is a crack or cleft; a cleft is a crack, crevice, split.

There is a town in the south west corner of  Missouri, named Noel (pronounced with a long o). As you drive along the highway on the outskirts of town, your car will pass under a huge rock hanging over the road. Most of the time water drips off of it. What a beautiful sight to see and experience, being in the cleft of the rock.

When we need it in our life, we can find shelter from a storm, safety from our enemies, comfort from distress, and relief from temptations when we get into God's cleft of the rock. There, God can pass by to reassure us that He is in control. He can bring us whatever we need at the moment. Such a loving and compassionate God we have!

Will you join Him there in the cleft of the rock the next time you need it? He is waiting for you.

LET IT GO

Come into the cleft of the rock, for Jesus is my Rock.

Watch and listen as He passes by.

Thank Him!

He Hideth My Soul by Fannie Crosby:

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, A wonder Savior to me; He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, Where rivers of pleasure I see.

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, He taketh my burden away; He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved, He giveth me strength as my day.

With numberless blesssings each moment He crowns, and filled with His fullness divine, I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God For such a Redeemer as mine!

when clothed in His brightness, transported I rise To meet Him in clouds of the sky, His perfect salvation, His wonderful love, I'll shout with the millions on high.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock That shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love, And covers me there with His hand, And covers me there with His hand.

Questions

O. T. #248  "Questions"
March 18, 2014
Exodus 33-Part 3
How will anyone know...Exodus 33:17 NIV

LET IT GLOW

Are you like me in that you and I  have questions for God? Mostly, my questions pertain to the future revolving around my little world. Why not ask Him? The answer may be yes, no, not now, wait until the right time comes. Such secrets lie with God, not man, not a fortune teller, only God. Faith is what I need as I walk on this path, this journey of life, taking it step-by-step with Jesus.
What is God's will for me? for my family? for my church? So many questions unanswered. But that's
okay. I don't walk by sight.

It was as though the rest of the chapter was filled with questions:

• Who is God sending with Moses as he leads Israel to conquer the Promised Land?
• Did Moses find favor in God's sight?
• Did God show Moses His ways?
• Is God's presence going with Moses and Israel after all?
• How shall Moses finding favor in God be known?
• Isn't it this favor evidenced by God's presence?
• Is it not in God going with them, that distinguishes Israel from the rest of the people on earth?

LET IT GROW

What does the future hold for Israel? What does the Promised Land hold for Israel?

• Success in every venture. Greatest achievements accomplished. Victory.
• Power to conquer the land. No army could stop them. No city wall could stop them.
• Wealth in the conquering of those cities. Obtaining possession of the enemies.

God said that they were an obstinate people, and He would not go with them when their hearts were far from Him. (Blackaby)


If You aren't going with us, don't bring us up from here.
The only thing missing would be God's presence. Moses valued God's presence, fellowship, and relationship. He didn't want it to be over, but to continue.

Moses continued to intercede for Israel.

If I have found grace in Your sight.
The Hebrew word in this chapter for grace, khane, refers to graciousness, kindness, well favored.
(Strong's Concordance)

We can relax-in verse 17, the LORD reassures Moses that he had found God's grace and God knew him by name. Moses and Jehovah finally reached an agreement.
God was going with Israel and Moses on their journey to the Promised Land.

Did you notice that God knew Moses by name and told him so? Do you think He knows us by name, also?

Are there some things you are not sure of?


LET IT GO

Ask God for answers to my questions.

Trust in His grace, for He is gracious.

Relax, God knows me by name.

How to Talk to Friends

O. T. #247  "How to Talk to Friends"
March 17, 2014
Exodus 33-Part 2
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.  Exodus 33:11

LET IT GLOW

When I was a child, we had a rotary dial phone connected to a party line. When I wanted to  talk to a friend, I had to make sure the line was clear. On a party line, neighbors could hear our conversation and we could hear theirs, just by being on the phone at the same time. So the best way to talk with my friends was face to face, if it was a private conversation.
Today, we have several means of communication-text, cell phone, email, land phone, Facebook, and snail mail (an envelop with a stamp). Moses did not have those modern technologies, as he talked with God. Read on to find out about their communication back in the Old Testament days.

Moses took the tent of meeting, the tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the congregation, as it was called, and pitched it outside the camp some distance away. There he set it up. It was used only for one purpose-a place to meet with God. And that is where Moses met with God. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.
Verse 7b says, Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.
Yet, we only read of Moses and Joshua going inside. Were the people too scared to enter, although they were allowed? Where was Aaron?

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. (verse 11)

Face to face may mean in open, apparent ways rather than through dreams and visions (Num.12:6-8); or it may include seeing the similitude (temunah in Hebrew) of the Lord. (Falwell)

Similitude means manifestation; likeness. (Strong's Concordance)

So I wonder if Moses conversed with Jesus in human form? Guess I can ask him one day in heaven.

Do we have a special tent, a room, a church building, a special place where we meet with God?


LET IT GROW

Do you recall that 3,000 of the Israelites who worshiped the golden calf idol died by the swards of the Levites. (God instructed them to do so.) Those who lived, I call survivors.
Can you imagine how these people felt experiencing such an event and living? Wouldn't it shake us up, wake us up, stand us up? God holds our life in the palms of His hands.

What did the surviving people do?

• All the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. (verse 8)
• Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. (verse 10)

Do we stand at the reading of God's Word, showing respect? How do we show respect to our pastor?
Do we stand when he enters the worship service?

LET IT GO

...of any idols or things which are more important than God.
...of my pride.
...of my time and spend it with God.
...and show respect to the men of God.