Leviticus 5:11 But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he may bring two quarts of fine flour as an offering for his sin. (HCSB)
If you are familiar with this chapter in Leviticus, then you know it deals with the requirements for a sin offering. God is very specific about the requirements, but then he puts in this verse that makes an allowance for the poor. I love the way God allows those who can't afford something to still be acceptable in His sight. He later tells David rather than material offerings He prefers a contrite heart.
There is always a way where God is concerned. After all He told us He is the Way!
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
May 30, 2015
I Kings 8:22, 54. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 54- When Solomon finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up from kneeling before the altar of the LORD, with his hands spread out toward heaven... (HCSB)
The prayer between these two verses is definitely worth reading. It says a great deal about the LORD and His faithfulness to His people. But what is so interesting to me is that Solomon begins the prayer "standing" and by the end of it He has "fallen to his knees." It makes a statement to me. It is indicative of a humbleness that results from speaking with the Creator of the universe. I love it!
Will you humble yourself and get on your knees and talk to your Father.
The prayer between these two verses is definitely worth reading. It says a great deal about the LORD and His faithfulness to His people. But what is so interesting to me is that Solomon begins the prayer "standing" and by the end of it He has "fallen to his knees." It makes a statement to me. It is indicative of a humbleness that results from speaking with the Creator of the universe. I love it!
Will you humble yourself and get on your knees and talk to your Father.
Friday, May 29, 2015
May 29, 2015
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things in Your instruction. (ESV)
This is a great prayer to say before you begin reading God's Word. If we go into the Word with our mind and eyes closed to what God has to say, we will come away frustrated. Look for the wonder in His Word.
Every time I read God's Word with the expectation of hearing from Him, I am not disappointed. He never fails to show up. Give Him a chance today.
This is a great prayer to say before you begin reading God's Word. If we go into the Word with our mind and eyes closed to what God has to say, we will come away frustrated. Look for the wonder in His Word.
Every time I read God's Word with the expectation of hearing from Him, I am not disappointed. He never fails to show up. Give Him a chance today.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
May 28, 2014
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (ESV)
Today as I was preparing my sermon for this coming Sunday (Trinity Sunday), I was struck by all the threes I find in the Bible. I have read that the number 3 is a number of completion. If you look at the first verse in the Bible we find the Trinity related in the Hebrew word for God (Elohim). Then we see that this was the beginning of TIME, and the beginning of the heavens (SPACE), and the earth (MATTER).
Looking at these : time is made up of the past, present and the future.
space is made up of depth, width, and height
matter is made up of solid, liquid and gas.
The threes continue in man - body, soul and spirit.
It keeps on going. I urge you to give it a look and study.
I have a lot more info than I need for Sunday's sermon. Praise God!
Today as I was preparing my sermon for this coming Sunday (Trinity Sunday), I was struck by all the threes I find in the Bible. I have read that the number 3 is a number of completion. If you look at the first verse in the Bible we find the Trinity related in the Hebrew word for God (Elohim). Then we see that this was the beginning of TIME, and the beginning of the heavens (SPACE), and the earth (MATTER).
Looking at these : time is made up of the past, present and the future.
space is made up of depth, width, and height
matter is made up of solid, liquid and gas.
The threes continue in man - body, soul and spirit.
It keeps on going. I urge you to give it a look and study.
I have a lot more info than I need for Sunday's sermon. Praise God!
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
May 27, 2015
Psalm 139:13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. (ESV)
My mother was in her late 40's when she had me. I was a surprise, and she didn't want to take me home from the hospital. Daddy and the doctor finally convinced her she had to, and she came to love me and was always good to me. I remember, more often than not, when I would get introduced they would refer to me as their little mistake. Though I know they didn't mean it to be mean, the thought permeated my brain, until I started to believe it. I carried this thought with me for several years.
I remember the day I read the above verse. What a day that was for me! I realized I was no mistake. God had intended for me to not only be born, but He and His wondrous hand had fashioned me in my mother's womb. This changed my whole life.
I am so thankful for the Word of God and the truths it conveys to us. I don't know what misconceptions you may be carrying about with you as extra baggage, but I urge you to get into the Word of God and find the truth. His word is living and can change your life, and because of His love, it will be for your good.
My mother was in her late 40's when she had me. I was a surprise, and she didn't want to take me home from the hospital. Daddy and the doctor finally convinced her she had to, and she came to love me and was always good to me. I remember, more often than not, when I would get introduced they would refer to me as their little mistake. Though I know they didn't mean it to be mean, the thought permeated my brain, until I started to believe it. I carried this thought with me for several years.
I remember the day I read the above verse. What a day that was for me! I realized I was no mistake. God had intended for me to not only be born, but He and His wondrous hand had fashioned me in my mother's womb. This changed my whole life.
I am so thankful for the Word of God and the truths it conveys to us. I don't know what misconceptions you may be carrying about with you as extra baggage, but I urge you to get into the Word of God and find the truth. His word is living and can change your life, and because of His love, it will be for your good.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
May 26, 2015
Psalm 5:3 At daybreak, LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly. (HCSB)
The way this Psalm repeats the phrase "at daybreak," it literally means - day after day. So, this person is daily praying to the LORD, and it is early in the morning. What an awesome way to begin one's day. One advantage of praying early in the morning is that you can put the day before the Lord. You can tell Him the things you are up against in your day. You can pray for others you might have to interact with during the day. You can ask the Lord to have His good and mighty hand on your life for the day. The list goes on and on, but the best part of the verse is the ending.....and watch expectantly.
Once you have placed your concerns and issues before the Lord early in the day, you can look heavenward and just wait on Him to intervene in your day! What a great way to spend your day!
The way this Psalm repeats the phrase "at daybreak," it literally means - day after day. So, this person is daily praying to the LORD, and it is early in the morning. What an awesome way to begin one's day. One advantage of praying early in the morning is that you can put the day before the Lord. You can tell Him the things you are up against in your day. You can pray for others you might have to interact with during the day. You can ask the Lord to have His good and mighty hand on your life for the day. The list goes on and on, but the best part of the verse is the ending.....and watch expectantly.
Once you have placed your concerns and issues before the Lord early in the day, you can look heavenward and just wait on Him to intervene in your day! What a great way to spend your day!
Monday, May 25, 2015
May 25, 2015
Mark 14:8a She has done what she could. (ESV)
This passage is talking about when the woman anoints Jesus's head in Bethany before His burial. Later in the passage it says that what she has done will be told in memory ( or as a memorial ) of her.
I was thinking about this yesterday as we were celebrating Memorial Day. Generally in the Bible memorials followed big events such as Passover or when the Israelites crossed the Jordan and they were told to place 12 stones as a memorial. This verse in Mark is speaking of a singular person doing what she could. I believe this applies to our soldiers who lost their lives in their fight for freedom for our Country or others. They did what they could and in many cases they gave all they could: their very lives.
Yesterday at church we tried to find ways to honor those who have served in the armed services, but it seems we can never do enough in light of what they did. If you know someone who has served our country, I urge you to call them today and say, "Thank you." And let's vow to never forget that our freedom was anything but free..... it cost some dearly.
This passage is talking about when the woman anoints Jesus's head in Bethany before His burial. Later in the passage it says that what she has done will be told in memory ( or as a memorial ) of her.
I was thinking about this yesterday as we were celebrating Memorial Day. Generally in the Bible memorials followed big events such as Passover or when the Israelites crossed the Jordan and they were told to place 12 stones as a memorial. This verse in Mark is speaking of a singular person doing what she could. I believe this applies to our soldiers who lost their lives in their fight for freedom for our Country or others. They did what they could and in many cases they gave all they could: their very lives.
Yesterday at church we tried to find ways to honor those who have served in the armed services, but it seems we can never do enough in light of what they did. If you know someone who has served our country, I urge you to call them today and say, "Thank you." And let's vow to never forget that our freedom was anything but free..... it cost some dearly.
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