Sin Sacrifice

S.  " 'If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the Lord a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.4 He is to present the bull at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the Lord. He is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it before the Lord.5 Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull's blood and carry it into the Tent of Meeting.6 He is to dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before the Lord, in front of the curtain of the sanctuary.7 The priest shall then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the Lord in the Tent of Meeting. The rest of the bull's blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.8 He shall remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offering—the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them,9 both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys—10 just as the fat is removed from the ox sacrificed as a fellowship offering. Then the priest shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering.11 But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, as well as the head and legs, the inner parts and offal—12 that is, all the rest of the bull—he must take outside the camp to a place ceremonially clean, where the ashes are thrown, and burn it in a wood fire on the ash heap." (Leviticus 4: 3-12, NIV)

O. I don't normally use a scripture this long, but I was so taken by the procedure for offering a sacrifice for individual sin. There are so many steps and some much blood and guts. The first thing that came to my mind was the length of time it would take. I can image that the priest was either "doing his duty" or offering prayers for the sin for which he is making atonement. Each step has significance…and was essential for the sacrifice to be acceptable. I also thought about how gruesome the act of sacrifice is to complete. I for one would not like all the blood! But there was an innocent life taken to make restitution for sin.

Reading this made me think of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. It made me think of how brutal Jesus' death was and how he was the innocent life that was broken for me. It made me realize how much I appreciate the sacrifice the Jesus made for me! Wow! He was broken for me. And then it hit me…how many times do I not take the time to think about Jesus' sacrifice? How many times does my sin just slip away and I never come to the place where I realize the price that was paid for my life…for my forgiveness…for my healing! Oh God, for forgive me when I take for granted the sacrifice you made through your Son Jesus for me.

A. Today, I am just filled with awe and wonder at all that Jesus did for me. I will life my life today in the shadow of the cross and be filled with love and gratitude to Jesus for his indescribable gift to me.

P. Lord Jesus, you gave your life for me…I offer my life to you today. Thank you for the sacrifice of your life…I came in humble gratitude for the forgivness that you offer me today. Amen.

Darkness to Light

S. "Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun."
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand." Acts 13: 11, NIV

O. The reality of spiritual blindness is all around us. This verse describes Paul's encounter with Elymas the sorcerer. Paul confronts him with the truth of his spiritual blindness…his life stood against God and was filled with evil…and Paul calls him out. Then Elymas is blinded and looks for guidance. You see, sin is want blinds me…sin causes me to walk around in black darkness and looking of purpose and meaning in life…direction that is right and good.

I don't know about you, but I have found myself in this type of situation before. When my sin causes confusion in my life and I am wondering around and nothing is making sense. But Paul as the truth as part of his message! He doesn't leave people in darkness, but gives them hope. The remainder of chapter 13 is a description of Israel's history which leads to Jesus…the light of the world. It is Jesus who gives me hope and purpose and allows my life to make sense out of the darkness.

A. Today, I really want to see God's purpose in my life. I want to relax in the light of Jesus and not in the darkness of sin. Confession of my sin to the Lord, allowing him to reign in my life is where I want to be today.

P. Lord Jesus, thank you for being my all in all…Thank you for making sense out of the darkness of my life, for forgiving my sin. Amen

    

The Church in Prayer

S. "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." Acts 12: 5, NIV

O. I love this verse...Peter was in trouble and the church prayed. I have this image of them gathering for the entire night, earnestly pleading to God for Peter's safety and deliverance from the hand of evil...but also praying that God's will would be done in the midst of the situation. I think Peter would have been pleased with whatever outcome...just as long as the Word of the Lord went forth and God was glorified.

So when we get into trouble...when we have difficulty in life...when sickness weighs us down or when relationship go bad or when we have financial woes, we need to turn to our church family asking them to pray...asking them to stand in the gap for us...making sure our needs are placed before the throne of God and making sure our hearts are honoring God and that our life will honor God in the process.

A. Call on our church to be a church that prays...that offers our lives for God's glory and not our own!

S. Lord, thank you for your constant presence in my life. I offer my life to you today for your glory...I offer my prayers on behalf of the church today, for individuals and for all who need to feel your presence. Amen

God’s Word

S. "⁸The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.   The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. ⁹The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."
Psalms 19:8-11 (NIV)

O. I love the Word of God…I am just at a point in my life when I cannot do without it. I crave reading God's Word every morning. My morning it just not complete without it…I feel out of sync when I miss that time…I just love it! But I must admit I have not always felt that way. There have been times in my Christian life…even as a Pastor when I did not read God's Word for my personal growth (by the way, this is not something I am very proud of…in fact for me it is/was hypocrisy)! Anyway, today it is different. I have found that when my personal relationship with Jesus Christ is right, then my life is more in balance…notice I didn't say everything was perfect…it is far from perfect, but it is more in balance! I believe it is in balance because God's word and his precepts (truth) give this journey of life more meaning and clear focus and vision. God's Word illuminates the right and good path God has planned for me. More than that, God's Word gives my life instruction to say on the right path. The best about God's Word is the reward…the peace I feel in facing each day with God and on his path. That is the best.

So, I keep reading and writing about God's word. I keep applying all the truth that I learn and I keep focused on my relationship with Jesus Christ, making Him take a more prominent role in my life. The Apostle John said, "He must increase, I must decrease" (my paraphrase of John 3: 30).

A. There are two applications from today…keep reading and keep applying!

P. God, thank you for your life giving Word. May my life be filled and lead each day by your Word. Amen

Seeing Through Jesus’ Eyes

S. "Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." (Acts 10: 34-35, NIV)

O. This verse brings to mind a sad commentary on some churches…we think that church is just for the Christians in that church. I don't think that we think this way on purpose, it is comfortable to be in a setting where there are familiar faces and relationships…were we know people's names and where we are like minded in our actions and beliefs. I enjoy that as well…however, we have been called to be witnesses to ALL people and to open our arms to all who need Christ. Peter was in unfamiliar territory. He was with a group of gentiles and for a devote Jew, this was unheard of. But Peter followed in obedience to God and went to the Gentiles and bring the truth of Jesus Christ to them. God prepared Peter and Cornelius and today, God prepares us and those we minister to each day…making us ready to go and others read to hear and receive the message we have for them.

I have been working hard at this as a Christian and as a pastor…to remove stereotypes and labels and just see people for who they are…people who need Jesus. I am commanded to love ALL people!

A. Today, I have a visit that I need to make and I am going to pursue this relationship once again. I am going to put myself out there and trust that God will use me to reach them once again with the gospel message.

P. Lord, I go today in your name and proclaim your truth and love. May my life reflect your love and grace to all who are in my path today. Help me to see people through your eyes and not my own. Amen

Presence and Rest

S. "Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.'  13If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 14The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Exodus 33:12-14 (NIV)

O. I really needed to hear these words today. I have felt like Moses sometimes in my life…knowing that I am called by God to lead and do, but feeling somewhat alone in the process. Sometimes being in the lead can be lonely…not because it is designed that way, it is just a byproduct of being in the front. But I find great comfort in the response that the Lord gives to Moses and I accept these same words for myself today. "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." I am so comforted that God has my back…that his presence will be before me and behind me and work in all areas of my life. For me today, this is the Holy Spirit at work in my life. And rest…who doesn't need this.

Both of these promises are confirmed in the chapters after this encounter with the Lord. The people of Israel never would have made it had it not been for God's presence with them…they faced fierce battles as they crossed into the promised land. They had physical and emotional challenges in the days of wondering in the wilderness…and the presence of God had impact on their lives. And the same is true for me today. I am confident that the Lord has paved the way ahead of me…I just need to trust in him and rely on his hand in my life.

A. Once again it is all about surrender. I have to surrender my life to the will of the Father. It is about trusting in the faithfulness of God to be my protection and guide. It is about allowing my weary body to fall into the arms of a loving father and receive HIS rest. Today, I choose to accept God's offer!

P. Lord, I run into your arms today, asking that you lead and guide me and give me strength to do your work! Amen

Bold Witness

S. "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." (Acts 8:4, NIV)

O. Even persecution did not stop the church from preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. They took advantage of every opportunity that was placed in front of them. There was no shame, no timidity, no hesitation at all…they preached. They are been scattered because of their boldness and their boldness would not be stymied. When I read this today, I wondered what I would do if I were put in this situation. Would I put myself out there and go all out for the Jesus or would I hide in fear of what might happen to me if I got caught. I heard the story once of a groups of Christians in Communist Russia. They were meeting in a home, praising God, reading the Bible, etc. when all of a sudden a group of Russian soldiers broke into the house and held them at gun point. As being a Christians was not tolerated by the Communist party, these soldiers were carrying out their duty. The soldiers told the Christians to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ or be shot. They were determined to honor Jesus Christ and not deny him, so they remained silent. The soldiers then dropped their guns and rejoiced. They too were Christians and were looking for people of like faith to join in worship!

The point is this; we must be bold and steadfast in our commitment to follow Jesus Christ. I don't think that God wants any lukewarm Christians.

A. I have personally been committed to being a bolder witness for Jesus. This comes in many ways, but I must be a consistent example for Christ and be a bold voice for the truth of Jesus.

P. Lord, I begin this day asking for your wisdom to be in me and for your power to work through me in this day. I ask for the strength to be bold in my witness for you today and the days to come. Amen.