Friday, October 3, 2014

AN ACCEPTABLE OFFERING

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 9-10

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

 

The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in these caves in the region known as Qumran. These scrolls are a collection of 972 texts consisting of Biblical manuscripts from the Hebrew Bible as well as other documents. They were discovered almost 70 years ago in clay jars hidden in the caves which are located in the mountainsides on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name. These are the most ancient scrolls in existence. The scroll with the book of Isaiah, the "Gospel" of the Old Testament, is exactly as we have it in our Bibles today. Portions of every other Old Testament book except for Esther are in the scrolls. The Bible is reliable!!!

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 10:11

…and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.

 

In today’s reading, we learn about the conduct of the priests and the judgment of God on misconduct. There are most serious consequences to the failure to follow God’s instructions, particularly for those whose calling is in leadership. The priests were not to drink any intoxicating beverages. Why? They must be fully aware at all times in order to distinguish right from wrong, the holy from the unholy, and the clean from the unclean, so that they could, by example as well as words, teach the people God’s ways. How often have God’s leaders, and followers alike, lost our ability to discern what is right and then do it. The book of James should be regular reading for us, not just when our reading schedule requires it. It’s the New Testament book of Christian conduct. Consider the purpose of the Law for those who believe in Jesus… Read Galatians 3:23-27.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You, Lord God, that I live in the time when I know Your grace, and I am justified by faith, not by the works of the Law. May I never take careless advantage of Your forgiveness, but may I live, as my Dad prayed every day, “With the smile of Your approval on my life.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I had the honour of interviewing the Hon. Joseph R. Smallwood, Premier of Newfoundland, and one of our Fathers of Canadian Confederation. He said, “I don’t drink alcoholic beverages because I may be just one drink away from becoming an alcoholic, and I don’t wish to take the chance of destroying my life and hurting everyone around me.” At 15 years old in the United Church in Brockville, I went forward to the front and signed a pledge that I would not partake of intoxicating drinks throughout my life. It was at what was called, “a temperance service.” I’ve never been sorry I did this. Keeping that promise has enabled me to minister with integrity to many alcoholics and those who were chemically dependent. I had a great-great-grandfather who was an alcoholic. He lost the farm and simply disappeared. His only known son, my great-grandfather, Joseph Mainse, was converted to Christ at a Methodist Church, and that changed the entire direction of my family.

Yours for knowing right from wrong and the holy from the unholy,

David

22 thoughts on “Friday, October 3, 2014

  1. Thank you David for giving us insight into Leviticus I praise God for His forgiveness toward me I want to be a faithful servant to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
    I give myself as a living sacrifice oly and acceptable as my resonable service Amen

  2. A wonderful find – The Dead Sea Scrolls. Just more compelling evidence that the Word of God is truely written by those who were inspired by Him.

  3. Good Morning everyone, aren’t we glad that Jesus’ sacrificed His blood for us once and for all times .We need to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1. I beseech you therefore brethren , by the mercies if God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, Holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

  4. Good Friends,
    I am particularly impressed by David’s personal prayer for today BUT I believe it was C.S. Lewis who said that faith and good works were like the two blades on a pair of scissors?
    As always, I enjoy David’s daily fresh bread and his worldly wisdom.
    Shalom,
    Graham.
    2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.

  5. I was moved by the significant meaning behind Leviticus 10:17-19 in relation to the burnt and sin offerings. 19 And Aaron said to Moses, “Look, this day they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord, and such things have befallen me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been accepted in the sight of the Lord?” 20 So when Moses heard that, he was content. We give it all up to You, Lord!

    The respect for God was shown by obedience to his commands in relation to the burnt and sin offerings and the consecration that developed; for that was God’s purpose–to teach them how to dedicate and make themselves holy to the higher and divine purpose. God wanted glory. The failings of the people in the Old Testament led God to reverse if you will the way he approached them. If they will not come to me, I will come to them–if they will not learn to live with me, I will give them the gift of Me living in them. And he brought his Son, Jesus, to earth, who would be the ultimate teacher, die as a sacrifice and be risen for the glory of God in that we may be saved and forgiven and receive blessings and mercies from His undying love. It is mind blowing when we fathom the greatness of our God!

    Such powerful words in Galatians 3:23-27: But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
    For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

    We are Your sons and daughters and heirs, oh Lord! And we follow and worship YOU and YOU alone! Praise God, David, for your great grandfather Joseph’s conversion to Christ at a Methodist Church!! What a divine testament and example the rest of the generations have set by following faithfully in God’s steps and loving living and breathing His Holy Word! Amen!!

  6. Thank you, dear saints, for your constant prayers. A miraculous cancellation surgery date came through for Thursday, October 23rd. Praise God through whom all blessings flow! We know God hears us and answers our prayers and provides what seems impossible mercies because we call on Him. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being faithful prayer warriors as my Christian blog family. You have become such a wonderful nest to fall back on and rest as I read your comments of support and scripture to lift me up. Thank you, fellow Saints and THANK YOU, LORD GOD! You are an awesome God!!! Thank YOU, from the bottom of my heart!!!

    For the past few weeks, during the most difficult points, in the ER, at appointments, and in excruciating pain, I have pulled out a card with the scripture Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV): Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

    Father I Adore You
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYAz5zBnCZ4

    Oh, how we adore YOU, LORD!! Oh, how we adore YOU!!!

    • Father, we thank you for the cancellation date of Oct. 23rd. That Beverlee has received and we bring her before You now and also all of those who will be involved in her surgery. Wrap your ever loving arms around her and give peace and assurance You will be right there with her.

      In the mighty name of Jesus, our Great Physician and Healer.

  7. Thank you David, for speaking directly about alcohol today. What you said is absolutely true and its refreshing to know there is still someone in christian leadership who will take a stand on this issue. As you said here, the priests in the Bible reference today, needed to be fully aware and discerning–so do we!

  8. A few years ago while thinking about the hymn ” Father, I adore you ” I thought about what God might reply to each verse as I sang it.
    So I wrote His possible replies. They can also be sung to the same tune.

    God’s reply
    Child, if you love me,
    Keep the laws I give you:
    Then I’ll know you love Me.

    Jesus’ reply
    Friend, if you love Me,
    Follow close behind Me:
    Then I’ll know you love Me.

    Holy Spirit’s reply
    Beloved, if you love Me,
    Walk in the way I lead you:
    Then I’ll know you love Me.

  9. As a sinner who knows she is forgiven it is often a fine line to tread knowing God’s Grace, but knowing saying I am Christian my behavior does reflect on Him. How many of us when confronted with our fallen natures have heard someone say to us
    ” And you call yourself a Christian?”

    I say I am a Christian, not because I am perfect and holy, but because I know I am a sinner and in need God’s Grace and forgiveness. But the accusation always rings a bit true because I know at times I do not act according to the image of Christ.

    My Christian walk isn’t always perfect, but I should never allow the things I cannot do prevent me from doing the things I can. So I may never be exactly like Jesus while in this flesh, but I can try to walk with Him with more integrity; to reflect less of my imperfect nature and more of His deep love.

  10. Reynold, today’s photo of the caves where Dead Sea scrolls were discovered…how intricate and beautiful every detail..thank you.

    Lord Jesus thank you, that in You I am set free by Your Grace, justified by faith in all you have done, not by anything I have done. Thank you Jesus for Your Love. I love You Lord. Amen!

  11. PRAISE THE LORD BEVERLEE KAY! Love the Scripture! 20 years ago April 16 a Easter Sunday after church went down to the beach with a friend and began to roll a smoke. She leaned over and said” we have the Holy Spirit that enables us to do more than we ever dreamt!” I looked at her and said “Eva, your absloutely right!” and I threw the smokes, paper, container into the lake and we laughed until we cired as we watched how the water took all that garbage away and pulled it under….I have been praising the Lord ever since because He also removed alcohol from me…I had no cravings, nothing, and then, 10 days later (April 26) I broke my leg and God took that and turned it into learning how to swim for me and that has saved my life many times as I suffer from depression, I did a marathon, raised funds for a non-profit, and have been enjoying swimming every since. This whole thing has been set by God! It still brings tears to my eyes! I live alone, a senior, not enough money to make ends meet, mental helath pays for swimming and again, that also was a God thing….I am truly thankful…
    I so appreciate all the comments and I pray that God would over turn all the liquor outlets, alcoholism rips family apart, and the young people 8,9,10 years old are drinking….Lord God set Your Hand over all those who are using alcohol as a crutch and lead them to You and Your uncondtional love and forgiveness. Thank you Lord for this blog!

  12. p.s. a very valuable piece of information I’ve learned is that addictions are hereditary……..I’ve shared this with many parents at the pool and it’s been an eye-opener for many….no one tells you these things until “after the fact” also addictions are varied, not just booze/drugs…….

  13. thank you Irene Ochotta. I had a fabulous time at the pool and I was very suidical today. The staff is terrific and met another Christian family! Thank you Lord, that’s all I can say AMEN

Leave a Reply to Mary Stewart Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.