WORSHIP
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 20-21
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).
These are the remains of the Temple of Pan in Caesarea Philippi. This shrine was likely in full view when Jesus asked his disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God!”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Leviticus 20:8
And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
The god Pan, half goat and half man, was worshipped at the place pictured above. There is no record of a people group that did not worship someone or something. To worship is a basic human characteristic. We will worship! Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, invites us to worship Him, and so does the fallen angel, Lucifer, who declared war in Heaven so that he would be worshipped instead of his Creator. Our reading today begins with Molech, the horrible manifestation of Satan who demanded children as a sacrifice; worshippers would throw their babies into the fire. We understand that The Great “I am” sought the deliverance of His people from these things. The animal sacrifices were the picture of the final sacrifice when God would give His One and only Son as the ultimate Sacrifice. He sanctified (separated, made holy) a people who would begin the process of bringing people back to the true God.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I choose to serve You and not things made with men’s hands. Please grant me the grace to hold firmly to You and You alone. I worship You, Lord Jesus. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The penalties described in our reading were seldom carried out, according to the Jewish Rabbis. Forgiveness was offered and received. I can remember making threats of punishment for wrong doing to my children. Reynold, our photographer, was the target of these declarations of justice several times. I would send him to his room and inevitably this 5, 6, or 7-year-old would be on his knees when I arrived. “O God, dear Jesus,” he would cry out, “forgive me and make me a good boy.” What could I do? Of course, I forgave him, and I also knelt beside him, prayed for him, hugged him, and rarely would he be punished further. However, I could not help but notice the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He’d figured out how to lessen the punishment. As he matured, he became a boy who loved to pray, even when not under judgment from his Dad. Then he was filled with the Holy Spirit, but that’s another story, which I may tell when we get to the Book of Acts.
Yours to emphasize the worship of the One and only true God,
David
We worship You, oh Lord, and give thanks and praise to Your Holy Name! Praying for improved and continued strength for you, dear David. Wishing all saints a blessed day, in the Lord.
I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27
Aaron Shust – Ever Be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZDyMJhd4Bo
Amen Beverlee
Thank you Pastor David for explaining the passage to us, always very helpful and encouraging. I couldn’t help having a smile when I read the account of Reynolds misgivings. I so enjoy all that you write in your blog.
My The Lord continue to Bless you and your dear family as well as all who are on this Blog. Eleanor M.
Beverlee, I want to thank you for the links to worship songs. I am amazed at the beautiful emotions I feel when I listen to them and join in. Thank you, thank you, God Bless!
So happy you like them as much as I do, Wendy. They lift me up every morning into God’s presence, too. God bless you!
oops should say beautiful “lyrics” and the
oops …there I go…reading the wrong notes…sorry
Powerful lyrics/song..thanks Beverlee!
Amen! Trust you are gaining strength each day Brother David. Yes, the Lord is good and so faithful. God bless you all.
David your personal words about your son Renold made me smile as well
I also thank you Beverlee for the links to worship songs
I can’t believe how many people think that consulting a medium is innocent fun. They bring themselves right into the territory of the devil. Lord, open the eyes of people as to Who You Are and Your Love.
Its difficult to read, about parents who cast their children into the fire of Molech; things are no different now…children are slaughtered in the Mother’s womb!!
Dear Jesus I Honor and praise you for saving my soul, for Your Precious Blood shed for us!!! HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, HOLY IS YOUR NAME!! I WORSHIP YOU, I GLORIFY AND HONOUR YOU!!!! THANK YOU FOR FORGIVING US OF OUR SINS!!! AND CLEANSING US WITH YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD!! AMEN!!!
COME LORD JESUS!!!
Pastor David thank you for sharing your story of disciplining Reynold; it brought back memories of my disciplining my sons…similar to that…some not,,,
I still read this blog from time to time. I have an interesting story (not directly pertinent to today’s post). About a month ago, I was descending a mountain in Banff, Alberta, after climbing it. I did not follow a path. The way I took seemed to be a dead-end. It appeared to have a sheer drop. I started climbing up. I saw a little cave in the rocks and decided to climb beside it. The next part is fleeting in my mind. As I was at the little cave, I saw a bear right in my space (it’s space). I did not get very frightened. I had faith (beyond my usual faith) that God would not let the bear hurt me. I kept climbing. My backpack got caught on something. I reached back to loose my backpack. I felt a furry body (soft fur). I carefully loosed my backpack from it’s paw. This disturbed it (I think it was a her). It made a noise. I gave a very little push. It disappeared. I kept climbing. Much later, when I finally got back to my room, I had scratches on my arm. They were very much like large claw marks: a bit curved; symmetrical to each other. Recently, I have been thinking about this: if God would protect me from this bear, he can protect me from anything. He had a reason to let this happen and it was to let me know this fact. Yes, it was inviting a bear introduction to climb next to a rock cave on a mountain in Banff. Anyway, He even has power over my ability to have faith in Him. I normally do not gave the confidence and authority that I had a that moment when I pray for something. I can pray even for this faith. “Lord, help my unbelief.” I go through a lot. I do not handle it like a lamb: experience has taught me not to be a reed bending in the wind to snakes. God has not spared me from it, but He could. He has His reasons. And, my faith can increase over them.
(The email I put in the form is obsolete but it is the one I normally used when posting comments).
I am so over whelmed with thanksgiving tonight! I just got home from swimming exercises and we had so much fun and we were treated to some massages from the life guard! They were great!
I thank the Lord because He took my broken leg and gave me swimming some 21 years ago! All I can say is Thank you Lord for doing this for me….Amen