Tuesday, September 4, 2018

AN OFFERING

Today’s Reading: Exodus 35

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 priest is before the Brazen (bronze) Laver just outside of the Holy Place in the Court of the Tabernacle. This is the replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle that was set up at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington during the summer of 2012.

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

Key Verse: Exodus 35:5

Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze…

 

It’s a commentary on human nature that God sets the highest standards and speaks of severe judgment in order to encourage us to rise to His standards. To my knowledge, there were no executions for not keeping the Sabbath. Rather than labouring under the heavy weight of the letter of the Law, the people gladly gave of their resources and their skills in work. This was the spirit of the Law in action. Three times in this chapter we read the words “a willing heart.” In every project God lays on the hearts of His leaders, there is always the burden of raising finances and materials. God, in His wisdom, gave instructions through Moses that only those with a “WILLING HEART” were to give to His work. God’s Tabernacle was not built by those who were stingy with God’s cause. The people showed their gratitude for all God had done for them by giving sacrificially. The result was the joy and blessing of God.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, the starting point of my journey with You is to give my entire self to You. Therefore, all that I have in my possession is Yours. I ask myself not how much should I give, but how much may I use of Your resources for my shelter, my food, my transportation, etc. Thank You for the fact that You, Jesus, said, “My sheep know My voice.” I’m listening, Lord. I pray now for grace to obey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m so glad that the Council of Jerusalem put only a small portion of the laws of Moses on the non-Jewish believers in Jesus (check out Acts 15:20). Sabbath keeping is not in that list. Of course other laws about murder, adultery, etc., are repeated by Jesus and the Apostles as binding on us. I’m well aware that the Scripture says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). I remember when I was a student in Bible College in Peterborough, an old man came in and began giving out $10 bills to the students. I laugh with joy at the remembrance. There was a whole lot of love there that day!

Yours for the joy of obeying God’s New Covenant Laws and for the love that flows when we give back to God,

David

8 thoughts on “Tuesday, September 4, 2018

  1. If you feel a stirring in your soul this morning to know Jesus better, perhaps this prayer by Peter Marshall expresses words you’d like to pray:

    Help us now to be as aware of Thy nearness as we are of the material things of every day. Help us to recognize Thy voice with as much assurance as we recognize the sounds of the world around us.

    We would find Thee now in the privacy of our hearts, in the quiet of this moment. We would know, our Father, that Thou art near us and beside us, that Thou dost love us and art interested in all that we do, art concerned about all our affairs.

    May we become aware of Thy companionship, of Him who walks beside us.

    At times when we feel forsaken, may we know the presence of the Holy Spirit who brings comfort to all human hearts when we are willing to surrender ourselves.

    May we be convinced that even before we reach up to Thee, Thou art reaching down to us. These blessings, together with the unexpressed longing in our hearts, we ask in the strong name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

  2. Lovely Prayer! Thank you for praying for Christie. Her baby was born healthy (5 lbs, 5 oz) this afternoon! Praise God! We claim her for the Lord. May she know Him & be an instrument of love in His Hands.

  3. Wonderful prayer. Praise God that God answered prayer concerning Christie and she had a healthy baby. Trust all is well at home. Amen!

  4. PRAISE AND THANKS TO THE LORD FOR A HEALTHY BABY BORN TO CHRISTIE!
    WHAT A WONDERFUL BLESSING!
    SO MANY WONDERFUL PRAYERS WENT UP FOR THIS PRECIOUS MOM AND BABY
    MAY THE LORD LEAD AND GUIDE THEM ALL THE DAYS OF THEIR LIVES
    AMEN AMEN AMEN

    AMAZING GRACE! HOW SWEET THE SOUND! THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME!

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