FREE WILL

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 22

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).

Just outside of Dan, Israel, one of the sources of the river Jordan begins to make its way from the mountains of Hermon to the Galilee.

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

Key Verse: Leviticus 22:19

…you shall offer of your own free will a male without blemish from the cattle, from the sheep, or from the goats.

This reading begins with the requirement for the priests to separate themselves from the holy things until they were cleansed. The holy things were made from the offerings of silver and gold given by the people to God. When the gifts of God’s people are placed for service in our hands, we must be very circumspect in the way these gifts are used. We must never misuse those offerings. In the New Testament, we understand the teaching of the priesthood of the believers (1 Peter 2:4-10). We, as believers, have a unique calling within the human family to represent others before God. We need to take this responsibility most seriously. Our key verse drives home the point that we must make our own offerings unto God, not just expect others to do this for us. In fact, we are to present our bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your powerful instruction found in Romans 12:1-2. As I repeat those verses before You, I ask that I will not be conformed to this world, but be transformed for this new day, by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. I pray through the Person and work of Jesus, the One who got it right 100% of the time. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Whether in a local congregation or in the ministry of Crossroads, I refused to handle the offerings myself which were given by people to God’s work. I sought strong and upright people for the various Boards of Deacons, Elders, Directors, and they, in turn, appointed Treasurers or Chief Financial Officers whose responsibility it was to administer the offerings according to the approved budgets. I was interviewed live on Canada’s national television network, the CBC, back in 1978. The interviewer threw the charge at me of being wealthy from the offerings given to the ministry. I came prepared. I drew my T4 slip (the government approved form showing income) from my pocket and handed it to him. I said, “I have the union booklet which determines what these fine camera operators here in your studio are paid. As you can see, I make less than they do.” He immediately changed the subject. I have sought, by the grace of God, to be most careful to “have a good testimony among those who are outside” (1 Timothy 3:7a). I have learned from the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 3:1-13) and from other great men and women of God in my generation.

Yours for a “good testimony” to all people everywhere,

David