Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Feb 9th, 2024 The Blood

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 16 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 11 – 12; Proverbs 9; Psalms 46 – 50)

Read the “0209 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “There Is a Fountain,” and “Abomination.“

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. … And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.” (Leviticus 17:11, 13-14)

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22)

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

I must confess to you that when I first was saved, I thought Christian churches had a somewhat strange obsession with blood. We sing songs like, “Nothing But the Blood,” “There’s Power in the Blood,” and “Are You Washed in the Blood.” I did not understand then that “the blood” referenced in all of these songs as well as in the preaching was the perfect, sinless blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for me on the Cross of Calvary. the Bible is very clear, that unless Jesus’ blood was shed for us there would be no remission of sins.

In the Book of Leviticus, we learn that even in the Old Testament sacrificial system, the blood of animals was seen as special to God, and He actually forbade people from “eating” the blood. When I was a kid, I used to get grossed out when I saw an adult drinking the blood that was on the bottom of their very rare plate of steak. Even way back in Genesis nine, when Noah and his sons were starting their lives in a brand post-flood new world, God permitted the eating of animals, but God prohibited the eating of any animal raw or uncooked:

“Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” (Genesis 9:3-4)

God stated twice in Leviticus 17 that the life of all flesh is in the blood. It’s the presence of blood, which allows us and all animal life to live. God also said that because life is “in the blood,” blood was the only thing that could make atonement for the soul. The blood of animal’s could not atone for man’s soul in the Old Testament time period, but it did serve to remind the people of God of the coming blood sacrifice Christ would make on the Cross:

“But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:3-4)

I get it now. The blood of Christ is precious. The emphasis that God placed upon the blood back in Leviticus, is the same that we should place upon it today. We don’t worship the blood, just as we do not worship crosses; but blood should remind us of life; Christ’s life that was poured out for us on Calvary.

Feb 7th, 2024 Leprosy – A Picture of Sin

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 13 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 7 – 8; Proverbs 7; Psalms 36 – 40)

Read a previous post from this morning’s reading – Unclean

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 19

Read the “0207 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.”

45 And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. 46 All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.” (Leviticus 13:45-46)

This morning’s reading contained one long chapter dedicated to leprosy, a disease that was both debilitating and deadly in Bible times. Today, leprosy (or Hansen’s Disease) is curable through a multi-drug therapy but in Bible days, it was incurable. The descriptions given of various skin ailments in chapter thirteen include Hansen’s disease but also reference other, less serious skin issues as well. The observation and treatments given by the priests in this chapter were used to determine if an individual skin problem was indeed leprosy or perhaps a less serious condition.

While leprosy along with its devastating symptoms was and still is a physical disease that affected all kinds of people, whether they were saved or not, in the Bible this horrible disease serves as a picture or type of what sin does to both the soul and to the body. Isaiah talked figuratively about the sinful condition of Israel, picturing it as a physical ailment:

“4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” (Isaiah 1:4-6)

• Sin, Like Leprosy, Is Deadly

Leprosy in the Bible was usually ultimately fatal, though it sometimes took years to completely ravage the body. The sin condition of mankind is also fatal. Sin is the cause of death. Had there been no sin, there would be no death.

“23 For the wages of sin is death;…” (Romans 6:23)

“12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: … 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:12, 21)

• Like Leprosy, The Effects of Sin Start Small and Progress Slowly

Leprosy started out with a tiny blemish on the skin. Slowly but surely, however, it progressed until it completely infected and debilitated the entire body. Sin is the same way. It sometimes starts out small and seemingly has little effect on the guilty person, but like leprosy it grows and its effects increase until it becomes debilitating. 

“13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:13-15)

• Sin, Like Leprosy, is Contagious

Leprosy is contagious, though perhaps not as contagious as other diseases. It was contagious enough, however, that people did their best to stay far away from someone who had it. Sin, like leprosy, is also contagious in the sense that it is spread to everyone. But more than just the general condition of sin being spread, individual acts of sin are often transferred to other people. Sinners love to get other sinners to join them in their sin.

“10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.” (Proverbs 1:10-16)

• Sin, Like Leprosy, Separates Us From God But Should Also Cause Us to Separate

“2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

In the Bible, lepers were required to live away from other people, and were even commanded to cry out “unclean” when they approached someone or got near them. Sin is what separated us from God in the first place, and now that we are cleansed from our sin by the blood of Christ, it should be our desire to separate ourselves from those who are yet in their sins and content to remain that way. Christians today ought to separate themselves from sin, and from sinners who are unrepentant about their sin. This does not mean that we should isolate ourselves from people; nor does it mean that we should not be willing to help them by sharing Christ and His gospel with them. It does mean that we should not be intimate with them to the point where their sin is influencing us to sin. 

“17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

• Sin, Like Leprosy, Can Only Be Cured by God

In the Old Testament, the prophet Elisha was used by the Lord to miraculously cure Naaman the Syrian from his leprosy (see 2 Kings 5). In the New Testament, there were several examples where the Lord Jesus healed those who had leprosy:

“2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matthew 8:2-3)

“22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.” (Luke 7:22)

In Bible times, leprosy could only be cured by God. Sin, like leprosy can only be cleansed by Christ. As the song states: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” The only way for sin to be forgiven (cleansed) is through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

J. Vernon McGee said this regarding this chapter:

So leprosy stands as a perfect type of sin. It is sin, as it were, made visible in the flesh. The priest was to look on the leper and pronounce him unclean. Just so, the Great Physician looks on the human family and pronounces it unclean. He does this so that we might come to Him for cleansing. He is ready to touch the leper (and sinner) and make him clean. [J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 1 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), 380.]

Spurgeon said:

Leprosy is to be considered by us as the type of sin. To describe all the loathsomeness and ghastliness of the aggravated cases of Jewish leprosy would be too sickening, if not disgusting. But it would still be a poor portrait of the loathsomeness of sin. The leper was not only loathsome in his person but was also defiled in all his acts. All the actions of the unbeliever are tainted with sin. Whether he eats, or drinks, or whatever he does, he continues to sin against his God. If he should come up to God’s house and sing and pray, there is sin in his songs, for they are but hypocrisy. There is guilt in his prayers, for the prayers of the wicked are abominations to the Lord. Every person by nature is like a leper; he is incapable of fellowship with God’s people, and he is shut out utterly and entirely by his sin from the presence and acceptance of God. [Spurgeon, The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 144.]

Feb 6th, 2024 Provision for the Poor

Today’s Passage –Leviticus 11 – 12 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 5 – 6; Proverbs 6; Psalms 31 – 35)

Read a previous post from this passage – Creeping Things

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 18:3 & 46

Read the “0206 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.” (Leviticus 11:2)

Our reading in Leviticus 11 records the dietary requirements for Israel. As I read this passage, I asked myself the question: why did God have all of these rules regarding eating? I am sure that there are many reasons, but one of them must be that God was concerned about the health of his people. The creatures that God permitted them to eat were healthier for them.

Leviticus 12 discusses the laws for women regarding purification after giving birth. If she had given birth to a boy, she would be separated from the rest of the congregation for a total of 41 days. For the birth of a baby girl, the time of her separation was even longer, totaling 80 days. Again, I am not sure as to why God required these specific numbers of days, but I think it provided the mother with a sufficient time for rest and recuperation, as well as a period of needed bonding with her child.

The thought that captured my attention from this passage, however, was the fact that God made provision for those that were poor among his people when it came time to offer their sacrifices for ceremonial cleansing after giving birth. Typically, a lamb was required along with a turtledove or pigeon; but for the poor, two turtledoves or two pigeons were all that was required:

“And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.” (Leviticus 12:8)

Mary and Joseph must have been pretty poor, because there is no mention of a lamb being offered at the time of Mary’s purification at the Temple:

“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:22-24)

It’s hard to believe that the God who owns all the silver and gold, and a cattle on a thousand hills, was born into poverty; but He was.

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

God did not demand unreasonable expectations on the poor. Even the system of tithing was not unreasonable. Both rich and poor were to give a percentage, and percentages are fair to everyone.

God loves all people, the rich as well as the poor, and God does not want the poor to be neglected as far as ministry is concerned; nor does He want them to be excluded from participation in worship. The New Testament church opens its doors wide to everyone:

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:1-5)

Feb 5th, 2024 A Downward Spiral

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 8 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 3 – 4; Proverbs 5; Psalms 26 – 30)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Joshua 1:8

Read the “0205 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Strange Fire.“

“And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying, Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD? Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded. And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD? And when Moses heard that, he was content.” (Leviticus 10:16-20)

This had to be a very discouraging period in Aaron’s life. His sons, Nadab and Abihu, were slain by the Lord for offering “strange fire” in the Tabernacle instead of the fire from off of the brazen altar (Leviticus 10:1 – 5). It is possible, even probable, that their lack of judgment in doing this was caused by their consumption of alcohol. Immediately after this happens, God prohibits the drinking of alcohol by priests (Leviticus 10:8 – 11). It seems odd that God would include this prohibition in the middle of this chapter if it had nothing to do with what happened to Aaron’s boys. Just a side note here, but notice that God specifically mentions in verse 10 and 11 that drinking alcohol would make them “unholy” and “unclean”, and would inhibit their ability to teach the Word of God (Leviticus 10:11). It’s amazing to me that today there are so many people who teach the Word of God who think it’s wise to consume alcohol.

Aaron and his other two sons, Ithamar and Eleazar, were not even permitted to mourn for their loved ones as they were at the last day of an eight-day dedication of the Tabernacle. They could not leave the Tabernacle.

Moses is very concerned that there be no further incidents in the Tabernacle so he reminds his brother and nephews about God’s instructions regarding the meat offering and the peace offerings (Leviticus 10:12 – 15). This is when Moses finds out that God’s specific instructions were violated yet again because the sin offering was not eaten by the priests in the Holy place as God commanded:

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it is most holy. The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation. … All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it is most holy.” (Leviticus 6:24-26, 29)

Apparently, the sin offering was just burnt outside of the camp, and was not eaten. Moses questions his nephews about this, but Aaron is the one who gives the answer. Reading between the lines, it seems as if Aaron’s answer indicates that after all that had happened, their hearts (and their appetites) were just not up to eating this sacrifice. He claimed that God would not have accepted it anyway if they had hypocritically offered it and eaten it. This time, God does not kill them, and Moses lets it pass without further rebuke.

This chapter depicts a downward spiral in the lives of Aaron and his sons. It seems to begin with a foolish decision to drink alcohol while serving in the Tabernacle. That bad decision leads to a tragic consequence, which then leads to discouragement. Then, in their despair, they cannot serve the Lord as they should. Their hearts are just not in it.

We need to be aware of these downward spirals that happen in our lives as well. Something bad happens, whether our fault or “happenstance” does not really matter. Negative events often produce discouragement, which can then lead to more negative decisions resulting in further tragedy. We have to stop the spiraling before it brings us completely down. David “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6), which prevented him from doing something stupid and making his situation worse. We need to recognize this downward spiral and take the necessary steps to pick ourselves back up and keep serving the Lord.

Feb 3rd, 2024 Jesus: God’s Sacrifice For Us – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 1 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 23 – 24; Proverbs 3; Psalms 16 – 20)

“And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” (Leviticus 1:1-4)

Good morning. Six years ago, A&E premiered Waco: Madman or Messiah. If you are saved and you know your Bible, you also know that David Koresh was not the Messiah. They even showed his bronze grave marker, and I can tell you his grave is not empty like the borrowed tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to reports David Koresh died from a single bullet to the head. And when they recovered his burnt body, they discovered his skull was also crushed: it took several days to piece his skull back together. God’s Word says that not a bone of the Messiah would be broken. Over 80 souls, including about 24 children lost their lives in the compound fire. All I could think was: if they only knew the LORD. If they only knew the Bible. If they only knew the Truth.

TRUTH 1) Let him offer a male without blemish.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Corinthians 5:18-21)

Jesus knew no sin. Jesus was without blemish. Jesus was born of a virgin: He was not conceived in sin like everyone else. David Koresh was born Vernon Wayne Howell, on August 17, 1959, conceived by flesh and blood parents: he carried the seed of sin passed down to all of us from Adam. Should I mention the adultery or his sin as a pedophile?

TRUTH 2) Jesus is the Lamb of God.

Jesus was introduced by John the Baptist in this fashion…

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Jesus is the Sacrifice that God provided to take away the sin of the world: THAT’S EVERYBODY! All you have to do is receive Him as your Saviour.

“And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” (Leviticus 1:4)

TRUTH 3) Jesus is still at work today.

As I mentioned before, David Koresh is still buried in his casket, under the ground. The tomb that Jesus laid in for 3 nights and 3 days like the prophet Jonah is empty (as is the fish’s belly of Jonah). But Jesus is risen. The sacrificing of innocent animals was a continuing thing, because mankind was always sinning. But just before Jesus died on the cross, He proclaimed that it is finished: the final Sacrifice for the sin of the world was made.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)

TRUTH 4) When Jesus comes to earth again, He is not coming as someone else (no rev. Moon, no David Koresh, no Jim Jones), He’s coming as the Lord Jesus Christ: King of kings, and LORD of Lords.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:11-21)

TRUTH 5) Jesus: there is no other name given by which we must be saved.

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12)

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1John 5:12)

Without Jesus, we are nothing. We all sin…

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one…” (Romans 3:10)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…”(Romans 3:23)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…” (Romans 5:12)

But, there is a but…

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Eternal life in Heaven is one of God’s free gifts to you. All you need do is reach out and receive it…

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The choice is yours. You can meet the Lord as He sits on the Great White Throne of Judgment and only leads to the Lake of Fire. Or you can meet Him in the air when He returns to catch His bride away. As Paul told the Philippian jailor, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.

Peace.

Feb 2nd, 2024 Finished On Time and Under Budget

Today’s Passage – Exodus 39 – 40 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 21 – 22; Proverbs 2; Psalms 11 – 15)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read the “0202 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Glory of the Lord“

“Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, … According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.” (Exodus 39:32-33, 42-43)

The construction of the Old Testament Tabernacle with all of its “furniture” is the first congregational building project in the Bible. God had given Moses:

The Plans

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. … And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” (Exodus 25:8-9, 40)

The People

“See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,” (Exodus 31:2-7)

God equipped the congregation of Israel with wisdom that they needed to build what God planned. Bezaleel and Aholiab were the chief engineers behind the project. They supervised the construction and made sure that congregation would know what to do and how to do it.

The Particulars

“Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” (Exodus 25:2-9)

God also provided all of the materials necessary to build the Tabernacle through the free-will offerings of the people. He actually had to hold them back from giving, because they actually collected too much (Exodus 36:6 – 7).

Finally, in Exodus 39 and 40, the Tabernacle has been completed. It was finished on time and under budget. It had to be a good feeling for this congregation to work together and complete the project that God had given them.

Now here is the practical application. God led our congregation to add on to our existing building. We had prayed about exactly what God would have us build for many years. We had several different plans in mind and finally settled upon the one that we felt would best suit our needs. We started project almost two years ago and it is finally close to being completed. Praise the Lord! God has given us men and women who are gifted in the area of building construction and interior design who have worked to bring this job to near completion. Within the next couple of weeks, the Lord willing, we should be able to fill it with children and adults who will be taught the Word of God in it.

Feb 1st, 2024 Ithamar the Accountant

Today’s Passage – Exodus 36 – 38 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 19 – 20; Proverbs 1; Psalms 6 – 10

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 89:1

Read the 0201 Evening and Morning devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from the passage – “Too Much?”

“21 This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. 22 And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. 23 And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.” (Exodus 38:21-23)

In this morning’s reading from Exodus 36 – 38, we see a detailed account of the construction of the Tabernacle including all the furniture items as well as the hangings that were used to make up the walls. It is very interesting that God gives us very precise details of the dimensions and descriptions of every aspect of the Tabernacle (See Graphic Below).

My thought this morning is about Ithamar, one of the four sons of Aaron. Ithamar was responsible for overseeing the Merarites and the Gershonites, which were two of the families of the Levites that served as ministers for the Tabernacle. The Gershonites were responsible for setting up, dismantling, and transporting all the “hangings and coverings” of the Tabernacle (Num 4:21 – 28). The Merarites were responsible for setting up, dismantling, and transporting all the “boards, bars, pillars, and sockets” (Num 4:29 – 33). There was another family, the Kohathites, who were responsible for the transportation of all the furniture items, but the Kohathites were not directly under the supervision of Ithamar. 

A second duty of Ithamar that we see from our reading passage today in Exodus 38 is that he was responsible for accounting for all the gold and silver that went into the Tabernacle. He had to work closely with the builders, Bezaleel and Aholiab, to make sure that they had everything they needed to complete the project. We learned from chapter 36 that they had collected far more materials than were necessary for the project through the freewill offerings of the congregation. The people were actually told to stop giving. According to most estimates, the amount of gold that went into the Tabernacle was over a ton (approximately $60 Million today), along with approximately four tons of silver (approximately $2.6 Million today), and two and one-half tons of brass (Note – this is likely copper – approximately $20 Thousand today).

There are two thoughts that I would like to point out from this passage:

1. The task of accounting is something that we do not normally associate with the office of the priest. Yet here we clearly see that Ithamar was given this responsibility. Sometimes ministers will have to do all kinds of duties that are outside of their main job description in order for God’s service to function properly. 
2. The priest office was very much a family affair. Moses and Aaron were brothers, and the main priests in the Tabernacle were Aaron’s sons. I once had a man tell me that he left a church because the pastor had hired his son as an assistant. He claimed that it was “nepotism” and that someone outside of the family should have been hired. However, there is no biblical admonition for hiring family members and here in Exodus, it is actually God’s plan for this family to serve together. 

Jan 31st, 2024 Ornaments

Today’s Passage – Exodus 33 – 35 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 17 – 18; Proverbs 31; Psalms 1 – 5 (Jump start on February because it is a short month)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1

Read the “0131 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous post from today’s reading passage – “Stiffnecked,” “Willing Servants,” and “Beaming.”

“4 And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. 5 For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. 6 And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.” (Exodus 33:4-6)

When considering Exodus 33, it is important that we have an understanding of the overall context. The previous chapter reveals that while Moses was up on Mt. Horeb receiving the Law from God, the Israelites and their newly appointed leader committed a “great sin” (Ex 32:31) by creating a golden god (idol) of their own to worship. The people were naked and they were singing and dancing when Moses discovers them. God was furious and so was Moses, but Moses intercedes for the people and God, in His mercy, does not utterly destroy them. 

In chapter 33, God tells the people that He is sending them to their Land of Canaan as He had promised but instead of going with them, He was going to send an angel. Later on in the chapter, after the people demonstrate contrition and repentance, God reveals to Moses that He will go with them:

“14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” (Exodus 33:14-16)

My thought for this devotion revolves around the word “ornaments” found three times in vs. 4 – 6. What does the Bible mean by “ornaments?” The Hebrew word (עֶדְיוֹ – ʿăḏî) is a third person masculine noun – literally translated “his ornaments.” Though the dictionary definitions are a little vague, the word definitely has something to do with objects or fine clothing that are used to adorn the body. Probably the best description of what is meant here is the word “jewelry,” though it may mean more than just jewelry. Keeping the idea of jewelry in mind, remember back from the previous chapter that Aaron used some of this gold jewelry (earrings – Ex 32:2 – 4) that the people were wearing to fashion his golden calf. 

In Exodus 33:4 – 6, the people are mourning because of their failure recorded in the previous chapter, and because of their contrition they did not put on their ornaments. In v. 5, God tells Moses to tell all the people to strip off their ornaments. It seems that these ornaments were somehow associated with the pagan idols and false religions that were prevalent back in Egypt, and God wanted them to get rid of any remnant of their old sinful ways prior to their redemption. But what are the people going to do with all of these ornaments? Look at chapter thirty-six:

“4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, 5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, 6 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, 7 And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, 8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense, 9 And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.” (Exodus 35:4-9)

The greek equivalent to the word “ornament” is “kosmos,” which is sometimes translated “world” in the Scripture but also means “ornament, decoration, or adornment.” We see a form of the word used in a similar way in the New Testament:

“9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

“1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1 Peter 3:1-4)

These New Testament references are specifically regarding the adorning of women, but in our text from Exodus the removal of ornaments applied to both men and women. It is important for us to be clear, however, there is no New Testament prohibition against wearing jewelry, fancy clothes, or make-up; and there is nothing biblically wrong with styling your hair. Perhaps what we should glean from these passages, both Old Testament and New, is that we should not be emulating the world’s culture, particularly as the culture is progressively become more and more godless. You may recall the “accursed thing” in Joshua 6 & 7 was a “goodly Babylonish garment” that Achan had taken from Jericho. It too was a representation of the fallen world. The Israelites also apparently had gotten their taste for ornaments from their time spent among the pagan culture in Egypt.

The second thing that we can see from these passages is that we should pursue godliness above all things. This world and its godless culture has nothing to offer the people of God. 

Jan 29th, 2024 Serving Together as a Family

Today’s Passage – Exodus 28 – 29 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 13 – 14; Proverbs 29; Psalms 141 – 145)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 Timothy 1:17

Read the “0129 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Interceding on Behalf of God’s People,” and “I’ll Meet You There.“

“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.” (Exodus 28:1)

The context of Exodus 28 and 29 mostly involves the consecration of Moses’ brother Aaron and his sons in their roles as priests who were consecrated to serve in the Tabernacle, ministering to God’s people. The Tabernacle was the center of worship for the entire congregation of Israel and the place that God would meet with his people (Exodus 29:42). The priests not only officiated in the temple, but they were also responsible for teaching people the Law (Deuteronomy 33:10). Chapter 28 deals primarily with the garments worn by the high priest, Aaron, as well as the less elaborate clothing worn by his sons, the priests (Click here for graphic of High Priest’s Garments.). Chapter 29 discusses the initial installation and dedication of this family of priests for their service in the Tabernacle.

The thought that captured my attention this morning was the fact that Aaron had the awesome privilege of serving the Lord along with his sons. They served the Lord together as a family. In Bible days, the sons typically followed in the father’s footsteps and served in the family business, whatever that was. Aaron was chosen by God to be the first high priest, and his sons were anointed along with him to serve as well as priests.

Getting to serve the Lord by yourself is wonderful enough, but being able to minister for the Lord with your family by your side is a dream come true. I have the wonderful privilege of serving as the pastor of our church along with my wife, my son-in-law and daughter. Of course, when the kids were young, all four of them were here serving the Lord with us. For nearly eighteen years I also had my son and eventually our daughter-in-law serving here as well. It was awesome to have them here for all of those years, but God called them to serve Him in a church in Texas. We certainly miss them, but we are thankful for all of the years that God gave us to serve together.

Aside from my relationship with the Lord, I treasure my family more than anything else in my life. I enjoy very much serving the Lord together with them. Even when my children were very young, my wife and I would include them in just about everything we did for the Lord within our local church. We took them out visiting with us, and we made sure that we worshipped together in the church services. When there was a church work day, they came with us and worked (or played) along with us. The church was not something that separated our family, and it should not be something that keeps you from yours. My children enjoyed being a part of the local church ministry with their mom and dad.

I want to encourage you to serve together with your family. Include your spouse and children in all that you do for the Lord. Take them with you soulwinning and out on visitation. Make serving the Lord fun and enjoyable for your family. Of course, you should also do other things that are not ministry related with them as well, but you will not regret including them in your service for the Lord.

Jan 27th, 2024 The Saturday Morning Post – They Met With The LORD

Today’s Passage – Exodus 22 – 24 Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 8 – 9; Proverbs 27; Psalms 126 – 130)

Read the “0127 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.” (Exodus 24:9-18)

Good morning. Have you seen God? Did you meet with Him? Just wondering. God told Moses when he said straight out, “Show me Thy glory.”

“And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exodus 33:20)

Jacob saw God when he wrestled with a Man…

“And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:30)

Even Gideon…

“And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again. And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.” (Judges 6:11-23)

These people got to see Jesus. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel saw Jesus. But to the rest of the nation of Israel waiting at the bottom of the mountain…

“And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.” (Exodus 24:17)

We are fortunate to have God the Holy Spirit living in us. We may not be able to see Him, but we can feel His presence with us, as He comforts us and guides us.

“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

And we are blessed. But, do you want to get closer to the LORD? Talk to Him in prayer. Confess your sins to Him. You don’t need a priest, he can’t forgive your sins, only God can. Once you’re saved, once you are born again, you can come boldly before the throne of grace. Then allow Him to talk to you by reading your Bible. When you read something about what you’re doing, and it’s leading you in the wrong direction, the Holy Spirit will let you know, and get you back on the right path. You can also start memorizing Scripture…

“BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” (Psalm 119:9-16)

Wait a minute, this all is a Walking With God quiet time: your daily devotion. All you need do is pick a block of time in your busy schedule and divide it into four equal parts: 1) Read your Bible; 2) Study your Bible; 3) Pray; and 4) Memorize. The Lord is waiting to hear from you…

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Peace.