Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Feb 25th Get On A Schedule – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Numbers 27 – 29 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Romans 9 – 12; Proverbs 25; Psalms 126 – 130

Read the “0225 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even…” (Numbers 28:1-4)

“These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 29:39-40)

Good morning. Between the two passages above, God gives Israel a schedule for their sacrifices, and everything involved. We should be on a schedule too, if we want to get anything accomplished. Our schedule is going to look a little different, depending on our priorities. Our first priority should be God: schedule your Walking With God time. Start with prayer time: praise Him for what He’s done for you; confess what you failed to do; make your requests known (others, you); thank Him for what He is going to do and ask Him to show you something from His Word. That brings us to Bible Reading. Schedule a time to read your Bible daily. Keep a journal of verses or passages the Holy Spirit wants you to focus on as you read.

Secondly, schedule time for your wife and family. Not TV time. Quality time. Take them to the park and throw the Frisbee around for a while. Do something to make good memories. Believe me, the time goes too quick.

Thirdly. Everything else comes third. Work, church, soul winning, sleep, hobbies, etc. When you put God first, everything will fall into place.

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1Corinthians 14:40)

Peace.

Feb 23rd He Holds the Reins by Dawn Foster

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

(Second Milers also read – Romans 1 – 4; Proverbs 23; Psalms 116 – 120)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Read the “0223 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. 34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. 35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.” (Numbers 22:31-35)

It has been an unimaginable several years. Can it get any worse? Then the next day it does. Worry, worry, and more worry. As the saying goes: “Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.” We all have unsaved friends and family members. Time after time we see it in their faces . . . fear, not having control. Do we as saved individuals always live without fear? Of course not. However, it doesn’t mean fear has to consume us. We are able to lay it down at the feet of Jesus. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). The Lord reigns in our hearts and he reigns over the world. Because of this we know He holds the reins to everything that is happening. He is in control yesterday, today, forever.

Numbers 22:22-35 is a familiar  passage of scripture. It is where the ass speaks to Balaam. Although Balaam was riding the ass and holding the physical reins, God was still reigning from above and in control. The angel of the Lord stood in the way of the ass each time Balaam tried to maneuver forward.  When we try to do what we want to do, things don’t work out too well. As we tread down the wide paths of life before us, God may deny us access to the course we have chosen. That doesn’t mean we should try to walk around the barrier to get where we want to go. There is a reason for trials, tribulations and closed doors. The Lord is trying to redirect us back to Him.  He has something better in store for us if we just hand the reins over to Him.

Feb 22nd Keep Going – Even When It Hurts

Today’s Passage – Numbers 19 – 21 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 25 – 28; Proverbs 22; Psalms 106 – 110)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song –Proverbs 27:15

Read a previous post from this passage – “Look to Jesus.”

“Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.” – (Numbers 20:1-5)

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” – (Proverbs 24:16)

“Never, Never, Never Give Up” (Winston Churchill)

“When you’re going through hell, keep going” (Winston Churchill)

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up” (Thomas Edison)

Sometimes life stinks. How is that for a blunt statement? Oh for sure, there are many, many great moments in life with tremendous blessings, but there are also times when it is difficult to drag yourself out of bed. And, for whatever reason, God chooses to allow us to go through these rough days.

Think about the things that Moses had to deal with as the leader of God’s people here in Numbers 20. The chapter opens up with the death of his sister. When a loved one dies, it can certainly be a time of discouragement. I am sure that Moses was more than a little sad at the passing of his sister. However, it does not stop there. The very next verse tells us that at that time there was another shortage of water, which caused the people to “chide” with Moses. Didn’t they understand that he had just buried his sister? I mean, give the guy a break, will ya. Give him some time to mourn.

God then told Moses to speak to the rock so the people could get water, but Moses lost his temper and smote the rock instead of just speaking to it. God was not happy with Moses and Moses lost his ticket to the Promised Land as a result. I feel bad for the guy and I can understand the way he felt, as well as the way he acted. There have been many times when I have used poor judgment and have acted rashly when the pressure was on in my life.

The chapter closes out with another tragedy, the death of his brother, Aaron, seemingly also a result God’s judgment for Moses’ striking the rock. So, in one chapter Moses loses his sister, his brother, his future leadership position in Canaan; not to mention the fact that the people were ticked off at him. I would have quit. Moses didn’t. He kept going – even though it hurt. Read the next chapter, and you will find Moses continuing his leadership and fighting battles for the Lord.

I don’t know what you are facing today but I know that you need to keep going. Moses didn’t quit and neither should you.

When I was in Bible College, I became very discouraged at one point and was seriously contemplating quitting school, packing up my family, and heading back home. I spotted this picture hanging up on the wall in the back warehouse of the supermarket where I was working and it encouraged me to stick it out and finish what I had started,

Feb 21st As the Lord Commanded Him, So Did He by Pastor Corey Woolner

Today’s Passage – Numbers 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 – Acts 22 – 24; Proverbs 21; Psalms 106 – 110)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 121

Read the “0221 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“11 And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.” (Numbers 17:11)

There are some verses in scripture that always grab your attention. One of those verses is found in Numbers chapter 17. The Bible says in Numbers 17:11 “And Moses did so: as the Lord commanded him, so did he.” 

I love reading about the men and women in the scriptures who obeyed God. The Bible says in Genesis 6:22 “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Noah & Moses are two wonderful examples of men who just obeyed God. Both of these good men are mentioned in Hebrews 11 which some call the “Hall of Faith.” These men were not perfect men and they did make their mistakes, but they were men of faith who did all that God asked of them. These men were not defined by their mistakes or shortcomings, but they were defined and remembered by their great faith. 

Think about Noah for a second. Here’s a man who is called upon to build this massive ark and he was told to warn of the rain and judgment to come. After 120 years of building & preaching, the ark was complete, but only Noah and his family entered and were saved. Noah’s success was not found in how many entered the ark, but his success was found in his obedience to God. You and I get too concerned with what will happen if we obey God and that holds us back at times. We need to obey God by faith. 

Friend, God is worthy of our obedience. It’s not unreasonable for us to obey Him. 

Not a super deep thought for us today, but a powerful remainder to just do what God says. 

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”(Psalm 37:23)

Feb 18th What’s That Sound? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Numbers 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 – Acts 13 – 15; Proverbs 18; Psalms 91 – 95)

Read the “0218 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.” (Numbers 10:1-2)

Good morning. In chapter 10 of today’s reading, the LORD tells Moses to make two trumpets, each using a whole piece of silver. Did you know that silver will give more of a clearer tone than brass? The people needed to hear a clear sound from these trumpets throughout the camp. Numbers chapter 1 can give us an approximate idea of how many people made up the nation of Israel at this time.

“So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.” (Numbers 1:45-47)

So if you take the 603,550 from the 11 tribes, and add the tribe of Levi, all the wives and children, and those who were too old and unable to go to war, you would have at least a population of 1 million people. These two silver horns had to give a loud, and clear enough sound to reach everybody in this multitude.

“And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.” (Numbers 10:3-7)

There is a real Heaven and a real Hell. Around 55.3 million people die each day. How many have trusted Jesus, and are in Heaven? How many have not trusted Jesus as their own personal Saviour, and are in Hell? How is your trumpet? Is it sounding a clear, understandable warning? Do you want to be a better soul winner? Here are some tips that could help you do this…

1) Set a goal.

If your goal is nothing, you will hit it every time. Back in college, we were required to make at least 5 gospel presentations per week. How many do you make now? I’m not in college, so how many am I required to make?

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Jesus said to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Jesus also said…

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

And that brings us to Tip #2…

2) You have to love people.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1Corinthians 13:1-8)

If you have not charity, or love, the sound you make is like sounding brass, a blast that is not as bright as silver, nor as pure and clear. Or it is just a tinkling cymbal: the sound is not that loud enough to reach everybody, or even anybody. You need to love people: God loved you…

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

God gave us a way out by coming down from Heaven to die on a cross to pay sin’s wage which was death. That’s how we should love others… even our enemies…

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” (Matthew 5:43-47)

That means you need to love ISIS, but not the evil they do. You need to love the LBGT community, but not their abominable acts of lust. You need to love the Liberals, poor and misguided, they have no idea of the damages they are inflicting on a nation that wants to turn back to following the true and living God. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. You have to love people.

3) Know the Gospel

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2Corinthians 4:1-5)

Know the Gospel of the Roman’s Road…

“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 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)

“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)

And be ready to give assurance. Jesus said…

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

4) Know the LORD

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1Corinthians 3:5-7)

Tap into His Power and you will become a better soul winner…

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Peace!

Feb 11th Thank You – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 22 – 23 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 15 – 16; Proverbs 11; Psalms 56 – 60

Read the “0211 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.” (Leviticus 22:29)

“A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. (2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (3) Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-5)

Good morning. Is it in your will to say thank you to God? It should be. God has done so much for us. While the world is going crazy, He keeps us safe. While prices increase, and our paychecks decrease, He supplies our every need. He gave Himself to die on a cross, and pay the price for our sins. When we come before Him, we should be thankful, praising and blessing His name. As I’m writing this, my cat, Bela, is sitting next to me in the chair, purring. Even though she walks across the keyboard while I’m trying to put this blog together, I still love her, and feed her, and clean her litter box. Take a look around you, everything you have, God has given you. Sometimes we need to say thank you. Most of the time we need to be thankful all of the time. Why? It should be your will to do so. Psalm 100 and verse 5 gives us three reasons why…

1) Because the LORD is good.

Look at all the good things that God has blessed you with.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

Even the gifts that we perceive as being bad are good…

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

So the LORD is good and everything He gives us is an extension of that goodness.

2) The mercy of the LORD is everlasting.

“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, (7) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (8) And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.” (Exodus 34:6-8)

Now I could have grabbed Bella, and threw her across the room when she walked across my laptop’s keyboard. But I realize that she is only a cat, and I have mercy on her. God shows us mercy: forgiving our iniquity, our transgressions, and our sin: He remembers we are just dust.

3) The truth of the LORD endureth to all generations.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-19)

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (18) As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:14-19)

God preserved His Truth, written for English speaking people, in the King James Bible, so that we will know how to be saved from eternity in Hell.

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1John 5:11-13)

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (2) O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. (3) O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. (4) To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. (5) To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. (6) To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. (7) To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: (8) The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: (9) The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. (10) To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: (11) And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: (12) With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. (13) To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: (14) And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: (15) But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. (16) To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. (17) To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: (18) And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: (19) Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: (20) And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: (21) And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: (22) Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. (23) Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: (24) And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. (25) Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. (26) O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:1-26)

Thank You, LORD, for all that You’ve done for me.

Peace!

Feb 9th The Central Theme by Melissa Clayton

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)

The central theme and significance of the book of Leviticus, and specifically chapter 16, is Atonement. This once yearly ritual where the high priest would come offer sacrifice to the Lord to atone, not only for his own sins, but also for the sins of all the people, is a huge part of understanding the significance of the Cross and Jesus’ sacrifice.

Notice in Leviticus 16:2 “for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat”. The actual Spirit of The Lord dwelled in the temple and because of this, the requirements for the priest, as well as the animals to be sacrificed, were very detailed. Not only did the priest have a very detailed list of how he was to cleanse himself, but he was also to offer a bull for his own sins before he could offer the atonement for the people. Any failure to follow the guidelines exactly as laid out would end in the death of the priest. Im not a man, or a priest, but there is no way I would not have messed this up.  When I was reading this passage, I was overwhelmed with the details. It seems a little excessive until you understand that you cannot enter a place so holy without being, without a doubt, clean enough to enter His presence.

We see all through Leviticus our own sinfulness and the blood required to atone for our fallen condition. There are not enough bulls or goats and there is not enough blood in the world that would ever pay for the sinful condition of man. Thankfully, Jesus made Himself that sacrifice. His blood alone accomplished atonement. We no longer need the blood of a lamb or a scapegoat. There’s no more purifying or rituals, or hoping we got it right. We do not need a earthly mediator, a priest; just the precious blood of our Savior, who provided His sacrifice that was so huge that it atoned for the sins of the entire world.

Feb 7th Unclean, Unclean! by Paul Meyer

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.

Over the last few years I have had the privilege of studying and teaching the Pentateuch in our Berean Bible Institute Adult Bible class. Through this study I’ve come to the conclusion that Leviticus is my favorite book in the Old Testament. Leviticus shows us the deep and meticulous care God has for our everyday life. The passage we will study today has wide application, as much of Leviticus does. 

First, and foremost, the passage seeks to keep Israel physically pure. History teaches us that some of the greatest destroyers of nations do not carry a sword and shield but come as diseases that spread from person to person. Secondly, the passage seeks to keep Israel ritually pure. It may seem unfair but God is not running a charitable organization, he wants the best to serve him. The priests couldn’t be blemished (Leviticus 21:17-21), the penance couldn’t be blemished (Leviticus 4:3) and here the parishioner could not be blemished. Thirdly, this passage seeks to see all of Gods people spiritually pure. 

Leprosy is a filthy, grotesque, repulsive disease; it starts innocently in the body but over time leaves it’s host dismembered, marred, and scarred. The way the priest approaches leprosy should be mirrored in our approach to sin – no quarter given, no mercy, complete and utter annihilation. I’d like to give some passing thoughts on the subject of leprosy.  

1. Sin affects more than the host 

“And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.” (Leviticus 13:6)

It’s easy to become so self focused with sin that we believe it isn’t a communicable disease. Sin is congenital (Romans 5:12), sin is hereditary (1 Kings 15:3), perhaps sin even affects the clothes we wear (Jude 1:23). 

2. Sin wholly infects its host

“And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest lookers; Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean. But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.” (Leviticus 13:12-14)

What better way to view sin as “raw flesh”. The connotation here gives us a picture of the body in its natural state, in its natural element the flesh is the perfect environment for the procurement of sin. It need not be taught to our youth, the desire and inclination abides naturally. Where sin can naturally exist, naturally it will infect. (Romans 7:24-25) 

3. The treatment for hidden sin is the same for visible sin

“If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;… He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days more: … Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.” (Leviticus 13:29,33,36)

The lepers here are far more honorable than the sinner. The leper sees a fellow leper in worse estate but knows their condition remain the same. The diagnosis is death, what does it matter if one dies before the other – the outcome remains the same – death. How easy is it for us to compare our sin to others? The Bible shows us that the ultimate conclusion of sin is death (James 1:15) 

4. Sin leaves its host embarrassed and lonely

“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. 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)

Imagine finding yourself in a 3 Michelin starred restaurant in the middle of Paris. The men all dressed in tuxedos and the women in gowns. The expectations of the food are just as high as the expectations for the guests. Imagine walking in in tattered clothes, covered head to toe in mud. As all of the eyes in the restaurant turn to you, the staff exits the kitchen into the dining room, you cry out at the top of your lungs “UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN”. You are absolutely humiliated, understandably so! Is this not the way we would walk the streets of gold if sin could abide in the presence of God? The angels wouldn’t look at you! The saints couldn’t stomach your existence! And God? Well He wouldn’t make himself even remotely accessible. A destitute and hopeless position to be in if you were a leper, but there is hope! Jesus, the friend of sinners, finds himself outside the camp (Hebrews 13:13) 

5. Sin is hopeless except for supernatural healing 

“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 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)

What a thought that when we were hopeless, when sin had taken hold of us, when we had no right to help. Jesus stepped in. Its made all the difference in my life, and I know you will all say the same. This victory is not conceived by our own power or our own will but by the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. I hope this thought is a blessing to you as much as it has been to me. God, help me to detest sin, to shun sin, to give no quarter to sin. God, when I inevitably fail; forgive me, cleanse me, help me to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. 

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55 – 57)

Feb 4th This Is The Law Of The… – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 5 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 1 – 2; Proverbs 4; Psalms 21 – 25

Read the “0204 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.” (Leviticus 6:9)

“And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.” (Leviticus 6:14)

“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.” (Leviticus 6:25)

“Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering: it is most holy.” (Leviticus 7:1)

“And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.” (Leviticus 7:11)

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight…” (Colossians 1:19-22)

Good morning. Leviticus chapters 6 and 7 show the Laws concerning the various offerings to the Lord. Colossians chapter 1, verses 19-22, concludes that our peace with God is only due to the perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now we are holy, unblameable, and unreproveable in His sight. What about the sight of others? Maybe it’s a good thing that the unsaved don’t know this verse? Do they see that we are unreproveable, unblameable, and holy? Or do they see that we are reprove-able, blamable, and unholy? There is a simple, 2-part check you can make. You see…

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Jesus is your best friend. He will never leave you nor forsake you: He is always with you. Your best friend. Now… part 1… How is your prayer life? You always want to talk to your friends, right? Prayer is how we talk to Jesus, our best friend. Sometimes, if we do wrong to a friend, we try to avoid talking with them. So once again, how is your prayer life? Part 2 is a simple question also.

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

How is your Bible reading? If there is something wrong in your relationship with your friend, you may not want to hear from them. A true friend will tell you like it is, and you may not want to hear that. But something can be done…

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

The problem is with us. God sees us as unreproveable, unblameable, and holy. We see ourselves from the mess we just made, and can’t face the reality of sin in our lives. But God did everything for us…

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 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. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:1-25)

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)

Peace.