"His own hands shall bring the offerings made by fire to the Lord." (Leviticus 7:30)
Over the years of ministry I noticed that some, maybe many, people who came to church services came so because someone brought them, and I don't mean "to get saved." Some came "kicking and screaming." They came because of their spouse, or parents, or even children. Some have been "in church" for years, even generations just to keep peace in the family, yet they never came to a personal knowledge/relationship in Jesus. I know of one guy who started coming to home meetings just to keep an eye on his wife. I ask you, now: How sad is this?!" Our text reveals that the intent of Jesus is, "His own hands shall bring the offering."
Those who have known us over the years and read the devotionals know that the summer our Stephen Paul went "to be with the Lord" was the first time I read completely through the Bible. What I began to take note of was the great amount of underlining I had in books like Leviticus; imagine! Jesus commands us to, "Search the Scriptures," because in, "Search[ing] the Scriptures," we "discover" and see Jesus. There is just no greater reason to read the Bible. The Bible writes of Jesus. Everywhere, not just the Psalms, the Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, but perhaps most surprising to many, even of the Pentateuch Jesus says, "it is they that bear witness about Me." Okay, enough tabernacle building.
Our text reveals a basic Godhead Principle. The Blessed Trinity loves you and me and every individual on Planet Earth, and anywhere they may be found. E. Stanley Jones once said, "God has no grandchildren." Are you not unspeakably glad for this? Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit does not want anything nor anyone between Him and you and me. He is the Personal God, "very Present Help in trouble," God of Creation, yes indeed, "VERY PRESENT HELP." Our text reveals that even though there was the Levitical priesthood to offer sin offerings, wave offerings, serve in the tabernacle, all of this did not eliminate the responsibility and privilege, "His own hands shall bring...."
My dear reader: Never ever settle for a "second hand" relationship with God--------- for one very profound reason: There is none. Remember: "God has no grandchildren." Moses, Aaron, the sacrifices, the Commandments, the Levitical Law, the Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, the saints of the ages, the Church, the Kingdom, "whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, of things present or things to come-- all are yours. You, moreover, are of Christ, and Christ, moreover, is of God." If there are any "second-hand-church-goers" reading this, stop being led and take the lead. Don't just quote or imitate others. Be your own "quotes" and "imitation." Be a "leader" in life, viz., instead of always being led by others in spiritual matters, you take the lead in manifesting, "Christ in you," yes, "in you, the hope of glory." You may be all alone right now as you read this. But, of course, you and I know that you are not. Jesus is in you and you in Jesus. Rejoice with me today that, "[Your] own hands shall bring the offering."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the saints of the ages, the Tabernacle, the Temple, The Church, the Kingdom, all the "means of grace." But I thank You most of all that in Jesus Christ there is nothing between You and me. What a glorious Truth. Amen.
***************************
Pertinent, Prophetic articles at: jhs58.blogspot.com
Over the years of ministry I noticed that some, maybe many, people who came to church services came so because someone brought them, and I don't mean "to get saved." Some came "kicking and screaming." They came because of their spouse, or parents, or even children. Some have been "in church" for years, even generations just to keep peace in the family, yet they never came to a personal knowledge/relationship in Jesus. I know of one guy who started coming to home meetings just to keep an eye on his wife. I ask you, now: How sad is this?!" Our text reveals that the intent of Jesus is, "His own hands shall bring the offering."
Those who have known us over the years and read the devotionals know that the summer our Stephen Paul went "to be with the Lord" was the first time I read completely through the Bible. What I began to take note of was the great amount of underlining I had in books like Leviticus; imagine! Jesus commands us to, "Search the Scriptures," because in, "Search[ing] the Scriptures," we "discover" and see Jesus. There is just no greater reason to read the Bible. The Bible writes of Jesus. Everywhere, not just the Psalms, the Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, but perhaps most surprising to many, even of the Pentateuch Jesus says, "it is they that bear witness about Me." Okay, enough tabernacle building.
Our text reveals a basic Godhead Principle. The Blessed Trinity loves you and me and every individual on Planet Earth, and anywhere they may be found. E. Stanley Jones once said, "God has no grandchildren." Are you not unspeakably glad for this? Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit does not want anything nor anyone between Him and you and me. He is the Personal God, "very Present Help in trouble," God of Creation, yes indeed, "VERY PRESENT HELP." Our text reveals that even though there was the Levitical priesthood to offer sin offerings, wave offerings, serve in the tabernacle, all of this did not eliminate the responsibility and privilege, "His own hands shall bring...."
My dear reader: Never ever settle for a "second hand" relationship with God--------- for one very profound reason: There is none. Remember: "God has no grandchildren." Moses, Aaron, the sacrifices, the Commandments, the Levitical Law, the Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, the saints of the ages, the Church, the Kingdom, "whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, of things present or things to come-- all are yours. You, moreover, are of Christ, and Christ, moreover, is of God." If there are any "second-hand-church-goers" reading this, stop being led and take the lead. Don't just quote or imitate others. Be your own "quotes" and "imitation." Be a "leader" in life, viz., instead of always being led by others in spiritual matters, you take the lead in manifesting, "Christ in you," yes, "in you, the hope of glory." You may be all alone right now as you read this. But, of course, you and I know that you are not. Jesus is in you and you in Jesus. Rejoice with me today that, "[Your] own hands shall bring the offering."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the saints of the ages, the Tabernacle, the Temple, The Church, the Kingdom, all the "means of grace." But I thank You most of all that in Jesus Christ there is nothing between You and me. What a glorious Truth. Amen.
***************************
Pertinent, Prophetic articles at: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
