Atonement

Daily Nugget:

This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelite.  And it was done, as the Lord commanded Moses.  Leviticus 16:34

The word atonement means to "cover over".  So the offering made by the priests, the blood shed was to "cover over" the Israelites sins.  A ransom had to be paid - and adequate recompense for the offense!

The need for atonement arose because of the sin of the Isrealite people.  The Atonement Sacrifice would cover all the sins not yet covered by sacrifices made through the year.  There had to be an Atonement Sacrifice so that they would be forgiven and God's wrath would not overtake them.

Because God desired to save the Isrealites, forgive their sins and reconcile them to himself, He furnished a way of salvation by allowing the priests to make sacrifice and blood offering.  In doing this, their sins were covered.

The Rituals of the Day of ,Atonement were specific and had to be carried out exactly!  It was a serious time.  The Day of Atonement was a solemn day in which the people fasted and humbled themselves before the Lord.  This attitude of the people expressed the seriousness of sin.  The Day of Atonement also had to be repeated every year.  One sacrifice was not enough!

The fact that they had to be repeated yearly, showed that there was something "incomplete" about them.  They were not sufficient for all time.  But....  there came a Lamb, a once and for all sacrifice.

What Christ did on the cross was our once and for all Day of Atonement! Hallelujah to the Lamb!!!

He represented the atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation and cleansing we so desperately needed.  Jesus sacrifice was our "covering over" of sins, the sacrifice that turned away God's wrath, reconciling us to Him.  The Most Holy place where the priest entered in the Old Testament is now God's Throne in heaven, where Christ as our High Priest can enter in.

Jesus Christ death on the cross was our "complete and perfect" sacrifice for us.  There is no more need for any sacrifices... once and for all... Christ was enough!

Father God, I thank you for this time in Leviticus.  Thank you for enabling me to keep reading when it was tough and the kids just didn't want me to!  Thank You for revealing such amazing things to me!  But most of all, I thank You for Your son Jesus!  I praise His Holy Name for being the Lamb that came to take away the sins of the world, but even still, my sins!  May I realize daily that sin is not to be taken lightly.  To live in a way to honor the sacrifice made for me.  Hallelujah to the Lamb!  I praise You!

Thank you for reading along.  I would love to hear from you!

Be Holy

Daily Nugget:

I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.  Leviticus 11:44

My reading for today has been filled with tedious facts and information.  I think I can honestly say, although I find it amazingly wonderful that God gave such detailed direction for worship and atonement to Moses... I'm thankful we do not still have to go to that extent today.

I am thankful that Jesus sacrifice on the cross for me, was enough for the rest of my life.  Hallelujah!

But I do believe we are still to give Him offerings!  Offerings that He finds as a "sweet aroma".  I believe we are to give Him worship.. all the time, not just while the songs are being sung on Sunday.  I believe we are to give Him our first fruits - whether that is our time or our finances.  I have realized, after all, it is already HIS.  He choose to give me another day to live so therefore, it should already BE HIS.

God has called us to consecrate ourselves.  One dictionary has this to say:

Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. 

The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred".

 Solomn dedication to a purpose... wow.  Am I dedicated to one purpose - to be Holy and live my life to God?  Would someone associate me with 'sacred".  Too often, I would say no.  But we are still called to consecrate ourselves and become holy because HE IS HOLY!  We have a high calling.  It will take much effort.

Praying, fasting, giving - just to name a few.  These things we are called to do, in order to be Holy as He is Holy.  I know I still have a great journey to take before I would see myself as Holy.  But again, the blood that consecrated me, that was my sacrifice, has already been spilled.  My 'ram" was Jesus Christ, and because of Him, I can be Holy!  Praise the precious name of Jesus!

Now Father... I pray that we would not get so tied up in the specifics of what is "holy" that we forget it is all about YOU and not about US.  We can never truly do everything 100% perfect all the time, but we should most certainly strive for that.  I praise you, for sending YOUR son to die such a horrible death, just for me.  I ask Lord, that my sacrifices to you would be as a sweet aroma to You.  That you would find joy in what I have to offer.  You are my everlasting Father!  I love you so much!

By Name

Daily Nugget:

I know you by name and you have found favor with me. Exodus 33:12b

 

During my reading today, this verse just shouted my name!  I am thrilled to think that the God of the Universe, Maker of All Things, knows MY name and has found favor with me.

What an amazing feeling to know that God loves me so much, that with all the millions of people on the planet, HE KNOWS MY NAME!  I just adore that.

And even better than knowing my name... is the idea, that I have lived my life in a way that He could truly say "I HAVE FOUND FAVOR IN YOU." That just makes me want to sing and dance and leap and run... well you get the idea.

My Great Savior, I am thrilled that you know me by name.  I pray that above everything else that I may do in this life, that You can look at me ans say You found favor with me!  You amaze me.  You totally change my world.. just knowing that YOU kjnow MY name!

Thank you for taking the time to read my posts!  If you are reading along with me, please leave me a message!  See you tomorrow!!! 

Carried on Eagles Wings

Daily Nugget:

...and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.  Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then...  Exodus 19: 4b-5a

 

Just as a mother eagle catches her young on her wings to keep them from crashing why learning to fly, God was caring for Israel and bringing her not just to Sinai, but to Himself.  The expression of this verse is such a beautiful demonstration of how much God loves us.  How much he loved Israel.  

God does just the same for us... when we need Him desperately, when we feel as though we are falling, all while trying to learn to live for and serve Him, He is carrying us.  Oh thank you Precious Father!  You know I need catching so often!

But there is also a "condition".  God said If you obey Me FULLY and keep MY covenant.  God's love and care for the people was conditioned on their obedience to Him as their Lord.  I think sometimes we as God's children forget that there is a IF and a THEN.  We so often just assume that God is going to do for us all that He has said... for "free".  

We need to remember that the "IF" is what we are called to do, obedience to HIM, not so that we can get to the "then" but because we love Him so much!  The IF that we live out on a daily basis should be because we love, desire, adore, worship, glorify, magnify.... well you understand,  HIM!  It is when we give Him all of this unconditionally, that I believe He fulfills our THEN.  And wow is His THEN amazing!  It is more than we could ever hope or dream or even comprehend! 

He is a generous and loving God.  He lavishes us with good things.... He just wants us to fulfill our "IF" because we love Him so much!

Father God, I am always amazed by what you so graciously give to me.  May I be even more faithful this coming year at fulfilling my IF to You.  May I joyfully and lovingly keep Your Word.  May I follow Your commandments because I love and adore You, not just because I want the THEN.  You are Almighty and Worthy of all that I have, even if there is nothing more for You to give.  May my praise and adoration be a beautiful offering to you always!!!  Amen

Stand Firm

Daily Nugget:

Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today... The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.  Genesis 14: 13a, 14

Whew!  Today's reading was long!  Moses - his birth, his calling, his obedience.  Pharaoh and his hard heart.  Plagues... death.. deliverance!!!  God's story is amazing!  His plan and His purpose beyond our wildest dreams and imagination!!!  What a wonderful ride today's reading was!!!  (I think the 10 plagues would make a great Disney ride!)

Many things spoke to my heart today.  Moses believed God, met with Him face to face, but still tried to find a "way out"... using his imperfections as an excuse.  Wow.  That once again brought me to my knees.  I know that God has spoken to me in the past about a ministry or something HE was calling me to do... my answer:  But......  Why do we have so little faith in ourselves when God sees that we are so much more than that?  Lord God, God of Abraham Isaac, and Jacob, may I never try to get "out" of doing what You call me to do, just because I do not see myself as "able".

The scripture I used for my daily nugget was one of the major things that I took from today's reading.  Right now, there are situations, some small and "sort of" insignificant, some huge that can change our families direction that I need to see God's deliverance in.  But what am I doing?  Running around, worrying, stressing, whining, feeling sorry for myself and that's a good day!  So THANK YOU for the scripture reading today God, because I needed this HUGE reminder. 

I need to be still.  God has told us not to be afraid.  Even when a vast army (really big problem) is chasing us... He says to not be afraid.  To stand firm and SEE the deliverance.  Gosh, if I'm running around like a "crazy woman" will I miss the deliverance and the awesomeness of how it is accomplished! 

Why do I so easily forget that the LORD will fight for me.  I don' have to battle peoples opinions.  I do not have to struggle to see beyond my right now (although we are called to action and God did give us common sense for our own good).  There are so many things I need to STOP doing and just be still.

Be still and watch.  Be still and pray.  Be still and believe.  Be still and KNOW that HIS promises are to me, in my time of need.  If I'm not still, I might just miss the deliverance!!!

My friend, what do you need to be delivered from?  God has heard your cries, your please to Him.  Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and YOU WILL see the deliverance of the Lord!!!

Lord God, Thank you for reminding me that You always take care of me.  I thank you for the precious deliverance you have already provided to me, by my salvation.  Help me Holy One, to be still and watch and see what YOU are going to do.  Amen

Our Small View - God's Big Plan

Daily Nugget:

Genesis 45:7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

I love the story of Joseph.  Today my reading has continued through His journey from a much loved son, to a brother who was sold by jealous brothers, to a prison.  From dreams, to position of great power, to restoration in the family.  It is such a powerful story to behold!

Joseph and all that he experienced in his life, gives me great hope!  It seems that almost daily, God is showing me that my view is so small.  I get "stuck" on things that happen, especially bad things that do not go MY way.

I so often complain, whine, become grumpy and grouchy - but I realize it is mostly because my faith needs growing and my eyes need to see more clearly.  My small view of situations are but just a segment of a much longer story being told.

I wonder how often Joseph looked back on what his brothers did and that pit he was in, amazed and in awe of God's grace and goodness.  Did he realize because of his ability of explaining dreams, that so much would be esteemed to him?  I'm not sure, but that is one person I would really like to sit down with in heaven and ask a few questions!

God knows the larger plan, He is the Author and Finisher of every story being woven here on earth.  I want to learn from Joseph to be content in where I am, in the situations I find myself, knowing that it is all just a small part of the story God has written for me.


Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Father God, thank Your Word.  I am so thrilled that I can read accounts from long ago and still learn today!  The stories you authored over time continue to amaze me.  I pray that I may be more like Joseph, and when I find myself in situations where it seems my world is crashing, or I am losing ground, when family isn't who I thought they were, or just feeling at the end of the rope, that I will be aware that it is just a brief moment of time.  That I will have faith and trust in YOU to know YOU are working all things out for my good and YOU have a Big Plan that I just do not see.  Father may You accomplish great things through me.  I am Yours.  Continue to write my life's Big Picture!

I am excited to begin Exodus tomorrow!  Join me.

Even in the worst of times...

Reading for day 3 of 90 is completed.  I must say, I have found great pleasure in reading the Bible.  I have read stories that I have heard from a young age, but have found details that I have never know.  It is so amazing how God is able to make His Word come alive.

Daily Nugget:

Genesis 39:20b-21 But while Joseph was there in the prison,  the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

I have not ever been to prison (of which I am very happy), but I am sure it is not a good place to be.  Especially prisons in the days of Joseph.  But I have been in my own type of "prison".  I am sure you have as well.

Times where you have been accused or thought to have done something, where your world has been torn apart, only it wasn't YOU, you were just minding your own business, doing what you were called to do, and someone else twisted it.  Times where you found yourself in the midst of great distress, maybe with your husband, or your children, or other family.  Perhaps you have found yourself in a time of great struggles within your church...


Whatever "prison" we have or may still find ourselves, we can be assured of one thing... the Lord is with You.


I found great comfort in these words today.  So much had already transpired in Joseph's life.  His own brothers turned against him... because of jealousy.  He was thrown in a pit, then sold as a slave... but whatever situation he found himself in, he prospered, because God was with Him.


My sweet friends, for you who serve the Almighty God, God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac, He is just the same today as He was long ago.  And He is with us even in the most horrific of times.  God shows us kindness and grants us favor.  We must learn to not "wallow" in our situation... but hold fast to the knowledge we serve such an Incredible and Awesome God.


My Father God, thank you for always being in my "situations".  I know that in my own life, I have found myself in my own pit, my own prison.  But every time, You have been with me.  I give you praise and glory for your "favor" in my life.  Father God, may I always strive to keep You in sight, knowing that You are with me.  I thank You for all that is good in my life, for I know, without You... I would still be in despair!  Amen

Twists and turns...

it is amazing how many twists and turns there have been already in the Bible.  I'm only in Genesis...

Today's Nugget:

Genesis 28:15  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go...

 I am now through the 28th chapter of Genesis... and I can honestly say that I forget how imperfect those God used in the beginning of time were.

People doubted God to do what He said, because of age.  People took it upon themselves to "do it their way" because of doubt.  Bad choices, haunting decisions, ill-fated attempts to work God's plan ahead of God Himself.  Wait... that sounds just a little too much like me! Lord, how often I have done exactly (well not really) what Abraham and Isaac and Esau and Jacob and Sarah have done.  Trying to do it my way... believing you, knowing you are God Almighty, but maybe just not having the faith and patience to see YOU LORD, bring it to pass!

I am humbled today, that in-spite of all their short comings and failures, God held to His promises and fulfilled His purpose for their life.  There was never a time where it was "too much for God".  His promises, God's very word held as a covenant, continued to cover these imperfect and faltering people!  Lord, does that mean, that I too, regardless of how I have tried to do it "my way", can still be used and blessed and covered by You to do amazing and wonderful things!?!

Father God, I am so very thankful that you see my imperfections and still love me any way.  I am sorry for taking things, great things You have promised me, and totally blowing it. Lord, I admit I need You.  I need Your guidance and direction.  I want a revelation of just where You want me to be and how I am to be used for Your glory.  Show me Lord, that the promises You have given me, even long ago, are still possible.  And Father, allow me to wait patiently as You fulfill them and show me which direction to go.  I am blessed that YOU are watching over me, where ever I go.  That YOU have Your hand and Your eyes ALWAYS upon me.  What sweet peace that brings.

On a journey...

well at least that is how I feel.  I am starting a journey... to find God, and my place in His will.

I love the Lord with all my heart.  But I am seeking His face, His voice, His hand in my life and family in a way I never have. I desire to know God in such an intimate way.. that my life is forever changed!  And that my family is forever changed.

Tonight I started a 90 day challenge to read through the Bible.  I am so very exited!  I read my first day's assignment and wow... I am so happy to see things "pop" out that I never realized or had seen before!  God is so good!  I pray that God will continue to illuminate His word to me as I seek Him deeper and deeper.

Father God, I pray that these beginning days of 2011 will bring a new direction for my life.  Lord I ask that You give me vision and clarity in what Your will is for me.  You know my hearts desire... show me Your way and I will walk in  it!  I praise You Lord... and wait with great anticipation of what YOU have in store!

Anyone want to join me for the challenge?  Today's scripture was Genesis 1:1 through Genesis 16;16.

Today's Nugget:

Genesis 5:24  Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

I can honestly say I have never read this verse (at least that I remember).  I am totally in awe of the recording of scripture that Enoch walked with God.  For this to be important enough to be forever written, for all the world to see.... I believe Enoch "MUST" have been a man that excelled in Godliness.  God was so pleased with Enoch's life that he did not face a natural death, because God just chose to take him to heaven.  Enoch was special!

Lord, may the history of my life, when I leave this earth be: She walked with God.  May my children, my heirs to come... know that I walked with God.  What an amazing legacy.  May I be forever so faithful!

Starting with a challenge....

we had a wonderful worship service this morning.  I am so very thankful for my church, LifeChurch Birmingham! 

Today our youth pastor, Larry Lamb spoke in the service. He covered 4 aspects of our life that we must put into place for 2011.  I can say that some of these are a real challenge for me....  but God moved my heart today... and I have purposed that this will be NEW in m life this year.  I can honestly say that I have never, ever been as excited, almost giddy with anticipation of what God is going to do in my life this year.  I just know there is going to be some amazing things ahead!

So what are these 4 things:

1.  Forgiveness.  (Forgiving anyone who I hold un-forgiveness for.  We are not hurting them in any way, in fact... most likely they do not even know or have long since forgotten.)

2. Obedience.  (At all cost... I must be in direct obedience to God and His Word... is there any other way?)

3. Thankfulness. (Being thankful for every thing!  I really struggle with this... especially when it seems so many things seem to fall apart at one time.  Lord, help me to be truly thankful for all I DO have... knowing you have more in store for me if I am faithful.)

4.  Faith.  (We must have faith, strong faith.  Faith that says keep on walking God has it all under control, even when we know we have NO control. )

So those are some of the things I'll be focusing on for the beginning of 2011!..

God Bless.