Monthly Archives: November 2024

Preparation for worship

Lev. 16

God gave a thorough and exacting process through which the priests were to cleanse themselves to prepare to enter His presence. They actually risked expulsion or death. Christ’s death cleanses us from all impurity when we have faith in Him. It’s our personal relationship with Him that prepares us for worship.

Clean living

Lev. 14

Removing leprosy (or whatever unwanted growth) from the interior of a house was a critical element in an Israelite’s spiritual standing. A dirty house required an inspection from the priests.

I guess we don’t fully understand how important a clean house is to God. My wife gets it, though. (She’s gonna kill me for saying this)

Cleanliness IS Godliness!

Home sweet home

By God’s grace our home is paid for. It’s in Patty’s name so we wouldn’t lose it if I would get sued.

I often joke, “Look at this home I bought you.” Truth is, God provided this home. I deserve no credit.

Early in our ministry journey, I never thought I would be able to afford a home on my very modest music minister’s salary. (under $10k) Here we are 55 years later living in the comfortable home THE LORD HAS PROVIDED.

God is a provider. Early on, the Lord told me He would give me a pl,ace to live if I gave Him a place to live (in my heart). He has kept His promise.

Our offerings

Lev. 1-7

There were specific offerings to be made to God in the Tabernacle. They atoned for sin. But, Christ’s sacrificial death displaced most of them.

The Psalmist shares with us how we can still please the Lord with our offerings:

“I will praise the name of God with song
And magnify Him with thanksgiving. And it will please the Lord better than an ox
Or a young bull with horns and hoofs.” Ps. 69:30, 31

God’s barbecue

Leviticus 1-4

With all the meat being offered upon the altar, it must’ve been a wonderful aroma. Scripture says it was a sweet smell to the Lord.

When our lives are lived for Christ, it is a sweet and pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Time with God

Ex. 35

Moses spent 40 days and nights with God on Mt. Sinai. Their meeting was so special that Moses’ face glowed from being with God.

Your countenance reflects your current status with God. Try it. Cut out some time to worship and pray. The Lord is anxious for that to happen.

Gifted for service

Ex. 31

God sovereignly gifted Bezalel and Oholiab as skilled craftsmen to create the fine pieces of furniture and utensils to be used in the Tabernacle of Moses.

God still gifts certain people to serve him in skillful ways. For instance, at Trinity Tim Hurt served as worship leader. He is extremely gifted to sing, play sax, piano, guitar, and prepare our worship team to minister.

My own brother, Gary, is a similarly gifted person who builds guitars (demosguitars.com) and fine furniture. He built all the cabinets in a large church in Portland when he attended Bible College.