Presence of God 02.09.08

Hello Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday February 9, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Leviticus. Please read, Leviticus 22-23. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the Sabbath, Passover, Day of Atonement, and other feasts.

The Passover was the first feast of the Israelites' religious year. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. " (Leviticus 23:1-6). The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to remind them of the Exodus from Egypt and to also represented the sinless nature of Christ. Israel's abstinence from leaven (yeast breads) for seven days was a reminder that they were a holy people separated unto the Lord God.

It took seven weeks to harvest all the early crops, beginning with the barley that ripened in the spring. After that came the harvest of olives and the vineyards, followed by wheat, the final summer harvest. Just as there was a day of Firstfruits in the spring to indicate faith in the coming harvests, the Feast of Weeks, also known at the Feast of Harvest, expressed thankfulness for the completion of the summer wheat harvest. Later it was called Pentecost, from the Greek word pente meaning five and pent konta meaning 50. The Greek word for Pentecost is pent kost. This feast took place on the 50th day after the one sheaf (bundle) offering of the Feast of Firstfruits. "And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD." (23:15-16)

On the annual Day of Atonement the high priest offered sacri fices first for himself and then for the sins of the nation. Only then was he prepared to enter the most Holy Place to offer incense (symbolic of prayer) before Jehovah. He passed beyond the veil hidden from the people, including all other priests, and he was alone in the presence of our Creator. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath." (23:26-32).

While individual Israelites under the Old Covenant did not have the privilege of coming into the presence of God, Jesus under the New Covenant has made a way for us to enter His presence any time and we are encouraged to do so with confidence. "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16). Only a few pass beyond the view of people, to be alone in the presence of God, and to take time to pray and fast as did the early church.

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed in the seven great holy days of the Lord: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus Christ is our Passover sacrifice, our Bread of Life. He is the Firstfruits of them that died. And now through our Lord Jesus Christ we have received atonement for all sins. And He sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Today's Psalm: 132:11
"The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne."

Today's Prayer: Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Have a wonderfully blessed day/night and enjoy your weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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Love One Another 02.08.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday February 8, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Leviticus. Please read Leviticus 19 -- 21. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the laws of holiness and justice for the people and priests; the penalties for idolatry and immorality; and the laws regarding defilement of priests.

The Law and all the ordinances were given to the nation of Israel as a means of revealing to the world the wisdom and loving kindness of our Heavenly Father. "And if a stranger sojourn (visit) with thee in your land, ye shall not vex (upset) him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah (measure), and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:33-37).

The instructions against fraud, hatred, an unforgiving attitude, and immorality, are summed up in one Commandment: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Other Commandments call for reverence for parents and the aged and compassion for the suffering and the weak. All these reveal the loving concern of the Creator God who cares for all His people. Love in the heart of God is the source of everything that is good, His character of loving kindness should be expressed through His people. We are the means that God has chosen to express His love to the world.

Most of us, somewhere along the way, have at times thought: "How can I possibly love some people I know. However, it takes a Christian who, from his heart, seeks to manifest the nature of Christ his Savior who has forgiven his sins and loves those we consider "unloveable." It is of utmost importance that we sincerely express His love and compassion without exception. In doing so it not only blesses us it let's God know that He is in control and will handle person Himself.

The priests were to represent the Lord God before the people at all times They were also to represent Him in their own personal lives and family relationships, lest the sanctuary of God be profaned. "And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother. And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled. But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself." (21:1-4). Since the priest represented the Most High God surely a comparable high standard of conduct should be required of an elder, minister, or pastor today who is a spiritual role model representing Christ.

The priest's right ear, right thumb, and big toe of his right foot were to be anointed with blood. The blood-anointed ear was a reminder to listen to the voice of God above all others; the blood-anointed hand was a reminder of the priests' privilege to serve in the Tabernacle; and the blood-anointed foot was a reminder to walk in obedience to the Word of God. Since the priest was the spiritual leader among his people, the sacrifice for his sins required a young bull, the most highly valued animal. In comparison, this was the same sacrifice required for all the sins of the congregation. As a representative of God, a priest who disregarded the qualifications for service shall removed from the priesthood. A spiritual leader must set the example and abstain from any conduct that might influence others to be less than their best for Christ.

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed as the source of true guidance, in contrast to evil guidance (Leviticus 20:6-8). Jesus, who is The Truth also sent us the Spirit of Truth who guides us into all truth.

Today's Psalm: 73:24
"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 31:1-5
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Have a wonderul and great day/night. TGIF! Enjoy your weekend and be blessed.
God Bless You,
Christina

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All Sins Are Forgiven 02.07.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday February 7, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Leviticus, please read Leviticus 16 -- 18. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the Day of Atonement and the scapegoat.

The Day of Atonement was the most important day in the He brew calendar. On the Day of Atonement. "And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses." (Levitivus 16:29-34).

In addition, on this day, two goats were brought for the corporate sin offering. The high priest received them at the Tabernacle Door where he cast lots to select one to be sacrificed and the other to be released into the desert. The first was sacrificed as a sin offering and the second was the scapegoat. The peoples' sins for the past year were transferred to this scapegoat by the high priest laying hands on the goat. It was then led into the wilderness beyond the camp. It then departed from human view, symbolically carrying the sins of the congregation away. "And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness." (16:7-10). The sacrificed goat represents the sufficiency of a blood sacrifice for it is the blood that makes an atonement. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. The scapegoat represents the fact that all our sins are forgiven and forever removed as far as the east is from the west. Jesus Christ became the blood sacrifice that cleanses all our sins.

We need to realize that these two goats represent the two-fold purpose of our Lord's death on the cross. Our sins are forgiven and forever removed from God's sight. Our peace and fellowship with God are restored by the blood of Christ. Many have confessed their sinful past lives. However, not realizing this fact, many Christians continue to pray for God to forgive them many times and continue to carry the unbearable guilt of those past sins. He does not want us to carry the guilt of confessed sins. In fact, it is an insult to God as it infers we don't really believe He has forgiven us.

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through the two goats used on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:8). The slaying of the first goat signifies that our peace with God was restored by the blood of Christ. The scapegoat signifies that our sins are carried away and forever forgotten by the Lord.

Today's Psalm: 103:12
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 25:1-7
Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

Have a great and wonderful day/night.
God Bless you,
Christina

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You Have Everlasting Life 02.06.08

"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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18 KJV)

As we begin the season of lent God spoke to my heart about writing a message relating to Ash Wednesday. Many people mistake the reason for this special time of year. Many will follow religious traditions such as anointing their foreheads by a priest or minister with ashes, they will mourn and spend the day in sorrow in hopes to insure their salvation. Indeed the ashes represent our bodies which turn to ash when we perish. However, although our bodies may turn to ash, it is no reason to mourn as our spirits live on and join Jesus in heaven.

There is only one way to insure Salvation and that is by accepting Jesus into your heart. "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:22-23).

Once you accept Jesus into your heart nothing can take away your Salvation. No matter how bad you have been you are not saved by your works, but by your faith. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16). Now, with that said God still wants you to do good things, it is by following His Will that you will receive your rewards in heaven. In fact, once you accept Jesus into your heart the Holy Spirit grabs hold of you and transforms you day by day and you will find yourself eager to do God's will.

Jesus said, Whoever believes in Him (Me) shall not perish, but have everlasting life, that means eternal and forever. So, rest assure once you accept Jesus into your heart you have eternal life and do not have to keep questioning yourself. Instead of using this time to question your salvation use it as a time to ask for forgiveness of your sins from the past year and become to closer to God by cleansing yourself in His Word.

To learn more about Salvation and the Easter season please visit:
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Seperation From God 02.06.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday February 6, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Leviticus, please read Leviticus 14 -- 15. In today's lesson we will read and learn about purification after having skin diseases; signs of leprosy; uncleanness of men and women; seperation from sin; and the sacrifice for cleansing from defilements.

All lepers were consigned to isolation beyond the reach of human aid because of their disease. They would surely defile everything and everyone they touched. "He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head. 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 13:44-46).

The word leprosy struck terror in the heart of an Israelite for two reasons. First, the person who had leprosy became an outcast from society. He was forced to leave his home, his family, friends, and the place of worship. He was only able to exist outside the camp. When anyone went near him, the leper had to cry out the warning: Unclean, unclean. But perhaps the most horrifying reason leprosy was so feared was that there was no known cure for it. At first leprosy seems harmless, a small white or pink spot on the skin and, in its earliest stages, it is totally painless. The spot might remain for months or even years before it begins to develop further. Eventually, leprosy produces an extremely repulsive disfigurement of the entire body, including spongy tumor-like swellings on the face and head.

In the following chapters God gave specific instructions for those who were declared lepers and all people and things who were around him. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: ....And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days....Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house: And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall; Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:" (14:1-2, 8, 36-38)

Leprosy illustrates how sin may first appear as insignificant, harmless, or painless. However, like leprosy, sin immediately separates us from God and makes us unclean. People controlled by sin exist in a state of living death, they have to continue over and over again to try and make things right only to be plagued by it. However, God has given us a way to be cleansed from all that through our Lord Jesus Christ. When we turn to Christ, truly repent, and forsake our sins, the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all sin no matter how big or small.

As we prepare for a season of reflection and atonement for our sins we learn that "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). Once we accept that we are sinners, want to be forgiven, and want Jesus in our lives the Holy Spirit will enable us to be transformed and renew in us a right relationship with God. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2).

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed as the priest who made atonement for the leper (Leviticus 14:20). The priest was symbolic of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received atonement. (Romans 5:11).

Today's Psalm: 18:32
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 27:1-6
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Take some time today to reflect on the year past and asked God to forgiven you of any forgotten sins as this is Ash Wednesday, the day for atonement.

Have a wonderful day/night and God bless you.
Christina

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