September 16, 2023

Worldly comfort is not promised. Early this morning, our power went off. The heat in Florida has been atrocious, and my thought immediately went to, "It's the Feast of Trumpets!" So I listened for the trumpet blast, but nothing came. Then I got up to see if we were the only ones without power, and thankfully, it was just our general area and not the entire world! Brace yourself. I expect that to happen very soon; we must all prepare. My dogs, who have a lot of hair, will suffer more than me if the electricity is off too long. Our home, which is well insulated, only dropped one degree within the hour that it was off, which is pretty good; no one got hot. 

Our most precious source of power comes from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Don't lose your connection to him because of sin. Sin is like an app opened in the background that's running your battery down. For the next ten days, between now, the Feast of Trumpets and The Day of Atonement, begin cleaning out the skeletons in your closet by systematically repenting of them. Not only will this act free you from the enemy's chains, but it will be a practice in celebrating the Feasts of the Lord. Though it may be unnecessary because of Jesus, it's not wrong to honor him by asking his forgiveness and celebrating Him during this precious time of year. Repenting will draw you closer to him and restore the power lost by sinning.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:23-25

September 15, 2023

The last chapter of Exodus and the setting up of the Tabernacle was precisely one year after the Israelites exited Egypt. 

On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the Tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. Exodus 40:2

After Moses set up the Tabernacle and everything was ready, God came and settled there, and they could see him as a cloud during the day and as a fire at night. Fire is consuming, yet it stays intact without being singed, much like the burning bush. This event was the first time they had seen the presence of God since they worshiped the golden calf.

Today, we are the living Temple! God has come to rule and reign in our hearts, and we are not consumed, and the fire will never consume us because of Jesus. Another thing I found interesting is that Moses wasn’t allowed to enter the Tabernacle, just as he wasn’t allowed to enter the Promised Land. When the cloud lifted, the Israelites would continue their journey, but when it settled, they would stay. 

Starting tonight until Sunday evening at dark, we can honor God by celebrating the Feast of Trumpets. You could gather with your family for a meal and remember to put God first or, at the very least, honor God by remembering this appointed feast.

Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:34

September 14, 2023

When my last child entered high school, I thought I needed to prepare for my life to change. After raising children for most of my life, I felt I needed a new career, so I went to school and got a degree in fashion design and marketing. I learned how to create garments from thought to drawings, from drawings to pattern making, and then from patterns to sewing and finishing. The clothing I designed came from my imagination and wasn't given to me while facing God on a mountain like Moses. God's designs, given to Moses, had to be conveyed to artisans who could weave the linen fabrics, tailors who put them together, and jewelers who could work with stones and metal. Their ability to complete their assignment to God's specifications was incredible and could have only been understood by the work of the Holy Spirit. If I had lived back then, I might have been called on to help complete some of this work; I know some women were weavers in that day and age. 

When I imagine the priestly garments, I think of pure white, but that wasn't the case; they were gold, blue, purple, and red! It's much more royal than I had thought. The drab colors in today's clothing and interior design point to depression. The grays and "moody" ideas are bland and underwhelming. We should stop following the television for our designs and start reading our Bibles for colorful ideas. When they finished, Moses blessed them. What an incredible payment for them to receive a blessing from a man who had a special communion with God Almighty. Because of Jesus, we also have that special communion with God. Feel privileged; we live in an incredible age. 

And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them. Exodus 39:43

September 13, 2023

I love to decorate with mirrors and things that reflect the light. They are like sparkling jewels in my house. Many women carry compact mirrors in their purses to check their appearance periodically. The Israelite women were no different; they also carried a type of mirror made of highly polished brass. Isn’t it interesting to have something in common with women from biblical days? As part of their offering for the building of the Tabernacle, they gave up their compact mirrors made of brass, and the crafters used them to make the basin used for the priest to wash before entering the interior of the Tabernacle, the Holy of Holies. I’ll bet the priests could check themselves to ensure they were spotless before entering, which was a great idea because they didn’t want to get zapped for being unclean. God doesn’t play around with his holiness; we had better show him respect and scrutinize ourselves as we bring our petitions and prayers. Though we are clean because of Jesus, I think it’s essential that we start most of our prayers by asking forgiveness to make sure we cover ourselves just in case we forget something. God is holy, so we should honor his holiness. 

And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Exodus 38:8

September 12, 2023

When we were remodeling our home, we had to decide the layout and what we felt was essential to include. We had to repeat those details often, especially when explaining to the people doing some of the work. We needed them to visualize our ideas to help carry out the design. God gave Moses specs for the ark and all the details of what was to be included; chapter 37 repeats those details. Another reason he may have repeated the details is that the children of Israel were not allowed to see the Holy of Holies, so it’s possible that Moses described it for them to visualize and keep at the forefront of their minds. 

The veil is torn, and we can see into the Holy of Holies, and it’s Jesus. No longer is the showbread something to look at; Jesus invites us, even though we are ordinary people, as saints to come and eat because he is the bread of life; can you taste it? The dim light of the candle sticks is now full daylight because Jesus is the light of the world; can you see it? The holy anointing oil and the aroma of the incense is like the Holy Spirit, and it is so good; can you feel it and smell it? We are truly blessed to have Jesus as our Savior. No longer the need to visualize; we can now experience the extraordinary because of Jesus. 

And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary. Exodus 37:29

September 11, 2023

Exodus 36 is a repeat concerning the details of the Tabernacle. However, there are still lessons to consider. First, when God commissions it, you will have an abundant supply, which is the case here. Not only did God supply the material for the build, but he provided the manpower and gave them the wisdom to complete the project. The people brought so many donations that Moses commanded them to stop. I’ll bet this is the only time that has ever happened! We know that today’s offerings, if abundant, are absorbed into some other project. 

And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make. Exodus 36:5

Bezaleel and Aholiab were in charge, and other artisans joined in. However, others wanted to be involved because God stirred their hearts to help. This project was not haphazard; it was for the Almighty God and the people who knew this and wanted to help. Just like with any project, there are the ones in charge, others with skills to carry it out, and then there are helping hands to do the menial but necessary work. God’s work will always be successful, and if we listen to his voice and follow his design, we will also be successful. 

September 10, 2023

Moses asked the Israelites to contribute to building and furnishing the Tabernacle. Many were willing to give; some precious stones, others with more meager means, shared what they had that was a part of Moses’ list. When your pastor asks for an offering, do you dismiss it or give it willingly? When there are needs within your church, do you think that came about by accident, or do you think it might be a road God has you walk down to show your commitment to Him? Remember, only a few received the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, so when Moses asked for the offering, their willingness had to come from their human spirit. They wanted a place to worship, so the ones who remained after the Levites and plague killed the worshippers of the golden calf were willing to help. Consider the needs of your church, and when your pastor asks for a contribution, do what your heart leads you to do; having the Holy Spirit should lead you to do above and beyond what your human spirit would allow. We have so much to be grateful for, so if there is a need in your church, show your gratitude to God by giving as much as the Holy Spirit compels you. 

The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. Exodus 35:29