September 23, 2023

Like the priestly family of Moses through Aaron, whom God chose to carry out the duties of the Tabernacle, you were also chosen when you accepted Jesus as your Savior. Then, your baptism was like being anointed into the holy priesthood, which gives you a certain responsibility to live a consecrated life, much like the Levitical Priests. Dressed impeccably in the righteous garments of Christ, you were appointed and anointed by God through Jesus to carry his light and truth, the Urim and the Thummim. The consecration of the priests included anointing with oil and smearing of blood on their right ear, right thumb, and right big toe, which is symbolic of listening to the word of God, doing his work, and walking and persevering in his ways. It seems like a heavy burden; however, Jesus implores us to leave it on his shoulders and learn from him. 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. Leviticus 8:8

September 22, 2023

Have you had to sacrifice a relationship to maintain your peace? It may be that certain people bring you anxiety, so you have to remove them from your life to save yourself from pain. That doesn’t mean you hate them; you value your peace. Their sins against you may have created that animosity, and you have had to distance yourself from them to maintain a healthy heart. Sometimes, we have to make hard choices. We all want peace, and God knows that, so there were rules and sacrificial offerings to Him for peace in the Old Testament. Jesus came to bring peace and gave us the ultimate sacrifice.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

If it’s impossible to separate yourself from the one stirring up your anxiety, offer prayers for Jesus to protect your emotions as you deal with them. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit as our comforter; hide in him when you need ultimate peace.

Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings. Leviticus 7:13

The Day of Atonement begins on Sunday evening and ends on Monday evening. Continue to pray and confess any sin that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Ultimately, a sin-free life brings peace; Jesus is the answer to that prayer. 

September 21, 2023

We had to go to Miami for business and stayed in a new high-rise downtown across from the port. It was very high-tech and took some time to get used to. Though it might seem efficient and allow more people to have a waterfront view, staying in a building with fifty stories is a little concerning. What if there was an emergency and the elevators were not working or if there was a technical glitch? That’s a lot of stairs to have to maneuver. I would be especially concerned if it were my home. I don’t even want to deal with one flight of stairs, much less 50. It had a nice pool and gym, and it was across the street from a very cool mall, but what I loved most about the trip was the drive through the Everglades. Seeing the enormous river of grass does this Florida girl’s heart some good. However, driving across a road that cuts off its flow and seeing the canals diverting the water irritates me, but I feel God will soon restore it to its former beauty. 

Do you realize that when you accepted Jesus as your Savior, God forgave your sins and restored you to the beauty you were before sin touched you? That’s why you must maintain that beauty by repenting daily. I’m a country girl and go outside without shoes. Repenting every day is similar to washing my feet when I return inside; I don’t need to wash my whole body, just my dirty feet. I’m thinking, but cannot be sure, that repenting during the days leading up to The Day of Atonement may have been a practice in getting the people used to confessing their sins daily. 

Today, if you have harmed anyone by your actions, try your best to restore them. Zaccheus, of the New Testament, who was a tax collector, made restitution to those he had taken advantage of and made an offering to God, whom he also offended by his actions. See Luke 19:8.

Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. Leviticus 6:5

September 20, 2023

Richard and I have had more than our share of court appearances. When someone doesn’t pay their rent and won’t move out, we have no choice but to seek a legal remedy, but it’s always a last resort. We are not a charitable organization, so to reclaim our property, sometimes the only remedy is to take the matter to court. When you stand before a judge, you must tell them the truth about what you know without hiding any facts. If you don’t, you become as guilty as a wrongdoer. The law God handed down to Moses for the Israelites makes it clear we still have an obligation to confess what we know today. 

And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. Leviticus 5:1

When Jesus stood before the high priest, he kept silent until he asked whether he was the Christ, the Son of God. That’s when he confessed what he knew.

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Matthew 26:64

If Jesus told the truth and the consequence was death on the cross, you can tell the truth in any legal matter. You obviously won’t face death on the cross like Jesus did, at least not here in the United States. 

To participate in the days leading to the feast called The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, make a point to confess your sins. God wants you to take responsibility for the sins you know you committed and ask for forgiveness.

And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: Leviticus 5:5

September 19, 2023

Even though Leviticus is a little boring, we can always glean something from it. Chapter 4 shows that God is understanding of our ignorance. He knew the people didn't comprehend every law completely, but even then, they were held accountable and must repent. If a priest or an entire congregation sins, they must sacrifice a bull. That was a pretty hefty price for sin back then. Even by the standards of today, that's a serious price. However, I noticed that a priest is held to a higher standard than a ruler. If a ruler sins, he must sacrifice a male baby goat and a common person is held to less account can sacrifice a female baby goat. 

These scriptures show why things are wonky today; common people are held more responsible for their actions than preachers or lawmakers; we don't see many of them paying the price for their sins nowadays. I'm waiting on pins and needles for that to change; what a glorious day to finally see the governing authorities pay the price for their malfeasance. Not only them, but it will also be fantastic to see the false preachers and teachers held to account for leading the common people down the wrong path. I suspect there may be a lot of unlearning that needs to take place and a relearning of the truth in our future. Wait for it; it will happen!

Today, as we approach the Day of Atonement and diligently ask forgiveness during these holy days, repent of any unintentional sin.

I can't imagine sacrificing one of these sweet cows.  

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: Leviticus 4:2

September 18, 2023

If ever there was a moment I needed peace, it’s this morning. I’m writing my post in a waiting room with many chatty people. When I opened my Bible to the next chapter, it focused on peace. I guarantee you that it’s not a coincidence. However, being I’m in Leviticus, to get peace, you would need to slaughter an animal as a peace offering to the Lord. Thank the Lord for his ultimate sacrifice and for giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. Imagine being in so much turmoil that you felt the need to offer God a peace offering by cutting the throat of an animal; that’s not my idea of peacefulness. You can also see how necessary the Holy Spirit is when you observe the actions of the unbelievers and how much drama and eventful their lives are. Having Jesus is more than escaping the consequences of our sin; it is also a life lived knowing an incredible peace while living in a world contaminated by evil. I’ll bet it enrages the devil knowing we feel settled even among the chaos he created. Don’t get me wrong, we will always have some upheaval because the enemy hates that we trust in the Lord; however, even in the stresses of this world, we have the peace of the Holy Spirit that passes all understanding. If you are feeling turmoil today, ask the Lord to give you rest from your anxiety. Leave your troubles with him and realize he is in control and you are in his hands. 

Don’t forget, we are in a holy season. Make it a habit of asking forgiveness daily, but make it a point during the season of The Day of Atonement, which is just a few days away. Though it’s not a requirement for believers, as those adopted into the family of God, it couldn’t hurt to celebrate what Jesus has done for us. 

And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD. Leviticus 3:1

September 17, 2023

Did you know that the Lord loves country-fried steak sprinkled with salt, biscuits, and grits? It says it right in Leviticus 2. It doesn’t say he had gravy, but they could have made it with all the flour and oil poured on the altar. Also, possibly a few crackers for an appetizer. Look, I was a bit shocked, too! For him to be so royal and mighty and to know that he’s a little bit country might help us understand him better. Well, maybe I’m being a bit liberal with the scriptures, but looking at them from a different perspective might concrete them in your mind so you can understand what was happening back then. We all love to eat, and the smells from the Tabernacle during sacrificial days must have been amazing. 

It was a lot of work back then to have your sins forgiven; even then, you had to go back the following year to do it all over again. Jesus came and made the ultimate sacrifice to make repentance much easier for us; all we have to do is pray, and he washes away our transgressions on the spot. Here’s a thought: God loves the smell of the food cooking, so why not invite him to your table every time you eat? God doesn’t change, so we know he still loves country-fried steak, biscuits, and grits; don’t sit down to eat without praying to him. Invite him to join your table and thank him for his sacrifice.

Biscuits and crackers: “And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.” Leviticus 2:4 

Country fried steak: “And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in the fryingpan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil.” Leviticus 2:7

With salt: “And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.” Leviticus 2:13

Grits: “And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the LORD, thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears.”