I found Leviticus a very loving book and a quick read. its mostly God's instructions to the Levites along with only two historical accounts. what I received from the book as a whole is God's loving care for the details of our lives and the amazing scientific methods of healthcare written over 3,000 years ago.
I sped thru the first several chapters which deal with offerings. next came the instructions for consecrating the priests and the account of Nadab and Abihu's violent deaths. this section of Scripture gave me the seriousness God places on the ministry. it isn't something to be taken lightly for sure.
the following several chapters deal with the Divine healthcode, which I found fascinating. it spoke volumes to me on God's care for us. the remaining chapters outline moral, civil, and ceremonial code. there were various verses that blessed me but nothing overwhelming.
I did notice chapter 27 has instructions for people and property vowed to God, which reminded me of Jephthah. if only he had studied Leviticus he would have known better than to offer his daughter as a sacrifice. he is a grave example of diluting God's word with pagan practice and the responsibility leaders have to go by the Book and only the Book.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Exodus - Receiving the Ministry
I finished Exodus a couple days ago and its been a life of it's own. for me Exodus was a beautiful unfolding of receiving the ministry. it begins with Moses and details his preparation and ministry to Israel.
its cool that I would be in Exodus leading up to the Pastors Conference in Houston. the Lord confirmed in my heart how well I fit with the Calvary guys and my call to pastor a church. it really blessed me that just as I had prayed, David offered me the affiliation stuff. whatever God has for me I don't want to grasp it, just freely receive it. that was easily the best weekend of my life. David, Laura, Katie, and I stayed with the Ryding's and were soaked in awesome teaching and fellowship. I really can't imagine a better weekend this side of marriage.
some key points in Exodus for me.
several times the Lord refers to Israel as "My armies". ha! is He joking? broken-down brickmakers with sticks? isn't it just the beautiful grace of God to use us as His armies.
God told Moses Pharoah would drive them out with a strong hand. and the Pharoah who was so determined not to let Israel go, found himself driving them out of the land, just as God said. "the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, and He turns it wherever He will like rivers of water"
the relationship Moses had with God blessed me. he drew in tight and his fellowship enabled him to endure his ministry.
and its always a blessing to read that God filled craftsmen with the Spirit to build the tabernacle. I'm not skilled in practical ways and its relieving to see God call people specifically to that.
one final thing worth noting. the first evening of the Pastors Conference, Ron Hindt spoke on prayer "in the trenches". the teaching was very stirring and challenging, and I filled up with the Spirit so much I just started praying in tongues silently. we had a brief prayer time which led into worship. and during worship God gave me a vision.
I felt moved to pray, "God fill their censers with oil. that anointing, life-giving oil." then I saw two gold lamps, like aladdin lamps, with their lids open and empty. God said, "No one is pouring into them." then I saw another gold lamp with four spouts pouring oil into four lamps like the first two. God said, "Who will pour for Me?" I answered with a laugh, "I guess that's me again."
needless to say, I enjoyed this time thru Exodus.
its cool that I would be in Exodus leading up to the Pastors Conference in Houston. the Lord confirmed in my heart how well I fit with the Calvary guys and my call to pastor a church. it really blessed me that just as I had prayed, David offered me the affiliation stuff. whatever God has for me I don't want to grasp it, just freely receive it. that was easily the best weekend of my life. David, Laura, Katie, and I stayed with the Ryding's and were soaked in awesome teaching and fellowship. I really can't imagine a better weekend this side of marriage.
some key points in Exodus for me.
several times the Lord refers to Israel as "My armies". ha! is He joking? broken-down brickmakers with sticks? isn't it just the beautiful grace of God to use us as His armies.
God told Moses Pharoah would drive them out with a strong hand. and the Pharoah who was so determined not to let Israel go, found himself driving them out of the land, just as God said. "the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, and He turns it wherever He will like rivers of water"
the relationship Moses had with God blessed me. he drew in tight and his fellowship enabled him to endure his ministry.
and its always a blessing to read that God filled craftsmen with the Spirit to build the tabernacle. I'm not skilled in practical ways and its relieving to see God call people specifically to that.
one final thing worth noting. the first evening of the Pastors Conference, Ron Hindt spoke on prayer "in the trenches". the teaching was very stirring and challenging, and I filled up with the Spirit so much I just started praying in tongues silently. we had a brief prayer time which led into worship. and during worship God gave me a vision.
I felt moved to pray, "God fill their censers with oil. that anointing, life-giving oil." then I saw two gold lamps, like aladdin lamps, with their lids open and empty. God said, "No one is pouring into them." then I saw another gold lamp with four spouts pouring oil into four lamps like the first two. God said, "Who will pour for Me?" I answered with a laugh, "I guess that's me again."
needless to say, I enjoyed this time thru Exodus.
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