Reminder To Self

This morning my radio/alarm went off very early. Normally I wake up on my own, but I had to do

something early so I wanted to make sure I was up on time. The first five minutes of my morning was filled with the relentless chatter of complaining, grumbling and whining about events in our country on the radio. So I got up and turned it off and walked to the kitchen and what was going on in my head? Grumbling and complaining! Go figure! Whoa! Praying is much more advantageous! As soon as I stopped thinking about what was on the radio, my brain was cascaded with a whole bunch of things to be thankful for!

We don't live in the age of the people of Leviticus and the sacred reminders of God through the tabernacle, offerings, sacrifices and laws. We live in the days of the spirit, but taking a lesson from the Old Testament, it doesn't hurt to put up reminders of God's great goodness in our lives. We don't even have to strain at this because the holy spirit in our hearts can bring things to mind if we tune in to that channel.

There are many things going on in our country today and it is election time, so there is a lot of grumbling, negatives and aggravating political calls.  So why not put a reminder on the phone and TV that says 'Pray for our country'. I know that when the people in Exodus turned and prayed to God they got answers. Complaining didn't get them very far and it delayed their entry to the promised land.

Brought Forth

In reading through Leviticus with all its detail of the offerings sacrifices, and feasts, it is certainly clear that God has made himself known to man as to what he expects and how his will is laid out. Much of what is recorded in Leviticus is for man's focus, remembrance and and an unveiling of what is future. For all that God has done, continues to do, and will continue to do, man is to revere the creator.

God brought his people out of bondage, to be holy, not as bondmen but God's own servants. He said over and over that He is the Lord and He was to be their God just as he had said to their forefathers. He gave them a new land to be an example to all. The reminders are all through Leviticus.

45 For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. Leviticus 11:45

36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:36-37

31 Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the Lord. 32 Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am theLord which hallow you, 33 That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 22:31-33

43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 23:43 

38 I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God. Leviticus 25:38

42 For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. Leviticus 25:42

55 For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 25:55

13 I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright. Leviticus 26:13

45 But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 26:45

This is a good lesson for us today. God hasn't changed, except now we can enjoy the privileges of as sons of God. We are not to profane his name by bringing things down to a human level but recognize we are being brought up and out of the weights, burdens and injustice of the world by God. So instead of looking down, we look up and focus on God!

Challenges swirl and mix around at us at an amazing moment to moment rate. I saw this so simply again this past week.  News and current affairs have a profound effect on us even when we may be unaware of its effects. The internet brings us instant access to all sorts of information. A phone call, a magazine, or a conversation can all  effect our thinking.  However, when we are immersed in the Word, prayer and thankfulness, the negatives bounce off of us. The joy and utter peace of a relationship with the Father sterilizes our atmosphere. Light dispels and overcomes darkness.

Security in God Knocks Down Walls of Defensiveness

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone about God and realize that somehow something went awry. As I read Exodus this problem seemed constant just as it is today. People often misinterpret what others say, read into it what others say, throw up walls of defensiveness and sometimes act very offended.

When you really understand the gift of holy spirit and its value to the individual, there is a security and confidence that develops that is not based on arrogance nor pride. Fellowship between two people is absolutely magnified. No one is trying to get the drop on another or outdo someone to build themselves up because God is the true source of adequacy.

God planted His tabernacle smack dab in the middle of the orderly dispersion of the twelve tribes when they camped. All were reminded of Him in their midst. Everything in the set-up reminded them of Him: the offerings, the laver, materials used, the structure of the entire place, the veils and hooks and gate. In the opening of Leviticus, God is recorded to have met with Moses in the tabernacle. He no longer had to make treks up Mt Sinai.

In our world today God is even closer to the individual believer. He is at the center of our hearts.
That doesn't mean we don't need others. We do need to surround ourselves with those who remind us who we are in Christ and who seek his lordship. I love people who remind me of God and contrast the Bible with of the false narrative of the world. Too often even religious people can reflect a false narrative in the name of religion which can be quite confusing. It is great to know that God is nearer than our own breath and when we get together with others that have that understanding, it is amazing!

Rise and Shine!

In 2 Corinthians 3, there is a beautiful section dealing with the glory of God. The word "glory" is used

of something that attracts praise, honor and esteem.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

Have you ever felt the invisible veil that seems to drop down around fear, negativity and condemnation. Often I cannot feel that slippery dark intrusion as it falls, but when it starts to permeate the things around, I usually sense a foreboding and ask for God's help. It is then I can see the lifting and change in atmosphere very clearly. Joy!  The people in Exodus could not see spiritual things without the help of Moses. He reflected the glory of God to them in His face. In the New Testament the veil was torn down separating them personally from God's holiest inner workings, but some of them kept the veil over their hearts. They could not experience the joy and freedom of basking in God's glory.

verse 17: Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Our lives reflect the glory of the Lord as we believe and turn our face to God. The New Testament  describes a relationship with God that is open, full-faced and enduring(not fading away). Veils are completely torn down! There is no shame that darkens the joy of living in great freedom with the Father. As we live our lives in that freedom we reflect the love of the Father. In the morning when I get up, the first thing I do is open the curtains and blinds. I love the morning sun. When people see the love of the Father, it opens the blinds to their hearts and lets the glorious sonlight in! You don't have to ever shut them because it is light that never sets.